(and the latter Sovereign, in addition, a considerable
sum in specie]; together with the most flattering letters,
which the Author must attribute less to a sense of his
merits in that part of his plan which he has already
executed, than to a desire of encouraging him to persevere
in his purpose which he has declared, and is
now prosecuting, of illustrating other branches of Natural
History.
INTRODUCTION
TO
ENTOMOLOGY:
T h e small animals comprehended under the general name of
Insects, owe their existence to the universal laws of Nature, which
uphold the universe, and provide by unerring i rules, for the propagation
of every species, and the preservation of every individual:
Insects are generated from eggs; their different species are more
numerous than those in any other branch of the animal kingdom,
and their operations more varied. Some of them produce sustenance
for other animals: others are general enemies to every living
creature; yet they invariably fulfil the purposes of their creation,
and in some instances; their exertions in preparing necessaries and
even luxuries for the use of man, are not less wonderful than salutary.
We proceed now methodically to describe the several distinct
parts and peculiar properties of some insects, together with the
principal and subordinate characters, by which the various genera
of the several orders of insects are distinguished and known, as laid