vl PREFACE. 



extenuate many of their imperfections. They were 

 designed as the commencement of a series of illus- 

 trations of the Natural History of Shakspeare's 

 Plays. The attempt to blend the imagery of the 

 Bard with the facts recorded by Science, has been 

 made in the humble hope, that the worshippers of 

 our Great Dramatist might be pleased to see another 

 oflFering laid upon his shrine, and that the youthful 

 lovers of Entomology might be attracted by the ex- 

 hibitions of her charms, reflected in the bright ima- 

 ginings of the Poet. 



All arrangements with respect to the illustrative 

 woodcuts have been entrusted to the PubUshers. 

 Many of these they were enabled to give without 

 adding to the expense of the work, and for others 

 they are indebted to the pencil of Mr. G. F. Sar- 

 geant, a young artist of taste and talent. To J. O. 

 Westwood, Esq., the indefatigable Secretary of the 

 London Entomological Society, my grateful acknow- 

 ledgments are due for the flattering terms in which, 

 both to myself and others, he expressed himself 

 respecting the MS. of this little v^'ork, and encouraged 

 me to venture on its publication. 



K. P. 



Belfast, 3, College Square North, 

 13th June, 1838. 



