( cxv ) 



family have this form of claw, but I have my suspicions that 

 it is not a natural family. The genera Atractus, Cistela and 

 Frostenus are certainly strikingly dissimilar. Some genera 

 of Cantharidae, have pectinate claws, others have them simple. 

 In the Cassididse, Asjndomorpha and Ctenochira have them 

 pectinate. Lastly, I have to mention the Neuropterous genus 

 Panorpa. We have, therefore, to inquire if these insects have 

 anything in common. Firstly, there are the parasitic Hymeno- 

 ptera Ojyhion and Homalus, belonging to totally distinct families. 

 Then we have carnivorous Carahidee and examples among the 

 Dascillidce, Elateridae, Cistelidse, Cantharidx, Cassididee and the 

 predaceous PcMiovjaa. It is a curious assemblage. It is difficult 

 even to suggest a reason why Ophion should require pectinate 

 claws whilst Paniscus has them simple, especially as they are 

 both parasitic on the same insects ; or why Homalus should 

 have them pectinate whilst its nearest allies have them nearly 

 simple. It has been suggested that the Carabidse which have 

 this form of claw frequent shrubs. This is true of some of 

 them certainly, but so far as Entomologists are concerned, 

 Dromms is generally found under bark, on the ground, or at 

 the roots of grass. Some of the Lebias have been found on 

 shrubs, but they are generally in moss or at the roots of grass. 

 Other CarabidcB, however, with simple claws may be found on 

 trees. Most Lepidopterists know that species of Carahus and 

 Anchojnemos may be found at their sugar, and it is not for the 

 sugar only that they are there. Calosoma is constantly found 

 in broad daylight in oaks and birch, where they go in search of 

 caterpillars. Any one who has seen this beautiful insect run 

 down the trunk of an oak will not soon forget it. How this 

 insect manages to hold on to the smooth birch twigs is rather 

 a mysteiy. Silpha quadripunctata is another insect with 

 simple claws constantly found on oak-trees. In the Elateridsd 

 the percentage of those that have pectinate claws is small. If 

 you go into any wood and beat the trees, the species you would 

 probably find are Lacon murinus, Athous, Agriotes pallididus 

 and acuminatus, Dolopius marginatus and Corymbites holoseri- 

 ceus. All these have simple claws. Sweep the grass and you 

 will get other species of Agriotes, but with them perhaps 

 Adrastus with its pectinate claws. The pectinate-clawed 



PROC. ENT. see. LOND., V. 1908. H 



