XXX 



INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 



Anthicus opaculus (2). 



dimidiatus (l). 



Phytosus dimidiatus (l). 



nigriventris (l). 



balticus (2). 



Tachyusa maritima (l). 



simillima (l). 



Homalota plumbea (l). 



gregaria (l, 2). 

 Aleocliara littoralis (1, 2). 



Aleochara nitida (l, 2). 



binotata (1, 2). 



Creophilus rnaxillosus (2). 

 Philonthus xantholoma (l). 



sericeus (l). 



Aclienium salinum (l). 

 Sunius bimaculatus (l). 

 Bledius j anuvianus ( 1 ) . 



cornutissimus (l). 



galeatus (l). 



To these 80 species perhaps several others might have been added, 

 for many which are not noticed amongst them do certainly occur 

 more in sandy places than elsewhere ; nevertheless as I wish to 

 record those merely which are more particularly characteristic of the 

 localities in question (whether saline, maritime, or calcareous), I 

 believe that the above-mentioned ones will suffice for that purpose. 

 Of the 80 species, there are apparently only 8 which are peculiar 

 (so far as these Atlantic islands are concerned) to the Madeiras*, 

 and one (Plialeria bimaculata) to the Salvages ; so that the remaining 

 71 (only 10 f of which have been observed also in the Madeiran 

 Group) are distributed over the Canarian archipelago. 



Euphorbian Fauna. If, as just stated, the low and sandy tracts 

 are sufficiently extensive even in these volcanic Groups, to introduce 

 a distinct element into the fauna, but one which is dependent 

 (secondarily) on the nature of the soil ; we shall hardly be surprised 

 if certain peculiarities in the vegetation should, in like manner, be 

 connected with species which are characteristic. That there are 

 well 7 defined areas, and altitudes, in which some particular plant, or 

 set of plants, attains its maximum, and becomes dominant, is but 

 the result of a comprehensive law of distribution which we see 

 indicated, more or less plainly, in most countries of the world and 

 perhaps nowhere more so than in mountain-islands ; but it is seldom 

 that the insects which pertain (often exclusively) to these natural 

 "provinces" have been investigated, as such, with sufficient care. 

 In the Madeiras and Canaries it is clear that the laurel-regions 

 stand preeminent in importance ; for the primeval forests, once so 



* Aepys gracilicornis, Lipommata calcaratum, Tychius robustus, Phaleria cili- 

 ata, Helops pallidus, Tachyusa maritima, Phytosus balticus, and Sunius bimacu- 

 latus. 



t Cercyon littorale, Saprinus nitidulus and apricarius, Hister major, Psammo- 

 dius sabulosus and porcicottis, Homalota gregaria, Aleochara nitida and binotata, 

 and Creophilus maxillosus. 





