LcConte.] CURCULIOXII)^, 113 



This family is by far the largest in tlie Rhi/nchophora, and therefore cx- 

 liibits a greater range of variation in some of the important organs than 

 can be seen in the other families. Certain of the most remarkable divex 

 gences from the average type may, however, be separated as subfamilies, 

 exhibiting relationships vv^ith other families, without losing the essential 

 characters of this family ; that is to say, the mandibles without scar, the 

 tarsi with the third joint more or less dilated, not spinous beneath, the an- 

 tenna? with annulated or articulated club. 



Of such sub-families I recognize five in our fauna ; all of very limited 

 extent, except the CurcuUonida' {genuini). 



They may be separated as follows : 



A. Condyles of mandibles on outer side, motion lateral. 



Mandibles stout, feebly emarginate at tip, 

 with the inner edge sharp; gular pedun- 

 cle broad; beak short, broad SITONIDiE. 



Mandibles without sharp inner edge ; appa- 

 rently emarginate at tip, with an addi- 

 tional cusp: 

 Antennse geniculate; gular margin promi- 

 nent, peduncle and mentum retracted. ALOPHID-ffi. 

 Antennae straight, gular margin not promi- 

 nent; claws toothed (p. 120) ITHYCERIDJE. 



Mandibles varying in form, usually S-toothed, 

 sometimes oblique without teetli", gular 

 margin not prominent, peduncle usually 

 long (p. 121) CUROULIONID^. 



B. Condyles of mandibles on upper side, motion 



vertical (p. 321) BALANINIDJE. 



Sub-family I. SITONID^. 



The s])ecies of this sub-family have been heretofore classed with the 

 Otiorlij-^nchide group JVaupacti. They differ, however, essentially by 

 family characters ; the mandibles are short, ver}' stout, with the outer side 

 C(mvex, roughly punctured, and quite destitute of the apical scar which 

 indicates the deciduous cusp ; they are broadly emarginate al tip, and 

 the inner edge is acute. These insects are easily known from other Curcu- 

 lionidse by the mentum larger, more quadrate, slightly concave, and sup- 

 ported on a broad, but not long, gular peduncle. The maxill* are exposed 

 us in the lower Otiorhynchida', and as in all Curculionid;e, and it therefore 

 seems singular that Lacordaire should have classed them with liis Adelog- 

 nathes Cyclophthalmcs, without noting the exception in this resjiect which 

 they make in common with Cralojjns and Kljjtrodoii,.\ The condyle of 



* In Desmoris they are also toothed on Mio outer edge a.s in KliyiicliitiiUc. 

 t Lacordaire, Gen. Cf)l. vi, 1''. note. 



PROC. AMER. PHII.OS. SOC. XV. 96. 



