PREFACE. 



IN the preparation of this Catalogue all accessible books have 

 been consulted, and it is believed that no descriptions of American 

 Lepidoptera have been overlooked. The works which my own 

 library and those of the Smithsonian Institution and the Academy 

 of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia do not contain, were kindly 

 lent by entomological friends. The "authorities," enumerated on 

 a subsequent page, will show the extent of my researches. 



The classification adopted is that recommended in part by Her- 

 rick-Schaeffer and Walker, but in some of the families of the Noc- 

 tuidae I have followed Guenee. A catalogue like the present is 

 not the place for strict scientific classification; that must be left 

 for a systematic descriptive work. 



As far as p. 49, Guenee's volumes have been cited according to 

 their number as regards the subject, ex. gr. vol. V. of the Suites 

 a Buffon, is vol I. of Noctuelites, and I have thus referred to them, 

 but after p. 49 they are quoted according to the Suites. 



I am well aware of the imperfections of this Catalogue in many 

 respects, but it will still give a fair exhibition of what has been 

 accomplished in this department. 



The Mexican and West Indian species have been included, or 

 most of them, at the earnest entreaty of several entomologists; 

 firstly, because some of the species are common to the continent 

 and the islands ; and, secondly, because it is not impossible that 

 before many years our political boundaries may extend over some 

 of those countries. 



Although this Catalogue enumerates over 2000 species, the 

 greater number of which occur in the United States proper, yet 

 there is reason to believe that hundreds yet remain to be disco- 



