1883.] On the Genealogy of the Insects. 943 
indrical ; until in the wood-boring and seed or nut-inhabiting 
weevils the antenne and maxilla became rudimentary, almost 
disappearing, while the legs utterly vanished. We see that a 
change of habits and surroundings, with corresponding changes 
in the form of the body and its appendages, both explain the 
metamorphosis of insects in general and also the differences be- 
tween the larval forms of the different orders. 
The following view will convey an idea of the larve of the 
Coleopterous families which in a general way correspond to the 
different larval stages of the Meloide; it being understood that 
the resemblances are suggestive and general, and not to be ac- 
cepted in a too literal sense: 
In Meloé more like Campodea than in Epicauta. 
1. Primitive triungulin stage. Meloide. 
Stylopide. 
( ~ Cicindelide, i 
Carabide, Dytiscidæ, Hydrophilidze. 
i, Carsboid sige, od u Nitidularis, Dermestids, Coccinelli- 
| Elatetide, Lampyride, Telephoride, Cleridz, 
Pyrochroidz. 
3. Scarabæoid stage. 
f 
l 
erambycidæ. 
Tenebrionidæ. 
4. Coarctate stage, more or less | Mordellidæ. 
cylindrical and apodous. g i 
| Scolytidæ. 
From the facts and considerations which have been presented, 
we are disposed to believe, subject of course to future correction, 
that the primitive Coleoptera were carnivorous forms, and that 
the scavenger and phytophagous forms have been derived from 
them, and are, therefore, secondary products, and as a whole of 
more recent origin. 
The primitive form of beetle was probably a Staphylinus-like 
- form, with a long, narrow body and rudimentary elytra, and car- 
Nivorous in habits. This has been suggested by Brauer,’ though 
it occurred to us before meeting with his views. 
Ase So wird uns der Staphylinus als eine der ältesten Käferformen gelten,” etc. Be- 
 trachtungen über die Verwandlung der Insekten im Sinne der Descendenz-Theorie, 
von F, Brauer, Verh, k. k. zool.-bot. Ges., Wien, 1869, p. 313- 
