vill PREFACE. 
Mr. W. B. Hemsley, who had previously contributed the volumes on the Botany, had 
almost completed an article on the geographical distribution of the Flora, practically 
bringing this subject up to date, when, I regret to state, his health completely failed, 
and he was reluctantly obliged to relinquish his task. Recently he has, however, 
been able to furnish me with a précis of his conclusions, which forms a valuable 
addition to our knowledge of the subject. 
It now only remains for me to offer my grateful acknowledgments to all those 
who have assisted me with their various contributions, and without whom the work 
could not possibly have been undertaken. To my Secretary, Mr. G. C. Champion, 
I am specially indebted for the valuable assistance he has rendered as collector, 
contributor, and also as subeditor, in which last capacity his advice has been of 
inestimable value. His knowledge of Entomology, especially of Coleoptera and 
Rhynchota, has made him one of our most important contributors, and he has 
either undertaken alone, or shared in the production of, no less than nine volumes 
of the ‘ Biologia.” My warm thanks are also due to my assistant, Mr. A. Cant, who 
has given very important help during the progress of the work, both in setting the 
insects, in labelling and arranging them, as well as in making very careful dissections 
aud preparing slides for microscopic examination. 
F. D. G. 
June 1915, 
