INTRODUCTION. 



5 



and transformations in the field and in breeding 

 cages and aquaria, and the interest can be main- 

 tained by appealing to the love of making collec- 

 tions, which is so general. The boy or girl that 

 finds pleasure in collecting postage stamps, shells, or 

 birds' eggs will find even greater pleasure in collect- 

 ing insects. It is only a step from the mere making 

 of a collection to the learning of something regard- 

 ing the objects collected ; and in this way, uncon- 

 sciously, without irksome labor, but with much 

 pleasure, the powers of observation will be trained 

 and a love of Nature developed. 



Everything possible should be done to make this 

 study a recreation which the pupils will enjoy out- 

 side of school hours. If each has a collection, this 

 will be an easy matter. Do not discourage the pupils 

 by requiring them to memorize abstract statements 

 concerning insects. Let their knowledge of the sub- 

 ject be based on personal observations. The state- 

 ments in the book are merely to aid the pupils in 

 their study of the specimens ; personal observation 

 should be the real source of their information. The 

 development of the habit of ascertaining facts for 

 themselves is one of the greatest benefits the pupils 

 will derive from this study. 



In preparing the lessons an effort has been made 

 to combine the verification method and the interro- 

 gation method of laboratory work in such a way as 

 to obtain the desirable results of both systems and to 

 give variety to the work. When the former method 

 is used the teacher will be able in most cases to 

 determine if the pupil has correctly verified the 

 statements made in the text by examining the draw- 



