PREFACE. 



'TpHE coloured drawings from which tlie phites in this book are 

 reproduced have been prepared for exhibition in the North Hall 

 of this Museum. 



Before devoting them, however, to the purpose for which they 

 were primarily intended, it was thought that if published in a con- 

 venient form their sphere of usefulness would be increased, while an 

 opportunity would also be afforded for the inclusicDn of fuller notes on 

 each species than can be given in a label. 



For exhibition purposes, and to facilitate the recognition and 

 comparison of the different species, the drawings have been made on 

 a greatly enlarged scale, to which it has not in all cases been possible 

 to adhere in the reproductions ; but wherever practicable the copies 

 are of the same size as the originals. 



Many of the species here illustrated ha\-e an extremely wide dis- 

 tribution, so that the book may perhaps be of service to naturalists 

 outside the British Islands ; while the illustrations, either as repre- 

 senting species or simply as types of genera, will doubtless be useful 

 to those engaged in the study of Blood-Sucking Flies in connection 

 with disease. 



E. RAY LANKESTER. 



British Museum (Natural History;, 



Cromwell Road, London, S.W. 



March 24///, 1906. 



