512 Mr. Vigors on some new subjects of Zoology. 



Pachi/soma, Kirby, Gymnopleurus, II]., &c. bear to ScarabcBus^ 

 MacL. These subdivisions of Scaraboeus are stiled types of form 

 or subgenera by Mr. MacLeay. I must confess I feel much re- 

 pugnance to the interposition between genera and species, of 

 any intermediate groups which are distinguished by scientifick 

 characters and separate names. Considerable confusion inevitably 

 arises between the generick and subgenerick name : and the great 

 advantage of simplicity and uniformity in nomenclature is lost by 

 a species having two separate denominations besides its own 

 specifick name by which it may be indiscriminately referred to. 

 The groups of Heliocantharus, Pachysoma^ &c. appear to me to 

 possess the rank of genera, in the usual and practical acceptation 

 of the term ; and the more extended groups of Scarabceusy Ateu^ 

 chuSj &c. seem to demand appellations of a more comprehensive 

 nature than that of genera. Such indeed is the usual and natural 

 progress of our science. As forms and species eucrease in number, 

 the subdivisions which are made for their reception must bear a 

 proportional increase in their rank and value. But this is not the 

 place to enlarge upon this subject: nor do I wish to discuss a 

 point upon which I feel much diffidence in hazarding an opinion 

 which is at variance with such high authority, unless 1 had more 

 time than I can at present spare for entering fully upon the sub- 

 ject. I merely refer to the subject in order to point out the 

 relative importance of the group before us, which I conceive to be 

 of equal rank with Mr. MacLeay's types of form. 



I have seen but one species which accurately accords with the 

 typical characters of this group, and which I received from South 

 America. There are some species from the same quarter nearly 

 allied to it, such as Ateuchus gibbosus, Fab., &c. but the body in 

 those insects is by no means so depressed as in the present. 



MacLeayii. Anamn. ater, antennarum capitulo subtus rufescenti; 

 clypeo tlioraceque punctis impressis ; elytris rugis elevatis 

 irregularibus inter sex siilcosfere obsoletos, carinisque dua- 

 bus elevatis, alteraque subobsoletd, longitudinalibus, inter- 

 ruptis, ad latera instruclis. 

 Tab, xix.f. 1. 



