452 CLASSIFICATION OF THE RHYNCHOPHOROUS COLEOPTERA. 
North American flora, but a link between it and that of the West 
Indies, and that a portion of those species which are peculiar to 
the northern portions of the State, and the immediately adjacent — 
region, may have been derived from the south. 7 
THE CLASSIFICATION OF THE RHYNCHOPHOROUS : 
COLEOPTERA. y 
BY JOHN L. LECONTE, M.D. 
OTIORHYNCHIDÆ. : 
Is a large number of genera* of Rhynchophora, at the front part 
of the mandibles, may be seen a round or oval depression, having 
the appearance of a scar, and which served, during the pupa stage, : 
and for the early part of the imago life, as an attachment for § 
deciduous piece, of a conical and usually slender form. Mi 3 
times specimens had occurred in which one or both of these pieces 
were still adherent, and the explanations thereof were varied | 
incorrect.t The opinion of Lacordaire seems to be quite satisfac- 
tory, that they are probably of service in enabling the insect i 
cut its way out from the nest or cell in which the transformat 
takes place. ; | ii 
While recognizing the frequent occurrence of this sing™ 
structure, altogether without parallel among other insects, it does 
not seem to have occurred to Lacordaire, that we have hor ; 
character of great importance for systematic purpose, and 
after removing the large mass of such genera, the normal pa 
Curculionidæ would be much more amenable to classification. 
fact I think it may be shown that the confusion and inde 
of the first part of the classification of Lacordaire is mainly 
to the intercalation of genera with scarred mandibles a% 
with simple mandibles. I have therefore placed the former 
separate family, having the following general characters. 
The body affects two forms; in the apterous species ba 
are connate and convex with the humeri rounded ; in the 
species they are more oblong, with the humeri more or less 
* Lacordaire, Gen, Col. vi, 5 (note). 
t Müller, Germar’s Mag. iii, 424. 
