Ol'K Kill ENDS AND FOES 



119 



CHAPTER VIII 

 OUR FRIENDS AND FOES 



OT every one, indeed, is aware of tlie fact 

 that insects fill an important part in 

 the economy of nature. We receive 

 direct benefits as well as material in- 

 juries from insects, and it is within 

 the province of entomology to distin- 

 guish the character of the insects. 



As scavengers, as fertilizers of vegetables and fruits, 

 or as food for other animals, they not only concern man, 

 hut, philosophically considered, certain insects are seen 

 to be essential to his very existence. From them we 

 receive our sweetest of sweets, several inks and dyes, 

 our finest of tapestries, a number of acids of chemical 

 value, and laces and waxes of mercantile worth. That, 

 we receive injuries, no one needs to be told. 



In nature the term " friend " is a relative one. From 

 the standpoint of the tree-grower, the caterpillar of the 

 handmaid moth, which deprives the young trees of their 

 foliage, is an enemy. Dame Xature, however, is as 

 much interested in the welfare of the caterpillar as she 

 is in the advancement of the tree or even of its owner. 

 The caterpillar has as much right to the tree as has the 

 fruit-grower. A review of biologic time, however, shows 

 that it was not Nature's intention that one form of life 

 should predominate at the expense <if another. ISTature 

 endeavors to maintain an equilibrium between plant and 



