UNIVERSALLY DIFFUSED. 149 



and peculiar form, and differing in the different 

 families. It is from the circumstance of the wings 

 being thus covered with scales, that the term Lepido- 

 ptera has been employed, to express the distinguishing 

 characteristic of the order to which the different kinds 

 of butterflies, spliinxes, and moths belong. 



Such are the insects which are to "furnish forth," 

 I hope not "coldly," the materials for the present 

 " banquet :" and, as among these the butterflies are 

 generally \'iewed as the most important, I shall com- 

 mence with them ; adding occasionally, to use the 

 language of Justice Shallow, "any pretty little tiny 

 kickshaws." 



I may first, however, remark that the lepidopterous 

 insects are universally diffused. In the flower-garden, 

 they flit from blossom to blossom ; in the pastures, they 

 rise almost from under your feet ; on the mountain, 

 they dart forth as you rustle through the heather ; in 

 the forest, they attract your notice, glancing through 

 its brightand sunny glades, or motionless as the lichens 

 which variegate the trunks of its leafy monarchs. 

 Not content with the possession of ubiquity out of 

 doors, they enter into our dwellings, and are found 

 even in the recesses of our chambers. They are 

 fitted, not only for every place, but for every season. 

 Some appear with the violets of spring, some \nth the 

 roses of summer, some with the dahlias of autumn, and 



