192 MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



hind into a compressed spine which fits into 

 a groove in front of mesothorax ; tarsi rather 

 long and slender. Possess the power of spring- 

 ing when laid on their backs ; creep slowly ; 

 fall to the ground on approach of danger; 

 colours dingy. 



IX. SUB-ORDER. SOFT-SKINNED SERRICORN-BEETLES 

 (Malacodermata). 



Antennae usually elongate, more or less serrated 

 or pectinate, the last three joints often produced or 

 clavate ; head deflexed, usually deeply inserted into 

 thorax ; thorax semicircular or cylindric ; body soft, 

 depressed, usually elongate or cylindrical; legs rather 

 long. 



48. FAMILY. Flabellicorn- Beetles (Cebrionidse). 

 Antennae pectinate or flabellate in males ; 

 palpi filiform ; labium short ; mandibles 

 strong, curved, entire at tip, exposed ; head 

 small, inclined ; body hard, convex, deflexed 

 in front ; legs not contractile, nor formed for 

 leaping. Found in forests on low plants, 

 feeding on leaves and stems; fly and walk 

 slowly. 



4-9. FAMILY. Reed-Beetles (Cyphonidae). Antennas 

 filiform, sometimes subserrated ; maxillary 

 palpi filiform, labial furcate ; mandibles con- 

 cealed ; body soft, hemispheric, ovate or de- 

 pressed ; elytra flexible ; head very small. 

 Colours dull ; found among reeds and plants 

 in damp situations; fly and run with agility. 



