43 



sis, but with plates. The title contemplated is : '■'-Insectorum 

 Faunula Bostonietisis,''^ including, with few exceptions, the 

 common species to be found in this vicinity. 



Notes and descriptions of about five hundred Coleoijtera were 

 made for this purpose, and my leisure moments last winter 

 were devoted to the study of the Symenopterous genera, with 

 the assistance of Jurine's incomparable work on that order, the 

 introductory plates of which I copied. The great work of 

 Stoir, which I have consulted, affords a clue to the Hemipterai 

 and in the publications of Meigen, Wiedemann and Say, the 

 Diptera will be done to my hand. In the Lepidoptera a most 

 patient investigation of the nervures, palpi, antennse and larvae, 

 has been made in order to elucidate this intricate and confused 

 section of insects. From Dr. Pickering and yourself I hope to 

 receive in due time the results of your investigations in the 

 departments which have occupied your attention. Any of our 

 northern insects, which you may think proper previously to 

 describe, will most readily be introduced, and due credit given. 

 However inadequate to the undertaking, I haA'e entered upon it 

 with the conviction that something of the kind was wanted, 

 and would be useful to others. You were apprized of it in 

 letters dated August, 1824, and May, 1825 ; it has been men- 

 tioned to several who approved of it, among others Mr. Oakes, 

 Rev. Mr. Leonard, and Mr. Greenwood, who have offered the 

 use of their insects ; those of the latter comprise the often 

 mentioned collection of Mr. Fenton, containing twenty-six hun- 

 dred species found in Connecticut and New York. 



The third A'olume of American Entomology I presume you 

 have seen, as it has been printed several months. Prof. Say's 

 Hipparchia semidea appears to be the Papiilio fortunatus of 

 Fabricius. I have a specimen from the White Mountains, 

 N. H. The little grooves in the ora of Taptheicerus for the 

 reception of the tarsi had not escaped my notice, and you will 

 also find that the posterior angles of the thorax are excavated 

 beneath to receive the femora and tibiae when folded together. 



