s 
INTRODUCTION. 
scribing my localities, ancl in recording- the precise circumstances under which 
many of the species were observed. And indeed, had I employed myself in 
writing for the scientific world only, far removed from the scene of action, there 
would have been considerable force in the accusation, — for it can clearly matter 
but little to the universal collector to know even what island his specimens are 
peculiar to (and, therefore, a fortiori, the exact spot in that island), so long as he 
be fully convinced that they have come from our present Group. But let it be 
remembered that one of my principal designs in the following pages has been, not 
only to afford a complete catalogue, to the general naturalist, of Madeiran Coleo- 
ptera, but also to put into the hands of the sojourner there for a short period (of 
which there are several hundreds every winter from England alone, independently 
of those from other countries) a full and intelligible account of the actual stations 
in which he will probably be able to procure the several insects required. By this 
means, indeed, I am emboldened to hope that my researches may be turned to 
some practical account for the amusement of that unfortunate class of wanderers 
whose lot it is to submit, year after year, to an eight months’ exile in Eunchal. 
For, plainly, to point out one way (be it but one) in which even a few stray minds 
may find an ample field to sport in during a banishment under emergences not 
the most enviable, is a boon which ought not (for the sake of a useless brevity) to 
be overlooked, in dealing with a subject thus voluntarily undertaken (however 
small it be, and imperfectly performed) for the general good. 
And to those who are resident (as occasionally happens) for a longer season than 
that which is ordinarily appointed for invalids, and who have health and strength 
sufficient to tempt them beyond the limits within which the more cautious adven¬ 
turers are permitted to roam, I would add a few words, ere I close these desultory 
remarks, on the pleasures of a Tent-life. 
It will doubtless seem an insignificant thing, when contemplated here, to inves¬ 
tigate thoroughly such islands as those which we are now discussing. But the 
rambler in situ, who knows the difficulties attending even a single journey to the 
interior, and the almost physical impossiblity of visiting many localities except 
under the most auspicious circumstances and at particular times, and who has 
persevered in vain to reach distant rocks, and failed again and again in his efforts 
to obtain a landing on their inhospitable shores, he alone is in a position to under¬ 
stand aright the numerous obstacles which are likely to intercept his progress. 
Yet such impediments, when surmounted, only go to increase the satisfaction 
derived from the object attained, and give to the explorer who has succeeded in 
overcoming them an additional delight. 
The admirer of Nature who has passed a long winter at the mountains’ base, 
contented merely to gaze upon the towering peaks, which, though clear and cold 
at night, seldom reveal themselves during the day with sufficient constancy 
(through the heavy canopy of cloud which hangs around them) to warrant an 
ascent, hails with unbounded joy the advance of spring, — knowing that the time is 
