x PREFACE. 



In conclusion, I must express the sense of my great 

 indebtedness to my mother, who has afforded me invalu- 

 able help by her suggestions on the manuscript, and by her 

 assistance in correcting the proof-sheets ; to Messrs. Ross 

 and Mathews, my employers, for their unvarying kindness 

 and consideration during the time I was engaged working 

 for them ; and to Mr. James Cosmo Melvill, M.A., F.L.S. ; 

 as also to the other gentlemen whose names are appended. 



To Mr. Melvill, with whom I have been in constant 

 correspondence ; who has set his large entomological, 

 conchological, and botanical collections at my disposal, and 

 has, with the most unvarying patience, assisted me by his 

 advice in many matters. 



To Mr. W. F. Kirby, from whose books and personal 

 kindness I have derived the greatest help. 



To Mr. James Britten, F.L.S., Mr. H. N. Ridley, M.A., 

 F.L.S., and Mr. W. Carruthers, F.R.S., of the Botanical 

 Department, British Museum, who have devoted much 

 time to naming my plants. 



And to Mr. C. O. Waterhouse, for his benevolent assist- 

 ance with the Coleoptera. 



HASTINGS CHARLES DENT. 



20, THURLOE SQUARE, LONDON, S.W., 

 March> 1 886. 



