NITIDULIDAE. 83 



of the basal joints of the antenna?, and from those of the following 

 tribe by two or three dorsal segments of the abdomen being visible 

 behind the elytra; in Carpophilus and Conotelus the males have a 

 small dorsal sixth segment. The ungues are simple. The species 

 live some on flowers, some under bark. 



Ventral segments 1 — 4 short, fifth as long as the others united. Colastus. 

 Ventral segments 1 — 3 short, fourth and fifth long. TkibkAchys. 



Ventral segments 2 — 3 short, first, fourth, and fifth longer. Cakpophilus. 

 Ventral segments 1 — 2 short, 3 — 4 elongate, fifth elongate, conical. 



Conotelus. 



The last genus has an elongate form, and resembles certain 

 Staphylinidse. 



Tribe III.— NITIDlTUTJri. 



Elliptical, usually depressed, and frequently widely margined spe- 

 cies ; sometimes moderately convex, and even (Pocadius) rounded. 

 Distinguished from the previous tribes by the elytra covering the 

 entire abdomen, or leaving only the pygidium exposed, and from 

 the next by the thorax not being movable over the base of the 

 elytra. All of our genera have antennal grooves on the under 

 surface of the head. 



These insects live on flowers (Meligethes), in fungi (Pocadius), 

 under bark and stones (Epurasa), or on dried animal matter. 



Our genera are as follows : — 



A. Presternum not prolonged behind the anterior coxae, dilated, rounded, or 



truncate ; 



a. Antennal grooves converging behind, remote from the eyes ; 



Mentum not covering the base of the maxill;e ; 

 Last joint of labial palpi large, thick ; males with a small sixth 



dorsal segment. Epukjea. 



Last joint of labial palpi not thicker than the preceding, males 

 with no distinct sixth dorsal segment. Nitiddla. 



Mentum covering the base of the maxillae. Prometopia. 



b. Antennal grooves diverging behind, following the outline of the eyes ; 



First joint of antenna? large, broadly dilated. Lobiopa. 



First joint of antennas moderate ; 



Males without a sixth dorsal segment. Omosita. 



Males with a sixth dorsal segment ; 



Middle and posterior tarsi not dilated. Phenolia. 



All the tarsi dilated. Stelidota. 



B. Presternum prolonged behind the anterior coxa? ; 



All the tarsi dilated. Meligethes. 



Posterior tarsi not dilated (elytra deeply striate). Psilopyga. 



None of the tarsi dilated (elytra scarcely truncate). Pocadius. 



