290 COLEOPTERA CHAP. 



amongst the most perfect of Insects ; their external structure (as 

 shown by Eugnoristus monachus, Fig. 147) being truly admirable. 

 Only four families of Ehynchophora can lie at present 

 accepted as satisfactory ; one of these Curculionidae includes 

 an enormous majority of the whole series. Though it is probable 

 that it will ultimately be divided into several families, the 

 attempts to that end that have already been made are not 

 satisfactory. 



Fam. 80. Anthribidae. Palpi usually not covered, Imt dis- 

 tinct and flexible. Antennae often long, not elbowed, the first joint 

 nt r< r;i lonij. Third joint of tarsus small, usually much concealed 

 by being embraced by the second joint. Pi/gidii/ni exposed; pro- 

 /if/i/idu/tn. deeply grooved in the midJfr. This family includes 800 

 or more species, which are mostly tropical ; it is very sparsely 

 represented in the faunas of Europe and North America. It is 

 quite distinct from Curculionidae with which it was formerly 

 associated. It contains many graceful Insects having a certain 

 resemblance with Longicorns on account of the large development 



of the antennae. The habits and meta- 

 morphoses are but little known. It 

 seems probable that many species find 

 their nutriment in old wood or boleti. 

 The larvae of some genera (Cratoparis 

 and Araeocerus) have legs, but in others 

 the legs are wanting, and the larvae are 

 said to completely resemble those of 

 Curculionidae. In the larva of our 

 tiny British species, Choragus sheppardi, 

 the legs are replaced by three pairs 

 of thoracic, sac-like pseudopods. This 

 Insect makes burrows in dead branches 

 FIG. i48.--P/r^/,v,/,,,|.< lati- of i iawt h m. The larvae of the genus 



/'.N//-/.V, Anthribidae. Britain. _ 



A, the perfect insect ; B, Bi'achytarsus have been ascertained to 



tarsus and tip o prey Qn Cocddae _ 



Fam. 81. Curculionidae ( Wecrils). The beak of rery variable 



and t/iir/,-/irss ; the palpi- small, nearly always concealed 

 within Hie mouth, short, and rigid. Labr/n/i absent. Antennae 

 of the majority r/bu/red, i.e. with the basal joint longer, and so 

 formed that when 'it is faff rally extruded the other joints can be 

 placed in a forward direction. This enormous family includes 



