

PREFACE. 



With this number we complete our eighteenth volume, and again 

 have to thank our numerous contributors and subscribers for their 

 continued support. We have had a well-maintained, and, on the 

 whole, suitable, supply of material, and year by year the number of 

 plates published appears to grow larger. For help in this direction we 

 have to thank Dr. Chapman, Mr. Bentall, Mr. Sheldon, etc. We are 

 always glad to hear of contributors who are willing to supply blocks to 

 illustrate the articles sent for publication. 



Having been exceptionally busy with other entomological pursuits 

 during the past year, we have been especially indebted to friends for 

 help with the magazine. To Mr. Donisthorpe and Professor T. Hudson 

 Beare our thanks are especially due ; to the Rev. C. R. N. Burrows we 

 have again to acknowledge our indebtedness for the General Index ; 

 whilst Professor T. H. Beare, Mr. Burr, Mr. J. Collin, and Mr. H. J. 

 Turner, are now at work on the Special Index to the volume. This 

 we hope to publish with the January number. 



Our own work on British butterflies has perhaps been responsible 

 for a special influx of notes relating to what is usually supposed to be 

 the best known section of our native lepidoptera. Whether this be so 

 or not, we trust most sincerely that the interest will continue, for, far 

 from our knowledge of this group being at all complete, it is remark- 

 able how many elementary details are lacking in even what are sup- 

 posed to be our best known species. 



Probably one of the most interesting papers that we have published 

 this year is the summary of the facts collected by Mr. Bateson and 

 summarised by Mr. L. Doncaster, under the title " Collective Inquiry 

 as to Progressive Melanism in Lepidoptera." The facts are important 

 although they do not push our knowledge of the cause of the phenome- 

 non much further. We hope, if time allows, to write a constructive 

 criticism on the more recent pronouncements on this subject for pub- 

 lication in these pages. It is remarkable how little our knowledge of 

 the matter has really increased during the last 15 years. 



We also hope to continue our series of Practical Hints during the 

 next season. The three parts of the work specially devoted to this 

 subject, already published, and independently available, render general 

 hints purposeless, as they could only lead to duplication, but special 

 groups will be worked through as opportunity offers. 



In conclusion we would again thank every one Avho has contributed 

 to the success of our last volume, and would also ask for the continua- 

 tion of their valued aid, as well as their kind word in support of our 

 magazine to their Entomological friends. 



