GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 5 



The eggs of these animals exhibit a great diversity in 

 shape among the different species. They are deposited by 

 the parent with unerring instinct on substances suitable for 

 the food of the larvae, which, in the majority of cases, is 

 quite different from that on which she herself subsists. 



The larva state immediately succeeds the egg, and is 

 spent almost exclusively in feeding, the insect growing 

 at a great rate, and being frequently compelled to change 

 its skin. 



The pupa is usually completely quiescent, the insect 

 being at this time quite incapable of any motion, except, 

 perhaps, a slight twirling of its abdomen. Exceptions to 

 this rule occur, however, in two of the orders, in which the 

 pupa state does not differ materially from that preceding it. 



In the imago, or perfect state, the insect appears under 

 its final form, with every organ completely developed. 



We will now consider the seven great divisions, or Orders, 

 into which insects are divided, the complete knowledge of 

 which is one of the most important elements in the ento- 

 mologist's preliminary education. I trust that by a care- 

 ful perusal of the following definitions, aided by references 

 to the Plates, which illustrate numerous members of each 

 order in their several states, the reader will be enabled to 

 master the subject without much difficulty. 



Order I.— COLEOPTERA. 

 Wings four ; the anterior pair (termed elytra) horny and 

 opaque, the posterior membranous, and employed in flight ; 

 mouth masticatory. The larva a grub with or without legs, 

 but a distinct head always present. The pupa inactive, 

 taking no food, the limbs of the future insect enclosed in 

 distinct cases, and applied closely to the body. This is 

 the largest of the Orders, and consists of all those insects 

 popularly known as Beetles. (Plates I. and II, .^ 



