IV PREFACE. 



is made on the space in the Annual available for other 

 purposes. 



We have endeavoured to cater for the students of the 

 three best studied orders - Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and 

 Hymenoptera ; but our restricted space has caused all 

 these communications to be rather shorn of their former 

 amplitude. 



Dr. Hagen's paper on the British Phryganid^: is one 

 of so important a nature that we feel no apology is necessary 

 for its length ; those who are neither Anglers nor Neurop- 

 terists will be glad to see so important a contribution to 

 the elucidation of an interesting, but much neglected, group 

 of insects. 



If we have failed to produce as amusing a volume as 

 usual, we hope to be forgiven in consideration of the beauty 

 of the Plate. The central figure, representing an insect quite 

 new to our lists, should do much to impel Entomologists to 

 the south-west of Ireland ; but, we trust, those who go will 

 not patronize the steamers, either to Waterford or Cork, as 

 the Dublin Entomologists are looking forward to the arrival 

 in that metropolis of numbers of English Entomologists 

 next year, and are preparing for them that hearty reception 

 so peculiar to the Irish character, and they would feel hurt 

 and disappointed should the English visitors arrive and 

 depart without being welcomed in Dublin. 



H. T. STAINTON. 



MOUNTSFIELD, L.EWISHAM, 



December \th. 1858. 



