XXVI INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 



Deficiency of certain Types. Although particular genera, which I 

 have just alluded to, are largely indicated throughout the archipelago 

 a proportion of them being actually endemic, whilst others (such 

 as Tarphius and the Laparocerides) appear merely to attain their 

 maximum in these various islands there are nevertheless some 

 striking deficiencies in the fauna, consequent on the absence of many 

 well-known and familiar groups. It is mainly, however, in the 

 Madeiras that these gaps are noticeable ; though I think, perhaps, 

 that the much less extensive surface afforded by the component 

 parts of that cluster, as compared with the Canaries, may supply at 

 all events & partial clue to what might otherwise be difficult of ex- 

 planation. Thus, the great division of the thalerophagous, flower- 

 infesting Lamellicorns (better known as the Cetoniads, and their 

 allies), although with about ten representatives in the Canaries, 

 seem to have no existence in Madeira; for the unique Chasmato- 

 pterus nigrocinctus, on the strength of which I originally admitted it 

 into the fauna, is unique still (after a lapse of 18 years), and I have 

 little doubt therefore that it was accidentally imported from some 

 other country. Then, in Madeira proper the monstrous family Ela- 

 teridce appears to have no place ; and indeed in the entire Madeiran 

 Group the little Coptostethus femoratus, found under stones in Porto 

 Santo, and of excessive rarity, is (so far as observed hitherto) its 

 sole exponent. Even in the Canaries the Elateridce are but feebly 

 shadowed forth, a small assemblage of species, closely simulating 

 each other, and which I have referred to the Porto-Santan genus 

 Coptostethus, being all that has yet been brought to light. I have 

 elsewhere recorded my belief that the insertion, by MM. Webb and 

 Berthelot, of the CicindeUdce into the Canarian list rested on insuffi- 

 cient evidence ; and if this should prove to be the case, that widely- 

 scattered family has not so much as a solitary witness throughout 

 this whole archipelago ; for in the Madeiran Group I am quite 

 satisfied that it does not occur. In the latter, also, the Buprestidce 

 are but faintly traceable their presence being vouched for, only, by 

 a unique (but truly indigenous) Agrilus, which I captured during 

 the summer of 1855 ; though in the Canaries, on the other hand, 

 six species have been met with. Amongst certain commonplace 

 genera which seem to be omitted in Madeira, but which have full 

 play on the larger area presented by the Canaries, I may call atten- 

 tion to the following : Nebria, Carabus, Silpha, Hispa, Zophosis, 

 Tentyria, Pimelia, Cossyphus, and Ocypus. 



