REVISION OF ELEODIINI BLAISDELL. 31 



In all probability there has been a compensatory cleveloi^nient of 

 retractor muscles to overcome this loss of i^ower. 



Genus ELEODES Eschscholtz. 



Mentmii variable in form, more or less trilobecl, the middle lobe 

 larger and more convex; lateral lobes frequently inflexed and more 

 or less concealed. Last joint of labial palpi triangular, narrower 

 than the maxillary, Avhich are broadly triangular or securiform. 



Head not deeply inserted, suture between epistoma and front fre- 

 quently distinct;' epistoma truncate or feebly emarginate, sides 

 straight or sinuate and converging anteriorly. Eyes narrow, subreni- 

 form. Antenna3 eleven jointed, the last three or four usually notably 

 compressed, last joint frequently though not always smaller than the 

 preceding. 



Prothorax variable in form, usually applied against the bases of 

 the elytra. Scutellum always present, distinct and equilateral. 



Elytra of variable form and sculpture, in many species prolonged 

 into a Cauda behind; epipleura^ always distinct, broader at base and 

 always visible at the humeral angles, gradually narroAving to apex. 



Legs moderately long, but somewhat variable in this respect; 

 femora never strongly clavate, profemora most so, the mesofemora 

 slightly, the profemora frequently armed in one or both sexes with a 

 tooth of variable form, rarely all the femora armed; tarsi usually 

 channelled and setose beneath, first and second joints of the protarsi 

 frequently slightly thickened beneath and often the first two or three 

 joints are clothed with a tuft of silken hairs, or dilated and densely 

 covered with a spongy pubescence beneath. Spurs of the meso- and 

 metatibiae well developed, moderately slender, narrowing from base 

 to apex, acute, the internal more or less longer than the external. 

 Varying more or less in the different species. 



The above characters are those applicable to tiie whole genus; 

 characters peculiar to certain groups wall be given as of subgeneric 

 value. 



The genus Eleodes is one of the largest of the Tenebrionidse and 

 contains many more species than all of the other genera of the present 

 tribe put together (United States). It is also the most polymor- 

 phous and has been the most difficult to subdivide of any in our fauna. 

 The study of the genitalia has greatly reduced this difficulty, but 

 extreme variations in many individuals of each species will yet be a 

 source of great perplexity. 



The most salient extreme characters observed in the genus may now^ 

 be reviewed: 



Color. — Black, sometimes reddish along the elytral suture as in 

 acuta., ohsoleta., and hisjnlabris ; rarely fusco-piceous as in lonylcollis 



