106 Mr. David Sharp on the 



limit themselves to the study of the insects of a particular 

 localitj ; for it appears to me it would be more advan- 

 tao-eous to science if the studies of each specialist were 

 limited to special groujis rather than to the dwellers in a 

 particular locality. The entomologists of North America 

 in particular have hitherto almost entirely confined their 

 studies to the insects of their own part of the Avorld ; they 

 have I think been wise in so doing, but I cannot but 

 think that the time has now come for them to extend their 

 studies ; and I take this o]3portunity, therefore, of express- 

 ing my conciuTcnce in the opinions enunciated on this 

 point J3y MM. de Borre and Putzeys at the meeting of 

 tlie Entomological Society of Belgium, held on the 8th 

 November last. 



PSELAPHID^. 

 Lasinus, no v. gen. 



Maxillary palpi small, probably 4-jointed, but the first 

 joint not observed ; 2nd joint rather curved, narrow at its 

 base ; 3rd joint shorter than the contiguous ones, longer 

 than broad, its sides rounded, its base narrow ; 4th joint 

 slender, ovate, terminating in an acute point. Head much 

 produced over the insertion of the antennfc, the produced 

 part obtuse in front, and with an indication of a longi- 

 tudinal division. Antenna3 eleven-jointed, not quite con- 

 tiguous at their point of insertion ; long, and stout, tlie 

 1st joint elongate, the intermediate joints oblong, the three 

 apical joints forming a narrow elongate club. Eyes con- 

 vex, coarsely granulated. Thorax rounded at the sides, 

 without angles or projections. Legs very long. Inter- 

 mediate coxfe not contiguous. Tarsi three jointed, third 

 joint shorter than 2nd; claws two, small, equal. Hind 

 body on the upper side with five, on the underside Avith 

 six visible segments. 



I think that at present this genus would be best placed 

 near the North American genera, Cedius, Ceoplnjllus and 

 2'mesiphorus, from which, however, the Bryaxis-like form 

 of the maxillary palpi abruptly distinguish it. I think, 

 however, that the classification of the Pselaphida3 at pre- 

 sent in use much requires revision. 



1. Lasinus spinosus, n. sp. Rufo-fuscus, antennis pcdi- 

 busque obscure rufis ; pubc adpressa vestitus ; capite pro- 



