(Page 7) 

 covered by the hind breastbone (metasternura) , also the greater part of rae- 

 tathorax; its more or less robust development is in proportion to the fly- 

 ing capacity. Of the side parts, which most often are narrov/, often partly 

 concealed under the lateral margins of elytra, the loins ( epimera ) are oc- 

 casionally visible above the elytral hind corners ( Aleochara) . The meso- 

 and metasternum provide seat for the two hindmost pairs of legs. 



d. The legs ( pedes ) (see Fig. 5) afford in many respects important 

 characters as means for the division of Staphylinids ; the coxae and tarsi 

 are especially of importance. -(Page 8)— The hips ( coxae) , which, with some 

 exceptions in regard to the middle- and hind-coxae, most often are placed 

 close together, vary in size and form by groups, sometimes tap-shaped or con- 

 ical and strongly protruding as the fore-coxae in Staphylini et al., or broad 

 as the hind coxae in Oxytelini , or small as in Stenini. The hip-ring (tro- 

 chanter ) is called supporting, when it is rather large and lies downward on 

 upper part of the femur (as in Aleochara , Tachinus , Omalines et al.). - 

 The thigh ( femur ) can be more or less thickened, only rarely is it on inner 

 side dentiform dilated (front femur of o in Lathrobium ) ; as a rule it is un- 

 armed. The shins ( tibiae ) differ in development. In digging forms ( Bledius , 

 Phytosus et al.) the foremost tibiae are robust, armed in margin with thorns*); 

 sometimes they are more strongly broadened than ordinarily toward the tip. 

 In agile species the tibiae are most often fine, haired or feebly spiniferous. 

 - The tarsi consists^ in a great number of Staphylinids of 5 joints, but k of- 

 ten occur, occasionally only 3, and very extraordinarily ( Thincbius ) only 2 

 Joints. Also in the same species the number of tarsal Joints varies, inasmuch 



-11- 

 ♦)spines - translator. 



