PREFACE. VII 



Lastly, as to the book itself. Eight hundred and sixty insects 

 have been described, six hundred of which have been figured, 

 the illustrations and descriptions having all been made from the 

 actual specimens. In order to ensure accuracy in rendering the 

 " texture," the engraver has taken the trouble to inspect the 

 insects themselves before touching the block on which they 

 were drawn. The reader may form some idea of the labour 

 which has been expended in the work, when I mention that 

 more than three thousand drawers of insects have been ex- 

 amined, each drawer containing, on an average, some fifty 

 specimens. 



I now have the pleasing task of thanking most heartily the 

 officers attached to the Insect Room in the British Museum, for 

 the kind assistance which they rendered through some thrre 

 years, and the generous manner in which they afforded infor- 

 mation that could have been obtained from no other source. 



Belvedere, S.E. 

 May 9th, 1874. 



