PRELIMIMRY PREFACE TO PART I. 



A PEW words of introduction are considered desirable here, as 

 in the first part of the Catalogue, reserving the preface proper 

 till the next portion, completing the work, appears. 



I have not had the assistance I expected from collectors in 

 preparing the Micro Catalogue, which is compiled from old lists 

 and records, with the assistance of Mr. Gardner, and a very 

 little help from others. I am aware that very few collect 

 Micro-Lepidoptera, which almost require different treatment 

 from the Macros, but every one must meet with small things 

 at times. If they would merely pin these and send them on 

 with locality attached, some of them would surely give me 

 fresh habitats, if not additional species. 



It will be observed that I have included one or two species 

 without record. These are very common things that occur 

 everywhere, and quite certain to be found in these counties ; 

 but either from inadvertence, or because they are so very 

 common, have not been recorded. I must say, however, that 

 we have not met with them near Hartlepool, and I will be 

 pleased to hear from any one who has taken them, that I may 

 announce the confirmation of their capture. I will also be 

 obliged for lists of Tineina and Pterophorina with localities, or 

 even for pinned, unset specimens, named or unnamed. I am 

 rather surprised that none of the entomologists in and around 

 Newcastle collect these small things. It is true they require 

 different treatment and attention, and cannot be well collected 

 along with the Macro-Lepidoptera, but it is among these that 

 new discoveries may be made. The West and North- West of 

 Northumberland is almost untrodden ground to the entomolo- 

 gist, and while it is likely to produce something new, it is 

 certain that there may be found most or all of the rarities that 

 have been taken in Upper Teesdale, &c. 



I will also be obliged for lists of Macro-Lepidoptera from any 

 locality, that the appendix to this volume may be as complete 

 as possible. Either additional species, new localities, or recent 

 confirmation of the older records will be esteemed. 



Hartlepool, April, 1905. 



