INTRODUCTION.

To point out a few of the infinite beauties

of nature, and to shew some of the lessons of wisdom and virtue which may be derived from a contemplation of them, are the objects of the present publication. The author has not attempted to treat scientifically the subjects of natural history, but simply endeavoured to excite in the youthful breast a desire for an acquaintance with the productions of the Creator; and in order the more easily to affect this he has generally chosen for his themes such objects as are familiar to persons in all ranks, and in almost all situations.

Natural history presents to the inquirer a region as boundless as the universe, and as diversified in character as the physical operations of the Deity; but this is too vast in extent, and too thickly crowded with organic form and being, to be thoroughly explored and comprehended by any finite mind. There are provinces of this region, however, which are easy of access, and

A

in which our enquiries may, in many instances, be prosecuted without any material sacrifice of either time or expense. Such are Botany, the science of plants; Ornithology, the science of birds; and Entomology, the science of insects; the genii of which prefer their claims to our attention, whenever we ramble into the highways, the fields, or the woods.

The insect tribes, which so thickly people the earth, the waters, and the air, and shew the profusion of the Creator in the gift of animation, their diversified and exquisite mechanism, their intuitive economy, and the purposes they were ordained to answer, are calculated to inspire us with wonder and admiration. "Insects," observe the authors of an Introduction to Entomology, "appear to have been nature's favourite productions; to which she has given the most delicate touch and highest finish of her pencil." The glittering elytra of many of the coleopterous tribes emulate the lustre of burnished metals and polished gems; while the gorgeous scales and plumage of a great portion of the lepidoptera, particularly some of the more splendid phalænæ and papilliones, cannot fail to arrest attention as they sport in the air, like gaily attired sylphs or animated flowers.

Who can regard, without admiration, the bee,

that cunning architect," which at the roof begins her golden work, and builds without foundation"-her sedulous and unwearied employment from morn to night in collecting materials for present and future supply, the transmutation of vegetable products into honey and wax, and the government by which every commonwealth of these interesting beings is regulated?

It is impossible to “ go to the ant and consider her ways," without being surprised at the diligence, knowledge, and skill, which she exhibits. The architecture of her arched and galleried citadel, and adaptation of its peculiar structure to fulfil her various purposes; her assiduity in procuring food, and the discipline and policy which are observed by this gregarious tribe, are subjects worthy of our profoundest regard.

Aranea, or the spider, also puts in a very powerful claim for our observance. She is an artist likewise, and without the aid of machinery weaves a web more delicate than was ever wrought by means of human contrivance. Each class of this interesting species of insects adopts a texture and construction answerable to its requirements; and these requirements are greatly varied as they seek their prey in different elements. One dives to the bottom of the stream, and there builds a silken palace, which by her chymic skill

she fills with air, and thus secures herself from the injuries which would arise to her by a too constant and close contact with the water. Another, like the beasts of the forest, burrows in the earth to hide her predaceous designs; while a third, surpassing in skill the most consummate baloonist, makes aërial voyages at pleasure, whenever the weather is suitable for such excursions.*

The various transformations insects undergo render them still more objects of unfailing interest. The ancients, although unacquainted with the mode by which the minuter species are continued, appear to have observed the changes they sustain with considerable attention. Theophrastus, who lived 288 years before the Christian era, has recorded their three stages of existence, which he calls kaμTMŋ, xpvcanis, ux, corresponding with larva, pupa, imago, of Linnæus. The term ux, as applied to the last or perfect state of being, is the same

* We neglect actions in minute animals, which in the larger would excite our endless admiration. How would the world crowd to see a fox which should spin ropes, weave them into an accurately meshed net, and extend this net between two trees, for the purpose of entangling a flight of birds! Or shouid we think we had ever expressed sufficient wonder at seeing a fish, which obtained its prey by a similar contrivance? Yet there would in reality be nothing more marvellous in their procedures than in those of spiders, which, indeed, the minuteness of the agent renders more wonderful.-KIRBY and SPENCE.