PREFACE 



In the following pages an attempt is made to set forth, 

 in simple terms, the salient facts of entomology — that 

 branch of science which treats of insects. It has been 

 said truly that a man might devote his whole life to 

 the study of only one insect without exhausting the 

 possibilities of his subject. Consequently, a work such 

 as the present must be in great measure a compilation, 

 and I freely acknowledge my indebtedness to a large 

 body of workers who have placed on record their 

 observations concerning the structure and habits of 

 insects. I believe that I am especially beholden to the 

 writings of Lord Avebury, Professor G. H. Carpenter, 

 Sir E. Ray Lankester, Professor E. B. Poulton, and 

 Dr. David Sharp, but in almost every instance where 

 an important fact or conclusion is re-stated, the name 

 of the authority is given in the context. 



I desire to offer my thanks to Mr. Oswald H. Latter, 

 of Charterhouse, for his kindness in reading and criti- 

 cising the proofs of this book. My thanks are also 

 due to my friend, Mr. Sidney J. Miller, who prepared 

 for me the drawings and diagrams which are repro- 

 duced on Plates VII, VIII, IX, XI, and XII. 



H. B. 



Reading, 19!3. 



