PREFACE.

In presenting a new edition of the Epitome of the Insects of China to theentomological public, I have endeavoured to bring it down to the presentstate of the science. The former edition, like all the writings of Donovan,was arranged in accordance with the system of Linnaeus , and bore the dateof 1798. At that period the science of Entomology was in its infancy; butin the subsequent forty years the progress which has been made, has indeedbeen rapid. I have endeavoured to render the specific characters moreprecise, the nomenclature more correct (giving the priority to the oldestspecific name), and the synonyms more numerous. The localities in manyinstances were incorrectly given in the former edition; and I have addedmany additional observations, either incorporated in the text or given asfoot notes, omitting nothing which appeared in the former at all likely toinstruct or interest the reader. Alphabetical and systematic indices havealso been introduced. I dare not hope that this edition is faultless ; I haveendeavoured to render the beautiful figures of Donovan as serviceable aspossible, and must trust to the indulgence of the more skilful specificentomologist. One circumstance may be mentioned which will, at allevents, be deemed an improvement, namely, the introduction of numbersboth for the plates and for the several figures on each plate. Those whohave consulted synonymical authorities in Entomology are aware of the

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