Ptinide. | SERRICORNIA. 179 
mandibles; the thoracic segments resemble those of the abdomen, which latter is 
made up of nine segments, the last of which is simple, and is not furnished with 
cerci or projections. 
The British genera belonging to the family may be divided as 
follows :— i 
I, Elytra punctured and pubescent. 
i, Antennz contiguous or almost contiguous at base ; tarsi 
with the fifth joint longer and narrower; elytra striated. 
1. Scutellum distinct ; tarsi with the fifth joint a little 
lonperthaa seconde Va Saiecn ots, slew tee Oe 
2. Scutellum not distinct; tarsi with the fifth joint 
much longer than second. . . ... . =. +. . Nuiprus, Boield. 
ii, Antenne more distant at base; tarsi with the fifth joint 
very short and broad; elytra not striated. . . . . . Heposra, Sturm. 
If. Elytra smooth and glabrous, much inflated. 
i. Thorax strongly pubescent . . . . . . . =... « MeEzium, Curt. 
HCUROPAX SIADIGUS) ele 4-2 Mb eS, wie the « fo, 1 Id .oa ,OLEBIUNG Scop. 
Prinvs, LD. 
PTINUS, Linné. (Bruchus, Geoffroy.) 
This genus contains upwards of a hundred species, which are very 
widely distributed throughout the world, species occurring in Ceylon, 
New Zealand, Siberia, Kamtschatka, Brazil, Peru, Tahiti, &c.; some of 
the species have been rendered almost cosmopolitan through being trans- 
ported in articles of commerce ; P. fur is often very injurious to Natural 
History collections; it is said also to feed upon old woollen clothes, and 
occasionally to do great damage to wheat deposited in granaries; about 
fifty species are found in Europe, of which six have usually been in- 
eluded in the British lists; one or two others, however, have been found 
in Britain, but they have probably been imported; I have also placed 
P. latro in the doubtful category, as very little appears to be known 
about it. 
I. Tarsi with the fourth joint bilobed, broader than third; 
elytra oblong in both sexes . Pte Aa ai er i ane ae 
II. Tarsi with the fourth joint not or scarcely bilobed, 
narrower than the third joint. 
i, Elytra oblong, with shoulders well marked in both 
P. GERMANUS, F. 
SCXES ce sy ek ek ey) OC wl wt Cw os (En SEXPUNCTATUS, Panz. 
ii. Elytra, at least in female, considerably rounded at 
sides. 
1. Thorax with central furrow indistinct. . . . P. LICHENUM, Marsh. 
2. Thorax with central furrow broadly and strongly 
marked behind. 
A. Elytra less coarsely punctured, with setz 
SHORECH AM ay tot tet cel Ma aa tiel Ufa my ths 
B. Elytra more coarsely punctured, with setzx 
longer «9 «#2 @ 6 #8 6) Mpa Ale 4) Be SEBPILONUS, Mull, 
P. germanus, I. (palliutus, Perris; rufipes, Steph. Ill.). Of a 
pitchy-brown colour, irregularly sprinkled with more or less distinct 
patches of white pubescence, and with the shoulders of the elytra 
lighter; head rather large, with the eyes prominent, antenne very 
N 2 
Perur, 2: 
