DEDICATION. 



To Mr. Edward Norton. 

 Sir:— 



I am desirous of dedicating to you this first attempt to draw 

 up a Hymenopterologieal Fauna of North America. The un- 

 flagging interest you have kindly taken in this work emboldens 

 me to hope that you will accept my offering. 



The readiness with which you placed at my service your col- 

 lections, and. the assistance of your valuable instructions, were 

 already sufficient claims to my gratitude. Your kindness in 

 taking upon yourself the task of translator makes me feel more 

 strongly the extent of my obligations to you. 



It is for me a subject of regret that my imperfect acquaint- 

 ance with the English language has not permitted me to relieve 

 you from the trouble of this work. Had I been capable of 

 composing this book in the idiom in which it is to appear 

 before the public, the many hours of enjoyment I have had in 

 writing it would not be contrasted with the many tedious hours 

 it is likely to occasion you. 



Beside the peculiar charm which the study of nature ever 

 possesses, the drawing up of this monograph has wafted me in 

 thought to those regions of the New World which have, since 1 

 was a child, allured me with an irresistible spell. While conning 

 over my insects, many a remembrance has loomed before my 

 mind, and transported me to those thought-inspiring and soul- 

 stirring scenes of your magnificent country. As a Swiss, I felt 



( iii ) 



