unquestionable authority ) except in a few instances, 

 where they are marked as doubtful. 



The natural history of animals is the most interesting to 

 man as an animated being, and the most striking and pro- 

 minent in the phenomena which it displays. And although 

 the study of every class is most indisputably attended 

 with peculiar advantages ; yet it may safely be afRrmed, 

 that it is from the knowledge of the characters, metamor- 

 phoses, and various modes of life which insects are destined 

 to pursue, that a more intimate acquaintance may be 

 obtained with the laws of nature, and veneration for the 

 great Creator of all, than can be derived from the contem- 

 plation of any other class in the animated world. Whilst 

 most animals retain during life the form which they receive 

 at their birth, insects are distinguished by the wonderful 

 changes they undergo. Their existence partakes of two, 

 three, and four distinct states; and, in each of these, 

 ditt'ers most essentially in appearance, organization, and 

 manner of living. It is in this class of animals also, above 

 all others, that we are struck with what Cicero has called 

 "the insatiable variety of nature." 



Entomology, or the science of insects, has of late years, 

 therefore, become a favourite pui'suit ; and tlie talent and 

 research displayed in the elucidation of it by a Kirby and 



