PRIONIN.E. 6 



without stridulatory area. Front coxae strongly transverse, with 

 their acetabula widely open behind. Wing-venation conforming 

 generally to the type represented in fig. G Intro., in which vein A 1 

 has a rather large subelliptical cell in its course, and vein Cu. 1 is 

 simple and not united withCu.2; exceptionally however (group 

 Philini) vein Cu. 1 gives off one or two branches and is united 

 by a cross-vein with Cu. 2. 



From the subfamily as above defined two groups, sometimes 

 placed in it, will have to be excluded. These groups — the Paran- 

 ili'ides and Anoplodermides — may be regarded as distinct sub- 

 families, but as they are not represented in the Indian fauna it is 

 unnecessary to characterise them here. The character by which 

 the Prtonince may be in practice most readily recognized is the 

 possession by the prothorax of sharp lateral margins. These 

 margins are usually distinguishable along the whole length of each 

 side, running at a greater or less distance from the outer angles 

 of the coxal cavities and from the prosternal sutures ; they are 

 sometimes entire but more frequently dentate or spinose, the 

 spines or teeth sometimes large and few in number, sometimes 

 small and forming a series ; exceptionally the margins curve down- 

 wards from the base so as to run very close to the acetabula and 

 prosternal sutures ; in certain forms become obsolete or wholly 

 disappear on the anterior half of each side ; they ai'e completely 

 Manting in one species only among those dealt with in the present 

 fauna. 



This subfamily is represented in nearly all parts of the 

 world, and includes many of the largest species of Coleoptera. In 

 certain of the groups the eyes are finely facetted, and this character 

 is frequently associated with the possession of metallic or other 

 bright colours. Wo far as at present known, no species belong- 

 ing to any of these groups occurs within our faunistic limits. 

 In the Indian genera the eyes are always coarsely facetted, and 

 the species, with one or two exceptions, are restricted in their 

 range of coloration between black and those lighter shades of 

 brown which verge on red and yellow. 



Following the example set by Lacordaire in dealing with large 

 subfamihes, I propose here to give fi.rst a synopsis of the different 

 groups of genera, to be followed later by a s3a'iopsis of the 

 different genera associated together in each group. 



Si/no2')sis of Grouj)S. 



A. Epistenia of metathorax parallel-sided for the 

 greater part of their length or nearly so ; broadly 

 truncate behind, 

 a. Prothorax with from one to four strong marginal 

 teeth or spines on each side ; presternum not 

 flat and horizontal behind. 

 a'. Tibipe not spinose on outer margin ; eyes dis- 

 tinctly emavginate ; ligula bilobed or emar 

 ginate ; antennie of J longer than half bodv. 



v2 



