AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 217 



While therefore indicating relationships, not with one, but •with 

 several series of the modern Coleoptera, each of these widely distinct 

 forms possesses a certain number of characters in common, or nearly 

 in common, which separate them from all other Coleoptera, and link 

 them together as representatives of the ancien regime. 



It has been my opinion, expressed many years ago, that by the 

 careful study of the existing forms of insects, which for reasons given 

 elsewhere, both by others and myself, contain a greater number of 

 ancient survivals than any other land animals, these ancient survivals 

 could be recognized and separated ; so that we would have by this 

 depuration the evolutions of the present geological age more dis- 

 tinctly separated and defined in our systems of classification ; and 

 that we would also be able to ascertain their proper connection 

 (ideal or genetic, or both), with those which existed in past time. 

 I now believe, in addition, that the number of these survivals is so 

 great, that we will have a quite respectable mass of material for 

 the partial reconstruction of the insect-fauna of past ages ; especially 

 if studied in connection with geographical distribution. The material 

 which we can expect to gather from this line of study will be much 

 greater than what may be expected from the rocks; in which the 

 fragments, badly preserved for the most part, aflFord us very uncertain, 

 and usually very modern evidence of little value. 



The bibliography of this insect, which is quite voluminous, may be 

 found in the " Essai d'une Classification de la Famille des Ceramby- 

 cides," Paris, 1860, p. 261; and " Systema Cerambycidarum," Liege, 

 186-4, p. 320, both by Mr. James Thomson, who supports strongly its 

 Longicorn affinities. 



For the convenience of those students who may wish to review the 

 opinions expressed by the authors who have written on this subject, 

 I append the bibliography given by 3Ir. Thomson. 



Hypocephalus armatus Desmarest. Magazin de Zoologie, 1832, 

 insectes, pi. 24, (figure) ; refers it to iSifphidse. 



Laporte, Hist. Nat. Coleopt. II, p. 3; places it in Silphidse. 



Hope, Coleopterist's Manual, III, p. 149, does the same. 



Westwood, Inti'oduction to Modern Classif. Insects, I, 150, refers it 

 and Calodromus to Cucujidas. 



Westwood, Arcana Entom. I, p. 35, pi. 10 ; mentions its complex 

 affinities. 



TRANS. AMER. ENT. SOC. V. (28) NOVEMBER, 1876. 



