HIMALAYAS AND OF INDIA. xli 
RANGE. 
In the consideration of the geographical distribution of Insects, especial notice should be taken of the 
range over which genera and families extend. From want of attention to this subject, entomologists 
have not sufficient data to form any just views respetting it. Every naturalist who has studied animals, 
must be aware that certain tribes, genera, and species, are peculiar to particular regions of the globe. 
On the contrary, in various countries of the earth the Botanist meets with genera of plants which are 
common to Europe, and the other quarters of the globe, to the Old World as well as to the New. In 
some instances, identity of species has been recognized in countries remotely situated, between which 
seas and oceans intervene. It becomes, then, a question of considerable importance to determine if any 
species of plants have an unlimited or universal range, as probably all those insect races which feed on 
vegetables are regulated in their distribution by the same laws which govern the distribution of the plants 
themselves. It must be evident even to the most careless observer, that where the climate is materially 
changed in temperature, that there vegetation will be proportionately altered, and I imagine that 
eventually the entomological cha ter Of a country will be found much more dependent upon vegetation 
than has hitherto been allowed. It is true, indeed, that although two countries may agree in temperature 
and botanical character, the Insects may be totally different in form and appearance ; but, in looking 
to their functions, if we find them the same, or nearly the same, we at once acknowledge the resem- 
blance, and imagine they take the place of other known and existing groups elsewhere ; a resemblance 
of character, which Messrs. Kirby and Spence have very properly denominated representation, which 
representation will even be more perceptible as the soil and general characters of the countries accord. 
INFLUENCE OF SOIL. 
Having already seen that both temperature and vegetation exercise a powerful control over the 
geographical distribution of insect races, there still remains a third subject of inquiry, namely, the 
influence of soil over the same groups. If we find that in particular rich soils various genera of Insects 
abound, and that in others of an inferior quality scarcely a species can be met with, may we not natu- 
rally infer that there must be some peculiarity in it, and that the animal groups are influenced by their 
attachment to the same? ‘The Botanist readily admits that vegetation is materially influenced by it, 
but as yet the Zoologist has made little inquiry respecting this subject, replete as it ever must be with 
high interest, and well worth most serious attention. Without entering deeply into the geology of 
India, I may state, on the authority of Colonel Sykes, that the character of the geology of great part 
of the Peninsula, like that of its vegetation, presents considerable uniformity > unacquainted with its 
leading features, I can derive my observations respecting it solely from the examination of the genera 
before me. I will, therefore, merely give concisely what groups attach themselves to particular soils in 
‘different countries, and hope that the attempt, imperfect as it is, may induce other naturalists to 
undertake an inquiry which must lead to very important results. As the mountain, the valley, and 
the plain, have their own peculiar temperature, vegetation, and soil, they have also particular groups 
of animals attached to them; and if we look more closely, we shall find that particular families and 
genera are always to be met with in certain strata and soils, evincing, as it were, a partiality and adapta- 
tion, by frequenting and thriving in them. 
It may here be worth while to specify some of the genera of Insects attendant on the difference of soil. 
It is in the sandy districts of our own country that the few species of Cicindela, peculiar to our island, 
occur. Cicindela maritima, however, prefers the vicinity of the sea-shore, while several Oriental species, 
remarkable for their beauty and colouring, delight more in the alluvial soil of rivers. Frequenting the 
sandy heath are found the splendid Chlorion, the fetid Sphex, and restless Ammophilus, associated with 
numerous 
