198 CLAVICOKKIA. [Hislerida. 



1. Antenna) inserted in cavities which are anterior, 



open in front, and more or less completely closed 

 beneath by the lobe of the prosternum, which is 

 strong. 



A. Club of antenna) oval, pubescent, usually dis- 

 tinctly ringed HISTEB, L. 



B. Club of antennas obconical, without pubescence, 



solid HET^JBITTS, Er. 



2. Antennze inserted in cayities at the middle of the 



inflexed portion of the thorax, near the sides. 



A. Middle and posterior tibia) slender; front tibiae 



dilated. 



a. Elytra regularly and strongly striate; body 



oval ; scutellum conspicuous CABCINOPS, Mars. 



b. Elytra with dorsal strise more or less obsolete j 



body oblong ; scutellum inconspicuous . . . PAKOMALTTS, Er. 



B. All the tibite dilated ; body oval DENDEOPHILFS, Leach. 



ii. Prosternum not lobed iu front, truncate. 



1. Antenna? inserted under the margin of the fore- 



head ; mandibles prominent. 



A. Anterior tibia without distinct spines; upper 



surface very obsoletely striate at sides .... MYEHETES, MarsJi. 



B. Anterior tibiae distinctly spined ; upper surface 



striate and more or less punctured. 



a. Forehead with a distinct impressed stria . . SAPRINTTS, Er. 



b. Forehead without impressed stria .... GNATHONCUS, J>r. 



2. Antennso inserted on the forehead ; mandibles 



small, not prominent. 



A. Posterior tibia) distinctly toothed ; form sub- 

 cylindrical TEBETBITTS, Er. 



B. Posterior tibiae not or scarcely toothed ; form 



more or less ovate. 



a. Thorax with a deep transverse furrow in 



middle PLEGADEBTJS, Er. 



b. Thorax without transverse furrow. 



a*. All the tarsi 5-joiuted j elytra without 



marginal stria ; size larger ABBOTTS, Leach. 



b*. Posterior tarsi 4-jointed ; elytra with mar- 

 ginal stria, situated on epipleurse ; size 



smaller ACBITTTS, Lee. 



II. Upper surface strongly costate ; prosternum feebly 

 lobed in front OMTHOPHILUS, Leach. 



HISTER, Linne. 



This extensive genus contains at present about three hundred and 

 twenty species, which are widely distributed throughout the world, both 

 in tropical and temperate regions ; about sixty of these species occur in 

 Europe, fifteen of which are found in Britain ; two or three of these, 

 however, are doubtfully indigenous ; they are found in dung, hot-beds, 

 decaying fungi, or carcases, and when alarmed, retract their limbs and 

 antennae and remain motionless.* 



* Hence their name, which is the primary Etruscan form of hislrio, an actor, and 

 was applied to them by Liune iu allusion to their feigning death. 



