SYNOPSIS OF THE TRIBES OF THE COLEOPTERA. 
A. 
Tarsi usually .5-jointed, sometimes 4 or 3-jointed in very small species, slender 
and sparsely haired, except Tribe XI, and except that the anterior, or anterior 
and middle tarsi are sometimes dilated and brush-like beneath in the males. 
B. Elytra covering the whole or nearly the whole of the abdomen. 
C. Antenna; filiform and simple; outer lobe of maxilla; palpiform, giving the 
appearance of six palpi. 
D. Legs long and fitted for running, hind trochanters large, egg-shaped and 
prominent; tarsi always 5-jointed Tribe If)/ 
I) 1). Hind legs flattened and fringed for swimming; trochanters not promi- 
nent; the fourth joint of the anterior and middle tarsi sometimes in- 
distinct in very small species Tribe II. it 
Antenna; filiform and usually serrate ; outer lobe of maxillfe not palpiform. 
Prosternum prolonged 4©;a point behind and received inthemesosternum; 
body very firm, legs short, tarsi always 5-jointed, joints not dilated and 
brush-like beneath, but often furnished with membranous lobes on the 
underside Tribe IX./O 
E E. Prosternum not prolonged behind. 
F Body moderately firm ; legs more or less elongated ; tarsi various : 
J Tribe X/» 
Body soft, elytra thin and flexible ; tarsi usually somewhat dilated 
and brush-like beneath, with the fourth joint hilobed ; last joint 
of palpi sometimes dilated Tribe XI. H‘f 
Antennae clavate or capitate. 
G. Palpi usually very long, sometimes longer than the short antenna; ; 
antennae 6 to 9-jointed, strongly clavate ; middle and hind coxa; 
— C C. 
E. 
F F. 
C 0 c. 
dilated - middle and hind tarsi sometimes fringed; habits aquatic. 
Tribe III. f2 
G G 
H H. 
Palpi not elongated; antennae 11-jointed, rarely 10 or 9-jointed, 
coxae not dilated ; habits not aquatic. 
Club of antennae pectinate ; mandibles usually strongly toothed or 
even branched ; size large, or medium Tribe VI .?* 
Club of antennae lamellate ; size often large ; sometimes small, 
but never very small. 
Abdomen wholly covered by the elytra (except Copridae) ; hind 
legs set far back Tribe VII. ^ 
•II. Tip of abdomen exposed; hind legs not set far back. Tribe VIII 
H H H. Antennae clavate, but with the club neither pectinate nor 
lamellate, and nearly or quite filiform in the exceptional 
group of Sub-clavicornes ; size small or very small, (except 
Bilphidas) Tribe IV. 
I. 
