iv. " PREFACE. 



The author desires it to be stated that the following pages contain 

 complete descriptions of almost all the New Zealand Coleoptera known 

 to science. 



The classification adopted accords chiefly with the views of Lacor- 

 daire, from whose work (Histoire des Insectes Coleopteres) the characters 

 of the groups and many of the older genera have been translated. 



For copies of descriptions of most of the early recorded species he 

 is indebted to Professor Hutton, of Canterbury College, Mr. T. F. 

 Cheeseman, of the Auckland Museum, and Mr. C. M. Wakefield, of 

 Uxbridge, England ; whilst Dr. Sharp, of Dumfriesshire, and Mr. F. P. 

 Pascoe, of London, kindly sent copies of the papers recently published 

 by them. 



JAMES HECTOR, 



Director. 



Wellington, June, 1880. 



