P K E F A C E. 



The subject of Yol. X. of the ' Catalogue of Moths ' is the 

 classification of the Noctiiid subfamily Erastriance, represented in 

 the present work by 1222 species belonging to 136 genera. The 

 subfamily is homogeneous in appearance, but is not very well defined 

 structurally, being intermediate in characters between the Trifid 

 and Quadrifid sections of the Noctuidce, and having very close 

 affinities on the one hand with the Acronyctince and on the other 

 hand with the Acontiance, Noctuince, and Hypenince. 



The Erastrianse are ch-aracterised as follows : — Vein 5 of the 

 hind wing is typically nearly fully developed and usually arises 

 from well above the lower angle of the cell, although it is rarely 

 obsolescent and then springs from the middle of the discocellulars ; 

 the eyes are not hairy ; the tibife are not spined ; and the larvae 

 have the first pair or first two pairs of prolegs aborted. 



The subfamily is to a large extent confined to the tropical and 

 warmer temperate regions, especially the more arid districts, and 

 it has few species in the colder zones, and none in the Arctic and 

 Alpine zones. 



Sir George Hampson has to acknowledge the assistance which 

 he has received, mostly from those whose help has been referred to 

 in earlier volumes of the Catalogue, by the loan of types and other 

 specimens, and in other ways. The coloured drawings which have 



