4 PREFACE. 



retrospective wanderings into the infant realm of bread-and-butter, nankeens, 

 and credulity-in-perfection, and I may as well agree with my readers as my 

 recollections of infancy will only cost more printer's ink without further en- 

 hancing the value of my pamphlet. The novelty of the first underwing 

 moth (Catocala Amatrix) has passed away, nor can an old torn Telea Poly- 

 phemus longer hold me spell-bound, and as the years of man are few, and 

 time goeth far too swiftly, I may as well at once get out of the shadowy past 

 into the real present, and make the most of it by endeavoring to obtain from 

 those interested in our beloved science, further material wherewirh to fca->t 

 my eyes, and to give me greater opportunity of acquiring knowledge of these 

 most lovely of all of nature's works. 



As I continually have need of great numbers of examples of different 

 species, I am always glad to exchange with parties having duplicates of Moths 

 or Butterflies, either native or exotic. Of the N. American species I can 

 always use almost any number of perfect examples of all species, especially, 

 Lycaenidae, Hesperidae, Sphingidae, Bombycidae, Catocalidae and the 

 Noctuae and Geometrae generally. Very rare species will be acceptable 

 even if they be not perfect specimens, for of such we must be content to take 

 the best we can get, without being too fastidious. I particularly want numbers 

 of Sphingidae, (except Deil. Lineata, S. 5-Maculata and S. Carolina,) also 

 Arctidae, any species, Hem. Mai a, Cith. Regalis, Eac. Imperial is, Act. Luna, 

 Cal. Angulifera, Debis Portlandia, Neonyrnpha Gemma, Neo. Areolatus, 

 Catocala Coccinata, C. Viduata, C. Muliercula, C. Amasia, C. Relictn, and 

 in fact any others. 



The following are a few particular desiderata of the N. American species, 

 viz. : 



Argynnis Nokomis, cT 9 Arctia Parthenos, 



Argynnis Leto, ? Platysamia Columbia, 



Lycaena Regia, Citheronia Sepulchral is, 



Colias Edwardsii, 9 Hepialus Purpurascens, 



Macroglossa Flavofasciata. Catocala Stretch ii, 



Sesia Axillaris, Catocala Irene, 



Proserpiuus Gaurae, Catocala Zoe, 



Darapsa Versicolor, Catocala Consors. 



For one or more of any of these I will give large exchanges or pay in 

 money, as may be most agreeable. 



I am also equally desirous of obtaining such exotics as I need from parties 

 having duplicates from any locality. 



The following species and varieties I would esteem above everything could 

 I but obtain them; and I insert this, not with any expectation of speedily 

 getting them, but knowing that they are in the world, I hope that perhaps 

 after many days or years some one or other of them may come into my pos- 

 session. I can only watch and wait, and beg that if any European friend is 

 fortunate enough ever to possess any of the following in duplicate he would 

 remember then that there is one here who has grown grey trying to obtain 

 them, who will give any exchange or pay in cash for them their price. That 

 I should die without beholding these would be, indeed, too hard a fate, but I 

 will not stop to contemplate so desolate a prospect, but will proceed 'to name 

 the peerless things, which are as follows: 



