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ADVERTISEMENT. 

Tue History, and Present State of China, as far as relates to its government, its sciences, and 
its arts, has long been considered worthy of the deepest research; and much information has been 
collected on these subjeéts, with considerable labour and expence, under the auspices of several of 
the most powerful courts in Europe. If the natural productions of that country have attracted less 
attention, it is only because their value and importance are less generally known; upon better 
acquaintance they would at once excite our astonishment, and convince us of their utility. 
General readers are sometimes disposed to consider the Inseét World as too minute and fri- 
volous to deserve investigation. Let them remember, however, that to a foreion Inseét the staple 
commodity of this kingdom is indebted for its richest dye; that from another we derive the most 
costly articles of dress, and splendid ornaments of luxury; and the utility of many others 1s appa- 
rent in various branches of medicine, the arts, and domestic economy. 
Prompted by these reflections, the Author determined to submit to the Public a Series of En- 
gravings illustrative of the Entomology of China.—But flattering as the prospect of encourage- 
ment to his project appeared, he would not presume to publish his Work till the result of the late 
Embassy of Earl Macartney to that country was fully known: of that the public are now in pos- 
session; and, though, in common with every friend to the commercial advantages and scientific 
inquiries of this country, the Author must regret its issue, it is perhaps, on the whole, more 
favourable to the present Publication than if the event had been different. If indeed a more 
general intercourse had been established between the two nations, and the language of China had 
been better understood, it is impossible to calculate the advantages which Entomology, amongst 
other sciences, might have derived; for the Chinese, like their neighbours the Japanese, are well 
acquainted with the natural productions of their empire, and Zoology and Botany, in particular, 
are favourite studies amongst them. To what degree of excellence they have arrived in their 
scientific researches we are not informed, but we must not affect to despise the instruction of a 
people amongst whom the most useful arts, and sciences, first dawned and acquired a high degree 
of perfection, when “ Europe had scarcely a few savages scattered over her forests.” 
The few, but interesting hints, which Sir George Staunton has given on the practical Ento- 
mology of China, induces us to look forward to a period when some of the Insects, as well as 
Plants, of that vast empire may be no less objects of curiosity, than of national utility and im- 
portance; the Chinese Cochineal Insect, and that from which the wax of the east is procured, 
a Dr. Anderson has found eight species of Cocci at Madras. One of thege, he says, was found on a young citron-tree, Citrus 
Sinensis, just landed from China; it was more deeply intersected between the abdominal rings than any of thofe of the coast, 
and he names it therefore C. Diacopeis.—Colletion of Letters from Madras, Fan. 28, 1788.—The Cactus Cochinilifer has lately 
been found by Mr. Kincaid, at Canton; its Chinefe name is Pau wang.—This has been transmitted to the Wopalry of the Hon. 
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