One principal cause of the little attention paid to Entomology in this country, has doubtless been the ridicule so often thrown upon the science. The botanist, sheltered now by the sanction of fashion, as formerly by the prescriptive union of his study with medicine, may dedicate his hours to mosses and lichens without reproach; but in the minds of most men, the learned as well as the vulgar, the idea of the trifling nature of his pursuit is so strongly associated with that of the diminutive size of its objects, that an entomologist is synonymous with every thing futile and childish. Now, when so many other roads to fame and distinction are open, when a man has merely to avow himself a botanist, a mineralogist, or a chemist—a student of classical literature or of political economy—to ensure attention and respect, there are evidently no great attractions to lead him to a science which in nine companies out of ten with which he may associate promises to signalize him only as an object of pity or contempt. Even if he have no other aim than self-gratification, yet "the sternest stoic of us all wishes at least for some one to enter into his views and feelings, and confirm him in the opinion which he entertains of himself:" but how can he look for sympathy in a pursuit unknown to the world, except as indicative of littleness of mind ^[1]?
Yet such are the genuine charms of this branch of the study of nature, that here as well as on the continent, where, from being equally slighted, Entomology now divides the empire with her sister Botany, this obstacle would not have been sufficient to deter numbers from the study, had not another more powerful impediment existed—the want of a popular and comprehensive Introduction to the science. While elementary books on Botany have been multiplied amongst us without end and in every shape, Curtis's translation of the Fundamenta Entomologiæ , published in 1772; Yeats's Institutions of Entomology , which appeared the year after; and Barbut's Genera Insectorum , which came out in 1781—the two former in too unattractive, and the latter in too expensive a form for general readers—are the only works professedly devoted to this object, which the English language can boast.
Convinced that this was the chief obstacle to the spread of Entomology in Britain, the authors of the present work resolved to do what was in their power to remove it, and to introduce their countrymen to a mine of pleasure, new, boundless, and inexhaustible, and which, to judge from their own experience—formed in no contracted field of comparison—they can recommend as possessing advantages and attractions equal to those held forth by most other branches of human learning.
The next question was, in what way they should attempt to accomplish this intention. If they had contented themselves with the first suggestion that presented itself, and merely given a translation of one of the many Introductions to Entomology extant in Latin, German and French, adding only a few obvious improvements, their task would have been very easy; but the slightest examination showed that, in thus proceeding, they would have stopped far short of the goal which they were desirous of reaching.—In the technical department of the science they found much confusion, and numerous errors and imperfections—the same name sometimes applied to parts anatomically quite different, and different names to parts essentially the same, while others of primary importance were without any name at all. And with reference to the anatomy and physiology of insects, they could no where meet with a full and accurate generalization of the various facts connected with these subjects, scattered here and there in the pages of the authors who have studied them.
They therefore resolved to begin, in some measure, de novo —to institute a rigorous revision of the terms employed, making such additions and improvements as might seem to be called for; and to attempt a more complete and connected account of the existing discoveries respecting the anatomical and physiological departments of the science than has yet been given to the world:—and to these two points their plan at the outset was limited.
It soon, however, occurred to them, that it would be of little use to write a book which no one would peruse; and that in the present age of love for light reading, there could not be much hope of leading students to the dry abstractions of the science, unless they were conducted through the attractive portal of the economy and natural history of its objects. To this department, therefore, they resolved to devote the first and most considerable portion of their intended work, bringing into one point of view, under distinct heads, the most interesting discoveries of Reaumur, De Geer, Bonnet, Lyonet, the Hubers, &c., as well as their own individual observations, relative to the noxious and beneficial properties of insects; their affection for their young; their food, and modes of obtaining it; their habitations; societies; &c. &c.: and they were the more induced to adopt this plan, from the consideration, that, though many of the most striking of these facts have before been presented to the English reader, a great proportion are unknown to him; and that no similar generalization (if a slight attempt towards it in Smellie's Philosophy of Natural History , and a confessedly imperfect one in Latreille's Histoire Naturelle des Crustacés et des Insectes be excepted) has ever been attempted in any language.—Thus the entire work would be strictly on the plan of the Philosophia Entomologica of Fabricius, only giving a much greater extent to the Œconomia and Usus , and adverting to these in the first place instead of in the last.
