A D V E R T I S E ME N T .
I t has been observed in a former address, th a t Entomology considered as a science, in its
present state, affords the most ample scope for critical enquiry, and as an object of beautiful
elucidation and splendid embellishment, stands unrivalled. Such was the language of the
author in the course of his introductory observations to this comprehensive illustration of
general Entomology, and the verity of his assertion, he is induced to conceive, will be apparent,
in some measure, on a cursory inspection of those volumes of the Work which liave
been since submitted to the public judgment. Aware that a remark of this nature, altbougli
advanced in a casual manner, and as relating only to that science in an enlarged point of
view, was calculated to excite no inconsiderable share of expectation in the mind of many,
the author has been anxious in the progress of his undertaking to gratify that expectation,
and, as he trusts, not altogether without success. He is at least persuaded in his own mind
th a t every advantage within his power has been embraced to render the publication as respectable
in the style of execution as the merits and utility of the design deserves.
At the commencement of this Work one volume was professedly undertaken to afford the
English naturalist a more competent idea of the Entomology of China than had been hitherto
produced, at a moment when the public curiosity was awakened to that subject by the appearance
of Sir George Staunton’s account of the Embassy of Earl Macartney to that country.
This was succeeded by a second volume, which related exclusively to the insects of India,
and the islands in the contiguous seas; a fertile region to the Entomologist; and one so intimately
connected, by its political interests, with the British empire, as to be in a peculiar
manner entitled to consideration. The present volume, which we regard as the third of the
intended series, is appropriated solely to the Entomology of New Holland, New Zealand,
Otaheite, and other adjacent islands, comprising with the two preceding a general epitome of
the insects of Asia, and under this title the three volumes above-mentioned, will in future
be discriminated.
The design of the latter volume claims more explicit observation in this place. There
i.s, perhaps, no extent of country in the world, that can boast of a more copious or diversified
assemblage of interesting objects in every department of natural history than New Holland,
and its contiguous islands; none that appears more highly worthy of regard: it bursts
upon our view at the first glance like a new creation: the naturalist contemplates its various
productions with astonishment, and is almost inclined to imagine its stores of novelty inexhaustible.
I t would be irrelevant to our suliject to digress, at any considerable length, upon
this interesting topic, but so far as relates to the Entomological productions of those parts the
reflection is applicable, these are both curious and beautiful, and are besides distinct, in a
very material degree, from any other of the insect tribe th a t have been hitherto discovered
in other countries.
Entomology, though embracing only an inconsiderable portion of that attention bestowed
upon the science of natural history, by those distinguished individuals who were the first to