COLEOPTERA iSi 



varied about i mm. in length, the longest being about 3'5, the smallest about 2-5 mm. 

 Thus the vestiges in absolute variation varied much less than the elytra, but in 

 proportion to their sizes the variation of the vestiges was somewhat the greater. 



I have not made any other extensive special examination of these Anchomenid 

 wings, but I have seen nothing to lead me to suppose that they are variable to any 

 considerable extent ; and I incline to believe that what is true of the variation of 

 Barypristits riipicola applies to most of the other species. It amounts to this, that the 

 vestiges are not very variable ; and that if, where they are still fairly large, they are to 

 be looked on as in process of diminishing, then the diminution is effected by factors that 

 affect all the individuals of a species in an approximately similar manner'. 



Group Pterostichides. Our 78 species of this group are all I believe flightless. 

 I have examined those species that from their shape and contour gave a suggestion that 

 they might be winged, but I have found none that were so. Mecyclothoj-ax aniaroidcs 

 is a robust, broad-shouldered form, and I thought would certainly have good wings. On 

 the contrary they are completely vestigial. The vestiges are apparently but little 

 varied ; I have noticed that usually they are about as long as the metanotum ; in M. 

 ■niontivagus they are about J the length of the metanotum. 



The phenomena in this group appear to be considerably different from those we find 

 in the Anchomenides, the species being all flightless, and the vestigial wings but little 

 varied. 



Group Bembidiides. In this group the two genera Nesolyvmacwn and Beinbidimn 

 with five species, are winged. The other forms are doubtless all flightless, and many of 

 them, judging from their general appearance, are probably in the most advanced con- 

 dition of wing-degeneration. We have obtained but a small number of specimens in this 

 group, so that of only two species have I had any material for examining the wing- 

 variation. These are Bonbidiuvi inolokaiense and Nesocidiiim laeticiiiuvi. In discussing 

 them I shall narrate my observations and need not repeat them here. It is sufficient 

 to say that during my examination of the Kauai examples that I supposed to belong 

 to the flightless A^esociditim I discovered two individuals I had assigned to it to be 

 fully winged. I am unable to distinguish them by any other character, and though 

 I have at present treated them as distinct (and as a variety of Beinbidiiun inolokaiense) 

 I cannot but think that if further investigation were made of this species in Kauai we 

 should find some interesting facts. I anticipate that we should discover that the 

 flightless Nesocidiitni laeticjiliiin sometimes occurs with full)' developed wings (and is 

 then according to the present system Benibiduun inolokaiense van). If so the \-arietal 

 formula would be something of this sort, viz. this species of creature usuall)- has only 



' Casey examined vestigial wings oi Blapstinus and found them but little variable (Ann. New York Ac. vi. 

 1S92). It has been stated that certain European Carabus fly in certain localities, though the wings are 

 atrophied elsewhere. This is contradicted by Lomnicki, who states that Carabus is always flightless, and that 

 the vestigial wings are in most species constant in size ; but that in one or two species they are dimorphic, 

 being of two grades of development. My own observations lead me to believe that Lomnicki's statements are 

 probably correct. Zool. Anz. 1S98, p. 352. 



