XXX INTRODUCTION. 



ADEPHAGA. 



This series contains but few families. The species are usually 

 active, and their habits predaceous. Seven families compose this 

 series, six of which are represented in our fauna, separated in the 

 following manner: — 



Metasternum witli an antecoxal piece, separated by a well-marked suture, 

 reaching from one side to the other, and extending in a triangular 

 process between the hind coxse ; 

 Antennse ll-jointedj hind cox?e mobile and simple; habits terrestrial. 

 Antennje inserted on the front above the base of the mandibles. 



(p. 1) CiCINDELIDjE. 



Antennae arising at the side of the head between the base of the man- 

 dibles and the eyes. (p. 4) CARABiDi^. 

 Antennae 10-jointed ; hind coxa? fixed, and with large plates almost 

 entirely concealing the abdomen ; habits aquatic, (p. 60) Haliplid^e. 

 Metasternum with a very short atitecoxal piece, the suture indistinct ; 

 posteriorly not prolonged between the coxae ; habits aquatic. 



(p. 59) Amfiiizoid.i;. 



Metasternum without antecoxal piece ; prolonged in a triangular process 



posteriorly ; habits aquatic ; 



AntennaB slender, filiform, or setaceous ; abdomen with six segments ; 



eyes two. (p. 61) Dytiscid^. 



Antennae irregular, very short ; abdomen with seven segments ; eyes 



four. (p. 68) GvKiNiDii,. 



The only family not represented in our fauna is the Pelobiidje; 

 it is related to the Amphizoid», differing by its conical front 

 coxae and natatorial legs. It is represented in Europe and 

 Australia, AmphizoidEe until very recently was peculiar to our 

 fauna, but a species of Amphizoa has been described within a few 

 mouths from Thibet. 



CLAVICORNIA- 



This series and the next present so many exceptional cases 

 that it is nearly impossible to assign other characters than those 

 given in the table. It is here that the tarsal system has its 

 feeblest value, as every possible variation exists from the penta- 

 merous to the monomerous. As a general rule, in doubtful cases, 

 any departure from the pentamerous tarsal structure is an indica- 

 tion of Clavicorn relationship. In the following table certain 

 families and other subdivisions are included which are aberrant 

 members of the Serricorn series (Sphindidse, Cioidas, Lyctina3, 



