THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 283 



Series 1. HArLOGASTRA. 



Abdomen alike in belli sexes ; dorsal segments seven, 

 coriaceous, with the exception of the 7th, which forms the 

 pygidiura, and which is small and corneous ; ventral 

 segments not prolonged upwards into a sharp edge ; elytra 

 without lateral fold on the inner surface; epipleura usually 

 distinct; antennse straight, ll-jointed; ungues usually bifid 

 or toothed, rarely (Rhinomacer) simple ; front coxa conical, 

 prominent; prosternum very short in front of the coxa;; the 

 beak varies in length and tiiickness, but not according to 

 sex, so far as I know ; the front coxa) are contiguous, exce])t 

 in one genus of Rhynchitida) (Pterocolus) ; the ventral 

 sutures of the abdomen are straight; the mandibles and 

 tibiae vary in form, and furnish convenient characters for 

 division into families: — 



A. Ventral segments nearly equal iu length; 



epipleural indistinct ; tibial spurs small ; 

 claws simple (always ?). Mandibles simple, 

 flat ; labrura distinct. - - - Rhinomacebid^. 



B. Ventral segments diminishing in length; 



epipleurfe distinct ; labrum wanting ; 



claws bifid, or appendiculate. 

 Mandibles flat, toothed on each side ; tibial 



spurs small. .... RnYNCHiTiDiE. 

 Mandibles stout, pincer-shaped ; tibial spurs 



large. ..... Attelabid^. 



The afEnities of this series are in an ascending direction 

 with the rostrated Heteromera (Oedemerida^ and Pythidae) : 

 this is indicated by the softer tissues in Rhinomacerida^, 

 and certain Rhynchitidce, and also by the presence of a 

 labrum in the former. In a descending direction the Attela- 

 bida; lead to the true Curculionidoe, and the Rhynchitida) to 

 the Belidaj, the last family in the third series of Rhyn- 

 chophora. The habits of the species of this series are 

 peculiar, and quite different from those of the next series, 

 and indicate, as is wisely observed by Lacordaire,* for the 

 care of their progeny, an industry which aj^pears here for 

 the first time in the family. I cannot describe the results 

 of this instinctive or intelligent industry better than by 

 * Gen. Col. vi. 543. 



