230 COLEOPTERA OF NORTH AMERICA. 



eyes rouiul, promiueiit, very finely granulated; lower surface 

 wiih the genai large and prominent, forvning a deep buccal 

 cavity; mandibles small; labrum very short, truncate. 



Protliorax small, quadrate, lateral margin well defined, 

 episterna separate; prosternum entire, with a slight point 

 behind fitting into the mesosternuin ; coxal cavities small, 

 transverse, open behind. 



Mesosternum large, quadrate, receiving in front the ex- 

 tremity of the prosternum ; side pieces excavated for the 

 middle legs, and attaining the coxiB. 



Metasternura moderate, side pieces narrow, epimera not 

 visible. 



Elytra entire, with rows of large square punctures, and 

 intermediate ribs; epipleuras narrow, extending to the apex. 



Abdomen with five free ventral segments. 



Anterior cox^e small, not prominent, slightly separated; 

 middle coxse quadrate, flat, contiguous; posterior transverse, 

 flat, sulcate posteriorly, receiving the thighs in repose. 



Legs slender, contractile; tibias without terminal spurs; 

 tarsi 5-jointcd, slightly dilated, spongy beneath ; claws small, 

 simple. 



A family containing tliree very anomalous genera, of wliich 

 two inhabit tlie United States; while one, Omnia, is found in 

 Australia. They are found under bark of decaying trees, and 

 also occasionally in houses. 



Antennae distant ; flanks of protliorax flat. Friacma. 



Antennae less distant ; flanks of protliorax excavated for reception of front 



leg.''. Cupes. 



Both genera are found in the Pacific region, each with one 

 species : Cupes is represented in the Atlantic region by two 

 species. 



The affinities of this family are very obscure; in the form and 

 insertion of the antennae it is similar to tlie first genera of the 

 Ptinidse,' but other characters, such as the form of coxse and 

 retractility of the legs, are at variance. The body is covered 

 with small scales. 



In this condition of doubt, we leave the family where it was 

 placed by Lacordaire, believing it like Rhyssorlidae, Hypocepha- 

 lidse, Brenthidoe, and some other families to be survivals of very 

 ancient synthetic types. 



