PREFACE. V 



our existing specific names will be found, a thousand years 

 hence, in a fossil state ! 



The novelties amongst the British Lepidoptera during 

 the past season have been mostly confined to the larger 

 groups; hence our Plate appears more showy than usual. 

 In consequence of the numerous demands made upon us 

 since last year to devote a few pages at least to the record 

 of Rarities, we have acceded to a wish so generally ex- 

 pressed. 



The question of species, their variation, and the limits of 

 that variation, being now likely to enjoy an unusual degree 

 of prominence in the attention of Naturalists, we have de- 

 voted a few pages to setting before our readers some thoughts 

 by an American Entomologist, Dr. Clemens, on that subject. 



H. T. STAINTON. 



MOUNTSFIELD, LEWISHAM, 



December 7th, 1859. 



