Wakefield. — On the Coleoptera of Canterbury . 297 



generally small and inconspicuous, and are, on the whole, greatly inferior to 

 those of Britain. This comparison will appear all the more striking when we 

 reflect that Great Britain itself does not possess more than half the number of 

 species contained in an equal area of the continent of Europe, and it is almost 

 needless to observe that Europe is greatly excelled in this respect by Asia, 

 Africa, and America. Indeed, a Swiss entomologist once remarked to me that 

 after collecting in his own country nature appeared to be dead in England, 

 and from my own experience of European collecting I am able to indorse his 

 statement. Three thousand species of Coleoptera have been found in Great 

 Britain, and, although I cannot say precisely how many New Zealand species 

 have been described, yet I do not think the number can possibly exceed five 

 hundred. When, therefore, we consider what a diversity of climate and surface 

 these islands present, it is obvious that there is ample scope for further inves- 

 tigation. Not only are our species few in number, but the individuals com- 

 posing them are small and inconspicuous, and singularly destitute of brilliant 

 colouring. The same dull and sombre hue so characteristic of the vegetation 

 of New Zealand extends itself, with but few exceptions, to its fauna. The 

 collector will vainly search here for those splendid metallic colours for which 

 this order of insects is so celebrated, and which are unrivalled throughout the 

 whole range of creation. Indeed, I only know of one finely coloured beetle in 

 this province. I allude to the Pyronota /estiva of Fabricius, which is so 

 extremely common in our gardens and orchards, where it often does consider- 

 able damage. This is a pretty little insect no doubt, but how poor does it 

 appear in comparison with the brilliant genera Cetonia, Gnorhnus^ Trichius^ 

 Aromia, Chrysomela, and Doiiacia, which are so familiar to the British 

 collector. 



Commencing with the Cicindelidce, a family which, on account of the 

 perfection of its organisation, was justly placed by Linnaeus at the head of 

 the whole order, we shall find that New Zealand is well represented. Eive 

 species occur in Britain, and of these only one can be called common, the 

 others being exceedingly local. These islands possess certainly five, and 

 probably six species, viz. : C. tuberculata, C. douei, C. late-cincta, C parryi 

 and C /eredayi, the last named by Mr. Bates from a specimen sent to him by 

 one of our members. There is also another species which Mr. Bates hesitates 

 at present to consider as distinct. I have only taken myself C. tuberculata 

 and C late-cincta in this island. C. /eredayi is apparently very rare, and Mr. 

 Fereday does not possess a duplicate. Tlie other species appear to be confined 

 to the North Island. The habits of Cicindela are well known. From their 

 beauty and ferocity they have been appropriately named " tiger-beetles." As 

 an instance of the utter insufficiency of popular language to discriminate even 

 the widest marks of distinction between insects, and of the consequent 



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