54 CLAVICORNIA. [Chuleciita. 



the case ; the upper surface is finely pubescent, and the elytra are usually 

 transversely strigose. 



I. 8th joint of antennas distinctly smaller than 7th and 9th ; 



abdomen with six free ventral segments. 



i. Last joint of maxillary palpi as long as the preceding ; 

 tarsi all 5-jointcd ; antennae variable, filiform or 

 clavate CHOLETA, Latr. 



ii. Last joint of maxillary palpi short, subulate. 



1. Antennas short and stout with gradual club ; tarsi 



all 5-jointed ; eyes large CATOPS, Payk. 



2. Antennae rather long, thickened gradually to apex, 

 but without club ; tarsi 4- 5- 5-jointed j eyes very 



small BATHYSCIA, Schiodte. 



II. 8th joint of antennaa not smaller than 7th and 9th; 



abdomen with five free segments (sometimes four only 



in female) COLON, Herbst. 



CHOLEVA, Latreille. 



The genus Choleva, or, as it used to be called, Catops, contains more 

 than a hundred species, the majority of which are found in Europe and 

 the adjacent countries ; representatives, however, are known from North 

 and South America (Caraccas, Chili, &c.), and also from Tasmania, and 

 it is probable that the genus is very widely distributed ; they are of a 

 dull black or fuscous, occasionally red-brown colour, and are found 

 chiefly in the carcases of birds or small animals, or in fungi ; a few live 

 in ants' nests ; they are exceedingly active in their movements and are 

 in many cases soft and fragile, so that care is required in their preserva- 

 tion, and they should, if possible, be mounted soon after their capture ; 

 they may be distinguished from Colon by the small eighth joint of the 

 antennse, and by their abdomen having six distinct segments instead of 

 five ; in many points, such as length and stoutness of antennae, pubes- 

 cence, size, shape, dilatation of tarsi in male, &c., they differ considerably, 

 and in consequence have been divided into several genera by Thomson 

 and others ; one of these, Catops, Payk, is evidently distinct, but it 

 seems better to consider the others as at the most sub-genera ; the species 

 vary considerably in size (from 1 or If to 5mm.), and are of an oval or 

 oblong-oval form, with more or less distinct fine pubescence ; the elytra 

 are, as a rule, very finely sculptured, and, except in the first sub-genus, 

 the striie, with the exception of the sutural stria, are either entirely 

 wanting or very obsolete. 



The larva of C.fusca is described and figured by Schiodte, I. p. 36, PI. x., Fig. 1 ; it 

 is broad in front and much narrowed behind, pale, with the corneous parts fuscous; 

 the head is small, about one-fourth as broad as the prothorax ; the antennae* are longer 

 than the head and have the second joint elongate ; the prothorax is large and ample, 

 considerably rounded in front, longer than either mcso- or metathorax, but of equal 

 breadth wLh these segments; the abdominal segments are all considerably narrower 

 than the thoracic segments, and gradually decrease in size; the ninth is much 

 narrower than the eighth, and bears two very long slender cerci ; the anal appendage 

 is cylindrical, longer than the ninth segment ; legs long ajid slender ; the dorsal 



