CHAPTER VI 

 INSECTS AND OTHER SMALL ANIMALS 



Destructive and Valuable. - - The enormous losses 

 suffered through the depredations of insects and other 

 small animals on the farms of America reach such 

 large amounts that the knowledge of the life history 

 of these small animals 'and how to control them be- 

 comes of great importance in crop production and 

 comfortable living. The money losses of such depre- 

 dations are variously estimated from $700,000,000 to 

 $1,000,000,000 annually. 



On the other hand, some insects prove of great 

 benefit to mankind by holding in check the harmful 

 kinds, while still others produce a product of great 

 value. The Hessian fly is responsible for a loss of 

 $50,000,000 annually, while bees produce a product 

 valued at $10,000,000 annually. 



WORMS (Annulata) 



This branch of the animal kingdom is familiar to 

 every one. A tubular body made up of a number of 

 rings, or segments, having a digestive system consisting 

 of a tube running through the body, a distinct nervous 

 and circulatory system, and reproducing by means of 

 eggs, include the chief characteristics of worms. 



The common earthworm, or angleworm, is the most 

 important member of this branch. Darwin made a 



2Q2 



