Introduction 31 



series and finally clubbed in the most derivative forms. Their modi- 

 fications in this series illustrate the difficulty of applying Leconte's Serri- 

 com and Clavicorn divisions, for both forms are found in this as in the 

 preceding series. 



The larvae are imperfectly known, but apparently carnivorous, the 

 more primitive families on or in the ground, the higher families in trees, 

 Corynetes in hams, etc. 



ARCHOSTEMATA or CUPESOIDEA 



The first name has been proposed by Kolbe for the small family 

 Cupesidse, which includes the genus Cupes in North America and the 

 genus Omnia in Australia. They have been placed in Adephaga on 

 account of their cross-veined wings and propleural sutures, but lack 

 the divided first ventral segment. Theu- 5-segmented abdomen forbids 

 considering them as of equal primitive rank with Adephaga, but their 

 5-jomted tarsi and filifonn antennae are certainly primitive. Until re- 

 cently the larva was unknown, but the work of Snyder ' finally clears up 

 that mystery. To me, in view of the larva greatly resembling primitive 

 Polyphaga like Teredilia, they seem to be the modified survivors of an 

 old polyphagous series, properly placed by Kolbe by themselves, but as 

 indicated by Leconte, near his Serricornia. 



TEREDILIA or LYMEXYLOIDEA 



The genus Hylocoetus, which with Lymexylon, composes this small 

 series, seems in many of its characters, extremely like the most primitive 

 beetles. Six ventral segments, five tarsal joints, soft integuments, elon- 

 gate form, badly adapted, pubescent elytra, are all primitive characters. 

 It has, however, serrate antenna?, large, stout palpi and no ocelli or ony- 

 chimn, and must be a derivative. Atractocerus, an exotic form, has short 

 elytra like the Staphylinida;. Handlirsch dissents totally with Lameere 

 as to Teredilia. Telegeusis has been included, on account of a verbal 

 communication regarding its genitalia, but as a family, Telegeusidse, on 

 account of its otherwise divergent characters. Micromalthidse are also 

 included, though some of my friends prefer to attach them to preceding 

 series. 



' Record of the Rearing of Cupes concolor (Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash. XV, 191:5, pp. 30-31). 



