244* NATURAL ARRANGEMENT OF INSECTS. 



wider range than the equally American Chiasognathus, 

 which appears to be restricted to the little island of Chiloe, 

 on the western coast of Northern Patagonia. In the 

 former family, the majority of the genera have a wide 

 diffusion : although Colophon is exclusively African, and 

 Syndesus Australian : but the island of Java exhibits 

 the largest forms throughout the Lucanidce : with this 

 exception only, we observe in these insects the reverse of 

 what we have noticed in the other Lamellicornes, 

 namely, that inter tropical countries produce compara- 

 tively the smallest species. QW. E. Sh.] 



(218.) The Histeridce, the third family of this 

 group, are more exclusively saprophagous than the pre- 

 ceding insects. They present equally curious modifi- 

 cations of general form. Thus, in Hister, the typical 

 structure is quadrate, and almost cubical : the elytra 

 are always shorter than the abdomen in Hololepta, and 

 Phylloma is excessively flattened; whence, probably, 

 these insects live beneath the bark of trees : but the 

 most remarkable form in the family is that of Trypa- 

 nceus., which is completely cylindrical, and which as dis- 

 tinctly, perhaps, indicates a remote affinity again with 

 the Bostrichidce, and such genera of the Lucanida as 

 Sinodendron and Chiron, as Onthophilus does a proxi- 

 mate one to the Staphylinidcz, through Micropeplus ; if, 

 however, the latter genus be not more correctly in its 

 place in the present family. Their generic separation 

 has been founded upon the mode of insertion of their 

 antennae, conjunctively with the reflection of their tarsi, 

 and the channel receiving them ; and the form of the 

 prosternum; and the most satisfactory specific diagnostics 

 are deduced from the sculpture of their integument. 

 Their geographical distribution is very wide : Try-panceus 

 is, however, Brazilian; and Abrteus European. Being still 

 uncertain as to what exactly constitute the other families 

 of the group of the Lucanid<z, we shall leave them 

 until analysis shall have satisfactorily ascertained the 

 insects that fill up the temporary chasm. QW. E.Sh.] 



(219.) The Buprestidce form the most aberrant family 



