124 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



following paper, which it was voted to accept and print, upon 

 some of the 



INSECTS OF MASSACHUSETTS WHICH ARE BENEFICIAL TO 

 AGRICULTURE. 



The science of Entomology or the Natural History of Insects 

 may for our present purpose be divided into two sections. 

 Technical, and Economical Entomology ; the first is of such 

 fascinating interest as to have enlisted some of the most 

 powerful intellects, and indefatigable laborers in every age, and 

 while the results of this have increased the amount of human 

 knowledge in no small degree, they have rendered the task 

 much easier of him who attempts to pursue the study in the 

 latter and more practical relation. 



From the vast number of species, their variations of form 

 and structure, and the protean transformations which they 

 luidergo, the simplest system of classification must necessarily 

 be somewhat complex ; this fact no less than the apparent 

 insj^gnificance of the subject has deterred and discouraged the 

 student, and brought upon him, not in times past alone, contempt 

 and ridicule. 



Ignorance of nature's laws will not prevent their execution, 

 and we find that if we have neglected or broken them, be it 

 never so unwittingly, we must either suffer the penalty, or 

 possess ourselves of the requisite information, and means to 

 avert it. In the progress of civilization and the introduction 

 of new arts and sciences, as is so clearly stated by Dr. Harris 

 in the opening chapter of his Treatise, the balance originally 

 existing between plants and insects, and between the latter and 

 other animals has been desti'oyed. " De])rived of their natural 

 food by the reinoviil of the forest trees and shruljs, and the 

 other indigenous plants that once covered the soil, insects have 

 now no other resource than the cultivated plants that have 

 taken the place of tiie original vegetation. The destruction of 

 insect-eating animals, whether quadrupeds, birds, or reptiles, 

 has doubtless tended greatly to the inci'ease of insects." But 

 we find in the course of our studies that not all insects are 

 vegetable feeders ; that some seem ap|)()int(Ml to prey exclusively 

 upon otliers, and endowed with the power to keep in cheek the 

 noxious tribes by destroying and feeding u])on them. Others 



