258 Longicornia Malayana. 



which we attempt to fix them that it is only a choice between the 

 combination of the most heterogeneous genera, or the addition of 

 numerous sub-families,* which would also, many of them, contain 

 exceptional forms. With few exceptions this evasive variation 

 seems to be the rule throughout the Longicornia, awA this makes their 

 classification so difficult. By strictly limiting the more obviously 

 allied species to the same genus the difficulty is obviated in 

 them, but we should lose some of the advantages of classifica- 

 tion if this principle of homogeneity were to be carried into the 

 higher groups. 



To give any but the most general remarks on this sub-family, in 

 the extensive signification which is here given to it, would be 

 almost impossible ; nearly every extreme of colour, form and size 

 are represented, — some are among the giants of the insect class, 

 some are remarkable for their long antennae, or their short legs, 

 or for a combination of both. The majority of them, however, 

 have a form of which the common European Monochami will give 

 a central idea, from which the aberrant genera depart by gradual 

 modifications, not always, indeed, without a break. 



The affinities of the Lamiince are very decided. To Hypselo- 

 7ninai, especially to such genera as Triammatus, Omocyrius, 

 Pliarsalia and others, there is the strongest resemblance ; Lamia, 

 Morimus, &c., recall the Dorcadionince ; and Nemotragus and 

 Anaiixesis lead by Megacera to the Hipposince. 



The geographical distribution of the Lamiince, when we consider 

 their numbers, may be said to be almost exclusively confined to 

 the African, Indian, and Malayan regions. Europe and Ame- 

 rica, north of Mexico, have only the genera Alonochamus, Mori- 

 vius, Lamia, and Plectrodcra ; the two principal genera of tropical 

 America are Tceniotes and Plychodes ; Monochamus again and 

 Batocera are the only exponents in Australia, and the presence 

 of the latter genus, except as introduced, is doubtful, although 

 it may perhaps be found to occur in the extreme north of that 

 continent. Thysia, Oplophora, and a few other genera, occur in 

 India and China. The headquarters of the sub-family are un- 

 doubtedly the Malayan islands, but if we take the African Lon- 

 gicornia, and compare the Lamiince with the other sub-families, 

 they will be found to be by far the predominant group. 



• I would particularly mention the following genera as the types of some 

 of these groups : — Petrognatha, Ceroplesis, Tragocephala, Slernotomis,Phrynela, 

 Ancylonotus, Gnoma, Olenecamptus, Nemotragus, &c. In M. J. Thomson's 

 " Systema Cerambycidarum" many of these form " divisions." 