The epistolary form was adopted, not certainly from any idea of their style being particularly suited to a mode of writing so difficult to keep from running into incongruities: but simply because this form admitted of digressions and allusions called for in a popular work, but which might have seemed misplaced in a stricter kind of composition;—because it is better suited to convey those practical directions, which in some branches of the pursuit the student requires;—and lastly, because by this form, the objection against speaking of the manners and economy of insects before entering upon the definition of them, and explaining the terms of the science—a retrograde course, which they have chosen from their desire to present the most alluring side of the science first—is in great measure, if not wholly, obviated.
Such is the plan which the authors chalked out for themselves—a plan which in the execution they have found so much more extensive than they calculated upon, that, could they have foreseen the piles of volumes through which it has entailed upon them the labour of wading, often to glean scarcely more than a single fact—the numerous anatomical and technological investigations which it has called for—and the long correspondence, almost as bulky as the entire work, unavoidably rendered necessary by the distant residence of the parties—they would have shrunk from an undertaking, of which the profit, if by great chance there should be any, could not be expected to repay even the cost of books required in it, and from which any fame must necessarily be confined to a very limited circle. But having entered upon it, they have persevered; and if they succeed in their grand aim, that of making converts amongst their countrymen to a study equally calculated for promoting the glory of God and the delight and profit of man, they will not deem the labour of the leisure hours of six years ill bestowed.
And here it may be proper to observe, that one of their first and favourite objects has been to direct the attention of their readers "from nature up to nature's God." For, when they reflected upon the fatal use which has too often been made of Natural History, and that from the very works and wonders of God, some philosophists, by an unaccountable perversion of intellect, have attempted to derive arguments either against his being and providence, or against the Religion revealed in the Holy Scriptures, they conceived they might render some service to the most important interests of mankind, by showing how every department of the science they recommend illustrates the great truths of Religion, and proves that the doctrines of the Word of God, instead of being contradicted, are triumphantly confirmed by his Works.
"To see all things in God" has been accounted one of the peculiar privileges of a future state; and in this present life, "to see God in all things," in the mirror of the creation to behold and adore the reflected glory of the Creator, is no mean attainment; and it possesses this advantage, that thus we sanctify our pursuits, and, instead of loving the creatures for themselves, are led by the survey of them and their instincts to the love of Him who made and endowed them.
Of their performance of the first part of their plan, in which there is the least room for originality, it is only necessary for the authors to say that they have done their best to make it as comprehensive, as interesting, and as useful as possible: but it is requisite to enter somewhat more fully into what has been attempted in the anatomical, physiological, and technical parts of the work.
As far as respects the general physiology and internal anatomy of insects, they have done little more than bring together and combine the observations of the naturalists who have attended to these branches of the science: but the external anatomy they have examined for themselves through the whole class, and, they trust, not without some new light being thrown upon the subject; particularly by pointing out and giving names to many parts never before noticed.
