Coleoptera of Japan. 43 



degree. Pascoe has frequently remarked that the genera 

 of Ehynchophora are very difficult to deal with on 

 account of the gradual variation of the minor structural 

 characters from which the generic definitions are drawn. 

 This is certainly true in the case of the Ehynchitidce, 

 and, as we are acquainted with only a very small 

 portion of the species existing in the tropics, it is 

 difficult for us to guess where the lines of generic limita- 

 tion may ultimately best be drawn ; so that it is 

 advisable to be cautious in establishing new genera at 

 present, though I fancy that ultimately the genera will 

 have to be considerably increased in numbers. 



ATTELABID.E. 

 This family forms an exception to what is normal in 

 the Rhynchophora, owing to its prosternal epimera being 

 widely separated by an interposed piece, to which the 

 epimeral apices are soldered. In this respect it is some- 

 what similar to Baridiidce, from which group it differs 

 strongly in other particulars, especially by the con- 

 tiguous and exserted front coxae, and by the straight 

 antennpe. 



Apoderus, Olivier, Ent., No. 81, p. 2. 

 Attelabus, Bedel, Faune Col. Seine, vi., p. 22. 



This genus is peculiar to the Eastern Hemisphere, 

 where it is largely represented by a great number of 

 species in the tropical regions from Madagascar to the 

 Philippine Islands ; outside of the tropics the species 

 become less numerous : and Europe possesses no peculiar 

 species, though two or three of the Siberian and eastern 

 species have extended their range to geographical 

 Europe. Japan has, however, fifteen species and several 

 varieties, so that its fauna is, in respect of this genus, 

 Oriental rather than Palaearctic in character. 



The species of this genus are very difficult to limit by 

 definition, owing to the variabilit}' in colour of many of 

 them, to the frequent great difference between the sexes, 

 and to the fact that some of the male characters vary 

 extremely in the degree of their development. The 

 Japanese species may, however, be grouped in a way 

 that considerably facilitates the determination of the 

 species. 



