616 Coleopterological Xotices, ]'[. 



cularly drawn are : the form of the basal margin of the prothorax^ 

 and the presence or absence of a fringe of set:\? along the lateral 

 edges of the body. A mere casual inspection of the numerous 

 species of Blapstuuis, and of the otherwise evidently distinct 

 though fewer representatives of Mecysmus, will show that the 

 bisinuato t'orin of base is perfectly constant throughout the 

 former, auil that the transversely rectilinear form is equally per- 

 sistent in the latter: consequently it must be evident that the 

 form of the base is of great importance, and the separation of 

 Cybotus and Aconobius on this feature alone would be more than 

 amply Justified, irrespective of the profound ditferences in habi- 

 tus distinguishing both of these genera. Cybotus is howevei* 

 further characterized by an abnormality of palpal structure, and 

 Aconobius by the presence of a dense fringe along the sides of 

 the body, which, in conjunction with its peculiar autenme, gives 

 it a very striking facies. 



The marginal fringe is cluotly important in discriminating cer- 

 tain wingless genera, which constitute the division with connate 

 elytra and abbreviated scntellum. Its importance is demonstrated 

 \>y its absolute constancy throughout those polytypic genera 

 which happen to possess it, such as Ulus and Xotibius, and there 

 can be no doubt that it is an important generic character, prob- 

 ably developed by reason of changes in the life-habits of the 

 species. The characters here used to separate Xocibiotes, Toni- 

 bius and Tonibiastes are based upon types of elytral sculpture, 

 bodily facies and antenual structure, which are invariable through- 

 out the respective genera where enough species are known to test 

 their constancy, and it is jnobable that these genera will ulti- 

 mately hold good. Conibius, as here defined, is still somewhat 

 heterogeneous, containing three subgeneric types as noted below. 



The genera of Blapstini may be separated as follows : — 



Scutellum triaii>iiilar. sejximting the elytra at base, the hind wiuirs freqttently 

 well developed aud the auterior tai-si of the male dilated as a rule. 

 Rise of the prothorax bisinuate. 



Anterior tibiie bent ; vestittire dtial in strnctnre Tr i cUotoil 



Anterior tibi;v straiglit; pubescence simple. 



Eo<,ly generally oval, timbriate at the sides: auterior tibia? prodticed 



externally at apex I'liiS 



Body usually oblong or oblong-oval, the sides not fimbriate; auterior 



tibiiv simple BlapstiiiUS- 



Rise of the prothorax not bisinuate. 



