616 Mr. D. Sharp and Mr. F. Muir on the Cotwparative 



importance of these latter points does not come within 

 the scope of our investigation. 



We may also call attention to the fact that a portion of 

 the Colydiidae (as accepted at present) is placed by us 

 among the trilobe forms, while another part is placed in 

 Cucujoidea ; we need only add that the heterogeneous 

 family Colydiidae requires a thorough investigation that 

 would probably result in throwing an important light on 

 Coleopterous taxonomy. Other forms placed in the 

 following table near Colydiidae (Derodontidae, Myceto- 

 phagidae), should be also investigated with regard to a 

 nearer relation to Trogositidae than is involved by our 

 placing them in different series. Our suggestions as 

 regards these points must be considered merely tentative, 

 in view of the very imperfect state of knowledge on 

 various points. 



(2) Cucujoidea. 



The families placed under this name are associated by 

 us for the purposes of discussion. Exhibiting considerable 

 diversity inter se, they approximate very closely to the 

 Byrrhoidea, and possibly to the Phytophagoidea. The 

 first of these affinities is chiefly due to Colydiidae, which 

 in its present complex condition we have placed in the 

 Byrrhoidea as well as in the Cucujoidea; the family, as 

 we have previously stated, requires a very extensive 

 investigation, which would probably result in its division. 

 Cucujidae apparently approximates to the Phytophaga by 

 means of Parandra, though as regards the male structures 

 we may remark that Oucujus appears to be more specialised 

 than Parandra. This question is considered in the phylo- 

 geny section. Trogositidae is placed in a very central 

 position in this complex. In its normal forms {Temno- 

 chila, etc.) it approaches the Cucujidae by means of the 

 perplexing Chaetosoma. In Cucujidae in the wide sense 

 (for this family will certainly have to undergo division, as 

 has already indeed been insisted on by certain taxonomists), 

 the tegmen forms a less tubular sheath to the median 

 lobe than it does in Trogositidae, while the sac is elongate 

 and placed in repose as in Cerambycidae, and is protected 

 by a strut, very elongate in certain forms and single in 

 Cucujidae, (completely divided in Cerambycidae). As 

 Chaetosoma does not display any of these characters it 



