XVI PREFACE. 



The accomplished and amiable Sir Joseph 

 Banks, it will be remembered, came under the 

 satirical lash of Dr Walcot's pen for a similar 

 reason. But, notwithstanding, he has left behind 

 him an imperishable name. 



Another cause why this inexhaustible and 

 interesting study till lately made so little 

 progress in Britain, was the want of elementary 

 books. But this is now completely obviated; 

 first, by the delightful and amusing Introduction 

 to Entomology, by Messrs Kirby and Spence, 

 in four volumes, the first of which appeared in 

 1815; and, subsequently, by the more technical 

 introduction of Mr Samouelle ; and, still more 

 recently, by the popular productions of Professor 

 Rennie, entitled Insect Transformations, Insect 

 Architecture, and Insect Miscellanies. 



The pursuit of nature carries along with it 

 many charms, and there is no division of the 

 subject beneath the attention of man. " Even 

 in favour of the mere butterfly hunter, he who has 

 no higher aim than that of collecting a picture 

 of Lepidoptera, and is attached to insects solely 

 by their beauty or singularity, it would not be 

 difficult to say much. Can it be necessary to 



