268 GEO. H. HORN, M. D. 



certainly characteristic JVitidulides and do we not find Ci/hocephalits 

 resembling Pallodes more than the latter does Conotelus ? In the 

 closely allied family Trogositidse, we have Troyosita and Thymalus. 

 diverging far more in form than any two genera of Nitidulidse. 



In the exclusion of the Rhizophagiui from the family I see no 

 profit and no just grounds for so doing. The ten-jointed antennae 

 and the heteromerous male tarsi are for me entirely insufficient. 

 That they form a step toward the Trogositidae is true, yet the distance 

 still remains sufficiently great. 



As thus constituted the family may be divided into the following 

 tribes : 



Antennae eleven-jointed, terminated by a three-jointed club. Tarsi isomerous, 

 similar in the two sexes. 

 Tarsi five-jointed. 



Labrum free, more or less visible. 



Maxillse with two lobes. Antennse feebly capitate Brachypterini. 



Maxillae with one lobe. Antennse distinctly capitate. 

 Prothorax not margined at base. Head horizontal. 



Abdomen with two segments exposed Carpophilini. 



Abdomen covered or pygidium partly exposed Nitidulini. 



Prothorax margined at base, covering the base of elytra, head more or 



less deflexed Cychramini. 



Labrum connate with the epistoma Ipini. 



Tarsi four-jointed. Body contractile. 



Thorax margined at base, covering the base of the elytra Cyboceplialini. 



Tarsi three-jointed. Body elongate Smicripini. 



Antennse ten-jointed, club two-jointed. Tarsi dissimilar in the sexes, hetero- 

 merous in the males Rhizophagini. 



The above arrangement is practically that of Erichson, with the 

 addition of the two tribes. Further comment on the tribes will be 

 found under the head of each. 



The Bibliography and Synonymy are deferred to the end of the 

 essay, partly for convenience and also to free the student from the 

 influence of names which may be attached to specimens, most of the 

 collections of the country being in wretched confusion. 



BRACHYPTERINI. 



Antennae eleven-jointed, terminated by a three-jointed (two in 

 some Gercus) club, usually gradually formed and not of compact con- 

 struction. Labrum distinct, usually small, often deeply emarginate. 

 Maxillae with two lobes. Anterior coxae narrowly closed behind. 

 Tarsi dilated. 



The only character of any great value is that derived from the 



