230 On the Geographical Distribntion of Insects. 



12th, Indian Archipelago, comprehending under that name 

 the Isles of Sunda, the Philippine Islands, the Moluccas, and 

 New Guinea. This region might admit of being divided, but, 

 entomologically speaking, it is not easy to perceive how to trace 

 the limits of this division. Java is the best known portion of 

 it, and it possesses a multitude of magnificent Coleoptera, 

 among which the gigantic Lucanidae and Scarabasi are the 

 most remarkable. The genus Mormolyce, the most extraor- 

 dinary member of the whole order in question, has not been 

 found in any other place than here. This island likewise 

 abounds in Lepidoptera, particularly in Pieris, Papilio, Euplaea, 

 and Nymphalides. The greater part of its species reappear in 

 Sumatra, of which, however, we are acquainted with only a 

 small part ; they are again met with at Celebes, but modified 

 both in colours and size, the latter being augmented. The 

 Moluccas, especially Amboina, Cei-am, Gilolo, and the neigh- 

 bouring islands, are the special native country of the Ornithop- 

 tera, in particular of O. Priamus. The Philippine Isles have 

 been but little explored, except in the vicinity of Manilla ; 

 they appear to have their own insect productions. New Guinea 

 is extremely rich in Papilio. Perhaps the most characteristic 

 genera of this region are the Cicindelidaj of the genera The- 

 rates, CoUyuris, and Trycondyla, which have not been found 

 elsewhere. While the other orders maintain their fair pro- 

 poi'tions, the Lepidoptera may be said to have the pre-eminence 

 for variety and the beauty of the species. The two genera, 

 and thfe families mentioned above, are almost inexhaustible in 

 species. 



14th, Micronesia and Polynesia, containing the various Ar- 

 chipelagos scattered throughout the Pacific Ocean to the east 

 of the Indian Archipelago. We may place in the same region 

 all these islands, notwithstanding the immense space over 

 which they are distributed. The insects in this quarter are 

 by no means in relation to the vegetation, which is consider- 

 ably varied and vigorous. None of the orders, except that of 

 Lepidoptera, can reckon more than a small number of species, 

 the greater part of which are no way remarkable. The small- 

 est of these isles, being of volcanic or madreporic formation, are 

 almost entirely deprived of insects. The Lepidoptera recall the 



