black, the red and the post oaks are mentioned as those which are known to be attacked. By some curious inadvertence, Olivier in the Encyclopédie Méthodique cites for this species No. 84, plate ii, f. 9; a totally distinct species, which in the text (v, 439) is named B. militaris.

A description of this very well known insect is here unnecessary, but a notice of the variations which I have observed in the head of the males may be of interest.

The females vary in length from 6.5 to 14 mm.; .25 to .56 inch., from the eyes to the tip of the elytra. The head is rather strongly constricted immediately behind the eyes, which are convex and prominent. Immediately in front of each eye is a deep fovea; and in advance of them is a deep frontal excavation; the ridges above the insertion of the antennæ are prominent, and not angulated; the beak in front of the antennæ is as long as the joints 1-9 of the antennæ, which are shorter and stouter than in the ♂. The males vary in length from 7.2 to 17 mm.; .28-.67 inch, from the eyes to the tip of the elytra. The head affects three different forms, which seem to be independent of size :

1. The head is suddenly, but not strongly constricted behind the eyes, with the lateral angles obtuse, but distinctly outlined; the ridges above the antennæ are very prominent, angulated behind, and separated from the front by a deep impression; the frontal impression is large and deep, and the median elevation in it is feeble; the beak in front of the antennæ is strongly dilated, much wider than long, with scattered elevated granules, and with a well developed ridge each side, which is suddenly more elevated at its posterior end; there are also two shallow impressions. The mandibles are as long as the beak in front of the antennæ; the cusp on the inner side is distinct and the apex of the right mandible has three cusps, that of the right but two. This form occurs in Michigan and Georgia.

2. The beak in front of the antennæ is not transverse, but fully as wide as long; the other characters as in (1). This form occurs in Kansas and Texas.

3. The beak in front of the antennæ is nearly twice as long as wide, the lateral ridges less developed, the granulations more numerous, the mandibles comparatively shorter and stouter; the frontal impression more elongated, with the median elevation more distinct; the ridges above the insertion of the antennæ are less prominent, not angulated behind, and the head is less suddenly constricted behind the eyes, with the angles so much rounded as to be nearly effaced.

These characters are somewhat similar, as regards the development of the supra-antennal ridges to those observed in Lucanidæ, but in the variation of the length of the beak are rather anomalous. They indicate, however, the propriety of recasting the classification of this family, and defining the genera and species by the invariable characters of the female, rather than by the perhaps individual modifications of the male.

The measurements given above show a slight average superiority of size in the male, but not sufficient to warrant any generalization in favor of

sexual selection, produced by the bloodless combats of these insects; which seem, so far as the records go, to be actuated rather by chivalric sentiment, than by animal passion.

Two species of Brenthus collected by Mr. Xántus, at Cape San Lucas, Lower California, which are closely allied to Mexican species, have been fully described by Dr. Horn.* I observe in the males also great variation in the form of the head in different individuals, although the beak, though shorter, is as slender in the ♂ as in the 9, and the mandibles are equally small, but different in form; the distance from the eyes to the insertion of the antennæ is proportionally longer in the larger males.

The head is deeply excavated beneath, just in front of the neck, in B. peninsularis, while it is only slightly so in B. lucanus. In B. mexicanus there is a short but deep groove in the same position. The front femora alone are toothed in B. mexicanus and lucanus, while they are all toothed in peninsularis.

This sub-family represents the tribe Cylades, of Lacordaire, placed by him between Eurhynchus and Apion, and consists of but two genera, one of which, Cylas, occurs in Asia and Africa, while the other, Myrmecacelus, is found in Australia. I have sufficiently exposed the characters of this subfamily in the description of the family, and the singular form of the antennæ, as well as the very peculiar appearance of the insect, will enable it to be easily recognized.

The relations of these insects with Brenthida were well recognized by Fabricius, Latreille and Olivier, and I know not for what reason they have been lost sight of by more recent observers.

CYLAS Latr.

