LATHRIDIIDAE. 101 



lantic district, and Corticaria trisignata Mann., from Russian 

 America. 



The form of the anterior and posterior coxae distinguishes it 

 from all the preceding families, and approximates it somewhat to 

 the families following the Elaterida?. 



The two species are small, testaceous, or brown, coarsely punc- 

 tured insects, having the head deeply impressed, with a small 

 smooth tubercle each side inside of the eye, which at first sight 

 resembles a large ocellus. The thorax is comparatively small, 

 channelled, and its lateral margin is strongly toothed ; the elytra 

 are wider than the thorax, with striaa composed of large punc- 

 tures, and are variegated with darker spots. 



Fam. XXIIL— LATHRIDIIDAE. 



Mentum large, transverse ; ligula indistinct; labial palpi 

 short, with two or three joints; second joint large, rounded. 



Maxillae with two lobes; palpi 4-jointed, last joint large. 



Antennae inserted in front of the eyes in our genera, 

 9 — 11-jointed, the first and second joints thicker than the 

 third, the outer ones enlarged. 



Front with clypeal suture distinct; labrum short, covering 

 the small, not prominent mandibles. 



Prothorax with the side pieces not separate ; prosternum 

 more or less visible between the coxae ; coxal cavities entire ; 

 mesosternum separating the middle coxae; metasternum mo- 

 derate, side pieces narrow. 



Elytra entirely covering the abdomen. 



Abdomen with five free ventral segments, not remarkably 

 differing in length. 



Anterior coxae conical, prominent, more or less separated ; 

 middle ones separate, rounded; posterior coxae transverse, 

 widely separated. 



Legs moderate ; tibiae slender, without terminal spurs ; 

 tarsi 3-jointed, the third joint equal in length to the other 

 two, with small simple claws. 



Insects of very small size, found flying in twilight, and also 

 under bark and stones; they are of graceful form, the elytra 

 being usually wider than the thorax; the species of Bonvouloiria 

 and most Lathridius are very remarkably sculptured, with elevated 

 lines on the thorax. 



