viii PREFACE. 



posed, as the four suborders comprised in it differ in the 

 degrees of completeness of theii* metamorphoses, and are 

 all linked together by the structural features enumerated 

 on page 104. 



The classification of the HjTnenoptera is original with the 

 author, the bees (ApidiE) being placed highest, and the saw- 

 flies and Uroceridae lowest. The succession of the families 

 of the Lepidoptera is tliat now generally agreed upon b}^ en- 

 tomologists. Loew's classification of the Diptera, published 

 in the "Miscellaneous Collections" of the Smithsonian 

 [nstitution, has been followed, with some modifications. 

 Halida3''s suggestion that the PulicidiB are allied to the 

 Mycetophilidse gives a clue to their position in nature 

 among the higher Diptera. Leconte's classification of the 

 Coleoptera is adopted as far as published by him, i.e., to 

 the Bruchidtie. For the succeeding families the arrangement 

 of Gerstaecker in Peters and Cams' "Handbuch der Zoo- 

 logie" has been followed, both being based on that of Lacor- 

 daire. The Ilemiptera are arranged according to the author's 

 views of the succession of the families. The classification of 

 the Orthoptera is that proposed by Mr. S. H. Scudder. This 

 succession of families is the reverse of what has been given 

 by recent authors, and is by lar the most satisfactory j-et 

 presented. The arrangement of the Neuroptera (in the Lin- 

 nrean sense) is that of Dr. Hagen, published in his "Synop- 

 sis," with the addition, however, of the Lepismatidse, Cam- 

 podeae and Poduridse. 



The usual classification of the Arachnida is modified by 

 placing the Phalangidae as a family among the Pedipalpi, and 

 the succession of families of this suborder is suggested as be- 

 ing a more natural one than has been previously given. 



The arrangement of the Araneina, imperfect as authors 

 have left it, is that adopted by Gerstaecker in Peters and 



