() INTRODUCTORY EXPLANATIONS. 



any rate leave the subject considerably more advanced 

 than he foimd it m 1832, 



In his eai'liest volume, the ' Outlines' (1832), wliich was 

 only the imperfect and unpublished essay of a beginner, 

 the objects of a Cybele were sought to be shown, in some 

 incipient degree, by first giving shght general descriptions, 

 and afterwards noticing the distribution of the species 

 severally. In the subsequently published volume, or 

 second edition, the ' Remarks' (1835), the general descrip- 

 tions were enlarged and amended ; while the principal 

 details about the distribution of species, singly considered, 

 were condensed into tabular lists. At the same time, the 

 local dispersion of the species was shown fiuther in detail, 

 by the compilation of coimty lists and locahties, published 

 in the ' New Guide,' before mentioned. 



The ' Third Edition' was commenced ^vith much more 

 ample details respecting the chstribution of individual 

 species ; and it was then intended that the general descrip- 

 tions and summaries should follow those special notices. 

 It was considered that the general views could be made 

 more exact and complete, if the facts of detail were first 

 brought into methodical aiTangement for reference. But 

 the experience acquked in preparing and piintmg the 

 ' Fii'st Part' of the tliird edition, led to the abandonment 

 of that voluminous project ; in showing that a longer life 

 than the author ought to calculate upon, and a lai'ger out- 

 lay of money than he might be able to continue devoting 

 to it, would certainly be requii'ed for completion of a work 

 wliich was commenced on so wide a scale. Many yeai-s of 

 labom-, and some thousands of poimds, must have been 

 expended before that edition could have been brought to a 

 satisfactoiy conclusion. 



A subdivision into smaller treatises was then thought of, 

 by way of substitute ; each treatise being devoted to some 



