184 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



low down, from autumn to spring. Throughout the year more 

 species of Cryptidfe may be captured with a coleopterist's 

 sweeping-net, and a systematic examination of loose debris, 

 than by any other means we know of; with the exception 

 of a few common sj^ecies of Hemiteles they are seldom 

 seen on the wing. The very common female of H. aerator is 

 frequently found running briskly upon the inside of our windows, 

 while its bright- coloured male is seldom seen unless bred; any 

 special habits, &c., will, however, be noted in fuller detail under 

 the various genera. It is not of great consequence whether the 

 Cryptidae are pinned or carded, as most of the characters are taken 

 from the upper side ; the apterous Pezomachi are certainly to be 

 carded for preference. 



The following is the table of genera, following Marshall's 

 catalogue, for the most part translated from Taschenberg and 

 Foerster : — 



A. Wings normally developed. 



a. Aculeus hardly projecting. 



Abdomen almost round and shining. - Gen. 1. Stilpnns, Grav. 



b. Aculeus distinctly projecting. 

 =1' Areolet completely closed. 



f Areolet pentagonal (almost quadrate or triangular). 

 I Apical joints of the antennae of the female somewhat nodose. 

 § Antennae of the female filiform, the 3rd joint at the most twice as 

 long as thick, or the entire antennae between the middle and the 

 apex, thickened ; if slender, then the metathorax with areae. In 

 the male the post-petiole is distinctly broader than the petiole and 

 geniculated. . - . - Gen. 2. Phijgadeuon, Grav. 

 §§ Antennae of female elongate, filiform, never thickened in the middle, 

 the 3rd joint generally three times, or more, longer than thick ; 

 if less, then the metathorax is without areae. Post-petiole of the 

 male not much wider than the petiole and slightly curved, conse- 

 quently the 1st segment of the abdomen is slender. 



Gen. 3. Cryptus, Fabr. 

 II Apical joints of the antennae of the female not thickened, cylindrical 



throughout. 

 X 1st abdominal segment, in both sexes, elongate ; post-petiole hardly 

 wider than the petiole, polished. Metathorax with two transverse 

 lines, spiracles of metathorax linear. - Gen. 4. Linoceras, Tascli. 

 X X 1st abdominal segment of the female very short, almost sessile. 

 Metathorax with only one transverse line which is angled, spiracles 

 small and circular. Areolet very small. 



Gen. .5. Cyytocrijptus, Marsh. := Brachycentrus, Tasch. 

 fj- Areolet quadrate or right-angled, proportionately very small. 

 Metathorax rough, with two transverse lines and elongated spiracles. 

 Insect not unusually slender. - - Gen. 6. Mesostenus, Grav. 



