CLASSIFICATION OP THE RHYNCHOPHOROUS COLEOPTERA. 387 



with the other families, and pertaining rather to the Chrj'^somel- 

 idae, with which they have since been associated by most authors. 



The Bruchidae and Anthribidse were characterized by having a 

 distinct labrum ; the Scolytidae by the compressed and dentate 

 tibiae, while the Brenthidae were separated rather by form than 

 by an}' distinct structural character. 



The Curculionidae were then divided according to the size of 

 the mentura, into 



I. Mentum closing the buccal space, and concealing the maxillge 



Adelognathi. 



Eyes rounded, prothoracic lobes indistinct, . . Cyclophthalmes. 



Eyes large, depressed, transverse, narrowed below, prothoracic lobes 



well marked, Oxyophtlialmes. 



II. Mentum smaller, maxillae visible Phanerognathi. 



A. Front coxse contiguous or nearly so, . . . Synmerides. 



a. Pygidlum covered by the elytra; claws not appendiculate. 

 Metasternum short ; episterua narrow ; 

 Gular peduncle wanting : 

 Gular peduncle distinct : 

 Metasternum long ; episterua rather wide : 

 Antennae geniculate : 

 Antennae straight. 



h. Pygidium exposed, or claws appendiculate : 

 Ventral segments not angulated at the sides : 

 " " angulated: 



B. Front coxfc separated by the prosternum, which is frequently 



channelled for the reception of the beak, . Apostasimerides. 



a. Oral oi'gans normal. Club of antennae annulated; 3d 



joint of tarsi bilobed. 

 Mesothoracic epimera not ascending: 



" " ascending. * 



b. Oral organs abnormal; 1st joint of anteunal club usually 



very large, corneous, 3d joint of tarsi rarely bilobed. 

 Pygidium exposed. 



" covered by elytra. 



Each of these divisions contains several tril^es differentiated 

 b}' cliaracters of smaller importance, and not uufrequently in- 

 definite. 



III. The next attempt at a general classification was made by 

 Mr. H. Jekel.* This excellent autlior recognized with great 

 clearness, and defined with tolerable precision, the following eight 



• Annales Ent. Soc. France, 1864, p. 537. Ins. Saundersiana, 155 sqq., 1860. 



