192 MANUAL OF NATOHAL HISTORY. 



hind into a compressed spine which fits into 

 a groove in front of mesothorax ; tarsi rather 

 long and slender. Possess the power of spring- 

 ing when laid on their backs ; creep slowly ; 

 fall to the ground on approach of danger; 

 colours dingy. 



tX. SUB-ORBEF> — Soft-skinned Serbicorn-Beetles 



(Malacodermata). 



Antennae usually elongate, more or less serrated 

 or pectinate, the last three joints often produced or 

 clavate > head deflexed, usually deeply inserted into 

 thorax ; thorax semicircular or cylindric ; body soft, 

 depressed, usually elongate or cylindrical; legs rather 

 long. 



48, Family. — Flabellicorn- Beetles (Cebrionidae). 

 Antenna pectinate or fiabellate in males ; 

 palpi filiform ; labium short ; mandibles 

 strong, curved, entire at tip, exposed ; head 

 small, inclined ; body hard, convex, deflexed 

 in front ; legs not contractile, nor formed for 

 leaping. Found in forests on low plants, 

 feeding on leaves and stems ; fly and walk 

 slowly. 

 -19. Family. — Reed-Beetles (Cyphonicte). Antennae 

 filiform, sometimes subserrated ; maxillary 

 palpi filiform, labial furcate ; mandibles con- 

 cealed ; body soft, hemispheric, ovate or de- 

 pressed ; elytra flexible ; head very small. 

 Colours dull ; found among reeds and plants 

 in damp situations ; fly and run with agility. 



