Notes on the Distrihution of Insects, ^'C. 41 



ascertained by profound attention to the natural habits of species 

 of the numerous genera which constitute the order. Should he 

 find the remains of a coleopteron,* he can determine -wliether it 

 is local, or of rare or common occurrence ; he may occasionally cap- 

 ture a species that had been introduced through accident, and 

 the representative of which may be local in another district. 

 This applies more particularly to some genera of predaceous ground 

 beetles, or the great family of Carabidce. In this country, the- 

 banks of rivers and shores of lakes are at all times preferable- 

 to any other place for collecting this family; and intermediate 

 soils such as deep black loam, particularly where woods can be- 

 found, are also productive. 



Any one who has acquired a knowledge of their instincts and 

 habits, and of the many curious incidents connected with their 

 distribution, would not be surprised were he to discover on the 

 .shores of our Canadian Lakes, the representatives of species that 

 are known to occur in other quarters of the globe. Insects and 

 plants are liable to be disseminated by the force of wind and 

 water, and therefore subject to an extensive and wider geo- 

 graphical distribution than animals of the higher orders. Exam- 

 ples of this nature have been noticed on the island opposite Toronto?- 

 where insects that are local to the opposite side of the lake are 

 occasionally brought thither by floating timber containing the 

 iarvcs or pupce, from the southern and western shores. The 

 drift wood being covered by sand, the larvce, &c., go through 

 their metamorphoses in a perfect degree — the timber thus em- 

 bedded, is well adapted for the proper development of the genera 

 Elateridce, Buprestidce, Ceravihycidcs, &c. The total removal of 

 a plant from one locality to another, has in many cases caused 

 its insect parasite to follow, instinct having taught it to distinguish 

 in the plant thus removed, the original and only food of its pro- 

 geny. On the western side of the Eocky Mountains, a number 

 of plants and insects are found that are of Asiatic type. Among 

 several beetles taken by Sir John Eiehardson in his travels 



* Up to this time, there has been but one species of Scarites taken in 

 the vicinity of Toronto. A lady, whose husband is a profound entomo- 

 logist, picked up a mutilated specimen on the islands opposite this City ; 

 he instantly recognized the form, and a short time afterwards communi- 

 cated the fact to me. I made a search, and discovered that this species 

 was confined within the space of half a mile ; and up to this time, it has 

 not been captured in any other locality on the north side of the lake. 



