QH i

H O19

V- |

INTRODUCTION.

THE volume which these lines preface comprises nine families of Coleoptera, and registers

as inhabiting Central America 1790 determined species belonging to them, in addition

to a few left unnamed for want of sufficient material; of the total number, 1470 are

described as new, and 103 new genera are characterized.

The Haliplide (the first of the nine families) is a small assemblage of three or four

genera, closely allied to the Carabide, but aquatic in habits, and presenting no special

interest in a faunistic point of view ; we have, indeed, only six species belonging to it.

The Dytiscide are a much larger family, and we record 168 Central-American species ;

this may be roughly estimated as about one tenth of the total species known from all

parts of the world; they are all aquatic. Our Gyrinide amount to 20 species; the

number recorded in M. Regimbart’s recent monograph of the family being 266 for the

whole world.

The Hydrophilide have at present 141 Central-American species, the total number of

described species of the family being probably under 1000.

The next four families are all of small extent, and have respectively the following

number of species :—Heteroceride 9, Parnide 39, Georisside 1, Cyathoceride 1. The

Parnide inhabit, as a rule, small streams; the thirty-nine species of our region comprise

no less than seven new genera, and are specially interesting, as giving, for the first time,

fair grounds for the belief that the tropical regions of the world possess numerous

representatives of this family.

The family Cyathoceride, consisting of a single species, is, so far as at present known,

peculiar to our region, but will probably be found to inhabit South America also.

Vi INTRODUCTION.

The Dytiscide and Hydrophilide, as mentioned above, consist together of over

300 species. I shall not, however, make any general remarks on these insects, for

though this number of species is far from inconsiderable, the two families are but little

adapted for consideration in questions of zoo-geography. The Dytiscide are appa-

rently subject to different laws of distribution from other Coleoptera, illustrating in

this respect what I believe is the case with aquatic organisms generally, viz. diminished

endemicity ; and though the family Hydrophilide is not so purely aquatic as the

Dytiscide, yet, on the other hand, it is one of the most neglected of all the families of

Coleoptera. Moreover there is another reason why water-beetles, though possessing a

special interest in certain respects, should be at present omitted in the discussion of

faunistic questions, viz. that they require special apparatus to obtain them, and so they

are very unequally collected—the collector rarely troubling himself to carry a water-net

in addition to his other implements, so that they are frequently passed over and not

procured even in spots where they are really numerous.

By far the larger part of the volume is occupied with the great family Staphylinide,

of which we register 1405 species. In the temperate regions of the world this family

is more numerous in species than the Carabide, and is about equal in this respect to

the Curculionide ; but it has been hitherto supposed to be less numerous in species in

the tropics. There are undoubtedly some tropical regions, especially such as possess

an arid climate, that are deficient in Staphylinide; but taking the world all over, I

believe the family will be found to maintain its supremacy of specific multiplicity with-

out much diminution. Actually, however, statistics would not show this to be the

case; for the total number of described species of Staphylinide outside the Nearctic

and Palearctic regions cannot at present, I should think, amount to 3000 species.

The study of this great family is therefore practically in its infancy, and very little can

be done with advantage in the comparison of our Staphylinide with those of other

regions. ‘The South-American Staphylinide are very little known; and the North-

American list, though it comprises upwards of 900 species, is very incomplete.

The 1400 species ascertained to exist in the Mexican or (as I think it would be better

called) the Central-American subregion can be actually but a small part of its true

Staphylinid-fauna, which if exhaustively explored would probably be found to be

nearer 4000 than 3000 species. In order to procure the insects composing this family

a skilful and persevering collector is absolutely necessary: our Editors were fortunate

in securing such a one in the person of Mr. Champion ; but for the provinces of our

subregion not visited by him our records are comparatively very imperfect. In order

INTRODUCTION. vil

to satisfy myself as to this and some other points, I have divided our subregion into

five subdivisions, and then computed the number of species found in each of these

subdivisions or provinces, and will now mention the results. The provinces adopted as

most convenient for the purposes I had in view are as follows:—(1) North or extra-

tropical Mexico, the line of the Tropic of Cancer being taken as its southern limit;

(2) Tropical or South Mexico, including Yucatan, from which latter country we have

received, however, very few Staphylinide; (3) Guatemala, including with it Honduras

and British Honduras; (4) Nicaragua and Costa Rica; and (5) Panama—the limit

between (4) and (5) being unknown, and perhaps only a question of collecting. I find

that we have received from North Mexico 42, from Tropical Mexico 453, from Guate-

mala 726, from Nicaragua and Costa Rica 157, and from Panama 457 species. I find

also that 34 of our species are known to occur in North America, and 97 in South

America and the Antilles. I will briefly comment on each of these figures.

The 42 species from North Mexico are mostly new and peculiar to the province, but

the number cannot represent more than one tenth of the species that actually exist

there ; so that we do not possess the data for forming an opinion as to the amount of

endemicity of the province. This country is, for several reasons, of peculiar interest ;

and it is a matter of regret that the difficulties that must necessarily be encountered by

a naturalist collecting there are so great that it must be long before even an approxi-

mately correct idea can be formed as to the true details of its insect-fauna. It will

probably prove poor in Staphylinide when compared with our other provinces.

From Tropical or Southern Mexico we have as yet received 453 species of Staphy-

linide. ‘This number is quite inadequate, and is due, no doubt, to the fact that the

smaller insects of this family have been neglected by the collectors who have investi-

gated the province. Keeping in view the large extent of South Mexico, and its great

variety of surface, climate, and vegetation, it is clear to me that we are not yet

acquainted with more than one fourth of its species of Staphylinide.

This conclusion is rendered still more certain when we consider the number already

found in Guatemala. Although in my table of this province I included the species we

have received from Honduras, yet these are so few that our total of 726 species may be

treated as being found in political Guatemala, which, notwithstanding its small area, thus

appears to be far the richest province of our region in Staphylinide ; this, I believe,

is actually not the case—the present predominance being due to Mr. Champion having

been long stationed there, and to his having assiduously collected even the smallest and

Vill INTRODUCTION.

most obscure species of its Coleopterous fauna. When we recollect, however, that

Staphylinide are in warm countries rarely met with, except in the case of a few

common species, that their preservation is more difficult than that of most other beetles,

and that Mr. Champion could only devote a small portion of his time to them, I feel

pretty sure that the total of 726 species for Guatemala is not more than one half of

what actually exist there.

From Nicaragua and Costa Rica we have received only 157 species; but these

include some very singular forms, and I anticipate that the province contains a larger

number of remarkable and beautiful species of the family than any other part of our

region.

In Panama Mr. Champion collected for a considerable period; thus the 457 species

enumerated probably bear a relation to its true total similar to what I have already

suggested in the case of Guatemala.

I have already stated that only 34 of our species are known from North America,

and 97 from South America and the Antilles. These figures indicate a much greater

alliance of our subregion with the latter than with the former of the two adjoining

countries. Both totals are very incomplete, and we shall no doubt ultimately find many

species common to Northern Mexico and the southern parts of North America. Scarcely

anything is known about the Staphylinide of Venezuela, and but little of that of the

northern parts of continental Colombia ; no doubt many species are common to our sub-

region and these countries, and I anticipate this alliance will increase more than that

between Mexico and North America, because the arid contiguous regions in the latter

countries are almost certain to prove naturally poor in this family.

An examination of our indications of locality has shown me that if a table were drawn

up to exhibit the number of species peculiar to each of the five provinces I have

adopted, it would exhibit for each a large percentage of endemicity; there can be

no doubt, however, that this is largely due to imperfect and unequal collecting, and I

shall not mention any of the totals obtained, but will give my general impression as to

these provinces, as this will be less misleading than the incomplete figures.

That North Mexico will prove to be largely distinct from South Mexico I entertain

no doubt; I anticipate, indeed, that it will be found the most distinct of all the

divisions of our subregion. But whether my Guatemalan province is in reality suffi-

INTRODUCTION. 1x

ciently distinct from that of Southern Mexico is very doubtful, although an inspection

of the localities accompanying each species mentioned in the body of the work shows

that at present the two are very distinct. For instance, Guatemala has nearly 200

species of Aleocharine, while South Mexico has only 60; but this discrepancy loses all

importance when we consider that our collections from the two provinces are from

different sources. The Aleocharine are chiefly minute, obscure insects; and while in

Guatemala Mr. Champion collected them with a perseverance and care that cannot be

too much admired, in Mexico they have been almost completely neglected by the

collectors who accumulated our materials. On the other hand, Guatemala, when

compared with Tropical Mexico, appears to be deficient in the larger and more remark-

able Staphylinide ; but then we must recollect that Mr. Champion was only two seasons

in Guatemala, while in Mexico several collectors have for many years amassed all they

could find of these more attractive and conspicuous forms. I therefore think it

extremely probable that more uniform and exhaustive collecting in Tropical Mexico

and in Guatemala will show that it would be a natural course to merge these two of

my provinces into one.

A similar discrepancy of collecting exists in the case of my two southern provinces,

Nicaragua (including Costa Rica) and Panama; and I do not think, taking this into

consideration, that the Staphylinide need be looked on as offering any impediment to

the two provinces being treated as one, of which the northern part is the centre of

endemicity.

From the observations I have made I hope it will be perfectly understood that our

knowledge of the Central-American Staphylinide is still very incomplete; because

statistics and tables might be drawn up from them which would give quite a false idea

of the relations of its faunistic provinces to one another. To emphasize this imper-

fection of our knowledge, I may call attention to various anomalies that will be evident

to those acquainted with the family and who will make an inspection of our localities ;

e. g. North America and Guatemala have each five species of Thinobius, but neither

Northern nor Southern Mexico has any representative.

I shall not make any further remark in reference to the distribution of the genera

of Staphylinide of our subregion, because not only is the imperfect collecting I have

alluded to above a barrier to their use, but also because in this difficult family the

genera have been much less scrutinized, and can scarcely be looked upon as of equivalent

importance with the genera of other families in which the structural characters are

much more easily observed. As a result of this it would appear that a large proportion

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, November 1887. b

xX INTRODUCTION.

of our genera have a very wide distribution. On the other hand, I have found it

necessary to establish a large number of new genera for our species; and many of these

certainly occur in other regions, though the fact of their doing so has not at present

been actually ascertained.

I may, however, I think, say that, in the case of genera with a large number of

species and a very wide distribution, the forms found in our subregion are much more

nearly allied to those of South than they are to those of North America.

I am therefore quite inclined to agree with the opinion expressed by Mr. Bates,

after his examination of the Geodephaga and Longicornia, that our subregion is

essentially Neotropical. At the same time I very much doubt whether Northern

Mexico can be considered to belong to it; and I anticipate that the best line of division

between the Nearctic and Neotropical regions will be found, not at the political

boundary between Mexico and the United States of North America, but rather some-

where about the line of the Tropic of Cancer, or, more probably, a little to the north

thereof.

The Staphylinide brought from the tropics previous to the commencement of this

work contained a very large proportion of species remarkable for their comparatively

large size, bizarre form, or brilliant colours; but it is now clear to me that this is very

largely due to imperfect collecting. Indeed, one of the striking facts in connection

with the collections of this family that our Editors have brought together with such

success, 1s the very large number of minute and obscure insects contained in them ;

there are a fair number of large, remarkable, or beautiful forms, but these are few in

comparison to the small and inconspicuous species, so that it can scarcely be said that

the Central-American Staphylinide are on the average larger or more brilliant than

those of Europe.

November 1887.

LIST OF

PLATES.

Plate. | Fig. Page. Plate Fig. Page.

Harirrips. Gonetopus costatus .......... ai 3 ss

: Sari cthebius crassipes .......... .

Haliplus solitarius............ I. 1 2 Hydrena longicollis .......... IL. 5 a

brevis .. 2... eee ee eee . 6 :

i t Danser. I 4 | Cyclonotum grossulum ........ TIL. 7. 96

CSOTOLCTUS TRVICONIS vs ee eee . 2 Pheenonotum tarsale .......... Ill, 8 98

Canthydrus simplex .......... 7 : rotundulum ..........-. Il. 9 | 100,770

—— mexicanus .........-.. . ae o po Il. | 10 100

Bidessus hydrovatoides ........ I. 5 | 20,753 Pe oypus gocmant oo, Tl. | 11 102

SETMAMNS eves eee ee es 1. 6 ~9 | Cercyon insignis............0: Il. | 12 105

clongatus .............. I. ‘ 25 variegatuS ............-- Ill. | 138 | 107,771

Agabus americanus .......... I. 8 33 | Pelosoma lafertei ............ Itt. | 14 109

Copelatus terminalis... +. ++. | 9 39 | Nitidulodes jansoni .......... I. | 15 | 112,772

impressicollis............ I. 10 | 40, 7 57 Oosternum costatum .......... II. 16 | 113,772

Pants atricolor ciatus - t 1 42,7 Megasternum strigicolle ...... IV. 1 | 118,772

s nigrofasci Lee . : Iv. 114

Megadytes fallax ............ I. 13 47 Deltostethus sulcatus...

Cybister fimbriolatus .......... I. 14 | 48, 759 Hareroceripm

G Heterocerus debilis .......... IV. 3 116

. YRINIDR armatus, ¢ .......0000- TV. 4 117

Dineutes truncatus............ I. 15 49 ,

Gyretes leionotus ............ I. 16 | 51,761 p

ARNIDZ.

HypRopHILipz. pryors eimoides. bebe e eee eee ah ° mt

Hydrophilus insularis ........ I | 1 54 | Disersus longipennis, ¢...... 17

Tropisternus mexicanus........ II. 3 | 55,762 peaanchorus, gracilipes, 3 ae i 128, ‘ 59

icipalpis...........0.. II. é 55 u POPS srr ’ ae

heevicollia Wooo cece cece, Il. ‘ 56 Cyllcepus optatus ............ IV. 9 129

ovalis.................. Il. 5 57 | Heterelmis obesus ............ IV. 10 131

oculatus..............2. II. 6 59 | Hlsianus robustus ............ IV. 11 182

Pleurhomus obscurus* ........ II. 7 | 60,763 | Elmis championi ees IV. 12 134

Hydrocharis perfectus ........ II. 8 | 61, 764) heteroceros £.......-.+.. IV. 13 136

Oocyclus brevicornis .......... II. 9 63 | apicalis .. 2+... 2... eee, IV. 14 136

Philydrus mexicanus.......... I. | 67 | —— Nodipes .... 6... esse eee IV. | 16 138

Hydrocombus politus.......... IL. 10 72.) — sulcicollis ....... 0.20... IV. 16 139

Sindolus optatus.............. II. 12 72)

Chasmogenus fragilis.......... II. 13 73 GEOoRISsIDa.

Helochares championi ........ Il. 14 75 | Georissus minor .............. IV. 17 141

Helopeltis larvalis ............ II. 15 77

Derallus angustus ............ II. 16 73 CYATHOCERIDE.

Berosus hoplitest ............ Il. 1 765 ; . 18 AA He

Hemiosus maculatus ......... Til. | 2| 985,767 | Cyathocerus horni ............ Ty. { 18q-d| 144, 75

* Tropisternus obscurus on the Plate.

+ Berosus salvini on the Plate.

+ Elmis heterocerus on the Plate.

¢/

xil LIST OF PLATES.

Plate. | Fig. Page. Plate Fig Page.

SraPHYLINIDZ. . Erchomus tachyporinus........ VII. 4 299

Aleochara centralis .......... V. ] 146 glabripennis ............ Vil. 5 300

Maseochara opacella .......... Vv. 2 154 sinuatus................ VII. 6 302

Oxypoda microps ............ V. 3 161 ignavus................| WII. 7 305

palpalis.............00. V. a 162 gravidus ...........4-. VII. 8 306

Phleeopora alticola............ Vv. 5 165 || Tachinoderus grandis.......... VII. 9 308

Tinotus cavicollis ............ V. 6 170 | Tachinus meridionalis ........ Vil. 10 309

Philotermes laxicornis ........ Vv. 7 171 inornatus ...........004. Vit. | il 310

Homalota consors ............ Vv. 8 172 || Tachyporus mexicanus ........ VII. | 12 311

terminicornis............ Vv. 9 183 argutus ........... 0 eee VII. 13 312

flavicauda .............. V. 10 189 || Conosoma gravidum .......... VII. | 14 313

championi.............. V. 11 192 ornatum ...........-4. VII. 15 315

godmani .............. V. 12 193 | Bolitobius festivus ............ VII. 16 316

trisignata .............. V. 13 194 obliquus .............. VII. | 17 317

prolixa ............000. V. 14 195 | Megacronus nigerrimus........ Vil. | 18 318

Leptonia picta ...........06. Vv. 15 196 meridionalis, var. ........ Vit. | 19 319

Thamiarea salvini............ V. 16 197 | Mycetoporus coxalis .......... VII. | 20 320

Myrmedonia flavicornis........ V. 17 200 | Tanygnathus antennalis ...... VII. | 21 321

levior ..... ee eee ee eee V. 18 204 VIS .o eee eee eee eee VII. | 22 322

godmani .............. Vv. 19 206 | Heterothops remota .......... VII. | 23 323

longipes............005- Vv. 20 207 orbicularis.............. VIL. | 24 324

mimula ..............-. V. 21 209 || Acylophorus didymus.......... VIT. | 25 325

Orphnebius lativentris ........ V. 22 210 palpalis ............00.0. Vill 1 327

Sceptobius dispar, g.......... Vv. 23 212 || Mimosticus viridipennis........ VIII 2 328

Falagonia mexicana .......... V. 24 213 || Quedius leticulus ............ VIII 3 329

Platonica salle@i.............. V. 25 215 championi .............. VIII “| 329

latifrons ..........00.. VI. 1 217 basiventris ............ VIII 5 330

Hoplandria gemina, fg ........ VI. 2 219 JOCOSUS .........0.2 006, Vill 6 331

TULA 6... eee eee ee VI. 3 221 arrogans ..........--.. VIIl 7 333

Charoxus fodiens ............ VI. 4 225 || Quedionuchus nigerrimus ...... VIII. 8 338

Rechota impressa ............ VI. 5 229 | Quediomacrus puniceipennis . VItI 9 339

Meronera fragilis* .......... VI. 6 230 || Cyrtothorax cyanescens........ VIII. | 10 341

Neolara centralis ............ VI. 7 231 salvini ......-.....000. Vill 11 | 341, 788

Chitalia granigera ............ VI. 8 236 | Cordylaspis pilosa, var. ........ Vill 12 342

Stenagria gracilipes .......... VI. 9 238 | Tympanophorus concolor ...... VIII. | 13 | 348, 784

PaTe oo... eee ee ee eee VI. 10 240 || Selma modesta .............. VU 14 343

Epipeda rufa ................ VI. 11 240 | Xanthopygus puncticollis ...... VIll 15 345

TOY] eee cece eee eee ee VI. 12 246 rufipennis .............. VIII. | 16 346

Gyropheena gracilicornis ...... VI. 13 264 || Lampropygus cognatus ........ VIII. | 17 347

Brachychara crassa .......... VI. 14 267 analis.......... ee ee eee Vill. | 18 348

Placusa longicornis .......... VI. 15 272 || Brachydirus divisus .......... VIII. | 19 349

erassula ................ VI. 16 273 fungicola .............. VIII. | 20 351

Silusa opacella .............. VI. 17 277 || Plociopterus collaris .......... VIII. | 21 352

gracilis... . eee eee VI. 18 277 variegatus ...........00. VIII. | 22 353

Kuvira godmani........ coe VI. 19 280 | Philothalpus difficilis.......... VIII. | 23 355

Gansia bicolor .............. VI. 20 283 prolixus................ VIII. | 24 357

Tachiona deplanata .......... VI. 21 284 || —— philonthiformis.......... VIIT. | 25 358

Bamona gracilis.............. VI. 22 | 288, 781 peederiformis ............ IX. 1 359

Saphoglossa pictipennis........ VI. 23 291 | Gastrisus opaculus ............ IX. 2 359

Barychara filicornis .....,.... VI. 24 292 || Isanopus sallei .............. IX. 3 360

Deinopsis ferruginea .......... VI. 25 294 || Styngetus viduus, var. ..... IX. 4 361

. 1 anticus .............00. IX. 5 362

Cephaloplectus godmani........ VII. { 14,B 297 Ocyolinus amethystinus........ IX. 6 363

Erchomus politulus .......... VII. 2 298 || Phanolinus flohri ............ IX. 7 364

distams .............0.. VI. 3 299 godmani .............. IX. 8 366

* Merona fragilis on the Plate.

LIST OF PLATES.

Plate. | Fig Page.

Phanolinus speciosus.......... IX. 9 367

discedens .............. IX. 10 368

Nausicotus spectabilis ........ IX. 11 369

Glenus flohri, var. ............ IX. 12 369

Staphylinus ferox (wing) ...... IX. 14 372

atrox (Wing)............ IX, 15 372

13, ‘

—— fulvo-maculatus ........ IX. 13a } 373

—— vittatus .............0.. IX. 16 374

—— maculiventris .......... IX. 17 375

—— angusticeps ............ IX, 18 376

—— fervidus................ IX. 19 377

—— championl.............. IX. 20 382

—— modestus .............. IX. 21 383

—— salvinianus ............ IX. 22 385

|<) 0 IX. 23 387

——— gracilipes .............. IX. 24 388

insolitus ...........05. IX, 25 389

Amichorus fauveli............ IX. 26 390

Flohria laticornis ............ IX. 27 392

Onthostygnus fasciatus ........ X. 1 392

Misantlius optatus............ X. 2 394

carinulatus ............ X. 3 394

Philonthus crassulus .......... XI. 1 396

abnormalis ............ XI. 2 397

palmatus .............. X. 4 397

—— sall@i..............00.. X. 5 398

—— alticola ................ X. 7 400

hOgei . 2... eee eee eee Xx, 6 400

piceatus, var. .......... X, 8 400

—_—— 2) X. 9 400

——— a) X. 10 400

—— 17S. eee ee eee X. 11 401

atricepS ... 2... eee eee X. 12 404

——— parvimanus ............ Xx. 14 406

ochromerus ............ X. 13 406

——mollis ...........0.... X. 15 408

quadraticollis .......... Xx. 16 409

—— letipennis.............. X. 17 409

fulgipennis .... ....... X. 18 410

rufopygus ............0. Xx. 19 411

piatypterus ............ XI. 3 412

godmani .............. X. 20 413

infimus .............0.4. XI. 4 414

latecinctus...........4.. XI. 5 415

trochanterinus .......... XI. 6 417

alternans .............. XI. 7 418

SCTPeNS .........0.000., X. 21 429

tachiniformis .......... X. 22 425

rectilaterus .........-.. X. 23 425

discretus ...........05. X. 24 427

championi.............. X. 25 427

Belonuchus cognatus.......... XI. 9 429

alternatus .............. XI. 10 430

bidens ................ XI. 11 430

Plate Fig Page

Belonuchus erythropterus ...... XI. 13 | 482, 789

viridipennis* .......... XI. | 12 | 483, 789

mimeticus ...........0. XI. 14 436

similis ............000. XL. 15 436

Chroaptomus regalis .......... XI. 8 438

Pederomimus gentilis ........ XI. 17 439

salvini ...........0000. XI. 18 440

hilaris ..........00000. XI. 19 441

nobilis .............05. XI. 20 442

pectoralis .............. XI. 16 443

difformiceps ............ XI. 23 445

——nigripennis ............ XI. 22 446

insolitus .............. XI. | 21 447

cribratust.............. XI. 24 450

GOTTOSUS.... eee ee eee eee XI. 25 451

Linoderus gracilipes .......... XI. 2 452

Pescolinus palmatus .......... XI. 3 453

Odontolinus fasciatus.......... XII. 4 454

Musicoderus cephalotes ........ XII. 5 455

Peederallus fragilis............ XII. 1 457

Actobius nitidulus ............ XII. 6 460

delicatulus.............. XII. 7 461

alternans .............. XII. 8 461

Holisus prolixus ............ XII. 9 463

oblitus ..............0. XII. | 1¢ 465

elatuS 2... ..... eee eee XII. 11 465

Diochus inornatus ............ XU. | 12 466

Agrodes longicornis .......... XII. | 18 467

Sterculia humeralis .......... XII. | 14 469

Plochionocerus brachypterus....| XII. | 15 471

Homalolinus canaliculatus...... XII. | 17 A72

apicalis ............000. XIT. | 18 474

Heterolinus puncticeps ........ XII. | 19 475

Tesba belti.. 2.0... ee eee XII. 16 475

Xantholinus nigriceps ........ XII. | 20 476

TUdIS .. 6. ee eee eee ee ee XII. | 21 477

—— humilis................ XII. | 22 481

aneotinctus ............ XII. | 23 484

Allotrichus arenarius.......... XII. | 24 486

Hymeneus godmani .......... XIII 1 487

cephalotes.............. XIII 2 485

Leptacinus grandiceps ........ XIII 5 490

Lithocharodes fuscipennis ...... XIIT 6 492

Somoleptus eenescens.......... XIIT 8 495

agreformis ............ XIII 7 498

Thyreocephalus salvini ........ XIII 3 499

rufipennis .............. XIII. + 500

Nudobius celatus ............ XII. | 25 502

Metoponcus longiceps ........ XIII. | 10 504

varians ........ eee eee XII 9 504

holisoides .............. XIII. | 11 505

Cryptobium collare .......... XIII. | 12 | 507, 792

speculator .............. XII. | 13 511

—— wequale ................ XIIT. | 15 | 518, 798

——mixtum ...,..... ve XIII 14 515

* Belonuchus dejectus on the Plate.

+ Pederomimus cribricollis on the Plate.

ara

X1V LIST OF PLATES.

Plate. | Fig Page. Plate. | Fig Page.

Cryptobium nasutum.......... XIII. | 16 526 || Stilicopsis brevis. bene ne eens XV. | 23 607

nigriventre .........6.. XIII. | 21 526 || Stamnoderus championi........ XV. | 24 607

centrale............ 000. XIII. | 20 528 godmani .............. XV. | 25 608

brevipenne ............ XII 17 529 || Pederus alticola.............. XVI. 1 609

——ducale ................ XIII. | 18 531 luridiventris ............ XVI. 2 610

grande ............0005 XIII. | 19 532 | —— letipes ................ XVI. 3 611

rostratum .............. XIII. | 22 532 signaticornis ............ XVI. 4 613

Ababactus depressus .......... XII. | 28 534 || —— letus..............000. XVI. 5 613

gracilis ......... cece eee XIII 94 535 || —— yucateca Le cee eee ee eee XVI. 6 614

politus .............0.. XIII. | 25 | 536, 794 columbinus ............ XVI. 7 617

Lathrobium mexicanum ...... XIV. 1 537 apicalis ...........2.-.. XVI. 8 617

Scopseomerus chiriquensis...... XIV. 2 539 || Tenodema stigmaticum........ XVI. 9 618

Scopeeus salvini.............. XIV. +. 543 ornatum 1. ..... eee eee XVI. | 10 619

dissimilis .............. XIV. 5 544 || —— hemorrhoidale .......... XVI. | 11 619

antoniensis ............ XIV. 6 545 tibiale ................ XVI. | 12 620

politus ............008. XIV. 8 546 || Pinophilus albipes............ XVI. | 18 621

apicipennis ............ XIV. 7 547 penetrans ....,......... XVI. | 14 624

Euscopeus gracilicornis........ XIV. 9 548 agilis........ eee ee eee XVI. | 16 626

Orus guatemalenus .......... XIV. 3 549 longicornis ............ XVI. | 15 627

Lithocharis hilaris............ XIV. | 11 551 || Lathropinus parallelus ........ XVI. | 17 628

Aderocharis latro ............ XIV. | 10 552 || Heteroleucus marginatus ...... XVI. | 18 629

Dacnochilus letus ............ XIV. | 12 554 || Gidodactylus fauveli .......... XVI. | 19 630

Acalopheena angularis ........ XIV. | 13 555 || Palaminus lacertinus.......... XVI. | 20 631

Lithocaon sparsus ............ AIV. | 14 555 concolor.............04, XVI. | 21 | 635,798

Neomedon princeps .......... XIV. | 15 557 rubripennis ............ XVI. | 22 635

Mespalerus flavipennis ........ XIV. | 16 560 apicipennis ............ XVI. | 23 636

Scioporus fulvescens'.......... XIV. | 17 562 deformis .............. XVI. | 24 637

Signatus............0.0.. XIV. 18 562 vittatus.............00. XVI. | 25 | 639,798

latifrons .............. XIV 19 564 || Edaphus euplectoides.......... XVII 1 640

Stilomedon triseriatus ........ XIV 20 565 || Stenus renifer .............. XVII 2 641

Ophiomedon stipes............ XIV. | 21 567 championi.............. XVII 3 642

Monocharis vestita............ XIV. | 22 569 graciliventris, 9 ........ XVII 4 643

Sciocharis arribalzage ... ..| XIV. | 23 570 repletus, ¢ .........0.. XVII 5 646

Doops........ ee ee ee eee XIV. | 24 574 fauvelianus, 9 .......... XVII 6 646

Eusclerus rugifrons ......... XIV. | 25 576 nasutus, S ........0e. XVII 7 648

Stilocharis longula............ XV. 1 O17 — trochanterinus, g........ XVII 8 649

Deroderus vestitus............ XV. 2 577 comsimilis .............. XVII 9 651

difficilis. 2... ee... XV. 3 578 docilis we... ee... eee eee. XVII. | 10 653

Eustilicus crassidens .......... KV. 4 579 gentilis ...............0. XVII. | 11 657

Trochoderus godmani.......... XV. 5 581 Salvinl ....... eee ee eee XVIT 12 659

Stilicus angularis ............ XY. 6 581 aculeatus, S..........5. XVII. | 14 661

eribratus .............. XV. 7 582 godmani .............. XVII 13 | 662, 799

muticus.............00. XV. 8 585 cribriceps ..........002. XVII. | 15 662

Suniocharis modesta .......... XY. 9 586 SOQAX oe ee ee ee eee ee XVII 16 665

Suniotrichus capillaris ........ XV. 10 588 | —— podagricus.............. XVII 17 667

Monista concolor ............ XV. | 11 589 | Megalops cruciger, d.......... XVIT. | 18 668

picturata .............. XV. | 12 591 integer... ee... ee ee XVII. | 19 671

Echiaster fillum .............. XV. 13 592 elegans ...........0000. XVII. | 20 672

championi.............. XV. | 14 593 preditus .............. XVII. | 21 672

lativentris........ 0.0... XV. 15 594 guatemalenus .......... XVII. | 22 673

Zonaster optatus ............ AV. | 16 595 basalis 22... .......... XVIT. | 23 674

Sunius longinasus ............ XV. 17 596 peploides .............. XVII. | 24 675

pilatel ........ ee, XV. | 18 599 puncticeps............0. XVII. | 25 676

tenuis .. 2... eee AV. | 19 600 | Oxyporus mexicanus.......... XVIII 1 677

Dibelonetes biplugiatus........) XV, 20 602 flohri ww. eee eee. XVIII 2 677

laticeps ..........0.000., XY. 21 603 | Osorius canaliculatus,......... XVIII 3 678

tristigma .............. XV. 22 605 mundus................ XVIII 4 681

LIST OF PLATES. XV

Plate. | Fig. Page. Plate. Fig. Page.

Holotrochus rufopygus ........ XVIII. | 5 683 || Zirophorus planatus .......... XIX. 3 711

marginatus ..........-. XVIII. | 6 684 furcatus ............4. XIX. + 712

Bledius lecontei .............. XVUI.| 7 685 || Piestus mexicanus............ XIX. 5 714

imornatus .............. XVIII. |} 8 | 685, 800 crassicorniS ............ XIX. 6 716

Platystethus spiculus ........ XVIII. | 9 | 687, 800 || Anceeus crassicornis .......... XTX. 7 716

Oxytelus principalis, ¢........ XVIII. | 10 688 || Lispinus longicornis ..........| XIX. 8 722

strigosulus ............ XVIII. | 12 690 planellus .............. XIX. 9 722

spinifrons, ¢ .......... XVITI. | 11 691 || Glyptoma leviceps............ XIX. | 10 723

Apocellus spheericollis ........ XVIII. | 13 694 hirticorne .............. XIX. | 11 724

cognatus ............-. XVIII. | 14 695 || Aneucamptus excisicollis ...... XIX. | 12 725

sordidus.............-.. XVIII. | 15 697 || Thoracophorus sall@i.......... XIX. | 13 725

Trogophleeus planellus ........ XVIII. | 16 698 discretus .............. XIX. | 14 727

punctipennis............ XVIII. | 17 701 || Eleusis bicolor, var. divisa...... XIX. | 16 729

mollis ...........--24. XVIII. | 18 702 COrvina .............04. XIX. | 17 730

vittatus ...... eee. eee eee XVIII. | 19 702 SClt€a oe. eee eee ee eee XIX. | 18 731

Trogactus funebris............ XVIII. | 20 703 INSIQNIS ...... 2... ee eee XIX. | 19 732

godmani .............. XVIII. | 21 703 || Eumalus strigosus............ XIX. | 20 733

Parosus hilaris .............- XIX. 1 704 nigricepS ...........-4- XIX. | 21 733

Thinobius tenuis ............ XVIII. | 22 705 || Leptochirus molossus.......... XIX. | 22 735

Sciotrogus opacus ............ XVIII. | 23 707 || Priochirus divergens .......... XIX. | 23 742

Eebletus simplex ..........-. XVIII. | 24 708 || Megarthrus zunilensis ........ XIX. | 15 743

Charhyphus brevicollis ........ XVIII. | 25 709 || Omalium leticulum .......... XIX. | 24 747

Hypotelus marginatus ........ XIX. 2 711 || Micropeplus acumen .......... XIX. | 25 747

ERRATA.

for Guatemata read Nicaracua

for H. read M.

for flavicollis read flavicornis

for F. read C.

for discrepens read discrepans

for Ocala read Ocalea

for I will call read I call

for Calpulalpam read Capulalpam

for B. validus read B. pollens

for P. read C.

for Yantepec read Yautepec

for Tlalcotalpam read Tlacotalpam

for XVI. read XIV.

for mexicana read mexicanum

for A. read O.

for leinotus read leionotus

for 85 read 88

for 678 read 687

BIOLOGIA CENTRALI-AMERICANA.

ZOOLOGIA.

Class INSECTA.

Order COLEOPTERA.

Tribe ADEPHAGA (continued).

Fam, HALIPLIDA.

This family at present consists of about fifty species of aquatic carnivorous Coleoptera,

and is probably as well represented in the northern and temperate as it is in the tropical

regions. It is of wide distribution; but only one or two species are yet known from |

South America, while, on the other hand, North America has furnished a considerable

proportion of the forms at present extant in our collections.

CNEMIDOTUS.

Cnemidotus, Illiger, Mag. Ins. i. p. 8373 (1802).

This is a small genus of about eight species, but has a wide extension in the northern

hemisphere, from Europe to Japan and China on the one side, and to North America,

east and west, on the other.

1. Cnemidotus simplex.

Cnemidotus simplex, Lec. Ann. Lyc. N. Y. v. p. 201".

Hab. Norta America, San Diego!.—Muexico, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé), Jalapa

and Oaxaca ({Hoge).

The Mexican individuals depart considerably from Californian specimens, being

much narrower and with less coarse sculpture; the Guanajuato specimens, however,

differ considerably from the large series found by Hoge, and approach more nearly to

the Californian individuals; so that the superficial characters above mentioned, unac-

companied as they are by any structural distinctions, do not warrant us in treating the

Mexican individuals as a species distinct from that of California.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, Aprid 1882. BB

NS)

ADEPHAGA.

HALIPLUS.

Haliplus, Latreille, Gen. Crust. et Ins. i. p. 234 (1806).

This genus has an even wider geographical extension than has Cnemidotus, and,

unlike it, is represented in South America as well as North.

1. Haliplus solitarius. (Tab. 1. fig. 1.)

Ovalis, brevis, convexus, rufo-testaceus, prothorace longitudinaliter in medio nigro, elytris ex parte majore

nigris, versus latera testaceo-variegatis ; prothorace absque plicula laterali ; elytris fortiter seriatim punc-

tatis; coxarum laminis dense fortiterque punctatis.

Long. 14 lin.

Hab. GuatTEMALA, city, 5000 feet (Champion).

This comes nearer to the North-American H. punctatus than to any other described

species ; but it is abundantly distinct by its much shorter form, less dense sculpture,

and the greater extension of the black markings of the upper surface. The thorax

is neither densely nor sparingly punctured ; and the black mark on the middle extends

the whole length. The external series of punctures on the elytra are much coarser

than those of the three or four series near the suture. The prominent middle portion

of the prosternum is rough and coarsely punctate; and its lateral margins are directed

outwards rather than upwards, the middle being not at all raised.

The unique individual described is a male. The front tarsi are not incrassate ; but

the four basal joints bear each at the apex beneath a minute tuft of sete.

2. Haliplus signatus.

Ovalis, brevis, convexus, testaceus, prothorace elytrisque fusco-signatis ; illo crebre punctato, absque plicula

laterali, his fortiter seriatim punctatis; coxarum laminis sat crebre et sat fortiter punctatis.

Long. 13 lin.

Hab. GuateMata, Duefas (Champion).

Thorax short, closely punctate, but transversely along the middle almost without

punctures ; on the front margin there is in the middle a transverse fuscous cloud; and

there is also at the base on each side a very indistinct fuscous mark. ‘The elytra have

very definite and distinct series of punctures, even those near the suture being deep

and distinct, and those nearer the sides are very coarse; along the whole length of the

suture they have a fuscous or dilute black irregular mark, and more externally some

isolated marks of similar colour. The punctures on the coxe are not dense, but are

rather coarse. The margins of the prominent middle portion of the prosternum are

much raised ; and this part, moreover, is longitudinally convex along the middle.

The unique individual described is no doubt a female.

3. Haliplus robustus.

Haliplus robustus, Sharp, Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. xx. p. 120.

Hab. Panama, David (Champion).—ANTILLES, Antigua.

NOTOMICRUS. a)

Fam. DYTISCIDE.

This is a family of moderate extent, comprising at present about 1200 species

arranged in about eighty genera. ‘The species are, without exception, thoroughly

aquatic in their habits, and, except when on the wing, are rarely found out of their

peculiar element. Hence special means of collecting are required for the Dytiscide,

and it is probable that the species of the family are comparatively less completely

known than their very closely allied terrestrial neighbours the Carabide. The arrange-

ment here adopted is that suggested by the writer in the Transactions of the Royal

Dublin Society (new series), vol. ii. (1882).

Series DYTISCI FRAGMENTATI.

NOTOMICRUS.

Notomicrus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 833 (1882).

These excessively minute insects form a small genus, of which at present only four

species have been described, two from South America and two from Australia.

1. Notomicrus gracilipes.

Ovalis, angustulus, subdepressus, pernitidus, elytris crebre subtiliter punctatis, ad basin levigatis; testaceus,

vertice pectoreque fuscis.

Long. 2 lin.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Paraiso, 300 feet (Champion).

The posterior portion of the head is dark, but the colour in front is more dilute.

and rufescent; the prothorax is clear yellow; the elytra are of a more obscure or

livid pale yellow, and are narrowly infuscate along the suture ; the surface also appears

dark along the joint between the thorax and wing-cases: these latter have a very

fine but distinct punctuation ; the punctures are not dense, and are quite wanting on

the basal portion, and at the extreme apex they are obsolete. ‘The breast is infuscate.

The upper surface, except for the punctuation of the wing-cases, is very smooth and

shining ; but the under surface is duller, although without punctuation. The posterior

tarsi are extremely slender and very elongate, considerably longer than the tibie.

The male has the three basal joints of the anterior tarsi distinctly incrassate.

The species is distinct from the Amazonian JN. é¢raili by its smaller size, by the less

dense and fine punctuation on the wing-cases, and rather shorter antenne. It varies

somewhat as to the extension and distinctness of the infuscate portions of the surface.

2. Notomicrus politus. 7

Ovalis, angustulus, subdepressus, pernitidus, levigatus ; tarsis posterioribus tenuissimis, quam tibis longioribus.

Long. 3 lin.

Hab. Guatemata, Paraiso, 300 feet, and Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champion).

BB 2

4 ADEPHAGA.

This little mite is readily distinguished from NV. gracilipes by the polished upper

surface, quite destitute of punctuation on the wing-cases, as well as by the more uni-

form colour. It appears also to be slightly smaller, and to have the antenne a little

shorter. It is extremely similar to the Australian WV. /evigatus, but is of more depressed

form, and, moreover, is considerably smaller.

MESONOTERUS.

Pronotero quoad faciem similis, inter eum et Noterwm quoad pedes anteriores locandus. Caput magnum; antenne

mediocres, articulis intermediis secundum sexum plus minusve leviter incrassatis ; palpi labiales articulo

ultimo valde dilatato, minute emarginato ; mentum in medio angustissime denticulatum ; prosterni processus

planus, subovalis; coxarum posteriorum laminis internis elevatis, apicibus acuminatis, parum prolongatis,

angulis absque setis; acetabula inter se perparum distantia. Tibie anteriores graciles, angulo externo

obsoleto, brevissime ciliato, ad apicem calcari tenui sed sat elongato, parum curvato, armate. Pedes

natatorii fere graciles, femoribus apice externo rotundato, haud penicillato, tibiis intus densissime, extus

parcius ciliatis, calcaribus elongatis tenuissimis, tarsis omnino gracilibus, quam tibize paulo longioribus.

The insect for which this genus is proposed has quite the appearance of the South-

American Pronoterus, and connects that genus quite evidently with the Noterini.

Mesonoterus differs from it, however, by the lighter structure of the front legs, which

resemble those of Noterus in form, but are more slender; and the swimming-legs also

are more slender and less powerful. Although there is no pencil of sete at the

extremity of the hind femora, there are yet two or three very fine elongate hairs.

1. Mesonoterus levicollis. (Tab. I. fig. 2.)

Ovalis, transverse sat convexus, postice acuminatus, testaceus, elytris livide brunneis, irregulariter sat crebre

et sat fortiter punctatis, punctis suturam versus desinentibus.

Long. 17 lin.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champion).

Antenne about as long as head and thorax, with the intermediate joints broader

than the basal and the two apical joints. Head rather elongate, without sculpture,

shining. Thorax strongly transverse, almost entirely without punctuation, the punc-

tures near the front margin being obsolete. Elytra of darker colour and less shining

than the head and thorax, with numerous irregularly scattered rather large punctures,

which are wanting along the suture. Under surface almost impunctate, there being a

few fine punctures on the middle portion of the metasternum, and still fewer on the

elevated lamine of the hind coxe; the lateral portions of the metasternum, hind coxe,

and ventral segments are dull and finely coriaceous.

The male has the antenne broader than the female, and the basal joint of the front

and middle tarsi greatly incrassate. The female has the last ventral segment at the

extremity folded and compressed so as to form a very prominent plica; in each sex the

apex of the body appears mucronate, owing to the projection of the cedeagus or of the

ovipositor.

SUPHIS.—CANTHYDRUS. 5

SUPHIS.

Suphis, Aubé, Ie. Col. Eur. v. p. 208.

This genus, at present, is only known by three species from South America and the

Antilles.

1. Suphis difformis, var.

Suphis difformis, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 268, t. ix. fig. 118.

Hab. GuatEMaLA, Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champion).—Sovutu AMERICA, from the

Orinoco to Bahia.

The Central-American specimens differ a little from the type in that they have the

joints of the antenne less elongate; but they agree in this with an individual from

Santa Rita, Brazil. I have not been able to distinguish the sexes. All the individuals

have the basal joint of the front foot very large.

CANTHYDRUS.

Canthydrus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 8388 (1882).

The species of this genus are numerous, forty or fifty being at present known; and

they occur in all the warmer parts of the two hemispheres, with the exception of some

of the Pacific islands.

1. Canthydrus simplex. (Tab. I. fig. 3.)

Subrotundatus, convexus, nitidus, testaceus, elytris castaneis, obsolete punctatis; prosterni processu longitudi-

naliter depresso ; coxarum laminis parce punctatis.

Long. 1 lin.

Hab. Guatemata, Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champion).

This little insect is no doubt closely allied to the Brazilian C. rotwndatus, with which

I am unfortunately unable to compare it. No serial punctures can be detected on the

wing-cases. The central elevated portion of the metasternum is more densely and

coarsely punctate than are the coxal lamine ; the latter at their common suture behind

are a good deal depressed, and the coxal cavities are slightly separated.

The male has the basal joint of the front and middle tarsi more incrassate than it

is In the female.

2. Canthydrus varians.

Breviter ovalis, convexus, nitidus, prothorace antice in medio elytrisque fuscis, his testaceo-signatis, crebre

fortiterque punctatis ; coxarum laminis parce punctatis.

Long. ;%; poll.

Hab. Guatemata, Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champion).

The colour of the elytra is sometimes nearly black, sometimes more dilute; the

6 ADEPHAGA.

yellow marks on them are also variable; the external margin is yellow, and has con-

nected with it about the middle a more or less obsolete small mark ; at the base between |

the suture and the shoulder there is a stripe extending about half the length of the

wing-case, and just behind the middle, nearer the suture, an indistinct short vitta: these

markings, however, are sometimes much reduced in size. The punctuation of the elytra

is rather deep and distinct, but is somewhat variable in these respects ; no serial punc-

tures can be detected. The prosternal process is not canaliculate. The male has the

basal joint of the front and middle tarsi a good deal incrassate; the female has the

extremity of the last ventral plate obscurely plicate in the middle.

3. Canthydrus subsignatus.

Canthydrus subsignatus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 271.

Hab. PANAMA.

This is very closely allied to C. varians, but is larger and broader, and the structure

of the last ventral segment in the female (the only sex known) appears to be different.

4, Canthydrus centralis.

Canthydrus centralis, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 274.

Hab. GuateMaLa, San Gerénimo, Guatemala city, 5000 feet (Champion).

5. Canthydrus majusculus.

Ovalis, latiusculus, testaceus, elytris sordidis, superne in thorace et in elytris fortiter irregulariter punctatus ;

coxarum laminis externis parum coriaceis, internis fortiter punctatis.

Long. 13, lat. 1 lin.

Hab. Panama, David (Champion).

This species is of larger size than any other yet known of the genus, and this, in

combination with the distinctly punctate upper surface, permits its easy identification.

The prosternal process is depressed along the middle, and the raised coxal lamine and

middle of the metasternum are very closely punctate; on the other hand, the sides of

the breast are almost smooth. The swimming-legs are rather thicker than usual in the

genus. The two individuals before me are probably males; the apical ventral segment

is quite without impressions. The terminal five joints of the antenne are a little

irregular, the seventh joint being distinctly longer than either of the following three,

while the eighth and tenth are each distinctly smaller than the adjacent joints.

6. Canthydrus mexicanus. (Tab. I. fig. 4.)

Hydrocanthus lineatus, Wehncke, Berl. Zeit. xx. p. 221.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Oaxaca (Hége).

This is very closely allied to C. centralis, but is larger and of brighter colour, the

CANTHYDRUS.—HYDROCANTHUS. 7

thorax being without infuscation, and the reddish-yellow vittee on the wing-cases broader.

As Suphis lineatus, Horn, belongs to this genus, it has been necessary to change the

name given by Wehncke.

7. Canthydrus rufipes.

Canthydrus rufipes, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. p. 273.

Hab. GuateMaua, Duefias and Paso Antonio (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales

(Janson); Panama, David (Champion).—Sovutu America, Amazon valley; Cua.

HYDROCANTHUS.

Hydrocanthus, Say, Tr. Am. Phil. Soc. ii. p. 105 (1825) ; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. 11. p. 839.

The species known of this genus are about twelve in number, and are found in the

warmer parts of the eastern and western hemispheres. The genus is one most difficult to

deal with, on account of the extreme resemblance of the species to one another, and the

absence of well-marked or readily appreciated external characters. Material for dealing

in a thoroughly satisfactory manner with the Central-American forms is not at present

to be obtained; and I have thus been able to determine only with doubt three of the

species here mentioned. There is in the collection a specimen of H. indicus, labelled

‘“‘Guatem.;” but I think this individual cannot really be from Central America, and

have therefore not admitted it into the list of species here given.

1. Hydrocanthus levigatus.

Noterus levigatus, Brullé, Voy. d’Orb. Col. p. 50.

Hydrocanthus levigatus, Aubé, Sp. Gén. vi. p. 406; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. 11. p. 280.

Hab. Panama, David (Champion).—Soutn America, Bahia, Orinoco.

The individuals from Panama are probably really conspecific with the South-American

specimens. |

2. Hydrocanthus texanus.

Hydrocanthus texanus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. p. 280.

Hab. Nort America, Texas.—Mexico, Oaxaca (Hége), Guanajuato (Duges, coll. Sallé).

It is doubtful whether the Mexican individuals from these two localities are con-

specific with the North-American specimens, or even with one another; in the absence

of material that would allow the sexes to be certainly recognized, this must remain

undecided.

3. Hydrocanthus atripennis.

Hydrocanthus atripennis, Say, Trans. Am. Phil. Soe. iv. p. 447° ; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s.

ii. p. 280.

Hab. Mexico }.—Brazit, Santa Rita, and Boa Sorta.

8 ADEPHAGA.

I have not been able with certainty to identify Say’s species; and it must remain at

present doubtful whether I am correct in assigning to it the specimens from Brazil I

have been able to examine.

4. Hydrocanthus debilis.

Hydrocanthus debilis, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. i. p. 281.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hége); GuatemMaLa, Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champion) ;

Panama, David (Champion).—Sovts America, Bahia.

The individuals from Central America appear to be really conspecific with specimens

from Bahia in my collection.

5. Hydrocanthus marmoratus.

Ovalis, sat convexus, pernitidus, testaceus, elytris castaneis, transversim testaceo undulatis.

Long. 2 lin.

Hab. Guatema.a, Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champion).

In the male the prosternal process is a little hollowed, and is nearly impunctate,

there being only obsolete traces of punctuation on each side; the middle of the

prosternum in front of the coxe is closely and finely punctate; the last ventral plate

has at the apex in the middle a small oblong dull space. In the female the prosternal

process and the space in front of it are quite impunctate and polished, and the ventral

plate is without the dull patch.

The species is extremely similar to H. debilis, but is considerably larger, and the

distinctions between the sexes are quite different.

MACROVATELLUS.

Macrovatellus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. p. 840 (1882).

The species of this genus are seven in number, and are, so far as we yet know,

restricted to the eastern portions of South and Central America, extending from

Uruguay to Mexico.

1. Macrovatellus mexicanus.

Macrovatellus mexicanus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. p. 284.

Hab. Mexico, Puebla (Sai/é).

The female of this species differs from the male by the very slender front and middle

tarsi, and the absence of the pubescence on the middle femora; in other respects it is

similar. The third joint of the front tarsus in this sex is elongate and slender—when

seen beneath, about three times as long as broad.

LACCOPHILUS. 9

LACCOPHILUS. .

Laccophilus, Leach, Zool. Miscell. iii. p. 69 (1817) ; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. p. 841.

This is an extensive genus, widely distributed in the warmer and temperate regions

of the two hemispheres. The Central-American species are numerous; and I have

arranged them in conformity with the groups tabled in my memoir on the Dytiscide.

Thus the first eleven species belong to group |; the next three species, L. oscillator,

L. levipennis, and L. duplex, to group 2; while LZ. optatus goes into group 5. Lacco-

philus championi and L. suavis are peculiar, inasmuch as they possess a coxal file and

an elongate prosternal process, a combination not before found in the genus; as,

however, the coxal file is rudimentary, consisting of only a few coarse and indistinct

ruge, I think it is of comparatively little importance in the case of these insects, which,

from their other characters, may be placed in group 9d.

1. Laccophilus mistecus.

Ovalis, latus, sat convexus, parum nitidus, testaceus, elytris crebre fusco-irroratis, ad marginem lateralem et

ad apicem pallidis; pectore nigro, abdomine piceo.

Long. 23, lat. 1? lin.

Hab. Mexico, Parada (Boucard, coll. Salié).

In the male the last ventral plate is much truncate at the extremity, and the middle

of the hind margin forms a small but distinctly prominent lobe. In the female the

upper surface is a little duller than it is in the male, owing to its being finely

alutaceous; the apical ventral segment in this sex is nearly simple, and the coxal file

is extremely fine.

The species is allied to L. mexicanus, but is broader, and the fuscous irrorations on

the wing-cases are not so dense, the male has the last ventral segment more truncate,

and the female has the upper surface distinctly alutaceous.

2. Laccophilus mexicanus.

Laccophilus mexicanus, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 420.

Laccophilus atristernalis, Crotch, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. iv. p. 418; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soe.

n.s. li. p. 292.

Hab. Cauirornta.—Mexico, Oaxaca and Jalapa (fége), Guanajuato (Dugés, coll.

Sallé), Cordova (Sallé).

This appears to be the most abundant species of the Mexican Dytiscide. It varies

considerably in size and width, and a little in colour, in certain individuals; the ventral

segments are nearly yellow ; and occasionally the pale spot at the apex of the wing-cases,

caused by the absence there of the fuscous irrorations, is very inconspicuous. ‘There

can, I think, be no doubt now that Aubé’s description (oc. cit.) refers to this insect;

and I have therefore adopted his name for it. |

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, April 1882. CC

10 ADEPHAGA.

3. Laccophilus spergatus.

Ovalis, sat convexus, elongatus, testaceus, elytris crebre fere equaliter fusco-irroratis, haud maculatis, margine

laterali pallido ; pectore nigro.

Long. vix 3, lat. vix 12 lin.

Hab. Muxico, Toluca (Sallé). —

I have seen only the female of this species. It is closely allied to L. meaxicanus and

L. mistecus, but readily distinguished from the corresponding sex in each of those

species by the strongly truncate last ventral segment; the hind margin of this segment

is, moreover, a little sinuate on each side, so that it projects a little in the middle;

there is an excessively fine coxal file, which no doubt is more evident in the male; the

surface is not so distinctly alutaceous as in the corresponding sex of L. mistecus. The

minute fuscous irrorations on the elytra are very evenly distributed, and leave no trace

of spots; they are scarcely less numerous even at the apex than elsewhere.

4. Laccophilus salvini.

Laccophilus salvini, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. 11. p. 291.

Hab. GuatEMALA, near the city, 5000 feet (Salvin), Guatemala city, Duefas, San

Gerénimo (Champion).

5. Laccophilus apicalis.

Laccophilus apicalis, Sharp, Ent. Mo. Mag. x. p.53; Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. 1. p. 291.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca, Jalapa (Hoge), Vera Cruz (Sallé); Guaremata, San Geronimo,

3000 feet, Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt).

6. Laccophilus decipiens.

Laccophilus decipiens, Lec. Ann. Lyc. N. York, v. p. 205; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii

p. 289.

Laccophilus truncatus, Mann, Bull. Mosc. 1853, ii. p. 160°.

Hab. Nortu America, California, Utah, “ Russian America” !.—Mexico, Guanajuato

(Dugés, coll. Sailé).

7. Laccophilus fuscipennis.

Ovalis, sat convexus, sat nitidus, testaceus, elytris crebrius fusco-irroratis, apice margineque laterali pallidis,

absque maculis basalibus.

Long. 27 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge).

Head and thorax yellow, approaching to orange; elytra closely irrorated with dark

specks, so as to assume a dark fuscous appearance ; these specks are absent from, or less

numerous at, the apex and the lateral margins, which are therefore paler ; a little before

the middle the pale lateral colour extends inwards, giving rise to the appearance of a

spot; and behind this the fuscous colour extends nearly or quite to the lateral margin ;

LACCOPHILUS. ll

the surface of the wing-cases is not polished, and is a little less shining in the female

than it is in the male. The under surface is yellow. The male possesses a rather

coarse coxal file; but I do not detect any trace of a file in the female. In the latter sex

the epipleura is broadly dilated a little before the extremity, the dilatation being

almost as remarkable above as it is when the under surface is looked at. In each sex

the apical abdominal segment is nearly without truncation or sinuation. Apart from

the structure of the epipleura in the female, the species may be distinguished from

L. americanus and the allies which resemble it in size and in the pale breast, by the

complete absence of any pale spots near the base of the wing-cases.

8. Laccophilus terr..aalis.

Laccophilus terminalis, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. 1. p. 292.

Hab. Norta America, Texas.—Mexico, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé).

9. Laccophilus americanus.

Laccophilus americanus, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 422; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. p. 291.

Hab. Nortu America, Texas, Louisiana, Albania.—Mexico.—AnTILLES, Antigua,

Cuba.

10. Laccophilus confusus.

Laccophilus confusus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. p. 292.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz (Sallé).

The female of this species has a quite distinct coxal file. The species is very near to

LL. americanus, and may perhaps prove not to be a good one; but at present material is

insufficient to decide the question.

11. Laccophilus pictus.

Laccophilus pictus, Cast. Et. Ent. p. 104; Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 441; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl.

Soc. n.s. 1. p. 290.

Hab. Mexico, Puebla, Teapa (Sal/é), Oaxaca, Paso del Macho (Hoge); GUATEMALA,

Guatemala city and San Gerénimo (Champion).

12. Laccophilus oscillator.

Ovalis, latus, subdepressus, nitidus, testaceus; elytris fuscis, fascia subbasali disintegrate, | maculis gracilibus

ultra medium apiceque testaceis; abdomine pectoreque fusco-testaceis.

Long. 23 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hége).

The subbasal fascia extends from the shoulder to the suture, but is broken into three

spots, the two internal spots being nearly connected, however, by means of a vague

curved mark quite at the base; behind the.middle are some elongate very slender pale

CC 2

12 ADEPHAGA.

marks, forming the remains, as it were, of a very irregular fascia; and there is another

pale mark at the extremity; the fuscous colour of the wing-cases is not occasioned by

irrorations, but is diffused. Beneath, the breast and ventral segments are yellow, but

much clouded with black. The wing-cases, although shining, have a quite distinct

though very fine reticulation. The male is quite without coxal file, and the front and

middle tarsi are only very slightly incrassate; the apical ventral segment is neither

sinuate nor truncate, but is provided towards the hind margin, except in the middle,

with distinct elongate punctures. The female is unknown.

The species, although not closely allied to any other, is best placed before L. bifas-

ciatus, Chev.

13. Laccophilus levipennis.

Ovalis, haud latus, nitidus, politus, testaceus, elytris fuscis, fascia subbasali disintegrata, maculis gracilibus

ultra medium apiceque testaceis; abdomine pectoreque infuscatis.

Long. 12 lin.

Hab. GuateMata, San Joaquin, Guatemala city, 5000 feet (Champion).

This species is very closely allied to L. oscillator, the markings of the two being in

fact almost exactly similar, but is smaller and narrower, and the elytra are polished and

destitute of the fine reticulation seen in L. oscillator; the thorax, however, is minutely

reticulate. I have seen only two individuals, in bad condition; they appear to be

males, and to be distinguished by the same external characters as L. oscillator.

14. Laccophilus duplex.

Ovalis, parum elongatus et parum convexus, pernitidus, testaceus ; elytris fuscis, testaceo variegatis, fascia sub-

basali flammulata conspicua.

Long. 13-2, lat. 1-12 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hége).

This species belongs to the group without coxal file, and with the prosternal process

not elongate; in L. duplex it is of moderate length. The subbasal fascia on the wing-

cases is scarcely interrupted at the suture, and is nearly entire, although its outline

behind is very irregular; there is an indistinct pale spot on the side about the middle;

and the apex is pale. The male has the front and middle tarsi very little incrassate ;

the terminal ventral segment is not truncate, and is scarcely sinuate on each side, but

it is not quite so long as it is in the female; it bears on the apical portion numerous

elongate punctures; and its surface is more impressed on the left side than it is on the

right. The female has this segment entire; and it is punctate, as in the male, except

that the punctures are considerably more obsolete ; the margin of the coxa close to the

epipleura is longitudinally impressed.

The species is extremely similar to the Brazilian L. fumatus (of which only the

female is known); but the form is less elongate, and in the Brazilian species the

LACCOPHILUS. 13

terminal ventral segment of the female bears only an indistinct longitudinal series of

punctures on each side of the middle. It differs from L. levipennis by the narrower

form and different colour, by the hind tarsi being broader and shorter, and by the last

ventral segment in the male being more elongate, and much more acuminate in the

middle behind.

15. Laccophilus optatus.

Breviter ovalis, sat convexus, pernitidus, testaceus, elytris fusco-piceis, testaceo variegatis, fascia subbasali

flammulata conspicua.

Long. 13-17, lat. 1-1} lin.

Hab. Nicaraeva, Chontales (Janson).

This species has the prosternal process elongate, and the male without any trace of

coxal file, and may therefore be placed at the commencement of group 5. The male

only is known to me; it has the apical ventral segment without truncation or sinuation,

and impressed on the left side (in the natural position) of the middle, and the apical

portion of its surface rather closely covered with elongate punctuation; the front and

middle tarsi are very slightly incrassate. The yellow fascia near the base of the wing-

cases extends from the shoulder to very near the suture ; the portion near the suture,

however, is a little isolated from the rest of the band by a slight interruption of the

darker colour; there are also a yellow mark on the lateral margin about the middle and

a very imperfect band of pale marks some distance in front of the apex, the apex itself

being also pale. The resemblance to its nearest ally, L. /atifrons, is very considerable

so far as colour is concerned; but the form is much broader, the surface is more shining,

and the male characters are different.

16. Laccophilus suavis.

Laccophilus venustus, var.?, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. 1. p. 296.

Ovalis, angustulus, sat convexus, nitidus, politus, testaceus, elytris castaneis, fascia lata subbasali, altera

abbreviata pone medium interdumque macula laterali testaceis; prosterni processu apice elongato ;

abdomine parum strigoso. .

Long. 12 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

A rather narrow, somewhat convex, shining insect, with the head and thorax yellow,

the latter somewhat clouded with brown on the front and hind margins in the middle ;

the elytra are of a chestnut-brown colour, with a broad transverse fascia near the base

yellow, and beyond the middle with a much shorter irregular fascia not nearly

reaching the suture; this latter band or spot appears to be variable; and there is

sometimes a spot of yellow colour on the side margin about the middle. The under

surface is clear yellow; the ventral segments only obscurely strigose. The male has

the tarsi scarcely incrassate, and has a very obscure coxal file consisting only of five or

14 ADEPHAGA.

six coarse, short ruge. The form of the hind margin of the last ventral segment

differs very little in the two sexes, it being distinctly but not greatly truncate, and

projecting very little in the middle, so that there is scarcely any sinuation.

17. Laccophilus championi.

Ovalis, angustulus, convexus, pernitidus, politus, testaceus, prothorace antice et postice in medio elytrisque

nigro-fuscis, his fascia lata subbasali, macula laterali in medio, fasciaque abbreviata postmediali testaceis ;

prosterni processu apice elongato ; abdomine substrigoso.

Long. 14, lat. 1 lin.) .

Hab. Guatemana, Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champion).

The surface in this elegant little species is highly polished, and has no trace of

reticulation; the basal fascia of the wing-cases is very conspicuous, and has its margins

waved or angulate, it does not quite touch the suture on each side; the marginal pale

spot is large and distinct ; the postmedial fascia is far from reaching the suture, and is

more or less broken into spots.

The individuals before me are all males. ‘The tarsi are only very slightly incrassate ;

and there is a very obscure coxal file consisting of four or five short, coarse, but not deep

ruge; the hind margin of the last ventral plate is but little truncate, and is scarcely

sinuate at the side.

18. Laccophilus ovatus.

Laccophilus ovatus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 303.

Hab. Guatema.a, Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champion).—Brazit, Santa Cruz, Bahia.

The Central-American specimens differ a little from the Brazilian individuals,

inasmuch as they are a little smaller, and have no postmedial pale bund; but as the

sexual characters seem to be quite the same; and as the pale bands in these species

are evidently subject to a good deal of variation, it is probable that they are but

one species.

Series DYTISCI COMPLICATI.

HYDROVATUS.

Hydrovatus, Motsch. Et. Ent. 1855, p. 82; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. il. p. 848 (1882).

Oxynoptilus, Schaum, Nat. Ins. Deutsch. i. 2, p. 28 (1868).

This is an extensive genus of obscure species, well represented in most of the

continental regions of the two hemispheres, though apparently South America is

poorer in species than most other parts of the world; indeed both the Antilles and

North America appear at present to have more species of the genus than has the

whole of South America.

HYDROVATUS. 15

1. Hydrovatus obscurus.

Brevissimus, convexus, nitidus, sordide testaceus, elytris versus apicem impunctatis, circa humeros sat crebre

vix fortiter punctatis; coxis posticis fortiter punctatis.

Long. 13, lat. ? lin.

Hab. Guatemaa, Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champion); Panama, David (Champion).

This obscure little insect is allied to Hydrovatus brevipes, but can be readily distin-

guished by the impunctate apical portion of the elytra. The specimens before me all.

have the surface shining ; and I cannot assure myself of any distinct differences in their

tarsi: but certain of them have the punctuation about the shoulders rather coarser and

closer; and these, I believe, are the females. If this be the case, the species is

remarkable from the fact that the surface is as shining in the female as it is in the

other sex. The punctuation of the basal portion of the elytra is rather coarser and

deeper in the two individuals from Chiriqui.

2. Hydrovatus inornatus.

(Fem.) Brevissimus, latus, sat convexus, sordide testaceus, opacus, sparsim subtilissimeque punctatus; coxis

posticis fortiter profundeque punctatis.

Long. 13, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hége).

This species is remarkable from the extremely fine punctuation of the upper surface.

The unique individual is no doubt a female; for it has the front and middle tarsi very

narrrow; the antenne are rather slender, but distinctly serrate. It is probable the

upper surface may be more shining in the male. It may be placed near H. brevipes

and H. compressus, although, in respect of the obsolete punctuation, it is more nearly

approached by H. clypealis.

3. Hydrovatus lecontei.

Hydroporus leconteii, Clik. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, x. p. 175°.

- Hab. Mexico}.

Mr. Fry informs me that the type of this, as well as of most of the other Mexican

Hydroporides described from his collection by the late Hamlet Clark, was unfortunately

lost by the describer previous to his decease. It is doubtful from the description

whether a Celambus or a Hydrovatus is its subject; but I think the latter the more

probable supposition.

4. Hydrovatus major.

Hydrovatus major, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. 11. p. 335.

Hab. Guatemata, Duefias (Champion).

16 ADEPHAGA.

PACHYDRUS.

Pachydrus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 850.

Hyphidrus (ex parte), Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 450.

This genus is restricted to Tropical America and the Antilles. At present only six

species are known.

1. Pachydrus cribratus.

Pachydrus cribratus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 388’.

Hab. Mxxico!, Guadelupe.

2. Pachydrus politus.

Ovalis, convexus, nitidus, testaceo-ferrugineus, capite postice, abdominis segmentis ultimis elytrisque fuscis ;

his plaga laterali pone humerum testacea, subtiliter (versus suturam obsolete, versus latera distinctius)

punctatis.

Long. 2, lat. 14 lin.

Hab. GuateMALA, Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champion).

Var. Paulo latior, colore obscuriore, punctatura (presertim in thorace) minus obsoleta.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz (Sal/é).

The head is somewhat finely but quite distinctly punctured, the thorax very sparingly

and obsoletely. The wing-cases have, in addition to the yellow posthumeral mark, the

apex minutely pale. The body beneath is shining and impunctate, except that the

sides of the breast are somewhat obsoletely but yet rather coarsely punctate. I am

not able to detect any external sexual characters.

The Mexican variety may possibly prove to be a distinct species ; but if so, it must be

an extremely closely allied one; it probably approaches closely the Cuban Hyphydrus

obniger, Chev.

DESMOPACHRIA.

Desmopachria, Bab. Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. iti. 1841, p. 16; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s.

li. p. 851.

About twelve species are known of this genus; they are all minute insects, confined,

so far as we know, to the continental portions of the New World, where they range

from Uruguay to the United States of North America. Certain species supposed to

occur both in Brazil and North America have not yet been detected in the intervening

Central-American regions.

1. Desmopachria variegata.

Brevis, lata, subrotundata, nitida, rufo-testacea, capite obscuriore, prothorace basi in medio abdomineque

segmentis tribus ultimis nigricantibus; elytris testaceis, signatura lata irregulari circa suturam nigro-

DESMOPACHRIA. 17

fusca; prothorace basi elytrisque versus suturam crebre subtiliter punctatis; corpore subtus levigato,

impunctato.

Long. 14, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Hége); Guatemaa, San Geronimo (Champion).

The head is sparingly and quite finely punctured ; the clypeal margin is very distinct.

The punctuation on the wing-cases is quite distinct and definite about the suture, but

disappears entirely at the lateral margins. The species is allied to D. levis, Sharp; and,

as in that insect, the prosternal process takes two different forms according to the sex ;

the individuals with the process furcate are, I believe, the males.

2. Desmopachria dispar.

Brevis, lata, subrotundata, nitida, capite thoraceque fusco-rufis, hoc lateribus dilutioribus, elytris testaceis dorso

fusco suffusis, antennis pedibusque testaceis, abdomine pectoreque nigris ; prothorace subtiliter punctato, in

~ medio fere levigato; elytris crebre subtiliter punctatis, punctis versus latera obsoletis; corpore subtus

levigato, impunctato.

Long. 13, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova and Jalapa (Hége), Guanajuato (Dugeés, coll. Sallé).

The head is finely but quite distinctly punctate, broadly truncate in front, with the

clypeal margin very distinct, especially in the middle; the prothorax is finely punc-

tulate; but the punctures on the middle are very fine indeed; the punctuation of the

wing-cases is fine, but distinct, and becomes altogether obsolete at the sides; there is an

indistinct sutural impression which can scarcely be called a stria.

Although very closely allied to D. variegata, this is, no doubt, a distinct species; the

colour is less bright, the punctuation a little different, the head more broadly truncate

in front, and the colour of the under surface is black. The prosternal process assumes

two forms, as in D. variegata.

3. Desmopachria portmanni.

Hydroporus portmanni, Clk. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, x. p. 174.

Hab. Mexico (Truqut).

The type of this species in Mr. Fry’s collection is a Desmopachria allied to D. dispar,

but black beneath ; the cox are impunctate.

4. Desmopachria polita.

Brevis, lata, subrotundata, pernitida, fusco-testacea, antennis pedibusque anticis testaceis, pedibus posticis

rufis, pectore abdomineque nigris, hoc apice rufescente; corpore fere impunctato, superne tantum sparsim

obsoleteque punctato.

Long. 3, lat. 2 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Hége).

The head is nearly rounded in front, being only very obscurely truncate in the

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, April 1882. DD

18 ADEPHAGA.

middle; and the clypeal margin is fine. The species is apparently closely allied to

D. levis, Sharp, but is more than twice the size, and the upper surface is not so

completely impunctate. I have seen but a single individual, which, from the form of

the prosternal process, I consider to be a female.

5. Desmopachria bryanstoni.

Hydroporus bryanstonii, Clk. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, x. p. 175°.

Hab. Mexico! (Truqut). |

Clark’s description indicates a species distinct from any known to me. I formerly

identified specimens from Bahia as being this species; but in this I see I was wrong,

for Clark describes his species as being black beneath, whereas the Brazilian individuals

are entirely pale beneath. Under these circumstances a fresh name must be given to

the species described by me (Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 342. no. 238) under

the name of Hydroporus bryanstont; and I will take this opportunity of naming it

D. mutata.

6. Desmopachria circularis.

Brevis, lata, subrotundata, pernitida, testacea, supra subglabra, elytris tantum obsolete punctulatis, versus

latera omnino levigata.

Long. 2, lat. % lin.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Guatemala city, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Var. Paulo minor, supra vix adeo obsolete punctulata.

Long. 3, lat. 4 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz (Sallé).

This species is extremely similar to D. /evis, Sharp, but has the under surface pale,

not black, and the upper surface is not so completely destitute of punctuation. The

under surface at first sight appears smooth; but on careful examination a very few

distant and obsolete punctures may be detected on the coxe. The elytra show a more

or less distinct series of punctures along the middle on the basal portion.

The variety from Mexico may possibly prove to be a distinct species; but as it

approaches very closely to the Guatemalan specimens, and these vary a little énter se,

it would be premature to treat the only individual I have seen as sufficient evidence of

specific division. |

The prosternal process is extremely minute, and, I think, presents but one form in

the four individuals before me.

7. Desmopachria glabricula.

Brevis, lata, rotundata, convexa, pernitida, testacea, tere levigata, elytris vix perspicue punctatis.

Long. 2, lat. vix 3 lin.

Hah. GuaTEMALA, Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champion).

DESMOPACHRIA.—BIDESSUS. 19

This is the most minute species yet discovered of this genus. It is closely allied to

the small and smooth variety of Hydroporus granum, Lec., found in South America ;

but it is readily distinguished by the impunctate upper surface; with a strong lens,

however, traces of obsolete punctuation may be seen on the wing-cases.

8. Desmopachria mexicana.

Latissima, brevis, nitida, sine pubescentia, crebre sat fortiter punctata, ferruginea, abdominis apice protho-

raceque infuscatis, hoc transversim in medio dilutiore, antennis, pedibus elytrisque testaceis, his nigro

signatis; clypeo acute marginato; prothorace utrinque plica curvata; coxis posterioribus sat fortiter

punctatis.

1 3;

Long. 13, lat. ? lin.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé).

This species is very similar to Hydroporus latissimus, Lec., but is entirely destitute

of the lateral foveze of the wing-cases, and shows numerous other less important

distinctions. It is also very similar to D. variegata and D. dispar, but is readily

distinguished by the prothoracic impression and the punctate coxe. The head is

almost impunctate; but the punctures on the thorax are numerous and distinct,

although fine. The punctuation of the elytra is rather close, but not coarse, and is

absent at the side margins. The punctures on the hind coxe are not dense, and,

though quite distinct, are not very coarse. The dark marks on the wing-cases cover

a large portion of their area in an irregular manner, leaving, however, the sides and

apex pale ; in addition to the larger mark, there is a small isolated one on each side

some distance behind the shoulder. The hind tarsi are infuscate. I do not know the

sex of the unique individual described.

BIDESSUS.

Bidessus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. U1. p. 852 (1882).

Hydroporus (ex parte), Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 468.

The small insects of which this genus consists are numerous in species, and are found

in most of the warmer parts of the world. About 100 species are known at present.

1. Bidessus discedens.

Ovalis, postice acuminatus, subtus convexus, glaber, nitidulus, testaceo-ferrugineus ; elytris secundum suturam

nigro signatis et fortiter punctatis, ad latera levigatis, basi in medio plica profunda, sat elongata ;

capite in medio distincte marginato.

Long. 13, lat. ? lin.

Hab. Mexico.

Head reddish yellow, very shining impunctate, distinctly margined in front in the

middle. ‘Thorax yellowish, with a longitudinal infuscation on the middle, a very

distinct plica at the base on each side of the middle; the surface shining, but little

DD 2

20 . ADEPHAGA.

punctate. Elytra yellow, but blackish about the suture, the black colour extending

laterally so as to form a very irregular marking occupying about half the area; the

punctuation is coarse and very distinct, but becomes quite obsolete before the sides are

' reached; the punctures do not, however, reach the suture, but a narrow impunctate

space is left there, and thus some appearance of a sutural stria is given; the basal

impression or plica is very distinct, and is about as long as the length of the thorax

along the middle. The under surface is shining, and the impression behind the middle

coxal cavity deep; across the hind coxa there is a patch of coarse punctuation; and

there are also two series of coarse punctures on the first abdominal segment.

This peculiar little species I obtained from the collection of the late Mr. Aspinal

Turner, of Manchester. I cannot indicate any near ally for it; it has the breast more

elongate than the Hydroporus pictodes allies, and perhaps on the whole had better be

placed for a while in group 1 (Sharp) of the genus.

2. Bidessus hydrovatoides. (Tab. I. fig. 5.)

Brevior, ovalis, convexus, postice acuminatus, sine pubescentia, testaceo-ferrugineus; prothorace obsolete

punctulato, basi utrinque striola subtili; elytris crebre subtiliter, coxis posticis sparsim subobsolete

punctatis.

Long. 2, lat. vix 3 lin.

Hab. Guaremaa, Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champion).

This is one of the peculiar species forming group 2 of my memoir. It is closely

allied to Hydroporus apicatus, but is smaller, and the posterior portion of the body

much less elongate. As in the other species of the group, the third, fourth, and fifth

joints of the antenne are considerably smaller than the others, the third being quite

small, though perceptibly larger than the fourth; the sixth to the tenth joints are

slightly serrate internally ; and the terminal joint is acuminate with oblique apex. The

resemblance in the form of the head and antenne to the species forming the genus

Hydrovatus is considerable. I am not able to detect any external sexual characters.

3. Bidessus apicatus.

Hydroporus apicatus, Clk. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, x. p. 184°; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc,

n. 8. u. p. 346°.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa!.—San Domineo?.

Although Clark’s description is very short, I do not think his species will prove to

be the same as that I have just described as B. hydrovatoides, although no doubt it is

closely allied thereto.

4, Bidessus germanus. (‘lab. I. fig. 6.)

Brevis, latiusculus, sine pubescentia, rufo-testaceus, elytris fusco-umbrosis; prothorace brevi, fere impunctato,

BIDESSUS. 21

lateribus parum distincte rugulosis, basi in medio profunde transversim depresso ; elytris dense fortiter

punctatis, crista elongata elevata; corpore subtus punctis magnis, coxis grosse punctatis.

Long. vix , lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Guatemata, Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champton).

This species is no doubt very closely allied to the North-American Hydroporus

exiguus; but, although I have no opportunity of comparing the two, I believe it will

be found that the present insect is rather smaller, and rather more coarsely and less

closely punctate on the elytra.

5. Bidessus quadrisignatus.

Ovalis, parum elongatus, convexus, nitidus, sine pubescentia, subtus piceus, supra nigricans, thorace trans-

versim in medio, elytris maculis quatuor magnis, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis; elytris crebre

fortiter punctatis; clypeo in medio marginato.

Long. 13, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Duges, coll. Sallé); Guatemata, San Geronimo (Champion).

Head impunctate; thorax with distinct punctuation about the middle, especially

towards the base, but almost impunctate at the sides, the plica rather deep and

distinct. Elytra nearly black, with a large subhumeral and a rather smaller ante-

apical spot yellow; very distinctly punctate, the punctuation rather coarse near the

suture, fine at the sides; the immediate vicinity of the suture is impunctate; and this

gives rise to some appearance of a sutural stria. The hind coxe bear some rather

coarse punctures, as do also the wings of the metasternum; the middle of the meta-

sternum has only some very fine punctures. The legs are reddish yellow.

The tarsi in the two individuals before me are slender ; and I see no sexual differences.

The species is readily distinguished from B. lynceus by the polished upper surface

and less dense punctuation ; it has a general resemblance to the European Hydroporus

goudoti and H. pumilus, Aubé.

The specimen from Guanajuato is rather more closely and finely punctate and

somewhat darker in colour than the San Gerénimo individuals.

