88 



RP^RT III. 



INTRODUCTION TO INSECTS. 



The family of insects is very extensive as well as in- 

 teresting, the species are numerous, such as bees, 

 wasps, butterflies, worms and flies of several kinds. 

 They are classified or divided according to their habits, 

 food and location. This division of the Natural King- 

 dom as well as others is variously distributed over the 

 earth, some being found in certain localities only, each 

 part of the world having its peculiar insects. The 

 bodies of many of them are divided as follows: head, 

 thorax and abdomen : it is from this that they derive 

 their name, (secto) meaning cut. There is as much 

 beauty and curiosity about these creatures as about 

 birds or animals : some of the most gorgeous butterflies 

 are found in the Old World. The tropics of America, 

 are also gifted with many beautiful specimens of these 

 fairies of the sun. The temperate regions also have 

 their share. Many insects are injurious to trees and 

 shrubbery while some that are accused are harmless. 

 A careful study of natural history will lead to the cap- 

 ture of the guilty and the protection of the innocent. 



Beetles are a very interesting class of this family; 

 the wonderful formation of their bodies, and the many 

 ways by which they obtain their food are deserving of 

 our notice. The grand coloring of their wings in some 

 cases defies all attempts of the artist to make an imita- 

 tion. The constant hum of the bee, the sharp screech 

 of the locust, and the evening songs of the cricket and 

 katy-did are familiar to all and are a fair sample of the 

 voices of insects. Many of them are silent. 



