THE MALACODERMATA. 
185 
tho JJeteromera, as the tarsi, in one sex at least, are 
heterornerous, and the family in some respects bears 
a relation to certain Tenebrionidse ; in the genus 
Spkindus (variously associated with Anobium, Cis, 
Tetratoma, Cryptophagus, and Lyctus) the apical joint 
of the tarsi is as long as the preceding joints to- 
gether ; the head ends in a small quadrangular ros- 
trum, and the antennae are ten-jointed, with a strong 
three-jointed club. 
8. dubius, very rare in England (where it has 
occurred at Weybridgo and in the New Forest), is a 
small pitchy-brown insect, more or less variegated 
with ferruginous; having finoly-striated elytra, and 
clothed with thin depressed reddish pubescence. It 
lives in Lycoperdons, in which also its larva is found. 
The latter is whitish, with the head, upper part of 
thorax, and last segment of tlio abdomen shining 
black ; and set with rather long hairs on tho sides and 
extremity. 
The Lyctidas are sometimes associated with both 
the next and tho preceding family ; and have, also, 
been placed among the Golydiidse and Grijptophaguhv, 
to certain of tho former of which they present a con- 
siderable external resemblance. Their tarsi have five 
joints, the first being very small, and the last as long 
as the four preceding ; tho first abdominal segment is 
longer than any of tho rest; the club of their antenna) 
is two-jointed ; and their body flat and elongate, with 
punctate-striato elytra. 
This assemblage of characters causes them to fit 
uneasily with any of their supposed allies; and the 
difficulty of assigning them to their correct position 
has been increased by tho discovery of the larva of 
