PREFACE. 



various natural objects, their observations on which, if recorded and 

 sent to the National Museum, where the originals of all the figures 

 and descriptions are preserved, will be duly acknowledged, and 

 will materially help in the preparation of the final systematic volume 

 to be published for each class when it approaches completion. 



This first Decade gives figures and descriptions in the first three 

 plates of three of the most dangerous of our poisonous snakes, 

 which it is of much interest and importance for observers to be 

 able to identify exactly when reporting the effects of their bites, or 

 of the medical treatment, which, to be profitably discussed, must be 

 based on an accurate determination of the species of snake referred 

 to. The three next plates illustrate the living characteristics of 

 some of our native fish. The seventh plate represents the new 

 gigantic earthworm, five or six feet long, so abundant in the rich 

 soils of Brandy Creek. The eighth plate is devoted to three species 

 of day-moth, or Agarista, with their transformations, of which that 

 so seriously destructive to our vineyards is discriminated from 

 the harmless sorts, so that efforts for destruction of the one may 

 not be wasted on the others. The last two plates show the cha- 

 racter and metamorphosis of two species of diurnal Lepidoptera. 



The succeeding Decades will illustrate as many different genera 

 as possible, and will deal first usually with species of some special 

 interest, and of which good figures do not exist, or are not easily 

 accessible. 



Frederick McCoy. 

 24th June 1878. 



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