SYNOPSIS OF THE TRIBES OF THE COLEOPTERA. 



.. Tiirsi usually 5-jointcd, sometimes 4 or 3-jointed in very small species, slender 

 and sparsely haired, except Tribe XI, and except that the anterior, or anterior 

 and middle t^rsi are sometimes dilated and brush-like beneath in the males. 

 B. Elytra covering the whole or nearly the whole of the abdomen. 

 C. Antennae filiform and simple; outer lobe of maxillte palpiform, giving the 

 appearance of six palpi. 



D. Legs long and fitted for running, hind trochanters large, egg-shaped and 



prominent; tarsi always 5-jointed Tribe I. 



D D. Hind legs flattened and fringed for swimming ; trochanters not promi- 

 nent; the fourth joint of the anterior and middle tarsi sometimes in- 

 distinct in very small species Tribe II 



C C. Antennae .filiform and usually serrate ; outer lobe of maxillai not palpiform. 



E. Prosternum prolonged to a point behind and received in the mesosteruum ; 



body very firm, legs short, tarsi always 5-joiuted, joints not dilated and 

 brush-like beneath, but often furnished with membranous lobes on the 



underside Tribe IX. 



E E. Prosternum not prolonged behind. 



F. Body moderately firm ; legs more or less elongated ; tarsi various : 



Tribe X. 



F F. Body soft, elytra thin and flexible; tarsi usually somewhat dilated 



and brush-like beneath, with the fourth joint bilobed; last joint 



of palpi sometimes dilated Tribe XI 



C C C. Antennae clavate or capitate. 



G. Palpi usually very long, sometimes longer than the sHfert antenuffi; 

 antennae 6 to 9-joiuted, strongly clavate; middle and hind coxae 

 dilated; middle and hind tarsi sometimes fringed; habits aquatic. 



Tribe III.' 

 G G. Palpi not elongated; antennae 11-jointed, rarely 10 or 9-jointed; 

 coxae not dilated; habits not aquatic. 

 H. Club of antennae pectinate ; mandibles usually strongly toothed or 



even branched ; size large, or medium Tribe VI 



H H. Club of antennae lamellate; size often large; sometimes small, 

 but never very small. 



I. Abdomen wholly covered by the elytra (except Copridae) ; hind 



legs set far back Tribe VII. 



I I. Tip of abdomen exposed ; hind legs not set far back . Tribe VIII 

 H H H. Antennae clavate, but with the club neither pectinate nor 



lamellate, and nearly or quite filiform in the exceptional 

 group of Sub-clavicornes ; size small or very small, (except 



Silphidw) Tj.jjjg jy^ 



