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DESCRIPTIONS OF INDIAN MICRO-LEPIDOPTERA. 

 By E. Meyrick, b.a., f.r.s., f.z.s. 

 I. 



In this and successive papers I propose to endeavour to work out 

 the Indian Micro-Lepidoptera (including under this head those of 

 Burma and Ceylon), a task of great interest and probably also of great 

 magnitude. For material I shall be wholly dependent on others, since 

 there is no likelihood of my being able to visit the region personally at 

 present, and I have already received much kind help and promise of 

 more. I venture, however, to appeal to all collecturs to assist in this 

 matter : very little is known at present, and even the commonest species 

 will be welcomed, to ascertain geographical range and variation. Full 

 information as to localities, elevation, dates, and larval habits is also 

 desired. If collectors will number the species sent in rotation, proceed- 

 ing to higher numbers for successive consignments, and retaining 

 specimens with corresponding numbers, I will send them the identifi- 

 cations according to these numbers. All types of species described 

 will eventually be deposited in the collection of the British Museum ; 

 but I hope also to be able to send duplicates of many species to Mr. 

 E. E. Green, Government Entomologist of Ceylon, and Mr. L. C. H. 

 Young, Entomological Curator at the Bombay Museum, to form re- 

 ference collections which can be consulted on the spot. 



It is very desirable that specimens should be in good condition ; 

 poor specimens may be identified if the species is already known, 

 but could not be described. In particular, care should be taken to 

 prevent their becoming mouldy, which, I am aware, is difficult in the 

 tropics ; but mould will not attack insects in boxes if a small piece of 

 sponge is pinned in one corner (so as not to come in contact with the 

 box itself) and some carbolic acid dropped on the sponge ; the vapour 

 will not only keep off mould, but insect pests of all descriptions. 

 Mould on the head of small insects makes the structure unrecognisable, 

 and, in general, cannot be removed. 



It is impossible to insist too strongly on the necessity for proper 

 packing ; it is very disappointing to all concerned when valuable 

 specimens are destroyed in transit, whilst with due care this need never 

 happen. I recommend that the following instructions should be strict- 

 ly carried out. Trie insect-box should be small and light, no strength 

 being required, and the cork should be good ; the specimens placed as 



