From the Foreword: "Anyone who has glimpsed a sample of soil animals, especially the soil arthropods, through the binocular microscope will never forget the fascination of their abundant shapes and structures ... electron microscopy has added another dimension which multiplies the initial fascination. When I leaf through this "atlas" my attention is repeatedly caught by the numerous pictures. ... the richness of form and function of the soil arthropods has proved to be an inexhaustible source of biological interest. The authors ... demonstrate this in a praiseworthy manner. ...This atlas offers every teacher the opportunity of rapidly obtaining an overview and thus compiling the most vivid teaching material. ... Finally, the index offers easy access to each individual aspect of the subject to those who are motivated to study further."