PREFACE 3 



viz,, : the egg and caterpillar state being 

 most necessary to an exhaustive study of the 

 perfect insect. 



Furthermore : there can be little doubt that 

 a thorough knowledge of the ovum and larval 

 periods, (especially the first of these, of 

 which little has been written), would, in 

 many instances, throw much light on the 

 uncertain and often total disappearance of 

 certain insects from favourite haunts. 



Exception might perhaps be taken to the 

 use of the singular, ovum in the headings 

 descriptive of eggs. 



This plan is adopted in most of the works 

 in dealing with the larvae, and therefore must 

 be followed in the case of the eggs. It may 

 perhaps seem an oddity to talk of the egg of a 

 butterfly, whereas to say the eggs, is taken as 

 a matter of course. 



To show that grammatical accuracy is not 

 sacrificed for the sake of effect, I may quote 

 among instances, the description of the ova of 

 Pier is Rapae. " Ovum. The ova of 

 this species resemble a sugar-loaf, and are 

 beautifully ribbed longitudinally ", &c., &c. 



In conclusion ; I have to thank entomological 

 friends who have, at any time, assisted me in 

 the present undertaking, especially in regard 

 to information, dates, &c., but, while gladly 



