PREFACE. Xlll 



examining a series of specimens, by which means he has in 

 many cases removed doubts ; still he fears that in others, 

 where he has not had this advantage, some specimens 

 figured as species may eventually prove the young of others. 

 One instance has occurred since the 12th plate was engraved, 

 the 3rd figure of which Dr. Burmeister informs me is 

 only the young of Goniodes falcicornis, which I shall not 

 dispute. Though I would observe, that in examining spe- 

 cimens of the G. Stilifer, Tetraonis and Compar, at various 

 ages, I do not see such a difference in the structure of the 

 antennae, as exists between these two insects. 



In the progress of this work, however, the author has had 

 to contend with repeated rebukes from his friends for enter- 

 ing upon the illustration of a tribe of insects .whose very 

 name was sufficient to create feelings of disgust. " Why 

 not take up some more interesting or popular department 

 of Entomology" has been the frequent remark made to 

 him. He considered, however, that if he wished to render 

 any service to science, he must not consult popular taste or 

 ephemeral fashion, but must take a page from that part of 

 the great Book of Nature,* less generally read, and con- 

 sequently, less understood and appreciated by the world at 

 large, t The habits or size of an animal should form no 

 item in the scale of man's estimation as to its usefulness. 

 That each is formed especially for some part in the eco- 

 nomy of the universe, and that its structure is admirably 

 and peculiarly adapted and constructed for the accomplish- 



* " Nature is a book written on both sides within and without, in which 

 the finger of GOD is clearly visible, a species of Holy writ in a bodily form 

 a glorious Panegyric, as it were, on GOD'S OMNIPOTENCE, expressed in the 

 most vivid symbols. The outer part of this sacred volume attests the 

 supreme power, wisdom, and goodness of the Creator in characters too clear 

 and luminous to be unperceived or misread by the dullest or the most 

 vitiated eye. The inner pages comprise a still more glorious revelation, but 

 their language is more mysterious." Fred, von Schlegel, Phil, of Life, p. 85. 



t There are yet " in the instructive book of nature, many leaves which 

 hitherto no mortal has perused.'' Pontoppidan, Pref. p. 1. 



