59 



island, and rising to an elevation of 2000 feet 

 above the level of the ocean. 



" The base of this range is of a mixed nature ; 

 partly calcareous, partly trappean, and the hills 

 are covered with trees and shrubs, although in 

 many places the vegetation is less abundant and 

 luxuriant than in the volcanic district, which 

 constitutes a long series in the centre of the 

 island. And here may be stated a curious 

 circumstance in entomological geography, ob- 

 served by Dr. Horsfield ; namely, that the tem- 

 perature which exists from an elevation of 

 1000 to that of 2000 feet above the level of the 

 ocean, is most productive of coleopterous in- 

 sects; and consequently, that this order oc- 

 curred more abundantly in the southern and 

 lower central ranges. The lepidoptera, on 

 the other hand, appeared to be most abundant 

 at an elevation of between 3000 and 4000 feet ; 

 that is, on the declivities of the high volcanic 

 peaks. On such lofty situations, the luxuri- 

 ance of vegetation greatly exceeds that of the 

 southern ranges; and here, at the height of 

 nearly 4000 feet above the level of the sea, 

 multitudes of the most brilliant and rare lepi- 

 doptera were taken ; and from the quantity of 

 larvae observed by Dr. Horsfield, he conceives 



