5 [ 425 j 



so extensive and difficult a science as that of entomologj^ It seems de- 

 sirable, therefore, that there shall be some \York of easy access, which 

 shall assist them in their studies, and at the same time serve as a step- 

 ping-stone from such teaching- as they may be able to obtain at the pub- 

 lic schools, to the more learned and elaborate treatises upon this science. 



As many reports and treatises have akeady been published by the 

 entomologists of this and other States, intended especially for the use 

 of the practical farmer and horticulturist, in which the habits and the 

 treatment of the most injurious insects have been pretty fully described, 

 it seems the more admissible and proper, at this time, to give some as- 

 sistance to that class of students who have the time and inclination to 

 prosecute this subject in all its relations. In this way we may give en- 

 couragement to many young enquirers, which will stimulate them to ac- 

 quire a more thorough knowledge of the subject, and one which they 

 may hereafter turn to practical account, both for themselves and others. 



It must be borne in mind, however, that the main object of this office 

 is of a directly practical nature, and if reports of a more scientific char- 

 acter are occasionally published, the subject should be so treated as to 

 show, as much as possible, the connection between scientific and practi- 

 cal entomology. With this end in view, I have, in the present report, 

 made the food and the food-habits of the insects treated of the basis of 

 classification, it being in this connection chiefly that insects are injuri- 

 ous to human interests. By this means the student who has acquired 

 the art of referring insects to theii' natural connections by the examina- 

 tion of their external structure, will be able to determine whether any 

 species which he may have in hand be injurious, or liable to become so, 

 b}" knowing the habits of the family or tribe to which it belongs. 



It will be seen that the present report consists of two parts : the first 

 being devoted, as usual, to the consideration of injurious insects ; and 

 the second part being the first installment of the elementary treatise 

 in general, referred to in the preceding remarks. In my next report I 

 contemplate completing that part of the work which treats of the large 

 and imi)ortant order of Coleoptera^ or beetles. 



The A-alue of an elementary work like this, intended chiefly to aid the 

 inexperienced student, must depend very much upon its being suitably 

 illustrated by figures. A bill making an appropriation for this purpose 

 was introduced into the Senate, at the recent session of the General As- 

 sembly, and passed to a third reading without opposition, but so near 

 the close of the session that it tailed to reach the lower house. It is an- 

 ticipated that this bill will be i)assed at an early stage of the adjourned 

 session ;, but the delay is a matter of regret, since the figures may re- 

 quire a considerable time for their preparation, and they cannot be com- 

 menced till it is known with certainty that the appropriation will be 

 made. 



