Published initially to support the Brooklyn Entomological Society, this expanded glossary addresses the proliferation of independent research lines and inconsistent terminology in late-nineteenth and early-twentieth-century entomology. John Bernhard Smith compiled five times the number of terms found in the original 1880 list, relying on contributions from prominent entomologists such as Justus W. Folsom, Philip P. Calvert, Nathan Banks, and C. W. Johnson to bridge gaps across diverse orders like Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and Diptera.
The volume tackles the problem of synonyms and ambiguous terms by reconciling definitions for general application, limited use, and specific orders. Smith establishes systematic naming conventions, notably adopting the Comstock system for wing venation and standardizing color terminology against Windsor and Newton water colors. Obsolete terms are pruned alongside the inclusion of newly proposed ones, acknowledging the field's rapid expansion while inviting constructive criticism from specialists.
Organized alphabetically from A to Z, the text covers every aspect of insect science, from external morphology such as the abdomen, antennae, and legs, to internal anatomy including the alimentary canal, tracheal system, and reproductive organs. Special sections detail embryological development, larval stages, and specialized structures like the mouthparts and genitalia. Detailed illustrations of body walls, head structures, mouthparts, thorax, genitalia, and venation accompany the text.
While explicitly noting that the glossary cannot be fully complete without ongoing academic critique, Smith provides an indispensable bridge between nineteenth-century natural history and modern scientific precision. The work serves both as a historical record of early modern entomology and as a practical resource for interpreting obscure, obsolete terminology in older literature.
