NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 4o 



sides and apex. Body beneath piceous, coarsely punctate, the sides of the pro- 

 thorax especially so, the abdomen more finely, with sparse pubescence. Legs 

 piceous. Length .25^ — .34 inch ; 6 — 8.5 mm. 



The elytra have no trace? of strije and the costte so often observed 

 in the family are entirely wanting. 



Occui's in southern Ohio collected by Mr. Charles Dury. 



A recent study of the Melandryidte makes it evident that the sub- 

 divisions are somewhat unnatural. By the removal of those genera 

 with slender tarsi the relationship of the tribes to each other becomes 

 more evident and the genera have a more natural sequence. 



The following is the scheme proposed : 



Penultimate joint of all the tarsi simple ; the anterior tarsi of male not dilated. .2. 

 Penultiinate.joint of the tarsi excavato-emarginate, ■■ more or less lobed beneath ; 



anterior tarsi of males dilated 5. 



2. — Tarsal claws cleft to the base ; middle cox.e prominent and contiguous. 



Steiiotraclielini. 



Tarsal claws not cleft; middle coxie not prominent, separated 3. 



3. — Antennae with last four joints suddenly larger, forming a perfoliate club. 



Tetratoiiiiiii. 



Antennae gradually thicker, or filiform 4. 



4. — Front coxal cavities with an external fissure, more or less distinct. 



Tliird joint of aiitenuie elongate : anterior coxae not prominent, separated 



by prosteruum Feiilliiiii. 



Tliird joint of antenna; not much longer than fourtli. 



Anterior coxae not prominent, rather widely sepai'ate(]...Syil<*liroiiii. 

 Anterior coxse moderately prominent and nearly contiguous. 



IVIallodryiiii. 



Front coxal cavities without fi.ssure Orcliesiiiii. 



o. — Tarsal claws simple, or very slightly broader at base. 



Head not coustricted behind IVIelancIryiiii. 



Head suddenly constricted behind the eyes Scrai>tiiiii. 



Tarsal claws appendiculate. 



Middle coxal cavities enclosed by the sterna, the head more or less pro- 

 longed in a. beak ; margin of thorax evident at base only. 



Myeteriiii. 



Middle coxal cavities open externally, head not prolonged ; lateral margin 



of thorax entire, acute IVotliiiii. 



Stenotrachelini. This tribe remains as at present in the books 

 and contains Stenotnichelas and Scotodes, each represented by one 

 species. 



Tetratomini consists of the single genus Tetvatoma with three 

 species. 



■••■•■ Serropalpus and Allopoda make a slight exception, the penultimate joint of 

 the hind tarsi being simple. 



