0? INSECTS IN GENERAL. 
3°9 
Which are well eftabliflied and certain. Hence die ftudy 
of entymology lias been deemed by many, an occupation 
the moft ufelefs and frivolous in which the human mind 
can be engaged ; Hence too, from a fear of proftituting 
their talents, many have been deterred from contemplat- 
ing the wonders difplayed by nature, in a kingdom of 
animals tbe moft numerous, diverfified, and fplendidly 
adorned, of any on the face of the globe ; and thus have 
deprived themfelves of views of the power and munifi- 
cence of the Author of Nature, the molt ftriking and in- 
terelting that can he prefented to the mind of man. 
To thofe who can derive no pleafure from the purfuits 
and ftudics of a liberal mind, and who feel no fatisfaftion 
in any employment that is not attended with immediate 
profit, the refearches of the entymologift cannot feem 
altogether ufelefs. Had the operations of the filk worm 
never been examined, how could men have availed 
{hemfelves of the labour of an infect that adminifters fo 
profufely to our luxuries and our wants ? It was not to 
the unobferving that it firft occurred, that the produce of 
that animal’s labour might be converted into a confider- 
able article of commerce, and might give rife to many 
arts, and afford fubfiftence to thoufands of manufacturers. 
In the fame manner, wax and honey enter into the ar- 
ticles of commerce, and add to our enjoyments. It can- 
not, therefore, be denied, that they were profitably em- 
ployed, who firft obferved the induftry of the bee ; who 
brought that animal from its native woods, introduced it 
into our gardens, and, by domefticating it there, have 
rendered it fubfervient to our enjoyments. 
The Chinefe, whofe progrefs in many of the arts is fu- 
perior to that of any other nation, avail themfelves of 
the labours of certain infers, in procuring a rich dye, 
and 
