44 THE ORDER OP COl.EOPTERA. 



Subfamily BRACHINIDES. 



This sub-family corresponds to the section of Trimcatipennes of La- 

 treille. The elytra are cut off at the extremity, either straight across, 

 or obliquely, leaving the tip of the abdomen exposed. Oue of the most 

 [Fig. 11. J conspicuous general characters is the marked difference in 

 ^ yl size, and often also in color, between the thorax and the ab- 

 domen, the thorax being usually scarcely wider than the 

 head. The beautiful pectinate claws at the end of the tarsi, 

 so common in this sub family, are not found outside of it in 

 any of our Carabidte, except the genus CaJailnis, in the sub- 

 "^Henu^'lter ^^^^^J ^^ Hari^alides. Other characters have been given in 

 i^ii'-y- the tabular view of sub-families. Most of the species are 



extremely active. Some are found under stones, but those with pecti- 

 nate claws are often seen upon plants and flowers, this structure of their 

 feet probably enabling them to adhere to the hairs or down, or other 

 inequalities uj^on the surface of the foliage. 



The typical genus Brachinus (from the Greek B[<a-/^u}^ to resound^) is 

 remarkable for the faculty which the species have of discharging from 

 the anus a pungent, volatile vapor, accompanied by an audible report, 

 whence they have been denominated homlardiers by the French. 



A. ABteiinaj filiform or setaceous. Abdomen more or less oval. Legs slender. 



B. Thorax more or less heart-shaped, as wide as the head, and with a sharp lateral margin. 

 C. Antennaj setaceous, first joint as long as second and third united ; the second nearly as 

 long as the third. Form oblong ; size rather large ; thorax reddish, and elytra blue or 



black GALERrrA, 5 sp. 



C C. Antennae filiform, first joint moderate, second much shorter than the third. 

 D. Tarsal claws simple. Abdominal segments seven or eight. Color reddish yellow, with 



blue ely tia Brachlnus, 38 



D D. Tarsal claws pectinate. Abdominal segments six. Colors various. 

 E. Paljji slender. Thorax sub-orbicular or sub-quadrate. 



F. Thorax roundish, -wider than long ; abdomen broad oval ; colors usually bright and 



variegated Lebia, :J2 



F F. Thorax squarish, longer than wide ; abdomen oblong-oval ; color blackish: 



Dko.mius, 13 

 E E. Labial palpi ending in a widened hatchet-shaped joint. Thorax heart-shaped ; abdo- 

 men oblong-oval. 



G. Body glabious. Colors brilliant Calleida, 11 



G G. Body more or less haiiy. Colors obscure C ymindis, 23 



B B. Thorax elongate and slender, much narrower than the head, and without a lateral margin. 

 Claws simple. 



H. Thorax spindle-shaped. Abdomen oval, convex, tarsi simple. Colors black 



and red Casxoxia, -2 



H H. Thorax nearly parallel; abdomen oblong, parallel, and depressed ; penultimate 

 joint of tarsi deejjly bilobed. Elytra not truncated. Color brownish : 



LErTOTllACIIELU.S, 1 



A A. Anteun;p robust, sub-moniliform, and somewhat widened and compressed towards the tip. 

 Body elongated, parallel and depressed. Legs rather short and robust. Color brown : 



Bklluo.morvha, 6 



Galerita janus, Fab., is a fine and not uncommon species. The head 

 is black; thorax and legs reddish-yellow, and elytra indigo-blue. 

 Bracliinus fumans, Fab., nearly half an inch in length, with indigo 



