PREFACE. 
rides, the Eye roves from one Object to a- 
nother, without taking Time to diftinguilh 
their peculiar Beauties. I have endeavoured 
to guard agaiiift this Error, by making 
Choice of one Species of Animals, and per¬ 
haps, next to the Bees, the moft extraordi¬ 
nary amongft the numerous Race of Infeds. 
In treating of them* ** I have attempted to 
follow the Model intimated by Mr. Addifon 
to a learned Society of this Nation, which, 
as it may be fome Apology For the Work 
itfelf, and the Manner of its Compofition, 
it will not be impertinent to tranfcribe. • 
I could wifh (fays he) our Royal Society 
“ would compile a Body of Natural Hiftory, 
64 the belt that could be gathered together 
“ from Books and Obfervations. If the 
“ feveral Writers among them took each 
“ his particular Species, and gave us a 
*« diftind Account of its Original, Birth 
* Speilator Vot. 2. No. 121. p. 147. 
** and 
