2 CGLEOPTERA OF NORTH AMERICA. 



suture exists in Carabidce in a feeble degree only in some Bros- 

 cini ; the ligula is small, hidden under the raentum tooth; the 

 base of the labial palpi is free and prominent, appearing like a 

 separate joint. 



The antennae are inserted upon the front, above the mandibles; 

 they are always 11-jointed, with the four inferior joints glabrous 

 and i)olished, the others pubescent ; they are usually filiform, 

 rarely thickened externally. 



The thorax is usually cordate, sometimes cylindrical, rarely 

 quadrate; the dorsal surface is marked by an anterior and poste- 

 rior transverse impression, and a dorsal line connecting the two 

 transverse impressions ; the lateral margin is not so well defined 

 as in most of the genera of the next family; the presternum is 

 narrow, not produced behind ; the episterna and epimera are 

 distinctly defined by sutures, and the anterior coxae are globular, 

 with the cotyloid cavities entire. 



The mesosternura is obliquely declivous, deeply emarginate 

 beliind ; the epimera and episterna are sometimes connate, with- 

 out suture, and sometimes distinct; in the latter case the suture 

 runs diagonally, and the epimera extend to the middle coxae, 

 which are globular. 



The metasternum is pointed in front and behind, sometimes 

 reaching the middle of the second ventral segment; the epimera 

 are large in the winged species, small in the apterous ones ; the 

 episterna are small, and frequently indistinct. The posterior 

 coxae are triangular, dilated, and prominent internally, concave 

 behind for the motion of the thighs ; they do not extend to the 

 sides of the body, but are inclosed by the side pieces of the 

 metathorax, and the first ventral segment. 



The elytra cover the upper surface of the trunk and dorsal 

 segments, and are rounded at the tip ; sometimes they are con- 

 nate, and sometimes (as in Amblychila) embrace widely the flanks 

 of the abdomen ; the wings are usually well developed, sometimes, 

 wanting; epiplenrte narrow, distinct. 



The legs are slender, usually long; the tibiae have two distinct 

 terminal spui's; the tarsi in our genera are filiform, the first three 

 joints of the anterior ones of the male usually dilated, and densely 

 clothed with hair beneath. The claws are acute, and simple. 



The abdomen is composed in the female of six ventral seg- 

 ments ; in the male the sixth segment is usually deeply eraargi- 



