SOFT-WINGED PREDACEOUS-BEETLES. 
105 
sometimes small, but rarely very small. They are mostly plain insects 
without brilliant colors ; usually black or browu, and many have the 
thorax margined with red or yellow. 
The Lam py rid a; comprise three sub-families, which may be character- 
ized as follows : 
A. Elytra reticulated; middle cox® separate; head partially covered by the aule- 
ripr margin of the thorax Lycides. 
A A. Elytra not reticulated ; middle cox® contiguous. 
B. Head nearly or quite covered by the thorax; antemite usually approximate; 
side pieces of metasternum rather wide Lampyiudeb. 
B 13. Head wholly uncovered by the thorax ; antenna rather distant; side pieces 
of metasteruum tapering to a point behind Teljbphoriiies. 
Sub family LYCIDES. 
The Lycides are distinguished by their reticulated elytra, produced 
by elevated lines and cross lines. The genus Lycus, and some others, 
have the head more or less prolonged in front in the form of a snout. 
A. Hoad with a distinct beak ; antemiso inserted in front of the eyes ; elytra usually widened behind : 
A A. Head without distinct beak ; antenna) inserted between the eyes. * ' ( ' ' * 81> * 
B. Elytra widened behind ; thorax carinate CaloptbRON 7. 
B B. Elytra parallel ; thorax not carinate Euos 16. 
Lycus, Fab., including JMctyoptems, Latr., which differs only in hav- 
ing the rostrum shorter and more robust, contains three known North 
American species. 
Galoptcron, Guerin, contains a number of species, two of which at 
least a.re rather common and conspicuous insects: the G. reticula! urn, 
Fab., five or six-tenths of an inch in length, yellow, with the middle of 
the thorax, a broad band across the elytra, and a broad tip of tlie same, 
black ; and the G. terminate, Say, of the same Size and color, but with- 
out the middle band on the elytra. A much smaller species, the G. di- 
midiatum, Fab., (scapulare, Newman,) is blackish, with the margin of 
the thorax, and the tips of the shoulders, yellow. The antenna: are 
strongly pectinate, or branched. It is the type of the genus Cwnia, of 
Newman. 
Eros, Newman, contains many species, the most conspicuous of which 
is the E. eoceinatus, Say, four-tenths of an inch long, and of a bright 
scarlet color. 
Sub family LAMPVltIDES. . 
'The remarks made above upon the present tribe of soft-winged Car- 
nivora, and upon the family of Lampyrhhe, apply especially to the sub- 
family of Lampyrides proper, and need not be here repeated. Their 
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