326 GEO. H. HORN, M. D. - 



SMICRIPS Lee. 



Labrum moderately prominent, transverse, truncate. Frontal suture 

 arcuate, deeply impressed. Mentum transverse, twice as wide as long, 

 slightly narrowed in front, apex emarginate, at middle slightly de- 

 pressed. Ligula prominent, palpi short, last joint not dilated. Maxillae 

 entirely concealed by the mentum, with one lobe only which is fimbriate 

 at tip and along the inner margin ; palpi not longer than the lobe, the 

 first joint slender, second and third suddenly stouter, fourth conical, 

 as long as the two preceding united. Mandibles broadly triangular, 

 slightly bifid at tip, slightly sinuate on the inner border, at base clasp- 

 ing the sides of the mentum. Eyes round, moderately prominent. 

 Head not constricted behind. Antennae free at base, eleven-jointed, 

 first joint stout, cylindrical, second similar but shorter, 3 — S small, 

 nearly equal, 9 — 11 rather suddenly broader, forming an elongate 

 club ; grooves subocular, short, feeble, slightly convergent. Anterior 

 coxae transverse, trochantin distinct, the cavities open behind, tip 

 of prosternum not elevated nor prolonged. Mesosternum horizontal. 

 Middle coxae moderately distant, obliquely oval, their cavities open 

 externally, closed by the mesosternal epimera. Posterior coxas oval 

 widely separated, the intercoxal process arcuate at tip. Abdomen with 

 five segments, first and fifth equal in length and equal to the three 

 intermediate segments united, these latter are short and equal. Tibice 

 slender, spurs minute. Tarsi moderately dilated three-jointed, first two 

 joints short, equal, last joint more than twice as long as the other two 

 united. Claws arcuate, simple. Elytra truncate, pygidium exposed. 



The male has a very distinct additional segment. 



It is not without diffidence that I claim for this insect a place 

 among the Nitidulidae, and in order that this position may be made 

 more evident I have given the very extended generic description 

 above. The parts of the mouth have been described from actual 

 dissections, a matter of no small difficulty in an insect so minute, but 

 thanks to the kind practical instruction of the Rev. A. Matthews of 

 England, whose dissections of Trichopterygidae are still the wonder 

 of the scientific world, I have been enabled to overcome the diffi- 

 culties involved. 



I cannot see that this insect has any claim to be considered a 

 Monotomide, beyond the three-jointed tarsi and the impression of 

 the frontal suture which is not however characteristic of that family. 

 The characters which especially forbid its entrance there are — trans- 

 verse anterior and middle coxae, maxillae with a single lobe, antennae 



