LAMELLICORN DUNG-BEETLES. 



85 



is one of the white grubs, and is often found in old rotted manure. Cyclo- 

 cephala, Latr., forms a connectiii};' link between this fainily and the Jin- 

 telidie, all the species being of medium size, of a light-yellowish color, 

 and with the head and thorax wholly unarmed. In its general aspect, 

 therefore, it resembles the latter; but it wants the inequality of the 

 tarsal claws, which is the most distinctive character of the Kutelidie, 

 whilst the clypeus is almost consolidated with the front, and thelabrurn 

 is hidden beneath it as in the Dynastidte. 



Family XXZI. MELOLONTHID^. 



This is much the most luimerous family of Lauiellicorns in the North 

 American fauna. They can be easily distinguished, for the most part, 



by their oblong, somewhat 

 cylindrical form, their u n i - 

 formly brown color, and by 

 the hooks of the tarsi, whi(!h 

 are of equal length, and bitid 

 or forked at the extremity. 

 The genus Meloh)iitiia pi'oper, 

 (I*olyi>hyl]a, Ilariis,) differs 

 from all our other Lamelli- 

 conis in liaving seven leafets 

 iji the club of the antenna; of 

 the males, and live in those of 

 the females, whilst almost al! 

 Lainellicorns have but three 

 i.Hv,,..nr„ ^.■.A (LA,nNc,sTEKNA) Kt:scA, Frohi ; ...-iCKCNA, iu both sexes. They also dif- 



Kn.:-1 imi.M in its eartl.en cell ; 2, larva; 3, 4, beetle, ^ ^^.^j^^ ^j,^. majority of Mclo- 

 sidc, aud back view— after Kiley. •' •' 



lonthides in being ornamented with spots or stripes which are produced 

 by prostrate white hairs. The species of the genus Hoplia are also 

 variegated with patches of minute white scales ; and Macrodactylus, 

 with scales of an ochreous color. The bilid tips of the hooks at the end 

 of the tarsi can be easily seen with a simple lens, and furnish one of 

 tlie most distinctive characters of this sub family. The tarsal hooks of 

 lloplia, however, are anomalous. The hind feet have but a single 

 hook which is generally entire ; in the four anterior feet the hooks are 

 double as usual, but unequal, the outer one being larger and bifid at 

 the tips. This genus is also peculiar in having l)ut one spur at the end 

 of the tibia^. The remarkable genus Lichnanthe is regarded by some as 

 forming the type of a distinct sub-family. 



