PREFACE 



The last volume of the " Coleoptera of the British Islands " was 

 published in 1891. In the preface to the first volume I expressed 

 a hope that the work might, at all events, prove of some help towai'ds 

 encouraging the study of our native Coleoptera. As far as I can 

 gather, this hope has been, in a measure at least, realised, and to judge 

 by the results, as embodied in this volume, it will be seen that a great 

 deal of work has been done at the Order dui'ing the past twenty years. 

 Moreover, that work is by no means exhausted. Almost every month 

 new species are being recorded. The present volume was practically 

 ready some months ago, except for the plates, and the large list of 

 addenda that has accumulated during that period shows the interest 

 that is being taken in our Coleoptera at the present time. Dr. Sharp 

 is of opinion that our indigenous species will be found in the future to 

 number at least 4000, and this makes it evident that there may be 

 much left to discover. 



When it appeared that there was need of a supplement to bring the 

 work vip to date, Mr. Donisthorpe, hearing of my intention to prepare 

 one, kindly offered me the use of the list of localities, etc., which he 

 had for some years compiled from various records. I therefore asked 

 him if he would collaborate with me, and I am much indebted to him 

 for his help. The first part of the work is, for the most part, mine 

 and I hold myself responsible for it ; while Mr. Donisthorpe has 

 provided the part relating to fresh localities, and the excellent paper 

 on the British Myrmecophilous Coleoptera, and has also undertaken 

 the arrangement of the plates. 



W. W. FOWLER 



January 10, 1913 



