The Zoologist — April, 1866. 157 



these species are represented : in some instances the decayed stalks 

 and branches seemed absolutely alive with them. Notwithstanding this 

 wonderful profusion each species is rigidly confined to the particular 

 species of Euphorbia, which it infests, and is never found elsewhere or 

 met. with under any other circumstances. Now the vast multitude of 

 quaint and grotesque shrubs on which this strange coleopterous fauna 

 exclusively subsists is passing away, gradually but certainly becoming 

 extinct : " Year after year sees portions of the rocky declivities brought 

 into rude cultivation, whilst the constant search which is made after 

 the dead plants for fuel still further operates to direct the axe of the 

 destroyer. Here then," continues Mr. Wollaston, " we have an un- 

 mistakeable fact, and one over which it is worth while to pause, not of 

 a single species, but of a whole fauna surely dying out before circum- 

 stances which are adverse to its continuance." The species infesting 

 a particular species of Euphorbia pertinaciously refuse to adapt them- 

 selves to altered circumstances when that species is destroyed. In 

 two of the islands, Lanzarota and Fuerteventura, Euphorbia canariensis 

 is already extinct, and not one of the species which characterized that 

 plant has migrated to any other; so that in two islands at least the 

 Coleoptera attached to Euphorbia canariensis have become extinct. 



In conclusion, I can only express my regret that the utility of a 

 volume so full of deep research, and such profound reflections, should 

 be confined by its very character to the iew who combine a knowledge 

 of Entomology with more general and extended information : it is a 

 volume the teachings of which are for the world of science, and not 

 for that limited section of the scientific world which has made the 

 Natural History of Insects its exclusive study. 



Edward Newman. 



^ The Natural History of the TineinaH Vol. VIII., containing 

 Gracilaria, Part I., and Ornix, Part I. By H. T. Stainton, 

 assisted by J. W. Douglas and Professor Frey. London : Van 

 Voorst, Paternoster Row. 315 pp. letter-press; eight coloured 

 Plates. Price to subscribers 12s. Qd. 



In this beautiful volume we have illustrated life-histories of fifteen 

 species of Gracilaria and nine of Ornix. Its appearance " has been 

 retarded, owing to the delay in meeting with the larva of Gracilaria 

 imperiella. The next two volumes will each contain twenty-four 



