viii PREFACE. 



The insects referred to in this volume number 359 species, aucl 

 of these less than one-half come from 8000 feet and upwards. In 

 the remaining (undescribed) collections the proportion of species ob- 

 tained from these altitudes is much larger, and there are probably 

 amongst them not less than 350 species which were collected by 

 myself and my assistants at heights greater than 9000 feet. It is 

 with very great regret I find myself compelled, after so long delay, 

 to publish only a portion of the results which were obtained on the 

 journey, and unable to present a more substantial contribution towards 

 the Zoology of the Great Andes of the Equator. Should it be found 

 practicable, the remaining results may one day appear as a Second 

 Supplement. 



COLEOPTERA. The beetles which were obtained at heights greater 

 than 15,000 feet belong to the Pterostichince, Otiorrhynchidce., and Ourcu- 

 lionidm, and are described by Mr. H. W. Bates and Mr. S. Olliff. The 

 strongly -marked characters of the species in the latter groups rendered 

 the selection of specimens more easy than in the genera dealt with 

 by Mr. Bates ; and, partly owing to this, comparatively few examples 

 came into Mr. Olliff's hands. ^ In most instances, the beetles which 

 were obtained at the greatest heights were discovered by tearing up 

 roots, digging, or by turning over stones, and I do not recall a single 

 occasion on which they were found actually upon the surface. The 

 two Colpodes which are described as C. 'inegacepludus (p. 13) and C. 

 Pichinchce (p. 15), both came from the highest peak of Pichincha, — the 



Naturalist, Nov. 1872, p. 651) that insects are few in number in the interior. In 

 localities with vegetation, they are often conspicuously numerous, and they are not 

 wanting in the most arid districts. But, in saying this, I mean that they are con- 

 spicuously numerous to those who will search for them. At the greatest altitudes 

 scarcely anything was obtained except by diligent searching ; and, as the majority 

 of the insects which are obtainable are dull in coloration ai.id small in size, they 

 may readily be overlooked. Of the more minute insects (say those less than four 

 millimetres in length), myriads can be found at heights between 9-13,000 feet. 



1 The smallness of my means, and the necessity of keeping down baggage to the 

 lowest possible point, frequently caused the rejection of many dui)licatcs which it 

 would perhaps have been advisable to have retained. 



