GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF INSECTS. 487 
simus is more confined, neither ranging so far to the north 
or south; and though found in Germany, not yet dis- 
covered in Britain. Other species have a still more exten- 
sive range, and are common to the old world and the new. 
Thus Dermestes murinus, Brachinus crepitans, Tetyra 
scarabeoides, Pentatoma juniperina, Cercopis spumaria, 
Vanessa Antiopa, Lycena Argiolus, Hesperia Comma, 
Vespa vulgaris, Ophion luteum, Elophilus pendulus, Osci- 
nis Germinationis, and many besides, though sometimes 
varying slightly*, inhabit both Britain and Canada: and 
though vast continents and oceans intervene between us, 
New Holland, and Japan; yet all have some insect pro- 
ductions in common. With the former we possess the 
painted-lady butterfly (Vanessa Carduz), with scarcely a 
varying streak: and Thunberg, in his list of Japan in- 
sects, has mentioned more than forty species that are 
found also in this country. Whether any species has a 
universal range may be doubted, unless indeed the flea 
and the louse may be excepted. On the other hand, 
some are confined within very narrow limits. Apion 
Ulicis for instance, abundant upon Ulex europeus in 
Britain, has not, I believe, been found upon that plant 
on the continent. 
The geographical distribution of groups is, however, 
far more interesting than that of zndividual species: for 
in considering this we see more evidently how certain 
functions are devolved upon certain forms, and can scan 
the great plan of PRovIDENCE, in the creation of insects, 
* M. Latreille (Géographie, &c. 8.) seems to regard these varieties 
as distinct ; in which case they would be the representatives of the 
species named in the text: but the varieties are mostly so slight, as 
not to afford any satisfactory distinctive characters. 
