442 



COLEOPTEEA. 



Fig. 



lant from each other ; the thorax is punctured and pubescent, 

 the middle coxjb slightl3' separate, while the abdomen is nar- 

 rowed at the tips. Fig. 387 represents the larva of this or a 

 closcl}' allied genus found in a humble bee's nest. Philontlius 

 diflers in having the femora unarmed. The species 

 live in decaying matters and excrement. The spe- 

 cies of Pcedenis (Fig. 388, the larva of the European 

 P. tempestivus Erichs.) are found under stones, etc., 

 near Avater. 



In Stenus, of which S. stygicus Say and aS'. Jano 

 Fabr. are tj^pes, the eyes are large and prominent, so 

 that the head resembles that of Cicindela and the 

 antennae are inserted upon the front between the 

 eyes ; the labrum is entire and rounded anteriorl3', the para- 

 glossEB are dilated, rounded, and the body is coarsely punctured, 

 while that of its nearest ally Dianous is finely punctured and 

 the paragiossse are connate and indistinct. 

 Another small group of genera is repre- 

 sented b}' Oxyporus^ which is fouud in fungi, 

 and which has a large head, with 

 large long mandibles crossing each 



I //•.■■.'••[:•.;•. \\ §l)J/J other, and five-jointed tarsi ; and 



/ [^'-•'l:-'-'' l\ f' I Oxytelus which is found in wet 



places and in dung, and has three- 

 "■ jointed tarsi, with a row of spines 

 on the front tibiae, and the middle coxae 

 separated. 



Anthophagus ccesus?, Harris Correspond- 

 ence ^ig. 389 ; a, maxilla), is found in wet ground where 

 spearmint grows, of which it diffuses a strong odor. 



In Omalium the antennae are inserted under the lateral mar- 

 gin of the front, the elytra are long, and the tibite finel}' spi- 

 nous. Micrcdymna is closety allied, but differs in the elytra 

 being verj- short. The genus 3Ikropepilus is squarish in form 

 and connects the present family with the one following. 



HiSTERiDuE Leach. As stated b^' Leconte, "this is a ver}' 

 well defined family of insects, moderately numerous, nearly all 

 of a shining black color, with the elytra various!}- sculptured 



