Die Käfer Westfalens

Abstract

WE have already noticed the first part of this work in NATURE. The second and concluding portion is now before us. It forms one of the most useful local Beetle catalogues that we have seen, nicely printed (the names being in bold black type), with copious local and other information. The district comprises about 450 square (German) miles, and is varied in its physical conditions. In all, 3221 species are enumerated, in 59 families. The Staphylinidæ comprise 667 species, Curculionidæ 475, Carabidæ 321, Chrysomelidæ 265, and Dytiscidæ 115. All the other families have each less than 100 representatives, and 10 of them less than 5. The nomenclature followed is that of the newest “Stein-Weise” German list, which, as is well known, has introduced a great multitude of changes and innovations; but other generally received names are indicated in brackets, thus avoiding confusion. Westhoff describes no new species in Part ii., but indicates and names a good many new (chiefly colour) varieties. Probably the rage for naming colour-varieties, so wide-spread at the present day, should be deprecated. For instance, in this catalogue we find a list of 27 named varieties following the indication of Coccinella 10-punctata, L., and 6 or 8 analogous varieties are appended to many other species of Ladybirds. Taking it as a whole, this excellent catalogue may serve as a model for compilers of lists of the Beetle (or other entomological) fauna of other districts.

Die Käfer Westfalens.

Zusammengestelt von F. Westhoff. Abtheilung ii. (Supplement zu den Verhandlungen des naturhistorischen Vereins der preussischen Rheinlande und Westfalens, Jahrgang 38, pp. 145–323.) (Bonn, 1882.)