ANNETTE F. BRAUN. 269 



PREFACE. 



In the present revision, the American species of the genus 

 Lithocolletis* are divided into several natural and easily definable 

 groups, based upon structural differences, not sufficient, however, 

 to warrant the establishment of new genera. 



Of necessity, this work is far from complete ; the West remains 

 practically unexplored, and it is to be expected that a large number 

 of species are still awaiting description. It is hoped that this syste- 

 matic arrangement, and the collection of scattered descriptions, 

 rendering identification less difficult, will result in increased effort 

 on the part of those having an opportunity for breeding and collect- 

 ing in little known regions. 



It was the original purpose to give illustrations of every species. 

 The plates contain figures of all of which I was able to see speci- 

 mens. The figures were in all cases sketched by the author from 

 authentic specimens, most of them bred, and often from the types 

 themselves. It will be noticed, however, that the figures of six 

 species are lacking : of one of these, L. alni Wlsm. (= alnivorella 

 Cham.), I have seen no specimens and no type is'in existence; the 

 types of the other five are in the possession of Lord Walsingham, 

 and I regret that my efforts to secure figures of these have been 

 unsuccessful. 



In a number of cases, where the original descriptions are accu- 

 rate and have proved adequate for the identification of the species 

 and varieties, the original is reprinted. Where the species were 

 described in German, translations following as closely as possible 

 the original text are often given. In these cases, I have added my 

 notes collected by breeding and by the examination of additional 

 specimens. Where the original description might have proved mis- 

 leading through peculiarities of the specimen described or through 

 the omission of certain characteristics, new descriptions are printed. 

 The necessity of constant reference to detached fragments, some- 



* Lord Walsingham, in the "Microlepidoptera of Tenerife" (Proc. Zool. Soc. 

 Lond., 976, 1907), has revived the name Phyllonorycter Hb. for this genus. 



TKAN6. AM. KNT. SOC. XXXIV, (34*) SEPTEMBER, 1908. 



M177975 



