64 

 Family I. Chthoniidae Hans. 



1879. Obisiinae Simon pars (5) p. 50. 



1890. Obisiidae pars Balzan (46) p. 407. 



1891. Chihoniinae (pars of Obisiidae Balz.) + Tridenchthoniidae Balzan 



(12) p. 508. 

 1894. Chthoniidae Hansen (49) p. 232. 



Front margin of céphalothorax serrated or loith a median tooth, which is 

 distinctly set o/f. Tibia of the palps is calice-shaped ; the hand of the palps with 

 dorsal tactile hairs. Trochaniin of the fourth pair with the articulate membrane 

 differently shaped anteriorly and posteriorly. The tarsi of the two first pair of leys 

 are undivided. 



This family is divided into Iwo subfamilies. 



Subfamily I. Tridenchtliominae Hans. 



1891. Tridenchthoniidae Balzan (12) p. 505. 

 1894. Tridenchthoniinae Hansen (49) p. 232. 



The movable finger of the antennae is provided with three galeae. 



This subfamily seems, as far as I can judge from Balzans rather short descrip- 

 tion (46. p. 450), in most respects to be similar to the following; we can with 

 Hansen characterize its single genus, Tridenchthonius Balz, as a "Chthonius with a 

 most remarkable galea" (49. p. 230). The galea consist in reality of three the one 

 behind the other (46. lav. 17, fig. 28 a). The front margin of the céphalothorax 

 seems to be serrated as in most of the Chthoniinae Dad., and not prolonged into 

 a median "epistoma". The flagellum is composed of several pinnate bristles; the 

 shape of the palps as well as the two dorsal tactile hairs of the hands provide 

 other points of similarity to the Chthoniinae Dad. 



Subfamily II. Chthoniinae Dad. 



1889. Chthoniinae Daday (11) p. 167. 



1891. Chthoniinae (pars of Obisiidae) Balzan (12) p. 508. 



1894. Chthoniinae Hansen (49) p. 232. 



1895. Chthonini Banks (pars of Obisiinae) (50) p. 2. 

 Antennae without galea. 



I. Characteristic of Subfamily. 

 The céphalothorax is most often as broad as it is long or broader, and 

 usually widened out in front (PI. I, fig. 1 a). Chthonius Simonii Balz., in which it 

 is slightly longer than broad and scarcely widened out (12. fig. 35 a), forms an 

 exception to this rule. The front margin of the head is not gradually prolonged 

 into an median pointed "epistoma" as in most Obisiidae Hans., but is as a rule 

 straight; Megathis Steck, forms an exception in this respect, but Ihis statement is 



