C.3L 



PREFACE. 



The following figures were selected from General Hardwicke's 

 Collection of Drawings. The Engravings were made, the im- 

 pressions coloured, and the descriptions set up in type in 1833 ; 

 but the appearance of the work was delayed by the death of 

 General Hardwicke, and by the chancery suit which his family 

 instituted. 



The various works then in progress, founded on the materials 

 collected by him, were this year sold by public auction, and 

 having again come under my control, I hasten to fulfil in some 

 degree, the desires of my late friend, who made so many sacri- 

 fices for the improvement of his favorite study. 



As the text had to be recomposed, references to modern 

 works, &c, have been added to make it consistent with the 

 present state of Entomology. 



This work will be followed by : — 



1. The Ornithology of China, illustrated with Plates, by W. 

 Swainson, Esq., F.R.S. 



2. The Spiders of Nepal, illustrated with numerous Plates. 



3. The Fungi of Nepal, with numerous Plates, and some 

 other works selected from General Hardwicke's collection. 



JOHN EDWARD GRAY. 



British Museum, 

 1st September, 1846. 



