354 Coleopterological Notices^ VII. 



Antenna; generally distinctly clavate, usually geniculate, but with the basal 

 joint short or moderate in length; posterior coxae always transverse or 

 transversely oval; metasternum large, the abdomen short; elytra never 

 striato-punctate ; scutellum visible or not; fourth joint of the maxillary 

 palpi invariably small Scydji^nin^E^ 



Antennae generally filiform or gradually enlarged toward tip, but without a 

 distinct club, strongly geniculate, with the basal joint greatly elongated ;^ 

 posterior coxae small, globular, with a subconic and truncate prolonga- 

 tion, widely separated; metasternum short, the abdomen elongate; elytra 

 striato-punctate except in Mastigini, and always entire ; scutellum com- 

 pletely obsolete; fourth palpal joint more variable in size CLIDICIN^ 



These subfamilies are both represented within the limits of the 

 United States, but are exceedingly unequal in numerical impor- 

 tance, the first being abundant in genera and species, while the 

 second is represented by a few rare forms in the desert regions 

 of the extreme southwest. The Clidicinse are much better repre- 

 sented in Europe by three remarkable genera. 



Brathinus, which was attached to the Scydmsenidse by LeConte,. 

 is a staphylinid, belonging to the tribe Omalini, in the vicinity 

 of Lesteva ; it cannot, therefore, be included in the table given 

 above. 



SCYDM^NIN^. 



This subfamily, which comprises within its limits all but one of 

 the described species of the United States, may be conveniently 

 separated into ten tribes by the characters which follow : — 



Fourth joint of the maxillary palpi finely aciculate, subulate and oblique;, 

 antennae widely separated at base. 

 Prosternum short and deeply sinuate before the coxae; hind coxae generally 

 attaining the sides of the body. 

 Head borne on a long, moderately constricted and deeply sculptured 



neck; scutellum present, though very minute Lophioderini 



Head borne on a neck which is short and abruptly constricted. 



Neck narrow; eyes anterior in position, more median in Smicrophus ;. 

 scutellum completely wanting; hind coxae usually distinctly sepa- 

 rated but varying greatly in this respect EucoNNiNI 



Neck wide; eyes basal or subbasal in position; scutellum always pres- 

 ent; prothorax generally cordiform; hind coxae constantly very ap- 

 proximate but not contiguous ScYDMiENlNI 



Prosternum rather long and pubescent before the coxae; neck somewhat 

 wide, abruptly constricted; eyes and scutellum variable; prothorax ob- 

 oval ; hind coxae attaining the sides of the body, or very nearly ; species 

 all very minute OPRESINI 



