64 SERRICORNIA. [ 



noarly always serrate ; posterior angles of thorax not produced ; abdomen 

 with the first and second ventral segments connate ; anterior trochanters 

 large and free ; surface more often metallic than in the succeeding 

 families, often very brilliant. 



Throscidae. Antennae inserted on the front, received in grooves 

 beneath ; eleven-jointed, sometimes serrate, sometimes, as in our single 

 genus, with a serrate, three-jointed club ; prosternum with an anterior 

 rounded lobe protecting the mouth ; first and second abdominal seg- 

 ments not connate, though closely connected ; posterior angles of thorax 

 more or less produced ; prothorax firmly articulated with the mesothorax ; 

 anterior trochanters not marked ; front coxal cavities closed behind by 

 the mesosternum ; insects small, not brightly coloured or conspicuous, 

 without the power of leaping when placed on their back. 



Eucnemidae. Distinguished from the preceding by having the 

 prothorax somewhat loosely articulated with the mesothorax, and the 

 fact that its members have the power of leaping when placed on their 

 back at all events slightly developed ; closely allied to the Elateridae, 

 but separated by having the antennae inserted at the inner margin of the 

 eyes and the labrum concealed ; the species are larger and more con- 

 spicuous than in the Throscidae. 



Elateridae. Antennae pectinate, serrate, or somewhat filiform, in- 

 serted immediately before eyes ; labrum visible and free ; prothorax 

 very loosely articulated with the mesothorax, so that the power of leap- 

 ing when the insects are placed on their backs is strongly developed in 

 by far the majority of cases ; thorax with the posterior angles more or 

 less produced ; front coxal cavities open behind, but entirely prosternal ; 

 anterior trochanters not conspicuous ; abdomen composed of five ventral 

 segments, which are free, or apparently free, the front two being some- 

 times closely connected, but not connate ; legs comparatively short, 

 retractile ; size and colour very variable ; in many cases, however, the 

 species are large, and often brilliantly metallic. 



MALACODERMATA. 



Dascillidae. Antennae filiform, very rarely serrate, not thickened 

 at apex ; labrum distinct ; anterior coxal cavities open behind ; posterior 

 coxae immoveable, receiving the femora ; elytra not striated, covering 

 the abdomen ; abdomen composed of five ventral segments. 



Ziycidae. Antennae often pectinate, always more or less serrate ; 

 trochanters not applied to femora, but in a line with them ; anterior 

 coxae long, with distinct trochantins ; abdomen consisting of seven 

 ventral segments, which are simple in both sexes ; intermediate coxae 

 <listinct; claws simple. 



Ziampyridae. Very closely allied to the preceding, but with the 



