xiv PREFACE. 
understood by the general reader, for whose use 
the book is chiefly intended. I have, at the 
same time, as much as possible, stript the de- 
scriptions of such terms as can be understood 
only by the technical entomologist. 
When the reader has perused this book, 
which embraces so trifling a department of 
Entomology, I hope that he may be induced to 
dip deeper into a science which, although it has 
been much neglected, abounds nevertheless in 
wonderful and diversified manifestations of 
creative wisdom. It contains, besides, objects 
of equal beauty to any other department of 
Natural History, possessed of forms which, if 
not so grand as that of the noblest of animated 
beings, are certainly more remarkable for the 
singularity of their conformation, and the stri- 
king peculiarity of their habits. 
Entomology is, of all branches of natural 
science, the most comprehensive. There appears 
to be no limits to it; and I am convinced, that 
of the minuter species we do not know a fiftieth 
part. Microscopic investigation has shown, that, 
