307 
ceeded so far as to produce profound modifications of structure, and 
only in a single instance the erection of a new genus was deemed 
advisable. The absence of eyes and the substitution of sensitive bris- 
tles as delicate tactile organs to compensate the loss of sight in cave 
insects, are results of a life in total darkness. In the twilight and 
incomplete isolation of the gopher burrows so radical a change is not 
likely to be effected. Nevertheless the variation that has been pro- 
duced by this half cave life is sufficiently pronounced. It is shown in 
many of the species by a loss of color, a general tendency to suppres- 
sion of punctures and protuberances, a more glabrous surface of the 
body, and greater slenderness of form than is found in related species. 
The origin of some of the Ooleoptera, at least, is plainly indicated by 
their close relationship with forms living outside of the burrows. Thus 
Copris gopheri may have been derived from G. minutus, with which it 
agrees closely in size and shape, as well as in general structure. 
Aphodius troglodytes is also very nearly related to A. stercorosus, which 
inhabits the same region. Both the Copris and the Aphodius differ 
from their congeners notably in smoothness of surface and general 
tendency to obliteration of sculpture. The differentiation in each case 
is such as may be supposed to have been brought about by a life under 
ground. The chitinous integument in both these beetles shows some 
change. In the Copris it matures very slowly and frequently fails to 
attain the normal black color. The Aphodius, although belonging to 
a group of light-colored species, is by far the most thinly chitinized 
form in the genus, and in life is as colorless as an Anophthalmus. The 
eyes, too, are smaller and the legs more slender than is usual among 
its allies. In Onthophagus polyphemi, likewise, important distinguish- 
ing characters are found in its narrow eyes, its polished, glabrous sur- 
face, and the absence of protuberances and of punctures upon the 
thorax, especially in the male, which seems to differ more than the 
female from the type of Onthophagus common in our fauna. It is not 
related to any of our species, and appears to belong to a different 
group. It may be allied to some species in the West Indian fauna 
with which I am not familiar. The Staphylinid, Philonthus gopheri, 
is another insect which can not be affiliated with any other species of 
the genus. It is structurally allied to P. longicornis and one or two 
other black forms, but these belong to the circumpolar fauna and are 
not known to occur in Florida. Our present system of classification 
does not necessarily indicate natural relationship in the Philonthi, 
and can not be said to give the true affinities of this species. Its lack 
of color shows it to be a suberranean form, it is also remarkably slen- 
der and feebly punctate, and has slender legs and unusually long, 
fine claws. 
Especially noteworthy in respect to its affinities is the new Histerid, 
Chelyoxenus xerobatis. This species, although structurally closely related 
to the genus Saprinus, present a character which is not paralleled in 
