OTJORIIY.N'CIIIDAE. 433 



Tliis family contains but a small nuiiiljer of genera, all confined 

 to the Eastern continent, except IViecesieimu^ wh'wh is restricted 

 to the interior parts of the United States, extending into Texas 

 and eastward to Illinois. It forms a tribe distinguished from 

 other Byrsopidaj by the peculiar conformation of the prosternum, 

 which forms a triangular plate in front of the coxoe. It is mostly 

 epig^al in its habits, but has been found attacking gra[)e-vines 

 and hickory. 



Fam. lxxviii.-otiorhynchidae. 



Mentum variable, sometimes large, filling the gular emar- 

 gination and without peduncle, or small exposing the max- 

 ilhe and ligula and with distinct peduncle. 



Labial palpi very rarely visible and then very short, 

 .') -jointed. 



Maxilhe usually concealed, the palpi short and rigid, 

 4-jointed. 



Mandibles short, stout, pincer-like, very rarely slightly 

 scissor-like, and in one instance (Dirotognathus) slightlv 

 laminiforrn and prominent. Anterior face with a distinct 

 scar frequently borne at the tip of a slight process. 



Antennie inserted at the sides or top of rostrum always in 

 front of middle and usually near the tip, geniculate, 11-jointcd 

 (except in Agraj)iius), the last three forming a compact club 

 with distinct evidences of the sutures. 



Head moderately prominent, rarely (Agaspha^rops) deeply 

 inserted; beak variable, never long and slender. Scrobes 

 well defined, except in Otiorhynchini, and receiving the first 

 joint (scape) of the antennce in repose. 



Prothorax of variable form, apex usually truncate ; rarely 

 sHghtly prolonged over the head, base truncate, arcuate or 

 bisinuate, post-ocular margin either truncate or with ocular 

 lobe more or less developed, sometimes with stifl' fimbria'. 

 Anterior coxio contiguous (except in Pandeletejus). 



Mesosternum short, oblique or horizontal, rarely (Coleo- 

 cerus) protuberant; middle coxte narrowly separated; side 

 pieces variable, never attaining the coxal cavity. 



Metasternum variable, short in Division I, usually long- 

 in Division II. 



Elytra concealing the abdomen entirely from above, with- 

 out trace of epipleura;, but with intlexed fold on their inner 

 side. 



28 



