IV 
PREFACE. 
It has unfortunately happened, from the careless indications of the older autho- 
rities, that many insects inhabiting the West Indies have been given as natives of East 
India ; and hence it has happened that Donovan, having no means of ascertaining the 
true locality of various species, introduced into the present work several West Indian 
insects. With these exceptions, the present work is intended to illustrate “ the 
Entomological productions of a country for which we ought to cherish the liveliest and 
deepest interest, as being connected intimately with the prosperity, the dignity, and the 
honour of the British Empire; — in a word, of British India”; embracing also illustra- 
tions of those species which inhabit every other part of that vast continent, as well as 
the islands situated in the Indian Seas. 
In respect, therefore, both to the circumstance of this great territory being pecu- 
liarly confided to our care, and more especially to the remarkable character of its 
natural productions, the investigation of its Entomological treasures becomes the 
especial province of the English entomologist. 
Thus, whilst our museums teem with undescribed insects from India, collected by 
General Hardwicke, Colonel Sykes, Colonel Whithill, Captain Smee, Messrs. Saunders, 
Royle, Downes, &c. &c.. Dr. Perty, writing in 1831, observes in his “ Observationes 
nonnullae in Coleoptera Indise Orientalis ,” — “ Prsesertim tempore novissimo in Gallia; 
et Germanise museis, communicatione propinqua cum ilia regione deficiente, Indise 
orientalis Coleoptera rarius inveniuntur.” 
In order to shew the peculiar character of Indian Entomology to its full extent, a 
far greater space would be required than can here be possibly given to it. A few 
remarks will not, however, be out of place. 
From its peculiar situation, as the great intermediate southern peninsula of Asia, it 
may be easily conceived, not only that India comprises various types of form peculiar 
to itself, but that it also borrows portions of those found in the Arabian and Siamese 
peninsulse; the former of which comprises, of course, a greater portion of forms 
