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I IlKFACi;. 



describers as models of style and accuracy. I desire to tender my 

 warmest thanks to Professor Riley, Mr. S. H. Scuddcr, Mr. J. B. 

 Smith, Mr. W. H. Edwards, and Mr. W. Beutenmiiller for much 

 valuable aid, both in the loan of publications and the copying of 

 references, thus }.freatly assisting: me in my task. 



I earnestly hope that the publication of this catalogue will be the 

 means of inducing observers to take a wider and more extended 

 interest in the preparatory stages, and to place as early as possilile 

 upon record the results of their studies. It will be readily seen that 

 though, up to the end of the Bcnbyciiicc, a good deal has already been 

 done, the knowledge of the transformations of the Noctuidic and suc- 

 ceeding families is slight indeed, and it is to these groups that atten- 

 tion is especially directed. Should this list be instrumental in 

 adding to our information regarding the many species of Lepidop- 

 tera, of whose earlier stages we now know so little, my labor will be 

 rewarded, and the many hours passed in its preparation will not 

 have been occupied in vain. 



Henry Edwards 



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