national collection, and published numerous papers and local lists of the greatest value, besides assisting us most kindly in discriminating the species. Owing to his exertions the national collection has been more than doubled since this book was begun.
From Burma we have received specimens of almost every species hitherto recorded ; also of numerous species new to the country, and of several new to science, through the kindness of Captains C. T. Bingham and C. H. E. Adamson, and Messrs. Eugene Oates and T. C. Hill. To Captain Bingham's exertions the discovery of Zophoessa dura, Neope bhima. Pent hi ma biHgharni, Papilio clarce, the male ol Zetixidia masoni, the female of Thaumantis lotiisa, and many other new and interesting forms is due. From the Andamans and Nicobars, Colonel T. Cadell, V.C., and Mr. A. R. de Roepstorft have kindly sent numerous specimens, including many species new to science. We have also been aided from Eastern Manipur by Mr. A. O. Hume ; from Assam by Mr. C. Donovan and Surgeon-Mojor G. R. Johnson ; from Sikkim by Messrs. Otto MoUer and W. Davison ; from Western Bengal by Messrs. W. E, Brooks and C.J. Marshall ; from Naini Tal by Mr. E. T. Atkinson ; from the North- West Himalayas by Lieute- nant-Colonel A. M. Lang, R.E.; Mrs. Deane, General Macintyre, Mr. Robert Ellis in Pangi ; Mr. A. Grahame Young in Kulu ; Major C. H. T. Marshall in Chumba ; the Rev. A. W. Heyde in Ladak ; and Major J. Biddulph in Gilgit ; from Agra by Mr. C. A. R. Crommelin ; from Sind by Major C. Swinhoe ; from Bombay by Mr. E. H. Aitken ; from Poona and Ratnagiri by Mr. G. Vidal ; from the Wynaad by Mr. Rhodes Morgan ; from Travancore by Messrs. Ferguson and Bourdillon. To Mr. Ferguson, especially, we owe the discovery of Mycalesis oculus, and of that remarkable insect Parantirrhcea marshalli ; and from Ceylon we have been assisted by the Hon'ble F. Mackwood ; — to all these gentlemen our thanks are due for the welcome aid afforded us in this laborious task, but most of all we are indebted to Captain C. T. Bingham, who not only is a most skilful collector, but most generously has placed at our disposal the whole results of his labours.
This book does not attempt a life-history of each or any of the insects, The time has not arrived for such a work; the details required for a life-history cannot be gathered until a knowledge of the nomenclature is far more widely diffused. It is simply designed as a hand-book of reference, as complete as possible in itself, for the convenience of naturalists in the field who have no access to libraries. Where necessary full extracts from other works, not usually available, are given; and where possible and advisable, the description of species are given in the words of the original describers, supplemented by any further details needed to complete them. For the genera the admirable descriptions by Westwood (in the Genera of Diurnal Lepidoptera) have been followed as closely as possible.
The book will comprise detailed descriptions of every genus and species known to occur within the limits of India, British Burma and Ceylon ; and short descriptions will be added in smaller type of species from neighbouring countries on the border, such as Malacca, Siam, Yunan, Thibet, South Turkestan, Afghanistan and Beluchistan, which, though not yet recorded from within Indian limits, may very probably subsequently be found to occur within our border.
The absence of coloured illustrations is a great drawback, especially to beginners; but coloured illustrations are expensive; and, as the great object in issuing the book at all is to give it as wide a circulation as possible, it has been thought expedient to confine the illustrations for the most part to uncoloured engravings, and to restrict the number to what will be sufficient to indicate the more typical forms and to supplement the written descriptions. At least one illustration of each genus, and generally of each sub-genus, will be given, as mere description fails to convey to any, except to the practised Entomologist, a sufficiently clear conception of the forms, especially in outline; and a glance at the plates will usually be
