220 MR. A. MURRAY'S MONOGRAPH OF THE FAMILY OF NITIDULARLE. 
in breadth from before backwards (see letter a in figs. 8, 9 & 10). In the Strongyline 
they are broader (see fig. 11, letter «). The epimera are short and small, sometimes tri- 
angular, sometimes oblong, and at others rhomboidal (see letter Û in figs. 8, 9, 10, & 11). 
Fig. 8. Fig. 11. 
Side of metathorax of Car- Side of metathorax of Lasio- Side of metathorax of Side of metathorax of Cam- 
pophilus mutilatus, dactylus brunneus. Meligethes eneus. ptodes communis. 
Axillary pieces.—There is another small character which occurs in عناا‎ and 
Nitidulide proper, which, so far as I am aware, has not been previously observed. It isa 
small triangular space (see letter c in the above figures), marked off in these species by a 
line or suture, in the angle behind the coxz of the middle legs and between them and the 
epimera and epipleura. It is not always clear whether it is a line or a suture. In some 
it is obviously a mere line; for we can trace it as the mere reflexed margin of the 
cotyloid cavity in the Carpophili. In others, where it is a distinct groove marking off a 
large corner as in Lasiodactylus brunneus, it has doubtless become developed into a 
suture; but in some others, where, although it still marks off a sufficiently distinct corner, 
which is differently punctured or sculptured from the neighbouring surfaces, it is not so 
much developed, and the line is thin and slight, I am inclined to infer that it is a mere 
line and not a suture. Figs. 8, 9, 10, & 11 show examples of the extent and progressive 
development of this line: fig. 8 shows it in Carpophilus, where it is in its least stage of 
development and generally wholly absent; fig. 9 in Lasiodactylus brunneus, fig. 10 in 
Meligethes, and fig. 11 in Camptodes communis. It does not exist at all in the Brachy- 
pteride ; it is merely a rudimentary reflexed margin of the middle cotyloid cavities in the 
Carpophilide, and is very little developed in that portion of the Nitidulide proper which 
are most allied to the Carpophilide. In many of the species of Epurea, for instance, which 
is most so, it is absent altogether; in the Nitidulide most akin to the Strongylme, and 
in the Strongyline themselves, it is most developed. I propose to call it the metathoracie 
axillary piece. It is obviously a natural character, and like all natural characters thins 
off in species on the one hand, and becomes more developed in those on the other, and 
| occasionally varies in different species of the same genus. In Prometopia, for instance, it 
varies in the amount of development in different species. It therefore cannot be used 
as a constant character for establishing sectional or generic boundaries, but it will 
always be found useful as a guide to a correct appreciation of the true position and 
affinities of puzzling species. 
Posterior Cotyloid Cavities and Coxe.—Always transverse, and showing little variation. 
The breadth of the middle space between them, however, varies in different genera. 
