THE 



ENTOMOLOGICAL MAGAZINE. 



OCTOBER, 1837. 



Art. I. — Notes upon the Genera Sltona, Polydrusus, Pkyllo- 

 hius, and Apion. By John Walton. 



My Dear Sir, — You are aware it has been my intention for 

 some time to send you a few general remarks, upon the discre- 

 pancies that seem to iiave existed for a long period, amongst the 

 species of the above-named genera. The interesting family to 

 which they belong, has had a great share of my time and 

 attention for more than two years. If you think the following 

 observations may be interesting, of use to Entomologists, and of 

 sufficient importance to merit a place in tlie Magazine, they are 

 very much at your service. I will just say, I have had no 

 other object than the elicitation of truth, by endeavouring 

 to remove some of the obscurity which prevails amongst the 

 species of the said genera. If I have been successful, I hope 

 it will induce others, infinitely superior to me, to retrace their 

 steps, by investigating other genera, seeing how much there is 

 yet to be done at home ; instead of allowing themselves to be so 

 much enamoured by new forms and exotic novelties. There 

 is much truth in the assertion, that if Entomologists would 

 confine their studies for a time to orders or families, according 

 to their several tastes and leisure, our path to knowledge would 

 be made smoother, and our acquisitions the more valuable and 

 useful. 



NO. I. VOL. V. B 



