PSELAPHIDAE. 85 



Antennae 11-joiuted (rarely lO-jointed) in the second sub- 

 family 1- to G-joiuied in tiie iirst, usually clavate, rarely 



moniliform. 



Eves composed of large lenses, sometimes wanting. 



Pi-otliorax with the side pieces not distmct ; prosternum 

 almost obsolete between the coxae, coxal cavities open be- 

 hind. 



Mesosternum short, obsolete between the coxie. 



Metasternum large, side pieces simple. 



Elytra truncate, short, leaving the abdomen exposed ; 

 wing^s, when present, folded beneath the elytra. 



Abdomen with five or six free but not flexible ventral 

 segments; dorsal segments entirely corneous, free in the 

 second sub-family, the anterior ones connate in the first. 



Anterior coxge conical, prominent, contiguous ; middle 

 coxjB rounded, contiguous ; posterior coxte narrow, tra,ns- 

 verse, usually not contiguous. 



Leo-s Ions;; femora stout: tibia3 usuallv slender, and with- 

 out spurs; tarsi short, 8-jointed, the first joint very short, the 

 second long, except in Clavigeridte and in Faronus ; claws 

 simple, sometimes equal, sometimes unequal, and frequently 

 single. 



The species of this family are ver}'^ small, not exceeding one- 

 eighth of an inch, and of a eliestnut-brown color, usually slightly 

 pubescent; the head and thorax are most frequently narrower 

 than the elytra and abdomen, which is convex, and usually obtuse 

 at tip. Many are found flying in twilight; their habits at other 

 times are various, some being found in ants' nests, while others 

 occur under stones and bark. 



This family approaches closely the Staphylinidte, but the ven- 

 tral segments are fewer in number, and not freely moving, and 

 the eyes are composed of large lenses. 



According to the structure of the antenna; and abdomen, they 

 may be divided into two sub-families, which are regarded as tribes 

 by Lacordaire, groups by Duval, and as families by the German 

 authorities. 



Antennie with less than six joints. Clavigerin^e. 



Antennse 11-jointed, rarely 10-joiuted. PselaphinjE. 



