CLERIDAE. 105 



usually with distinct trochantin ; hind coxae transverse, not 

 prominent, covered by the thighs in repose. 



Legs slender, frequently long, trochanters on the internal 

 margin of the thighs; tibia? with the terminal spurs small or 

 indistinct; tarsi 5 -jointed; the fourth joint in Euopliini very 

 small and indistinct; joints 1 — -i furnished beneath with 

 membranous appendages; claws simple or toothed, never 

 with membranous appendages as in Melyridae. 



A tolerably numerous family of insects found on plants, or on 

 the trunks of trees, but which in the larva state are carnivorous, 

 preying upon other insects like the Lampyridae and Melyridae. 

 The larvae of various Trichodes are found in the nests of bees. 

 A few (Corynetes, Necrobia,) live on dead animal matter. Many 

 of the species are of beautiful color and graceful form. 



The genera may be arranged in two tribes. 



Tarsi with fourtli joint of normal size ; pronotum continuous with, the flanks 

 of the thorax. Clerini. 



Tarsi with the fourth joint very small and indistinct ; pronotum separated 

 from the flanks by a marginal line. EnopIiIISI. 



Tribe I.— CLERIXI. 



The fourth joint of the tarsi equal to the third, and the flanks 

 or the prothorax continuous with the back, are sufficient to cause 

 the members of this tribe to be recognized : I will only say farther, 

 that the middle coxae are scarcely prominent, and are moderately 

 distant. Three groups are indicated by the genera represented 

 in our fauna : — 



First joint of tarsi distinct, at least equal to the second. Tilli. 

 First joint of tarsi covered by the second ; 



Eyes emarginate in front. Cleri. 



Eyes entire. Hydnoceri. 



Group I.— Tilli. 



Insects of a very long and slender form ; the head is large ; the 

 eyes transverse, emarginate in front: the prothorax long, with the 

 coxal cavities smaller than usual ; the middle coxaa are round, 

 slightly prominent ; tarsi with five distinct joints, the first fre- 

 quently longer than the second ; claws toothed ; maxillary palpi 

 with the last joint cylindrical. 



Antennre 10-jointed, the last joint very long and flat. ELASMOCBStrS. 



Antennae 11-jointed; serrate; 



