COLEOPTERA. 43 



and allowance for occasional exceptions), the Tarsal System, whicli, 

 from being in general use and of easy application for every practical 

 purpose, is superior to any of the other modes of classification yet 

 proposed. 



The Coleoptera are therefore divisible into the four following 

 sections : — 



1. Pentamera, in which all the tarsi arc 5-jointed, the fourth being 



of ordinary size. 



2. Heteromera, in whicli the four anterior tarsi are 5-jointed, and the 



two posterior 4-jointed. 



from the Philhydrida to the Histeridae, and as consequently completing the circle 

 of the Chilopodomorpha of MacIiCay, Hister being an osculant group. Passing 

 the Histeridae, which he considers to be as much allied to the Copridae as to the 

 Lucanidae, he proceeds through the Lamellicorns, and returns to the Histeridae 

 to take up the Lucanidae, some of which (Passali, &c.) appear to diverge by 

 Bostrichus to the Weevils. He then takes up, without indicating their affinities, 

 the Sternoxi (Elater and Buprestis), which he regards as entitled to a station 

 somewhere between the Lignivorous Lamellicorns and the Capricorns; and, after 

 simply hinting at the relation of the Sternoxi with the Malacoderma by means of 

 Cebrio, he considers that there are two routes, — one from Lucanus to the Capricorns 

 (through Cucujus, Pytho, and Trogosita), and thence directly to the Eupoda and 

 Chrysomela ; the other from Passalus through the G. Phrenapates K. Sinodendron, 

 F., and an osculant tribe of timber-borers (Xylotrypa K.\ including Ptinus L. 

 (out of the direct line), Scolytus, Hylesinus, Bostrichus, &c.. directly to the Weevils. 

 This arrangement " keeps together the great body of Lignivorous Coleoptera." By 

 means, moreover, of Anthribus and Clythra a connection is regarded as established 

 between the Weevils and the Cyclica Lutr. The Coccinellida3 next follow, but 

 their natural place is not yet satisfactorily ascertained. To these succeed the 

 Heteromera in their ordinary course, merely " because one of that subdivision, 

 Meloe, appears evidently to be one of the links that connect the Coleoptera with the 

 Orthoptera," — " which is proved not only by its galeate maxilla?, but by its elytra 

 lapping over each other, and its vertical and often inflexed head, in this respect re- 

 sembling the Blattina." We are lastly to retrace our steps to take a fresh route from 

 the Sternoxi by Cebrio to the Malacoderma, which, " in the soft substance of their 

 elytra, and their reticulations in some species of Lycus," seem to make an additional 

 approach to tlic Ortlioptera ; these relations being regarded as of higher value than 

 that of Staphylinus and Forficula, adopted by Mr. Stephens for the like purpose. 



It is admitted, that tliere are numerous links wanting to complete many of these 

 proposed passages ; and it is also to be observed that it is only upon a consideration 

 of the perfect state that these views have been founded ; but at the same time it 

 will be conceded, that if the difficult task of arranging the Coleoptera upon a 

 review of the relations of tlie various groups be our object, these suggestions of Mr. 

 Kirby will be entitled to great weight, from the evident justice upon wliich so many 

 of them have been made. 



