MR. A. MURRAY'S MONOGRAPH OF THE FAMILY OF NITIDULARLE. 219 
to the same cause that the prosternum is prolonged in the convex species behind the 
anterior coxæ. The space in which they are placed is so short that they almost break 
Fig. 6 a. Fig. 6 b. 
NA. 5 لمحي‎ of Side view of vH i 
sexmaculata 
Fig. 7 a. 
Fig. 74. 
Underside of Camptodes communis, Side view of Camptodes communis. 
through the wall behind, and a fulcrum is needed on which to rest them; for this pur- 
pose the prosternum is prolonged backwards*. The thorax in the Nitidulide is always 
thinned at the lateral margins and very generally truncate or sinuate behind, and with 
the anterior angles more or less projecting in front. 
Anterior Coxe.—Cylindrical, imbedded in the cotyloid cavities, and not projecting as 
in the Staphylinide and Silphide. 
Anterior Cotyloid Cavities —These are always transverse, and form an excellent 
character for the whole family; they are obtuse at the inner end, and terminate in a 
point directed obliquely forwards on the outer side. In the Brachypteride the cavities 
are so far back that they are open behind, no partition-wall surrounding the back of the 
coxæ or separating them from the mesothorax. 
Scutellum.—V arying in form (triangular, pentagonal, semicircular, or quadrangular). 
Mesothorax.—Short : the mesothorax and its epipleura and epimera are usually soldered 
together, although the suture can be traced. The mesosternum is in some projected 
in front to meet the prolongation of the prosternum. 
Middle Cotyloid Cavities and Coxe.—Transverse and slightly oblique. The coxæ 
imbedded. 
Metathorax.—The metathoracie epipleura are generally long and narrow, diminishing 
* The phrase ** prolonged backwards” or “ projecting backwards ” is very awkward, and, undoubtedly, bad English ; 
but I do not know any other word to use in its place: eive or retrojected would, I fear, be condemned as still 
worse. 
