ii PREFACE. 



his ability to cast tlae natural facts at his command into 

 an}- narrative form that would reasonabl}' satisfy the 

 just demands of literature. Nevertheless, as those 

 whose judgment he most trusted believed that such 

 a form would give his studies a wider circulation, 

 a kindlier welcome, and so a larger influence, he ven- 

 tured upon the proposed change. 



Whatever may be the verdict on the above point pro- 

 nounced by those who may read these pages, this at 

 least should be said : the facts in Natural History here 

 presented may be accepted as correct, or as nearly so 

 as is allowed one who works in such a field. Most of 

 the facts given have come under the writer's own ob- 

 servation. Where he has gone to other naturalists for 

 information he has used the utmost care to be accurate. 

 These remarks apply also to the popular superstitions 

 concerning insects for whose expression " old Dan"' and 

 " Sary Ann" have been invented. Indeed Dan is not 

 so much an invention as an adaptation of a real char- 

 acter. 



The plan as originall}- proposed included references 

 to all works consulted, and credit to every author cited. 

 It is a cause of serious regret that this feature had to 

 be dropped as obviousl}' out of place in a scientific 

 pastoral like the " Tenants," however proper in a series 

 of scientific essays. All the heartier, therefore, are the 

 thanks here rendered to the earnest, loving and labor- 

 ious naturalists who have contributed b}' writings and 

 word of mouth to these pages. 



It only remains to lie said that the numerous illustra- 



