IV 



Preface. 



hoped that other great national museums may join in the scheme 

 and make use of our collections for the purpose as well as of 

 other collections. Thus the interesting group of minute midge- 

 gnats — the Simuliidae — is being monographed by M. Roubaud, 

 of Paris, and our collections of Simuliidae have been sent to him 

 and described in his monograph. 



Whilst awaiting the preparation of complete technical mono- 

 graphs on these insects, such as those already issued relating to 

 the Gnats, written by Mr. Theobald, to the Tsetze Flies, written 

 by Mr. E. E. Austen, and that undertaken by M. Roubaud, 

 dealing with the Simuliidae, a series of publications intended to 

 assist the collector and student of blood-sucking insects has been 

 commenced by the Trustees of the British Museum, which is 

 entitled, " Illustrations of Blood-sucking Flies." Separate volumes 

 are in preparation which will deal respectively with African, 

 Indian, Australasian, North American, and South American 

 representatives of these flies in a simple way, whilst coloured 

 illustrations accompany the text. A first volume of this series, 

 prepared by Mr. E. E. Austen, has already been issued by 

 the Trustees entitled, " Illustrations of British Blood-sucking 

 Flies." 



Those who desire to assist in the work thus sketched by 

 sending collections, coloured drawings or notes upon the habits 

 of blood-sucking insects are invited to communicate by letter 

 with the Director of the Natural History Departments (British 

 Museum), Cromwell Road, London, S.W. 



E. RAY LANKESTER, 



Director, 



