30 Introduction 



joints is shown after every name and runs from eleven to two, the latter 

 in the Pselaphids that live with ants. A great variety of forms of antennse 

 is also indicated and might even be extended, for in one genus of Silphidse 

 (Captotrichus) the antennse are serrate, and there are variations in the 

 number of joints forming the club and in the compactness of the club 

 that are not indicated. 



There are also special characters belonging to many of the groups 

 that are not indicated, as the ocelli of Brathinus and Omahini, the 

 fringed wings of Ptihdse, the parasitic break-down of many characters 

 in Platj-psyllidse, etc. 



The peculiar larval characters of Corylophidse,' Histeridse, Scaphi- 

 diidae are also omitted; but as an indication of isolation, either in adult 

 or larval characters, I have italicized certain names. Omitting them, 

 the remainder appear to compose two series, Silphoidea and Staphylin- 

 oidea, to which the more isolated families are for the present attached 

 as aberrant branches. Handlirsch considered the Histeridse as an early 

 offshoot from Staphylinoidea ; it may be necessary to separate them at 

 least as another series. 



MALACODERMATA or CANTHAROIDEA 



The Lampyridse of Leconte, divided into Lycidse, Lampyridae, 

 Telephoridae, Phengodidse and Drilidse by more recent authors, possess 

 veiy primitive characters in their 7-segmented abdomen, 5-jointed 

 tarsi, and broad elytra, not co-adapted to the body, and also pubescent 

 in the more primitive forms. The coxge and trochanters are of the 

 exaggerated form seen only in primitive beetles, and they have also the 

 soft texture of generalized insects. Brauer's Law might also be invoked 

 to support the primitive character of the IVIalacodermata in view of the 

 larv'iform females of some species. With them may be associated the 

 families of Kolbe's series Trichodermata - where the texture becomes 

 firmer, the abdominal segments six, and the tarsi even reach the heterom- 

 erous condition in Temnopsophus and Corynetes. The heteromerous 

 tarsi of Othniidse are therefore no reason why it also should not be 

 included.^ The antennse exhibit a wide modification as in the preceding 

 division, being filiform in the lowest forms, serrate in the bulk of the 



' Since this introiluction was written Mr. -Schwarz has advised placing Othnius near 

 Pythidse; the position assigned to Corylophidie is also seriously questionable. 



2 Handlirsch (p. 1277) inclines to tracing a different line of descent for Trichodermata on account 

 of difference in number of Malpighian vessels. 



