WAKEFIELD.—On some New Coleoptera. 157 
of the commonest Beetles in the neighbourhood of Christchurch, and yet it 
proves to be not only a new species but a new genus. The same remark will 
apply almost equally well to Zrenimus and Cyttalia, the latter of which is very 
common in spring upon the “ Spaniard.” 
The Ceresium, too, is anything but rare on the Peninsula, and, altogether, 
I have been astonished to find how many new genera and species are contained 
in this very small collection of Beetles. 
It will be seen that the thirty-four species referred to were divided amongst 
three or four of the best entomologists in London, and that eleven of them 
the colony. The temptation to describe our own Species is, of course, obvious, 
since, by the etiquette of science, and indeed by the necessity of the case, it is 
the describer, and not the discoverer, who obtains the credit of introducing a 
new species ; but in the present state of knowledge no one man could well 
undertake more than a single group of insects. Until, therefore, science shall 
have been much more widely cultivated in New Zealand, reference to Europe 
will be absolutely indispensable, and, in spite of the delays, disappointments, 
and expense attendant upon such a course, I am encouraged to persevere in it 
by the result of Mr. Bates’ letter. But, in order that we may reap the full 
should be at once reprinted in our “ Transactions.” I am convinced that the 
funds at the disposal of the Institute could not be applied to any better 
purpose, and I think that the general rule—prohibiting the printing of any 
but original matter—might be advantageously dispensed with in this instance. 
At present I have a most elaborate and painstaking pamphlet on the New 
Zealand Trichoptera, by Mr. M ‘Lachlan, but, so far as the scientific public of 
these islands are concerned, it might almost as well be non-existent, for I do 
not believe that more than a couple of copies exist in the colony. I must, 
however, take this opportunity of expressing a hope that no one will forward 
insects to England without stipulating that a specimen of each new species, 
with name and description attached, be returned to us here. Much mischief 
and confusion has, undoubtedly, arisen from the indiscriminate despatch of 
specimens of natural history to Europe. 
In conclusion, I may mention that I have lately forwarded a considerable 
number of Coleoptera, N europtera, and Hemiptera, to Messrs. Bates, Scott, 
and M ‘Lachlan, and, with their kind assistance, I hope shortly to be able to 
introduce something like order into the chaos of New Zealand entomology. 
