dlK.] CLAVICORNIA. 117 



SPHJERIID^E. 



This family contains one genus, SpJicvrius, which is closely allied to the 

 Trichopterygidae on the one hand and the Corylophidaa on the other ; the 

 form is very small, round, convex, and glabrous ; the maxilla? have only 

 one lobe ; the antennae are 11-jointed with a loose 3-jointed club ; the 

 intermediate and posterior coxae are distant, the tarsi are 3-jointed, and 

 the abdomen is composed of three segments ; the wings are fringed with 

 long hairs. 



SPH2ERXUS, WaltL (Microsporus, Kol.). 



Two species are contained in this genus, S. acaroides from Europe, and 

 S. politas from California ; it will, however, probably prove to be more 

 extensive.* 



S. acaroides, Waltl. (obsidianus, Kol.). A very minute, round, 

 convex species ; black, glabrous, very shining ; thorax transverse, much 

 broader at base than apex, with sides very little rounded; elytra 

 broadest in middle ; antennas yellowish in middle ; legs pitchy -brown. 

 L. f- mm. 



In marshy places, on mud, or under stones near water ; first taken by Rev. A. Mat- 

 thews at Weston-on-the-Green, Oxfordshire, in 1815, secondly hy Rev. H. Matthews 

 at Gumley, Leicestershire in 1855, aud subsequently in plenty in Wicken Pen, Cam- 

 bridgeshire by Mr. Crotch. 



This family consists of some five or six genera of ovate or sub-hemi- 

 spherical convex insects, which are found in flowers or under bark; the 

 species are very shining and scarcely, if at all, pubescent ; the head is 

 inserted, with the eyes half hidden; the antenna? are 11-jointed with 

 club 3-jointed; the thorax is truncate at base, margined at sides ; the 

 mesosternum, which is very short, is emarginate and receives the pro- 

 longed prostemum ; the anterior coxal cavities are open behind ; -j- the 

 tarsi are 5-jointed. 



I. All the tarsi of equal length ; tibite without distinct apical 



spurs; last joint of maxillary palpi slender ...... PHALACRUS, TayJc. 



II. Posterior tarsi longer than the anterior and intermediate 



pairs ; tibiae with distinct apical spurs ; last joint of 



maxillary palpi oval. 

 i. Metastemum prolonged beyond intermediate coxa? ; elytra 



with two deeper stria? near suture ........ OLIBRITS, Er. 



ii. Metasternum not prolonged beyond intermediate coxa? ; 



elytra with one deeper stria near suture ...... STILBUS, Seidl. 



* Since I wrote the above Mr. Matthews has informed me that he has eight or ten 

 undescribed species. 



t Thomson in error says that they are closed (Skaud. Col. i. 65). 



L 2 



