AUTHOR’S PREFACE. 
vi 
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. II. 
Cambridge, Mass., Oct. 16, 1852. 
