3152 THE ZooLoGist—JULy, 1872. 
5 were generally distributed in tropical America. Of 129 genera among 
which the species were distributed, only 7 were found also in the Old World, 
but 95 were universally distributed in tropical America. An analysis of 
these materials elicited two general facts of much interest: firstly, the homo- 
geneity of the type of the insect fauna of the forest region of tropical 
America, extending over probably 45 degrees of latitude; secondly, the 
existence of a distinct northern element whose metropolis is Central 
America. The author strongly condemned crude attempts at generaliza- 
tion, such as were exhibited in some recently-published papers on the 
geographical distribution of Coleoptera, because in nearly all cases they 
were based upon insufficient evidence, and were untrustworthy on account 
of the uncertainty of the true generic position of the materials. 
June 3, 1872.—Prof. Wrstwoon, M.A., F.L.S., President, in the chair, 
Donations to the Library. 
The following donations were announced, and thanks voted to the donors :— 
‘Tconographie et Description des Chenilles et Lépidopteéres’ inédits par M. P. 
Milliére, tome i., ii., ii., livr. 24—27; ‘ Die Schmetterlinge Deutschlands 
und der Schweiz systematisch bearbeitet von H. v. Heinemann, erste 
Abth., Gross-schmetterlinge; Zweite Abth., Kleinschmetterlinge,’ tome i., ii., 
Heft i.; ‘Notiser ur Sallskapets pro Fauna et Flora Fennica Férhand- 
lingar,’ t. i1., iii., ix., x., xi; ‘An Illustrated Natural History of British 
Butterflies,’ by Edward Newman, F.L.S., &e.; ‘The Cabinet List of the 
Lepidoptera of Great Britain and Ireland,’ by H. Guard Knaggs, M.D., &., 
the Tineina being elaborated by H. T. Stainton, Esq., F.R.S., &e.: ‘The 
Lepidopterist’s Guide,’ by H. Guard Knaggs, M.D., &c.; presented by. 
J. W. Dunning, Esq. ‘Annales de la Société Entomologique de France,’ 
5e Serie, tome i.; by the Society. ‘ Berliner entomologische Zeitschrift,’ 
1871, Heft. 2,3; 1872, Heft. 1; by the Society. ‘The Canadian Ento- 
mologist,’ vol. iv., No.4; by the Editor. ‘L’Abeille,’ 1872, livr.6&7; by 
the Editor. ‘Fourth Annual Report on the Noxious, Beneficial and other 
Insects of the State of Missouri, made to the State Board of Agriculture, 
pursuant to an appropriation for this purpose from the Legislature of the 
State,’ by Charles V. Riley, State Entomologist; by the Author. ‘ Pro- 
ceedings of the Scientific Meetings of the Zoological Society of London,’ 
1871, parts ii. & iii.; by the Society. ‘ Proceedings of the Royal Society,’ 
No. 134; by the Society. ‘ Bulletino della Societa Entomologica Italiana,’ 
iv., trim i.; by the Society. ‘ Report of the Entomological Society of the 
Province of Ontario, for the year 1871;’ by the Society. ‘The Zoologist’ 
for June; ‘Newman’s Entomologist’ for June; by the Editor. ‘The 
