Xll AUTHOR S PREFACE. 



It will be observed in the list of species ou p. 23, that a 

 large proportion of types have been examined and it has 

 been attempted to show where all the types are at present 

 preserved. This has been possible in almost all cases 

 where species have been recently described, but the older 

 authors did not specify their types with the accuracy which 

 is now considered necessary. Consequently it has not always 

 been possible to state where the types are in the case of 

 such authors as Serville, Dohrn, &c. In describing a new 

 species the latter author often noted that his material was 

 based on specimens in several collections ; all his original 

 specimens are syntypes, but it is impossible to determine 

 which individual is the type. In such instances, the where- 

 abouts of the syntypes has been noted. It has been 

 assumed that Dohrn's own specimens are still preserved at 

 Stettin, but this is the only important collection of earwigs 

 which has not been placed at the disposal of the author. 



The author gladly takes this opportunity of recording his 

 gratitude to Dr. Shipley, the most courteous of editors, and 

 especially to Mr. G. A. K. Marshall, whose laborious and 

 careful proof-reading has placed him under a deep sense of 

 obligation. 



The plates and figures in the text have been drawn by 

 Mr. Edwin AVilson, with the exception of several figures 

 (75, 76, 79 & 90) which are by Mr. Horace Knight. No 

 work upon this group of insects has yet enjoyed such 

 accurate and abundant illustration. 



MALCOLM BURR. 



Eastry, Kent. 

 July 6th, 1009. 



