XXVI INTRODUCTION. 



between the Xeuroptera and Orthoptera. Dr. Dohrn, from a 

 study of the fossil Exigeron hbckinr/i, considers that at a very remote 

 period a form existed from which both the Neuroptera and 

 Ehynchota were differentiated. 



Although some of the Khynchota are rapacious in their habits^ 

 many — especially a very large inimber of Pentatomidoe and 

 Coreidse — are plant-feeders. In some instances we have proof of 

 their injurious action, as detailed in the pages of this volume ; in 

 other instances their operations are so minute that the injuries 

 they cause are apt to be overlooked, and are of a cumulative 

 rather than of an immediate nature. But the Ehynchota are also 

 at times beneficent agents ; and Mr. H. M. Dixon has pointed out 

 how pollination in the ' Mora ' tree (Macaranga roxhurghii) seems 

 to depend entirely on the visits of Cantao ocellatus, while AsjJon- 

 gojms nigriventris fulfils a similarly important function to the Sago 

 Palm (Caryota urens). A vast opportunity for bionomic observation 

 appertains to the study of these insects, and is specially worthy 

 the attention of a government entomologist. 



The Rhynchota afford many examples of those cases of resem- 

 blance to distinct insects of their own, or other orders, which 

 by some are ascribed to the action of concvirrent evolution, and by 

 others are explained by the theoiy now so well-known as mimicry. 

 Some Ant-like foi'ras are the most remarkable, and Mr. Wroughtou 

 recently exhibited to the London Entomological Society an Indian 

 Coreid which associates with the Ant Polyrlmchis spiniger and is 

 furnished with spines on the pronotum &c., resembling almost 

 exactly those possessed by the Ant. This singular Coreid proved 

 to be the Dulichius viiflatus of Kirby, previously reported from 

 Southern India and Ceylon. Similar mimicking species belonging 

 to other families have passed through my hands from Africa and 

 Central America. 



It is probable that the Ehynchotal fauna o'f British India is one 

 of the richest to be found in any similar area of the world, and 

 there is fortunately another, that of Central America, of which we 

 have sufficient knowledge to enable a comparison to be made. The 

 Central American fauna has formed the material for that gigantic 

 publication, the ' Biologia Centrali-Americana,' still in progress, 

 and the editors and publishers, Mr. Godman and the late Mr. Salviu,. 

 spared no eff'ort or expense, either in purchasing available material 

 or despatching collectors to procure it. Mr. Champion, an 

 experienced collector, passed some years in the country investigating 

 the insect fauna, and made vast collections ; he gave particular 

 attention to the Ehynchota, and to the small species of that 

 order usually neglected by collectors. Besides this immense 

 materia], we must also consider the extent and nature of the area, 

 from the north of Mexico to the Isthmus of Panama, approaching 

 the Nearctic region in the north, as the Palcearetic is reached in 

 North-eastern India ; while the central and southern districts are 

 practically between the same parallels of latitude as those of India, 



