28 Introduction 



Peyerimhoff that they should follow Staphyliniformia. He admits, 

 however, some doubt pending further study of the more primitive Sil- 

 phidae, wherefor the theoretical reason seems an insufficient basis for 

 a change in the sequence to which we are accustomed. The sub-family 

 Hydroscaphinse has been added by Dr. Boving ^ as closely allied to 

 Limnebiinse; the larvae of both are very similar to those of such Staphy 

 linidffi as Tachinus and Tachyporus. The sum of all the characters, 

 (see table on p. 21) seems to me to indicate a higher rank phylogene- 

 tically than is conceded by any of the authors named, but this may 

 result from attaching too much importance to the acquired characters 

 due to aquatic environment in most of the sub-families; and on the 

 whole it seems best to continue to place, as did Dr. Leconte, this series 

 immediately after the Adephaga. As I had some trouble in finding the 

 reference, it may be added that Handlirsch (p. 1277) announces that 

 Ganglbauer had verbally agreed to the separation of Palpicornia as a 

 series. 



BRACHELYTRA or STAPHYLINIFORMIA or STAPHYLINOIDEA 



This division possesses, according to Ganglbauer and Lameere, 

 the most simple form of wing venation, without either cross-veins or 

 hook-veins, but if I correctly apprehend Comstock and Needham's 

 theory of tracheation, while apparently simple, it is not primitive, but 

 a derivaitive from the more primitive form with cross- veins. By omitting 

 Phalacridae it comprises all the families in Leconte's system from VII 

 to XIX that follow Hydrophilidae. These families all have more or 

 less short elytra, and at least three dorsal abdominal segments corneous. 

 They have a distinctive type of genitaUa. The larvae of many at least 

 are campodeafomi and greatly resemble Adephagous larvae except that 

 they have only one claw. Everything therefore indicates that they 

 should precede other Polyphaga; the comparatively large number of 

 derivative characters shown in the table results from including the more 

 derivative forms of this very large group and would be somewhat reduced 

 if cognizance were taken of their primitive coxae and trochanters. 



I have followed Ganglbauer's treatment in the "Kafer von Mittel- 

 europa" almost exactly. Readers of Leconte's classification will note 

 that it embodies also most of his ideas. The Leptinidae, with 11-jointed, 

 filiform antennae, Pteroloma, with the same antennae and Carabid-like 



' Notes on the Larva of Hydroscapha (Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash. XVI, 1914, pp. 169-74. 



