144 



The above genera belong to the Dermestidae, a 

 family closely allied to the Byrrhidae. Arranged 

 under that term will be found various other genera, 

 which are noted in the tables. Dermestes, like 

 Helops of the same author, appears to have been 

 a Magazine genus for any remarkable variation 

 of form ; in proof of which I mention that the 

 genera Cryptophagus, Byturus, and Engis, belong 

 to Engidae, Corticaria and Sylvanus to the Silva- 

 nidae ; Biphyllus is allied to Mycetophagus, Crypta 

 to Anthicus, Cis to the Bostrichidae, Catheretes to 

 Nitidula ; and as to Throscus, an insect which has 

 much perplexed Entomologists, I locate it with the 

 Elateridee, others place it with the Byrrhidae, and 

 some like Fabricius along with Dermestes : as to 

 its power of leaping there cannot exist a doubt ; 

 the meaning of Throscus implies it ; and if other 

 testimony besides that of Gyllenhal is required, I 

 may state that I have frequently seen them jump ; 

 they do not however spring repeatedly like the Ela- 

 teridae : in habits they are certainly more sluggish 

 than the Skipper Beetles, and frequently will not 

 move when touched, 



Fabrician Species of Dermestes. 



Sp. 3. Cadaverinus — The locality mentioned by 

 Fabricius is St. Helena. I have received it from 

 the Cape of Good Hope and from St. Domingo, and 

 there can be little doubt that it will occur in various 

 other countries, as it is carried in shipping to various 

 parts of the Old as well as the New World. 



