PREFACE. Vll 
mark or a letter of the Alphabet is added after the number engraved 
on the Plate. Thus a indicates an insect an inch and a quarter 
wide; a + an inch and a half; a + an inch and three quarters; h 
two inches ; c three inches^ and so on : n denotes insects of the 
natural size; and m such as are magnified. For example : in PI. I., 
fig. 1. is three inches and three quarters wide when expanded; fig. 2. 
two inches and a half; fig. 70. PI. III. is the natural size, and all in 
PI. XLIII. are magnified. 
The great expense attending works on Natural History, where the 
subjects are accurately drawn and coloured, has in a considerable 
degree confined the sale to persons of opulence, and prevented that 
general access to figures which is so essential to the promotion of the 
science. In the present Work this objection is removed, since the 
figures, (excepting those on royal paper,) though drawn and coloured 
with the greatest possible care, do not exceed one penny each ! 
It now only remains for us gratefully to acknowledge the ready 
assistance we have received from several scientific gentlemen, and 
most especially from J. F. Stephens, Esq., to whom we cannot suffi- 
ciently express our thanks for his unwearied assistance throughout 
the work, and for the liberal manner in which he placed his invaluable 
Collection at our service, notwithstanding the risk of injury occa- 
sioned by the removal of the different Insects from Camberwell to 
London. 
To the kindness of J. G. Children, Esq., of the British Museum, 
we are much indebted, not only for a ready access to his Collection, 
but also for permission to refer to his valuable Entomological Library. 
To John Curtis, Esq., we are also greatly indebted for permission 
to make drawings from any of his rare and beautiful specimens we 
might require, and occasionally to use his most elegant work on the 
Genera of Insects found in Great Britain and Ireland. 
We have sincerely to thank Messrs. Bentley and Chant for the 
loan of many very fine specimens of the British Lepidoptera from 
their valuable Cabinets ; and our acknowledgments are also due to 
Edward Newman, Esq., for the use of some of the very rare British 
species. 
Tavistock Street, Covent Garden. 
