INSECTS Entomology, though the most extensive of all the domains of natural history, would not at one time have occupied the space which is accorded to it here; but knowledge has been making rapid strides in recent years, and it is hoped that the information now given will be of value as well to the student of economic entomology as to the collector. In compiling the lists that follow, the entomologist has been at a great disadvantage as compared with some of his fellow contributors, for in several other branches of natural history admirable and exhaustive monographs have already been published, whereas as far as can be ascertained the only complete list of any of the Essex insects is Mr. Fitch's list of the butterflies, which appeared in the Essex Naturalist for March, 1891, et seq. In the same publication (iii. 123) there is a long annotated list of * The Lepidoptera of Leigh and its Neighbour- hood ' by the late Mr. Howard Vaughan, and Mr. F. G. Whittle published a similar list of the ' Lepidoptera of South-east Essex ' in Science Gossip for 1899, vol. v. n.s. Besides these sources of information there are innumerable short lists and records of individual captures scattered through the entomo- logical literature of the past century, and for many years Mr. Fitch has been making notes of these ; but as pressure of other work has pre- vented him from completing his contemplated list of the insect fauna of the county, he has very kindly placed the whole of his material at the disposal of the writer, and from this many interesting particu- lars have been obtained ; but as a general rule it has been thought preferable to rely upon the more recent observations of competent living authorities whose accuracy need not be questioned. 1 If it be noticed that a very large proportion of the records are from certain limited localities, it is because these have been more assiduously and thoroughly worked than other parts of the county, and not because the species mentioned are confined to them, for nearly all would probably be found if well looked for in other places where sufficient food supplies and other favourable conditions exist. 1 For local lists and assistance in other ways the writer wishes to acknowledge the courtesy and kindness of Mr. F. C. Adams, F.E.S. ; Mr. Percy Adams ; Rev. E. N. Bloomfield, M.A., F.E.S. ; Mr. Malcolm Burr, F.Z.S., F.L.S., F.E.S. ; Mr. G. C. Champion, F.E.S. ; Mr. F. B. Jennings, F.E.S. ; Mr. W. J. Lucas, B.A., F.E.S. ; Mr. R. McLachlan, F.R.S., etc. ; Rev. F. D. Morice, M.A. ; Mr. L. B. Prout, F.E.S. ; Mr. Percy Reid, F.E.S. ; Mr. C. R. V. Perkins, B.A. ; Mr. A. Thurnall ; Mr. G. H. Verrall, F.E.S. ; Mr. W. West. 91
