316 
ANNUAL REPORT OF NEW-YORK 
best classification of its subjects which can be made. And when 
we call to mind how many insect depredators are to be found upon 
a particular kind of tree, or a single one of our grain crops, it 
will at once be perceived that the number of objects to be examined 
under all of the several heads above specified, will be truly 
immense. Many years will of course be required to investigate 
each one of these sufficiently to render such a full and exact 
account of it as the advanced state of knowledge at the present 
day demands—an account which will give to the reader a com¬ 
plete view of the history and economy of each species—such an 
acquaintance with them, in shortens is requisite to enable those 
who are suffering from these pests to devise the most suitable and 
effectual modes for combatting them. 
In the meantime, as the habits of a multitude of these depre¬ 
dators have already been investigated more or less fully by different 
observers, it is important that the information relating to them, 
which is now scattered through a number of different works, 
many of which are inaccessible to those who are most deeply inter¬ 
ested in the premises, should be brought together in a condensed 
form, so as to present a full view of this subject. More than a 
century ago, the celebrated naturalist Reaumur, expressed the 
wish that those observers who are laboring to elucidate the history 
of insects, would prepare and give to the world lists of all the 
kinds which feed upon each particular tree and plant. But in 
this country, where so little accurate knowledge of our insects is 
diffused among the population, in addition to its name, an indica¬ 
tion of the external appearance and habits of each species is a 
great desideratum. Our agricultural periodicals are making fre¬ 
quent allusion to this as a most important want at the present time. 
And I have hence thought that, in addition to the original matter 
which I have to report as the fruit of my own investigations, I 
could not render a more valuable service than that of posting up 
this subject in such a manner as to present a map as it were of the 
entire field. I therefore propose, in this and the succeeding 
reports, to pass over this whole ground, giving every American 
insect which is at present known as being an injurious species, 
arranging them in their regular order under the several heads 
above specified. I design to give the common and the scientific 
name of each species, with the name of the order and family to 
