THE present Catalogue of the Coleoptera of the United States, as 

 prepared by Dr. F. E. Melsheimer, was referred to a commission of 

 examination, consisting of Prof. S. S. Haldeman and Dr. John L. 

 Le Conte. These gentlemen reported in favor of publication, and 

 kindly offered to correct and extend it up to the end of 1851, as 

 well as to superintend its passage through the press. This they 

 have accordingly done, at the expense of much time and great labor, 

 and have thereby added materially to the usefulness of the Catalogue. 



JOSEPH HENRY, 



Sec. S. L 



