COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS. 93 



valors of natural history. In the old world, the 

 countries that afford the greatest number of these 

 insects, are certain regions on the western coast of 

 Africa, the Cape of Good Hope, Java, and the other 

 large islands of the Indian Archipelago. New Hol- 

 land possesses many remarkable kinds, and the island 

 of Madagascar offers a rich and almost unexplored 

 field to the industry of some future collector. 



Some interesting sketches of the entomological 

 aspect of Brazil, and other intertropical regions of 

 America, are given by a recent French writer. 

 According to his account, the insects of these coun- 

 tries in a great measure disappear during the months 

 of May, June, July, and August, probably because 

 that is the dry season, when vegetation is compara- 

 tively scorched and sapless, and therefore yields im- 

 perfect nourishment. But towards the middle of Sep- 

 tember, when the first showers begin to fall, all na- 

 ture seems to issue from its repose. Vegetation ac- 

 quires a tint of livelier green, the greater number of 

 plants renew their leaves, and insects begin to appear. 

 In October the rains become more frequent, and in- 

 sects are seen in greater numbers ; but it is not till the 

 middle of that month, when the rainy season definite- 

 ly sets in, that all the families seem, as it were, to 

 undergo a sudden development; and this general im- 

 pulsion, which all nature receives, goes on increasing 

 till the middle of January, when it reaches its great- 

 est height. The forests then present a scene of life 

 and motion, of which our European woods can give 