1. C. formicarius Olivier, Ent. 84, bis, p. 446; Tab. 2, f. 19; Brentus form. Fabr. Syst. El. ii, 549; Ent. Syst. Suppl. 174; Attelabus form. Fabr. Ent. Syst. Suppl. 163; C. turcipennis Boh., Sch. Curc. i, 369. Otidocephalus elegantulus Summers, New Orleans Home Journal, Jan. and Dec. 1875.

Cochin China, India, Madagascar, Cuba and Louisiana. Depredates on the roots of sweet-potato (Convolvulus batata).

Body very elongate, smooth and shining, ferruginous, with the elytra bluish black. Head and beak dusky, the latter twice as long as the head, stout, cylindrical, nearly straight, finely punctured towards the base; antennæ inserted near the middle; eyes smooth, rounded, reticulations very distinct beneath the epidermis. Prothorax twice as long as wide, not constricted in front, but very deeply strangulated at the posterior third. Elytra *Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. iv, 128.

elongate-oval, a little wider than the prothorax, very convex, humeri very oblique; surface feebly and sparsely punctulate. Under surface of trunk and abdomen dusky. Length 5.8 mm.; 2.3 inch.

3. Last joint of antennæ longer than the others united.

9. Last joint of antennæ shorter than the others united.

The species of this genus are declared by Lacordaire to be apterous, and so one would naturally suppose from the form of the body. On dissec ion, however, the wings are found to be very well developed, and the elytra not connate.

Family VIII. CALANDRIDÆ.

Mouth cavity variable according to subfamily, as follows:

1. Gular peduncle very long, concealing the mentum and gula, buccal fissures narrow and long; mandibles compressed, with three apical teeth in Calandrida (genuini).

2. Floor of the mouth so prolonged that all of the organs are concealed, except the mandibles, which are convex on the inner face, with three apical teeth, and usually diverge externally in Rhinida.

3. Gular peduncle rather broad, mentum trapezoidal, transverse; maxillary palpi rather large; mandibles flattened, curved, with the apex acute, and one prominent tooth on the inner edge, in Cossonida.

Antennæ geniculate, inserted near the base of the beak (Calandridæ), or about the middle (Rhinida and Cossonida); scape long, funicle varying from four to seven joints; club variable, with the basal part, and sometimes nearly the whole surface shining, not sensitive; oval and annulated as usual in Cossonida.

Head porrected, beak at most capable of being deflexed vertically, never narrowed behind the eyes; beak sometimes long, sometimes short; eyes sometimes small, sometimes very large and transvers, contiguous beneath (Rhinida); antennal grooves very short, and not receiving the scape in Calandrida, suddenly deflexed under the eyes, and receiving the scape in Cossonida.

Prothorax truncate in front, not emarginate beneath, prosternum long in front of the coxa, which are separated; prosternal sutures effaced; the transverse suture between the coxæ is wanting in Calandrida and Cossonida, but distinct in Rhinida.

Mesosternum triangular, truncate behind, side pieces varying according to genus and tribe; middle coxæ separated, cavities rounded.

Metasternum usually long, episterna varying in breadth, broader in front, epimera large in some Calandrida, small in other genera and subfamilies; hind coxæ transverse, oval, not attaining the side of the abdo

- men.

Elytra without epipleuræ, exposing the pygidium in Calandridæ, covering it more or less completely in the other subfamilies; on the inner surface the elevated fold commences near the base, continues parallel and close to the margin as far as the posterior curvature, where it diverges and becomes

obsolete. The space between the ridge and the margin has a pearly lustre, and may possibly serve as a stridulating organ; in the Cossonia this ridge diverges much less and becomes obsolete sooner.

Abdomen with five ventral segments, of which the first and second are longer, with the suture nearly obliterated at the middle in Calandrida, but deep and entire in Rhinida; in Cossonida they are very long, and the suture is effaced at the middle; the third and fourth segments are short, and the sutures straight and deeply impressed; the fifth is about as long as the third and fourth united, and is rounded behind. The dorsal segments are membranous, except the last, or pygidium, which is large, nearly perpendicular in Calandrida, obliquely deflexed in the other subfamilies; the anal segment of the is quadrate and retractile in Calandride and Rhinidæ, broader and less retractile in Cossonida, but not continuous with the pygidium as in Curculionida and Brenthida,the lateral edge of the metathorax and of the ventral segments is sharp and fits into the lateral groove of the inner surface of the elytra; in the Cossonida this edge continues on and around the last ventral, thereby showing a tendency towards the modification finally perfected in the Scolytide, and of which we have already seen traces in the Brenthida.

