SAW HORNED WOOD-BEETLES. 



99 



E E. Anterior margin of the front slightly elevated, forming a transverse ridge which 

 separates the front from the upper lip. Size sometimes large, but usually medium or 

 small. 

 r. Prosterual sutures single and convex on the outer side ; tarsi slender ; size small : 



Cryptohypnus, 31. 

 F F. Prosternal sutures double and straiglit, or concave on the outward side. 



G. Tarsi simple Elatek, 51. 



G G. Fourth tarsal joint bilobed Monoceepidius, 15. 



G G G. Second and third .joints lobed Dicrepidius, 8. 



C C. Hind coxal plates gradually and but slightly dilated inwardly and often without a sharp 

 posterior angle; claws sometimes pectinate. 



H. Front convex ; mouth inferior Agriotes, 12. 



H H. Front flattened, and with an elevated margin ; mouth anterior. 



I. Claws pectinate ^ Melaxotus, 47. 



I I. Claws simple. 



K. Eyes prominent ; Ist joint of hind tarsi as long as the 2d and 3d united : 



Athous, 25. 



K K. Eyes small; Ist joint of hind tarsi less elongated Limonims, 39. 



H H H. Front flattened, without elevated margin ; mouth anterior. 



L. Size large; color shining black Melanactes, 8. 



L L. Size moderate ; colors various Couymbetes, 93. 



The Elaterides proper constitute an extensive series of comparatively 

 homogeneous insects, the great majority of which are of a uniformly 

 jy^ 43 , brown color, and varying in 



length between one-quarter 

 and three-quarters of an inch; 

 though there are a few large 

 or very large species. The de- 

 termination of the genera ^nd 

 species of this family requires, 

 therefore, an amount of study 

 and an aptness for observa- 

 tions of this kind, which can 

 scarcely be expected from 

 any but professed entomolo- 

 gists. We will only refer to 

 a few species which are re- 

 markable for their size, or 

 for their exceptionally varied 

 coloring. 



Our largest and most strik- 

 ing species is the well known 

 Mater fAlausJ occulatus^ of 

 Linnaius. It is usually nearly 

 an inch and a-half in length, 

 ,"3;;V'i":\ur;;dh:Id' though individuals are not 

 un frequently seen which 

 scarcelv exceed an inch. Its gray color is produced by a dense sprink- 

 lincr o/small whitish spots and lines upon a black ground. These spots 

 are'composed of minute whitish scale-like hairs. But its most conspic- 



Melanactes piceus, DeG.— a, suppo'-i-d lai\ 

 day ; b, same as seen by night ; c, beet 

 and parts ; e, enlarged leg of same — after Riley, 



