Whether the reader endorses this high eulogium or not, he will certainly, in "The Insect," as in "The Bird," find a new stimulus to the study of Nature, and a fresh proof of the power and fancy of one of the greatest of modern French writers. Of the present translation, it is necessary only to say that it has been executed with a conscientious adherence to the original, and with an effort to preserve, as far as possible, its peculiarities of style. If it should be thought that in the attempt something of freedom and fluency has been sacrificed, it is hoped the critic will acknowledge that something of faithfulness has been gained. The author of "The Insect" took much interest in the presentation of it and its companions to the English reader in an English dress, and was pleased to express his approval of the manner in which the Translator had accomplished his task. It remains to be added that the exquisite Illustrations, by M. H. Giacomelli, have all been specially drawn and engraved for the English edition. W. H. DAVENPORT ADAMS. [Illustration] [Illustration] Contents. INTRODUCTION. I. THE LIVING INFINITE, 17 II. OUR STUDIES AT PARIS AND IN SWITZERLAND, 23 III. OUR STUDIES AT FONTAINEBLEAU, 36 IV. OUR STUDIES AT FONTAINEBLEAU (CONTINUED), 46 BOOK I.--METAMORPHOSIS. I. TERROR AND REPUGNANCE OF CHILDHOOD, 57 II. COMPASSION, 67 III. WORLD-BUILDERS, 79 IV. LOVE AND DEATH, 89 V. THE ORPHAN: ITS FEEBLENESS, 99 VI. THE MUMMY, NYMPH, OR CHRYSALIS, 109 VII. THE PHOENIX, 119 BOOK II.--MISSION AND ARTS OF THE INSECT. I. SWAMMERDAM, 129 II. THE MICROSCOPE:--HAS THE INSECT A PHYSIOGNOMY? 143 III. THE INSECT AS THE AGENT OF NATURE IN THE ACCELERATION OF DEATH AND LIFE, 155 IV. THE INSECT AS MAN'S AUXILIARY, 165 V. A PHANTASMAGORIA OF LIGHT AND COLOUR, 175 VI. THE SILKWORM, 185 VII. INSTRUMENTS OF THE INSECT: AND ITS CHEMICAL ENERGIES, AS IN THE COCHINEAL AND THE CANTHARIDES, 193 VIII. ON THE RENOVATION OF OUR ARTS BY THE STUDY OF THE INSECT, 201 IX. THE SPIDER--INDUSTRY--THE STOPPAGE, 211 X. THE HOME AND LOVES OF THE SPIDER, 223 BOOK III.--COMMUNITIES OF INSECTS.