380 Rev. T. A. Marshall on new Genera 
Australian Hydroid, of which, however, he possessed specimens of 
only the dried periderm. It would seem to offer one of the connect- 
ing forms by which the Campanularian pass into the Sertularian 
Hydroids through Coppinza, Reticularia, and Grammaria; but, in 
the absence of all knowledge of the living animal, it is impossible to 
speak with decision as to its affinities. 
Lineolaria spinulosa, Hincks. 
XXXVI.—Descriptions of new Genera and Species of Eumolpide 
from the Collection of the Rev. Hamlet Clark. By the Rev. 
T. A. MarsHat. 
Tue time has not yet arrived when a satisfactory arrangement 
of this interesting yet difficult group can be hoped for by ento- 
mologists. The literature of the subject is im so confused and 
imperfect a state, and the undescribed forms are so numerous, 
that the materials for generalization are yet wanting, and much 
time must elapse before a sufficient groundwork for the system- 
atist can be established. The existing materials require to be 
thoroughly sifted, and several hundreds of undescribed species 
to be defined, before the work of organization can begin. To 
the former of these tasks, with a view to attempting the two 
latter, the present writer has been led to direct his attention ; 
he is therefore enabled to speak with some certainty of the na- 
ture of the difficulties to be encountered. With respect to the 
hitherto published genera and species, it is perhaps not too much 
to say that one-half are insufficiently characterized, and rather 
impede than facilitate future labours. The writers in whose 
widely scattered works these descriptions are to be found vary 
much, as may be supposed, in their style and accuracy: a few 
only have performed their task im a perspicuous and permanent. 
manner. Foremost among these is Mr. Baly, whose labours in 
this department are beyond all praise for minute accuracy and 
clearness. The descriptions of Prof. Boheman, of Blanchard, 
Germar, Thomson, Say, Lucas, Gersticker, Leconte, and a few 
others are easy of verification. It is to be regretted that most 
of the other authors whose names are attached to described 
species have contented themselves for the most part with a brief 
and insufficient diagnosis, and often a mere indication. A few 
only of the genera can be regarded as permanently established : 
even the well-known Colaspis, as at present defined, will not 
exclude a number of forms obviously distinct. The uncharac- 
terized genera of Dejean’s Catalogue embrace for the most part 
apparently natural groups, or at least they may be made to do 
so by a system of judicious exclusion. We will therefore first 
direct our attention to them, from a conviction that the conver- 
<p iil 
