190 OUR IGNORANCE OF THE 



THERE are very many subjects and employments of 

 mankind, which, if we would obtain a competent know- 

 ledge of them, w T ill require an almost undivided atten- 

 tion ; yet, after all our " rising early and late taking 

 rest," we shall know too little to be weighed in compe- 

 tition with what is* beyond our attainment or compre- 

 hension. As in ascending mountainous regions we may 

 reach the summit of one hill with, comparative ease, 

 that of a higher with more laborious efforts, and a still 

 higher is attained by a gifted few, beyond which our 

 breath fails us, our natural powers become inadequate ; 

 so a small number may ascend the Alps of science, but 

 pant, unable to attain the Himmala ranges of their 

 wishes. If proficiency be the object, all the branches 

 of natural history require undivided attention ; but 

 amusement, admiration, and intelligence, may be ob- 

 tained by even superficial observation; and of all these 

 departments, perhaps entomology, or the investigation 

 of the insect world, from the variety it embraces, the 

 season, the subjects, and the vigilance necessary to 

 catch every momentary action, requires from its followers 

 an homage more absolute, an attention more devoted, 

 than most others. Amid those few branches of science 

 on which I have sought for blossoms, that of ento- 

 mology I have least .investigated ; yet, perhaps it may 

 be said, that such slight notices as the foregoing need 

 not have usurped the time that the study of this depart- 

 ment required. To this truth I cannot but assent, and 

 say with the eminent man, whose " Centuries of Ex- 

 periments" I have often quoted, that they are indeed 

 more the suggestions of "light than of fruit;" pro- 

 ficiency was beyond my powers; I have sought for 

 amusement, and gratefully record the many ^peaceful 

 hours, and oblivion of pain, which the perusal of 

 nature's volume gave me, superficial as that perusal 

 was. 



On whatever side we turn our attention in this world 

 of wonders by which we are surrounded, we constantly 

 find some subject that calls forth our admiration ; and, 

 as far as our very imperfect vision is permitted to pene- 

 trate, we observe the same unremitting order and pro- 



