Sj>hce)-iidii'.] CLAVICORN'IA. 117 



SPH^SIIDiE. 



This family contains one genus, Spha'tius, Avhicli is closcl,7 allied to the 

 Trichopteiygidffi on the one hand and the Corylophidce on the other; the 

 fovm is vory small, round, convex, and glalirous ; the maxilla3 have only 

 one lobe ; the antennie arc 11-jointed with a loose 3-joiuted club ; the 

 intermediate and posterior coxib are distant, the tarsi are 3-jointed, and 

 the abdomen is composed of three segments ; the wings are fringed with 

 long hairs. 



SPHJERZUS, "Waltl. (Microsporus, KoL). 



Two species are contained in this genus, S. acaroides from Europe, and 

 S. politus from California ; it will, however, probably prove to bo more 

 extensive.* 



S. acaroides, Waltl, (obsidian ns, Kol.). A very minute, round, 

 convex species ; black, glabrous, very shining ; thorax transverse, much 

 broader at base than apex, with sides very little rounded; elytra 

 broadest iu middle ; antennas yellowish in middle ; legs pitchy-brown. 

 L. f mm. 



Ill marshy places, on mud, or under stones nenr water; first taken by Ecv. A. Maf- 

 tlicws at Weston-on-the-Green, Oxfordsliire, in 1845, secondly by Rev. H. Mattliews 

 at Gumley, Leicestershire in 1855, and subsequently in plenty in Wicken Feu, Caui- 

 bridgeshire by Mr. Crotch. 



PHALACaiD^. 



This family consists of some five or six genera of ovate or sub-hemi- 

 spherical convex insects, which are found iu flowers or under bark ; tlio 

 species are very shining and scarcely, if at all, pubescent ; the head is 

 inserted, with the eyes half hidden; the antennte are ll-ioiuted witli 

 club 3-jointed; the thorax is truncate at base, margined at sides ; the 

 mesosternum, which is very short, is eniarginate and receives the pro- 

 longed prosternum ; the anterior coxal cavities arc open behind ; f the 

 tarsi are 5-jointed. 



I. All the tarsi of equal length ; tibife without distinct apical 



spurs; last joint of maxillary palpi slender . ..... VnALACRVS, rn>/7r. 



II. Posterior tarsi longer than the anterior and intermediate 



pairs; tibiae with distinct apical spurs; last joint of 



maxillary palpi oval, 

 i. Metasteruum prolonged beyond intermediate coxaj ; elytra 



with two deeper striaj near suture OlibuTJS, Er. 



ii. Metasteruum not prolonged beyond intermediate coxre ; 



elytra with one deeper stria near suture Stilbus, Seidl. 



* Since I wrote the above Mr. Matthews has icformed me that he has eight or teu 

 undescribed species. 



t Thomson iu error says that they are closed (Skand. Col. i. 05). 



L 2 



