PREFACE. 



I would beg you friend not to pass this by, for, while that which follows 

 may concern you the most, this is the part that relateth more particularly to 

 myself and my wants, and it is human nature, you know, to think of ourselves 

 first, last and always. 



This Pamphlet is the result of numerous applications from beginners in 

 many parts of the country, for information as to the methods of capturing, 

 preserving, classifying, &c., Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths) ; and I have 

 endeavored to give such notes as lay in my power, the result of a lifetime 

 devoted to studying and collecting in this branch of Natural Science. 



Almost the first thing the beginner wishes to know, after he has made a few 

 captures and finds butterflies are not all alike, and not confined to two or three 

 kinds, viz., little yellow ones and big red or black ones, is whether they have 

 names and what those names are. In default of being able to obtain this in- 

 formation, ten to one he will give them names of his own invention, probably 

 derived from some peculiarity, real or fancied, of form or colour. Then comes 

 the desire to obtain literature on the subject; then to get. specimens from 

 other localities as soon as he becomes aware that those of Calabar are not the 

 same as those of Kentucky ; and so one thing leads to the other until, from 

 the little acorn sown by chance, a goodly tree doth grow and flourish. 



To give some plain information that will tend a little to lighten the labor 

 of the beginner, (perhaps far away from good collections, libraries and con- 

 genial companions,) has been my object, as also to increase my correspondence 

 with many students and collectors, both new and old, in various parts of this 

 country as well as abroad, with whom I have not as yet had the pleasure of 



communicating. 



I am not only anxious to secure correspondents in our own States and Ter- 

 ritories, Canada and British America, but also in Mexico, Cuba, Brazil, New 

 Granada, Surinam, China, Amoorland, India, Japan, Algiers, Sierra-Leone, 

 South and East Africa, Madagascar, Australia, Celebes, Moluccas, &c. ; and 

 should this circular fall, perchance, into the hands of any one living in one or 

 the other of these countries who is interested in the study of Butterflies 

 (Lepidoptera), I would esteem it the greatest possible favour to receive a line 

 on the subject. 



Missionaries could do a vast deal if they would collect and transmit collec- 

 tions of these things; it is not at all necessary that they make the captures 

 themselves; with a little instruction, natives will make very good collectors, 

 and if a little pecuniary reward were in the perspective, they might accomplish 

 wonders. 



Soldiers stationed at various points in our Territories could also do good 

 work in the cause of science by devoting an occasional leisure hour to collect- 

 ing these beautiful objects ; to any such who feel interest enough to collect 

 and send me examples, I would be happy to render an equivalent in any way 

 desired. 



