PREFACE 
This book gives a comprehensive and concise account of 
insects. Though planned primarily for the student, it is in- 
tended also for the general reader. 
The book was written in an effort to meet the growing 
demand for a biological treatment of entomology. 
The existence of several excellent works on the classification 
of insects (notably Comstock’s Manual, Kellogg’s American 
Insects and Sharp’s Insects) has enabled the author to omit 
the multitudinous details of classification and to introduce 
much material that hitherto has not appeared in text-books. 
As a rule, only the commonest kinds of insects are referred 
to in the text, in order that the reader may easily use the text 
as a guide to personal observation. 
All the illustrations have been prepared by the author, and 
such as have been copied from other works are duly credited. 
To Dr. S. A. Forbes the author is especially indebted for 
the use of literature, specimens and drawings belonging to the 
Illinois State Laboratory of Natural History. 
Permission to copy several illustrations from Government 
publications was received from Dr. L. O. Howard, Chief of 
the Bureau of Entomology; Dr. C. Hart Merriam, Chief of 
the Division of Biological Survey, and Dr. Charles D. Walcott, 
Director joi the U. S. Geological Survey. Several desired 
books were obtained from F. M. Webster, of the Bureau of 
Entomology. 
Acknowledgments for the use of figures are due also to 
Die ee. Felt; State Entomologist of New York; Dr. B.A. 
Birge, Director of the Wisconsin Geological and Natural His- 
tory Survey; Prof. E. L. Mark and Prof. Roland Thaxter, 
of Harvard University; Prof. J. H. Comstock of Cornell Uni- 
versity; Prof. C. W. Woodworth of the University of Cali- 
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