COLEOPTERA. 383 



with a greater or smaller number of hairs; the first, as in several of the 

 Cleri of Fabi-icius, is only visible underneath, where it forms a little projec- 

 tion; it is also pilose. 



The remaining subgenera are Thymalus, Ips, Cercus and Byturua. 



Those that compose our sixth tribe, that of the Engidites, ana- 

 logous to the Nitidulariae in the emargination of the extremity of 

 their mandibles, are distinguished from them by their not projecting, 

 or but very little and simply on the sides, beyond the labrurn. 

 Their body is oval or elliptical, and the anterior extremity of the 

 head slightly extended into an obtuse or truncated point. The tarsi 

 consist of five distinct joints, entire, and at most, slightly pilose un- 

 derneath; the penultimate is somewhat shorter than the preceding 

 one. The antennas terminate in a perfoliaceous triarticulated clubj 

 the elytra completely cover the abdomen, and the palpi are some- 

 what thicker at the extremity. Some very small species inhabit the 

 interior of houses, and are frequently found on windows. 



We will unite them all in a single genus, that of 



Dacne. 



Their antenncc terminate abruptly in a very large orbicular or ovoid and 

 compressed club, composed of crowded joints, of which the middle one at 

 least is much wider than it is long; the third is longer than the second and 

 fourth. 



We now come to certain tribes in which the praesternum is fre- 

 quently dilated anteriorly in the manner of a chin-cloth, and which 

 differ from the preceding ones in their feet, which are either wholly 

 or partially contractile; the tarsi may be free, but the tibiae at least 

 can be flexed on the thigh. The mandibles are short, and generally 

 thick and dentated. The body is ovoid, thick, and covered with- 

 deciduous scales or hairs of various colours. The antennae are 

 straight and usually shorter than the head and thorax. The head- 

 is plunged into the thorax as far as the eyes. The thorax is but 

 slightly or not at all bordered, trapezoidal, and wider posteriorly;- 

 the middle of its posterior margin is frequently somewhat prolonged 

 or lobale. The larvas are pilose, and mostly feed on the exuviae or 

 carcasses of animals. Several are very injurious to entomological 

 collections. 



Those then in which the legs are not completely retractile, the 



