PREFACE 



The Munich Catalogue of 1868 contained the names of 1151 species; 

 but this number was subsequentlj^ reduced to about 1050 by divers 

 names falling into synonymy. The present Catalogue includes the names 

 of 2306 species. 



In the arrangement of the genera I have placed first those which 

 contain species with non-retractile heads, of which Niponius, Holohpta^ 

 and Trypanceus are conspicuous exponents. The second section com- 

 mences with Plcesius, and includes the genera in which the head is 

 retractile and during rest is concealed by a prominent prosternal lobe. 

 The third division contains genera whose species are more heterogeneous 

 and have a mesosternum more or less projecting or bisinuous anteriorly, 

 with the base of the presternum correspondingly incised. After these I 

 have placed Abrceus and the genera containing the most minute species. 

 The Saprinini are placed separately because they stand apart from 

 the other groups by reason of their general form and particular sculpture, 

 and at the end of the Catalogue are given some doubtful genera, including 

 Jilurmidius. 



The geographical names are spelt in accordance with the ' Times ' 

 Atlas of 1900. 



March 1005. 



