KEVISION OF ELEODIINI BLAISDELL. 33 



that may extend from the apical to the basal margins; this line is 

 most pronounced as a rule in FJ. acut'icauda var. latieolUs^ where it 

 often becomes a distinct!}' impressed line ; usuall_y it is only observable 

 as a line in surface luster. The significance of this character is 

 obscure. 



Another very interesting character is that observed in the hind 

 tibiae of the males of certain species of the subgenus Eleodes. The 

 metatibiae are slightly arcuate and narrow in basal half, rather ab- 

 ruptly dilated and straight in apical half. In the literature I find 

 this character mentioned by Doctor Horn as one of the male char- 

 acters of E. wickhami. This is not a staple nor a specific character, 

 but is observed as peculiar to the male of certain species, but not in 

 all forms of those species; it is seen in the caudate forms of E. esch- 

 schoUzi and luea', in armata and in the elongate form of dcntlpen; 

 other males of the same species have the metatibia? perfectly straight, 

 some have them arcuate in basal half but not abruptly dilated 

 apically. 



Individuals of m.any species exhibit what must bo considered as a 

 normal tibial arcuation, which must be distinguished from a common 

 fortuitous arcuateness; the latter usually appears exaggerated and 

 is generally a part of a general abnormal habitus, and it frequently 

 accompanies unusual shortness of the legs. 



ANALYTICAL KEY TO StJBGENERA OF ELEODES. 



The genus Eleodes may be subdivided by clearly defined female genital char- 

 acters into the following subgenera : 



Internal lobe of the valvular ajjex well developed, membranous, although fre- 

 quently chitinous : external lobe obsolete; appendage directed backward 



and outward 1 



External apical lobe well developed, always membranous; internal lobe feebly 

 developed ; appendage directed backward and inward Melaneleodes. 



1. Superior pudendal membrane not broadly exposed 2 



Superior pudendal membrane broadly or fully exposed; body and apical 

 lobe of valve fully chitinized ; appendage minute Stenelcodes. 



2. Appendages present, apical lobe defined from body of the valve 3 



Appendages obsolete; apical lobe not defined from body of the valve. 



Hcteropromus. 



8. Appendages moderate in size, siibconical to semiellipsoidal and flattened; 



inferior margins of the valves not contiguous throughout their entire 



length but separated by a fusifoi'm genital fissure 4 



Appendages minute and punctiform ; inferior margins of the valves con- 

 tiguous throughout; genital fissure closed Diseogenia. 



4. Apical lobe subacute, triangular, membranous or more or less semichit- 

 inized 5 



597,S0— Bull. 0.3—01) .3 



