168 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



not fully described by the author, but is afterward limited and restricted 

 by other writers previous to the publication of synonyms, we think the 

 law of priority should apply. 



The supporters of the law of priority do not so much insist upon its 

 application in those few cases in which opinion as to the validity of the 

 description is denied, as upon its being taken as the acknowledged guide 

 in the great majority of cases in which recognizable descriptions are 

 attached to both names. 



The difference between the catalogue of Mr. Kirby and that of Dr. 

 Staudinger is easily explained. 



Dr. Staudinger may have adopted priority in some cases, but he 

 certainly has not in all. For instance, he has not in several cases recog- 

 nized the names of Fourcroy, Scopoli, Bergstrasser and others. The 

 differing degree of strictness with which the law was carried out, is 

 sufficient to explain the discrepancy in the catalogues. 



To be effective, priority must be rigidly enforced. The advantages to 

 be gained by the universal adoption of this law are so great to us, and 

 more especially to the future Entomologist, that the drawbacks, formid- 

 able at first, but steadily decreasing with time, can, it seems to us, offer 

 but slight resistance to its entire acceptation. 



LIST OF COLEOPTERA OF ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI. 



BY S. V. SUMMERS, M. D., NEW ORLEANS, LA. 

 (Continued from Page 147.) 



DYTISCID.E. 



Cnemidotus, Illig. Hydroporus, Clairv. (continued.) 

 1 2-punctatus, Aube. pratruelis, Lee. 



Hydroporus, Clairv. moestus, Aube. 



hybridus, Lee. lacustris, Say. 



imbelus, Lee. notus, Lee. 



