PREFACE. V 



As to museum specimens, the late Mr. John Scott's 

 cabinet has been unfortunately scattered. Fieber's 

 collection of European Cicadinag, it is believed, does 

 not now exist in its entirety. But through the kindness 

 of Mr. James Edwards, it has been in my power to 

 acquire and represent numerous duplicates of his 

 almost unique cabinet. I am also largely indebted to 

 the liberality of Mr. J. W. Douglas, who is ever ready 

 to help any earnest enquirer in entomological science. 



Amongst others who have given material help, I 

 would mention Mr. Philip Mason, of Newcastle-ou- 

 Tyne (the possessor of many of Scott's types) ; Dr. E. 

 Capron, of Guildford ; and Mr. G. C. Bignell, of Stone- 

 house, Devon. There are other friends, also, to whom, 

 if I have not mentioned them in my text, I now tender 

 my sincere thanks. I may be permitted here to note, 

 that, through the enthusiasm of my daughters, I have 

 been able to figure many brilliant forms, which other- 

 wise I should have had to describe from cabinet 

 specimens. 



To Prof. Eupert Jones, I feel under obligation for 

 kindly over-looking many of my proof-sheets. 



The task of clothing scientific facts in such a garb 

 as will be pleasing to the general reader is a hard 

 one. Collateral subjects have been admitted into the 

 Introduction of this work, which some few may think 

 misplaced. Yet, in extenuation, it may be pleaded 

 that "bones," even though they be scientific, are 

 rarely interesting, except to the specialist. The 

 general reader may ask that the facts brought before 

 him shall not be presented in a too concentrated or a 

 jejune form. 



