xhii ON THE ENTOMOLOGY OF THE 
numerous species of Andrena and Nomada. In the sand, washed from the mountain height, at the 
sources of our European rivers, some species of Nebria and Psammodius are exceedingly abundant. 
If we visit the parched and burning sands of Africa, we there meet with the rapacious Anthia, the 
desert-loving Graphiptera, the burrowing Scarites, and countless species of Heteromera and T'etramera. 
In the same soil also, on the banks of rivers, the geffera Epaphius and Trechus, Clivina and Dyschirius, 
are not unfrequent. On the sand of the sea-shore, Broschus, Bradytus, Pedinus, and Aigialia, occur 
in extraordinary numbers; and where it is habitually covered with salt water at the departure of the 
tide, we capture Cillenum, Pogonus, Hesperophilus, and Heterocerus, the singularly-formed Bledius, 
and wonderfully-abundant Ophonus pubescens, all of which I have reason to believe can live submerged 
beneath the sea a considerable period. Of all other soils, elay,* being naturally cold, attracts fewer 
Insects, excepting the widely-disseminated Harpali. In gravel, occur the genera Opatrum, Halictus, 
Cerceris, with numerous colonies of Ants. Toa chalky soil are attached the Ophoni, Licini, Cheetophora, 
and various species of Polyommata, Osmia spinulosa, and Andrena hemorrhoidalis. When “collecting i in the 
mud of the fresh-water marsh, we capture Blethisa, Chlanius, Omaseus, and Agonum, and several Cara- 
bide. In the slime of brackish waters, several Notaphi are exceedingly abundant, though rare elsewhere ; 
and in company with them we find the subaquatics Elophorus, Parnus, and springing Salda. It has also 
been observed, that Pimelia is only to be met with where the plants of the genus Salsola abound. 
Catascopus and Elaphrus frequent the alluvium of rivers. In the mud of lakes and pools various 
genera of Eupodina, Nothiophilus, Bembidiadz, and Trechide occur; and in vegetable mould, where 
the grass is luxuriant, numerous Diptera, and Larve of Lepidoptera, abound. Even in this short 
and imperfect account of different genera attached to varieties of soil, sufficient has already been stated 
to prove that it exerts an important control over the range and distribution of Insect races: however, 
to give the naturalist a better insight into Indian groups, I shall here add an analysis of the leading 
families and genera which have fallen under my observation, and then conclude with an abstract 
describing the leading characters of Himalayan and Indian Entomology. 
From what has already been written, it will appear that Insects, in their geographical distribution, 
are influenced by various causes; by temperature, by excess or deficiency of moisture, by the influence 
of vegetation, and by soil. There is yet, however, another, which materially affects, in some instances, 
particular groups, namely, the peculiarity of the organization of the Insects themselves. Should any 
genera of Insects occur which are deficient in the organs of locomotion, they would naturally be 
restricted to certain localities. How many genera of the Coleoptera and other orders are apterous, and 
are only found in particular situations; and they have necessarily particular functions to perform in 
their restricted limits, and also particular organs adapted to the work assigned them by the Creator. 
It is to the study then of the differences of organization adapted to differences of situation, and other 
external circumstances wherever we find Insects, that the entomologist should direct his attention. 
Contemplating all these instances of adaptation, we reverence the wisdom of a creative and the bene- 
ficence of a superintending Providence, that prevents diminution and increase, both extremes of which 
would prove injurious; for without these ‘“ armies of the living God,” to keep in check the fecundity. 
of nature, plague and pestilence would walk abroad, and depopulate not a single country, or one 
quarter of the globe, but the whole earth itself. 
* Mr. Shuckhard informs me, that Andrena labialis seems peculiarly attached to the London clay. 
+ In concluding my observations on the geographical distribution of Insects, I think it may be stated, that naturalists on this 
subject have almost exclusively directed their attention to temperature. Where temperature fails, we may turn to vegetation ; and if 
the latter is not sufficient, then to the soil and strata of a country, and even to the organization of the Insects themselves, as well 
as other causes, No one by itself is sufficient to unravel the difficulties which arise; by uniting all, however, 
we may in a great 
measure account for the various discrepancies that occur. 
