314 LE CONTE.— LONGICORN COLEOPTERA 



Having now laid the ground work of a classification, we may proceed to investigate 

 the relations existing between the different groups which have thus been obtained. 



The Lamim* meet the Cerambyci in several points, Dorcadion tending towards 

 Clytus, while Saperda unites with Necydalis ; some tropical forms tend towards 

 Dorcacerus. 



The Prioni meet the Cerambyci in two points. Pyrodes approaches Megaderus and 

 Tragosoma, Asemum : they then lead to the Lamellicornia in Liicanus. The Leptiira 

 branch of the Cerambyci is related to the Phytophaga by Acmceops, which approaches 

 Donacia. Piodes is a very anomalous form which seems closely allied to the Prioni, 

 but I am inclined to believe it more nearly related to Megamerus Kingii, (McLeay) 

 among the Phytophaga, which is said to have the same coriaceous structure as the 

 Prionus and Piodes. On the other side, this branch is closely connected with the 

 Cerambyci by Necydalis, so that no character can be used to separate them, excepting 

 the conical coxse. The Spondylus branch is related to the typical Cerambyci, through 

 Asemum and Callidium: this form attains its highest development in Hypocephalus, 

 which is another isolated form connected only with the contents of its own group. 



The very peculiar appearance of the Spondylidce might lead many to consider it as 

 of equal value with that which is observed in the LamicB or Prioni, separating them 

 by their short and robust legs, with dilated and dentated anterior tibiae. Now, 

 although these species differ in this respect from the typical Cerambyci, yet on 

 comparing several together, great differences are found in these same organs. 

 Hypocephalus has only a few large teeth on the tibiae, Spondijlis buprestoides a fine 

 serration, while Scaphinus {Prionus muticus, Fabr., Spondylis spharicollis,ljec.) has a 

 laro-e expansion at the end of each tibia. The antennae of Spondylis are at the base 

 of the mandibles as in Prionus, but on examining the Callidia a gradual transition 

 will be found between this position and the one assumed in the typical Cerambyci- 

 The relations just pointed out, as far as they can be exhibited on a plane surface, are 

 shown in the following diagram. 



* This group is to be considered as the highest form of the Longicorn beetles ; since with perfection of 

 organisation, it is entirely free from all complicated relations. Its affinities are only with other Longicornia, and 

 with only one section of them ; and this isolation must always be a property of the highest division of any group, 

 no matter what its extent may be, since the highest form is that in which some typical idea attains its maximum 

 of development. We find in every group a highest form, in which, to use a physical symbol, the branch 

 terminates, and in every case the comparative value of this branch may be ascertained by tracing its connection 

 with others ; that which soonest assumes a distinct form will be the highest. 



