ilcsceud ill the scale of being, tlie sensibility of the objects 

 that constitute it diminishes. This, indeed, might be 

 inferred d priori, since providence seems to have been more 

 prodigal of insect life than of that of any other order of 

 creatures — aiiimalcula, perhajis, alone excepted. But this 

 inference is reduced to certainty, when we attend to the 

 facts which insects every day present to us, proving that 

 the very converse of our great poet's conclusion, 



" the poor beetle that we tread upon 



lu corporal snfierance feels a pang as great 

 As when a giant dies." 



must be regarded as nearer the truth."* 



The vulgar think, and those who think themselves wiser 

 than the vulgar make no scruple to say, let him who 

 has nothing to do employ himself in hunting after Butter, 

 flies. Those who thus deride an apparently trifling pur- 

 suit, would do well to remember that studies which, upon 

 a superficial view, seem to be useless, may ultimately 

 prove of no small importance to mankind. But the time, 

 it is to be hoped, is now gone by when a defence of the 

 study of entomology —a study which offers an inexhaustible 

 source of rational and innocent amusement -is necessary. 



" Why," asks Ray, the illustrious founder, as he may 



• Inticiciiiction to Entonioliigy, vol. i. p. 57, J8. 