In the Terminology , or what, to avoid the barbarism of a word compounded of Latin and Greek, they would beg to call the Orismology of the science, they have endeavoured to introduce throughout a greater degree of precision and concinnity—dividing it into general and partial Orismology;—under the former head defining such terms as relate to Substance , Resistance , Density , Proportion , Figure , Form , Superficies , (under which are introduced Sculpture , Clothing , Colour , &c.) Margin , Termination , Incision , Ramification , Division , Direction , Situation , Connection , Arms , &c.; and under the latter those that relate to the body and its parts and members, considered in its great subdivisions of Head , Trunk , and Abdomen . In short, they may rest their claim of at least aiming at considerable improvement in this department upon the great number of new terms, and alterations of old ones, which they have introduced—in external Anatomy alone falling little short of 150. If it should be thought by any one that they have made too many changes, they would remind him of the advice of Bergman to Morveau, when reforming the nomenclature of Chemistry, the soundness of which Dugald Stewart has recognised—" Ne faites grace à aucune dénomination impropre. Ceux qui savent déjà, entendront toujours; ceux qui ne savent pas encore, entendront plutôt. "
Throughout the whole publication, wherever any fact of importance not depending on their own authority is mentioned, a reference to the source whence it has been derived is generally given; so that, if the work should have no other value, it will possess that of saving much trouble to future inquirers, by serving as an index to direct them in their researches.
The authors are perfectly sensible that, notwithstanding all their care and pains, many imperfections will unavoidably remain in their work. There is no science to which the adage, Dies diem docet , is more strikingly applicable than to Natural History. New discoveries are daily made, and will be made it is probable to the end of time; so that whoever flatters himself that he can produce a perfect work in this department will be miserably disappointed. The utmost that can reasonably be expected from naturalists is to keep pace with the progress of knowledge, and this the authors have used their best diligence to accomplish. Every new year since they took the subject in hand up to the very time when the first sheets were sent to the press, numerous corrections and alterations have suggested themselves; and thus they are persuaded it would be were they to double the period of delay prescribed by Horace. But Poetry and Natural History are on a different footing; and though an author can plead little excuse for giving his verses to the world while he sees it possible to polish them to higher excellence, the naturalist, if he wishes to promote the extension of his science, must be content to submit his performances to the public disfigured by numerous imperfections.
In the introductory letter several of the advantages to be derived from the study of Entomology are pointed out; but there is one, which, though it could not well have been insisted upon in that place, is too important to be passed over without notice—its value in the education of youth.
All modern writers on this momentous subject unite in recommending in this view, Natural History: and if "the quality of accurate discrimination—the ready perception of resemblances amongst diversities, and still more the quick and accurate perception of diversity in the midst of resemblances—constitutes one of the most important operations of the understanding; if it be indeed the foundation of clear ideas, and the acquisition of whatever can be truly called knowledge depends most materially on the possession of it:"—if "the best logic be that which teaches us to suspend our judgements;" and "the art of seeing, so useful, so universal, and yet so uncommon, be one of the most valuable a man can possess,"—there can be no doubt of the judiciousness of their advice. Now of all the branches of Natural History, Entomology is unquestionably the best fitted for thus disciplining the mind of youth; and simply from these circumstances, that its objects have life, are gifted with surprising instincts admirably calculated to attract youthful attention, and are to be met with every where. It is not meant to undervalue the good effects of the study of Botany or Mineralogy: but it is self-evident that nothing inanimate can excite such interest in the mind of a young person as beings endowed with vitality, exercising their powers and faculties in so singular a way; which, as Reaumur observes, are not only alive themselves, but confer animation upon the leaves, fruits, and flowers that they inhabit; which every walk offers to view; and on which new observations may be made without end.
Besides these advantages, no study affords a fairer opportunity of leading the young mind by a natural and pleasing path to the great truths of Religion, and of impressing it with the most lively ideas of the power, wisdom, and goodness of the Creator.
Not that it is recommended to make children collectors of insects, nor that young people, to the neglect of more important duties and pursuits, should generally become professed Entomologists; but, if the former be familiarized with their names, manners, and economy, and the latter initiated into their classification, it will be an excellent method of strengthening their habits of observation, attention, and memory, equal perhaps, in this respect, to any other mental exercise: and then, like Major Gyllenhal, who studied Entomology under Thunberg about 1770, and after an interval of twenty years devoted to the service of his country, resumed his favourite pursuit with all the ardour of youth, and is at this time giving to the world a description of the insects of Sweden invaluable for its accuracy and completeness—they would be provided in their old age with an object capable not merely of keeping off that tædium vitæ so often inseparable from the relinquishment of active life, but of supplying an unfailing fund of innocent amusement, an incentive to exercise, and consequently no mean degree of health and enjoyment.
