616 Colropterological Notices, VI. 



ciilarly drawn are : the form of the basal margin of the prothorax^ 

 and the presence or absence of a fringe of seta3 along the lateral 

 edges of the body. A mere casual inspection of the numerous 

 species of Blapstmus, and of the otherwise evidently' distinct 

 though fewer representatives of Mecysmus, will show that the 

 bisinuate form of base is perfectly constant throughout the 

 former, and that the transversel}' rectilinear form is equally per- 

 sistent in the latter; consequently it must be evident that the 

 form of the base is of great importance, and the separation of 

 Cybotus and Aconobius on this feature alone would be more than 

 amply justified, irrespective of the profound ditierences in habi- 

 tus distinguishing both of these genera. Cybotus is however 

 further characterized by an abnormality of palpal structure, and 

 Aconobius by the presence of a dense fringe along the sides of 

 the body, which, in conjunction with its peculiar antennse, gives 

 it a very striking facies. 



The marginal fringe is chiefly important in discriminating cer- 

 tain wingless genera, which constitute the division with connate 

 elytra and abbreviated scutellum. Its importance is demonstrated 

 by its absolute constancy throughout those polytypic genera 

 which happen to possess it, such as Ulus and Notibius, and there 

 can be no doubt that it is an important generic character, prob- 

 ably- developed by reason of changes in the life-habits of the 

 species. The characters here used to separate Nocibiotes, Toni- 

 bius and Tonibiastes are based upon types of elytral sculpture^ 

 bodily facies and antennal structure, which are invariable through- 

 out the respective genera where enough species are known to test 

 their constancy, and it is probable that these genera Avill ulti- 

 mately hold good. Conibius, as here defined, is still somewhat 

 heterogeneous, containing three subgeneric types as noted below. 



The genera of Blapstini ma^^ be separated as follows : — 



Scutellum triangular, separating the elytra at base, the liiiul wings frequently 

 well developed and the anterior tarsi of the male dilated as a rule. 

 Base of the prothorax hisinuate. 



Anterior tibiaj bent; vestiture dual in structure Tricliotoii 



Anterior tibiic straight; pubescence simple. 



Body generally oval, fimbriate at the sides; anterior tibiae produced 



externally at apex I'liiS 



Body usually oblong or oblong-oval, the sides not fimbriate; anterior 



tibiie simple Blapstinus 



Rise of the prothorax not bisinuate. 



