Eye, in their true Size, Form, and Colour. Nor will it be objected by 
You, that too much Time and Pains has been beftowed on a Company of 
Infects, which few People trouble themfelves about ; for true Philofo- 
_ phy teaches, that the meaneft thing God has made, is not below the 
Dignity of the moft exalted of mortal Men to confider. But the Crea- 
tures here exhibited, are adorned with fuch a Variety of Beauty to en- 
gage our Notice, and undergo fuch amazing Changes in their Form and 
Appearance, that a thinking Mind can hardly avoid regarding them 
with uncommon Pleafure and a more than ordinary Attention. . 
Little, perhaps, is wanting to make the Study of Nature univerfally 
purfued, than to render it eafy and intelligible ; for, furely, the Under- 
{tanding God has given us, can never be more properly employed, than 
m examming and confidering thofe Proofs of his Divine Goodnefs and 
Power, which are placed every where around us. This is a moft rea- 
fonable and fatisfactory Entertainment ; and I am fully perfuaded, ma- 
ny of You, Gentlemen, have often experienced more real Pleafure from 
fuch Examinations, than thofe who know nothing of them can poflibly 
conceive. i 7 3 . 
My Attempt towards a Natural Hiftory of the Englifb Moths and — 
Butterflies, (whichis here added to the Paintings of them) wherein they 
are divided into Claffes, and their feveral Progreflions and Changes from 
the Egg tothe Fly State are defcribed, (and that not from Books or 
Conjectures, but from actual Experiments and clofe Obfervation) will, 
L hope, meet with Your Approbation. | 
__ But not tobe longer troublefome than to beg Pardon for this Pre- 
fumption, and wifha continual Increafe of Profperity and Honour to 
the Roya. Socrery of Loudon, permit me to fubferibe mytelf, 
GENTLEMEN, 
Your moft obedient, 
Humble Servant, 
BENJAMIN WILKES, 
