INTRODUCTION. 5 



doubtful specimens with the types, and with those of the larger 

 public and private collections. Little attempt has, however, been 

 made to reduce to synonymy the more feebly differentiated forms 

 previously described for, in the present stage of our knowledge 

 of the life history of many species, personal opinion would nec- 

 essarily be the principal guide in such action, and of insufficient 

 weight to justify arbitrary declaration. The principal synonyms 

 necessary to connect this with preceding works on the Rhyn- 

 chophora are given and the extent of the information available 

 as to each species is indicated in the data accompanying the dis- 

 tribution. 



In the division of the work of preparing the manuscript the 

 senior author has prepared all the keys and descriptions except 

 in Bahi nin us and Scolytidae, and has reviewed the entire work. 

 The illustrations and proof reading have also had his personal 

 attention. The majority of the new species have been described 

 by him, are signed ( W. X. /?. ) and are to be accredited to him 

 alone. The junior author has supplied the key and descriptions 

 of the species of BaJaiiiiins, much of the matter relating to the 

 distribution of the Atlantic Coast species, especially in Ceuto- 

 rhynchini, the primary divisions into the subfamilies and tribes, 

 as well as the chapters on Scolytida? and the Bibliography. The 

 species which he has v described and signed (C. W. L.) and two 

 which have been communicated by Dr. Hopkins and signed 

 (A. D. H.) are to be accredited to each of these authors respec- 

 tively. Unless otherwise stated the types of the new species are 

 in the private collection of their author. 



The principal works used in preparing the pages that follow 

 are listed in the Bibliography at the end of the book. The taxo- 

 nomic works used for each tribe are also always mentioned, as 

 in the "Beetles of Indiana,' 11 at the commencement of our 

 treatment of the tribe or other subdivision. Following the 

 name of each species, however, the text gives usually only 

 the name, or its abbreviation, of the author and date and page 

 of his original description, the full title of the work where 

 it appeared being given in the Bibliography. A number of 

 short papers, treating mainly of economic phases, have been 

 omitted ; these will be found in the Bibliography of Eco : 

 nomic Entomology by Samuel Henshaw and Nathan Banks. 



The work of preparing these pages has been a pleasant task 

 to the authors, the specimens recalling many scenes and inci- 



