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INTRODUCTION. 



In the three former parts of this work the systematic treatment of the 

 groups of Javanese Rhopalocera, there dealt with, having in each case been 

 preceded by an Introduction, the same procedure is adopted in the present 

 instance. On each occasion I there formulated the general deductions in the 

 domain of biology which result in my opinion, from a study of the insect forms 

 dealt with. Deductions, which, — although manifesting themselves much more 

 readely in certain groups than in others and, therefore, more easily formulated 

 when dealing with the groups in question — frequently do not apply exclusively 

 to such groups, their significance extending much further over the entire domain 

 of biology and may thus be of general value for the study of animal life and 

 evolution, whose true nature is still really so little understood, possibly even 

 as regards the spiritual life of man. Seeing that lepidopterists, like all zoolo- 

 gists, are for the greater part engaged in systematic or anatomical study, they 

 mostly fail to grasp this significance and, consequently, the importance of such 

 investigation on more philosophic lines. To me, however, this constitutes the 

 most important part of my work. Descriptions of hitherto unknown forms, 

 however useful, I regard as work of a lower order; even observations in con- 

 nection with the habits and mode of life of animals have not, in my opinion, 

 the same value as the study of the reason and of the general significance of 

 phenomena of life. For this reason such etiological research constitutes the 

 real aim of my work. All facts are simply intended to serve as a basis for 

 this. But these must be as incontrovertible as is possible and for that reason 

 require very accurate observation ; the treatment in group fashion, restricted 

 to a single, definitely segregated district of moderate dimensions, and offering 

 different climatic conditions, as is the case with the island of Java, appeared 

 to me particularly adapted for this purpose. 



The extensive groep of Lycaenidae, particularly of great importance from 

 this point of view, is now dealt with by me in this, the fourth part of my 



I 



