TENEBKlUNlDAE. 3(;9 



Tiil,(. IV.— ASIDII\'I. 



Body ovate, apterous; head soareely iian-oucd behind the eves, 

 which are transverse, renifonu, and niod'jrately (iiiulv graiiuhited- 

 epistoma very short, not covering tlie base of the mandibles; 

 labruni prominent; raentura large, either filling entirely the gular 

 cavity or inserted upon a very short and wide peduncle, and thus 

 leaving the base of the maxillge exposed; in either case a space 

 permits the lateral play of the palpi, the last joint of which is 

 large and securiform; antennie (ll-jointed in our genera) with 

 the 11th joint smaller than the 10th ; elytra embracing widelv 

 the flanks of the abdomen (except in Microschatin) ; epij)leura' 

 indistinct, middle coxas with distinct trochantin, side pieces of 

 niesothorax scarcely reaching the cavities ; metasternum verv 

 short, with the episterna wide, and epimera not visible; hind 

 coxae moderately separated ; intercoxal process of abdomen ob- 

 tuse ; 4th and 5th ventral segments somewhat prolonged behind 

 at the sides. Legs moderate, tibial spurs distinct; tarsi s(itose, 

 but not sulcate beneath. Front transversely impressed in all the 

 species known to me. 



The shortness of the middle of the front, and the exposed base 

 of the mandibles give a somewhat trihjbed anterior outline, thus 

 recalling for the last time, though feebly, the form seen in some 

 of the earlier tribes of the family; the large size of the mentuni 

 is another reminiscence of the tribes alluded to, and this affiiiitv 

 is still more strongly indicated in the foreign genus Maehla. 

 which, while placed by Lacordaire in the present tribe, is renuirk- 

 able for having the middle coxtE without trochantin and entirely 

 inclosed by the sterna. In three genera below the intermediate 

 coxal cavities are feebly angulate, and the trochantin barely per- 

 ceptible. Instances like the one i)ere given show the impossi- 

 Ijility of exhibiting even the most important atlinities in a linenr 

 arrangement of a family constituted, like the present, of a very 

 large number of tribes of equal value. 



Our genera are : — 



Montum ;iikI inandililcs in repose closinj; completely tlie Imccal opening; : 

 the palpi concealed; intermediate trochantin very small. 

 Klytra narrowly clasping the sides of body. Microschatiau 



Fllytra widely intlexed ; 



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