EROTYLIDAE. 123 



El3^tra entire, with well-defined epipleurae. 



Abdomen with five nearly equal segments. 



Coxte never contiguous, irout and middle ones globose, 

 not prominent, hind pair transverse, not laminate. 



, Legs moderate in length, slender or stout, thighs rather 

 thickened in tlie middle, slightly concave beneath, tibitc 

 straight, or slightly curved; tarsi similar in both sexes, 5- 

 or 4-jointed, claws simple. 



The 4-jointed tarsi of the greater number of species of this 

 family have induced many systematists to place this family in 

 proximity to the Chrysomelida3, with which in reality it has no 

 affinity. While admitting the resemblance in the form of the 

 feet, the diffircnces in the antennge, the larvse, the methods of 

 life, and finally, the impossibility of separating the pentanierous 

 from the tetramerous forms in this family, seem to require that, 

 on the received principles of classification, the Erotylidte should 

 be placed in the Clavicorn series. A similar instance of the 

 want of value of the number of tarsal joints, as a basis of classi- 

 fication, will be found in the Endomychida?, and examples in 

 single genera may be found abundantly in the other Clavicorn 

 families as set forth in the present work. 



The tribes, as defined by Mr. Chapuis, are three, of which the 

 Helotides have no representative in our fauna. The other two 

 are easily distinguished as follows : — 



Metatlioracic epimera not distinct: front coxal cavities open. Langukini. 



Metathoracic epiraera separated from the episterna by a distinct suture: 



front coxal cavities entirij. Erotyliki. 



Tribe I.— LAIVGURIIVI. 



This tribe is very homogeneous, and is represented in our 

 fauna on both sides of the continent by several species of Lan- 

 guria. They are long, narrow insects, resembling in form Ela- 

 teridse, and of shining l)lack and red colors. The eyes are always 

 finely granulated The characters above given will enable them 

 to be readily recognized; they are found on plants, and do not 

 seem to have the fungivorous tendencies of the other tribes. 



Tri))e II.— EROTYF.IiVI. 



Not having made a special study of this family, which is but 

 fe<;bly represented in our fauna, we have followed in its division 



