PREFACE. Xx1 
On its completion, Mr. Newman made preparations for con- 
tinuing the ‘ Illustrated Natural History of British Moths,’ which 
was commenced in ‘ Young England.’ Five numbers (80 pp.) had 
been brought out by Mr. Tweedie, in direct contravention of 
Mr. Newman’s wish, and without his knowledge: for these five 
numbers, written at a much earlier date than the remainder and 
not printed under his supervision, he never would hold himself 
responsible. It will be seen at once that they are incomplete, 
and stand sorely in need of the care bestowed upon the rest of 
the work. Mr. Newman was eventually induced to continue the 
work, and having once consented he, as usual, laboured with 
all his heart. The descriptions of the perfect insect and of the 
larva are most careful and accurate, indeed almost microscopic. 
The figures, of which there are more than eight hundred, were 
drawn and engraved under his own superintendence. In all his 
former works the woodcuts had been drawn by himself, and 
engraved by Mr. Kirchner; but now the allotted span of life 
was nearly reached, and his artistic powers had failed. The 
engraver was the same, however; and the beauty and accuracy 
of the figures are in great measure owing to his care and skill. 
; This book came out in monthly numbers, the last one appearing 
in June, 1869, when the complete volume was published. 
Immediately upon the conclusion of ‘ British Moths’ (486 pp. 
super-royal 8yvo), the companion work was commenced,— 
‘An Illustrated Natural History of British Butterflies’ (1871), 
on which even greater care was evinced, as especial attention 
was given to geographical distribution. These two works form 
the text-book of British Macro-Lepidoptera. 
‘ British Butterflies’ was written in Mr. Newman’s seventieth 
year, and was his last complete work. Two years previously he 
had retired from business, but by no means from labour. He > 
‘was at first actively engaged on the above-mentioned work, 
and on its completion the ‘ Zoologist,’ the ‘ Entomologist,’ and 
the ‘ Field,’ kept him fully occupied. He was often to be seen 
at the Crystal Palace Aquarium, and the result of the visits is 
to be found in various papers in those journals. In the year 
1868 he had built an aviary in his garden, and this was a 
constant source not only of recreation, but of study. There he 
would sit, until the birds became so tame as to fly to him on his 
