IV PREFACE. 



results obtained from a long course of reading and the observa- 

 tion of abundant materials. A knowledge of these results will 

 enable them to understand the more special memoirs which they 

 will find it necessary to use in the prosecution of their future 

 studies, and eventually to correct any errors which are contained 

 in the present treatise. The second class, or investigators, will 

 find herein certain views proposed for their adoption, which, with 

 the material afforded by our fauna, seem to the author to be pre- 

 ferable to those presented in previous works. Many of the pre- 

 sumed improvements will no doubt be rejected, but it is hoped 

 that at all events they will help, like those which have gone 

 before them, to establish a basis for future progress. 



Bibliographical references have been avoided in the body of 

 the work ; they would increase considerably the size, without 

 rendering the work more useful. The beginner does not need 

 them ; the investigator knows where to find them in more general 

 works. 



I have derived great aid in the preparation of this work from 

 the Genera des Coleopteres, by my learned friend Prof. Th. 

 Lacordaire, and from the Genera des Coleopteres d'Europe, by 

 Jacquelin du Val, both admirable works, which, except in some 

 very intricate cases, render any reference to the earlier authors 

 on the subject of genera almost unnecessary. 



In conclusion, I would repeat that the present work is not 

 expected to inspire any one with a love for this branch of Ento- 

 mology, but to satisfy, so far as I am able, the desires which 

 have arisen in the minds of those in whom the sacred fire of 

 science has already been kindled. 



JOHN L. LECONTE. 



Philadelphia, April, 1861. 



