MEMOIR OF DRURY. 



and other vermin from getting in and destroying the 

 valuables. Before I proceed, I must inform you 

 that the most ugly, hideous, and disagreeable in- 

 sects, as they would appear to the generality of 

 mankind, are to me the most valuable, nor can the 

 appearance of the gayest and brightest colours in- 

 duce me to give them the preference. All that I 

 desire is to have variety among the beetle kind, even 1 

 those that are of the most dull and unstriking colours 

 may perhaps be the most acceptable. May I there- 

 fore hope my good friend will indulge my appetite 

 for these articles with a gratification ? That, I must 

 confess, I prefer to all the subjects of curiosity that 

 that continent affords. Shall I tell you why I am 

 so ardent for subjects of this kind ? You must know 

 that as my collection is pretty strong in insects from 

 the West Indies, which I have procured with much 

 trouble and some expense, I am determined to pub- 

 lish a History of Insects, if I can obtain a few more 

 species than what I have already that have not 

 been described by any author, and as the coast of 

 Africa affords a great number of that sort, I only 

 ivait till I am so happy as to get some from those 

 parts, when I should immediately begin ; but as all 

 my attempts, for ten years past, have proved fruit- 

 less, I am the more solicitous with you on that ac- 

 count. But if friendship, added to the little degree 

 of duty owing to the public, should prove ineffec- 

 tual, I shall let the whole scheme drop, because I 

 shall conclude that if the difficulties are so great 

 that I cannot procure them by means of a friend, it 



