iv PREFACE. 



of Xortb American Lepidoptera, published by the Smithsonian 

 Institution, which students will, of course, consult, if they desire 

 to know the literature of the species. For the same reason, I 

 have also omitted the list of abbreviations. 



With the generous permission of Dr. Clemens, of Easton, Pa., 

 I have incorporated nearly the whole of his admirable synopsis of 

 North American Sphingidte, published in the Journal of the Aca- 

 demy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, 1859, only omitting some 

 minor details and the references to other authors. I have also 

 added his descriptions of Arctiidae, published in the Proceedings 

 of the Philadelphia Academy for Nov., 1859. He has himself 

 furnished an appendix containing many new and original views in 

 regard to the classification of our Lepidoptera, with descriptions 

 of genera and species. 



In a supplement will be found a notice of such species as have 

 come to my notice up to the present date, principally from the 

 publications of Mr. S, H. Scudder and Mr. Edwards. The 

 latter gentleman has also supplied some important rectifications of 

 synonymy. 



I have inserted descriptions of what are deemed by some to be 

 distinct species, but which are regarded by others as mere varieties, 

 in order to give their authors an opportunity of being heard, and 

 that readers may conveniently compare them. 



As regards the classification, I have chiefly adopted that of Pr. 

 Herrich-Schaeffer, of Ratisbon, with some modifications of Walker, 

 of the British Museum. No doubt, changes will hereafter be 

 found necessary. 



J. G. MORRIS. 



Baltimore, December, 18(51. 



