PREFACE. 



THE deeply interesting branch of Natural History which 

 this little volume is intended to illustrate is one that cannot 

 fail to prove attractive to those who engage in its pursuit ; 

 not only from the extreme beauty and variety of colour and 

 form displayed by the insect world (though in these respects 

 almost unrivalled), but also from the unbounded proofs of 

 the Divine goodness and wisdom evinced, in the adaptation 

 of each member in its numerous families to the purposes 

 of creation ; and in the instincts bestowed upon them, by 

 which these purposes are fulfilled. 



The limits assigned to the work will, of course, only 

 admit the description of a portion of the species indigenous 



