The Young Collector's Handbook of Ants, Bees, Dragon-flies, Earwigs, Crickets, and Flies (Hymenoptera, Neuroptera, Orthoptera, Hemiptera, Diptera). — Story, Setting & Ideas

A Preface That Promises More Than Identification

The preface does more than justify the hobby; it establishes a philosophy of collecting as a gateway to 'the study and observation of Natural History,' which Bath calls the 'usual fruits' of collecting. He contrasts the finite nature of a stamp collection with the 'practically inexhaustible' field of natural history. This distinction is crucial for a first-time reader: the handbook is not merely a list of species but a tool for developing a scientific habit of mind. Bath also acknowledges his debt to Kirby's illustrated 'Text-Book of Entomology,' signaling that this handbook is a stepping stone to deeper study. The preface thus prepares the reader to approach the subsequent chapters not as a dry catalogue, but as a structured introduction to a lifelong pursuit.

Navigating the Orders: Structure as a Reading Map

The table of contents reveals a clear progression: after a brief introduction, the book treats five orders in sequence—Hymenoptera, Neuroptera, Orthoptera, Hemiptera, and Diptera. Each order chapter likely follows a consistent pattern, as suggested by the excerpt on Hemiptera. That chapter opens with a general description ('Haustellate insects; they have four wings, which are membranous and naked'), then provides a tabular view of families. For a first reading, these tables serve as a quick reference to the diversity within each order. For example, the Hemiptera table lists fifteen families under two tribes, with common names like 'Shield Bugs,' 'Water Boatmen,' and 'Aphides.' This structure allows the reader to locate a specimen quickly and understand its broader classification without reading the entire chapter.

The Earwig Entry: A Case Study in Practical Observation

The excerpt on earwigs (order Euplexoptera, treated within Orthoptera) illustrates Bath's method. He begins with a striking fact: if the mother earwig dies, 'she is immediately devoured by her progeny.' He then discusses distribution, noting that the largest European species 'measures about an inch in length of the body.' The entry includes a common name ('Forficula auricularia') and a figure reference. Most notably, Bath addresses the insect's name: 'The earwig derives its name from its occasionally creeping into the human ear in search of concealment.' He counters skeptics by stating he has 'personally known instances' of this happening, and offers a practical remedy: 'pouring a little oil into the ear.' This blend of natural history, personal testimony, and practical advice is typical of the handbook's approach.

Using the Family Tables as a First-Reading Tool

The Hemiptera chapter includes a detailed 'Tabular View of the Principal Families,' which is representative of the book's organizational strategy. For a beginner, this table is more than a list; it is a diagnostic key. Each family is given a common name (e.g., 'Cimicidæ or Bed Bugs') and placed within a sub-order and tribe. The table also indicates the relative rank of groups: for instance, the Heteroptera are 'regarded as the highest of the three groups.' A first-time reader can use this table to quickly identify a bug by its wing type and habitat. The inclusion of families like 'Aphidæ or Aphides' and 'Coccidæ' (scale insects) shows the breadth covered. By cross-referencing the table with the descriptive text, the reader learns to move from general characteristics to specific identification.

Bath's handbook rewards a first reading that moves between the preface's motivational frame, the order-level introductions, and the family tables. Readers are encouraged to start with a familiar insect—perhaps an earwig or a water boatman—and trace its place in the book's structure. The author's direct, occasionally anecdotal style makes the technical content approachable. By treating the tables as a map and the anecdotes as landmarks, a new collector can build confidence in navigating entomological classification without feeling overwhelmed.

The rain kept me indoors with Bath’s handbook, its careful family tables feeling like a quiet porch. Later, I found Insect Adventures — Reading Companion beside it, and the afternoon shifted from sorting dragon-flies to watching their shadows on the page, almost without my noticing.