INTRODUCTION 



The manuscripts left by Dr. Packard show that he contemplated what would have amounted 

 to a monograph of the Saturnioid moths of the world. Beginning with the North American 

 forms, he soon found it necessary to make comparisons with those of other regions, and during 

 his last years was actively engaged in examining the many exotic genera. As all lepidopterists 

 know, he was led to novel and interesting conclusions regarding the classification of these 

 insects, parts of which were published in short papers before his death. It was in the mono- 

 graph, however, that he hoped to fully expound and justify his opinions, while at the same time 

 making known the life histories of the Saturnioids in a manner never before attempted. As 

 will be seen from the following pages, great progress had been made, but very much remained 

 to be done. The latest writings of Dr. Packard show that he was actively seeking new light 

 and continually acquiring new information which led him to modify the details of his taxo- 

 nomic scheme. It is impossible to say how much the work now presented would have been 

 remodeled by him had he lived to this day, but it is at least certain that it would have under- 

 gone much modification and especially amplification. The editor has left the work exactly 

 as it came from Dr. Packard's hands except in the following particulars: 



(1) The arrangement is that of the editor, following, however, the order of genera preferred 

 by Dr. Packard, so far as could be ascertained from a study of his writings. 



(2) A few obvious slips of the pen have been corrected, and some very incomplete manu- 

 scripts have been omitted. 



(3) Additions have been made, but in every case indicated by square brackets. Such 

 additions are the work of the editor unless some other signature is appended. 



It was evidently impossible to complete the work on the lines laid down by Dr. Packard, 

 but it seemed practicable and desirable to bring the account of the North American species 

 up to date. In the case of the exotic genera only enough has been added to bring out inter- 

 esting points or give a general idea of the extent and distribution of the groups. A few genera 

 have been entirely omitted, either because Dr. Packard made no reference to them or because 

 they did not appear to belong to the families included in the work. It has often been necessary 

 to add bibliographical references, and when these could not be verified from the original works 

 Kirby's Catalogue was the source of information. 



The editor is greatly indebted to many kind friends and correspondents who did every- 

 thing in their power to aid in the work. Dr. H. G. Dyar supplied much valuable material and 

 answered many questions, and also selected from the collection in the United States National 

 Museum a splendid series of moths to be photographed, enabling us to illustrate for the first 

 time and from the original types many American species. Mr. J. H. Watson, of Manchester, 

 England, aided by the loan of literature, by answering questions, and especially by supplying a 

 very fine series of photographs representing numerous genera discussed by Dr. Packard, but 

 represented only by drawings of venation, or not at all, among the illustrations left by him. 

 Dr. J. McDunnough, of Decatur, 111., has kindly prepared descriptions of several North Ameri- 

 can species and has sent photographs of rare forms in the Barnes collection. Dr. L. O. Howard 

 and his associates in the Bureau of Entomology, United States Department of Agriculture, 

 have placed at my disposal the numerous manuscript records of the bureau. Mr. Jacob Doll, 

 of the Brooklyn Museum, very kindly sent photographs of the North American species in his 

 charge not otherwise represented on our plates. Dr. Glover M. Allen copied several descrip- 

 tions inaccessible to me and looked up a number of doubtful references. Other assistance is 

 mentioned at various places in the text, but it has been impossible to acknowledge in any 

 sufficient way the results of Mrs. Packard's always active interest and cooperation. 



On the financial side we are greatly indebted to the trustees of the Bache fund for a grant 

 of $200 toward the cost of the preparation of the plates. 



T. D. A. COCKERELL. 



University of Colorado, Boulder, Colo., August, 1912. 



IX 



