60 COLEOPTERA OF NORTH AMERICA. 



Posterior coxae transverse ; 



Anterior coxae large, antennas geniculate. VI. Oxttelini. 



Anterior coxae large, antennas straight, ocelli two. VII. Omalini. 

 Anterior coxae transverse, not very prominent. VIII. Peoteinjni. 

 Anterior coxae large, antennae straight, ocelli none. 



IX. Phlcechaeini. 



Tribe I.— ALEOCHARINI. 



The prothoracic stigmata in this tribe are not covered by the 

 inflexed portion of the pronoturn ; but, without reference to this 

 character, the insertion of the antennas upon the front will distin- 

 guish the genera from those of all other tribes except the first 

 group of Stenini, and these will be readily known by the small 

 anterior coxae. 



Groups are indicated by the following characters : — 



Internal lobe of the maxillae membranous internally, and ciliate ; 



Eyes not prominent ; third joint of maxillary palpi moderately elongated. 



AlEOCUAEjE. 



Eyes prominent ; third joint of maxillary palpi thickened. Gyeoph/ex^. 



Internal lobe of the maxillae elongated, entirely corneous, hooked at the tip, 



and serrate internally. Gymnus^:. 



Group I. — Aleocharae. 



In this group the interior lobe of the maxillae has the internal 

 margin membranous and ciliate ; the maxillary palpi are moderate 

 in length, with the second and third joints moderately elongated, 

 the fourth small, subulate, distinct, and in Aleochara with an 

 additional very small fifth joint. The eyes are never very convex. 



The genera of this group are very numerous, and frequently 

 cannot be distinguished without the most close examination, or 

 even dissection ; it is consequently impossible, within the limits 

 of a work like the present, to give such characters as will enable 

 the student to recognize them with certainty. Those who are 

 sufficiently advanced to study this group must, therefore, refer to 

 the works of Erichson, Duval, and Kraatz for full information. 

 Several of the genera recently established by Kraatz will probably 

 be found represented in our fauna ; but I have confined myself in 

 the table to those actually known to me as occurring. 



A. Anterior tarsi 4-jointed ; middle and hind tarsi 5-jointed ; 



Head constricted behind into a narrow neck ; first joint of hind tarsi 

 elongated (thorax cordate, usually deeply channelled.) Falageia. 





