186 CLAVICORNIA. \_Cuhjdiid(S. 



fungi ; they appear to be much more characteristic of tropical than of 

 temperate countries, and as only a few outlying fragments of the family 

 are found in Britain, no attempt need be made to discuss their classifica- 

 tion ; for convenience sake they may be divided into the following tribes ; 

 with regard to the characters, different authors make very contradictory 

 statements ; as regards the anterior coxal cavities, for example, some 

 speak of them as open behind, while others, referring to the same genera, 

 say distinctly that they are closed behind ; the fact seems to be that 

 some genera have them so narrowly closed, that, unless they are carefully 

 examined, they appear to be open ; the same confusion also exists with 

 regard to the relative length of the joints of the tarsi. Dr. Horn 

 regards the Colydiina, which contain in our fauna Golydium and Aglenus, 

 as distinct from the Deretaphrina, containing Teredas and Oxi/hemvs ; 

 they are, however, not sufHciently distinct to be separated, and I have 

 followed Dr. Sharp in including them all under the Deretaphrina. 



I. Autenna3 inserted under a distinct frontal ridge ; form more 

 or less elongate or oblong. 

 i. Last joint of labial palpi not acicular. 



1. Anterior coxae slightly separated ; posterior coxa} con- 



tiguous. 



A. First ventral segment of abdomen plaii.ly longer tban 



second Deretapheina. 



B. First ventral segment of abdomen about equal to 



second Synchitina. 



2. All the coxffi distant Langelandiina. 



ii. Last joint of Libial palpi very small, acicular Cerylonina. 



IL Antennaj inserted on the forehead ; form ovate Mubmidiina, 



DERETAPHRINA. 



Of this tribe four out of the five known European genera are British, 

 the fifth genus Aulonium being found in Central Europe ; with tlie 

 exception of Aglenus (which is local in manure-heaps, tan-pits, &c.), 

 they are found under bark or in burrows of wood-boring insects, and are 

 among our very rarest Coleoptera. 



I. Antennae 11-jointed, club 3-jointed. 



i. Eyes absent ; size smaller ; palpi with the last joint oblong- 

 ovate, truncate at apex Aglknus, Er. 



ii. Eyes present ; size larger; palpi with the last joint sub- 



securiforra Coly'dium, Gyll. 



II. Antennae 11-jointed, club distinctly 2-jointed Teredus, Shuck. 



HI. Antenna; apparently 10-jointed with the club solid, but in- 

 cluding the eleventh joint, which is visible at apex .... OxxiJiMXJS, Er. 



AGZiENUS, Erichson. 



One European species is contained in this genus, which has been 

 described under different names from Britain, France, Austria, &c. ; it is 



