52 COLEOPTEEA. 



Family I. — Trictenofomidce. 



Aspect of the Frionidm : eyes transverse, slightly emarginate ; 

 antennae of moderate length, filiform, the three apical joints 

 serrated on the inside ; mandibles large, broad, and dentated. 



This family only includes a few large species from the East 

 Indies, which resemble Prionidce and Lucanidm rather than any 

 other Heteromera. The type is Tridenofoma Childreni, Gray, from 

 No thern India. It is more than two inches in length, and is 

 covered with a yellowish-grey down ; the antennae, mandibles, legs, 

 and two raised spots on the mesothorax, are black. 



Family II. — Tenebrionidce. 



Head not narrowed behind ; antennae moniliform, of nearly 

 equal thickness throughout, or slightly enlarged towards the tip, 

 inserted on the sides of the head, third joint longest; wings 

 frequently absent, and elytra often soldered together; middle 

 and hind legs near together ; claws simple. 



The beetles contained in this family are generally heavy- 

 looking, with broad elytra, and are of a black or grey colour. 

 They are of moderate size, and are frequently strongly ridged and 

 punctured. The abdomen is often more or less pointed. Many of 

 the species prefer sandy places, and although the family is more or 

 less numerously represented in all parts of the world, the species 

 are particularly numerous in Africa. A few only of the larger and 

 more typical genera can here be mentioned. Adesmia, Fisch., is 

 remarkable for its long slender legs. A. Candidipennis, Breme, is 

 found on the Congo. Zopherus, Cast., is an American genus with 

 sh rt, thick antennae, and rugose elytra. Acis, Herbst, is a 

 genus which includes a number of comparatively small species 

 from South Europe and North Africa. A. Goryi, Sol., is found 

 in the latter locality. Blaps, Fabr., is one of the most typical 

 genera of this family ; the species are all very similar, and are 

 abundant in the Old World. Two species are common in Britain, 

 where they are known as Cellar Beetles. They are black wingless 

 insects, with the abdomen pointed, and are found in dark places. 

 Pimelia, Fabr., is another large genus, very numerously represented 

 on the coasts of the Mediterranean, but not British ; it is of a much 

 rounder form than Blaps. P. Punctata, Sol., is a Spanish insect. 

 Moluris, Latr., includes a few handsome shining black species of 

 considerable size from the Cape of Good Hope. The genus 



