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 {iv}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.
{v}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 {vi}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.
{1}ILLUSTRATIONS