348 MODEHN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 



which they feed, neatly twisted in various directions. The larva of 

 C. Palmarum is also figured by Herbst (vol. ii.), and by other 

 authors. The habits of another species, which feed upon the tama- 

 rind, have been detailed by Mr. W. Christy in the first part of the 

 Tirmsactions of the Ent. Soc. Dr. Burmeister has also published a 

 valuable anatomical memoir upon the genus Calandra, describing a 

 new species from Southern Africa, in all its states, accompanied by 

 some general observations upon the natural history and other pecu- 

 liarities of the genus. The larva of this new species (C. Sommeri) is 

 very thick and fleshy, and is remarkable for having the extremity of 

 the body terminated b}' two points. (^Zur Naturgeschichte der G. 

 Calandra, S^c. Berlin, 1837.) I have also noticed the same circum- 

 stance in a larva of this genus in the collection of the College of 

 Surgeons; but the points are more obtuse. The extremity of the 

 body of the larva of C. granaria is obtuse. 



The insects of this family, in its restricted sense, characterised by 

 the geniculation of the antennte, are divided by Fabricius^ Latreille, 

 and Schonherr, into two groups, according to the length or shortness 

 of the rostrum, and the position of the antennae. In the first group 

 (Brevirostres Lair., Brachyrhynchi Sch., Curculio Fabric.) the ros- 

 trum is short and thick, and the antennae are inserted near its 

 extremity {Jig- 41. 8.). This group comprises the two primary 

 genera or subfamilies, Brachycerus (^<7. 41. 5. head of Brachycerus 

 sidewise; 41. 6. tarsus) and Curculio, divided into very numerous sub- 

 genera. In the second group (Longirostres Latr., Mecorhynchi 

 Sell., Rhynchaenus Fabr.) the rostrum is generally long {Jig. 41. 17.) 

 and curved, and the antennae inserted near the middle, or at the base. 

 Three primary genera, or rather subfamilies, Lixus, Rhynchaenus, and 

 Calandra, divisible into a great number of subgenera, compose this 

 group.* 



In this tribe of insects, as elsewhere, from the multiplicity of 

 named groups into which the old Linnsean genus has been separated, 

 without the adoption of any principle regulating the retention of the 

 old generic name, it has been entirely sunk, so that we find no 

 modern genus Curculio. Mr. Kirby, however, considers that " the 

 only group entitled to be distinguished by that ancient name is the 



* Sclioiiherr has, however, made some ohservations, in the preface to his great 

 work upon the progression of affinity in these insects, which he considers to be not 

 only in a direct line, but also laterally radiating. 