6. Bidessus quadrinotatus.

Ovalis, convexus, sine pubescentia, nitidus, subtiliter punctatus, rufus, thorace ad marginem anticum et ad

basin elytrisque nigricantibus, his signatura transversa subbasali, alteraque longitudinali ante apicali

testaceis ; pectore abdomineque piceis; clypeo in medio marginato.

Long. 1, lat. § lin.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

Antenne elongate, red. Head large, obscure fuscous red, almost impunctate, the

clypeus rather indistinctly margined in the middle in front. Thorax finely and mode-

rately closely punctate, the punctuation more distinct on the middle than elsewhere ;

the basal impression on each side deep and distinct. Elytra rather closely, but finely

22 ADEPHAGA.

and obsoletely punctured, blackish, with a large transverse mark behind the shoulder,

and another, smaller, longitudinal mark before the apex, yellow; the basal impression

deep, and quite as long as that on the thorax. Hind coxe with only a few subobsolete

punctures ; metasternum on each side with more distinct punctures. The front and

middle tarsi are slender in the specimens before me.

This is a species very difficult to place, but, on the whole, is probably nearer to

Hydroporus pictodes, Crotch, than to any other species.

7. Bidessus fryi.

Hydroporus fryii, Clk. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, x. p. 181°.

Hab. Mexico (Trugqui').

The description points to a species possibly allied to B. guadrinotatus or B. guadri-

signatus, but with thoracic impression or plica fine and thread-like.

8. Bidessus latifrons.

Ovalis, parum convexus, sine pubescentia, pernitidus, subtiliter punctatus, castaneus, elytris pone basin et ante

apicem vix discrete testaceo signatis, antennis pedibusque testaceis ; clypeo in medio marginato.

Long. vix 1, lat. vix 3 lin.

Hab. Guaremata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne rather elongate, slender, clear yellow. Head broad, almost impunctate ;

clypeus margined in front in the middle. Thorax finely punctate, on each side with a

fine but distinct and elongate stria. Elytra with the basal portion broadly but

indefinitely pale, and with a very indistinct pale mark just before the apex, rather

finely but quite distinctly punctate, the punctuation more obsolete near the base than

elsewhere. Hind coxe with some moderately coarse punctures; metasternum rather

more finely punctate.

I have seen but a single individual ; it has the front tarsi quite slender, and may be

either male or female. Although very different in appearance, the species appears to

be undoubtedly allied to B. guadrinotatus.

9. Bidessus lynceus.

Bidessus lynceus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n..s. ii. p. 368.

Hab. Guatemata, Guatemala city and San Gerénimo (Champion).

The species should be placed in the 4th group of my memoir, and not in the 5th

group, where it was (doc. cit.) located by an error.

10. Bidessus substriatus.

(@.) Ovalis, latiusculus, fusco-rufus, limbo dilutiore, sine pubescentia, opacus, obsolete punctatus; elytris

impressione basali sat elongata, stria suturali obsoletissima; coxis posticis punctis paucis magnis

obsoletis.

Long. 14, lat. 3 lin.

BIDESSUS. 23

Hab. Muxico, Oaxaca (Hége).

This species should be placed between groups 4 and 5 of my memoir; for it has the

small coxee of the former, but the other characters are rather those of the latter of these

groups. I have only two individuals before me; they are no doubt females, although

they have the tarsi moderately broad ; they are extremely similar to the opaque female

form of Dytiscus unistriatus, Schranck, but are much larger, and the punctuation of the

metasternum is wanting. ‘The elytral stria is very distinct, and is about as long as that

on the thorax.

11. Bidessus affinis.

Hydroporus affinis, Say, Tr. Am. Phil. Soc. i. p. 104.

Hydroporus emilianus, Clk. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, x. p. 183°.

Hydroporus charlottii, Clk. loc. cit. p. 182.

Hab. Norra America, from Sitka and Canada southwards.—MExico }; GUATEMALA.—

Soutn America to Chili and Buenos Ayres.

This widely distributed species shows many variations. The specimens from Mexico

are smaller and more finely punctate than those from Guatemala, and are of obscure

reddish colour, but exhibit a good deal of variation: it was on such specimens that

Clark founded his Hydroporus emilianus; but there are no characters by which it can

be distinguished from some of the North-American varieties. ‘The individuals from

Guatemala approach to a variety found in Nevada, North America.

12. Bidessus subornatus.

Oblongo-ovalis, minus angustus, subtiliter pubescens, fuscus, antennarum basi, pedibus prothoraceque testaceis,

hoc basi fusco; elytris subtiliter punctatis, parce sed longius pubescentibus, plica basali sat elongata

profunda, signatura transversa subbasali alteraque apicali obsoletis testaceis ; corpore subtus fere

impunctato, parcius pubescente. '

Long. ?—3, lat. vix 3 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge); GuaTemaLa, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Head impunctate in front, but with distinct punctures on the vertex. Thorax yellow,

with the base broadly infuscate, on each side with a very deep impression or plica, at

the base in the middle distinctly punctate, elsewhere almost impunctate. Elytra finely,

moderately closely punctate, with a scanty and very fine but somewhat elongate pubes-

cence, with very indistinct traces of a sutural stria, of a fuscous colour, with an indistinct

angular pale mark extending from the shoulder inwards and backwards, and with a

smaller mark near the apex; the basal plica deep, slightly longer than the thoracic

stria.

The species may be placed next to Hydroporus affinis, Say, from which it is readily

distinguished by its broader form, distinct pubescence, and the more elongate plica on

24 ADEPHAGA.

the wing-cases. The specimens before me show no sexual differences, and have the

tarsi slender.

13. Bidessus abjectus.

Breviter ovalis, fuscus, limbo dilutiore, antennarum basi testacea, pedibus fusco-testaceis; prothorace parce

punctato, striga profunde impressa; elytris sat crebre fortiter punctatis, striga basali breviuscula ; coxis

posticis abdominisque basi punctis paucis magnis.

s nitidus, corpore supra conspicue punctato.

2 opaca, corpore supra fere impunctato.

Long. 3, lat. 4 lin.

Hab. Muxico, Oaxaca (Hoge).

This species is allied to Hydroporus fuscatus, Crotch, but is of a very much shorter

form and of more obscure colour, the elytra being without markings; and the difference

of the sexes is remarkable. From all the varieties of Hydroporus affinis, Say, it may be

distinguished by the presence of coarse punctures on the cox ; it is also shorter in form

than the common species.

14. Bidessus magensis.

Hydroporus magensis, Clk. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, x. p. 182°.

Hab. Mexico 1.

15. Bidessus spretus.

Breviter ovalis, nitidus, fere sine pubescentia, testaceus, capite elytrisque infuscatis, antennis versus apicem

fusco-testaceis, abdomine pectoreque nigricantibus; elytris tantum sparsim obsoleteque punctatis, stria

suturali profunda, basi plica conspicua sat elongata.

Long. 3, lat. vix 2 lin.

Hab. Guatemaa, San Geronimo, Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champion).

This species is very similar to Hydroporus lacustris, from which, however, it can be

distinguished at once by possessing a deep distinct sutural stria ; the wing-cases, too, are

more shining, their punctuation being more scanty. The basal stria or plica is longer

than that of the thorax, as is the case in H. lacustris. All the specimens before me

have the tarsi slender; and I can see no sexual distinctions.

16. Bidessus obtusus.

Oblongo-ovalis, postice minus acuminatus, sine pubescentia, nitidus, testaceus; elytris lineis latiusculis

elongatis nigris, versus suturam sparsim punctatis, impressione basali parum elongata; corpore subtus

fere impunctato.

15 ]j

Long. 1, lat. $—3 lin.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champion).

Antenne short and rather stout, clear yellow. Head impunctate. Thorax impunctate,

but on each side with a deep and rather broad basal impression. Elytra distinctly

BIDESSUS. 25

punctate near the suture, elsewhere almost impunctate, without any trace of sutural

stria, but with an obsolete discoidal stria, the basal impression broad but short, scarcely

so long as that on the thorax; they are yellow in colour, but have each two broad dark

straight lines extending from the base to near the apex, where they are quite united ;

between the inner of these lines and the suture there is a rather shorter dark line, which

is frequently joined to the inner line so as merely to increase the breadth of the latter ;

the suture also is black, and is separated only by a very narrow space from the black

mark near it.

This species has the tarsi quite slender ; and I can see no sexual distinctions. It should

be placed between Hydroporus pullus, Lec., and the South-American Bidessus discoidalis,

Sharp.

17. Bidessus elongatus. (Tab. I. fig. 7.)

Suboblongus, angustulus, subparallelus, rufo-testaceus, elytris fuscis testaceo-signatis ; prothorace basi utrinque

stria curvata sat elongata; elytris sine impressione basali, opaculis, obsolete punctatis tenuiterquo

pubescentibus.

Long. 12, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Paso Antonio, 400 feet, and Torola, 1000 feet (Champion).

Antenne yellow, rather elongate and slender. Head and thorax clear yellow; the

latter with a small cloud of darker colour at the base on each side, and in the same

position with a curved fine stria, the surface sparingly and obsoletely punctate. Elytra

elongate and narrow, without any trace at the base of a continuation of the thoracic

stria, very finely and rather sparingly punctured and delicately pubescent, of a fuscous

colour, marked, more particularly at the sides, with yellow; some distance behind the

base is an indistinct yellow mark, which, with its fellow of the opposite side, forms an

incomplete and irregular and indistinct transverse fascia; and at the apex a marginal

mark extends a good deal inwards. Under surface and legs clear yellow ; the hind coxe

somewhat sparingly and not coarsely punctate. The male has the three basal joints of

the front and middle tarsi much dilated.

This peculiar species will no doubt form a distinct genus. It has the prosternal

process large and broad, and depressed along the middle. It is perhaps more allied to

the Australian B. denticulatus than to any other known species; but it has no trace of

any sutural stria on the wing-cases.

18. Bidessus adumbratus.

Hydroporus adumbratus, Clk. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, x. p. 183°.

Hab. Mexico (Truqui+); Guatemata, Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champion).

This is one of a group of small species found in the New World, and distinguished

by a peculiarity of structure of the middle of the breast: the coxal lines are deeply

impressed, and instead of ceasing at the anterior margin of the cox, commence there

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, April 1882. LE

26 ADEPHAGA.

to converge, and are continued forwards as two acute elevations along the middle of the

metasternum ; these two lines are approximate and parallel in the anterior part of their

course, and terminate in front at the edges of the metasternal groove receiving the

prosternal process. The two species of the group are, in addition to the H. adumbratus,

the North- and South-American Hydroporus pulicarius, Aubé, and the Cuban H. caraibus,

Chev. All these three species are excessively similar to one another; and their limits

are doubtful; it is indeed by no means clear that the Paso-Antonio specimens are

certainly of the same species as the Mexican individuals described by Clark. I am not

quite sure about the structure of the front feet; but if, as I believe, the two anterior

pairs are 5-jointed, it is probable these insects form a genus allied to the peculiar

Australian Sternopriscus, to which they are a good deal similar in appearance.

CQELAMBUS.

Colambus, Th. Sk. Col. u. p. 18; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. 1. p. 861 (1882).

About fifty species are united to form this genus. ‘They are characteristic more

especially of the North-American and Mediterranean regions, none being known from

the Antilles or South America.

1. Celambus wardi.

Hydroporus wardii, Clk. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, x. p. 177; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl.

Soc. n. s. i. p. 399.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé), Puebla, Parada, Toluca (Sal/é),

Oaxaca (fége).

2. Celambus medialis.

Hydroporus medialis, Lec. Ann. Lyc. N. York, v. p. 209; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii.

p. 401.

Hab. Nortu America, San Diejo, California—MeExico, Jalapa and Oaxaca (Hége).

3. Coelambus infacetus.

Hydroporus infacetus, Clk. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, x. p. 180°; Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soe.

n.s. i. p. 798.

Hab. Mexico (Truqui').

The unique type of this species is unfortunately lost. It will not be easy from the

description to determine the species with certainty; but it would appear that it is

probably an insect allied to Hydroporus medialis, Lec.

DERONECTES.

Deronectes, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 865.

Hydroporus (ex parte), Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 468.

DERONECTES. 27

This is a genus of about fifty species, specially characteristic of the Mediterranean

region ; two or three species are known from North America, but none from the Antilles

or South America.

1. Deronectes striatellus. |

Hydroporus striatellus, Lec. Ann. Lye. v. p. 207; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 435.

Hab. Cattrornia.—Me_xico, Guanajuato (Dugeés, coll. Sallé), Puebla (Sallé), Jalapa

(Hoge).

This species varies a good deal in its markings, and not inconsiderably in the distinct-

ness of the external striz on the wing-cases.

2. Deronectes zquinoctialis.

Hydroporus equinoctialis, Clk. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, x. p. 178; Sharp, Trans. Roy.

Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 446.

Hab. Mexico, Puebla, Etla (Sallé), Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé), Oaxaca, Jalapa

(Hoge); Guatemala, Guatemala city, 5000 feet, Quiche Mountains, 7000 to 9000 feet

(Champion).

At the time I described this species (Joc. cit.) I was acquainted only with a single

individual, and referred it to the genus Hydroporus because nearly all of the New-World

allies belong to that genus. I find, however, on dissection, that it is a Deronectes; for

although the mesosternum and metasternal process appear to be connected, yet on

extracting the coxe from their cavities it is seen that such connexion does not exist.

The differences between the sexes are but slight; the female, however, has the thorax

narrower at the base. The yellow marks on the elytra vary a good deal, and are

sometimes nearly obliterated.

3. Deronectes opaculus.

Ovalis, nigricans, opacus, antennis pedibusque rufo-testaceis, ilarum apicibus, harum tarsis fuscis, elytris plus

minusve testaceo signatis ; corpore dense subtilissime punctato, elytris stria suturali punctorum.

Long. 2, lat. 17 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé).

This species is somewhat similar to Hydroporus wquinoctialis, Clk., but is rather

larger and has only the sutural series of punctures distinct. The apices of the coxal

processes show a peculiar construction, which allows the species to be readily identified ;

the articular cavities are not contiguous, the partitions separating them being very

distinctly exposed, and over each, at a little distance from the coxal line, there is a small

linear or tubercular prominence. The hind tibie have only the serial punctures on

their infero-external aspect. These characters completely isolate this species; so that it

will probably prove to be representative of a new group or subgenus. ‘The sculpture of

the upper surface is similar to that of Hydroporus equinoctialis, except that it is still

‘ LE 2

28 ADEPHAGA.

finer and more obsolete; the under surface is densely and finely rugose, the sculpture

here being rougher than in H. wquinoctialis. In one of the individuals before me the

Wing-cases have no yellow marks; in the other two there is a large basal and several

other more indefinite and smaller marks. The sexes are very similar; but the male has

the front and middle tarsi a little broader, and the claws of the anterior feet a little

longer and stouter than the female, and in this latter sex the thorax at the base is just

perceptibly less broad.

HYDROPORUS.

Hydroporus, Clairv. Ent. Helv. ii. p. 182 (1806) ; Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p.468; Sharp, Trans. Roy.

Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 868.

This is the most extensive of the genera of Dysticide, and comprises upwards of 150

species; it is nearly confined to the Palearctic and Nearctic regions, where numerous

species occur in high latitudes; one or two are confined to the Rio de la Plata and

Chili, and one or two to Southern Africa.

1. Hydroporus infaustus.

Hydroporus infaustus, Clk. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, x. p. 179’.

Hab. Mexico, between Nopaluca and Vera Cruz (Truqui').

The description of this species was made from a single individual; and I am inclined

to think the name is probably only a synonym of Hydroporus striatellus; this,

however, must remain uncertain till the fauna of Mexico is more completely known

to us, Clark’s unique type having been, I believe, lost.

2. Hydroporus mexicanus.

Hydroporus mexicanus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 447°.

Hab. Mexico 1.

Var. minor, elytris immaculatis.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge).

The unique individual taken by Hoge is a female, and, although considerably smaller

than my original specimens, does not appear to differ in other important respects.

3. Hydroporus roffi.

Hydroporus roffi, Clk. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, x. p. 176%.

Hab. Mexico (Truqui').

If I am right in identifying two individuals in my collection with Clark’s description,

this species is distinct from H. decemsignatus by its rather smaller size and shorter form,

by its more distinctly punctured head and thorax, by the interposition of a number of

punctures between the sutural and discoidal series on the wing-cases, and by its shorter

HYDROPORUS. 29

and darker-coloured legs, with markedly shorter claw-joint to the front and middle

tarsi.

4, Hydroporus decemsignatus.

Hydroporus decemsignatus, Clk. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, x. p. 176°.

Hab. Mexico (Truqui').

This is no doubt a very variable species in respect of the markings, and is closely

allied to H. nebulosus; but, independent of the very different colour, it is of shorter

and broader form.

5. Hydroporus libens.

Hydroporus libens, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. 11. p. 446.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Guatemala city, 5000 feet (Champion).

This is very similar to the black varieties of H. decemsignatus; but it is smaller and

narrower, and the fine punctuation of the surface is more obsolete, and the legs are

shorter.

6. Hydroporus nebulosus.

Ovalis, convexus, latiusculus, subnitidus, ferrugineus, capite, thorace elytrisque fusco signatis, abdomine pecto-

reque nigricantibus; elytris subtilissime punctatis, seriebus tribus punctorum, prima suturali punctorum

profundorum, secunda conspicua, tertia externa obsoleta ; corpore subtus subopaco, subtilissime coriaceo,

minus profunde ruguloso.

5 1:

Long. 2, lat. 1,5, lin.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé).

This species is very closely allied to H. mexicanus; but it is smaller, and the upper

surface is less convex, and the sculpture throughout is finer; the colour in the two

is very different; but as this is no doubt subject to considerable variation, little import-

ance can be at present attached to it. In this species the colour of the upper surface

is ferruginous (perhaps in fresh individuals yellow) ; there is a large dark mark near the

eye on each side, the two being nearly or quite united. The front margin of the thorax

is dark ; and there is a large dark mark at the base on each side of the middle. On the

wing-cases the dark marks are very indefinite, and consist of small nebulosities more

or less connected together ; the series of punctures become obsolete before the extremity,

the sutural series reaching nearer to the apex than do the others.

I do not know the sex of the two individuals before me, which are in a bad state of

preservation ; but I believe them to be males.

7. Hydroporus interjectus.

Ovalis, latiusculus, convexus, niger, dense subtiliterque punctatus, subopacus, antennarum basi testacea, pedibus

anticis piceo-rufis, posticis nigris; elytris serie suturali punctorum profundorum, preter hanc seriem

30 ADEPHAGA.

punctis numerosis subseriatis, externis seriebus obsoletis ; corpore subtus opaco, coxis posticis abdomineque

basi rugis profundis.

B41:

Long. 2, lat. 1,5, lin.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Quiche Mountains, 7000-9000 feet (Champion).

This species is closely allied to H. mexicanus, but readily distinguished by the

numerous punctures interspersed between the sutural and discoidal series on the wing-

cases; besides this, the sculpture throughout is finer, and the size less. It is also

extremely similar to the entirely black varieties of H. decemsignatus; but it has a

broader head and is less acuminate behind, and is also readily distinguished from it by

the additional punctures on the wing-cases: these additional punctures assume a

_ subseriate form, and thus the true series are not readily recognized; but they exist

as in the other allied species.

T do not know the sex of the unique individual found by Mr. Champion.

8. Hydroporus bifidus.

Hydroporus bifidus, Say, Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. iv. p. 444’; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. 11.

p. 789.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz}.

The descriptions apparently indicate an insect similar to H. equinoctialis, Clk.

9. Hydroporus nudatus.

Hydroporus nudatus, Say, Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. iv. p. 444°; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii.

p- 808.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz}.

This is apparently also similar to H. equinoctialis, and may probably, indeed, prove

to be the same.

10. Hydroporus sericatus.

Hydroporus sericatus, Say, Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. iv. p. 445'; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s.

ii. p. 810.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz}.

This is stated by its describer to be near to H. undulatus, Say.

11. Hydroporus kingi.

Hydroporus kingii, Clk. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, x. p. 178’; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc.

n.s. li. p. 799.

Hab. Mexico (Truqui 1).

A specimen of this species in our national collection at the British Museum indi-

cates that this is a species allied to the Californian H. vilis, Lec.

CELINA. . 31

CELINA.

Celina, Aubé, Ic. Col. Eur. v. p. 219 (1886); Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 872.

This is a very isolated genus, comprising about ten species, all of which are

peculiar to the eastern portions of the New World, where they range from Brazil to

the United States of North America, but have not been detected in the Antilles.

1. Celina punctata.

Suboblonga, elongata, transversim convexa, sat nitida, crebre punctata, antennis elongatis gracilibus ; elytris

serie discoidali obsoleta; pectore dense ruguloso, metasterno medio levigato; corpore apice breviter

mucronato.

Long. 3, lat. 13 lin.

Hab. Guatemaa, Paso Antonio, 4000 feet (Champion).

This species is of more convex form than others of the genus, and is remarkable

on account of its much-punctured surface. The large head is rather closely and finely

punctate ; all the surface of the thorax is punctate, the punctuation near the hind angles

dense; and at this spot there is an oblique impression; the hind angles are indistinct

and rather rounded. The punctuation of the elytra is close and distinct, so that the

discoidal series of punctures is much obscured; nevertheless it exists, and may easily

be detected on the basal part. A very fine pubescence is present on the wing-cases.

I am uncertain as to the sex of the unique individual. ‘The front and middle tibie

are simple; but their tarsi are quite broad, and, moreover, are clothed beneath with a

kind of glandular pubescence similar to what exists in the males of many species of

Agabus ; so that I think, notwithstanding the simple tibie, the specimen may prove to

bea male. The species is probably allied to C. latipes, Brullé, from the interior of

Brazil, of which only a single individual is known.

2. Celina aculeata.

Celina aculeata, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 446.

Hab. Panama.—Brazit, Santa Rita (Sahlberg).

This is recorded as Central-American on the authority of a male in bad condition

purchased by me ten years ago in London. It is probable that this individual may

prove to be distinct from the Brazilian species.

3. Celina gracilicornis.

Suboblonga, parallela, nitida, glabra, rufo-testacea; elytris obscurioribus, sparsim fere obsolete punctatis, serie

discoidali distincta ; antennis elongatis, gracilibus; coxis posticis sat crebre haud fortiter punctatis ;

corpore breviter mucronato.

Long. 2, lat. 13 lin.

Hab. GuateMaLa, Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champion).

82 ADEPHAGA.

This species is remarkable from the diminished punctuation of the upper surface and

the comparatively slender elongate antenne. ‘The unique individual is no doubt a

female, although it has the front and middle tarsi broad. The thorax at the base is

quite as broad as the elytra, so that the outline is perfectly continuous; the hind angles

are well marked and rectangular; its surface is very polished and shining; the anterior

series of punctures, however, are distinct, although the basal series is obsolete.

4, Celina debilis.

‘Suboblonga, angustula, nitida, glabra, rufo-testacea ; elytris parce subtiliter punctatis, serie discoidali distincta ;

antennis parum elongatis ; coxis posterioribus externe subobsolete rugoso-punctatis.

Long. 14, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. GuateMata, Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champion).

This species is remarkable from its small size and scanty punctuation. The male

front tarsi are scarcely at all dilated, and the tibiz are simple; the intermediate tibie

in this sex are curvate and notched inwardly above the middle, with a minute tooth

above the notch. There is only a very slight sexual difference in the length of the

antenne, these organs being just perceptibly longer in the male.

C. debilis is allied to C. angustata, Aubé, with which I have no opportunity of

comparing it; but it is no doubt smaller, with the male front feet less dilated.

AGABUS.

Agabus, Leach, Zool. Mise. iii. pp. 69, 72 (1817); Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 876.

This is an extensive genus of fully one hundred species, inhabiting chiefly the northern

portions of the Nearctic and Palearctic regions, where they ascend to high latitudes.

Mexico thus appears to be the extreme extension of the genus southwards in the New

World.

1. Agabus spinipes.

Ovalis, parum convexus, subnitidus, niger, supra subsenescens, antennis palpisque rufis, pedibus piceo-rufis ;

elytris densissime reticulatis, punctis subseriatis sat conspicuis; antennis palpisque crassiusculis ; pedibus

omnibus crebrius spinulosis ; corpore subtus sublevigato ; prosterni processu basi crasse marginato ; coxis

posticis parvis.

Long. 3, lat. 12 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hége).

This is a peculiar and very distinct species, not nearly allied to any other known, but

possibly approaching the peculiar Californian Hydrotrupes palpalis. The prothorax is

a little narrower than the elytra, but little curved at the sides, the hind angles obtuse,

the lateral margin strongly elevated but not broad. Elytra very finely and densely

reticulate, so as to be but little shining, with the usual subserial punctures large but

not distinct. Under surface with only very fine and obsolete sculpture; the anterior

AGABUS. 33

tibiae: short and stout; all the tibie armed with more numerous spines than usual in

the genus; the legs very little ciliate, the hind tarsi quite slender, the femoral cilia

extremely rudimentary. The male has the front tarsi distinctly incrassate, the pubescent

area of their under surface very small, and extending only to the second joint and the

extremity of the first ; the middle tarsi are rather longer than in the female, and their

basal joints are a little incrassate, the first joint with a small pubescent area beneath ;

in this sex the posterior femur has a very obscure angle on the hind margin near the

base. In each sex the apical ventral segment is entirely destitute of ruge, and has

only three or four punctures on each side. The female has a distinct reticulation on

the head and thorax, which appears to be more obsolete in the male.

2. Agabus americanus. (Tab. I. fig. 8.)

Agabus americanus, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 334; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. li. p. 498.

Hab. Mexico, Las Vigas, Cerro de Plumas (Hége), Parada (Boucard, coll. Sallé).

_ This seems to be a rather variable species. There are two forms of the female among

the specimens before me: this sex is usually very polished and shining like the male;

but there are two or three individuals in which the thorax and elytra are very densely

strigose-reticulate and quite dull, the extremity of the wing-cases, however, like the

head, being shining and without strigosities.

The position of the species is very difficult to decide; but I think that it should

probably be isolated as a group to be located near groups 2 and 5 of my memoir.

3. Agabus amaroides.

Oblongo-ovalis, parum convexus, niger, supra nigro-eneus, antennis rufis, pedibus piceis ; superne vel nitidus

obsoleteque reticulatus (¢ ), vel subopacus conspicue densissimeque reticulatus ( @ ); prothorace elytris

paulo angustiore, lateribus obliquis parum curvatis, angulis posterioribus rectis, haud rotundatis.

Long. 4-44, lat. 23 lin.

Hab. Muxico, Las Vigas (Hége).

The prosternal process is rather broad and finely margined, nearly flat. The hind

coxee are rather small, and are finely but distinctly and densely strigose. The hind legs

are slender, the tarsal claws large, the femoral cilia moderately well developed. The

male has the three basal joints of the front and middle tarsi a good deal incrassate, and

furnishing beneath a large area covered with rather long glandular pubescence ; the

anterior claw of the front foot has the basal portion dilated, so as to form a large lobe

with acute angle; in this sex the apical ventral segment is coarsely longitudinally

rugose. In the few individuals before me the difference in sculpture of the sexes is

remarkable. One of the two males has a remarkable monstrous development of the

left anterior tarsus, it being provided with no less than six claws; these claws are placed

so as to form three pairs, of which the anterior and posterior pairs, may be described

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, Aprid 1882. FF

34 ADEPHAGA.

as normal though rather small, while the middle pair are much smaller and are simple

(that is to say, neither of them possesses the angular basal lobe).

This is another peculiar species for which I can indicate no near ally.

COPELATUS.

Copelatus, Er. Gen. Dyt. p. 88 (1832) ; Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 365; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soe.

n. 8. li. p. 892.

This, again, is an extensive genus of fully one hundred species; but it is characteristic

of the warmer portions of the two hemispheres, and in these has a very wide distribution.

The species have been grouped by me (loc. supr. cit.) according to the striation of the

wing-cases. I have included this character in the diagnoses here given of new species ;

but it may facilitate reference to state that Copelatus laccophilinus and C. biformis

should be referred to group 1, C. salle@i and C. solitarius to group 4, C. proximus to

group 5, C. basalis to group 9, C. incognitus to group 10, C. leticulus and C. fragilis to

group 12. C. biformis, however, above recorded as pertaining to group 1, is a peculiar

species as regards its striation, as will be perceived on referring to its description.

1. Copelatus biformis.

Ovalis, angustulus, nitidus, rufo-testaceus, elytris vage nigro signatis.

Long. 22, lat. 1,5; lin.

3. Elytris estriatis.

Q. Elytris quadristriatis.

Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Sallé).

This is a very peculiar species, not only by reason of its system of coloration, but also

on account of the remarkable sexual discrepancy in the striation of the elytra. The

wing-cases are pale, with the suture and external margin more or less deeply black;

and besides this there is a dark transverse subbasal, and another dark postmedial

fascia; these fascize appear to arise from the more or less complete union of longitudinal

patches of dark colour developed along the serial punctures or strie. The male has the

front and middle tarsi moderately dilated, and has the lines of serial punctures distinct,

near the base becoming so definite as almost to form two strie. The female has some

very fine sexual sculpture on the lateral portions of the prothorax; and on the wing-

cases there are four very distinct strie; these strie, though placed on the lines of the

serial punctures, do not altogether obliterate these. ‘The first stria is twice as far from

the suture as it is from the second stria; it commences some little distance behind the

base, and terminates much in front of the apex, at the hind margin of the dark post-

medial fascia. The second stria is still more abbreviate in front than is the first one;

but the third commences just behind the base; the fourth stria is finer than the other

three and shorter. There are traces of a fifth more external stria; and, moreover,

COPELATUS. 35

towards the sides behind the base there is some very fine sexual sculpture. There is

no submarginal stria.

The species has no near ally.

2. Copelatus laccophilinus.

Ovalis, parum convexus, ferrugineus, thorace in medio elytrisque fuscis, his testaceo signatis ; corpore superne

levigato, infra coxis versus latera abdominisque basi strigulosis.

Long. 23, lat. 12 lin.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, 2000-3000 feet (Champion).

This species is very different from any other Copelatus yet discovered, and much

resembles a Laccophilus on account of the smooth upper surface, on which even the

serial punctures are fine. The resemblance to the eastern genus Lacconectes is still

greater ; but the generic characters drawn from the coxal lobes leave it a true Copelatus.

I have but a single individual before me, of the female sex. The antenne are reddish

yellow. The prothorax is broadly yellow at the sides, infuscate in the middle; the

surface is smooth; but at the sides some excessively fine scratches can be detected. The

elytra are very smooth, and the serial punctures are very fine, but some of those near

the base are a little elongate ; the colour is fuscous or smoky, but at the extreme base

is a transverse fascia extending neither to the outer margin nor to the suture; near the

side, about the middle, is a longitudinal pale mark, and some distance in front of the

apex there is a very obscure transverse fascia of isolated pale marks, and the apex itself

is pale. The legs are all reddish yellow.

3. Copelatus mundus.

Copelatus mundus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. p. 574.

Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Sallé), Cerro de Plumas (Hége).

The male of this species has the front and middle tarsi broadly dilated ; its anterior

tibie are destitute of notch; near the sides of the thorax there are a few very short

scratches or impressions.

The species was described by me from a single female. In the specimens now before

-me the under surface is red, but more or less infuscate, especially on the terminal

ventral segments; probably in quite fresh undecayed specimens the under surface is

reddish yellow.

4, Copelatus sallei.

( 3.) Oblongo-ovalis, ferrugineus, elytris, antennis, pedibus, elytrorum basi, apice plagaque indeterminata versus

latera testaceis ; prothorace sparsim brevissime striguloso ; elytris punctulatis, striis octo sat subtilibus,

alternis ad apicem brevioribus, stria octava, a margine remota, postice disintegrata et magis abbreviata.

Long. 3%, lat. 14 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

FF 2

36 ADEPHAGA.

Head finely punctulate, pale red. ‘Thorax red, more or less infuscate about the

middle, with a short channel on the disk, and some very short impressions or scratches

rather irregularly distributed over the surface; near the posterior angle is a small space

on which the impressions are more closely placed than they are elsewhere. ‘The striz

on the elytra are moderately fine; the first, third, fifth, and seventh are longer than the

others, and only disappear a short distance before the apex ; the first stria is separated

from the suture by about twice the space that intervenes between it and the second

stria; the eighth stria is placed some distance internal to the shoulder, and is much

abbreviated behind, its terminal portion being, moreover, broken into short isolated

impressions; from the shoulder there may be traced backwards some short scratches,

forming, as it were, the rudiments of a ninth stria.

The male has the front and middle tarsi rather broadly dilated, and furnished

beneath with conspicuous palettes. The female is unknown.

The specimens described are badly preserved, and the colour as above given may not

prove to be a very accurate interpretation.

5. Copelatus solitarius.

(2.) Oblongo-ovalis, angustulus, ferrugineus, thorace in medio obscuro, elytris fuscis, basi apiceque cum an-

tennis pedibusque testaceis; prothorace subtiliter striguloso obsoleteque punctulato ; elytris punctulatis,

striis octo impressis, harum secunda quartaque postice valde abbreviatis, ceteris elongatis.

Long. 24, lat. 13 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

Head red, with the vertex finely strigulose. Thorax infuscate red, with the sides

pale, the surface with fine, short, and distant scratches, wanting on the middle. On

the wing-cases the second and fourth strize are much shorter than the others, extend-

ing only one lialf, or less, of the distance from the base to the apex; the first stria is

about the same distance from the suture as it is from the third stria; it and the second

and fourth stris are a little finer than the others; the second and fourth striz are, as it

were, interpolated between the others, the interstices adjoining them being narrower

than the contiguous interstices: with the exception of these two striz, the others are

of nearly one length, except that the eighth is a little shorter behind than the rest.

At the base the striz are a little irregular in their lengths: the third and fifth extend

quite to the base; but the others only commence at short though variable distances

behind it. The elytra are feebly punctate, but are entirely destitute of strigosities.

The species is described from a single female. It has not at present any near ally.

6. Copelatus proximus.

Oblongo-ovalis, angustus, fusco-piceus, capite, thorace, antennis pedibusque rufis ; elytris ad basin et ad apicem

testaceis, striis decem conspicuis, alternis multo brevioribus, octava tantum ad basin relicta; coxis posticis

fortiter strigosis.

Long. 24, lat. 1 lin.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, San Geronimo (Champion).

COPELATUS. 37

I have before me only two immature female examples of this species. The head

possesses a fine and rather distant punctuation, which becomes quite obsolete in front.

The thorax shows rather numerous fine short scratches, these being, however, wanting

on the middle, where a feeble punctuation is still visible. The striz on the elytra

are not very fine, the two near the suture, however, being rather finer than the others ;

the first, third, fifth, seventh, and ninth are elongate, of one length, extending nearly to

the extremity ; the second, fourth, sixth, and eighth are much shorter, the latter,

indeed, being only a very short stria near the base; the tenth is only a little more

abbreviate than the ninth. The striz even at the base show some little differences in

length, the first and second only commencing some little distance beyond the base ;

there is no sexual sculpture on the elytra, except a feeble punctuation that is present

should prove to be such.

The species is no doubt very closely allied to the South-American C. consors, Shp.,

but is rather smaller, narrower, and more parallel, and the striz are rather deeper and

are less regular at the base. The sculpture in the two females before me is excessively

similar to that of the second form of female of C. consors.

The two specimens described being immature, the colour may not be quite normal.

7. Copelatus neglectus.

Copelatus neglectus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. 11. p. 575.

Hab. VENEZUELA, Cumana.

Var. paulo major, striis subtilioribus, alternis magis abbreviatis.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

I refer to this species with some doubt two males from Sallé’s collection. ‘The

species is only incompletely known to me, and probably a series would show the

Mexican specimens to possess distinctive characters. C. neglectus is one of the species

in which there are two forms of the female, one extremely different in sculpture from

the male, and a good deal resembling the specimens I now describe (postea, p. 38)

under the name of C. incognitus ; indeed it strikes me as just possible that the Mexican

males of C. neglectus may be the consorts of C. incognitus, of which otherwise the mal

is unknown. |

8. Copelatus debilis.

Copelatus debilis, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. p. 579.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sadlé); Guatemaua, San Geronimo, Guatemala city (Champion) ;

Panama, David (Champion).

9. Copelatus basalis.

(Q.) Ovalis, ferrugineus, prothorace medio elytrisque fuscis, his apice testaceo, fasciaque basali transversa

ferruginea ; subopacus, prothorace elytrisque crebre longitudinaliter strigulosis ; his apice levigato, striis

38 ADEPHAGA.

quinque subtilissimis tantum versus apicem perspicuis, alteraque submarginali brevissima segTe

discernenda.

Long. 24, lat. 13 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge).

Although I have before me only a single individual, and that is extremely similar to

C. incognitus, yet I believe it indicates a distinct species ; for it is decidedly smaller and

has a basal fascia on the wing-cases, the sexual sculpture is a little finer, and near the

apex only five striz are to be detected; it should be noted that on the middle of the

elytra there are, on a critical examination, to be detected five other striz, representing

the alternate strie of such species as have ten strie; and it is possible that the male

may prove to have ten strie on the elytra. These alternate obsolete or rudimentary

strie are formed by the joining together in one line of the fine sexual scratches or

sculpture.

10. Copelatus incognitus.

( 2.) Ovalis, ferrugineus, prothorace medio elytrisque fuscis, his apice testaceo ; subopacus, prothorace elytrisque

crebre longitudinaliter strigulosis ; his apice levigato, striis sex subtilissimis tantum versus apicem discer-

nendis, alteraque submarginali brevissima gre discernenda.

Long. 24, lat. 1} lin.

Hab. Mnxico, Cordova (Sallé).

Head red, on the vertex with very fine sculpture. Thorax reddish on the sides,

broadly infuscate on the middle, closely covered with elongate scratches or striole,

which, however, are not connected together so as to form any distinct network. Elytra

closely covered from the side margin to the suture with elongate rather deep striole ;

although these scratches are elongate and rather irregular in their direction, so that

they appear to form an irregular network of elongate meshes, yet very few of them are

actually connected with one another; a rather broad space at the extremity is smooth;

on the apical portion six fine striz may be distinguished, and on a very careful exami-

nation they may be traced forwards, or at any rate one or two of them, to near the base.

The submarginal stria is short and indistinct, and may easily escape detection.

11. Copelatus validus.

Copelatus validus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. i. p. 584.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (7. Belt).

12. Copelatus leticulus.

Suboblongus, angustulus, testaceus, prothorace medio elytrisque fuscis, his apice fasciaque transversa basali

testaceis ; elytris striis decem elongatis, quarum alternis paulo brevioribus, alteraque marginali brevi.

Long. 2, lat. 13 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (fHége).

Of narrow, elongate, and parallel form. Head without any sculpture. Thorax

COPELATUS. 39

yellowish red, but infuscate over a broad space on the middle; towards each side there

are numerous short but deep impressions or scratches, most of which have an oblique

direction; the curved lateral series of punctures is very much obliterated. lytra very

regularly striated by ten moderately fine lines; the sutural stria is longer than the

others, and reaches nearly to the apex; the third, fifth, seventh, and ninth are also

elongate, but slightly shorter than the sutural; the second, fourth, sixth, eighth, and

tenth are also elongate, but they are distinctly shorter than the others; the submar-

ginal stria is short and fine. The species is described from a single male; it has the

front and middle tarsi much dilated, and furnished beneath with rather larger palettes ;

the anterior tibie are rather short and stout, and are without notch. The species is

not closely allied to any other; but I think it is just possible that C. basalis may prove

to be its female.

13. Copelatus prolongatus.

Copelatus prolongatus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. i. p. 586.

Hab. PaNaMa.

14. Copelatus posticatus.

Dytiscus posticatus, Fab. Syst. El. i. p. 268; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. 587.

Copelatus posticatus, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 372.

Var. Copelatus signatus, Sharp, Ent. Mo. Mag. x. p. 53.

Hab. Mexico, Cerro de Plumas (/Hége), Cordova (Sallé); GuaTeMa.a, Torola, 1000 feet,

Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (7. belt); Panama.—Soutu

America, from Cayenne to Rio de Janeiro; ANTILLES, Cuba, Guadeloupe.

_ This widely distributed species shows a good deal of variation, the most remarkable

variety being that found in Nicaragua, and described by me (Joc. supr. cit.) as a distinct

species, under the name of C. signatus.

15. Copelatus terminalis. (Tab. I. fig. 9.)

Copelatus terminalis, Sharp, Trans. Roy, Dubl. Soc. n. s. 11. p. 588.

Hab. Mexico, Cerro de Plumas, Jalapa(Hége); GuaTeMALA, San Geronimo, El Jicaro

(Champion).

A large series of this species seems to indicate that it is distinct from C. posticatus

the specimens show but little variation, except that those from Mexico are not quite so

large as those from Guatemala.

16. Copelatus depressus.

Copelatus depressus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. p. 588.

Hab. Guatemata, San Geronimo (Champion).

40 ADEPHAGA.

17. Copelatus impressicollis. (Tab. I. fig. 10.)

Copelatus impressicollis, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. p. 589.

Hab. Muxico, Guanajuato (Dugeés, coll. Sallé), Puebla (Sallé), Oaxaca, Cerro de

Plumas (Hoge) ; GuateMALa, San Gerénimo, Guatemala city, 5000 feet (Champion).

This is a variable species, in size, colour, and in the striation of the elytra, the

alternate strize being sometimes so much disintegrated and reduced that in extreme

cases there may only appear to be five strize with some broken short lines between

them; the colour of the wing-cases sometimes becomes almost yellow; and in Mexico

the individuals appear to be usually of larger size than those from Guatemala.

18. Copelatus distinctus.

Copelatus distinctus, Aubé, Spec. Gén. p. 875"; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. p. 590.

Hab. Mexico }.

This species is only known at present by a single female in the collection of the

Brussels Museum. Now that I have seen a series of C. impressicollis, I am of opinion

that C. distinctus is most likely only an extreme specimen of that species. Should this

prove to be correct, the two supposed species will be united under the name given by

Aubé, C. distinctus.

19. Copelatus integer.

Copelatus integer, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 590.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge); GuatemaLa, Cubilguitz (Champion),

Izabal (Sal/é); Nicaracua, Chontales (7. Belt); Bugaba, 800-1500 feet (Champion).

The individuals found by Belt are larger, and have the wing-cases paler and their

strize rather deeper than those from the Mexican localities; but these characters, unless

confirmed by others, can scarcely be considered to be of specific value.

20. Copelatus fragilis.

Oblongo-ovalis, angustulus, nitidus, rufo-testaceus, prothorace, elytris abdomineque fuscis, illo lateribus elytrisque

fascia basali testaceis ; his striis decem subtilibus elongatis, alternis paulo brevioribus, alteraque marginali

antice abbreviata. ,

Long. 2, lat. 1 lin.

Hab. Guatemaua, Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champion).

Antenne elongate, yellow. Thorax infuscate, with the sides yellow, the curved lateral

series of punctules indistinct, the surface extremely feebly punctulate, with the sculpture

slightly denser near the hind angles, but without any distinct impressions or scratches.

Elytra with ten elongate rather fine striz, the first, third, seventh, and ninth attaining

nearly the extremity, while the alternate strie, though elongate, are distinctly shorter ;

COPELATUS.—COPTOTOMUS. 4]

the first is a little abbreviate at the base. The male has the front and middle tarsi

moderately dilated; and the anterior tibie are a little curved below the knee and

notched on the inner margin. The female is quite without sexual sculpture.

The species may be placed next to C. glyphicus, Say, to which, however, it is by no

means closely allied; it is considerably smaller and different in colour ; and the strize

are finer and not quite so prolonged at the apex. It very much resembles C. celati-

pennis, but is smaller, of more parallel form, and has the elytra more finely striated,

and the thorax without the numerous minute impressions or elongate punctures

found in that species.

21. Copelatus czelatipennis.

Copelatus celatipennis, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 382*; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. p. 591.

Hab. British Honpuras, Rio Hondo (Blancaneaux).—Soutn America, Santa Rita

and Espirito Santo; AwrTiLuss !.

This species is only recorded as Central American on the authority of a single female

from Honduras; this specimen is rather smaller, and has the sculpture on the thorax

and wing-cases rather finer than the individuals from Brazil.

COPTOTOMUS.

Coptotomus, Say, Tr. Am. Phil. Soc. iv. p. 443 (1834) ; Aubé, Spec. Gen. vi. p. 392; Sharp, Trans.

Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. p. 896.

This is a North-American genus of two or three species, closely allied inter se.

1. Coptotomus interrogatus.

Dytiscus interrogatus, Fab. Syst. El. i. p. 367; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 601.

Coptotomus interrogatus, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 393.

Hab. Norta America, as far north as Massachusetts.—MeExico, Guanajuato (Duges,

coll. Sallé).

A single female from Sallé’s collection is the only evidence of the intrusion of this

North-American species into Mexico.

2. Coptotomus serripalpus.

Coptotomus serripalpus, Say, Tr. Am. Phil. Soc. iv. p. 443°; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s.

ii. p. 770.

Hab. Mexico}.

Nothing is known about this species except the description above referred to; and

it is uncertain whether it will prove to be distinct or only founded on a discoloured

example of C. interrogatus or one of the other species.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, April 1882. GG

42 ADEPHAGA.

RHANTUS.

Rhantus, Lacord. Faun. Ent. Par. i. p. 309 (1835) ; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. p. 899.

Colymbetes (ex parte), Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 218.

This is a rather extensive genus of about forty species, widely distributed on the

surface of the globe, but more especially characteristic of Europe and North America.

It is doubtful whether any of the Central-American species will ultimately prove to be

peculiar to the region.

1. Rhantus suffusus. |

Rhantus suffusus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. 11. p. 6138.

Hab. Mexico, city of Mexico (Flohr), Toluca (Sal/é).

The male of this species remains unknown, only a single female, extant in Sallé’s

collection, being known in addition to the individual found by Mr. Flohr.

2. Rhantus binotatus.

Colymbetes binotatus, Harris, New Eng. Farm. vii. p. 164; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soe. n. s. ii.

p. 614.

Colymbetes maculicollis, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 245.

? Colymbetes gutticollis, Say, Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. iv. 1834, p. 442.

Hab. Wustern Unitep Stares.—Mexico, Oaxaca, Almolonga, Jalapa, Toluca, Parada

(Sallé), Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé); Guaremata, San Gerdénimo (Champion) ;

Costa Rica, Cache, Irazu, 6000 to 7000 feet, San Francisco, 4500 feet (Rogers).

In some of the Mexican individuals of this plentiful species the black spots on the

elytra become condensed and suffused, so as to render the wing-cases blackish. Some

of these specimens approach very closely to R. mexicanus, so that I have little doubt

that species will prove to be an extreme form of &. binotatus.

3. Rhantus mexicanus.

Colymbetes mexicanus, Cast. Et. Ent. p. 101; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 614.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca, Parada, Toluca (Sad/é), San Luis Potosi (Palmer); GuaTEMaLa,

San Gerdnimo (Champion).

4. Rhantus atricolor. (Tab. I. fig. 11.)

Colymbetes atricolor, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 265; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. p. 615.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé), Orizaba (Sallé), Alvarez mountains

(Dr. Palmer).

5. Rhantus calidus.

Dytiscus calidus, Fabr. Ent. Syst. i. p. 198.

Colymbetes calidus, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 262.

DYTISCUS.—THERMONECTES. 43

Hab. Norta America, Texas.—Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); Guaremaa, Torola 1000 feet,

Duefias, San Geronimo, Guatemala city (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales (7. Belt) ;

Costa Rica, San Francisco 4500 feet (Rogers).—Sourn America, from Venezuela to

Rio Janeiro.

DYTISCUS.

Dytiscus, Linnzeus, Syst. Nat. ed. xii. 2, p. 664 (1767); Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 102; Sharp, Trans.

Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 904.

This is a genus consisting of about two dozen species specially characteristic of the

Palearctic and Nearctic regions ; but the single Mexican species (so far as yet known)

is peculiar to Mexico.

1. Dytiscus habilis.

Dytiscus habilis, Say, Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. iv. 1834, p. 441; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s.

ii. p. 636. |

Hab. Mexico, Parada (Boucard, coll. Sallé).

HYDATICUS.

Hydaticus, Leach, Zool. Misc. iii. p. 69 (1817); Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 907.

This genus comprises about fifty species, and is very widely distributed in both

hemispheres.

1. Hydaticus rimosus.

Hydaticus rimosus, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 182; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 654.

Hab. Mexico, Orizaba, Vera Cruz, Puebla, Cordova (Sallé); Guatmmata, Dueiias,

Guatemala city 5000 feet, Torola 1000 feet (Champion).—AntTILLES, Guadeloupe, Cuba.

2. Hydaticus subfasciatus.

Hydaticus subfasciatus, Lap. Et. Ent. p. 96; Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 186; Sharp, Trans. Roy.

Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 6557+.

Hab. GuatemaLa!; PanamMa.—SoutH America, Cayenne, Amazonia.

THERMONECTES.

Thermonectus, Esch. De}. Cat. ed. ii. (1833).

Thermonectes, Crotch, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. iv. p. 402 ; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 909.

About fifteen species are known of this genus; they are peculiar to the warmer

parts of America and the Antilles, two or three species extending their range to the

United States of North America.

GG 2

44 ADEPHAGA.

1. Thermonectes nigro-fasciatus. (Tab. I. fig. 12.)

Acilius nigro-fasciatus, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 186; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soe. n. s. ii. p. 677.

Hab. Mexico, Puebla, Parada (Sal/é), Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé), city of Mexico

(Flohr), San Luis Potosi (Dr. Palmer), Oaxaca (Hoge).

A considerable series of this species exhibits but little variation. The black fascia

of the wing-cases is sometimes a good deal diminished in extent ; and the anterior of

the transverse black marks on the thorax is, though rarely, smaller and broken up.

The sexual sculpture on the elytra of the female varies much in its extent; but the

thoracic sculpture seems but little variable.

2. Thermonectes ornaticollis.

Acilius ornaticollis, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 140; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. i. p. 678.

Hab. Nortn America, Texas.—MeExico, Cordova (Sal/é), Tehuantepec (coll. Fry).

The Mexican individuals of this species are referable to two very distinct varieties :—

Ist, a dark form as described by Aubé (loc. sup. cit.) ; and, 2nd, a variety, of which the

size is smaller and the black colour of the upper surface is much reduced—the marks

on the thorax consisting of two scarcely perceptible spots on the middle of the front

margin, and two elongate marks at the base nearly joined together and each enclosing

a pale space.

3. Thermonectes maculatus.

Acilius maculatus, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 142°.

Hab. Mexico }.

Although I have not seen any specimen corresponding with Aubé’s description, yet I

think this insect will prove to be a variety of 7. ornaticollis.

4. Thermonectes succinctus.

Acilius succinctus, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 145°; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. p. 678.

Hab. Mexico 1.—Soutnu America, Brazil, Peru.

5. Thermonectes circumscriptus.

Dytiscus circumscriptus, Latr. Voy. Humb., Ins. p. 223, pl. xxi. f. 5.

Acilius circumscriptus, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 143; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soe. n. s. ii. p. 679.

Hab. Mexico, Puebla (Sallé); Guarzmaua, Torola 1000 feet (Champion); Nicaragua,

Chontales (7. Belt)—Soutu America, from Colombia to Rio de Janeiro; ANTILLEs.

I have seen only half a dozen specimens from Central America; and they seem to

indicate it as very variable there. In two of the females found by Mr. Champion at

Torola there is no sexual sculpture on the thorax; while a specimen found at Chontales

THERMONECTES. | 45

by Belt is remarkable from its short form, and by the coloration of the thorax being the .

same as in the Colombian 7. depictus. These facts render it probable that this latter

supposed species will prove to be a variety of T. circumscriptus.

6. Thermonectes cuneatus.

Thermonectes cuneatus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. 1. p. 682.

Hab. PANAMA.

A second female, agreeing with that originally described, is in Mr. Godman’s collec-

tion; but the male remains still unknown.

7. Thermonectes marmoratus.

Colymbetes marmoratus, Hope, Anim. Kingd. 1832, p. 284, pl. 32. £1; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl.

Soc. n.s. 1. p. 683.

Hydaticus flavo-maculatus, Chevy. Col. Mex. fase. 1. no. 26.

Hydaticus marmoratus, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 167.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge), Parada (Boucard, coll. Sallé), Ventanas, 2000 feet

(Fornt); GuatemaLa, San Gerdénimo (Champion); Honpuras (Sallé).

This brightly-coloured species exhibits a considerable amount of variation in the size

of the yellow marks of the wing-cases.

8. Thermonectes margineguttatus.

Acilius margineguttatus, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p.149; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 683.

Hab. Mexico, Orizaba, Puebla, Vera Cruz, Jalapa (Sa//é); GuaTEMALA, Paso Antonio,

400 feet (Champion); Panama, David (Champion).—Sovutu America, from Colombia to

Parana; ANTILLES.

9. Thermonectes cinctatus.

Acilius cinctatus, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 151°.

Hab. Mexico }.

This was described by Aubé on a single individual, which I believe remains still unique.

I doubt whether it will prove to be more than a variety of Acilius margineguttatus.

10. Thermonectes basilaris.

Dytiscus basilaris, Harris, New Eng. Farm. 1829, viii. p.2; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soe. n.s. ii.

p. 684:

Acilius incisus, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 147°.

Hab. Nortu America, California, Texas.—Mexico, Jalapa, Oaxaca, Las Vigas, Vera

Cruz (Hége); Guatemata, Duefias (Champion).—BraziL!; ANTILLES.

The species exhibits much variation in size, colour, and sexual sculpture in Central

46 ADEPHAGA.

- America, as well as in the United States; no variety I have from the former of these

localities displays such a great departure from the average as do some of the North-

American forms. Aubé’s record of the species from Brazil requires confirmation.

ERETES.

Eretes, Lap. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. i. p. 897 ; Crotch, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. iv. p. 886.

Eunectes, Er. Gen. Dyt. p. 23; Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 128.

This genus comprises only two species. The one found in Mexico is one of the

most cosmopolitan of insects, although it appears to be much rarer in the western than

it is in the eastern hemisphere.

1. Eretes sticticus.

Dytiscus sticticus, Linn. Syst. Nat. ti. 666. 12; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 699.

Eunectes griseus, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 124.

Hab. Fere in orbe toto. Mexico, San Luis Potosi (Dr. Palmer); Tres Marias Is.

(Forrer).

This, the most widely distributed of the species of Dytiscide, appears to be compa-

ratively rare in the New World. I am acquainted with only a few individuals from

Mexico ; and in South America it is recorded only from Peru.

MEGADYTES.

Megadytes, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 917.

Cybister (ex parte), Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 43.

This is a genus of about twenty species peculiar to the New World, in the southern

parts of which it replaces Cybister of the Old World and North America.

1. Megadytes levigatus.

Dytiscus levigatus, Oliv. Ent. in. 40, p. 14, pl. 3. £23; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. p. 707.

Cybister levigatus, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 99.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz; Guatemata, Torola 1000 feet, Paso Antonio 400 feet

(Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt); Panama.—Braziu.

At the time I remarked on this species (loc. swpr. cit.) I had seen only two or three

Mexican individuals, among which were no males, and I remarked that the females in

Mexico were usually nearly or quite destitute of sexual sculpture. In the series at

present before me there is only a single Mexican female; and this has a small sexual

sculpture, as have also two females from Chontales, while the unique individual of this

sex from Guatemala is almost (but not quite) absolutely destitute of such sculpture.

The males depart from the Brazilian individuals, inasmuch as they possess a superior

development of the front tarsi, which are formed much as in Megadytes flohri. From

MEGADYTES.—CYBISTER. Aq

Panama I have seen three males, whose tarsi agree in structure with those of Brazilian

examples.

2. Megadytes flohri.

Megadytes flohri, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. p. 709.

Hab. Mexico, city of Mexico (Flohr), Vera Cruz (Hoge), Cordova (Sallé).

The females in the small series of this species now before me are all destitute of any

sexual sculpture, except that in two of them there exist ten or a dozen minute linear

punctures clustered round the basal puncture of the internal series on the wing-case.

3. Megadytes fraternus.

Megadytes fraternus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 708.

Hab. GuatemMata, Duefas, San Gerdnimo (Champion).—ANTILLES, Guadeloupe,

St. Domingo ; Soura America, Demerara.

4. Megadytes fallax. (Tab. I. fig. 13.)

Cybister fallax, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 54°; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. u.s. ii. p. 710.

Hab. Mexico (Sallé).—Cayenne !.

This little-known species is represented in Sallé’s collection by a single female

labelled “ Trogus flavocinctus;” this determination, however, was erroneous, and the

specimen, a very fine one, agrees with the two other females, these being all that we

know of the species.

5. Megadytes obesus..

Megadytes obesus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. p. 710°.

Hab. Panama}.

6. Megadytes giganteus.

Cybister giganteus, Lap. Et. Ent. p.99; Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p.46; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soe.

n.s. u. p. 713°.

Cybister lherminicri, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 47.

Hab. * Mexico 1, Merida in Yucatan (Sallé); GuateMaLa, San Geronimo (Champion) ;

Satvapor (Sallé).—Brazit; ANTILLES, Guadeloupe, Antigua, Cuba.

CYBISTER.

. Cybister, Curt. Brit. Ent. iv. p. 151; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. p. 918.

Trogus, Leach, Zool. Mise. ii. p. 70 (1817).

This important genus is especially characteristic of the eastern hemisphere, where it

48 ADEPHAGA.

is very widely distributed, and possesses also three or four North-American species, but

is quite absent from South America.

1. Cybister fimbriolatus. (Tab. I. fig. 14.)

Dytiscus fimbriolatus, Say, Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. ii. p. 91; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii.

p. 715.

Cybister dissimilis, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 69.

Hab. Nortu America, from Pennsylvania southwards.—Mexico, Guanajuato (Duges,

coll. Sallé), Puebla, Toluca (Sallé), Vera Cruz, Oaxaca (Hoge).

The species is apparently variable in Mexico. Only one of the individuals before me

(the unique female from Guanajuato) resembles the North-American individuals; the

other specimens are mostly referable to a well-marked variety of short form, with the

yellow cincture broad, and with the breast green: of this variety 1 have not seen the

female. A third form is represented by a single female from Vera Cruz ; it is of elongate

form, with very broad cincture, and apparently approximates greatly to the Californian

C. ellipticus, Lec.

2. Cybister flavocinctus.

Cybister flavocinctus, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 78*; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. p. 716.

Hab. Nortu America, Texas. —Mexico, Corafalce! (Madame Sallé).

Fam. GYRINIDZ.

This small family of Coleoptera is one of the most isolated of all those included

in the order. All the species have the habit of swimming with extreme rapidity

in complex curves on the surfaces of various waters, the Orectochilini being frequently

found in pools in rapid mountain-streams, while the Dineutes group of genera select

calmer waters for their habitat.

ENHYDRUS.

Enhydrus, Cast. Etud. Ent. p. 110; Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 651.

This is a genus with several species peculiar to South America; for although at

present only two are recorded thence, yet certain species (Gyrinus buqueti, Aubé, e. g.)

hitherto placed in Gyrinus belong rather to Enhydrus. The only other province from

which species are recorded is New Holland; but Chili possesses two or three species

allied to the Australian forms.

1. Enhydrus atratus.

Enhydrus atratus, Regt. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. (5) vi., Bull. p. ecxv.

Hab. PANAMA.

DINEUTES. 49

DINEUTES.

Dineutes, Macleay, Ann. Jav. p. 30; Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 761.

This is a genus of about forty described species, widely distributed in the warmer

parts of the eastern hemisphere, but nearly or quite wanting in South America, although

North America and the Antilles possess several peculiar species. Six species are here

recorded from Mexico and Central America, three of which appear to be peculiar to the

region, while the other three are intrusions from the North-American and West-Indian

regions.

1. Dineutes discolor.

Dineutes discolor, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 784.

Hab. Norta America, United States.—Mexico.

2. Dineutes solitarius.

Dineutes solitarius, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 780.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Orizaba, Tampico (Sallé); GuaTemaLa, Guatemala city 5000

feet, and San Gerénimo (Champion); Nicaracva, Chontales (7. Belt).

3. Dineutes truncatus. (Tab. I. fig. 15.)

Dineutes truncatus, Sharp, Ent. Month. Mag. x. p. 54°.

Hab. Mexico, Juquila (Sallé); Guatemata, San Gerénimo, Mirandilla (Champion):

NicaraGua, Chontales! (Belt); Costa Rica, Cache, San Franciscc 4000 feet, Irazu 6000

to 7000 feet (Rogers); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

4. Dineutes sublineatus.

Gyrinus sublineatus, Chevr. Col. du Mex. fase. 1.

Dineutes sublineatus, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 775.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Orizaba (Sallé), Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé); Britisy

Honpuras, river Sarstoon (Blancaneaux); GuateMata, San Gerénimo (Champion) ;

Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt).

5. Dineutes vittatus.

Gyrinus vittatus, Germ. Ins. Sp. Nov. p. 32.

Dineutes vittatus, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 768.

Hab. Nortu America, United States—MeExico.

6. Dineutes longimanus.

Gyrinus longimanus, Oliv. Ent. iii. 41, p. 11, pl. i. f. 3.

Dineutes longimanus, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 782.

Hab. Costa Rica.—ANTILLES.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. [. Pt. 2, October 1882. | HH

50 - ADEPHAGA.

GYRINUS.

Gyrinus, Geoff. Ins. Par. i. p. 193 (1762) ; Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 655.

This is an extensive genus, very widely distributed, and with the species more than

usually difficult to distinguish by good characters. North America is, perhaps, the

richest of all countries in species of the genus; but Central America and South

America seem to be inhabited by only a few species.

1. Gyrinus turbinator.

Latiusculus, nitidus, supra nigro-szneus vel chalybeus, margine elevato elytrorum versus apicem rufescente ;

subtus piceus, plus minusve ferrugineus, epipleuris pedibusque rufis; elytris subtiliter striato-punctatis,

striis externis parum profundioribus, interstitiis nullomodo elevatis, apicibus truncatis.

Long. 3, lat. 13 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Puebla (Sallé); GuaTEMALA, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet

(Champion).

This is a species allied to the North-American G. ventralis, but of rather broad form,

and with the wing-cases more truncate and broader behind: the series of punctures are

fine, but distinct and very regular, the outer a little more deeply impressed than those

near the suture. The lateral margin near the extremity is rather broadly explanate,

and is of an obscure red colour; the outer angle of the apex is very broadly rounded,

the inner angle but little rounded ; the transverse series of punctures fine but distinct.

Beneath, the margins are red; but the colour of the body appears to vary from a piceous

red to a clearer red—the two individuals from Mexico being paler than the others.

The legs are pale red. The male tarsi are broad. In the female the surface of the

elytra towards the extremity is not so shining as in the other sex, owing to an exces-

sively minute sculpture. |

2. Gyrinus obtusus.

Gyrinus obtusus, Say, Trans. Am. Phil. Soe. iv. p. 447°.

Hab. Mexico}, Parada and Puebla (Sa//é).

This species is readily distinguishable by the peculiar structure of the apices of the

wing-cases ; the side margin at the extremity is expanded and depressed, and the outer

angle is broadly bent downwards. In some individuals the alternate interstices are

elevated. It is distributed in collections under the name of Gyrinus plicatus, Sallé ; but

it appears to me likely to be the species Say described as above.

3. Gyrinus parcus. | |

Gyrinus parcus, Say, Tr. Am. Phil. Soc. iv. p.448’; Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 701.

Hab. NortH America, Texas.—Mexico!, Orizaba, Cordova, Parada, Jalapa (Sallé) ;

GUATEMALA, Guatemala city 5000 feet, San Gerdénimo (Champion); Nicaragua, Chon-

tales (Belt).

GYRETES. 51

This is apparently one of the most abundant beetles in Mexico and Guatemala.

There is a considerable difference in the sexes, the female being usually larger than the

male, and having the interstices, with the exception of those near the suture and the

outer one, dull, on account of an excessively minute scnlpture.

GYRETES.

Gyretes, Brullé, Hist. Nat. v. p. 241; Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 747.

This is a genus of about twenty species, confined to the New World, where they

occur in the Antilles and in continental America from the southern and western

portions of the United States of North America to Brazil. M. Sallé has made known

that some of the species inhabit mountain-torrents, and are able to leap a considerable

distance, when taken out of their native pools, by the aid of their very flexible terminal

segments.

1. Gyretes leionotus. (Tab. I. fig. 16.)

Gyretes leionotus, Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 753.

Hab. Mexico, Orizaba (Sallé); Guarnmaa, Torola 1000 feet (Champion).

Although the individuals found in Guatemala are uniformly smaller and narrower

than the Mexican examples, yet I can find no specific characters to distinguish them.

2. Gyretes boucardi.

Gyretes boucardi, Sallé, MS.

Ovalis, angustulus, eneo-niger, antennis ex parte pedibusque rufis; subtus piceus, elytrorum margine inflexo

rufo ; thoracis elytrorumque lateribus dense subtiliter punctatis et pubescentibus, horum apice truncato,

margine laterali ad finem obtuso.

Long. 24, lat. 13 lin.

Mas nitidissimus.

Fem. subnitida, elytris obsolete longitudinaliter impressis.

_ Hab. Muxico, Playa Vicente (Sad/é).

This species is closely allied to G. leionotus, but is considerably smaller, and the

female is much less opaque. In the male the pubescent border on the wing-cases is

quite narrow in front; but in the female it is much broader. Although the upper

surface in the female is dulled by a very fine peculiar sculpture, yet this sculpture

becomes quite obsolete, or even absent, on the front of the elytra and on the thorax.

3. Gyretes levis.

Gyretes levis, Brullé, Voy. d’Orb. vi. p. 52°; Aubé, Spec. Gén. vi. p. 757°.

Gyretes saltatrix, White, Cat. Hyd. Brit. Mus. p. 48 *,

Hab. Guaremata, Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champion)—Soutu America, Brazil * ?,

Colombia °.

HE 2

52 ADEPHAGA.

4. Gyretes proximus.

Ovalis, convexus, nigro-zneus, nitidissimus ; thoracis elytrorumque lateribus dense punctatis et pubescentibus ;

subtus piceus, elytrorum margine inflexo pedibusque rufis ; elytris apice truncato, extus leviter obliquo,

angulo externo obtuso, margine laterali ibidem perparum prominulo.

Long. 3-3, lat. 14 lin.

Hab. Costa Rica (Van Patten).

This species agrees almost exactly with Aubé’s description of Gyretes morio (from

Guadaloupe), except in the form of the apices of the wing-cases, which are here more

obtuse. The pubescent border of the elytra is narrow at the shoulder, but just behind

that gets broader, so that before the middle it is already wide, and towards the apex

covers fully one half of the surface; at its termination it just attains the suture.

The male has the anterior tarsi very broad; and the female is shining like the male;

but the anterior parts of the pubescent border are rather broader in the female.

5. Gyretes acutangulus.

Ovalis, valde convexus, nitidissimus ; thoracis elytrorumque lateribus dense punctatis et pubescentibus; subtus

piceus, elytrorum margine inflexo pedibusque rufis ; elytris apice fere recte truncato, angulo externo leviter

prominulo, acute recto.

Long. 35, lat. 13 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Puebla (Sal/é).

The band of pubescence on the side of the wing-case is narrow, and continues quite

of one width till near the extremity, when it is rather abruptly dilated, and quite behind

touches the apex somewhat narrowly. The lateral margin of the wing-case is quite

distinctly red on the posterior portion, and at the apex projects a little so as to form a

very sharply-marked right angle. The male anterior tibie and tarsi are but little

dilated ; and the female is very shining like the male, and has no greater development

of the pubescence at the margins.

HYDROPHILIDZ. 53

Fam. HYDROPHILIDZ.

The family Hydrophilide consists of about 600 species, the majority of which are

aquatic in their habits; nevertheless the family certainly cannot be correctly associated

with the other aquatic families Haliplide, Dytiscide, and Gyrinide in the Adephagous

series; it is indeed the first of a series of families of beetles that at present have not

been satisfactorily combined in larger aggregates capable of exact definition ; some of

these families comprise but a few species, and therefore exhibit but little variety of

structural characters, while others are of greater extent and may be looked on as really

equivalent in value to such families as the Carabide. ‘The Hydrophilide is inter-

mediate in extent between these two extremes, but will probably become a family of

even greater extent and importance than the Dytiscide; for the last-named family is

rich in species in the waters of the more frigid portions of the earth’s surface, while

this is not the case with the Hydrophilide, whose species appear to be more numerous

in the warmer regions. The species of this family, except those of Europe and North

America, have been and are much neglected by collectors and students ; and this is, in

fact, the first time that any thing like a complete enumeration of the Hydrophilideous

fauna of any considerable geographical region, other than the two just named, has been

attempted. About 120 species have been already ascertained to be found in Mexico

and Central America ; and although this number will no doubt be very largely increased,

it is even at present about equal to the number of species of the family known to

inhabit America north of Mexico.

The classification of the family is in a very imperfect and unsettled stage, there being

no conformity of opinion as to the number or limits of the tribes to be adopted in it,

while the primary division of the family into two groups, Hydrophilini and Spheridiini,

based on the comparative length of the joints of the hind feet, proves on examination to

be quite untenable. Under these circumstances I have not thought it necessary for

the purposes of this work to make use of any true classification, but simply to arrange

the genera in conformity with the order in which they appear in the Munich Catalogue

of Coleoptera; in this arrangement the species most profoundly modified for aquatic

existence come first, and the terrestrial members of the family are placed at the end.

Some authors make of the family Hydrophilide a series termed Palpicornia, supposed

to be the equivalent of the Adephaga, while the minor divisions of the family are made

to represent the families of the Adephagous series; this course, however, has nothing

to recommend it, except an appearance of uniformity gained at the expense cf

accuracy.

54 HYDROPHILIDA.

HYDROPHILUS.

Hydrophilus, Geoffroy, Ins. Par. i. p. 180.

Hydrous, Leach, Zool. Mise. iii. p. 92.

This genus comprises about forty species, and has a wide distribution in both the

eastern and western hemispheres.

1. Hydrophilus insularis. (Tab. II. fig. 1.)

Hy drophilus insularis, Cast. Hist. Nat. ii. p. 50°.

Hydrophilus pilatei, Dupt. in litt.

Hab. Nortn America, Texas, California.—Mexico, Misantla (Hoge), Puebla, Yucatan

(Sallé), Presidio (Forrer); GuatemMaLa, San Gerénimo (Champion).—ANTILLES 4, Cuba },

Guadaloupe}.

The figure represents a specimen from Misantla.

2. Hydrophilus triangularis.

Hydrophilus triangularis, Say, Journ. Ac. Phil. iii. p. 201°; Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1855, p. 367°.

Hab. Nortn America, from New York? to California 2,—Mexico, Misantla (Hoge),

Parada (Sailé), San Luis Potosi (Dr. Palmer).

3. Hydrophilus ater.

Hy drophilus ater, Fabr. Ent. Syst. i. p. 183°; Oliv. Ent. ii. 39, p. 10, t. 2. f. 6°.

Hydrophilus brasiliensis, Cast. Et. Ent. p. 50°; Hist. Nat. ii. p. 50%.

Hab. Nortu America, Philadelphia, Texas.—Mexico, Misantla, Vera Cruz (Hoge),

Orizaba (Sallé) ; GuaTeMALA, Paso Antonio 400 feet (Champion) ; Nicaragua, Chontales

(Belt, Janson) ; Costa Rica (van Patten).—AntiLLES, Cuba ; Sourn America !, Colombia,

Cayenne, Brazil+, Bahia. |

A species so largely distributed as is this one is sure to show some variation ; and in

the equatorial region the individuals of this species appear to be usually larger and

broader than they are more to the north; the northern specimens usually have the

sternal spine rather shorter than those from the south: but these slight characters are very

variable. The Central-American specimens always have the apices of the wing-cases

quite without acumination ; but in the South-American individuals it is usually found

(when the elytra are made to gape a little) that each extremity at the suture is slightly

emarginate inwardly, so that there is a very minute sharp angle: but this small

character is likewise a variable one.

. TROPISTERN US.

Tropisternus, Solier, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1834, p. 308.

This is a genus characteristic of the New World, where it has a very wide distribu-

TROPISTERNUS. 55

tion, extending from the north of the United States to Uruguay. About thirty-five

species are known: of this number five are peculiar to America north of Mexico, two

are common to North America and more southern regions, South America has fourteen

or fifteen species, and two or three are known from the Antilles.

1. Tropisternus collaris.

Hydrophilus collaris, Faby. Syst. Ent. p. 229°.

Tropisternus collaris, Cast. Hist. Nat. ii. p. 54).

Hab. Mexico (coll. Sawnders); Panama.—ANTILLES, St. Domingo ; SoutH AMERICA,

from Caraccas to Entre Rios, Brazil 2.

2. Tropisternus mexicanus. (Tab. II. fig. 3.)

Tropisternus mexicanus, Cast. Hist. Nat. ii. p. 54°.

Hab. Merxico!, Jalapa, Oaxaca (Hoge), Vera Cruz (Sallé); Guaremaa, Cubilguitz,

Paso Antonio 400 feet (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt & Janson).

Although very closely allied to the South-American 7. collaris, I believe, from the

examination of a large number of specimens of both species, that T. mexicanus is truly

distinct. It has seven green lines on each wing-case (including a sutural one) separated

by very narrow yellow spaces; while in 7. collaris there are five such lines; and in this

latter species the second and fourth yellow interstices are filled behind by short green

lines which connect, by overlapping, with the extremities of the adjacent green lines,

which are more or less abbreviated. The Mexican insect has likewise less powerful hind

legs. The green mark on the middle of the thorax is but little variable in its extent,

but it is generally rendered more or less indistinct by being surrounded with a cloud of

dark colour of very variable size ; and it is to such individuals that Castelnau’s description

refers.

A specimen from Vera Cruz is figured.

3. Tropisternus apicipalpis. (‘Tab. II. fig. 2.)

Hydrophilus apicipalpis, Chevy. Col. Mex. fasc. 3°.

Tropisternus apicipalpis, Cast. Hist. Nat. ii. p. 53°.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge), Tuxtla and Vera Cruz? (Sallé); Nicaracua, Chontales

(Belt) ; Costa Rica (van Patten). |

A Jalapa specimen is figured.

4. Tropisternus chalybeus.

Tropisternus chalybeus, Cast. Hist. Nat. ii. 53°.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge), Tuxtla, San Andres (Sallé); Nicaragua, Chontales

(Belt); Panama.—AnvILLEs, Guadaloupe, Brazil 4.

56 HYDROPHILIDA.

5. Tropisternus crassus.

Robustus, latus, convexus, niger, superne viridi-violaceo micans, antennarum basi palpisque testaceis, pedibus

piceis; his crassis parum elongatis, femoribus intermediis et posterioribus subtus ex parte majore pube-

scentibus; abdominis apice spina elongata armato.

Long. 11, lat. 65 mm.

Hab. Guatemaa, Torola 1000 feet (Champion).

This insect, although closely allied to 7. nitidus, is distinguished by a comparatively

shorter form, less attenuate behind; it also has the hind legs shorter and stouter,

and their femora have a larger portion of their area covered with pubescence, this

pubescence extending a little more than halfway to the apex, while in 7. nitidus the

extension is a little less than halfway. It is one of a group of species extremely

difficult to distinguish from one another, and of which several are found in South

America; but none of the South-American individuals I have seen agree with the four

individuals found by Mr. Champion.

6. Tropisternus brevicollis. (Tab. II. fig. 4.)

Subdepressus, subellipticus, sat elongatus, niger, subeeneo-micans, fere impunctatus ; spina sternali fere brevi,

lata, deplanata, parum punctata; femoribus area parva pubescente, tibiis posterioribus haud ciliatis ;

elytrorum linea pleurali omnino levigata; abdominis apice in medio carina sat elongata perparum

elevata.

Long. 54, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Mexico (coll. Sharp), Ventanas 2000 feet (forrer).

This is a very distinct and peculiar species, with unusually short thorax, and with

the sculpture of the upper surface much diminished, and with very short palpi. The

usual looped series of punctures on each side of the head is wanting, or rather only

the external portion of the series (near the antenne) exists; and at the margin of the

eye there is only a single large puncture. The usual minute punctuation of the head

and thorax is scarcely to be detected; and the wing-cases too are nearly destitute of

punctuation. The epipleural margin is entirely without punctures or spines.

I have a specimen of this peculiar species from Laferté’s collection; and recently

_ two others have been received from Mr. Forrer, one of which is figured. These two

latter have the joints of the maxillary palpi black, but marked with yellow.

7. Tropisternus nitens.

Tropisternus nitens, Cast. Hist. Nat. 1. p. 54°.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hodge), Juquila, Cordova, Vera Cruz! (Sallé), Ventanas

2000 feet (Forrer); Guatemata, Purula, San Gerénimo, Paso Antonio 400 feet, Torola

1000 feet, Pantaleon 1700 feet (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt & Janson).—

Sours America, from Caraccas to Rio-:de Janeiro.

This species is variable in size and form and in the details of colour, but may be

TROPISTERNUS. 57

recognized by its small or rather small stature, by the absence of swimming-cilia on the

hind tibiz, by the short, or rather short, middle and hind legs, which are armed with

numerous and conspicuous spines, by the epipleural margin being punctate from the

shoulder to near the extremity, and by the rather large size of the pubescent area at

the base of the hind femora. The variation in the Central-American individuals is

considerable; but I have been unable to detect any constant characters indicative of

there being more than one species.

8. Tropisternus ovalis. (Tab. II. fig. 5.)

Tropisternus ovalis, Cast. Hist. Nat. ii. p. 54°.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz (Hége); GuatemMata, Paso Antonio 400 feet (Champion).—

Sout America, Colombia, Brazil t.

This species is an easily recognized one, and may readily be distinguished,

independently of the small stature and peculiar form of its individuals, by the greater

elongation of the sixth, or ear-like, joint of the antenna, and its shorter sternal spine.

It varies a good deal in colour. A specimen from Paso Antonio is figured.

9. Tropisternus concolor.

Ovalis, latiusculus, posterius haud acuminatus, nitidissimus, subtilissime punctulatus, niger (interdum superne

subsenescens); pedibus posterioribus brevibus, ex parte majore nigris, tibiis ciliatis; margine epipleurali

a basi fere ad apicem punctato; carina sternali levigata ; abdominis apice ecarinato; femoribus basi parum

late pubescente.

Long. 4—5, lat. 23 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé), Parada (Sallé), Oaxaca (Hége),

Hacienda de Bleados, San Luis Potosi (Palmer); GUATEMALA, Guatemala city 5000 feet

(Champion); Costa Rica (van Patten).

Mentum quite sparingly punctured. Base of antenne and palpi yellow, the tip of

the latter dusky. Upper surface very shining, very feebly punctate, so that on

the wing-cases scarcely any punctuation can be detected. Sternal carina almost

impunctate. Apex of the hind body without any carina; but there exists a

perceptible elevation bearing two or three minute hairs. Legs black, but the

femora marked towards the extremity with yellow, and the upper face of the tibie

sometimes with a yellow streak; the front tibiz nearly or entirely yellow.

