AUTtlORS PREFACE. 



The present volume, the tliird of the proposed series of five on 

 L-pidoptcra, includes the Hesperiidcs, or Skippers, a Family 

 usually regarded as intermediate between the Butterflies and 

 the Moths, and the first twenty-six Families of Moths (com- 

 mencing with one or two of rather doubtful position, which 

 are sometimes placed in the Hesperiidce) from the Mega- 

 thymidie to the Notodontidie inclusive. 



As before, I have drawn freely upon the figures from New- 

 man's well-known work, and although the much greater num- 

 ber of the species of Moths has not allowed me to deal with 

 them FO fully as with the Butterflies, yet I have endeavoured 

 to give a fairiy representative selection of our native species, 

 as well as illustrations of the principal Families, and of some 

 of the most interesting genera of the exotic forms. The fourth 

 volume, which is in the press, will complete the senes ol 

 Families known as Sphinges and Bombyces. 



In the preparation of tliese volumes, I have had tlie assist- 

 ance of my son, Dr. W. Egmont Kirby, and h.ave thus been 

 enabled to complete them in a shorter time than would other- 

 wise have been possible. 



In the volumes of Mollis I have followed the classification 

 adopted in my "Catalogue of Lcpidoptera Heteroccra, ' m 



