INSECT LIFE 71 



each other and to the other members of the Animal Kingdom, especially to 



, .„ man. The exhibits are arranged in a continuous series, and 

 Insect Life , , .. „ , , 



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 importance 



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



„ j . pared 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 race, 

 Evolution as their geological history, anatomy, physiology and embryology. 

 Illustrated Then begins a graphic discussion of the principles underlying 

 by Insects 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 biographies 

 and bibliographies which form an introduction to the more detailed study of 

 insects. One ease is devoted to collecting apparatus and one to the classifi- 

 cation of insects and their allies with typical specimens to illustrate each 



^ , T , . group. Another case treats of insect architecture. Others 

 Insect Habits , , . , . , , , , . 



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 



lines. 



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



ending with man and showing how insect pests arc combated. 

 and Man Another side of the question is then taken up; the 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 shown. Bene- 

 ficial insects such as the silk worm and honey bee are treated in some detail, 

 and in connection with the latter are taken up social insects in general. 

 Visitors desirous of studying specimens of local insects more in detail are 



cordially invited to do so by consulting the nearly complete 

 Collection collection to be found in this hall under the custody of the 



New York Entomological Society. 



[Return to the elevators and ascend to the Fourth Floor.] 



