322 New genera and species of Languriidcs. 



recent type of Coleoptera. I am inclined to think that 

 this cannot be regarded as in any way settled, and that 

 the simplest forms are often the most archaic ; the 

 question appears to be one of environment entirely, and 

 if the environment is constant, and no special circum- 

 stances arise to call for any special alteration, no altera- 

 tion takes place. In the predaceous Coleoptera there 

 must always be a great development going on from the 

 very nature of their habits both in the larval and the 

 perfect state, which tend to bring about the survival of 

 those individuals that possess certain organs in their 

 fullest development. In phytophagous Coleoptera, how- 

 ever, like the .LanguriidcB, which as a rule live on low 

 herbage, and appear to undergo their metamorphoses 

 inside the stems of plants (as observed by Professor 

 Com stock, quoted by Mr. Lewis), there seems every 

 reason why they should continue without change for a 

 very long period. It is of course possible, as Mr. Lewis 

 {I. c, p. 351) seems inclined to think, that they have 

 developed the elongate from the rotundate form, and 

 then retained it. I am inclined, however, to believe 

 that the elongate form is the prior form, and that the 

 least divergency from their usual habits of keeping to 

 low herbage is at once attended by an alteration of form, 

 as is shown by the Crotchia and Cladoxena groups, 

 which are found resting on the higher branches of 

 shrubs and brushwood. The question, however, is a 

 very difficult one, and can only be touched upon in 

 passing in a descriptive paper. 



Explanation of Plate III.* 



Fig. 1 and la. Compsolanguria concimia, n. s. 



2 ,, 2a. Crotchia nitida, n.s. 



3 ,, 3a. OrtJiolanguroides Egensis, n. s. 



4 ,, 4(1. Crotcliia vagahiinda, n. s. 



5 ,, 5 a. Cladoxena intra, n.s,. 



G ,, Ga. ,, macidata, Mots. 



7. Tetralanguroidcs Fryi, n. s. 



8. Tetralanguria sjplendc^is, AVied. 

 9 ,, 9a. Microcladoxena Jaiisoni, Crotch. 



10 ,, 10 a. Paracladoxena trifoliata, Har. 



11 ,, 11a. ,, bijncstulata, n. s. 



* Not Plate I., as printed in error at p. 303. 



