194 MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY, 



of tarsi bilobed. Variegated in colour ; de- 

 posit their eggs frequently in nests of bees 

 and wasps. 

 54 Family. — Deathwatches (Ptinidae). Antennae 

 filiform, elongate, occasionally serrate or pec- 

 tinated, or rather short, thick at apex with 

 the last three joints suddenly elongated ; 

 mandibles and palpi short ; head rounded, 

 deeply inserted in thorax j thorax generally 

 produced in front ; tarsal joints simple. Feign 

 death ; slow-moving ; found in old furniture, 

 rotten palings, and stumps of trees, which they 

 perforate in every direction; produce a ticking 

 noise by striking the wood with their jaws. 



55. Family. — True Wood-boring Beetles (Lymexy- 



lonidae). Antennae short, fusiform, some- 

 what serrated ; maxillary palpi of male with 

 branched appendages, labial simple ; neck 

 narrow, distinct ; mandibles short, stout ; 

 body linear ; elytra gaping at tip ; tarsal 

 joints simple. Wood-boring, causing much 

 damage in dockyards to timber. 



56. Family. — Hooded Wood-boring Beetles (Bostri- 



chidae). Antennae clavate, basal joint robust; 

 club solid or perfoliate, intermediate joints 

 small ; palpi short ; head globose, deeply in- 

 serted in thorax ; thorax obliquely truncate 

 in front, forming a hood over the head, often 

 roughened in front; body cylindric, tarsal 

 joints simple. Found on trunks of old trees ; 

 commit depredations on timber. 