Some, who, with an ingenious author ^[2], regard as superfluous all pains to show the utility of Natural History in reference to the common purposes of life, asking "if it be not enough to open a source of copious and cheap amusement, which tends to harmonize the mind, and elevate it to worthy conceptions of nature and its Author? if a greater blessing to a man can be offered than happiness at an easy rate unalloyed by any debasing mixture?"—may think the earnestness displayed on this head, and the length which has been gone in refuting objections, needless. But Entomology is so peculiarly circumstanced, that without removing these obstacles, there could be no hope of winning votaries to the pursuit. Pliny felt the necessity of following this course in the outset of his book which treats on insects, and a similar one has been originally called for in introducing the study even to those countries where the science is now most honoured. In France, Reaumur, in each of the successive volumes of his immortal work, found it essential to seize every opportunity of showing that the study of insects is not a frivolous amusement, nor devoid of utility, as his countrymen conceived it; and in Germany Sulzer had to traverse the same road, telling us, in proof of the necessity of this procedure, that on showing his works on insects with their plates to two very sensible men, one commended him for employing his leisure hours in preparing prints that would amuse children and keep them out of mischief, and the other admitted that they might furnish very pretty patterns for ladies' aprons! And though in this country things are not now quite so bad as they were when Lady Glanville's will was attempted to be set aside on the ground of lunacy, evinced by no other act than her fondness for collecting insects, and Ray had to appear at Exeter on the trial as a witness of her sanity ^[3], yet nothing less than line upon line can be expected to eradicate the deep-rooted prejudices which prevail on this subject. "Old impressions," as Reaumur has well observed, "are with difficulty effaced. They are weakened, they appear unjust even to those who feel them, at the moment they are attacked by arguments which are unanswerable; but the next instant the proofs are forgotten, and the perverse association resumes its empire."
The authors do not know that any curiosity will be excited to ascertain what share has been contributed to the work by each of them; but if there should, it is a curiosity they must be excused from gratifying. United in the bonds of a friendship, which, though they have to thank Entomology for giving birth to it, is founded upon a more solid basis than mere community of scientific pursuits, they wish that, whether blame or praise is the fate of their labours, it may be jointly awarded. All that they think necessary to state is, that the composition of each of the different departments of the work has been, as nearly as possible, divided between them;—that though the letter, or series of letters, on any particular subject, has been usually undertaken by one, some of the facts and illustrations have generally been supplied by the other, and there are a few to which they have jointly contributed;—and that, throughout, the facts for which no other authority is quoted, are to be considered as resting upon that of one or other of the authors, but not always of him, who, from local allusions, may be conceived the writer of the letter in which they are introduced, as the matter furnished by each to the letters of the other must necessarily be given in the person of the supposed writer.



In acknowledging their obligations to their friends, the first place is due to Simon Wilkin, Esq. of Costessey near Norwich, to whose liberality they are indebted for almost all the plates which illustrate and adorn the work; most of which have been drawn and engraved by his artist Mr. John Curtis, whose intimate acquaintance with the subject has enabled him to give to the figures an accuracy which they could not have received from one less conversant with the science. Nor is the reader less under obligation to Mr. Wilkin's liberality than the authors, who, if the drawings, &c. had been to be paid for, must necessarily have contented themselves with giving a much smaller number.
To Alexander MacLeay, Esq. they are under particular obligations, for the warm interest he has all along taken in the work, the judicious advice he has on many occasions given, the free access in which he has indulged the authors to his unrivalled cabinet and well-stored library, and the numerous other attentions and accommodations by which he has materially assisted them in its progress.
To the other friends who have kindly aided them in this undertaking in any way, they beg here to offer their best thanks.