142 CLAVicoRNiA. \^Corylophida\ 



In the Annals and Magazine of Natural History (February, 1887, 

 p. 116), Mr. Matthews discusses the (question of the position of the 

 family ; as it is one concerning which there has been, and still is, much 

 doubt, it may be well to quote his words : — " In our present systematic 

 arrangement the true Corylophid?e seem to occupy a very false position. 

 From the peculiar formation of their antennte, and from their large, 

 elongate, and either free or prominent anterior coxae, as well as from the 

 general arrangement of the jiarts of the external skeleton of their under- 

 side, it is impossible to overlook their close affinity to the Silphidoi. It 

 therefore appears to me that the most natural arrangement wouli be to 

 place the Corylophidte immediately before the Silphidaj. Many genera 

 present an external appearance so like the Anisotomina that it is difficult 

 at first to determine whether they do or do not belong to that tribe. In 

 PeUinus and some others the prosternum is reduced to the smallest 

 possible dimensions, as it is in Ar/athidinm, and leaves the coxal cavities 

 open on both sides. Thus by placing the Corylophidse before the 

 Silphidse, in proximity to the Anisotomina, a much greater harmony of 

 form and anatomy would be attained than by keeping them in their 

 present position or by removing them elsewhere. In the foregoing 

 remarks I refer only to the true CorylophidiB. Those species which I 

 propose to call PseudocorylophidiB I would retain in the position they 

 now occupy near the Coccinellidaj " There are six European genera 

 contained in the fanuly, of which four are represented in iJritain ; 

 Artliroli])^, WolL, and MoroJiilluSy Duv. (^Gkeosoina, Woll.) are of more 

 southern distribution. 



I. Thorax emargiuatc at apex ; head exposed ; aiitcmiai 



9-jouited Okthopeuus, Stej^li. 



II. Thorax semicircular, with apex rounded ; head concealed. 

 i. Upper surface glabrous ; posterior angles of thorax 



slightly prolonged ; auteuua3 10-jointed CORYLOPfluS, Steph, 



ii. Upper surface pubescent. 



1. Posterior angles of thorax much prolonged ; antennas 



10-jointed Sericoderus, Steph. 



2. Posterior angles of thor.ix right angles, not pro- 

 longed ; antennas 11-joiuted Sacidm, Le Contc. 



ORTHOPERUS, Stephens. 



The genus Orthoperus is made up of very minute orbicular insects, 

 which, in comparison with the other members of the family, are some- 

 Avhat depressed ; it is distinguished from the other Corylophidce by its 

 exserted head and emarginate apex of thorax, and also by the long 

 incurved anterior tibiae, and 9-jointed geniculate antennte, of which the 

 fifth joint is generally much larger than the sixth. In the last European 

 catalogue nine species are enumerated, of which three only have until 

 recently been supposed to be found in Ih'itain. Mr. Matthews, however, 

 in the Entomologist's Monthly Magazine for 1885, vol. xxii., p. 107, 



