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LEPIDOPTEKA. 



On the British Species of Tortrices belonging to 

 THE Genus Eupcecilia of Curtis. 



By R. McLachlan, F.L.S., Sec. Ent. Soc. 



It is pretty generally known that the Entomological Society 

 has undertaken to publish a synonymic Catalogue of British 

 insects of all orders, which shall, as far as is possible, furnish 

 native Entomologists with a list of the insects inhabiting 

 these islands, and, at -the same time, establish uniformity of 

 nomenclature with the Continent, so far as this is consistent 

 with recognized rules. Owing to the exertions of Messrs. 

 Doubleday and Stainton the nomenclature of Lejjidoptera 

 is comparatively uniform, and this order will probably be 

 one of the last that will receive attention on the part of the 

 Society. But even here the Tortrices are in a most unsatis- 

 factory state, and the published European lists yet contain a 

 multitude of names of species, ranking as distinct, which 

 should be reduced to synonyms ; and the uncertainty re- 

 specting the British species plays a not unim.portant part in 

 producing this confusion. It is true we have the Monograph 

 by Mr. Wilkinson, which so far as truthful and accurate 

 description is concerned leaves little to be desired ; yet the 

 value of this work is nullified by the total omission of syno- 

 nymy, and the utter regardlessness of care as to whether a 

 species, referred to a continental author, be really that to 

 which the name should be applied. By the absence of syno- 

 nyms, no desire is shown to collate the species of British 



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