LeConte.J 



TACHYGONI.X 1 . 2(35 



one-fourth the length, densely clothed with white scales; k-irs >1< ndcr, 

 sparsely clothed with scales; thighs feebly toothed, the hind pair m< in- 

 distinctly; antenna? black, rather stout, first joint only of funicle elongated. 

 Length 3.8 mm. ; .15 inch. 



.New York; several specimens in Mr. Hike's collection, of which he has 

 kindly given me one. 



Tribe XVII. i v< H Y;OMM. 



This tribe contains a few small species, which in form and characters are 

 among the strangest insects of the family. The body is broadly ovat <-. rut 1 un- 

 depressed above, and ornamented with tufts of hair; the prothorax is com- 

 paratively small, much narrowed in front. The head is small, the eyes 

 large, and the front very narrow, as in Zygopini; the beak is rather short 

 and stout, as in certain Ceutorhynchini, and retracted upon the prosternum, 

 but the antennae are straight, inserted near the base of the beak, not genicu- 

 late, and the first joint (scape), is no longer than the second; this is followed 

 by five short joints, gradually increasing in width; the club is elongate-oval, 

 distinctly annulated. The front coxae are sub-conical, prominent and widely 

 separated, so as to leave a space in which the beak rests when retracted. 

 The middle coxa3 are about three times more separated than the front coxae, 

 and the mesosternum is very short, transverse, and perpendicular to the 

 general surface of the metasternum, which is still wider. The side pieces 

 of the mesosternum are large and distinct, those of the metasternum are 

 narrow. The hind coxae are oval, more widely separated than in any 

 other tribe known to me, and near the side margin of the elytra. The first 

 and second ventral segments are very large and connate; the third and 

 fourth very short ; the fifth is nearly as long as the second, rounded behind. 

 The pygidium is exposed, and suddenly declivous at tip, presenting the ap- 

 pearance of an anal segment in both sexes. The front and middle legs are 

 slender and moderate in length, the tibiae armed with a terminal hook; 

 the third joint of the tarsi is very widely dilated, the fourth joint as long as 

 the first, with divaricate and appendiculate ungues. The hind leg* an- 

 much longer and stouter, so as to clasp the leaves upon which the insect 

 rests. 



The geographical distribution is remarkable; a few species of Tachygonus 

 in America; one species of Dinorhopala in Birmah. This fact, and the 

 extraordinary characters above detailed, indicate the preservation of an an- 

 cient form, which, although having the affinities I have mentioned, is 

 equally out of place in any position in a linear arrangement. 



TACHYGONUS Sch. 



The characters of this genus are sufficiently exposed in the description 

 of the tribe. Our species are four, which may be thus distinguished: 



A. Hind thighs armed with several long, acute spinules or teeth; hind tib- 

 iae flattened and curved, feebly toothed on outer margin. 



PROC. AMER. PHILOS. SOC. XV. 96. 2H 



