116 



INTRODUCTION. 



insects of extreme rarity. Very few species have until recently 

 been recorded from the Indian region, the greater part of these 

 being from Ceylon ; but Grouvelle (Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1908, 

 pp. 397-495) has recently added a considerable number, and we 

 now have about thirty genera and over one hundred species : the 

 following genera are among those represented: — Coocetus, Tarphio- 

 soma, Tarphius, Ditoma, Teredus, Colobicus, Meryx, Cicones, JSosylus, 

 Cerylon, Bothrideres, Aulonosoma, Murmidius, etc. 



The classification of the ColydiiDxE has hitherto been in a very 

 unsatisfactoiy state, partly owing to the rarity of the species, and 

 partly to the fact that Erichson, who first 

 separated them off as a family (Naturg. Ins. 

 Deutsch. iii), tabulated them in a confused 

 and unsatisfactory fashion. In the ' Biologia 

 Centr. -Americana' (Coleopt.ii,p.443 et seqq.), 

 Dr. Sharp has gone more thoroughly into 

 the group, and as his work is not very easy 

 of access, it may perhaps be of advantage to 

 quote his tables ; at the same time it must 

 be remembered that some of the groups run 

 one into the other, and that the Synchitin^, 

 Fig 52—Tarphio- which comprise the larger part of the Coly- 

 somafasciatum. DiiDiE, will probably, with extended know- 

 ledge, have to be further subdivided. 



I. Antennae inserted at the sides of the head under 

 the edge of the epistome, by which, however, 

 the basal joint is but little concealed, 

 i, Hind coxae approximate ; presternum feebly 



ciliate behind ' Nematidiinje. 



ii. Hind coxae approximate ; presternum with 



membranous border Gempylodinje. 



iii. Hind coxae widely separated Pycnomerin^e. 



II. Antennae inserted at the sides of the head ; the 



basal joint placed under the edge of the epi- 

 stome, by which it is more or less completely 

 concealed from above. 



i. Antennae densely clothed with scales or hairs, 



broad, not distinctly clavate Rhagoderin^:. 



ii. Antennae clavate, inserted near the eyes ; basal 



joint ot tarsus scarcely longer than the 



second ; anterior coxal cavities usually open . Synchptin^. 



iii. Antennae clavate, inserted near the eyes ; basal 



joint of tarsus much longer than the second ; 

 anterior coxal cavities closed ; tibiae a little 

 thicker at the tip Colydiinje. 



iv. Antennae clavate; hind coxae more or less 



widely separated, the process between them 

 usually truncate ; flanks of presternum more 

 or less hollow for protection of the antennal 

 club in repose Tarphiin^e. 



v. Antennae clavate, inserted far from the large, 



finely facetted eyes Acropinje. 



