THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 279 
immense mass of genera and species described, it became 
quite impossible to determine either from the work itself. 
II. Although the faults found with this artificial system 
were neither few nor vaguely expressed, yet it was not until 
the progress (1863) of his admirable work on the ‘ Genera of 
Coleoptera,’ by my deceased friend Prof. Lacordaire, required 
this immense labour to be done over again, that any attempt 
was made at a new arrangement. The system of Lacordaire 
was essentially this:—The series was divided into six 
families,—Curculionide, Bruchide, Anthribide, Brenthide, 
Uloceride, and Scolytide: of these the Bruchide were 
recognized as having scarcely any relations with the other 
families, and pertaining rather to the Chrysomelide, with 
which they have since been associated by most authors. 
The Bruchide and Anthribide were characterized by having 
a distinct labrum; the Scolytide by the compressed and 
dentate tibiz ; while the Brenthide were separated rather by 
form than by any distinct structural character. The Curcu- 
lionide were then divided, according to the size of the 
mentum, into— 
J. Mentum closing the buccal space, and con- 
cealing the maxille. - - : ADELOGNATHI. 
Eyes rounded; prothoracic lobes indistinct. | Cyclophthalmes. 
Eyes large, depressed, transverse, narrowed 
below; prothoracic lobes well marked. - | Oayophthalmes. 
II. Mentum smaller; maxille visible. - - PHANEROGNATHI. 
A. Front cox contiguous, or nearly so. - Synmerides. 
a. Pygidium covered by the elytra; 
claws not appendiculate. 
Metasternum short; episterna narrow. 
Gular peduncle wanting. 
Gular peduncle distinct. 
Metasternum long; episterna rather wide. 
Antenne geniculate. 
Antenne straight. 
b. Pygidium exposed, or claws ap- 
pendiculate. 
Ventral segments not angulated at the sides. 
Ventral segments angulated. 
B. Front cox separated by the pro- 
sternum, which is frequently chan- 
nelled for the reception of the beak. Apostasimerides. 
