• PREFACE. 



The purpose of this book is to present a series of 

 exact truths from Natural History in a popular form. 



The author firmly believes that study of the struc- 

 ture, conditions and behavior of all created things 

 highly tends to elevate human character. Under such 

 conviction he consented to write a number of essays 

 upon insect life with a particular view to his own 

 specialties — ants and spiders. It was agreed that these 

 essays should express the latest and best results of 

 scientific research, and thus have a real scientific 

 value and standing. As to form, the papers were to 

 be adapted to the taste and understanding of lay or 

 non-scientific readers. 



This original plan was afterward so far changed, 

 under the persuasion of friends, as to give the essays 

 a colloquial form, introducing thereinto something of 

 that interest which attaches to the play of various 

 human characters. 



The author is free to confess that the change was 

 made after much hesitation on his part. Like most 

 naturalists, he thinks that the truths of N'ature are 

 attractive enough in themselves and need not the 

 seasoning of fiction, even of so mild a flavor as offered 

 by the "Tenants." Moreover, he seriously distrusted 

 (i) 



