162 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. [6] 



their place being sufficiently supplied by the first few lines 

 of the descriptions, which deal with the general form, color 

 and other similar characters, in conjunction with the gen- 

 eral remarks usually appended in large type. In general 

 monographic memoirs they are quite unnecessary, and 

 merely consume space which might better be occupied by 

 descriptive matter, because in such monographs or revis- 

 ions, the key-tables, which should always be given, amply 

 serve the purpose for which the diagnoses are intended. 



It will be observed that the descriptions refer in all cases 

 to the single specimen assumed as the type. The diversity 

 of opinion as to the proper definition of a genus or the 

 structural differences warranting the generic isolation of 

 special groups, holds with almost equal force in regard to 

 the ideas attached to the species which compose them. 

 Forms which some coleopterists would regard as specific, 

 are held by others to be simply racial, and by others again 

 as merely accidental variations not even worthy of a name. 

 This divergence of opinion must necessarily exist until our 

 knowledge becomes more extensive, and until an approxi- 

 mately complete series of specimens of all species can be 

 obtained from every region of the globe. I have preferred, 

 therefore, in the existing state of knowledge, to describe 

 one definite type and give such general remarks as may in- 

 dicate the variation exhibited by the material at hand; addi- 

 tional series may alter our conception of the species to a 

 considerable degree, but having a single typical description, 

 we possess something tangible upon which to base the sub- 

 divisions into races or definite varieties, as may be deter- 

 mined by such representatives. In other words, it would 

 produce more confusion than benefit to attempt to give a 

 general description based upon material which must inevi- 

 tably be incomplete. 



It will also be noticed that the English language is alone 

 employed in descriptions and diagnostic tables. My rea- 

 sons for this course are, first, because I believe that the 



