CLASSIFICATION OF THE RHTNCHOPHOROUS COLEOPTERA. 467 



the peculiar arrangement of the last ventral segment, which is 

 prolonged upwards along the whole lateral and apical margin, so 

 that the pygidium is confined entirely to the dorsal surface, and, 

 as it were, surrounded by this sharp edge. 



The mouth is normal in form, the gular peduncle emarginate, 

 the mentum moderate in size, prominent, buccal fissures broad, 

 maxillae exposed. Mandibles stout, curved, convex on the outer 

 face, toothed on the inner side. Beak short, or almost wanting, 

 antennae short, geniculate, club usually solid, annulated on one or 

 both sides, base usually smooth and corneous for a greater or less 

 extent ; rarely (Phloeotribus) the club is lamellated. Eyes usually 

 large and transverse. 



Front coxae usually contiguous and subconical, hind coxae large, 

 not widel}' separated ; tibiae compressed, usually serrate on the 

 outer edge, terminal spur large ; tarsi sub-pentamerous, not spongy 

 beneath, 3d joint sometimes narrow, sometimes dilated ; 4th joint 

 usually rudimentary, sometimes (Platypus) quite distinct, last joint 

 long, claws simple, separate, strong. 



The ventral segments are not very unequal in length, and the 

 suture between the 1st and 2d is straight and well marked, the 5tb 

 is frequently the longest ; the intercoxal process of the 1st is usu 

 ally acute. 



The dorsal segments are membranous, the pj^gidium is small 

 and horizontal, covered by the elytra : the last spiracle is visible ; 

 the lateral upward prolongations of the ventral segments are well 

 marked, and furnished with a sharp edge, continued even to the 

 tip of the 5th segmeut. The lateral fold of the elytra is conse- 

 quently well marked, the groove narrow and deep, gradually ob- 

 literated, but not wider toward the tip. 



Two sub-families are indicated, Platypodidae and Scolytidae, the 

 1st with the basal joint of the tarsi very long, and the 4th dis- 

 tinct; the latter with the 1st joint shorter than the others united, 

 and the 4th joint less developed.* 



The synonymy of our species will probably present much diffi- 

 culty, and the number is by no means that indicated by the names 



* On p. 309, of vol. vii of the Genera lies ('oleopteres, Lacordaire has established a 

 tribe Eutomides, which differs from all the otliers in having the flanks of the prothoi-ax 

 separate from the in-onotum by a distinct edge; and the mass of the antenna; com- 

 posed of 7 lamellate joints. These cliaracters arc so foreign to the Rhynchophora, that 

 I cannot help suspecting that these insects have been misplaced. I sought for speci- 

 mens in all of the lai-go European collections which I visited, but without success. 



