xiv INTRODUCTION. 



strong analogy with the higher Tenehrionidie, in which the buccal cavity- 

 is entirely closed by the mentum. 



By the gradual obsolescence of the deciduous mandibular appendage, and 

 the scar, which is its natural consequent, the Otiovhynchidm pass almost in- 

 sensibly into Ihe Curculionidte. The last named family through the Eri- 

 rhinini is affiliated with the Rhynclutidm, and through the Barlni with the 

 Calandridie and Gossonidm. 



The Ilylastes group of the Scolytidce shows strong affinities with the Cos- 

 sonidm, and a slight reversion towards the CryptorhyncMni of the C'ureu- 

 lionidcB. 



The Brenthidm are isolated, and indicate a relationship which is neither 

 of affinity or analogy, but rather of contemporaneous origin with Ilypocepli- 

 al/'dm, RhysodidcB, Cikpesidce, and perhaps some other families of normal 

 Coleoptera, which have been yet imperfectly studied. Nevertheless, by 

 certain abnormal genera, not occurring in our fauna, they exhibit a re- 

 semblance in some characters to the sub-family Platypodidce of the Scoly- 

 tidce, and connect both, by their resemblances with the ColydiidcB of the 

 Clavicorn series of normal Coleoptera.* 



Some of the Scolytidce in form and general appearance resemble the feebler 

 groups {Cliorctgus, &c.) of the Anthribidce, but the characters of the latter 

 are so peculiar, that they must be viewed as a synthetic type, combining 

 resemblances to very diverse series. The form of the mentum, if I have 

 interpreted it correctly, is found only in the Adephaga (Amphizoa), while 

 the great sexual differences in the length of the antenna? occur only in the 

 Ceramhy cider. The well developed labrum, filiform flexible palpi, straight, 

 11 -jointed antennae, and epipleurse indicate a higher organization than is 

 found in other Rhynchophora. The complete consolidation, without su- 

 tures, of the elements of the under surface of the head and prothorax, indi- 

 cate a progress along the line of true Rhynchophorous development, upon 

 which I have based the two fundamental defining characters. The pro- 

 gress in tliis instance has been carried so far as to cause the disappear- 

 ance of these very characters. If any resemblance to the normal Coleop- 

 tera could be seen to replace them, the AntliribidcB would be removed, as 

 has been done with the BrucMdce, to some other part of the system. But 

 this is not the case, and they must remain, therefore, as the expression of 

 the most perfect development thus far attained in the Rliyncliophorous 

 type.f 



The classification here adopted is simply that set forth by me in the 

 memoir:|: above cited, which was read before the National Academy of 



*It will be hero remembered that Nematidium has the median suture behind 

 the point of the presternum precisely as in Rhynchophora. 



t In this connection it is important to remark, that while the food of the 

 Rhynchophora is almo.st universally vegetable tissues, either living or dead, 

 Brachi/tarsus is a parasite upon a Heniipteron, of the genus Ooccui, as narrated 

 by Ncerdlingcr, Stettin Ent. Zeitung, 1848, p. 230; Lacord., Gen. Col. vii, 481. 



% American Naturalist, July, 1874. 



