CHRYSOMELIDAE. 347 



Group V. — Phyllodectae. 



Tliis group is separated from the preceding' by the front til)i:E 

 beiug slender, ueitlier toothed iior produced at tip, and by tlie 

 tarsi having the 3d joint much wider and larger than the 1st and 

 2d, and deeply bilobed. 



But one species, Fhyllodecta vulgatissima, represents the group 

 in our fauna, and although widely diffused in the Atlantic region, 

 may perhaps have been introduced in commerce. 



Tribe IX.— GALERUCIIVI. 



The species of this tribe are very numerous, and sometimes 

 in consequence of great variation of color and sculpture, quite 

 difficult to define. They are one of the most powerful agents of 

 Coleopterous type for the repression of redundant vegetation, 

 especially in the tropics, where they acquire a splendor unknown 

 in the temperate zones. 



The tribe is well defined by the insertion of the antenna, which 

 in our genera are placed upon the front, between the eyes; they 

 are usually approximate, and the front is generally carinate, with 

 a narrow ridge. The eyes are not eniarginate and finely granu- 

 lated. Head exposed, and prothorax truncate or eniarginate in 

 front, with the sides distinctly margined. Scutel always visible. 

 Elytra are rarely shorter (Metacycla) than the abdomen. Pro- 

 sternum narrow or invisible between the co.xae, which are promi- 

 nent and conical, and have the cavities sometimes open, some- 

 times closed, always transversely oval. Legs variable, tarsal 

 claws variable, rarely simple. 



Two sub-tribes are indicated, on the thickness of the hind 

 thighs: — 



Hind thighs slender, adapted for walking. Galerucini (gen.). 



Hind thighs tiiickened, adapted for leaping. Halticim. 



Sub-Tribe 1. — Galeriicilli (geuuini). 



The slender form of the thighs may be sui)plemcnted by the 

 following characters, in the recognition of the species: — 



Mouth usually oblique or porrected ; prosternum very narrow, 

 usually invisible between the coxae; tibiae usually subcylindrical, 

 tarsi slender, not retractile; spurs feeble. 



