PREFACE TO PART IV. 



IN publishing the Fourth Part of " The Handbook of 

 the Destructive Insects of Victoria," it will be noticed 

 that insects attacking our forests have a more prominent 

 place than has hitherto been allotted them. This 

 because of the ever-increasing importance of our trying 

 to save, by all means possible, the rapid and total 

 destruction of the valuable timber forests of this State. 



The increasing interest taken in economic entomology 

 and ornithology, and the proposal to add to the valuable 

 nature-study teaching in .our State Schools, renders 

 it imperative that as much practical information m as 

 possible be forthcoming and made easily available. 



The growing demand for Part I. of this book has 

 induced the Agricultural Department to issue a second 

 edition, the former edition of 8000 copies having been 

 long since exhausted, the demand for all the parts being 

 of a most satisfactory nature. 



A number of plates for Parts V. and VI. are ready, 

 and these will be added to as opportunity offers. My 

 artist-naturalist, MR. C. C. BRITTLEBANK, is still con- 

 tributing, by means of his beautiful drawings, towards 

 the success of this book. 



Ornithology, too, has a prominent place in the 

 present volume ; the economic study of birds, both 

 injurious and useful, being of the greatest value to those 

 engaged in rural pursuits. These bird plates will be 

 added to in Part V. 



