92 
THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. 
having each joint project more or less inwards, that is, towards the anten- 
na; of the opposite side, so as to give it a saw-toothed appearance; and this 
projection sometimes extends so far as to form what is called the pectinate 
or comb-toothed antenna; and when these processes are nearly as long 
as the antenna itself, they form what is called th eflabellate, or branched 
antenna. But in many of the insects which are naturally classed in this 
sub-section this character of the antenna; is either wholly wanting, or 
so slightly developed that it can be scarcely distinguished from the fili- 
form, and therefore it cannot be relied upon by the student without the 
aid of other characters. The only other insects of the pentamerous 
section, however, with which they could be confounded are the Filicorues 
proper of the first subsection, comprising the predaceous Ground beetles, 
Cicindelidse and Carabidae, and the predaceous Water-beetles or Dytis- 
cidae. From the latter they are distinguished, not only by the want of 
any general resemblance, but more definitely by their legs not being 
fitted for swimming. And the ground beetles are distinguished by hav- 
ing apparently six palpi, and more conspicuously by their large egg- 
shaped posterior trochanters. 
The Serricornes, as a whole, do not constitute a natural division, 
being composed of two very dissimilar tribes, viz ; the saw horned 
wood-beetles, comprising the families Buprestida; and Elateridse, and 
the soft-winged carnivorous beetles, Lampyridse, Telephoridee, etc.; and 
in addition to these a number of small groups (Ptinidse, Lymexylouidae, 
lihipiceridae and Cupesidae,) which do not strictly belong to either of 
the leading tribes, but which are usually classed with one or the other 
to avoid the creation of a great number of primary groups.* In accord- 
ance with our plan of classifying insects, as nearly as possible, accord- 
ing to their habits and the nature of their food, and at the same time 
leaving the two large and natural tribes just referred to undisturbed by 
discordant elements, we have adopted the expedient of throwing to- 
gether a number of these small and heterogeneous families, under the 
title of Aberrant Wood-beetles. Thus arranged the Serricorn Coleoptera 
will form three tribes, which may be designated as follows: 
1st Tribe. Saw horned icood-beetles. Sternoxi, Latreille. Head in- 
serted in the thorax as far as the eyes. Antenna; serrate or filiform. 
Pro-sternum advanced in front, and also prolonged behind into a point 
which is received into a cavity of the ineso-sternum. Body elongate, 
or elliptical, moderately convex, and of a very hard consistency. Legs 
short and retractile. Anterior and middle coxae small and globulus. 
Families : Buprestkhe, Elateridae and Cebrionidse. 
' “ The creation of new families is a measure which should not bo resortod to except at the last ex- 
tremity.”— Lacoudaikb, Genera dee Col., IV, 258. 
