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THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. 
as the head. They cau be distinguished from most allied groups by the 
eyes being partly covered by the ocular lobes, a character possessed by 
very few K A. Gurculionidse. The species vary from an eighth to a half 
of an inch in length. 
Section 2d. Longirostres. 
Sub-family LIXIDES. 
With this sub family commences the section of Longirostres, the 
snout being cylindrical and decidedly narrower and longer than the 
head, but their transitional position is shown by the antennae being 
inserted not very far from the end of the rostrum. The Lixides are 
distinguished by their elongate, almost cylindrical bodies, which are 
covered with a fine dust, like the bloom on a fresh plum or grape. 
This bloom is sometimes bluish, sometimes orange, and is very easily 
rubbed off, so that perfect specimens are rarely obtained; and for 
this reason it is often difficult to identify the species. They are of 
rather large size for this family, the species usually ranging from a third 
to half an inch in length. Some of them inhabit water plants, and 
some foreign species breed in the stems of thistles. 
We have two genera : lAxus, Fab., 13 species ; and Larinus, Gerraar, 
2 sp. In the latter genus the scrobes, or grooves on the side of the ros- 
trum, usually meet behind on the under side. 
Sub -family OTIDOCF.PHALIDES. 
This name is derived from the Greek otis, a kind of owl, and keplutle , 
the head ; the swollen anterior part of these insects having some fancied 
resemblance to the head of an owl. The thorax is swollen before and 
narrowed behind, a character not found, we believe, in any other Cur- 
culionidm, and which has caused them to be compared with ants. The 
autennm are inserted rather near the end of the rostrum. The sternum 
is concave or hollowed in front. 
The sub-family is composed of the single genus Otidoeephalus , Chev- 
rolat. The species are from an eighth to a quarter of an inch in length, 
and usually of a shining black color. They are exclusively American. 
Five species have been described which inhabit the United States. 
