372 CLASSIFICATION OF THE CARABID^E 



Subfam. 1. BRACHININI. 



Abdomen of both sexes with seven segments. 



This subfamily consists of a single group, composed of three genera, of which Brachi- 

 nus alone is found within our territory. The species of these genera possess the singular 

 power of emitting with great force a highly volatile and corrosive liquid, so as to produce 

 a slight explosion. It is said that the genus Ozasna (group p'.) also possesses this power, 

 but as Brachinus differs from all other Carabica in the number of abdominal segments, 

 we must admit with great caution that any genus not agreeing with it in that respect, 

 should have this explosive power : it is necessary that the phenomenon should be con- 

 firmed by the most careful observation, before it can be admitted. The statement for- 

 merly made by me of the explosive power of a species of Galerita is incorrect. 



In this group the ligula is narrow, the paraglossoe broad, distinct, and connate with 

 the licrula: the mentum has a basal membrane in the emargination, as in Lebia: the first 

 three joints of the antenna? are smoother than the others, though not glabrous : the ante- 

 rior tibia? are almost filiform, emarginate internally: the epimera of the mesothorax are 

 divided by a suture, which is almost diagonal, and much anterior to the position in which it 

 is found in the second subfamily: the parapleural are distinctly appendiculate : the elytra 

 are broadly truncate. 



From this assemblage of characters this subfamily appears to be more closely allied 

 to the Lebise than to any other group of the next subfamily. 



Our species of Brachinus are similar to each other in form and colour, and differ by 

 very slight characters. They are described at length in the Annals of the Lyceum of 

 Natural History of New York, Vol. 4. Although willing to admit that the number of 

 species there described is too great, yet, after repeated trials, I have failed to find any 

 good characters by which to distinguish them, and I can therefore at present add nothing 

 satisfactory on the subject. 



Subfam. 2. HARPALINI. 

 Abdomen of both sexes with six segments: epimera of mesothorax not diagonally 

 divided. 



a. Galerita,. 

 The characters of this group in its division, are sufficiently obvious in the diagnosis be- 

 fore given: the first four joints of the antennae, though hairy, are less so than the follow- 

 ing joints : the first joint is much the longest. 

 Our genera may be thus arranged. 



A. Caput collo tcnui thoraci junctum : 



Antenna; setaceae Galerita Fabr. 



Antennae filiformes, articulis 3 io 4 to que sequentibus ocqualibus ... Zuphium Latr. 



B. Caput collo crassiore thoraci iunctum : 



Antennae filiformes, articulo 3 io 4'° breviore, et 2 ,vio requali ; thorax basi truncatus, Diaphorus Dej. 

 Antennae variac, articulis 2 — 4 sequalibus; thorax basi sub-pcdunculatus, - Thalpius Lee. 



