LEPIDOPTERA. 



INTRODUCTION. 



IN a previous volume of our entomological series, 

 we have given a view of such of the day-flying 

 lepidoptera, or butterfly tribes, as have been ascer- 

 tained to inhabit Britain. Their extreme beauty 

 renders them by far the most attractive of our 

 native insects, and we trust that few can have their 

 attention directed, however briefly, to their history, 

 without having their curiosity gratified by the in- 

 stances of singular instinct and economy with which 

 it abounds. These constitute, however, only one 

 section of the lepidopterous order, and that by no 

 means one of the most extensive. The hawk-moths, 

 and moths properly so called, form the other divi- 

 sions ; and to these we propose to devote the present 

 volume, with the same limitation as formerly in 

 regard to locality A view will thus be afforded of 

 the entire order of our 



- painted populace 



That live in fields and lead ambrosial lives, 



comprehending an account of the most interesting 

 and remarkable native species which it contains. 



