INNOXIOUS INSECTS. 



Under this head, I propose to devote a few pages each year to 

 those insects which can neither be considered injurious or beneficial 

 to man, either directly or indirectly. As State Entomologist I feel it 

 my duty to devote my time primarily to the study of those insects 

 ediately concern the agriculturist, and by thus doing, to save 

 to our great and growing State a portion of that immense sum which 

 is annually lost by insect depredations. At the same time I feel that 

 it will be expected of me to add to our present knowledge of the nat- 

 ural history of the State, bj discoveries in my particular branch of 

 The prosperity of a State does not depend solely on its ma- 

 tlth, but to a great extent on its mental wealth. Knowledge 

 — that great interpreter of oracles — moves the world ! It enables us 

 lie bowels of the unfathomable earth beneath, in the water, 

 r, and in the skyey vast above, volumes written by the hand 

 of Omnipotence ! 



"To win the secret of a weed's plain heart, 

 Reveals the clue to spiritual things," 



'•ere are few departments of science which offer such food for 

 the mind as does the study of Natural History. It has been truly said 

 that the naturalist has no time for selfish thoughts. Everywhere 

 around him he sees signit armonies, chains of cause and ef- 



sndlessly interlinked, which draw him out of the narrow 8 

 'f-lauding into a pure and wholesome atmosphere of jov and 

 felicity. 



Day hy da}' science is becoming more and more y 1 



long the necessity of devoting more attention to natura 



ools and co ill become apparent. There are few 



instance, so well calculated to train the minds or 

 and at the same time entertain and instruct them as would ; 

 illustrating the transformation of insects, and it is with the 

 that this kind of information will soon bo more generally sought for, 

 that I introduce to my readers 



