XVI INTRODUCTION. 



scribing my localities, and in recording the precise circumstances imdcr which 

 many of the species were observed. And indeed, had I employed myself in 

 writing for the scientific world only, far removed from the scene of action, there 

 would liave been considerable force in the accusation, — for it can clearly matter 

 but little to the universal collector to know even ichat iskoul his specimens are 

 peculiar to (and, therefore, a fortiori, the exact spot in that island), so long as he 

 be fully con^'inced that they have come from our present Group. But let it be 

 remembered that one of my principal designs in the following pages has been, not 

 only to aflford a complete catalogue, to the general naturalist, of Madeiran Coleo- 

 ptera, but also to jiut into the hands of the sojoiu'ner there for a short period (of 

 which there are several huncbeds every winter fi'om England alone, independently 

 of those from other countries) a full and intelligible account of the actual stations 

 in which he ■ndll probably be able to procm-e the several insects required. By this 

 means, indeed, I am emboldened to hope that my researches may be tiu'ned to 

 some practical account for the amusement of that unfortunate class of wanderers 

 whose lot it is to submit, year after year, to an eight months' exile in Funchal. 

 For, plainly, to point out one way (be it but one) in which even a few stray minds 

 may find an ample field to sport in dm'ing a banishment under emergences not 

 the most enviable, is a boon which ought not (for the sake of a useless brevity) to 

 be overlooked, in dealing with a subject thus voluntarily undertaken (however 

 small it be, and imperfectly performed) for the general good. 



And to those who are resident (as occasionally happens) for a longer season than 

 that which is ordinarily appointed for invalids, and who have health and strength 

 sufficient to tempt them beyond the limits within which the more cautious adven- 

 turers are permitted to roam, I would add a few words, ere I close these desultory 

 remarks, on the pleasures of a Tent-life. 



It will doubtless seem an insignificant thing, when contemplated here, to inves- 

 tigate thoroughly such islands as those which we are now discussing. But the 

 rambler in situ, who knows the difficulties attending even a single journey to the 

 interior, and the almost physical impossiblity of visiting many localities except 

 under the most auspicious circumstances and at particular times, and who has 

 persevered in vain to reach distant rocks, and failed again and again in his efforts 

 to obtain a landing on their inhospitable shores, he alone is in a position to imder- 

 stand aright the numerous obstacles which are likely to intercept his progress. 

 Yet such impediments, when sm'mounted, only go to increase the satisfaction 

 derived from the object attained, and give to the explorer who has succeeded in 

 overcoming them an adtlitional deliglit. 



The acbnirer of Nature who has passed a long winter at the mountains' base, 

 contented merely to gaze upon the towering peaks, which, though clear and cold 

 at night, seldom reveal themselves during the day with sufficient constancy 

 (thi'ough the heavy canopy of cloud which hangs aroimd them) to warrant an 

 ascent, hails AWth imbounded joy the advance of spring, — knowing that the time is 



