186 GEO. H. HORN, M. D. 



The metasternum posteriorly is deeply notclied for the posterior 

 cosEe, so that the transverse portion of the coxae is covered by the 

 metasternum as in the Quediini. 



Characters of special moment will be noticed under the respective 

 genera. 



STAPHYLINUS Linn. 



The species occurring within our faunal limits divide themselves 

 naturally into two series. 



The first contains those in which the head is sub-orbicular in form, 

 the sides behind the eyes arcuate, the hind angles rounded. The 

 thorax is also distinctly sinuate behind the middle and the scutellum 

 pubescent but not velvety. The inflexed portion of the prothorax, 

 that is, the smooth space between the two marginal lines, is here 

 much narrower than in the following series, and the two lines 

 never become absolutely confluent, they are however extremely close 

 together. 



To the second series a larger number of species belong. In these 

 the head is subtriangular, the sides behind the eyes usually straight 

 and either parallel or converging to the front, the hind angles sud- 

 denly formed and not rounded. The sides of the thorax are more 

 or less arcuate, and not sinuate behind the middle. The scutellum 

 is velvety. The inflexed portion of the thorax is broader than in the 

 other series and the lines become confluent in front. 



The thorax varies in this last group in punctuation ; in some of 

 the species of which maculosus may be taken as the type, the surface 

 is very densely punctured and without lustre, and the pubescence 

 very distinct and permanent. Others like comes and ciimamopterus 

 have a rather coarser punctuation, but each puncture is distinctly 

 separated from the others, the surface is thus more shining and the 

 pubescence less permanent. Two species exulans and prselonr/us have 

 the thorax irregularly sculptured. 



The eyes in all the species are similarly formed with one exception, 

 femoratus. In this the eyes occupy about two-thirds the length of 

 the side of the head, while in the others hardly a third. 



The other characters in the table require no further comment. 



A. — Hind angles of head rounded, sides of thorax behind the middle sinuate. 



Constriction of neck not deeply impressed above 2. 



Constriction of neck deep above and with golden pubescence 4. 



2.— Black, abdomen and legs entirely black uigrellus. 



Legs always pale, antennae jDale 3. 



