INTRODUCTION. 
The object of the following pages is to form a treatise on 
those species of Eliopalocera that are found in Europe, as generally 
understood; that is, with the Ural Mountains and River, the 
Caspian Sea, and the chain of the Caucasus as its boundaries 
towards the East, the Black Sea and Mediterranean on the South, 
and on the other sides its ocean boundaries as usually received ; 
and though the region thus presented to us may be zoologically 
somewhat artificial, yet I think it is more convenient for our 
present purpose to use the term “European” as applying to the 
species belonging to the region thus restricted, rather than in 
the more extended sense in which it is now frequently used by 
zoologists. 
Without discussing the merits of any of the various theories 
respecting geographical distribution, or of the zoological regions 
recently proposed by writers of eminence, I will say that I consider 
it imperative to take notice of the entire geographical range of each 
species, and to endeavour to become acquainted, as far as possible, 
with forms allied to those under consideration, especially those 
inhabiting the same latitude. 
To carry out this object I have determined to make the well- 
known ‘ Catalog der Lepidopteren des Europaischen Eaunengebiets ’ 
of Dr. Staudinger the basis of arrangement and nomenclature, only 
departing from this where it seems necessary, and then chiefly 
taking advantage of such improvements as have been suggested by 
B 
