ANNOUNCEMENTS. 

 PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION, 



a ifUanua! 



OF 



BRITISH BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS. 



By H. T. STAINTON. 



When an Entomologist consults a book, he may have two distinct 

 objects in view ; firstly, to ascertain the name of an insect he has 

 caught, and, secondly, to find out how he is to proceed in order to 

 obtain other species which he has not yet caught. 



The mode in which the author should treat the subject, in order 

 to enable the reader to effect the first-named object, is manifestly a 

 different one from that requisite to assist him in the latter portion of 

 his researches ; yet it is the first and most essential step to the pro- 

 gress of Entomological knowledge. 



It is proposed in the present work to. facilitate as much as possible 

 this part of the Entomologist's Studies, by enabling him with a very 

 little trouble to name any Lepidopterous insect he may meet with ; 

 and for this purpose Tabular views of the Genera, Families and 

 Sub-Families will be given, which it is hoped that the reader will 

 look to when endeavouring to discover the name of the insect, and 

 not trust to make it out by looking at the figures. 



Figures of insects are of use to give us an idea of any species we 

 have never seen, but they ought not to be necessary, nor should 

 they be resorted to, in order to enable us to name a species which we 

 have before us; for that purpose no figure can be of as much use as 

 a good description. 



The descriptions are necessarily brief, but will, we believe, in all 

 cases prove sufficiently precise to enable a species to be distinguished 

 from any other British species. 



The Wood-cuts will represent each of the more important 

 Genera. 



To be published in monthly parts, each containing 24 pages, and 

 to be comphled in about 30 parts. 



Part I. will be publUied on the 1st of March, 1856, 

 Price Threepence. 



