130 BULLETIN BROOKLYN ENTOM. SOC. VOL. VTL. February 1885.] 
at rest, concealed within the mouth; palpi one-jointed; labrum, epipha- 
rynx, hypopharynx, maxillz and labium present. Front never excavated, 
often swollen, sometimes with a more or less elongate process which 
bears the antenne. Antennz usually porrect, approximate at their base, 
three-jointed, the third joint more especially of varied shape, usually 
flattened and with a dorsal bristle, either bare or plumose; very rarely 
the third joint is not flattened, and is provided, at the tip with a terminal 
style. Eyes large, bare or pilose, in the male usually contiguous between 
the base of the antennz and ocelli. Ocelli always present. Thorax 
comparatively large and robust, moderately arched above; scutellum 
large, hemispherical, often translucent, rarely furnished with spines on 
its border. Abdomen composed of five or six visible segments, rarely 
with only four. Hypopygium usually not prominent. Shape of the ab- 
domen very various; slender, linear, clubbed, short, oval, and all inter- 
mediate forms. Legs usually weak, sometimes strong; the hind femora 
not infrequently moderately or much thickened, the hind tibiz not rarely 
arcuated and compressed, metatarsi rather long, coxe short; the hind 
coxze, femora and tibiz, more especially in the male, in not a few species 
armed with spurs, protuberances, or spines. Macrochatz rarely present 
in any part of the body; the body generally thinly pilose or nearly bare, 
but sometimes clothed with thick pile. Wings comparatively large, when 
at rest folded together over the abdomen, or half open; third longitudinal 
vein never forked, frequently with a more or less deep curvature on the 
outer part; marginal cell open or closed, the fourth vein terminates in 
the third vein at or before the tip; neither of the intercalary veins present; 
anal cell always closed before the border of the wing; small cross—vein 
before or beyond the middle of the discal cell; between the third and fourth 
longitudinal veins and nearly parallel with them there 1s a false or spurious 
vein, nearly always present, and characteristic of the family. 
SYNOPTIC TABLE. 
A.—Anterior cross-vein of the wings distinctly before the middle of the discal cell, 
usually straight and rectangular; third longitudinal vein rarely with a distinct 
curvature into the first posterior cell; hind femora usually slender, rarely 
thickened. 
B.—Third joint of antennze with a terminal style.....................05. Cerinae. 
BB.—Antennez with a dorsal bristle. 
C.—Marginal cell of the wings open, i.e. the second longitudinal vein terminates 
in the costa. 
D.—Antennz longer than the head, rather large species........ Microdoninae. 
DD.—Antenne as long or shorter than the head. 
