VI PREFACE. 
rangement. That branch of it, which 
relates to Insects, possesses these qua- 
lities in an eminent degree : the great 
diversity of tribes, their singular forms, 
their brilliant colours, the ingenuity with 
which their habitations are constructed, 
the variety of stratagems to entice and 
catch their prey, and, above all, their 
wonderful transformations, captivate and 
fix the attention of the young observer. 
In short, those habits, which constitute 
the best foundation for the acquirement 
of valuable knowledge, may be essen- 
tially promoted by the early study of 
Entomology. 
Under these impressions the following 
pages have been written : the general 
design lias been to adapt them to 
children of eight or ten years old, and 
so to blend technical language with inte- 
resting description, as neither to damp 
the ardour of the pupil, on the one 
