PREFACE. I 



On the completion of Volume XVII, we have again to thank our 

 large circle of subscribers and contributors for their kind and generous 

 help. We have always been more than provided with interesting and 

 useful material for publication, and our illustrations have increased 

 beyond those of any previous year. For help in this latter direction 

 we are particularly indebted to the generosity of Dr. T. A. Chapman, 

 Messrs. M. Burr and W. G. Sheldon. 



For their editorial duties in connection with the section relating to 

 " Coleoptera " we thank most heartily Mr. Donisthorpe and Professor 

 T, Hudson Beare. As this branch is placed entirely in their hands, 

 the success of it is entirely due to them. Amongst others whose help 

 is specially to be mentioned are the Rev. C. R. N. Burrows, who has 

 compiled our General Index, and Messrs. M. Burr, H. J. Turner, and 

 Professor T. H. Beare, who have practically completed the " Special 

 Index," which should appear with the January number. 



It has long been a matter of doubt whether or not we should 

 publish the Reports of Societies. Our reasons for excluding them Avere 

 twofold : (1) The small scientific value of many of the records, thus 

 occupying room that can ill be spared. (2) The uselessness of repeating 

 what is already printed elsewhere (sometimes five or six times over). 

 The reasons for including them are less clear. We are informed that 

 many lepidopterists only see the Ent. Record of the entomological 

 magazines (which is unfortunate and, in our opinion, to be regretted), 

 and yet wish to know Avhat is going on at the societies ; also that 

 exhibitors like to see their exhibits noted in the magazine. These 

 may be cogent reasons for including reports that oust original scientific 

 observations and articles, but we confess to a doubt in the matter. 

 At any rate, as these are evidently the views of a section of those 

 who were amongst the earliest and are still the most strenuous 

 supporters of the magazine, we have been constrained to go back on 

 our practice of the last eight years. Our friend the Rev. C. R. N. 

 Burrows has promised to make the most he can of the reports, 

 which should be sent direct to him. 



There has recently been quite a large increase in the quantity of 

 notes on British insects submitted for publication, which have tempo- 

 rarily ousted longer faunal papers on extra-British species. These 

 latter of course will be printed in turn, but, if this continues, writers 

 of long papers will have to resort to judicious condensation to give 

 their papers a chance against the numerous short notes of more 

 general interest to British collectors. We suspect, however, that the 

 matter is quite temporary, and simply state the fact in apology to 

 those whose articles have not yet been printed, but which will be put 

 in hand at the first opportunity. 



There seems to be no need to propose any alteration in the style or 

 arrangement of the magazine, although- we are always glad to receive 

 hints that may tend to make it more successful, and will give fair 

 consideration thereto. 



