618 Mr. D, Sharp and Mr. F. Muir on the Comparative 
Coleoptera) is little better than ridiculous. Even if Ver- 
hoeff’s view as to the outer fold being the median lobe be 
correct, his taxonomical conclusion cannot be maintained. 
For in that case the siphon is a secondary development 
within the median lobe, and secondary developments 
within the median lobe are frequent, and some of them 
quite as extraordinary as the Coccinellid siphon. (Cf. 
Flagellum in various groups, Brenthidae, Cucujidae, 
Lucanidae, etc.) 
Sphindidae and Corylophidae come into the Cucu- 
joidea, and are perhaps least ill-placed somewhere near 
Phalacridae. Corylophidae is really very different. The | 
forms placed near Endomychidae are very inadequately 
known, and much more investigation is necessary. Cocci- 
nellidae are certainly aberrant, but far from extremely so 
if such forms as Lasia be examined. Certain Heteromer- 
ous forms (Oedemeridae, etc.) are placed in this division 
because of the amalgamation of the lateral lobes on the 
ventral aspect, a point we have alluded to in connection 
with Zhymalus and Leperina, but a careful consideration 
of these forms in connection with those Tenebrionid 
forms (Stenosis and Zopherosis) in which the orientation 
of these parts is similar is desirable. 
Cioidae is another form that is not very similar to 
anything else, but it has the orientation referred to. 
Trictenotominae exhibits a most highly specialised and 
beautiful structure with the same orientation. 
Melandryidae have the more usual (dorsal) orientation. 
Bostrychidae is most difficult to place; the aberrant 
Deretaphrus apparently really approaches it somewhat. 
We must reiterate our opening remark on the Cucu- 
joidea. Many of the families are merely placed in it 
for purposes of discussion. At present it is our impression 
that they are really more distantly related than we have 
made them to appear. But it must be remembered that 
we have examined but few forms, and that with further 
investigation connections we scarcely suspect may be 
forthcoming. 
It may be well to elucidate the importance of these 
remarks by reference to a particular case. Say Thymalus 
(fig. 90). Here the parts identified as lateral lobes are 
basally conjoined but are apically divided. This form 
might be derived from an Elaterid (say) form by ap- 
proximation of the two lobes on the ventral aspect and 
