The Sun.
London, England, 1848-12-12 00:00:00

EPISODES OF INSECT LIFE.

This very elegantly bound and very daintily illus-
trated little volume has been written with the
laudable purpose of introducing the study of ento-
mology to the favour of the general reader. The
author of this work believing, and with considerable
reason, that insects and entomology are objects of
utter indifference, if not of positive dislike, to the
multitude, has endeavoured is this volume not
so much to explain the mysteries of his favourite
science, as to render that science an attractive study.
To do this he has had recourse to the old artifice. He
has arrayed TRUTH in the garb of fable, in order to
disarm prejudice and secure attention. "To make
insects objects of liking," he says, " would seem the
best preparatory step towards making them subjects
of learning; and to accomplish this I have endea-
voured to associate them as much as possible with our
domestic habits." The first dozen or twenty pages
are somewhat rambling and roundabout. The author
hardly seems to know how to enter upon his subject,
and begins with a great deal of unnecessary circum-
locution ; afterwards, however, his style becomes easy
and eloquent, and he treats of his favourite subject in
a very agreeable and interesting manner. He is
evidently an entomological enthusiast, which circum-
stance naturally imparts an earnestness to his style,
and a considerable attraction to his revelations. Even
in the rambling introduction we find the following
beautiful and heartfelt panegyric upon entomology :
" For us nature has no desert place; touched by thy
magic wand, every tree has become a peopled city,
teaming with busy multitudes ; every flower a pavi-
lion hung with gorgeous tapestry, for the summer oc-
cupation of insect nobles, clad in velvet, gauze, :or
coats of mail ; nay, the very moss that grows upon
the tree, or clothes the stone, has become to us a
forest, where, as in forests of larger growth,
roam the fierce and the gentle, preying or
preyed on by each other. The arid heath, the
decaying tree, the mouldering wall are converted at
once into fertile fields of interest and inquiry, while
the summer skies and glittering waters grow brighter
yet with glancing wings and oar-like feet ; and with
the knowledge that both are plied by a multitude of
happy creatures." In order perhaps to keep his own
enthusiasm in countenance, the author tells us that the
study of entomology has: been found capable of ex-
citing enthusiastic energy, incomparable patience,
and fervent piety. " Oh," exclaimed the Dutch
entomologist, Swammerdan, while studying for his
work on the habits and structure of bees, "Oh, for
one year of continued light and heat, that I might
work without interruption I" It is not probable that
this volume, attractive though it be, will awaken a
similar ardour in the breasts of its readers, neverthe-
less it is well calculated to inspire them with a livelier
interest in. ,a very interesting study, and in conse-
quence it will be peculiarly valuable to the young.
lts appearance is most prepossessing. Its cover
is verdant as the meadows of spring, and as gor-
geously adorned with golden bees, and butterflies, and
grasshoppers, and crickets, and, above all, with a
magnificent spider's web, the golden shreds of which
appear to full advantage on the pale-coloured green.
The pictorial embellishments are of a very superior
kind ; the butterflies and other insects are tinted with
colours almost as bright as those with which nature
has arrayed them. Many of the pictures, like the
" Episodes" they illustrate, are allegorical. The vig-
nette, for example—"
So issue forth the Seasons"—
exhibits a cricket, a brimstone-butterfly, a grass-
hopper, and a peacock-butterfly, representing the
seasons of the year. The cricket is bedecked with
the Christmas holly, and never were four more gro-
tesque maskers conceived.

Y.---Menzers His-
BONA'S STANDARD LIBRAR
Bistcry of Germany. Vol 11. Miller's Philosophy of
history. Vol I.
We have so frequently commented upon the excel-
lent qualities of Mr. Bohn's " Standard Library,"
that it is hardly necessary for us to do more than an-
nounce the appearance of these volumes, which are
worthy to take their place beside their predecessors.
The " History of Germany" contains an engraving of
Holbein's portrait of Charles V., and the "Philosophy
of History " is embellished with a likeness of its
author. •

THE RUMOURED EXPEDITION TO MOROCCO.—We
aro assured, upon what we believe to be the best autho-
rity, that there is no foundation for the report that has
been circulated through the newspapers, of an .in-
tended expedition under Sir Charles Napier against
Tangiers.—Post.
WRECK OF A FRENCII BRIG-OF-WAR.—By the
French vessel Jose, arrived at Havro from Monte Video,
which she left on the 2d of October, we learn that the
French brig-of-war Pandour had been lost with almost
all hands on board. A few of the crew succeeded in
agvin thepiselyei.