460 CLASSIFICATION OF THE RHTNCHOPHOROUS COLEOTTERA. 



The beak is short and stout, channelled above, feebly emavginate 

 at tip, with the antennal grooves narrow and deep, running ob- 

 liquely below the eyes, which are transverse and pointed below. 

 The mandibular scar is small and triangular, not prominent. I 

 have not seen the deciduous piece, but suppose it to be small, short 

 and pyramidal. The mentum is retracted leaving a deep cavity, 

 from the hind margin of which projects the gula in a small emar- 

 ginate prominence, much like the mentum-tooth in certain Cara- 

 bidoe. The prothorax is broadly rounded at base, with the hind 

 angles nearly rectangular ; the postocular lobes are large,- and the 

 front margin of the prosternuni is nearly squarely truncate, so as, 

 to make a rounded right angle with the outline of the postocular 

 lobe. The front coxae are contiguous, the side pieces of the meta- 

 thorax narrow, distinct ; the ventral segments 1st, 2d and 5th long, 

 3d and 4th short ; 1st and 2d sutures feebl}^ sinuate, but in reverse 

 directions. Legs moderate, tibiae with a small terminal spur at 

 the inner side ; tarsi with 3d joint broadly bilobed, claws approx- 

 imate, but not connate. 



A singularly isolated type, seeming to have no relations with 

 any other in our fauna. 



CURCULIONID^. 



After thus separating the families above defined, there remains 

 a vast complex of genera having the sexual characters of this 

 series, the antennae geniculate (with rare exceptions), the club 

 always oval pointed and annulated, uniformly pubescent ; the 

 mandibles without deciduous piece, usually 3-toothed at tip, which 

 is perpendicular. The mentum is always small or moderate in size, 

 not concealing the maxillae, and inserted upon a more or less elon- 

 gated gular peduncle. The beak varies in form, as will be pointed' 

 out under the respective tribes ; the antennal grooves rarely ex- 

 tend to the front extremit}' of the beak (as in all the members 

 of Otiorlwnchidffi), but commence at a greater or less distance 

 from the tip (except in Sitonini). The front coxsq are either 

 contiguous or separated ; the side pieces of the metathorax are 

 always distinct : the pygidium is either covered by the elytra, or 

 exposed. 



The following principal divisions may be established : 



A. Antennal grooves extending to the base of the mandibles, gular pe- 

 duncle broad,^alOt emarginate ; {Brachi/rhynchi). 



