Excerpt from Injurious and Useful Insects: An Introduction to the Study of Economic Entomology
This little book has been written for beginners who are willing to take some pains to acquire a practical knowledge of insects, and are specially interested in the application of entomology to agriculture, horticulture, and forestry. A practical purpose is, in my opinion, not a hindrance but a powerful motive to the acquisition of scientific knowledge. If not too narrowly prosecuted, the practical purpose may be a means of distinguishing knowledge which is really useful from knowledge which is merely curious. I feel sure that it is much more likely to exercise a wholesome influence on natural history than collecting and naming, which have been far too exclusively attended to for many years past.
I have tried to meet the wants, not only of those who are concerned with insect-ravages, but also of those who seek to inquire into the works of nature. Injurious and useful insects are as full of contrivance, and as beautifully equipped for the struggle of life, as any others. Since they are among the commonest species, they can be easily and profitably studied by those who have no purpose in view except to enlarge their knowledge of living things. The title of the book has not been so strictly interpreted as to exclude a few insects which are neither injurious nor useful, but either very plentiful or particularly instructive.
In my own teaching of economic entomology and other branches of biology, the laboratory work always comes first, and the class-work is only a means of correcting and driving home the instruction of the laboratory. Common insects are provided in large quantities, so that every student is supplied. The rarer ones are exhibited in glazed cases, each of which illustrates a single life-history. The teacher should make his own selection of types, and draw up his own syllabus of work, referring to the text-book wherever a detailed account is required.
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