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X 



'4 



INTRODUCTION. ^\ 



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' ing and correcting my mode of proceeding. Accordingly, my principal aim will be to 



discover the natural affinities, and to follow them in the arrangement. Wherever 



my materials are sufficiently extensive, I shall trace the series through its whole 



extent, and endeavour to show, that in this department also, the principle so clearly 



developed by Mr. Macleay is exemplified, in the succession or chain of affinities 



returning into themselves or forming circles. In the series which will thus be sub- 



f mitted to my close examination, I shall endeavour to discover and point out the 



^ typical forms which indicate the subdivisions and distinguish the groups. But as 



it may be expected that, in a local collection, many forms must be deficient, and the 



' 'thread of affinities often interrupted, I shall carefully notice these interruptions, 

 with the design of supplying them, as far as necessary, from other sources of infor- 

 mation. The analogies existing between objects of distant or of neighbouring groups 

 will also be pointed out, wherever they may have been satisfactorily developed. 



Mr. Macleay announced the Annulosa Javanica with the remark, that his plan 

 would be best understood by a perusal of the first number. I would make a similar 

 remark, but under circumstances, and with sentiments widely differing from those of 

 my respected friend. If some of the details which regard the metamorphosis of 

 Javanese Lepidoptera should be found novel and interesting, the arrangement will 

 perhaps be reviewed with severe criticism. But I would request that it be received, 

 at least provisionally, with indulgence, until I may have been enabled to add the illus- 

 trations which will follow in the course of the work, and until it may have been sub- 

 mitted to a candid scrutiny, and to a careful comparison with the labours of others in 

 the same department ; especially with those of Cramer in the continuation by StoU ; 

 those of Abbot published by Sir James Smith; those of Roesel, De Geer, Sepp, Hijbner, 

 and above all those of the " Theresianer." It will, at the same time, be considered, 

 that it is my lot to attempt an arrangement, in a great measure from my own ma- 

 terials, and under many disadvantages, as far as regards experience and means of 

 reference. Much of the knowledge and experience I require must be acquired by 

 study and comparison in the progress of the work. Mr. Macleay, on the contrary, 

 brought to his undertaking a minute acquaintance with entomology, and a confirmed 

 habit of investigation, the result of a calm examination of an extensive collection, and 

 matured by a severe and protracted course of study and meditation^ I have already 

 expressed my opinion of the excellence of his views, and I shall have many opportunities 

 of repeating it. I may, perhaps, with peculiar propriety exercise the privilege of apply- 

 ing them, as far as my materials may enable me, as it may naturally be considered 

 to be a wish on my part, to make the catalogue of the Lepidoptera as conformable as 

 possible to the more detailed description of the Coleoptera. But there are difficulties 



. of a pecuUar nature connected with such a design. A local collection, as above stated, 

 ^ B 2 wilL 



