434 COLEOPTERA OF NORTH AMERICA. 



Abdomen with five ventral segments, the first tAvo con- 

 nate, the others tree. Intercoxal process variable. 



Legs moderate ; femora very rarely decidedly clavate ; 

 tibiae straight or feebly arcuate, usually mucronate at tip 

 and rarely with small spur-like processes (certain Ollorliyn- 

 cliini). Claws fixed or movable, always simplcj never 

 toothed. 



The males of all the species have the pygidium divided, 

 so that there are eight dorsal segments, while in the female 

 there" are but seven. 



This family contains all those genera in which tlie mandibles 

 are provided in tlie pupa stage with a deciduous piece of varying 

 form, usually elongate and slender, sometimes falcate and acute, 

 or short and conical. In the early life of the imago these pieces 

 are lost (although specimens occur in which one, sometimes both 

 are preserved), and the place of their attachment is indicated by 

 a scar which is usually on the face of the mandible but frequently 

 borne at the tip of a process of varying length. The form of the 

 mandible itself, without reference to the scar, indicates the occur- 

 rence of the deciduous piece. AVhen the mandibles are acute at 

 tip and one overlaps the other by an edge more or less acute, no 

 deciduous piece will be found. Its occurrence may generally be 

 expected in those in which the mandibles meet with a broad sur- 

 face and whose function is rather that of crushing than cutting. 



The family Otiorhynchidae as defined by Dr. LeConte (American 

 Naturalist, 1874, p. 396), has but little to do with the tribe of the 

 same name as restricted by Lacordaire (Genera vi. pp. 20 and 

 144). as it includes not only the greater portion of the Adelog- 

 nathes, but also several tribes of Phanerognathes in the system 

 of the latter author. 



In examining the under side of the body two forms of con- 

 struction are found, by means of which this large family may be 

 divided into two primary sections. 



Firnt. Side pieces of mesosternum very unequal, the ei)isternum 

 larger and attaining the elytral margin, epimeron usually small, 

 sometimes very small. Metasternal side pieces never very wide, 

 generally very narrow or entirely concealed by the elytral margin, 

 anterior end never broadly dilated on both sides. 



Second. Side pieces of mesosternum diagonally divided and 

 equal or very nearly so, episternum distant from the elytral mar- 



