MEMOIR OF DE GEER. 
62 
ant as to demand a separate work for their due de- 
velopment and preservation ; and this accordingly 
he prepared to lay before the public. 
The first volume appeared in 1752, under the title 
of Memoirs pour servir cl V Histoire NatureUe des 
Insectes: dedicated to the Queen. It is a 4to. volume, 
written in French, and containing 37 plates. The 
principal subjects of which it treats are, the history of 
various kinds of caterpillars, such as leaf-rollers, those 
found in galls, the kinds producing butterflies and 
moths, &c. Many of the latter are figured and de- 
scribed in their perfect state. Those who have pur- 
chased the work, which cannot now be easily obtained, 
at least in this country, may have experienced how 
much more difficult it is to procure the first volume than 
any of the succeeding ones, without probably being 
aware of the cause. It is well known, that at the time 
of which we now speak, as well as for a long period 
subsequent to it, the study of the lower animals, al- 
though eagerly prosecuted by a few individuals in dif- 
ferent countries, was entirely disregarded or even held 
in contempt by most people, including not a few even 
of those who arrogated the title of men of science. 
Owing principally to this circumstance, the appear- 
ance of De Geer's first volume did not excite so 
much interest and attention as his own estimation 
of the subject of it had prepared him to expect ; and 
allowing, for a moment, the feeling of disappointment 
to get the better of his prudence, he committed a 
great part of the impression to the flames. But this 
feeling was very transient, and he resumed his labours 
