VI AUTHOK'S PREFACE. 



In entering upon my duty, I was deterred from attempting to 

 describe all these insects by the magnitude of the undertaking, 

 and by the consideration that such a work, much as it might pro- 

 mote the cause of science, if well done, could not be expected to 

 prove either interesting or particularly useful to the great body of 

 the people. The subject and the plan of my Report were sug- 

 gested by the instructions of the Governor, and by the want of a 

 work, combining scientific and practical details on the natural his- 

 tory of our noxious insects. From among such of the latter as 

 are injurious to plants, I selected for description chiefly those that 

 were remarkable for their size, for the peculiarity of their struc- 

 ture and habits, or for the extent of their ravages ; and these 

 alone will be seen to constitute a formidable host. As they are 

 found not only in Massachusetts, but throughout New England, and 

 indeed in most parts of the United States, the propriety of giving 

 to the work a more comprehensive title than it first bore, becomes 

 apparent. This was accordingly done in the small impression 

 that was printed at my own charge, while the original Report was 

 passing through the press, and in which some other alterations 

 were made to fit it for a wider circulation. 



In the course of eight years, all the copies of the Report, and 

 of the other impression, were entirely disposed of. Meanwhile, 

 some materials for a new edition were collected, and these have 

 been embodied in the present work, which I have been called 

 upon to prepare and carry through the press. 



Believing that the aid of science tends greatly to improve the 

 condition of any people engaged in agriculture and horticulture, 

 and that these pursuits form the basis of our prosperity, and are 

 the safeguards of our liberty and independence, I have felt it to be 

 my duty, in treating the subject assigned to me, to endeavor to 

 make it useful and acceptable to those persons whose honorable 

 employment is the cultivation of the soil. 



T. W. H. 



Cambridge, Mass., Oct. 15, 1852. 



