The Institution of Your Society for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge, must render it not improper to lay before You every Attempt towards such Improvement. On the contrary, You have a sort of Right to expect, that every Author in Natural History, should submit his Labours to Your Examination, and think himself happy if they will stand the Test of Your Judgment. The Animal and Vegetable Parts of the Creation afford endless Stores for the Enquiry and Entertainment of the curious Naturalist: and some of the most beautiful of each Sort, are here presented to the Eye, in their true Size, Form, and Colour. Nor will it be objected by You, that too much Time and Pains has been bestowed on a Company of Insects, which few People trouble themselves about; for true Philosophy teaches, that the meanest thing God has made, is not below the Dignity of the most exalted of mortal Men to consider. But the Creatures here exhibited, are adorned with such a Variety of Beauty to engage our Notice, and undergo such amazing Changes in their Form and Appearance, that a thinking Mind can hardly avoid regarding them with uncommon Pleasure and a more than ordinary Attention. Little, perhaps, is wanting to make the Study of Nature universally pursued, than to render it easy and intelligible; for, surely, the Understanding God has given us, can never be more properly employed, than in examining and considering those Proofs of his Divine Goodness and Power, which are placed every where around us. This is a most reasonable and satisfactory Entertainment; and I am fully persuaded, many of You, Gentlemen, have often experienced more real Pleasure from such Examinations, than those who know nothing of them can possibly conceive. My Attempt towards a Natural History of the _English Moths_ and _Butterflies_, (which is here added to the Paintings of them) wherein they are divided into Classes, and their several Progressions and Changes from the Egg to the Fly-state are described, (and that not from Books or Conjectures, but from actual Experiments and close Observation) will, I hope, meet with Your Approbation. But not to be longer troublesome than to beg Pardon for this Presumption, and with a continual increase of Prosperity and Honour to the ROYAL SOCIETY of _London_, permit me to subscribe myself, GENTLEMEN, _Your most obedient_, _Humble Servant_, BENJAMIN WILKES. [Illustration: (Decorative header)] THE PREFACE.