The species is allied to the South-American 7. nitidulus, Brullé ; but that insect is of

feebler build, with more slender legs and smaller head, and has the upper surface more

distinctly punctulate. ;

10. Tropisternus chontalensis.

Latus, parum convexus, posterius haud attenuatus, nitidissimus, niger vix metallice micans, subtilissime

punctatus ; pedibus gracilibus, piceis, anterioribus ex parte majore testaceis, femoribus posterioribus rufo

signatis ; margine epipleurali anterius impunctato, posterius angusto crebre punctato; spina metasternali

BIOL, CENTR.-AMER., Coleop., Vol. I. Pt. 2, October 1882. IT

58 HYDROPHILIDA.

lata, parum elongata; femoribus ad basin sat late pubescentibus; tibiis posterioribus haud ciliatis, facie

interna superne serie punctorum delimitata ; abdominis apice valde carinato, carine apice parum spinoso-

producto.

Long. 54, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

This is one of a series of species in which the posterior tibie are without swimming-

hairs, but have their smooth inner face traversed at the upper edge by a closely placed series

of punctures, each of which bears a spine, the basal spines being coarse and depressed,

while those at the apex are fine and erect or suberect, so as. to be like extremely short

coarse hairs. The sternal spine is short and rather flat, projecting, however, distinctly a

little beyond the hind margin of the basal ventral segment ; itis but little punctate; and

its apex bears two or three minute sete. The last ventral segment is armed with a

very strongly elevated ‘carina, the apex of which is free, however, only for a short

distance, so that it is but little spinose.

11. Tropisternus oculatus. (Tab. II. fig. 6.)

Superne olivaceus eeneo tinctus, antennarum basi palpisque testaceis; pedibus rufis, femoribus basi nigra ;

subtilius punctatus, pernitidus; oculis majoribus, valde convexis; elytrorum linea marginali subtiliter

crenato-punctata, punctis pone humeros minutis; abdominis apice longius spinoso.

Long. 53-6, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Presidio (forrer).—Soutu America, Colombia (coll. Sharp).

The species may be readily distinguished from all others known to me by the larger

eyes; the colour appears to vary but little, if I may make such a statement on the

authority of an inspection of but few examples. The ventral spine is remarkably

elongate. The male has a slender tooth, placed near the base of the under claw on the

middle and hind feet. In an individual labelled “Nov. Grenada,” the systematic

punctures near the side of the thorax are not concentrated into so minute a space as

they are in the other individuals.

A specimen from Presidio is figured.

12. Tropisternus fuscitarsis.

Sat latus et convexus, posterius subattenuatus, nitidissimus, niger ; pedibus plus minusve rufo variis; crebre

subtilius punctulatus; margine pleurali basi impunctato, pone medium angusto sed crebre punctato;

pedibus posterioribus modice elongatis, tibiis ciliatis, femoribus ad basin area parva pubescente ; spina sternali

sat elongata, acuminata, levigata ; abdominis apice fere mutico.

Long. 43-53, lat. 24-3 lin,

Hab. Muxico, Oaxaca, Jalapa (Hége), Cordova, Parada (Sallé); GuatemMaa, Guate-

mala city 5000 feet (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

This species varies somewhat in colour, the upper surface having sometimes an

obscure metallic reflection, and the legs being occasionally nearly entirely red; but the

characters mentioned in the above diagnosis are distinctive when this species and

TL. concolor are compared. 7. Suscitarsis is more elongate, has the surface a little more

TROPISTERNUS. 59

distinctly punctulate, the sternal spine shorter, the pubescent area on the hind femora

a little smaller, and the epipleural margin without punctures on the basal portion.

Mexican individuals of the species are distributed in collections under several different

MS. names (I’. fuscitaris, K1., T. signatipes, Sturm, T. dubius, Deyr.), specimens of other

‘species being, however, mixed with them.

13. Tropisternus xanthopus.

Ovalis, parum latus, sat elongatus, posterius subattenuatus, nitidus, superne virescens ; antennarum basi, palpis

pedibusque flavis, femorum basi tarsisque fuscis; subtiliter punctulatus, elytrorum lateribus, presertim

versus apicem, Magis conspicue punctatis; elytrorum linea pleurali subtiliter punctata, punctis in parte

basali ommino minutis; pedibus posterioribus gracilibus, femoribus area parva pubescente, tibiis ciliatis ;

spina sternali elongata, gracili, acuta, levigata; abdominis apice vix carinato.

Long. 53, lat. 24 lin.

_ Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoye), Cordova (Sallé).

The labrum is either yellow or fuscous yellow; the mentum black, with a slight

metallic tint; the mesosternal carina is more or less flavescent ; the sternal spine quite

slender. The lateral margin or pleural line of the wing-case is fine, and is very finely

punctured at the base, behind the middle more distinctly, but yet finely. |

I have before me only four individuals that I can with certainty refer to this species ;

_ they are all males, and have the mentum shining and somewhat coarsely punctate. Some

other individuals in the collection may possibly be the female of this species, or may be

a closely allied species; but the specimens I refer to are in such a bad condition of

preservation that I cannot decide the point.

Although closely allied to 7. fuscitarsis, T. xanthopus appears to me undoubtedly

distinct ; it is of narrower form, with more curved outline, with the upper surface

metallic, the legs pale, the mentum more punctate, the sternal spine longer and more

slender, and the pleural margin finely punctate at the base.

14. Tropisternus tinctus.

Ovalis, parum convexus, posterius parum acuminatus, pernitidus, niger, superne plus minusve viridi vel violaceo

tinctus, labro pedibusque testaceis; subtiliter punctulatus; pedibus posterioribus gracilibus; femoribus

area parva pubescente, tibiis ciliatis; elytrorum margine pleurali omnino impunctato, epipleura minus

abrupte inflexa; spina sternali elongata, gracili, acuta, levigata; abdominis apice vix carinato.

Long. 5, lat. 22 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca, Jalapa (/6ge).

Although very similar to 7. fuscitarsis and to T. californicus, this species is readily

distinguished by the marginal or pleural line of the wing-case being without sculpture ;

not the least trace either of punctuation or spines can be detected on this part.

Moreover, when the junction of the epipleura with the body of the wing-case is

examined from beneath, it is seen that this part is more rounded than in the allied

species, so that the edge of the wing-case below appears to be blunter, or less like a

cutting-edge.

IT 2

60 HYDROPHILIDA.

In the male the mentum and the lateral portions of the submentum are quite dull,

owing to a very dense, fine, rugulose punctuation, while in the female these parts are

shining and rather finely and moderately closely punctate.

15. Tropisternus lateralis.

Hydrophilus lateralis, Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 228°.

Tropisternus lateralis, Cast. Hist. Nat. ii. p. 53°; Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1855, p. 367 °.

Hydrophilus nimbatus, Say, Journ. Ac. Phil. i. p. 203 *.

Hab. Nortu America 4, from New York southwards.—MeExico, Jalapa, Oaxaca (Hége),

Parada, Guanajuato (Sadlé) ; Guatemaa, Duefias, San Gerénimo, Cubilguitz (Champion),

Guatemala city 5000 feet (Salvin, Champion).—ANTILLES, Cuba, Antigua; SouTH

AMERICA ! 2, to Monte Video.

This species is very variable ; and I am by no means certain that it does not consist

of several very similar and rather variable species; but as, after several days devoted to

examination of specimens from various localities, Iam unable to arrange them as separate

Species in a satisfactory manner, 1 am obliged at present to treat all the forms as one

species. The variations in Mexico and Central America affect the size, colour, form, and

sculpture, and the existence or absence of a marked ventral spine at the extremity of

the hind body. The colour of the upper surface varies from a very dark obscure fuscous

brassy colour to a brilliant brassy green; the yellow cincture is sometimes very broad ;

and in such case the individuals approach very closely indeed to the Californian

T. limbalis, Lec. ; at other times it is very narrow. In many of the darker individuals

there is a pair of lines of large punctures near the margin of the wing-cases, and others

near the suture. The last ventral segment shows a prominence at the extremity, which is

sometimes so slight as to be readily overlooked, while in others it forms on the apical part

of the segment an abruptly elevated fold, the extremity of which projects, to a greater or

less extent, asa short free spine ; this latter is not a sexual character: but it is subject to

a slight amount of variation according to sex; for although males may be found without

the carina, and females with the carina strongly developed, yet if specimens from the

same locality, quite agreeing in other respects, be selected and examined, it is found

that the males have the carina and spine on the whole more conspicuous than it is in

the females.

16. Tropisternus obscurus. (Tab. II. fig. 7.)

Brevior, convexus, posterius attenuatus, niger, subeanescens, pedibus piceis; subtilius punctulatus ; pedibus

posterioribus crassiusculis, femoribus area pubescente parva, tibiis ciliatis ; spina sternali elongata, acumi-

nata, levigata; margine pleurali omnino impunctato; abdominis apice subtuberculato, nullomodo

carinato.

Long. 5, lat. 27 lin.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Duefias (Champion).

TROPISTERNUS.—OOCYCLUS. 61

This species is of shorter form and more attenuate behind than its allies here

described, and is readily distinguished by this and the characters above mentioned.

The series of about two dozen individuals shows very little variation. ‘The specimens are

in very decayed condition; so that the colour of the legs perhaps appears more obscure

and concolorous than is natural. Although resembling 7. tinctus in the absence of

sculpture and spines from the marginal border of the wing-cases, 7. odscurus is

nevertheless quite different in colour, form, and appearance, and possesses a structure

of the epipleura which is peculiar to it: if the wing-cases be opened so that the inflexed

epipleura can be seen, it will be observed that, although very broad at the base, it ceases

or thins away about the middle; whereas in 7. tinctus and other species it continues

broad beyond the middle, although it is completely folded in and applied to the inner

face of the wing-case.

HYDROCHARIS.

Hydrochare, Latreille, Fam. Nat. p. 366.

Hydrophilus, Leach, Zool. Mise. iii. p. 94.

Hydrous, Brullé, Hist. Nat. Col. 11. p. 275.

This genus has a very wide distribution in the two hemispheres, and comprises about

twenty described species.

1. Hydrocharis perfectus. (Tab. II. fig. 8.)

Oblongo-ovalis, parum convexus, nitidus, niger; pedibus piceis, antennarum basi palpisque testaceis ; elytris

subtiliter seriatim punctatis, nullomodo striatis; prosterno in medio anterius parum producto, obtuso,

posterius angulum acutissimum formante, sed vix Spinoso.

Long. 18, lat. 74 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Torola 1000 feet (Champion).

Palpi very elongate. Antenne with the sixth joint forming a very elongate spoon,

seventh elongate and with long ramose process. Head rather finely and not densely

punctate, and with the larger punctures on the clypeus numerous. Thorax finely

punctate, its anterior angles rounded and very little produced. Elytra with four

isolated series of punctures, but without any striz near these, also with punctures near

the sides, the surface generally only obsoletely punctate. Posterior femora quite

impunctate beneath. Apical ventral segment with quite narrow shining space at the

extremity.

OOCYCLUS.

Caput subhemisphexricum. Antenne perbreves, 8-articulate, articulis tribus ultimis abrupte majoribus,

clavam laxam formantibus. Palpi maxillares perbreves, articulo ultimo quam precedens paulo longiore.

Mesosternum ante coxas intermedias in processum magnum scabrosum elevatum. Metasternum subtilissime

pubescens. Abdomen e segmentis quinque compositum, nitidum, crebre setosum. Femora subtus nitida.

Tarsi posteriores tenues, lineares, tibiis multo breviores, 5-articulati, articulo basali quam secundus multo

breviore.

I propose this genus for some peculiar Palpicorns allied to Hydrobius, but differing

62 HYDROPHILIDA.,

in numerous characters, and, owing to their size and hemispherical form, having a

superficial resemblance to Cyclonotum. The antenne are very short, the basal joint

reaching but little beyond the side of the head ; the second joint is very closely connected

with it, appears, indeed, to be only incompletely divided from it, and is longer than its

exposed portion; the third and fourth joints are very minute, while the fifth forms an

obscure auricular appendage to the base of the very laxly articulated club. The

maxillary palpi are stout and very short, the apical joint about equal in length to the

second joint, while the third joint is considerably shorter; the mandible is so abruptly

curved that its apical portion forms a long slender process placed at right angles to the

broad basal portion, and is bifid at the extremity; the mentum is large, flat, smooth and

shining, and nearly truncate at the extremity; the labial palpi are small. The pro-

sternum and front coxal cavities are formed much as in Hydrobius ; the former is rather

obscurely carinate along the middle. The mesosternum bears in front of the coxe a

large prominence elevated to the level of the metasternum, and having its lower face

scabrous. The metasternum sends off in the middle in front an elongate slender process

separating the middle coxe and articulating with the mesosternal process; the breast is

finely pubescent ; but the femora are glabrous beneath, except that the middle ones bear

some coarse punctures and rough sete. ‘The tibiz are armed with long spines. The

ventral segments are shining and bear rather numerous fine, erect hairs.

The characters are drawn from 0. brevicornis. The genus is in certain respects one

of the most interesting of the Hydrophilide; the sculpture of the upper surface in

O. brevicornis and O. vestitus is remarkable; and the maculation of the surface in

O. maculatus with brilliant metallic spots is unique. I am not acquainted with any

species other than those here described; and they all three appear to be rare, two of

them, indeed, being unique.

The nearest ally of the genus is probably the genus or subgenus Anacena, C.J. Thoms. ;

but Oocyclus differs by the absence of the fine pubescence on the femora and ventral

segments, and by the structure of the pieces at the middle of the breast, which

approximate much to the structure of these parts exhibited by Cyclonotwin.

1. Oocyclus vestitus.

Subrotundus, supra viridescens, crebre irregulariter punctatus, in thorace elytrisque setulis sat elongatis haud

dense vestitus; palpis antennisque testaceis, pedibus rufis; prosterno carinato, mesosterno lamina magna

irregulari armato.

Long. 2, lat. 17 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Orizaba (Sallé).

Head very short and broad, closely and rather coarsely punctate ; palpi yellow, stout,

and very short, considerably shorter than the antenne. ‘Thorax forming a continuous

outline with the afterbody, much narrowed towards the front in a curve, the surface

evenly, moderately closely and coarsely punctate, and bearing rather numerous fine

OOCYCLUS. 638

depressed sete. Elytra irregularly punctate, bearing indistinct irregular series of

punctures, and with numerous other punctures, these latter being finer; the seriate and

subseriate punctures bear rather long sete. Legs rather short, the tarsi very feeble,

the tibie strongly spinose ; the breast closely and finely punctate-pubescent, the ventral

segments shining, only very sparingly punctate-pubescent.

This peculiar insect, of which only a single example is known, is highly remarkable

from the sculpture and pubescence of the upper surface, these being such as may be

seen in other families of Coleoptera, but never, except in itself, amongst the aquatic

Hydrophilide. Although evidently closely allied to 0. brevicornis, it is doubtful whether

the species may quite agree with it in its structural characters; but the individual is in

such condition that I fear to submit it to a more detailed examination. |

2. Oocyclus brevicornis. (Tab. II. fig. 9.)

Rotundato-ovalis, supra nigro-zneus, nitidus, sublevigatus, prothorace ad angulos anteriores flavescente ; subtus

vel niger, vel rufescens ; pedibus rufis, antennis palpisque flavis, illarum clava fusca ; elytris punctis minutis,

‘setigeris, in seriebus sex locatis.

Long. 13, lat. 13 lin.

Hab. GuareMata, Rio Naranjo 450 feet, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Head very finely and sparingly punctate, with an irregular series of more distinct

punctures along the inner margin of the eye. Thorax nearly impunctate on the middle,

at the sides sparingly and irregularly punctate, with fine piligerous punctures arranged

so as to sketch out in an irregular manner the curved series of punctures seen in many

other Hydrobiini. Scutellum impunctate. Elytra without sutural stria, but with six

longitudinal series of very fine piligerous punctures, one of which is sutural, and the

outer is less distinct and regular than the others; these series do not consist of a single

regular line of punctures, but the punctures are placed irregularly, only extending,

however, over a very small space in the transverse direction ; along the middle of the

broad spaces separating these series there are a few very fine piligerous punctures. The

prosternum is finely carinate along the middle, and in front bears two stout, curved, rigid

sete or spines, which, however, are easily removed. The colour of the undersurface

varies from a rufescent to a nearly black tint.

3. Oocyclus maculatus.

Ovalis, valde convexus, supra seneo-niger, nitidus, prothorace ad angulos anteriores flavescente, elytris viridi

maculatis ; subtus rufescens; antennarum basi, palpis, pedibusque flavis; corpore supra sparsim punctato,

elytris sine punctis seriatis.

Long. 13, lat. J lin.

Hab. Guatemaa, Cerro Zumil, 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Head very short and broad, quite distinctly though rather sparingly punctate. Thorax

on the disk more sparingly and finely punctate than the head, the punctuation at the

64 HYDROPHILIDZA.

sides rather more distinct. Elytra of a dark brassy colour, with rather numerous spots

of a delicate green colour ; they are without a sutural stria, and are sparingly and rather

finely punctate. |

The only individual sent by Mr. Champion of this species is in a fragile condition,

but seems to be closely allied in structure to O. brevicornis; the abbreviation of the

palpi is extreme; the prosternum is only very finely carinate, and the two spines with

which it is armed in front are quite minute; the front coxe are destitute of spines.

HYDROBIUS.

Hydrobius, Leach, Zool. Mise. ii. 1817, p. 92.

Considerable discrepancy of opinion exists as to the extension to be allowed to this

genus, many authors (probably with reason) separating from it the genera Paracymus

and Anacena of C. J. Thomson. I have, however, decided here, merely as a matter of

temporary convenience, to use the generic name in its wider sense, as is done in the

Munich Catalogue of Coleoptera. As thus understood it consists at present of some

forty or fifty species distributed in most of the temperate parts of the world, but scarcely

entering the tropics. I here register three species under the name, all of them belonging

to the group or subgenus Paracymus.

1. Hydrobius subcupreus.

Hydrophilus subcupreus, Say, Journ. Acad. Phil. v. p. 189°.

Hydrobius subcupreus, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1855, p. 373°; Horn, Tr. Am. Phil. Soc. xiii. p. 185°.

Hab. Nortu America ?, from Canada and Oregon southwards.—MeExico, Guanajuato

(Dugeés, coll. Sallé); GuatemMata, Duefias and Guatemala city, Paso Antonio, Quiche

Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

The specimens before me show much variation in size; but I have not been able to

find any satisfactory character of specific distinction ; the individuals from Chontales

and Paso Antonio form, however, a well-marked variety, characterized by very small

size and more finely punctate upper surface. The front, or free angle, of the mesosternal

lamina projects downwards in this species as a sort of tooth or spine.

2. Hydrobius armatus.

Oblongus, sat convexus, supra enescens, nitidus; antennarum basi palpisque testaceis, his apice leviter infuscato ;

prothoracis lateribus anguste, elytrorum apice late flavescentibus; pedibus rufo-testaceis, elytris parce

obsolete punctatis.

Long. 1, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Guatemata, Duefias, Cahabon (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

Upper surface of a brilliant brassy colour; the head indistinctly punctate, the thorax

almost impunctate, the elytra very sparingly and somewhat obsoletely punctate and with

HYDROBIUS.—METACYMUS. 65

an elongate sutural stria. Legs red, with the tibie and tarsi pale, the latter very slender.

The prosternum is distinctly carinate along the middle, the anterior portion of the carina

projecting so as to form a well-marked angle; the mesosternum bears a lamina which

extends very far forwards, its anterior margin ascending in a curve to the front of the

middle of the mesosternum.

This minute beetle is allied to H. subcupreus, but is readily distinguished by the

sparse punctuation of the upper surface and the extreme development of the meso-

sternal lamina.

3. Hydrobius debilis.

Ovalis, posterius subattenuatus, parum convexus, nitidus niger ; prothoracis elytrorumque marginibus lateralibus,

pedibus, antennarum basi palpisque testaceis, his articulo ultimo fusco; elytris crebre punctatis sed ad

basin levigatis, stria suturali anterius desinente ; mesosterno tuberculo parum elevato.

Long. 3-4 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Toxpam (Sallé); Guatemata, San Gerénimo, Cahabon, San Joaquin,

San Juan, Coatepeque 1300 feet, Pantaleon 1700 feet, Lanquin, Guatemala city, Paso

Antonio (Champion) ; Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

The individuals of this species are the smallest of the genus. The palpi are short

and stout; the yellow colour forming the lateral margin of the thorax is more or less

prolonged inwards along the anterior and basal margins; and the pale margin of the

wing-case forms a very definite stripe, quite narrow at the base, but becoming gradually

a little broader towards the apex. The punctuation of the wing-cases is peculiar, is

not arranged in series, and is quite wanting about the base. The hind tarsi are elongate

and extremely slender. The mesosternum bears in the middle in front a slight tubercular

projection; the prosternum is without carina. I am not aware that this minute insect

has any very near ally. It varies a good deal in size and colour and in sculpture of the

upper surface, in a somewhat similar manner to what occurs in its European ally

H. limbatus ; the most marked of the varieties has the colour of the wing-cases greatly

diluted and their punctuation diminished, and the tubercular elevation on the meso-

sternum almost absent. The numerous specimens found by Mr. Champion at Cahabon

are all referable to this pallid variety ; but intermediate individuals connecting the variety

with the larger and darker specimens are not wanting.

METACYMUS.

Generis Anacene affinis. Caput latum, ante oculos dilatatum; labrum fere occultum. Antenne perbreves,

7-articulate.

The unique example of the minute and obscure Palpicorn on which I base this genus

is of very convex form, and, being somewhat compressed laterally, approaches a little in

its form to Volvulus. ‘The head is very broad and short; and the clypeus is scarcely

emarginate in front, and the labrum almost entirely concealed ; on each side the clypeus

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, October 1882. KK

66 HYDROPHILIDA.

extends in front of the eyes, so that these are not all prominent ; and it extends backwards,

without, however, completely dividing the eyes. The antenne appear to have only seven

joints, the first extending just beyond the margin of the clypeus, the second being rather

large, while the third is quite minute, and the fourth is dilated and very closely applied

to the base of the elongate, slender, loosely articulated club, which is composed of three

joints. The maxillary palpi are short, with the apical joint a good deal longer than the

penultimate ; the mentum is transverse, flat, rounded in front. The mesosternum is

elevated in front of the middle coxe, so as to form a triangular margined prominence,

connected behind with avery slender process of the mesosternum ; the middle and hind

coxe, as also the ventral segments, are very finely pubescent; and the tarsi are quite feeble,

with the basal joint very short. The epipleure beneath are very largely developed at

the shoulder, being, however, completely folded in, so that a sharp edge is presented

along the margin of the wing-case.

1. Metacymus parvulus.

Ovalis, valde convexus, lateraliter subcompressus, fusco-testaceus, limbo dilutiore, nitidus; antennarum basi

palpisque testaceis, pedibus rufis; prothorace valde transverso, fere impunctato; elytris irregulariter

punctatis, stria suturali anterius desinente, ad latera in medio seriebus duabus valde abbreviatis punctorum

majorum.

Long. 1, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Head extremely short and broad, very sparingly punctate. ‘Thorax extremely short,

the angles extremely rounded, the sides much narrowed towards the front. Elytra finely

punctate near the suture, more coarsely towards the sides, and there furnished with two

very short series of larger punctures.

The single individual found by Mr. Champion is in very fragile condition; the

resemblance in colour and sculpture to the species of Anacena is considerable.

PHILYDRUS.

Philydrus, Solier, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1834, p. 815.

Much difference of opinion has prevailed as to what variety of forms should be

associated under this name; but the genus here is accepted under deduction of

Helochares, Cymbiodyta, and Hydrocombus, which are all included among Philydrus

in the Munich Catalogue of Coleoptera. Even when thus limited the genus will

probably prove to be very widely distributed, but more specially characteristic of the

temperate regions of the world. The species show everywhere such a great resemblance

in their external appearance that it is impossible to determine them without reference

to the structural characters. I give therefore the following indications necessary for

the comprehension of the Central-American species :—

PHILYDRUS. 67

Terminal joint of maxillary palpi about equal in length to the preceding joint.

(Subgen. Hnochrus, Thoms.) P. discedens and P. mexicanus.

Terminal joint of maxillary palpi shorter than the preceding joint.

Mesosternal lamina large, with sharply marked free angle. VP. nigellus,

P. equalis, P. debilis.

Mesosternal lamina small, without angle. P. obscurus, P. ochraceus.

1. Philydrus discedens.

Ovalis, convexus, nitidus, nigricans, prothorace elytrisque ferrugineis; antennis basi, palpis, tibiis tarsisque

testaceis ; capite prothoraceque crebre fortiter, elytris magis sparsim et subtiliter punctatis, his seriebus

tribus punctorum sat distinctis.

Long. 22, lat. 1} lin.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé).

Maxillary palpi short and stout, quite yellow. Head entirely black, closely and very

distinctly punctate. Thorax and elytra entirely yellowish red, the former punctured

like the head, the latter more sparingly and finely punctate, and also with rather

indistinct almost equidistant series of punctures, but without any rudiments of series

of larger punctures at the apex and sides.

This species is allied in structure to the European P. melanocephalus, Bedel

(Enochrus bicolor, Thoms.), its short maxillary palpi being formed as in the insect

just named; but the colour of the legs and the punctuation of the wing-cases are very

different in the two species ; and the mesosternal lamina presents also strong differences,

it being much larger and more quadrangular in form in the Mexican insect.

I have seen but three individuals, in very bad preservation.

2. Philydrus mexicanus. (Tab. II. fig. 11.)

Oblongo-ovalis, nitidus, nigricans, limbo, antennarum basi, palpis tarsisque sordide testaceis, palpis articulo

secundo infuscato; capite thoraceque crebre sat fortiter punctatis ; elytris magis sparsim et magis subtiliter

punctatis, et cum seriebus tribus punctorum sat distinctis.

Long. 23, lat. 13 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca, Jalapa (Hoge), Puebla (Sallé).

Maxillary palpi rather short for this genus, the second joint largely brown, and the

terminal joint brown towards the apex. The punctuation on the head and thorax is

quite distinct and regular, rather close ; on the wing-cases the punctuation is considerably

finer and more scanty, and thus allows the distant series of larger punctures to be more

than usually conspicuous; there is no trace of striation at the sides or apex. The

prosternum is finely carinate along the middle; and the small angle this carina forms

in front is very acute, although but very little dependent. The mesosternal lamina is

very large, and its free angle is a little prominent.

Although having quite the appearance of an ordinary Philydrus, this species is, so far —

KK 2

68 HYDROPHILIDZ.

as the structure of the maxillary palpi goes, an Enochrus, the terminal joint being about

equal in length to the penultimate joint. The few specimens before me are in a fragile

and decayed condition, and will not bear a prolonged examination.

8. Philydrus nigellus.

Ovalis, nitidus, fusculus, limbo dilutiore, antennarum basi, palpis, tibiis tarsisque testaceis ; palpis maxillaribus

gracilibus sat elongatis, articuli ultimi dimidio apicali infuscato; capite thoraceque sat crebre, elytris magis

sparsim punctatis, his seriebus tribus punctorum parum distinctis.

Long. 2, lat. 1 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Dugeés, coll. Sallé), Oaxaca (Hége).

Maxillary palpi rather elongate and slender. Clypeus with a more or less distinct

pale mark on either side. Sides of the prothorax broadly pale, the dark colour of the

disk shading gradually into the pallid colour of the side. Elytra sparingly punctate,

the three longitudinal series of punctures not very distinct. The prosternum is carinate

along the middle, and in front the carina is very elevated (or rather dependent). The

mesosternal lamina is very large.

Although very similar in colour, form, and sculpture to P. meaicanus, the present

species is nevertheless very distinct ; for, besides the difference in the structure of the

palpi (P. nigellus having these organs of the normal Philydrus type, with the penultimate

joint decidedly longer than the terminal joint), its individuals are considerably smaller,

with more slender and elongate palpi, and with the carina or anterior compression of

the prosternum more strongly marked. The individuals before me are only four in

number, and are in a fragile condition.

4. Philydrus equalis.

Breviter ovalis, sat latus, convexus, nitidissimus, sublevigatus, nigricans ; supra fusco-testaceus, clypeo ex parte

majore testaceo, antennarum basi palpisque testaceis ; pedibus rufis.

Long. 2, lat. I lin. .

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato, Cordova (Sallé), Oaxaca, Jalapa (Hége); GUATEMALA,

Guatemala city, San Gerénimo, Paso Antonio 400 feet, Coatepeque 1300 feet,

Pantaleon 1700 feet, Chiacam, San Joaquin, Rio Naranjo (Champion); Nicaragua,

Chontales (Janson).

This is a rather small, comparatively short and convex insect, with very polished

upper surface and diminished punctuation. The head is more distinctly punctate than

the rest of the upper surface; the clypeus is largely yellow, more or less infuscate in

the middle; the suture separating it from the front is remarkably deep and distinct.

Thorax only very finely and sparingly punctate. Elytra almost impunctate; but the

discoidal series of punctures, though very fine, are easily detected, and the sutural stria

is very deep, and is wanting only on approximately the basal one sixth of the length.

PHILYDRUS. 69

Tibie red, with the tarsi more dilute. Prosternum feebly cristate; mesosternal lamina

very large, its free angle almost rectangular.

The above description applies specially to individuals found at Guatemala city; but

the numerous specimens before me from various localities show considerable variation

in colour, form, size, and in the punctuation of the upper surface, in the development

of the prosternal crest, and even a little in the extension forwards of the mesosternal

lamina. The smallest individual is scarcely 12 lin. in length. ‘The colour is sometimes

pale ochreous, with the thorax entirely flavescent, and the vertex definitely black ;

sometimes it is nearly unicolorous and ferruginous, and the punctuation is less obsolete,

though always extremely fine; the carina on the prosternum is sometimes quite feeble,

while in other cases it is very largely developed. The mesosternal lamina is always

very large, and in some cases is so elongate that it runs forward as far as the anterior

coxee when the insect is in its moderately contracted condition. If there be more than

one species amongst these numerous variations, the species must be numerous; and I

quite fail to limit them by any test capable of satisfactory definition.

5. Philydrus debilis.

Ovalis, parum latus et convexus, nitidissimus, sublevigatus, nigricans; supra fusco-testaceus, clypeo utrinque

testaceo-maculato; antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque testaceis.

Long. 12, lat. ? lin.

Hab. Guaremata, Paso Antonio 400 feet (Champion).

The punctuation of the upper surface is very fine and scanty, and the serial punctures

on the wing-cases can scarcely be detected ; the sutural stria is fine, and becomes so

obsolete in front that it may be said to extend only about halfway to the base; the

prosternum is without carina, and forms in the middle only a small obscure angle.

The mesosternal lamina is very large.

Although I have before me only two individuals of this small and obscure insect, I

can entertain no doubt they represent a species distinct from P. equalis ; they are only

of the size of the smallest individuals of that species, and have the prosternum entirely

without carina, and the sutural stria on the wing-cases much less developed.

6. Philydrus obscurus.

Ovalis, sat convexus, nitidus, fuscus, limbo clypeoque utrinque pallidioribus ; antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque

testaceis ; superne crebre et equaliter punctatus.

Long. 2, lat. 17 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge).

This species bears a great resemblance to P. nigellus, from which, however, it is

distinguished by an important structural character, viz. that the mesosternum has only

a slight longitudinal elevation along the middle; the prosternum is quite destitute of

70 HYDROPHILIDZ.

carination. The mesosternal elevation does not form any angle, but displays only a

gentle curve.

The two individuals before me, agreeing in these structural characters, are discrepant

in size, the smaller variety being only 1% lin. long, and being rather paler in colour and

a little more finely punctate.

7. Philydrus ochraceus.

Philhydrus ochraceus, Melsh. Proc. Ac. Phil. ii. p. 101°; Lee. op. cit. 1855, p. 3717; Horn, Trans.

Am. Phil. Soc. 18738, p. 129°.

Hab. Norra America1, from Massachusetts to Florida? ?.—Mxrxico; GUATEMALA,

Duefias, Paso Antonio (Champion).

The specimens from Guatemala appear to form a variety in which the punctuation of

the upper surface is diminished, and there is an indistinct stripe of dark colour along

the suture. As P. ochraceus is variable in respect of its sculpture, and as the Guatemalan

individuals quite agree with it in structure, they cannot be looked on as a distinct species.

The resemblance to those varieties of P. equalis that have a slight punctuation on the

wing-cases is very great; but the slight development of the mesosternal carina in

P. ochraceus is quite sufficient to validate its specific distinction. The species appears

to be variable even in Guatemala; for the two specimens from Paso Antonio have the

wing-cases almost without punctuation, and wanting the obscure stripe of dark colour

existing in the more numerous specimens from Duefias.

HYDROCOMBUS.

Genus Philhydri affine, sed tarsi posteriores quadriarticulati, mesosternum ante coxas lamina transversa armatum,

pronotum basi immarginatum palporumque maxillorum articulus pseudo-basalis aliter arcuatus.

Palpi maxillares quadriarticulati, articulo basali brevissimo fere nullo, secundo margine anteriore haud convexo

sed subconcavo, tertio quam secundus breviore sed quam articulus quartus longiore. Palpi labiales

perbreves. Mesosternum lamina transversa paulo ante coxas intermedias plus minusve elevata armatum.

Tarsi anteriores quinquearticulati, intermedii et posteriores quadriarticulati, hi articulo basali elongato,

quam secundus duplo longiore; ungues simplices, tenues, leviter arcuati. Elytra punctata, striaque

suturali impressa.

This genus has some species in North America; but they have not yet been distin-

guished from Philydrus, though the genus is a remarkably distinct one and is well

defined by its structural characters ; all the species, however, have very much the external

appearance or facies of Philydrus. Hydrocombus is quite distinct from the genus

just mentioned, as well as from Helochares, by the truly four-jointed middle and

hinder tarsi: this character is not illusory; for even when the tarsi are mounted in

Canada balsam no trace of a division of the basal joint can be perceived. Hydrocombus

has this peculiar character in common with the European genus Cymbiodyta, Bedel ;

and the two genera also agree in that they have the pseudo-basal joint of the maxillary

HYDROCOMBUS. 71

palpi very slightly bent in such a manner that when extended the curve of the part is

concave in front or inwardly, whereas in Philydrus the curve of the joint is in the

opposite direction. Hydrocombus, however, is distinct from Cymbiodyta; for it has a

transverse elevation on the mesosternum, in place of the longitudinal one existing in

the latter genus.

The genus, so far as I know at present, is restricted to North and Central America.

1. Hydrocombus brevicollis.

Latus, breviter ovalis, nitidus, piceus, clypeo utrinque et prothoracis elytrorumque lateribus dilutioribus; anten-

narum basi, palpis pedibusque testaceis ; sat crebre punctatus, elytris seriebus decem punctorum magnorum,

quarum 1*-3™ anterius plus minusve abbreviatis,

Long. 23, lat. 12 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hége).

This species is remarkable by the very coarse punctures of which the series on the

wing-cases are composed. The palpi are entirely yellow and rather elongate; the head

short and broad. The strie on the elytra are very deep and bear remarkably coarse

punctures; the outer seven of these strie extend from the apex to the base, but the

three internal are abbreviate in front. There is also a sutural stria, which is very deep

behind, but becomes fainter and disappears in front. The head and thorax are rather

closely punctate ; and the portions of the elytra where there are no strie are rather more

finely punctured than the head and thorax. The prosternum is obscurely carinate along

the middle, and forms a small prominent angle in front. The mesosternal lamina is

rather strongly elevated, but is narrow and its lower edge is a rounded angle.

2. Hydrocombus fraterculus.

Oblongo-ovalis, nitidus, piceus, prothoracis elytrorumque lateribus dilutioribus ; antennarum basi, palpis pedi-

busque testaceis; crebre punctatus, elytris seriebus decem punctorum, quarum internis anterius plus

minusve abbreviatis.

Long. 23, lat. 13 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé).

This species has the ordinary appearance of a Philydrus, but appears, so far as the

two badly preserved individuals before me enable me to judge, to be closely allied in

structure to H. brevicollis. The upper surface is rather closely and distinctly punctate,

and there are some series of punctures quite distinct and rather coarse but not placed

in striee or depressions ; the outer two, however, are deeper than the others, and almost

become punctate strie. The series nearer than these to the suture become finer as the

suture is approached ; and all cease before attaining the base ; the more internal series

are shorter as well as finer than the others. On the interstices between these series

there are some punctures irregularly placed; and these are considerably larger than the

other more numerous punctures of the surface.

72 HYDROPHILIDA.

8. Hydrocombus politus. (Tab. II. fig. 10.)

Ovalis, pernitidus, niger, prothoracis elytrorumque lateribus pallidis ; antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque rufo-

testaceis ; sat crebre punctatus, elytris ad summum apicem breviter striatis, striis duabus externis anterius

elongatis, dorso seriebus duabus punctorum remotorum.

Long. 2, lat. 17 lin.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

The palpi are rather short, entirely yellow. The head and thorax are very shining,

but are moderately closely punctate. The elytra are rather more sparingly punctate ;

they have externally two series of punctures which do not reach to the base; and at

the extreme apex are the very short rudiments of seven or eight other series; there

are also on the disk two rather irregular series of distant large punctures. The middle

of the prosternum is obscurely carinate, and is angulate in front. The mesosternal

transverse process is very prominent.

SINDOLUS.

Palpi maxillares perelongati, porrecti, articulo pseudo-basali interne concavo; palpi labiales perbreves, crassi-

usculi, articulo penultimo quam ultimus crassiore; mentum anterius leviter impressum, margine anteriore

rotundato; mesosternum lamina longitudinali armatum. Tarsi omnes quinquearticulati. Elytra absque

stria suturali,

I have separated under this name two species closely allied both to Philydrus and

Helochares, and having quite the appearance of short convex Helochares, but distin-

guished from that genus by the largely developed lamina of the mesosternum, while

from Philydrus the genus is separated by the elongate maxillary palpi, whose pseudo-

basal joint is curved in the opposite direction, and by the absence of a sutural stria on

the wing-case. The submental area is large, as in Helochares, but is not quite so defi-

nite; that is, it is not so highly polished, and the few punctures on it are fine and bear

very fine hairs.

I am not acquainted with any species other than the two here assigned to the genus.

1. Sindolus optatus. (Tab. II. fig. 12.)

Ovalis, convexus, ferrugineus, pernitidus ; antennarum basi, palpis tarsisque testaceis, palpis elongatis ; subtiliter

parum crebre punctatus.

Long. 23, lat. 14 lin.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Paso Antonio (Champion).

Palpi pale yellow, slender and very elongate. The whole of the upper surface very

shining. Head sparingly but distinctly punctured; clypeal suture obsolete in the

middle. Thorax finely and sparingly punctate. Elytra very finely and sparingly

punctate near the suture, more closely and distinctly at the sides and apex. Mentum

transversely rugose ; the submental polished area large and definite; prosternum very

finely and indistinctly carinate, the carina hardly at all more elevated on the middle of

the front margin. Mesosternal lamina very large, its anterior angle rather produced

and hamate, its lower edge finely setigerous.

SINDOLUS.—CHASMOGENUS. 73

2. Sindolus mundus.

Ovalis, sat convexus, livide ferrugineus, pernitidus; antennarum basi, palpis tarsisque testaceis ; palpis elon-

gatis; capite thoraceque parum crebre punctatis ; elytris ad latera seriebus duabus punctorum, et ad apicem

seriebus aliis brevissimis, praeterea fere impunctatis.

Long. 23, lat. 13 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge).

This species is very similar to VS. optatus ; but the elytra are almost impunctate, except

that they have two or three somewhat imperfect series of punctures near the lateral

margins and the rudiments of six or seven other series at the apex. Only a single indi-

vidual has been brought before me: it has a series of punctures on each of the wing-

cases near the suture ; but this may possibly be accidental. The mesosternal lamina is

very large; and the structural characters seem to be extremely similar to those of

Sindolus optatus, except that the clypeal suture is very distinct, and that a longitudinal

suture in the middle extends backwards from it.

CHASMOGENUS.

Genus Philydri et Helocharidis affine, sed mento aliter formato, anterius in medio regulariter impresso, mar-

gine anteriore in medio late semicirculariter emarginato. Palpi maxillares elongati, graciles, ut in genere

Helochuride formati; palpi labiales perbreves, articulo ultimo leviter sed distincte incrassato. Oculi

prominuli. Mesosternum subarmatum. Tarsi omnes evidenter quinquearticulati, tenuissimi.

I propose this genus for a curious little insect of very fragile structure, and in

appearance as well as by its systematic characters very similar to Helochares and Phily-

drus, but distinguished by a peculiarity of the mentum, inasmuch as the peculiar

bent-in.or hollowed condition of this part seen in Helochares has here assumed the form

of a definite impression, and in front is terminated by a broad curved emargination.

The maxillary palpi are very elongate and slender, formed as in the genus Helochares ;

the labial palpi are very short, and the terminal joint slightly but undoubtedly dilated.

The mesosternum does not bear any distinct lamina, but is slightly prominent in a

longitudinal manner along the middle; and the front of this prominence forms an edge,

so that there really exists the rudiment of alamina. ‘The legs are very slender ; and the

tarsi are evidently five-jointed, but extremely slender. There is a sutural stria on the

wing-cases. ‘The glabrous submental area is limited to a mere slip at the front margin

just behind the mentum.

1. Chasmogenus fragilis, (Tab. II. fig. 13.)

Oblongus, subdepressus, nitidissimus, piceus, prothoracis lateribus late pallidioribus ; elytris fere nigris, ad latera

dilutioribus ; antennarum basi, palpis tarsisque testaceis, pedibus rufis ; capite thoraceque sparsim subtilius

punctatis ; elytris fere levigatis, stria suturali impressa.

Long. 13, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Guatemata, San Geronimo (Champion); Panama, Caldera, 1200 feet (Champion).

The fragile, depressed, and oblong form and the very polished upper surface render

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, October 1882. LL

74 HYDROPHILIDA.

this insect very distinct amongst its known allies. There is an irregular series of punc-

tures on the middle of each wing-case, and another near the lateral margin. The

prosternum is not carinate along the middle. .

The unique individual from Caldera is rather smaller, and the punctuation of the

upper surface is not so obliterated ; but I cannot venture to treat it as a distinct species.

HELOCHARES.

Helochares, Mulsant, Hist. Nat. Col. Fr., Palp. (err.), 1844.

Helophilus, Muls. op. cit. p. 182.

Philhydrus (pt.), Mun. Cat. u. p. 480.

This genus has not been accepted by many entomologists as distinct from Philydrus ;

nevertheless there seem to be very good grounds for its adoption. Not only is the

mesosternum destitute of any definite lamina or carina, but the pseudo-basal joint of

the maxillary palpus is curved in the opposite direction to what it is in Philydrus,

the labial palpi are shorter and thicker and their joints of less cylindrical form, there

is always a definite polished space behind the mentum, and the front of the mentum is

more deeply and broadly hollowed or bent inwards towards the labrum. In some

species, possibly in all, of Helochares the mentum bears a small notch at the front

margin in the middle; but the structure of the neighbouring parts renders this

character very difficult of verification.

Helochares has numerous species in various parts of the world, including even

Australia ; but these insects are probably less tolerant of cold than are the Philydri,

and inhabit, as a rule, warmer regions.

1. Helochares oculatus.

Ovalis, subdepressus, fuscus ; antennarum basi, palpis tarsisque testaceis; nitidus, fere levigatus; palpis elon-

gatis; oculis magnis.

Long. 3, lat. 13 lin.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Paso Antonio (Champion).

Head with subobsolete punctuation; the labrum very largely exposed; the eyes

large. Thorax with obsolete punctuation ; but this is a little more visible, though very

fine, on the disk. Elytra almost entirely destitute of punctuation, with a very indistinct

longitudinal series of excessively fine punctures along the middle. Mentum covered

with coarse curved rug; the submental area very definitely (indeed abruptly) limited

behind, not shining, although destitute of pubescence, but covered with rugz less coarse

than those of the mentum. Prosternum without carina or angle in the middle.

‘Mesosternum distinctly gibbous in front of the coxe. Posterior tarsi elongate, their

second joint very long.

HELOCHARES. 75

2. Helochares sallzi.

Elongato-ovalis, subdepressus, nitidus, piceus, limbo dilutiore; antennarum basi, palpis tarsisque testaceis ;

crebre, fere fortiter punctatus; palpis elongatis, oculis magnis.

Long. 33, lat. 2 lin.

Hab. Murxico, Cordova (Sal/é).

Head distinctly punctate; clypeus with an irregular transverse series of larger

punctures on either side near the front; clypeal suture marked by larger punctures,

and with a few irregularly placed larger punctures behind it on either side. Labrum

very largely exposed. Thorax very distinctly punctate, and with a very distinct trans-

verse series of punctures on either side near the front, and with a much shorter and

more irregular series on each side behind the middle. Elytra distinctly punctate, the

punctures towards the extremity obsolete, with a distinct series of punctures along the

middle, and two other less distinct series external to this. Mentum finely grooved on

either side, but along the middle with a large smooth space, becoming broader in front ;

submental area very definitely limited, somewhat finely grooved. Prosternum not at

all carinate ; mesosternum obscurely prominent in the middle near the coxe.

Although I have seen but a single individual of this species, I think it distinct from

some other very similar undescribed South-American insects by the greater development

of the punctuation of the upper surface.

3. Helochares championi. (Tab. II. fig. 14.)

Breviter ovalis, parum convexus, nitidus, livide testaceus; antennarum basi, palpis. tarsisque testaceis; capite

thoraceque crebre subtiliter, elytris adhuc subtilius punctatis; palpis mediocriter elongatis; oculis

minoribus.

Long. 23, lat. 1? lin.

Hab. Guatemata, Guatemala city 5000 feet, Duefias, San Geronimo (Champion) ;

Nicaragua, Chontales (Belz).

Head rather small, distinctly punctate. Thorax finely but distinctly punctate; elytra

still more finely but nevertheless distinctly punctate, the serial punctures very indistinct.

Mentum very coarsely and deeply rugose punctate; submental area rather short, bearing

a few coarse punctures. Prosternum slightly compressed along the middle, and forming

an angle in front. Mesosternum very slightly swollen in front of the coxe.

This species is readily distinguished from the two just described by the shorter legs

and palpi, smaller eyes, and numerous other subordinate characters. In the more

translucent specimens the wing-cases have a peculiar appearance of bearing a pattern

consisting of fine longitudinal pale lines separated by broader streaks of dark colour ;

and in certain individuals this dark colour is further broken up by numerous trans-

verse lines of the pale colour.

A specimen of the latter variety from Chontales is figured.

LL 2

76 HYDROPHILIDA.

4. Helochares seriatus,

Breviter ovalis, parum convexus, pernitidus, lividus; antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque testaceis ; capite

thoraceque subtiliter punctatis; elytris nullomodo striatis, seriebus decem regularibus punctorum im-

pressorum conspicuis.

1 1]

Long. 23, lat. 14 lin.

Hab. Guaremata, Guatemala city 5000 feet, Pantaleon 1700 feet, Coatepeque

1300 feet, Rio Naranjo 480 feet, San Gerénimo (Champion).

This species is remarkable from the ten very regular series of punctures on each

wing-case, these series not being placed in depressed striz as is the case in other

punctate-striate species of the genus. The palpi are moderately long, the eyes small ;

the mentum is very closely and coarsely rugose-punctate, the submental area not limited

behind by a definite line, but glabrous and shining and with coarse punctures. The

prosternum is very obscurely carinate along the middle, and the mesosternum longitu-

dinally prominent along the middle.

5. Helochares regularis.

Breviter ovalis, parum convexus, pernitidus, lividus ; antennarum basi, palpis tarsisque testaceis ; capite crebrius

sat fortiter punctato; thorace minus crebre subtiliter punctato; elytris substriatis, striis fortiter punc-

tatis.

Long. 23, lat. 17 lin.

Hab. Mexico.

Closely allied to H. seriatus in all points except the sculpture of the upper surface,

which is here much coarser, the punctate strize of the elytra being especially much

more developed.

The only individual I have seen is from an old F rench collection; but I have no

. doubt the locality is correct.

6. Helochares bipunctatus.

Ovalis, subdepressus, nitidus, sordide ferrugineus ; antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque testaceis ; capite thorace-

que crebrius sat fortiter punctatis, hoc basi utrinque puncto majore conspicuo impresso ; elytris profunde

striatis, striis latis etiam ad apicem impressis, fortiter punctatis.

Long. 23, lat. 13 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); Guatemana, Torola, 1000 feet (Champion).

Distinguished from H. seriatus and H. regularis by the deep broad striz on the wing-

cases, each stria being filled with punctures separated from one another by extremely

small intervals; this same character separates the species from the North-American

H. maculicollis, Melsh. The larger puncture near the base of the thorax on each side

exists also in H. maculicollis and in H. regularis, but in the latter species is less

conspicuous than it is in H. bipunctatus.

Only a single individual from each of the two localities.

HELOPELTIS.—DERALLUS, 17

HELOPELTIS.

Helopeltis, Horn, Trans. Am, Phil. Soc. xiii. p. 137 (1873).

This genus was established by Dr. Horn for a peculiar species having the labrum

concealed under the clypeus, and this latter projecting laterally in front of the eyes to

a greater extent than is usual in Helochares. But to the characters pointed out by Dr.

Horn another, of much greater importance, must be added, viz. that the anterior coxal

cavities are closed behind by the junction of the epimera with the prosternal process.

This character isolates the insect from all the other Hydrobiini, although in other

respects it is approached by various species of Helochares.

1. Helopeltis larvalis. (Tab. II. fig. 15.)

Helopeltis larvalis, Horn, loc. cit. p. 1377.

Hab. Norta America, Louisiana 1.—MeExico, Sonora!; GuaTEMALA, Paso Antonio

400 feet (Champion).—Cvusa 1.

Only three individuals of this remarkable insect have been sent by Mr. Champion.

It is highly probable that it possesses a peculiar mode of life.

LACCOBIUS.

Laccobius, Er. Kaf. Mark Brandenb. p. 202 (1837).

This is a genus, of about twenty species, specially characteristic of the Mediterranean

Region, but with two species in the Nearctic Region: of these two the one that is found

in California extends its range to Mexico.

1. Laccobius ellipticus.

Laccobius ellipticus, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. p. 363° (1855).

Hab. Norra America, California .—Mexico, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé), Puebla

(Sallé).

DERALLUS.

Corpus lateraliter compressum, subtus planum, superne longitudinaliter convexissimum. Tibi anteriores late,

ad apicem longius oblique truncate, calcaribus distantibus, uno, parvo, ad angulum internum vel infe-

riorem sito, altero, majore, ultra medium marginis sito. Oculi magni, parum prominuli. Abdomen ex

segmentis ventralibus quinque compositum. Pedes intermedii et posteriores pro rematione valde modifi-

cati; femoribus brevibus et latis ; tarsis compressis, apicem versus attenuatis; unguiculi omnes parvi.

The form of the insect for which I have established this genus is most remarkable,

and is only approximated by the Old-world genus Volvulus, where, however, the form is

much more elongate, and comparatively less elevated and compressed. Derallus differs,

too, from Volvulus in that it has five external abdominal segments, whereas in

Volwulus the number is reduced to four; in Volvulus, too, the antenne appear to be

78 HYDROPHILIDA.

8-jointed, whereas in Derallus there are but seven joints. In other respects, however,

the two genera are closely allied. The genus Volvulus has latterly been merged in

Berosus; but such a proceeding is a very erroneous one, the two genera being far from

closely allied. In regard to the abdominal structure the three genera under conside-

ration form an interesting series. In Berosus there are five external segments, and

a sixth, but still horny, retracted segment. In Derallus there are likewise five external

segments, but the sixth retracted horny segment has disappeared; while in Volvulus

there are but four external segments, and a fifth retracted horny segment; this fifth

segment, although retracted, is notched in a similar manner to what it is in Deratlus

and Berosus, where it remains external. The whole border or hind margin of the

fourth segment in Volvulus is set with short horny teeth (which may possibly be a

portion of a stridulating-apparatus). In Beresus the hind margin of the fifth segment

is densely set with similar though smaller teeth; but in Derallus they appear to be

absent. Although these insects have been latterly confounded with Berosus, it is clear

they are abundantly distinct. Besides the species here described, I am acquainted with

only two others that can be assigned to the genus Deralius: both are undescribed ; and

one is from Colombia, the other from Brazil. I have no doubt, however, the very rare

* North-American Berosus altus, Lec., is a Derallus; indeed Dr. Horn, in describing and

discussing this insect (Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. xiii. p. 124), has already pointed out that

it should probably be generically separated from Berosus.

1. Derallus angustus. (Tab. II. fig. 16.)

Lateraliter valde compressus, longitudinaliter convexissimus, superne viridi-eneus nitidus, subtus piceus, pedibus

rufis ; antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque anterioribus testaceis ; elytris sparsim sat fortiter sed parum pro--

funde punctatis, versus latera substriatis, striis conspicue punctatis.

1 .

Long. 13, lat. 4, alt. ? lin.

Hab. GuateMALA, Paso Antonio 400 feet (Champion).

Head moderately closely and coarsely punctate. Thorax shining and almost

impunctate, except for a few punctures near the sides. Elytra near the outer margin

finely striate, the strie coarsely punctured, and the interstices somewhat sparingly and

coarsely punctate; after the fifth stria those nearer to the suture become very indistinct,

so that the sutural region appears for a broad space impunctate, except quite at the

apex.

The laterally compressed, excessively convex form of this insect is extremely peculiar ;

the under surface is flat, all the convexity being above.

BEROSUS.

Berosus, Leach, Zool. Misc. iii. p. 92 (1817).

Enoplurus, Hope.

This genus, as I have remarked in speaking of Derallus, has latterly been mixed with

BEROSUS. | 79

Volvulus, but very improperly. Berosus has the front tibie slender and linear, and

deeply grooved externally for the accommodation of the tarsi when retracted, a character

of itself amply sufficient, even if we leave out of consideration the other numerous

points of distinction, to distinguish it from its heterogeneous associates. As thus

limited, Berosus remains an extensive genus, with fully fifty described and a large

number of undescribed species, distributed over most of the earth’s surface, but appa-

rently more attached to the warmer regions. The species form a most difficult study,

owing to their great resemblance and the absence of conspicuous differences in form

and colour and sculpture. North America has sixteen species; and these have been

well characterized by Leconte, and more recently by Horn (Trans. Am. Phil. Soe. xiii.

p- 118 e¢ seqg.). The latter author has used some valuable characters for forming sections

in the genus, one of which, however, should be abandoned.

The Central-American species here enumerated form three groups, viz. :—

1. Elytra spinose at extremity. B. truncatipennis, B. griseus, and B. salvini.

2. Elytra unarmed at apex; basal ventral segment without carina, except between

the coxe. B. puncticollis, B. infuscatus, B. falcatus, B. flavicornis, B. meai-

canus, and B. metalliceps.

3. Elytra unarmed at apex; basal ventral segment with a well-marked carina

extending along nearly all the length of the middle. J. gracilipes and

B. merens.

1. Berosus salvini. (Tab. III. fig. 1.)

Major, supra testaceus, in elytris fusco-maculatus, capite aneo; thorace dense fortiterque punctato, medio

metallico-bivittato, utrinque fusco maculato; elytris wqualiter sat profunde striatis, interstitiis crebre

fortiterque punctatis, apicibus spinosis anguloque suturali evidenter acuminato; corpore subtus nigro,

prothoracis lateribus late testaceis ; antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque testaceis, femoribus basi nigris,

tibiis intermediis et posterioribus versus apicem cum tarsis nigricantibus.

Long. 33, lat. 14-13 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hége), Guanajuato (Dugeés, coll. Sallé), Puebla, Toluca (Sallé) ;

GUATEMALA, Guatemala city 5000 feet (Champion and Salvin), San Joaquin (Champion).

This is a remarkable species, the size being larger than usual, and the upper surface

nearly dull, with coarse close sculpture. The spots on the elytra are very large, and

sometimes suffused so as to make the surface appear nearly entirely dark. The tooth

at the apex of each wing-case is slender and moderately long, and the suture, though

not spinose, is distinctly prolonged and acute. ‘The male has the basal joints af the

front tarsi much dilated; the fifth ventral segment has in the middle a rather broad

emargination, so that it forms a prominent tooth on each side; and the middle part of

the base of the emargination is a little produced backwards, and in front of this the

surface is strongly elevated and compressed so as to form a rather short but prominent

carina; the fourth segment bears in the middle behind a small tooth. The female is

80 HYDROPHILIDA.

quite destitute of this carina. The basal ventral segment is not carinate, except that

it is prominent between the coxe.

This species is probably an ally of the Californian B. punctatissimus, Lec.

2. Berosus truncatipennis.

Berosus truncatipennis, Cast. Hist. Nat. ii. p. 56°.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge), Vera Cruz, Cordova (Sallé); GuatEMALA, Paso Antonio

400 feet (Champion).—Braziu!, Santa Cruz (van Volxem).

3. Berosus griseus.

Angustulus, capite seneo, crebre fortiter punctato ; prothorace valde transverso, fortiter punctato, fusco-testaceo,

lateribus dilutioribus, dorso parum discrete fusco-bivittato; elytris sat profunde striatis, striis parum

distincte punctatis, interstitiis fortiter crebreque punctatis, apicibus spinosis, fusco-testaceis, parum

discrete nigro-maculatis ; corpore subtus fusco-testaceo, capite abdomineque nigricantibus ; pedibus, anten-

narum basi palpisque pallide testaceis, his apice summo nigro.

Long. 2, lat. vix 1 lin.

Hab. GuatTEMALA, Paso Antonio (Champion).

Head broad, with large convex eyes; its upper surface of shining golden or brassy

colour, closely punctate. Thorax very coarsely punctate; the two dark marks on the

middle are but little distinct from the ground-colour, but, viewed in certain lights,

appear metallic. The elytra are rather deeply striate, the sutural strie not being very

much finer than the outer ones; the punctuation of the interstices is coarse and rather

close; at the apex of each is a short acute spine or tooth, only moderately distant from

the suture; the maculation is but indistinct ; a large black spot near the side about the

middle, however, is conspicuous ; and there is a humeral spot, also rather indistinct.

The legs are clear pale yellow ; the front tarsi extremely slender.

The male has the basal joints of the front tarsi scarcely dilated; the fifth ventral

segment has on each side of the middle an emargination bounded externally by a

tooth ; the broad space separating these teeth is quite gently rounded. In the female

the lateral teeth are not so widely separated, and the space between them is nearly

truncate, there being, however, a very slight trace of a broad emargination in the

middle. There is no carination of the basal segment in either sex.

I do not know any near ally for this insect. The mesosternal lamina is but little

elevated, but is nevertheless, at its most prominent part, developed so as to form

there a free projecting angle.

4, Berosus puncticollis.

Oblongo-ovalis, capite aureo-zneo, fortiter punctato, nitido; prothorace fortiter transverso, pallide testaceo,

fortiter punctato, dorso late fusco-bivittato ; elytris testaceis, vix fusco-maculatis, profunde striatis, striis

punctatis, interstitiis uniseriatim punctatis ; pedibus, antennis palpisque testaceis, his apice fusco.

Long. 1#, lat. vix 1 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge).

BEROSUS. 81

Head coarsely punctate, with a depression on the middle. Thorax very strongly

transverse, with the sides straight, shining, but with the surface coarsely and deeply

punctate; the two approximate discoidal vitte rather indefinite. Elytra rather deeply

striate ; the striz very distinctly punctured, the punctures being more separate from

one another than usual; the interstices shining, each bearing an almost regular series

of fine punctures. Legs unicolorous, clear yellow. Antenne entirely yellow; palpi

with the extremity rather largely infuscate.

A distinct species, with the apices of the elytra unarmed ; the mesosternal lamina

forming in front a short but quite distinct falcate projection ; the anterior part of the

under surface of the head very polished and shining, the mentum being entirely without

punctures; the basal ventral segment has a fine, sharply elevated carina between the

cox; but this does not extend backwards. ‘The unique individual before me is a

female, and possesses on the fifth ventral segment a transverse emargination, the base of

which appears to me to form a very short rounded projection, without teeth.

5. Berosus infuscatus.

Berosus infuscatus, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1855, p. 365°; Horn, Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. xu. p. 123”.

Hab. Nortu America, Southern States from Florida to California ! 2,—Mzextco, Oaxaca

(Hoge), Parada (Sal/é).

The series of more than twenty individuals found by Hoge shows very little variation

independent of the sexual differences. The two teeth, alluded to by Dr. Horn, at the base

of the emargination of the fifth ventral segment in the male are not easily detected,

owing to their being nearly covered by a lobing or production of the base of the

emargination; this lobe, moreover, is finely ciliate. I have not seen any North-

American individual of the species; and as the allied species in this group are

extremely similar to one another (although distinguished by valid characters), my

determination of these Mexican individuals may possibly prove incorrect.

6. Berosus falcatus.

Flavo-griseus, capite aureo, prothorace medio vittis duabus parvulis fusco-eneis ; elytris parum discrete fusco

maculatis ; antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace sat crebre punctato; lamina mesosternali

anterius longius dependente, quasi in spinam tenuem producta; elytrorum apicibus muticis.

Mas prothorace elytrisque nitidis.

Fem. prothorace elytrisque opacis alutaceis.

Long. 3-33, lat. 13 lin.

Hab. Muxico, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé), Toluca (Sallé).

This species is remarkable by the great sexual disparity in the sculpture of the

thorax and elytra, and by the elongate mesosternal lamina, which in front is produced

to form a slender elongate falcate process; the punctuation of the thorax is less

regular than in the allied species, there being on the disk a denser, rougher sculpture,

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, December 1882. MM

82 HYDROPHILIDA.

the punctures, too, not being all of one size ; the punctuation of the scutellum is much

obliterated. ‘The internal stric of the wing-cases are quite fine, while the external are

a good deal deeper ; the interstices are quite sparingly and rather finely punctate. The

legs are entirely yellow, even the front cox being clear yellow, and the middle and

hind coxe having a decidedly yellow appearance.

The male has the basal joints of the front tarsi greatly incrassate ; the fifth ventral

segment has a broad short emargination at the extremity ; the middle part of the base

of this emagination forms an extremely short broad projection, the hind margin of

which is slightly emarginate. In the female the base of the emargination is bidentate.

The Californian B. styliferus, Horn, is evidently nearly allied to this remarkable

species.

7. Berosus flavicornis.

Flavescens, capite late metallescente, prothorace medio vittis duabus parvulis fusco-zneis ; elytris maculis

fuscis parvulis ; pedibus, palpis antennisque testaceis, harum clava nullomodo infuscata; prothorace sat

crebre equaliter punctato ; elytris striis externis quam interne multo profundioribus, apicibus muticis.

Mas nitidus, prothorace tantum subtilissime alutaceo.

Fem. subopaca, prothorace elytrisque alutaceis.

Long. 3, lat. 13 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Sallé).

Closely allied to B. infuscatus; but of more flavescent tinge, with the male elytra

quite shining, the club of the antennz as clear yellow as the base, the legs only slightly

obscurer in colour at the base of the femora, the strie of the elytra deeper and more

coarsely punctate, and with the base of the notch of the fifth ventral segment of the

male distinctly bidentate. The size of the individuals is perhaps rather smaller,

and the prothorax is more transverse. From B. falcatus the species is readily distin-

guished by the ordinary form of the mesosternal lamina.

8. Berosus mexicanus.

Ovalis, angustulus, capite metallescente crebre punctato; prothorace testaceo, medio vittis latis vix divisis

nigro-metallicis, subtiliter sat crebre punctato; elytris testaceis fusco-maculatis, sat profunde striatis,

striis internis subtilioribus, interstitiis crebre haud subtiliter punctatis ; scutello obsolete punctato; anten-

narum basi, palpis pedibusque testaceis, femoribus basi obscuriore.

Long. 24, lat. 1 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Duges, coll. Sallé).

This species appears to be closely allied in its structure to B. infuscatus, but is

very readily distinguished by the smaller size and the larger dark marks on the thorax.

The male anterior tarsi have only a moderate dilatation of the basal joints; and in the

female the surface is scarcely rendered dull by being extremely finely alutaceous. In

each sex the transverse notch at the extremity of the fifth ventral segment has, in the

middle of its base, two very distinct projecting teeth. The mesosternal lamina is large,

and its front angle almost rectangular, showing scarcely any projection. The oblitera-

BEROSUS. 83

tion of the scutellar punctuation is remarkable, and is constant in the small series of

individuals before me.

This species is labelled in Sallé’s collection «« B. mexicanus, E. Dugés;” and I have

retained this manuscript name.

9. Berosus metalliceps.

Niger, capite purpureo-metallico; antennis, palpis, prothorace elytrisque pallide testaceis, fere albidis; capite

fortiter haud dense punctato; thorace valde transverso, sparsim punctato ; elytris striatis, striis crenato-

punctatis.

Long. 24, lat. 17 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Tres Marias islands (orrer).

A very distinct species, that may be recognized at a glance by the immaculate thorax

and elytra. The striz on the elytra are deep, and the interstices are impunctate ; but

on the third there is an irregular and interrupted series of coarse punctures, and on

the fifth still more isolated punctures exist. The scutellum is coarsely punctate. The

mesosternal Janiina is but little elevated, but shows in front a well-marked, more

prominent angle. The two basal joints of the front tarsi of the male are a little

dilated. The apical ventral segment bears a transverse emargination at the extremity,

the base of which is slightly rounded but not at all bidentate.

Three individuals of this remarkable species (unfortunately in very bad preservation)

have been sent by Forrer.

10. Berosus gracilipes.

Supra rufo-testaceus, elytris nigro maculatis, capite viridi-aureo, fronte media purpurascente, thorace in

medio metallico-signato ; subtus fusco-testaceus, antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque testaceis, his tibiis

tarsisque plus minusve fuscescentibus ; capite thoraceque crebrius punctatis ; elytris striatis, striis fortiter

punctatis.

Long. 24, lat. 17 lin.

Hab. Muxico, Oaxaca (Hoge); GuaTEMALA, San Géronimo (Champion).

Head closely and coarsely punctate; vertex finely carinate. Thorax closely, sub-

rugosely punctate, the punctuation consisting very distinctly of coarser and much finer

punctures mixed together; the sides nearly straight, very slightly converging behind ;

on the middle is a rather large metallic mark, enclosing in its middle a very narrow

yellow space. The elytra are shining, and are coarsely sculptured ; the striee towards

the sides are very deep and bear very coarse punctures; and the interstices are coarsely

and irregularly punctured. The legs are elongate and very slender, the tibie and

tarsi of the two hinder pairs being more or less infuscate; the under surface is

either yellow or infuscate-yellow. The lamina of the mesosternum is large. The

apices of the elytra are simply rounded. ‘The male is distinguished from the female

only by a slight dilatation of the basal joints of the front tarsi; in each sex there is a

rather large emargination on the last ventral segment, the base of which bears a short

bidentate tooth. The basal abdominal segment is strongly carinate in the middle.

MM 2

84 HYDROPHILIDA.

This species is closely allied to the European &. luridus; but the individuals are

rather larger, the sculpture is not so coarse, and the legs are longer and more

slender. The depth of the ground-colour, the amount of maculation on the elytra, and

the size of the metallic marks on the thorax are apparently rather variable.

11. Berosus merens.

Brevis, convexus, capite thoraceque metallescentibus, dense fortiter punctatis, hoc anterius et ad margines

laterales testaceo ; elytris fuscis, vix discrete maculatis, profunde subaqualiter striatis, striis dense punctatis,

interstitiis fortiter, fere seriatim punctatis; antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque testaceis, tibiis tarsisque

posterioribus et intermediis palporumque apice infuscatis.

Long. 14, lat. 2 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge); GuateMaLa, Guatemala city, 5000 feet (Champion).

Head broad and short, of a dark metallic colour, coarsely and evenly punctate.

Thorax very closely, evenly, and coarsely punctate; in greater part of metallic colour,

but the sides and anterior margin yellow. Scutellum rather short, coarsely and deeply

punctate. Elytra with deep striz occupied by closely placed punctures; the interstices

with rather large and distinct punctures, placed near one another and almost regularly,

so as to form a series on each interstice. The basal portion of the legs, and also the

middle and posterior tarsi are infuscate yellow. The mesosternal lamina is large; and

its anterior angle forms only a very minute prominence. The basal ventral segment

is carinate ; and the fifth ventral segment has behind an emargination, the base of which

is distinctly bidentate in the female, obscurely so in the male. The basal (apparent)

joint of the front tarsus is distinctly dilated in the male.

I am not acquainted with any near ally of this obscure little Berosus.

HEMIOSUS.

Palpi maxillares parum elongati. Corpus subtus cum femoribus omnibus densissime subtilissimeque vix

visibiliter pubescens, sericeo-opacum. Lamina mesosternalis magna, facie inferiore dilatata, anguste rhom-

boidali. Suture ventrales profunde. Cetera fere ut in genere Beroso.

The little insect I have separated because of the above characters has the appearance

of a small compact short-legged Berosus ; but the peculiar silky opacity of the under

surface is foreign to Berosus and the other Hydrobiini, and similar to what exists in

Hydrochus; this pubescence extends over the femora, leaving only a small space at

their extremity clear. The palpi are shorter than in any species of Berosus, and resemble

those of Hydrochus. The antenne are 7-jointed ; joints first and second elongate, third

much smaller, fourth small, lenticular ; joints fifth to seventh forming an elongate loosely

articulated club. Under surface of head strongly compressed, carinate in the middle.

Front coxe large, conical, exserted. Mesosternal lamina large, its lower face forming

a narrow rhomboidal process, which is dull and pubescent, like the rest of the under

surface. Middle of metasternum much detached, after the manner of Berosus, but to

a still greater extent. Sutures between the ventral segments very deep, the first ventral

HEMIOSUS.—LIMNOCHARIS. 85

plate raised along the middle, forming a broad, flattened carina ; the following segments

with a short and therefore very inconspicuous elevation at the base in the middle;

apical segment notched after the manner of Berosus. Legs of moderate length ; inter-

mediate and posterior tibiz and tarsi rather feebly ciliate; all the tarsi 5-jointed, but

the basal joint excessively short.

1. Hemiosus maculatus. (Tab. III. fig. 2.)

Oblongo-ovalis, convexus, capite thoraceque densius fortiter punctatis, metallescentibus, hoc utrinque versus

basin foveola rotundata ; elytris striatis, striis e seriebus regularibus punctorum majorum compositis,

interstitiis fere impunctatis, testaceis plus minusve metallescentibus, maculisque magnis fusco-nigris:

subtus nigricans, maxime opacus; pedibus testaceis, femoribus sericeo-opacis, fuscis, antennarum basi

palpisque testaceis, his apice summo fusco.

Long. 14, lat. 2 lin.

Hab. GuaTEMaLA, Pantaleon, 1700 feet (Champion).

Head broad, densely and coarsely punctate. ‘Thorax strongly transverse, but narrower

than the elytra; the sides nearly straight, scarcely narrowed behind ; the surface entirely

metallic, very densely and coarsely punctured, with a small round deep fovea close to

the base on each side. Elytra with very regular series of very large and deep round

punctures, placed very near one another, but each puncture separated from the rest by

a distinct though very short transverse interstice: these series are ten in number ;

there is also another series concealed by being placed extremely close to the somewhat

inflexed lateral margin, and also a short basal series between the first and second

series: the colour is an obscure yellow, with large dark spots; but the surface

has a rather strong metallic reflection, especially along the suture and about the dark

spots and large punctures. The legs are of moderate length; the extremely fine

dense pubescence on the femora renders them very dull; and the opaque portion is

separated by an extremely abrupt line of division from the very polished, small, apical

portion. The very fine pubescence of the under surface appears cinereous, or even

almost white, in certain lights.

The colour and sculpture of the upper surface of this little insect remind one rather

of Helophorus than of Berosus. I see no external sexual distinctions in the series of

fourteen individuals sent by Mr. Champion; the apical ventral notch has a transverse

emargination, as in many species of Berosus; and the base of this emargination is

slightly prominent in the middle.

LIMNOCHARIS.

Limnocharis, Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1872, p. 144. .

This genus was founded by Dr. Horn fora very minute insect found in the Californian

mountains ; but its validity as distinct from Limnebius is not quite clear tome. Dr. Horn

relies for its isolation on the number of ventral segments, which he states to be eight,

the terminal one being destitute of setee; and he supplements this by alluding to the

86 HYDROPHILID 2.

fact that the tibie are not ciliate, and that the elytra are subacute at apex. I find,

however, on examination of the insect I here describe as Limnocharis sinuatus, that the

abdominal structure is essentially the same as that of Limnebius: viz. there are six true

ventral plates, with a seventh more or less free and exposed; there appears to be no

apical sete; but on pressing the elytra, so as to make them gape, the presence of a

minute apical tuft is revealed. The eighth segment alluded to by Dr. Horn will, I expect,

prove to be some part of another internal segment extruded in his specimen (which was

unique). In some, if not in all, of the European Limnebii there is no ciliation of the

legs, these being more or less distinctly spinulose. ‘The generic distinction of Limno-

charis appears to me therefore to rest at present on the form of the apices of the elytra:

and here the difference is conspicuous; the European Limnebii invariably have the

extremities of the wing-cases truncate, exposing the apex of the hind body, while in

Limnocharis the same parts are prolonged and acuminate.

Limnocharis,.as will have been gathered from the above remarks, consists of a single

minute Californian insect, probably very closely allied to the Guatemalan species, whose

discovery we owe to Mr. Champion. I have no doubt that the two are at any rate

congeneric, although the remarks I have made as to the discrepancy existing between

the number of ventral segments as described by Horn and that seen by me in L. sinuatus

might suggest the contrary.

1. Limnocharis sinuatus.

Ovalis, subdepressus, niger, sat nitidus, fere impunctatus, tenuissime pubescens; antennis, palpis pedibusque

rufis, elytris ad apicem sinuatis et acuminatis.

5 4:

Long. 3 lin.

Hab. Guatemata, San Joaquin in Vera Paz (Champion).

This minute insect agrees with Dr. Horn’s description of L. piceus, except that L. sinuatus

appears to be less punctulate, and that the very observant American entomologist says

nothing as to the elytra being sinuate just before the apex. The unique individual of

L. sinuatus before me is, I think, a male: it has the middle of the metasternum deli-

cately pubescent on each side; the sixth ventral plate is very short, and, owing to its

arcuation, appears emarginate behind; and the following exposed segment is evidently

very mobile and capable of being withdrawn within, as well as extruded from, the

preceding segments. The legs are quite simple.

CHATARTHRIA.

Chetarthria, Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. v. p. 401 (1832).

Cyllidium, Er. Kaf. Mark, p. 212 (1837).

Chetarthria is a very distinct genus of five or six species of minute beetles, one of

these being European and another (doubtfully distinct, however,) Canarian, the other

two or three being North-American. They are but little-known insects of very retiring

habits; and their specific characters, so far as yet made out, are of the feeblest nature.

CHATARTHRIA. 87

1. Chetarthria bicolor.

Rotundato-ovalis, sat convexa, testacea, capite nigerrimo, pectore abdomineque nigricantibus ; elytris subtilissime

punctatis, stria suturali elongata sed in tertia parte basali desinente ; pedibus crassis.

Long. vix 1 lin.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, near the city (Champion).

So far as I may judge from the solitary individual before me, this species is closely

allied to the Californian C. pallida, Lec., but is rather larger and a little more elon-

gate, and of brighter colour, the prothorax being clear yellow, without any trace of

infuscation. The legs are very stout.

2. Chetarthria punctulata.

Rotundato-ovalis, convexa, nigra; antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque rufis, prothorace elytrorumque apice

picescentibus ; elytris crebre subtiliter punctulatis et pubescentibus, punctis ad basin sparsioribus, stria

suturali profunda ante basin desinente.

Long. ? lin.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sailé).

I have seen but a single badly preserved individual of this species ; but it appears

very distinct by the evident punctuation of the elytra, the punctures towards the apex

being rather close and each bearing a rather fine hair. |

3, Chetarthria glabra.

Subglobosa, nigra, nitidissima, impunctata, prothoracis elytrorumque margine picescente ; pedibus rufis, antennis

palpisque testaceis, elytris. stria suturali vix dimidiata.

Long. ? lin.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

This little insect is distinguished by its extremely polished impunctate surface and

the short sutural stria, which does not extend halfway to the base of the wing-case.

4. Chetarthria leticula.

Breviter ovalis, convexa, supra picescens, limbo dilutiore; antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis ; elytris posterius

subtiliter punctatis, stria suturali dimidiata.

Long. ? lin.

Hab. Guatemaa, San Gerénimo (Champion).

In this minute insect the punctuation of the wing-cases is more distinct than it is in

the other Central-American Chetarthrie, with the exception of C. punctulata, but it is

not so coarse as in the European C. seminulum. The sutural stria becomes gradually

obliterated in front, but may be traced for one half of the length of the wing-case. The

colour of the under surface is even brighter than that of the upper, the breast being

reddish yellow.

88 HYDROPHILIDA.

5. Chetarthria pusilla.

Breviter ovalis, convexa, nigra, prothoracis limbo laterali pallido; antennis, palpis pedibusque rufis; elytris

versus apicem picescentibus, subtilissime punctulatis, stria suturali elongata, sed in tertia parte basali

desinente.

Long. 3 lin.

Hab. Guaremata, Rio Naranjo 450 feet, Guatemala city (Champion).

This very minute insect is probably closely allied to the Californian C. nigrella, Lec. ;

but, although I have not the opportunity of comparing the two, I think it is most likely

they are distinct.

EPIMETOPUS.

Epimetopus, Lacordaire, Gen. Col. 1. p. 467 (1854).

Ceratoderus, Muls. (nom. proce.) Mém. Ac. Sci. Lyons, i. p. 1 (1851). |

Sepidulum, Lec. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. v. p. 47 (1874) ; Sharp, Ent. Monthl. Mag. xi. p. 247.

This is one of the most interesting of the genera of Hydrophilide, and consists of

_ four species—one East Indian, a second Colombian, and a third that may be either

South or Central-American, its precise habitat being unknown.

The species are probably riparial rather than aquatic in their habits.

1. Epimetopus costatus. (Tab. III. fig. 3.)

Sepidulum costatum, Lec. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. v. p. 47’.

Hab. Nortu America, Texas '.—GuatemaLa, San Gerénimo, Rio Naranjo 450 feet

(Champion).

HELOPHORUS.

Elophorus, Fabricius, Gen. Ins., Mant. i. p. 42.

This is a genus of about sixty species. It has a very wide extension in the northern

portions of the eastern hemisphere; and ten or a dozen species have been described

from North America. The species, even in distant parts of the world, are so very similar

to one another that they can scarcely be distinguished by description or even by

comparison.

