THE HETEKOMERA. 
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The Tenebrionidj: are characterized by having the 
anterior coxal cavities closed behind, the tarsal claws 
simple, the anterior coxae globose, rarely oval, not 
prominent, and the penultimate joint of the tarsi very 
rarely bilobed and spongy beneath ; the abdomen has 
five ventral segments of which the first three are more 
or less closely connected ; the form is very variable ; 
the family may be divided into the following ten 
tribes, which are by some authors regarded as separate 
families : — Blaptina, Crypticina, Pedinina, Opatrina , 
Trachyscelina , Bolitophagina, Diaperina, Tenebrionina, 
Ulomina, and Helopina. 
The Blaptina have the last joint of the maxillary 
palpi hatchet-shaped, the epipleune of the elytra wide, 
and the hind femora long ; they are represented here 
by one genus ( Blaps ) of three species, all of which are 
large, somewhat flat, dull black, with the elytra 
soldered together and pointed behind. They are 
found (sometimes in great numbers) in kitchens, out- 
buildings, stables, churchyards, &c., and are very slow 
in their movements, sedately liftiug one long leg at a 
time, and only crawling about at night. They have a 
peculiarly foul smell, which is difficult to get rid of, 
and are indiscriminately known as the “ churchyard 
beetle.” Their larvae closely resemble the common 
“ meal-worm ; ” and instances have been recorded of 
their having been discharged (once in large numbers) 
from the human stomach. 
Our commonest species is B. mucronata, formerly 
called mortisaga ; the latter, however, is much rarer, 
only occurring in the north of England, and readily 
distinguished by the longer process at the apex of 
its elytra, and by its thorax being more evidently 
punctured and more contracted behind. 
