vi PREFACE. 



to be met Avith between the limits of October and Jime ; I felt that a summer's 

 oljservation in situ was the main thing reqiined to render my knowledge of 

 tlie Coleopterous fauna tolerably complete. Hence, in May of 1850, at the 

 instigation of the E.ev. 11. T. Lowe (whose imremittiag services I shall have 

 al)undant opportimities elsewhere of announcing), having procured a tent, I 

 again set sail for the island, — prepared to take up my abode, diu'ing the hotter 

 period, in districts as yet but imperfectly explored ; and, by thus applying myself 

 in good earnest (at elevations, moreover, difficult of access except at that peculiar 

 season), I conceived that 1 should be in a position, at the close of my thii'd 

 sojourn, to attempt a more lengthened and systematic treatise than I had at the 

 beginning ventured to contemj)late. 



My material having, in this manner, been gradually amassed, considerable 

 leisure was afforded me, during the intervals of my return to England, not only 

 of carefully studying the new modifications which had been brought to light, 

 but also of sending them for comparison to the principal museums of the 

 Continent, — by which means I was the better qualified to form a correct oj)iiiion 

 on their several affinities. 



To those of my friends and correspondents who have aided me in this some- 

 what difficult task, whether in the collation of specimens or in the loan of types, 

 I would dcsu'c to express my sincere obligations. Particularly, however, would 

 I draw attention to the valuable help which I have received from J. O. West- 

 wood, Esq., whose pencil has been so elaborately employed in the figures which 

 I am thus enabled to attach, and by Avhom many of the minutest of the dissec- 

 tions were accomplished, — ^^ith a degree of delicacy, moreover, to which I did 

 not myself at the commencement of this Work (though I haA'e since succeeded in 

 anatomizing the larger portion of them, likewise) lay claim. 



From Frederick Smith, Esq., for the unwearied attention which he has 

 bestowed, and the amoimt of skill which he has brought to play, upon the 

 engraving, I have also more than common assistance to record. 



From A. H. Haliday, Esq., of Dublin ; from Messrs. Wliite and Watcrhouse, of 

 the British Museum; and from E. ^\ . Janson, Esq., Curator of the Entomological 



