PREFACE. iX 



objection against speaking of the manners and eco- 

 nomy of insects before entering upon the definition 

 of them, and explaining the terms of the science, ^ — 

 a retrograde course, which they have chosen from 

 their desire to present the most alluring side of the 

 science first, — is, in great measure, if not wholly, 

 obviated. 



Such is the plan which the authors chalked out 

 for themselves ; a plan which in the execution they 

 have found so much more extensive than they cal- 

 culated upon, that, could they have foreseen the 

 piles of volumes through which it has entailed upon 

 them the labour of wading, often to glean scarcely 

 more than a single fact, the numerous anatomical 

 and technological investigations which it has called 

 for, and the long correspondence, almost as bulky as 

 the entire work, unavoidably rendered necessary by 

 the distant residence of the parties, they would have 

 shrunk from an undertaking of which the profit, if 

 by great chance there should be any, could not be 

 expected to repay even the cost of books required 

 in it, and from which any fame must necessarily be 

 confined to a very limited circle. But having en- 

 tered upon it, they have persevered ; and if they 

 succeed in their grand aim, that of making converts 

 amongst their countrymen to a study equally calcu- 

 lated for promoting the glory of God and the delight 

 and profit of man, they will not deem the labour of 

 the leisure hours of six years ill bestowed. 



And here it may be proper to observe, that one 

 of their first and favourite objects has been to direct 

 the attention of their readers from nature up to 

 nature's God." For, when they reflected upon the 

 fatal use which has too often been made of Natural 



