INTRODUCTION. 3 



single orchard, or the bees in a single meadow ? Not 

 only are insects numerous when we regard individu- 

 als, but the number of species is far greater than 

 that of all other animals taken together. 



The desire to know more of the creatures about 

 us is growing rapidly ; Nature study is being intro- 

 duced generally in schools of all grades ; and every- 

 where lovers of out-of-door life are learning to ex- 

 perience the pleasure of a more intimate acquaintance 

 with their surroundings. 



It is to make easier the gaining of this intimate 

 acquaintance that this book is written. Its chief ob- 

 ject is to serve as a guide for those who wish to 

 acquire a knowledge of insects from a study of the 

 insects themselves ; it is intended to lie open before 

 the observer while the subject of study is examined. 



The needs of the beginner in the study of insects, 

 be he old or young, have been kept constantly in 

 mind. The teacher of children who is preparing a 

 lesson, the youth who is studying by himself, and 

 the adult who adds to the pleasure of his outing by 

 learning something new to him — all need to approach 

 Nature by the same path. For this reason an ele- 

 mentary, didactic form of treatment has been adopted, 

 although the book is intended for adults as well as 

 for younger pupils. 



The plan of treatment of the subject is as follows : 

 In Part II there are given general directions for col- 

 lecting and preserving insects. It is expected that 

 this portion of the book will be used merely for ref- 

 erence as occasion may require. In Part I there is 

 outlined a course of study of insect life. This begins 

 with a series of carefully graded lessons, based on 



