XIV INTRODUCTION". 



strong; analogy with the higher Tenebrionidce, in which the buccal cavity 

 is entirely closed by the mentum. 



By the gradual obsolescence of the deciduous mandibukr appendage, and 

 the scar, which is its natural consequent, the Otiorhyncliidoe pass almost in- 

 sensibly into the Curculionidie. The last named family through the Eri- 

 rhinim is affiliated with the BhyncliitidcB, and through the Barini with the 

 Ciil<< iidrt'dcK and Cossonidce. 



The Ilylastes group of the Scolytida shows strong affinities with the Cos- 

 sonidw, and a slight reversion towards the Oryptorhynekini of the Curcu- 

 UonidcB. 



The Brenthidoi are isolated, and indicate a relationship which is neither 

 of affinity or analogy, but ratlier of contemporaneous origin with Hypoceph- 

 al/dce, Rhysodidce, Cupesidm, and perhaps some other families of normal 

 Coleoptera, which have been yet imperfectly studied. Nevertheless, by 

 certain abnormal genera, not occurring in our fauna, they exhibit a re- 

 semblance in some characters to the sub-family Platypodidw of the Scoly- 

 tida>, and connect both, by their resemblances with the Colydiida of the 

 Clavicorn series of normal Coleoptera.* 



Some of the Scolytidw in form and general appearance resemble the feebler 

 groups (Choragus, &c.) of the Anthribidce, but the characters of the latter 

 are so peculiar, that they must be viewed as a synthetic type, combining 

 resemblances to very diverse series. The form of the mentum, if I have 

 interpreted it correctly, is found only in the Adephaga (Amphieoa), while 

 the great sexual differences in the length of the antennas occur only in the 

 Cerambycidce. The well developed labrum, filiform flexible palpi, straight, 

 11 -jointed antenme, and epipleime indicate a higher organization than is 

 found in other Rhynchophora. The complete consolidation, without su- 

 tures, of the elements of the under surface of the head and prothorax, indi- 

 cate a progress along the line of true Rhynchophorous development, upon 

 which I have based the two fundamental defining characters. The pro- 

 gress in this instance has been carried so far as to cause the disappear- 

 ance of these very characters. If any resemblance to the normal Coleop- 

 tera could be seen to replace them, the Anthribidce would be removed, as 

 has been done with the Bruchidce, to some other part of the system. But 

 this is not the case, and they must remain, therefore, as the expression of 

 the most perfect development thus far attained in the lihynchophorous 

 type.f 



The classification here adopted is simply that set forth by me in the 

 memoir:}: above cited, which was read before the National Academy of 



*It will be here remembered that Nematidium has the median suture belli net 

 the point of the prosternum precisely as in Rhynchophora. 



fin this connection it is important to remark, that while the food of the 

 Rhynchophora, is almost universally vegetable tissues, either living or dead, 

 i;,-(t<-/it/farfiuv is a parasite upon a Hemipteron, of the genus rVr-tt>, as narrated 

 by XirrdlinyiT, Stettin Knt. Zeitung, ISIS, p. :>:}<); Lacord., Gen. Col. vii, 181. 



1 Aiueric in Naturalist, July, 1874. 