1. Helophorus aquaticus.

Elophorus aquaticus, Oliv. Enc. Meth. vi. p. 3811.

Helophorus aquaticus, Muls. Col. Fr., Palp. p. 33’.

Elophorus grandis, Ill. Kat. Preuss. p. 272°,

Hab. Mexico (coll. Sallé).—KurRope and the Mediterranean region ! 23,

This species is represented by a single example from Sallé’s collection ; this specimen

is very badly preserved, and has no special locality attached. Although it may possibly

have found its place wrongly in M. Sallé’s collection, yet I think it more probable that

HELOPHORUS.—HYDROCHUS. 89

it is really a Mexican example, and that the occurrence of the species in North America,

though not hitherto recorded, may be expected.

2. Helophorus regularis.

Oblongus, subdepressus, capite thoraceque nigro-sneis, crebrius fortiter rugosis, hoc lateribus subrectis, basin

versus leviter angustatis, angulis posterioribus obtusis, haud rotundatis; elytris striatis, striis fortiter et

profunde punctatis, interstitiis equalibus angustis ; antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque testaceis.

Long. 13, lat. vix 2 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Dugeés, coll. Sallé).

This obscure species is remarkable from the very deep, coarse, and regular punctuation

of the striz of the elytra. It is closely allied to the European H. wneipennis, Th., but

is narrower, and the elytra are more deeply striate, with the punctuation denser, more

regular, and much coarser, and the interstices narrower; their colour is very obscure,

with faint metallic reflection, and only very faint traces of black marks can be seen.

According to Leconte’s descriptions of the North-American species, the position of

H. regularis is apparently between H. linearis and H. lineatus.

HYDROCHUS.

Hydrochus, Leach, Zool. Mise. iii. p. 90.

This is an isolated genus with about thirty named: species. Although none have

been yet described from South America, still the genus is represented there, as it is also

in North America ; it has, in fact, a very wide distribution in both eastern and western

hemispheres. |

1. Hydrochus debilis.

Parum elongatus, supra metallescens; antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace elytris multo

angustiore, posterius evidenter angustato, inequali, foveolis magnis quinque ; elytris pone medium evidenter

latioribus, leviter inaequalibus, fortiter punctatis, interstitiis striarum angustis.

Long. 14, lat. 4 lin. |

Hab. Guatnmata, Chontales (Janson).

Head uneven, sparingly punctate. Thorax much narrowed behind, about as long as

broad, very uneven, the three large discoidal foveee deep and distinct, the two lateral

less distinct. Elytra rather short, a good deal broader than the thorax, and not parallel,

becoming a good deal broader behind the middle; of a duller and paler metallic colour

than the head and thorax. The rows of punctures are deep and coarse, and the inter-

stices narrow ; the second interstice is elevated for a short distance at the base, and the

third interstice about the middle; the fourth interstice is slightly elevated just at the

front of, and again behind, the third interstitial elevation.

This species, although no doubt closely allied to H. rufipes, Melsh., does not agree

with Leconte’s description of it or of any of the neighbouring species. _

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, December 1882. NN

90 _ HYDROPHILIDA.

In Sallé’s collection there is an individual (which has lost its head) that may be a

variety of this species, but it has the thoracic fovee deeper and longer; it is from

Guanajuato, in Mexico.

2. Hydrochus obscurus.

Sat elongatus, supra metallescens; antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque testaceis, femoribus basi fuscis ; pro-

thorace elytris angustiore, posterius sat angustato, ineequali ; elytris subparallelis, fere eequalibus, fortiter

punctatis, striarum interstitiis angustis.

Long. 13, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Guatemata, Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champion).

This species is very closely allied to A. debilis, but the elytra are more parallel, and

the interstices of the elytra are even or nearly so, there being only indistinct traces

of the elevations on certain portions of the interstices that exist in H. debilis. The

five individuals before me show considerable variation in the sculpture of the prothorax

in regard both to the foveole and punctuation, the former being sometimes conspicuous,

sometimes indistinct, and the latter varying in closeness.

OCTHEBIUS.

Octhebius, Leach, Zool. Misc. 1. p. 90.

This is a very distinct genus of about fifty described species of minute Hydrophilide.

The registered species are principally natives of Europe. Seven species, however, have

been described from North America, and there is no doubt the genus (many of the

species of which inhabit salt and brackish waters) has a wide distribution. I am not

yet, however, acquainted with any from South America. There is some difference of

opinion as to whether the genus should be divided or not, Wollaston considering (Trans.

Ent. Soc. Lond. 1871, p. 223) that Calobius is a valid distinct genus, and Bedel (Faune

Col. Seine, i. p. 292) that Henicocerus of Stephens should be accepted. I have not at

present thought it advisable to separate generically the remarkable 0. crassipes from

the other species here described; but if the above genera be accepted, then O. crassipes

will form another distinct genus ; it has the terminal joint of the palpi quite minute,

but in some other respects departs widely from Henicocerus.

1. Octhebius crassipes. (Tab. III. fig. 4.)

Niger, supra levigatus, nitidissimus; antennarum basi pedibusque sordide testaceis; prothorace magno, medio

profunde canaliculato, lateribus undique membrana pellucida auctis.

Long. 4, lat. vix 3 lin.

Hab. GuateMata, Duefias (Champion).

This species is remarkable on account of its highly.polished impunctate surface.

‘The outline of the prothorax is very irregular ; the front margin is sinuate on each side

behind the eyes, then at the sides there is a small curved emargination near the front,

OCTHEBIUS. 91

and behind the middle the sides are abruptly narrowed, so that a prominent minute

acutely rectangular angle is formed some distance in front of the base; there is,

however, a white pellucid membrane bordering all the side of the thorax, and even

extending round the front, so as to fill up all the inequalities and project beyond

them. The legs are rather short and stout; the anterior and middle tibive are rather

broad and somewhat flattened, the middle tarsi quite thick.

Mr. Champion has sent three specimens of this minute but remarkable insect. It

has some points of resemblance with the European subgenus Henicocerus, and it is

probable, from its strong middle legs, that it adheres to rocks in rapid waters, as do

the Henicocere.

2. Octhebius parvulus.

Parvus, depressus, fuscus, capite thoraceque nigro-eneis, nitidis ; antennis, palpis pedibusque sordide testaceis ;

vertice biimpresso; prothorace impunctato, canaliculato, sexfoveolato, marginibus valde irregularibus,

membrana magna pellucida auctis ; elytris haud striatis, sat fortiter seriatim punctatis, sat nitidis.

Long. #, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Dugeés, coll. Sallé).

Head without punctuation, with the clypeal suture very distinct, and two large

definite impressions on the vertex. Prothorax strongly transverse, very irregular in

outline, the front margin sinuate on each side behind the eye, and the side emarginate

near the front, so that the front angle has the appearance of a lobe ; again, behind the

middle the side is deeply notched, so that the outline is very irregular, but a delicate

very transparent membrane extends all along the side and fills up the irregularities,

and is even continued all across the front margin; the surface is quite without

punctuation and is shining, the middle is deeply channelled, there is a deep oblique

impression on each side near the middle, and in front of this two other deep impressions.

The elytra have rows of definite moderately coarse punctures; the interstices are

impunctate and destitute of pubescence. The under surface is nearly black.

The Sallé collection contained three individuals of this species, under the name

“QO. parvulus, EK. Dugés.”

3. Octhebius apicalis.

Brevis, convexus, supra seneus; prothorace elytrorumque apice plus minusve rufescentibus; aatennarum basi

pedibusque testaceis, palpis fusco-testaceis ; prothorace omnium fortissime dense punctato, medio canali-

culato, disco utrinque oblique unifoveolato, lateribus ad angulos posteriores excisis, excisione membrana

parvula completa; elytris profunde striatis, striis fortiter punctatis, interstitiis angustis, leviter inequa-

libus ; corpore subtus rufo-obscuro.

Long. ?, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Guaremata, Guatemala city (Champion).

This species is similar to the European 0. rufo-marginatus; its coarse sculpture

allows it to be readily distinguished from the other Central-American species yet

NN2

92 | HYDROPHILIDA.

brought to light. The two individuals before me differ considerably inter se, one

having the prothorax more red, less densely punctured, and with the dorsal foveole

deep and distinct, while in the other specimen the latter are but indistinct ; it is

possible these may be sexual characters.

4, Octhebius similis.

Parum elongatus, capite thoraceque eneis, nitidis, hoc versus latera rufescente; elytris testaceis, sneo

suffusis; antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis; vertice profunde bifoveolato ; thorace canaliculato, sat

fortiter et crebre punctato, utrinque biimpresso, impressione anteriore magna, posteriore obliqua parva,

angulis posterioribus excisis, excisione membrana parvula completa; elytris ad apicem attenuatis et

acuminatis, striatis, striis crebre sat fortiter punctatis ; corpore subtus rufo-fusco.

Long. 1, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. GuateMaLa, Guatemala city, 5000 feet (Champion).

This species appears to be very closely allied to the European O. pygmeus, but there

is a deep and distinct, though small, oblique depression on each side of the thorax, and

the large impression which separates the anterior angle from the rest of the surface

appears to be rather deeper and more sharply defined ; the sculpture of the elytra is

also deeper and more distinct. In most other respects there is a great resemblance

between the two. I have seen only a single individual.

5. Octhebius obscurus.

Sat elongatus, niger, subopacus ; antennis, palpis pedibusque rufis; capite parce punctato, vertice biimpresso ;

prothorace transverso, parum punctato, ad angulos anteriores rugoso, utrinque impressione elongata parum

profunda, lateribus ante basin angustatis, membrana pellucida auctis; elytris seriatim punctatis, parcius

breviterque setosis.

Long. 1, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé).

Head very faintly and sparingly punctate, the vertex with two large impressions.

‘Thorax only very sparingly and rather finely punctate, with an excessively fine almost

obliterated channel on the disk, and on each side with a peculiar elongate sinuate

longitudinal impression, extending nearly the whole length of the thorax; the sides in

front are for a short distance straight, and are, after that, much narrowed to the base ;

a narrow white membrane extends along the oblique part of the side. The elytra are

not striate, but bear very regular series of punctures, each puncture bearing an extremely

fine, short, indistinct white seta; the interstices are impunctate and much broader than

the series of punctures; the punctures of the series are well isolated from one another,

each being separated from its neighbour by a space larger than the size of the puncture.

The three individuals before me show some variation in'the punctuation of the

thorax. The species may be placed near the European 0. pilosus. It stood in the

Sallé collection under the manuscript name of “0. obscurus, E. Dugés.”

HYDRANA. 93

HYDRANA.

Hydrena, Kugelann, Schneid. Mag. v. p. 578; Kiesenwetter, Linn. Ent. iv. p. 156.

This is a very distinct genus of about thirty species of minute beetles. Those

described are chiefly from the Mediterranean region; but three are known from North

America, and one from Australia. The species are of very retiring habits; and although

none are known from South America, Mr. Champion’s discovery of several species from

Guatemala renders it probable that the genus will be found to be represented in South

America when the brooks and smaller watercourses of the mountainous regions there

are investigated.

1. Hydrena longicollis. (Tab. III. fig. 5.)

Nigra; antennis, palpis, pedibus prothoraceque ad angulos anteriores testaceis, elytris fusco-testaceis; pro-

thorace subquadrato lateribus tantum leviter curvatis, equaliter crebre sat fortiter punctato, nitido ;

elytris nitidis, haud fortiter seriatim punctatis.

Long. 3, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. GuateMata, San Gerdénimo, Duefias, Paso Antonio 400 feet (Champion) ;

NicaraGua, Chontales (Janson).

A small unattractive insect of feeble structure. Palpi very elongate and slender.

Head black, the vertex closely and rather coarsely punctured. Prothorax nearly as

long as broad, slightly curved at the sides, of a shining black colour, with a yellow spot

at each front angle, and the front margin, as well as the sides, more or less yellowish.

Elytra with numerous rather irregular rows of punctures; these are not large, and the

interstices are shining. Beneath the prosternum is greatly shorter than the sides of |

the thorax, and is finely carinate all along the middle; metasternum depressed in the

middle, but without lines or elevations. In this species the great abbreviation of the

prosternum in comparison with the free sides of the prothorax is remarkable.

The small series of individuals before me show a good deal of variation ; the yellow

colour at the angles of the thorax sometimes extends all across, and the margins may

be broadly yellow, leaving a quadrate mark of dark colour on the middle: the punc-

tuation of the thorax and even its length appear to varya little; but I find no evidence

of specific distinction among the specimens.

2. Hydrena puncticollis.

Nigra, supra testacea, prothorace disco fusco, capite nigro; antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace

subquadrato, lateribus tantum leviter curvatis, crebrius fortiter punctato; elytris nitidis, sat fortiter

seriatim punctatis.

Long. 2, lat. 2 lin.

Hab. Guatemata, Paso Autonio, 400 feet (Champion).

This species is very closely allied to H. longicollis, but the punctuation of the pro-

thorax is so much coarser and closer that I cannot unite the two; the colour of the

94 HYDROPHILIDA.

upper surface is also paler, the prothorax being testaceous, with a fuscous mark on

the middle.

Mr. Champion has sent only two individuals.

3. Hydreena sordida.

Nigra, supra fuscula, capite nigro ; prothoracis elytrorumque lateribus parum argute testaceis ; antennis, palpis

pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace transversim subquadrato, lateribus in medio leviter ampliatis, expla-

natis, dense fortiterque punctato, leviter inequali; elytris fortiter seriatim punctatis.

Long. 2, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Guaremaa, San Joaquin in Vera Paz and San Gerénimo (Champion).

Head very coarsely punctate; thorax also coarsely and closely punctate, with the

surface rather uneven from some indistinct impressions, and the sides distinctly ex-

planate ; the width isa good deal greater than the length, the sides are finely and densely

crenate, and slightly but distinctly narrowed both in front and behind. The elytra

have the sides distinctly a little explanate, and bear numerous regular series of coarse

punctures, which are less distinct at the apex than at the base.

This species is closely allied to H. longicollis and to H. puncticollis, but is of broader

form, and the surface is more coarsely punctate, and the sides of the thorax are distinctly

a little flattened out or explanate.

4, Hydrena brevis. (Tab. III. fig. 6.)

Brevis, latiuscula, testacea, opacula, vertice fusco ; elytris sordidis lateribus testaceis ; prothorace transverso,

lateribus in medio angulatis, dorso ineequali dense rugoso ; elytris omnium densissime fortiter sculpturatis.

Long. #, lat. 2 lin.

Hab. Guatemata, San Joaquin in Vera Paz and San Geronimo (Champion).

Of unusually short and broad form. Head broad, opaque, vertex more obscure in

colour than the front, coarsely but obsoletely punctate. ‘Thorax a good deal narrower

than the elytra, strongly transverse, the sides distinctly crenate, much narrowed in front

and behind, so as to be angulate in the middle; the surface coarsely sculptured, opaque,

and uneven. Elytra closely covered with series of extremely dense coarse punctures,

so that the interstices are reduced to narrow lines; the surface is quite dull, and the

sides are rather broadly explanate. The under surface is rufescent. The prosternum

only very indistinctly carinate; the middle of the metasternum with a fine raised longi-

tudinal line on each side near the extremity, and outside of this with an indistinct

groove.

CYCLONOTUM.

Cyclonotum, Erichson, Kaf. Mark. i. p. 212; Muls. Ann. Soc. Agr. Lyons, 1844, p. 167.

Celostoma, Brullé, Hist. Nat. v. p. 293.

Dactylosternum, Woll. Ins. Mad. p. 99 (subgen.).

This genus, including in it Dactylosternum, consists of thirty or forty species, and

CYCLONOTUM. 95

has a very wide distribution in both hemispheres. The genus must be considered at

present a composite one. Wollaston separated Dactylosternum for a Madeiran species

(which has, however, a very wide distribution in other parts of the world); and the

genus is adopted in the Munich Catalogue. Various species included by Mulsant and

others in Cyclonotum, and recorded as such in the Munich Catalogue, will, however,

have to be referred to Dactylosternum if that genus should prove valid, as is probable;

this is the case with all the species of the genus here enumerated: the genus or sub-

genus Cyclonotum proper appears, indeed, to be confined to the eastern hemisphere,

while Dactylosternum has a wide distribution in both hemispheres. From the remarks

appended to various descriptions it would appear that the species feed on decaying

vegetable refuse, and are not inhabitants of the waters.

1. Cyclonotum subdepressum.

Colostoma subdepressum, Cast. Hist. Nat. ii. p. 58.

Cyclonotum subdepressum, Mun. Cat. ii. p. 495.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca, Jalapa (Hége); Cordova (Sallé); British Honpuras, Belize

(Blancaneaux); Guatemata, Las Mercedes 3000 feet, San Isidro 1600 feet, Pantaleon

1700 feet, Teleman, Chacoj, Panima, and Senahu (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales

(Janson); Panama, Bugaba 800-1500 feet, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—ANTILLES,

Cuba ; Sourn America, Venezuela and Colombia.

This is apparently a very common beetle in Mexico, as well as in the more southern

regions of Central America; it varies a good deal in size, but is nearly constant in other

respects ; the Nicaraguan and Panama individuals, however, have the three or four

external series of punctures slightly finer and more regular than those from other

localities.

2. Cyclonotum dispar. |

Elliptico-oblongum, parum convexum, nigrum, nitidum, pedibus piceis; antennarum basi testaceo, palpis sordide

testaceis ; crebre sat fortiter punctatum, in capite punctis majoribus sparsis immixtis ; elytris nullomodo

striatis, seriebus fere equalibus punctorum.

Long. 3, lat. 13 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé).

Although I have seen only three individuals of this species, I have no doubt it is

quite distinct from C. subdepressum, to which, however, it is very similar and very

closely allied. The punctuation of the upper surface is rather coarser and more distant,

and there are on the head some rather larger punctures mixed with the more numerous

smaller punctures; this is especially notable on the vertex, and no trace of such an

inequality of sculpture can be seen in C. subdepressum; besides this, the mentum is

more rugosely sculptured and the tibie rather broader than they are in the commoner

species. C’. dispar is still more closely allied to the Californian C. cacti, Lec. ; but the

96 HYDROPHILID. |

individual before me of this latter species is considerably smaller and narrower, the

punctuation is closer and finer, and there are no indications of the doubie punctuation

of the head, such as exists in C. dispar.

The species was named in Sallé’s collection ‘‘ C. opuntiw, Dugés in litt.;” but I have

not adopted the name, as the other species of the genus are also fond of harbouring in

the refuse of the Opuntie or prickly pears.

8. Cyclonotum grossulum. (Tab. III. fig. 7.)

Latum, elliptico-oblongum, nigerrimum, nitidum, antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque nigro-piceis, tarsis rufis ;

sat crebre et fortiter punctatum; elytris seriebus punctorum, externis grossis, internis ante basin

desinentibus.

Long. 34, lat. 23 lin.

Hab. Guatemata, Las Mercedes 3000 feet, Capetillo, Guatemala city 5000 feet

(Champion).

This is closely allied to C. subdepressum, but the individuals are of larger stature,

and are very readily distinguished by the extremely large punctures forming the outer

series on the wing-cases; the general punctuation of the upper surface is slightly finer

and more distant.

4. Cyclonotum centrale.

Rotundato-ovale, convexum, nitidum, nigrum, pedibus piceis; antennarum basi, palpis tarsisque testaceis,

antennarum clava opaca, sed haud infuscata; supra crebre, fere subtiliter punctatum; elytris seriebus

punctorum majorum impressis, internis longe ante basin desinentibus.

Long. 24, lat. 13 lin.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Upper surface rather finely punctate, the punctuation on the head rather coarser

and closer than on the thorax; the elytral punctuation fine but distinct, and rather

close about the middle of the basal region, but thence becoming more scanty, so

that the apical and lateral regions are nearly impunctate, except for the series of

punctures; these, however, are large, deep, and distinct; the six external series reach

nearly to the base, the four inner series, on the other hand, become fainter towards

the front, the sutural series being the shorter of the four. The club of the antenne

appears rather darker than the basal portion; but this is due apparently to the dense

sensitive pubescence with which it is clothed rather than to any infuscation. On the

lower face of the posterior tibia there is a single series of three spinigerous punctures

parallel with the similar punctures of the outer edge. The prosternal carina is very

abrupt and very prominent at the front.

This belongs to a group consisting of a few Tropical-American species, differing from

the members of the subgenus Dactylosternum by the more rotund form and the less

elongate basal joint of the antenne.

CYCLONOTUM.—PHANONOTUM. 97

5. Cyclonotum tibiale.

Rotundato-ovale, convexum, nitidum, piceo-nigrum, pedibus rufis; antennis, palpis tarsisque testaceis; supra

crebre punctatum, elytris seriebus punctorum impressis, internis ad basin subtilioribus; tibiis posteri-

oribus facie inferiore asperato-punctata.

Long. 23, lat. 1 lin.

Hab. GUATEMALA.

A single individual of this insect is the only one I have seen, and although very

similar to C. centrale I feel no doubt it represents a distinct species; the series of

punctures on the elytra are not quite so coarse, and the internal ones do not disappear

altogether from the basal portion, although they are there much finer. The apical

portion of the lower face of the hind tibia has much more sculpture than the same

part in C. centrale.

The specimen has no indication of more special locality than “Guatemala.”

PHAANONOTUM.

Corpus hemisphericum, supra glabrum nitidum, subtus subtilissime pubescens, opacum. Antenne novem-

articulate, articulis tribus ultimis clavam elongatam laxissime articulatam formantibus. Maxille mala

tenuiora fere membranea. Palpi maxillares sat elongati, graciles, articulo secundo parum incrassato ;

labiales hirsuti. Prosternum brevissimum. Metasternum anterius in medio carinato-elevatum, inter

coxas intermedias longe productum, mesosterni parti elevate minute arcte conjunctum. ‘Tarsi omnes

quinquearticulati, intermedii et posteriores articulo basali quam sequens longiore, plus minusve incrassati.

Elytra punctata sine stria suturali.

This genus is allied to Cyclonotum, but the structure of the middle parts of the

meso- and metasterna present constant and well-marked distinctions; the metasternum

is greatly produced in front and strongly elevated, and with this part the small central

elevation of the mesosternum is closely combined; thus by the two pieces a small

linear lamina is formed in front of the middle coxe, simulating, in fact, the linear piece

seen in Cercyon, from which, however, it is entirely different, this part in Cercyon being

formed exclusively by the mesosternum, whereas in Phenonotwm it is in larger part

formed by the metasternum. In Cyclonotum this part of the mesosternum forms a

broad angular piece, the front of which is very strongly margined on each side, while

the posterior portion is more or less prolonged backwards to join the metasternal

process. Phenonotum, moreover, has the middle pieces of the prosternum much shorter

than in Cyclonotum, the parts of the mouth are more feeble, and the elytra are destitute

of a sutural stria.

The genus is probably characteristic of the warmer portions of the New World,

although the only species hitherto known (fydrophilus estriatus, Say) is found in the

southern portions of the United States of North America; but I am acquainted with

several species found in the Amazon valley by Professor Trail.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, December 1882. 00

«98 . HYDROPHILIDA.

1. Phenonotum dubium. .

Rotundato-ovale, convexum, nigrum, nitidum; antennarum basi, palpis tarsisque testaceis, pedibus piceis,

’ antennarum clava infuscata; capite thoraceque sat crebre subobsolete punctatis, elytris crebrius sat

fortiter punctatis.

Long. 13, lat. 1 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Vera Cruz (Sallé), Oaxaca (Hoge); Guatemaa, San, Gerd-

nimo, Duefias, Guatemala city, Paso Antonio 400 feet (Champion); Costa Rica, Cache

(Rogers).

Although extremely closely allied to the North-American P. estriatum, Say, Lec., I

cannot consider this insect to be conspecific therewith; the head and thorax are more

finely, and the elytra slightly more closely and finely punctate. As I have not been

able to find in the series of specimens from the above various localities a single

individual agreeing in these respects with the North-American species, I cannot treat

the two as identical.

The North-American insect is said to occur also in Brazil; and if it really exists

there, its occurrence in Central America may be anticipated *. |

2. Phenonotum apicale.

Rotundato-ovale, convexum, nigrum, nitidum, prothoracis marginibus picescentibus, elytrorum apice trans-

versim rufo-signato, subtus piceum; capite, prosterno, elytrorum margine inflexo pedibusque rufis,

antennarum clava leviter infuscata, basi cum palpis tarsisque testaceis ; capite thoraceque sparsim, hoc

obsolete, punctatis, elytris crebre sat fortiter punctatis.

Long. 12, lat. 2 lin.

Hab. Guaremata, Guatemala city (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

Allied to P. dubiwm, but rather smaller, and readily distinguished by the transverse

patch of bright colour at the extremity of the elytra; the punctuation of the upper

surface is throughout rather more distant than it is in P. dubcum.

8. Phenonotum tarsale. (Tab. III. fig. 8.)

Rotundato-ovale, convexum, nigrum, nitidum, prothoracis marginibus picescentibus, elytrorum margine laterali

ad apicem rutescente; subtus capite, prosterno, elytrorum margine inflexo pedibusque piceis; antennis,

palpis tarsisque testaceis, his subtus conspicue hirsutis; capite prothoraceque minus crebre, elytris crebre

fortiter punctatis.

Long. 24, lat. 13 lin.

Hab. Panama (colls. Godman et W. W. Saunders).

* This may be the best place to notice Calostoma minutum, Cast. Hist. Nat. ii. p. 58, where a description

occurs, consisting of the following diagnosis and measurements :—“ Long. 1 lig. 3, larg. § lig. Corps ovale,

convexe, d’un noir un peu brunatre, couvert d’une ponctuation fine mais serrée; elytres non strides; palpes,

extremité des antennes et tarses bruns. Mexique.” Iam unable to identify any species of the genus Cyclo-

notum or Pheenonotum with this description, and it may perhaps have been made from a species of another

genus. I am not aware of any collection in which an example of Castlenau’s species exists.

PHANONOTUM. 99

The individuals of this species are of larger size, and of slightly more elongate form,

than is the case with the other allies in Mexico and Central America, and, in addition

to this, the greater development of the pubescence on the tarsi is characteristic. There

is no trace of infuscation of the club of the antenna; the punctuation of the head is

- fine and distant—if any difference, even more fine and distant than those of the thorax;

the red coloration at the extremity of the wing-case consists of a transverse margin,

extending forwards halfway or more to the shoulder, becoming gradually indistinct

in front.

4. Phzenonotum collare.

Rotundato-ovale, nigrum, nitidissimum, prothoracis marginibus picescentibus, subtus piceum, capite dilutiore,

pedibus piceo-rufis; tarsis, palpis antennarumque basi testaceis, harum clava fusco-testacea, tarsis subtus

sat conspicue hirsutis; capite subtiliter sparsim, elytris sat crebre et fortiter punctatis; prothorace valde

transverso, sublevigato, tantum subtilissime distanter punctato.

Long. 12, lat. 13 lin.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

Var. Paulo angustior etc.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador, 2500 feet (Champion).

- This species approximates in form to P. tarsale, and is in fact equally allied to it

and to P. levicolle; it is readily distinguished from the former by its shorter and less

punctate thorax and the infuscate club of the antenna, as well as by other less conspi-

cuous characters, while from P. /evicolle it differs by its larger size and less rotund

form, as well as by the more hirsute tarsi. All the individuals before me agree in

having the pale yellow labrum more exserted than in the other species; but this

character may prove to be of no importance. The single individual found by

Mr. Champion is a variety rather smaller in size and of darker colour, with the thorax

slightly less abbreviate and more punctate. Additional specimens are needed to justify

its treatment as a distinct species.

5. Phenonotum levicolle.

Rotundato-ovale, convexum, nigrum, nitidissimum, prothoracis marginibus elytrorumque margine apicali

picescentibus, corpore subtus piceo, pedibus rufis, tarsis dilutioribus ; antennis palpisque testaceis, ilarum

clava fusco-testacea; capite parce subtiliter punctato; prothorace valde transverso, fere impunctato,

elytris crebre fortiter punctatis.

Long. 13, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Vera Cruz (Sallé); GuatemaLa, Cubilguitz (Champion);

Nicaragua, Chinandega, Managua (Sal/é), Chontaies (Janson).

The individuals of this species are very similar to P. dubiwm, but are nevertheless

easily distinguished by the shorter thorax, the surface of which is considerably less

punctate.

00 2

100 HYDROPHILID A.

6. Phenonotum rotundulum. (Tab. III. fig. 9.)

Subrotundatum, convexum, nigro-piceum, nitidissimum, prothoracis marginibus capiteque anterius picescen-

tibus, subtus piceo, capite prosternoque rufis; tarsis, palpis antennisque basi testaceis, harum elava fusco-

testacea ; capite thoraceque fere omnino impunctatis, elytris sparsim punctatis, punctis ad basin subtili-

oribus, minutis.

Long. 14, lat. 1 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Toxpam (Sadlé); Guatema.a, San Gerénimo, Chacoj, San

Juan and San Joaquin, Zapote, El Tumbador 2500 feet (Champion); Panama, Volcan

~ de Chiriqui, 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Of all the species this is the shortest and most rotund in form, and has the least

punctuation of the upper surface; the head is more dilute in colour in front than it is

in any of the other species, and this appears to be always the case, though sometimes

not very conspicuously. The diminished punctuation allows the species to be readily

enough distinguished from P. levicolle, which is nearest to it in size and form.

CYCLOTYPUS.

Corpus hemisphericum, supra nitidum, subtus subtilissime pubescens, opacum. Antenne sat elongate,

articulis intermediis haud transversis, clava laxissime articulata. Oris partibus dense hirsutis, mento

anterius leviter impresso, palpis maxillaribus sat gracilibus, quam antenne multo brevioribus. Prosternum

ante coxas simplex, haud perbreve. Mesosternum ante coxas rhomboidale. Metasternum anterius inter

coxas productum, sed haud longitudinaliter elevatum, sutura cum mesosterno haud consolidata, depressa.

Pedes sat elongati. Tarsi omnes quinquearticulati, subtus hirsuti, intermediis et posterioribus articulo

basali majore, incrassato, duorum sequentium longitudine.

This genus is established for two species differing in several points from the other

allied genera, more especially in the structure of the sternal pieces along the median

line. The front portion of the prosternum is very acuminate in the middle behind, but

the point does not form a free projection, but is met by the lamina between the two coxal

cavities, and this lamina behind forms a small emarginate process. The metasternum

is connected in the middle in a comparatively only imperfect manner with the meso-

sternum ; it is distinctly, though not greatly, produced in front, but is not elevated; the

point of connexion with the mesosternum forms, indeed, a depression ; the central piece

of the mesosternum is rather large, and forms an angle in front, the two divergent sides

being strongly margined ; posteriorly it is produced backwards between the coxee, so

that it is thus of irregular rhomboidal form. ‘The basal ventral plate is not carinate.

Although the facies is very different from that of Cyclonotum proper, it is apparently

that genus, and not Phenonotum, that most approximates to Cyclotypus.

1. Cyclotypus godmani. (Tab. III. fig. 10.)

Subhemisphericus, supra niger, nitidus, subtus piceus, pedibus rufis; antennis palpisque testaceis, illarum

clava leviter infuscata; capite crebre sat fortiter punctato, prothorace valde transverso, nitidissimo,

CYCLOTYPUS.—PEROCHTHES. 101

Sparsim obsoletissime punctulato; elytris sparsim subtiliter punctatis, cumque seriebus punctorum

majorum, internis ad basin subtilioribus.

Long. 3, lat. 23 lin.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

The punctuation of the wing-cases, although very fine, is distinct ; the series of large

punctures are remarkably distinct, and consist of rather distant large punctures, not

placed in strive; the sutural series, however, after the basal portion, becomes a stria.

The mentum shows an extraordinary sexual character in the male; its surface is opaque

and flat and bears fine golden hairs, the base has a crista formed by such hairs very

densely packed, and a similar crest divides the surface longitudinally in two halves; the

edges and front are margined with fine hairs, which do not, however, form crests like

the basal and middle series. In the female these basal and median crests are entirely

absent, and the surface of the mentum shows a feeble punctuation and pubescence, as in

many species of Cyclonotum.

2. Cyclotypus latissimus.

Subhemisphericus, supra niger, nitidus, subtus piceus, pedibus rufis; palpis antennisque testaceis, harum clava

subinfuscata; capite minus sparsim punctato; prothorace valde transverso, nitidissimo, sparsim obsoletis-

sime punctulato; elytris sat crebre fere fortiter punctatis, cumque seriebus punctorum majorum, internis

ad basin subtilioribus,

Long. 3, lat. 24 lin.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

This species is very closely allied to C. godmani, but the punctuation of the elytra is

considerably less fine, and the outline of the two species is somewhat different, owing

to the afterbody in C. latissimus being more narrowed behind.

The species is described from a single badly preserved individual, which is apparently

a female.

PEROCHTHES.

Corpus subhemisphericum, supra nitidum, glabrum, subtus opacum, sed vix pubescens. Antenne novem-

articulate, articulo primo elongato, quam quinque sequentes longiore, articulis 79-9" clavam magnam

compactam formantibus. Palpi maxillares parum elongati, articulo secundo incrassato. Prosternum

brevissimum medio carinatum. Mesosternum in medio triangulariter prominulum. Coxe intermediz sat

distantes, metasternum inter eas productum, cum mesosterno arcte conjunctum. Pedes breves, femoribus

latis, tarsis brevibus, rigidis, quadriarticulatis.

The relation of this genus to the Cyclonotwm group of genera, as well as to Cercyon,

is considerable, although it is very different from any described form; the antenne and

head are of the Cercyon type, while the structure of the pieces round the middle coxee

is rather of the nature of what exists in Cyclonotwm. The prosternum is excessively

reduced on each side, so that a gap is left between the central piece and the side piece

on each side; this central piece is slightly produced in front in the middle, and is

102 | HYDROPHILIDA.

acuminate behind, so that it is of a very short and broad rhomboidal form, but in

certain positions appears triangular, owing to the comparatively slight elongation of

the middle in front. The central piece of the mesosternum is brought down to the

plane of the middle of the metasternum, and forms thus, in front of the middle coxe,

an angular piece with a strong margin on each, exhibiting, in fact, what Mulsant, in

speaking of Cyclonotum, calls the “ arrow-head form ;” this arrow-head sends backwards

a piece which is closely connected with the rather broad front edge of the middle of

the metasternum. The legs are short, with the femora very short and very broad, the

front femora, indeed, being angular near the base; the tarsi are rather stout, quite

short and rigid, the divisions between the joints being difficult to perceive; these arti- _ .

culations are, however, transverse, not oblique; the three basal joints are short, and

differ little from one-another in length, but the fourth joint is quite as long as the two

preceding together. Although I cannot see certainly the base of the tarsus, it is

possible that there may be a short basal joint (as seen in the anterior tarsus of

Cyclonotum) concealed by the extremity of the tibiz. ‘The under surface of the body

exhibits a peculiar opacity, such as is seen in Cercyon; the basal ventral plate is carinate

in the middle. A special peculiarity of the insect is a prominence of the mentum and

adjoining parts of the under surface of the head, as a consequence of which there occurs,

just behind the mentum and insertion of the maxille, an abrupt transverse depression |

extending all across the head.

The size and form, the short legs, and small rigid tarsi give the insect a great.

resemblance to Chetarthria, from which genus it is in most other respects very

different; and there can be no doubt that the place Perochthes should occupy is

between the Cyclonotum group and the Cercyon group of genera.

1. Perochthes globulus. (‘I'ab. III. fig. 11.)

Hemisphericus, piceus, supra nitidus, pedibus rufis; antennis, tarsis palpisque testaceis; capite thoraceque

impunctatis, nitidis; elytris vix striatis sed seriatim fortiter punctatis, seriebus ante basin desinentibus.

Long. #-, lat. 3 lin. .

Hab. Muxico (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge) ; Guaremana, El Tumbador, 2500 feet (Champion).

Head without distinct sculpture, clypeal suture obliterated. Mentum with a very

dense, excessively fine sculpture, rendering it quite opaque, but without pubescence,

its lateral margins with a few yellow sete. Thorax very closely applied to the elytra

and accurately continuing their outline; its surface smooth, shining, and impunctate.

Elytra with rows of very coarse punctures, which, however, do not reach quite to the

base ; the outer of these rows does not run parallel with the lateral margin, but touching

it behind diverges much from it in front; interstices impunctate. Legs very short ;

femora short and extremely broad, the intermediate very. finely but not densely punctate

beneath, the hinder shining and impunctate.

HETERYON.—CERCYON. 108

HETERYON.

Corpus suboblongum, depressum; labrum exsertum valde transversum. Antenne 8-articulate, articulis tribus

ultimis clavam elongatam sat compactam formantibus. Palpi maxillares parum elongati, articulo secundo

leviter elongato. Prosternum anterius in medio valde angulariter prominulum. Mesosternum in medio

ante coxas carina humili munitum, carinula hac anterius angulo parvulo disjuncto. Abdominis segmen-

tum basale ecarinatum. Tarsi parum elongati, rigidi, quinquearticulati, posteriores articulo basali quam

sequens crassiore, sed parum longiore.

Although the characters of the obscure little insect for which I propose this name

are somewhat anomalous, there can, I think, be no doubt. that it should be placed at

the commencement of the Cercyon group of genera. It has the appearance of a small

Dactylosternum, but the exserted labrum and the peculiar armature of the mesosternum

are more like what we find in the Hydrobiini. The mesosternum has in the middle an

elongate but very slightly elevated longitudinal carina, and in front of it a slightly more

prominent angle; this is similar to what exists in the genus Berosus, except that the

development is less. The two individuals examined have been in very dirty condition ;

but I am pretty certainly right as to the structure of the tarsi, although I am not very

sure as to the number of the intermediate joints of the antenne; this, however, is

unimportant, the formation of these organs being quite of the Dactylosternum type,

with rather more compact club.

1. Heteryon depressus.

Suboblongus, piceus, supra nitidus, subtus opacus; antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis; capite thoraceque

crebrius parum fortiter punctatis; elytris striatis, striis latis, fortiter punctatis, interstitiis subitilissime

subseriatim punctulatis.

Long. 14, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Saldé).

Basal joint of antenne slender, but elongate, nearly as long as the maxillary palpi;

club elongate, its terminal joint with acute apex. Eyes small, but prominent; head

much immersed in thorax. Thorax, like the head, shining and with a rather close, not

coarse punctuation. Elytra with broad strie, in which are placed closely very coarse

punctures; this sculpture extends from base to apex, and is similar throughout, except

that the internal series are rather finer than the external; along the middle of each

interstice are rather numerous excessively fine punctures. The mentum is large and

broad, feebly emarginate in front, very opaque, owing to an excessively fine and dense

sculpture, which extends also to the rest of the under surface of the head; breast and

ventral segments quite dull, but not pubescent; femora not very broad, shining,

scarcely punctate.

CERCYON.

Cercyon, Leach, Zool. Mise. iii. p. 95 (1817).

This is an extensive genus, of about eighty species, of small palpicorns, and has a

104 HYDROPHILID A.

very wide distribution in both hemispheres, though only one or two species have as yet

been indicated from South America. ‘The species have not the aquatic habits of most

of the other palpicorns, but inhabit the freshly dropped dung of herbivorous mammalia

or decaying vegetable substances. It is one of the more neglected of the genera of

Coleoptera, and the North-American entomologists have not completely worked out the

species of their fauna.

1. Cercyon seriatus.

Rotundato-ovalis, convexus, nitidissimus, piceus, elytris nigro-piceis, corpore subtus rufo-piceo opaco, pedibus

rufis ; antennarum basi palpisque testaceis; capite sparsim subtiliter punctato, prothorace fere impunctato ;

elytris haud striatis, seriebus punctorum remotorum, internis subtilioribus, interstitiis impunctatis.

Long. 2, lat. 12 lin.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Palpi elongate and slender, clear yellow; basal joint of antenna extremely elongate,

much arcuate. Head very shining, sparingly and very finely punctate. Elytra with

regular series of punctures, which are scarcely deepened to form striz; the sutural series,

however, is placed after the basal portion, on a distinct stria; the punctures of the

outer series are much coarser than those near the suture, each puncture is separated by

a broad space from the following ones; but the punctures of the internal series are

rather linear, while the coarser external punctures are quite round. ‘The legs are

elongate.

This insect may be distinguished at a glance from its allies by the absence of

striation on the wing-cases; the sculpture, combined with a similarity in size and form,

give it a great resemblance to Cyclonotum centrale. It is described from a unique

example.

2. Cercyon mexicanus.

Rotundato-ovalis, convexus, supra niger, nitidus, capite elytrisque ad apicem picescentibus, subtus piceus,

opacus, pedibus rufis ; antennarum basi palpisque testaceis ; capite crebre sat fortiter, prothorace subtiliter,

punctato; elytris striatis, striis versus apicem profundioribus, interstitiis posterius subconvexis, subtiliter

sat crebre punctatis.

Long. 2, lat. 14 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sailé).

Maxillary palpi elongate and slender for this genus; antenne with elongate basal

joint and very elongate club. Head very distinctly margined in front, somewhat closely

and not very finely punctate. Thorax very shining, finely and sparingly punctate; elytra

with deep and distinct strie, which at the apex become deeper; the interstices are

distinctly punctate, and are broad in front, but much narrower behind, and this, in

conjunction with the greater depth of the striz, makes them appear there to be convex.

The mesosternal lamina presents a quite slender lower face.

CERCYON. 105

3. Cercyon insignis, (Tab. III. fig. 12.)

Rotundato-ovalis, convexus, supra niger, nitidus, prothorace ad latera capiteque anterius picescentibus, subtus

piceus, opacus, pedibus rufis ; antennarum basi palpisque testaceis; capite sparsim subtiliter, prothorace

sparsim obsolete punctato ; elytris profunde striatis, striis crenatis, interstitiis posterius convexis,

impunctatis.

Tong. 2, lat. 12 lin.

Hab. GuatEMata, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

The highly polished surface of the wing-cases and their very deep striation are

distinctive of this species, which in other respects appears to be very closely allied to

C. mexicanus. ‘The three individuals brought back by Mr. Champion are quite similar

to one another.

4. Cercyon mellipes.

Spheridium mellipes, Say, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist. i. p. 172".

Cercyon mellipes, Mun. Cat. Col. ii. p. 498.

Hab. Mexico },

I am not able to give any information about this insect. Say’s short description does

not agree with any Mexican representative of this family known to me, and indeed

leaves it quite doubtful to what modern genus his insect should be referred. It is,

however, placed in Cercyon by the authors of the Munich Catalogue; on what authority

I know not, as Leconte, in the collected edition of Say’s writings, allows this description

to pass without any remark. It is quite possible that the species may be a large

Cercyon of the C. mexicanus type.

5. Cercyon politus.

Ovalis, convexus, pernitidus, niger, elytrorum apice testaceo, pedibus rufis ; antennarum basi palpisque testaceis ;

prothorace sparsim subtiliter punctato; elytris leviter striatis, striis internis ad basin haud impressis,

interstitiis sparsim subtiliter punctulatis,

Long. 12, lat. 4 lin.

flab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

Head sparingly but distinctly punctured, shining. Thorax very shining, more or less

piceous towards the sides, sparingly and finely punctate. Elytra very shining, with fine

striae, which are rather remotely punctate: these strie all become finer towards the

base; and the four or five inner consist in fact in their basal portion only of series of

fine punctures, the interstices very sparingly finely punctate. The colour beneath is

pitchy, rufescent towards the front; the mentum is much impressed, shining, and but

little punctate; the mesosternal lamina is small, the prosternum finely carinate.

This insect is scarcely so large as the European C. odsoletus, but is rather broader

and less convex in proportion. I have seen only two individuals of it.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, December 1882. PP

106 HYDROPHILID.

6. Cercyon ebeninus.

Ovalis, convexus, nitidus, niger, pedibus piceo-rufis; antennarum basi palpisque rufis; prothorace crebre sat

fortiter punctato; elytris profunde striatis, striis punctatis, versus apicem profundioribus, interstitiis sat

crebre et fortiter punctatis.

Long. 12, lat. 2 lin.

Hab. Guatemaa, Cerro Zunil 4000 feet (Champion).

Head rather closely and coarsely punctate. Thorax rather less closely and coarsely

punctate. Elytra deeply striate, the internal strize rather fine and crenate; the punc-

tures of the outer striae, however, are large and definite ; the punctuation of the interstices

moderately close, quite distinct. The colour beneath is piceous, rufescent in front ; the

mentum is transversely rugose; the mesosternal lamina elongate, but very slender; the

prosternum distinctly carinate along the middle.

I have seen only a single individual: compared with the European C. obsoletus it

differs markedly by the deeper striation and less punctuation of the wing-cases; but the

only conspicuous structural difference is that the tarsi are considerably less elongate ;

the mesosternal lamina, however, is slightly narrower.

7. Cercyon integer.

Rotundato-ovalis, convexus, nitidus, niger, elytris ad apicem irregulariter dilutioribus, pedibus rufis ; antennarum

basi palpisque testaceis; prothorace minus crebre et minus fortiter punctato, nitido; elytris profunde

striatis, striis fortiter punctatis, interstitiis impunctatis, fere convexis.

Long. 13, lat. 2 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); GuatemMata, Guatemala city, San Gerénimo, Balheu,

El Tumbador 2500 feet, Las Mercedes 3000 feet, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet

(Champion).

Head rather coarsely punctate, shining, flavescent in front. Thorax neither closely

nor coarsely punctate. Elytra very distinctly striate, the striz very distinctly punctured,

and deeper towards the extremity, the internal a little finer at the base; the interstices

almost impunctate. ‘The mentum is very shining, and bears only a few very fine punc-

tures; the mesosternal lamina is rather broad, shining, and almost impunctate; the

metasternal pentagon is also small, and is shining and impunctate ; the prosternum is

very distinctly carinate.

The species appears to be not common, being represented in the collections by less

than a dozen specimens. Like its congeners it varies much in colour, and a little in size

and sculpture; but the only individual which is at all likely to prove to belong to a

different species is the unique Mexican specimen: this is of slightly narrower form, and

has a distinct though scanty punctuation at the base of the elytra, and the outer strie

not quite so deep.

CERCYON. 107

8. Cercyon pretextatus.

Spheridium pretextatum, Say, Journ. Ac. Phil. v. p. 1901.

Hab. Norra Amertcat.—Mexico (coll. Sharp); Guatmemata, Duefias, Capetillo,

Panajachel 5000 feet, Paso Antonio 400 feet (Champion).

9. Cercyon variegatus. (Tab. III. fig. 13.)

Ovalis, convexus, nitidus, testaceus, pectore capiteque nigris, hoc vertice testaceo-maculato, prothoracis medio

elytrorumque humeris nigro maculatis; capite thoraceque crebrius punctatis; elytris striatis, striis fere

simplicibus, versus apicem profundioribus, interstitiis ad basin crebre punctatis, versus apicem fere

leevigatis.

Long. 14, lat. ? lin,

Hab. Norru America (coll. Murray).—Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa and Oaxaca

(Hoge); GuateMaLa, Aceituno, San Gerdnimo, Cubilguitz, San Joaquin, El Tumbador

2500 feet (Champion) ; Nicaragua, Greytown, Chontales (Janson).

This is apparently the most abundant of the Central-American species of Cercyon ;

it may be readily identified by its colour, and the fact that the strie of the elytra are

simply impressed lines, almost without trace of punctuation. The mesosternal lamina

is very slender and feebly punctate; the shining pentagon on the metasternum is also

very feebly punctate; the prosternal carina is distinct, but not very strongly elevated.

The colour varies somewhat, especially as to the extension of the dark colour on the

thorax and the under surface.

The record of the species as North-American is made on the authority of an individual

from the collection of the late Andrew Murray, labelled “variegatus Deyr. n. sp.,

Am. bor.”

10. Cercyon subsignatus.

Ovalis, haud latus, convexus, nitidus, niger, prothorace ad latera flavescente; elytris sordide testaceis, ad

humeros plus minusve evidenter fusco signatis ; antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque testaceis, vix infus-

catis ; prothorace subtiliter punctato; elytris leviter striatis, striis punctatis, apicem versus haud profun-

dioribus, interstitiis ad basin subtiliter punctatis; prosterno in medio alte carinato.

Long. 1, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Quezaltenango 7800 feet, Guatemala city, Capetillo, Zapote, San

Geronimo (Champion).

Palpi yellow, very slightly infuscate. Head and thorax finely and rather closely

punctate, very shining, the latter rather broadly yellow at the sides. Elytra of a

sordid yellow or reddish-yellow colour, the shoulders generally dark, and the suture

also more or less infuscate; they are finely striate, the strie are punctate and are

effaced at the apex, but the punctures are distinctly continued to the extremity; the

interstices are very finely, and at the extremity very sparingly, at the base more closely

punctate. The prosternum has a strongly elevated carina along the middle; the

mesosternal lamina is rather coarsely punctate; the metasternal pentagon is finely

PP 2

108 HYDROPHILIDA.

punctate, and its two posterior sides are continued forwards towards the outside of

the middle coxal cavities as fine raised lines.

Like many others of the genus, the species varies a good deal in colour and a little in

size and sculpture; but it and C. armatus may be distinguished from the other Central-

American species of the genus by the fine raised lines which proceed forwards from the

outer angles of the metasternal pentagon.

11. Cercyon armatus.

Ovalis, haud latus, convexus, nitidus, niger, prothorace ad latera anguste rufescente ; antennis, palpis pedibusque

fusco-rufis; prothorace obsolete punctulato; elytris levissime striatis, striis subtiliter punctatis, apicem

versus haud profundioribus ; prosterno altissime carinato, carina anterius rotundata.

Long. 13, lat. vix ? lin.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Quezaltenango 7800 feet, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet,

Totonicapam 8500 to 10,000 feet (Champion).

Palpi infuscate. Head rather closely and distinctly punctate. Thorax very indi-

stinctly punctate. Elytra with extremely fine strize, which are finely but distinctly

punctate; the strie are quite effaced at the apex, but the punctures are continued to

the extremity; the two outer strie are rather more distinct than the others; the

interstices are only obsoletely and sparingly punctate. The carina of the prosternum

is remarkable for its great elevation, and its front angle is broadly rounded; the

mesosternal lamina is coarsely punctate; the metasternal pentagon is finely punctate,

and its posterior two sides are prolonged forwards as a very distinct line to the outside

of the middle coxal cavity.

Although very closely allied to C. subsignatus, I am not able to consider this insect

conspecific therewith; the size is rather larger, the colour darker, the sculpture of

the upper surface more obsolete, and the prosternal carina is remarkable for its extreme

prominence. ‘The species appears to have been found only at considerable elevations.

| 12. Cercyon striatus.

Minutus, breviter ovalis, sat convexus, nitidus, testaceus, capite thoraceque crebre subtiliter punctatis ; elytris

striatis, striis apicem versus profundioribus, interstitiis crebre subtilissime punctatis.

Long. 2, lat. 2 lin.

Hab Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Head and thorax closely and finely punctate. Elytra with fine but very distinct

strie, which become deeper behind; the striz and the interstices are very finely

punctate. The prosternal carina is only very slightly elevated; the metasternal

lamina is excessively slender; the metasternal pentagon is obsoletely punctate, and its

two posterior sides are continued forwards as very distinct lines towards the outsides

of the middle coxe.

I have seen only a single and quite immature individual; but it evidently represents

PELOSOMA. 109

a very distinct species: the raised lines on the metasternum distinguish it from all the

species of Cercyon here described, except C. subsignatus and C. armatus; and from these

the slight elevation of the prosternal carina and the well-marked striation of the elytra

render it very distinct.

PELOSOMA.

Pelosoma, Mulsant, Col. Fr. Palp. p. 184.

Cercyon, pars, auct. plur.

This genus is closely allied to Cercyon, and indeed has not yet been accepted by

entomologists generally. It has consisted hitherto of a single species, falsely supposed

to be European, a second species, however, having been indicated by Leconte as

pertaining to it. I find the characters by which it is distinguished from Cercyon to be

quite constant in the series of Central-American species here enumerated, and I think

therefore the genus will prove a good one. It is probable that it is specially charac-

teristic of the Tropical-American fauna; and in that case it is likely that Leconte’s

South-Californian species (if it really belong to the genus, as to which I am very

doubtful) will prove to extend its habitat southwards beyond California.

1. Pelosoma lafertei. (Tab. III. fig. 14.)

Pelosoma lafertei, Muls. Col. Fr. Palp. p. 185°.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); Guaremata, Guatemala city, San Gerénimo 3000

feet, Zapote, San Joaquin, Chacoj, Capetillo (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales

(Janson); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion). — Soutu

America, Bahia (Castelnau); Europe, Central France (Laferté)}.

Although this species was described from an individual taken, or believed to have

been taken, in Central France, yet I believe it is not a European insect; and I feel

sure that the error arose from a mistake made by Laferté when he communicated his

collection to Mulsant.. The species has not been taken again in France, and is not

included in Bedel’s recent Synopsis of the Cercyons of France. Mulsant’s type from

Laferté’s collection is now in my possession; and I cannot separate it specifically from

the Tropical-American specimens. The species is apparently a very common one, and

varies somewhat in the minor details of size, form, colour, and sculpture ; and thus,

though I have not seen a second specimen agreeing exactly with Mulsant’s type, I

believe it to be undoubtedly conspecific with the South-American individuals, from

some of which it differs only by very minute and unimportant details.

2. Pelosoma sordidum.

Oblongo-ovale, subdepressum, supra nigrum vel rufum, nitidum, subtus picescens, pedibus rufis; tarsis anten-

narumque basi testaceis, harum clava obscuriore ; fortiter punctatum ; elytris equaliter striatis, striis ad

apicem parum profundioribus, sed internis haud subtilioribus.

1 3 ]j

Long. 14, lat. 2 lin.

110 HYDROPHILIDA.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Teapa (Sall/é); GuatTemaLa, Cerro Zunil 4000 feet, Tamahu,

Senahu, Chacoj, Zapote, and San Geronimo (Champion).

The punctuation of the head and thorax is coarse and rather close; the strie of the

elytra are deep and distinct, even the internal striz are deep at the base ; the strie are

punctate, but not coarsely, the interstices are rather closely and distinctly punctate.

The legs are short and stout, strongly spinulose ; the mentum is small, with a definite

notch in front, and its surface is shining, with some rather coarse punctures about the

base; the prosternal carina is moderately strongly elevated; the mesosternal central

piece is rather narrow for this genus, and is coarsely punctate.

The species is readily distinguished from P. lafertei by its smaller size, more oblong

and less convex form, coarser sculpture, shorter legs, and by some slight but good

structural characters, the central piece of the mesosternum being narrower, and the

mentum small, with a more definite notch in front. Like its allies it varies a good deal

in size and the depth of the colour, and a little in the coarseness of the sculpture.

3. Pelosoma prosternale.

Ovale, convexum, nitidum, supra nigro-piceum, elytris apice late rufo, subtus piceum; pedibus, antennis

palpisque testaceis ; capite thoraceque sat crebre et fortiter punctatis ; elytris haud striatis, sed subtiliter

seriatim punctatis, interstitiis sparsim punctulatis; prosterno in medio altissime carinato, carine facie

inferiore rotundata.

Long. 14, lat. 2 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé).

This species has completely the appearance of a Cercyon; but the generic characters

are fully those of Pelosoma, and in addition it presents a structural character peculiar

to itself: viz. the prosternal carina is very strongly elevated; butits greatest prominence

is not in front, but in the middle; hence it presents below a rounded outline, and forms

no angular prominence in front, as it does in the other species of the genus. The

series of fine punctures that replace on the elytra the usual strize are very even and

regular, the punctures being throughout of one size; and even at the apex the series are

not deepened into strie. On the under surface the prosternum and ventral segments

are obscure reddish in colour, the breast being darker.

4, Pelosoma carinatum.

Ovale, convexum, supra piceum, elytrorum apice rufescente, nitidum, subtus rufescens ; antennis, palpis pedi-

busque testaceis; capite thoraceque crebre fortiter punctatis ; elytris substriatis, striis subtiliter punctatis,

interstitiis sparsim subtilius punctatis; prosterno in medio altius carinato, carine facie inferiore recta,

anterius angulatim prominula.

1 5};

Long. 14, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. GuatemaLa, San Gerdénimo (Champion).

This insect is extremely similar to P. prosternale, although the prosternal carina is

very different: this is strongly elevated ; but its lower edge is straight and projects in

PELOSOMA. 111

front as a well-marked rectangle. The sculpture of the elytra is very fine, the striz

being extremely fine, and obliterated rather than deepened towards the apex; the

punctures on the strie are finer and closer to one another than those forming the

series in P. prosternale. The appearance of the insect is quite that of an ordinary

Cercyon, the European C. lateralis, Marsh., for example. The species is described

from a single individual.

5. Pelosoma cercyonoides.

Breviter ovale, convexum, piceum, nitidum, elytris nigricantibus; antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis ; capite

thoraceque fortiter et crebre punctatis; elytris substriatis, striis sat fortiter punctatis, interstitiis sparsim

punctatis ; prosterno in medio subtiliter carinato.

Long. 1, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Guatemana, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

The head and thorax are rather closely and deeply though not very coarsely punctate,

the punctuation of the latter not, however, quite so close as that on the head; the stricz

of the elytra, though not deep, are very distinct, and are a little deepened behind; the

interstices are very shining, and rather sparingly and finely punctate. The prosternal

carina, though: but little elevated, is very definite, and forms a very minute prominent

angle in front. The basal portion of the mentum is coarsely punctate, as is also the

central piece of the mesosternum.

The species is described from a single individual. Although very similar to P. sud-

carinatum, it is very readily distinguished by the more punctate surface and the less

obsolete prosternal carina; it is also rather less rotund in outline.

6. Pelosoma subcarinatum.

Rotundato-ovale, convexum, supra nigricans, anterius rufescens, nitidum, subtus rufo-testaceum; antennis,

palpis pedibusque testaceis, illarum clava subinfuscata; capite thoraceque sparsim subtiliter punctatis ;

elytris anterius subtiliter seriatim punctatis, ad apicem leviter striatis, interstitiis sparsim punctatis ;

prosterno in medio obsolete carinato.

Long. 1, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

At the base of the elytra the striation consists of series of very fine but closely

placed punctures; at the extremity, however, these series are deepened so as to form

shallow striz. ‘The mentum is polished and shining, without punctures; and there are

also only a few punctures on the middle of the breast and mesosternum. ‘The fine,

only very slightly elevated carina of the prosternum is peculiar to this species of

the genus, and, in combination with the less punctate surface, renders it very readily

identified.

Mr. Champion has sent three individuals.

112 HYDROPHILIDA.

NITIDULODES.

Corpus subdepressum. Labrum haud occultum. Mentum bilobum. Coxe anteriores haud omnino contigue.

Prosternum carinatum. Mesosternum in medio tabula magna anterius acuminata, posterius cum meta-

sterno sutura recta arcte conjunctum. Characteres ceteri fere ut in genere Pelosomate.

This insect with many of the characters of Pelosoma combines some others peculiar

to itself. The labrum is exposed and is very transverse, but not corneous; and the

mandibles may be seen on either side of it as slender, curved hooks. The mentum

has in the middle a deep excision reaching halfway to the base and so rendering it

bilobed. The prosternum is very strongly carinate along the middle; and the termina-

tion of this carina behind does not appear acuminate (as it does in Pelosoma and

Cercyon, in both of which, however, it is really minutely notched at the apex), but,

wing to a slight separation of the coxe, exposes a notch the face of which is directed

obliquely forwards. The largely developed central piece of the mesosternum is similar

to that of Pelosoma except for its greater size.

1. Nitidulodes jansoni. (Tab. III. fig. 15.)

Ovalis, latiusculus, subdepressus, supra nitidus, rufus, elytris nigris, capite thoraceque lete rufis; antennarum

basi palpisque testaceis, subtus opacum ; femoribus, metasterni mesosternique mediis nitidis; capite pro-

thoraceque crebre punctatis; elytris leviter striatis, striis internis versus apicem profundioribus, inter-

stitiis sat crebre et sat fortiter punctatis.

Long. 2, lat. 12 lin.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

Club of antenne very broad and flat; front tibie broad, rounded externally and

strongly spinulose. Upper surface very shining; the strie of the elytra fine and but

little impressed, the three or four next the suture, however, are a good deal deepened

at the extremity; the punctuation of the striz is rather indistinct, but renders them

nearly crenate; the punctuation of the interstices is rather more distinct at the sides

and apex than it is near the suture. ‘The middle tibiz are broad and short, the

hind ones rather more elongate.

Two individuals of this species have been in my collection for many years; and the

two in Mr. Godman’s appear to have been taken at the same time as my own; so

that Mr. Janson presumably only once found the species, which probably has a different

mode of life from its allies.

OOSTERNUM.

Corpus supra tenuiter pubescens, subtus nudum, opacum. Llytra profunde sculpturata. Mentum anterius

profundeimpressum. Palpi maxillares tenues, parum elongati. Prosternum in medio elevatum, carinatum ;

pronotum haud inflexum. Mesosternum in medio tabulam ovalem formans. Tibia splnulose. Tarsi

parvi, quinquearticulati, posteriores articulo primo quam secundus paulo longiore.

The minute insect separated under this name is closely allied to Cercyon, but differs

from that genus by numerous details, nearly all of which are points of approach to

OOSTERNUM.—MEGASTERNUM. 113

Cryptopleurum. The middle of the prosternum is distinctly differentiated from the

sides, soas to form a kind of small table, which, however, is not flat as in Cryptopleurum,

but the sides are sloping or roof-like, and it is raised and carinate along the middle.

The central piece of the mesosternum is broader than in Cercyon, and forms a

narrowly oval piece, which behind is not accurately connected with the metasternum.

The legs are short, the tibiee rather strongly spinulose ; the tarsi feeble.

1. Oosternum costatum, (Tab. III. fig. 16.)

Minutum, ovale, rufum, opacum, supra tenuiter pubescens, plus minusye fuscescens ; antennarum basi, palpis

pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace irregulariter haud dense punctato ; elytrerum interstitiis alternis versus

apicem costato-elevatis, ceteris versus apicem humilioribus ; mesosterni medio fortiter punctato.

Long. 2, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Muxico, Puebla (Sallé); Guaremana, Guatemala city, El Reposo 800 feet,

Coatepeque 1300 feet, El Tumbador 2500 feet (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales

(Janson).

Head finely punctate, dull. Thorax distinctly margined at the sides, the surface

rather irregularly punctate, the punctures not being all of one size and not at regular

distances from one another; there is a scanty and fine but rather elongate pubescence.

Elytra very deeply sculptured, the alternate interstices towards the apex being very

much raised; and this is the more remarkable as those next them are more flattened ;

the striz are punctate, and the intervals pubescent. ‘The central piece of the meso-

sternum bears very coarse punctures; the middle of the metasternum is shining and

bears some coarse punctures, the sides and ventral segments dull and impunctate.

Many specimens of this species have been sent by Mr. Champion: they vary a good

deal in the colour of the body, and but little in other respects; neither do the single

individuals from Mexico and Chontales show any important variation.

MEGASTERNUM.

Megasternum, Mulsant, Col. Fr. Palp. p. 187.

This genus consists of four species—one European, one North-American, and two

Japanese. The species, however, do not agree very satisfactorily iter se, and it is

probable that they will have to be separated as distinct genera. ‘The species here

described would in that case form also a distinct genus, approximating in several

respects to Cryptopleurum. I am unacquainted with the North-American species

ascribed with some hesitation by Leconte to the genus; but from his description and

remarks (Proc. Ac. Phil. 1855, p. 374) it appears very improbable that it is con-

generic with the European insect.

1. Megasternum strigicolle. (Tab. IV. fig. 1.)

Ovale, perconvexum, angustulum, nigrum, nitidum, parcissime pubescens ; antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, December 1882. QQ

114 HYDROPHILIDA.

testaceis; capite thoraceque dense subtilissime aciculato-strigosulis ; elytris striatis, striis internis subtili-

oribus, externis remote crenatis; pectore abdomineque basi sat fortiter punctatis.

Long. §, lat. 4 lin.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Cubilguitz (Champion) ; Nicaraeua, Chontales (Janson).

The narrow oval form attenuated behind, and the excessively convex upper surface,

combined with the peculiar sculpture of the head and the thorax, make this species

easily recognized. The pubescence of the upper surface is very scanty and fine, and so

is not readily noticed. The apical portion of the elytra is usually somewhat paler, as

in many other of the allied species. The front tibiz are slender and without any trace

of emargination ; and their outer margin bears only exceedingly minute spines, while

the middle and hind tibie are quite unarmed. Owing to the very convex and peculiar

form, the length of the prothorax is about twice as great along the middle as it is at:

the lateral margin.

DELTOSTETHUS.

Corpus convexum, latum, elytris sulcatis. Mentum magnum, basi parum prominula. Palpi maxillares graciles,

parum elongati, articulo secundo basi tenui, apice incrassato. Coxe anteriores haud contigue. Proster-

num in medio elevatum sed haud planum, carinatum, posterius emarginatum. Coxe intermedie sat

distantes. Mesosternum in medio pentagonum elongatum formans, pentagoni angulis parum discretis.

Tibiew fere espinulose.

This genus should be placed between QOosternum and Cryptopleurum. It differs

from the former in numerous points of structure, of which the most important and

easily observed is the shape of the central piece of the mesosternum: this forms a large,

flat, but strongly margined tablet in front of the middle coxe; this pentagon is quite

as long as, or longer than broad, and its lateral angles are but little marked, so that it

approximates in form to a broad oval. From Cryptopleurum the genus is very distinct

by the less widely separated middle coxe and the different shape of the mesosternal

tablet, by the structure of the middle of the prosternum, which, though very distinctly

differentiated from the lateral parts, is not flat and is strongly carinated along the

middle; the margins of the prothorax, too, form sharp edges and are not inflexed.

I am not acquainted with any species of the genus other than the two discovered by

Mr. Champion.

1. Deltostethus sulcatus. (Tab. IV. fig. 2.)

Rotundato-ovalis, posterius acuminatus, niger, subtus picescens vel rufescens; capite thoraceque crebre, pro-

funde punctatis, opacis vel parum nitidis; elytris nitidis, profunde sulcatis, sulcis crenatis, interstitiis haud

punctatis, vix pubescentibus; antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque testaceis.

Long. 1, lat. vix 2 lin.

Hab. GuateMALA, Purula, Senahu, San Juan in Vera Paz, Capetillo, Las Mercedes

3000 feet (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

The species varies much in colour, being sometimes very black, becoming in other

specimens more dilute, and when rather immature is sordid yellow; the mentum is

DELTOSTETHUS— CRYPTOPLEURUM. 115

very dull, being entirely covered with a peculiar excessively minute sculpture, amongst

which can be detected a few larger punctures; the lateral grooves on the wing- .

cases are broader than those near the suture, and their sculpture therefore more

conspicuous. The broad pentagonal (or nearly hexagonal) space on the middle of

the metasternum is shining and coarsely punctate, the lateral parts being dull.

The species is apparently rare, one specimen only coming from each locality. The

individuals show minute differences, but none that could with propriety, on such

evidence, be considered specific. The individual from Panama has on the very black

elytra a transverse fascia of minute yellow marks behind the middle.

2. Deltostethus palpalis.

Rotundato-ovalis, latissimus, posterius acuminatus, niger, nitidus ; antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque testaceis ;

capite dense punctato, opaco; protherace in medio sparsim subtiliter, versus latera fortius punctato ;

elytris late profundeque sulcatis, sulcis crenatis, interstitiis impunctatis.

Long. 14, lat. fere 1 lin.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Basal joint and club of antenne very elongate, the middle joint of the club being

but little transverse. Maxillary palpi also elongate and slender, the second joint

comparatively little dilated. The pentagonal space on the metasternum is densely

and coarsely punctate.

This species, although bearing a great resemblance to J. sulcatus, differs so much

in the details of structure, that it may perhaps prove to be generically different.

The palpi are elongate and slender, the anterior coxe more widely separated, and the

angles of the mesosternal tablet are so much effaced that it is almost circular in

form: this latter character is sufficient to distinguish the insect from all other species

of the Cercyon group of genera.

CRYPTOPLEURUM.

Cryptopleurum, Mulsant, Col. Fr. Palp. p. 188.

This genus at present comprises five species, viz. two European and one North-

American, the others being from Ceylon and the Cape of Good Hope. Whether these

will ultimately all prove congeneric, however, is quite doubtful. The Mexican species

here described differs, indeed, structurally from the European species, the middle pieces

of the pro- and mesosternum being much smaller, and the mentum very short, with its

base but little protuberant. It would, however, be unadvisable to separate the insect as

a distinct genus on these accounts from its allies.

1. Cryptopleurum impressum.

Rotundato-ovale, convexum, nigrum, nitidum, omnino tenuissime pubescens, supra sat crebre et fortiter

: punctatum ; elytris ad basin leviter, ad apicem profunde striatis ; antennis, pedibus elytrorumque apice

rufis, palpis testaceis ; subtus metasterno fortiter punctato, nitido, in medio late impresso.

Long. 4, lat. 3 lin.

QQ 2

116 HETEROCERID 2.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

Head rather finely punctate, shining. Thorax also shining, not closely, and mode-

rately coarsely punctate. The strie on the elytra are at the base scarcely impressed,

and consist there rather of simple series of moderately large punctures.

I have seen only two specimens.

Fam. HETEROCERIDA.

HETEROCERUS.

Heterocerus, Fabricius, Ent. Syst. i. p. 262; Kies. Naturh. Zeit. iv. p. 1945" Linn. Ent. v. p. 281.

The single genus Heterocerus is itself nearly the same thing as the family Hetero-

ceride; for in addition to Heterocerus there is but a single (Australian) species that

can be assigned to the family. Heterocerus is a genus of wide distribution, occurring

throughout the continents of the eastern hemisphere and in Australia, while in the

New World there are numerous species in North America. They are small insects,

living in burrows in mud and sand in the immediate neighbourhood of water ; and it is

probable that the species are much more numerous than the seventy or eighty at

present described. ‘To the peculiar habits and unattractive character of these insects

is probably due the fact that only one or two species have yet been described from

South America; a like small number are known from the Antilles. ‘The species of the

genus, even in the most distant regions of the world, are singularly like one another in

size and other details from which the specific characters of Coleoptera are usually

drawn; and the study of the genus is thus a matter of considerable difficulty, and will

of course become still more difficult as the record of species becomes more complete.

Schiddte, a few years ago, pointed out (Nat. Tidss. 1866) some characters by the aid of

which the European species may be grouped satisfactorily ; and in studying the species

here enumerated I have observed another character that will be of further assistance :

this is the existence in certain species (European and North-American as well as

Central-American) of a curved raised line proceeding outwards from the middle of the

lower border of the intermediate coxal cavity and connecting it with the epimeral suture

in such a manner as to form, in combination with the hinder part of this suture, a

raised curved elevation of considerable length. The position of this curved line in

relation to the middle femur is such as to suggest that it might prove to be a portion

of a stridulating-organ, like the curved elevation on the first ventral segment of these

insects; but I can find no further grounds for considering this to be probable.

1. Heterocerus debilis. (Tab. IV. fig. 3.)

Minutus, angustulus, sat elongatus, testaceus, capite fusco, subtilissime punctatus, pube tenuissima vestitus,

opacus ; prothorace convexiusculo, angulis posterioribus immarginatis; tibiis anterioribus spinulis cras-

siusculis armatis.

Long. 1, lat. 3 lin.

_ HETEROCERUS. 117

fab. Guatemata, Panzos and Teleman (Champion).

By its minute size, fine sculpture, and pallid colour this species greatly resembles

the European HT. flavidus, from which, however, it is quite distinct by the immarginate

base of the prothorax.; the front tibie are broad, and the spines with which they are

armed are rather broader and less acuminate than in other species of the genus.

I have seen only two individuals: in one of them the middle of the metasternum and

ventral segments is a little infuscate.

2. Heterocerus armatus. (Tab. IV. fig. 4.)

Fusco-niger, pube densa brevissima vestitus, fere opacus, elytris maculis octo rufis; antennarum basi pedibusque

testaceis, tibiis nigro lineatis ; prothorace elytris paulo latiore, densissime subtiliter punctato, basi utrinque

ad angulos posteriores marginata; elytris obsolete striatis, subtiliter punctatis ; labro apice emarginato-

truncato. ,

Mas mandibulis valde prolongatis, apice acuminato, ante apicem superne dente elongato armatis ; labro elongato,

lateribus sinuatis. .

Long. 23, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla (Sad/é).

The form of the labrum and mandibles in the male of this species is very remarkable:

the apical half of the former is considerably narrower than the basal portion, the narrow

apex being nearly truncate, the sides at the base are rounded ; some portions of the

maxillz project beyond the labrum, and cause this to appear longer than it really is,

and as if it were acuminate; the detached free membranous lobe is quite separate

from the body of the mandible, and appears as if it sprang from the interior of the

mouth ; though it is very detached, it is easily overlooked, owing to its being perfectly

transparent. The female has the parts of the mouth of normal structure. ‘The pale

markings of the elytra consist of four detached spots on each, and at the apex the

lateral margin is narrowly pale.

I have seen only a single male and two females, in very bad preservation. H. gnatho,

Lec., from California, is no doubt a species allied to this.

3. Heterocerus simplex.

Sat elongatus, opacus, fuscus, elytris margine laterali et signaturis magnis, antennarum basi pedibusque

testaceis, tibiis fusco-testaceis; prothorace subtilissime punctulato, angulis posterioribus marginatis ;

metasterno mutico.

Long. 23, lat. 2 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz (Hége).

Mandibles much curved externally, short, and stout, at the apex inwardly with three

very distinct, equal, and equidistant teeth, the apical one of the three being the point

of the mandible. Labrum short and broad, but little ciliate, so that in front it is seen

to be very distinctly emarginate. The thorax is extremely finely punctate, and its base

on each side is very finely marginate; the side itself, however, is almost immarginate.

118 | HETEROCERIDZ.

Elytra dark fuscous, very finely and evenly pubescent and indistinctly punctate, the

lateral margin narrowly yellow from the base to the apex: in front of the middle are

three yellow marks; the most anterior is a longitudinal one placed on the middle of the

width a little behind the base; between this mark and the suture, but placed further

back, there is a similar yellow mark, and at the outside a curved humeral mark con-

necting with the yellow lateral margin; the most posterior point of this curved mark

reaches just as far back as does the anterior sutural mark; a large zigzag mark

behind the middle connects also with the yellow margin; and at the apex there is a

longitudinal mark connected with a dilatation of the marginal yellow colour so as to form

a hamate mark. The colour of the under surface is variable, but is a mixture of fuscous

and yellow. ‘There is no trace of any oblique line on the metasternum. Although an

obscure and ordinary species in appearance, this is readily distinguished from those

resembling it, by the absence of the raised line on the metasternum.

4. Heterocerus mexicanus.

Parum elongatus, opacus, fusco-testaceus, elytrorum signaturis magnis pedibusque testaceis; prothorace

transversim sat convexo, densissime subtilissimeque punctato, angulis posterioribus marginatis; elytris

obsolete punctatis, pube tenuissima equaliter vestitis, signaturis testaceis sepius vage extensis, presertim

circa scutellum ; metasterno linea obliqua munito.

Long. 2, lat. ? lin.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Sallé); GuatemaLa, Duenas, Panjachel 5000 feet

(Champion).

A rather narrow but not elongate insect, with vague coloration. Mandibles quite

short ; front of head and surface of labrum densely pubescent, the front of the latter

nearly truncate, scarcely emarginate. Thorax rather convex, fusco-ferruginous,

margined about the hind angles. LElytra dull, not at all striate, very finely punctate,

and very finely and delicately pubescent, the pubescence being without the least

appearance of pruinosity (or shining particles) ; they are dark in colour, but have very

large yellow marks, which occupy one half or more of their area, according to the

amount of their extension; there is a yellow basal mark close to the scutellum, one

behind this near the suture, a subhumeral one, these three more or less vaguely extended

and confluent, so as sometimes to make the whole of the basal portion of the wing-

cases pale; behind the middle there isa large irregular mark extending inwards and for-

wards and in front reaching the middle; and there is a large apical pale mark dilated at

the margin, and joining there the postmedian mark. Beneath the colour is fusco-

ferruginous, the prothorax being yellow ; the tibie are but little infuscate. The raised

line under the middle femur is very distinct. The front tibiz are very broad; and the

spines with which they are armed are stout.

The species appears to be rather variable ; the individuals from Guatemala are rather

broader, and the upper surface is darker, with the pale spots more definitely limited,

HETEROCERUS.—PARNIDZA, 119

than is the case with the specimens from Mexico; but I cannot find any satisfactory

evidence of specific distinction.

5. Heterocerus spinifer.

Parvus, sat latus, opacus, subtilissime pubescens, nigro-fuscus ; elytrorum signaturis mediocribus pedibusque

testaceis, tibiis fuscis ; prothorace lato, fortiter transverso, ad angulos posteriores marginato; metasterno

linea obliqua munito.

3 1 qj

Long. 12, lat. 4 lin.

Hab. Guaremata, Paso Antonio 400 feet, Guatemala city (Champion).

The thorax in this species has only an extremely delicate pubescence. ‘The elytra are

obsoletely striate, very finely punctate, and with an extremely short and fine pubescence ;

there is a basal pale mark on each side of the scutellum, one near the suture in front

of the middle, and external to this a small spot to represent the humeral mark; there

is a postmedian rather large spot, and at the outer and hinder angle of this another

spot, not quite reaching a small mark at the margin ; and, also disconnected with this

latter, there is a small anteapical spot. The metasternal line is distinct ; and the front

tibiee are armed with slender spines.

The species is described from two rather immature individuals from Paso Antonio ;

a third specimen from the same locality is but little more than a line in length, and

has the pale spots on the elytra rather larger; the unique individual from Guatemala

city has the pubescence of the upper surface not quite so short and delicate. Whether

these two specimens are varieties or distinct species is very doubtful to me.

Fam. PARNIDA.

Up to the present time nothing has been known about the Central-American forms

of this family. Mr. Champion’s successful work, however, has informed us that the

Parnide are as well represented in Central America as in any other part of the world;

for he has collected about as many species and quite as great a variety of genera as

exist either in Europe or in North America; and very little is known of the Parnide

from other regions. It is probable that all the Parnide are aquatic or subaquatic in

their habits. Not more than one hundred and fifty species of the family are existent

in collections.

Subfam. PARNINTI.

DRYOPS.

Dryops, Leach, Zool. Mise. iii. p. 88; Latr. Gen. Crust. et Ins. i. p. 56; Er. Ins. Deutsch. iii.

p. 517.

Pomatinus, Sturm, Ins. Deutsch. xxii. p. 62.

Helichus, Er. Ins. Deutsch. ii. p. 510 (note) ; Horn, Tr. Am, Ent. Soc. 1870, p. 31.

