1V PREFACE. 



venture to show even their noses amongst my treasures ; and I should be almost 

 as much astonished to find a living destroyer as a living Emperor Butterfly in one 

 of my drawers. 



And now it only remains for me to mention my obligation to those gentlemen 

 who have given me such cordial and constant assistance during the progress of 

 my little work through the press : to all of them I offer my most sincere thanks. 

 I cannot mention each individual by name, for the list would include everyone 

 known as a collector of our British Butterflies, but I will select them to whom I 

 am more especially indebted : and first, my valued friend and constant adviser, 

 Mr. DouBLEDAr. Every page has passed under his eye, and now incorporates his 

 invaluable corrections. The incalculable importance of this supervision everyone 

 will admit. Next, Mr. BOND. This generous and well-known naturalist placed his 

 entire collection at my disposal : he considered nothing too good or too valuable 

 to entrust to my care; and thus I have been enabled to figure varieties which 

 exist only in his magnificent collection. Mr. DALE has been indefatigable in 

 supplying dates and localities : there is not a species of any variety but has 

 received some addition to its history from the stores of his unequalled information. 

 Mr. BIECHALL, with his accustomed kindness, has done all in his power to promote 

 my undertaking. 



These, our leading Lepidoptirists, men of European reputation, claim individual 

 thanks. But it must not be supposed that I undervalue in the slightest degree 

 those less distinguished, but no less kind and energetic workers, who have supplied 

 me with caterpillars for description, and with county lists of localities where 

 Butterflies are to be found. Without such assistance this work would not have 

 been what it is; nor would it have attained, while in progress, a sale which I 

 believe is without equal in any branch of science. 



Hrebia Ligea. 



