PREFACE. 
—=a-—— - 
The execution of the Zoological drawings now published, 
have been to us an agreeable relaxation from severer studies ; 
and the concise descriptions by which they are accompanied, 
are intended to convey, in a condensed and popular form, 
the partial result of more extended investigations. Species 
are the objects of which the whole fabric of animated nature 
is composed, and their respective properties must be inves- 
tigated, before their natural combinations can be understood. 
Their delineation is therefore highly important. Figures 
bring before us objects which cannot always be understood 
by words ; while if faithfully executed, they possess the same 
value as every period of time ; for nature is unchangeable. 
It is to be regretted that of late much discussion should 
have arisen among our own naturalists, as to the relative 
merits of the different modes by which they study nature. 
The searchers after the natural system throwing obloquy on 
those who investigate species,* while the latter contend 
that mankind is more interested in knowing the properties 
of species, than those of groups.t ‘To us it appears that 
_ such discussions are unnecessary, and but ill calculated to 
promote that good feeling which should prevail in a division 
of labour. The power of embracing comprehensive views, 
and of detecting diversified relations, must be confined to a 
few, because such objects require the greatest exertion of 
a superior mind, yet they must ever be mainly dependant 
on the labours of another class of naturalists: those who 
analyze the properties of species, and seperate with critical 
judgment, and nice discrimination, resemblances from affi- 
nities. But for these valuable coadjutors our acquaintance 
with nature would be altogether speculative: they supply, 
* Zool. Journal, Vol. 4. p. 405. + Tl. of Brit. Ent. 1. p. 70 
