An Introduction to Entomology: Or Elements of the Natural History of Insects: With Plates. Vol. I only of 4

One principal cause of the little attention paid to Entomology in the country, has doubtless been the ridicule so often thrown upon the science ... 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 ... there are evidentally no great attractions to lead him to a science which promises only to signalize him as an object of pity or contempt ... how can he look for sympathy in a pursuit unknown to the world, except as indicative of littleness of mind? (Preface pp. v-vi). Despite being made fun of for their interest in bugs, the authors compiled an extensive multi-volume set. This volume discusses the metamorphoses of insects, the direct and indirect injuries insects cause, injuries to vegetables, ravages of locusts, direct and indirect benefits derived from insects, their food, habitations, and "affection" for their young.