620 Mr. D. Sharp and Mr. F. Muir on the Comparative 



(3) Phytophagoidea (or Rhynchophoro-PhVtophagous 

 Division). 



We cannot point to any difference in plan of structure 

 between the Rhynchophora and the Phytophaga. In 

 Chrysomelidae and Curculionidae we find ourselves con- 

 cerned with series of developments ; and the Scolytidae 

 within their comparatively narrow limits also exhibit a 

 similar phenomenon.* Cerambycidae and Brenthidae are 

 each so far as we have seen much more homogeneous. 

 Of Anthribidae we have been able to examine but few 

 forms, and these have not led us to suppose that any 

 great diversity will be found within their limits ; this 

 family may well be studied in connection with Belus in 

 the Curculionidae. 



In this enormous complex the tegmen forms, in the 

 more simple kinds, a ring around the median lobe, with 

 a dorsally placed cap-piece, which is usually bilobed ; 

 the median lobe assumes the tubular condition in an 

 abbreviated form only, the proximal part consisting of 

 two dorsal struts ; the first connecting membrane is large, 

 and allows of a considerable movement of the median 

 lobe within the tegmen ; the internal sac is long, and 

 extends through and beyond the median foramen. These 

 conditions are displayed in Parandra, and we may remind 

 the reader that they are those of a primitive (and 

 suppositive) Cucujid. It is right to add here that we 

 do not understand the phylogeny of the lateral lobes, 

 because in this division it is specially obscure, and may 

 be multiple, if they are represented at all. 



The characters are very persistent in Cerambycidae, 

 and apparently also in Brenthidae ; most of the specialisa- 

 tions being found in the sac and its armature. Orsodacne 

 (usually placed in Chrysomelidae) is interesting, as possess- 

 ing the simple conditions of the Cerambycid Parandra. 

 Timarcha has no free lateral lobes but has a large dorsal 

 portion of tegmen, and at the same time two well- 

 developed median struts, — a somewhat anomalous form, 

 therefore.! Specialisation in the Chrysomelidae occurs as 



* This is not displayed in our illustrations, but is derived from 

 Lindeinann's excellent study of this family, mentioned under 

 Scolytidae. 



t Weise (Deutsche ent. Zeitschr. 1895, p. 26) has already called 

 attention to the aberrance of Orsodacne from Chrysomelidae. If we 



