Crotch.] SO | Feb. 7, 



This family was founded by Dr. Leconte in the Proceedings of the 

 Academy of Natural Sciences for 1866, and is very evidently distinct. 

 The anterior angles of the thorax projecting under the head separate it 

 superficially from all other Coleoptera ; the regular antenna? and not 

 prominent coxae separate it from Jlydrophiiidce, to which it is allied by 

 the mentum being large and peculiar. 



Platypsyllid^e. 



This extremely anomalous insect has been formed into a separate family 

 near Leptinus by Dr. Leconte. 



Speleriid^e. 



Anterior coxae prominent exserted, contiguous, cavities open. 



Posterior coxae large, laminate, contiguous. 



Ventral segments 3. 



Tarsi 3-jointed. 



Wings ciliate as in Trichopieryx, but remarkably distinct by the 3 

 ventral segments and facies. This family is sub-aquatic in habits, and 

 recalls Vhtetarthria in facies. 



Trichopterygid/e. 



Anterior coxae prominent, contiguous, cavities open or closed. 



Posterior coxae transverse, sepax - ate. 



Ventral segment 6-7. 



Tarsi 3-jointed. 



Wings fringed with ciliae. This family contains the smallest known 

 Coleoptera, and is fairly uniform ; the most remarkable form is Lim id- 

 iocies. Mr. Matthews in his wonderful monograph has shown as I think 

 conclusively, that this family comes in between Ilydropliilidm and Staphy- 

 linkhe, with an additional alliance in Leptinus. 



Staphylinid.e. 



Anterior coxae prominent, contiguous, cavities open (except some 

 Piestid'k). 



Posterior coxae contiguous. 



Ventral segments 7-8, dorsal segments corneous, flexible. 



Tarsi variable. 



This large family is rendered tolerably homogeneous by the removal of 

 Mieropeplus, still the Piestidce, with an entirely corneous prosternum and 

 globose anterior coxae seem to me to be anomalous, and approach rather 

 closely to the Cucujidm, but I have not had the opportunity of studying 

 Ino or Ilemipeplus. 



PSELAPHID.E. 



Anterior coxae conical, prominent, contiguous, cavities open. 



Posterior coxae usually separate. 



Ventral segments 5-6, dorsal segments corneous. 



Tarsi 3-jointed, claws often unequal or single. 



Elytra truncate, palpi often largely developed. This family is very 

 unmistakeable, and is evidently a very degraded form. Eyes coarsely 

 granulated or wanting. 



