The tarsal system will compel those who follow it implicitly, 
to place Tetratoma very far from Mycetophagus : if, however, 
we follow relations of affinity or pay any regard to natural 
arrangement, we think they must come together and associate 
with Tritoma and Triplax . — In their economy they are all 
similar, and the 2 former genera approach in form, texture, 
and in the structure of their antennae and palpi : it is true 
that one has the posterior pair of tarsi only, with 4 joints, 
whilst the intermediate as well as the posterior pair of the 
other have no more; but this surely can never justify their 
being placed far asunder, especially when we see that the 
males of Mycetophagus have but three joints in the anterior 
tarsi, which upon that principle would be as good a reason 
for removing it to the end of the Tetramera , instead of forcing 
it upon the Xylophagi , as the five-jointed anterior tarsi of our 
genus is to place it amongst the Heteromera . 
It appears to us that a very natural combination may be 
established leading from the Silphadce to the Nitidulce in the 
following manner : 1. Phosphuga; 2. Choleva; 3. Mylcechus; 
4. Agyrtes ; 5. Scaphidium ; 6. Scaphiosoma ; 7 .Leiodes ; S.Aga- 
tliidium; 9. Phalacrus ; 10. Atomaria; 11. Tritoma; 12. Dia- 
per is ; 13. Triplax; 14. Tetratoma ; 1 5. Mycetophagus ; 16. Cry- 
ptophagus; 17. Meligethes ; 18. Engis ; 19. Ips ; 20. Colobicus; 
21. Pettis ; 22. Thymalus; 23. Nitidula. As, however, nothing 
but dissection can satisfy our minds with regard to absolute 
affinities, we cannot attempt at present to prove the correct- 
ness of our assumption. 
The rare species represented in the plate has not hitherto 
been recorded as a native of Britain : the specimen figured 
was kindly communicated by E. T. Bennett, Esq., who cap- 
tured it at Colney- Hatch, 27th May 1824: we have since 
been favoured with the sight of another, taken early in the 
year out of moss at Southgate, by Mr. Francis Walker; and a 
third I believe was found by Mr. Bentley in a similar habitat 
at Epping Forest. 
Our other species, Tetratoma Fungorum Fab. ( Boletaria 
bicolor Marsham) is less rare, and is figured in Panzer’s Faun. 
Germ.fasc. 9. pi. 10. They are both found in the summer in 
Fungi at the roots of trees, and in winter they secrete them- 
selves in moss. 
Agaricus Jlavipes? Persoon (Yellow-stalked Agaric) is 
figured in the plate. 
