210 SEKRICORNIA. 



Pam. EUCNEMID-E • 



The question can hardly be considered definitely settled regarding the status of the 

 insects which constitute the series now under consideration. Opinions differ among 

 those who have specially studied the Eucnemidae, and the weight seems about equally 

 balanced (1) in favour of retaining them as a separate family, or (2) considering them 

 part of the Elateridse. Several years ago, in discussing the species of the North- 

 American fauna, the latter view was adopted by me, as there did not seem to be any 

 character or assemblage of characters of sufficient value to define a family of Coleoptera. 

 As the discussion of matters of this kind is hardly within the scope of a work of the 

 character of the present one, the family is assumed to be distinct. 



The Eucnemidse are, for the most part, rare ; and but few collections contain a sufficient 

 number either of species or genera to enable a definite idea of the family to be 

 formed. The masterly monograph by de Bonvouloir marked an era and gives the basis 

 for any future studies . In Coleopterous literature but few works are comparable with 

 it in the evidence it gives of patient and accurate research. A successful or satisfactory 

 use of the work requires not only patient study but a correct understanding of what 

 might be called the " personal equation " in the use of terms and choice of words to 

 convey ideas. 



At the present time the family contains ninety genera and about 475 species. The 

 following pages add six genera and fifty-six species, making a total of ninety-six and 

 531. Of this total the Central- American fauna is now known to possess thirty- two 

 genera and 108 species. Thirteen genera and three species are represented in common 

 in Boreal and Central America, while twenty-one genera and as many species occur in 

 Central and Tropical South America, including Brazil. One genus, Trigonopleurus, 

 occurs also in Australia ; but from the numerous errors of locality observed in the 

 Monograph, more especially in species referred to Boreal America, there may be reason 

 to doubt the accuracy of the above-mentioned statement. The errors of habitat in 

 the ' Catalogus Coleopterorum ' are still more numerous. 



At the present time no satisfactory comparison can be made of the number and 

 distribution of species in the Central- American fauna and any other equal region. Our 

 knowledge of the Mexican species is due almost entirely to the collections made by 

 M. A. Salle in a limited region, while the results obtained by Mr. G. C. Champion in 

 Guatemala and Panama show what can be expected from patient work elsewhere. 



The material amassed by M. A. Salle forms part of our collection, and includes the 

 typical specimens of nearly all the species described by de Bonvouloir from Mexico. 



By G. H. Hokn. 









