BRITISH LEPIDOPTERA 



based on the British species only, but is the outcome of 

 my study of the Lepidoptera of the whole world. The 

 specific descriptions are usually made from British ex- 

 amples, but in cases where a species is rare in Britain and 

 there is no reason to suppose that the British form differs 

 from the Continental, I have not hesitated to avail myself 

 of good series of the latter. Larval descriptions require 

 to be made from living specimens, and it would have 

 been impossible to hope to see most of the species within 

 a limited time ; I have therefore drawn up these to the 

 best of my judgment from a comparison of the most 

 trustworthy published descriptions, though they are often 

 amazingly contradictory. 



On disputed points I have simply stated my conclu- 

 sions, based on the best available evidence, but without 

 discussion. Published localities or statements which arc 

 discredited are omitted without comment ; such omissions 

 may be assumed to be intentional. The general exposi- 

 tion of principles in the Introduction must be accepted 

 in place of the explanation of particular instances. 



I desire to gratefully acknowledge the assistance 

 rendered by Miss M. Kimber, F.E.S., in collecting and 

 tabulating for me a vast number of records of geo- 

 graphical distribution obtained from the various entomo- 

 logical periodicals and published local lists, as well as 

 others furnished to her by reliable private correspondents. 



E. MKYRTCK. 



Ml, August 1896. 