120 PARNID ZA.

The genus Helichus, to which the New-world species of Dryops have hitherto been

referred, was based by Erichsen on an error of observation, he having supposed that in

Dryops the hind cox are approximate, while in /elichus he stated correctly that they

are distant. Examination proves, however, that they are as widely separated in Dryops

as in the latter genus; and as no other character has, so far as I am aware, been

mentioned to separate the two supposed genera, and I quite fail to find any myself, I

propose that the name Helichus should be reduced to a synonym.

The genus Dryops consists of a single European and several N orth-American species,

and includes also one from Java. ‘The New-world species are difficult to study, on

account of their being generally covered with a stony incrustation deposited on them

from the waters in which they live; they appear, moreover, to be very variable according |

to locality, so that much difference of opinion is likely to prevail as to whether the

forms found in different localities are specifically distinct. According to Dr. Horn these

insects may be found in immense numbers; he states, indeed, /.c¢., that he has seen

several hundred specimens on a stone not more than four inches square. It would be

well for the North-American entomologists to make an examination of the amount of

variation exhibited in some one locality; for such an investigation is necessary before

we can know what to treat as “species” in a genus like Dryops. Only comparatively

scanty material in this genus has been obtained from Mexico and the other portions of

Central America; and feeling it to be unadvisable to propose new species in it without

very good grounds, I have referred certain forms to North-American species,

entertaining, however, no strong opinion as to whether or not they may ultimately

prove to be distinct.

1. Dryops productus.

Helichus productus, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1852, p. 43’; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1870, p. 82°.

Hab. Norra America, California! and Arizona”; Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge & Sallé),

Guanajuato (Sallé).

The series of about twenty individuals found by Hoge at Oaxaca shows scarcely any

variation ; and I cannot detect amongst them any trace of the differences in the form of

the thorax said by Horn? to be exhibited by the sexes. From other sources there are

only three or four specimens ; and of these, two from Guanajuato form a well-marked

variety of more elongate form, with more largely developed legs and diminished

punctuation on the thorax. These two individuals approach more nearly to the

Californian individuals in my collection than do the Oaxacan specimens; but they do

not agree entirely therewith, though the differences are not of great importance.

Whether these different forms are species, subspecies, or races, can only be determined

by the examination of good series of specimens, aided by exact observations of lccality.

M. Sallé had regarded the few individuals in his collection as representing three

distinct species.

DRYOPS. 121

2. Dryops puncticollis.

Elongatus, convexus, niger, subtus indumento griseo vestitus, abdominis segmento ultimo nudo, dense punctato ;

prothorace in medio densissime fortiter punctato, versus latera granulato; elytris opacis, versus latera

granulatis, ibidemque indumento sordido vestitis, interstitiis tribus prope suturam subnudis.

Long. 34, lat. 14 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Sailé).

This insect is very similar to D. productus, but belongs to the group of the genus

having the terminal ventral segment bare. It is readily distinguished from all the

others known, by the very coarse and dense punctuation of the thorax, and from all

except D. productus by the superior size. The legs are long and stout, very rough, and

the tarsi are pitchy black in colour.

A single badly preserved individual is the only one I have seen.

3. Dryops fastigiatus.

Parnus fastigiatus, Say, Long’s Exp. ii. p. 275 *.

Helichus basalis, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1852, p. 43°.

Helichus fastigiatus, Horn, Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. 1870, p. 33°.

Hab. Nortu America !?, from Canada to Columbia and Illinois ?.—Mzexico, San Juan

Coscomatepec (Sal/é).

A single individual in very bad condition is the only evidence yet extant of the

occurrence of the species in Mexico. Although this example appears to exhibit all the

characters mentioned by Horn® as characteristic of Say’s species, yet it would be

satisfactory to examine better-preserved individuals before deciding whether the Mexican

insect is really conspecific with that found in the United States.

4. Dryops suturalis.

Helichus suturalis, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1852, p. 43°; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soe. iv. p. 33°.

Hab. Nortsa America !?.—Mexico, Guanajuato (Sal/é).

The exponents of this species before me from Mexico, as well as those from

California, are so covered with strong incrustation that it is not possible to obtain an

exact idea of their sculpture; but they appear to be conspecific. Horn informs us?

that Leconte described three individuals of this insect as distinct species; so that it

would appear that the species is a variable one.

5. Dryops elmoides. (Tab. IV. fig. 5.)

Suboblongus, parum elongatus, supra opacus, fusco-ferrugineus, subtus luteus, prosterno et metasterno in medio

abdominisque segmento ultimo ferrugineis; corpore ubique xqualiter subtiliterque granulato; elytris

seriebus punctorum subobsoletorum.

Long. 13, lat. 2 lin.

Hab. Guatrmaa, Mirandilla 1700 feet (Champion).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. [. Pt. 2, December 1882. RR

122 PARNIDA.

Thorax considerably shorter than broad, gently curved at the sides, but not sinuate ;

hind angles rectangular, not produced backwards; the surface without punctuation,

but evenly covered with fine granules. Elytra very dull, but without tomentum,

covered with fine granules like the thorax, the sutural interstices not at all different

in sculpture or clothing from the external ones. The series of punctures near the

suture are rather indistinct, and externally are quite obsolete.

Although this insect has much the appearance of an E/mis, 1 am unable to detect,

in the single exponent at my disposal, any character by which it may be distinguished

from Dryops, with which it agrees in the structure of the sterna, of the antenne, and

of the front coxe.

PELONOMUS.

Pelonomus, Erichson, Nat. Ins. Deutsch. iti. p. 510, note.

This is a very distinct genus, peculiar to the New World, where it extends from

the Southern States of North America to Brazil, and includes the Antilles in its range.

At present only five species belonging to it are known.

1. Pelonomus obscurus.

Pelonomus obscurus, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1852, p. 42'; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1870, p. 31’.

Hab. Norru America !, Southern and Western States ?.—Muexico, Cordova (Sal/é) ;

GuatEeMALA, Champerico (Champion).

Although this species is widely distributed, it is apparently rare, and I have been

able to examine but few individuals. The four specimens from Cordova show that the.

species displays some important sexual differences, the penultimate joint of the maxil-.

lary palpus being in the male so elongate as nearly to equal in length the terminal

joint. The middle tibie in this sex are strongly incurved at the extremity, and the

third and fourth ventral segments much abbreviated in the middle, the terminal

segment being correspondingly increased in size; in the female the penultimate joint

of the palpus is so much shorter that it is only about one fourth the length of the

terminal joint.

2. Pelonomus palpalis.

Oblongus, elongatus, nigro-fuscus, dense subtiliter punctatus, pube parum elongata vestitus; pedibus sat

robustis, tibiis et tarsis ferrugineis ; palparum maxillarium articulo ultimo quam penultimus duplo longiore.

Long. 23, lat. 1 lin.

Hab. Panama, David (Champion).

I have seen but two individuals of this species, and am uncertain as to their sex ;

but as they agree with neither the male nor the female of P. odscurus, it is clear they

are a different species. The maxillary palpi are of about the same length as they are

PARNUS. 123

in the female of P. odscurus; but the relative proportion of the joints is different, the

terminal joint being, as in the male of P. obscwrus, not more than twice the length

of the penultimate. In other respects the species is extremely similar to P. obscurus :

the legs, however, are shorter and stouter; the posterior tarsi, on the other hand, are

considerably longer, and nearly equal the tibize in length.

PARNUS.

Parnus, Fabricius, Syst. Ent. i. p. 245; Er. Nat. Ins. Deutsch. ii. p- 510.

Dryops, Oliv. Enc. Meth. Ins. vi. p. 297.

This genus comprises about sixteen species, all except one inhabiting the Mediter-

ranean region, the exception being a South-American insect; other undescribed species,

however, exist in Tropical America. These New-world species all have the second

joint of the antenna much less developed than is the case with the European species;

the club, moreover, consists. distinctly of nine joints, while in the Old-world repre-

sentatives of the genus only seven or eight can be distinguished. The Central-American

insects here described agree in the above-named respects with the series of South-

American species alluded to by Erichson (op. cit. p. 512) ; the differences, however, cannot

at present be considered of generic importance, especially as some authorities (cf. Rey

in Muls. Hist. Nat. Col. Fr., Diversicornes, p. 20) state that the antennal club in the

European species is nine-jointed.

1. Parnus pusillus.

Hlongato-ovalis, parum convexus, nigro-fuscus, subopacus, pube fusca brevissima dense vestitus setulisque sat

elongatis erectis ; pedibus piceis ; elytris parce et parum fortiter punctatis.

Long. 12, lat. ? millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Chacoj, Rio Maria Linda 500 feet, Pantaleon 1700 feet, Rio

Naranjo 450 feet, San Gerénimo, Paso Antonio (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales

(Janson); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Var. Paulo angustior et magis elongata, antennarum articulo secundo extus minus acuminato.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sal/é).

A small obscure species, densely clothed with tomentum, by which it is rendered

dull, and with moderately numerous upright hairs, and with a distant, rather fine, and

not deep punctuation on the thorax and elytra. The auricular (or second) joint of the

antenne, though much less developed than in the European species, has still a consi-

derable prolongation externally. The space separating the antenne at their insertion

is very small, quite as small as in the European P. prolifericornis. |

A very large series of this species has been obtained, and the variation exhibited by

the individuals is very slight. I can find no trace of external sexual characters amongst

RR 2

124 PARNIDA.

fifteen individuals submitted to special examination for the purpose of detecting some

sexual distinction.

The occurrence of the species in Mexico is open to doubt, as the single individual

on which the record is based does not quite accord with the specimens from Guatemala ;

but it is so extremely similar that it could not be treated as a distinct species without

evidence of its slight distinguishing characters being constant.

2. Parnus mexicanus.

Elongato-ovalis, parum convexus, niger, subopacus, pube fusca brevissima setulisque elongatis erectis vestitus ;

pedibus piceis ; elytris parce sat fortiter punctatis.

Long. 17, lat. 7 lin.

Mas tarsis anterioribus subtus serratis, articulo tertio acuto, quarto sat longe dentato, quinto in medio emarginato.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége), Cordova (Sallé).

This species is extremely similar to P. pusillus; but it has the second joint of the

antenna only very slightly produced externally, and the erect hairs of the upper surface

are a little longer, and the punctuation slightly more distinct.

Of the six individuals before me, five are males—that is, if I am correct in regarding

the peculiar structure of the front tarsi as indicative of that sex.

3. Parnus punctipennis.

Elongato-ovalis, parum convexus, niger, pube fusca brevissima parum dense vestitus cumque setulis erectis

elongatis; pedibus piceis ; elytris fortiter et irregulariter punctatis, punctatura ad apicem obsoleta.

Long. 24, lat. Z lin.

Hab. GuaTemata; Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

This species, again, is very closely allied to P. pusillus; but its individuals are of

larger stature, and have a coarser punctuation on the elytra, and the second joint of

the antenna is extremely little-produced externally. I have only four individuals

before me; and one of them has all the tarsi fringed beneath with long pallid hairs,

most conspicuous on the posterior feet: this may probably prove to be a character of

the male.

4, Parnus detritus.

Elongato-ovalis, parum convexus, niger, sat nitidus, setulis erectis dense vestitus, in elytris fere absque pube

tenuissima, pedibus rufis; elytris versus basin sparsim, haud fortiter punctatis.

Long. 14, lat. ? lin.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

This species differs from P. pusillus, to which, however, it is extremely similar, by

the fact that the very fine clothing of the elytra is so much reduced that the elytra are

shining, the upright longer pubescence remaining well developed. The thorax is

rather more closely and coarsely punctate than are the wing-cases ; these latter, how-

PARNUS.—BYRRHOMORPHUS. | 125

ever, have a quite distinct though distant punctuation on their basal portion, while

beyond the middle they are nearly free from sculpture. The auricular joint of the

antenna is small, and is but slightly produced outwardly, as in P. punctipennis; the

first and second joints are of obscure red colour, the club being yellow.

I see no sexual character in the two individuals before me.

ELMOPARNUS.

Antenne brevissime, late, in fronte perapproximate, 9-articulate, articulo basali fere occulto, secundo valde

transverso, simplici. Palpi maxillares breves, articulo penultimo brevissimo, ultimo acuminato quam

penultimus sexies longiore. Caput receptum. Corpus supra nudum nitidum ; caput corpusque subtus

utrinque pube brevissima vestita ; prothorax basi utrinque stria sat elongata.

This genus is established for a minute insect having the appearance of an Kimis,

but allied rather to Parnus, with which genus, indeed, it agrees in most particulars

except those above detailed. The head at rest is quite received into the thorax, which

is furnished with a chin-piece separated in front from the sides by a deep and broad

fissure. The front and middle coxe are very widely separated, while the hind coxe

are but little distant from one another. The peculiar antenne are very broad and

short, and the number of their joints difficult to decide on. The rather long and

slender legs are similar to those of Parnus.

1. Elmoparnus brevicornis.

Oblongo-ovalis, parum elongatus, piceus, nitidus ; antennis pedibusque rufo-testaceis; prothorace leviter trans-

verso, antrorsum parum angustato, angulis anticis valde prolongatis, peracutis, basi utrinque striola

impressa sat elongata; elytris cum prothorace irregulariter sparsim sat fortiter punctatis.

Long. 14, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 3800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

Head clothed with dense fine tomentum as in the genus Parnus, the rest of the

upper surface shining and quite free from clothing. ‘The extreme base of the thorax

is free from punctuation ; but the rest of the surface is sparingly and coarsely punctate.

The punctuation of the elytra is rather less scanty than that of the thorax.

The species is readily distinguished from all the others of the subfamily by the fact

that the head, densely covered with tomentum, forms a remarkable contrast to the

bare and shining prothorax and elytra. Only a single individual has been found: it

has the apical ventral segment very large and shining; and its peculiarity in these

respects induces me to think it is a male.

BYRRHOMORPHUS.

Corpus ovale, sat convexum, pube haud omnino brevi dense vestitum. Antenne parum elongate, 11-articulate,

articulo basali elongato, secundo subquadrato, simplici, ceteris versus apicem gradatim latioribus, brevibus.

Palpi articulo ultimo valde dilatato. Pedes anteriores et intermedii perdistantes; coxe anteriores trans-

verse, longissime ; femora haud elongata.

126 PARNIDA.

This is a very peculiar form of Parnide, being intermediate in appearance between

the members of that family and those of the Byrrhide, and really closely connecting

the two families by many of its characters. It is, however, clearly related to the

Potamophilini, and should form one of the genera of that very distinct group of the

Parnide. The clothing of the upper surface consists of very fine, short, erect or only —

subdepressed hairs; and the under surface has a very dense short pubescence of such a

character as is commonly found in Byrrhide, in Morychus for example. The antenne

are widely distant at their insertion, and but little different from those of Potamophilus,

the basal joint, however, being more elongate and joints 3-11 more simple. The head

is flexible, and can be much withdrawn within the prothorax ; but when this is the case

the trophi are still exposed. The prosternum has no distinct chin-piece ; nevertheless it

projects quite as far forwards, or even a little further than does the pronotum, and is

somewhat deflexed in front to enlarge the opening for the head; the sides are pecu-

liarly formed, being divided by a diagonal line, and the portion behind this line

hollowed for the accommodation of the front legs. The anterior coxe are very deeply

imbedded and excessively elongate, and possess a large trochanter; they are placed far

from the front of the prosternum. The mesosternum is very visible, and so much

advanced in front that it is placed under the prosternum; it is very intimately con-

nected with the prosternum by possessing a large depression into which is fitted, in the

most accurate manner, a large prosternal process. The suture in the middle between

the mesv- and metasternum is obliterated. ‘The'epipleuree are suddenly and abruptly

narrowed at the level of the hind cox; these latter are very transverse, and scarcely

longer (interpreting that word as referring to the longitudinal direction of the body)

internally than externally; they are separated by an elongate, moderately broad

projection from the first ventral segment. The legs are of the Parnid type, without

spurs; the tarsi 5-jointed, the four basal joints being short and subequal, the fifth

equalling the whole four in length. The ventral segments are five in number, the

second not quite equal in length to the third and fourth together.

In any discussion of the relation between the families Byrrhide and Parnide this

insect must play an important part.

1. Byrrhomorphus vestitus.

Ovalis, sat convexus, niger, supra pube brevi fusca dense vestitus, equaliter subtiliter sat dense punctatus,

antennarum basi sordide testacea, pedibus piceis ; subtus pube grisea brevi densissime vestitus.

Long. 24, lat. 13 lin.

Hab. Guatemata, Panima (Champion).

Antenne scarcely longer than the breadth of the head at vertex; the fourth to

eleventh joints together about as long as the first three together ; third joint small,

obeonical, the following joints closely applied to one another, each a little broader

than its predecessor, so that the tenth is very distinctly transverse. Thorax much

BYRROMORPHUS.—HEXANCHORUS. 127

narrowed to the front, the sides obliquely straight, the base in the middle strongly

lobed, the lobe nearly truncate behind. Elytra depressed at the humeral angle.

Only a single individual, in very fragile condition, has been obtained.

DISERSUS.

Corpus elongatum, pube brevissima dense vestitum. Labrum latissimum, latius clypeo; antenne ad basin

distantes, 11-articulate, articulo basali elongato, secundo simplici, haud transverso, 3°-11™ subsequa-

libus, intus perparum productis. Coxe anteriores maxime distantes ; prosternum ante coxas brevissimum,

fere nullum. Coxe intermedi valde distantes ; mesosternum a metasterno sutura profunda disjunctum,

medio impressione magna prosterni processum recipiente. Pedes elongati, femoribus anterioribus pre-

sertim elongatis, tibiis compressis.

The insects for which I propose this name are allied to the European Potamophilus,

but differ in so many respects that they cannot be placed in the same genus therewith.

The extreme separation of the front and middle coxe is most remarkable, as is also the

elongation of the anterior femora; the impression on the mesosternum is broad and

definite, and becomes narrower behind, in conformity with the shape of the prosternal

process, whereas in Potamophilus the impression is indefinite and quite narrow in front,

becoming broader behind and reaching the metasternal suture.

In addition to Disersus longipennis, the genus will comprise the Colombian Potamo-

philus goudotui, Guér. |

1. Disersus longipennis. (Tab. IV. fig. 6.)

Elongatus, niger, opacus, supra pube concolori brevissima vestitus, subtus pube densissima cinerea; antennarum

basi testacea ; elytris striatis, apicibus sinuatis et prolongatis.

Long. 4, lat. 14 lin.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Thorax strongly transverse, much narrowed in front in a gentle curve; the base

much prolonged in the middle, and the prolongation deeply emarginate behind; on

each side of this basal lobe there is a minute impression; but the rest of the surface

is even. The remarkably elongate elytra are marked by regular very shallow striae,

which are very distinctly though not coarsely punctate.

Only two individuals have been found; in one of them the prolongations at the apex

of the wing-cases are more slender than in the other. Although this is the only differ-

ence I perceive, I believe it indicates the sexes, the specimen with slender prolongations

being the male.

HEXANCHORUS.

Corpus suboblongum, capite angustulo, oculis vix prominulis, prothorace elytris angustiore, pube brevissima

dense vestitum. Antenne distantes, 11-articulate, articulo basali elongato, 2° simplice, 3°-11™ subsimilibus,

simplicibus, intus subserratis. Pedes elongati, graciles, tibiis intermediis et posterioribus subcompressis.

Coxe anteriores late distantes; prosternum in processu magno, triangulari productum; coxe intermedia

perdistantes, mesosternum parum impressum, a metasterno sutura profunda disjunctum.

128 PARNIDA.

The insect for which I propose this genus is allied to Potamophilus, but differs in so

many points of its structure that I am obliged to isolate it. The head is free, and,

though the mouth can be much bent inwards, is not retractile ; the labrum is as broad

as the clypeus, and its membranous or ciliate border quite small; the apical joint of

the maxillary palpus is so closely connected with the preceding joint that the two appear

to form only a single large joint. The front coxe are but little elongate externally,

are placed close to the front of the prosternum, and widely separated. The middle

coxee are more widely separated than the front ones; and the mesosternum between

them is marked only with an indefinite depression for the reception of the very broad

prosternal process. The hind coxe are also very broadly separated.

The insect is more nearly allied to the European Potamophilus than to Disersus, and

should be placed between the former genus and Phanocerus. The articulation between

the prothorax and afterbody appears to admit of greater motion than in the allied

forms.

1. Hexanchorus gracilipes. (Tab. IV. fig. 7.)

Suboblongus, opacus, niger, supra pube fusca, subtus pube brevissima cinereo-micante vestitus, antennarum

pedumque basibus flavis; prothorace antrorsum angustato, pone apicem transversim constricto, ad

angulos posticos impresso ; elytris subtiliter striatis, striis ad basin punctatis.

7 5]

Long. 14, lat. 2 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Chinantla (Sal/é).

This species is very readily identified by the profound depression extending across

the thorax a little behind the front margin. The lobe formed at the base of the

thorax in front of the scutellum is very short. No punctuation can be seen on the

surface of the prothorax.

The male has the basal ventral segments depressed in the middle, the apical

segment emarginate at the extremity, and the legs apparently longer than in the

female ; in the latter sex the apices of the elytra are a little prolonged.

The species was labelled Potamophilus flavicornis, Chevr., in the Sallé collection, and

also in an old French collection in my possession; but as that name is not an applicable

one, I have not used it. The few specimens examined show much variation in the

sculpture of the elytra and the form of their apices; but I am not able to detect any

good specific distinctions.

PHANOCERUS.

Corpus suboblongum, parum elongatum, pube brevi densissime vestitum. Antenne distantes, 11-articulate,

articulo basali elongato, secundo simplici, magno, tribus sequentibus minutis, ceteris clavam compactam

ovalem formantibus. Caput liberum. Coxe anteriores parum distantes, intermedia late distantes.

Prosternum in processu gracili elongato productum. Pedes sat elongati, tibiis simplicibus haud

compressis.

This genus is allied to Potamophilus, but differs from it by the structure of the

PHANOCERUS.—CYLL@PUS. 129

antenne, the last six joints of which are formed into a compact oval club this club

is flattened or compressed, so that viewed in one direction it appears rather broad, but in

the opposite direction looks slender. The prosternum is not provided with any well-

marked chin-piece; nevertheless the front coxe are not placed quite at its anterior

edge, and are comparatively but little separated, the prosternum being produced between

them into an elongate slender process, which is received into a rather large depression

of the mesosternum ; the latter in the middle is not separated by any distinct depres-

sion from the metasternum.

The genus should be placed after Potamophilus as the last of that group of genera.

The Australian Lutrochus australis, King, is allied to it, and should probably be

formed into an allied genus distinct from Lutrochus. This latter genus (from South

America) has, according to Erichson, a similar structure of the antenne, but in other

respects it appears allied to Byrrhomorphus rather to Phanocerus.

1. Phanocerus clavicornis. (Tab. IV. fig. 8.)

Parum elongatus, fuscus, pube brevi depressa densissime vestitus ; antennis pedibusque sordide testaceis, illarum

clava fusca; prothorace elytris angustiore, antrorsum angustato, margine laterali parum distincto ; elytris

vix striatis, parum profunde seriatim punctatis.

Long. 14, lat. 4 lin.

Hab. GuatemMata, Coban (Champion).

Basal joints of antenne with conspicuous, rather long pubescence. Eye very little

prominent. Thorax at the base much narrower than the elytra, very convex trans-

versely, with an indistinct curved impression marking off the basal portion of the side:

punctuation quite invisible. Elytra covered with dense fine tomentum concealing

their sculpture, which consists of rather indistinct strie, marked with shallow rather

large and distant punctures. Undersurface very densely clothed with a fine pale

pile.

The series of half-a-dozen individuals shows no sexual distinction ; all have the apices

of the elytra quite simple.

Subfam. ELMINT.

CYLLGEPUS.

Cyllepus, Krichson, Ins. Deutsch. iii. p. 521 (note).

This genus was established for a Peruvian species which has hitherto remained with-

out congener.

1. Cyllepus optatus. (Tab. IV. fig. 9.)

Elongatus, subparallelus, niger, opacus, antennarum basi sordide rufa; prothorace elongato, canaliculato,

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, December 1882. SS

130 PARNIDA.

utrinque linea elevata; elytris fortiter punctatis, versusque latera lineis duabus elevatis, interstitio secundo

ad basin elevato.

Long. 12, lat. 2 lin.

Hab. Guatemata, Rio Naranjo, 450 feet (Champion).

Antenne short, the two basal joints obscure red, the rest black; the four apical

joints distinctly incrassate. Thorax longer than broad, a good deal narrower than the

elytra; its greatest breadth about two thirds of the length from the front, behind this

slightly narrowed to the base, and also slightly narrowed towards the front ; the surface

closely granulate-punctate, with a channel along the middle which is very deep on the

disk, but does not extend to the front margin; at the base on each side of this channel is

a short longitudinal impression, while near the side there is a raised line extending the

whole length, though indistinct at the front margin. LElytra with series of very large

punctures, and with the second interstice at the base elevated; the fourth and sixth

interstices provided each with a raised line not extending to the apex. Legs elongate ;

metasternum granulate.

Only a single specimen has been obtained of this species; it has the basal ventral

segment very deeply impressed, and the apical segment not emarginate at the hind

margin.

HETERELMIS.

Genus quoad faciem Elmidi Europeo persimile. Palpi maxillares articulo ultimo dilatato, haud longiore

quam latiore, apice truncato. Prosterni processus apice truncato lato. Mesosterni fossula lata, haud

profunda, lateribus omnino parallelis.

The obscure insects forming this genus are excessively similar to the European Eimis ;

but they do not agree with them in the structure of the maxillary palpi, nor in that of

the mesosternum, and must be isolated from all the forms included in Elmis by

Erichson and recently separated into several genera by Mulsant and Rey. The species

of Heterelmis possess two fine elevated crenate lines on the wing-cases parallel to the

outer margin, and also an elevated line on each side of the thorax; the lateral margin

of the thorax is very sharply defined and rather obscurely crenate. The maxillary

palpi are so distinct in their structure as to be of themselves sufficient to validate the

genus: they are very short, so that they do not extend beyond the lobes of the maxille ;

the basal joint, as usual, is minute and concealed; the second joint, slender at the base,

is very short, but becomes abruptly broader so as to be transverse at the apex; the

third joint is very short and strongly transverse ; the fourth broad, subquadrate, but

distinctly longer outwardly than at its inner margin.

1. Heterelmis obscurus.

Niger, subopacus, antennis rufis, pedibus piceis; prothorace elytris angustiore, dorso in medio sulculo trans-

verso impresso ; elytris seriatim punctatis. .

Long. 1, lat. $ lin.

Hab. GuatTEMALA, Guatemala city 5000 feet, San Joaquin in Vera Paz (Champion).

HETERELMIS.—ELSIANUS. 131

This species is readily distinguished from its congeners by the deep transverse furrow

placed just on the middle of the length of the thorax, between its two elevated

lines. The punctures forming the series on the elytra are not very distinct, and have

but little appearance of being connected so as to form strie ; the pubescence is scanty ;

the basal ventral segment is rather closely punctate in the middle; but the following

segments are almost impunctate ; the transverse carina between meso- and metasternum

is very strongly elevated. The legs are more elongate than in the allies of the species.

2. Heterelmis obesus. (Tab. IV. fig. 10.)

Latus, niger, opacus, antennis rufis, pedibus nigro-piceis, tarsis rufis ; prothorace elytris angustiore, dorso in

medio vix transversim depresso ; elytris seriatim punctatis.

a 9 Wi

Long. 14, lat. =% lin.

Hab. Guatemata, San Joaquin in Vera Paz (Champion).

An insect of short broad form. The thorax is much narrowed towards the front,

and is dull, closely but very indistinctly punctate; external to the raised lines there are

fine granules, and across the middle there is an obsolete transverse impression. The

punctures on the elytra are quite distinct at the base, but much more obsolete at the

apex, and they give rise to a slight appearance of striation. The basal and following

ventral segments are rather finely punctate along the middle.

Although very closely allied to H. obscurus, this is apparently constantly distinct :

the form is broader, the antenne longer, the legs shorter, the thorax with only indefinite

impression across the middle; the extremity of the prosternal process is broader, and

the middle of the metasternum and ventral segments more punctate.

3. Heterelmis simplex. |

Brevis, niger, subopacus, antennis pedibusque rufis; prothorace elytris angustiore, quali; elytris seriatim

punctatis.

Long. {, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Guatemaua, Cahabon (Champion).

Thorax only very indistinctly and sparingly punctured and pubescent, a little shining.

Elytra with series of fine punctures, and at the extreme base appearing a little striate.

Middle of metasternum and ventral segments almost impunctate along the middle.

Extremely closely allied to H. obscurus and obesus, but differing from the former by

the absence of the prothoracic groove, by its more feeble legs and its shorter form ;

while from HH. obesus the smaller size and the less punctate under surface readily

separate it. Ihave seen only three individuals, one of which has the legs pitchy red.

ELSIANUS.

Corpus robustum, suboblongum. Palpi maxillares articulo ultimo dilatato. Prosterni processus apice rotun-

dato. Mesosterni fossula fere ad metasternum prolongata. Scutellum latum, suborbiculatum.

SS 2

132 _ PARNIDA,

Although this genus approximates to Heterelmis in many points, it appears quite distinct

in various particulars of structure as well as in appearance. The head is broad, with

the eyes convex. The thorax with largely developed lateral margin, with a fine line

or impression running parallel with it. The elytra without raised lines. The maxillary

palpi are rather largely developed ; the second joint short, about as long as broad at

the extremity; the third joint shorter and broader, not so long as broad, the terminal

joint remarkably large, being broader than the preceding joint, but longer than broad ;

the extremity truncate. The prosternal process is not or only indistinctly margined,

and is not truncate at the extremity, but distinctly longer in the middle than it

is at the sides. The mesosternal groove is broad, and in front is limited by two raised

parallel lines; but it is continued backwards behind these lines as a depression of the

surface, and nearly attains the metasternum. This latter is even, without raised lines.

The hind coxe are very widely separated; but there are no raised lines on the first

ventral segment.

The form of the apex of the prosternal process, and the more elongate maxillary

palpi, independent of other characters, are sufficient to differentiate the genus from

Heterelmis. I believe the body is destitute of the fine pubescence usually found in the

Elmini; but the condition of the few specimens at my disposal does not allow me to

feel certain as to this.

1. Elsianus robustus. (Tab. IV. fig. 11.)

Suboblongus, nigro-fuscus, subopacus, antennis pedibusque rufis; elytris striatis, corpore superne subtiliter,

fere eequaliter granulato.

Long. 12, lat. 2? lin.

Hab. GuatTEMALA, San Joaquin in Vera Paz (Champion).

Thorax scarcely narrower than the elytra; the sides slightly curved, the front

emarginate on each side over the eyes, and thus appearing lobed in the middle; the

surface not punctate, but evenly covered with distinct raised granules; the lateral

margin is coarse, and behind projects a little backwards, thus rendering the hind angles

minutely acute ; parallel with the side is a line or impression, similar rather to what

exists in Parnus, than to the more definite carina of the Elmini. The elytra are

marked with five or six regular striaw, extending from base to apex; but the portion

external to these strize is only very indistinctly striate; at the base the second stria

diverges outwards, and there is a short stria placed between it and the first ; the strie

are indistinctly punctate, and the interstices are strewn with fine raised granules. The

under surface is coarsely and evenly granulate.

2. Elsianus striatus.

Suboblongus, nigro-fuscus, subopacus, antennis pedibusque rufis; prothorace lateribus rotundatis; elytris

striatis ; corpore superne subtiliter, fere equaliter granulato.

Long. 13, lat. 2 lin.

ELSIANUS.—ELMIS. 133

Hab. GuatemaLa, Rio Naranjo 450 feet (Champion).

So far as I can judge from a single individual, this is a species extremely similar to

E. robustus, but distinguished by some slight structural differences—the prosternal

process being less broad, not quite flat, but with an obsolete raised margin, and the

terminal portion of the mesosternal fossa so much narrower that it forms merely a

narrow, rather deep, fovea. On the upper surface the only definite distinction to be

seen is that the thorax is more rounded at the sides, and thus appears to be quite

distinctly narrowed in front of the hind angles; other slight differences may be merely

individual peculiarities.

3. Elsianus graniger.

Suboblongus, fere angustulus, nigro-fuscus, subopacus, antennis rufis, pedibus rufo-obscuris ; prothorace elon-

gato, lateribus rotundatis, angulis posterioribus acutis ; elytris fortiter striatis; corpore superne confertim

granulato.

Long. 2, lat. vix ? lin.

Hab. Costa Rica, Cache (Rogers).

The single specimen before me of this insect, although very similar to L. robustus, is

undoubtedly a very distinct species, possessing important structural characters of its own.

It is less parallel in form. The thorax is quite as long as broad; it is much rounded

at the sides, so that it is a good deal contracted behind; and the hind angles project

distinctly backwards; the elevated line on the thorax is deep and definite at the base,

but is altogether wanting in front; the surface is closely granulate ; and there appears

to be a very small prominence in front of the scutellum. The elytra are narrower at

the base than they are behind ; they are deeply striate; the strie bear coarse punc-

tures; and the surface is rendered very rough by dense granulations. The maxillary

palpi are much shorter than in £. robustus, the terminal joint being broader than long.

The prosternal process is rather narrow; and the large, elongate, rather narrow meso-

sternal fossa is remarkably deep and definite through its whole length.

Although this insect approximates to Heterelmis by the structure of the maxillary

palpi, yet, by the structure of the mesosternal fossa and prosternal process, it departs

more widely from that genus than do the other two species of Hisianus.

ELMIS.

Elmis, Latreille, Hist. Nat. d. Fourm. p. 396°.

Limnius, Er. Nat. Ins. Deutsch. iii. p. 522 *.

This is a genus as to whose limits considerable diversity of opinion prevails. Erich-

son? separated Limnius on account of a difference in the scutellum and base of the

thorax and some other slight characters; and Duval separated Lareynia (included in

Elmis by Erichson) on account of a difference in the maxillary palpi. On the other

134 PARNIDZ.

hand, Leconte and Horn have rejected Limnius as not distinct from Hlmis by suffi-

ciently important characters; and the Munich Catalogue of Coleoptera suppresses

Lareynia, while admitting Limnius. More recently, Mulsant and Rey (Hist. Nat. Col.

Fr., Unciféres) have divided the European species of Himis into six genera; while,

again, King (Trans. Ent. Soc. N. S. Wales, 1865) has described from Australia, under

the generic names Himis and Limnius, certain species which would clearly have to be

separated from the European genera so named if we presumed, as King has done, the

characters by which the two genera just named are separated to be valid. A comparison

of the Central-American insects with the European forms reveals considerable differ-

ences ; but great diversity of structure among the former is also seen, and it would, I

believe, be the proper course to make several new genera for these Central-American

Himides: this task the material before me, consisting largely of unique individuals, ren-

ders almost impossible; and in view of all the facts I have decided on using the generic

name lmis in the more extended sense suggested by Leconte and Horn, a course

which will at any rate possess the advantage of placing the Central-American and

North-American species on a similar footing. I have, however, separated certain forms

which could not be included in E/mis without rendering invalid other genera that are

still adopted, such as Stenelmis and Cylla@pus. In this extended sense Hlmis will com-

prise at present about fifty species, of which more than half are European, fifteen North-

American, a few Australian, two being from Chiliand Peru. The species of the southern

portions of the United States have been but little collected, and none are known from

Mexico ; but no doubt botii these regions will in due course furnish a fair contingent of

species., The insects of this genus live, without exception, on stones in running waters ;

and now that Mr. Champion has discovered so many species in Central America, we

may anticipate that the waters of the hilly regions of the tropics will, when searched

for the purpose, yield a considerable fauna of these insects.

1. Elmis championi. (Tab. IV. fig. 12.)

Elongatus, angustulus, anterius angustatus, nigro-fuscus, opacus, antennis pedibusque rufis ; prothorace utrinque

linea elevata arguta; elytris vix striatis, sed fortiter seriatim punctatis, punctis versus apicem obsoletis,

interstitiis granulatis, utrinque versus latus linea elevata a basi ad apicem ducta.

Long. 13, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Rather narrow, little convex, elongate, and thus similar in form to the European

Elmis angustatus. Antenne rather elongate, clear red. Thorax very opaque, but

without granulation or punctuation; the sides narrowed in front, the lateral margin

coarse, crenulate, the hind angles a little raised, so that there appears to be a depression

in front of them ; on each side a very conspicuous elevated line that becomes obsolete

at the front margin. Elytra with rows of coarse punctures that become quite obsolete

on the apical portion, also rather finely granulate, and with a fine but very definite

elevated line extending from the shoulder to the extremity.

ELMIS. 135

A single individual only has been obtained of this species: it resembles somewhat in

sculpture the species of Hlsianus; but the maxillary palpi are slender, the metasternum

is coarsely granulate, and the basal ventral segment has an impression on the middle,

limited by an elevation that is most marked behind, and that thus has somewhat the

appearance of an obscure tuberculiform elevation at the first suture.

2. Elmis sculptipennis.

Elongatus, angustulus, nigro-fuscus, opacus, antennis pedibusque rufis; prothorace utrinque linea elevata, ad

basin juxta hanc lineam impresso, basique in medio sulcato; elytris fortiter seriatim punctatis, parum

distincte granulatis, utrinque versus latus linea elevata a basi ad apicem ducta.

Long. 1, lat. vix 4 lin.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Rio Naranjo 450 feet (Champion).

‘Thorax elongate, very gently rounded at the sides, and only very slightly narrowed

near the hind angles; parallel with the side there is a raised line extending the whole

length, and the surface at the base close to the inner side of this line is more deeply

impressed ; at the base there is a central longitudinal channel extending forwards for

about half the length of the thorax, where it meets a very obsolete transverse depression.

Elytra with series of very coarse punctures, the inner of which become obsolete towards

the apex, and with a fine, very definite elevated line, extending from the shoulder to

the extremity. Metasternum very coarsely granulate; basal ventral segment very

deeply impressed on the middle.

Only a single, rather immature individual has been found. It seems rather closely

allied to E. champion; but the smaller size and the existence of a central channel on

the thorax readily distinguish it.

3. Elmis heteroceros. (Tab. IV. fig. 13.) .

Parum elongatus, convexus, nigro-fuscus, subopacus, antennis pedibusque rufis, illis apice fuscis; prothorace

conyexo, elytris angustiore, inequali, dorso longitudinaliter late depresso, utrinque versus latus ad basin

linea crassa elevata; elytris granulatis, substriatis, striis sat fortiter punctatis, versus latus utrinque

lineis duabus elevatis, interstitioque secundo ad basin elevato.

3 5]

Long. 12, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Guatemata, San Joaquin in Vera Paz (Champion).

Var. Elytris ad basin et ante apicem plaga magna testacea.

Antennz rather short and distinctly thickened at the apex, the four apical joints

subserrate beneath, the two basal joints differing from the following ones, being a good

deal stouter; the first is quite slender at the point of insertion, curved, and distinctly

longer than the second, this latter suboblong, rather longer than thick. Eyes very

convex. Thorax a good deal narrowed towards the front, but scarcely narrowed at the

base, the sides much raised ; parallel with each is a broad indefinite elevation, which

does not reach the front margin; on the middle, in front of the scutellum, the surface

is longitudinally slightly elevated ; and in front of this there is a deep broad depression ;

136 PARNIDZ.

there is also on each side an oblique indefinite depression. The elytra have regular

series of large punctures, of which those near the suture are finer; they are rough from

numerous granulations, and towards the sides have two elongate carine, between and

outside of which the sculpture is very deep and coarse. Under surface granulate ;

metasternum with a deep channel in the middle behind. Basal ventral segment not

at all depressed in the middle, and with only the rudiment of an elevated line on

each side.

This very distinct species approximates to Elsianus by the form of the prosternal

process and mesosternal fossa; but it has the maxillary palpi quite slender, the terminal

joint being twice or three times the length of the short third joint.

4, Elmis granulosus. —

Parum elongatus, nigro-fuscus, opacus, antennis pedibusque rufis; prothorace parum elongato, lateribus

leviter rotundatis, in medio longitudinaliter sulcato, utrinque linea elevata; elytris subtiliter seriatim

punctatis, versus latera linea elevata subtiliter crenulata, externeque linea secunda minus elevata; corpore

superne confertim subtiliter granuloso.

Long. 2, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Var. Minor.

Hab. Guatemata, Paraiso 300 feet (Champion).

A small insect, resembling somewhat in form the European E. nitens. The elevated

lines on the thorax become obsolete before reaching the front; the central channel is

broad and distinct; and the surface is closely covered with fine very slightly elevated

granulations. The elytra are only very indistinctly striate, and their rather fine series

of punctures are indistinct at the extremity ; along the fifth interstice is an elevated line

looking as if it were formed of extremely fine tubercles, and between this and the outer

margin there is a shorter and less distinct raised line. The metasternum is granulate,

the basal ventral segment but little impressed in the middle, and the depression not

limited by a raised line.

The only individual found at Panama has one of the antenne malformed and

exhibiting a deficient number of joints. The specimen from Paraiso is so immature

and soft that it cannot be satisfactorily examined; and it is doubtful whether it be

really conspecific with the Panama example.

5. Elmis apicalis. (Tab. IV. fig. 14.)

Elongatus, angustulus, depressus, fusco-ferrugineus, antennis pedibusque rufis; prothorace elongato, versus

latus utrinque linea elevata, in medio profunde transversim depresso; elytris ad basin grosse punctatis,

dimidio apicali fere levigato, versus latus linea elevata a basi fere ad apicem ducta.

Long. 3, lat. vix 3 lin.

Hab. Guatemata, 8. Joaquin in Vera Paz, Rio Naranjo 450 feet (Champion).

This little insect has much the form of the European £. angustatus and its allies,

_ELMIS. | 137

but is very readily recognized by the very deep transverse impression extending across

the middle of the thorax; the antenne are elongate and slender; the middle of the

thorax is quite free from sculpture, and rather shining, possessing only a very fine

pubescence. ‘The very coarse punctuation on the basal portion of the elytra is in

remarkable contrast to the impunctate apical portion. The metasternum is impressed

along the middle, and, like the middle of the basal ventral segment, is very finely

coriaceous.

6. Elmis ineequalis.

Angustulus, niger ; antennis rufis, articulo ultimo rufo-fusco ; pedibus piceo-rufis, tarsis dilutioribus ; prothorace

elongato, elytris angustiore, ineequali, lateribus subbisinuatis, utrinque versus latus linea subtili elevata ;

elytris ad basin fere grosse punctatis, dimidio apicali fere impunctato, versus latus utrinque lineis duabus

elevatis, quarum externa elongata.

Long. 1, lat. vix 4 lin.

Hab. Guavemata, Guatemala city, San Joaquin in Vera Paz (Champion).

Antenne rather elongate, red, the apical joint quite as long as the two preceding

together, and rather darker in colour. Thorax longer than broad, scarcely narrowed

to the front, the sides slightly bisinuate, the surface very uneven; parallel with each

side is an elevated line, on the disk is a deep impression, and in front of the base on

each side of the middle is a large rather indefinite oblique impression, and between the

raised line and the side-margin there is towards the front a still more indefinite

impression. .The scutellum is rather large, but is longer than broad. The elytra are

rather elongate and narrow ; near the side of each is a strongly elevated line extending

from the shoulder to near the extremity, and parallel with this, nearer the suture, a

shorter line extending only about halfway to the apex; the basal portion bears some

coarse deep punctures; but the apical half is nearly impunctate. Beneath the meta-

sternum is uneven, owing to some large impressions. ‘The maxillary palpi are rather

slender; the third joint is subquadrate, about half the length of the fourth joint.

A large series, showing very little variation, has been obtained of this species.

7. Elmis distortus.

Elongatus, convexus, nigro-fuscus, antennis pedibusque elongatis, gracilibus ; prothorace angusto, elongato,

valde inequali, ante medium subconstricto, utrinque linea elevata ; elytris ad basin punctis sat magnis, ad

apicem fere impunctatis, externe lineis duabus elevatis, quarum interna postice abbreviata.

7 3];

Long. 4, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Guatemata, Cubilguitz (Champion).

Antenne elongate and very slender, not at all thickened at the extremity. Thorax

narrower than the elytra, very elongate, the sides very conspicuously crenulate, the

surface very uneven, there being a large impression on the middle, and behind this, on

each side, an obliquely curved impression, nearly joining its fellow at the middle; a tine

elevated line runs on each side from base to apex and is sinuate about halfway.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, December 1882. TT

138 PARNIDZ.

Elytra with very abbreviate series of punctures, and with two raised lines, the inner of

which, however, does not extend much. more than halfway to the apex; the inner

interstices are also obscurely elevated at the base. The legs are very long and slender,

the tarsi being extremely elongate.

The species is described from a single individual that has been damaged in its

capture, and which cannot be taken off the card on which it is mounted to examine its

structure; but it appears to be a quite distinct species.

8. Elmis nodipes. (Tab. IV. fig. 15.)

Supra nigro-gneus, nitidus, subtus ferrugineus, antennis pedibusque testaceis, illarum articulo ultimo, harum

geniculis fuscis; prothorace elongato-oblongo, in medio profunde transversim depresso ; elytris thorace

multo latioribus, sat fortiter seriatim punctatis, versus latus utrinque lineis duabus parum elevatis,

interna breviore ; pedibus perclongatis, femoribus in medio crassioribus.

Long. 2, lat. vix 2 lin.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

The antenne are short; and the apical joint is broader than the others to such an

extent as to give the appearance of a very small club. The thorax is remarkably

elongate ; it isnot at all curved at the sides, but is slightly narrowed in front; across the

middle there is a deep transverse depression, and at this point the thorax becomes

conspicuously narrower ; there is no elevated line parallel with the margin, but at the

base on each side there is a depression, and the surface is obscurely binodose on the

middle just behind the transverse depression ; there is no punctuation ; and the surface

is shining, except that it bears a few fine hairs. The scutellum is small, and longer

than broad. The elytra bear quite distinct series of punctures ; and near the side there

is an elevated line which is very fine at the base; and internal to this there is a shorter

and broader, less sharply elevated line. The under surface is impunctate, the sides

broadly clothed with tomentum, the metasternum with a deep channel in the middle at

the extremity. The hind coxe are excessively distant.

9. Klmis longicollis.

Supra nigro-eneus, nitidus, subtus ferrugineus, antennis (?) pedibusque testaceis, femoribus obscuratis ; pro-

thorace elongato-oblongo, in medio profunde transversim depresso; elytris thorace multo latioribus,

subtiliter seriatim punctatis, versus latus utrinque linea valde elevata; pedibus elongatis, femoribus in

medio crassioribus.

Long. 2, lat. 2 lin.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

This species is extremely similar in appearance to HE. nodipes; but the basal portion

of the thorax is simply convex, without any distinct elevation or depression, except a

basal elevated plica in front of the scutellum ; the series of punctures on the elytra are

fine and the interstices absolutely flat, there being not the least appearance of striation ;

ELMIS. 139

and nearly parallel with the side is a very strongly elevated line extending from the

shoulder to near the extremity.

Only a single individual has been found; it is in bad condition, and has lost its

antenne with the exception of the two basal joints, which are yellow.

10. Elmis sulcicollis. (Tab. IV. fig. 16.)

Late ovalis, convexus, niger, subnitidus, antennis rufis, pedibus vel piceis vel rufis; prothorace antrorsum

angustato, versus latera utrinque linea arguta elevata, medio sulco parallelo, integro; elytris punctis

paucis seriatis, parum conspicuis, utrinque versus latns lineis duabus elevatis, pliculaque basali inter

lineam internam et scutellum.

3 3

Long. #, lat. 2 lin.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne slender and elongate, not thickened at the apex, clear red. Head narrow,

eyes not convex. Thorax much narrowed from the base to the apex, the sides very

slightly curved, not in the least sinuate or crenate ; completely parallel with the side is

a very distinct raised line running from base to apex; and along the whole length of the

middle there extends a very definite parallel-sided canal; the base in the middle is

deeply notched in adaptation to the scutellum; the surface appears destitute of

sculpture, but under a high magnifying-power exhibits a peculiar dense, fine porosity.

Elytra broad and short, much curved at the sides, with obliterated series of distant

punctures, with a very strongly raised line continuous with the thoracic raised line and

extending to the extremity, and with a second raised line external to this, continuous

at the base with the thoracic lateral margin, and extending very nearly to the extremity,

before its termination it is joined by the raised lateral margin of the wing-case ; halfway

between the inner line and the scutellum there is at the base a strongly raised, quite

short plica. Undersurface impunctate; prosternal process very broad, its side margin

continued as a fine raised line to the front margin of the prosternum; the middle of

the metasternum with a raised divergent line on either side, reaching to the hind coxe ;

basal ventral segment not impressed, segments 1—4 very short, the fifth large, equal in

length to the four preceding together.

In some individuals of the small series obtained of this species there is a minute

projection on the inner edge of the hind tibia a little below the middle, and beyond

this the face of the tibia is somewhat excised ; these are probably males.

11. Klmis curtulus.

Late ovalis, brevis, convexus, niger, subnitidus, antennis pedibusque rufis; prothorace antrorsum fortiter

angustato, versus latus utrinque linea arguta, elevata, medio sulco antice latiore; elytris punctis paucis

seriatis, parum conspicuis, utrinque versus latus lineis duabus elevatis, pliculaque basali sat elongata

inter lineam internam et scutellum.

Long. 3, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion). a

TT 2

140 PARNIDA.

This insect is closely allied to E. sulcicollis; but the channel on the middle of the

thorax, instead of being quite parallel-sided, becomes rather broader from the base to

the middle, and is limited on each side by a fine raised line; besides this EF. curtulus —

is of shorter form and has the basal plica on the wing-case more elongate. Only a

single specimen has been found.

12. Elmis formosus.

Ovalis, convexus, niger, subnitidus, antennis rufis, pedibus piceo-rufis; prothorace elongato, antrorsum

angustato, versus latus utrinque linea arguta, elevata, medio sulco perfecto ad basin latiore; elytris

impunctatis, utrinque versus latus lineis duabus elevatis.

Long. #, lat. 3 lin.

Hab. Guatemata, San Joaquin in Vera Paz (Champion).

This species is closely allied to H. sulcicollis, but is of rather narrower form; the

prothorax is more elongate, its lateral line is more strongly elevated at the base, and

the remarkably perfect median channel is broader in front of the scutellum; the elytra

are almost without any trace of punctuation, and have no basal plica between their

inner carina and the scutellum.

Two individuals have been sent by Mr. Champion.

13. Elmis bufo.

Late ovalis, convexus, subopacus, niger, antennis tarsisque rufis ; prothorace equali, ad latera granulato ; elytris

subtiliter seriatim punctatis, versus latera lineis duabus subtiliter crenulatis.

Long. %, lat. fere 3 lin.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne slender and rather short. Thorax broad, very convex, its lateral margin

very fine and indistinct; the surface is dull and without punctuation ; but there are

towards the sides numerous fine granules; there is no trace of elevated lines or of

depressions. The scutellum is remarkably broad. ‘The elytra have rather obsolete

series of punctures and are also finely granulate, more conspicuously at the sides and

apex than on the disk ; they possess two raised lines of fine crenulations, the outer of

which does not connect with the lateral margin. ‘The front coxe are excessively

distant ; and so short and broad is the projection behind them that it can scarcely be

called a prosternal process, and its sides do not extend forwards as raised lines ; there

are no raised lines between the middle and hind coxe. The basal ventral segment is

not at all impressed ; and the apical segment is of normal size.

I have described the species from a unique and mutilated individual. The parts of

the mouth appear to be unusually small, and I have quite failed to obtain any definite

idea of the maxillary palpi; they have however, I think, a slender terminal joint. The

species appears to be a very isolated one, and will probably form a genus allied to

Limnius, Ey., and distinct from the other Central-American Elmini.

GEORISSIDZ.—CYATHOCERID&. 141

Fam. GEORISSIDZ.

GEORISSUS.

Georissus, Latreille, Gen. Crust. et Ins. iv. p. 377.

The genus Georissus is the only form known of the family Georisside, and has a

wide distribution; the greater number of the twenty described species inhabit the

Mediterranean region; one or two are known from Tropical Asia; from Australia and

from North America single species are known. None have yet been described from

South America ; and I have no evidence that the genus exists there.

1. Georissus minor. (Tab. IV. fig. 17.)

Brevis, convexus, niger, antennis fuscis; prothorace elytris angustiore, parte anteriore et capite fortiter

granulatis, parte posteriore punctis irregularibus impressis; elytris punctis majoribus, profundis, in

series regulares digestis.

3 T Wi

Long. 3, lat. 7% lin.

Hab. Guatemaa, San Gerdnimo 3000 feet (Champion).

This species is very similar to the European G. similis; but the individuals are

probably only about half the size of those of the European species; the punctures

of the series on the elytra are smaller and closer to one another; and there is on the

middle of the basal portion. of the prothorax a conspicuous but scanty punctuation,

the anterior part of the thorax being strongly lobed or hood-like and very rough.

A single individual only has been sent by Mr. Champion.

Fam, CYATHOCERIDZ.

Antenne quadriarticulate, articulo ultimo maximo ad apicem truncato et pubescente.

Oris partes condita.

Tarsi sat elongati, rigiduli, uniarticulati, unguiculo unico terminati.

Elytra integra.

Iam obliged to propose a new family name for a single small beetle which shows

no relationship of an evident character to any of the hitherto described Coleopterous

families. The above very concise definition will not apply, I believe, to any other of

the Coleopterous families; and fuller details of the structure will be found in the

description of the genus.

The position of the family (I use this term only in deference to the custom of

systematic biologists) may for convenience be near Georissus, to which it bears a certain

similarity in size and sculpture, though on investigation it does not appear to be

specially allied to that family.

142 . CYATHOCERIDZ.

CYATHOCERUS.

Antenne (Tab. IV. fig. 18*) very short, not so long as the width between the eyes,

inserted on an elevation close to the eye at its lower inner margin, and received in

repose into a depression at the outside of the front of the head, while their sensitive

apex is received into a hollow at the front of the prothorax; they are very short,

and consist of four joints, of which the first three are minute, the basal one being a

little larger than either of the two following, while the fourth joint is very large and

has somewhat the shape of an irregular cup, its apex is truncate and shows a large

subelliptical space covered with sensitive pubescence; when the antenna is mounted

in Canada balsam it is seen that the third joint projects somewhat into the interior

of the large terminal joint.

The head is of very peculiar form, a little similar to that of the genus Megalops;

the front is perpendicular, and the eyes are placed at the upper part and are very

widely separated. There is no external appearance of a mouth; but the lower part of

the head is somewhat prominent, and when the underside is carefully examined there

is seen to be a plate marked off by a curved suture; this is the labrum, which is thus

placed on the underside of the head; the curved portion of the surface into which it

fits is the front of the mentum, which on examination is found to be a large plate,

occupying nearly the whole of the prominent portion of the under surface ; the other

parts of the mouth are entirely concealed in the interior of the head, and thus, owing

to the accurate coadaptation between the labrum and mentum, there appears to be no

mouth ; in what way the mouth opensI can form no opinion, possibly there may be a

slight retraction of the labrum so as to form a small chink for the passage of liquid

food. The labrum is broader than long, truncate at its connexion with the clypeus,

curved at the sides and narrowed to the front, its anterior margin being slightly

truncate ; but when the labrum is in its natural position the front and sides apparently

form a continuous curve.

The mentum (Tab. IV. fig. 18°, labium) is large, but, owing to the irregular sculpture

and inequalities of the under surface of the head, its contour and proportions cannot

be observed till it is extracted, the sutures between it and the neighbouring parts being

quite inconspicuous; it is, however, transversely quadrate, not greatly broader than

long, and in front is emarginate in a curvilinear manner in adaptation to the front

of the labrum; the ligula is apparently excessively minute; and so far as 1 have

been able to form an opinion about its structure, it is that of a transverse section

of a hollow cylinder ; it projects from the front of the mentum; the minute labial

palpi are two-jointed; the apical joint is quite small, and the basal joint is apparently

also small, but differs much in the two preparations I have obtained of it ; in the one

in which the ligula is still attached to the mentum this joint appears slender, while

in a detached ligula it appears very broad.

CYATHOCERUS. 143

The maxilla (Tab. IV. fig. 18°) is of extreme fragility and possesses no hard portions,

it being, as I have already said, entirely included in the interior of the head ; it possesses

a single elongate slender lobe, the apex of which is slightly dilated and notched so as

to form two short processes; and its inner margin is set with some peculiar sete or

teeth, those at the extremity being broad and flat, while below this they become

more elongate, slender, and hair-like. The palpi are apparently three-jointed, the

basal joint being stout and strongly elbowed; the two following joints are simply

cylindric, and differ little from one another except that the apical one is slightly

longer and more slender than the preceding.

The mandible is very delicate, elongate and slender, not much curved ; but its apical

portion is apparently twisted so as to be on a different plane to the rest of the blade,

and at the extremity is somewhat bifid.

The inferior surface of the head when retracted is free, and receives but little

protection from the prosternum.

At the front angle of the prothorax there is, looking directly forward, a large hollow,

which, when the antenna is retracted, protects its truncate extremity.

The prosternum is a simple transverse band, sending off in the middle backwards a

broad and short prosternal process, which does not extend behind the coxe. ‘These

latter are rather small, not prominent; the side pieces of the prosternum do not reach

the prosternal process, but are separated from it by a broad space.

The under surface of the body is irregularly sculptured and marked by strong ridges,

so that it is most difficult to decide as to what are the true sutures between the

different pieces. The middle articular cavities are circular and are broadly separated ;

the mesosternum is rather large, and in the middle behind penetrates between the

coxe, articulating with the metasternum halfway between the coxe by a curved suture.

The metasternum is rather large; its side pieces are apparently quite concealed by the

wing-cases. The hind coxe are rather broadly separated; the portion to which the

trochanter is attached is not large ; and there isa second small external piece proceeding

outward to articulate with the metasternal side piece.

The abdomen possesses five visible, short, ventral segments, separated by excessively

deep sutures; the broad process between the hind coxe is a part of another segment,

the sides of which are concealed by the coxe; and when the abdomen is dissected off it

is seen that this concealed portion consists of two segments, both of which enter

apparently into the intercoxal piece. If this interpretation be correct, there are seven

ventral segments, two of which are visible in the middle between the coxe, and the

second of the two also at the outside, while the other five form the exposed portion of the

hind body, the first of the five being but little longer than the following one; segments

2-4 of similar length, very short; terminal segment as long as the two preceding.

The wings are ample; and the elytra are very convex, completely cover the upper

portion of the hinder part of the body, and at the middle of the epipleura exhibit a

144 CYATHOCERID&.

very remarkable, abrupt, extremely deep sinuation, in which the extremity of the

retracted hind femur reposes. |

The legs are slender and feeble, and very similar to one another ; the femora extend

just to the sides of the body; the tibie are short and simple, terminated by a single

feeble spur. The tarsi (Tab. IV. fig. 18°, tibia and tarsus) are of moderate length;

they are not greatly shorter than the tibiee ; and each consists of a single rigid piece:

although some appearance of division arises from the fact that the under margin is

somewhat uneven in its outline, and that it bears a few rigid sete, yet careful micro-

scopic investigation has failed to show traces of any real division. Neither do the

prominences alluded to justify us in treating the tarsus as consisting of a number

of consolidated joints; for if we were to judge from them, the tarsus would consist of

at least seven joints.

1. Cyathocerus horni. (Tab. IV. fig. 18.)

Breviter suboblongus, convexus, opacus, niger, antennis testaceis, prothorace versus latera parum conspicue

sordide fulvescente ; capite perpendiculari, oculis convexis in summo vertice sitis; prothorace transverso,

valde ineequali, angulis anticis liberis, acutis ; elytris crenato-costatis.

Long. ?, lat. vix 3 lin.

Hab. Guatema.a, San Gerénimo and Guatemala city (Champion).

Prothorax somewhat lobed in the middle, and emarginate on each side in adaptation

to the convex eyes, which project above the thorax ; the very conspicuous anterior angles

are markedly acute; and behind them the thorax is nearly regularly narrowed to the

base, the sides not being curved; the surface is very uneven, the middle being much

more raised than the lateral parts; along the middle is a broad depression ; and when

looked at from behind, the middle appears also to be divided by two transverse

depressions. ‘The elytra are each marked by three strongly raised elongate coste, and

the suture also is raised; except for these coste there is no distinct sculpture. | On the

under surface the ventral sutures are excessively deep, and the femora are more or less

fulvescent.

The individuals of this anomalous little creature are usually covered with an

efflorescent substance having a saline appearance and quite obscuring the sculpture.

I have been much assisted in my investigation of this curious little insect by my friend

Dr. George H. Horn, of Philadelphia, and have great pleasure in associating his name

with a creature of so remarkable a nature.

STAPHYLINIDA. 145

Fam. STAPHYLINIDA.

Subfam. ALEOCHARIN A.

This subfamily is the most extensive and the least studied of those comprised in the

family ; and its treatment in a satisfactory manner is a matter of extreme difficulty. Of

the vast number of extra-European forms that no doubt exist but little is yet known,

even the North-American forms having been hitherto neglected by entomologists. If we

add to this the fact that the Aleocharine are nearly all minute or quite small insects, of

fragile and loosely articulated structure, with softer chitinous envelope than is usual in

the Coleoptera, it will readily be comprehended that the classification of the components

of the subfamily has scarcely commenced. The large number of species and genera

at present registered in the subfamily (amounting probably to 2000 species and consi-

derably more than 100 genera) renders it, however, advisable that some method shall

be adopted in their arrangement, if only with the object of facilitating reference and

of saving time; and I shall accordingly make use of that recently proposed by Mulsant

and Rey for the species of France, in the ‘ Histoire Naturelle des Coléoptéres de France,

Brévipennes, Aléochariens,’ introducing, however, some modifications in order to render

it more simple. In this scheme the number of joints in the tarsi is considered superior

in importance to the condition of the trophi, on which Erichson and Kraatz, the

principal previous write’ on the family, chiefly based their genera and arrangement.

It would be out of place to discuss here the comparative claims of these two methods

to superiority; but it is clear that the advantages offered by the tarsal system, as

regards facility of verification and simplicity of definition, are very great, and give it,

as a provisional method, preponderant importance. I have avoided as far as possible

the establishment of new genera; but yet the number proposed in the subfamily will

be found not inconsiderable; and as it will be remarked that some of the terms I have

used in defining them are new, I may here give a word or two of explanation about

them. On examining some of the Staphylinide, such, ¢.9., as a large Xantholinus,

it will be observed that the middle coxe are almost without true acetabula; this part

of the limb, in fact, merely reposes on the outer surface of the breast, which is more

or less vaguely impressed for its accommodation. In other forms, e.g. Aleochara, it

will be found, on the contrary, that the coxa is imbedded in an abruptly defined cavity

surrounded entirely by a well-marked raised margin. Between the extreme forms

mentioned a large number of intermediate stages exist, and in the Aleocharine offer a

satisfactory and readily observed method of differentiating the genera. When these

two cavities exist entirely surrounded by a raised margin, as in Aleochara, I have used

the expression “cavities complete :” the completion is effected on the inner side by a

prolongation of the mesosternum between the cox meeting a prolongation from the

metasternum; these prolongations may be called the mesosternal and metasternal

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, May 1883. UU

146 STAPHYLINIDA.

processes, and are each defined by a fine raised border. When these two borders do not

meet, I have designated the cavities as incomplete, and the space intervening between

their extremities I have called the intercoxal isthmus: this intercoxal isthmus is of

variable length and breadth; but in calling it “long” or “short” I have always used

the words with reference to its extension in the longitudinal axis of the body. C. J.

Thomson first began to use, though in a vague manner, these characters; and to M. Rey

we are chiefly indebted for giving them much greater prominence; but they have not

yet received all the attention they deserve, and it is advisable that definite terms should

be used in writing about them.

Group ALEOCHARINA.

All the tarsi five-jointed.

ALEOCHARA.

Aleochara, Gravenhorst, Col. Micr. p. 67 (1802) ; Erichson, Gen. et Sp. Staph. p. 158.

I have not thought it advisable for the purposes of this work to adopt the genera

proposed by Thomson and Rey at the expense of Aleochara, but may state that the

first three species here enumerated would apparently go into their genus Aleochara, and

the others, or most of them, into Baryodma, Rey. The genus is nearly cosmopolitan.

| ° 4.

1. Aleochara centralis. (Tab. V. fig. 1.)

Tota nigerrima, nitida, sparsim pubescens; antennis crassissimis, articulis 5°-7™ quam sequentes paulo lati-

oribus; prothorace minus fortiter transverso, quam elytra fere longiore, basi cum lateribus omnino

rotundatis ; abdomine parce, fortiter punctato, apicem versus multo angustiore.

Long. 63-11 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Flohr); Guaremata, Cerro Zunil 4000 feet (Champion); Costa

Rica, Irazu 6000 to 7000 feet (Rogers); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet

(Champion).

In the male the seventh dorsal plate is nearly truncate, only very slightly emarginate,

and is furnished with about fourteen very minute teeth or serrations, the ventral plate

is not at all emarginate; in the female the dorsal plate has the same shape as in the

male, but is without the serrations, and the ventral plate is truncate, and its hind

margin is set with very dense pubescence, mixed with which are some longer cilia.

This species is very similar to the North-American A. lata, Gr., but is undoubtedly

distinct ; it is of narrower form, more acuminate at the extremity, with considerably

longer thorax, and has the fifth, sixth and seventh joints of the antenne broader in

proportion to those following, the hind body less punctate, and the sexual characters of

the seventh segment different. It is quite as near to the Chilian A. atra, but is larger,

has much stouter antenn, rather longer thorax, and different sexual structure of the

seventh segment; an undescribed very close ally exists also in Brazil.

_ ALEOCHARA. 147

2. Aleochara serrata.

Nigra, elytris rufis, ad angulum exteriorem nigricantibus, antennis fuscis, basi, palpis pedibusque testaceis,

ano rufescente, abdomine fortiter punctato; antennis crassis, fusiformibus.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Tehuantepec (Sumichrast, coll. Sallé)—Sourn America, Bahia.

Antenne stout, the two or three basal joints yellow, the middle joints only very

slightly thicker than the penultimate, these latter being rather strongly transverse.

Head coarsely punctate. Thorax coarsely punctate, with a griseous pubescence, base

and sides much rounded. Elytra a little shorter than the thorax, rather coarsely and

closely punctate. Hind body coarsely and rather closely punctate, with the exception

of the basal segments, which are but little punctate.

In the male the extremity of the seventh dorsal plate of the hind body is truncate,

scarcely perceptibly emarginate in the middle, and bears about twelve distinct, distant,

rather coarse, short teeth.

This insect is extremely similar to the well-known European A. fuscipes ; but the legs,

palpi, and base of the antenne are of a clear red colour, and the apex of the hind body is

conspicuously rufescent ; the antenne are rather more slender, and the male characters

different. I have described the species from a single badly preserved individual; but a

series from Bahia apparently agree, except in having the antenne rather stouter.

3. Aleochara pauper.

Minus lata, anterius et posterius parum attenuata, nigra; elytris brunneo-testaceis, ad latera infuscatis,

antennarum basi pedibusque sordide rufis; abdomine fortiter punctato; antennis brevibus crassis,

subfusiformibus.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Jalapa (Hoge).

Antenne short and very stout, the three or four basal joints reddish, joints four to

ten strongly transverse, the first of them rather smaller than the others, which differ

but little from one another. Thorax rather coarsely punctate, shining. Llytra short,

scarcely so long as the thorax. Hind body rather coarsely and closely punctate, with

the exception of the basal segments.

Although I have seen only a single specimen, it is clear this represents a species

distinct from A. serrata, the form being more parallel, the colour of the elytra different,

the extremity of the hind body less rufescent, and the antenne shorter and stouter.

The specimen is a male, and has the hind margin of the seventh ventral segment

serrate, much in the same manner as A. serrata.

4, Aleochara bimaculata.

Aleochara bimaculata, Grav. Micr. p. 187+; Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 167°.

Var. minor. Aleochara duplicata, Er. loc. cit.’.

UU 2

148 STAPHYLINIDA.

Hab. Nortu America !2,—Mexico (Flohr, Truqui), Tehuacan, Cerro de Plumas

(Hoge), Guanajuato, Puebla (Sall/é).—Antities, Haiti; Sourn Ammrica, Caraccas *.

Var. minor, elytris immaculatis, prothorace obsoletius punctato. (A. alticola.)

Hab. GuateMaLA, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet, Quiche Mountains 7000 to

9000 feet (Champion).

This species varies greatly in size; and though the smaller individuals are more

sparingly punctate, and approximate exceedingly to A. notula, yet I think the two are

really distinct; A. dimaculata is usually twice the size of A. notula and much more

densely punctured, and even in its most depauperated individuals there always remains

a little difference in the punctuation of the thorax and elytra from what exists in

A. notula. That Erichson’s description of A. duplicata applies to small specimens of

A. bimaculata is most probable; but seeing the near approach made by A. notula,

A. duplicata may perhaps prove to be rather a synonym of that species. ‘The species,

it will be observed, has as yet only been detected in Guatemala at a great elevation,

and as a variety similar to the European variety, bilineata, of A. nitida.

5. Aleochara notula.

Aleochara notula, Er. Gen. et Sp. Staph. p. 167°.

Aleochara signaticollis, Fairm. et Germ. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1861, p. 413°.

Hab. Mexico, Las Vigas (Hoge), Guanajuato (Dugeés, coll. Sallé); GUATEMALA, San

Geronimo 3000 feet, Champerico, San Joaquin in Vera Paz (Champion); Nicaragua,

Chontales Greytown (Janson).—AntILLES!; SourH AMERICA, Chili ?.

This species is variable in size and somewhat in sculpture ; and I doubt whether it be

distinct from the A. nitida, Grav., so common in the eastern hemisphere.

6. Aleochara lacertina.

Subparallela, nigra, antennis palpisque fuscis, pedibus fusco-rufis; capite thoraceque nitidissimis, parce

punctatis; elytris dense asperato-punctatis ; abdomine dense squamoso-punctato.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége).

Antenne rather short, basal joints slender, second shorter than the third; fourth

slender, not transverse; five to ten each short, transverse, though not very broad;

terminal joint elongate, as long as the two preceding together. Head very sparingly

and obsoletely punctate. Thorax rather strongly transverse, sparingly and rather finely

punctate. Elytra as long as the thorax, blackish, with the hind margin rufescent,

closely punctate, the punctuation having a peculiar granular appearance. Hind body

densely punctate, the punctuation peculiar, possessing, especially when looked at from

behind, a scale-like appearance. Legs sordid red, tarsi more dilute.

ALEOCHARA. 149

This insect, very readily identified by its peculiar sculpture, is similar in facies to

A. notula. Only one specimen has been found; it has the hind margin of the last

dorsal plate of the hind body rather broad, straight, densely and extremely finely

crenulate.

7. Aleochara verberans.

Aleochara verberans, Er. Gen. et Sp. Staph. p. 164’.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége), Puebla (Sad/é)—Sovurn America, Colombia? to Brazil.

This species apparently varies a good deal in the closeness of the punctuation of the

hind body: and in this respect the two Mexican individuals before me show considerable

discrepancy ; but they are pretty certainly conspecific with examples from Para and Rio

de Janeiro, considered by Fauvel and myself to agree sufficiently with Erichson’s

description of A. verberans.

8. Aleochara quadrata.

Nigra, nitida, parce punctata; elytris rufo-obscuris, pedibus fuscis; antennis parum elongatis, articulis penul-

timis leviter transversis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Truqut).

Antenne neither elongate nor stout, third joint slightly longer than the second ; fourth

not stout, as long as broad, fifth also about as long as broad ; seventh to tenth transverse,

the first of them very slightly so, the last quite evidently; terminal joint rather large,

acuminate, quite as long as the two preceding together. Palpi dark. Head sparingly

and indistinctly punctate. Thorax strongly transverse, quite sparingly but not finely

punctate, shining. EHlytra indistinctly rufescent on their disk, shining, sparingly and

coarsely punctate. Hind body with a transverse depression at the base of each of

segments 2, 8 and 4, and in this depression coarsely punctate, elsewhere almost

impunctate. Legs dark piceous, with the tarsi reddish.

This species is allied to A. verberans, and has like it four very indistinct punctures

placed so as to form a square on the middle of the thorax; but A. guadrata is very

much more sparingly punctate than is A. verberans. I have seen only one specimen.

9. Aleochara mexicana.

Nigra, elytris brunneis, ad angulum externum fuscescentibus, antennarum basi fusco-rufa, pedibus rufis

abdomine apicem versus fortiter attenuato, crebrius fortiter punctato.

Long. 6-8 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Tehuacan and Mirador ({ége), Juquila (Boucard, coll. Sallé);

GvuaTEMALA, San Gerdénimo 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne stout, third joint rather longer than the second, fourth rather longer than

150 STAPHYLINID A,

broad, fifth about as long as broad, sixth to tenth evidently transverse; terminal joint |

acuminate, as long as the two preceding together. Palpi piceous, terminal joint yellow.

Head narrow, rather finely punctate. Thorax nearly as broad as the elytra, rather

strongly transverse, shining, somewhat finely, moderately closely punctate. lytra

about as long as the thorax, densely punctate, vaguely infuscate at the outer hinder

angle. Hind body much narrowed towards the apex, black, the segments not margined

with red, closely and coarsely punctate. Legs red, basal joint of hind tarsus about as

long as the three following together.

In the male the dorsal plate of the seventh segment of the hind body is a little

emarginate behind, and serrate with about twelve small teeth; in the female it is

truncate-emarginate and without serration. .

Six individuals, differing a good deal in size, but agreeing in other respects, have

been found. | |

10. Aleochara oxypodia.

Subgracilis, nigra, subopaca, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis ; elytris brunneis, circa scutellum maculaque

magna laterali nigris, thorace brevioribus; abdomine crebrius, minus fortiter punctato.

Long. 5-63 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Zapote, San Gerdédnimo, Pantaleon 1700 feet, San Joaquin and

Balheu in Vera Paz (Champion); Panama, Bugaba 1500 feet, Volcan de Chiriqui

2000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne moderately long ; second joint scarcely longer than third; fourth, fifth and

sixth each about as long as broad, the following joints slightly transverse; terminal

joint elongate, quite as long as the two preceding together. Thorax densely and rather

finely granulose-punctate, subopaque, finely pubescent. Elytra short, evidently shorter

than the thorax, of a pale brownish colour, black about the scutellum, this colour |

extending backwards along the suture, at the sides with a large very distinct black

mark, reaching the hinder angle, but not the shoulder. Hind body pointed behind,

segments 2 and 3 closely and finely punctate, fourth closely and more coarsely, fifth and

sixth punctured similarly to the fourth, except that there is much less punctuation

on the hind part of each, the hind margins of the sixth and seventh yellow; beneath

each segment has the hind margin broadly ferruginous.

In the male the narrow hind margin of the seventh dorsal plate is almost truncate,

but is slightly emarginate in the middle; it has no trace of serration; the ventral

plate has no trace of emargination. In the female the hind margin of the same dorsal

plate possesses a deep notch or emargination in the middle, and the hind margin of the

ventral plate is slightly emarginate.

This is one of several species closely allied to A. teniata, Er.; these species,

indeed, are so similar that they can only be correctly distinguished by the aid of the

sexual characters. ‘They have greatly the appearance of our larger European species

ALEOCHARA. 151

of Oxypoda. A. oxypodia is distinguished from most of the allies known to me by the

middle cox being slightly more widely separated. Twenty-three individuals of the

species have been found ; but of these only two are females, and these unfortunately are

from different localities and where males were not found; thus the identification of

the sexes as belonging to one species is still a little doubtful.

11. Aleochara simulatrix.

Nigra, subopaca, densius subtiliter punctata et pubescens, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis; elytris

brunneis, circa scutellum maculaque magna Ilaterali nigris, thorace brevioribus; abdomine crebrius

punctato.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, El Tumbador 2500 feet (Champion).

This species, so far as I can judge from a unique female, is extremely similar to

A. oxypodia, but has peculiar sexual characters, the dorsal plate of the fifth segment

of the hind body being prolonged in the middle, with broadly rounded hind margin ;

the seventh dorsal plate resembles in form that of the male of A. oxypodia; and the

ventral plate of this latter segment is only very indistinctly emarginate in the middle.

These characters are analogous to those assigned by Solsky (Hor. Soc. Ross. viii.

p- 290) to the male of A. teniata, Er.; but I think Solsky probably erred in his

identification, and that his A. teniata 3 is the female of one, his A. teniata 2 the

female of another, species. This is the more probable, inasmuch as Solsky records the

locality of his A. twniata as being Cayenne and Peru. As the locality for Erichson’s

A. teniata is St. John’s Island in the Antilles, it is very doubtful whether it is conspecific

with either of the two Solskyan species.

12. Aleochara funestior.

Nigerrima, dense subtiliter punctata et pubescens, opaca, pedibus fusco-testaceis, tarsis testaceis; antennis fere

gracilibus, extrorsum vix incrassatis, articulis penultimis vix transversis.

Long. 6-7 millim.

Hab. GUatEMALA, Sinanja in Vera Paz (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui

2000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne entirely black, third joint a little longer than the second ; fourth joint not

greatly smaller than the fifth, this rather longer than broad; tenth not quite so long

as broad; terminal joint scarcely so long as the two preceding together. Palpi

black, with the slender terminal joint yellow. Head narrow, rather closely punctate.

Thorax not strongly transverse, much narrowed towards the front, densely punctate and

pubescent. Elytra shorter than the thorax, very densely and rather finely punctate.

Hind body much narrowed behind, closely and rather finely punctate.

In the male the dorsal plate of the seventh segment of the hind body is truncate,

scarcely perceptibly emarginate, and furnished at the hind margin with ten or twelve

152 STAPHYLINIDA.

serrations, which are so minute as to require very careful observation for their detection.

In the female this plate is more deeply emarginate and destitute of serration.

This is a very distinct species, and has the mesosternal process very slender, so that

the middle coxe are more approximate than usual, the carina extending, however,

quite to its extremity. Four individuals from Panama and one from Guatemala have

been taken.

13. Aleochara miradoris.

Fulvo-testacea, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis, abdomine piceo-rufo, segmentis sexto et septimo rufis ;

antennis subgracilibus, articulis 5°-10™ leviter transversis; abdomine apicem versus attenuato, subsparsim

vix fortiter punctato, nitido.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Mirador (f6ge).

Antenne slightly thickened externally, third joint a little longer than the second,

fourth about as long as broad, fifth to tenth each evidently broader than long;

terminal joint rather elongate, a little longer than the two preceding together. Head

rather small and short, obsoletely punctate. Thorax rather strongly transverse, a good

deal narrowed in front, quite finely, moderately closely punctate, very distinctly and

closely pubescent. Elytra about as long as the thorax, densely and rather finely

punctate and densely pubescent. Hind body shining, and only very sparingly pubes-

cent; the segments with a moderately coarse and not close punctuation.

