CARAWDAE. 53 



but shorter in Ghjplus, biarticulate, the terminal joint often Icinjj^or 

 than the first, the palpi moderate, the terminal joint slightly oval 

 or subcylindrical, sometimes slightly pilose. Mentnm broad, 

 eraarginate, with or without a median tooth, which is sometimes 

 as long as the lobes {Arisluii) ; ligula prominent, variable in form, 

 the tip free (usually bisetose) and in most cases dilated, tiic 

 paraglossae variable in form, always as long as, frequently longer 

 than the ligula, and very often ciliate at tip; the palpi moderate 

 in length, the terminal joint never longer, and very rarely equal 

 to the preceding, which is plurisetose, except in Ghjptua, where 

 there are no setae. Thorax variable in form, with a lateral seta, 

 but none in the hind angles. Body sometimes subpeduneulate, 

 scutellum distinct. Elytra usually margined at base, sides nar- 

 rowly inflexed, the margin variable, but never with an internal 

 plica, surface striate, often densely punctured, either pubescent 

 or glabrous, with or without dorsal punctures. Prosternum not 

 prolonged. Mesosternura separating the coxae, the epimera very 

 narrow. Metasternal epimera distinct, the posterior coxte con- 

 tiguous. Legs variable, often stout and fossorial. The middle 

 and posterior tibiaj often spinulose or even serrulate externally, 

 the anterior with the outer apical angle spinous or prolonged 

 obtusely. The tarsi variable in structure. 



Sexual characters variable. 



From the great number of genera which have been established 

 on trivial characters, this tribe has become the most difficult to 

 study of any in the CarabidaB, excepting possibly the Lebiini. 

 Characters drawn from the ligula and paraglossie have here, as 

 in the Lebiini, been pushed to an extreme, and the study of them 

 from dissections proves that in both tribes they have not the great 

 value which has been assigned to them. 



The tribe Harpalini may be divided primarily by the tarsal 

 vestiture of the male into three series, one of which may be again 

 divided, forming four groups, of which but three are represented 

 in our i'auna. 



Anterior tarsi of male pilose or spinous beneatli, usually fccbly, sometimes 



not at all dilated. Dapti. 



Anterior tarsi of male dilated and biseriatoly squamulose. IIarpam. 



Anterior tarsi of male densely spongy jnibescent beneatli. Anisodaotyli. 



The tarsal vestiture, above outlined, appears to be the only 

 means yet devised for the division of the tribe. It is not, how- 



