VI PREFACE. 



beetles recognized in New Zealand has been increased from 

 265 to 1,321 ("New Zealand Coleoptera," by Captain 

 Broun). The three following orders, which are treated of 

 in the present work, have increased in number of species 

 from 151 to 227. The remaining orders still require system- 

 atic cataloguing for the New Zealand student, although the 

 scattered literature bearing on them has received extensive 

 additions. 



The total number of insects described for New Zealand 

 now reaches 2,000 ; but this number will be largely in- 

 creased, especially in the order Lepidoptera. The com- 

 pilation of this work adds another to the already extensive 

 series of gratuitous services which Professor Hutton has 

 rendered to the colony. 



JAMES HECTOU, 



Director. 



Colonial Museum, Wellinrjton, 

 20tk May, 1881. 



