3 * 
718 . 
PHYTOSUS SPINIFER. 
Order Coleoptera„ Fam. Staphylinidae. 
Type of the Genus , Phytosus spinifer Rudd . 
Phytosus Rudd. 
Antenna inserted before the eyes, close’to the base of the man- 
dibles, not much longer than the head and thorax, geniculated, 
clavate, pubescent, 11 -jointed, basal joint the longest, stoutish, 
cylindric, 2nd nearly as long and stout but attenuated to the 
base, 3rd much smaller, pyriform, the remainder submoniliform, 
4th globose, 5th broader, the following increasing slightly in 
diameter and somewhat cup- shaped, apical joint larger and 
ovate (6). 
Labrurn transverse- oval, anterior margin nearly straight, and 
ciliated with strong bristles, the centre membranous (1). 
Mandibles porrected, elongated, slightly curved at the apex which 
is obtuse, inner margin with a narrow ciliated membrane (2). 
Maxilla narrow, terminating in 2 lobes, the inner one ciliated, 
with a bundle of short spines at the base, the outer narrow, a 
little longer, curved, the apex membranous and pubescent. 
Palpi longish, aciculated and 4-jointed, basal joint slender cla- 
vate and curved, 2nd stout, thrice as long and semiovate, 3rd 
much longer, stout, clavate and hairy, 4th a short slender pro- 
cess (3). 
Mentum large, trigonate, truncated before, with a very long 
bristle at each angle. Lip short. Palpi attached to 2 elon- 
gated scapes, biarticulate, basal joint oblong with 3 or 4 bristles, 
2nd a little shorter, clavate-truncate (4). 
Male smaller than the female. Head moderate , sub orbicular : eyes 
small, lateral and orbicular. Thorax not longer than the head, but 
a little broader, somewhat obovate, with a short curved spine in both 
sexes, on each side beneath, near to the head (7 ,s) : scutel small. 
Elytra not broader than the thorax in the male and very short, broader 
and longer in the female : wings ample. Abdomen long, dilated in 
the male towards the apex which is obtuse and rounded, but conical 
in the female. Legs rather small : thighs broad and compressed ; 
tibiae short, 4 anterior with series of short stout spines on the outside , 
that on the edge composed of 7 rays (5) : hinder hairy, with a spur 
at the apex (f) : tarsi with long hairs beneath, 4,4 Sf 5 -jointed-, 4 an- 
terior very short, 3 basal joints very short, 4th elongate -clavate, 
hinder with the basal joint a little longer than the 2nd but shorter 
than the 5th : claws curved, acute. Obs. The dissections were taken 
from a female. 
Spinifer Rudd's Mss. — Curt. Guide, Gen. 215*. 
In the Cabinets of Mr. Rudd and the Author . - 
