ENGIDiE. 57 



the articulations generally entire ; in some genera the third joint slightly 

 dilated and bibbed. 



The more elongate, sometimes linear, form of the body of the 

 Engidse, combined with the generally simple joints of the tarsi, 

 and less abruptly clavate antennae, distinguish them from the 

 Nitidulidse. The family evidently requires subdivision, although 

 in habit and economy, so far as known, there is great similarity, 

 which probably only arises from the juxtaposition of the genera of 

 which it is at present composed : the species usually subsist on de- 

 caying vegetable matter, either fungi, agarics, the putrid sap of de- 

 caying trees, or upon flowers ; they are found at the roots of grass, 

 beneath bark, in fungi, flowers, and but rarely, if ever, in putrid 

 animal substances. 



It is perhaps needless to observe, that in uniting the various 

 Latreilleian groups of Nitidularise, Ipsides, Xylophagi, and Eroty- 

 lense, or portions thereof, under the term Engidse, I have in some 

 degree followed the views hastily sketched out by Mr. Mac Leay, 

 in the Annulosa Javanica, assisted by the natural habit of the species, 

 rather than by an analytical examination of all the genera, which 

 although unquestionably the most satisfactory method of procedure, 

 cannot at all times be resorted to, from the impracticability of 

 obtaining the requisite specimens for dissection, &c. from their 

 great rarity. 



The following- artificial tabular view may serve to discriminate 

 the reputed indigenous genera. 



A. Tarsi quatuor antici articulis quinque ; postici articulis quatuor*. 

 . Antennarum capitulo 4-articulato : 151. Te Tit atom. 4. 



* One sex of the Cryptophagi, and of some of the kindred genera, has four 

 joints only to the posterior tarsi; and the males of the Mycetophagi three joints 

 only to the anterior ones ; in Rhyzophagus, the four anterior tarsi appear five- 

 jointed:— other anomalies likewise occur; the insects of the second division of 

 Cryptophagus having the third joint of the tarsi bilobed,, &c. 



F 2 



