1873.] "5 [Crotch. 



RMzophagus ; it thus makes a very natural family with a distinct facies, 

 and identical structure. The coxal cavities vary from transverse to 

 rounded by imperceptible degrees. 



TltOGOSITIDJE. 



Anterior coxa? transverse, separate, cavities variable. 



Posterior coxae transverse reaching the margin. 



Ventral segments 5, equal. 



Tarsi 5-jointed, not dilated. 



Peltastica, placed provisionally here by Leconte, I have removed to Dero- 

 dontidcB. This family contains two very different types ; the elongate 

 narrow Trogosita placed by Thomson near Cucujus on account of the 

 very minute 1st tarsal joint and less transverse cavities ; and the broad 

 species of Oslo ma (Peltis) which are like Xitidula, except that the tarsi 

 are not dilated. 



ZSTitidulid.?:. 



Anterior coxae transverse, cavities generally closed. 



Posterior coxae distant, almost reaching the margin. 



Ventral segments 5. 



Tarsi 5-jointed, dilated, 4th joint small, claws sometimes dentate. 



The capitate antennae are generally characteristic of this group ; the 

 coxal cavities are open in Gyehramus, Ips., etc. ; Byturus is better here 

 1 >y the dentate claws than in Dermestidce, though the lobed tarsi are dis- 

 tinctly anomalous ; Kiesenwetter and Thomson place it here ; Duval 

 places it with Telmatophilus, which seems impossible. RMzophagus is 

 excluded by Murray, but is. osculant between this family and Trogositidce. 

 The small genera Hesperobcenus, Bactridium, Europs and Nomophlozus 

 must come here as the cavities are made precise, as in RMzophagus ; Phy- 

 eonomus also has dilated tarsi. 



MiCROPEPLiD.E. 



Anterior coxae transvere, cavities closed. 



Posterior coxae distant, rounded. 



Ventral segments 6. 



Tarsi 3-jointed. 



Antennae 9-jointed, with an abrupt club, received into thoracic cavities. 



Elytra truncate, short. 



This family is very anomalous, but its whole relationship is with Niti- 

 dulidce, having no character in common with Staphylinidce except the 

 short elytra. The discovery of the larva also confirms this view. 



Phalacrid^e. 

 Anterior coxae small, globose, separate, cavities open. 

 Posterior coxae contiguous, not reaching the margin. 

 Tarsi 5-jointed, 4th very small, claws dentate. 



Allied to Xitidulida by the claws and tarsi, but differing by the ante- 

 rior and posterior coxae, it must, however, evidently be placed next them. 



