XVI I'REFACR. 



There are but few iiidivuhmb who have not been struck 

 with the resplendent and gorgeous colour of some of the 

 Butterfly tribe, and where is the human being who can 

 behold even the most simple and unadorned of the species 

 (P. Brasskas) without associating with it the scenes of his 

 childliood, so dear to the heart, when chasing (he wayward 

 roamer from field to field ? 



" Minions of nature ! — Creatures of the skies ! 

 Ye brif^lit-wing'd flatterers I smi-born Butterflies 1 

 Ye Uving gems ! ye fairy-lormcd tilings ! 

 Peerless in beauty !" sii,li;iiy. 



Insects, and more particularly Butterflies, appear to 

 have been nature's favourite productions, in which, to 

 recompense them for their weakness, and to manifest her 

 power and skill, she has combined and concentrated almost 

 all that is either beautiful and graceful, interesting and 

 alluring, or curious and singular, in every other class and 

 order of her children. To these, her valued miniatures, 

 she has given the most delicate touch, and highest finish of 

 her pencil : — 



" Who can paint 



Like nature ? Can imagination boast, 



Amid his gay creation, hues like these ? 



And can he mix them with that mutcldess skill, 



And lay them on so delicately fine. 



And lose them in each other." Thomson. 



