INTBODUCTORT REMAEKS. 5 



furnishing the student with an abstract of all that has been 

 recorded by the most eminent writers at the period above mentioned. 

 The sixth and seventh sections contain many ingenious details and 

 suggestions respecting the relative number of Lepidopterous Insects 

 and Plants found in a given district or country ; and the authors 

 endeavour to show that the number of both Butterflies and Plants 

 will be found nearly equal in the Fauna and Flora of the countries 

 that have been carefully examined. In examining the various 

 systems extant at their time, they discuss the advantages and 

 defects of each, with a view to prove that further researches were 

 required to supply the vacancies remaining, in the attempt to form 

 a natural system of arrangement, of which they had a more correct 

 notion than most other naturalists of their day. 



These sections also are invaluable in directing the pursuits of 

 young Entomologists to the importance of collecting Lepidoptera 

 in the various stages of their existence, both with the view to obtain 

 perfect specimens and a complete history of the separate species. 

 The style is colloquial, animated, and classical, and illustrated with 

 numerous appropriate quotations in Latin, French, and English. 

 An acquaintance with this work during my abode in Java would 

 have enabled and directed me to carry on my researches in En- 

 tomology to a greater extent than I have accomplished. 



In the systematic structure of this Catalogue, I shall be guided, 

 so far as my materials afford the means, by the character in whicli 

 the subjects manifest themselves in their transformations from the 

 first state of their existence to their perfect development, or, accord- 

 ing to the maxim of the authors of the Wiener Verzeichniss, from 

 the larva to the imago ; endeavouring in all cases to discover the 

 most natural arrangement in which they can be disposed. 



It is obvious that a complete arrangement of the whole Order of 

 Lepidopterous Insects on this principle cannot be attempted at the 

 present period, although considerable materials have already been 

 contributed towards this object from many parts of the world ; 

 among these, the most important are contained in the following 

 works : — 



Hubntr {Jacob). — Geschichte Europseischc Schmctterlinge, 

 quammelt van J. II. 



