TO THE FIRST EDITION.

VOL. II.

To gratify a laudable curiosity, and lead the mind to the exercise of one of its noblest faculties, was the motive that first encouraged me to publish a work of this kind. How far it has answered these ends, what pleasure it has produced, of what benefit or advantage it has been to mankind, by inducing them to contemplate the admirable works of Providence, and trace its wisdom and goodness through the medium of this branch of the history of nature, are circumstances, the confined sphere of life in which I have hitherto moved, has not given me those opportunities of knowing that I could wish. But the kind reception the first volume of this work has met with, seems to justify the opinion that it has not been written in vain.

In the Preface to my former volume, I told my readers, that my design of giving an addition to that work, would entirely depend on the reception the public should be pleased to give it. I was willing to have some proof of the public approbation, before I ventured rashly to engage further in so considerable an expense as the engraving and colouring the plates, &c. which was too great for me to incur without a prospect of a reimbursement.

It is now with the utmost pleasure I can declare, that I have the greatest reason to be satisfied on that head; the world has generously encouraged my first attempt, and it is to that cause the present volume owes its appearance. The quick sale of a great number of copies, on the first publication, was a proof of the great progress natural history had made; and gave me the utmost hopes a continuation might be equally as acceptable, if conducted on the same plan, and rendered as agreeable by the exertion of the artist's abilities. I have now the satisfaction of offering a volume to the public not inferior to the first.

It is a pleasing reflection to consider the great strides natural history is making in this kingdom, as well as in other parts of the world; and the many publications on the various subjects of nature, that have made their appearance within these last three or four years, is a circumstance that must give every man of a liberal mind the greatest satisfaction. We see persons, skilled in natural history, receiving encouragements and reward from men of rank and property, according to their respective abilities. Some are encouraged to pursue their studies in foreign parts, and investigate the secrets of nature among the trees and plants; others are employed in discovering countries, and searching the shores of coasts, hitherto unknown, for subjects that will afford either profit or speculative pleasure; while the artist at home is not neglected and abandoned, but meets the reward his merit entitles him to.

Natural history has, certainly, less reason to court the favour of mankind than many other branches of knowlege; as the pursuit of it, either as a science or amusement, is so replete with pleasure, that it is hardly possible to refuse it our approbation and encouragement, so soon as we give ourselves the least time to enquire into its merits; and we are often stimulated to pursue it from the appearance of that inexhaustible store of entertainment it is sure to afford. It is therefore less to be wondered at that publications on these subjects are more numerous than formerly; as the desire of communicating knowledge and happiness is irresistible, and men, for their own sakes, will be induced to follow the tracks, where the enjoyment of unallayed pleasure lies within their grasp.

I shall not dwell any longer on this part of the subject, but inform the reader, that the same plan, of giving just and accurate figures, that was followed in the first volume, is continued in this. The utmost care and nicety has been observed, both in the outlines and engraving. Nothing is strained or carried beyond the bounds nature has set; and whoever will compare the engravings with the originals, I flatter myself will allow, that nothing is borrowed from fancy, or any colour given to an insect that does not really exist in the subject intended to be represented.

It is true, the want of those remarks and observations on their natural history, similar to those inserted in my first volume, is a circumstance I have great reason to lament. I mentioned my opinion of the cause in my former address, in which I have since been confirmed by repeated proofs; and notwithstanding the great labour and trouble I have been at, not only in procuring the subjects of the present volume, but in endeavouring also to get the natural history of some of the most extraordinary of them, I have not been able to obtain one single piece of information proper to be laid before the public.

It is to little or no purpose to make further enquiry into the reasons of this want of curiosity, among all ranks of people, situated in distant climates, more than I have already done. I find it is so; and whether it proceeds from an ill-judged pride, in thinking such minute animals below their notice, or whether it arises from that languor of mind, as well as of body, that generally prevails in warm climates, is a matter of no consequence to mankind: the world is not benefited by their situations, and we must be content to remain in our present ignorance, till Providence shall think proper to give us a second Swammerdam, or Reaumur, &c. and place him in a distant part of the globe, for the advantage of the human race.

It is necessary to mention, that both the descriptions, and engravings, were finished about the beginning of the year 1771, and as some of the insects are mentioned as non-descripts, that since that time have appeared in other works, I hope I shall not be considered as guilty of an imposition on that account.

The present age has made great improvements in entomology, as well as other parts of natural history. The many publications that have appeared on that subject within these two years, are proofs how well works of this kind are received; and as all iconographers aim at giving representations of unfigured subjects, it is no wonder if some contained in this volume should be presented to the world by those who happened to have got the start of me. The plates were actually engraved, and great part of the prints coloured, before I discovered that any of the subjects had been figured by other authors; and to have suppressed them on account of the very few that are found in other works, would have incurred an expense greater than the nature of the case would allow.

The objection made of the want of names to the insects contained in my first volume, the reader will here find removed; and trivial as well as generical ones, given to every insect in the whole work: and likewise a few errors of the press corrected, that have almost imperceptibly got in. I was, indeed, truly sensible of the defect and incompleteness of that volume, occasioned by the above circumstance, and would gladly have named every insect then delineated; but the different opinions subsisting at that time among entomologists, some preferring one author and some another, made me exceeding cautious of entering on that business: and I rather chose to defer it to the present opportunity, than give occasion for any reflections against me, for my attachment to an author, whose method I should certainly have pursued, and whose works have deservedly entitled him to the appellation of father of natural history. I mean the excellent Linneus, whose system seems now to be generally approved and followed; and I must here mention, the opportunity that the present work affords of giving an explanation of the terms, &c. in his work, I should certainly have availed myself of, for the benefit of the young beginner; but as my friend, Mr. Curtis, has published a good translation of the "Fundamenta EntomologiÆ" of that author, wherein the young student, as well as the adept, who are not versed in the Latin tongue, may receive great improvement; I must refer them to that work for the properly understanding the plan and design of that great author.

The reader will observe, that in giving trivial names I have strictly followed the method of Linneus. The Butterflies entitled to be ranked among the Equites, are named after some great personage found among the Greeks and Trojans; as in Plate iii. Fig. 1. where I have named the insect Antenor, from a Trojan prince; and Plate ix. Fig. 1, 2. Menestheus from a Grecian one; one belonging to the Eq. Trojanes, the other to Eq. Achivi. I have likewise followed his rule in naming the insects belonging to other classes; and given such as I concluded to be the most easily retained in the memory. To this end also I have used the Latin language in preference to the English, for the great liberty it allows of compounding and decompounding words and names; a circumstance of the greatest consequence in a business of this sort.

I should think myself totally unpardonable, if I finished this address without acknowledging the obligation I am under to several friends, whose assistance in this work claim the utmost return of gratitude; among these, in a most particular manner I must mention Dr. Fothergill, whose readiness to encourage and promote every part of natural history, must endear him to every man who wishes well to so useful and beneficial a branch of knowledge; and it is to the kindness of that gentleman the reader will perceive I am indebted for a great number of figures that form a considerable part of this work; many of which are so very rare, as not to be met with in any other cabinet.

ILLUSTRATIONS

OF

EXOTIC ENTOMOLOGY.