92 THE ORDER OF, COLEOPTERA. 



having each joint project more or less inwards, that is, towards the anten- 

 nae of the opposite side, so as to give it a saw-toothed appearance; and this 

 projection sometimes extends so far as to form what is called the pectinate 

 or comb-toothed antenna ; and when these processes are nearly as long 

 as the antenna itself, they form what is called the flahellate, or branched 

 antenna. But in many of the insects which are naturally classed in this 

 sub-section this character of the antennse is either wholly wanting, or 

 so slightly developed that it can be scarcely distinguished from the fili- 

 form, and therefore it canuot be relied upon by the student without the 

 aid of other characters. The only other insects of the pentamerous 

 section, however, with which they could be confounded are the Filicornes 

 proper of the first subsection, comprising the predaceous Ground-beetles, 

 Ciciudelidce and Carabidse, and the predaceous Water-beetles or Dytis- 

 cidse. From the latter they are distinguished, not only by the want of 

 any general resemblance, but more definitely by their legs not being- 

 fitted for swimming. And the ground beetles are distinguished by hav- 

 ing apparently six palpi, and more conspicuously by their large egg- 

 shaped posterior trochanters. 



The Serricornes, as a whole, do not constitute a natural division, 

 being composed of two very dissimilar tribes, viz : the saw-horned 

 wood-beetles, comprising the families Buprestid^e and Elaterida^, and 

 the soft-winged carnivorous beetles, Lampyrid.e, Telephorida', etc.; and 

 in addition to these a number of small groups (Ptinidte, Lymexyloiiidte, 

 Ehipiceridee and Cupesidse,) which do not strictly belong to either of 

 the leading tribes, but which are usually classed with one or the other 

 to avoid the creation of a great number of primary grouj^s.* In accord- 

 ance with our plan of classifying insects, as nearly as possible, accord- 

 lug to their habits and the nature of their food, and at the same time 

 leaving the two large and natural tribes just referred to undisturbed by 

 discordant elements, we have adopted the expedient of throwing to- 

 gether a number of these small and heterogeneous families, under the 

 title of Aberrant Wood-beetles. Thus arranged the Serricorn Coleoptera 

 will form three tribes, which may be designated as follows: 



1st Tribe. Saw-horned ivood-heetles. Sternoxi, Latreille. Head in- 

 serted in the thorax as far as the eyes. Antenna^ serrate or filiform. 

 Pro-sternum advanced in front, and also prolonged behind into a point 

 which is received into a cavity of the meso-sternum. Body elongate, 

 or elliptical, moderately convex, and of a very hard consistency. Legs 

 short and retractile. Anterior and middle coxae small and globulus. 

 Families : Buprestidaj, Elateridae and Oebrionidae. 



* " The creation of new families is a measure which should not be resorted to except at the last ex. 

 tremitv."— Lacoi!Daii!E, Genera d(?8 Col., IV, 258. 



