192 H. C. FALL. 



Antennal funicle feebly or scarcely serrate, middle coxae contiguous or 

 nearly so. 

 Outer joints of funicle subequal in width to the club; terminal joints of 



palpi broad Fuvri 1 letta. 



Outer joints of funicle about one-half as wide as the club ; terminal joints 



of palpi narrow Xyletomerus. 



Three outer joints of antennas not elongate or only slightly so (distans) ; an- 

 tennas strongly serrate Xyletinus. 



Head more or less deeply excavated beneath for the antennae ; metasternum de- 

 clivous in front, either at sides or throughout its width. 

 Antennas serrate, outer joiuts not elongate, metasternal declivity abruptly 



limited behind by a raised line LaNioderma. 



Antennas not serrate, joints 9-11 elongate ; metasternal declivity more gradual 

 and not limited posteriorly by a raised line — except partially in sim- 

 plex Megorama. 



Of the above genera only Xyletinus and Lasioderma occur in the 

 palearctic fauna. Metholeus, represented by a single species in 

 southern Europe, is close to Xyletinus, differing in its more truly 

 cylindrical form, the prothorax not narrowed in front; the terminal 

 joint of palpi emarginate at apex. 



VRILLETTA LeConte. 

 The members of this genus are among the largest of our Anobiini. 

 They are cylindrical, convex, robust, clothed with fine short ap- 

 pressed pubescence, and with finely striate elytra. The terminal 

 joints of labial and maxillary palpi are similar, elongate, suboval, 

 pointed, the inner side more strongly rounded. Antennse not much 

 longer than the median line of the prothorax ; 11 jointed, the three 

 outer joints larger, forming a club which is scarcely as long as all 

 the preceding joints ; first joint stout, rather more than twice as long 

 as wide; second subglobose ; third to eighth triangular, subequal in 

 length but gradually more transverse, forming an acutely serrate or 

 even subpectinate funiculus; joints 9 and 10 triangular or subtrian- 

 gular, each about as long as the three preceding; eleventh elongate 

 oval. Eyes small, separated by nearly four times their longest 

 diameter, not appreciably larger in the male. Front strongly 

 acutely margined at sides, obscurely carinate at middle; epistomal 

 suture arcuate, scarcely impressed. Prothorax as in Xyletinus, but 

 with the side margins more widely reflexed. Elytra finely striate 

 as in Xyletinus, interspaces finely rugose and dull, the tip usually 

 somewhat truncate. Presternum excavated for the head, the latter 

 scarcely impressed beneath. Front coxse contiguous ; middle coxse 



