Coleopterological Notices. 495 



numerous affinities in widely different directions, in all probability 

 the direct and comparatively unmodified descendants of extremely 

 ancient types, from which have divera^ed at different epochs a large 

 proportion of the modern representatives of the order. 



To discuss all or even a considerable part of the relations indicated 

 bv the genera mentioned, would be quite impossible at the present 

 time. Perhaps the strongest is in the direction of the Tenebrion- 

 idse, for this is evidenced very plainly in many ways : — in Rhysodes 

 by the antennae with porous sensitive areas toward the distal ex- 

 tremities of the last five joints, also visible in Brontes, Hectarthrum 

 and Passandra, and by its large mentum ; in Lyctus by the lai'ge 

 mentum ; in the Colydiinae by the antennae of Rhagodera and 

 Anchonima; in the Passandrina? by the antennae of Narthecius, 

 with its small terminal joint, and in the arcuate impression of the 

 last ventral segment homologous with that of Zopherus; in the 

 heteromerous male tarsi ofthe Cucujinse; and finally and even more 

 decidedly, in the completely heteromerous tarsi of Hemipeplus. 



The rhynchophorous relationship is indicated by the larva of 

 Lyctus and the prosternal structure of many colydiides, also by 

 the solid antennal club of the Monotominge and many of the Colydi- 

 inffi. Rather more obscure adephagous and cerambycide affinities 

 have been noted by authors in Rhysodes, and Lyctus is said to 

 possess some serricorn affinity through the Cisinae. 



That Lyctus is however really a clavicorn belonging near the 

 Cucujinae, does not seem to admit of any reasonable doubt for : 



1 The tetramerous tarsi of Narthecius and the Colydiinae have 

 been derived from the pentamerous by the atrophy of the first joint, 

 clearly shown in an intermediate stage in Lyctus, and also, it should 

 be added, in a still more advanced stage in Prostomis. The tarsus 

 of Lyctus is in fact very similar to that of Laemophlceus. It should 

 also be remarked in this connection, that the antennae of Lyctus are 

 precisely identical in structure with those of Berginus. 



2 The rhynchophorous relationship of some of the colydiides — 

 notably Nematidium — has been observed by LeConte (Trans. Am. 

 Ent. Soc, 1875, p. 168). Now in Lyctus this relationship is also 

 evident but at an earlier stage of development, the larva of Lyctus 

 being described as very similar to that of the Scolytidte. Although 

 this does not prove that Lyctus and Nematidium are related, since 

 their resemblances to Rhynchophora may have been derived along 

 lines of development convergent upon Rhynchophora but from 



