SNOUT-BBETLBS OB WEEVILS. 133 



cult of application. We have therefore followed the more popular class- 

 ification of Latreille and Schtenherr, so far as respects this primary 

 division. 



Section 1. Brevirostres. Eostrum short and broad, never much longer 

 than the head; scrobes extending to the end of the rostrum, and the an- 

 tennae inserted at or near their extremities. Anterior coxie contiguous. 

 Elytra covering the whole of the abdomen. 



Section 2. Longirostres. Eostrum usually much longer than the 

 head, narrow and cylindrical; scobes very rarely reachiug the end of 

 the rostrum, and the antennae usually inserted at a greater or less dis- 

 tance from its extremity, generally near the middle, and sometimes at 

 its base. Coxa) and elytra various. 



The Longirostres, which are much the most numerous, are divided by 

 Lacordaire, into two sub-sections accordingly as the anterior coxie 

 touch each other, or stand more or less ai)art. The former he names 

 /S'i//w«enV7es, meaning thighs contiguous; and the liitinv Aposiasimerides^ 

 (which we have contracted to Apomerides), meaning thighs separate. 



The word scrohe, used in describing the Curculionida^, is the luime 

 given to the channel on each side of the rostrum for the reception of the 

 antenna'. The term oceular lobes refers to the form of the anterior and 

 lateral margins of the thorax, which, in this case, curve forwards so as 

 to touch or partly cover the eyes. Scape is the same as pedicel^ and is 

 the name of the elongated first joint of the antennie. The rostral canal 

 is the name of the groove in the prosternum of some species for the re- 

 ception of the rostrrm when it is bent under the breast in repose. 



It is necessary to bear in mind that as the Curculionidte are, for the 

 most part, small insects when compared with the Coleoptera in general, 

 the terms large and small, when applied to particular groups or spe- 

 cies, have a modified significance. A curculio half an inch or upwards 

 in length, is coInparati^ ely large ; one a quarter of an inch, is medium ; 

 and one an eighth of an inch or less, is small or very small. 



The following tables exhibit the principal groups or sub famUies into 

 which this extensive family has been divided : 



Section 1. Brevirostres. 



A. Antenute sU-aiglil ; eyes round ITHYCERIDES . 



A A. Antennie slightly elbowed ; eyes oblong, narrowed iuferiorly. .CLEONIDES. 

 A A A. Antennge strongly elbowed. 



B. Eyes large, depressed, transverse, pointed at the lower extremity. Prothorax 



with ocular lobes; scrobes directed inferiorly _ LEPTOPSIDEiS. 



B B. Eyes round or oval. 



D. Prothorax without ocular lobes; eyes generally moderate — sometimes 

 round, sometimes oval. 



