4 
INTRODUCTION. 
nation, we find that the Phalacridce are attested by 4 Olibri ; the entire Thalero- 
phagous Lamellicorns by a single Chasmatopterus ; the Telephoi idee by an insig¬ 
nificant Malthodes ; the Melyridce (which is the best indicated of the whole) by 
7 species (contained in 5 different genera); the CleridcB by an Opilus and a 
Necrobia (the last of which is unquestionably naturalized); the Mordellidcc by a 
solitary Anaspis ; the (Edemeridce by a Stenaxis ; and the C> loco ulcc by a Lana 
and a Crioceris (of which the latter, if not the former also, has been imported 
from Europe). 
Two of the principal features observable throughout the Coleoptera of these 
islands, are the general obscureness of colouring (gay tints being exceedingly rare) 
and the apterous tendency. As regards the second of these, so strongly is it 
expressed, that, out of the 482 species hitherto detected, 178 are either altogether 
apterous, or else have their wings so imperfectly developed that they may he prac¬ 
tically considered as such. About 8G moreover (out of the 482) may, I imagine, 
have been accidentally introduced from other countries; and, as these belong well 
nigh exclusively to the winged forms, the winged species which are in all probabi¬ 
lity truly indigenous are diminished to 218, — thus exceeding by only 40 those 
which are either apterous or nearly so. Numerous genera indeed (as Tarns, 
Loricera, Calathus, Olisthopus, Argutor, Trechus, Hydro'bius. &c.) which are 
commonly winged are here almost invariably apterous : whilst of the converse [i. e. 
of insects which have their wings ample, although in other countries they are 
usually obsolete) there is, I believe, but a single instance,—namely Pristonychus 
(concerning which, vide p. 218). As a corollary arising out of this peculiarity, we 
should a priori be led to anticipate that a large section of the Madeiran Coleoptera 
would be of a very local character, — since, where the means of self-dispersion are 
reduced below the ordinary standard, a widely-acquired range is of course next to 
impossible. And such, on investigation, we find to be the case,—as a glance, in 
fact, at the Topographical Tables null abundantly convince. 
Respecting the proportions which the several islands bear to each other, in the 
number of species observed upon them, the great difficulties attending even a tem¬ 
porary sojourn out of Madeira proper should be borne in mind, as serving to 
explain in some measure the impediments which surround us in arriving at any 
positive data on the subject. Independently however of this, the immense super¬ 
ficies of the central mass as contrasted with the satellites of the group,—containing 
as it does about ten times the area of Porto Santo (which last is, in its turn, 
gigantic when compared with the barren rocks of the Dezertas), and not only 
abounding in wood and water, but rising to nearly four times the height, — must 
naturally give it an enormous preponderance in the fauna of the entire region. 
Still, having (at three different periods of the year) resided for more than a month 
in Porto Santo, for the sole purpose of research, and having twice encamped for a 
week (in the winter and summer) on the Dczcrta Grande, as well as on the llheo 
Chao, I believe that I am at any rate in a position to give some sort of an opinion 
