COLEOPTERA. — CISTELID^. 309 



Melandrya. M. V. Audouin has also observed the transformations of 

 this insect, and has ascertained that it is attacked by one of the 

 aberrant Ichneumonidae (Perilitus simUator Wesm.). I have also reared 

 this parasite from it. Curtis also mentions Euphorus orchesia: and 

 Meteorus orchcsioe amonsr the aberrant Ichneumonidae. 



The tribe Atrachelia or second primary division of the Hetero- 

 merous Coleoptera, is distinguished by the breadth of the hinder 

 part of the head, so that this part of the body is immersed into 

 the prothoracic cavity as far as the eyes ; the anterior coxae are 

 small and globular ; the claws of the tarsi are generally entire ; the 

 tarsal joints not dilated, and the elyti'a of a firm consistence. In 

 many of the species, the inner edge of the corneous mandibles 

 presents a deep incision covered with membrane, and the maxillary 

 palpi are generally terminated by a large hatchet-shaped joint. 



These insects are generally slow in their motions, and of dark 

 colours ; they are frequently found on the ground, and in obscure situ- 

 ations, although the Helopidae and Cistelidae, which are evidently the 

 most nearly allied to the preceding groups, frequent trees and flowers ; 

 there is, however, a general uniformity in the structure of the larvae of 

 all these insects, proving their near relationship, except those of the 

 Diaperidae. 



This division comprises the families Cistelidfe, Helopidae, Tene- 

 brionidae, Diaperidae, Blapsidae, and Pimeliidic: Latreille has raised 

 Cossyphus (with Helaeus and Nilio) to an equal rank with these 

 groups ; but the structure of the mouth of these genera indicates 

 their affinity with the Helopidae, which last are so nearly allied in 

 many respects to the Tenebrionidae, that Mr. Curtis gives the typical 

 genus Helops as an example of that flimily. 



The first family CiSTELiDiE* (CistelidesZ«^r.or Xystropides Solicr^ 

 is of small extent, and very closely allied to the following family, 



* BiBi.ioGtt. Refer, to the Cistelidve. 

 Solier, in Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1835, No. 2. 

 Perti/. Del. An. Art. Bras. 

 Germar. Sp. Nov. Ins. 

 Klug. Madagascar Coleoptera. 

 Gyllenhall, Stephens, Olivier, Fabricius,(^-c. 



X 3 



