INSECTS — COLEOPTERA. 33 



very iuteresting letter on Ampliizoa, in which my attention was called to this omission, and to 

 the misstatement that the galea of the maxillae is biarticulate ; a more careful view shows that 

 it is in reality undivided, and that I was deceived by a cross reflection of light. 



With regard to the affinities towards the Tenebrionidae, upon which Dr. Schaum lays great 

 stress, I confess that I have failed to appreciate them ; the sculpture of the femora and tibiae 

 are, indeed, similar to that of Tentyria, but the joints of the tarsi are puffed out below, and not 

 concave, with a marginal series of short spines, as in Tentyria and Carabidae. The anterior 

 coxae are entire in all Tenebrionidae, while in Amphizoa they are open ; the posterior coxae are 

 also entirely different in form and position from all Tenebrionidae known to me. 



The antennae, as observed by Dr. Schaum, though nearly glabrous, are not those of a Dytiscus, 

 but still less are they those of a Tenebrionite ; still it must be admitted that the homogeneous 

 structure of the outer articulations, without any lateral spongy portion resembles more nearly 

 what is seen in Dytiscidae, than in any other family of Coleoptera. 



To conclude then this portion of the essay, I would briefly state, that the anomalous structure 

 of Amphizoa is such as to exclude it absolutely from any known family, and that its position must 

 be in a new family, between Carabidae and Dytiscidae, without any distinct point of osculation 

 with either ; Pelobius on the one hand, and Opisthius on the other being the nearest allies. 



As these conclusions are much at variance with those duduced by others, I take the liberty 

 of transcribing a portion of Dr. Schaum's letter, with a view to hasten as far as possible the 

 time of harmonizing the diverse results, which are always obtained in a case of such difiiculty. 



" Amphizoa has, indeed, the posterior coxae of Pelobius, but there seems to be a greater dif- 

 ference between its coxae and those of the typical Dytisci than between its coxae and those of 

 Ozaena, for instance. This is, however, the only character which I can find to agree with any 

 Dytiscus. The antennae are glabrous, but they are the antennae of a Heteromerous insect, 

 and not those of a Dytiscus. All the other characters seem to me to be at variance with the 

 water beetles ; configuration of presternum, metasternum, legs, number of visible abdominal 

 segments, and above all the parts of the mouth [ * * * The legs are also different 

 from the type of the Carabidae ; they are glabrous and the joints are prefectly those of Tentyria. 

 Even the dilatation of the coxae is found in the the Heteromerous tribe. But what now is this 

 most anomalous insect ? In my opinion a most extraordinary Carabus with many characters of 

 theHeteromera. In spite of the exarticulated exterior lobe (of the maxillae) it must be referred 

 to the Adephaga on account of its mentum, the number of united abdominal segments, and the 

 number of tarsal joints. I prefer much more to put it among the Carabi than among the 

 Dytisci, on account of the constricted thorax, the sternal segments, the number of abdominal 

 segments, the texture and structure of maxillae, and the ambulatorial legs. The analogies to 

 the Heteromera are most striking ; antennae, legs, even the coxae are those of Tentyria. It is 

 interesting that this form occurs in California, where the Heteromerous type is so prevalent." 



Having now laid both opinions before the reader, I leave the subject to the consideration of 

 systematists, illustrated by the excellent figures made by Mr. Hitchcock of the various parts of the 

 under surface, PI. I, fig. 11, a audi, the antennae 11 c, anterior leg 11 rf, and posterior leg 11 e. 



Amphizoa Lee. 



Antennae 11-articulatae filiformes glabrae, articulis internis punctatis ; palpi breves articulis 

 5 Q 



