190 MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 



cannot be regarded merely as analogies. By means of Sinodendron 

 Passalus* and Chiron, a relation is established with the Bostrichidse, 

 some of the exotic species of which have very much the appearance 

 and habits of those Lucanidag. Platycerus, also, from its peculiar form, 

 is considered by Mr. MacLeay as osculant between this family and 

 the Trogositidae (especially resembling Temnoscheila Westw., Tro- 

 gosita senea). In like manner the various points of relationship 

 between several of the genera of Lucanidse and Prionidse, which I have 

 detailed in the Zool. Journ. No. 18., and Mag. Nat. Hist. No. 26., are 

 too numerous and important to be regarded merely as analogies. Mr. 

 Kirby (^Faun. Bor. Am.^ has in like manner considered, that by 

 passing from Lucanus through Cucujus, Pytho, and Trogosita, we 

 arrive direct at the Longicornes, and from thence to the Eupoda Latr. 

 and Chrysomelidoj. 



This family is of moderate extent, and but sparingly scattered over 

 the globe ; very few species are found in this country, the greater 

 portion being indeed extra-European, few exceeding our Stag-beetle 

 in size. The genera Lamprima and Ryssonotus are confined to New 

 Holland ; Pholidotus, Chiasognathus, and Psalicerus to South Ame- 

 rica ; Dorcus and iEgus chiefly to the Islands of the Indian Ar- 

 chipelago, whilst Passalus and Lucanus extend over every quarter of 

 the globe. 



The name Lucanus was first employed by Nigidius according to 

 Pliny, to designate beetles with horns. Scopoli, however, in his £Jn- 

 tomol. CamioUca, 1763, was the first modern author who applied the 

 term to the Stag-beetles as generically distinct from Scarabceus ; 

 GeofFroy, in the following year, giving the name of Platycerus to the 

 same insects. Scopoli's name was retained by Linnaeus, but the 

 French entomologists have, nevertheless, employed the name of 

 Geoffroy for one of the minor divisions of the genus. 



Mr. MacLeay has divided this section into five groups, to which he 

 applied the term families; viz. Lamprimids, j^salidte, Syndesidae, 

 Passalidae, and Lucanidae. By regarding, however, as we have 

 hitherto done, the Linncean genera as of corresponding rank with the 

 modern families, these groups must be regarded as sub-families ; more- 



* Mr. Kirby ( Faun. Bor. Amer. published since this passage was written) has 

 made a similar observation, describing a remarkable Colombian insect, Phrena- 

 piites Bennettii (figured, with its trophi, in Griff. An. Kingd. Ins. pi. 50. and 69.), 

 as affording a further step in this passage, which is supposed to lead directly to the 

 Weevils ; the last step in this passage seems, however, to me to be very doubtful. 



