(Page 105) 



is only the first free dorsal joint distinctly depressed (subg. Dilacra et al.) 



— (Pa-e 1C6) — 

 and only in few species (subg. Srypeta ) are the first two-three ventral 



joints impressed at base, whereby the come nearer to the following genus 

 Tachyusa. In a great number of species the next-last joints, especially 

 In the 5^, provided with sex-characters, which on account of their very dif- 

 fering form afford valuable specific characters, f'iddle-coxae are only in 

 a few instances (subg. Thamiaraea , Notothecta ) separated by a broad inter- 

 val; they are most often narrowly separated and lie more or less closely 

 together or they are contiguous at middle; tip of mesosternum is prolonged 

 in between them to varying extent; only in few species is this tip very short 

 and rectangular (subg. Kygroecia ) . 



The legs are more or less slender; fore-tarsi 4-jointed, the others 

 5-jointed. Ordinarily the first three-four tarsal joints are eiually short, 

 but occasionally however the first joint of hind tarsus is about Is times 

 as long as the second (subg. ;Qoconota . Dilecra et al.), n«^arly always much 

 shorter than the clav.-joint (Fig. 36). 



The Homalota species are found practically everywhere in free nature 

 where Staphyl inidae can thrive at all. A greet many live on damp or serai- 

 damp woodland ground or in meadows and marshes under the plant cover; other? 

 prefer s^ndy sea-fhore or strand; many seek manure, carrion, fungi or rot- 

 ting plants; several occur under bark on half-dead trees and stubs, or are 

 found at out-flowing tree-sap and in hollow trees in gnawings; a few species 

 live permanently with ante, and one in the leaf-sheaths of common cat-tail. 

 Ihelr larvae are very little known. 



■166' 



