68 CURCULIONIDiE. 



Genus TANYMECUS. 



Tanymeeus, Sclionherr, Disp. Metb. 1826, p. 127. 



Asemus, Sclionherr, op. cit. p. 129 (nom. prreocc). — Type, A. circum- 



datns, Wied. var. rvsticus, Gyl. 

 JEsamus, Clievrolat, Ann. Soc. Eiit. France, 1880, p. 255 (nom. nov. 



for Asemiis, Schli.). 

 Cercophorus, Chevrolat, op. cit. p. 259. — Type, Macropterus verJorenii, 



Voll. 



Type, Gwculio ixdliatus, F. (Europe). 



Head with the eyes lateral and variable in shape. Rostrum 

 varying in length, the base not or only slightly broader tlian the 

 forehead, the sides straight, the apical emargination variable ; the 

 scrobes varying in structure ; the mandibles with a distinct de- 

 pressed scar ; the nientura of variable shape, the submentum not 

 pedunculate. Antennce inserted at the middle or before the middle 

 of the rostrum, the scape gradually thickened or rather abruptly 

 clavate, reaching at least the middle of the eye, but usually 

 exceeding the hind margin ; the futiicle with the two basal joints 

 more elongate, 3-7 subequal, varyiug from slightly transverse to 

 longer than broad, the club elongate acuminate and 4-jointed. 

 Prothorax truncate or slightly rounded at the base, truncate 

 at the apex and with distinct vibrissse, the gular margin usually 

 with a shallow sinuation. Scutellum distinct, triangular. Elytra 

 variable in shape, truncate or sinuate at the base, with a humeral 

 callus, the shoulders generally well developed, but sometimes very 

 oblique and only slightly broader than the prothorax, the lateral 

 mai'gin very shallowly sinuate above the hind coxae and with a 

 small emargination near the base. Sternum with the front coxse 

 much nearer the anterior margin of the prosternum ; the meso- 

 sternum with the epimera large ; the metasternum as long as or 

 longer than the median coxa?, the episterna broad and distinct, 

 the hind coxap not reaching the elytra. Venter with the inter- 

 coxal process rounded or angulate and much narrower than the 

 hind coxae, segment 2 as long as or longer than 3 + 4 (except in 

 T. Jtonbiramis, Msh!., and a few African species) and separated 

 from 1 by a curved incision, which is usually fainter in the middle. 

 Legs elongate and slender, the femora moderately clavate ; the 

 tibiae almost straight externally, often denticulate internally, the 

 two anterior pairs with the internal apical angle produced, the two 

 posterior pairs with their corbels open and narrowly ascending 

 the dorsal edge for some distance and fringed with short setae ; 

 the tarsi generally slender, the claws long and free. 



Range. North America, Europe, Africa, Central Asia, British 

 India, Siam, and Malay States. 



Faust has always kept Esamus and Tanymeeus as distinct 

 genera, giving as diagnostic characters cez'tain differences in the 

 dilatation and direction of the scrobes, in the relative lengths of 

 tlu* ventral segments, in the emargination of the apex of the 

 rostrum and the shape of the elytra ; and he confines the name 



