CHAP. X.] 
THE PALiEARCTIC REGION. 
229 
Japan (like North China) has a considerable infusion of tropical 
forms, there is a preponderating substratum of Pakearctic forms, 
which clearly indicate the true position of the islands in zoolo- 
gical geography. There are also a few cases of what may be 
called eccentric distribution; which show that Japan, like many 
other island-groups, has served as a kind of refuge in which 
dying-out forms continue to maintain themselves. These, which 
are worthy of notice, are as follows : Orthotrichus (1 sp.) has 
the only other species in Egypt; Trechichus (1 sp.) has two 
other species, of which one inhabits Madeira, the other the 
Southern United States ; Ptrileptus (1 sp.) has two other species, 
of which one inhabits Bourbon, the other West Europe ; and 
lastly, Crepidogaster (1 sp.) has the other known species in 
South Africa. These cases diminish the value of the indications 
afforded by some of the Japanese forms, whose only allies are 
single species in various remote parts of the Oriental region. 
The Staphylinidae have been described by Dr. Sharp, and his 
list exhibits a great preponderance of north temperate, or cosmo- 
politan forms, with a few which are decidedly tropical. The 
Pselaphidm and Scydmenidae, also described by Dr. Sharp, 
exhibit, according to that gentleman, “ even a greater resemblance 
to those of North America than to those of Europe,” but he says 
nothing of any tropical affinities. The water-beetles are all 
either Palaearctic or of wide distribution. 
The Lucanidae {Gcmm. and Har. Cat , 1868) exhibit an inter- 
mingling of Pakearctic and Oriental genera. 
The Cetoniidae ( Oemm . and Har. Cat. 1869) show, for North 
China and Japan, three Oriental to two Paleearctic genera. 
The Buprestidm collected by Mr. Lewis have been described 
by Mr. Edward Saunders in the Journal of the Linncean Society , 
vol. xi. p. 509. The collection consisted of thirty-six species 
belonging to fourteen genera. No less than thirteen of these 
are known also from India and the Malay Islands ; nine from 
Europe; seven from Africa; six from America, and four from 
China. In six of the genera the Japanese species are said to be 
allied to those of the Oriental region ; while in three they are 
allied to European forms, and in two to American. Considering 
