THE 



BIOLOGY OF INSECTS 



CHAPTER I 



INTRODUCTION 



The studies of an entomologist are often associated with 

 long rows of dead, dried insects, set on pins or mounted on 

 cards, arranged in a series of cabinets or storeboxes. Yet 

 such a typical collection of beetles or butterflies is made up 

 of creatures that once had life, and the opportunity which 

 it affords for the examination and comparison of the forms 

 of insect- bo dies may help towards an understanding of the 

 living insects which once flew or crawled, fed and breathed, 

 mated and bred in the brightness of a summer's day. In 

 the succeeding pages the attempt will be made from diverse 

 points of view to demonstrate insects as living organisms. 



In most groups of animals there are certain outstanding 

 characteristics which determine to a great extent each 

 creature's form of body and mode of life. The bird is 

 feathered and flying, moulded as it were in clothing and 

 manner of movement to the air. The typical worm is a 

 crawler or burrower, compelled to seek shelter in soil or 

 sand for its soft, ill-defended body. What then are the 

 main features of an insect's body-structure which are 

 correlated with its functions as a live being ? Curiously 

 enough the collection of dry pinned or carded specimens 

 suggests the beginning of an answer. Insects can be pre- 

 served in this way because of the firmness of their outer 



I B 



