ON THE classification of the adephaga. 
75 
Geodephaga' 
Euptera 
(<Cicindelidce 
Eutrecha 
Truncipennia 
(Brachinidce McL.) 
Obtusipennia . 
Sarrothropoda 
( Ckicenius ) 
Cystopoda.... 
Nobilia ( Carabus , fyc.) 
Plebeia ( Nebria , &c.) 
Dimana(Agonum , Feronia , &c. 
Hygradephaga t 
Quadrimana ( Harpalus , &c.) 
Quadrimana 
(. Stenolopkus.) 
Acutipalpia \Himana 
y ( Trechus , Patrobus , &c.) 
Subulipalpia 
I (Perypkus, Bembidium, &c,) 
^ Filipalpia 
(. Elapkrus .)* 
The nomenclature employed in this arrangement, owing to Mr. Kirby having 
entirely suppressed distinctive terminations, is certainly objectionable ; nor is the 
arrangement itself less so. It is not only. more intricate and complex than 
necessary, but his Hygradephaga , as regards its contents and the rank he has 
given to it, is unnatural: Mr. K/s chief reason for the establishment of this 
additional tribe is drawn from the sub-aquatic habits of the species he includes 
in it. But there appears no single peculiar or constant character of sufficient 
importance to justify the separation of Elapkrus , &c., from Car abides ; Stenolo¬ 
pkus ,, Patrobus , &c., from Harpalidce , &c., which is surely not in accordance with 
Nature. Nor is the arrangement of Geodephaga much less objectionable. I 
have already objected to Cicindelidce (Euptera , K.) being considered as equal in 
rank with Eutrecha , K. (Carabidce , Harpalidce , &c.); but even admitting this 
to be correct, no sufficient grounds can be discovered for giving to Chloenince , B. 
(Sarrothropoda , K., Cklceniens , Dej.), a rank equal to Harpalidce , McL. ( Cysto¬ 
poda , K.), of which family it is in fact only a division. 
I shall now proceed to the arrangement of Adephaga which I have adopted. 
It is as follows :— 
Order Coleoptera , Aristotle. ( Elytroptera , Clairv., Eleutherata , Fabr.).—* 
Wings two, membranaceous, folded transversely; sometimes absent. The 
abdomen, and wings (when present) protected by two horny or coriaceous 
cases, denominated elytra. Mouth furnished with mandibles and maxillae. 
Section Pentamera , Latreille,—T arsi five-jointed. 
Kirby, Fauna Bor, Amer p. 6 , as quoted by Westw., Intro. > p. 73. 
L 2 
