126 COLEOPTERA OP NORTH AMERICA. 



Our genera are but two ; neither is represented on the Pacific 

 coast. 



First joint of antennal club not receiving the others ; inetasternum rectan- 

 gular ; claws distinct. Copris. 



First joint of antennal club hollowed, receiving the others ; metasternum 

 rhomboidal ; claws wanting. Phan^eus. 



In both of these genera sexual characters are usually obvious 

 in tubercles and horns on the head and thorax. The species of 

 Phanaeus are brilliantly colored, and P. carnifex, with its rough 

 copper-colored thorax and green elytra, is familiar to every col- 

 lector. 



Group III. — Onites. 



Onitis Nicanor Fabr., a very rare insect of the Southern States, 

 alone represents this group in our fauna. 



The anterior coxae are large, conical, and prominent ; the labial 

 palpi are 3-jointed, and nearly filiform ; the claws are distinct, the 

 onychium small, and the inferior part of the last joint of the tarsi 

 is not prolonged. 



The genus Onitis is distinguished by the scutellum being small, 

 but distinct; it resembles in form a large Onthophagus. 



Group IV.— Onthophagi. 



Several small species of Onthophagus from the Atlantic slope 

 represent this group. 



The anterior coxae are large, conical, and protuberant ; the 

 labial palpi are but 2-jointed, the third joint being obsolete; the 

 tarsal claws are distinct, and the onychium is long, with the two 

 usual setae. 



In some of the species the head or thorax of the males is armed 

 with horns. 



The genus is known by the antennae having but nine joints, and 

 by the scutellum not being visible. 



Tribe II.— APOODIIIVI. 



Species of small size, and oblong, convex, or cylindrical form, 

 living chiefly in excrements. The clypeus, as in Coprini, is dilated 

 so as to cover the oral organs, but in one genus, ^Egialia, they are 

 visible beyond the apex of the clypeus ; the maxillae and mandibles 

 are variable in form; antennae 9-jointed, club 3-jointed; epimera 



