PREFACE. 
It is the object of the present work to simplify and facilitate the study 
of entomology, and especially to aid the inexperienced student in classi- 
fying the insects which he may from time to time collect. 
With this end in view 1 have made use, as far as practicable, of obvious 
and conspicuous characters in preference to those which are more minute 
and obscure, and consequently of more difficult application. I have 
therefore made much use of the general characters of size, shape and 
color, but only so far as could be done consistently with the established 
classification of insects, founded upon their more permanent organic 
characters. 
In treating the Coleoptera, for the purpose of keeping in view the 
connection between scientific and practical entomology, I have endeav- 
ored to classify them, as nearly as possible, in accordance with their 
food habits, it being in the nature of their food and their modes of pro- 
curing it that insects come into the most direct relation to human inter- 
ests ; and this arrangement does not materially differ, so far as relates 
to the larger divisions, from that already established by Latreille and 
other entomologists, mostly upon structural considerations. This mode 
of classification is particularly interesting and available'in the order of 
Coleoptera, on account of their much greater diversity of habits in these 
respects, than that of any of the other orders of insects. 
In classifying the Coleoptera I have not included a few small families, 
and a much larger number of small genera, thinking it best not to con- 
fuse the mind of the inexperienced student by the description of too 
many divisions, many of which contain but a few rare species, or else, 
are so similar to other and previously established genera that their sepa- 
ration is a matter of questionable utility. Neither have I been able, 
without greatly extending the size and scope of this work, to take into 
account many of the new species which have been brought to our know- 
ledge by the recent explorations of the more western portions of the 
continent. The reader who wishes to extend his researches to these re- 
mote States and Territories, is referred more particularly to the various 
writings of Dr. LcConte, and the revision of the Tenebrionidte of North 
