tIST OF INSECTS. 567 



and the vacant ; and more than any other objects 

 in the three kingdoms, it requires a strong and 

 acute eye. It is at first, to most people, but little 

 captivating ; or, rather, particularly to delicate 

 people, it has in it somewhat repulsive, and even 

 disgusting. It has likewise little of use to recom- 

 mend it. The principal economical insect is the 

 bee ; and though a number of insects may be 

 eaten, yet none can be said to serve as food, ex- 

 cept some species of cancer. The principal of 

 those in use in the arts,* are the silk -worm and the 

 cochineal ; and though a number were formerly 

 used in medicine, yet I believe that number is 

 now greatly reduced, and, except cantharides, 

 used only occasionally, and in small quantity. 

 To the naturalist, however, this study soon re- 

 commends itself. The subjects of it, when col- 

 lected, are prepared with little trouble ; they are 

 easily kept, and take up but little room in a ca- 

 binet : and whether we consider their figure, their 

 structure, their history, or their most wonderful 

 manners and economy, they claim a distinguished 

 place in the System of Nature, and in this view 

 of them, the study is exceedingly important. 



The neighbourhood of Edinburgh has, I believe, 

 no peculiar insects, and produces very few rare 

 ones. It is rather unfriendly to the collector. 

 Perhaps in a place where insects are so perpe- 

 tually disturbed in their retreats, by the incessant 

 overturning of the soil, so necessary and unavoid- 

 able near a large city, this may not be surprising. 



n n 4 



