BY WILLIAM MACLEAY, JUN., ESQ. ^"7 



and the other the Thalerophaga of the same author, with this 

 exception, that the Glaphijridce are joined with the Saprophaga 

 and the Dynastidce with the Thalerophaga. 



Such an arrangement is a palpable forcing of nature to suit 

 the imaginary importance of a peculiar structiire, and without 

 wishing to undervalue the importance in animal economy of the 

 organs of respiration, or of characters founded upon their jX)sition, 

 number, &c., I must say that the result in this case affords another 

 illustration of a truth long since pointed out by Mr. MacLeay, viz : 

 that no one character can be universally trusted, and that characters 

 which appear constant in one group are frequently found to give 

 way in another. The tarsal system of Latreille is an illustration of 

 this axiom ; since, excellent and natural though the tarsal distinc- 

 tions have been found to be in many cases, Mr. MacLeay (Linn. 

 Trans, vol. XIV.) has clearly shown that in certain groups the 

 system breaks down altogether, and that the'tarsi vary in species 

 and even in the sexes. Another illustration of the axiom is to be 

 found among the Mammalia; on the dentition of the animals of 

 that division of the Vertehrata has been based a most constant, 

 correct, and natural mode of classification ; but it also breaks down 

 completely in the genus BJdnoceros, where almost eveiy species' 

 is found to have a distinct system of teeth. 



The position of the Glaphyridce in the Animal Kingdom, 

 may, according to Mr. MacLeay (Smith's Zool. of S. Al'ricia, 

 No. III.) be defined as follows— 



Regmim ANIMALIA. 



1. Subregniim AISTNULOSA. 



2. Classis MANDIBULATA. 



3. Ordo COLEOPTERA. 



4. Trihus CHILOGNATHOMORPHA; 



5. Stirps PETALOCERA THALEROPHAGA. 



6. FamiUa GLAPHYRID^. 



Before pi-oceeding to what is reaUy the object of the present 

 paper, viz., to describe the Australian genera and species of this 

 family, I will take the opportunity of making a few observations 

 on the sub-divisions of the entire family. 



Mr. MacLeay has pointed out in the Boroi EntomoUxjicce that 

 all natural groups whether Kingdoms, Classes, Orders, Families, or 



