442 



COLEOPTERA. 



tant from each other ; the thorax is punctured and pubescent, 

 the middle coxne slightly separate, while the abdomen is nar- 

 rowed at the tips. Fig, 387 represents the larva of this or a 

 closel^^ allied genus found in a humble bee's nest. Philonthus 

 differs in having the femora unarmed. The species 

 live in decaying matters and excrement. The spe- 

 cies of Pcvderus (Fig. 388, the larva of the European 

 V. tempestivus Erichs.) are found under stones, etc., 

 near water. 



In Steniis, of which S. stygicus Say and S. Juno 

 Fabr. are types, the eyes are large and prominent, so 

 that the head resembles that of Cicindela and the 

 Fig. 388. antennjB are inserted upon the front between the 

 eyes ; the labrum is entii-e and rounded anteriorly, the para- 

 glossse are dilated, rounded, and the body is coarsely punctured, 

 while that of its nearest ally Dianous is finely punctiu'ed and 

 the paraglosssie are connate and indistinct. 

 Another small group of genera is repre- 

 sented by Oxyporus, which is found in fungi, 

 and which has a large head, with 

 large long mandibles crossing each 



IA- '■■■]?■: -Vs iHVy other, and five-jointed tarsi ; and 



/ 1^^ ••'i--"-'^ ll f' I Oxytelus which is found in wet 



l^laces and in dung, and has three- 

 ° jointed tarsi, with a row of spines 



on the front tibiae, and the middle coxae 

 separated. 



Anthophagus census?^ Harris Correspond- 

 ence (Fig. 389 ; o, maxilla), is found in wet ground where 

 spearmint grows, of which it diffuses a strong odor. 



In Omalium the antenuiie are inserted under the lateraf mai*- 

 giu of the front, the elj^tra are long, and the tibiie finely spi- 

 nous. Mkralymma is closely allied, but differs in the elytrj* 

 being very short. The genus Mk-ropeplns is squarish in form 

 and connects the present family with the one following. 



Fig. o8y. 



HiSTERiD^ Leach. As stated bj- Leconte, "this is a very 

 well defined family of insects, moderately numerous, nearly all 

 of a shining black color, with the elytra variously sculptured 



