306 TAXIDERMY AND ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTING. 



dimorphism are nowhere more clearly developed than among 

 the lepidoptera. Hybridization also often takes place between 

 allied species of insects, especially in the case of the bombycid 

 moths, and it is possible for the skilful entomologist to conduct 

 investigations in this interesting department of inquiry with 

 almost as much freedom and success as have attended the 

 labors of the botanist in the domain of plant life. 



The economic importance of the study of entomology can 

 scarcely be overestimated. Some of the best friends of the ag- 

 riculturist, as well as multitudes of his worst enemies, are 

 found among the insects. The silkworm, the cochineal insect, 

 and the bee have aided in the accumulation of many fortunes, 

 and their culture has provided employment for millions of 

 human beings. On the other hand, property worth millions of 

 dollars is annually destroyed by insect ravages. It has been 

 asserted b} r competent authorities that the depredations of the 

 Codling moth (Carpocapsa Pomonella) have resulted, in a single 

 year, within the limits of the State of Pennsylvania alone, in the 

 destruction of fruit worth over a million of dollars, and the ter- 

 rible Phylloxera at one time threatened the total overthrow of 

 viticulture in Southern Europe. 



Various schemes have been proposed for the classification of 

 insects, and there is -as yet only partial agreement among stu- 

 dents upon this subject. 



Insects belong to that great group of animals designated by 

 zoologists as the AKTHKOPODA. As a means of assisting to a 

 better understanding of the practical hints and suggestions 

 which follow, a sketch of the classification of the Arthropoda is 

 here given. 



ARTHROPODA. 



Animals possessing an external skeleton composed of chitinous rings, or somites, and 

 provided with articulated limbs. 



Ceratophora. 



Class I. PERIPATIDEA (Genus Peripatus). 

 Class II. MYRIAPODA. 



Orders : 



1. Diplopoda (Galley-worms, etc.). 



2. Pauropida (Genus Pauropus, etc.). 



3. Chilopoda (Centipedes, etc.). 



