Curculionine. | RHYNCHOPHORA. 213 
tiguous or separate and in the latter case often have the interval between 
them channelled for the reception of the rostrum ; mesosternum variable 
in width with the epimera and episterna differently divided, but not attain- 
ing the cox, epimera in some tribes extended into the angle between 
thorax and elytra and with their extremity visible from above; anterior 
coxe rounded, sometimes contiguous, sometimes distant; middle coxe 
rounded, more or less separated ; posterior coxz oval, more or less 
distant, sometimes placed very far apart (Gronops), occasionally, but not 
often, attaining the elytral margin ; legs variable, ambulatorial in most 
species, sometimes natatorial (Litodactylus and Eubrychius), sometimes 
saltatorial (Orehestes and certain species of Rhinonchus) ; tarsi usually 
dilated, with the third joint usually dilated and bilobed and spongy beneath, 
rarely narrow ; claws either connate or free, simple dentate or appen- 
diculate, very rarely single (Mononychus). 
The larve of the Curculionine are white or yellowish-white grubs with the head 
usually darker ; they attack various parts of plants or trees and undergo their trans- 
formations underground, or in galls formed on their food plants ; some form simple 
cocoons on the plants, while a few, e.g. Hylobius, bore galleries in rotten wood and in 
these change to the perfect insect. 
The tribe as here constituted corresponds to the Curculionides 
phanérognathes of Lacordaire with the addition of the genus Sitones, 
except that Alophus (and Rhytidoderes in the continental fauna) is 
transferred to the Brachyrrhinine, and that Apion is separated and formed 
into a distinct sub-family. As M. Bedel observes (l.c. p: 64) the large 
number of insects that are comprised in the sub-family and the difficul- 
ties that they present compel the adoption, in the present state of our 
knowledge, of an exceptional number of tribes, which must be regarded 
as merely provisional ; M. Bedel has contributed in very great measure 
to our knowledge of the group, but much yet remains to be accomplished, 
and the classification will, in the future, be very greatly modified ; in 
the present work M. Bedel’s tribes are adopted with the addition of 
the Smicronychina, which form a transition from the Lixina to the 
Erirrhinina. 
I. Mandibles inserted side by side on the apex of the rostrum and 
TOV VOTMICANV Cee cs. 3.» sige neelatarel 2b) 
II. Mandibles inserted at each side of the rostrum and moving 
horizontally. 
i, Anterior tibiz without a regular ridge on the central line of 
their posterior margin. 
1. Tibias without a curved hook at their apical external angle ; 
but either with or without such a hook towards their apical 
internal margin. 
A. Funiculus of antennee composed of six or seven joints. 
a. Posterior coxes reaching to the base of the second ventral 
segment and dividing the first, which is very short, into 
three equal parts; body globose; intermediate and pos- 
terior coxze very widely separated BLO hes ic 
b. Posterior coxe not reaching apex of first ventral seg- 
ment, which is not divided into separate parts. 
BALANININA. 
OROBITINA, 
