218 COLEOPTERA OF NORTH AMERICA. 



bracing widely the flanks of the abdomen ; epipleurae narrow. 

 Anterior coxas moderately separated ; middle coxae inclosed by 

 the sterna, without trochantin ; hind coxae small, widely separated ; 

 legs long, thighs clavate ; tibiae slender, with very small spurs ; 

 tarsi pubescent, with long hairs. 



This tribe consists of a single genus, Apocrypha, of which two 

 species from California are known ; they are about one-tenth of 

 an inch long, and resemble in form certain Dyschirius of the 

 family Carabidae ; the thorax is globose, and densely punctured ; 

 the elytra are sparsely punctured, with a few erect, long hairs ; 

 the whole body is sparsely pubescent ; they are found on the 

 ground, and are rare. 



The genus Cononotus, formerly regarded by me as allied to 

 Apocrypha, does not belong to this family. 



The present tribe is considered by Lacordaire as being a group 

 of the tribe Helopini ; the absence of the membranous posterior 

 margin to the third and fourth ventral segments, which is so evi- 

 dent in Helopini and all the allied tribes, induces me to remove 

 it from the association in which it was placed to Lacordaire. 



At the same time it must be said that the observation of such 

 characters, as are relied on for the classification of this family, is 

 sometimes very difficult in small species, unless specimens may be 

 submitted to dissection ; but whatever may be the affinities of 

 Apocrypha, its claim to rank as a distinct tribe cannot be con- 

 troverted. 



Sub-Family II.— ASLDLDAE. 



In this sub-family the middle coxa? are contained in cavities 

 which are open externally, so as to enable the epimera of the 

 mesosternum to reach the cavities ; there is also a distinct tro- 

 chantin visible in the space thus formed. To these characteristics 

 it may be added that the gular peduncle, for the support of the 

 mentum, is visible, except in a few Asidini ; the mesosternum is 

 always very short, and the wings are wanting ; the tarsi are 

 always channelled beneath, spinous or setose along the margin, 

 almost never pubescent. The species are all found walking on the 

 ground in desert regions. Our tribes are only the following : — 



Labrum partly covered by the front. I. Ckyptoglossini. 



Labrum prominent ; 

 Mentum large, ligula partly concealed. II. Asidini. 



