INTRODUCTION. 



"When describing British Moths and Hawkmoths 

 in a former volume of this series, such a consider- 

 able space was devoted to the general history of 

 these tribes, that it is not necessary again to enter 

 into it, at any length, on the present occasion; 

 while, at the same time, the peculiarities of the 

 order Lepidoptera, of which they form a part, have 

 been amply detailed in the two other volumes 

 which treat of that subject. 



Exotic moths compose by far the most extensive 

 portion of the lepidopterous order ; and notwith- 

 standing the immense number vrith which we are 

 already acquainted, there is every reason to believe 

 that a large proportion still remains unknown to us, 

 especially of the smaller species, which travellers in 

 foreign lands have for the most part wanted either 

 the opportunity or inclination to investigate. When 

 compared with those of our own country, as strongly 

 marked a contrast in regard to size is observable, as 

 we had formerly occasion to point out between our 

 native and foreign butterflies. The Atlas Moth of 



