In the vast family of beings, of which it is the province of Entomology to treat, are comprised not a few of the most valuable friends, as well as many of the most troublesome and formidable enemies, of the human race. Hence it is the duty, no less than the interest, of man, to render himself intimately acquainted with both. But this he can do only by the study of the science.

This study, interesting and important in every country, may be regarded as peculiarly so in our own. Whether scientifically or practically considered, the insects of the United States, are but little known to us-less so, than those of any other civilized quarter of the globe. Yet have we motives numerous and cogent, beyond what can actuate the inhabitants of other countries, for directing our attention to inquiries respecting them.

To feel these motives, in their full force, we need only, in the spring, the summer, or the autumn, look into our fields or our forests, our gardens or our pleasure-grounds. The depredations there committed, on many of our most valuable vegetables, by some insects, and the destruction of these insects themselves, by others surpassing them in power and voracity, cannot fail to impress us with a deep sense of the advantages to be derived from a more liberal knowledge, than we, at present, possess, of that numerous and formidable family of beings.

It is the result of experience, as well as one of the plainest dictates of common sense, that a perfect acquaintance with the character of an enemy, furnishes the only true ground of successful opposition to him. In vain, therefore, will the farmers and gardeners of the United States, attempt to preserve the productions of the soil from the Hessian fly, the cut-worm, the aphides, the weevil, and the many hundreds of other insects which daily attack them, unless they inform themselves, more fully, of the history and character of those destroyers.

Similar observations might be made, in relation to the welfare of our domestic animals. Each one of these is liable to suffer, in many instances mortally, from the hostility of insects. Nor can we effect their security through any other means, than a thorough knowledge of the history of their enemies. But this knowledge the science of Entomology alone can impart.

We are even assailed in our persons, by numerous insects, against which a more intimate acquaintance with them would enable us to guard.

Indeed, strange, and, perhaps, extravagant as the assertion may appear, to those who have not attended to the subject, it is, notwithstanding, true, that the comforts and subsistence of man, are much more liable to be fatally invaded by the insect tribe, than by the whole animal kingdom besides. The lion, the tiger, the bear, or the wolf, may shed the blood of individuals, or even depopulate villages: but, to the locust, the palmer-worm, or some other family of the insect tribe, does it belong, to bring destruction or suffering on a whole people.

In our contemplation of this class of beings, it is not the evils alone, with which they threaten us, or are capable of inflicting on us, that we ought to consider. Our attention should be directed also to the benefits we derive from them.

To the Lytta Vesicatoria, are we indebted for an important remedy; to the bee, for one of the wholesomest and most delicious of our sweets; to the cochineal insect, for one of our richest dyes; and to the silk-worm, for our most beautiful and costly apparel. Surely, then, the history of that class of animals, among a part of which are found our deadliest foes, while, to another part, we are under the weightiest obligations, is worthy of our regard.

But, for the study of Entomology, there exist yet other reasons, which we are bound to respect. The science is not only becoming fashionable in the higher walks of life, in Europe, but is sanctioned by the names of many individuals, who, for talents and attainments, rank with the foremost in that quarter of the globe. To induce us to pursue it, therefore, in the United States, we have high authority.

Finally, if we wish to become more familiar with the attributes of the Deity, through the medium of his works, there is no source to which we can turn, with greater advantage, than to the science of Entomology.

Insects constitute, in themselves, a living world; in the arrangement and economy of which appears as glorious a display of goodness, wisdom, and power, as is to be found in any other department of nature. The vast variety and extent of action, the consummate adaptation of means to purposes, and the consequent order and harmony, which characterize this part of visible creation, bespeak in every portion of it, a hand that is divine. No one can attentively study it, and remain either incredulous of the existence and operations, or disregardful of the majesty and beneficence, of HIM who framed, and continues to govern it. If we are directed to the ant and the bee, to learn wisdom and industry, with equal propriety may we turn to many other families of the insect race, to improve in piety, and all the moral and social virtues.

Influenced by these considerations, we could scarcely fail to receive, with pleasure, a publication of any description, treating of the insects of the United States. We need not add, that this pleasure is greatly heightened, by the reception of a work of ample promise.

As this work, which is now before us, possesses many points of real excellence, we are gratified at being told, by the author, that it is nothing but a "portion of a publication of no inconsiderable magnitude, on the insects of North America."

It contains six plates and a frontispiece; each plate representing two insects, of the same species, the male and the female, or the same insect, in figures of different sizes, well delineated and accurately coloured.

The descriptions, accompanying the plates, are classical and Most of the terms, however, being purely technical, ren,

correct.

ders a glossary highly necessary to the generality of readers; the more so, as explanations of entomological language, are not of easy access. Would it not be practicable for our author to give his promised glossary early in the course of his work?

By enriching his descriptions with more of the biography of insects, Mr. Say has it in his power to render his future numbers more interesting and useful.

Indeed the naturalist should never fail to bear in mind, that, in every department of Zoology, it is the biography of the animals described, which gives to the science its most practical tendencies, and its highest charm.

That part in which our author is most faulty, is his preface. Here, the composition is loose; the selection of words is not very fortunate; and the production bears, throughout, the marks of haste and inattention. These remarks relate to the preface only.

We must not close this article, without observing, that, on the whole, we are exceedingly pleased with Mr. Say's work: we find in it much to praise, and but little to blame; and can, therefore, honestly recommend it to the patronage of the public.

C.

The above review of Mr. Say's specimen of American Entomology, was transmitted to the editor, and it is right to the extent of the observations contained in it. But Mr. Say's work, though small in bulk, deserves more to be said of it, to show its value.

