From THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES, 



Read 30th SEPTEMBER, 1878. 



Descriptions of Australian MICRO-LEPIDOPTERA. 

 BY E. MEYRICK, Esq., B.A. 



I CRAMBITES. 



It is somewhat surprising that no progress should yet have 

 been made towards the knowledge of Micro-Lepidoptera in a 

 country which so abounds with the groups included under that 

 term as Australia does. In general, the small size and delicate 

 nature of the specimens preclude them from being commonly 

 Bent home to England by travelling collectors ; but they offer a 

 wide field for the study of resident entomologists. According to 

 the very imperfect data at present possessed, I estimate the total 

 number of species occurring on the Australian continent to be 

 fully 10,000, as they much exceed the larger Lepidoptera here m 

 number and variety. It is to be hoped, therefore, that, when 

 once a start has been made, entomologists will begin to take some 

 interest in the subject ; and it may not be out of place to state 

 that I shall always be ready to determine to the best of my 

 ability any species that may be entrusted to my care, and that 

 it would be of great interest to receive collections even of the 

 commoner kinds from various parts of the country. 



A certain number of descriptions of Australian Micros were 

 included by Walker in his British Museum Catalogues ; these 

 names I have of course adopted when recognisable, but the 

 descriptions are commonly very incomplete, the determination of 



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