GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF INSECTS. 505 
very unequally distributed. Of registered species Britain 
possesses the largest proportion ; but Mr. W. S. MacLeay 
is of opinion that Spain is its true metropolis a . I have 
a species of this genus, taken in North America by Pro- 
fessor Peck. The splendid genus Carabus ranges still 
further north than Meloe b . A very fine species (C. cri- 
bellatus) inhabits the polar regions of Siberia ; but 
the metropolis of the group appears to be the tempe- 
rate zone : some, however, have been found in northern 
Africa ; and Sir Joseph Banks captured one in Terra del 
Fuego. Of those whose range is between the tropics 
and 50° N. L. we may begin with Cicada. One species, 
indeed, has been found by Mr. Bydder and others, a 
little higher, near the New Forest, Hampshire. We 
may take Scolia for an example of a subdominant group 
beginning more southward. Its species first appear 
about 43° N. L., and abound in warm climates. In 
general most of those insects which M. Latreille deno- 
minates meridional, — such as Scarabaus, Onitis, Brentus, 
Scarites, Mantis, Fidgora, Termes, Scorpio, &c. — come 
under the present head, and in fact all tropical forms 
that wander to any distance within the above limits from 
their metropolis. 
4. By quiescent groups I mean those that have none, 
or no high range as to latitude, from their centre or metro- 
a Dr. Leach has described 8 British species {Linn. Trans, xi. 37.); 
Dejean has 7 Spanish ones. 
b I have a very splendid species of this genus taken by C. C Elwes 
Esq. on the Pyrenees, which is undescribed, and falls under none 
of the count Dejean's Families, having its elytra perfectly smooth, 
without strias, punctures, &c. It is of a brilliant golden green. It 
stands in my cabinet under the name of C. Icevigatus. K. 
r Fischer Entomogr. Iiuss. 90 — . t. vim/. 13. 
