PREFACE. yy 



It may therefore be stated in recapitulation,— 1st. That this collection affords a 

 general sample of such Coleoptera and Lepidoptera as are to be found in the exten- 

 sive plain which is situated south of Samarang (one of the principal towns on the 

 northern coast), and which extends from the declivities of the mountain Merapi, in 

 the west of the island, to those of the mountain Lawu, in the east. 



2dly. That in frequent excursions made from the capital Suracarta (which is situated 

 in the plain above-mentioned), towards the eastern and western boundary of the 

 native princes territory, and towards the ranges extending along the southern coast 

 of the island, both Coleoptera and Lepidoptera were carefully sought after, but were 

 almost exclusively collected on plants. 



3dly. That the fertile acclivities of the volcanic series, extending longitudinally 

 through the centre of the island, and covered with a profusion of the most luxuriant 

 vegetation, have afforded a large proportion of the Lepidoptera in the collection ; 

 while in the western extremity of the island, which comprises many uncultivated 

 tracts of country highly productive in insects, the opportunities which Dr. Horsfield 

 possessed for collecting were comparatively limited. 



From what has now been stated, it must sufficiently appear that this collection is 

 not brought under the notice of the public as a complete one. Many species indeed 

 have lately been described from the continental collections as inhabitants of Java, 

 which will not be found in the following list ; and it is possible that many more still 

 remain undescribed in the cabinets of the King of the Netherlands, M.M.Westermann, 

 Reinwardt, &c. But this much may be said with the strictest truth, namely, that Dr. 

 Horsfield has brought to England so fair a sample of the Entomology of Java, that if 

 it be deficient in several species, it is probably not deficient in many peculiarly new 

 forms. And if so much can be said of the extent of our materials, still more may be 

 promised with respect to their intrinsic value ; for Dr. Horsfield will be found to have 

 paid such attention to the metamorphoses of Lepidoptera, as has enabled him to bring 

 to the shores of Europe a more valuable mass of entomological information, than had 

 ever hitherto been collected within the tropics. 



Having thus given an outline of the mode and localities in which this valuable col- 

 lection was made, and some notions with respect to its extent, I may be allowed to 

 say a few words on the plan of descriptive catalogue that has been employed to make 

 thespecies known. 



Scarcely one of the many voyages and travels which at present teem from the 

 press, is considered as scientifically ushered into the world, unless it be accompanied 

 by an appendix containing descriptive catalogues of the animals or plants which may 

 have occurred in the course of the expedition. The nature, use, and proper object 



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