LeConte.] 



CURCULIOXID^:. 1 1 3 



This family is by far the largest in the Rhynchophora, and therefore ex- 

 hibits a greater range of variation in some of the important organs than 

 can be seen in the other families. Certain of the most remarkable diver- 

 gences from the average type may, however, be separated as sub-families,- 

 exhibiting relationships with other families, without losing the essential 

 diameters of this family ; that is to say, the mandibles without scar, the 

 tarsi with the third joint more or less dilated, not spinous beneath, the an- 

 tenna 1 with annulated or articulated club. 



Of such sub-families I recognize five in our fauna ; all of very limited 

 extent, except the Curculionidce (genuini). 



They may be separated as follows : 



A. Condyles of mandibles on outer side, motion lateral. 



Mandibles stout, feebly emarginate at tip, 

 with the inner edge sharp; gular pedun- 

 cle broad; beak short, broad SITONID-33. 



Mandibles without sharp inner edge ; appa- 

 rently emarginate at tip, with an addi- 

 tional cusp: 



Antennae geniculate; gular margin promi- 

 nent, peduncle and mentum retracted, ALOPHID^J. 

 Antennae straight, gular margin not promi- 

 nent; claws toothed (p. 120) ITHYCERIDJE. 



Mandibles varying in form, usually 3-toothed, 

 sometimes oblique without teeth*, gular 

 margin not prominent, peduncle usually 

 long (p. 121) CTJRCULIONID^. 



B. Condyles of mandibles on upper side, motion 



vertical (p. 321) BALANINID^I. 



Sub-family I. SITONIDvE. 



The species of this sub- family have been heretofore classed with the 

 Otiorhyndiide group Naupacti. They differ, however, essentially by 

 family characters ; the mandibles are short, very stout, with the outer side 

 convex, roughly punctured, and quite destitute of the apical scar which 

 indicates the deciduous cusp ; they are broadly emarginate at tip, and 

 the inner edge is acute. These insects are easily known from other Curcu- 

 lionidnp by the mentum larger, more quadrate, slightly concave, and sup- 

 ported on a broad, but not long, gular peduncle. The maxillae are exposed 

 as in the- lower Otiorhynchida?, and as in all Curculionida?, and it therefore 

 seems singular that Lacordaire should have classed them with his Adelog- 

 nathes Oydophthalmes, without noting the exception in this respect which 

 they make in common with Cratopus and Elytrodon.\ The condyle of 



* In 7)f.v// ( >/-/.v they arc also toothed on the outer edge as in Rhynchitidse. 

 t Ii<-"i-il;'.::v. 'Jen. Col. vi. V\ note. 



PROC. AMER. PHI LOS. SOC. XV. 96. O 



