StaphylinidcB of the Amazon Vallei/^ 33 



structure In certain groups are, however so great, that 

 they must be examined in a very careful manner, Irom 

 species to species, before any trustworthy generaUza ions 

 can be established. Uv. Darwin, in his work on natural 

 selection, has attempted to explain the meaning and im- 

 portance of the extraordinary secondary sexual characters 

 which are so striking in some species of insects; but i am 

 strongly of opinion that an inquiry into the importance ot 

 secondary sexual characters must be preceded by a thorougli 

 -investigation of the primary sexual characters, and a ter 

 that is gained I think it probable we shall be better 

 able to deal with the secondary characters.^ In the case ot 

 the vegetable kingdom, Uv. Darwin has himself shown in 

 a maimer that has delighted all naturalists, how important 

 and radical is the connection between the actual organs 

 of reproduction and the accessory parts of the inflorescence; 

 and I think it highly probable that a smnlar course ot 

 inquiry, if carried out with insects, would make us ac- 

 quainted with a direct connection between the primary 

 and accessory sexual peculiarities. The difficulties in 

 makino- the observations and dissections necessary in tlie 

 prosecution of such researches is, however, very great in 

 the case of organisms so small in size, and so comphcated 

 in structure as are the great majority of the Insecta. 



Besides the enumeration and descrii^tion of species with 

 which this paper is chiefly occupied, there will be found 

 prefixed to each genus some slight observations on dis- 

 tribution, and on structural points, and a few critical 

 remarks. 



List of Species of Amazonian Staphylinid^. 



ALEOCHAKINI. Diestota. 



Diestota sperata, n. sp. 

 EUDERA. 



Eudera cava, n. sp. 



EALAGEIA. 



Ealagria Parse, n. sp. 



„ varicornis, n. sp. 

 „ curtipennis, n. sp. 



Placusa. 



Placusa confinis, n. sp. 



Epipeda. 



Epipeda cava, n. sp. 

 „ rufa, n. sp. 



Brachiua. 

 Brachida Batesi, n. sp. 

 „ Reyi, n. sp. 



Myrmigaster (n. gen.). 

 Myrmigaster singularis, n. sp. 



IklYRMEDONIA. 

 Myrmedonia scalnipennis, n. sp. 

 „ pollens, 11. sp. 



„ Batesi, n. sp. 



jj spinifer, n. sp. 



,, fortunata, n. sp. 



„ nitidula, n. sp. 



TRANS. ENT. SOC. 1876.— PART I. (JLVY.) 



D 