Only a single individual of this species has been found ; it is a male, and has the hind

margin of the seventh dorsal plate very slightly emarginate, and furnished with ten or

twelve fine but distinct serrations. The mesosternal lamina is very slender at the

extremity; but its carina is entire.

14. Aleochara salleei.

Subparallela, nigra, opaca, dense punctata, antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque fuscis; antennis crassiusculis,

articulis 6°-10™ transversis ; capite fortiter, thorace elytris abdomineque sat subtiliter dense punctatis,

hujus segmentis 2°-5™ summa basi fortiter, quasi rugulose punctatis.

Long. 4-5} millim.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Boucard, coll. Sallé).

Second and third jomts of antennee about equal in length, joints six to ten rather

strongly transverse, terminal joint not elongate, basal joint or two infuscate red. Palpi

obscure red. Head coarsely and rather closely punctate. ‘Thorax rather strongly

transverse, densely and rather finely punctate. Elytra about as long as the thorax,

very densely punctate. Hind body very densely punctate, at the base of each of the

second to fifth segments there is some deeper and coarser confluent punctuation.

Legs sordid red.

Of this species I have seen two badly preserved individuals; they have the hind

ALEOCHARA. 153

margin of the dorsal plate of the seventh segment of the hind body slightly emarginate,

and may be females. The species is not closely allied to any other; it is a little similar

in general appearance to A. bimaculata; the middle coxe are well separated.

15. Aleochara torquata.

Nigra, subtiliter pubescens, antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque fuscis; antennis parum elongatis, articulis

40_10™ transversis ; capite fortiter punctato, abdomine sparsim obsolete punctato, segmentis 2°-5™ summa

basi fortiter profunde punctato.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. GuateMaLa, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion); Panama, Volcan

de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne blackish, rather paler at the base, third joint about equal to the second in

length ; fourth a good deal smaller than the fifth, transverse ; fifth and following joints

rather strongly transverse; terminal joint not elongate, acuminate. Palpi piceous, with

pale slender terminal joint. Head narrow, coarsely and rather closely punctate. Thorax

not strongly transverse, coarsely and rather closely punctate. Elytra about as long as

the thorax, closely and moderately coarsely punctate. Hind body with only fine and

scanty punctuation, except on the depressed portion at the base of each of segments

two to five. Legs infuscate red, with the tarsi red.

I think this will prove a distinct species from A. salle (to which, however, it is

extremely closely allied), chiefly because the sculpture of the hind body is much less. I

have seen only two individuals; and they are not very similar to one another—the one

from Guatemala being considerably nearer to the Mexican species than is the other

from Panama.

16. Aleochara angusticeps.

Gracilis, nigra, parce pubescens, antennarum basi palpisque fuscescentibus, pedibus fusco-rufis; antennis

articulis penultimis haud transversis, articulo ultimo elongato; prothorace vix transverso, parce punctato ;

abdomine segmentis 2°-5™ basi dense fortiterque punctato, apice segmentoque sexto fere impunctatis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. GuatuMata, Paso Antonio 400 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather elongate, nearly black, with the base more dilute, third joint about

equal to the second, fourth and following each rather longer than broad; terminal

joint remarkably elongate, longer than the two preceding together. Head very

narrow, sparingly and obsoletely punctate. Thorax nearly as long as broad, very

sparingly punctate. Elytra about as long as the thorax, coarsely, moderately closely

punctate.

This insect, as well as those I have placed near it, is very similar to the European

species of the A. mesta group; and in A. angusticeps, as in A. mesta, the mesosternal

carina is extremely fine. I have seen only two individuals, badly preserved, and with

the greater part of their pubescence removed.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, May 1883. AX

154 STAPHYLINIDA.

MASEOCHARA.

Palpi ¢ omnes articulo minutissimo supplementali muniti. Prothoracis latera parum inflexa, haud occulta.

Coxe intermedie sat late distantes; acetabula integra; mesosterni processus cum metasterni apice arcte

conjunctus.

This genus is proposed for certain insects having greatly the appearance and nearly

the characters of Polystoma, Rey, but differing by the structure of the middle coxal

cavities, which are quite complete; whereas in Polystoma the mesosternal process does

not reach the metasternal process, in MJuaseochara it overlaps it, and conceals its

extremity; the mesosternal process, too, is broad, and not acuminate as in Polystoma ;

it has no carina. The characters are taken from Jf. opacella and M. semivelutina:

two other of the species (IZ. depressa and M. duplicata) are aberrant, and have much

the appearance of large Homalotw, and will perhaps have to be separated from

Maseochara as two distinct genera; they are very similar to, and apparently really

allied to certain species inhabiting New Guinea (Homalota lacrymosa and H. basalis,

Fauy.), described by an oversight as belonging to the genus Homalota.

1. Maseochara semivelutina.

Aleochara semivelutina, Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ent. Ross. v. p. 120’.

Hab. Mexico!, Puebla (Salt) Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé), Tehuacan, Mirador

(Hoge).

In the male of this species the seventh dorsal plate of the hind body terminates in

six elongate teeth ; these teeth are obtuse at the apex, and slightly curved inwards ;

the outer tooth on each side is shorter than the others, and less obtuse at the apex.

The insect is apparently rare, only one individual having been brought from each of

the localities recorded.

2. Maseochara opacella. (Tab. V. fig. 2.)

suena, coriaceo-opaca, abdomine subnitido, nigricans, pedibus nigro-piceis, tarsis rufescentibus ; capite,

thorace elytrisque obsolete punctatis; thorace haud transverso, angulis posterioribus obtusis.

Long. 8-9 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Tehuacan, Mirador, Misantla (Hoge).

Antenne black or piceous black, rather elongate and slender, the penultimate

joint not, or only slightly, transverse. Palpi piceous, with the slender terminal joint

yellowish. Head narrow and elongate, very obsoletely and sparingly punctured, very

dull, the surface being densely and finely granulate or coriaceous. Thorax nearly as

long as broad, rounded at the sides, and a little narrowed behind; the hind angles very

obtuse, but distinct, the surface-sculpture like that of the head. Llytra scarcely so

long as the thorax, their punctuation not quite so obsolete as that of the thorax. Hind

body somewhat shining, irregularly punctate, the base of each segment quite without

punctuation; segments 2 to 4 rather finely punctate behind, 5 and 6 more coarsely and

irregularly.

MASEOCHARA. 155

The dorsal plate of the seventh segment of the hind body is armed behind with six

teeth as in VV. semivelutina ; the penultimate joints of the antenne appear to be slightly

shorter in the female than in the male.

Although closely allied to I. semivelutina, this species is readily distinguished by

the black (not red) elytra, by the less transverse thorax, the hind angles of which have

not entirely disappeared, and by the more slender antenne. ‘Ten individuals have

been found.

3. Maseochara robusta.

Major, nigra, coriaceo-opaca, abdomine subnitido, nigricans, elytris sanguineis, tarsis piceis; capite, thorace

elytrisque obsolete punctatis ; thorace transverso, basi cum angulis posterioribus omnino rotundatis ; tibiis

. anterioribus et intermediis dense fulyo pubescentibus, illis apice unco curvato perelongato armatis.

Long. 15 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Tehuacan (Hége).

Although I have seen only a single individual, I am not able to reduce this insect to

a variety of M. semivelutina; the size is greater, the clothing of the front and middle

tibiee is very dense and remarkable, and the development of the apical spur of the front

legs is very conspicuous, and the middle cox are more widely separated. This unique

individual is a female.

4, Maseochara gracilis.

Subparallela, opaca, abdomine subnitido, nigricans, elytris sanguineis; antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque

rufis; capite, thorace elytrisque obsolete punctatis; thorace subtransverso, angulis posterioribus obtusis.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé).

Antenne with the four basal joints red, the others darker; fifth joint nearly as long

as broad, the tenth evidently, but only slightly, transverse (in the male). Head rather

broad and not elongate. Thorax evidently, but only slightly, broader than long, but

little rounded at the sides, not much narrowed behind, the hind angles distinct, obtuse.

Elytra about as long as the thorax. Hind body finely punctate, the punctures not

dense, extending to the base of each segment. Legs red.

This insect is closely allied to WZ. opacella, but is not half the size, has the antenne

less elongate, and is easily distinguished by the colour of the legs, palpi, base of

antenne and elytra. I have seen but a single individual; it is a male, and has the

seventh dorsal plate armed with teeth like WM. semivelutina and M. opacelia.

5. Maseochara depressa.

Depressa, parcius pubescens, opaca, abdomine sat nitido, nigra, tibiis apicem versus picescentibus, tarsis rutfis ;

capite, thorace elytrisque obsolete, minus subtiliter, punctatis; thorace transversim subquadrato, angulis

posterioribus nullomodo rotundatis.

Long. 4-5 millim.

Hab. GuatTemata, near the city (Champion).

AX 2

156 STAPHYLINIDA.

Antenne rather short and stout; second and third joints rather short and stout, sub-

equal ; fifth to tenth transverse, the last of them rather strongly so. Palpi sordid yellow.

Head rather broad and short, very dull, quite obsoletely and sparingly punctate.

Thorax evidently but not greatly broader than long, the sides a little rounded near the

front angles; behind the middle not rounded, but slightly narrowed towards the base,

the hind angles quite distinct, the surface very dull, obsoletely punctate. Elytra about

as long as the thorax, not quite so dull as the thorax, rather finely and moderately

closely subobsoletely punctate. Hind body less dull than the anterior parts; segments

two to four finely, five and six sparingly punctate. |

This insect is of more depressed form than its congeners before described, and has |

the head less prolonged in front; the middle coxe are widely separated, the metasternal

process between them being largely developed. The legs are sometimes more dilute in

colour, and the elytra occasionally obscurely piceous. The male has the hind margin

of the dorsal plate of the seventh segment of the hind body armed with six stout,

short teeth.

6. Maseochara duplicata.

Depressa, parcius pubescens, opaca, abdomine nitido, nigra, tibiis apicem versus picescentibus, tarsis rufis

capite, thorace elytrisque obsolete punctatis; abdomine parce punctato; prothorace haud transverso, basin

versus angustato, basi rotundata, margine basali in medio leviter incrassato et subtruncato.

Long. 4-5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge), Cordova (Sallé); GuaTEMALa, near the city, Las Mer-

cedes 3000 feet, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion); Panama, Volcan de

Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

This insect is extremely similar to MW. depressa; but the thorax is rather more

elongate, and the slight peculiarity of its structure in front of the scutellum is diagnostic

of WZ. duplicata. Although so extremely similar in appearance, it is doubtful whether

the two insects will prove to be congeneric; for in I. duplicata the mesosternal process

is quite slender. Inthe male of 1. duplicata the teeth existing on the hind margin of

the seventh dorsal plate of the hind body in J. depressa are absent, the margin being

very obscurely crenulate.

MICROGLOSSA.

Microglossa, Kraatz, Berl. ent. Zeit. 1862, p. 300.

Haploglossa, Kraatz, Ins. Deutsch. i. p. 78.

This genus at present consists of about a dozen European, one Japanese, and two

Chilian species.

MICROGLOSSA.—AMBODINA. 157

1. Microglossa mexicana.

Picea, antennis, palpis, pedibus abdominisque apice rufis ; capite, thorace elytrisque crebre sat fortiter, abdomine

densius, punctatis; prothorace fortiter transverso, antrorsum leviter angustato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Muxico Cordova (Sallé).

Antenne short and stout, joints four to ten differing little from one another, each

strongly transverse. Thorax nearly twice as broad as long, rounded at the sides and a

little narrowed in front, not coarsely nor closely, but quite distinctly punctate and

pubescent, a little shining. Elytra longer than the thorax, with rather close and coarse

punctuation. Hind body very densely and not coarsely punctate. Legs clear red,

rather short.

This insect is extremely similar to the European J/. pulla, Gyll.; but the unique

individual described is slightly larger than those of J. pulla, and the thorax and elytra

are a little less densely and coarsely punctate and pubescent, the thorax is shorter and

the antenne unicolorous. J. mexicana departs, however, in a conspicuous manner

from the European insect by the structure of the mesosternal process, which is

considerably broader, and not attenuate or acuminate at the extremity; this unique

individual is a male, and has the ventral plate of the seventh segment of the hind body

produced in the middle and ciliate, like the corresponding sex of M. pulla.

AMBODINA.

Palpi maxillares articulo quarto parvo, subulato, absque articulo supplementali. Gens marginats. Prothoracis

lateria valde inflexa, omnino occulta. Coxee intermedie late distantes ; mesosterni processus elongatus,

in medio longitudinaliter carinatus, apice latus, truncatus, cum metasterni processu arcte conjunctus.

The insect for which this genus is established has quite the appearance of a Micro-

glossa, or a small Aleochara of the subgenus Baryodma, Rey; but from both of these

forms it is distinguished by the widely separated middle coxe; this character renders

its location in Microglossa quite out of the question, while from Aleochara, with which,

in respect of the pectoral structure, it is less discordant, it is quite separated by the

want of the supplementary joint to the palpi. I have but a single individual for

examination, and am not quite sure of the number of joints in the front tarsus; for one

of the legs is lost, and the other in such a position that the structure of its tarsus cannot

be satisfactorily observed with the microscope: thus, although I cannot observe more

than four joints, I believe this member to be five-jointed ; for the general facies of the

insect bespeaks its close affinity with Aleochara and Microglossa, which possess five-

jointed front feet. The middle and hinder tarsi are certainly five-jointed.

1. Ambodina granulata.

Parum elongata, opaca, breviter griseo-pubescens, nigra, elytris pedibusque rufo-testaceis, antennis brevibus,

158 STAPHYLINIDA,

extrorsum incrassatis, articulis 5°-10™ fortiter transversis, basi rufo-obscura; abdomine apicem versus

. attenuato, densissime punctato, segmentorum marginibus posterioribus ferrugineis.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge).

Antenne shorter than head and thorax, second and third joints rather elongate and

slender, almost similar to one another; fourth quadrate, much narrower than the fifth,

which, together with the following ones, is rather strongly tranverse; terminal joint

stout, rather short. Head short and broad, very much narrower than the thorax, quite

dull, only very indistinctly punctate, with a distinct fine pale pubescence. Thorax very.

strongly transverse, twice as long as broad, as broad at the base as the shoulders of the

elytra, slightly narrowed in front, the greatly deflexed anterior angles very indistinct ;

the surface quite dull, with a fine but quite distinct granular sculpture. Elytra scarcely

longer than the thorax, pale-red, densely punctate. Hind body very densely punctate,

the segments not distinctly transversely impressed at the base, all the segments margined

with red, the apex dull red. Legs slender ; basal joint of hind tarsus about as long as:

the two following together.

Only a single individual, of uncertain sex, has been received; the peculiar sculpture,

consisting of a granulation rather than an impressed punctuation, should much facilitate

its recognition.

POLYLOBUS.

Polylobus, Solier, Gay, Hist. Chil. iv. p. 8354; Fauv. Bull. Soc. Norm. x. Faune du Chili, p. 43

(sep. copy).

This genus comprises ten species peculiar to Chili; and to these M. Fauvel has

recently added five others from Australia. The insect here ascribed to the genus, on

the authority of a single ill-preserved exponent, has quite the appearance of its Chilian

representatives ; but I cannot see with certainty that it has more than four joints to the

front tarsi; and if this be really the case it will probably prove to be the representative

of a new genus to be located in the Myrmedoniina near Hoplandria.

1. Polylobus advena.

Minus depressus, rufo-testaceus, pectore abdomineque nigricantibus, hujus segmentorum marginibus testaceis ;

antennis parum elongatis, apicem versus incrassatis ; prothorace rotundato-transverso ; abdomine crebre

punctato.

Long. cire. 3? millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather slender at the base, a good deal thickened at the extremity; third

joint hardly so long as second ; fourth small, as long as broad; fifth to tenth transverse ;

terminal joint obtuse, rather short. Head only half as broad as the elytra. Thorax

strongly transverse, much rounded at the sides and base, so that the hind angles have

disappeared, distinctly narrower in front than at the base, the surface closely, extremely

POLYLOBUS.—OXYPODA. 159

finely punctate. Elytra longer than the thorax, of a pale yellow colour, rather closely

and finely punctate, the hind margin deeply sinuate at the outer angle. Hind body

convex, much turned upwards, narrowed behind; the segments partly black, partly red ;

on those at the base the red colour predominates, while at the extremity the reverse is

the case; closely punctate. Legs clear reddish yellow.

In the male there is an elongate carina along the middle of the posterior part of

the sixth dorsal plate of the hind body, and on the following segment a similar but less

elevated keel.

Only a single badly preserved individual has been found.

OXYPODA.

Oxypoda, Mannerheim, Brachel. p. 69 (1830) ; Erichson, Gen. et Sp. Staph. p. 141.

The species of this extensive genus reach the number of one hundred and fifty, and

are chiefly characteristic of the European region; one or two, however, have been

described from North America, one from Brazil, and several from Chili. Of the species

here described, O. clavigera is assigned with some doubt to the genus, and another,

O. palpalis, will no doubt prove to be entitled to generic distinction.

1. Oxypoda clavigera.

Minuta, brevior, dense subtilissime punctulata, omnino brevissime inconspicue pubescens, opaca, rufo-testacea,

antennis, capite abdomineque ante apicem brunneis, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis; antennis

brevibus, extrorsum incrassatis, articulis penultimis valde transversis.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne short, much thickened outwardly, third joint shorter than the second, fourth

to tenth each strongly transverse; terminal joint stout, as long as the two preceding

together. Head broad and short, very finely punctulate; eyes rather small. Thorax

strongly transverse, very convex transversely, very finely punctate. Elytra short, scarcely

longer than the thorax, very finely punctate, hind margin almost without sinuation near

the outer angle. Hind body very densely punctate, fourth and fifth segments infuscate.

The antenne of this minute insect are very short and stout for an Oxypoda; but I

believe it to belong to the genus, although the three individuals found are so much

covered with gum tragacanth that I cannot verify their structural characters.

2. Oxypoda certata.

Angustula, posterius acuminata, dense subtilissime punctulata, opaca, testacea, antennis (basi excepta) elytris

ad angulum exteriorem abdomineque apicem versus fuscescentibus; antennis subgracilibus, articulis

penultimis leviter transversis.

Long. 3-37 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

160 STAPHYLINIDA.

Antenne rather slender, third joint shorter than the second, fifth about as long as

broad, tenth slightly transverse ; terminal joint rather elongate, as long as the two pre-

ceding together. Head about half as broad as the elytra. Thorax transverse, convex,

narrowed in front, hind angles very obtuse; the colour yellow, but the anterior portion

usually more or less vaguely and broadly infuscate; very finely punctate. Llytra

longer than the thorax, punctured like it, yellow, largely infuscate at the hind angle

externally, hind margin slightly sinuate near the outer angle. Hind body pointed, very

densely and finely punctate, the three or four apical segments darker in colour than

the basal ones. |

This insect is similar to the European 0. alternans, but is smaller, and the meso-

sternal process is short, the middle acetabula being very incomplete. The small series

of seven individuals are unfortunately very badly preserved.

3. Oxypoda championi.

Rufo-testacea, subtilissime pubescens, subtilius punctata; antennis breviusculis, extrorsum crassioribus,

articulis 6°-10™ transversis ; prothorace convexo, parce punctato, abdomine equaliter crebre punctato.

Long. 4 millim.

flab. Guatemaua, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne yellow, short, distinctly thickened externally, third joint shorter than the

second; from the fourth to the tenth each is a little broader than its predecessor ; the

fourth and the fifth each about as long as broad, the others decidedly transverse ; ter-

minal joint stout, scarcely,as long as the two preceding together. Head small, scarcely

half as broad as the elytra. ‘Thorax convex, evidently broader than long, but not

strongly convex; base, sides, and hind angles rounded, the surface sparingly punctate.

Elytra scarcely longer than the thorax, rather sparingly punctate. Hind body attenuate

behind, rather closely but not densely punctate.

This insect has the ordinary appearance of our European Oxypode@; it is described

from a single individual ; the fifth and sixth dorsal plates of the hind body have each

a fuscous cloud in the middle, which may be a result of decomposition.

4. Oxypoda plebeia.

Gracilis, rufo-testacea, opaca, dense subtilissime punctulata et pubescens, elytris in medio subfuscis, abdomine

segmento quinto sextique basi fuscis; antennis parum elongatis, articulis 5°-10™ transversis; prothorace

convexo, transverso ; abdomine densissime subtilissimeque punctulato.

Long. 27 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

Terminal joint of antenne elongate, rather longer than the two preceding together.

Thorax nearly twice as broad as long, convex, narrowed in front, closely punctate.

Elytra rather longer than the thorax, densely punctate, each very vaguely darker about

OXYPODA. 161

the middle towards the side. Hind body pointed, very evenly, densely and finely

punctulate ; the fifth dorsal plate dark, and also the base of the sixth.

This insect, similar in many respects to O. championi, is smaller and narrower, has

amore elongate terminal joint to the antenne, and the punctuation denser and finer.

Only a single individual has been found.

5. Oxypoda inepta.

Angustula, nigricans, antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque sordide testaceis, abdominis apice ferrugineo ; sat

crebre subtiliter punctata, abdomine apicem versus subattenuato crebrius punctato; antennis brevibus,

crassiusculis.

Long. 2} millim.

Hab. Guatemana, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne short and stout, thickened externally, third joint rather shorter than the

second, fourth to tenth each transverse, terminal joint rather short. Head convex,

rather narrow, sparingly punctate, rather shining. ‘Thorax convex, strongly transverse,

evenly and finely, not densely punctate and pubescent. Elytra not longer than the

thorax, similarly punctate. Hind body rather slender, narrowed from the fifth segment

to the extremity, closely and evenly punctate. Legs rather short, dark yellow.

This species has the anterior parts more sparingly punctate than is usual in the

genus. Only a single individual has been found.

6. Oxypoda carinata.

Dense punctata, opaca, nigra, antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque sordide testaceis, elytris abdominisque

segmentorum marginibus ferrugineis; antennis mediocribus, articulis 7°-10™ leviter transversis ; abdomine

densissime, subtilissime, sequaliter punctulato.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champiun).

Antenne not elongate nor stout, third joint equal to the second, the next three or

four joints each about as long as broad, the following ones slightly transverse, terminal

joint as long as the two preceding together. Head about half as broad as the elytra.

Thorax transverse, very convex, slightly curved at the sides, rounded and narrowed in

front, densely punctate. Elytra a good deal longer than the thorax. Hind body

regularly narrowed from the base to the extremity, very densely and finely punctured,

the hind margins of the segments ferruginous.

This insect is very similar to the Kuropean O. opaca, but is only half the size of the

individuals of that species, the antenne are less elongate, the punctuation is not quite

so fine, and the mesosternum is carinate. Only a single individual has been found.

7. Oxypoda microps. (Tab. V. fig. 3.)

Fusco-nigra, elytris fuscis, abdominis apice piceo, palpis pedibusque fusco-testaceis ; capito angusto, oculis

BIOL. CENT.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, May 1883. VY

162 STAPHYLINIDE.

parvis; prothorace transverso elytris latiore et longiore; abdomine omnino densissime subtilissime

punctato, opaco.

Long. 44 millim.

Hab. Guaremaua, Totonicapam, between 8500 and 10,500 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather slender, the basal joint sordid red, third joint quite as long as the second,

all the joints longer than broad, terminal joint slender and elongate, as long as the two

preceding together, more dilute in colour, being obscurely flavescent towards the apex.

Head small, subacuminate in front, with quite small eyes. Thorax large, strongly

transverse, very convex transversely, rounded at the sides and a little narrowed in front,

rather closely punctate. Elytra not so long as the thorax, closely and somewhat coarsely

punctate. Hind body much more densely and finely punctate than are the anterior

parts.

This is a peculiar species with very short metasternum, so that the middle coxe very

nearly attain the hind margin of the metasternum; the mesosternum is carinate along

the middle: the structure of the front tarsi is very obscure; but I think they are five-

jointed. Three individuals have been found.

8. Oxypoda palpalis. (Tab. V. fig. 4.)

Angustula, piceo-ferruginea, antennarum basi, palpis, pedibus abdominisque apice testaceis, crebre punctulata

evidenterque pubescens ; antennis crassis, articulis 4°-10™ fortiter transversis.

Long. 32 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city (Champion).

Antenne stout, of Calodera-like form, ferruginous, paler at the base; third joint

rather short, shorter than the second; fourth very short, strongly transverse, a little

narrower than the following joints, which are all similar in breadth and nearly so in

length; the terminal joint is elongate, longer than the two preceding together, obtuse

at apex. Maxillary palpi elongate and slender. Head narrow, obsoletely punctate.

Thorax convex, not quite so long as broad, rounded at the sides and base, and narrowed

in front, obscurely punctate. Elytra about as long as the thorax, moderately closely

and finely punctate. Hind body elongate and slender, pointed behind; the basal

segments pitchy, ferruginous behind; the seventh and the greater part of the sixth

yellow. Legs yellow; the hind tibie rather short, their tarsi elongate, fully as long as

the tibice.

Only one individual has been found. The insect is an aberrant one, and will no

doubt have to be removed from Oxypoda, if it be only on account of the elongate third

joint of the maxillary palpi, which is similar to that extant in Myllena. The tarsi are

slender and bear a rather long pubescence ; and their articulations are very difficult to

distinguish : Iam sure, however, those of the hind feet are five-jointed, but am not quite

certain that there are more than four articles on the middle feet, though I believe I

distinguish five. One of the front feet is broken off; and I am quite unable to form any

EUTHORAX.—OCYOTA. 163

opinion as to the structure of the other, owing to its being covered with gum traga-.

canth. The middle coxe are distinctly separated; and the union between the

mesosternal and metasternal processes is very intimate, indeed so that the suture is

obliterated.

EUTHORAX.

Euthoraz, Solier in Gay’s Hist. fis. y pol. Chile, Zool. iv. p. 845; Lac. Gen. Col. ii. p. 156.

Myrmecochara, Kraatz, Linn. Ent. xi. p. 40 (1857).

This genus has been merged in Oxypoda, but is pretty certainly entitled to distinct

rank, and will comprise, besides the Chilian species of Solier, and the North-American

insect described by Kraatz, the Amazonian Oxypoda aliena, Sharp.

1. Euthorax pictipennis.

Myrmecochara pictipennis, Kraatz, Linn. Ent. xi. p. 41".

Hab. Nortu America, Louisiana!, Texas (fawvel).—Mexico, Jalapa (L6ge).

This species is reputed to inhabit the nests of Termites. Mr. Hoge has only

captured a single individual.

OCYOTA.

Tarsi omnes 5-articulati, posteriores articulo basali elongato, sequentibus duobus simul sumtis sequali. Pro-

thoracis pars lateralis parum abrupte inflexa. Coxee intermedie subdistantes ; metasternum inter eas sat

productum, cum mesosterni apice acuminato contiguo.

This genus is established for an insect having quite the appearance of the large

species of Homalota, of the H. xanthoptera group, but having the intermediate coxe

more separated, and the metasternum produced far forward between the coxe, so that

its truncate apex touches the acuminate extremity of the mesosternum, and the basal

joint of the hind tarsi elongate. The front tarsi are, I believe, five-jointed ; but the division

between the fourth and fifth joints, in the unique and badly preserved individual at my

disposition, is obscure, and on this point I may be wrong. ‘The genus may be placed

near Oxypoda; but should the front tarsi prove to be only four-jointed, it will be trans-

ferred to a position between Myrmedonia and Homalota, where its facies would lead

one to expect its natural position should be.

1. Ocyota dubia.

Nigro-fusca, elytris fusco-brunneis, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis ; antennis crassis, setulosis, articulis

penultimis transversis ; prothorace transversim subquadrato, basin versus leviter angustato, sat crebre

punctulato ; elytris prothorace parum longioribus crebre punctatis; abdomine apicem versus attenuato,

basi sparsim punctato.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. GuatEMaa, Capetillo (Champion).

Similar in appearance to the European Homalota xanthoptera, but with the hind

YY 2

164 STAPHYLINIDZ.

body more narrowed behind, and therefore less parallel. Antenne stout, the two or

three basal joints yellowish, third joint longer than second, fifth to tenth transverse ;

eleventh large, acuminate, quite as long as the two preceding together. Thorax rather

broader than long, a little narrowed behind, rather narrower than the elytra, sparingly

punctate, the hind angle very obtuse. Elytra rather closely punctate. Hind body with

segments two to four sparingly punctate, the fifth and sixth almost impunctate. Legs

clear yellow.

The unique individual before me is no doubta male; for although without distinctive

characters on the hind body, the second, third, fourth, and fifth joints of the antenne

are densely furnished on one side with sete.

PHLCGZOPORA.

Phieopora, Erichson, Kaf. Mark.-Brand. i. p. 314 (1837).

This genus consists of about twenty species of minute Staphylinide, distributed in

most parts of the world; but probably South and Central America are their head

quarters. A considerable number of the Central-American species have their head

borne on a comparatively narrow neck, and more disengaged from the thorax than

their European congeners, and, in consequence of this and their more slender form,

have a somewhat Falagrioid appearance ; but these species cannot be treated asa distinct

genus, the gradations of structure being too numerous to permit of this.

1. Phleopora fenestrata.

Nigra, nitida, parce punctata et pubescens, antennarum basi palpisque fuscis, pedibus fusco-testaceis, elytris

ad apicem testaceo-maculatis ; antennis crassis, articulis 5°-10™ fortiter transversis ; prothorace sat elon-

gato, anterius rotundato, fortiter subobsolete punctato, linea media glabra, basi transversim foveolatia.

Long. 3 millim. |

Hab. GUATEMALA, San Gerénimo, San Joaquin in Vera Paz (Champion).

Antenne short and stout, thickened externally; fourth joint scarcely transverse, the

following strongly so. Head broad, rather broader than the thorax, with narrow neck,

black, shining, very sparingly punctate. Thorax longer than broad, a good deal

narrower than the elytra, a little narrowed behind, with a rather coarse but indistinct

punctuation, and down the middle a smooth space, at the base with a transverse

impression, which is more or less distinctly divided by the smooth middle line, according

to the direction from which it is observed. FElytra a little longer than the thorax,

shining black, at the apex with a rather large yellow patch common to the two,

sparingly punctate. Hind body slender, rather sparingly and not finely punctate; the

seventh segment obscurely granulate, its extremity rounded.

Six specimens have been found; I do not observe any sexual character among them.

The rather elongate form, narrow neck, and rounded front to the thorax give to this

and the allied species a somewhat Falagrioid facies.

PHL@OPORA. 165

2. Phleopora glabra.

Nigra, nitida, subglabra, antennarum basi palpisque piceis, pedibus fusco-testaceis, elytris ad apicem pices-

centibus; antennis sat crassis, articulis 5°-10™ transversis; prothorace sat elongato, basi transversim

impresso.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Senahu in Vera Paz (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui

2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

This species is very closely allied to P. fenestrata ; but the antenne are not so thick,

and the surface is less punctate, the head, thorax, and elytra being almost impunctate,

and the hind body punctate in a distinct manner only at the base of the second and

third segments; the elytra are only vaguely picescent behind; and the impression at

the base of the thorax is remarkably distinct.

Only a single individual has been found in each of the two localities.

3. Phleopora alticola. (Tab. V. fig. 5.)

Nigra, antennarum basi elytrisque fuscis, palpis pedibusque sordide testaceis; parce punctata, parum nitida ;

antennis brevibus, articulis 5°-10™ transversis; prothorace magis longo quam lato, anterius rotundato ;

abdomine fere impunctato.

Long. 4—44 millim.

Hab. Guatemana, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

Antenne stout, fourth joint hardly so long as broad, fifth to tenth each rather strongly

transverse. Head very sparingly punctate, with rounded hinder angles and narrow

neck. Thorax longer than broad, rounded in front, scarcely narrowed behind, sparingly

and indistinctly punctate, not shining, with a small, undivided, transverse impression at

the base in the middle. Elytra elongate, a good deal longer than the thorax, sparingly

punctate, of fuscous or picescent colour, the hind margin rather deeply sinuate on each

side. Hind body slender and elongate, almost impunctate, even the basal transverse

impressions being without distinct sculpture; the hind margin of the sixth segment

yellowish, the seventh segment pitchy yellow.

Seven individuals have been found. I see no sexual distinctions; the seventh dorsal

plate is without granulations.

4. Phleopora sinuata.

Griseo-pubescens, anterius subopaca, abdomine subnitido, nigricans; antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis,

elytris abdominisque apice dilute rufis ; antennis crassiusculis, articulis 5°-10™ transversis; elytris dense

punctatis, ad marginem posteriorem utrinque profunde sinuatis; abdomine basi crebre, apicem versus

sparsius, punctato.

Long. 4—43 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne pale, rather stout ; fourth joint quadrate, a good deal smaller than the fifth ;

166 STAPHYLINID®.

fifth to tenth very similar to one another, each rather strongly transverse. . Head short

and broad, with narrow neck, rather dull, obsoletely punctate, but distinctly pubescent.

Thorax about as long as broad, rounded in front, slightly narrowed behind, with

punctuation and pubescence similar to those of the head ; basal impression very vague.

Elytra elongate, much longer than the thorax, clear red, closely and finely punctate,

not shining; the hind margin sinuate on each side, and the outer angle very distinctly

prolonged. Hind body picescent, hind margins paler, the posterior portion of the sixth

segment and the whole of the seventh yellow; the basal segments closely punctate at

the base of each, sparingly at the hind margin; fifth, sixth, and seventh segments quite

sparingly punctate.

Two individuals have been found; they have the dorsal plate of the seventh segment

of the hind body quite smooth, and its hind margin a little emarginate in the middle.

5. Phleopora rufipennis.

Griseo-pubescens, subopaca, nigricans, antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis, elytris abdominisque apice dilute

rufis ; antennis minus crassis, articulis 5°-10™ transversis ; elytris dense punctatis, ad marginem poste-

riorem utrinque parum sinuatis; abdomine crebre punctato.

ong. 33 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Las Mercedes 3000 feet, Zapote, Cahabon in Vera Paz (Champion);

Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Head short and broad, with rather narrow neck, densely and very finely punctured,

quite dull. Thorax about as long as broad, rounded in front, distinctly narrowed

behind, very densely and obscurely punctate, basal impression indefinite. Elytra longer

than the thorax, densely and finely punctured, quite dull. Hind body picescent, with

the hind half of the sixth and the whole of the seventh segment yellow; the three basal

segments closely, the following more sparingly punctate. Legs clear yellow.

Ten specimens in all have been found of this species; the seventh dorsal plate and

the hind part of the sixth are very finely granulate; the former is nearly truncate

behind, with the outer angles rounded, and a very fine raised margin.

6. Phleopora leticula.

Parce pubescens et punctata, nitidula; subdepressa, rufo-testacea, antennis (basi excepta) fuscis, capite, pectore

abdominisque fascia ante apicem nigris, elytris pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace subquadrato, basi in

medio parum profunde transversim impressa.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GuateMaLa, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne rather short, moderately stout, joints 5-10 transverse. Head black, man-

dibles and palpi red, very sparingly and obsoletely punctured, shining. ‘Thorax rather

narrow, about as long as broad, scarcely narrowed behind, sparingly and very indistinctly

PHLICOPORA. 167

punctured, shining. FElytra longer than the thorax, sparingly punctate, hind margin

but little sinuate. Hind body quite sparingly punctate, the basal transverse depressions

not punctate, the four basal segments red; fifth and sixth black, hind margin of the

latter and the seventh segment yellow ; these segments without granulation, the hind

margin of the seventh rounded.

Five specimens have been found on Totonicapam; they exhibit a slight infuscation

of variable definiteness at the side of each wing-case and about the scutellum. The

three individuals from Capetillo form a variety of rather smaller size, and with the

head and antenne rather more dilute in colour.

7. Phieopora furcata..

Depressa, parallela, parce punctata et pubescens, sat nitida, nigra, antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis, elytris

picescentibus ; prothorace quadrato, basi vix perspicue impressa.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guatemana, San Gerdnimo (Champion).

Antenne short and rather stout, a good deal thickened outwardly ; third joint small,

being much shorter than the second, fourth to tenth each rather strongly transverse.

Head short and broad, as broad as the thorax, hind angles but little rounded; neck

moderately broad, the surface very sparingly punctate. Thorax nearly square, except

that the front is a little rounded, and the sides very slightly narrowed behind, the

surface very sparingly punctate and finely pubescent. Elytra much longer than the

thorax, sparingly and finely punctate, picescent, or piceous black in colour. Hind body

only very finely and sparingly punctate, the basal transverse impressions without

punctuation.

The species is remarkable by the structure of the seventh dorsal plate of the hind

body, which is prolonged on each side into a stout elongate spine. A series of eighteen

examples has been found; the variation shown by them is but slight, and is chiefly

seen in the coloration of the elytra, which are of a pitchy colour, but in some cases

darker than in others.

8. Phleopora crassula. |

Minus depressa, dense punctata, subtiliter pubescens, opaca, nigra, elytrorum margine posteriore rufo, anten-

narum basi, palpis pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace transversim subquadrato, basi haud impressa.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guatema.a, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne short, stout; third joint a little shorter than second; joints four to ten

strongly transverse. Head small, much narrower than the thorax, densely punctate,

dull. ‘Thorax as broad as the elytra, straight at the sides, not narrowed behind, not

quite so long as broad, more rounded at the base than in front, transversely rather

convex, densely, finely, and evenly punctate, without any trace of basal impression.

168 STAPHYLINIDA.

Elytra a little longer than the thorax, blackish, with the hind margin rather broadly

red, closely punctate in a manner similar to the thorax. Hind body densely punctate.

Legs rather dusky yellow; the femora more dusky than the tibiae.

The male of this distinct species has the dorsal plates of the sixth and seventh ventral

segments covered with rather coarse granules. Four individuals have been found.

9. Phleopora flavipennis.

Minor, dense subtilissime punctulata et pubescens, opaca, antennis, palpis, pedibus elytrisque testaceis ; an-

tennis sat crassis, articulis 5°-10™ transversis ; prothorace quadrato, elytris hoe vix longioribus.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, Las Mercedes 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne only moderately stout, and but little thickened transversely. Head broad

and short, rather narrower than the thorax, densely and obscurely punctured. Thorax

as long as broad, straight at the sides, densely and very finely punctate. Elytra only

a little longer than the thorax, of yellowish colour, more obscure at the base than at

the apex, densely and finely punctured, quite dull; hind margin very little sinuate.

Hind body densely and finely punctate, sordid yellow at the extremity.

This insect is very similar in form and appearance to the well-known P. reptans of

Europe; but the individuals are not half the size of those of the European species, and

the neck, though comparatively broader than in most of the other Central-American

species, is narrower than in the European insect, and the hind margin of the wing-cases

is less sinuate. The two individuals found do not exhibit any sexual character.

10. Phleopora debilis.

Minor, dense subtilissime punctata et pubescens, opaca, antennis, palpis pedibusque sordide testaceis, elytris

brunneis; antennis haud crassis, articulis 5°-10™ transversis ; prothorace quadrato, elytris hoc vix longi-

oribus.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guaremaua, Zapote (Champion).

This minute and obscure Ph/wopora appears to be very closely allied to P. flavipennis,

but to be smaller and to have the elytra of a more obscure colour. The unique indi-

vidual is in poor preservation.

11. Phleopora minima.

Angusta, haud depressa, omnino densissime subtilissimeque punctulata et pubescens, opaca, fuscula, capite

nigricante, antennarum basi, pedibus abdominisque apice testaceis; antennis tenuibus, apicem versus

crassioribus.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne slender, but evidently thicker towards the extremity ; third joint remarkably

PHLG@OPORA.—OCALEA. 169

small and quite slender, the penultimate joints only slightly transverse. Head darker

in colour than the rest of the upper surface, distinctly narrower than the thorax; this

latter rather slender, about as long as broad, a little narrower than the elytra, without

basal impression. Elytra elongate, much longer than the thorax; hind margin not

sinuate. Hind body with the seventh segment and the greater part of the sixth

yellowish. |

This minute insect is readily distinguished amongst its congeners by its slender form

and the excessively dense fine punctuation. Only a single specimen has been found.

12. Phleopora rufula.

Angusta, haud depressa, dense subtiliter punctulata et pubescens, opaca, rufula, abdomine ante apicem

picescente, ano pedibusque testaceis ; capite elytris multo angustiore, antennis haud tenuibus.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne not slender, slightly thicker externally, yellow at the base, rather darker

towards the extremity ; third joint small, much shorter than the stout second joint, fourth

quadrate, fifth to tenth transverse, terminal joint rather short. Head closely punctate,

dull, much narrower than the elytra. Thorax a little broader than long, slightly

narrower than the elytra, almost straight at the sides, densely and not very finely

punctate, finely pubescent. Llytra rather longer than the thorax, scarcely more

sparingly and finely punctate. Hind body densely punctate, finely but evidently

pubescent. .

A very distinct little insect, with comparatively less-depressed form, small head, and

coarser punctuation than usual in the genus. ‘Two individuals have been found.

OCALEA.

Ocalea, Erichson, Kaf. Mark-Brand. 1. p. 298.

This genus consists of about twenty species, all found in the Mediterranean region,

with the exception of one in Japan. The insect here assigned to the genus is a very

obscure one, and differs from its congeners, inasmuch as the head is almost without

constriction behind ; but this character is scarcely sufficient to induce at present the

generic isolation of O. dejecta.

1. Ocalea dejecta.

Subdepressa, ferruginea, capite antennisque nigricantibus, harum basi pedibusque testaceis; subtiliter minus

erebre punctulata; antennis sat crassis, articulis 5°-10™ minus fortiter transversis; prothorace subqua-

drato, parce punctato, nitidulo.

Long. 37 millim.

Hab. GuatTeMaLa, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne moderately long and rather stout, evidently thickened towards:the extre-

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, May 1883. ZZ,

170 STAPHYLINIDA.

mity, third joint slightly shorter than the second ; from the fourth to the tenth each is

a little broader than its predecessor, and the first of them is slightly, the last rather

strongly transverse ; terminal joint stout, obtusely pointed, longer than the two preceding

together. Head narrow, much narrower than the thorax, nearly black, shining,

sparingly and very obsoletely punctate. Thorax almost as long as broad, but little

convex, only slightly curved at the sides, shining, reddish, sparingly punctate. lytra

slightly longer than the thorax, rather closely and finely punctate. Hind body reddish ;

fourth, fifth, and sixth segments picescent at the base, finely and not closely punctate ;

second to fifth segments each with a regularly curvate impression at the extreme base.

Two specimens only have been found of this species.

Group MYRMEDONIINA.

Anterior tarsi four-, intermediate and posterior five-jointed.

TINOTUS.

Caput haud liberum, absque collo. Prothorax marginibus valde inflexis, occultis. Coxe intermediz late

distantes, mesosterni processu inter eas longius producto, in medio longitudinaliter carinato, apice lato,

rotundato-truncato, sub metasterni processus brevissimi apice producto. Tarsi posteriores modice elongati,

articulo basali quam secundus longiore.

The insects of this genus have the facies of small species of Aleochara, of the

subgenus Baryodma, Rey, and agree therewith in the structure of the pieces adjoining

the middle acetabula; but their palpi have no definite supplementary terminal joint, .

and the front feet I think have only four joints: this latter character necessitates the

location of the genus in the Myrmedoniina, where, however, it will be quite isolated.

The genz are marginate; the prosternum is very small; and the metathoracic epimera

are largely developed, and conspicuous behind the side margins of the elytra.

1. Tinotus cavicollis. (Tab. V. fig. 6.)

Haud depressus, dense punctatus, brevissime pubescens, opacus, fusco-niger, antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque

testaceis, abdominis apice ferrugineo; prothorace fortiter transverso, transversim convexo, dorso late pro-

fundeque depresso, depressione magis evidenter pubescente.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city and at San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne rather short and not thick, evidently thickened externally, third joint about

as long as the second, fourth as long as broad, fifth scarcely, tenth distinctly trans-

verse; terminal joint not elongate, scarcely so long as the two preceding joints together,

obtusely acuminate. Head only about half as broad as the elytra, dull, obscurely

punctate. Thorax quite twice as broad as long, curved at the sides, and narrowed in

front, the base scarcely sinuate on each side, broadly and deeply depressed along the

middle, very finely punctate, the pubescence in the depression more conspicuous than

TINOTUS.—PHILOTERMES. 171

elsewhere. Elytra slightly longer than the thorax, obscurely rufescent towards the

suture, finely punctate, hind margin slightly sinuate at the outer angle. Hind body

convex beneath, densely and evenly punctate, dull, the hind part of the sixth segment

and the seventh reddish.

Three individuals of this species have been found; they are probably all males, and

are remarkable in that the ventral plate of the seventh segment of the hind body is

prolonged, and that its broad straight hind margin is densely set with coarse, flat,

semi-membranaceous cilia; this plate is smooth and shining. It is possible that the

remarkable thoracic depression may prove to be peculiar to this sex.

2. Tinotus flavescens.

Haud depressus, sat crebre punctatus, brevissime pubescens, subnitidus, flavo-ferrugineus, antennis, basi

excepta, fuscis; prothorace fortiter transverso, transversim valde convexo.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city (Champion).

Antenne short and stout, thickened externally; joints five to ten transverse, the

last of them strongly so; terminal joint as long as the two preceding together. LElytra

short, as long as the thorax, sparingly punctate. Hind body closely punctate, the

punctuation of a peculiar strigose nature.

Only one individual has been found. Although possessing quite the same facies as

T. cavicollis, the species appears to be undoubtedly distinct. Possibly the specimen is

a female; at any rate it possesses neither the peculiar ventral structure nor the thoracic

impression of 7. cavicollis.

PHILOTERMES.

Philotermes, Kraatz, Linn. Ent. xi. p. 18 (1857).

This genus consists of three North-American species, which inhabit the nests of

Termites; and to these insects I believe I am correct in adding a fourth species from

Guatemala, although, as I have never seen any of the North-American species, and as

Kraatz has based the genus almost solely on a description of the trophi, this 1s somewhat

doubtful—as is also the location of the genus in the Myrmedoniina, the number of

joints of the intermediate tarsus not having been observed or recorded.

1. Philotermes laxicornis. (Tab. V. fig. 7.)

Testaceus, elytris obscurioribus, parce pubescens, elytris abdomineque obsolete punctatis; thorace sublevigato,

latiore quam elytra, lateribus rotundatis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, Las Mercedes 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne not elongate nor stout, evidently thickened externally, third joint shorter

and considerably more slender than the second; fourth joint elongate, a good deal

longer than broad, shorter than the third; fifth quite as long as broad, tenth a good

LZ 2

172 STAPHYLINID A.

deal shorter than broad; terminal joint stout and rather elongate, quite as long as the

two preceding together. Head broad and short, but narrower than the elytra, and

much narrower than the thorax. This latter very broad, much broader than the

elytra, transversely convex, sides rounded, not narrowed in front, the surface almost

impunctate. Elytra not longer than the thorax, rather more obscure in colour than

the rest of the surface, very obscurely punctate. Hind body not in the least narrowed

till the sixth segment is reached, very obsoletely punctulate. |

The three individuals found do not exhibit any sexual characters.

HOMALOTA.

Homalota, Mannerheim, Brachel. p. 73 (1830); Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 80.

This is an enormous genus, comprising 600 or 700 described species found in various

parts of the world, with no doubt a vast number of others still unknown, Europe alone

possessing over 200 of these species. ‘They are perhaps the most obscure and difficult

of all the forms of Coleoptera to deal with; and although C.J.'Thomson and Rey have

attempted to divide the genus into a large number of smaller genera, yet their efforts

have not proved satisfactory, except in the case of a comparatively few of the better-

marked forms. The Central-American species are apparently numerous; and it is

probable that the forty-eight here enumerated form in fact only a small proportion of

those actually existing in the region. This number, however, is sufficiently large to

render it advisable that some grouping should be attempted with a view to facilitate

reference. But I regret to say that the attempts I have made to do this are not satis-

factory; for the species will not lend themselves to an arrangement such as that used

by Kraatz in the ‘Insecten Deutschlands,’ vol. ii., for the European species, neither

will their minute structural differences allow them to be reconciled with the numerous

genera and subgenera proposed by C. J. Thomson and by C. Rey. The arrangement |

adopted is in a vague manner that used by myself for the British species; in it the

forms with most elongate antenne and greatest development of the prothorax are

placed first, as being the most highly developed forms of the genus. In the case of a

considerable number of species I have indicated structural peculiarities which will, I

hope, allow the determination of the species I have described in something like a

satisfactory manner by those who may in the future enter on the difficult task of

studying these insects; while the comparisons I have made with well known and

defined European forms will greatly help any one familiar with these.

1. Homalota consors. (Tab.V. fig. 8.)

Nigro-fusca, depressa, parallela, antennis fuscis, basi sordide testacea, pedibus dilute testaceis; subtilissime punc-

tulata; antennis gracilibus, extrorsum haud crassioribus ; abdomine crebrius punctato; tarsis brevibus.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, San Joaquin (Champion).

HOMALOTA. 173

Extremely similar to the European ZH. fragilis, Kr., but with the antenne rather less

slender, although in other respects similarly formed. Head elongate, impressed on the

middle. Thorax about as long as broad, very slightly narrowed behind, very finely

punctate. Elytra much longer than the thorax, very finely punctate. Hind body with

the basal segments closely punctate, the penultimate one more sparingly. As in the

allied European forms, the antenne are quite destitute of exserted sete.

The male has the hind margin of the last dorsal plate obscurely serrate.

2. Homalota consimilis.

Nigro-fusca, depressa, parallela, antennis fuscis, pedibus testaceis ; subtilissime punctulata; antennis gracilibus,

extrorsum haud crassioribus ; abdomine crebre punctato; tarsis brevibus.

Long. 3-37 millim.

fab. GUATEMALA, Senahu, Vera Paz (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000

to 6000 feet (Champion).

Closely allied to H. consors, but of larger size. Of the depressed, subparallel form

and fragile make of H. cambrica, Woll., but with the articulations of the antenne a

little longer than in the latter species; the penultimate joints of these organs are a

good deal longer than broad. Head depressed in front. Thorax subquadrate, being

as long as broad, but slightly narrowed behind. Elytra much longer than the thorax,

excessively closely and finely, almost invisibly, punctate. Hind body closely punctate,

the penultimate segment only sparingly punctate.

Only a single individual has been found in each locality ; one of them I believe to

be a male, as the last dorsal plate is truncate in the middle.

3. Homalota dissimilis,

Nigro-fusca, pedibus testaceis, hand depressa, pube brevissima dense vestita, vix visibiliter punctulata, sub-

opaca; antennis crassiusculis, articulis nullis transversis; capite thoraceque angustulis, hoc ad angulos

anteriores omnino rotundato.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Guaremana, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Intermediate in appearance between the species of Gnypeta and the European Homalota

pavens, Er., and H. gregaria, Er. Antenne rather stout, dark in colour; second and

third joints elongate and rather stout, about equal; tenth about as long as broad;

terminal joint nearly equal in length to the two preceding together. Head greatly

narrower than the elytra, narrowed behind. ‘Thorax a good deal narrower than the

elytra, nearly as long as broad, very slightly narowed behind, broadly but indistinctly

impressed along the middle. Elytra a good deal longer than the thorax, very finely

and densely punctate. Hind body rather broad and short, indistinctly punctulate; the

second, third, fourth, and fifth dorsal plates at their extreme bases each with a peculiar,

excessively fine and indistinct, coriaceous or subreticulate sculpture.

174 STAPHYLINIDA.

In this species the middle coxe are by no means contiguous, the metasternum is a —

good deal produced between the middle cox, and the mesosternum is also prolonged

to about a similar length; the apices of the two processes are not, however, contiguous,

but are separated by a rather elongate, narrow intercoxal isthmus. ‘The insect may

prove entitled to generic rank on account of its more than usually prolonged meta-

sternal process and the rather less approximate coxe; and by these characters, as well

as somewhat by the form and sculpture, an affinity with Zachyusa is suggested: the

hind tarsi, however, are rather stout and only of moderate length, the basal joint

slightly longer than the following one. ‘The middle tarsi are undoubtedly five-jointed.

Only a single individual has been found; it is in a bad state of preservation, and

apparently a female.

4. Homalota centralis.

Nigra, capite thoraceque vix subsnescentibus, antennis pedibusque fusco-testaceis, elytris fuscis; antennis

gracilibus, articulis penultimis haud transversis; prothorace subquadrato, sparsim punctato; elytris hoc

longioribus, parce punctatis ; abdomine segmentis 2°-4™ parcius punctatis, 5° et 6° fere levigatis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Totonicapam 8000 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

Antenne slender, strongly setose ; third joint a little longer than second; fifth to ninth

each very slightly broader than its predecessor, the ninth longer than broad (terminal

joints broken off). Thorax rather narrower than the elytra, a little broader than long,

nearly straight at the sides, but a good deal narrowed and rounded near the front

angles, the hind angles obtuse, the surface sparingly punctured. |

This species is of rather narrower form than H. alticola, and has joints five to nine

of the antenne more slender and elongate, and the thorax less transverse. It was

apparently found by Mr. Champion in the same locality as H. alticola, and was supposed

by him to be the same species. But it is undoubtedly distinct; for, in addition to the

differences above indicated, the middle coxe are a little more approximate, so that the

mesosternal process is rather narrower. A single mutilated individual, in bad condition,

is all that has been found.

5. Homalota alticola.

Nigra, subnitida, capite thoraceque vix subsnescentibus, elytris fuscis; antennis subgracilibus, apieem versus

paulo latioribus, articulis penultimis leviter transversis; prothorace transversim’ subquadrato, crebre

punctulato; elytris prothorace longioribus, crebrius punctatis; abdomine segmentis 2°-4™ sparsim, 5° et 6°

adhuc sparsius punctatis; pedibus sordide testaceis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Guarrmata, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

Antenne black, conspicuously setose, third joint a little longer than second, fourth

a good deal longer than broad, tenth slightly transverse. Head rather broad and short,

sparingly punctate, but little shining. Thorax broad, but a good deal narrower than

HOMALOTA. 175

the elytra, much broader than long, nearly straight at the sides, scarcely narrowed

behind, finely punctate; hind angles obtuse, not rounded. LElytra a good deal longer

than the thorax, rather closely punctate. Legs sordid testaceous, femora a little

darker.

This species has quite the appearance of the European species forming the H. xan-

thoptera group, and is allied in structure to H. incognita, Shp.; but the middle coxse are

perceptibly less approximate, and the mesosternal process is more elongate and less

slender, and therefore less acuminate at the extremity. A single individual has been

found ; it is possibly a female.

6. Homalota libera.

Nigra, capite thoraceque subsnescentibus, elytris fusco-subeneis, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis ;

antennis sat clongatis, conspicue pilosellis, articulo quarto haud, decimo leviter, transverso; thorace

transversim subquadrato ; elytris thoracis longitudine ; abdomine parce punctato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, Volcan de Agua 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

Antenne yellow at the base, becoming dark at the extremity; third joint elongate,

longer than second; fourth slender, longer than broad; of joints five to ten each is a

little shorter and broader than its predecessor, so that, though the fifth is longer than

broad, the tenth is transverse; terminal joint elongate and acuminate, quite as long as

the two preceding together. Thorax rather large, but not so long as broad; it is

slightly narrowed behind; the hind angles are very obtuse, the base is about as broad

as the elytra at the shoulders; it is sparingly punctate. Elytra rather short, about the

length of the thorax, a little narrowed towards the shoulders, sparingly punctate; hind

margin not perceptibly sinuate at the outer angle. Hind body only very sparingly

punctate; the apical segments almost without punctuation.

The middle cox are in this species very exserted, so that the structure of the pieces

near them is not very conspicuous; the coxe are nearly or quite contiguous, and the

mesosternum is scarcely at all produced between them; and thus, although the meso-

sternum sends off between them a long slender process, it does not reach the metasternum,

but is separated from it by a considerable space. Only a single individual, in extremely

decayed condition, has been sent.

7. Homalota guatemale.

Rufo-obscura, capite, elytris abdomineque in medio fuscis, antennis rufis, pedibus abdominisque apice testaceis ;

dense subtilissime punctulata, fere opaca ; capite subtriangulari; antennis mediocribus articulis 4°-10”,

transversis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatamata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne rather short, moderately stout; third joint short, not so long as second ;

fourth smaller than those following, transverse; fifth to tenth differing but little from

176 STAPHYLINIDA.

one another, each short and distinctly transverse; terminal joint rather large, fully as

long as the two preceding together. Head rather narrower than the thorax, distinctly

narrowed in front; eyes small. Thorax rather strongly transverse, without channel or

depression. Elytra a little longer than the thorax. Hind body becoming rather

broader from the base to the fifth segment; all the segments extremely finely and

densely punctulate. Legs short, yellow.

This little insect is very similar in form and punctuation to the European H. analis,

Grav., and has a coloration resembling that of the brightest varieties of the European

species; H. guatemale, however, has the antenne much stouter and with a larger

terminal joint. Only one specimen has been found.

8. Homalota vexata.

Fusca, antennarum basi pedibusque flavis, prothorace elytrisque testaceis; antennis parum elongatis, sat

crassis ; prothorace fortiter transverso ; abdomine subparallelo, sparsim punctato.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. GuatemaLa, El Reposo 800 feet (Champion).

Antenne with the second and third joints short and subequal in length; from the

fourth to the tenth each is slightly broader than its predecessor, and each is transverse ;

the terminal joint broad, and about as long as the two preceding together. Head

nearly black, short and broad. Prothorax strongly transverse, about as broad as the

elytra, very obsoletely punctate. Elytra short, a little longer than the thorax, very

finely, moderately closely punctate. Hind body nearly black, only very sparingly

punctate.

One of the most obscure species, and of very doubtful position; the intermediate

cox are not quite contiguous. Only two specimens have been found.

9. Homalota carinata.

Nigro-fusca, parum nitida, pedibus testaceis; antennis brevibus, sat crassis, articulis 4°-10™ fortiter trans-

versis ; prothorace fortiter transverso, latiore quam elytra; abdomine crebre punctato.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. GuatEMaLA, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

Basal joint of antennz fuscous, the others darker; third joint short, a good deal

shorter than the second; of joints four to ten each is slightly broader than its

predecessor, the first of them slightly, the last of them strongly transverse; terminal

joint stout, obtuse. ‘Thorax rather broader than the elytra, much rounded at the sides,

the hind angles indistinct, the surface closely and somewhat roughly punctate. Elytra

short, but distinctly longer than the thorax, moderately closely and rather roughly

punctured, hind margin much sinuate externally. Hind body rather slender, not

narrowed till the fifth segment is reached; all the segments distinctly punctured, but

HOMALOTA. . 177

the fifth and sixth not so closely as those preceding them. Legs yellow, rather short

and stout.

This is a very isolated species; the intermediate cox are contiguous for a small part

of their length behind, and the mesosternal process between them is elongate and is

raised along the middle; the space between the middle and hind coxe is very small.

Only one individual, in very fragile condition, has been found.

10. Homalota pectoralis.

Minuta, fusca, parum nitida, dense subtilius punctulata, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis; antennis

brevibus, apicem versus fortiter incrassatis; prothorace fortiter transverso, elytris quam hic multo longi-

oribus ; abdomine parallelo, crebrius (segmentis 5° et 6° sparsius) punctato.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. GuateMaLa, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

Antennee quite short, third joint short and small, only half as long as the second;

fourth joint quite small, but not so long as broad; the following joints very short, the

ninth and tenth very strongly transverse, the terminal joint stout and rounded. Head

small. Prothorax strongly transverse, about twice as broad as long, very finely

punctulate. Elytra very greatly longer than the thorax, very finely punctulate. Legs

clear yellow.

This is one of the smallest species; and its small size and short antenne, and other

points, give it some approximation of facies to the species of the genus Oligota. Only

a single specimen has been found.

The middle coxe are rather less contiguous than in the ordinary forms of Homalota;

and the metasternum is much produced between them; the mesosternal process is therefore

not very elongate, although it very nearly, or perhaps quite, meets the metasternum.

1¥. Homalota evanescens.

Depressa, angustula, parallela, subtilissime punctulata, haud setulosa, fulvo-testacea, capite abdomineque ante

apicem fuscis; antennis crassiusculis, brevibus, articulis penultimis fortiter transversis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Guatemala city, San Gerdnimo (Champion).

A very minute insect, similar to the European /. eailis, Er. The antenne are stout

and very short; the third joint is quite small, almost triangular, not much more than

half as long as the second ; fourth to tenth each very short, each a little broader than its

predecessor; eleventh joint not acuminate, large in proportion to the others. Head

subquadrate, almost invisibly punctulate. Thorax transverse, but little narrower than

the elytra, straight at the sides, almost impunctate, without channel or impression.

Elytra rather elongate, very finely punctate. Hind body parallel, extremely finely

punctulate, fifth segment nearly black.

The series of ten specimens referred by me to this species shows so much yariation

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, May 1883. 2 AA

178 STAPHYLINIDA.

that it is doubtful whether all may be truly one species. The head is in some a little

narrowed in front; and the antennee vary somewhat in thickness, and in the colour of

their apical portion, which is sometimes clear yellow, sometimes infuscate; the dark

band on the abdomen is sometimes definite and nearly limited to the fifth segment, but

in other cases is indefinite and darkens slightly the hind body nearly to the base.

12. Homalota longifrons.

Depressa, parallela, subtilissime punctulata, subnitida, fusco-testacea, capite abdomineque fuscis, pedibus

testaceis; capite oblongo, anterius impresso ; antennis brevibus, articulis penultimis transversis.

Long. 17 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Guatemala city and San Gerénimo (Champion).

One of the most minute insects of the family. Antenne very short; the basal joints

testaceous, the others more or less infuscate; third joint quite small; fourth to tenth

transverse, each broader than its predecessor ; terminal joint rounded, not large. Head

oblong, deeply impressed in front. Thorax not broader than the head, rather elongate,

but not quite so long as broad, straight at the sides, but the base a good deal rounded,

depressed along the middle, punctuation almost invisible. Elytra longer than the

thorax. Hind body narrow, almost broader at the fifth segment than at the base,

punctuation invisible. Legs short, yellow.

Five individuals of this mite have been found. Though similar in many points to

H, evanescens, it is abundantly distinct.

13. Homalota diffinis. . |

Nigro-fusca, antennarum basi pedibusque fuscis; antennis mediocribus, articulis nullis transversis ; prothorace

subquadrato, sparsim punctato ; elytris crebrius parum subtiliter punctatis, quam prothorax longioribus ;

abdomine apicem versus subattenuato, sparsim punctato.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 8000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather elongate, but little thickened externally, the two basal joints sordid

red, the rest nearly black; second and third joints rather elongate, the latter very

slightly the longer; fourth joint rather small, not transverse; fifth to tenth differing

very little from one another, each about as long as broad; terminal joint of moderate

length, not quite so long as the two preceding together. ‘Thorax a good deal narrower

than the elytra, nearly as long as broad, nearly straight at the sides, hind angles not

rounded. Elytra rather longer than the thorax, more closely punctate than the rest of

the upper surface. Hind body shining, with the basal three segments sparingly, the

two following still more sparingly punctate. Legs infuscate yellow, the femora darker,

the tibiee without porrect seta on their middle.

Two individuals, in bad condition. The species has a very ordinary appearance, and,

indeed, extremely resembles H. chiriquensis; but it has the middle cox more than

HOMALOTA. 179

usually separated, and the mesosternal process is comparatively broad, and its extremity

is rounded and quite distinct. I think its best position at present would be in the

H. xanthoptera group.

14. Homalota semiobscura.

Parum elongata, nigro-fusca, elytris fusco-testaceis, antennarum basi pedibusque sordide testaceis; antennis

parum elongatis, sat crassis, articulis penultimis leviter transversis; prothorace transverso; abdomine

apicem versus subattenuato, subtiliter parum crebre punctato.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. GuateMAa, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne slightly thicker externally; third joint rather short, shorter than second ;

fourth about as long as broad, it and the two or three following joints scarcely at all

different from one another, the tenth slightly transverse; terminal joint rather large, as

long as the two preceding together. Head subcircular, a good deal narrower than the

elytra. Thorax rather strongly transverse, the base a good deal rounded, the sides

behind but little rounded, at the front angles much deflexed, the surface very finely

and indistinctly punctate. Elytra longer than the thorax, finely punctate. Hind body

rather short, its punctuation fine, sparing, and indistinct.

This obscure insect resembles in size and form the European ZH. atrata, Man.; but

the hind body is less punctate; the intermediate coxe, though approximate, are not

quite contiguous. Only one individual has been found.

15. Homalota spergula.

Nigerrima, pedibus fuscis ; antennis minoribus, extrorsum haud incrassatis, articulis 4°-10™ leviter transversis ;

prothorace transverso ; elytris abdomineque crebre fortiter punctatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, San Gerénimo 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne small and not incrassate externally, third joint shorter than second; fourth

small, almost or quite as long as broad ; fifth to tenth short, transverse, but not strongly

so, terminal joint not large. Thorax rather strongly transverse, rounded at the sides,

not much rounded at the base, and not narrowed in front. Elytra small, longer than

the thorax, roughly punctured. Hind body parallel, all the segments with a rather

rough punctuation, exserted sete very insignificant. Legs dilute blackish or smoky,

short, middle and hind tibie each bearing an exserted seta.

This insect is very similar to the European H. nigra, but is a little smaller, and has

the elytra and hind body more roughly punctate. Only a single individual, badly

preserved, has been found; it is possibly a male, the hind margin of the seventh dorsal

plate being truncate. The middle coxe are distinctly separated, though the interval

between them is not great.

2AA 2

180 STAPHYLINID.

16. Homalota despecta.

Depressa, subparallela, subglabra, nigra, nitida, pedibus fuscis; antennis parvulis, tenuibus, articulis 5°-10™

leviter transversis ; subtilissime punctulata.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne short and slender, slightly thickened externally, entirely black; third joint

rather short, much shorter than second, fourth quadrate, fifth to tenth transverse.

Thorax transverse, about as broad as the elytra, shining, without impressions, exces-

sively minutely, indeed scarcely visibly punctulate. LElytra longer than the thorax,

slightly more dilute in colour than the other parts, shining, very finely punctulate.

Hind body rather broad, not acuminate, excessively finely punctulate, the apical

segments almost impunctate. Legs fuscous.

This species is very similar to the European H. nigra; but the individuals are appa-

rently a little smaller and almost destitute of pubescence and sete, and the antenne

are smaller; the middle coxe are contiguous. The two individuals described are in

very bad condition.

17. Homalota colorata.

Rufo-testacea, antennis (basi excepta), capite abdominisque segmento 5° fuscis, elytris fusco-testaceis, basi

testacea ; antennis mediocribus, articulis 4°-10™ transversis ; prothorace valde transverso, subtiliter punctu-

lato, basi in medio obsolete impressa ; abdomine subparallelo, parum punctato, nitidulo.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather short, third joint hardly so long as second ; fourth distinctly but not

greatly smaller than those following, rather shorter than long; fifth to tenth not greatly

differing from one another, rather strongly transverse; terminal joint rather large,

acuminate. Head broad. Thorax strongly transverse, nearly twice as broad as long,

but yet very evidently narrower than the elytra, rather sparingly and indistinctly

punctate. Elytra a good deal longer than the thorax, rather closely and finely

punctate. Hind body with the basal segments only very sparingly punctate.

The intermediate coxe are not quite contiguous, but are separated by a rather short

and slender process of the mesosternum; the metasternum is moderately produced in

front; but the points of the two processes are separated by a considerable space. The

species may be placed near J. scapularis, Sahl. Only a single specimen has been

found.

18. Homalota heterocera.

Nigra, pedibus lete testaceis, elytris sordide testaceis, ad latera paulo obscurioribus; antennis majusculis,

articulo quarto parvo, transverso, quam articulus quintus duplo breviore, sequentibus leviter transversis

HOMALOTA. 181

subsequalibus ; prothorace transversim subquadrato, cumque elytris crebre subasperato-punctatis ; abdomine

apicem versus subattenuato, crebre et fortiter (apicem versus parcius) punctato.

Long. 21-3 millim. .

Hab. GuateMaa, San Gerénimo, Guatemala city, Capetillo and San Joaquin in Vera

Paz (Champion).

This species is similar to the European Z. longicornis, Grav., but is smaller and has

less elongate antenne. These organs are large and black, the basal joint being a little

marked with yellow, the second and third joints subequal, the fourth a little narrower

than the fifth but much shorter than it; the fifth to tenth subequal, each subquadrate,

being only a little narrower at the base than at the apex, the fifth slightly longer than

those following, which are distinctly transverse. Head very obtuse in front. Thorax

longer than broad, straight at the sides, hind angles obtuse; surface rather shining, with

a fine but rather rough punctuation. Elytra a good deal longer than the thorax, with

similar punctuation to it. Hind body shining, rather roughly punctate and setose; the

basal three segments closely punstate, the following more sparingly.

In the male the seventh dorsal plate has, behind, four short widely separated teeth ;

the two central ones are very short and obtuse, and separated by a gently curved

emargination ; the lateral ones scarcely project further back than the central ones, but

_ are longer, because the incision between them and the central teeth is deeper.

According to a note of Mr. Champion’s, this species is found in dung in the mountains.

It can be readily distinguished from its allies by the comparatively small fourth joint of

the antenne. Its appearance and superficial characters are intermediate between those

of the European H. longicornis and H. cinnamoptera, Th.; the mesosternal process,

however, is less elongate than in those species, and the metasternal one is rather more

elongate; the two processes are separated by an intercoxal isthmus of about the same

length as in the European insects above named; but this is placed more in front ; there

is a very short and fine longitudinal carina on the front of the mesosternum in the

middle.

19. Homalota cognata.

Nigra, pedibus elytrisque testaceis ; antennis elongatis, articulis 4°-10™ haud transversis ; prothorace transversim

subquadrato, cumque elytris crebre punctatis; abdomine apicem versus angustato, basi sparsim, apice

adhuc parcius punctato.

Long. 24-3 millim.

Hab. Guatemauta, San Gerdnimo, Capetillo (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales

(Janson).

Fourth joint of antenne elongate, longer than broad, about equal to the following

joint; fifth to tenth similar to one another in length, each scarcely broader than its

predecessor, the fifth longer than broad, tenth about as long as broad; terminal joint

rather elongate, equal to the two preceding together. Thorax not strongly transverse,

182 , STAPHYLINIDA,

slightly narrower than the elytra, these pale yellow, rather closely punctate. Hind

body a good deal narrowed to the apex, only sparing punctate. Legs clear yellow.

In the male the hind margin of the seventh dorsal plate is prominent in the middle,

and slightly emarginate, and at each side externally there is a very short tooth.

Found in company with H. heterocera in dung on the mountains. The species

should be placed near H. longicornis, Grav. Although superficially very similar to

H. heterocera, it is abundantly distinct by the structure of the fourth joint of the

antenne and the less punctate hind body. The male characters are slightly different,

the lateral tooth being less prominent; the sternal structure is also a little different, the

middle coxe being less approximate, and the mesosternal process consequently broader

with distinctly truncate extremity. There is almost no carination of the mesosternum

in the middle in front.

Mr. Champion has sent four individuals; but the exponent from Nicaragua is

unique.

20. Homalota leucoptera. |

Nigra, antennarum basi, pedibus elytrisque testaceis; antennis elongatis, articulis 4°-10™ haud transversis ;

prothorace transversim subquadrato, cumque elytris crebre punctatis; abdomine apicem versus sub-

attenuato, crebre punctato.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. GuateMaa, Capetillo, Guatemala city, San Gerdnimo (Champion); Panama,

David (Champion).

Third joint of antenne elongate, considerably longer than the second; fourth evidently

smaller than those adjoining, but longer than broad; fifth to tenth differing but little

from one another, each longer than broad; terminal joint elongate. Thorax not strongly

transverse, but a little broader than long, base very little rounded ; hind angles obtuse,

not rounded. Elytra a little longer than the thorax, pale yellow. Hund body rather

elongate, rather closely punctate, the apical segments a little more sparingly than the

basal, these latter usually a little paler in colour.

In the male the apical segment terminates in four short, obscure teeth.

This species is closely allied to H. heterocera and H. cognata, but differs from the

former by the more elongate antenne with pale base and longer fourth joint, and

from H. cognata by the pale base to the antenne and by the much less sparingly

punctate hind body. The sternal structure is similar to that of H. cognata; but the

mesosternum is less indistinctly carinate in front.

The individuals from Panama are immature, but appear to be rather smaller and a

little more finely punctate than those from Guatemala above described.

21. Homalota perdita.

Fusca, antennarum basi, pedibus elytrisque testaceis, prothorace brunneo, abdomine brunneo-fusco, segmento 6°

HOMALOTA. 183

dimidio apicali pallidiore; antennis crassiusculis, articulis penultimis subtransversis; prothorace trans-

verso; abdomine subparallelo, crebre punctato.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Britisu Honpvuras, Belize (Blancaneaux); GuatTEMALA, El Reposo 800 feet, San

Isidro 1600 feet, Guatemala city (Champion) ; Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne rather stout, of moderate length, scarcely thicker externally, the basal two

_or three joints yellow, the rest dark; third joint as long as second; fourth about as long

as broad, a little shorter and narrower than those following; fifth about as long as broad ;

tenth slightly transverse; terminal joint large, as long as the two preceding together.

Head short and broad, nearly black. Thorax greatly broader than long, nearly straight

at the sides, the base a little rounded, the hind angles distinct, obtuse, the surface very

finely and not closely punctate. -Elytra yellow, rather longer than the thorax, very

finely punctate. Hind body with segments two to five rather closely punctate, sixth

more sparingly. Legs pale yellow.

Only a single individual has been sent from each of the five localities. Although

similar in appearance to H. heterocera, the species is, with the following one, rather

isolated, and of doubtful position, the mesosternal process being comparatively short

and not slender, with obtuse extremity.

22. Homalota salle.

Fusca, antennarum basi, pedibus elytrisque testaceis, his extrorsum ad apicem fuscis ; antennis parum elongatis,

crassiusculis, articulis 4°-10™ transversis; prothorace fortiter transverso; abdomine subparallelo, basi

parce punctato.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

This species is very similar to H. perdita, and agrees with it in the sternal structure,

but differs by the shorter joints of the antenne and the sparingly punctured hind body.

The second and third joints of the antenne are short, and are subequal in length ; joints

four to ten each a little broader than its predecessor, the first of them hardly so long

as broad, the last of them strongly transverse, terminal joint large. ‘The hind body is

very sparingly punctate, even on the basal segments.

The unique individual described is a male; the hind margin of the seventh dorsal

plate is bituberculate in the middle, and the outside of each tubercle is armed with a

slender rather elongate tooth.

23. Homalota terminicornis. (Tab. V. fig. 9.)

Fusca, antennarum basi apiceque pedibusque testaceis, elytris fusco-testaceis, humeris testaceis; antennis

crassiusculis, articulis penultimis leviter transversis; abdomine subparallelo, segmentis basalibus crebre,

5° et 6° parcius punctatis.

Long. 23-3 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Reposo 800 feet, San Isidro 1600 feet, Carrizal (Champion) ;

Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Buguba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

184 STAPHYLINIDA.

Antenne rather stout, of moderate length, scarcely thicker at the extremity ; the basal

two or three joints yellow, the following dark, the apical one again yellow; third joint

slightly longer than second, fourth and fifth each as long as broad ; terminal joint rather

large, as long as the two preceding together. Thorax strongly transverse, rather closely

punctate. Elytra closely and finely punctate.

In the male the seventh dorsal plate is at the extremity slightly prolonged in the

- middle, each side of the prolonged portion is at the hind margin obscurely tuberculate,

and between the tubercles there is a very slight emargination ; on each side there is also

a short tooth, which scarcely projects so far back as the central prominence. :

In this species the middle coxee are moderately separated, and the mesosternal process

is rather short and broad, with obtuse extremity, very similar to the same parts in

HI, perdita. |

24. Homalota chiriquensis.

Nigro-fusca, elytris fuscis, pedibus testaceis; antennis mediocribus evidenter pilosellis, articulis penultimis

subquadratis ; prothorace leviter transverso, antrorsum subangustato, basi rotundata, parce obsoleteque

punctato; elytris quam hic longioribus, crebre punctatis; abdomine apicem versus attenuato, sparsim

punctato, nitido, apice obscure piceo. .

Long. 42 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 8000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather elongate, basal joint piceous, the others black; third joint elongate,

longer than second; fourth quadrate, a good deal smaller than the fifth; fifth to tenth

differing little from one another, but each slightly shorter than its predecessor, the fifth

longer than broad, the tenth not quite so long as broad; terminal joint acuminate, as

long as the two preceding together. Head small. Thorax distinctly broader than

long, a little narrowed in front and curved at the sides, with the base much rounded,

and the hind angles extremely indistinct. Elytra a good deal longer than the thorax,

of an obscure brownish colour, rather closely punctate. Hind body slender, very

sparingly punctate. Legs yellow; middle and hind tibie with a rather elongate

outstanding seta on the middle of each; tarsi rather elongate.

In this species the middle cox are very approximate, and the mesosternal process is

elongate and extremely slender; the coxal cavities communicate by a well-marked

rather elongate intercoxal isthmus. It is similar to the European H. intermedia, Th. ;

but the hind body is less punctate.

Only two individuals, in bad condition, have been found.

25. Homalota certata.

Nigra, elytris fuscis, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis; antennis fere gracilibus, apicem versus incrassatis,

articulis penultimis leviter transversis ; prothorace transverso, parce punctato; abdomine apicem versus

subattenuato, segmentis basalibus parce punctatis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

HOMALOTA. 185

Four basal joints of antenne yellow, the first three elongate; the third slender,

nearly equal in length to the second ; fourth small, as long as broad ; fifth to tenth each

slightly broader than its predecessor, the first of them longer than broad, the last rather

broader than long; terminal joint stout, obtusely pointed, about as long as the two

preceding together. Head rather broad and short, but much narrower than the elytra.

Thorax a little narrower than the elytra, strongly transverse, the sides but little, the

base a good deal rounded, hind angles indistinct, the surface sparingly and obsoletely

but not finely punctate. Elytra a good deal longer than the thorax, rather finely

and not densely punctate. The three basal segments of the hind body sparingly

punctate, the others almost impunctate.

The middle coxe are distinctly separated; the mesosternal process between them,

however, is not elongate, and has a pointed extremity; the metasternum is but little

produced between them, and is consequently separated by a considerable length from

the point of the mesosternal process. According to the appearance of the species and

the structure of the antenne, one would suppose it intermediate between H. sodalis,

Er., and H. fungi, Grav.; but the mesosternal process is much shorter than in those

species. Only one individual has been found.

26. Homalota sobrina.

Gracilis, nigra, elytris fuscis, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis ; antennis haud gracilibus, articulis penul-

timis leviter transversis ; prothorace transverso, crebrius subtilissime punctato; abdomine apicem versus

subattenuato, segmentis basalibus parce punctatis.

