1G8 J. L. LECONTE, M. D. 



of the antennae so far as I know occurs only in Tcnebrionidaj and 

 Lucauidoe, and the particular modification in form seen in Tn'rtcnotoina 

 does not occur in either of those families. The mouth does not re- 

 semble at all that of the CerambycidcB ; in the latter tl»c ligula is 

 attached at the end of the ntoutum, and the iutorveDing coriaceous 

 piece is quite apparent ; in Trictenotoma the meDtum is larger, feebly 

 emarginate. and the ligula is inserted behind it as is the case with 

 Lucannn. The insertion of the antennse, and the form of the side 

 of the head in front of the eyes is also similar to the Lucanidad. I 

 therefore regard the affinities as strong in that direction ; while the 

 relation to the Prionidae is one mostly of external resemblance. I may 

 also observe, that the mandibles of Trictenotoma are quite different 

 from those of Pn'ouus, et«., in having on the under surface a fringe 

 of long cilijc as in Lepturn. If therefore it has any affinity to 

 Cerambycidae, it is towards the whole family, and not specially to the 

 Prionidae subfamily. 



The original and earliest ideal forms of Coleoptera, which combined 

 the characters of the Isomerous and Heteromerous normal Coleoptera 

 with the Rhynchophora. are unknown, and if they ever existed, have 

 probably become extinct in the measureless lapse of ages since they 

 flourished upon the earth. 



The only indications we have of their possible existence, are the 

 resemblances in form of certain Anthribidae to Lamiidae; the Rhyncho- 

 phorous modifications of the prosternura in Nematidium and other 

 Colydiidae, as well as in Cossyphus; and the similar form of mentum 

 in the higher Tenebrionidae to that observed in some Otiorhynchidae. 

 'J'he affinity of Rhinomacer with Rhinosimns, etc., may also be men- 

 tioned. I do not regard any of these relations as very strong; and 

 many wide breaks have to be filled in our series before they can admit 

 of satisfactory demonstration. 



