THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



Vol. XXVL] MAECH, 1893. [No. 358. 



A CATALOGUE OF THE LEPIDOPTERA OF IRELAND. 



By W. F. de Vismes Kane, M.A. 

 Member of the Koyal Irish Academy ; Fellow of the Ent. Soc. of London. 



PREFACE. 

 The investigation and accurate record of the lepidopterous 

 fauna of Ireland has become of late years a matter of increasing 

 interest from a scientific point of view. It is almost unnecessary 

 to point out that this country presents certain well-marked 

 features possessed by none other in Europe. Firstly, in the 

 even temperature which it enjoys, contrasting with that of 

 Scandinavia and Northern Europe including England, in the 

 moderate amount of summer sunshine, as well as the mildness 

 of its winter, in which latter it differs widely also from Scot- 

 land. Secondly, in its insularity and western position, being 

 separated from Great Britain and the Continent by a breadth of 

 sea sufficient to prohibit the immigration of all but the most 

 strong-winged and wandering species (and then only under the 

 disadvantage of an easterly wind) from admixture with its 

 indigenous races. A third characteristic is that of a heavy 

 rainfall, exceeding on an average that of the rest of Great 

 Britain, if we except the Scilly Islands, part of South-west of 

 England, and the English Lake District ; and perhaps a part of 

 Scotland. These peculiarities, in view of the active enquiries 

 now being pursued especially in relation to colour-variation in 

 this subdivision of the animal kingdom, make it of primary 

 importance to secure an accurate diagnosis of the indigenous 

 species of Ireland, and of the particular characteristics, both 

 individually and collectively, which they present. An accurate 

 examination of the fauna and flora of Ireland, whenever we are 

 in possession of a more precise knowledge of them, will probably 

 also throw convergent light on its geological history, and offer 

 independent testimony confirmatory of its former connection 

 with Great Britain and the European continent. Alfred Russel 



ENTOM. MARCH, 1893. H 