Long. 22 millim.

Hab. GuatEMata, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne not elongate, moderately stout, the two or three basal joints fuscous yellow ;

third joint scarcely shorter than second, fourth quadrate, fifth to tenth similar to one

another in length, each just perceptibly broader than its predecessor, the first of them

about as long as broad, the last distinctly transverse ; terminal joint stout, obtusely

pointed, hardly as long as the two preceding together. ‘Thorax slightly broader than

the elytra, strongly transverse, nearly straight at the sides, but slightly narrowed and

rounded at the front angles, the surface closely and extremely finely punctate. Elytra

slightly longer than the thorax, of a fuscous testaceous colour, closely and finely punctate.

Basal segments of hind body very sparingly and indistinctly punctate, and the penul-

timate segments even more sparingly.

Although apparently agreeing structurally with H. certata, this species is readily

distinguished by its stouter antenne and differently punctate thorax and elytra. Only

a single individual has been found.

27. Homalota sordidula.

Homalota sordidula, Er. Kaf. Mark-Brand. i. p. 8335 ; Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 123°.

Hab. Evrorr 1.—Gvuatema.a, San.Gerdénimo (Champion).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt. Vol. I. Pt. 2, May 1883. 2 BB

186 STAPHYLINIDA.

Mr. Champion has found a series of eight specimens; and I am unable to distinguish

them from others of this common European species.

28. Homalota pumila.

Inter minimas, anterius et posterius attenuata, nigra; elytris fuscis, pedibus testaceis; dense subtiliter

punctata.

Long. 1? millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Guatemala city, San Gerénimo, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne of moderate length, but little thickened externally; third joint rather short,

shorter than second; fourth about as long as broad; the penultimate joints distinctly

transverse. Thorax rather strongly transverse, distinctly narrowed in front, much

rounded at the base, hind angles very indistinct. Elytra longer than the thorax, and

rather paler in colour. Hind body pointed behind, densely punctate.

This obscure and minute insect is closely allied to H. sordidula, but is slightly larger,

and has the hind body more attenuate behind. A series of ten specimens has been

found.

29. Homalota jugicola.

Nigro-subenea, subnitida, parcius pubescens, tibiis fuscis, tarsis fusco-testaceis; antennis fere gracilibus,

apicem versus leviter incrassatis ; abdomine parce punctato.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

Antenne even at the base black, slender at the base, distinctly thicker at the

extremity ; second and third joints subequal, fourth rather longer than fifth, tenth

distinctly transverse. Thorax a little narrower than the elytra, rounded at the sides

and base, hind angles extremely obtuse, surface sparingly punctate. Elytra a good

deal longer than the thorax, rather closely and finely punctate,

In the male the hind margin of the seventh ventral plate forms two obtuse promi-

nences in the middle, and on each side terminates as a slender acute tooth which

does not project quite so far back as the middle projections.

The resemblance of this insect to the more brassy-coloured individuals of the

European H. atramentaria, Gyll., is extreme; but the Guatemalan species has different

male characters. A series of about twenty individuals was found.

30. Homalota montium.

Nigro-subsenea, elytris fuscis, pedibus fusco-testaceis ; antennis mediocribus, apicem versus leviter incrassatis ;

elytris crebrius, abdomine parce punctato.

Long. 33-4 millim.

Hab. GuatemaLa, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

Very closely allied to H. yugicola; but the individuals are of rather larger size,

. HOMALOTA. — 187

have the thorax larger and less transverse, the elytra of a different colour and more

closely punctate, and the legs paler. The male characters are apparently similar in the

two species.

This was probably found in company with H. jugicola, as the two were mixed

indiscriminately on the cards on which they were mounted by Mr. Champion; six

individuals of A. montiwm have been examined.

31. Homalota mundula.

Nigra, nitida, parcius punctata et pubescens, pedibus sordide testaceis, femoribus basique antennarum fuscis ;

antennis parum elongatis, articulis 5°-10™ leviter transversis ; prothorace fortiter transverso.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Totonicapam 8500 to 10500 feet (Champion).

Antenne black, sordid yellow at the base, rather short, moderately stout ; third joint

hardly so long as second ; fourth distinctly smaller than the following, hardly so long as

broad ; fifth to tenth transverse, the first of them being slightly, the last decidedly

broader than long. Head short and broad, rather shining, almost impunctate. Thorax

scarcely narrower than the elytra, strongly transverse ; hind angles acute, very sparingly

and indistinctly punctate. Elytra rather sparingly and finely punctate, fuscous black

in colour. Hind body at the base very sparingly punctate, at the apex almost im-

punctate.

The unique individual of this species was perhaps found in company with H. jugicola,

as it was mounted on the same card as a specimen of that species. HH. mundula, though

similar to H. jugicola, is undoubtedly distinct, is apparently of smaller size, blacker

colour, and with more shining less punctate surface, and shorter and stouter antenne.

32. Homalota hirtiventris.

Anterius et posterius attenuata, parum depressa, fusco-ferruginea, prothorace abdomineque basi et apice vage

dilutioribus, antennis, basi excepta, nigricantibus, pedibus testaceis; prothorace parum punctato; abdo-

mine crebre punctato, apicem versus crebrius longiusque setuloso.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Coatepeque 1300 feet, El Tumbador 2500 feet (Champion).

Antenne slender, of moderate length, not thickened externally, third joint elongate ;

rather longer than second, fourth a little smaller than those following ; fifth to tenth

similar to one another, and each about as long as broad; terminal joint elongate,

acuminate. Head narrow, only about half as broad as the elytra. Thorax transverse,

but not strongly so, a good deal rounded at the base, not much rounded at the sides,

a little narrowed at the front angles, of an obscure ferruginous colour. Elytra about

as long as the thorax, rather closely punctate. Hind body much narrowed behind,

somewhat roughly punctate, the apical segments scarcely more sparingly than those at

the base, the pubescence conspicuous, and the exserted sete towards the extremity

2 BB 2

188 STAPHYLINIDA.,

numerous and elongate, the basal segments paler than those following, and the apex

again paler. Legs yellow; intermediate and posterior tibiee with a well-marked exserted

seta on the middle of each.

This species may be placed near H. aterrima. Four individuals have been found.

33. Homalota questicula.

Anterius et posterius attenuata, nigra, elytris pedibusque testaceis, illis sordidis; antennis sat elongatis, basi

fusca; crebre subtilissime punctata, prothorace parum transverso.

Long. 23 millim.,

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne rather elongate and not slender; third joint rather long, but not slender,

subequal to second; fourth to tenth differing little from one another, the first of them

as long as broad, but the last a little transverse ; terminal joint elongate, as long as the

two preceding together. Thorax transverse but not strongly so, rounded at the base,

a good deal narrowed towards the front, very finely and indistinctly punctate and

delicately pubescent. Elytra slightly longer than the thorax, of an obscure yellow

colour, closely and finely punctulate. Hind body much acuminate behind, closely and

very finely punctate.

This species is similar to Hl. macrocera, Th.; but the antenne are not quite so elongate,

and the punctuation is not so dense. Only a single individual has been found.

34. Homalota thoracica.

Nigro-fusca, thorace elytrisque dilutioribus, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis ; gracilis, subtiliter punctata,

subopaca, abdomine nitidiore ; antennis mediocribus, apicem versus incrassatis, articulis ‘:penultimis trans-

versis ; prothorace transverso, basi utrinque vix subsinuata, angulis posterioribus fere rectis ; abdomine

parce punctato.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GuatTeMALA, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne rather short, and only moderately stout, third joint nearly as long as

second, fourth to tenth each slightly broader than its predecessor, the fourth small,

the tenth distinctly transverse ; terminal joint rather large, quite as long as the two

preceding together, slightly paler incolour. Head broad and short, dull, very obscurely

punctate. Thorax strongly transverse, the sides more rounded in front than behind,

the hind angles unusually distinct, nearly rectangular, but a little obtuse, the surface

closely and very finely punctate. Elytra longer than the thorax, very finely and closely

punctate. Hind body slender, but little punctate, the basal segments rather less

sparingly than the others.

In this species the middle coxe are slightly separated by an elongate, very slender

process of the mesosternum that very nearly meets the slightly produced metasternum.

The species is somewhat similar in form to H. anceps, but is very different structurally.

Only a single individual has been found.

HOMALOTA. 189

35. Homalota flavicauda. (Tab. V. fig. 10.)

Ferrugineo-testacea, parum nitida, minus tenuiter pubescens, abdomine setulis exsertis parcis nigris, prothorace

valde transverso, basi utrinque versus angulum posteriorem subsinuato ; elytris quam prothorax multo

longioribus, crebre punctatis ; abdomine apicem versus attenuato, crebre equaliter punctato.

Long. 37 millim.

Hab. GuateMALa, Senahu in Vera Paz (Champion).

Antenne not elongate, a good deal thickened towards the apex; third joint shorter

than second, fifth to tenth differing little from one another in length, but each a little

broader than its predecessor, tenth slightly transverse, terminal joint as long as the

two preceding together. Head very short and broad, scarcely visibly punctate. Thorax

very transverse, more than twice as broad as it is long, rather narrower at the anterior

than at the posterior angles, at the latter as broad as the shoulders of the elytra, the

base rounded and very distinctly margined, on each side near the posterior angles a

little sinuate, so that the angles are visible although obtuse; the surface extremely

finely punctate. Elytra much longer than the thorax, and more distinctly punctate

and pubescent. Hind body with the apical segment pale yellow, all the segments

equally punctate.

The species is a peculiar one, and makes some approximation in form and appearance

to Oxypoda and Polylobus; but I can place it nowhere but in Homalota. The anterior

tarsi are pretty certainly only four-jointed, the middle and posterior having each five

joints, the basal joint of the latter scarcely longer than the second; the fourth and fifth

joints are very slender, and the division between them obscure. ‘The intermediate cox

are not quite contiguous; and the mesosternal process is greatly prolonged between

them as a very slender process, which meets the slightly produced middle of the meta-

sternum ; the middle and posterior tibiz each bear externally a conspicuous exserted

seta placed above the middle. Only a single individual has been found.

86. Homalota brevis.

Homalota brevis, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 62°.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).—SovutH America, Amazons !.

Mr. Champion has found only one individual of this minute insect; but I believe it

is conspecific with those found by Prof. Trail at Garrao in fungus.

37. Homalota leticula.

Minuta, subparallela, subtiliter punctata et pubescens, testacea; antennis parvis, articulis 5°-10™ transversis ;

prothorace fortiter transverso, transversim convexo, basi et lateribus rotundatis, antrorsum angustato ;

abdomine parce punctato.

Long. 1? millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne quite short and not stout, a little thickened outwardly; third joint much

190 STAPHYLINIDA.

shorter than second, fourth subquadrate; fifth to tenth transverse, the last of them

strongly so; terminal joint rather large. Head small. Prothorax strongly transverse,

finely and rather closely punctate and pubescent. Elytra longer than the thorax,

rather more distinctly and less closely punctate. Hind body concolorous with the

anterior parts, the fifth and sixth segments slightly darker ; it is indistinctly punctate,

the apical segments more sparingly than the basal ones. Legs rather short.

This is an Oxypoda-like insect, differing in colour and appearance from any of our

European Homalotew. Only two individuals, in very fragile condition, have been found ;

and I have not succeeded in getting a clear sight of the sternal structure; but it appears

to me that the middle coxe are very nearly contiguous, but are separated by a very

slender and elongate process of the mesosternum. |

38. Homalota annulata.

Minuta, testacea, capite abdominisque segmento quinto nigricantibus ; antennis fuscis, basi testacea, brevibus,

erassiusculis, articulis 5°-10™ fortiter transversis; prothorace convexo, fortiter transverso, subtilissime

punctato; abdomine apicem versus attenuato, basi crebre, apice sparsim punctato.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Guatemala city (Champion).

Antenne short and stout, a good deal thickened externally, the three basal joints testa-

ceous, the others infuscate ; third joint much shorter than second ; fourth to tenth similar

to one another in length, but each broader than its predecessor, the first of them slightly,

the last of them strongly transverse ; terminal joint rather large. Head small, blackish.

Thorax very convex and strongly transverse, much rounded at the base, distinctly

narrowed in front, bright yellow, very finely punctulate. Llytra slightly longer than

the thorax, closely and finely punctate, of a yellow colour, a little infuscate at the

base, especially near the scutellum. Hind body pointed behind, rather strongly setose

about the apex, of a yellow colour, with the fifth segment nearly black, the four basal

segments rather closely punctate, the following more sparingly. Legs clear yellow.

In this species the middle coxee apparently quite touch one another about the middle

of their length. Although similar in style of colour and appearance to H. leticula, it

is very doubtful whether the two will prove to be really closely allied. Only two

specimens of H. annulata have been found. |

39. Homalota longipennis.

Scutello occulto, elytris elongatis; fusca, antennis basi, pedibus (sepiusque ano) testaceis; parce punctata,

tenuissime pubescens; antennis apicem versus crassioribus, articulis penultimis transversis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Mzxico, Guanajuato (Sallé).

Antenne not elongate, a good deal thickened externally ; the four or five basal joints

yellow, the others obscure. Head small, narrowed behind the eyes. Thorax very

HOMALOTA. 191

strongly transverse, rounded at the sides and base, the hind angles very indistinct,

the surface almost impunctate. Elytra broader and greatly longer than the thorax,

sparingly and very indistinctly punctate. Hind body slender, parallel, almost impunc-

tate.

In this species the middle coxe are quite contiguous and their cavities confluent, the

meso- and metasternal processes being widely separate, and the latter very short. ‘The

insect will probably form a distinct genus; but I prefer to treat it as a Homalota, of

which genus, as at present defined, it has the systematic characters.

40. Homalota mollis.

Scutello occulto, elytris sat elongatis; minuta, rufo-testacea, pectore antennisque extrorsum obscuris ;

abdomine in medio nigricante; subtilissime haud dense punctata; antennis brevibus, articulis 5°-10™

transversis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. GuatemaLa, Guatemala city (Champion).

This species appears to be closely allied to H. longipennis; but the individuals are

much smaller, of different colour, and with much shorter antenne. These organs are

much thickened externally ; the third joint is small, the fourth very small, fifth to tenth

each quite short, and the last of them strongly transverse. The punctuation of the

surface is very indistinct, but is not so scanty as in H. longipennis.

Three specimens have been found.

41. Homalota discrepans.

Breviuscula, subdepressa, nitida, parce punctulata subtiliterque pubescens, fuscula, antennarum basi, capite,

thorace, abdominis basi pedibusque dilute testaceis, elytris fusco-testaceis; antennis brevibus, extrorsum

incrassatis, prothorace omnino fortiter transverso.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guaremana, San Geronimo 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne quite short, much thickened outwardly; the six basal joints yellow, the

five apical blackish ; third joint short, greatly shorter than the second; fourth trans-

verse, tenth very strongly transverse; terminal joint stout, only moderately long.

Head broad, but much narrower than the thorax, yellow, shining, impunctate. Thorax

clear yellow, very short and broad, but distinctly narrower than the elytra, shining and

almost impunctate. Elytra elongate, nearly twice as long as the thorax, yellow, much

tinctured with black, sparingly punctate. Hind body blackish, the apex more dilute,

and the base yellow, rather sparingly punctate.

This minute insect has rather the appearance of a Gyrophena or of an Oligota than of

Homalota; but I have been able to see distinctly that the front tarsi are 4-, the middle

and hinder 5-jointed; and as the middle coxé are but little distant, it must be placed

at present in Homatota.

192 STAPHYLINIDA.

Six specimens have been found; but most of them are in fragments, having been

attacked by Acari during their journey to this country.

42, Homalota basiventris.

Breviuscula, subdepressa, subtilius punctulata, et pubescens, fusca, antennarum abdominisque basibus pedi-

busque testaceis; antennis brevibus, apicem versus fortiter incrassatis ; prothorace fortiter transverso,

basi rotundata; abdomine parce punctato.

Long. 17 millim. |

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, between 2500 and 4000 feet (Champion).

This minute insect has somewhat the appearance of a species of Oligota. The

antennee are very short and very much thickened externally; the three or four basal

joints are yellow, the others dusky; second joint short and stout; third joint slender at

the base, thickened outwardly, much shorter than the second; fourth and following

joints very short, each strongly transverse; terminal joint rather short, with obtuse

apex. Head much narrower than the thorax, this latter quite twice as broad as long,

strongly rounded at the base and also at the short sides, feebly punctate. Elytra a

good deal longer than the thorax, feebly and not densely punctate. Hind body finely

and not densely punctate, the basal segments yellowish.

The unique individual appears to indicate a species allied to H. discrepans and its

neighbours, but with short, thick antenne.

43. Homalota championi. (Tab. V. fig. 11.)

Elongata, crebrius punctata, haud nitida, capite, pectore abdomineque late ante apicem nigris; thorace abdo-

mineque basi et apice rufo-testaceis; antennis fuscis, basi cum pedibus testaceis; elytris fusco-testaceis.

Long. 3-33 millim.

Hab. Gvuaremata, Capetillo, Carrizal, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather long, but little thickened towards the extremity; third joint

elongate, rather longer than the second; fifth to tenth differing but little from one

another, the first of them as long as broad, the last of them rather broader than long ;

terminal joint obtuse, as long as the two preceding together, a little paler at the tip.

Head rather small, short and broad, rounded behind the eyes, dull, scarcely visibly

punctate. Thorax not quite so long as broad, nearly straight at the sides, and scarcely

narrowed behind, very finely punctate and closely pubescent. LElytra longer than the

thorax, closely and distinctly punctured. Hind body rather elongate, subparallel; the

two basal segments yellowish red, the following two and a half segments black, the

extremity again brightly coloured ; segments two to four are rather closely, five and six

more sparingly punctate. Legs clear yellow.

In the male the dorsal plate of the sixth ventral segment bears numerous irregularly

placed raised granules, some of them very small, others elongate and linear; the hind

margin of the seventh plate is prominent in the middle, and emarginate so as to form

HOMALOTA. 193

two well-marked obtuse angles, and a similar short angular projection is seen on

each side,

The species is not closely allied to any other; the middle coxe are rather more than

usually widely separated, and the mesosternum and metasternum are each a good deal

produced between them; but their extremities are separated by a somewhat elongate

well-marked intercoxal isthmus; the apex of the mesosternal process, although narrow,

is truncate, not pointed; the gene are apparently quite immarginate. Although the

species is not very well placed in Homalota, yet the characters are not very different,

and scarcely justify the formation of a new genus.

44, Homalota godmani. (Tab. V. fig. 12.)

Hlongata, opacula, densius punctulata, nigra, pedibus, antennarum basi elytrorumque humeris testaceis ;

abdomine rufo, ante apicem late nigricante; prothorace transversim subquadrato.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. GuatemMata, Senahu in Vera Paz, Paso Antonio 400 feet (Champion).

This species is closely allied to H. championi, but differs by the colour of the thorax,

and has, moreover, the head a little broader, the thorax slightly more transverse. The

male characters, and also the structure of the middle coxal cavities, seem to be similar

in the two species.

Three specimens of H. godmant have been found.

45. Homalota rufiventris.

Sat elongata, opacula, subtilissime punctulata, nigra, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis, elytris brunneo-

testaceis ; abdomine rufo-testaceo, ante apicem nigro-cingulato; prothorace transverso.

Long. vix 3 millim.

Hab. GuatemaLa, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather elongate, slightly thickened towards the extremity; third joint equal

to the second; fourth a good deal smaller than fifth, about as long as broad, fifth also

about as long as broad, tenth evidently transverse ; terminal joint rather elongate and

stout, obtuse at apex. Head and thorax dull, with a dense, almost invisible, punctua-

tion, the latter strongly transverse, slightly narrowed behind, somewhat depressed along

the middle. Elytra much longer than the thorax. Hind body parallel, segments second

and third bright red, fourth segment infuscate red, fifth black, sixth and ‘seventh

yellowish ; the three basal segments closely punctate, the following quite sparingly.

Legs yellow, not elongate.

Although presenting a resemblance of general appearance to H. championi and

H. godmani, this insect is quite distinct from them; the mesosternal and metasternal

processes quite meet, so that the middle coxal cavities are completed internally and are

rather widely separated; the mesosternal process is short and broad with truncate

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, July 1883. 2CC

194 STAPH YLINID &.

extremity; and the completion of the cavities is due to the greater prolongation

forwards of the metasternal process. The gene are apparently immarginate.

A single individual, unfortunately in bad preservation, is all J have seen; it presents

no external mark indicative of sex.

46. Homalota trisignata. (Tab. V. fig. 13.)

Subopaca, subtilissime punctata et pubescens, variegata; antennarum basi, prothorace, elytrorum humeris,

abdomine ex parte pedibusque testaceis ; capite, elytris ex parte, abdominis maculis et cingulo, pectoreque

nigricantibus ; prothorace transverso, plus minusve discrete fusco-trisignato.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GuatrMata, Balheu in Vera Paz (Champion).

Antenne of moderate length, distinctly thickened outwardly ; the four or five basal

joints pale yellow, the others gradually a little darker; third joint about equal to

second, fourth about as long as broad, seventh to tenth transverse ; terminal joint rather

large, longer than the two following together. Head blackish, dull, sparingly and

finely punctate. Thorax strongly transverse, nearly straight at the sides, slightly

narrowed behind, closely and extremely finely punctate, with a longitudinal dark

mark on the middle and a smaller mark on each side. Elytra longer than the thorax,

black on the suture at the base, a very large black mark at the outer angle, and a band

of yellow colour extending obliquely from the shoulder to the suture. Hind body yellow,

with the basal segments marked with black in the middle and slightly spotted at the

sides; the fifth segment entirely black, the apex of the last segment infuscate; the

basal segments are sparingly punctate, the apical ones nearly impunctate.

The four individuals vary a little in the extent and definition of the dark marks.

The middle coxe are rather widely separated; the mesosternal process is of moderate

length, not slender, with rounded extremity, separated from the moderately long meta-

sternal process by a rather elongate intercoxal isthmus. The anterior tarsi are pretty

certainly only four-jointed ; although under a moderate power of the compound micro-

scope there is an appearance of the division of the fourth joint, yet I believe that, as in

the case of Leptonia, this appearance will prove to be illusory.

IT am not able to see well the seventh ventral segment; but in the male the dorsal

plate of the sixth segment has an obscure elevated granule in the middle, near the hind

margin, and I believe the hind margin of the following segment is quadridentate.

47. Homalota cingulifera.

Parum elongata, subopaca, subtiliter punctulata, nigro testaceoque variegata, antennis basi testaceis, extrorsum

obscuris ; prothorace transverso, posterius angustato; abdomine segmentis 2°-5™ sat crebre punctatis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne not elongate, rather slender, but little thicker externally ; second joint

HOMALOTA.—LEPTOGLOSSA. 195

short, not so long as the third ; fourth as long as broad, eighth to tenth slightly trans-

verse ; terminal joint elongate and acuminate. Head rather short and broad, black,

very indistinctly punctate. Thorax strongly transverse, a little narrowed behind, with

extremely indistinct hind angles, clear yellow in colour, closely and finely punctate.

Elytra longer than the thorax, of a dilute black colour, yellow at the base, closely

punctate. Hind body yellow, with the fifth segment entirely and the fourth in part

black, and the extremity dilute black. Legs clear yellow.

This species has a little approximation in appearance to the species of Gyrophena.

As in H. trisignata the middle coxe are moderately separated; but in H. cingulifera

the apex of the prosternal process is truncate, and the intercoxal isthmus shorter. The

legs mounted in Canada balsam show clearly that the anterior tarsi are four-, the

middle five-jointed.

Six specimens, all in very bad preservation, have been examined. The male has the

hind margin of the seventh dorsal plate prominent in the middle; the prominent

portion is not very broad, is a little emarginate, and from each of its angles there

proceeds forwards a raised straight line; on each side of this central prominence there

is a rather deep curved emargination, the outside of the plate terminating in a sharp

spine.

48. Homalota prolixa. (Tab. V. fig. 14.)

Elongata, angustula, perdepressa, rufescens, capite, elytris abdomineque ante apicem fuscis; antennis brevibus ;

capite exserto, suboblongo, abdomine crebre punctato.

Long. 1? millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Antenne quite short, pale red; second joint short, third small, considerably smaller

than the second, fourth to tenth rather strongly transverse; terminal joint stout, short,

and obtuse. Head straight at the sides, the eyes not large, the surface coarsely but

subobsoletely punctate. Thorax subquadrate, as long as broad, quite straight at the

sides, depressed along the middle, feebly punctate. lytra elongate, moderately closely,

extremely finely punctate. Hind body slender at the base, becoming a little broader

towards the extremity; the segments rather deeply transversely impressed at the base.

This minute insect apparently possesses the characters assigned by Rey to his genus

Thectura, the middle coxe being contiguous throughout their length and the gene

immarginate; the joints of the tarsi I am unable to count. Only a single individual

has been found.

LEPTOGLOSSA.

Leptoglossa, Solsky, Bull. Mose. xii. p. 260.

This genus was proposed by Solsky in a rather informal manner for a Mexican insect ;

and he at the same time stated that it was congeneric with the Chilian Homalota levi-

ventris, Fauv.; indeed the characters of the new genus appear to have been chiefly

2CC 2

196 STAPHYLINID.

drawn from the Chilian insect. The Mexican insect remains unknown to me, and also

to M. Fauvel; but the latter authority considers the genus a valid one, so far, at any

rate, as its Chilian exponents are concerned.

1. Leptoglossa puberula.

Homalota puberula, Solsky, Bull. Mose. xiii. p. 259°.

Hab. Mexico (Boucard').

Described from a unique individual, whose habitat is not known more precisely.

LEPTONIA.

Coxe intermedi sat late distantes ; processus mesosternalis inter eas parum productus, apice lato, rotundato-

truncato. Gen obsoletissime marginate. Tarsi posteriores graciles, elongati, tibiis breviores, arti-

culis quatuor basalibus subequalibus, articulo primo quam secundus vix longiore, articulo quinto quam

quartus duplo longiore.

I have established this genus for an insect which tends to connect Myrmedonia,

Thamiarea, and Homalota; it differs from the former genus by the structure of the

hind tarsi, and from Thamiarwa and Homalota by the more widely separated middle

coxee, with short, broad mesosternal lobe. Calodera syntheta, Sharp, should belong to

it: when describing that insect (Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 59) I stated that the

anterior tarsi were five-jointed; and such is apparently the case; but I have mounted

an anterior leg of Leptonia picta in Canada balsam, and it is then evident that the

appearance of division of the terminal joint is illusory, and the front tarsi are certainly

only four-jointed, the terminal joint being very long, considerably longer, in fact, than

the other three together, while the middle and hind feet possess really five joints.

1. Leptonia picta. (Tab. V. fig. 15.)

Gracilis, antennis laxe articulatis, articulo ultimo perelongato ; capite thoraceque nigro-submetallescentibus, hoc

sat fortiter punctato, transversim subquadrato; elytris fuscis basi testaceis; abdomine apicem versus

subacuminato, nigro-testaceo variegato, parum punctato, nitidulo.

Long. 3-43 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaux) ; Guats-

MALA, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet and San Gerdnimo (Champion); Nicaragua,

Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba and Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet

(Champion).

Antenne elongate, rather slender, the four basal joints yellow, the others darker;

third joint elongate and slender, rather longer than second; fourth joint twice as long

as broad, tenth about long as broad; terminal joint remarkably elongate, as long as the

three preceding together. Head a good deal narrower than the’ thorax, rounded

behind the large eyes, only very obscurely punctate. ‘Thorax not quite so long as

broad, a little narrowed behind and sinuate near the hind angles, which are distinct

LEPTONIA.—THAMIARAA. 197

and obtuse, the surface rather closely covered with a fine granular punctuation, and

with an obscure basal impression before the scutellum. Elytra rather longer than the

thorax, rather closely punctate. Hind body with the second and third segments bright

yellow, usually spotted with black in the middle; fourth, fifth, and sixth segments

black, the hind margin of the sixth and the base of the seventh yellowish, the extreme

apex again blackish. Legs elongate, pale clear yellow.

This species appears to be variable, perhaps according to locality; but the varieties

appear not to be sharply separated; the individuals from Honduras are small, and have

the thorax shorter, with the hind angles less distinct, and the basal segments of the

hind body quite immaculate. I do not observe any sexual distinctions.

THAMIARAEA.

Thamiarea, C. J. Thomson, Ofv. Vet. Ak. Férh. 1858, p. 35; Mulsant et Rey, Hist. Nat. Col. Fr.

Brév., Myrmédoniaires, p. 147.

This genus was established for three European species; and Fauvel has recently

added one or two others from New Guinea. It is differentiated from Homalota chiefly

by the greater distance separating the middle cox ; and I have therefore felt justified

in assigning to it the following three species discovered by Mr. Champion, although

their appearance is far from similar to their Kuropean congeners.

1. Thamiarza salvini. (Tab. V. fig. 16.)

Variegata ; capite thoraceque seneis, parce punctatis, nitidis; elytris fuscis, humeris testaceis, crebre punctatis ;

abdomine nigro testaceoque variegato, fere impunctato; antennis obscuris basi cum pedibus testaceis,

articulo ultimo perelongato.

Long. 43-5 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather elongate; third joint elongate, rather longer than second, fourth

joint rather longer than broad, tenth not so long as broad; terminal joint very

elongate, as long as the three preceding together, acuminate. Thorax a good deal

narrower than the elytra, broader than long, nearly straight at the sides, hind angles

very obtuse, the surface indistinctly and very sparingly punctate. Hlytra longer than

the thorax, of a fuscous colour, with a pale mark at the shoulder, closely and distinctly

punctate. Hind body rather pointed behind, almost impunctate, segments second and

third yellow, spotted with black in the middle; fourth, fifth, and sixth black, the hind

margin of the latter and also the seventh segment yellow. Legs clear yellow.

In the male the hind margin of the seventh dorsal plate has a minute emargination

in the middle, and on each side of this is slightly tuberculate or thickened; on each

side the segment is much cut out, and laterally there is an elongate obtuse tooth

projecting quite as far back as the middle portion.

This insect has a very great resemblance to Leptonia picta. ‘The two species appear

198 ' S§TAPHYLINIDZ.

to have been found together ; at least I suppose so from the way in which the specimens

were mixed together when the collections came to me.

2. Thamiarza cognata.

Variegata, capite thoraceque fusco-zneis, parce punctatis, nitidis ; elytris fuscis, humeris testaceis, crebre punc-

tatis; abdomine nigro, basi testacea nigro-maculata, fere impunctato ; antennis obscuris, basi cum pedibus

testaceis, articulo ultimo perelongato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Chanvpion).

Head and thorax of an obscure reddish colour, tinged with eneous; apex of hind

body pitchy, not abruptly paler than the preceding segments; apex of seventh ventral

plate in the middle broadly truncate and quite straight; on each side of this it is cut

away, and at the outer angle is a stout tooth projecting slightly further back than the

middle part. In other respects very similar to 7. salvini.

Although very similar to 7’. salvini, this species is undoubtedly distinct; for, in

addition to the characters above mentioned, there are some differences in the structure

of the breast, the mesosternal process being not quite so elongate, so that it is separated

by a greater space from the produced apex of the metasternum. Only one specimen

has been found.

3. Thamiarea variegata.

Rufo-testacea, capite et abdomine late ante apicem nigricantibus, hoc basi nigro-maculata; antennis fuscis,

basi cum pedibus testaceis ; elytris extrorsum fuscescentibus ; thorace transverso, fere impunctato ; antennis

sat elongatis, articulo ultimo perelongato.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. GuateMALA, San Gerdnimo (Champion).

Antenne with the fifth joint about as long as broad, the following joints transverse,

the terminal joint as long as the three preceding together. ‘Thorax strongly transverse,

of areddish colour. Elytra closely punctate, testaceous, broadly infuscate externally.

Hind body almost impunctate.

This insect is apparently closely allied to 7. salvini, but is smaller, with less elongate

antenne and differently coloured thorax. ‘The unique specimen is in such a condition

that it is not advisable to unmount it to ascertain if the structural characters beneath

are quite the same as in 7. salvini.

MYRMEDONIA.

Myrmedonia, Erichson, Kaf. Mark-Brand. i. p. 286; Gen. et Sp. Staph. p. 35.

This genus, as at present accepted, is a polymorphic one. It was established by

Erichson on characters drawn chiefly from the parts of the mouth ; and he assigned to

it, only with hesitation, the majority of the South-American species known to him.

MYRMEDONIA. ; 199

Since then the genus has received a large addition of Oriental (many of them Termi-

tophilous) species from Kraatz; and lately the European portion of the genus has been ©

divided by Mulsant and Rey to form several distinct genera. The characters used by

these latter authors are drawn chiefly from the tarsi and sternal pieces; and to apply

their system to the extra-European species would involve a complete revision of the

genus and its dismemberment into a considerable number of genera. This is a task

that cannot at present be accomplished by me; and I have therefore followed a similar

course to that of Erichson by referring the Central-American species to the same genus

as the European and Oriental forms, thus disregarding the very different facies of many

of the New-world species. In all these forms the middle coxe are widely separated,

the mesosternum being very little produced between them, and possessing a rounded

extremity which is separated by a well-marked interval from the corresponding

metasternal process, the posterior tarsi are elongate and slender, the basal joint

markedly longer than the second, which, however, is itself elongate. These characters

will bring the Amazonian Tachyusa extranea and T. picticornis, Sharp, and Homalota

culpa, Sharp, into the genus. The greater number of the Central-American species have

a Homalotoid facies ; I entertain great doubt as to what their mode of life may be.

I scarcely suppose that many of them will prove Myrmecophilous or Termitophilous,

as is the case with most of the Old-world species ascribed to the genus.

1. Myrmedonia fauveli.

Gracilis, testacea, nitida, capite thoraceque rufis, elytris dilute fuscis, basi margineque apicali testaceis, abdo-

mine fusco-signato ; capite thorace elytrisque parcius subtilissime punctulatis, abdomine levigato.

Long. 3} millim.

Hab. Nortu America, United States—Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge).

Antenne elongate, testaceous, the penultimate joint about as long as broad, the

eleventh equal in length to the two preceding together. Head red, almost impunctate.

Thorax but little transverse, slightly narrowed behind, red and shining, sparingly and

extremely indistinctly punctulate, quite without basal impression. Elytra but little

longer than the thorax, of a brownish colour, with the apical margin and the base

pale; they are extremely indistinctly punctulate, yet their punctuation and pubescence

are a little more distinct than those of the other parts of the upper surface. Hind

body yellow, the segments marked at the sides with fuscous or black, the larger part of

the dorsal plate of the fourth segment nearly black, the fifth and sixth fuscous. Legs

clear yellow, Under surface yellow, the breast infuscate across the middle, and the

ventral plates more or less definitely dark transversely.

I received some specimens of this species from M. Fauvel some years ago as being

the Myrmedonia labida of Erichson. The latter species, however, is found in Venezuela.

and although it is no doubt a species closely allied to Mf. fauveli, yet I think it is clear,

from Erichson’s description, that it is different. The only specimen of H. fawveli that

200 STAPHYLINIDZ.

I have seen, besides those sent me by M. Fauvel, is an individual found by Hoge; it

agrees exactly with the North-American examples.

2. Myrmedonia flavicornis. (Tab. V. fig. 17.)

Myrmedonia flavicornis, Solsky, Bull. Mosc. xli. p. 258°.

Hab. Muxico!, Jalapa (Flohr and Hoge), Cordova (Sallé); GuaTreMaLa, Guatemala

city and San Gerénimo, El Reposo 800 feet (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales

(Janson).

This species varies a good deal in colour, the head and thorax being sometimes

fuscous, sometimes nearly red; the yellow marks on the hind body vary greatly in

extent. The species is very closely allied to I. fawveli, and the pale individuals are

extremely similar to that species; but MW. flavicornis is rather larger, and has the

antenne rather stouter towards the apex, so that the penultimate joint is a little

transverse ; and the middle and hind femora are always broadly infuscate towards the

extremity.

Although the species is rather widely distributed, the individuals that have been

found are but few in number.

3. Myrmedonia confinis.

Gracilis, fusca, nitidula, antennis extrorsum, pedibus, elytrorum humero et margine apicali abdominisque

segmentis basalibus postice testaceis; capite, thorace elytrisque parce subtilius punctulatis, abdomine

leevigato.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Guatremaua, Paso Antonio 400 feet (Champion).

Antenne dark at the base, becoming yellow towards the extremity, a good deal

thickened outwardly, the penultimate three joints very decidedly transverse.

This species is very closely allied to WZ. flavicornis; but the colour is more obscure,

and the base of the antenne is dark, and the terminal joints of the antennz are less

elongate. ‘The punctuation of the head, thorax, and elytra is rather less indistinct.

I have seen four individuals, in very decayed condition.

4. Myrmedonia setigera.

Testacea, nitidula, parcius subtilissime punctulata, setulis erectis nigris minus parce munita, elytris fuscis

humeris margineque apicali testaceis ; abdomine fusco, segmentis basalibus testaceo marginatis.

Long. 37 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne elongate, compact, third joint conspicuously longer than second, penul-

timate about as long as broad. Head. very short and transverse. Thorax rather

strongly transverse, not much narrowed behind. Elytra but little longer than the

thorax.

MYRMEDONIA. 201

This species, though very similar to M. flavicollis and M. fauveli, will be readily

distinguished by the rather more elongate third joint of the antennz, by the short

head, and especially by the rather numerous erect sete at the sides of the thorax,

elytra, and hind body. Only a single individual has been found.

5. Myrmedonia brevicollis.

Fusca, pedibus, antennarum et elytrorum basibus abdominisque segmentis secundo tertioque testaceis; capite,

thorace elytrisque parce subtilius punctulatis, abdomine levigato ; prothorace fortiter transverso.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Nicaraeua, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne rather elongate, a little thickened towards the apex, the three basal joints

pele yellow, the others dark, the terminal joint, however, paler than the preceding,

obscure red, the penultimate joints transverse. ‘The thorax is nearly twice as broad as

it is long; it is narrower than the elytra, and distinctly narrowed behind. ‘The elytra

are short, but a good deal longer than the thorax, of a fuscous colour, largely pale at

the shoulder, very feebly punctate. The basal segments of the hind body are yellow,

the others being nearly black. Legs entirely pale yellow.

This species has quite the appearance of a species of Homalota. The mesosternum

is scarcely at all produced backwards; but its termination is difficult to perceive, owing

to its raised margin being extremely obsolete; the broad intercoxal isthmus is rather

shorter than it is in I. fawveli, owing to the metasternal process being rather more

prolonged in front. The insect appears to a certain extent intermediate between

M. fauveli and its allies and the following species. Ihave seen only a single example.

6. Myrmedonia diluta.

Testacea, nitidula, parce subtilius punctulata, elytris abdomineque versus apicem subinfuscatis; capite thorace-

que fortiter transversis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (f6ge).

Antenne elongate, distinctly thickened towards the apex, not very compact, rather

strongly setigerous, second and third joints subequal, tenth transverse; terminal joint

large, fully as large as the two preceding together. Head short and broad, quite

sparingly punctate. Thorax strongly transverse, but a little narrower than the elytra,

a little narrowed behind, sparingly and feebly punctulate; elytra a little longer than

the thorax, of a pale yellowish-brown colour, with a large indefinite paler mark at the

shoulder, feebly punctulate. Hind body impunctate, the basal segments yellow, the

others brownish. Legs clear yellow.

The species is allied to the following rather than to those previously described, the

metasternum being greatly produced between the middle cox, so as to leave only a_

short broad isthmus between itself and the broadly rounded, scarcely produced middle

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, Judy 1888. 2 DD

202 STAPHYLINIDA.

of the mesosternum. In respect of this structure these insects approximate greatly to

the subgenus Zyras of Rey, from which, however, by their small stature and Homalotoid

form, they are profoundly different.

Only a single individual, in bad preservation, of MW. diluta is before me; the lobes

of the maxille are very elongate, and the maxillary palpi very slender in it.

7. Myrmedonia laxicornis.

Pallide fusca, antennis nigris, harum basi, pedibus, elytrorum humeris abdomineque basi testaceis, femoribus

intermediis et posterioribus extrorsum fuscis; prothorace fortiter transverso, parce subtiliter punctato ;

elytris quam hic paulo longioribus, vix crebrius punctatis, abdomine supra levigato.

Long. 3? millim.

Hab. GuateMAta, San Joaquin in Vera Paz (Champion).

Antenne rather elongate and stout, third joint slightly longer than the second, tenth

slightly transverse; terminal joint large, longer than the two preceding together.

Thorax much broader than long, a little narrower than the elytra, only slightly

narrowed behind. LElytra a little longer than the thorax, of a brownish or fuscous-

cinnamon colour, paler at the base externally. Hind body with the two basal segments

yellow, each marked transversely at the base with dark colour, the other segments

pitchy.

In this species the intercoxal process of the metasternum is much produced forwards ;

it is therefore a little less distant from the mesosternum than it is in VW. fawveli and

in WM. flavicornis. The appearance is greatly that of the species of Homa/lota.

8. Myrmedonia fragilis.

Brunneo-testacea, antennarum basi, pedibus abdomineque testaceis, hoc segmentis 2°-4™ ad basin transversim

fusco signatis; prothorace transverso, obsolete punctato, basi ante scutellum subimpressa; elytris quam

_ prothorax longioribus et latioribus, crebre subtilissime punctatis ; abdomine supra levigato.

Long. 4} millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne elongate, laxly articulate, third joint a good deal longer than second ; joints

four to ten each of similar length, but each a little broader than its predecessor, the

tenth about as long as broad; eleventh elongate, longer than the two preceding

together. Thorax transverse, distinctly narrowed behind, very indistinctly punctate,

the hind angles obtuse but not rounded. Elytra longer and broader than the thorax,

rather closely and very finely punctate. Legs very elongate.

This is a very Homalotoid species, and in form resembles J. homalotoides, but is

different in colour. The individuals are apparently considerably larger than those of

M. laxicornis; and the antenne have the joints rather more elongate. The only two

individuals I have seen are in extremely decayed condition; one of them has the

antenne nearly black, and the abdominal segments towards the apex darker; although

MYRMEDONIA. 203

this may be the result of decay, or of a different condition of maturity, it leaves some

doubt whether the two individuals are certainly one species.

9. Myrmedonia plebeia.

Pallide fusca, antennis nigris, harum basi, pedibus, elytrorum humeris abdomineque basi testaceis, femoribus

posterioribus extrorsum fuscis; prothorace fortiter transverso, parce subtiliter punctato ; elytris quam

hic paulo longioribus, vix erebrius punctatis, abdomine supra levigato.

Long. vix 3 millim.

Hab. Guatemana, San Joaquin in Vera Paz (Champion).

Quite similar to MW. laxicornis, but smaller, and with the thorax still more strongly

transverse, and the antenne a little shorter, so that the penultimate joint is distinctly

transverse.

In the male the dorsal plate of the terminal segment is truncate and obscurely

crenulate, and the outer angles are very slightly more prominent.

Six individuals of this species have been found. They are apparently all rather

immature; and the femora vary a little in colour, probably in consequence of this.

10. Myrmedonia filicornis.

Fusca, antennis pedibusque testaceis, abdomine nigro ; sat crebre subtiliter punctulata, ad latera setis exsertis

conspicuis, abdomine supra levigato.

Long. circiter 34 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, Aceituno (Champion).

Antenne elongate and slender, very little thickened towards the extremity, entirely

yellow; third joint slightly longer than second, tenth longer than broad; terminal

joint very elongate, quite as long as the two preceding together. Head short and

broad, rather convex, feebly punctulate, shining. ‘Thorax strongly transverse, but

little narrowed behind, the hind angles rounded, the surface rather convex, finely

punctulate, towards the sides with conspicuous erect black sete. Elytra longer than

the thorax, fuscous, with an indistinct yellow spot at the shoulder, very finely and

rather closely punctulate, with conspicuous lateral sete. Hind body black, shining,

impunctate. Legs very slender, yellow.

This species, of which I have only a single badly preserved individual for exami-

nation, is remarkable by the elongate slender antenne, which also become but little

thickened outwardly. The metasternal process is much produced between the middle

legs, but is rather ill-defined, owing to its raised margin being extremely fine; the

intercoxal isthmus is slightly longer than it isin J. laxicornis. The aspect of the

species is different from the other Myrmedonie here described, and approximates to

that of the group of Homalote containing H. fungi.

11. Myrmedonia homalotoides.

Antennis laxe articulatis, nigris, basi fusco-testacea ; capite thoraceque nigro-subenescentibus, hoe fortiter

2 DD 2

204 STAPHYLINID ZA.

transverso, crebre punctato ; elytris fusco-brunneis, crebre punctatis ; abdomine levigato, nigro, segmentis

basalibus ad margines posteriores apiceque dilutioribus ; pedibus testaceis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Chiacam, Purula, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne elongate, thickened towards the extremity, laxly articulated and conspi-

cuously setose, the basal joint sordid yellow, the rest nearly black ; third joint slightly

longer than second, tenth a little shorter than long; terminal joint large, quite as large

as the two preceding together, its apex obscurely red. Head broad and short, very

sparingly punctate. Thorax narrower than the elytra, strongly transverse, a little

narrowed behind. Elytra longer than the thorax, rather closely punctate. Legs

elongate and slender, entirely yellow.

The species has a great resemblance to the European species of Homalota of the

H. socialis, Er., group; but has the distant middle coxe and the elongate hind tarsi of

Myrmedonia; the hind tarsus, indeed, is very long and slender, the basal joint being

the longest and about twice as long as the second joint, and considerably longer than

the terminal joint.

Described from three individuals, two of which are in very bad condition; the third,

from San Gerdnimo, has some minute points of distinction from the other two, and

may be a distinct species.

12. Myrmedonia levior. (Tab. V. fig. 18.)

Nigra, nitidula, elytris pedibusque testaceis, illis ad angulos posteriores, his femoribus fuscis ; antennis apicem

versus subincrassatis, articulis nullis transversis; prothorace nitidulo, parcius punctato; elytris vix

perspicue punctatis, tenuius pubescentibus ; abdomine sparsim punctato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMaua, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion).

Antenne becoming very slightly narrower from the fourth joint to the termination,

second and third joints equal, tenth about as long as broad ; eleventh elongate, rather

longer than the two preceding together. Head narrow, shining, and almost impunctate.

Thorax distinctly narrower than the elytra, not at all narrowed behind, indeed just

perceptibly narrower in front than at the base, nearly as long as broad, shining, very

sparingly punctate, with four rather larger but not very distinct punctures placed so as

to indicate the angles of a square on the disk. Elytra pallid, infuscate at the sides

externally, with a very indistinct sculpture formed apparently by excessively obscure

remote granules. Hind body very sparingly punctate.

The male has a slight tubercular elevation on the dorsal plate of the sixth segment,

in the middle, just in front of the hind margin; the hind margin of the following plate

is very indistinctly crenulate.

This insect resembles extremely the European Homalota nitidula, Kraatz; and until

MYRMEDONIA. 205

I had examined its structural characters I anticipated it would prove very closely allied

thereto; but the structure of the sternal pieces and the hind tarsi require that it

should at present be located in the genus Myrmedonia. Four individuals have been

found.

13. Myrmedonia docilis.

Testacea, capite, elytris abdomineque fuscis, hoc basi elytrisque marginibus basalibus et apicalibus testaceis ;

capite, thorace elytrisque dense subtilissime punctulatis, abdomine levigato; antennis articulis 7°-10™

transversis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GuatemMata, Guatemala city (Champion).

Antenne rather short and stout, with inconspicuous exserted sete, yellow, but rather

darker in the middle, so as to be there rather red, second and third joints about equal

in length, sixth about as long as broad, the following decidedly transverse, the tenth

being nearly twice as broad as long; terminal joint large, three times as long as the

tenth. Head short and broad, closely and excessively finely punctate and pubescent.

Thorax nearly as broad as the elytra, strongly transverse, being about twice as broad as

long, very slightly narrowed behind, the hind angles very obtuse and indistinct, the

surface closely and extremely finely punctate. Elytra short, but distinctly longer than

the thorax, fuscous, with the hind margin and a broad humeral spot yellow. Hind

body with the basal segments yellow, the rest dark, shining, and impunctate. Legs

clear yellow.

Three specimens have been found: the structure of the mesosternum and pieces

round the middle coxe is that characteristic of the genus Myrmedonia; and the hind

tarsi are very slender, with elongate basal joint, the articulations between the joints

being, however, very obscure. ‘The facies is suggestive to me of Homalota hospita and

its allies, for which Rey has established the genus Thamiarea.

14. Myrmedonia pusilla.

Nitidula, subtilissime pubescens et punctata, capite abdomineque nigris, hoc basi rufo-testaceo, thorace elytris-

que fuscis, his humeris dilutioribus; antennis fuscis, basi apiceque sordide testaceis ; pedibus testaceis :

prothorace valde transverso, fere elytrorum latitudine.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

A small species, bearing a considerable resemblance to the European Homatota fungi.

Antenne rather short and slender, but little thicker outwardly, third joint longer than

second, penultimate joints transverse ; terminal joint very long in proportion to the

others, nearly as long as the three preceding together. Head broad and very short,

very shining, impunctate, black. Thorax very strongly transverse, twice as broad as

long, the hind angles very indistinct, the surface shining, with almost invisible punc-

206 STAPHYLINIDA.

tuation and pubescence. Elytra short, but longer than the thorax, closely and exces-

sively finely punctate. Hind body shining and impunctate. Legs clear yellow.

Only a single individual has been found; it is without any external indication of

its sex.

15. Myrmedonia fallax.

Parva, nigra, antennarum basi pedibusque fuscis, nitidula, fere levigata, tantum in elytris subtilissime punc-

tulata ; antennis crassiusculis ; prothorace omnium fortiter transverso, elytris quam hic longioribus.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne rather short, stout, third joint longer than second, from fourth to tenth

each broader than its predecessor and each, except the fourth, transverse; terminal

joint comparatively large, longer than the two preceding together. Head rather large,

nearly as broad as the thorax, black, shining, and impunctate. Thorax very short,

nearly as broad as the elytra, distinctly narrowed behind, hind angles very indistinct,

surface black, shining, and impunctate. LElytra of a fuscous-black colour, very finely

and rather closely punctate, so as to be less shining than the rest of the surface. Hind

body not narrowed at base nor acuminate behind, the lateral margins strongly elevated,

but very fine in the transverse direction, the surface black, shining, and impunctate.

Legs fuscous-yellow, the tibie and tarsi more dilute than the femora.

Only one specimen has been found; it is probably a female. It is more similar to

Pelioptera micans, Ky., than to any other species; but the hind tarsi are elongate and

very slender.

16. Myrmedonia godmani. (Tab. V. fig. 19.)

Ferruginea, antennis extrorsum, elytris angulo externo, abdomineque ex parte nigricantibus, antennarum basi

pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace quadrato, posterius angustato, dorso insequali, fortiter punctato ; elytris

densissime fortiter punctatis, opacis, abdomine levigato nitidulo.

Long. 9 millim.

Mas abdomine segmento 2° dorsali margine posteriore libero, sinuato, in medio spinoso, margine laterali libero,

elongato, acuminato, oblique elevato, segmento 7° granulato, margine posteriore obsolete crenulato.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne rather elongate, loosely articulate and evidently setose, third joint much

longer than second, fourth large, fifth scarcely so long as broad, tenth very evidently

transverse. Head greatly narrower than the elytra, coarsely punctate, the vertex in

the middle smooth. Thorax as long as broad, slightly narrowed behind, the surface

coarsely punctate, an obscure depression in front of the scutellum, a more elongate

one along the middle, and another at each side ; the punctuation does not extend quite

to the lateral margin; and the surface shows a kind of elevation running along the

MYRMEDONIA. 207

lateral and basal margins. Elytra very densely and roughly punctured, so that the

interstices are quite small.

This insect is allied to a group of Amazonian species, and should be placed next

M. scabripennis, Sharp. Only two individuals, both of the male sex, have been found.

17. Myrmedonia breviceps.

Testaceo-brunnea, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis; antennis crassis, laxe articulatis, longius setulosis,

articulis penultimis fortiter transversis ; oculis majoribus ; prothorace transverso, basin versus angustato,

crebre fortiterque punctato ; elytris prothoracis longitudine, crebrius fortiter punctatis; abdomine levi-

gato, nitidulo.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Panama, David, Chiriqui (Champion).

Of rather broad form. Antenne very stout, basal joint large, thick and elongate,

third considerably longer than second, the penultimate four strongly transverse,

terminal joint broad, longer than the two preceding together. Head short and broad,

narrower than the thorax; eyes occupying all the sides, the surface shining, coarsely

and not closely punctate, the punctures only very shghtly impressed. Thorax rather

strongly transverse, a good deal narrowed behind, shining, coarsely and deeply punc-

tate, the punctures extending not quite to the margins, the disk rather depressed.

Elytra broad and short, more dilute in colour than the head and thorax, the outer

apical angle slightly darker, deeply and closely, rather coarsely punctate. Hind body

very shining above, beneath sparingly punctate. Legs pale yellow.

Described from a single individual, which is probably a female. The species approxi-

mates in many respects to the European subgenus Zyras, from which it differs at the

same time by the short head and the much greater proportional development of the

eyes; the middle coxe are very distant; and the apex of the intercoxal process of the

mesosternum is very broad and quite straightly truncate; the metasternal process is

much produced forwards, but leaves a well-marked short and broad intercoxal isthmus ;

and the margin of the process is in front very distant from the coxe.

18. Myrmedonia longipes. (Tab. V. fig. 20.)

_Testacea, elytris ad apicem fuscis, abdomine castaneo-testaceo ; antennis gracilibus, in medio obscurioribus;

oculis magnis; prothorace transverso, quam elytra angustiore, in medio scabroso-punctato; elytris

nitidulis, sparsim punctatis ; abdomine nitidulo, versus apicem attenuato et acuminato.

Long. 4? millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

Antenne slender and elongate, laxly articulated and conspicuously setose, the slender

third joint slightly longer than the second, tenth about as long as broad, each. joint

from the fourth to the ninth much more slender at the base than at the extremity ;

eleventh joint scarcely so long as the two preceding together. Head broad and short,

208 STAPHYLINID A.

rather narrower than the thorax; its surface impunctate and shining, the eyes occupying

nearly the whole of the sides. Thorax transverse, a good deal narrower than the

elytra, slightly narrowed behind, the surface with a rather coarse tubercular sculpture

which does not extend to the margins, and is more scanty along the middle. Elytra

longer than the thorax, narrowed at the shoulders, yellow but becoming dark behind,

very shining, with a very distant punctuation, consisting rather of obsolete granulations

each bearing a fine seta than of impressed punctures. Legs very long, tibial spurs very

inconspicuous.

The unique individual described is immature, and is probably a male; the basal

dorsal plates of the hind body are very polished and quite impunctate ; but the fifth

has some coarse punctures across the middle, and the sixth is rather closely and coarsely

punctate; it is dull and has at the hind margin three very obscure tubercles; the

seventh segment is a little produced in the middle behind, and its hind margin is

obscurely crenulate.

This species is an anomalous one, and should probably form a distinct genus, as the

head is furnished with a moderately distinct neck. It is apparently more nearly allied

to the Amazonian I. nitidula than to any other species.

19. Myrmedonia teres.

Brevior, lata, nitidula, picea, capite thoraceque fere nigris, antennis fuscis, apice rufo, pedibus testa-

ceis ; thorace transversim quadrato, quam elytra angustiore, fere impunctato ; his quam thorax vix longi-

oribus, vix punctatis, sparsim setulosis; abdomine lato, basi polito, levigato, segmento sexto (maris)

dense fortiterque punctato.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

Antenne not largely developed, loosely articulate and conspicuously setose ; the basal

joint is sordid yellow, the following joints fuscous; but at the apex the joints again

become gradually paler, so that the terminal one is nearly yellow; third joint slender,

rather longer than second, fourth slender, much longer than broad, from this to the tenth

each a little broader than its predecessor, the ninth being about as long as broad, and

the tenth slightly transverse, terminal joint as long as the two preceding together.

Head very short, truncate behind, eyes not occupying all the sides; the surface very

shining, with obsolete but setigerous punctures on each side. Thorax broader than

long, but a good deal narrower than the elytra, nearly straight at the sides; the surface

very shining, almost impunctate, but bearing some fine hairs. LElytra broad and short,

slightly narrowed at the shoulders, of a piceous colour, very shining, sparingly and

obsoletely punctate, but the punctures evidently setigerous. Hind body broad, very

polished, the lateral margins broad; the fifth segment with fine but quite definite

sparing punctures; sixth segment red, densely punctate just in front of the hind

margin, with three or four excessively indistinct minute tubercles; hind margin of

MYRMEDONIA.—ORPHNEBIUS. 209

seventh segment obscurely crenulate. Wings ample. Legs yellow, hind tarsi elongate,

first and second joints both long, the former the longer.

The unique individual described is no doubt a male; and it is possible that the

peculiar punctuation of the sixth segment may be a sexual mark.

20. Myrmedonia mimula. (Tab. V. fig. 21.)

Nitidula, picea, elytris dilutioribus, antennarum basi et articulo ultimo pedibusque sordide testaceis; pro-

thorace transversim subquadrato, elytris angustiore, fere impunctato; elytris sparsim punctatis ; abdomine

levigato.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather short, and at the base rather slender, but much thickened outwardly,

third joint almost as long as second, eighth to tenth each transverse, the tenth more

conspicuously so; terminal joint large, equal to the two preceding together. Head

broad and short, shining, very obscurely punctulate, eyes rather small. Thorax a good

deal narrower than the elytra, considerably broader than long, nearly straight at the

sides, the surface shining and almost impunctate. LElytra slightly longer than the

thorax, slightly narrowed towards the shoulders, very sparingly punctate, the punctures

rather indistinct, but conspicuously setigerous. Hind body polished and shining, the

lateral margins much elevated.

_ The unique individual described is a male. It has on the middle of the sixth dorsal

plate just before the hind margin two slight, somewhat elongate, tuberculiform eleva-

tions, and a similar but smaller and therefore still more indistinct elevation on each

side; the seventh plate has on each side behind a slightly raised side margin, and the

hind margin is obscurely crenulate, while in front of this the surface bears some

granular elevations.

Although this insect resembles Orphnebius in appearance, it is allied to Myrmedonia

teres, and, like it and WM. longipes, has the head borne on a rather broad but unmista-

kable neck; the basal joint of the hind tarsus is elongate, and about equal in length

to the two following together.

ORPHNEBIUS.

Orphnebius, Motgchoulsky, Bull. Mose. 1858, pt. ii. p. 263, t. 1. fig. 8.

Motschoulsky’s genus Orphnebius was characterized in only a few words, as follows :—

“Form of the Myrmedonie with narrow thorax and enlarged abdomen, such as

M. canaliculata and M. collaris, but differing by the structure of the tarsi, the longest

(“ plus long”) joint of which is the second and not the first, and that of the antenne,

which, being very elongate, offer as their shortest joint the terminal one. Wings short,

not fit for flight.” The unique species for which Motschoulsky established the genus

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, July 1883. 2 HE

210 STAPHYLINID.

was from Colombia. The figure accompanying the description does not indicate any

unusual abbreviation of the terminal joint of the antennz; so that the genus rests on

the facies of the species and the structure of the hind tarsi. In these respects the two

species I here assign to the genus agree tolerably with Motschoulsky’s characters.

They have the head carried on a distinct and narrow neck; and the two basal joints of

the hind tarsi are subequal in length, the basal joint being, however, a little the longer,

and the fourth joint being only slightly shorter than the basal one. The middle coxe

are extremely widely separated ; and the mesosternum is very little produced between

them, and presents a very broad quite truncate extremity; the metasternal process

between the coxe is a good deal produced forward ; the very fine raised line that bounds

it is obtusely acuminate in front, and is remarkable for its great distance from the

cox; it does not attain, by a considerable interval, the mesosternum ; and there is thus

left a very broad and by no means short intercoxal isthmus.

This great separation of the middle coxa, in concomitance with the short basal joint

to the hind tarsus, is sufficient to validate the genus, although different species of the

polymorphic Myrmedonia approach it by various points. A second species of Orphnebius

with remarkable male characters has been described by Solsky (Hor. Soc. Ent. Ross. x1.

p- 8, t. 1. f. 2) from Peru.

1. Orphnebius lativentris. (Tab. V. fig. 22.)

Brevior, nitidula, testacea, levigata ; capite parvo; prothorace valde transverso, anterius subtruncato, poste-

rius rotundato; elytris brevibus, sed quam prothorax longioribus et latioribus ; abdomine lato, levigato.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, San Juan in Vera Paz, Zapote, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne rather short, at the base rather slender, a good deal thickened externally,

yellow, but the colour of the middle joints more obscure, the penultimate joints strongly

transverse, the fif:h and sixth slightly so, the terminal joint subcircular, not acuminate,

not so long as the two preceding together. Head narrower than the thorax, eyes rather

small. Thorax small, greatly narrower than the elytra, but twice as broad as long, the

base much rounded, the hind angles completely absent. Elytra impunctate, but with a

few fine short sete. Hind body broad, very polished and shining, lateral margins very

largely developed.

Four individuals of this species have been found; all are males. The seventh ventral

plate has the hind margin provided with three rather large, broad, subequal teeth,

one at each outside, and one in the middle; in front of the latter there is an obscure

subtuberculiform elevation, and the outer margin of the plate bears an elongate

raised line.

The individual from Capetillo is a slight variety, having the antenne entirely

yellow. |

ORPHNEBIUS.—SCEPTOBIUS. 211

2. Orphnebius similis.

Brevior, nitidula, testacea, capite thoraceque piceis; capite parvo, valde transverso ; prothorace valde trans-

verso, anterius subtruncato, posterius rotundato; elytris brevibus, sed quam prothorax longioribus et

latioribus ; abdomine lato, levigato.

Long. 3} millim.

Hab. Panama, David, Chiriqui (Champion).

This species is very closely allied to O. lativentris; but the head is considerably

broader and shorter, and the antenne are more elongate; these organs are clear yellow,

and the penultimate joints, though transverse, are not so short as they are in 0. lati-

ventris.

Two individuals have been found, both males. The last dorsal plate terminates in

three broad, rounded, very short teeth; and there is at the base of the central tooth a

tubercle or large granule; the outer margin of the plate bears an elongate raised line.

A third individual, found on the Volcan de Chiriqui, at an elevation of 3000 or 4000 feet,

may also pertain to this species; it appears, however, to be rather larger and more

elongate, and the antenne are dark in colour; this may, however, be the result of

the excessively decayed condition of the specimen.

SCEPTOBIUS.

Caput collo discreto sat angusto, oculis minutis. Tarsi anteriores 4-, intermedii et posteriores 5-articulati,

articulo basali elongato. Apterus, elytris omnium brevissimis, abdomine dilatato. Coxe intermedi

contigue. Metasternum fere nullum, parapleuris maximis. Sexus differentia maxima.

The position and exact affinities of the remarkable Myrmecophilous insect for which

I propose this genus cannot at present be definitely decided, as it appears to be some-

what similar to Malagria and Drusilla; it is near the latter genus that I advise its

location in the meantime. All I can see of the trephi is the maxillary palpi; and these

are of the type usual in the Aleocharini. ‘The head is exserted and carried on a very

definite narrow (but not extremely narrow) neck. The prothorax is not margined at

the sides; and its lateral portions are merely deflexed; the exposed portion of the pro-

sternum is large, and produced between the front coxze so as to be quite acuminate

behind; the front coxs are very elongate; the middle coxe are contiguous and

prominent, and no portion of the metasternum can be seen except the very large side-

pieces, which have a great extension inwards towards the coxe, but are not visible

from above. The male has the antenne and legs much longer than they are in the

female; and in this latter sex the eyes are extremely rudimentary, consisting of a few

scarcely united granules; even in the male the eyes are quite. small and not visible

from above.

2 EE 2

212 STAPHYLINIDA,

1. Sceptobius dispar. (Tab. V. fig. 23, ¢ .)

Fusco-niger, pedibus fusco-ferrugineis, antennis ferrugineo-testaceis, opacus, dense subtilissime pubescens,

subtilissime punctatus.

Long. 34 millim.

Mas antennis pedibusque elongatis.

Fem. antennis pedibusque mediocribus, illis rigidulis consolidatis.

Hab. Mexico (Truqut).

Antenne in the male nearly as long as the body, destitute of sete; third joint large ;

terminal joints closely articulated, so as to have little mobility (as in many other

Myrmecophilous Staphylinide); terminal joint very elongate, as long as the two

preceding together. Head very finely, scarcely visibly punctulate. Thorax nearly as

long as broad, a little narrowed behind; in the female rather shorter, and distinctly

narrowed behind, scarcely visibly punctate, very finely pubescent. Elytra extremely

short, especially at the suture, where they are not half so long as the thorax, extremely

finely punctate. Hind body getting broader till the fifth segment is reached, excessively

densely and finely punctate and pubescent.

The differences between the sexes is very great. In the female the antenna, after

the third joint, are abbreviated, and their joints amalgamated so as to form an elongate

solid piece, the sutures between the joints, however, being visible ; the head is smaller

than in the male, and more truncate behind, so as to be almost triangular in form; and

the prothorax and afterbody are broader. ‘The legs in this sex are probably of ordinary

size. In the male the middle and hind legs are elongate, the latter pair being specially

large and remarkable, and apparently, from their form and the position they assume,

not adapted for locomotion. The tibie are stout, and a little oblique-truncate externally

at the extremity; the tarsi are large, and continue the direction of the tibie ; the basal

joint is stout and very elongate, almost equal in length to the four following together,

each of which is more slender than its predecessor; fourth joint small; fifth slender,

almost equal in length to the second joint; claws very minute. In this sex there are

no peculiar abdominal structures.

The pair of this species in my collection were captured by Signor Truqui in Mexico ;

and another pair, obtained from the collection of M. Sallé, is evidently from the same

source. The specimens are so extremely fragile that very cautious investigation has

caused the detachment of the larger part of what remained of the legs and antenne of

the females. ‘That the species is Myrmecophilous is evident not only from the struc-

ture, but from the fact that an ant is mounted along with one of the individuals in

M. Sallé’s collection.

FALAGONIA.

Facie et summa affinitate generis Drusilla, Rey ; sed mesosternum aliter formatum.

The insect for which the above generic name is proposed is very closely allied to the

FALAGONTIA. 213

well-known European Staphylinus canaliculatus, Fab., to which Rey (Hist. Nat. Col.

Fr., Brév. Myrméd. i. p. 93) has recently restored the old generic name Drusilla; but

the Mexican insect appears sufficiently different in the details of the structure of the

breast to entitle it to generic distinction. The front of the mesosternum is simply

margined as in other Myrmedonie, and is without the large development of the margin

existing in Drusilla; the mesosternum is rather less produced in the middle between

the coxee, and is truncate behind; and the intercoxal isthmus is longer. ‘The structure

of the prothoracic side piece and of the tarsi appears to be identical in the two genera.

The second species of the genus, I. crassiventris, is no doubt very closely allied to

F. mexicana; but the very mutilated and fragile condition of its only known exponent

does not allow me to state that it is certainly congeneric.

1. Falagonia mexicana. (Tab. V. fig. 24.)

Gracilis, testaceo-brunnea, antennis rufis, pedibus testaceis ; capite, thorace elytrisque opacis, his dense asperato-

punctatis; abdomine levigato, nitidulo.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Flohr), Guanajuato (Dugeés, coll. Sallé).

Antenne elongate and rather slender; third joint longer than second, fourth shorter

than fifth ; after this, each rather shorter and broader than its predecessor; tenth about as

long as broad ; eleventh acuminate, scarcely so long as the two preceding together. Head

narrow, suboval, quite dull, obsoletely punctate; thorax elongate, but little narrowed

behind, so being nearly oblong in form; the surface dull, densely punctured with

a peculiar raised punctuation, obscurely transversely impressed in the middle in front

of the scutellum, very obsoletely channelled along the middle. lytra rather shorter

than the thorax, with a similar scabrous sculpture.

The male has the lateral margins of the hind body flatter than those of the female ;

and the third and fourth dorsal segments bear each a rather large deep depression; the

sixth segment is somewhat deplanate along the middle; and the seventh has on the

middle a very obscure tuberculiform elevation.

Two individuals (very mutilated) of this species have been sent me by Mr. Flohr; and

a third stood in M. Sallé’s collection under the name “ Falagria mexicana,” K. Dugés.

This latter, a female, is figured.

2. Falagonia crassiventris.

Nigricans, nitidula, antennarum basi (tibiisque?) testacea ; antennis elongatis, versus apicem latioribus ; capite

angustulo ; prothorace elongato, dorso depresso crebriusque granuloso-punctato; elytris quam thorax fere

brevioribus, irregulariter granuloso-punctatis ; abdomine lavigato nitidulo, subtus convexo.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, Cahabon (Champion); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne elongate, a good deal thicker outwardly, nearly black in the middle, yellow

214 STAPHYLINIDZ.

at the base; the apical joint again rather paler; third joint a good deal longer than

the second ; fourth shorter than fifth; fourth to tenth joints much narrower at the base

than at the apex; tenth about as long as broad ; terminal joint both elongate and broad,

quite as long as the two preceding together. Head small, only about half as broad as

the elytra. Thorax elongate, narrower than the elytra, as long as broad, a little

narrowed behind; the disk flattened and closely granulose-punctate, the margins

broadly smooth. FElytra with granulose punctuation.

This insect has somewhat the appearance and size of a Homalota. A single indi-

vidual is present from each locality; they are very mutilated and are probably males.

Each elytron has an obscure longitudinal carina near the side, and a slight transverse

elevation near the base and the suture. The apical dorsal plate of the hind body is

granulose and a little prolonged in the middle, the most projecting part being slightly

emarginate. On each side there is an obscure angle, not sufficiently prominent to be

called a tooth.

PLATONICA.

Coxee intermediz late distantes ; mesosterni processus inter eas parum productus, apice fere truncato ; meta-

sterni processus inter coxas longius productus, apice truncato, cum mesosterni processu fere contiguo.

Prothorax marginibus acute inflexis. Tarsi posteriores sat elongati, 5-articulati, articulo basali quam

secundus fere duplo longiore.

This genus is proposed for some insects intermediate to a considerable extent between

Myrmedonia and Hoplandria. Platonica differs from the former genus by the fact that

the sternal processes are more prolonged between the coxe, so as to become nearly or

even quite contiguous, and the raised margin along the inner edge of the coxal cavity is

thus completed. The apices of these processes, however, are in some cases rather

difficult to distinguish, owing to the margins by which they are limited being nearly

obsolete. The genus differs from Hoplandria by the greater elongation of the basal

joint of the hind tarsus, as well as by other details.

The head is short and quite destitute of aneck. The ligula in the middle is elongate

and slender, extends nearly as far forward as the extremity of the first joint of the

labial palpus, and is deeply divided at the apex, the division extending nearly halfway

to the base; but the divided processes remain parallel. ‘The lobes of the maxille are

simply ciliate; but the inner one has a free slender extremity provided with a minute

and rather imperfect supplementary joint. The rather elongate paraglosse are of the

most extreme tenuity and delicacy. The side of the prothorax forms a sharp edge,

owing to the great folding-in of the side pieces.

I am not acquainted with any species, other than those here described, that can be

ascribed to the genus.

PLATONICA. 215

1. Platonica major.

Ferruginea, capite elytrisque externe versus angulos posteriores nigricantibus, pedibus rufo-testaceis; pro-

thorace fortiter punctato, ante angulos posteriores oblique impresso; abdomine sparsim obsolete punc-

tulato.

Long. maris 10, femine 8-9 millim.

Mas prothorace dorso deplanato crebriusque punctato, elytris ad latera marginatis, prope angulum suturalem

processu triangulari elevato; abdominis margine laterali dilatato, seemento dorsali tertio in medio ante

apicem signatura opacula parum elevata, segmento sexto in medio plica longitudinali ad apicem magis

elevata.

Hab. Costa Rica, Volean de Irazu 6000 to 7000 feet (Rogers).

Antenne ferruginous, more dilute at the base; first joint elongate, third considerably

longer than second, fifth to tenth differing little from one another, each strongly trans-

verse ; eleventh joint large, quite as long as the two preceding together. Head black,

rather coarsely punctate behind. Elytra a good deal longer than the thorax. Hind

body with the dorsal plates shining, only sparingly and obsoletely punctulate, except

the seventh, which bears a more distinct rather close punctuation and a fine pubescence.

In the male the lateral margin on the wing-case is distinct, and is more than one half

the length of the wing-case, but there is no subhumeral carina; the angular elevation

at the inner angle is separated by a very distinct smooth space from the suture; the

process on the third dorsal plate is large, but is very little elevated, and in front is

broader and furcate, so as to be almost Y-shaped ; the dilatation of the lateral margins

is considerable ; but the edges of the ventral plates take scarcely any part in the incras-

sation, except in the case of the sixth segment, where the edge of the ventral plate is

conspicuous on the upper surface for the whole length of the segment, so as to form

a rather narrow somewhat sinuous margin.

Five specimens have been found ; and it is from one of these which I have dissected

that the description of the trophi of the genus is made.

2, Platonica sallwi. (Tab. V. fig. 25.)

Ferruginea, capite nigricante, pedibus testaceis; prothorace fortiter punctato, ante angulos posteriores oblique

impresso ; abdomine sparsim obsoletissime punctulato.

Long. maris 8 millim.

Mas prothorace dorso deplanato crebriusque punctato, elytris ad latera marginatis, ad angulum suturalem

processu triangulari elevato, carinaque subhumerali fortiter elevato ; abdominis margine laterali dilatato,

segmento dorsali tertio in medio ante apicem signatura cruciformi, opacula, parum elevata, segmento

sexto in medio plica longitudinali ad apicem magis elevata.

Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Sal/é).

I have seen only a single individual of this species; and though evidently closely

allied to P. major, the sexual characters leave no doubt that it is a distinct species.

There is a very strongly elevated subhumeral plica on each wing-case, and the elevation

at each inner angle is placed quite close to the suture; the opaque mark on the third

dorsal plate is not bifurcate, but is simply a little broader in front; the edge of the

216 STAPHYLINIDA.

ventral plate of this segment is evidently dilated behind; and on the second segment

the edge of the ventral plate forms a prominent tubercle on each side about the middle

of the length of the segment.

3. Platonica intermedia.

Ferruginea, capite elytrisque versus apicem fuscis, pedibus testaceis, antennis fusco-ferrugineis basi apiceque

dilutioribus ; prothorace fortiter punctato, ante angulos posteriores oblique impresso ; abdomine subtiliter

punctulato.

Long. 7 millim.

Mas incognitus.

Hab. Guatemaa, Tactic (Champion); Panama, Caldera 1200 feet (Champion).

Compared with the corresponding sex of P. major, this insect is found to be con-

siderably smaller, and to possess a smaller terminal joint to the antenne; the elytra

are rather shorter, and the dorsal plates of the hind body are a little more punctate ;

while from any of the following species its larger size and broader form leave no doubt

of its distinction. The individual from Tactic may possibly, when the male is known,

prove to be a distinct species, as it has a decidedly larger punctuation on the dorsal

plates of the hind body, and the coloration is slightly different, the thorax and hind

body being a little darker and the elytra a little paler in colour.

Only a single individual has been found in each of the two localities.

4, Platonica acuminata.

Anterius et posterius evidenter acuminata ; ferruginea, capite nigricante, pedibus testaceis ; prothorace fortiter

punctato, basi in medio vage depressa; elytris quam hic paulo longioribus, parce punctatis ; abdomine

parce punctato.

Long. 63 millim.

Mas elytris ad latera breviter marginatis, carina subhumerali conspicua, ad angulum suturalem processu tri-

angulari elevata; abdominis segmento dorsali in medio signatura opacula cuneiformi parum elevata, seg-

mento sexto in medio plica longitudinali ad apicem paulo magis elevata.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Hoge).

The unique individual found of this species is a male, but is apparently without

the denser punctuation of the middle of the thorax existing in that sex of several

other species of the genus, and has a narrower head than usual. The antenne are

more slender than in P. major, the fifth joint being scarcely transverse; there is a

fine punctuation at the base of each dorsal plate ; and this is most distinct on the fifth

segment ; there is no dilatation of the upper edges of the ventral plates.

The species would appear to be most nearly allied to P. centralis; but the thorax is

paler and rather more coarsely punctate, the elytra are scarcely marked with black

at the outer angle, the antenne are stouter and paler in colour, the raised mark on

the third dorsal plate of the male is much broader, but is less elevated, and the dorsal’

plates are a little more punciate.

PLATONICA. 217

5. Platonica centralis.

Ferruginea, antennis (basi excepta), captte, thorace, elytris versus apicem abdomineque ante apicem nigrican-

tibus vel fuscis, pedibus testaceis ; prothorace basi in medio parum discrete depressa ; abdomine apicem

versus attenuato, sparsim punctato.

Mas elytris ad latera marginatis, carina subhumerali tenui, ad angulum suturalem processu acuminato; abdo-

mine segmento 3° in medio ad apicem carinula elevata, segmento 6° carinula ad apicem tuberculato-

elevata.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. GuatEeMAua, Capetillo (Champion).

A rather narrow insect for this genus, with small head. The antenne are not stout;

and joints five to ten scarcely differ from one another in length or breadth. The thorax

has the sides and base greatly rounded, is without oblique depression in front of the

base on each side, but has a slight depression in front of the scutellum. ‘The dorsal

segments of the hind body are very shining; but they have a distinct punctuation,

more developed at the bases of the fifth and sixth segments.

The male has the lateral margins of the hind body flatter than they are in the

female, and also a little broader, the difference, however, not being striking.

A small series of this species was found by Mr. Champion; the individuals agree

closely with one another.

6. Platonica latifrons. (Tab. VI. fig. 1.)

Fusca, abdomine ferrugineo, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis; antennis brevibus crassis; prothorace

fortiter transverso ; abdomine parum acuminato, fere impunctato.

Mas capite thoraceque in mediis late depressis, ibidemque crebrius punctatis et pubescentibus ; elytris ad latera

indistincte marginatis, carina brevi subhumerali, ad angulum suturalem processu acuminato ; abdomine

segmentis 3° 6°que in medio carinula parum conspicua.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Panama, Caldera 1200 feet (Champion).

Antenne short and stout; third joint but little longer than second, fourth quite

small; the others very strongly transverse, so that the terminal joint appears very

elongate in comparison with those preceding it. Head broad and very short. Thorax

truncate in front, sides and base greatly rounded. LElytra but little longer than the

thorax, rather finely punctate. The depressions on the head and thorax of the male

are very conspicuous ; but the other marks of this sex are not so much developed as in

the allied forms.

