21 Descriptions of New 



volumes, as is the case in the higher branches of Zoology 

 and Botany ; that, on the contrary, the bulk of it consists of 

 fragments which float without order in the misty and un- 

 fathomable ocean of scientific journals ; it is next to impossible 

 that an individual entomologist abroad should surround him- 

 self with this shapeless mass of learning, and keep himself by 

 this or other means, so well informed of the details of the 

 actual progress of the science, as not to be exposed to mistakes 

 of one kind or another, but more especially to creating syno- 

 nymy in attempting to work independently. It will further 

 be said against me, that not having the facilities and the 

 wholesome check which arise from the diligent use of extensive 

 and well named collections, not even having the gratification 

 of a brother entomologist's views and opinions on doubtful 

 cases, it will be impossible even to determine whether an insect 

 be new or not ; and from these reasons (the resume will be) 

 entomologists abroad should confine themselves to collecting 

 and observing the habits of the objects of their attention, but 

 they should never go to print with matters on which it is an 

 impossibility for the ablest among them to be quite compe- 

 tent. These arguments are unfortunately too true, but still, 

 I think, admit of being mitigated sufficiently to come to final 

 conclusions less disheartening to the entomological student 

 abroad, than the above. 



First of all, every entomologist gives preference to a 

 certain order of insects — say Coleoptera — and in this even, in 

 almost all cases, to one or two particular families. In study- 

 ing for the publication of new species, under the disadvantages 

 just mentioned, he will confine himself to this order, or perhaps 

 family. Now, although as objected above, the information 

 existing on this particular branch, is for the most part frag- 

 mentary, still there are certain families, on which it has 

 received a tangible shape, through condensation by old hands r 

 Burmcister's Lamellicornia, Dejean's Carabidre, Erichson's 



