CLASSIFICATIOX OF THE RHTNCHOPHOROUS COLF.OPTERA. 455 



very numerous, the representation in North America is but small, 

 and that the highest form, Otiorhj'nchus, exists on this continent 

 only as a few species imported with and parasitic on fruit trees, in 

 the Atlantic States. 



On examining closelj' the part of the head adjacent to the eyes, 

 a small oblique suture will be seen extending downwards from the 

 anterior inferior part; if this fissure is entirely closed, the eye is 

 round, as in the majority of the genera ; if it is open the eje be- 

 comes more or less pointed at that part, and finally assumes the 

 transverse, acuminate form observed in Ophr3'astes, etc. My at- 

 tention was first directed to this peculiarity, by observing that in 

 the few species of Otiorhynchus now domiciled in the United 

 States, there are quite perceptible differences in the form of the 

 ej-es, which are more rounded in 0. arcticus, and more pointed in 

 0. ligneus. In Agraphus this fissure is more distinct, and the 

 eye is accordingly more pointed. 



The groups of Otiorhynchini are distinguished b}' the tarsal 

 ungues and antennfe, as follows : 



Ungues separate ; 



Antennae long and slender, Otiorlij^uchi. 



Antennae thicker, Trachyphloel. 



Ungues connate at base, Periteli. 



The tribe Brachyderini as here limited is by no means that de- 

 fined by Lacordaire under the same name. I have removed from 

 it various groups' having the humeri distinct, which will be found 

 below and under Tanymecini ; Sitones and its allies, do not even 

 belong to this family, but will be found among the first Curculion- 

 idae, where the simple mandibles and small mentum entitle them 

 to be placed. 



• Thus diminished, the tribe, as represented in our fauna, indicates 

 but two* groups, distinguished by the form of the beak : 



Beak longer than the head, feebly auriculate, antenna! grooves com- 

 mencing on the upper surface ; support of deciduous piece very 

 prominent, eyes coarsely granulated, somewhat pointed beloAV. 

 ^ Amompui. 



Beak scarcely longer than the head, not auriculate, support of decid- 

 uous piece very prominent; eyes finely granulated, subemargiuate 

 in front Gkoxo.mi. 



The first group is represented bj' a single undescribed species 

 from Colorado ; the accessor}- mandibular pieces are short, pjTam- 

 idal, obtuse, and slightlj' curved. 



