10 LE CONTE.— COLEOPETERA OF THE 



Near the Pacific coast, that is to say, as far east as the Sierra of California, another 

 element of a more directly evident character, may be noted in connection with the 

 same subject : it is the effect of the Arctic current which sweeps along the Californian 

 coast, and equalizes the climate of the maritime portion of the State. On the crest of 

 the Sierra this effect ceases, and the influence of the cold current is combated by the 

 continental climate, which gives a region of extreme dryness during the whole year, 

 with great ranges of temperature, in different portions of the day and year. This 

 region, broken only by a few fertile mountain valleys in its eastern part, extends from 

 the Californian sierra to the Rio Grande, when in the gentle descent to the Gulf of 

 Mexico the climate again becomes more equable, assuming, however, the subtropical 

 character belonging to its latitude. 



We accordingly find that in Texas a large proportion of the Coleoptera are identical 

 with those found both at New York and New Orleans, the difference of latitude being 

 accompanied with but moderate variation ; others are tropical species found in the 

 adjoining portions of Mexico, and some again represent sparingly the group of Tene- 

 brionidEe which play such an important part in the insect fauna of the regions farther 

 west. Among genera not belonging to these categories must be noted Lutrochus, which 

 here makes its first appearance in North America : the other species are found in 

 South America, in Brazil. 



The manner in which the catalogue of species is made, obviates the necessity of 

 forming statistical tables of distribution, but I have placed at the end of the present 

 remarks some abstracts, which will be found of interest to the general student. 



It therefore remains for me only to note specially the collections from which the 

 materials used in the present investigation have been obtained ; they are briefly as 

 follows : 



1. Collections made by Mr. J. D.Clark, in Texas, near the Rio Grande, at Frontera, 

 and at San Antonio. 



2. Extensive collections made by Mr. Arthur Schott at Eagle Pass, Texas, and on 

 the journey from Laredo to Ringgold Barracks. 



3. A fine series collected by Mr. Weise, on the journey last named. 



4. Very thorough collections made by Mr. Horace Haldeman in various portions of 

 Texas. 



5. A small, but valuable set, collected at New Braunfels, Texas, and purchased from 

 Mr. Lindheimer. 



6. Large collections made by Dr. Thos. H. Webb in the region between the Rio 

 Grande and Colorado River of California, chiefly in the valley of the Gila. 



7. A considerable collection made by Mr. Schott in the region last acquired by 

 purchase from Mexico, and now called Arizona. 



8. A collection of considerable size made by Capt. Pope, while exploring Llano 

 Estacado and the upper Rio Grande. 



, APR 18 1951 



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