RD2549 HARVARD COLLEGE Estali of Dedication. My father! who through all my life hast been My hero and my help in everything; Still guide my thoughts, reign thou their sceptred king, Though thou hast passed into the dim unseen. PREFACE. IN the following chapters no attempt has been made either to classify the subjects treated of, or to scientifically instruct the readers. The short life-histories of the tiny creatures, at once so troublesome and so useful, are intended to throw a little light upon the mysterious workings of Nature and Nature's God, and to set forth the wonderful wisdom and care bestowed in the creation of things so small, and, at first sight, so useless as insects. The information has been carefully collected from the best and latest authorities on entomology, and may be relied on as far as it goes. The idea of the book is not so much to teach as to give fresh interest to the living, often despised creatures which constantly cross our path. To know something of the wonderful ways and doings of the insect world must surely add enjoyment to our country-walks, and deprive our daily teasers of half their powers to annoy. K. R. L. Liverpool, October, 1890. |