Anatomy of the Male Genital Tube in Coleoptera. 628 
Taxonomically this is the simplest of all the series of 
Coleoptera if we limit it as is here done. 
The structure of Gyrinidae is on a different plan from 
that of the Caraboidea. When it is remembered in 
addition to this that all the members of this family are 
highly specialised for a mode of life that is shared by no 
other Coleoptera, we are justified in concluding that this 
has always been an isolated family. 
Cupes and Omma do not exhibit any approximation to 
the Caraboidea of direct nature. 
CIGINDELIDAE 
\ 
CARABIDAE— \  DYTISCIDAE 
PAUSSIDAE-— \ //—PELOBIIDAE 
RHYSODIDAE-—\ /—HALIPLIDAE 
\ / 
\ 
FAMILIES OF CARABOIDEA. 
(5) MALACODERMOIDEA. 
{n considering this complex we may commence by 
saying that we have rejected from it various families that 
were formerly included in it. The Dascillidae are, we 
consider, nearer to the “simple trilobe” forms we have 
called Byrrhoidea. The Cyphonidae we are obliged to 
omit as their aedeagus appears to be very peculiar, and 
we do not yet understand it. 
This still leaves numerous forms as Malacoderms. As 
regards some of them taxonomists are not by any means 
agreed as to their family rank. We take Drilus as one 
of the simpler forms. This is a trilobed form modified as 
to the articulations between the median lobe and the 
lateral lobes, and between these and the basal-piece. 
The similarity between this and the more modified 
Lampyridae is evident. The Lycidae in their simpler 
forms (Dictyopterus awrora) also approach Drilus, and 
in more differentiated forms (Lycostomus, etc.) still have 
the same arrangement, though the median lobe may become 
DAN 
