But are my facts facts?—it may be asked. They are; but I do not vouch for each one’s containing more than one truth. It is a fact, or truth if you will, that Pliny, Nat. Hist. xi. 34, says, “Folke use to hang Beetles about the neck of young babes, as present remedies against many maladies;” but that this statement is entitled to credit, and that these Insects, hung about the necks of young babes, are a present remedy against many maladies, are two things which may be very true or far otherwise. I confine myself to the fact that Pliny says so, and only wish to be understood in that sense, unless when otherwise stated.

The classification of Mr. Westwood, in the arrangement of the orders and families, I have followed as closely as was possible, except in one or two instances: and where Insects have common and familiar names, they have been given together with their scientific ones.

To Dr. J. M. Toner, of Washington, for his suggestions and assistance in collecting material, I tender my thanks; the same also to N. Bushnell, Esq., and Hon. O. H. Browning, of Quincy, Ill., for the use of their several libraries.

I am much indebted, too, to Mrs. A. L. Ruter Dufour, of Washington, for many superstitions and two pieces of poetry contained in this volume. I beg her to accept my thanks.

Greensburg, Penna.,
July 10th, 1865.

CONTENTS.

[Authors Quoted]9
[COLEOPTERA—BEETLES.]
[Coccinellidæ—Lady-birds]17
[Chrysomelidæ—Gold-beetles]23
[Carabidæ]23
[Pausidæ]23
[Dermestidæ—Leather-beetles]24
[Lucanidæ—Stag-beetles]24
[Scarabæidæ—Dung-beetles]27
[Dynastidæ—Hercules-beetles, etc.]45
[Melolonthidæ—Cock-chafers]47
[Cetoniidæ—Rose-chafers]49
[Buprestidæ—Burn-cows]50
[Elateridæ—Fire-flies, Spring-beetles, etc.]51
[Lampyridæ—Glow-worms]55
[Ptinidæ—Death-watch, etc.]58
[Bostrichidæ—Typographer-beetle, etc.]61
[Cantharidæ—Blister-flies]62
[Tenebrionidæ—Meal-worms]65
[Blapsidæ—Church-yard-beetle, etc.]65
[Curculionidæ—Weevils]68
[Cerambycidæ—Musk-beetles]72
[Galerucidæ—Turnip-fly, etc.]74
[EUPLEXOPTERA.]
[Forficulidæ—Ear-wigs]76
[ORTHOPTERA.]
[Blattidæ—Cockroaches]78
[Mantidæ—Soothsayers, etc.]82
[Achetidæ—Crickets]92
[Gryllidæ—Grasshoppers]98
[Locustidæ—Locusts]101
[NEUROPTERA.]
[Termitidæ—White-ants]132
[Ephemeridæ—Day-flies]138
[Libellulidæ—Dragon-flies]138
[Myrmeleonidæ—Ant-lions]141
[HYMENOPTERA.]
[Uroceridæ—Sirex]142
[Cynipidæ—Gall-flies]143
[Formicidæ—Ants]146
[Vespidæ—Wasps, Hornets]170
[Apidæ—Bees]174
[LEPIDOPTERA.]
[Papilionidæ—Butterflies]216
[Sphingidæ—Hawk-moths]232
[Bombicidæ—Silkworm-moths]234
[Arctiidæ—Woolly-bear-moths]242
[Psychidæ—Wood-carrying-moth, etc.]245
[Noctuidæ—Antler-moth, Cut-worm, etc.]246
[Geometridæ—Span-worms]248
[Tineidæ—Clothes’-moths, Bee-moths, etc.]248
[HOMOPTERA.]
[Cicadidæ—Harvest-flies]250
[Fulgoridæ—Lantern-flies]255
[Aphidæ—Plant-lice]257
[Coccidæ—Shield-lice]259
[HETEROPTERA.]
[Cimicidæ—Bed-bugs]265
[Notonectidæ—Water-boatmen]275
[DIPTERA.]
[Culicidæ—Gnats]278
[Tipulidæ—Crane-flies]286
[Muscidæ—Flies]287
[Œstridæ—Bot-flies]302
[APHANIPTERA.]
[Pulicidæ—Fleas]305
[ANOPLEURA.]
[Pediculidæ—Lice]316
[ARACHNIDÆ.]
[Acaridæ—Mites]321
[Phalangidæ—Daddy-Long-legs]321
[Pedipalpi—Scorpions]321
[Araneidæ—True-spiders]332
[Miscellaneous]363
[Index]373

AUTHORS QUOTED.