248 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



accompanied by that to which it was most nearly allied. 

 Thus C. uiteus was represented in Eastern Siberia by 

 C. tubercnlosus ; C. clathratus by C. canaliculatus ; C. arvensis 

 by C. concilialus ; C. monilis by C. regalis, &c. No greater 

 amount of difference existed between Northern America and 

 the Palsearctic region, although the former had been separated 

 as a distinct region, termed the " Nearctic." In conclusion, 

 Mr. Bates remarked that he considered no philosophical 

 importance could be attached to vague general divisions of 

 the earth. What was really important was to ascertain the 

 districts which presented a large amount of peculiar forms, 

 and then to investigate the causes and origin of this 

 peculiarity in each case. In the course of the discussion 

 that followed, Prof. Westwood remarked upon the desirability 

 of ascertaining the range of each species, and of determining 

 the amount of variation or modification presented by it in 

 different districts ; and he called attention to the similarity 

 between the insects of Eastern Siberia, Japan, and Western 

 America. Dr. Sharp said that the Spanish Carabi were 

 mostly peculiar to the Iberian peninsula, though some were 

 species known to have a wide range, but modified in this 

 district. He considered that species quite peculiar to moun- 

 tains were necessarily restricted in their range, whereas those 

 found in the plains were of wide distribution. He remarked 

 that all the species of the genus Oxytelus, seen by him, from 

 Eastern Siberia, were specifically identical with those of 

 Britain, whereas of the genus Bledius no species was com- 

 mon to both countries. Messrs. Weir, Miiller, Janson, 

 M'Lachlan, &c., also took part in the discussion, and the two 

 latter remarked on additional instances of the occurrence of 

 allied forms in Eastern Asia and North America, as exhibited 

 in the genus Pteronarcys among the Neuroptera, and Cupes 

 in Coleoptera. 



The Genus Acentropus. — Mr, Dunning read a memoir on 

 the genus Acentropus, in which he brought together a resume 

 of all that had been written on the subject. After commenting 

 upon the opinions expressed by various authors as to the 

 position of the genus, he arrived at the conclusion that it is 

 truly Lepidoplerous ; and, furthermore, he had failed to find 

 valid reasons for considering that more than one species 

 existed, for which he retained the name Acentropus niveus. 



