SCYDMJ3NIDAE. 53 



three basal joints shining. Mesosternum square, side pieces not 

 visible ; metasternum short, side pieces covered by the elytra. 

 Anterior and middle coxae large, conical, prominent, contiguous ; 

 hind coxae conical, transverse, pi*ominent, contiguous. Legs long 

 and slender; tibial spurs obsolete; tarsi short, 5-jointed; the 

 joints 1 — 4 of the hind tarsi closely united, diminishing in length ; 

 claws moderate, simple. 



The head is suddenly constricted behind, forming a neck ; the 

 thorax is ovate, convex, not much larger than the head. Elytra 

 ovate, convex, dilated from the base for two-thirds of their length, 

 then broadly rounded. Abdomen with six free ventral segments, 

 the first almost covered by the prominent hind coxas. 



I formerly placed this genus in Scydniamidaa, but the different 

 form of the posterior coxae and palpi prevents it from retaining 

 that position; while it appears, on the other hand, to constitute 

 a very aberrant form of the present family, or possibly even a 

 distinct family. 



Fam. viil— sc ydm^enid ae. 



Mentum transverse, trapezoidal ; ligula small, corneous, 

 emarginate. 



Maxillae with two ciliate unarmed lobes ; Dalpi long, with 

 the last joint very small. 



Antennas inserted upon the front, at the inner margin of 

 the eyes (except in one foreign genus, Chevrolatia), gradually 

 thickened or slightly clavate. 



Eyes composed of large lenses. 



Prothorax with the side pieces not distinct; prosternum 

 not visible between the coxae. 



Mesosternum elongate, triangular, more or less carinate, 

 side pieces reaching the coxae. 



Metasternum large, side pieces narrow, epimera distinct. 



Elytra convex, covering the abdomen ; wings sometimes 

 wanting. 



Abdomen with six free ventral segments. 



Anterior coxae conical, prominent, contiguous; middle 

 coxa3 conical, slightly prominent, somewhat distant; poste- 

 rior coxae small, conical, widely separated. 



Legs moderate, thighs usually clavate, tarsi 5-jointed, claws 

 simple. 



