CERAMBYCIDAE. 301 



Group II.— Cerambycl. 



This group contains a large Dumber of genera, which have been 

 partitioned by Lacordaire into several minor groups, separated 

 by evanescent or variable characters. Although the typical 

 genera of these smaller groups possess in every instance a distinct 

 appearance by which they may be recognized, yet the structural 

 variations observed even within the limits of the genera them- 

 selves, when the species are numerous, are such as to completely 

 prevent any definition of these minor divisions. For the infor- 

 mation of the general student, I will mention below the groups of 

 Lacordaire to which he has referred, or would refer the genera 

 represented in our fauna. 



I have placed in this group all those genera with coarsely 

 granulated eyes, having the ligula entirely membranous and 

 deeply bilobed, and the middle coxae more or less angulated 

 externally, even when the two sternal plates come into contact. 

 The other characters are all variable to a greater or less degree, 

 as will be seen by the following table. The metathoracic epis- 

 terna have in many species a distinct aperture near the hind 

 coxa, at the side of the metasternum, which is the orifice of the 

 scent gland, but even in species of the same genus (Elaphidion) 

 they vary greatly in size, so as almost, or even completely, to dis- 

 appear. In the same manner the spines of the antennae, of the 

 femora, and of the elytra have rather specific than generic value. 

 In Eburia there is a gradual transition from those species in 

 which the lateral spines of the prothorax are acute and prominent 

 to those in which they are entirely wanting. 

 Antenna 11-jointed, with recurved hooks on joints 3 — 6, (prothorax plicate, 



armed, elytra bispinose). Hammaticherds. 



Antennae 12-jointed, sericeous, serrate. Axestinus. 



Antennre 11-jointed; 



a. Front coxal cavities angulated ; antennae, thighs, and elytra not 



spinose ; 



Frontal suture deep ; metathorax without scent pores ; 

 Prothorax uneven, tuberculate at the sides. Brothylus. 



Prothorax even, (palpi equal). Stromatidm. 



Frontal suture faint, scent pores distinct; 

 Elongate, prothorax even, antennae very long. Osmidus. 



b. Front coxal cavities rounded, or feebly angulated ; 



a. Scutellum acute, triangular, frontal suture very deep ; antennae 

 very long, sulcate ; 



