PTINIDAE. 223 



Sub-Family II.— ANOBIIX.E. 



The insects of this sub-family are generally of a cylindrical 

 form, though some of the species of Dorcatoma, and especially 

 Caenocara, are nearly globular. The antennae are distant at base 

 and inserted immediately in front of the eyes; they are either 

 simply serrate, or have tlie three outer joints longer; rarely (male 

 of Ptilinus) they are ilabellate. The hind thighs in repose are 

 received by the hind coxae, which are deeply sulcate behind for 

 that purpose, and form a plate, which is not dilated inwards. The 

 trochanters are short; the legs are retractile, the tibiae have obso- 

 lete spurs, and the first joint of the tarsi is not shorter than the 

 second. The lateral margin of the pronotum is distinct in all of 

 our genera, except Gastrallus. 



Two tribes are represented in our fauna: — 



Eyes almost in contact with the protliorax. Anobiini. 



Eyes distant from the prothorax. Ptili.mni. 



Tribe I.— AIVOBIIIVI. 



The form is less regularly cylindrical than in the next tribe; 

 the head is usually very retractile and deflexed, so as to be nut 

 visible from above, in a state of repose, and the eyes are in con- 

 tact with the anterior margin of tlie thorax. 



Four sub-groups may be formed, thus: — 



Head received in repose upon the under surfaces of tlie prothorax (Group 



Anobia). * 2. 



Mandil)les in repose resting upon the mesosternum (Group Xyletini). 3. 



2. lh-;ul free ; protliorax not excavated beneath. Dryophili. 

 Head received in excavation of prothorax. Anobia. 



3. Antennae received in excavations on tlu^ under surface of the head. 



Xyletixi. 

 Antennie received between the front coxte. Dokcatomata. 



Sub-Group 1 . — D r y o p n i m . 



In these species the body is elongate, the liead capable of being 

 only moderately deflexed : the prothorax not excavated beneath 

 for the reception of the head, and the legs not received in cavities. 

 The antennie are 11-jointed, with the last three joints broader, 

 and sometimes very much elongated ; in repose they rest loosely 

 upon the front coxjc. The anterior ajierture of the prothorax is 

 circular, and the lateral margin is distinct in our genera, which 

 are: — 



