PREFACE. 



The present work was commenced twenty years ago^ and it is 

 with no small satisfaction that I am at length able to issue 

 the first volume^ which includes the families classed under 

 Sphinges and Bombyces, confident that it will prove to be of 

 great assistance to all working Lepidopterists. I have, however, 

 excluded the jEgeriidce, Thyrididce, Euschemidae, and a large 

 portion of the Chrysaugida and Melameridcs from the Sphinges 

 and Bombyces, nor do I extend the Notodontidce to the wide 

 limits which some recent authors have advocated. I have 

 finally decided to include a few species formerly classed as 

 Butterflies, in this volume, while others, likewise of doubtful 

 position, have been provisionally excluded. 



The only previous general catalogue of Moths is that compiled 

 by the late Francis Walker, and published by the Trustees of 

 the British Museum from 1854 to 1866, in 35 small volumes. 

 It included descriptions of species, and very full references to 

 the literature of the subject. This work, though useful and 

 fairly complete at the time it was issued, is now out of date 

 and nearly out of print ; and the want of a more recent general 

 catalogue of Moths has been felt for some time. 



In the present work I have endeavoured to quote all im- 

 portant original references to foreign species ; but in the case 

 of European species I haye given references chiefly to the 

 leading English, French, and German authors, and to others 

 only when it appeared necessary. An exhaustive index to the 

 notices of many European species would fill pages. 



Even in the case of groups which have been lately catalogued 



