122 CURCULIOXID^E. 



ILeConte. 



chini and Barini. From them the transition is easy to the next sub-family 

 Balaninid* in which the mandibles are still more depressed, and the con- 

 dyle instead of being on the outer side comes to the upper surface, so that 

 the movement is vertical, instead of horizontal as in all other Coleoptera. 



It must also be observed that in certain Phytonomini the interior cusp 

 becomes very small or obsolete, so that the mandibles seem to be only 

 emarginate at tip. They thus approach the two preceding sub-families, 

 but are readily known by not possessing the peculiar characters which dis- 

 tinguish each of them. The beak is not short and flat, and the eyes are 

 not round, as in Sitonidae; the gular margin is not prominent as in Alophi- 

 dae; and the antennae are not straight, nor the claws appendiculate as in 

 Ithyceridse. 



After eliminating the types which seem of sufficient importance to be re- 

 garded as having family or sub-family value, there still remains this vast 

 complex, which presents no difficulty in circumscription. It nevertheless 

 comprehends so many diversified combinations and representations of a 

 few simple characters, and under each so many variations in a few definite 

 directions, that much labor, and very careful observation is necessary to 

 devise a scheme which will enable the genera to be naturally grouped, and 

 easily recognized. 



I believe that the following table will be found sufficient for the proper 

 elucidation of our limited fauna, and perhaps with a certain amount of ex- 

 pansion and modification, may serve as a basis for a general arrangement of 

 the sub-family. 



Front coxae contiguous [except in Pissodes (p. 142), 



Phycocwtes (p. 189), and Miarus (p. 221)] 2. 



Front coxae distant [except in Notolomus (p. 222), 



and Conotrachelus (p. 225)] 14. 



2. Ungues simple; pygidium not exposed 3. 



appendiculate, toothed or cleft, [except in 

 some Magdalis (p. 192), and Cionini (p 219)] 9. 



3. Eyes not contiguous beneath. 4. 



" contiguous beneath, (p. 320) noit >ioii M. 



4. Mandibles bi emarginate, and 3-toothed at tip 5. 



" usually emarginate, 2-toothed at tip, 

 articular surface of at least the hind tibise termi- 

 nal (p. 123) IMIYIOXOtUM. 



5. Tibiae fossorial (p. 137) ESIPHYASTINI. 



" not fossorial 6. 



6. Side pieces of metathorax distinct 7. 



indistinct (p. 190) Tit \< IIOIUM. 



7. Lateral angles of first ventral segment not visible.. s. 



" " " uncovered (p. 144).. < 1,1 OM M. 



7. Mentum transverse, labial palpi large (p. 137) iiviomiM. 



" smaller, " " small (p. 160) i:itiitin M M 



9. Ventral sutures straight 10. 



Ventral sutures angulated at the sides 12. 



