Situation of Siagonium in the Brachelt/tra, 61 



opinion that the species of Jleochara generally present a far more 

 dilated appearance than many other species of Brachelyira. 



De Geer (v. iv. pi. 6. f. 11) has figured the Larva of Silpha 

 obscura, and which exactly agrees with Latreille's description of 

 the Larvae of that genus in the Hist. Nat. &c. and which he says 

 has twelve segnnients,and is "alonge, tres aplati," and also " termine 

 sur les cotes en angle aigu " — the anal appendages are described as 

 " deux petites appendices coniques " — and not as being jointed as 

 in my Larvae. DeGeer's figure exhibits the antenna? much lon- 

 ger than in the Larvae last above described by me, and it would 

 seem from the figure of the upper and under side of the anterior 

 segments of the body, that the head is entirely immerged in the 

 underside of the first segment of the trunk, and which will account 

 for Latreille calling it 12-jointed. 



Latreille, in the work last referred to, describes the Larvae of 

 the genus Nitidula, as nearly resembling those of Silpha. Body 

 flat and long with twelve joints ; " termines lateralement en uti 

 angle assez aigu." The last joint, as in Silpha being " garni de 

 deux petites appendices coniques" — If however Mr. Kirby's 

 opinion should hereafter be confirmed, there can I think be no 

 greater proof of the connexion of the Necrophaga and the Brache- 

 li/ira than the strong affinity of these Larvae. 



I ought not to omit to mention (since the resemblance existing 

 between the forms of Larvae and other groups of Annulosa has 

 become an interesting subject of investigation ; (consult K. & S. 

 Int. 3. 162) that the dilated appearance of the Larvae last above 

 described by me, bears a most striking analogical resemblance 

 to the shape of the body of Philoscia muscorum^ one of the Onis^ 

 cidce. 



The situation of the sub-genus Siagonium in an arrangement of 

 the BrachelytrUy will be between Bledius * and Zirophorus^ a 



• I am indebted to my friend Mr. Stephens for a sight of a new species of 

 this interesting genus, lately taken on the Coast of Norfolk, by Mr. Skrim- 

 shire, and which may be thus characterized — 



Bl. Siephensii. Fig. 4. A. B. 



Magnitudo, statura et summa affinitas Bl. armati—Dl ffert praecipue, capite 

 masculo cornubus duobus, elongatis, lateralibus, acuminatis, erectis armato, 

 (B.B. Caput absque antennis), Thorace spinis tribus margine anteriori in- 



