II PREFACE. 



the more common insects in their proper order, and in most cases to 

 find the family with which they correspond in structure and habit. So 

 far as possible, throuji^hout the work technical terms and scientific 

 names have been subordinated to popular ones, although for the sake of 

 precision and to accustom the reader to their use, the former are nearly 

 always given. While the illustrations are not so numerous as could 

 be wished, the objects themselves are so easily obtained that the 

 reader can supply the cleficiency from the pages of nature, and it is 

 most earnestly recommended that he will in all cases try to do so. 

 Insects need no especial preparation for study, except to kill them with 

 the fumes of chloroform or by immersion in alcohol or gasoline. But- 

 terflies and moths and the two-winged flies cannot be placed in fluids 

 without injury, but all the other sorts are unharmed by the process. 

 A hand lens, a bit of cork and a few needles and plus are all the appli- 

 ances needed for a study of the superficial structure of the large or 

 medium-sized species with which it is best to begin. 



If the writer shall succeed in introducing this delightful branch of 

 natural history to even a few of those who are surrounded by the beau- 

 ful and interesting objects discussed, and if in these pages the victim 

 of insect depredations obtains a few hints concerning the vulnerable 

 stages in the lives of his tiny but collectively potent foes, the work will 

 not have been done in vain. 



In conclusion, I must acknowledge my great indebtedness to the 

 works of Dr. C. V. Riley, U. S. Entomologist, Dr. A. S. Packard, whose 

 " Guide " and Entomology for Beginners " are so admirably adapted to 

 the use of those desiring a thorough knowledge of the structure of in- 

 sect forms, and to Prof. Comstock's more technical and elaborate " Intro- 

 duction." 



Among other authors from whose works I have obtained much as- 

 sistance are Professors Fernald, Cook, French, Osborne, the Rev. Dr, 

 McCook, Messrs. Howard, Henshaw and Saunders. 



The illustrations used are mostly from electrotypes purchased from 

 Dr. C. V. Riley, and from drawings done by Mr. Joseph Bridgham, of 

 Providence, R. I., who also supervised the heliotyping of the same^ 

 Fig. 32 was engraved by the Gast Bank Xote Lithographing company 

 of St. Louis, and Fig. 44 is from an electrotype presented by the Rural 



World. 



Mary E. Murtfeldt. 

 Kirkwood, Missouri. 



