CLASSIFICATION OF COLEOPTERA. 



125 



It is characteristic of the Adephagan wing that this hranch 

 (M^) is joined to the media by means of one or two, generally 

 by two, transverse veins. When two are present, an oblong cell 

 is formed, which affords a ready means of recognizing the type. 



The Adephaga generally show a modification of the simpler 

 and more primitive type, as met with in the Cupedidae. The 

 anterior branch (M2) of the media has in part disappeared, 

 especially in the proximal area of the wing, and the media itself 

 shows a peculiar twist or bend in its course near the point where 

 the transverse veins join on to it (Fig. 2). 



The chief characteristic of the Staphylinoidean type of wing- 

 venation — the second of Ganglbauer's types — lies in the dis- 

 appearance of all the transverse veins, and of the proximal part 

 of the anterior branch (Mj^) of the media, the distal part only 

 of this branch being left as an isolated vein in the apical area 

 of the wing (Fig. 3). 



R2. 



Fig. 3. — Wing of Necrophorus vcsinlloides, Herbst. (After Kempers.) 



The third type of wing- venation* — the Cantharoidean type — 

 is characterized by the curved, hook-like connection which the 

 anterior branch (Mj) of the media makes with the media, so 

 that it looks like a recurrent branch of the latter. In a similar 

 manner the posterior branch (R^) of ^lie radius appears as a 

 recurrent branch of that vein. The distal parts of these 

 branches frequently appear in the apical area of the wing as 

 radiating veins, but are sometimes altogether absent (Fig. 4). 



Sc c 



CUl CW2/|^, 



Fig. 4. — Wing of Lampijris noctilitca, L. 



* Ganglbauer figured the wing of Lygistoptcrus sanguineus to illustrate 

 this type. This wing wants one of the two tranverse veins between A^ and 

 Cu'^ ; and I have substituted for it the wing of Lajnjnjris, and lettered the 

 veins in accordance with my own views. 



(To be continued.) 



