PREFACE TO PART I 



THE following pages constitute the first part of a text-book of 

 entomology that the writer has in preparation. This first part 

 is published in advance of the completion of the entire work in 

 response to the request of some teachers who desire that it be avail- 

 able for the use of their classes. 



The early publication cf this part of the book will not only render 

 it immediately available but will also afford an opportunity for the 

 suggestion of desirable changes to be made before it is incorporated 

 in the complete work. Such suggestions are earnestly invited by 

 the writer. 



In writing this text-book much use has been made of material 

 published in my earlier works, notably in "An Introduction to 

 Entomology" published in 1888 and long out of print, "A Manual 

 for the Study of Insects," in the preparation of which I was aided by 

 Mrs. Comstock, and in the "Wings of Insects," more recently pub- 

 lished. The more important of the other sources from which material 

 has been drawn are indicated in the text and in the bibliography at 

 the end of the volume. References to the bibliography are made in 

 the text by citing the name of the author and the year in which the 

 paper quoted was published. 



A serious obstacle to the popularization of Natural History is the 

 technical names that it is necessary to use. In Border to reduce this 

 difficulty to a minimum the pronunciation of these names is indicated 

 by indicating the length of the vowel that receives the primary 

 accent. 



The original figures and the copies of published figures in the first 

 chapter were drawn by Miss Anna C. Stryke; those in the three 

 following chapters, by Miss Ellen Edmonson. I am deeply indebted 

 to each of these artists for the painstaking care shown in her work. 



Two objects are kept constantly in mind in the preparation of the 

 text-book of which this volume is a part: first, to aid the student in 

 laying a firm foundation for his entomological studies; and second, 

 to make available, so far as possible in the limited space of a hand- 

 book, a knowledge of the varied phenomena of the insect world. 

 It is hoped that those who use this book will find delight in acquiring 

 a more intimate acquaintance with these phenomena. 



JOHN HENRY COMSTOCK. 



ENTOMOLOGICAL LABORATORY 

 CORNELL UNIVERSITY 

 JUNE 



