,-,j;tI;F,p. 



909 



are, like those of the other Lueauida'. pectinate and not opposable, 

 but the triangular mentum, the small size of the month organs and 

 the form of body arc distini-tly Sr-araba?iad. The antennse are 10- 

 jointed, the (/lub three- jointed, longer in the male than in female. 



1722 (5611). XicAors obsct-'rus Lee, Journ. Phil. Acad. Xat. Sci., Ser. 2. 

 I, 86. 

 Oval, Cduvex. Piceoiis or dark brown, sparsely clothed with very short, 

 pale subereet hairs; eutire uiiiicr surface coarsely and rather densely punc- 

 tured. Thorax one-lialt broader than long, widest at middle, apex one- 

 balf ii:irrower than Imsc, margins finely crenate, front angles prominent, 

 hind ni'i's obtuse. Elytra not striate, the pubescence more dense than on 

 thorax. Length 7-9.5 mm. 



Vigo and Marion counties; scarce. May 1-June 7. Occurs 

 about piles of drift in damp, sandy localities. In the East it is said 

 to frequent che vicinity of dead m.ussels {Uitio.s). 



Family L. RC^xVEAB.'KID/E. 

 The Lamellic'i irx Beetles. 



A very large faiiiily, comprising beetles that vary greatly in 

 size, form and habits. All agree, however, in having the antennaa 

 end in an oval club, composed of three to seven leaves or "lamel- 

 lae." (Pig. 359.) These leaves can be folded 

 closely together so that in repose the club ap- 

 pears solid. It is this form of antennal club 

 which gives rise to the common name "lamelli- 

 corn beetles." Another character possessed by 

 all members of the family is the form of the 

 front tibiae, which are fossorial, or fitted for dig- 

 ging in the ground, being almost always broad, 

 compressed and strongly toothed or scalloped on 

 the outer edge. The tarsi of the middle and 

 hind legs are ' generally long and always five- 

 jointed. For the most part the beetles are short, 

 convex and stout-bodied, the well-known "June 

 bugs" or ^lay beetles being familiar examples. 

 Taking this form in connection with the lamel- 

 late antennffi and fossorial legs, the members of 

 the family are easily recognized. 



In addition to the characters mentioned, the Scarabseidc? have 

 the antennas 7- to 11-jointed, usually 10-jointed, and inserted before 

 the eyes under the sides of the front; abdomen with six (rarely 

 five) ventral segments; front and middle eoxje large, transverse, 



Fig. 359. Antenna of a La- 

 mellicorn beetle, shoaling the 

 structure of club. (After 

 Smith.) 



