1878.] 213 



This curiou8 feature is still farther emphasized, by the fact of no less than fifty-four 

 of the ninety-one CurcidionidcB belonging to one family, the Cossonidm (in England, 

 we have nine, out of over 3000 indigenous species of all families). This small vol- 

 canic island, therefore, which is almost cleared of its native timber, is still probably 

 more richly stocked with wood-infesting and herbage-loving weevils than any other 

 spot on the earth's surface of equal area ; and the conviction irresistibly arises that 

 it was once a land thickly covered throughout with timber trees. Of the Cossoiiidce, 

 the author was compelled to characterize eleven new genera and forty new species, 

 containing many eccentric modifications of eyes, antennae, thorax, and rostrum, 

 abnormalities in form and size, and unexpected difPerences of surface (asperate, 

 wrinkled, and brightly metallic). The Anthribida: are next in importance, with 

 twenty-six species, whereof seventeen are new, and one represents a remarkable 

 glabrous and polished Acaroid new genus, manifestly related to Xenorchestes, one of 

 the most peculiar of the Madeiran forms. Another, Homceodera nodulipennis, has an 

 enormous and apparently malformed excrescence at the apex of each elytron. Next 

 to these are some strictly endemic new phases of Bembidium (possibly hereafter to 

 be generically separated), Trechoid, of minute size, small-eyed, large-limbed, very 

 rounded and shining, and living within damp stems of tree-ferns at lofty elevations. 

 Among the remaining memorabilia, is the occurrence of the Madeiran anomalous 

 Endophloeid, Cossyphodes Wollastoni, Westw., belonging to a genus only found else- 

 where at Cape-town and in Abyssinia. 



In completeness of execution and precision of expression, this yields to none 

 of its late author's earlier classical works :• — even the wonderful occurrence of a single 

 misprint {Trigosita, p. 43), but directs attention to the general accuracy, — as the 

 exception is said to prove the rule. 



(Dbitintrg» 



Thomas Vernon Wollaston, who, for so many years, assisted very materially in 

 upholding the status of British Entomologists in the eyes of their continental 

 brethren, and who retained to the last his original love for our meagre Coleopterous 

 fauna, died very suddenly of haemorrhage of the lungs, on the morning of Friday, 

 the 4th January last, at his residence, 1, Barnepark Terrace, Teignmouth, — to the 

 great loss of science, and deep regret of all who knew him. In him, we have lost a 

 man, distinguished above all for accuracy and minuteness of observation (indeed, the 

 few errors into which he fell in his many writings are owing to his punctilious over- 

 care), for elegance and intelligibility of expression, for extreme liberality and unfailing 

 innate courtesy, for a capability of continuous mental exertion, and for a pei-sistcncy 

 of purpose truly astonishing, even without considering his weak bodily condition. 

 The scientific importance attaching to his numerous works, especially in connection 

 with insular faunae, is so universally recognised by Entomologists, that comment on 

 their value is superfluous. 



Mr. Wollaston was born on 9th March, 1822, at Scotter, in Lincolnshire, — the 

 youngest son of a large family, of which Major Wollaston, of Shenton Hall, Nunea- 

 ton, is the present head. Dr. William Uyde Wollaston, the celebrated chemist, 

 belonged to a junior branch of this family, of which Dr. W. Wollaston, author of 

 " The Religion of Nature " (1722), was a direct ancestor some way back. 



Mr. Wollaston was educated chiefly at the Grammar School, Bury St. Edmunds, 



