GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF INSECTS. 499 



which appears common in Greenland, abundant in Bri- 

 tain, and is dispersed over all Europe ; while I), latis- 

 simus is more confined, neither ranging so far to the 

 north or south ; and though found in Germany, not yet 

 discovered in Britain. Other species have a still more 

 extensive range, and are common to the old world and 

 the new. Thus Dermestes murinus, Brachinus crcpitans 9 

 Tetyra scarabceoides*, Pentatoma juniperina, Cercopis 

 , spumaria, Vanessa Antiopa, Polyommatus Argiolus> Hes- 

 peria Comma, Vespa vulgaris, OpJiion luteus, HelopJnlus 

 pendulus, Oscinis Germinationis, and many besides, 

 though sometimes varying slightly 5 , inhabit both Bri- 

 tain and Canada: and though vast continents and oceans 

 intervene between us, New Holland, and Japan ; yet all 

 have some insect productions in common. With the 

 former we possess the painted-lady butterfly (Cinthia 

 Cardui), with scarcely a varying streak: and Thunberg, 

 in his list of Japan insects, has mentioned more than 

 forty species that are found also in this country. Whe- 

 ther any species has a universal range may be doubted, 

 unless indeed the flea and the louse may be excepted. 

 On the other hand, some are confined within very nar- 

 row limits. Apion Ulicis for instance, abundant upon 

 Ulex europcens in Britain, has not, I believe, been found 

 upon that plant on the continent. 



The geographical distribution of groups, is, however, 



a As this insect is the type of a distinct genus amongst the Scutelle- 

 ridte, I have distinguished it by the name Fabricius gave the whole 

 tribe. 



b M. Latreille (Geographic, &c. 8.) seems to regard these varieties 

 as distinct ; in which case they would be the representatives of the 

 species named in the text : but the variations are mostly so slight, as 

 not to afford any satisfactory distinctive characters. 

 2 K 2 



