COLEOPTERA. 337 



the mesosternum. These anterior legs are at a distance from 

 the anterior extremity of the thorax. They form our first 

 section or that of the Sternoxi. 



Others, whose head is enclosed posteriorly by the thorax, 

 or at least covered by it at base, but in which the prester- 

 num is not dilated, and does not project anteriorly in the man- 

 ner of a chin-cloth, nor is usually(l) terminated posteriorly 

 in a point received into a cavity in the mesosternum, and in 

 which the body is most commonly either entirely or partially 

 soft and flexible, constitute our second section, that of the 

 Malacodermi. 



A third and last, that of the Xylotrogi, will comprise 

 those Serricornes, in which the posterior extremity of the 

 presternum is not similarly prolonged, but whose head is com- 

 pletely exposed and separated from the thorax by a strangu- 

 lation or species of neck. 



We will divide the Sternoxi into two tribes. In the first 

 or that of the Buprestides, the posterior projection of 

 the presternum is flattened, and not terminated in a laterally 

 compressed point, that is simply received into a depression or 

 emargination of the mesosternum. The mandibles frequently 

 terminate in an entire point, without any fissure or emargi- 

 nation. The posterior angles of the thorax are either but 

 very slightly or not at all prolonged. The last joint of the 

 palpi is most commonly nearly cylindrical, hardly thicker than 

 the preceding ; the others are globular or ovoid. Most of 

 the tarsial segments are generally wide or dilated, and fur- 

 nished beneath with pellets. These Insects never leap, a 

 character which eminently distinguishes them from those of 

 the following tribe(2): they compose the genus 



(1) The Cebriones are an exception, and approximate, in this respect, to the 

 Elaterides; but the inferior extremity of the presternum does not advance under 

 the head. The mandibles project, are arcuated and simple; the palpi filiform; 

 the legs non-retractile, and the two anterior ones somewhat removed, at base, 

 from the anterior extremity of the thorax, and closely approximated. 



(2) The Insects of this tribe also differ from all others of the family in their 

 tracheae which are vesicular in the rest they are tubular. See Obs. Anatom., of 

 M. Leon Dufour. 



Vol III, 2 S 



