(Page 6) 

 wise exposed spiracle. In other groups than the first three, partly un- 

 chitinized prothorax with visible spiracula occur only as exceptions (cf . 

 Cryptobium . Platystethus ) . In Micropeplus the prosternum is anteriorly 

 on each side separated from the pronotal epipleura by a deep groove, which 

 as antenrial groove serves for the receiving and protection of the antennae, 

 when these are bent in under the head. 



b. The medial breast ( mesothorax) (se Fig. 1 and Pig. 5) is connate, 

 without notable separation, with the back breast. Above it appears in the 

 dorsal plate or dorsal shield ( scutellum ). which in most of the Staphylinids 

 is visible as a small triangular or rounded plate between or before ( Bledius) 

 the base of elytra; it is nore rarely concealed ( Stenus ). On the foremost 

 dorsal part of the mesothorax the cover-wings ( coleoptera^ , or wins covers 

 ( elytra ) as they often are termed, are fastened. They are as a rule very 

 strongly abbreviated and so short that they most often only cover the first 

 two abdominal joints or base of the third also; in several instances, where 

 flying wings are wanting (as in Astilbus canaliculatus , Homalota circellaris 

 et al.) they only reach slightly out over the first dorsal joint. In some 

 genera hov/ever the elytra reaches out over 3-5 of the abdominal joints, and 



(Page 7) 

 in the o g of Anthobium they can be of length with abdomen. In Yantholinus 

 the suture of one elytron grips the other, which is considered as an indi- 

 cation of this genus belonging to the most ancient forms of Staphylinidp on 

 earth; in Thinobius they gape at tip or are closely joined together in a 



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