MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. ] 87 



abruptly slender, joints unequal ; basal occasionally 

 half the entire length ; thorax often with a groove 

 beneath to receive the antennae ; body more or less 

 globose and convex, or quadrate and depressed ; 

 sternum often produced in front, concealing the 

 mouth beneath ; legs more or less compressed, capa- 

 ble of being closely applied to body in excavations 

 for receiving them. 



32. Family. — Pill-Beetles (Byrrhidae). Antennae 



not elbowed, mostly placed in repose in a 

 groove beneath sides of thorax; mandibles 

 not exposed ; body short, oval, very convex, 

 generally pilose ; legs contractile. Found in 

 sand-pits and on foot-paths. Feign death, 

 folding up the legs and antennae. 



33. Family. — Mimic-Beetles (Histeridae). Antennae 



elbowed, basal joint long, the others placed 

 angularly at its tip ; mandibles rather long, 

 exserted ; body hard, polished, square or ob- 

 long, quadrate ; elytra generally short and 

 truncate ; legs dentate, the hinder inserted, 

 widely apart. Counterfeit death. Found in 

 dung or beneath bark of trees. 



VII S UB-OBDER.— Lamellicqbst- Beetles 



(Lamellicornes). 



Antennae clavate, the club composed of three or 

 more lamellae or pectinations, the apical joints either 

 lamellated or the basal joint cup-like, receiving the 

 other joints ; legs robust, the fore-tibiae generally 

 dilated and toothed. 