It is worthy of remark, that important as the subject of Entomology is to our interest and to our comfort, there have been very few scientific works in England upon it, and hardly any popular work, save a small part of Dr. Smellie's compilation on natural history, and the late popular Account of Entomology by Messrs. Kirby and Spence; of which, as yet, the first volume only, has reached America, though the second is printed. The English are greatly behind the science of the continent on the natural history of

insects.

In this country, the late Revd. Mr. Melsheimer of Hanover, in York county, Pennsylvania, was very learned on the subject of insects. His collection was large, and the part of his catalogue which he published, ranks with the best arranged works on this branch of science. His son, who succeeded his father in the ministry at Hanover, still pursues the same course of study. By means of these gentlemen, the entomologists of Europe have been made acquainted with the treasures of this country, of which, its inhabitants, some three or four excepted, have remained perfectly ignorant. It was in vain Mr. Melsheimer published the first part of his well-digested catalogue; nobody purchased, nobody perused it. The expense remained a drawback on his scanty funds; the honour of his discoveries, was conferred on him by European philosophers; he died, comparatively, unknown.

In this state, (and indeed we may almost confine the observation to this state) two philosophical societies have been formed: the one of old standing, "The American Philosophical Society;" the other,

of four or five years date only, "The Academy of Natural Science." The members of the first, hold their sittings, in Fifth near Chesnut street: the last, in Arch, near Front street. Four or five volumes, in quarto, have been published by the oldest of these societies, and the first volume of a new series of its transactions, is now in the press, and likely to do credit to the institution. The Academy of Natural Science, has published two or three small numbers of their proceedings, which are meant to be continued, as new matter, worthy of publication, presents itself. Of this society, Mr. Say is a distinguished member; and we may venture to predict that the gentlemen belonging to it, are likely to do more for American reputation in natural history, than any other institution in this country. The few pages they have already published, are honourable, not merely to the society, but to the nation, for the curious and the useful information they contain, unassuming as they are, and almost unknown. The present work of Mr. Say may be considered as an emanation from the same source; and we have had nothing published, on any branch of natural history in America, better calculated to raise its reputation abroad, than the small book now under review. It is common praise to say, that the delineations are accurate, the colouring respectable, the language scientifically descriptive of the subjects treated. The insects are coloured about as well as the birds in Wilson's Ornithology; but they are not equal in splendor and effect to Mad. Meiran's Surinam, or to Sep: they are good enough for all the purposes of real information, and better than we have yet seen here. All this is very well. But Mr. Say has started in the race of science with higher claims. The present number contains the following insects, viz. Papilio Philenor; described by Drury, Cramer, Fabricius, and by Smith and Abbot, in their insects of Georgia.

Geotrupes Tityus; also described by preceding entomologists. Nemognatha immaculata. This appears to be a new species, not

Notoxus Monodon.
Bertus Spinosus.
Cicindela formosa.

hitherto described.

Described, but not hitherto figured. Approaches to the Tipularius of Fabricius. The cicindela trifasciata, sex guttata, and punctulata, are well known. The formosa is new to the entomologists.

Cicindela decem notata.

This is also a new species.

Hence it appears, that Mr. Say does not live upon the labours of his predecessors: he has already contributed his full share to the stock of knowledge, by bringing us acquainted with insects never before figured and described. Not to support such a work as this, would be disgraceful to the national character. We agree that it would be right to introduce more descriptions of the habits and manners, the uses and the mischiefs of the insects described; it would bring Mr. Say's work into more general circulation. C.

ART. VI.-Adolphe, a Novel. By M. Benjamin de Constant.Published by M. Carey & Son. 1817.

TOTWITHSTANDING the merit of some modern novels, by Miss Burney, Miss Edgeworth, Mrs. West, Mrs. Opie, and some other female writers in England, whose works are free from the grosser faults that are usually complained of in this species of composition, we are still of opinion, that novels have done, and still do, more harm than good. They universally tend to give force and effect to that passion, which, of all others, interferes most with the necessary restraints of civilized society-they tend to impress upon the youthful mind, that what is delineated under the name of Love, is the first object, the great business of human life, to which every other dictate of prudence and of duty, may be required to yieldthey increase the vividness of those emotions, which the permanent happiness of young people themselves, require to be controlled, repressed, and subjected-and they give false ideas of the real nature and character of that connexion between the sexes, which the laws of every wise nation consider as the object of wholesome regulation and restraint. Nor is it among the slightest objections, that they always nourish and often give birth, to that sickly train of feelings commonly known by the name of sentiment. Hence, a novel-reading female, expects attention from a husband, which the cares of business will not permit him to pay; and a weak woman is left open to the flatteries of an idler who has time to throw away upon petty services, delicate attentions, sentiment and sensibility. To make a novel useful, or at least not mischievous, all the obligations toward parents upon the subject of marriage, should be sedulously enforced: the duty of repressing desires that cannot be indulged, but at the sacrifice of prudence and of happiness, should be shown to be within reasonable effort; and to be indispensable, when indulgence cannot take place without obvious risk of all future prospects of succeeding in the difficult march of life: and the principle should be illustrated, that marriages, to be happy, should be entered into like other contracts, upon the common calculations of prudential motives; and do not require that violence of inclination so necessary to the character of every hero and heroine of a modern romance. Still less should scenes and conduct of manifest depravity be decked out with all the ornament of language, and treated as if they were at least excuseable, from the violence of passion, if not justifiable.

In the present novel, all the characters are morally detestable.There is not one that common sense, and honest feelings, ought not to revolt at. The incidents are of the worst description; but the author endeavours to make them interesting by force of description and the charms of language; which, whatever may be its merit in the original, is execrable in the translation.

The characters are, Adolphe, his father, the Count de P., and Ellenor.

The first is a young man, who does not appear possessed of one good, great, or estimable quality. Unequal in his temper, morose