144 CUECULIONID^. 



[LeConte. 



the transverse white spot behind the middle is small, and placed nearer the 

 middle than in the other species. Length 5.7 mm. ; .225 inch. 

 One specimen, Lake Superior. 



Tribe IV. CLEO]!«fiJifl. 



The character which distinguishes this from all neighboring tribes, is 

 that the elytra are less extended on the flanks of the metathorax and abdo- 

 men, so that the lateral angles of the first ventral segment become visible. 



The body is never very stout, and frequently is almost linear. The 

 gular peduncle is sometimes short, sometimes long, emargiuate at tip ; 

 mentum large, flat ; ligula feebly or not prominent ; palpi much less de- 

 veloped than in Hylohiiiii. Tibi« more or less mucronate at tip; articular 

 surface lateral; coi'bels wanting; claws connate at base, or at least approxi- 

 mate. AntennsE sometimes feebl}- geniculate ; joints of funicle gradually 

 broader; club elongate oval, annulated, pubescent and sensitive. 



The other cliaracters are variable. The beak is either short and thick, 

 or long and cylindrical; the tarsi are dilated and spongy beneath, with the 

 third joint broad and bilobed, or only hairj^ with the third joint shorter 

 and emarginate. The first and second ventral segments are long and con- 

 nate ; in the elongate species the other segments are moderately long ; in 

 the species with thick short beak they are sliorter. The antennae are in- 

 serted at a variable distance from the tiji of the beak. 



Sexual differences are not apparent in the short beaked species ; in some 

 of the elongate forms the beak is longer in the female. 



Gradational characters are observed in the form of the beak, antennge, 

 tarsi and claws, varying by almost insensible degrees, so as to render the 

 classification of this tribe very difficult. After several eflbrts, I am only 

 able to offer the following table for the identification of the genera I have 

 examined : 



Beak flat, stout, more or less grooved, somewhat dilated at 

 tip ; prothorax angulated on the sides near the tip, then 

 suddenly constricted. Antennae rather stout, feebly 

 geniculated ; ventral segments 3-5 shorter than in the 

 subsequent genera. Tarsi usually not spongy beneath, 

 in which case the third joint is emarginate, not bilobed... 2. 



Beak cylindrical, rather stout, not dilated at tip ; prothorax 

 usually not angulated at the side ; ventral segments 3-5 

 not so short; tarsi usually spongy beneath, claws connate 

 at base , 4, 



Beak cylindrical, varying in length, generally smoother 

 than in the preceding genera; antennae less approximate 

 to the tip; prothorax not angulated at the sides: ventral 

 segment 3-5 not very short ; tarsi spongy beneath, third 

 joint broad, bilobed ; claws connate at base; second joint 

 of funicle equal to first LIXUS. 



