By the Linnæan system insects are divided into seven great Natural
Orders--namely, Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Neuroptera, Hymenoptera,
Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, and Diptera.
Of these, the Lepidoptera or Butterflies and Moths, and the Coleoptera
or Beetles, have hitherto received the lion's share of attention,
though this is less exclusively the case than it was some few years ago.
Any one who wishes to commence the study of these two orders now will
have to work very hard indeed before he can hope to put anything new
on record concerning them. There is, however, a very wide field for
research and discovery open to all who will turn their attention to the
other groups, and it is with the intention of encouraging the study
of these "Neglected Orders" that we have written the present little
handbook.
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