4 INSECTS. 



T\\tfex is male and female, or neuter devoted to labour for thofe 

 of the more perfect fex. 



Mod of them undergo a triple mctamprphojis or transformation, ef- 

 fected by calling oiF the different coats or coverings in which the per- 

 fect infect is inclofed. The egg is firft excluded by the female, and 

 contains the infect in its fmalled (late ; from the egg is produced the 

 larva, grub, or caterpillar, of a moid foft fubdance, without wings, 

 flow in .motion, often with numerous feet, fometimes with none, 

 derile, and very voracious of its proper food : from this date it pafles 

 into that of the pupa y chryfalis or nymph which is drier and harder 

 than the lad, confined in a narrow compafs, naked or inclofed in a 

 web, often without a mouth \ and fometimes wftji, fometimes with- 

 out feet : efcaping from this lad confinement it becomes the perfect 

 active infeSfy fumifhed with antenna?. 



They are mute, except fuch as are furnifhed wfah fome proper 

 -inftrument of found, diftinct from the mouth ; and probably deaf, 

 though moft of them are fenfible of the vibrations of the air ; are 

 more numerous than the fpecies of plants, yet on account of their 

 greater range feem fewer ; are of all animals the lead', and except 

 the aquatic ones and a few others, are annual : they become fubfer- 

 vient to the purpofes of nature, by preferring a due proportion among 

 plants, by confirming whatever is fuperfluous, dead or decayed, and 

 laftly by contributing to the nourishment of other animals, efpecially 

 birds. 



They are faid to inhabit thofe plants on which they feed, and not 

 thofe on which they are occafionally found ; and their trivial names 

 are bed taken from their habitations, that the dudy of Entomology 

 may fcrve to elucidate the views and the policy of nature. 



They are divided into 7 Orders. 



I. COLEOPTERA. Wings 4. \ the upper crudaceous with a 



draight future. 

 II. HEMIPTERA. Wings 4; the upper femicrudaceous, in- 



cumbent. 

 III. LEPIDOPTERA. Wings y, all of them membranaceous, 



and imbricate with fine fcales. 

 IV. NEUROPTERA. Wings 4; all of them membranaceous, 



reticulate : tail unarmed. 

 V. JIYMENQPTERA. Wings 4; all of them membranaceous: 



tail armed with a ding. 

 VI. DIPTERA. Wings 2, with a poifer under each, 



yi I. APTERA. Winp o in eitherfex, 



EXPLA- 



