MONOGRAPH 



OF THE 



BRITISH CICAD/E 



(FrogJiojipers and Grassflies). 

 By GEORGE BOWDLER BUCKTON, F.R.S., &c. 



4 



The comparison of specimen with specimen is the basis of all 

 zoological and biological research. Doubtless, after living forms, 

 collation with museum specimens is of the greatest use to the 

 investigator. Such specimens, however, are not open to the use of 

 many, and to those who have no access to them, monographs are 

 of prime importance. 



It will be admitted that every enlightened and civilised country 

 ought to concern itself with the description of its Fauna and Flora. 

 Quite apart from an economic point of view, it is incumbent on us 

 to help forward the progress of knowledge, and to accumulate 

 materials for comparing present living forms with those varieties 

 which may proceed from them in future years ; and these mate- 

 rials will assist in the elucidation of some of the far-reaching 

 developmental problems under discussion at the present time. 



No coloured monograph of the British Cicad® exists, and it 

 is even believed that no adequately illustrated monograph exists 

 of European species. Partly to meet this want, it is proposed to 

 publish eight quarterly Parts, each containing on an average ten 

 litho-chromo plates and letterpress, illustrating the forms, meta- 

 morphoses, general anatomy, and the chief details connected with 

 the life-history of this family of insects. 



The work will contain also short diagnoses of all the British 

 species, about 230 in number, most of which have come under the 

 author's notice, each species being illustrated by one or more coloured 

 drawings. Some account will be given of the curious myths and 

 tales told by ancient Greek and Latin jjoets, and descriptions will 

 be appended relating to the curious sound-organs possessed by 

 some species, and other subjects connected with the economy of 

 this interesting but difficult group of Ehynchotous insects. 



It is believed that by the help of the numerous camera-lucida 

 drawings, which will appear in this Monograph, many of which 

 have been made from type specimens in the cabinets of Mr. 

 J. W. Douglas and Mr. James Edwards, the identification of 

 nearly- allied species will be facilitated. 



