INTRODUCTION. 
THE object of the present Catalogue has been to give a 
complete list of the specimens of Lepidopterous Insects con- 
tained in the collection of the British Museum, indicating at 
the same time the peculiarities of each, as regards variation 
of character, locality, and the source from whence it has been 
derived. With this view, the different individuals of each 
species contained in the collection are indicated by the letters 
a, b, ¢, &c., following the name of the species and its syno- 
- nymes, and the description, if it appeared to have been before 
undescribed. 
JOHN EDWARD GRAY. 
British Museum, 
May ist, 1856. 
