SNOUT-BEETLES OE WEEVILS. 133 



cult of ai)plication. We have therefore followed the more popular class- 

 ification of Latrcille and Schu'uherr, so far as respects this primary 

 division. 



Section 1. Brcvirostres. Eostrnm short and L)roa«l, never much loiijivr 

 than the head; scrobes extending to the end of the rostruu), and the an- 

 tenn;e inserted at or near their extremities. Anterior coxic contiy:uons. 

 Elytra covering the whole of the abdomen. 



Section 2. Lonyirostres. Kostrum usually much longer than the 

 head, narrow and cylindrical; scobes very rarely reaching the end of 

 the rostrum, and the antenna* usually inserted at a greater or less dis- 

 tance from its extremity, generally near the middle, and sometimes at 

 its base. Cox.t and elytra various. 



The Longirostres, which are much the most numerous, are divided by 

 Lacordaire, into two sub-sections accordingly as tlie anteiior coxic 

 touch each other, or stand more or less ai)art. The former he names 

 iSynmerides, meduiWgX thighs contiguous,- and the ]iitt*^r Aposta.simerides, 

 (which we have contracted to Apomcridrs), meaning thighs seimrate. 



The word scrohc, used in describing the Curculionidic, is the name 

 given to the channel on each side of the rostrum for the reception of the 

 antenna'. The term occuJar lohcs refers to the form of the anterior and 

 lateral margins of the thorax, which, in this case, curve forwards so as 

 to touch or partly cover the eyes. iScape is the same as j^edice/, and is 

 the name of the elongated first Joint of the antenna^. The rostral canal 

 is the name of the groove in the prosternum of some species for the re- 

 ception of the rostrrm when it is bent under the breast in repose. 



It is necessary to bear in mind that as the Curculionidie are, for the 

 most part, small insects when comi>ared with the Coleoptera in general, 

 tlie terms large and small, when applied to particular groups or si)e- 

 cies, have a modified significance. A curculio half an inch or upwards 

 in length, is comparatively large ; one a (juarter of an inch, is medium ; 

 and one an eighth of an inch or less, is small or very small. 



The following tables exhibit the principal groups or sub families into 

 which this extensive familv has been divided : 



Section 1. B r e r i rostres. 



A. Auti'umc straight; eyes round ITIIYCERIDES. 



A A. Antenna' sliffhtly elbowed; eyes oblong, narrowed interiorly . .C'LEONIDES. 

 A A A. Antenme strongly elbowed. 



IJ. Eyes large, depressed, transverse, pointed at the lower extremify. Prothorax 



with ocular lobes; scrobes directed inferiorly LEPTOPSIDES. 



B H. Eyes round or oval. 



D. Prothorax without ocular lobes; eyes generally moderate — sometimes 

 round, sometimes oval. 



