2 RHYNCHOPHORA. 
anchorago being found from Rio Janeiro to Mexico. This, however, is, I think, an 
exceptional case, as I have examined a small series of Brenthide collected by 
Dr. Sahlberg near Rio Janeiro, and find that two or three species are all that can be 
considered identical with Central-American forms. 
Subfam. BRENTHINA. 
Group TAPHRODERINA. 
TAPHRODERES. 
Taphroderes, Schéuherr, Disp. Meth. p. 72 (1826) ; Gen. Cure. i. p. 366 (1833). 
This genus is peculiar to Tropical America, whence seven species have at present been 
described. The species are, however, no doubt numerous; they are very similar in 
appearance when the upperside only is looked at, but the lower surface of the body 
presents characters by which the species may be distinguished with ease. The 
sections I here adopt for the discrimination of our species will probably not suffice for 
an arrangement of the whole genus, as I have a Taphroderes from Petropolis that, as 
regards the structure of the metasternal crest, differs from all the species of our region. 
‘lhe terms I have used in describing the under surface are as follows :—‘ Abdominal 
sulcus,” for the groove running along the abdominal segments; itis more or less deeply 
foveolate at the base, the basal portion being sometimes all that exists: “ metasternal 
groove,” for the groove running along the middle of the metasternum, and extending 
nearly or quite to a transverse depression in front, the ‘‘ metasternal fossa”; this fossa 
is bounded just behind the middle coxa by a process I call the “ metasternal crest.” 
The “poststernum” means the part of the prothorax behind the front coxe; the 
“prosternum,” the part in ‘front thereof. There is very little difference externally 
between the sexes of this genus. 
In describing the sculpture of the elytra I have throughout treated the sutural 
interstice as being the first interstice. Schdnherr and others have spoken of the second 
interstice as being the first, calling my first interstice the sutural interstice. ‘This 
course, however, renders the phraseology of descriptions more complex, without, so far 
as I see, offering any real advantage. 
I have called the part of the rostrum anterior to the insertion of the antenne the 
‘‘prorostrum,” and the part between the antenne and the eyes the “ metarostrum.” 
The Taphroderides are probably all predaceous insects : their peculiar structure 
allows the legs to be packed close to the body when the insect enters a burrow in wood 
in search of its prey. 
