SAW HORNED WOOD-BEETLES. 
99 
EE. 
Anterior margin of fcho front slightly elevated, forming a transverse ridge which 
separates the front from the upper lip. Size sometimes large, but usually medium or 
small. 
F. Frosterual sutures single and convex on the outer side ; tarsi slender ; sizo small : 
CllYPTOHVl-KUS, 31. 
F F. Frosternnl sutures double and straight, or concave on the outward side. 
G. Tarsi simple.. E later, 51. 
G G. Fourth tarsal joint bilobed MONOCBBI’IDIUS, 15. 
G G G. Second and third joints lobed Dicuepidius 8. 
C C. Hind coxal plates gradually and but slightly dilated inwardly and often without a sharp 
posterior angle ; claws sometimes pectinate. 
H. Front convex ; mouth inferior Agriotes 12 . 
H H. Front flattened, and with an elevated margin ; month anterior. 
!• Claws pectinate Mklaxotus, 47. 
1 1. Claws simple. 
K. Eyes prominent ; 1st joint of hind tarsi as long as the 2d and 3d united : 
Athous, 25. 
K K. Eyes small ; 1st joint of hind tarsi less elongated Limonius, 39. 
H fl H. Front flattened, without elevated margin ; mouth anterior. 
L. Sizo large; color shining black Melanactbs, 8. 
L L. Size moderate ; colors various Corymbetes, 93. 
The Elaterides proper constitute an extensive series of comparatively 
homogeneous insects, the great majority of which are of a uniformly 
[Fig. 45.] 
brown color. 
length 
, and varying in 
between one-quarter 
and three-quarters of an inch; 
though there are a few large 
or very large species. The de- 
termination of the genera and 
species of this family requires, 
therefore, an amount of study 
and an aptness for observa- 
tions of this kind, which can 
scarcely be expected from 
any but professed entomolo- 
gists. We will only refer to 
a few species which are re- 
markable for their size, or 
for their exceptionally varied 
coloring. 
Our largest and most strik- 
ing species is the well known 
Elater (Alans ) occulatus, of 
Liuuams. It is usually nearly 
an inch and a-half in length, 
though individuals are not 
un frequently seen which 
scarcely exceed an inch. Its gray color is produced by a dense sprink- 
ling of small whitish spots and lines upon a black ground. These spots 
are composed of minute whitish scale-like hairs. But its^nost conspic- 
Msi anactbs piceus, DeG. — a, sitppnsod larva, as soon by 
3 1 "■ S,1IU « as soon by night ; c, beetle ; d, enlarged head 
“Id parte; e, enlarged leg el' same-after Kiioy. 
