iv PREFACE TO ORIGINAL EDITION 



same term throughout the work to homologous veins. The result is that 

 the student is required to learn only one set of terms; and in applying 

 these terms there will be brought to his attention in a forcible manner the 

 peculiar modifications of structure characteristic of each order of insects. 

 Heretofore, with a different nomenclature for the wing-veins of each 

 order such a comparative study of the various methods of specialization 

 has been beyond the reach of any but the most advanced scholars. 



The principal features of the method of notation of wing-veins pro- 

 posed by Josef Redtenbacher has been adopted. But as the writer's 

 views regarding the structure of the wings of primitive insects are very 

 different from those of Redtenbacher, the nomenclature proposed in this 

 book is to a great extent original. The chief point of difference arises 

 from the belief by the present writer that veins IV and VI do not exist 

 in the Lepidoptera, Diptera, and Hymenoptera; and that, in those or- 

 ders where they do exist, they are secondary developments. The reasons 

 for this belief are set forth at length in my essay on Evolution and 

 Taxonomy. 



In this essay there was proposed a new classification of the Lepidop- 

 tera, which was the result of an effort to work out the phylogeny of the 

 divisions of this order. This classification has been further elaborated in 

 the present work. In the other orders but few changes have been made 

 from the more generally accepted classifications. It is more than prob- 

 able however, that when the taxonomic principles upon which this classi- 

 fication of the Lepidoptera is based are applied to the classification of the 

 other orders radical changes will be found to be necessary. 



A serious obstacle to the popularization of Natural History is the 

 technical names that it is necessary to use. In order to reduce this diffi- 

 culty to a minimum the pronunciation of all of the Latin terms used has 

 been indicated, by dividing each into syllables and marking the accented 

 syllable. In doing this the well-established rules for the division of Latin 

 words into syllables have been followed. It seems necessary to state this 

 fact in order to account for differences which exist between the pronunci- 

 ations given here and some of those in certain large dictionaries recently 

 published in this country. 



Nearly all of the wood-cuts have been engraved from nature by the 

 Junior Author. As the skill which she has attained in this art has been 

 acquired during the progress of the work on this book, some of 

 the earlier-made illustrations do not fairly represent her present standing 

 as an engraver. But it does not seem worth while to delay the appear- 

 ance of the book in order to re-engrave these figures; especially as it is 

 believed that they will not be found lacking in scientific accuracy. The 

 generous appreciation which the best engravers have shown towards the 

 greater part of the work leads us to hope that it will be welcomed as an 

 important addition to entomological illustrations. 



Although the chief work of the Junior Author has been with the pencil 

 and graver, many parts of the text arc from her pen. But in justice to 

 her it should be said that the plan of the book was changed after she had 

 finished her writing. It was intended at first to make the book of a much 

 more elementary nature than it is in its final form. It has seemed best, 

 however, to leave these parts as written in order that the work may be of 

 interest to a wider range of readers than it would be were it restricted to 

 a uniform style of treatment. 



