618 Mr, D. Sharp and Mr. F. Muir on the Comparative 



Coleoptera) is little better than ridiculous. Even if Ver- 

 hoeff's view as to the outer fold being the median lobe be 

 correct, his taxonomical conclusion cannot be maintained. 

 For in that case the siphon is a secondary development 

 within the median lobe, and secondary developments 

 within the median lobe are frequent, and some of them 

 quite as extraordinary as the Coccinellid siphon, (Cf, 

 Flagellum in various groups, Brenthidae, Cucujidae, 

 Lucanidae, etc.) 



Sphindidae and Corylophidae come into the Cucu- 

 joidea, and are perhaps least ill-placed somewhere near 

 Phalacridae. Corylophidae is really very different. The 

 forms placed near Endomychidae are very inadequately 

 known, and much more investigation is necessary. Cocci- 

 nellidae are certainly aberrant, but far from extremely so 

 if such forms as Lasia be examined. Certain Heteromer- 

 ous forms (Oedemeridae, etc.) are placed in this division 

 because of the amalgamation of the lateral lobes on the 

 ventral aspect, a point we have alluded to in connection 

 with Thymalus and Leperma, but a careful consideration 

 of these forms in connection with those Tenebrionid 

 forms (Stenosis and Zopherosis) in which the orientation 

 of these parts is similar is desirable. 



Cioidae is another form that is not very similar to 

 anything else, but it has the orientation referred to. 



Trictenotominae exhibits a most highly specialised and 

 beautiful structure with the same orientation. 



Melandryidae have the more usual (dorsal) orientation. 

 Bostrychidae is most difficult to place ; the aberrant 

 Deretaphrus apparently really approaches it somewhat. 



We must reiterate our opening remark on the Cucu- 

 joidea. Many of the families are merely placed in it 

 for purposes of discussion. At present it is our impression 

 that they are really more distantly related than we have 

 made them to appear. But it must be remembered that 

 we have examined but few forms, and that with further 

 investigation connections we scarcely suspect may be 

 forthcoming. 



It may be well to elucidate the importance of these 

 remarks by reference to a particular case. Say Thymalus 

 (fig. 90). Here the parts identified as lateral lobes are 

 basally conjoined but are apically divided. This form 

 might be derived from an Elaterid (say) form by ap- 

 proximation of the two lobes on the ventral aspect and 



