Many of our entomologists begin their studies without any previous knowledge of the structure of animals, taking it up as an amusement. They may be mere collectors and satisfied simply to know the name of their captures, but it is hoped that with this book in their hands they may be led to desire farther information regarding what has already been done on the structure and mode of growth of the common insects. For practical details as to how to dissect, to make microscopic slides, and to mount and preserve insects generally, they are referred to the author’s “Entomology for Beginners.”
It may also be acknowledged that even in our best and latest general treatises on zoölogy, or comparative anatomy, or morphology, the portion related to insects is scarcely so thoroughly done as those parts devoted to other phyla, that of Lang, however, his invaluable Comparative Anatomy, being an exception. On this account, therefore, it is hoped that this hiatus in our literature may be in a degree filled.
The author has made free use of the excellent article “Insecta” of Newport, of Lang’s comprehensive summary in his most useful Text-book of Comparative Anatomy, of Graber’s excellent Die Insecten, of Miall and Denny’s The Structure and Life-History of the Cockroach, and of Sharp’s Insecta. Kolbe’s Einführung has been most helpful. But besides these helps, liberal use has been made of the very numerous memoirs and monographic articles which adorn our entomological literature. The account of the embryology of insects is based on Korschelt and Heider’s elaborate work, Lehrbuch der Vergleichenden Entwicklungsgeschichte der Wirbellosen Thiere, the illustrations of this portion being mainly taken from it, through the Messrs. Swan Sonnenschein & Co., London.
Professor H. S. Pratt has kindly read over the manuscript and also the proofs of the portion on embryology and metamorphoses, and the author is happy to acknowledge the essential service he has rendered.
The bibliographical lists are arranged by dates, so as to give an idea of the historical development of each subject. The aim has been to make these lists tolerably complete and to include the earliest, almost forgotten works and articles as well as the most recent.