PREFACE 



From one view - point — yes, from two — Nature's 

 Craftsmen may be called a popular book. It is as free 

 as it can well be made from embarrassing technical 

 terms, although like all other objects the creatures 

 whose history is here given have and must have names, 

 which must be learned, even as our own. Moreover, 

 as the author believes that science need not be and 

 should not be divorced from literature, he has tried to 

 write his histories in attractive and agreeable style. 

 Further, the book may be called "popular" in that it 

 deals with phases of natural life that come most easily 

 into common thought and interest. Otherwise the 

 writer has aimed to make Nature's Craftsmen a thor- 

 oughly scientific study within its chosen field. That it 

 will be found wholly free from errors is too much to 

 hope. But the writer may claim that he has given due 

 care to make his work accurate, and within its limits 

 of good authority. 



These pages represent many years spent in sundry 

 parts of our continent in delightful contact with our 

 little brothers and sisters of the Insect World. If some 

 measure of the author's pleasure and advantage in field- 

 work shall come to his readers, he will be well content. 

 And if hereby any shall be won to study in His works 

 the Author of all, he will have reached his highest aim. 



Brookcamp, Devon, Pennsylvania, 

 April, A.D. 1906. 



