8

INTRODUCTION.

scribing my localities, and in recording tbe precise circumstances under whichmany of the species were observed. And indeed, had I employed myself inwriting for the scientific world only, far removed from the scene of action, therewould have been considerable force in the accusation,—for it can clearly matterbut little to the universal collector to know even what island his specimens arepeculiar to (and, therefore, a fortiori, the exact spot in that island), so long as hebe fully convinced that they have come from our present Group. But let it beremembered that one of my principal designs in the following pages has been, notonly 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 (ofwhich there are several hundreds every winter from England alone, independentlyof those from other countries) a full and intelligible account of the actual stationsin which he will probably be able to procure the several insects required. By thismeans, indeed, I am emboldened to hope that my researches may be turned tosome practical account for the amusement of that unfortunate class of wandererswhose lot it is to submit, year after year, to an eight months’ exile in Eunchal.Eor, plainly, to point out one way (be it but one) in which even a few stray mindsmay find an ample field to sport in during a banishment under emergences notthe most enviable, is a boon which ought not (for the sake of a useless brevity) tobe overlooked, in dealing with a subject thus voluntarily undertaken (howeversmall it be, and imperfectly performed) for the general good.

And to those who are resident (as occasionally happens) for a longer season thanthat which is ordinarily appointed for invalids, and who have health and strengthsufficient 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 desultoryremarks, 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 therambler in situ, who knows the difficulties attending even a single journey to theinterior, and the almost physical impossiblity of visiting many localities exceptunder the most auspicious circumstances and at particular times, and who haspersevered in vain to reach distant rocks, and failed again and again in his effortsto 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 satisfactionderived from the object attained, and give to the explorer who has succeeded inovercoming 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 coldat night, seldom reveal themselves during the day with sufficient constancy(through the heavy canopy of cloud which hangs around them) to warrant anascent, hails with unbounded joy the advance of spring,—knowing that the time is