Insects. 1935 



with the geology of the different districts, something like broad results 

 regarding their general distribution might, without difficulty, be ar- 

 rived at. 



In former volumes of the 'Zoologist 7 I have had the pleasure of 

 recording some rough observations on the Coleoptera of the South of 

 Ireland, of Lundy Island, and also of South Wales. I hope shortly 

 to add to these North Wales and the Cotswold Hills; and in the 

 meantime beg to offer a few remarks on the Coleoptera of the South 

 of Dorsetshire, which, during the past May and June (thanks to the 

 kindness of my friend, the Rev. Osmond Fisher of Dorchester), I have 

 had excellent opportunities of investigating. I feel somewhat reluc- 

 tant, however, in offering observations on the insects of a county 

 which has been worked, through so many years, with such diligence 

 and success, by my kind and valued friend J. C. Dale, Esq., of Glan- 

 ville's Wootton. Nevertheless, as his district lies somewhat to the 

 north of that which is the subject of the present treatise, and as re- 

 marks of this kind do not interfere with each other, but are more 

 likely to corroborate what may have been previously advanced than 

 oppose it, I feel considerably relieved, and less of a trespasser on for- 

 bidden ground. 



To define, then, the boundaries of my area, I would merely remark 

 that my field of action lies principally in the neighbourhood of Dor- 

 chester, and, stretching southwards, is "bounded" by the English 

 Channel. The Isle of Portland, the far-famed Chesil Bank, and the 

 neighbourhood of Weymouth, were my most productive localities on 

 the coast, while obscure spots in the vicinity of Dorchester and Brid- 

 port produced me the greatest number of inland riches. I ought to 

 state, however, that on arriving in the county my best collecting 

 grounds were immediately pointed out to me by the Rev. Osmond 

 Fisher, whose keen geological eye (though himself not an entomolo- 

 gist) at once distinguished the good localities from the bad, and whose 

 accurate acquaintance with the whole country, in which he has been 

 so long accustomed to pursue his favourite science, rendered his as- 

 sistance to me, I need scarcely add, particularly valuable. 



The weather being remarkably propitious, and my time entirely at 

 my own disposal, I commenced my observations under the most fa- 

 vourable circumstances ; and being especially anxious to explore the 

 riches of the far-famed Chesil Bank (which I will take first into con- 

 sideration), I soon found my way into the neighbourhood of Wey- 

 mouth. It is, as most people are aware, a long ridge of pebbles, 

 connecting the Isle of Portland with the mainland. For eight miles 



