PREFACE. 



The first edition of this little volume consisted of 

 ten lectures delivered in 1883 at the Institute of Agri- 

 culture of South Kensington, in compliance with the 

 request of the Director that I would prepare some 

 simple and plain information regarding the methods 

 of life of crop insects, and means of prevention of 

 their ravages, such as might be of service to school 

 teachers. 



At that time there appeared to be but little call for 

 such a compilation, but I complied with the request 

 in the hope that the work might be useful for farm 

 service ; and that in its published form it might be 

 carried to the field, or taken up at an odd minute, and 

 give a little information without burdening the reader 

 with a need of looking elsewhere for explanations. 



The work, however, appeared likely to remain 

 nearly useless, until, in the course of last year, 



