616 Mr. D. Sharp and Mr. F. Muir on the Comparative 
importance of these latter points does not come within 
the scope of our investigation. 
We may also call attention to the fact that a portion of 
the Colydiidae (as accepted at present) is placed by us 
among the trilobe forms, while another part is placed in 
Cucujoidea; we need only add that the heterogeneous 
family Colydiidae requires a thorough investigation that 
would probably result in throwing an important light on 
Coleopterous taxonomy. Other forms placed in the 
following table near Colydiidae (Derodontidae, Myceto- 
phagidae), should be also investigated with regard to a 
nearer relation to Trogositidae than is involved by our 
placing them in different series. Our suggestions as 
regards these points must be considered merely tentative, 
in view of the very imperfect state of knowledge on 
various points. 
(2) CUCUJOIDEA. 
The families placed under this name are associated by 
us for the purposes of discussion. Exhibiting considerable 
diversity inter se, they approximate very closely to the 
Byrrhoidea, and possibly to the Phytophagoidea. The 
first of these affinities is chiefly due to Colydiidae, which 
in its present complex condition we have placed in the 
Byrrhoidea as well as in the Cucujoidea; the family, as 
we have previously stated, requires a very extensive 
investigation, which would probably result in its division. 
Cucujidae apparently approximates to the Phytophaga by 
means of Parandra, though as regards the male structures 
we may remark that Cucujus appears to be more specialised 
than Parandra. This question is considered in the phylo- 
geny section. Trogositidae is placed in a very central 
position in this complex. In its normal forms (Zemno- 
chila, ete.) it approaches the Cucujidae by means of the 
perplexing Chaetosoma. In Cucujidae in the wide sense 
(for this family will certainly have to undergo division, as 
has already indeed been insisted on by certain taxonomists), 
the tegmen forms a less tubular sheath to the median 
lobe than it does in Trogositidae, while the sac is elongate 
and placed in repose as in Cerambycidae, and is protected 
by a strut, very elongate in certain forms and single in 
Cucujidae, (completely divided in Cerambycidae). As 
Chaetosoma does not display any of these characters it 
