STAPIIYLINIDAE. G5 



Middle coxae slightly separate ; abdomen narrowed at tip (thorax 



punctured, pubescent). Staphylinus.* 



Middle coxse contiguous ; abdomen very long, parallel. Ocypus. 

 Ligula entire ; 



Femora unarmed. Philonthus. 



Femora spinous beneath. Belonuchus. 



Sub-Tribe 3.— Xailtliolinilli. 



The antennae are inserted near the middle of the anterior mar- 

 gin of the front, and approximated ; they are geniculate in our 

 genera ; the thorax is long and rectangular, with rows of punc- 

 tures, of which the outer ones are curved; the lateral margin is 

 double, and the prothoracic spiracles are uncovered. The head 

 is usually equal in size to the thorax, and is narrowed behind 

 into a small neck. The suture of the elytra is imbricated in our 

 genera when the antenna? are strongly geniculate. 



The species are found under moss in woods, under stones, and 

 bark. 



A. Antennre strongly geniculated ; suture imbricated ; middle coxae distant ; 



Palpi filiform, last joint longer. Xantholinus. 



Palpi with the last joint subulate. Leptacinos. 



Palpi with the last joint very small, subulate ; upper marginal line of 

 prothorax obsolete. Leptolinus. 



B. Antennae feebly geniculated ; suture entire ; 



Thorax oblong, elytra with the sutural stria obsolete. Othius. 



Thorax oblong, elytra with a deep sutural stria. Baptolimts. 



Thorax narrowed in front, elytra with a deep sutural stria. Diochf/s. 



Tribe IV.— PJEDERIJVI. 



In this tribe the prothoracic spiracles are invisible, being co- 

 vered by the sides of the pronotum ; the space behind the coxae is 

 corneous in some, membranous in others ; the anterior coxae are 

 large, conical, and prominent; the posterior coxae also conical 

 and prominent ; the antennae are inserted under the sides of the 

 front; the mandibles are long and slender; the palpi with the 

 last joint usually minute. The abdomen is margined in all of our 

 genera, and the tarsi are 5-jointed. The hind trochanters project 

 inwards but slightly. The head is always narrowed suddenly 

 behind, forming a distinct neck. 



* The acetabula are always separated by the mpsosternum, which is, 

 however, frequently exceedingly narrow ; they are confluent in Ocypus. 



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