AUTHOR'S PREFACE 
TO THE SIXTH (SUPPLEMENTARY) VOLUME 
The last volume of the “ Coleoptera of the British Islands” was 
published in 1891. In the preface to the first volume I expressed 
a hope that the work might, at all events, prove of some help towards 
encouraging the study of our native Coleoptera. As far as I can 
gather, this hope has been, in a measure at least, realised, and to judge 
by the results, as embodied in this volume, it will be seen that a great 
deal of work has been done at the Order during the past twenty years. 
Moreover, that work is by no means exhausted. Almost every month 
new species are being recorded. The present volume was practically 
ready some months ago, except for the plates, and the large list of 
addenda that has accumulated during that period shows the interest 
that is being taken in our Coleoptera at the present time. Dr. Sharp 
is of opinion that our indigenous species will be found in the future to 
number at least 4000, and this makes it evident that there may be 
much left to discover. 
When it appeared that there was need of a supplement to bring the 
work up to date, Mr. Donisthorpe, hearing of my intention to prepare 
one, kindly offered me the use of the list of localities, etc., which he 
had for some years compiled from various records. I therefore asked 
him if he would collaborate with me, and Iam much indebted to him 
for his help. The first part of the work is, for the most part, miue, 
and I hold myself responsible for it; while Mr. Donisthorpe has 
provided the part relating to fresh localities, and the excellent paper 
on the British Myrmecophilous Coleoptera, and has also undertaken 
the arrangement of the plates. 
W. W. FOWLER 
January 10, 1913 
PUBLISHERS’ NOTE 
“Tue CoLEOPTERA OF THE BritisH IsLanps” was originally published 
in five volumes between 1887 and 1891. It was intended to provide 
a short account of our indigenous Coleoptera, with some reference 
to their localities and habits, and, where possible, to their life history ; 
subsequently it was increased in scope. The work is one of great 
importance and value to all Coleopterists, and a valuable addition to 
the present list of entomological works. The large paper edition of the 
first five volumes, containing 180 plates, carefully drawn and coloured, 
and representing upwards of 2300 species, is almost out of print. 
The large paper edition of the present (sixth) volume, contains 
20 coloured plates, with drawings of 255 species or varieties, making a 
total of over 2550 species represented in the entire work. 
Attention is called to the list of other entomological works uniform 
with this series, printed on the back of this leaflet. 
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