INSECT A. l.-l 



importance with regard to systematic arrangement, since, 

 as the author rightly observes, " it affords at least secon- 

 dary Family characters." 



The author distinguishes three forms : (1) OKTHOTROPOTJS WINGS (alse ortho- 

 tropte) without any slanted fold, and without flexure (bruch); Molorchus, 

 Alrdctocerus, Lyons (he also adduces Carabus, relying upon the circumstance 

 that in Ccmiltis gramilatus wings of moderate length are found under the 

 elytra; but these wings are not perfectly formed, and consequently cannot be 

 taken into account ; when, in an unusual way they are fully developed they 

 assume, in that species, the third form. (2) ANATROPOTJS WINGS (alee ana- 

 tropac), doubled back, without slanted folding ; (Trichopteryx, Scaphidium, 

 Cat ops, and those that were examined of various Curculionidre). (3) PLA- 

 GIOTROPOUS WINGS (alte plagiotropse) bent back, and at the same time 

 folded, so that the anterior margin of the wing in the closed position forms 

 a more or less acute angle, whilst in the anatropous wings the anterior margin 

 is doubled back upon itself. This third form is by far the most frequent, and 

 exlu'bits many modifications, which are described in a very succinct manner. 



Heer (Entom. Zeit. p. 51, T. ii) has also submitted to 

 examination the articulation of the abdomen of the Cole- 

 optera. 



He correctly remarks that in the larva there are generally nine abdominal 

 rings present, that nine is also in the perfect beetle, to be assumed as the 

 normal number for the segments of the abdomen, and that this number is 

 only apparently diminished in consequence of some of the segments, either at 

 the base or at the apex, being retracted or concealed. This is more 

 the case on the abdominal than on the dorsal face, whence the abdominal 

 segments depart more from the normal number than those of the back. 

 Besides the mere number of the segments of the back and abdomen, their 

 mutual relations also are to be taken into consideration. In this respect the 

 author distinguishes four cases : 



(1) Each abdominal segment corresponds with one dorsal segment, but the 

 first of these is frequently not continued on the abdominal surface. (Bra- 

 ct/elytra, Silpliidce, true Lamellicornia.) 



(2) The first abdominal segments are opposed to single dorsal segments ; 

 the first abdominal segments are continued immediately into single dorsal 

 segments, but to the last abdominal segment are opposed two or three 

 dorsal segments. (CaraUda, Lucanldce, Elateridce, ByrrMdee.) 



(3) To the first abdominal segments are opposed from two to three dorsal 

 segments, but to the rest of them only single dorsal segments; the last, 

 however, normally is retracted within the penultimate one. This condition 

 is frequent, as for instance in the Longicornes. 



