92 Dr. Sharp's Eevision of the 



of determination of the species. Moreover, the undoubted 

 fact, that the species of the genus are, as a whole, closely 

 allied to one another, is disregarded by his having inter- 

 posed amongst these divisions a very considerable number 

 of quite alien genera ; as an instance of this, H. incana 

 is separated from the pretty closely allied if. nigella by a 

 crowd of Falagrice, Caloderce, Tachyusce, Oxypodm, and 

 even Myllcenoe. I have found myself quite unable to 

 take advantage of Thomson's divisions in any way ; but 

 I cannot notice his work, without bearing testimony to 

 the originality, acumen, and zeal, of which it displays 

 abundant marks. 



Ki'aatz has, in the Insecten Deutschlands, proposed a 

 system of arrangement which has been found to be, on 

 the whole, a very serviceable one. I have, therefore, 

 adhered to this in the main ; though, as it has seemed to 

 me capable of simplification in some respects, I have in- 

 troduced considerable modifications. Kraatz's division 

 of the genus into two main groups, — I, with elytra longer 

 than the thorax ; — II, with elytra not longer than the 

 thorax — is altogether artificial, and of but little actual use, 

 as the first division contains 136 species, the second only 

 six. I have, therefore, put it entirely on one side, and 

 placed the few species with short elytra in immediate 

 proximity with their respective allies. 



Kraatz gives altogether thirteen groups. I propose to 

 amalgamate some of these, and reduce the number of 

 sections to eight, as given hereafter ; and, moreover, to 

 arrange the species, in each section, in natural groups, 

 in such cases as I am able to find characters for these. 

 It must be understood, howevei% that the sections and 

 groups are often apparently but little natural, or charac- 

 teristic, as regards certain individual species ; and that 

 the device is adopted as a mere artificial assistance to 

 study, no actual lines of separation existing in nature 

 between the various groups and sections. 



I may add, that I am proposing to attempt something 

 towards the completion of the knowledge of the European 

 species of the genus, if I can obtain the necessary material, 

 and shall feel much obliged to those who will assist me by 

 the communication of specimens. 



I have already received the kindest assistance from 

 most of our British entomologists who have collections 



