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.