ULYSSES ALDROVANDI. 2? 



acquainted with those matters with which the Al- 

 mighty alone seems to be familiar."* 



We shall gratify our readers with one more of 

 these delightful extracts, which, while exhibiting our 

 Naturalist's general habijs, bears more particularly 

 upon the insect world. " What my labours have 

 been, and to what lengths I went, I could wish you 

 to judge ; and when I reflect on the many days I 

 have given to this study, and what expenses I have 

 incurred, I cannot but wonder how I have been able 

 to obtain possession of, and to examine, and to 

 describe, such a number of minute creatures. For the 

 attainment of my object, I was in the habit of going 

 into the country for months, during the summer and 

 autumn, not for relaxation, like others ; for at these 

 times I employed all my influence, as well as money, 

 to induce the country-people to bring me such in- 

 sects, whether winged or creeping, as they could 

 procure, in the fields or under ground, and in the 

 rivers and ponds. When any was brought me, I 

 made inquiries about its name, habits, locality, &c. 

 I often, too, wandered through the vineyards and 

 fields, over the marshes and mountains, accompanied 

 by my draughtsman and amanuenses, he carrying his 

 pencil, and they their note-books. The former took 

 a drawing if expedient, the latter noted down to my 

 dictation what occurred to me, and in this way we 

 collected a vast variety of specimens."^ 



* Opera, t. ii. Dedicat. 

 t Opera, t. iv. Ad Lector. 



