80 Journal New York Entomological Society. [ VoL xxvil 



panying canals and tubercles; which are believed to be the orifices 

 through which the odoriferous secretions of the bugs are given off. 

 The structure of the ostiole, ostiolar canal and tubercles are of much 

 more importance in the classification of the Berytidae than has yet 

 been recognized and in this paper the primary division of the family 

 is made upon this structure. 



The Berytidae would appear to be rather far advanced in their 

 evolutionary history, the species not showing very extensive varia- 

 tion, and the number of groups of generic value being large in pro- 

 portion to the number of species. 



For the loan of material used in the preparation of this paper the 

 writer is obliged to Mr. J. C. Crawford, Associate Curator of the 

 Division of Insects, U. S. National Museum, and to Mr. E. P. Van 

 Duzee, of the California Academy of Sciences. 



Key to the Genera. 



A. Metathorax with distinct ostiolar canal running (at least as a suture) from 

 coxal cavity to and upon ostiolar tubercle which sometimes is long 

 and spines-like ; Berytids with few spines on upper surface of body. 

 B. Ostiolar process long, more or less spine-like. 



C. Ostiolar process long, posteriorly curved and twisted so that ostio- 



lar canal, which channels it to apex, lies at first on outer 

 side, but apically on its upper surface, apex without spine ; 

 terminal antennal joint about as long as head ; fore coxae 

 separated by a narrower scarcely sulcate area. 



Aknisus n. gen., p. 81. 

 CC. Ostiolar process shorter, less curved, and not twisted, canal en- 

 tirely on the outer side, apex of process a rather long spine ; 

 terminal antennal joint longer than head ; fore coxae sepa- 

 rated by a broader distinctly sulcate area Jalysus, p. 85. 



BB. Ostiolar tubercle low, not at all spine-like. 



D. Head with a porrect decurved spine ; front of thorax unarmed. 



Neides, p. 87. 

 DD. Head without spine ; front of thorax with an erect sharp spine 



at each side Protacanthus, p. 87. 



AA. Metathorax without external ostiolar canal; ostiole small, on apex of the 

 ostiolar tubercle ; Berytids with numerous spines on upper surface of 

 body. 

 E. Head with only a single spine or tubercle on middle of vertex ; elytra 

 without spines ; ostiolar tubercle a low, rounded cone. 



Pronotacantha, p. 88. 