Legs moderate, varying though not greatly, according to genus; thighs usually stoutly clavate, not toothed; tibiæ rather short, strongly unguiculate at the outer angle. Tarsi frequently narrow and not brush like beneath; third joint sometimes bilobed, (Rhinida) sometimes broad patellate, and not emarginate, (certain Sphenophori); claws divergent, simple.

I have embraced in this family several very distinct forms which agree with Curculionida in general characters, but differ in having the genital segment of the not articulated directly at the end of the last dorsal, but either retractile or concealed under it. While the mouth organs of the Cossonide are similar to those of ordinary Curculionidæ, and submit to modifications similar to those of Hylobiini for instance, in the other subfamilies there are specializations which do not otherwise occur among Rhynchophora. With regard to the affinities of the members of this family, it may be said, in general terms, that the Calandrida show an alliance with the Barini; the Rhinida continue the specialization still farther, and have not a direct resemblance to any other tribe. The Cossonida seem to be a connecting line from Hylobiini to Scolytide, to which they approach very closely in Rhyncolus.

Three subfamilies occur in our fauna, the characters of which have been sufficiently indicated above: the following table will enable them to be readily distinguished.

Buccal cavity elongate, peduncle of mentum elongate,

narrow: pygidium exposed...............

Buccal cavity entirely at' the apex of the beak; py

gidium covered......

Buccal cavity normal, peduncle of mentum short, oral

organs exposed; pygidium covered...

PROC. AMER. PHILOS. soc. xv. 96. 2P

CALANDRIDÆ.

RHINIDE.

COSSONIDE.

Subfamily I. CALANDRID Æ.

An excellent synopsis of the species of this subfamily, as represented in our fauna is given by Dr. Horn in the Proceedings of this Society for 1873, commencing on page 407. I have but a few new species of Sphenophorus to add, which seem scarcely worth describing at the present time. I shall therefore confine myself to giving at greater length my views on the subdivision of the subfamily into tribes and genera, which do not differ essentially from those developed by Lacordaire, and followed by Horn.

Side pieces of metathorax very wide, epimera

The species of this tribe are of large size, and with the exception of Rhynchophorus, have the mandibles turned outwards as in the Rhinida; in the genus just mentioned, the mandibles are of the usual pincer-form with three small apical teeth. The funicle of the antennæ consists of six perfoliate joints, strongly constricted at the outer end; the club is transverse, trapezoidal, corneous, with the terminal face flat, spongy and sensitive.

One species, R. cruentatus, represents this species in the Southern States. It is parasitic on Chamarops palmetto. In consequence of the extension of the mesothoracic epimera upwards, the humeral portion of the elytra is truncated, as in Barini. The third joint of the tarsi is but little wider than the second, not emarginate, fringed at the apical margin beneath. In the

the tibiæ, and to a less extent the thighs are densely fringed with long yellow hair on the inner side: in the the hairs are much less dense. The genital segment is sometimes protruded; it is nearly smooth, and finely channeled above in both sexes, but is longer and narrower in the, in which sex also the pygidium is more flattened, and more obliquely narrowed at the tip.

Tribe II. SPHENOPHORINI.

The species of this tribe are rarely large, but never very small. The mandibles are always pincer-shaped, with three apical teeth. The mesothoracic epimera are large, and truncate at the outer side, so that the outline of the elytra near the base is straight, and not oblique as in the preceding tribe; the metathoracic episterna are rather narrow, and the epimera small, though quite obvious.

Three genera have been observed in our fauna.

Spongy portion of antennal club flat....

convex.

SCYPHOPHORUS.

2.