Introduction 
That many a fine career in entomology is com- 
menced with the study of butterflies is not to be 
wondered at; the reason is obvious enough. But 
long before the last species of our short list of native 
butterflies has been placed in the beginner's collection, 
the moths will have claimed his attention. At first the 
novice will be astonished to find how brilliant and 
beautiful many of the moths are, and that they chal- 
lenge the form and colour displayed by the finest 
butterflies ; moreover, he-will discover what will please 
him more: he has now got “a longer row to hoe,” for, 
whereas the total species of British butterflies number 
about sixty-five, the moths number several thousands. 
To avoid repetition, we assume that the young collector 
already possesses “‘ British Butterflies,” wherein he will 
find a description of nearly all the apparatus and 
methods employed in the collection and preservation 
of both butterflies and moths. Several matters con- 
cerning moths alone—their rearing from ova, time and 
place of appearing, and special methods of capture— 
will be dealt with in the following pages. 
The study of the life-history of any animal is a work 
of absorbing interest, and this is particularly true in 
relation to the insect world. Many insects perform 
such marvellous feats, display such an uncanny appear- 
ance of intelligence, and at times such an utter stupidity, 
that “you never can tell’ where your inquiries may 
lead to or what grand discoveries you may make. The 
greatest charm, indeed, lies in the unexpected, 
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