256 COLEOPTERA OF NORTH AMERICA. 



except in Cononotus, where they are very widely separated ; 

 tibise slender, with the spurs small but distinct; tarsi slender, 

 never lobed, anterior and middle ones 5-jointed, hind ones 

 4-jointed, (said to be 5-jointed in Tanyrhinus) ; claws simple. 



This family contains a small number of species, mostly confined 

 to northern localities ; those of the first and third tribes live 

 under bark, those of the second are found under stones. 



Our three tribes (or perhaps more properly sub-families) may 

 be separated as follows : — 



Middle coxae with distinct trochantin. Pythini. 

 Middle coxae inclosed by the sterna, without trochantin ; 



Metastemum short, head not rostrated. Cononotini. 



Metastemuni long, head with a distinct rostrum. Salpingini. 



Tribe I.— PYTHINI. 



Head prominent ; last joint of maxillary palpi dilated ; meta- 

 stemum long, body winged ; intercoxal process of abdomen 

 small, acute ; middle coxae with distinct trochantin, extending to 

 the epimera ; mandibles visible beyond the labrum, emarginate at 

 tip, and in Priognathus also serrate on the inner edge. 



These species are of moderate or large size, and are found 

 under bark ; in general aspect they resemble certain Tenebrio- 

 nidae, but are immediately known by the anterior coxal cavities 

 being open behind. 



Two of our genera, Crymodes and Priognathus, are peculiar to 

 the northern part of America ; the other two are also represented 

 in Northern Europe ; they are distinguished as follows : — 



Lateral suture of prothorax visible ; middle coxae separated ; 



Anterior coxae separated by prosternum. Boros. 



Anterior coxae almost contiguous. Crymodes. 



Lateral suture of prothorax wanting ; middle coxae contiguous ; 



Mandibles with one small tooth ; body depressed. Pytho. 



Mandibles serrate ; body not depressed. Priognathus. 



Of Pytho, two species are known in our fauna ; of the other 

 genera but single species have yet been discovered. 



Tribe II.— CONONOTINI. 



Head prominent, obtuse ; metasternum short, hind margin 

 almost straight, wings none ; intercoxal process of abdomen very 

 broad ; middle coxae nearly contiguous, closely embraced by the 



