316 MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 



for burrowing {fig. 37. 26. posterior tarsus) ; the anterior legs resem- 

 bling those of Opatrum tibiale ; the body is nearly hemispherical ; in 

 the structure of the mouth {fiO' 37. 23. mandibles ; and 37. 24. maxilla) 

 it nearly approaches Opatrum, Phaleria, &c. This is therefore evi- 

 dently its correct location. Mr. Stephens, however, unites it with the 

 Lamellicornes, between Trox and ^^gialia. The species are found 

 upon the sea-coast, burrowing into the sand. 



The genera Tetratoma and Leiodes placed by Latreille in this 

 family, belong to the families Mycetophagidae and Agathidiidae. 



The three remaining families, Tenebrionidae, Blapsidae, and Pime- 

 liidse, constitute Latreille's group named Melasoma, in allusion to 

 the black or obscure colours of the species, of which it is composed. 

 These families have the following characters in common ; the tarsi and 

 tarsal claws are entire ; the head is never narrowed behind into a 

 neck ; the antennas are rather short, moniliform, or but slightly 

 thickened at the tips, inserted beneath the produced lateral margins 

 of the head ; the third joint being generally elongated ; the mandibles 

 short and triangular, with the tip bifid ; the internal lobe of the maxilla 

 is often armed with a corneous tooth ; the eyes oblong, and but 

 slightly elevated, a circumstance considered by M.M. de Serres as 

 indicating their darkling habits, many species avoiding the light, and 

 living in cellars, stables, &c. (whence the origin of the generic name 

 Tenebrio) ; others are found upon the ground, or under stones in 

 sandy places : they are seldom or never found upon plants or flowers, 

 and are very slow in their movements. In the Linnaean system they 

 constitute the greater part of the genus Tenebrio. 



The fourth family, TENEBRioNiDiE * Leach, is distinguished by 

 having the elytra not soldered together, with the wings fitted for 



* BiBLioGR. Refer, to the Tenebrionid^. 



Giierin. Icon. R. An. pi. 30., Voy. Coquille and Mem. Melasomes in Mag. de 



Zool. 

 Sturm. Deutchsl. Fauna. 



