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farjther contemplation on the fubjed. 

 In the age fucceeding Swammerdam,; 

 the art fuffered much from the prolixi- 



r 



ty of writers ; the hiftory of each infecl 

 was delivered in a verboie and luxuri- \ 

 ant ftile ; this is to be avoided; and the \ 

 neceflary particulars being afcertained, 

 our aim in delivering them fhould be 

 to unite brevity with perfpicuity. The 

 defcription of thofe animals is more 

 difficult, as they make their appearance 

 at fo many different times, and under 

 fuch a variety of forms ; all infecls, 

 except thole of the clafs Aptera and the 

 bed-bug, paffing through three meta- 

 morphofes, in each of which it is necef- 

 fary we fhould know them. Wethink 

 our knowledge very confiderable when 

 we are acquainted with moft of the in- 

 fects of a country in their Fly ftate, al- 

 though we are ignorant of one half of 

 their manner of life previous to'this 

 . C 2 flate 5 



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