VI PREFACE. 



successfully resisted the temptation of describing the 

 habits of rare but highly interesting insects. The 

 descriptions are not drawn up with scientific detail, 

 but at the same time it is hoped that by means of 

 these, coupled with the accouuts given of the habits 

 of the Insects, the reader may be able to determine 

 all the species described in the following pages. 



As the book is intended solely as a guide for the 

 beginner in his first steps, the author has taken it 

 for granted that his readers on commencing its pe- 

 rusal will know nothing of the subject on which it 

 treats, and he has accordingly prefaced the descriptions 

 of the difierent gTOups of Insects and of the habits of 

 their members, with a general account of the structure 

 and vital phsenomena of these interesting animals. 

 Throughout the work he has endeavoured to combine 

 simplicity of language with scientific accuracy, in 

 the hope that his labours may be instrumental in 

 fostering a taste for the delightful science of En- 

 tomology, especially in the minds of the rising 

 generation. 



