STAPIIYLINIDAE. 91 



Stenini, and these will be readily known by the small anterior 



00X86. 



Groups are indicated by the following characters: — 



liitornal lobe of the maxillae membranous internally, and ciliate; 



Eyes not prominent ; third joint of maxillary paljji moderately elongated, 



AlEOCUAK/*. 



Eyes prominent ; third joint of max-palpi thickened. GYiiornyiiN/K. 



Internal lobe of the maxillae elongated, entirely corneous, hooked at tVie 



tip, and serrate internally. Gymnus-k. 



Group I. — Aleocharae. 



In this group the interior lobe of the maxillai has the internal 

 margin membranous and ciliate; the maxillary palpi are moderate 

 in length, with the second and third joints moderately elongated, 

 the fourth small, subulate, distinct, and in Aleochara with an 

 additional very small fifth joint. The eyes are never very convex. 



The genera of this group are very numerous, and frequently 

 cannot be distinguished without the most close examination, or 

 even dissection; it is consequently impossible, within the limits 

 of a work like the present, to give such characters as will enable 

 the student to recognize them with certainty. Those who are 

 suSiciently advanced to study this group must, therefore, refer to 

 the works of Erichson, Duval, Kraatz, Key, and Fauvel for full 

 information. 



The following genera (besides several not yet recognized, or 

 described) are known to us a.s occurring in our fauna : 



Antennae 11-jointed. 2. 



Antennae lO-jointed. D. 



2. Tarsal joints 4 : 5 : .'J ; (laljial palpi 3-jointed). A. 



Tarsal joints 5:5: 5. B. 



Tarsal joints 4:4:5. C. 



A. 



Head constricted behind into a narrow neck. 2. 



Head feebly narrowed behind, o. 



2. First joint of hind tarsi elongated. Falagria. 

 First joint of hind tarsi very little longer than 2d. Echidnoglossa. 



3. .Joints of hind tarsi equal or slightly diminishing in length. 4. 

 First joint of hind tarsi conspicuously longer than 2d. 5. 



4. Ligula long, slender, bifid ; hind tarsi with joints 1-4 ("(pial. 



Hoplandria 

 Ligula short, bifid; hind tarsi with joints 1-4 slightly decreasing. 



Homalota. 



