PYROCHROIDAE. , 26 % 



Maxillae with large exposed base, and two corneous ciliated 

 lobes; palpi 4-jointed, moderately dilated. 



Head somewhat inclined, strongly constricted a short dis- 

 tance behind the eyes, which are emarginate and not finely 

 granulated, and sometimes very large; neck not very slender, 

 received in the thorax ; labrum prominent ; mandibles short, 

 emarginate at tip. 



Antennae inserted at the sides of the front just before the 

 eyes, 11-jointed; serrate or subpectinate (*), and ramose (J 1 ); 

 rarely (Eupleurida) nearly filiform. 



Prothorax narrower than the elytra at base, lateral suture 

 completely wanting ; anterior coxal cavities widely open be- 

 hind, confluent. 



Mesosternum pointed behind; side pieces attaining the 

 coxal cavities, which are confluent; metasternum long, side 

 pieces narrow. 



Elytra wider than the abdomen, rounded at tip ; epipleuras 

 almost wanting, visible only near the base. 



Abdomen with five free ventral segments ; the 5th in the 

 male is emarginate, and the 6th is visible. 



Legs rather long ; anterior coxae large, conical, contiguous ; 

 middle coxae conical, contiguous, with distinct trochantin; 

 hind coxae oblique, transverse, slightly separated ; tibial spurs 

 small; anterior and middle tarsi 5-jointed; hind tarsi 4- 

 jointed ; the penultimate joint is dilated and somewhat pro- 

 longed beneath ; the claws are simple. 



A few insects, from one-third to three-fourths of an inch long, 

 are comprised in this family ; our species live under bark, and 

 several are conspicuous for the rufous thorax, which contrasts 

 with the black head and elytra. 



The genera are four from the Atlantic States, of which Den- 

 droides is also represented in Russian America : — 

 Eyes moderate in size, distant ; 



Antenna? simple. Eppleurida. 



Antennae serrate or ramose ; 



Last joint of maxillary palpi long, cultriform. Pyrochroa. 



Last joint of maxillary palpi long, oval. ScmzoTr/s. 



Eyes very large, sometimes nearly contiguous. Dendroides. 



The branches of the male antennae are rigid in Pyrochroa, and 

 very slender and flexible in Dendroides ; in Schizotus they are of 

 an intermediate form, and somewhat flexible. 



Eupleurida is founded on a very remarkable insect, E. cantata 

 Lee, from the Southern States. It is of a testaceous color (2 unc. 



