Coleopterolofjical Notices. 195 



Tn glancing through the plates of Schiodte's splendid work on 

 coleopterous larva3, we cannot resist drawing a few minor generali- 

 zations with reference to the great persistency of larval type which 

 prevails throughout some families, as for instance the Scarabseidse 

 and TenebrionidEe, and the enormous diversity of type exhibited by 

 others, notably the Staphylinidae, there being scarcely a correspond- 

 ing diversity of imaginal type in the latter, although the imago is 

 undoubtedly more heterogeneous than in either of the families before 

 mentioned. Incidentally we may perhaps be warranted in inferring 

 that the Scarabasidse and Tenebrionidse, being more homogeneous 

 and less differentiated in both larval and perfect stage, are more 

 recent in origin than the strongly differentiated Staphylinidse ; this 

 is of course under the general premise that multiplication of species 

 is due to differentiation from fewer and more synthetic ancestral 

 forms, although I am aware that Dr. Sharp holds that there is but 

 slight evidence of such divergence in the Dytiscidis. The truth is, 

 probably, that the Staphylinidye constitute one of the most ancient 

 types of coleoptera. 



Regarding the curious object described below, it can only be said 

 that if it be staphylinide, as there is some reason to suppose, it will 

 add another notable element to the heterogeneity characterizing that 

 interesting family. Or, conversely, its wide departure from the 

 usual types of coleopterous larvae will not, of itself, be an obstacle 

 in the way of its assignment thereto. In this connection it is 

 desirable to make the following observations : — 



1. The specimens were received in two small tubes which, in one 

 in.stance, contained besides only specimens of Termitogaster insolens, 

 and in another, only Perinthus Dudlexjanus. Mr. Beaumont seems 

 to have been careful to isolate his material, and it may -be very 

 safely assumed that the larvas and beetles were taken together from 

 the same nest. 



2. As far as its general nature is concerned, I believe it to be cole- 

 opterous, although in antennal structure it is exceedingly exceptional 

 for that order, being approached in this respect, within n^y knowl- 

 edge, only by Cyphon. The dense squamose vestiture, enormous 

 development of the labial palpi and tarsal structure are also exceed- 

 ingly peculiar. 



3. Assuming it to be coleopterous, I am quite convinced that it 

 cannot be related in any way to Termitogaster, but think that it 

 may possibly be the larva of Perinthus, the long tactile seta? of the 



