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CHAPTER XX. 



THE PSETJDOTKIMERA. 



THIS, the last section of British beetles, contains a num- 

 ber of families of very different structure, but uniting 

 in the apparent possession of three joints only to the 

 tarsi. They are, however, really composed of four 

 joints ; the second, which is bilobed, receiving the very 

 minute third, and the base of the apical joint. It should, 

 however, be remarked that many of the families intro- 

 duced into this section are, in spite of their want of 

 tarsal development, placed by numerous authors among 

 the preceding sections; in some cases with apparent 

 reason. 



According to the usually- received classification in 

 this country the Pseudotrimera are composed of eight 

 families; the Erotylidcs, Coccinellidcs, Endomychidae, 

 CorylophiddR, SpfKEriadce, Trichopterygid&j Lathridiadce, 

 and Pselaphidce. 



The EROTYLID^E, which in reality have pseud otetra- 

 merous tarsi, are yet associated with the Coccinellida 

 and Endomychidce, as much on account of their habits 

 as their general structure and appearance. Their an- 

 tennae have a large three-jointed flattened club, and 

 their maxillary palpi terminate in a very large clavate 



