112 



[LeConte. 



on each side of the middle. Elytra less elongate than in pulcher, densely 

 scaly, scales cupreous; a broad, black stripe on each side of the suture much 

 confused at tip, lateral black stripe much more confused or even absent. 

 Scutellum oval. Length .28 inch; 7 mm. 



The above notes give the differences between this species and the pre- 

 ceding. It is always less elongate and more robust. 



Occurs in Louisiana. 



Family VI. CUKCULIOOTD^L 



Mentum varying in size, never concealing the base of the maxillae, larger 

 in the first sub-families and tribes, smaller and oval in those last placed in 

 this memoir, ligula and palpi also varying in size. 



Maxilke exposed, palpi short, 4-jointed, rigid. 



Mandibles varying according to sub-family and tribe, as mentioned 

 below, but never with an apical scar. 



Antennae inserted at the side of the beak, varying in position, usually 

 geniculate (only feebly so in Ithycerus, Cleonini, Piazorhinus, and Tachy- 

 gonus), with the scape long, (short in Ithycerus, Piazorhinus, and Tachy- 

 gonus); funiculus with from 5-7 joints ; club composed of three joints 

 and a terminal appendix, annulated, rarely articulated, and then divided 

 into three joints ; surface usually entirely sensitive, rarely (Pissodes, 

 Lissorhoptus, Eurhoptus, Saris,) with the basal joint shining. 



Head globose, eyes usually transverse, sometimes round ; beak varying 

 in form and length, labrum wanting. 



Prothorax varying in form, without lateral sutures separating the pro- 

 sternum ; coxal cavities confluent or separate, enclosed behind. 



Mesostcrnum variable in width, side pieces differently divided according 

 to tribe, never attaining the coxal cavity. Metasternum variable in length, 

 side pieces sometimes broad, sometimes narrow, indistinct only in Tracho- 

 des. 



Elytra without epipleurse, but with an acute fold on the inner surface, 

 limiting a deep groove in which the superior edge of the abdomen fits ; 

 pygidium sometimes covered, sometimes exposed. 



Abdomen with five ventral segments, first and second closely connate ; 

 pygidium of male divided so as to form an anal segment. 



Front coxae rounded, sometimes contiguous, sometimes distant ; middle 

 coxo3 rounded, more or less separated ; hind coxae oval, not prominent, 

 more or less distant, sometimes attaining the elytral margin, but usually 

 entirely enclosed 



Legs variable ; tibiae usually mucronate, or hooked at tip; sometimes 

 (especially the hind pair) truncate. Tarsi usually dilated, with the third 

 joint bilobed and spongy beneath, rarely narrow. Claws varying accord- 

 ing to tribe, either simple or toothed, diverging and moveable, or fixed and 

 approximate ; sometimes connate, and rarely single (Brachybamus, Mono- 

 nychus, Barilepton}, entirely wanting in some foreign genera. 



