PREDATORES AND LAMELLICORNES COMPARED. 255 



fact, is a true lamellicorn insect, to the ScarahceidcB, by 

 means of SphcBridium in one group, and Aphodius in 

 the other, is, in our estimation at least, indisputable ; 

 although we are not prepared to offer any opinion, 

 worth recording, how these aquatic lamellicorn insects 

 are connected to the Buprestidce. Our present busi- 

 ness, however, is with analogies, not affinities. If our 

 main groups are naturally located, we may leave their 

 contents for future analysis. Passing, therefore, to the 

 Silphidce, we should have been at some loss to have 

 detected their analogy to the Buprestidce, but for that 

 extraordinary insect, the Helota Vigorsii of MacLeay*^ 

 — a type which presents such a singular deviation from 

 the rest of its congeners, that it would be perfectly 

 anomalous, but for the direct relation of analogy it is 

 now seen to possess with those insects it so strongly 

 resembles. The analogies of the Staphylinidce to the 

 Lucanidcp are shown in the same characters of exserted 

 jaws, which shows that both are prototypes of the 

 Capricorn tribe. It is also well worth observing, that 

 the gigantic Prionidce, among the latter, have their 

 wing-cases very thin, and sometimes abbreviated, so 

 that it is not improbable they represent the Malaco- 

 dermes in their own circle. 



(228.) After these expositions, it might be tedious 

 to test the analogies of this tribe, by bringing its con- 

 tents into comparison with others of the annulose circle : 

 those we have now reviewed, appear quite sufficient to 

 establish the existence of mutual relationships ; but a 

 few incidental references to the general principles upon 

 which all insects seem to be constructed, will not be 

 misplaced. The Coleoptera, as a whole, are the most 

 imperfect flyers of all the Ptilota ; and, therefore, it 

 might naturally be expected that many would be ap- 

 terous, — that is, unprovided with the pair of real wings 

 usually concealed beneath the elytra ; and these, there- 



* Annulosa Javanica, pi. 1. fig. 9. 



