5 



11 E F A G E. 



ABOUT the middle of the present century the late Mr. Henry 

 Doubleday, finding that the nomenclature of British Lepidoptera 

 differed widely from the nomenclature then in use by entomolo- 

 gists in France, set himself the task of comparing the lists of 

 the two countries, with the view of reforming the English 

 nomenclature, and placing it in unison with that of the 

 Continent. As the result of his thoughtful, careful and long- 

 continued labour he gave to entomologists a ' Synonymic List 

 of British Lepidoptera.' This was issued at intervals between 

 the years 1847 and 1850, but did not embrace the Tineae. In 

 a second edition, however, published in 1859, the Tineae were 

 included. A first supplement to this list was issued in 1865, 

 and a second supplement in 1873. 



The ' Catalog der Lepidopteren des Europaeischen Faunenge- 

 biets ' Macro-Lepidoptera by Dr. 0. Staudinger, Micro -Lepi- 

 doptera by Dr. M. Wocke was published in Dresden, 1871. 

 This valuable synonymic list is generally known as " Staudinger 's 

 List," and is now in the hands of most entomologists throughout 

 Europe. 



In Great Britain many lepidopterologists in their published 

 works, and in papers and other contributions to our entomolo- 

 gical journals, have adopted the nomenclature of Dr. Staudinger's 

 ' Catalog,' while many others still use the nomenclature of the 

 1 Doubleday List.' As there is a very material difference in the 

 specific names used in these two lists, this want of accord and uni- 

 formity in the matter of nomenclature is apt to lead to confusion. 



The ' Doubleday List ' has been out of print for some years 

 past, and a new Synonymic List of British Lepidoptera has 

 become a desideratum. With the object, therefore, of meeting 

 this want, and with a further view of bringing about a more 



