INTRODUCTION. jg 



these families appear with the generic names of Fabricius, with a few modifications 

 of Oehsenheimer himself. 



From the preceding details it appears that the catalogue of the Lepidoptera found 

 near Vienna is held in high estimation in Germany ; and that the system it contains 

 has been adopted partially by Borkhausen and Illiger, and more generally by Schrank 

 and Oehsenheimer. It is less known in France ; but it is quoted with great distinc- 

 tion by M. Latreille; it has also been referred to in several instances by Mr. Haworth, 

 in his Lepidoptera Britannica. 



I consider an acquaintance with the Wiener Verzeichnis of the first importance 

 in my present undertaking : the, information which it contains, and the numerous 

 instructive views which it affords, will greatly facilitate my progress ; and its families, 

 in most of the subdivisions, constructed exclusively according to the larvae, will 

 afford a constant standard for comparing my combinations, and correcting or con- 

 firming my views. But, independent of the merits of this work, as an abstract 

 or epitome of almost all that has yet been observed regarding the metamorphosis 

 of European Lepidoptera, it possesses excellencies of a higher order. Its decided 

 object is the establishment of a natural arrangement; and, in this point of view, I 

 consider it to have been, in the age when it was published, what the Horas Entomolo- 

 gical are at present. There is a constant reference to the plan of the Creator in the 

 structure of these animals. Whenever the authors indulge in any speculation, they 

 display uncommon acuteness and depth of thought ; and their unaffected modesty 

 most advantageously sets off their learning and ability. 



Having concisely stated the occasion of the present work, and in a very cursory 

 manner described the materials from which it will be compiled, and the circum- 

 stances which influenced its commencement, I now proceed to some observations 

 on the principles of arrangement and subdivision which will be adopted. I have 

 already declared my intention of making the plan of the Annulosa Javanica my 

 guide, and of adhering, as far as may be consistent with the plan and conduct of the 

 present work, to the principles detailed in the Horas Entomologicae. In considering, 

 therefore, the primary divisions of this order, I direct my attention, in the first 

 place, to the former work, with this inquiry,— can the statement of Mr. Macleay 

 regarding the division of the order of Coleoptera be applied to the Lepidoptera 

 likewise ? Making use, therefore, of his own words, I ask, " if we gradually limit 

 our views, and descend from the consideration of the kingdom Animalia to the 

 department or sub-kingdom Annulosa, from this again to the class Haustellata, and 

 then to the order Lepidoptera, thus leaving each group for one of its component 

 minor groups, do we at length observe the last-mentioned, viz. the order Lepidop- 

 tera, to resolve itself into five minor groupes, or tribes ?" Now it appears to me, that 



D 2 it 



