X 



PREFACE. 



History, and that from the very works and wonders 

 of God some philosophists, by an unaccountable per- 

 version of intellect, have attempted to derive argu- 

 ments either against his being and providence, or 

 against the religion revealed in the Holy Scriptures, 

 they conceived they might render some service to 

 the most important interests of mankind, by showing 

 how every department of the science they i^ecom- 

 mend illustrates the great truths of religion, and 

 proves that the doctrines of the JVord of God, instead 

 of being contradicted, are triumphantly confirmed by 

 his Works. 



" To see all things in God,'' has been accounted 

 one of the peculiar privileges of a future state ; and 

 in this present life, to see God in all things,'' in 

 the mirror of the creation to behold and adore the 

 reflected glory of the Creator, is no mean attain- 

 ment ; and it possesses this advantage, that thus we 

 sanctify our pursuits, and, instead of loving the 

 creatures for themselves, are led by the survey of 

 them and their instincts to the love of Him who 

 made and endowed them. 



Of their performance of the first part of their plan, 

 in which there is the least room for originality, it is 

 only necessary for the authors to say, tliat they have 

 done their best to make it as comprehensive, as in- 

 teresting, and as useful as possible : but it is requi- 

 site to enter somewhat more fully into what has 

 been attempted in the anatomical, physiological, and 

 technical parts of the work. 



As far as respects the general physiology and in- 

 ternal anatomy of insects, they have done little more 

 than bring together and combine the observations of 

 the naturalists who have attended to these branches 



