preface:. 
In the compilation of this little volume the author 
does not claim entire originality; it is, however, princi¬ 
pally my own experience in collecting and observing the 
beauties of Nature, as shown in the study of Ento¬ 
mology. There are a number of books on insects but 
only a few can be read understandingly by the younger 
people of our public schools, therefore, to increase the 
few, is this book. 
Full credit is hereby acknowledged to Packard in 
his “Guide to the Study of Insects,” Steele’s “Fourteen 
Weeks in Zoology,” and many good suggestions given 
by Professor N. M. Eberhart and various other friends of 
Nature. I hereby wish to extend my sincere thanks to 
each and every one for aid that I have received. 
PAUL, VANDER EIRE. 
Lake Mills, Wis., 
May 24, 1892. 
