NITIDULIDAE. 81 



Legs short, stout; thighs broad, compressed ; tarsi 5-jointed, 

 with the first three joints hairy beneath, and more or less 

 dilated, the fourth very small, fifth moderate; claws with a 

 basal tooth. 



A small number of oval or rounded oval, convex, shining in- 

 sects constitute this family. They are found on flowers, and 

 sometimes under bark. The elytra have sometimes approximate 

 rows of small punctures, but more usually only a sutural stria. 

 The scutellum is larger than usual, triangular. One of the four 

 genera (Tolyphus) of this family is wanting in our fauna. The 

 other three are separated by the form of the posterior tarsi. 



Anterior and posterior tarsi of the same length (tibiae without spurs). 



Phalacuus. 

 Posterior tarsi elongated (tibiae with distinct spurs) ; 



First joint of posterior tarsi shorter than the second. Olibkus. 



First joint of posterior tarsi longer. Litochrus. 



Fam. XV.— NITIDULIDAE. 



Mentum transverse, subquadrate, composed of two pieces 

 closely united together, frequently rounded, sometimes sin- 

 uate or emarginate in front. 



Maxillae usually exposed, rarely covered at the base; 

 usually with only one lobe, the outer lobe being wanting ; 

 but in the first tribe the outer lobe is distinct. 



Antenna? inserted under the margin of the front, 11-jointed 

 (the eleventh indistinct in Ehizophagus), terminated by a 

 round or oval club, composed of three, rarely of two joints. 



Prothorax sometimes closely applied to the elytra, some- 

 times passing over their base; prosternum frequently pro- 

 duced behind, side pieces not distinct; coxal cavities open 

 or closed. 



Mesosternum separating the middle coxae, side pieces with 

 the epimera large, extending to the coxae. 



Metasternum short, side pieces narrow, epimera not visible. 



Elytra sometimes truncate, sometimes entire. 



Abdomen with five free ventral segments, the first a little 

 longer, widely produced between the posterior coxae. 



Anterior coxae transverse, separated, not prominent; mid- 

 dle and posterior ones transverse, flat, distant, the latter 

 extending almost to the margin of the body. 



Legs short, somewhat stout, retractile, or subretractile ; 

 6 



