Bibliographical Notices. 379 



For want of sufficient material, Prof. Schjodte has not carried out 

 through all the families the systematical results to which a proper 

 consideration of these characters would lead ; he only indicates that 

 the family of Carabi may thereby be divided into two natural divi- 

 sions, and that throughout the order Coleoptera they are valuable 

 as characters of families and groups. There can be no doubt that 

 by this discovery a very important step has been made towards the 

 better arrangement of the Coleoptera. 



In the paper on Hiletus and OcJiyporus (in the second series of 

 the ' Tidsskrift,' p. 376), Prof. Schjodte has drawn attention to 

 the differences exhibited by the Carabi as to the place of insertion 

 of the antennae and the corresponding modifications in the surround- 

 ing parts. The following are the principal variations. I. The antennae 

 may be inserted in the sides of the forehead over the mandibles. 

 The basal joint (scapus) of the antennae is then generally very long, 

 and a little curved so as not to interfere with the eye when the an- 

 tennae are kept quite close to the body, which operation is also 

 facilitated by the socket of the second joint (pedicella) being turned 

 a little backwards. This is the case in Cicindelini, and forms a new 

 mark of distinction for this group, which has since also been observed 

 by Leconte. In Collyris and Euprosopus, each of the cheeks pre- 

 sents a sharp groove under the eye, for the reception of the third 

 joint of the antennae, which is shaped accordingly. In Manticora 

 the basal joint is unusually short, and there is a groove for it closely 

 behind the point of insertion of the antennae. II. In all other 

 Carabi the antennae are inserted in the cheeks, between the root of 

 the mandibles and the eye, almost every genus exhibiting a peculiar 

 arrangement. In some (as, for instance, in Anthia) the cheeks ex- 

 tend so far in all directions that there are no obstructions to the free 

 movements of the antennae, in which cases therefore no special mo- 

 difications of the surrounding parts are necessary. In other cases 

 (e. g. Mormolyce, Helluo, Galerita, Drypta) the cheeks are so long, 

 and at the same time so much extended to the sides, as to present 

 an anterior surface outside the mandibles, in which the antennae are 

 inserted. If so, there is sometimes a groove in the mandibles, in 

 order to facilitate the antennae being turned forward, whilst the op- 

 posite movement is often facilitated by a deep groove prolonging the 

 socket backwards. If the cheeks are short without great breadth, 

 similar grooves in the mandibles and in the cheeks, in infinite variation, 

 constantly occur. Finally, in those which are destined for digging 

 under ground (Scaritini, Acinopus, Broscus, &c), or for living under 

 bark (Silphomorpha), or other similar modes of existence (Hiletus), 

 the cheeks are short, but extend considerably downwards (owing to 



Leconte's classification often becomes because of his blind adherence to 

 the mere differences of shape exhibited by these pieces. Prof. Schjodte 

 further refutes his erroneous statement that Brachinini alone have seven 

 abdominal joints, but all other Carabi six; the seventh joint is found in 

 all Carabi, only in many it is retracted under the sixth (vide also Denm. 

 Eleutherata, 361, and Germar, Zeitschrift f. Entomologie, v. 476). 



