Needham, James G.

PREFACE This book presents an outline for a brief introductory course in entomology. It embodies a new selection of materials for elementary instruction, and some new plans for their use; but its aim is the same as that of its worthy predecessors by other authors — sound knowledge of the essentials of insect structure and development and habits. These are things worth knowing. These are the things that must underlie all intelligent efforts at insect control.

First paragraph of preface: In the following pages we have endeavored to present a brief and untechnical account of fresh-water life, its forms, its conditions, its fitnesses, its associations and its economic possibilities. This is a vast subject. No one can have detailed first hand knowledge in any considerable part of it. Hence, even for the elementary treatment here given, we have borrowed freely the results of researches of others. We have selected out of the vast array of material that modern limnological studies have made available that which we deem most significant.