AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 215 



absence of basal fold to the elytra are characters of unfrequeiit occur- 

 rence ; the former is perhaps best imitated among the Rhynchophora, 

 the latter in certain Carabid^e of the Scan'fiiti tribe. 



The mcsosternura is long, indicating an ancient and undifferentiated 

 type ; there is nothing peculiar in the form of the side pieces to indi- 

 cate any special affinities. 



The tuetasternum is also not remarkable for anything but its great 

 size, and the width of the intercoxal space, characters rather of a 

 Rhynchophorous type, and repeated in members of the Clavicorn 

 series, and in some Cerambycidae and Chrysomelidae. 



The abdomen though small compared with the bulk of the insect, 

 has the first segment very large, and the intercoxal process which is 

 rather narrow between the coxae becomes wider in front, in a manner 

 not known to me in any other genus. The coxal cavities are very 

 large, and excavated in great part in the first segment, the anterior 

 angles of which attain the metathoracic epiniera ; a character, again, 

 which is repulsive to the Longicorn series ; the other segments dimin- 

 ish in width, and present nothing very peculiar. 



The dorsal segments and the spiracles cannot be seen sufficiently to 

 indicate any relations with other families. 



The elytr.1 are altogether peculiar; their sculpture has been com- 

 pared with that of Spondylidce and Prionidas, but I see very little 

 resemblance, though I am not prepared to indicate the exact differ- 

 ences, as the specimen was not in my possession sufficiently long. 

 I may say, however, in general terms, that the surface of the elytra 

 in the different series of Coleoptera is characterized by certain pecu- 

 liarities, which have not yet been defined accurately, but which a 

 practised eye never fails to detect. So that with sufficient experience, 

 a correct surmise as to the series, (and frequently also the family), 

 from which the wing-case has been derived can be always made. 

 Looking at the elytra of I/j/pocephalus with this view, it is suggestive 

 of no relationship; the punctures, perhaps, feebly resemble ■ those of 

 ^j)ou<h//is^ but the costas, the margin and the epipleurae are quite 

 as un-Longicorn, as they are unlike every other series that might 

 be named. 



The legs, though biologically modified in accordance wifh the sub- 

 terranean habits of the animal, are very suggestive of its relation- 

 ships. 



The prominent globose front coxae, separated by the prosternum, 

 and narrowly but completely enclosed behind, with a large distinct 

 trochantin, occupying an angle in the coxal cavity, are eminently 



