6 HETEROPTERA OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA. 



dates of occurrence as given in the notes are usually the ear- 

 liest and latest at which the species has been noted in the 

 locality cited, and therefore show only approximately the 

 actual time of the appearance or disappearance of the imago 

 or mature insect. 



The great majority of the species of Heteroptera treated 

 in this work are represented in my personal collection and, 

 unless otherwise stated, all types of new species described by 

 me are contained therein. When not so represented I have 

 been able to borrow examples of many named specimens from 

 other collectors, so that, as far as possible, I was able to study, 

 in connection with the original description, undoubted correct- 

 ly named specimens and draw up new descriptions from them. 

 Thus, of the first 600 species treated, I had in hand in pre- 

 paring the descriptions examples of all but twenty. In the 

 families Miridae and Corixidae, I was, however, unable to 

 secure specimens of a number of the species for examination 

 and the descriptions of these, as given, were therefore of 

 necessity compiled from those extant.' 1 The source of the 

 specimens in hand as 1 prepared the descriptions is usually 

 given in the notes. Where not so given they were collected 

 by myself. Thus "Raleigh, N. Car. (Brimley)" indicates that the 

 specimens were taken at Raleigh and loaned or presented to 

 me by C. S. Brimley of that place; while "Marco, Fla., March 4 

 (IV. S. B.)" signifies that the specimens were taken by me at 

 Marco on that date. The native and established species are 

 numbered consecutively throughout the work, while the few 

 species included as adventives or whose present status is 

 doubtful are not numbered. The number in parenthesis fol- 

 lowing the serial number is that of Van Duzee's "Catalogue of 

 the Hemiptera of America North of Mexico," a comprehensive 

 reference work which has been of great use to me. 



Classification. — The classification and sequence followed 

 in this work represent my own opinions and not those 

 of any previous author. There has been too much of a tend- 

 ency by the writers of this country to follow strictly the con- 



°Of the 27 individuals from whom I asked the loan of specimens for study. 23 

 cordially granted me the favor, and stated that they were pleased to do so. Of the 

 remaining four, two wholly ignored both of the letters which I sent each of them. A 

 third was "too busy with his classes to spare the time to send me any specimens of 

 Tingitidae," while the fourth wrote: "I might loan you large numbers of Miridae, 

 but I will have to be satisfied that you are giving me first opportunity to work over 

 and describe any possible new forms in your collection. I cannot afford to loan you 

 specimens from my collection and have you turn and use them as a basis to recognize 

 new forms : not until I at least have had that opportunity. No doubt you would like 

 to do in ten months what it has taken me ten years to work out, but the only way 

 for you to travel that fast is to compile the literature." 



