1MJ EFACE. 



Thk publication of the ' Trichopterygia ttlustrata' in 1872 aroused among 

 entomologists an interest in that previously neglected family which has proved so 

 fertile in its results, that about one hundred fresh species, including seven new 

 genera, have already been brought to light. In the preface to that work I 

 expressed my belief that the Trichbptt rygida would eventually prove to be one of 

 the most numerous families of Coleoptera, and subsequent events appear to have 

 fully justified my anticipations. The collections sent from every recently explored 

 part of the world contain on an average three-fourths of species new to science, 

 and these in most cases exhibit very obvious distinctive characters. The genus 

 Trichopteryx forms the principal if not the only exception, for its multitudinous 

 '•ies often so closely resemble each other that, without the aid of a powerful 

 microscope, or the presence of types of allied species for comparison, it is difficult 

 to perceive in what way they differ from those already known. 



In the same preface I also endeavoured to explain my views on the altinities 

 and systematic position of the Trickcpterygida, and a prolonged study of those 

 insects, together with a more perfect knowledge of their anatomy, has tended 

 to confirm my views with regard to their affinities, but slightly to modify them in 

 respect of their systematic position. At that time, perceiving their close alliance 

 to the Staphylinida, I proposed that in a systematic arrangement the Trickoptery- 

 gida should be placed immediately before the Staphylinida ; but 1 am now inclined 

 to think that that arrangement should be transposed, and that, instead of 

 preceding the Staphylinida, the Trichopterygidai should follow next in succession to 

 that extensive group ; by this change their alliance would lie maintained, while the 

 transition into other Clavicorn families would be more naturally accomplished. 

 The chief cause which has inclined me to maki this alteration consists in the 

 formation of their anterior coxa?. In all the groups which have by general consent 

 been hitherto placed before the Staphylinida, and in most genera of 

 Staphylinida themselves, these limbs are long and free, or, as they are sometimes 

 termed, prominent — i.e., unconfined by any coxal cavity ; but throughout th( 

 TrichopU rygida the anterior coxne are placed in a cavity of the prosternum, which 

 with very few exceptions is perfectly closed on both sides. This is an important 

 anatomical character, and strongly indicative of affinity among groups in e\< re- 

 section of the whole Order. 



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