LEPIDOPTERA. 
INTRODUCTION. 
In a previous volume of our entomological series, 
we have given a view of such of the day-flying 
lepidoptera, or butterfly tribes, as have been ascer- 
tained to inhabit Britain. Their extreme beauty 
renders them by far the most attractive of our 
native insects, and we trust that few can have their 
attention directed, however briefly, to their history, 
without having their curiosity gratified by the in- 
stances of singular instinct and economy with which 
it abounds. These constitute, however, only one 
section of the Icpidopterous order, and that by no 
means one of the most extensive. The hawk-moths, 
and moths properly so called, form the other divi- 
sions ; and to these we propose to devote the present 
volume, viith the same limitation as formerly in 
regard to locality. A view null thus he afforded of 
the entire order of our 
- painted populace 
That live in fields and lead ambrosial lives, 
comprehending an account of the most interesting 
and remarkable native species which it contains. 
