24 
INSECTS IN GENERAL. 
It will be observed that all the family names of insects end in idiv. 
This is a Greek termination, meaning like or similar, and implies that 
all the species in any such group have a family resemblance to those of 
the leading genus to which it is affixed — thus: Cicindelidai means Cicin- 
dela-like insects. In pronouncing these words the accent is placed 
upon the syllable preceding this termination, thus: Cicindel-idw, Car ah - 
idiv , etc. 
It is often the case that families, especially those which contain many 
species, admit of division into a number of natural groups of a higher 
rank than genera, which are designated as sub-families, and distin- 
guished by tin; termination ides. Thus the family Caribidse is divided 
into a number of sub-families, such as the Brachinides, the Bcuritides, 
etc. 
DIVISION OF INSECTS INTO ORDERS. 
The class of insects is divided into a number of primary groups called 
orders. Between these larger divisions are certain smaller ones, which 
serve as connecting links between them, and which some authors have 
merged in one or the other of the adjoining larger groups, whilst others 
hav e considered them of sufficient importance to be raised to the same 
rank with the larger ones. From this it has resulted that the number 
of orders into which the class of insects lias been divided has varied, 
even in the works of standard authors, from seven to twelve, and the 
number will be still increased if we regard as distinct orders certain 
apterous form, such as the lice ( Pediculi,) and the springtails (Thy- 
sanura.) 
But as in this elementary treatise it is the intention to simplify the 
classification of insects as much as possible, we have adopted the 
smaller number of orders, with the single exception of recognizing the 
division of the Uemiptera into Homoptera and lieteroptera as of ordi- 
nal value. 
'The orders of insects are founded primarily upon the number and 
structure of the wings. This mode of division was first suggested by 
Aristotle, who gave the names which they now bear to two of the or- 
ders, namely, the Ooleoptera and the Diptera. It was afterwards al- 
most. perfected by I dunams, but has been somewhat modified by more 
recent authors. 
The orders, at the present time, are usually arranged in two sections, 
with four orders in each, based upon the form and structure of the 
mouth. 
