b POFULAU ENTOMOLOGY. 



ested in the pursuit to devote to it more time and research, 

 the valuable works of Kirby and Spence, and many others, 

 will afford ample occupation and enjoyment ; and should 

 any be led to these by this unpretending little pilot, the 

 writer will proudly resign them into the hands of more able 

 guides, satisfied that they cannot examine even the eye or au 

 insect, or the down on its wing, without strengthening their 

 belief in the power, wisdom, and goodness of the Creator. 



The branch of Natural History we are about to examine 

 derives its name. Entomology, from two Greek words, sig- 

 nifying an insect and a discourse ; the term insect, from the 

 Latin i?isectaj meaning an animal divided into numerous 

 parts or segments. Insects are further, distinguished by 

 being invariably furnished with six legs, a head distinct from 

 the body, two antennse, and by their breathing through pores, 

 or tracheee. 



Insects are divided into three parts : the /lead, which con- 

 tains the organs of sensation ; the thorax, or trunk, which 

 includes the organs of motion ; and the rest of tlie body, 

 containing the organs of respiration. 



With respect to the moiitli, insects have been divided by 

 some authors into two sub-classes, — Mandibtjlata, those 

 furnished with two pair of jaws, called mandibulcB and 



