ANNOUNCEMENTS. 
PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION. 
% IHanual 
OF 
BEITISH BUTTEBFLIES AND MOTHS. 
Bt H. T. S T a I n t o n. 
When an Entomologist consults a book, he may have two distinct 
objects in view; firstly, to ascertain the name of an insect he has 
caught, and, secondly, to find out how he is to proceed in order to 
obtain other species which he has not yet caught. 
The mode in which the author should treat the subject, in order to 
enable the reader to effect the first-named object, is manifestly a 
different one from that requisite to assist him in the latter portion of 
his researches ; yet it is the first and most essential step to the pro- 
gress of Entomological knowledge. 
It is proposed in the present work to facilitate as much as possible 
this part of the Entomologist’s Studies, by enabling him with a very 
little trouble to name any Lepidopterous insect he may meet with, 
and for this purpose Tabular views of the Genera, Families and Sub- 
Families will be given, which it is hoped that the reader will look to 
when endeavouring to discover the name of the insect, and not trust 
to make it out by looking at the figures. 
Figures of insects are of use to give us an idea of any species we 
have never seen, but they ought not to be necessary, nor should they 
he resorted to, in order to enable us to name a species which we have 
before us; for that purpose no figure can be of as much use as a good 
description. 
The descriptions are necessarily brief, but will, we believe, in all 
cases prove sufficiently precise to enable a species to be distinguished 
from any other British species. 
The Wood-cuts will represent each of the more important Genera. 
To he puhlished in monthly parts, each containing 24 pages, and to 
he completed in about 30 parts. 
Part I. will be published on the 1st of March, 1856, 
Price Threepence. 
