oct» — dec. 1856.] Descriptions of new Ceylon Coleoptera. 57 



III. Entomological Papers, being descriptions of new Ceylon 

 Coleoptera with such observations on their habits, etc., as 

 appear in any ivay interesting. By John Nietner, Colombo, 

 Ceylon. 



No. I. 



[Introductory Note on the publication of new species under disadvantages such 

 as describing entomologists necessarily labor under in countries remote from the 

 European centres of science.] 



I little doubt that the following descriptions of new Coleoptera 

 will meet with anything but approbation from the entomological 

 world at home. As, however, in spite of this anticipation of an un- 

 gracious reception, I shall not be deterred from my purpose of pub- 

 lishing such descriptions hereafter, I may as well try to vindicate 

 this measure, by setting forth the reasons which induce me to con- 

 si 1 er the difficulties which beset the path of the entomological 

 author in this country, as not insurmountable. 



The objections raised against me will be these : that consider- 

 ing the state in which entomological literature still is, that is to say, 

 considering that it has not, generally speaking, been condensed into 

 a certain limited and obtainable number of 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 unfathomable ocean of scientific journals — it is next 

 to impossible that an individual entomologist abroad should sur- 

 round himself with this shapeless mass of learning, and keep him- 

 self 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 the multiplication" of 

 synonyms, in attempting to work independently. It will further be 

 urged against me, that not having the facilities and the wholesome 

 check, which arise from the diligent use of extensive and well nam- 

 ed collections, not even having the gratification of a brother ento- 

 mologist's views and opinions on doubtful cases, it will be impossi- 

 ble even to determine whether an insect be new or not ; and from 

 these reasons it will be inferred, that entomologists abroad should 



H 



