xii INTRODUCTION. 



nation, wc find that the Phalocridce are attested by 4 OUhri ; the entire Thalero- 

 phagous Lamellicorns by a single Chasmatoptcrits ; the TeJephoridce by an insig- 

 nificant IlalUiodes ; the Melyridce (which is the best indicated of the whole) by 

 7 species (contained in 5 difierent genera) ; the Cleridm by an OjydHs and a 

 Necrobia (the last of which is unquestionably naturalized) ; the Ilordellidce by a 

 solitary Anaspis; the (Edemeridce by a Stenaxis ; and the Crioceridce by a Lema 

 and a Crioceris (of which the latter, if not the former also, has been imported 

 from Em-ope). 



Two of the principal features observable throughout the Coleoptera of these 

 islands, are the general obscureness of colom-ing (gay tints being exceedingly rare) 

 and the apterous tendency. As regards the second of these, so strongly is it 

 expressed, that, out of the 182 sjiecies hitherto detected, 178 are either altogether 

 apterous, or else have theii" wings so imperfectly developed that they may be prac- 

 tically considered as such. About 86 moreover (out of the 482) may, I imagine, 

 have been accidentally introduced from other countries ; and, as these belong well 

 nigh exclusively to the winged forms, the winged species which are in all probabi- 

 lity tridij indigenous are diminished to 218, — thus exceeding by onl}^ 10 those 

 which are either apterous or nearly so. Numerous genera indeed (as Tarns, 

 Loricera, Calathus, Olisthopus, Argutor, Trechus, Hydrohius. &c.) which are 

 commonly winged arc here almost invariably apterous : whilst of the converse {i. e. 

 of insects which have their wings ample, although in other countries they are 

 usually obsolete) there is, I believe, but a single instance, — namely Pristonychus 

 (concerning which, vide p. 218). As a corollary arising out of this peculiarity, we 

 should a priori be led to anticipate that a large section of the Madeirau Coleoptera 

 would be of a very local character, — since, where the means of self-dispersion are 

 reduced below the ordinary standard, a widely-acquired range is of coui-se next to 

 impossible. And such, on investigation, we find to be the case, — as a glance, in 

 fact, at tlic Toi)0(jrophicol Tables will abundantly convince. 



Respecting the proportions which the several islands bear to each other, in the 

 niunber of species observed upon them, the great difllculties attending even a tem- 

 porary sojourn out of [Madeira proper should be borne in mind, as ser\-ing to 

 explain in some measure the impeduuents which surround us in arriving at any 

 positive data on the subject. Independently hoAvever of tliis, the immense super- 

 ficies of the central mass as contrasted with the satellites of the group, — containing 

 as it docs about ten times the area of Porto Santo (which last is, in its tvu-n, 

 gigantic when compared with the barren rocks of the Dezertas), and not only 

 aboundmg in wood and water, but rising to nearly four times the height, — must 

 naturally give it an enormous preponderance in the faima of the entii'e region. 

 Still, having (at three dilferent ]ieriods of the year) resided for more than a month 

 in Porto Santo, for the sole ])urpose of research, and having twice encamp(>d for a 

 week (in the winter and siunnier) on the Dezerta Grande, as well as on the llheo 

 Chao, I believe that I am at any rate in a position to give some sort of an ojiiuion 



