534 Mr. D. Sharp and Mr. F. Muir on the Covvparative 



Lydits cnnaliculatus (PL LXIII figs. 132, 132«). 



This appears to be a triloba form, with a long, thin median lobe 

 pointed at apex, and long lateral lobes, flattened laterally, the basal 

 part of the median lobe is curved upwards and is articulated to the 

 base of the lateral lobe. The basal-piece consists of a thin chitinous 

 plate encircling the base of the lateral lobes, very narrow dorsally 

 and wider ventrally. Internal sac undifferentiated. 



Lyctus rugicoUis. 



In this the aedeagus is much shorter as regards the lateral and 

 median lobes, but the basal-piece is longer and more pointed. 



Tridaria gruuvellei is quite of the same type as Lyctus. 



Obs. — The Lyctidae forms are of great importance, as 

 they may not improbably show an alliance with the 

 Colydiidae group. There may even be an approximation 

 to the Caraboidea. An examination of a larger series of 

 Bostrichidae is required before coming to a conclusion as 

 to these forms. At present Lyctus appears very different 

 from AjMte. 



Family PTINIDAE. 



Fonns examined : Ptinus fur L., England. Ftilhuis 

 'pectinicornis L. and Ernohius mollis L., England. 

 Figs. 133, 134 and 134rt PI. LXIV. 



Ptiausfur (PI. LXIV fig. 133). 



Median lobe long, thin and curved at the base with the point 

 of articulation on the dorsal aspect ; median orifice near tip on ven- 

 tral face ; median foramen at base. Lateral lobes long, narrow ami 

 asymmetrical, the right one being broadened out at tip, the left 

 one more acute, basal-piece forming a small sclerite at the base of 

 the lateral lobes, on the ventral side, its distal margin being deeply 

 eraarginate. Internal sac undifferentiated. 



This type approximates to Lyctus. Note the peculiar 

 connection of the bases of the lateral and median lobes. 



Ernobius mollis (PI. LXIV figs. 134 and 134a). 



Median lobe asymmetrical, curved, tubular, flattened at apex and 

 expanded and strongly curved at base dorsally, where it articulates 

 with the bases of the lateral lobes. Lateral lobes asymmetrical, the 

 left one is twisted and the point acute, with a narrow base running 

 along tlie edge of the basal-piece ; the right one has a rounded apex 

 with a point below the apex, on the inner side, and the base is bro;id. 



