THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF EDINBURGH. 445 
additions to our knowledge have likewise resulted from the 
exertions of some of the English entomologists ; but the 
opportunities which they have enjoyed of pursuing their 
researches in this part of the country, have not been suffi- 
ciently favourable to enable them to do more than illustrate 
the distribution of some of the rarer species, and supply a 
few desiderata in their own collections. No attempt has 
been made, except the imperfect one previously mentioned, 
to enumerate the insects of any particular district, much 
less to furnish a general view of those native to the country. 
Indeed materials are awanting for the execution of such a 
task, and much time and labour must be devoted to the 
collection and examination of species, before we can expect 
to see the Fauna Scotica in this respect make even an ap- 
proach to completeness. 
This is perhaps the only instance of a branch of natural 
science, which has long been a favourite subject of study in 
England and on the Continent, failing to attract any consi- 
derable share of attention in Scotland. Much of this ne- 
glect is to be ascribed to the difficulty that has hitherto 
existed in the determination of species, owing to the scarcity 
and high price of entomological works, and the want of an 
authentically named collection of British insects, which 
would create an interest in the science, and facilitate its ac- 
curate attainment. But from whatever causes it may arise, 
it cannot but be a matter of regret, that such an interesting 
field as this country presents for such pursuits should re- 
main in a great measure unexplored. It is exceedingly 
well adapted, by its physical character, to repay the labours 
of the collector. The diversified nature of its surface in 
regard to soil, vegetation, and temperature, affiords their 
appropriate places of resort to species of very dissimilar 
habits. The southern division of the country, approxima- 
ting in the character of its geology and botany to the 
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