1900.] Catalogue of tlie Colcoptera of SoutJi Africa. 15 



laterally, and leaving the mandibles uncovered {^Chlroninai, Troginoi, 

 HyhosorincB, GeotrupincB, Orphjiince, Dynastinm). 



Eyes. — The eyes are lateral, large, divided by a canthus formed 

 by the genae, except, however, in the TrogincB, where they are 

 inserted under a ledge formed by the genae, as in Ateuchus, but 

 not divided. 



Antennae. — Antennae inserted in front of the eyes under a ledge, 

 and with joints varying from eight to ten in number ; the apical 

 ones are mobile, lamellate, and form a club consisting generally of 

 three more or less concave and convex joints, but which vary con- 

 siderably in number, shape, and size in the MelolonthincB. 



Prothorax, Scutellum, and Elytra. — The prothorax varies con- 

 siderably in shape ; the scutellum is wanting in some Cojwince, 

 but is present in the other sub-families ; the elytra never overlap 

 the abdomen to any great extent. 



Abdomen. — The abdomen has six ventral segments, sometimes 

 reduced to five {Trogince), and eight dorsal ones. The penultimate 

 dorsal segment (propygidium) is partly horny like the last one 

 (pygidium), but there are exceptions {Trox, Bolboceras), and the 

 disposition of the seven pairs of spiracles affords a very good 

 character for the division of the family. 



Legs. — The legs are adapted for digging, the eggs being deposited 

 in the ground. The anterior are broad or very broad and strongly 

 ■digitate or dentate outwardly, but the four posterior ones vary 

 greatly ; in some Coprinm the anterior tarsi are entirely wanting ; 

 they are, however, five-jointed normally, but in some myrme- 

 cobious Cetoninm {Scaptobius, Trichoplus, Placodidus) some of these 

 joints are fused and vary apparently iu number ; the claws are 

 simple and equal in the CetonincB, and also in the Coprince, 

 Aphodiincs, ChironincB, TrogincB, HyhosormcB, OrphnincE and Geo- 

 trupiiK^, which, with the exception of the Getonince, form the first 

 section of the family (Lapaeosticti), and in which, with the exception 

 of the Trogincs, the ligula is not soldered with the mentum ; they 

 are very variable, and not equal in the MelolonthmcB, Butelince, and 

 DynastiiKB, which, with the Getonince, are included in the second 

 section of the family (Pleurosticti) ; but in both sections there 

 is on the apex of the last tarsal joint, and between the two claws, a 

 slender, rod-like process ending in two setae or penicillate at the tip, 

 (onychiicm) and sometimes as long as the claws themselves (Bhizo- 

 platys in the Dynastinm). 



Stridulation. — Some species of Goprincs, Dynastince, TrogincB have 

 organs of stridulation, consisting of transverse raised lines, generally 

 -disposed in two rows on the penultimate dorsal segment ; the noise 



