INSECT LIFE. 



INTRODUCTION. 



This book was written to meet the demand for 

 a work which will be an aid to teachers of Nature 

 study in the public schools, students in the higher 

 schools, and others interested in outdoor life. 



Among all the classes of animals none is more 

 available for study than insects. Their abundance 

 make it easy to obtain specimens; they may be 

 found wherever man can live, and at all seasons. 

 Not only are insects numerous as individuals, but 

 the number of species is far greater than that of all 

 other animals taken together. 



The ease with which living insects can be kept in 

 confinement, and the smallness of the expense in- 

 volved in preserving specimens, add greatly to the 

 availability of insects as subjects for Nature study. 

 No enterprising teacher need hesitate to undertake 

 this study on account of lack- of specimens or of 

 apparatus ; with a little encouragement the pupils 

 will furnish these, and the teacher need not trouble 

 the school board with requests for an appropriation. 



Although at present most adults have been taught 

 to shun insects, most children are easily interested in 

 them. The wonderful transformations of insects, their 



