﻿TI PREFACE. 



the aphorism, Ars longa^ vita brevis est, I have endeavored to so arrange and sub-di- 

 vide the matter that the reader may refer at once to that which more especially inter- 

 ests and concerns him. In a work intended for future reference as well as present use, 

 the topics are best discussed under as many sub-heads as possible. 



In this,. as in the previous volumes, when the insects treated of are new, or the ex- 

 isting descriptions of them are imperfect, or in a foreign language, or in works out of 

 print or dlflicult of access, I have added a full description, which is, however, always 

 printed in smaller type, so that it can be skipped by the non-interested reader. The 

 popular name of each insect is accompanied by the scientilic name, and the latter is 

 generally printed in italics and mostly in parenthesis, so that it may be skipped by the prac- 

 tical man without interfering with the text. The Order and Family to which each insect 

 belongs, are also given under each heading. The dimensions are expressed in inches 

 and the fractional parts of an inch, and the sign (^ wherever used, is an abbreviation 

 for the word "male," the sign $ for "female," and the sign § for neuter. 



Many of the figures are enlarged, but the natural size of each of such is also given 

 or indicated by a hair-line, except in the representation of enlarged stuctural details, 

 where they are connected with the life-sized insect to which they belong. 



The name of the author of the species, and not of the genus, is given as authority ; 

 and in order to indicate whether or not the insect was originally described under the 

 .generic name which it bears, I have adopted the following plan : When the specific 

 name is coupled with the generic name under which it was first publislied, the de- 

 scriber's name is attached without a comma— thus indicating the authorship of the dual 

 name : e. g. Phycita nebulo ^Valsh. But when a different generic name is employed 

 than that under which the insect was first described, the authorship is enclosed in paren- 

 thesis, thus — Aerobasis nebulo (Walsli) ; except where the whole name is already in 

 parenthesis, when a comma will be used for the same purpose : e. g., {Aerobasis nebulo, 

 Walsh). 



All the illustrations, except Fig. 30, unless otherwise stated, are drawn by myself 

 from nature. 



My office is still at Room 42, St. Louis Insurance Building, N. W. Corner of Sixth 

 and Locust Sts., where all communications should be sent. I regret not to be able to 

 thank the officers of our different railroad companies for courtesies extended on their 

 different lines. The stringent regulations which the roads have adopted have prevented 

 my obtaining the passes which in former years materially assisted in the prosecution 

 •of my work. 



Respectfully submitted, 



CHA.RLES V. RILEY, 



State Entomologist. 



St. LoL'is, Mo., April 1st, 1875. 



