THE FIFTH TYPE HOUBTFUL. 289 



between this siib-family and the next. These insects 

 are remarkable for their large frequently tuberculated, 

 and wrinkled thorax, and the comparative smallness of 

 their head, which is scarcely vertical. The antenna 

 are very long, and the joints in one sex considerably 

 compressed and widened as they approach their termi- 

 nation. Thus, with the robust form and general 

 structure of the feet of the LamiincB, they begin to put 

 on the characters of the Lcpturidce ; and liere, therefore, 

 do we consider the two are united. — On the 5th type 

 we feel incompetent to speak with any degree of con- 

 fidence. The Saperdce Fab. are too closely allied to the 

 Lamiince to be separated as a distinct sub-family. We 

 have seen in museums certain South American Ceramhy- 

 cidce having flabellifoim or laminated antennae (^Phcenico- 

 cerus) ; but without the power of examining them at this 

 moment, we dare not venture to say how far they are re- 

 lated to Lissonotus, or whether they form a distinct group 

 which would come in as the most aberrant division of 

 this family. Judging theoretically, we should consider 

 this latter supposition more than probable; since such a 

 form is obviously analogous to ]\[elolontha, Elater, and 

 several other types, filling the most aberrant stations in 

 their own circles. Their shape, also, assimilates very 

 much to certain pubescent Prionidce from South Africa ; 

 and thus they may connect the Lissonotince with the 

 Prionidce. These, however, are mere conjectures, useful 

 perhaps in directing the attention of others to the sub- 

 ject, but by no means sufficient to influence their decision 

 on so intricate a point, yet, for the present, we shall 

 consider Dorcadion, Parmena, and their affinities, as 

 occupying this situation. 



(257.) Hasty and imperfect as the foregoing sketch 

 of this family may be, it is quite sufficient to show 

 there is a mutual relation between those divisions we 

 have characterised, and those belonging to other assem- 

 blages. This will be apparent on looking to the 



u 



