Order COLEOPTERA. 
Suborder POLYPHAGA. 
Family CHRY SOMELID^E. 
General shape very variable ; mentum generally transverse ; 
labial palpi 3-jointed ; maxillary palpi 4-jointed, cylindrical, rarely 
dilated. Head either prominent or inserted in thorax as far as 
eyes ; the latter entire or emarginate, frequently kidney-shaped 
( CryptocepJialince , Chlamyclince) ; clypeus generally separated from 
face ; mandibles short (larger and robust in some Clytrince); labrurn 
transverse. Antennae variable in position and form, usually 
11-jointed *, filiform, serrate or somewhat clavate. Thorax with 
or without distinct lateral margins. Elytra usually covering the 
pygidium but the latter is in some cases exposed ( Camptosomes ), 
epipleurae sometimes strongly produced below shoulders. Abdomen 
with five segments of various proportions, the first much longer than 
the others as in the Eupodes, or all contracted at middle as in the 
Ccimptosomes. Legs very variable ; hind femora frequently con- 
siderably enlarged, often with strong teeth below ; tibiae slender 
or short and compressed ( Chlamydince , Lamprosomince) • tarsi 
4-jointed, hairy beneath, third joint bilobed or entire, claws simple, 
appendiculate or bifid. Prosternum very variable, narrow and 
hidden to very broad and conspicuous. 
The Clirysomelidce form an immense complex of forms, most 
strongly developed in the tropical regions, but also represented by 
a considerable number in the temperate zones. The great 
variability of their shape and structure makes their study very 
laborious but highly interesting. The species in some of the 
groups greatly resemble certain Longicornia, from which they can 
only be distinguished by an intimate knowledge of the various 
forms. It may however, be taken as a general rule that in the 
Longicornia the shape is very elongate, the head projecting and 
prominent, the eyes oblique and more or less divided and the 
anteunm peduncular, these organs being at the same time rigid 
* Eleven-jointed in all genera dealt w itli in this volume. 
VOL. I. 
1) 
