154 Mr. T. Vernon Wollaslon 07i the Euphorh'ia-infestiity 



minutissimo, ultimo elongate subclavato ungulcuUs simpli- 

 cibus munito. 



Obs. Genus Biphyllo proximum, sed antennis longioribus, 

 articulis intermediis magis elongatis, stria prothoracica se- 

 cunda (i. e. interna) obsoleta, tibiis gracilioribus, tarsorum 

 articulis primo et secundo inter se arctius applicatis, necnon 

 speciebus pallidis concoloribus, distinctnm. 



A daXXoe ramulus, et vio-toq, delectatus. 



Although at first sight not very apparent, nevertheless after a 

 close examination of it, I have no doubt whatever on the affinities 

 of this interesting genus. It is unquestionably closely allied to 

 Biphyllus and Diplocoelus, — with which in the details of its oral 

 organs and feet, as well as in its sublateral prothoracic costse, it is 

 almost coincident ; and the only question that can arise is, as to 

 the position which, in a natural system, these few much disputed 

 forms should occupy. Without wishing to discuss this point in 

 the present paper, I may just add that I am rather inclined, with 

 M. Jacquelin-Duval, to regard these genera as the exponents of 

 a separate family, the Telmaiophilidce, and so retain the Myceto- 

 phagidce within the restricted limits imposed upon it by Erichson, 

 — its representatives having their tarsi tetraraerous, but with the 

 anterior pair in the male sex trimerous. It is undoubtedly true 

 that the habits and external facies of the insects under considera- 

 tion are nearly identical with those of the Mt/cetophagidce ; and so 

 closely indeed does the Canarian Thallestus assimilate Typhcea, 

 that it might be almost mistaken for a member of that group : 

 nevertheless the details of its mouth have very little in common 

 with it, whilst (together with those of its feet) they accord entirely 

 with the corresponding parts of Biphyllus. Moreover none of the 

 Mycetophagidce proper \ possess, so far as I am aware, the very 

 significant character of sublateral prothoracic costae and grooves 

 which is so conspicuous in Biphyllus, Diplocoelus and Thallestus, 

 and which would tend to affiliate them with the various genera ap- 

 proaching Lcemophlceus, &c. of the Cucitjidcs, rather than within 



-f- Mycetcza, it is true, has a submarginal costa on its pronotnm well defined ; 

 and there is a slight indication of one even in the nearly -allied Symbiotes: but I 

 do not regard either of these as belonging to the Myretophagidte proper, — their 

 exact position being disputed by almost every Coleopteiist who has treated of 

 them. Some have placed them wiiii the Endomychidte, some with the Crvplopha- 

 gida, oihers with the aberrant Mycetophagidie ; whilst, more recently, a separate 

 family has been proposed for their reception. Of the near affinity, however, with 

 the Teimatophilid(E, and certain members of the Cryptophagidic, there can, I think, 

 be no doubt. 



