same plate. Peculiar care has also been had, that each
figure shall be as near as possible in size to the particular
insect which it represents; a method which the Author
is aware, will with some persons affect the apparent
value of the work: he has however little doubt but
judges, and real lovers of this science, will applaud the
sacrifice here made of show, to the more essential requisites
due to accuracy, to truth, and to nature; to
accomplish which, is well known to be far more difficult,
than to present unnatural and magnified objects.
The Author has a very great satisfaction in being
able to add, that in order to render this work equally
commodious to the purchaser, as it will be subservient
to the science of Entomology, the disposition of the several
orders of insects will be such, that the present, as
well as- the two succeeding volumes, will each form a
distinct, and separate work. This volume, for instance,:
includes the 1st. Order, or an Illustration of the Thirty
Genera of the Coleopterous Insects;-—the second volume
is intended to Contain Order lid. or Plemipterous
Insects; Order the IVth. Neuropterous Insects; and
Order Vth. the Hymenopterous Insects;;-—and in the
third and last volume will be given, Order Vlth. or
Dipterous Insects. »!
The Author cannot conclude without testifying in
this public manner, his most humble and grateful acknowledgements
to those Sovereign Princes, who have
been graciously pleased to honour him with their approbation!!
and to his other illustrious and generous
Patrons in all parts of Europe, for the kind and liberal
encouragement which he has altogether experienced
from them, in the publication of his work on the Nondescript
Shells from the South Seas:— and as a farther
confirmation of this exalted patronage, he has the satisfaction
to add, that his Holiness the Pope, his Imperial
Majesty the Emperor of Germany, his Majesty the King
of Naples, and his most Catholic Majesty the King of
Spain, have each of them been graciously pleased to
present the Author with.magnificent gold medallions*
* Elegant Engravings of these gold medallions accompany this work.