NORTH AMERICAN INSECTS, 



CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 



THE science which treats of Insects is called Entomology. 

 It shows us the division of Insects into different Orders, 

 Families, Genera, and Species. It makes us acquainted 

 with their external characteristics and their nature, their 

 injuries and their uses. 



The name Insect is given to those small animals which 

 are invertebrated, that is, whose bodies are not supported by 

 a bony frame, but are composed of many rings or intersec- 

 tions jointed together. Hence the name Insect. Each of 

 these has at least six legs, when in a perfect condition. 



Although Insects differ from the vertebrate animals, viz., 

 from Beasts, Birds, Reptiles, and Fishes, which are provided 

 with a bony frame and red blood, still they are entirely 

 analogous to them in regard to many of their physical func- 

 tions, in nervous Sensation and Perception, in regard to Res- 

 piration, which is effected by respiratory organs, or air-holes 

 placed on the hind-body, and in regard to Nutrition, which 

 is effected through a stomach and intestines. 



Insects are found in the air, as, for instance, Butterflies ; 

 or in the water, as the whirling Water-beetle; or in the 

 ground, as the Sand-flea ; or on plants, as the Caterpillars ; 

 or upon the body of animals, as Ticks and other Spongers. 



There is scarcely a plant or an animal which is not the 

 dwelling of some Insect. Hence the number of Insects 

 must be immense, and without exaggeration it may be said 

 that there are in existence more than a hundred thousand 



