

PREFACE. 



MONG the many beautiful objects which 

 the student of Nature finds awaiting his 

 attention, the Butterflies will be allowed 

 by most to take a very prominent place, 

 adding as they do another to the many 

 charms of the flower-decked summer-fields. To assist 

 the large and ever-increasing body of naturalists who 

 make Butterflies their pursuit, "THE BOOK OF BRITISH 

 BUTTERFLIES " has been written. Though primarily 

 intended for beginners it is not a book for mere 

 collectors only, but one that will assist, it is hoped, 

 those who take up the subject in the true entomological 

 spirit a spirit that seems to be on the increase at the 

 present day one that speedily transforms the collector 

 into an observing and experimental entomologist. 



With this ' object in view, while a popular style 

 has been employed and abstruse matter has been 

 studiously avoided, the subject has been treated with 

 sufficient fulness, it is hoped, to enable anyone wishing 

 to do so, to work at these insects in all stages of their 

 life-history. It might be thought perhaps that the 

 Butterflies are thoroughly worked out already, but this is 

 quite a mistake, and the lover of this grand division of 

 lepidopterous insects will find that, as in all other, cases, 

 the further he goes the more there is to learn. 



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