Situation of Siagonium in the Jirachclj/tra. 61 



opinion that the species of Jleochara generally present a far more 

 dilated appearance than many other species of Bruchelijlra. 



De Geer (v. iv. pi. 6. f. 11) has figured the Larva of Silpha 

 obscura, and which exactly agrees with Latreille's description of 

 the Larva; of that genus in the Hist. Nat. &c. and which he says 

 has twt?Ive segments, and is "alonge,tres aplati," and also" termine 

 sur les cotes en angle aigu " — the anal appendages are described as 

 *' deux petites appendices coniques " — and not as being jointed as 

 in my Larva;. DeGeer's figure exhibits the antenna; much lon- 

 ger than in the Larvae last above described by me, and it would 

 seem from the figure of the upper and under side of the anterior 

 segments of the body, that the head is entirely inimerged in the 

 underside of the first segment of the trunk, and which will account 

 for Latreille calling it 12-jointed. 



Latreille, in the work last referred to, describes the Larva; of 

 the genus Nitidula, as nearly resembling those of Silpha. Body 

 flat and long with twelve joints ; " termines lateralement en un 

 angle assez aigu." The last joint, as \n Silpha being " garni de 

 deux petites appendices coniques" — If however Mr. Kirby's 

 opinion should hereafter be confirmed, there can I think be no 

 greater proof of the connexion of the Neci'ophaga and the Brache- 

 ■ lytra than the strong affinity of these Larva;. 



I ought not to omit to mention (since the resemblance existing 

 between the forms of Larva; and other groups of Annulosa has 

 become an interesting subject of investigation ; (consult K. & S. 

 Int. 3. 162) that the dilated appearance of the Lacvze last above 

 described by me, bears a most striking analogical resemblance 

 to the shape of the body of Vhiloscia muscorum^ one of the Onis- 

 cidcc. 



The situation of the sub-genus Siagonium in an arrangement of 

 the Brachelytru^ will be between Bledius * and Zirophorus, a 



* I am indebted to my friend Mr. Stephens for a siglit of a new species of 

 this interesting; genus, lately taken on the Coast of Norfolt, by Mr. Skrim- 

 shire, and which may be thus characterized — 



Bl. Stephensii. Fig. 4. A. B. 



Magnitudo, statura et summa affinitas Bl. armati — Differt prtecipue, capita 

 masculo cornubus duobus, elongatis, lateralibus, acuminatis, erectis armato, 

 (B.B. Caput absque antennis). Thorace spinis tribus margine anteriori in- 



