40 BRITISH BEETLES. 



so numerous and varied in habit : the young collector 

 will soon acquire the requisite "cunning" by diligent 

 observation, and the natural habitats of the different 

 groups will be alluded to in their proper places. 



Finally, with regard to localities, it may be remarked 

 that a chalky or sandy soil is very productive, whilst a 

 clay basis is usually quite the reverse ; that woods, 

 marshes, mountains, and heaths are far better for col- 

 lecting purposes than cultivated lands ; and that beetles 

 are more plentiful in the extreme south, north, and 

 coast-lines of our island, than in the midland counties. 



