INTRODUCTION. 



The principal object of the present Catalogue has been to 

 give a complete list of the specimens of Lepidopterous Insects 

 contained in the collection of the British Museum, indicating 

 at the same time the peculiarities of each, as regards variation 

 bf 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 bj the letters 

 a, b, c, &c, following the name of the species and its syno- 

 nymes, and the description, if it appeared to have been before 

 undescribed. 



The continuation is in hand, and will follow as soon as it is 

 completed. 



JOHN EDWARD GRAY. 



British Museum, 



December, 1855. 



