468 CLASSIFICATION OF THE RHTNCHOPHOROUS COLEOPTERA. 



in the catalogues. The only connected series of descriptions is 

 contained in the synopsis by Dr. Zimmermann, with an appendix 

 by myself,* in which ditferential characters are given for the defi- 

 nition and distinction of each species. Many of the same have 

 been described by Mr. Eichotf,t with diagnoses only, and no com- 

 parative or ditferential characters. For their identification, there- 

 fore, comparison of specimens will be necessary, or the completion 

 of the promised monograph of the family from the hands of that 

 author must be awaited. 



ANTHRIBIDJE. 



In this family of the Rhynchophora there is as near an approach 

 to the normal Coleoptera as is observed in Rhinomaceridie, the 

 first family herein defined. 



The beak is short or moderate, depressed above, with the an- 

 tenna inserted in fove* or short grooves which are usuall}^ lateral, 

 rarely (Choragus, etc.) on the upper face ; the antennae are not 

 geniculate, with 11 distinct joints, rarely (Ilormiscus) but 10: 

 the scape is not elongated. The labrum is quite distinct ; the 

 mouth is normal in structure, the gular peduncle large and deeply 

 emarginate, with the raentum and ligula received in the emargi- 

 nation, the maxilla? are exposed and have two distinct lobes, 

 a character unknown in the preceding families, except in some 

 Plat3'podidcB ; mandibles flattened, curved and acute at tip, toothed 

 on the inner side. Eyes large, rather finely' granulated, rounded 

 or emarginate. The front coxae are contiguous or narrowly sep- 

 arated, rounded ; the pronotum is sharpl}' margined behind, and 

 the margin is frequently distant from the base, curved forwards at 

 the sides. The side pieces of the metasternum are distinct. The 

 ventral segments are neai'ly equal, and rather closely connected, 

 except the 5th which is free : tlie lateral prolongations are rather 

 wide, not imbricated, and the sharp edge is well marked. The 

 dorsal segments are membranous, except the pygidium which is 

 rather large, deflexed and only partly covered by the elytra ; the 

 last spiracle is large and visible when the elytron is raised ; the 

 base of the p3'gidium is ver}' deeply notched (so that the uncov- 

 ered part appears slightly emarginate), and the sutural edge of 

 the elytra (which is grooved for its whole extent) is bent down 



* Trans. Am. But. Soc, ii, 141, Sept., 1868. 

 t Berliner Ent. Zeitschrift, 1868 et sqq. 



