Page:Jardine Naturalist's Library Exotic Moths.djvu/65

 INTRODUCTION.

describing British Moths and Hawkmoths in a former volume of this series, such a considerable space was devoted to the general history of these tribes, that it is not necessary again to enter into it, at any length, on the present occasion; while, at the same time, the peculiarities of the order Lepidoptera, of which they form a part, have been amply detailed in the two other volumes which treat of that subject. Exotic moths compose by far the most extensive portion of the lepidopterous order; and notwithstanding the immense number with which we are already acquainted, there is every reason to believe that a large proportion still remains unknown to us, especially of the smaller species, which travellers in foreign lands have for the most part wanted either the opportunity or inclination to investigate. When compared with those of our own country, as strongly marked a contrast in regard to size is observable, as we had formerly occasion to point out between our native and foreign butterflies. The Atlas Moth of