86 



yonr wishes in stating a few facts, which I fear will afFord you but little information, nor do I by any means 

 think them deserving pu]>lication, as they lead to nothing, unless that, as a spirit of inquiry seems to be taking 

 place, they may act as a stimulus to engage gentlemen who have leisure, and possess large plantations of 

 Pines, to examine into and investigate the nature, habits, and oeconomy of these small destructive beings. 

 And in that case I would recommend to their particular observation, to attend to and watch their progress, 

 to search for and discover their natural enemies, and endeavour to employ them one against the other, for 

 each of them is food for some other animal, which if encouraged will do more towards extirpating them, 

 than all the powers which human skill could effect: for I am fully convinced that we often destroy the friend 

 and spare the foe, for want of proper knowledge and discrimination; and this frequently in the case of birds, 

 who are very great destroyers of insects. I would advise persons whose interest is concerned in saving their 

 plantations and crops, Avhenever they shoot a bird, carefully to examine its craw, and note what it contains, 

 by which means they would soon gain valuable information, and know when to destroy and when to encou- 

 rage. The great desideratum of the Entomologist is to know his insect in all its stages, its habits, and 

 . oeconomy; and for this they must require the assistance of persons resident in the country, ^vho have these 

 thmgs constantly before their eyes, but wiio pass by them without the slightest notice, or even consider them 

 as deserving attention, though perhaps they are suffering most materially. 



I can only add, that if this hasty production gives you any pleasure or satisfaction, the end is answered to, 



Dear Sir, yours truly. 



THOMAS MARSHAM. 



A, B. Lambert, Esq, 



THE END. 



T. BiiNSL£Y, Printer, Bolt Coait, Fleet S tree t> London. 



