/.VNAV'/'N 85 



SOUTHEAST PAVILION 



Hall of I.\si:( r Lifk 



ProccHHliii"; cast, we (Mitcr the Insect I J all. 'Hie installations in this 



liall i)()int out the rchitionships, throuj^h ()ri<»;in and mode of Hfc, of insects 



to each othci- and to the other nienihers of tlie Animal Kingdom, csjx'c- 



ially to man. The exhibits are arranged in a continuous 



scries and are numbered so that we can easily follow the 



plan beginning at the pillar farthest to the left. 



First is an introductory section illustrating by diagrams the import- 

 ance of insects as shown (a) by the large number of species 

 mpor ance o pQi^^p^red with other animals [there are more species of 

 insects than of all other animals put together] and (b) by 

 their great influence on human interests. In the United States, the 

 economic loss by insects is more than five times as great as by fire and 

 there are more than twelve times as many deaths from insect-borne 

 diseases as from railroad accidents. On the other hand, many of our 

 crops and all beautiful flowers are largely dependent upon pollination by 

 insects. 



Next in order is given an outline of the development of insects as a 

 Evolution as ^^^^' their geological history, anatomy, physiolog\' and em- 

 Illustrated bryology. Then begins a graphic discussion of the princi- 

 y nsec s ^^^^^ underlying evolution as illustrated by insects. 



Turning to the table cases at the northeast corner of the room, we find 

 photographs of prominent American entomologists; also short l)iog- 

 raphies and bibliographies which form an introduction to the more 

 detailed study of insects. One case is devoted to collecting apparatus 

 and one to the classification of insects and their aUies with typical speci- 

 mens to illustrate each group. Another case treats of 

 Insect Kabits insect architecture. Others show how insects pass the 

 winter, how they lay their eggs, catch their prey, etc. 

 Collections of insects from particular environments and at special 

 seasons hint at the interesting studies to be made along these fines. 

 Then come a series of exhibits concerned with the enemies of insects 

 ending with man and showing how insect pests are com- 



,, bated. Another side of the question is then taken up; the 



Men ^ ^ 



carrying of disease by insects. Household insects, aquatic 

 insects and insects which live underground in plants and on their leaves 

 (including some fine models of plant galls produced by insects) are also 

 sho^\^l. Beneficial insects such as the silk worm and honey bee are treat- 

 ed in some detail, and in connection with the latter are taken up social 



