AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 123 



Here we discover no trochantin to the middle coxae which exists in 

 all Elateridae. If, however, Perothops be considered a member of the 

 family, not only does this character fail but we have also present a form 

 of front analogous to that of the Cebrionidae, to all of which must be 

 added a greater length of tibial spurs and serrate ungues. 



In his elaborate monograph of the Eucnemidae de Bonvouloir (ex- 

 cluding Perothops) includes Cerophi/tum, in which Lacordaire observed 

 characters which seemed to him of sufficient importance to retain it as 

 a family by itself. Neither course seems proper. 



Cerophi/tum has a short transverse labrum, connate with the front, 

 the suture however distinct, in this respect it resembles the Cebrionidae. 

 The front is gibbous and the clypeus obtusely carinate and the entire 

 head resembles rather the Rhipiceridae or the Macropogonini of the 

 Dascyllidae. The very long trochanters on the middle and posterior legs 

 recall a similar character, less developed however, in the front and middle 

 legs of the Macropogonini. The posterior coxae have not the usual lamina 

 observed in the Sternoxide series, but are sunken in the coxal cavities on 

 the same plane with the metasternum and the abdomen. 



The mode of insertion of the antennae in the Eucnemidae, in which 

 . the base of these organs is distant from the eyes and the front greatly 

 narrowed, is a character to which due weight should be given. Cero- 

 phytum possesses it, but Perothops seems as nearly as possible inter- 

 mediate between the Eucnemide and Elateride types. 



In view of the facts above given what is the proper course to pursue ? 

 Should we recognize the Eucnemidae, Elateridae, Cebrionidae, Pero- 

 thopidae and Cerophytidae as distinct families each equal in value to the 

 Buprestidae, or should they be considered parts of a greater family which 

 can safely be assumed to have that value ? The latter course seems to 

 me far more acceptable. The following table of the sub-families of the 

 Elateride complex is therefore presented. 



Posterior coxae laminate. Trochanters small. 



Labrum concealed; ungues simple; antennae somewhat distaiit from the eyes, 



their insertion narrowing the front EUCNEMIN^C. 



Labrum visible, free; ungues variable; antennae arising near the eyes, front 



not narrowed .ELATERIN^E. 



Labrum transverse, connate with the front. 



Ventral segments six; ungues simple; antennae as in the Elaterinse; tibial 



spurs well developed CEBRIONINyE. 



Ventral segments five; ungues serrate; antennae slightly distant from the 



eyes, front narrow; spurs moderate PEROTHOPIN^E. 



Posterior coxae not laminate. Trochanters of middle and posterior legs very long. 



Labrum short, transverse, connate with the front; front gibbous; ungues 



serrate CEROPHYTINiE. 



