PREFACE. 



This year we omit the list of British Entomologists— it 

 occupies too much space to be repeated each year. 



The census of these islands is taken decennially— should it 

 not suffice, if the Census Entornologicus be taken tri- 

 ennially ? 



In the present volume we bring Dr. Hagen's paper on 

 the British Phryganidce to a close. • Mr. M^Lachlan has 

 already turned his attention to the study of that group of 

 insects, and has written a few pages on the best mode of pro- 

 secuting that study ; we trust that he will soon have follow- 

 ers in this pursuit. 



Dr. Hagen's notions of the evil propensities of a Psocus 

 are very different to our own ; certainly we do not like to see 

 them on our setting-boards, for, if they are too frequent 

 there, disastrous results are sure to follow — either antennae 

 are tenderly devoured, or a pathway is created between the 

 base of the wing and the body of the insect, and, on attempting 

 to remove it, we lift up the thorax and abdomen, leaving the 

 wings prostrate on the setting-board. 



Mr. Smith's observations on the Hymenoptera need no 

 recommendation from us. 



Much attention having been recently paid to the Hemi- 

 ptera in this country, we have, in order to foster a taste for the 

 study of those insects, compiled a Catalogue of the British 



