X PKEFACE. 



feature which is attempted is recognition of the insect from 

 the damage, together with systematic characters and life-history 

 details. 



In studying the subject from the economic point of view, I 

 have become convinced, from a prolonged study of the subject, 

 that the economic student must of necessity study the system- 

 atic side and associate himself with systematic men. Hence, 

 for example, I have added often, in extenso, extracts from 

 valuable works like Fowler's ' British Coleoptera,' &c. At the 

 same time, the matter is so arranged that the beginner, or the 

 practical man, may at first, if he chooses, skip them, and study 

 the nature of the injuries, the life-history of the insect, and 

 in some cases the remedies which may be adopted. If, how- 

 ever, the subject is to be thoroughly studied, the systematic 

 points must be ultimately mastered. 



With a view of making the work more reliable, I have 

 submitted each chapter in proof to men who have specially 

 studied particular sections or families of insects, and in all 

 cases I am glad to count these specialists as personal friends. 

 As the work embraces nearly all families of insects, this was 

 considered all the more advisable, and though the changes 

 made in the proof form by these specialists were compara- 

 tively few, yet in every case they were most important from 

 the systematic point of view. 



The following are the names of those who looked over the 

 respective chapters in proof form viz., Mr E. T. Connolcl, 

 " Gall-Mites " and " Oak Galls " ; Mr E. S. Bagnall, " Cole- 

 optera " ; Mr A. C. Forbes, " Scolytidce " ; Bev. F. D. Morice, 

 " Saw - flies " ; Mr B. Newstead, " Scale - Insects " ; Mr J. 

 Collins, " Bepidoptera " ; Mr F. V. Theobald, " Aphididae " and 

 " Diptera." 



I have also to thank Mr J. F. Annand, Becturer on Forestry, 



