ANALOGIES OF THE NECYDALIN^. 297 



however, we cannot speak from personal observation. 

 Mr. Kirby, whose idea we have adopted, expressly 

 mentions its affinity with Necydalis, and its analogy to 

 Rhagium ; and it will be found that both these opinions 

 are verified by the attempt we shall now make to illus- 

 trate their analogies. 



Analogies of the NECYDALINLE with the CAPRICORN 

 FAMILIES, 



Genera of the A*j n Families of the 



Necydalin*. Analogies. Capricornes. 



NECYDALIS. Head prominent, porrect. LEPTURID.E. 



Prx ._ CHead obtuse, the base incased? T AMTIfll , 



1 within the thorax,front vertical.] J^ 1 ""^ 



DISTICHOCERA. Thorax large, globose. BOSTRICHIDJE. 



CLEONIA. Body lengthened, cylindrical. CURCULIONID^. 



EURYPTERA. Mouth and jaws prominent. PRIONID^E. 



(268.) It is a remarkable circumstance, that one of 

 the most universal distinctions between the floral and 

 the lignivorous Capricorn beetles, namely, the different 

 insertion of the head, is likewise conspicuous in the 

 smaller group. Necydalis and the Lepturidce feed upon 

 flowers : they are, in their respective stations, pre- 

 eminently typical; and both have the head distinctly 

 projecting beyond the thorax. On the other hand, we 

 see, that as Clytus represents the Lamiidce, it accords 

 with these latter insects in several respects : it is more 

 fond of wood than of flowers ; its structure is more ro- 

 bust ; and the head, like that of a Lamia, is so much 

 sunk in the thorax, that there is no indenture between 

 the two parts. Compare the remaining three genera, 

 again, with the aberrant families of the tribe, and the 

 series of analogies follow in the same order. Disti- 

 chocera is remarkable for its large globose thorax; so 

 also is Boatrichus. The most lengthened and slender 

 beetles in existence are found among the Curculionidce ; 

 while Cleonia, in just the same manner, is the most 

 lengthened and cylindrical of all the aberrant Necyda- 

 lince. But still we want another genus to complete the 



