CHAPTER III. 



THE CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS AND THEIR NEAR 



RELATIVES. 



N the course of the lessons in the preced- 

 ing chapter, a beginning was made in 

 the classification of insects. The sub- 

 ject can now be taken up in a more 

 systematic manner. It is not, how- 

 ever, the purpose of this book to car- 

 ry the classification of insects further 

 than to the orders, although in the 

 chapters following this a few easily 

 recognized families will be studied. It is believed 



o 



that it is better for the pupils that are beginning this 

 study to devote the greater part of their time to 

 the study of the structure and habits of insects ; 

 later, the classification can be carried farther with 

 the aid of more advanced manuals written for that 

 purpose. 



The collector of insects is sure to meet many 

 small animals that, although not true insects, are 

 closely allied to them. It is important, therefore, 

 that the characteristics of these near relatives of in- 

 sects should be pointed out, which we will briefly do, 

 before discussing the orders of insects. 



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