Five individuals have been found. If I may form an opinion from these, the

male characters on the elytra and hind body vary somewhat in the amount of their

development. The short and broad more finely punctate head, and the darker colour

of the anterior parts appear to be the superficial characters by which the females of

this species may most readily be recognized.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, July 1883. 2FF

218 STAPHYLINIDZ.

7. Platonica chiriquensis.

Ferruginea, capite superne elytrisque fuscis, his basi ferruginea, pedibus testaceis; antennis brevibus, crassis,

articulis 5°-10™ valde transversis; capite lato, sparsim fortiter punctato ; prothorace utrinque ante angulos

posteriores obsolete oblique impresso; abdomine nitidulo, parum punctato.

Mas elytrorum lateribus subtiliter marginatis, carina subhumerali parum elongata, ad angulum suturalem pro-

cessu acuminato elevato; abdominis segmento 3° in medio plaga longitudinali parum elevata, segmento 6°

carinula elongata ad apicem magis elevata.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet

(Champion).

Antenne ferruginous; third joint little longer than second, fourth small, fifth to

tenth differing little from one another, each strongly transverse. Thorax sparingly and

coarsely punctate, indistinctly depressed at the base in the middle, and with an indi-

stinct oblique impression on each side, these depressions less distinct in the female than

in the male; it is very transverse, the sides and base forming one continuous curve.

There is a very scanty fine punctuation on the dorsal plates of the hind body, which is

rather more distinct in the female than in the male.

A series of three males and five females of this species have been sent by Mr. Cham-

pion. Except in the sexual differences, they agree closely with one another, the unique

female from Bugaba being, however, a little smaller.

8. Platonica fuscicollis.

Ferruginea, capite, thorace elytrisque (basi excepta) nigricantibus vel fuscescentibus, antennis in medio

obscurioribus, articulis 5°-10™ fortiter transversis ; prothorace basi in medio late impressa; abdomine

nitidulo, sparsim punctato.

Mas elytrorum lateribus breviter marginatis, carina subhumerali elevata, ad angulum suturalem processu acumi-

nato elevato; abdominis segmento 3° in medio plaga longitudinali parum elevata, segmento 6° carinula

elongata ad apicem magis elevata.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000

feet (Champion).

Although very closely allied to P. chiriquensis, this appears to be a distinct species.

The individuals are slightly larger, and joints five to ten of the antenne are not quite

so short. ‘The thorax is darker in colour, being fuscescent, with the margins more or

less pale, and the basal impression in front of the scutellum very distinct: this is

more or less distinctly divided into two by an elevation in its middle; and on each

side of it, behind, the surface is a little elevated. The punctuation of the dorsal

segments of the hind body is a little larger. The male characters are very similar in

the two species.

Nine individuals (three of them males) have been obtained. They exhibit but little

variation. The specimen from the Quiche Mountains is not quite certainly the same

HOPLANDRIA. 219

species, as it has the joints of the antenne just a little longer and the thoracic impres-

sion rather slighter. As, however, it is a female, and these characters are very slight,

no certain opinion can be formed about it.

HOPLANDRIA.

Hoplandria, Kraatz, Linn. Ent. xi. p. 4, t. 1. f. 6, t. 2. £. 14.

This genus at present comprises ten described species from the New World (where

it ranges from the southern portions of the United States to Brazil and to Chili) and

a single species from Ceylon. I am acquainted, however, with numerous undescribed

Brazilian Hoplandrie, and the genus will probably prove to occupy an important posi-

tion among the more characteristic genera of Staphylinide of the tropics of the New

World. Its characters and limits, however, are at present ambiguous. Kraatz (J. ¢.)

defined it almost solely from the mouth-parts; and as regards these he seems to have

overlooked one of its most important peculiarities, viz. that the terminal joints of the

palpi are provided with a minute supplementary joint as in the genus Aleochara.

Hoplandria, moreover, approximates to the latter genus in the shape and structure of

the prothorax, and even (though to a less complete extent) in the considerably backward

prolongation of the mesosternal process. The front tarsi, however, are only four-jointed ;

and the genus is connected with the polymorphic Myrmedonia in a conspicuous manner

by means of Platonica. It thus represents, in the tribe Myrmedoniates, the genus

Aleochara of the Aleocharates. As no description has been given of the sternal struc-

ture, I may add that the intermediate coxe are widely separated, and that the meso-

sternal process is much produced between them, and joins the metasternal prolongation,

so that the middle coxal cavities are completely margined ; the raised border of the

mesosternal process is remarkably distinct, and is strongly elevated even at the apex, so

that a very conspicuous transverse (but not straight) raised margin extends across the

space separating the intermediate coxe.

1. Hoplandria gemina. (Tab. VI. fig. 2, ¢.)

Ferruginea, capite thoraceque, antennisque nigricantibus, his basi testacea, abdomine apicem versus piceo ;

thorace valde transverso, eequali, haud impresso, cumque elytris parum crebre vix fortiter punctatis ;

abdomine nitidulo, parum punctato.

Mas elytris ad angulum suturalem processu acuminato, parum elevato ; abdominis segmento 2° ad latera utrin-

que margine laterali libero, posterius breviter producto, segmento 3° carinulis duabus elevatis distantibus,

segmento 6° in medio carinula elongata ad apicem magis elevata.

Nota. Maris characteres sexuales supra notati interdum fere omnino desunt.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet, Las Mercedes 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather slender, but decidedly thickened towards the extremity, very loosely

articulated and evidently setulose; third joint slender, hardly longer than second ;

2EF 2

220 STAPHYLINID A.

ninth and tenth scarcely transverse; eleventh rather small, yellow externally, not so

long as the two preceding together. Thorax without depressions, its sides much

rounded and quite without posterior angles. Elytra more or less vaguely darker about

the outer apical angle, not closely and rather finely punctate. Hind body very shining,

with a slight punctuation at the extreme base of the fourth, fifth, and sixth segments.

Legs yellow. | |

Of this species eight individuals are before me, five from Cerro Zunil, three from Las

Mercedes. They show a little variation in the depth of colour of the thorax; but, on

_ the other hand, the prominences on the hind body of the male can in some individuals

scarcely be detected ; so that these processes would seem to be the seat of a variation of

development similar to what is so well known and remarkable in the family of the

Lamellicorns, where, however, the variable armature is seated on the anterior parts of

the body. |

The insect bears such an extreme resemblance to Platonica fuscicollis that Mr.

Champion had in one case mounted an individual of each of the two species on one card,

supposing them to be the same species.

2. Hoplandria digna.

Nigro-picea, nitida, antennarum basi sordide rufa, tarsis rufis; prothorace rotundato-transverso, basi in medio

paululum producta et subtruncata, parce punctato; abdomine elongato, apicem versus acuminato, nitidulo,

parum punctato.

Mas elytris ad angulum suturalem tuberculo erecto acuminato, circa tubercula depressiusculis; abdominis

segmento 2° ad latera utrinque margine laterali posterius dilatato, apice parum producto; segmento 6° in

medio apicem versus breviter carinato, carina ad apicem fortiter elevata. .

Long. 53-7 millim.

Var, abdomine ad apicem late rufo.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather short and stout, basal joint fuscous red, the two following joints

clearer red, the terminal joint yellowish at the apex, joints four to ten rather

strongly transverse. Basal margin of thorax very distinct, and in front of the scutellum

slightly but visibly produced backwards, and appearing there a little truncate. Hind

body gradually and regularly narrowed towards the apex, very shining, but not

altogether impunctate, segments four to six having a small punctuation on the basal

portion.

Eight individuals of this species are before me: they show a good deal of variation

in size; and in the two smaller individuals the apical segments of the hind body are

red. ‘The male characters show some difference in the amount of their development.

3. Hoplandria brevicollis.

Nigra, nitida, antennarum basi tarsisque rufis; prothorace fortiter transverso, fortiterque punctato; abdomine

apicem versus acuminato, nitidulo, parum punctato.

Long. 42 millim.

HOPLANDRIA. 221

Hab. Guatemaa, Senahu (Champion).

Antenne short, much thickened towards the extremity, the four basal joints red ;

fifth joint small, scarcely transverse.

Although very similar to H. digna, this is no doubt a distinct species. The individuals

are of smaller size; the fifth joint of the antenne is very much smaller; the base of

the antenne is clear red; and the thorax is rather shorter and more deeply punctate.

Two individuals have been found ; they exhibit no sexual characters.

4, Hoplandria rufa. (Tab. VI. fig. 3.)

Rufa, nitida, antennis in medio nigris, basi apiceque cum pedibus testaceis, elytris extrorsum fuscis ; prothorace

valde transverso, obsolete punctato; abdomine apicem versus attenuato, nitidulo, parum punctato.

Mas elytris ad angulum suturalem plicula elevata; abdominis segmento 3° dorsali in medio ante apicem

carinulis duabus parum elevatis, segmento 6° in medio longius carinato.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather slender, but distinctly thickened towards the apex; the four basal

joints and the apical one yellow, the others black; joints nine and ten slightly

transverse. Head red, almost impunctate. Thorax red, only very indistinctly punctate,

basal margin very distinct, scarcely visibly emarginate in front of the scutellum. Elytra

a good deal longer than the thorax, finely and not closely punctate, but with the

pubescence conspicuous. Hind body with segments fourth and fifth more or less darker

in colour in the middle, and segments fourth to sixth with a distinct punctuation at

the base, more extensive on the sixth than on the others. Legs clear yellow.

Six specimens have been found.

5. Hoplandria picea.

Picea, nitidula, tarsis rufis; prothorace valde transverso, obsolete punctato, elytris quam hic paulo longioribus,

crebre punctatis; abdomine nitidulo, parum dense strigoso-punctato.

Mas elytris ad angulum suturalem plicula minuta elevata, abdominis segmento 3° dorsali carinulis duabus

parum conspicuis, segmento 6° dorsali in medio carinula parum elevata.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne piceous, the outer half nearly black, rather slender, but evidently thicker

towards the extremity; third joint rather longer than second, fifth and sixth each

about as long as broad, tenth evidently transverse. Elytra rather short, but distinctly

longer than the thorax, moderately closely punctate. Hind body with a peculiar

sculpture, having the appearance of fine elevations, or of short sete fastened down to

its surface.

The species has much resemblance to H. brevicollis; but the thoracic punctuation is

very different; the peculiar sculpture of the dorsal plates of the hind body greatly

assists to its recognition. Four individuals have been found.

222 STAPHYLINIDA.

6. Hoplandria flavicans.

Flavicans, capite abdomineque ante apicem piceis; antennis rufis, basi testacea, articulis 5°-10™ valde trans-

versis; prothorace transverso, subtiliter punctato ; abdomine mediocriter punctato.

Long. 4 millim. .

Mas elytris ad angulum suturalem minus alte tuberculatis, abdominis segmento sexto longius carinato.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Sallé).

Antenne short and stout, third joint rather short, shorter than second, fourth joint

small but transverse, joints fifth to tenth strongly transverse, joints eight to ten not

broader than the seventh, indeed just perceptibly narrower, terminal joint rather

large. Head small, scarcely half as broad as the elytra, obscurely punctate. Thorax

rather strongly transverse, with the base greatly rounded, finely and not closely

punctate, without depressions. LElytra rather longer than the thorax, yellow, slightly

fuscescent at the sides behind, sparingly and rather finely punctate. Legs not elongate,

clear yellow.

The two individuals described are males; in addition to the characters mentioned

above, they have two extremely minute tubercles on the middle of the third dorsal

plate. M. Sallé has proposed the MS. name of Aleochara bicolor for this species; but

the rather widely separated coxee, and the less elongate mesosternal process, and the

four-jointed anterior tarsi indicate that the position of the species is in or near

Hoplandria. Jam not able to get a sight of the ligula.

7. Hoplandria vestita.

Fusco-ferruginea, anterius crebrius pubescens, antennarum basi pedibusque rufo-testaceis, capite nigricante ;

prothorace fortiter transverso, obsolete punctato; abdomine apicem versus attenuato, segmento 6° dorsali

crebre punctato. .

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne short, thickened towards the apex; joints five to ten rather short, trans-

verse ; terminal joint as long as the two preceding together. Head nearly black, small,

not more than half as broad as the thorax. Thorax reddish, strongly transverse, the

sides and base much rounded, indistinctly punctate, but conspicuously pubescent.

Elytra obscure reddish in colour, longer than the thorax, rather closely and distinctly

punctate. Hind body dark red, the segments more or less piceous in colour at the

base of each; the basal segments, a slight punctuation at the extreme base of the fifth

segment, and the sixth segment moderately closely punctate. Legs rather short.

This is in appearance much like an insect of the genus Aleochara; the ligula is

rather elongate and minutely bifid at the extremity. ‘The mesosternal process is much

produced backwards between the middle coxe.

Three individuals have been found; they are in extremely fragile condition, and

show no character from which I can infer their sex.

HOPLANDRIA. 223

8. Hoplandria peltata.

Ferruginea, capite thoraceque nigricantibus, antennis extrorsum fuscis, abdomine piceo; antennis brevibus ;

prothorace transverso, parum crebre punctato, basi omnium fortius rotundata; elytris crebre punctatis ;

abdomine nitidulo parum punctato.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Tehuacan (Hége).

Antenne short, rather obscure red at the base, darker after the third joint, this and

the second joint of about one length ; fourth joint small, about as long as broad; fifth

and following joints rather strongly transverse, and similar to one another, the tenth

not being broader than the sixth; terminal joint as long as the two preceding together.

Thorax with the sides and base extremely rounded, the surface rather sparingly but

not altogether finely punctate. LElytra along the suture not longer than the thorax in

the middle, moderately closely and distinctly punctate. Hind body strongly acuminate

behind, the dorsal plates shining and very sparingly punctate, but the apical segments

less sparingly than the basal ones, there being a very distinct punctuation at the base

of the sixth segment. |

This, again, is a very Aleocharoid species, and has the basal joint of the hind tarsus a

good deal longer than the second; but the front tarsi are evidently four-jointed, and I

do not detect any supplementary joint at the apex of the palpi; the mesosternal

process is much produced between the coxe, and the margin by which it is bordered

remarkably distinct. I have seen only a single specimen.

9. Hoplandria lugubris.

Nigra, dense punctata, fere opaca, pedibus fusco-testaceis, tarsis dilutioribus ; antennis sat elongatis, ad apicem

haud incrassatis ; abdomine apicem versus fortiter attenuato, dense (segmento 6° parcius) punctato.

Long. 57 millim.

Hab. Muxtco, Cordova (Sallé); Guatemaua, Cerro Zunil 4000 feet (Champion) ;

Panama, Volan de Chiriqui 4000 to 600 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather elongate and stout; third joint elongate, rather longer than second ;

fourth joint as long as broad, a little narrower than the fifth; fifth to tenth similar to

one another in width, but each just perceptibly shorter than its predecessor, so that the

tenth is distinctly shorter than the fifth; eleventh joint elongate, longer than the two

preceding together. Head rather narrow. Thorax transverse, the sides strongly rounded

in front, less so behind, but the hind angles extremely obtuse, the surface finely and

evenly, rather closely punctate, but little shining. Elytra a little longer than the

thorax, closely and finely punctate, dull. Dorsal plates of the ventral segments closely

punctate, the punctuation more sparing at the hind margin of each segment; and on

the sixth segment there is but little punctuation. |

The male has a scarcely perceptible tubercle on the hind margin of each wing-case

224 STAPHYLINID.

at some distance from the suture; and the sixth dorsal plate of the hind body has a

carina on the middle behind. os

This is a very Homalotoid species in appearance, but not in structure; the ligula is

elongate and linear; and the mesosternal process is comparatively little prolonged

between the middle coxe.

10. Hoplandria debilis.

Nigra, nitidula, pedibus testaceis, antennarum basi sordide testacea ; abdomine nitidulo, segmentis 2°-5™ summa

basi fortiter punctata, preeterea levigato.

Long. 33 millim.

Mas elytris singulis ad medium apicis tuberculo elongato, acuminato, recurvato ; abdominis segmento 6° dorsali

carinula elevata.

Hab. GuateMata, Guatemala city, San Gerénimo, Paraiso 300 feet (Champion).

Antenne slender at the base, gradually thickened from the fourth to the tenth joint ;

third joint rather shorter than second, fourth slender, tenth distinctly transverse ;

eleventh rather large, the apex more or less distinctly paler in colour. Head rather

broad, indistinctly punctured. Thorax strongly transverse, the base rounded, the hind

angles very indistinct, but present, the surface indistinctly punctate, but the pubescence

rather conspicuous. Elytra not broad, moderately distinctly punctate, very distinctly

pubescent. Hind body very shining, but with a band of dense rugose sculpture at the

base of each of the anterior segments. Legs pale yellow.

The individuals of this species have much the appearance of some of the European

Homalote, such as H. fungi. The dense and deep punctuation at the base of each of

the anterior abdominal segments, in strong contrast to the very smooth posterior portion of

the plate, is almost peculiar to the species; but this punctuation can only be seen when

the hind body is extended to its natural length.

Five individuals have been found, only one of which (an immature example from

San Gerdnimo) is a male.

CHAROXUS.

Tibize anteriores, dense fortiterque spinulose, intermedi et posteriores mutice. Mandibule elongate, mutice.

Caput elongatum, antennis fere in marginem anteriorem insertis. Prothoracis margo lateralis ad angulos

posteriores angustus, in medio et anterius nullus.

The position of the anomalous little insect for which I propose this generic name is

at present a question of some doubt, as the middle tarsi have apparently only four

joints, which would indicate that the insect must be placed in the Bolitocharates; I

believe, however, that there is a very short basal joint present in addition to the four

that are conspicuous. ‘The insertion of the antenne almost at the front margin of the

head would suggest that the insect is a member of the subfamily Staphylinini rather

than of the Aleocharini; but, notwithstanding these facts, I think that the genus Porus

CHAROXUS.—TACHYUSA. 225

is the true ally of Charoxus, and that by this genus it is connected in a satisfactory

manner with the Myrmedoniates. The maxillary lobes are elongate; and their palpi

differ little from the ordinary Aleochariniform type, the terminal joint being very

slender in proportion to the penultimate joint, which, however, is not dilated, but

slightly more slender and much longer than the preceding. The eyes are placed quite

at the base of the mandibles; and the antenne are inserted at the front of their inner

margin. ‘The anterior tarsi are very slender and are four-jointed; the front tibie are

densely armed externally with coarse spines. The middle cox are moderately sepa-

rated ; and the mesosternum is produced between them, as is also the metasternum ; the

extremity of the mesosternal process is truncate, and does not quite touch the meta-

sternal prolongation, the two being separated, just at about the middle of the length of

the coxee, by a very short intercoxal isthmus. ‘The middle tibiz are very slender; and

though in comparison with the front ones they may be said to be unarmed, yet they

really bear on their outer edge a series of very fine rather long spines. The hind tibiee

are quite without spines; their tarsi are very slender and about as long as the tibie ;

they are five-jointed, the four basal joints being subequal in length, the fifth distinctly

but not greatly longer than any of the others.

1, Charoxus fodiens. (Tab. VI. fig. 4.)

Elongatus, subparallelus, haud depressus, glaber, nitidus, testaceus, elytris ad latera posterius, abdomine ante

apicem antennisque fuscis, his basi rufo-testacea, capite brunneo; prothorace elongato, parallelo, trans-

versim convexo, basi rotundata, sparsim punctato; elytris quam hic paulo longioribus.

Long. 3} millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne short and extremely stout, even the fourth joint, though much narrower

than those following, is transverse, the fifth to tenth are very strongly transverse, terminal

joint not acuminate. Head elongate, coarsely punctate. Prothorax straight at the

sides, very convex transversely, longer than broad, shining, very sparingly punctate.

Elytra and hind body almost impunctate.

The only individual found is immature and in very fragile condition, so that its

examination, even in an imperfect manner, has been difficult.

TACHYUSA.

Tachyusa, Erichson, Kif. Mark. i. p. 307; Gen. et Spec. p.69; Rey, Col. Fr., Brév. Myr. ii. p. 380.

This genus possesses about twenty species in the European region ; and four species

from North America and two from Chili are supposed to belong to it. The South-

American 7. picticornis and T. extranea, Sharp, must be removed from the genus and

placed in Myrmedonia.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, Judy 1883. 2GG

226 STAPHYLINIDA.

1. Tachyusa sparsa.

Gracilis, nigra, nitida, sparsim subtilissime punctulata et pubescens, antennis fuscis, pedibus fusco-testaceis ;

prothorace quam elytra angustiore, basin versus leviter angustato, ante scutellum obsolete impresso ; ab-

domine segmentis basalibus ad basin profunde transversim depressis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Muxico (Truqui, coll. Sallé and Sharp); Guatema.a, Quiche Mountains 7000

to 9000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather short, third joint about equal to the second, the penultimate joints

transverse. Head and thorax very sparingly punctate. Elytra slightly longer than the

thorax, rather more distinctly punctulate and pubescent. Hind body very sparingly

pubescent and punctulate.

I have seen but four specimens of the species, all in very dilapidated condition; the

individual in M. Sallé’s collection was, from its style of mounting, evidently one of

Truqui’s captures. The solitary example from Guatemala has lost its antenne, and is

of rather darker colour and more elongate form.

The species may be distinguished from the species of Gnypeta by the more sparingly

pubescent upper surface. The middle coxee are less separated; and the mesosternal

process is quite slender, and is separated by an elongate space from the obscure termi-

nation of the metasternal process, the posterior margin of the coxal cavities being

excessively indistinct.

2. Tachyusa seticornis.

Nigra, sparsim subtilissime punctulata et pubescens, antennis fuscis, pedibus fusco-testaceis ; capite thoraceque

opaculis, impressis ; elytris abdomineque nitidulis.

Long. 3; millim.

Hab. Mexico (Truqui, coll. Sallé and Sharp).

Antenne rather elongate; third joint somewhat curvate internally, equal in length

to the second; fourth larger than the following ones, slightly dilated, and furnished

inwardly with four slender, erect, elongate black sete, the penultimate joint rather.

strongly transverse. Head broad, the surface flat, and somewhat depressed, excessively

minutely punctulate, so that the surface appears dull. Thorax with similar sculpture

to the head, narrower than the elytra, narrowed behind, flattened and broadly impressed

on the middle. Elytra but little longer than the thorax, sparingly and very finely

punctate and pubescent, shining. Hind body sparingly punctate, shining, the basal

segments deeply transversely impressed.

I have seen but three individuals, in very fragmentary condition ; they are probably

all males, the terminal ventral plate being a good deal produced ; and it is likely that

the peculiarity of the antennal structure may also be sexual.

GNYPETA. 227

GNYPETA.

Gnypeta, Thomson, Ofv. Vet. Ak. Forh. 1858, p. 33; Sk. Col. ii. p.6; Rey, Col. Fr., Brév. Myr.

li. p. 367.

Homalota ex parte, Er.

This genus has been comparatively recently established by the above writers for three

or four European species placed by previous authors in the great genus Homalota.

Little is known about the genus beyond the limits of Europe; but Fauvel has recently

described a species from Australia as pertaining to the genus. The New-world species

here described are extremely similar in appearance to the European members of the

genus; but two of them have the intermediate coxe more distant. The other species,

. mexicana, makes a close approach to Zachyusa.

1. Gnypeta nigricans.

Nigra, nitida, pube tenuissima dense vestita, subtilissime punctata, pedibus fusco-testaceis ; prothorace sub-

quadrato, postice leviter angustato, basi bifoveolata.

Long. 3 lin.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Dugeés, coll. Sallé); Guaremaua, Guatemala city and San

Geronimo (Champion).

Antenne only moderately long and slender, third joint a little shorter than second,

tenth slightly transverse. Head as broad as the thorax, with a fine punctuation of

impressed punctures, and with a depression on the middle. Thorax a good deal

narrower than the elytra, slightly but distinctly narrowed behind, its punctuation

scarcely visible, at the base in front of the scutellum with two small foves very close

together. LElytra very indistinctly punctulate, a little longer than the thorax. Hind

body rather broad, sparingly and very indistinctly punctulate. Legs infuscate yellow,

with the tarsi yellow.

The species is extremely similar to the European G. labilis; but the extremely fine

punctuation is less dense, and the prothorax is distinctly narrowed behind, and on the

under surface the intercoxal process of the mesosternum is considerably broader and

has a truncate apex.

2. Gnypeta fragilis.

Nigra, nitida, abdominis basi sordide testacea; pube subtilissima vestita, subtilissime punctata, pedibus

testaceis, tibiis antennisque fusco-testaceis, his articulo ultimo elongato, colore dilutiore; prothorace ”

transversim subquadrato, postice leviter angustato ; abdomine dense subtilissime punctato.

Long. 2? millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Paso Antonio 400 feet (Champion).

Antenne slender, rather elongate, fuscous in colour, the terminal joint paler than

those preceding it, and rather longer than the ninth and tenth together, the latter

not transverse. Head rather short and broad, scarcely visibly punctulate. Thorax

’ 2GG 2

228 STAPHYLINIDZA.

evidently narrower than elytra, gently narrowed behind, evidently transverse, very

feebly punctulate, and only indistinctly impressed in front of the scutellum. Elytra

rather short and broad, but longer than the thorax, extremely finely punctate. Hind

body densely and excessively finely punctate.

Of this species Mr. Champion has sent two specimens, immature and in very fragile

condition. The hind margin of the elytra is narrowly yellow, possibly from immaturity.

The species is quite distinct from the others here assigned to the genus, the transverse

depressions on the basal abdominal plates being indefinite. The middle coxe are

rather broadly separated, as in G. nigricans.

3. Gnypeta mexicana.

Nigra, nitida, tenuiter pubescens, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis; prothorace subquadrato, postice

leviter angustato, basi bifoveolata.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé).

This insect is very similar to G. nigricans, but is an undoubtedly distinct species, the

middle coxe being more approximate and the mesosternal intercoxal process being

narrower, so as to terminate in a point instead of being truncate. The antenne and

legs are rather more slender and elongate. The head is finely and sparingly punctate ;

the fourth joint of the antenne rather elongate. ‘The thorax much narrower than the

elytra, but hardly so long as broad, sparingly punctate. The elytra are sparingly and

very finely punctate, the hind body rather more closely.

The unique individual of this species was preserved in Sallé’s collection as Tachyusa

mexicana, i. Dugeés.

RECHOTA.

Ex affinitate generis Gnypete; sed caput posterius subangustatum, collo sat lato; coxe intermedie satis

distantes, laminaque mesosternalis apice lato, truncato; tarsi posteriores tenues, articulo basali elongato,

sequentibus duobus simul sumtis fere eequali.

This genus is established for an insect having the sculpture and coloration of the

species of the genus Gnypeta, and with the same number of joints in the various tarsi

(4, 5, 5); but it had better be separated on account of the peculiarities I have

mentioned. ‘The three basal plates on the dorsal surface of the hind body are trans-

versely impressed as in Gnypeta. Not only is the apex of the mesosternum truncate,

but also the anterior point of the metasternum is in the same condition, there being

thus left between the two coxal cavities a very short parallel-sided isthmus at about the

middle of the length of the cavities. The prothoracic side pieces are of moderate size,

as in Gnypeta.

In addition to the species for which the genus is founded, another closely allied one

was found by Squires at Rio de Janeiro.

RECHOTA.—MERONA. 229

1. Rechota impressa. (Tab. VI. fig. 5.)

Gracilis, nigra vix snescente (abdomine basi interdum pallidiore), nitida sed pube tenuissima sat dense

vestita, haud perspicue punctulata, pedibus fusco-testaceis, femoribus basi tarsisque dilutioribus ; pro-

thorace quam elytra multo angustiore, ante basin late profundeque impresso.

Long. 23-3 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo, Guatemala city, Capetillo, San Joaquin in Vera

Paz, and Coban (Champion).

Antenne only moderately long and slender; third joint a little shorter than second ;

tenth scarcely so long as broad: the colour is nearly black; but the basal joint is some-

times obscure yellow. Head about as broad as thorax, excessively finely punctulate,

rather deeply impressed along the middle. Thorax not so long as broad, conspicuously

narrower than the elytra, the greatest width near the front angles, which are very

rounded and depressed, the sides a little narrowed behind, with a large but variable

impression along the middle. Elytra quadrate, longer than thorax. Hind body not

narrowed at base, its punctuation extremely dense and fine, but not quite so invisible as

that on the anterior parts.

The small series of specimens shows a good deal of variation, as regards the thoracic

impression, the colour of the legs and base of the antenne, and the basal segments of

the hind body.

MERONA.

Prosternum parvulum, parte supracoxali truncata, post coxas membranaceum. Coxe intermediz sat distantes.

Mesosternum inter coxas vix productum, apice truncato, haud libero. Tarsi anteriores 4-, intermedii et

posteriores 5-articulati.

This genus is proposed for some minute insects the described species of which have

not yet been distinguished from Falagria. The structure of the prosternum is so

profoundly different, however, that the proximity of the two forms cannot be great.

The antecoxal portion of the prosternum is not large, and is not separated by any

definite mark from the supracoxal portion, which also is not large, and is truncate, or

nearly so, behind; the posterior portion of the prosternum is entirely membranous.

The mesosternum has no trace of a neck in front. Additional remarks elucidating this

and other genera proposed in this work at the expense of Falagria will be found

under the heading of the latter generic name.

The genus will contain, in addition to the species here enumerated, F. venustula, Er.,

and some undescribed Brazilian species, and possibly /. deliciata, Er. ‘These insects

have the prothorax without channel ; its anterior portion, too, is little elongate, so that

the head appears less free than in the allied genera. Both Merona and Neolara have

the side pieces of the prothorax very much reduced in size, and approximate in this

respect to Falagria.

230 STAPHYLINID.

1. Merona fragilis. (Tab. VI. fig. 6.)

Parum elongata, subdepressa, capite thoraceque sordide rufis, fortiter punctulatis; elytris pectoreque fuscis, illis

basi apiceque testaceis; abdominis basi testacea, apice nigro; antennis pedibusque testaceis, femoribus

apicem versus fuscis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, near the city, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne slender, distinctly thickened outwardly, generally more or less obscurely

darker towards the extremity; third joint about equal to the second; tenth about as

long as broad. Head broad and rather short, truncate behind, with the hind angles

rounded. ‘Thorax rather short, rounded in front, and a good deal narrowed behind,

rather coarsely and closely punctate, without channel or fovea. FElytra rather broad

and short, a little longer than the thorax, slightly narrowed towards the shoulders,

yellowish but more or less infuscate, sparingly and finely punctate. Hind body rather

broad, sparingly punctate. The three basal segments yellow, the three following

black. Legs very slender, yellow, the femora more or less infuscate outwardly.

This insect is closely allied to the North-American Malagria venustula, Ey., but is of

smaller size and paler colour, and with less dense punctuation on the head and thorax.

A good series has been found, and shows very little variation, except in the extension

and depth of the colour of the infuscate portions.

2. Merona brevicollis.

Parum elongata, subdepressa, nigra, elytris apice et humeris, antennis articulo primo, trochanteribus, tibiis

tarsisque testaceis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne with the basal joint yellow, the following one fuscous, the others nearly

black, formed as in Merona fragilis, but rather thicker. Head broad and short,

sparingly and feebly punctate. Thorax broader than long, rounded in front, narrowed

behind, rather sparingly and not coarsely punctate. LHlytra nearly black, with the

apical margin broadly yellow, and the base with a small yellow patch on each side,

finely punctate. Hind body entirely black, feebly punctate. Legs pale yellow, with

the femora nearly black.

The single individual found by Mr. Champion is in very fragile condition; but the

glance I have obtained of its under surface seems to show that itis closely allied to

M. fragilis, from which it differs by its larger size, different colour, and the feebler

punctuation of the head and thorax.

3. Merona polita.

Parum elongata, subdepressa, nitidula, fere impunctata, testacea, abdomine nigro-cingulato, antennis ante

apicem elytrisque posterius fuscescentibus.

Long. 2 millim.

MERONA.—NEOLARA. 231

Hab. Guatemaa, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne yellow, with the penultimate joints rather vaguely darker, of only moderate

length, a good deal thickened towards the apex ; third joint a little shorter than second,

the following joints slender; the tenth not quite so long as broad. Head short and

broad, shining, and impunctate. Thorax rather broader than long, not greatly narrower

than the elytra, the sides as well as the front rounded, so that it approximates to a

circular form, like the head, shining and impunctate. Elytra short, but little longer

than the thorax, towards the apex broadly infuscate. Hind body with the basal and

apical segments yellow, the fourth and fifth black. Legs dark yellowish, the base of

the hind femora paler.

A single individual only has been found; the polished surface will greatly assist in

the recognition of this species.

NEOLARA.

Prosternum ante coxas mediocre, parte supracoxali acute spinosa, post coxas membranaceum. Coxee intermedise

distantes ; mesosternum anterius collo discreto, medio inter coxas parum producto, apice truncato, haud

libero. Tarsi anteriores 4-, intermedii et posteriores 5-articulati.

This is another genus hitherto not distinguished from Falagria, but with the pro

sternum entirely membranaceous behind the coxe. It is allied to Merona; but both the

prosternum and mesosternum exhibit important differences. The antecoxal portion of the

former is definitely marked off from the supracoxal portion ; and this latter is attenuate

behind, its apex projecting downwards as a slender spine. The mesosternum is con-

stricted, or transversely depressed behind the front margin, so as to form a neck; the

middle coxe are widely separated, the intercoxal process of the mesosternum is quite

short, and is truncate behind. The insects of this genus have a quite disengaged head ;

and the prothorax is without channel. Falagria alboguttata, Er., from Colombia and

Brazil, is probablya Neolara; and I have some other undescribed Brazilian species in

my collection. The resemblance in facies to Gansia is considerable ; but that genus has

the intermediate tarsi quadriarticulate, and therefore will at present occupy a different

systematic position.

1. Neolara centralis. (Tab. VI. fig. 7.)

Gracilis, nigra, elytris abdominisque basi testaceo-maculatis ; antennis testaceis, extrorsum fuscis ; trochanteribus

tarsisque albidis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo, Guatemala city (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales

(Janson) ; Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet, David (Champion).

Antenne a good deal longer than head and thorax, thickened towards the extremity,

yellow, with the three or four apical joints infuscate; third joint rather longer than

232 STAPHYLINIDA.

second ; tenth about as long as broad. Head picescent or nearly black, sparingly but

distinctly punctate. Thorax much rounded and narrowed in front, so that the head is

very disengaged, narrowed behind, but the narrowing not quite continued to the base,

rather coarsely (but not closely) punctate. Elytra broad and short, a little longer than

the thorax, shining black, sparingly punctate, the base yellow, and a very definite spot

of pale yellow on the hind margin at the outer angle. Hind body black, shining, and

almost impunctate, the first and second segments pale yellow, but marked with black

on the dorsal plates. Legs black, the trochanters, the tarsi, and likewise the extreme

base of the tibiz pale yellow.

This species varies in the colour of the head and thorax, these being sometimes red,

but in other cases nearly black; the punctuation of these parts is also a little variable.

Falagria alboguttata appears, from Erichson’s description, to be an allied species, but

with a more conspicuous pubescence and larger punctuation.

FALAGRIA.

Falagria, Mannerheim, Brachel. p. 86; Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 48.

Cardiola, Rey, Hist. Nat. Col. Fr., Brév. Myr. 2° part, p. 452.

This genus, as it exists at present, comprises about sixty species, and has an

almost cosmopolitan distribution. It must, however, undergo dememberment ; for

examination proves that those European forms for which the name was first proposed

possess the remarkable peculiarity of having the prosternum behind the front cox

entirely corneous, whereas in many other forms that have been included in the genus

it is entirely membranous; these latter forms must therefore be removed from Falagria,

and only such species as exhibit the remarkable peculiarity I have just mentioned should

be retained in the genus. The prosternum in Falagria consists of three parts :—a part

in front of the coxe, and consequently exposed when the legs are in their natural

position; this may be called the antecoxal portion, and it is prolonged backwards, the

prolongation being, however, concealed by the cox, so that a removal of the limb is

necessary for its display ; this prolonged and concealed portion is usually marked off by

a distinct raised transverse line, which may be called from its position the supracoxal

portion; the third or posterior part of the corneous prosternum is formed by the

development of two horny plates which meet in the middle line, and also approach so

closely in front to the supracoxal portion that they are separated from it by only a very

short transverse chink, or appear, indeed, to be contiguous with it; this portion will

naturally be called the postcoxal portion, and is of a very unusual character ; the two

plates by which it is formed may either be actually connected with the sides of the

pronotum, or may be slightly separated therefrom. ‘The former is the case in the

majority of the species ; but the latter is apparently the condition existing in /. énornata.

Where the separation from the side of the prothorax exists it is interesting as indicating

FALAGRIA. 253

that these corneous plates are not the thoracic side pieces, but a transformation of the

portion of the prosternum that remains membranous in other Staphylinide.

I propose also to separate from Falagria those species in which the antecoxal portion

of the prosternum is very large, the prothorax being elongate and its front margin

greatly rounded, the legs very elongate, with the hind tarsi very long and slender, the

basal joint being especially long. This genus, Stenagria, will comprise, besides the

species here described, F. fawveli, Solsky, F. fovea and F. currar, Sharp. F. curti-

pennis, Sharp, will have to form a distinct genus from any of the above, as it has the

hind margin of the mesosternum free, and the postcoxal portion of the prosternum

entirely membranous. On the other hand, Cardiola, Rey, must be united with

Falagria, as the characters are not of sufficient importance to justify its separation

at present.

Falagria, as thus limited, will still have a very wide distribution in the eastern

hemisphere, but in the New World is, so far as my collection goes, not existent in

South America.

1. Falagria infima.

Parvula, fusca, parum punctata, sat nitida, pedibus testaceis; antennis haud crassis, articulis penultimis

transversis ; capite subquadrato; prothorace nitidulo, perparum punctato, posterius leviter angustato,

dorso profunde canaliculato; scutello obsolete canaliculato ; elytris quadratis, quam prothorax paulo longi-

oribus, parum punctatis; abdomine crebre subtiliter punctato.

Long. 2-2} millim.

Hab. GuaTemMaLa, Guatemala city, San Gerdénimo, Champerico, Zapote, Rio Naranjo

450 feet, El Reposo 800 feet, Capetillo (Champion).—AntILLES, St. Thomas (ége).

Antenne rather feeble; third joint distinctly shorter than the second; the four penul-

timate joints distinctly shorter than broad, the last joint more or less conspicuously

paler in colour than those preceding. Head shining and impunctate, about as broad

as the thorax, truncate behind. Thorax small, strongly but not abruptly narrowed

behind, almost impunctate, with a conspicuous longitudinal channel. Scutellum

closely punctate, but only obsoletely channelled. Elytra only distantly and indistinctly

punctate. Basal segments of hind body not crenate at base.

A single specimen of this obscure insect, from the Island of St. Thomas, was labelled

in Hége’s collection as /. infima, Fauvel ; and I have adopted this name for the species.

2. Falagria nitidula.

Elongata, nitidula, parcissime pubescens, nigra, pedibus antennisque fusco-testaceis, harum articulo basali

tarsisque testaceis ; prothorace elongato-cordato, profunde canaliculato ; scutello ecanaliculato ; elytris basi

crebre punctatis ; abdomine perparum punctato.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador 2500 feet (Champion).

Antenne stout and elongate; the penultimate joints not transverse. Head broad and

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, Ju/y 1883. 2 HH

234 STAPHYLINIDA.

short, very shining, more or less impressed in front, rounded, truncate behind. Thorax

elongate and narrow, the front margin much rounded, the sides much narrowed behind,

the surface very shining black, impunctate, deeply channelled along the middle for the

whole length, the posterior part of the channel very broad and deep. Scutellum

punctulate, without any trace of channel. Elytra quadrate, about as long as the

thorax, the basal portion closely and finely punctulate, the apical nearly smooth.

Hind body elongate and narrow, only sparingly and very finely punctate.

A single pair, in extremely fragile condition, has been found: one of the two is

probably the male, the larger part of the upper surface of the head being depressed,

while the second, third, and fourth joints of the antenne are apparently more densely

setose.

8. Falagria inornata.

Parum elongata, subdepressa, parum nitida, crebre punctulata, antennis pedibusque sordide testaceis; pro-

thorace brevi, haud convexo, posterius angustato, obsolete canaliculato ; scutello ecanaliculato ; elytris

eequaliter punctulatis, quam thorax paullo longioribus ; abdomine sat lato.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather short and stout, joints six to ten a little transverse. Head broad

and short, truncate behind, feebly punctulate and pubescent. Thorax a good deal

longer un the middle than at the sides, so as to be subpentagonal in form, not so long

as broad, much narrowed in behind, rather closely but feebly punctulate, with a broad

but very shallow impression along the middle, which is deepened in front of the

scutellum, but becomes obsolete in front. Scutellum closely punctate, without trace

of channel. Elytra rather broad and short, very slightly narrowed towards the

shoulders, rather closely and finely punctate. Hind body rather broad and short,

very little shining, rather closely punctate. Legs short, rather stout.

This species is very similar in facies to the European F. nigra auct., but is much

larger. Only a single individual has been found.

4, Falagria denigrata.

Falagria denigrata, Er. Gen. et Sp. Staph. p. 52’.

Hab. Muxico (Dom. Schleiden)}.

I am not acquainted with this species, and am not able from Erichson’s description

to guess whether it is truly a Yalagria or not.

5. Falagria quadrata.

Parum elongata, subdepressa, nigra, sat nitida, palpis antennarumque basi lete flavis, pedibus fuscis; antennis

parum elongatis ; prothorace argute canaliculato, parum punctato; elytris sat latis, subtiliter punctatis ;

abdomine subtiliter parce punctato. .

Long. 22 millim.

FALAGRIA.—CHITALIA. 235

Hab. Guatemaua, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne rather stout; the four basal joints bright yellow, first and second joints

subequal in length, third stout, much shorter, fourth rather small, subquadrate, the

seventh to tenth rather strongly transverse. Head broad, nearly as wide as the elytra,

truncate behind, the upper surface coarsely punctate in front. Thorax much narrowed

behind, with a very distinct channel along the middle; the channel is not placed in a de-

pression, extends the whole length, and is subfoveolate in front of the scutellum. This

latter is punctate, but without carine or channels. Elytraa little longer than the thorax,

not standing out much from the body, finely punctate, the punctuation denser at the

base round the scutellum. Hind body subparallel, very little narrowed at the base,

finely punctate, the transverse depressions on the basal segments very little developed.

Only two individuals have been found of this species. I am not able to discover

exactly the structure of the prosternum ; but the posterior portion is evidently corneous.

CHITALIA.

Genus Falagrie persimile, sed mesosterni margine posteriore libero, in medio inter coxas intermedias haud

producto. |

Besides the four species here ascribed to this genus, it will probably comprise some

of the North-American species at present referred to Yalagria. The prosternum in

these insects is, as in Malagria, entirely corneous behind. In many other characters the

genus also agrees with Falagria ; but the mesosternum has its hind margin approximating

somewhat to the structure we find in Awtalia, its hind margin being on a rather different

level to the pieces behind it, and thus appearing free, while in the middle it is not pro-

duced backwards between the coxe, but forms only a very obtuse angle.

1. Chitalia crenata.

Fusco-rufa, nitida, parum dense sed distincte pubescens, parum punctata; antennis crassiusculis, articulis

penultimis vix transversis ; prothorace subcordato, medio profunde sulcato; scutello canaliculato; elytris

quam thorax longioribus, perparum punctatis, tenuiter pubescentibus; abdominis segmentis 1°-3™ basi

transversim depressa et crenata; pedibus testaceis.

Long. 33 millim. .

Hab. Muxico, Jalapa (Flohr), Guanajuato, Cordova, Toxpam (Sallé); GuATEMALA,

Guatemala city, San Gerénimo, Capetillo, Coban and Senahu (Champion).

The head is short and broad, subtruncate behind, usually darker than the other

parts, of a shining black or brassy black colour, not punctate. The antenne are rather

long and stout, variable in colour from nearly red to nearly fuscous, the basal and apical

joints being somewhat paler than the others. ‘The thorax is rather broader than long,

rounded in front, very greatly narrowed behind, and is traversed by an extremely deep

longitudinal groove. The transverse depressions on the basal segments of the hind body

are deep, and their crenulation is very distinct.

2 HH 2

236 STAPHYLINIDA.

This appears to be a common species. Mr. Flohr’s specimens were found in garden-

refuse; the colour is subject to considerable variation. It has quite the facies of the

European F. thoracica and Ff. sulcata ; but the structure of the mesosternum really calls

for its generic separation; the hind margin of this part presents itself as a free raised

edge, and is not produced backwards between the middle coxe; the middle coxal

cavities have no definite border internally, and are rather widely separated.

2. Chitalia granigera. (Tab. VI. fig. 8.)

Fusco-rufa, capite thoraceque fere subanescentibus, parum dense sed distincte pubescens, nitida ; antennis

crassiusculis, fuscis; prothorace subcordato, basi abrupte fortiterque constricta, dorso canaliculato cre-

breque granuloso-punctato ; scutello canaliculato; elytris quam thorax longioribus, perparum punctatis,

tenuiter pubescentibus ; abdominis segmentis 1°-3™ basi fortiter sculpturata ; pedibus testaceis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guaremaa, Guatemala city, Capetillo, Aceituno, Coatepeque 1300 feet, Senahu,

El Tumbador 2500 feet (Champion) ; Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

This species is remarkable by the granulose punctuation on the middle of the thorax ;

the thoracic channel is not so largely developed as it is in C. crenata, but is deeper and

broader in certain specimens, which are probably males; the sculpture on the basal

abdominal segments is largely developed, and is accompanied by minute elevated

granules behind the large crenulations ; even the fourth segment is crenulate at the

base.

It is closely allied to a North-American species (probably Falagria bilobata, Lec. &

Say), but has the antennz less elongate; the more northern species has the thorax

more gradually narrowed behind, and the basal portion of the wing-cases rather closely

punctate.

3. Chitalia debilis.

Fusca, parum nitida, crebre subtiliter punctulata et pubescens, pedibus testaceis; antennis crassiusculis ;

prothorace subcordato, dorso convexo, simpliciter canaliculato ; scutello canaliculato; elytris quam thorax

paulo longioribus, subtilissime sat crebre punctulatis; abdominis segmentis 1°-3” basi sculpturatis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Rio Naranjo 450 feet (Champion); Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500

feet (Champion).

This species appears to be very closely allied to C. dubia, but is of narrower form

and more obscure colour, the prothorax and basal abdominal segments not being

rufescent ; the sculpture at the base of the first three abdominal segments is finer ; and

the prothorax is more gradually narrowed behind, and along the middle has a simple

channel, not a broad impression.

A single individual from each of the two localities is all I have seen.

CHITALIA.—STENAGRIA. 237

4, Chitalia dubia.

Fusco-rufa, nitida, parum dense sed distincte pubescens, parum punctata; antennis crassiusculis, articulis

penultimis transversis; prothorace subcordato, medio late profundeque sulcato; scutello canaliculato ;

elytris quam thorax longioribus, perparum punctatis, tenuiter pubescentibus; abdominis segmentis 1°-3™

basi transversim depressis et crenatis; pedibus testaceis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guatemala, Guatemala city, San Gerdénimo, Capetillo, Rio Naranjo 450 feet

(Champion).

This species is very closely allied to Chitalia crenata; but its individuals are of

considerably smaller size, and the antenne are less elongate. It varies in colour and

size in a manner similar to /. crenata; it has the thoracic groove more developed than

has the larger species; and in certain individuals, probably the males, this depression

becomes very broad, so as to occupy the larger part of the surface of the prothorax.

STENAGRIA.

Prosternum totum corneum, ante coxas magnum. ‘Tarsi anteriores 4-, intermedii et posteriores 5-articulati.

This genus, closely allied to Malagria, is distinguished by the much larger antecoxal

portion of the prosternum ; this development is accompanied by a greater elongation of

the anterior part of the pronotum ; and the prothorax above thus approximates in form

to the oval; the supracoxal part is not separated by any raised line from the antecoxal

part, but is strongly reflexed, so that it assumes a direction nearly at right angles to the

plane of the anterior piece; the postcoxal piece is very large, and so completely

amalgamated with the supracoxal piece that the line of junction between the two cannot

be detected. The genus appears to be the most highly developed form of the Falagria

group of genera; and the prosternal characters are accompanied by other, slighter

characters which give to the species of the genus a facies by which they may readily

be identified. ‘The head is rounded behind, is borne on a very slender neck, and is

much detached from the prothorax; the slender prothorax is channelled along the

middle, and the shoulders of the after-body are quite free, there being great capacity

for motion at the articulation between the pro- and the mesothorax. The hind body is

distinctly narrowed at the base. The mesosternum is produced in the middle between

the coxe, much as in Falagria; the side pieces of the metasternum are very broad

behind. The legs are remarkably elongate and slender; the basal joint of the slender

filiform hind foot is very long, being fully equal in length to the following three

together.

In addition to the species here enumerated, the genus will contain, as I have already

remarked, several others previously described as Halagrie, but is foreign to Europe,

where its nearest ally appears to be Hchidnoglossa, Woll. I am not acquainted with

any North-American representative of the genus; but I think it probable from the

description that Falagria cingulata, Lec., belongs to it.

238 , STAPHYLINIDA.

The characters have been drawn more especially from S. gracilipes; and it is not

improbable that S. parw and S. humeralis will ultimately prove generically distinct.

Broun has recently described an insect (Man. N. Zeal. Col. p. 95) from New Zealand

under the generic name of Stilictoides; and M. Fauvel has identified for me as Broun’s

species an insect that will have to be placed in Stenagria. Broun’s description contains,

however, none of the special characters of Stenagria; and as its author has made a

mistake as to the number of joints in the front tarsi, and as the name Stzlictoides has

a trivial rather than a generic appearance, I have not thought it advisable to adopt his

denomination for the genus—the name being at the time and in the manner it was

proposed a synonym of Falagria, accompanied by a description erroneous as to one of

the most important points of structure.

1. Stenagria gracilipes. (Tab. VI. fig. 9.)

Elongata, fusco-nigra, tenuiter pubescens, nitida, antennarum articulo basali pedibusque fuscis; prothorace

elongato-cordato, profunde canaliculato, parum punctato, nitidulo; elytris parce punctatis; abdomine

crebre subtiliter punctulato.

Long. 43-54 millim.

Hab. Mexico, San Andres, Chalchicomula (Sal/é); GuATEMALA, Quiche Mountains

7000 to 9000 feet, Balheu, Capetillo (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui

8000 feet (Champion).

Antenne elongate, longer than head and thorax, moderately stout, each joint longer

than broad; third joint equal to second ; each joint from the fourth to the tenth shorter

and a little broader than its predecessor; the basal joint rather paler in colour than the

others. Head rounded behind, shining, and almost impunctate. Thorax longer than

broad, very rounded in front, narrowed gradually behind; so that it forms an oval

slightly truncate in front, more broadly truncate behind; along the middle there is a

deep channel ; and the sides of this channel are rather closely punctate; elsewhere it is

almost impunctate. Scutellum punctate, without channel. Elytra broad, about as

long as the thorax, sparingly punctate. Hind body rather broad, distinctly narrowed

at the base, finely and rather closely punctate, at the base of the basal segment there is

a curved impression (the convexity of the curve being backwards) ; and this impression

is shining and rather indefinitely punctate; the two following segments bear each an

impression similar, except that it is straight. Legs very long and slender.

The three individuals from Mexico are rather paler in colour than those from

Guatemala, are rather more punctate, and have the hind angles of the thorax slightly

less rounded; but these characters are not sufficiently striking to lead me to suppose at

present that they have specific importance.

The individuals from Panama also form a variety, in which the longitudinal depression

along the middle of the thorax is less broad and deep than in the Mexican and Guate-

malan varieties.

STENAGRIA. 239

2. Stenagria opacula.

Elongata, parum convexa, fusco-rufa, opaca, obsolete punctata; thorace elongato, canaliculato; abdomine

latiuseulo, parce obsoleteque punctato, subnitido.

Long. 42 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Hoge).

Antenne elongate; third joint rather longer than second ; penultimate joint scarcely

longer than broad. Head, thorax, and elytra not visibly punctate, but quite dull

owing to the surface being very densely and finely alutaceous; the head quite rounded

behind. Thorax with a very definite channel, which does not extend to the front, the

front much rounded, the sides gradually narrowed to the base. Elytra broad, with

prominent free shoulders, about as long as the thorax. Legs very elongate. Basal

abdominal segment with a curved impression.

This species is peculiar by the excessively fine sculpture of the anterior parts, by

which they are made quite dull. The three individuals found by Hége are extremely

similar to one another.

8. Stenagria constricta.

Elongata, nitidula, fere impunctata, nigra, pedibus basi apiceque testaceis, antennarum basi fusco-rufa;

abdominis subtus convexi basi constricta, segmento basali testaceo, magno, in medio arcuatim impresso.

Long. cire. 33 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Chacoj in Vera Paz (Champion).

Of this remarkable species I have before me only an example in fragments found

among Mr. Champion’s duplicates. The basal joints of the antenne are elongate and

slender; the others are lost. The head is elongate and much narrowed behind the

eyes, its surface polished and impunctate. Thorax elongate and narrow, the front

slightly emarginate, the front portion twice as broad as the elongate and narrow basal

portion; along the middle runs a very deep and broad depression; the surface is

shining and impunctate. LElytra broad and short, scarcely so long as the thorax,

shining and impunctate. Hind body very convex beneath, and narrow at the base, so

that it is there very constricted and mobile; the basal segment is yellow, and appears

to be a good deal longer than the others, and has at the base in the middle a large,

deep, curved impression. Legs elongate and very slender, nearly black, trochanters

pale, and the tibize towards the extremity and the tarsi pale.

Although this insect is very remarkable by the shape of the head, prothorax, and

abdomen, yet the peculiarities it exhibits are evidently only an exaggeration of what we

find in &. gracilipes; the exaggeration, however, is great; and should intermediates not

be found, the insect will prove to be the representative of a very distinct genus,

240 STAPHYLINIDA.

4, Stenagria pare. (Tab. VI. fig. 10.)

Falagria pare, Sharp, Tr. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 41°.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote, El Reposo 800 feet (Champion); Panama, Bugaba (Cham-

pion).—SovutH America, Para 1.

5. Stenagria humeralis.

Nigra, nitidula, elytrorum abdominisque basi pedibusque testaceis, his femoribus nigris ; antennis gracilibus,

articulis nullis transversis, basi fusco-testacea, articulo ultimo rufo-testaceo; prothorace elongato-cordato,

medio canaliculato, parum punctato; elytris subtilius punctatis ; abdomine sat crebre punctato.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Balheu (Champion).

This species is closely allied to S. pare ; but the individuals are larger and of darker

colour, and have the antennz considerably more elongate, these being about as long as

head, thorax and elytra; and their penultimate joint is a good deal broader than long.

The scutellum is. extremely indistinctly bicarinate.

Three individuals, quite similar to one another, were found of this species.

Falagria divisa and F. concinna, Er., two Brazilian species, appear from Erichson’s

descriptions to be allied to 8. humeralis and S. pare, and should no doubt be referred

to Stenagria. |

Group BOLITOCHARINA.

The anterior and middle tarsi four-, the posterior five-jointed.

EPIPEDA.

Epipeda, Rey, Muls. et Rey, Hist. Nat. Col. Fr., Aléochariens, Bolitocharaires, p. 186 (1871).

This genus was established for a single European species of subcortical habits.

Fauvel has recently expressed doubts as to the validity of the genus, suggesting that

the intermediate feet are really five-jointed, and-that Lpipeda should be merged in

Thectura. I have, however, by mounting the trophi and feet of H. plana in Canada

balsam, satisfied myself that Rey is quite correct in his statement as to the tarsal

structure and the biarticulate labial palpi, and there is no doubt that the insect is

correctly placed in the neighbourhood of Sidusa. The numerous species here described

show some variations in their structural characters, especially as regards the space

separating the intermediate acetabula; but I have not been able to find any good

characters for valid genera among them at present.

1. Epipeda rufa. (Tab. VI. fig. 11.)

Epipeda rufa, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 46°.

Hab. Guatnmata, Las Mercedes 3000 feet, Zapote (Champion).—SoutH AMERICA,

Amazon valley 1.

The series sent home by Mr. Champion shows that this species varies somewhat in

EPIPEDA. 241

colour, the rufescent portions of the body being in some individuals nearly or quite

black.

The figure is drawn from a specimen from Las Mercedes.

2. Epipeda longula.

Angustula, depressa, parallela, opaca, dense subtilissime punctulata, rufescens ; antennis, elytris pedibusque

testaceis, abdomine ante apicem fusco; prothorace subquadrato, plano, medio obscure longitudinaliter

depresso.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne rather elongate ; third joint as long as second; fourth smaller than those

contiguous, as long as broad; the following joints not transverse. Head rather narrow,

much narrower than the thorax; this latter about as long as broad.

Although very closely allied to Z. rufa, this unique specimen seems to indicate a

distinct species ; for, besides the clearer colour, the head is considerably narrower.

3. Epipeda minuta.

Angusta, parallela, subdepressa, opaca, dense subtilissime punctulata, fusca ; antennarum basi, elytris, abdo-

minis apice pedibusque testaceis; prothorace rufo-obscuro ; capite parvo, vertice subconstricto.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote, Pantaleon 1700 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather short, not stout; fourth joint small, fifth to tenth similar to one

another, transverse ; terminal joint rather short. Head much narrower than the thorax,

a little constricted at the vertex, so as to form a very broad neck. Thorax transversely

subquadrate, very densely and finely punctulate. Hlytra longer than the thorax, closely

and finely punctate. Hind body parallel, closely and finely punctate, yellow at the

extremity.

This insect is only half the size of H. rufa, is less depressed, and has a much smaller

head. Only a single individual from each locality has been sent; that from Pantaleon

is brighter in colour than the one described; so that probably the species is variable in

colour, like E. rufa.

4, Kpipeda minor.

Angustula, parallela, depressa, opaca, dense subtilissime punctulata, fusco-rufa; antennarum basi, elytris, pedi-

bus abdominisque apice testaceis ; capite subquadrato, prothoracis fere latitudine.

Long. 17 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne short; third joint small, fourth likewise small, rather strongly transverse ;

fifth to tenth similar to one another, each rather strongly transverse ; terminal joint

short. Head rather large, broad and flat, straight at the sides, and only very minutely

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, September 1883. 217

242 STAPHYLINIDA.

constricted at the vertex. Thorax transversely subquadrate, very densely and finely

punctulate. Hind body parallel, closely punctate.

The form of the head readily distinguishes this very minute insect from H. minuta.

Only two specimens have been found.

5. Epipeda brevicornis.

Angustula, dense subtilissime punctulata, opaca, abdomine ad apicem nitido, fusco-rufa; antennarum basi,

elytris pedibusque testaceis ; antennis brevibus ; capite sat elongato, pone oculos subangustato.

Long. 1% millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne short, rather stout; third joint small, much shorter than the second ; fourth

quite small, transverse; fifth to tenth similar to one another, each rather strongly trans-

verse; terminal joint small. Head rather elongate and narrow, flat, slightly narrowed

behind the rather large and prominent eyes, very densely punctate, dull. Thorax nearly

as long as broad, a little narrowed behind, but with the hind angles distinct, a little

depressed longitudinally along the middle, excessively densely and finely punctate, quite

dull. Elytra densely and finely punctate, longer than the thorax. Hind body elongate

and narrow, the basal segments densely punctate, the apical ones impunctate.

Of this very minute insect only a single example has been found; it has three

elevated granules near the hind margin of the sixth dorsal plate, and is probably a

male; the seventh segment cannot be seen. The number of joints in the tarsi has not

been ascertained ; the middle coxe are nearly but not quite contiguous.

6. Epipeda delicatula.

Angustula, sat elongata, parum depressa, omnino dense subtilissimeque punctulata, peropaca, fusca; antennis

fusco-testaceis ; pedibus testaceis ; capite minore, subrotundato.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. GuatemMaa, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne not elongate, and only moderately stout; third joint small, much shorter

than second ; fourth small, not so long as broad ; fifth to tenth transverse; terminal

joint short, stout and obtuse. Head rather narrower than the thorax: this latter

transversely subquadrate, straight at the sides, with the hind angles distinct ; the sur-

face even, without depressions, rather convex, like the head excessively densely and

finely punctate, quite dull. Elytra elongate, longer than the thorax, very densely and

finely punctate, quite dull. Hind body narrow and elongate, very densely and evenly

punctate, dull. .

This extremely minute insect has a very Trogophloeoid appearance ; the middle cox

are rather widely separated ; and, so far as I can judge, it is really congeneric with

E. rufa. Only one specimen has been found. "

EPIPEDA. 243

7. Epipeda pumila.

Minutissima, depressa, parum elongata, dense subtilissime punctulata, opaca, fusca, antennarum basi pedibusque

testaceis ; antennis breviusculis, articulis 4°-10™ transversis; capite suboblongo; prothorace postice

angustato.

Long. 17 millim.

Hab. Guatrema.a, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet, Las Mercedes 3000 feet (Champion) ;

Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne with the third joint small, much shorter than the second; fourth to tenth

strongly transverse ; terminal joint rather small. Head parallel-sided, nearly as broad

as the thorax; this latter nearly as long as broad, a little narrowed behind, and with

the base much rounded, the hind angles quite indistinct. Elytra longer than the

thorax, like it and the head excessively densely and finely punctate and pubescent after

the manner of the Trogophiai, quite dull. Hind body rather short, a little narrower at

the base than near the extremity, closely and very finely punctate, but not so densely

and indistinctly as the anterior parts, and not so dull; the apical segments only sparingly

punctate.

Several individuals of this species have been found. It is one of the most minute of

the family ; and I have not been able to count the joints of the tarsi. The middle coxe

are slightly but minutely separated; and I anticipate that the insect should really be

placed in Epipeda rather than in Homalota, though a knowledge of the trophi and

tarsi is necessary to settle this.

8. Epipeda sordida.

Depressa, subtilissime punctulata, anterius opaca, abdomine apicem versus nitido, nigra; antennarum basi

pedibusque testaceis, elytris fusco-testaceis ; capite plano, post oculos subangustato ; prothorace depresso,

basin versus angustato, medio subdepresso.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. GuatemaLa, Guatemala city and San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne of moderate length and not stout, but little thickened towards the extrem-

ity; third joint rather long, about equal to the second; fourth quadrate; fifth to

tenth slightly transverse ; terminal joint rather large. Head very dull, flat, densely

and quite indistinctly punctate. Thorax rounded at the sides and narrowed behind,

quite dull, almost invisibly punctate, obscurely depressed along the middle. Elytra of

an infuscate yellow colour, extremely finely, moderately closely punctate. Hind body

rather broad; the basal segments indistinctly, moderately closely punctate; the apical

ones almost impunctate. Legs yellow, the femora slightly infuscate.

This insect has a similarity of facies to the Kuropean £. plana; and the middle coxe

are very nearly contiguous, as in that insect. A small series of about a dozen examples

has been found; but I do not observe any sexual marks.

2LT 2

244 STAPHYLINIDZ.

9. Epipeda puncticeps.

Sat lata, depressa, anterius opaca, abdomine nitido, nigra, antennarum basi femoribusque fuscis, elytris, tibiis

tarsisque testaceis; capite elongato, plano, post oculos angustato; prothorace basin versus angustato,

dorso deplanato.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Las Mercedes 3000 feet, Cahabon (Champion).

Antenne rather stout; third joint of moderate length, nearly equal to the second ;

fifth to tenth rather strongly transverse. Head large and flat, evidently narrowed

behind the eyes, the surface densely and coarsely punctate, but the punctures only

slightly impressed. ‘Thorax not quite so long as broad, distinctly narrowed behind,

quite dull; the punctuation almost invisible, the middle flattened. Elytra rather longer

than the thorax, sordid yellow, very finely punctate. Hind body with the two basal

segments rather sparingly punctate, the next still more sparingly, the apical ones

almost impunctate.

Although very similar to E. sordida, this species is distinct, not only by the larger

size and the more coarsely sculptured head, but also by the middle coxe being more

widely separated. Only two individuals have been found.

10. Epipeda debilis.

Depressa, subtilissime punctulata, nigra, elytris pedibusque testaceis, antennis fuscis, basi dilutiore; capite

opaco, plano, post oculos subangustato ; prothorace basin versus subangustato; abdomine basi crebre,

apice parce punctato.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This insect is very closely allied to . sordida; but the size is less, the héad is

smaller, and the antenne are more slender. ‘These latter organs are not elongate, and

are but little thickened outwardly ; the third joint is shorter than the second ; the fourth

small and about quadrate ; the fifth is slightly, the tenth joint more distinctly trans-

verse ; the terminal joint is of moderate length, about as long as the two preceding

together.

Only two individuals have been found.

11. Epipeda longiceps.

Sat depressa, angustula, subtilissime punctulata, anterius opaca, abdomine apicem versus nitido, nigra; an-

tennarum basi fusca, elytris pedibusque testaceis; capite plano fere angustulo, post oculos subangustato ;

prothorace quam elytra angustiore, lateribus subrotundatis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather elongate, only slightly thickened towards the extremity; third joint

shorter than second, fourth quite as long as broad, the fifth quadrate, the three or

four penultimate joints a little transverse; tenth joint rather large, as long as the two

EPIPEDA. | 945

preceding together. Head rather narrow and elongate, distinctly narrowed behind the

eyes, flat, with a dense obsolete punctuation. Thorax about as long as broad, narrower

than the elytra, only a little narrowed behind, but distinctly rounded at the sides, dull,

scarcely visibly punctulate. Elytra of a yellow colour, rather longer than the thorax,

extremely finely punctate. Hind body at the base rather closely punctate, towards the

extremity quite sparingly punctate and shining.

This insect is closely allied to E. sordida and LE. debilis, but is of considerably

narrower form, with narrower thorax and more slender antenne. Only a single indi-

vidual has been found.

12. Epipeda angusticeps.

Subdepressa, angustula, subtilissime punctulata, abdomine nitido, parum punctato, rufo-obscura ; capite

angusto, nigricante, post oculos angustato; prothorace quam elytra angustiore, lateribus subrotundatis,

angulis posterioribus indistinctis.

Long. 17 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet, Cubilguitz, Purula (Champion).

Antenne of moderate length and thickness, obscure red, paler at the base; third

joint rather shorter than the second, fourth nearly quadrate, fifth to tenth each a little

transverse ; terminal joint hardly as long as the two preceding together. Head narrow,

narrower than the thorax, much narrowed behind the eyes; the surface dull, with

obsolete punctuation. Thorax not quite so long as broad, excessively finely punctulate.

Elytra rather longer than the thorax, densely and extremely finely punctate. Hind

body with an excessively fine obsolete sculpture at the base of each of the second and

third segments, but, except for this, almost impunctate. Legs clear yellow.

The middle cox in this species are rather broadly separated, and the gene are

distinctly margined. By its facies, and not improbably by its characters, this insect

connects the aberrant H. discedens with the other forms of the genus. Five individuals

have been found: two of them, from Cerro Zunil, agree closely as above described,

while a third from the same locality is smaller with rather shorter thorax, and the

two individuals from the other localities are slightly discordant in some minute

points.

13. Epipeda discedens.

Brunnea, capite antennisque obscurioribus, his basi ruta, pedibus testaceis; capite angustulo, post oculos

angustato, fortiter, obsolete punctato ; prothorace transverso, quam elytra angustiore, lateribus rotundatis,

omnium dense obsoletissime punctulato.

Long. 3-37 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Antenne somewhat elongate and stout; third joint elongate, as long as the second ;

fourth smaller than the others, quite as long as broad; the fifth is longer than broad,

246 | STAPHYLINIDA.

the tenth scarcely so long as broad; terminal joint rather large, acuminate, paler at

the tip. Head nearly black, narrow, narrowed behind the eyes; the surface quite dull,

covered with coarse extremely lightly impressed punctures. Thorax evidently broader

than long, rounded at the sides and slightly narrowed behind, a good deal narrower

than the elytra; the hind angles obtuse, the surface dull, with an invisible sculpture.

Elytra longer than the thorax, dull, excessively finely punctate. Hind body without

punctuation, but with a peculiar fine reticulate sculpture at the base of the second,

third, and fourth segments.

This peculiar insect has not the depressed form of HL. plana, but has a somewhat

Trogophleoid appearance. The labial palpi are elongate and rigid, as in Silusa; and

the ligula is very elongate and slender and minutely bifid at the extremity; the middle

coxe are moderately widely separated; the metasternum is much produced between

them, and quite meets the metasternal process, by the apex of which indeed it is

overlapped; the apex of the prosternal process is bluntly acuminate; the gene are

distinctly margined. A good series of the species has been obtained.

14. Epipeda reyi. (Tab. VI. fig. 12.)

Angustula, rufo-obscura, capite nigricante, antennarum basi rufa, pedibus testaceis; capite dense fortiterque

punctato, post oculos angustato; thorace transverso, posterius angustato, in medio longitudinaliter tri-

impresso.

Long. 22 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador (Champion).

Antenne rather stout; third joint nearly as long as the second; fifth to tenth joints

differing little from one another, each about as long as broad. Head rather small,

narrowed behind the eyes, nearly black, coarsely and closely punctate. Thorax

narrower than the elytra, somewhat rounded at the sides and narrowed behind, dull,

invisibly punctate, with an angular impression in front on the middle, and two elongate

impressions behind this. Elytra longer than the thorax, closely and finely punctate.

Hind body with the basal segments obscurely punctate, the others smooth. Legs pale

yellow.

Although similar in facies to HE. linearis, this species is readily identified by the pecu-

liar thoracic impressions, which considerably increase its Trogophloeoid aspect. I have

named the-insect as a tribute to the value of M. Cl. Rey’s labours on the extremely

difficult and unattractive group of which it is a member.

15. Epipeda linearis.

Angustula, rufescens, capite angusto, post oculos angustato, dense, obsolete punctato; prothorace transverso,

posterius leviter angustato, obsoletissime punctato ; abdomine basi subpunctato, praeterea levigato.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador 2500 feet (Champion).

EPIPEDA.—DIESTOTA. 247

Antenne rather short, red; third joint shorter than the second ; fourth quadrate ;

fifth slightly, tenth more strongly transverse. Head rather narrow and elongate, very

dull, a little darker in colour than the other parts, and with a close, rather coarse, but

very slightly impressed, indistinct punctuation. Thorax a little narrower than the

elytra, broader than long, a little rounded at the sides, and slightly narrowed behind, a

little deplanate along the middle, dull, sculpture invisible. Elytra rather longer than

the thorax, finely and indistinctly punctate. Hind body on the two or three basal

segments with a slight sculpture, which is rather a slight roughening of the surface

than a true punctuation ; except for this, impunctate.

This species differs from E. reyt by the absence of the thoracic impressions, as well

as by other less conspicuous characters; the sternal structure is much the same as in

E. reyi, except that the mesosternal process is a little longer in E. linearis. Only one

individual has been found.

DIESTOTA.

Diestota, Mulsant et Rey, Opusc. Ent. cah. xiv. p. 194; Hist. Nat. Col. Fr., Brévipennes, Bolitoch.

p. 97.

Although but recently established for a rare and minute South-European species,

this genus seems likely to prove of considerable extent, as I have lately added to

Rey’s species another from South America and several from the Hawaiian islands.

1. Diestota funesta.

Latiuscula, fusco-nigra, antennarum basi, elytris pedibusque fusco-testaceis; capite thoraceque dense obsolete

punctatis, opacis ; abdomine parce punctato, nitidulo.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Truqut).

Antenne stout; third joint shorter than second; fourth quadrate, a good deal

smaller than the fifth, this being transverse, while the following joints are very strongly

transverse; terminal joint large, obtuse at apex. Head broad, but a good deal narrower —

than the elytra, extremely dull, owing to an excessively close almost imperceptible

sculpture. Thorax rather narrower than the elytra, strongly transverse, with a sculpture

‘similar to that of the head, but not quite so extremely fine, with scarcely any.trace of

a basal impression. Elytra greatly longer than the thorax, finely punctate, a little

shining. Hind body broad and parallel ; the basal segments sparingly punctate, the

apical almost impunctate.

This insect is larger and broader than any individuals of D. sperata, and 1s ; readily

enough distinguished by the different punctuation. The unique specimen described

may possibly be a male, as the hind margin of the seventh dorsal plate appears a little

truncate in the middle; but I think it is more probable that it is a female.

248 STAPHYLINID.

2. Diestota crassa.

Picea, sat nitida; antennarum basi, pedibus elytrisque testaceis, his transversim in medio infuscatis ; antennis

brevibus, crassis, articulis 4°-10™ fortiter transversis ; elytris brevibus sed quam prothorax longioribus,

fortiter punctatis ; abdomine parce punctato, subtus convexiusculo.

Long. 2 millim. ,

Hab. Guatemata, Paraiso 300 feet (Champion).

Antenne short and very stout; the three basal joints yellow, the rest darker; third

joint rather shorter than second ; fourth not quite so broad as the following ones, but

strongly transverse ; fifth to tenth similar to one another, each very strongly trans-

verse; terminal joint large, very obtuse. Head very short and broad, with large eyes,

imperceptibly punctate. Thorax very broad and short, more than twice as broad as

long, very feebly punctate, with a basal transverse impression. Elytra broad and short,

yellow, with a large vague cloud of darker colour across the middle, rather coarsely

punctate. Hind body sparingly punctate, the apical segments still more sparingly than

the basal ones.

Of this distinct species five individuals have been found. The male has on the

sixth dorsal plate two elongate, slightly curved, raised lines, and between them a small

tubercle; the following segment is longitudinally bituberculated in the middle, and

at each outside has a raised straight line, which is continued backwards to form a

small projecting spine.

3. Diestota laticornis.

Brevis, subparallela, subtilissime punctata et pubescens, nigra; antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis ; elytris

fuscis ad humeros testaceo-maculatis, vel fusco-testaceis; prothorace fortiter transverso, basi in medio

transversim impressa, angulis posterioribus distinctis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa and Cordova (Sallé); GuateMaLa, Cahabon (Champion) ;

Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

Antenne short; the two or three basal joints obscure yellow; third joint rather

short, shorter than the second ; fourth small, not so long as broad; fifth considerably

broader than fourth; fifth to tenth differing very little from one another, strongly

transverse ; terminal joint large, obtuse, quite as long as the two preceding together.

Head broad and short, scarcely visibly punctulate. Thorax strongly transverse, about

twice as broad as long, straight at the sides, the base rather rounded, so that the hind

angles, though well marked, are obtuse; the surface is very finely punctate; and in

front of the scutellum there is an obscure transverse depression. Elytra short, but

distinctly longer than the thorax, finely punctulate. Hind body parallel, the basal

segments not closely punctate, and the penultimate still more sparingly.

The male has on the hind margin of the seventh dorsal plate six closely placed linear

teeth with blunt terminations, and on each side and more remote a rather longer, slender,

acuminate, slightly curved spine.

DIESTOTA. 249

This insect has much the appearance of such species of Homalota as H. testaceipes,

Heer. According to the series before me, it varies somewhat in size and in colour,

more especially in the colour of the wing-cases, which sometimes have only a small

pale humeral spot, while in other cases the yellow colour extends itself in a vague

manner over the greater part of the wing-case.

4. Diestota foveata. |

Fusco-rufa, capite abdominisque apice nigricantibus, antennarum articulo basali pedibusque rufis; antennis

brevibus, apicem versus incrassatis ; prothorace fortiter transverso, basi in medio profunde foveolata ;

abdominis segmentis basalibus sat crebre punctatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Third joint of antenne a good deal shorter than the second, fourth rather small,

fifth to tenth transverse; terminal joint large. Head nearly black. Prothorax very

strongly transverse, twice as broad as long, with a conspicuous depression in front of

the scutellum. Elytra greatly longer than the thorax, closely and finely punctate.

Hind body with the two or three basal segments rather sparingly punctate, the penulti-

mate segments almost without punctuation.

This insect is similar to D. sperata, but is of less depressed and less parallel form,

with the head a little different in shape (the narrowing of it behind not commencing

so close to the eye), the antenne shorter, and the hind body less closely punctate.

Only a single individual has been found.

5. Diestota proxima. |

Angustula, subparallela, dense punctulata et pubescens, nigra, elytris fuscis ; abdomine rufo, segmentis quarto

et quinto nigris, apice cum pedibus testaceis ; antennis fere gracilibus, fuscis, articulo basali dilutiore.

Long. 27 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Las Vigas (lohr).

Antenne not elongate, but rather slender; third joint elongate, equal to second ;

fourth to tenth similar to one another in length, but each slightly broader than its

predecessor ; the first of these rather longer than broad, the last decidedly transverse ;

terminal joint elongate. Thorax black, strongly transverse, slightly rounded at the

sides and but little narrowed behind, very densely punctate. Elytra densely and very

finely punctate. Hind body with the basal segments closely and distinctly punctate,

the sixth segment nearly impunctate.

In the male the seventh dorsal plate of the hind body has in the middle four parallel

slender teeth, and at each outside another tooth, which differs only very slightly from

the mesial teeth.

Although I have seen but a single individual of this species, and although it is

extremely similar to the variable D. sperata, I have no doubt that D. proxima is

distinct. The thorax of D. proxima is less transverse, and is black in colour, and the

fourth joint of the antenne is more elongate.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, September 1883. 2 KK

250 STAPH YLINIDA,

6. Diestota sperata.

Diestota sperata, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 47°.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil, 4000 to 5000 feet, Tamahu, Capetillo and

Guatemala city (Champion); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).—Soutn America, Amazon

valley 1.

7. Diestota brevicornis.

Rufescens, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis, capite, antennis abdomineque ante apicem fuscis, elytris

fusco-testaceis humeris dilutioribus; minus subtiliter pubescens, parce punctata, sat nitida; antennis

brevibus, apicem versus incrassatis, articulis 5°-10™ transversis.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne short and rather stout, much thickened towards the extremity ; third joint

short, shorter than second; fourth smaller than any of the others, hardly so long as

broad; fifth to tenth short, each of them transverse and a little broader than its

predecessor, so that the tenth joint is moderately transverse, terminal joint not large.

Head short and broad, narrowed behind the eyes, very indistinctly punctate, rather

shining. ‘Thorax strongly transverse, very nearly as broad as the elytra, scarcely visibly

punctate, finely pubescent, shining, with a small transverse depression in front of the

base in the middle. Elytra a good deal longer than the thorax, of an infuscate-yellow

colour, with a more or less vague paler humeral spot of variable extent, finely and not

closely punctate. Hind body with the basal segments indistinctly and rather sparingly

punctate, the apical ones nearly impunctate. Legs clear yellow.

A series of six individuals shows little variation. Compared with D. sperata the

individuals of this species are seen to be considerably smaller, more sparingly punctate,

and more shining, with considerably shorter antenne. Jam only able to get a very

imperfect view of the hind margin of the seventh dorsal segment; but I think the

structure in the male sex is similar to that of D. sperata.

8. Diestota debilis.

Parvula, angustula, subtiliter pubescens, parce subtilissime punctulata, sat nitida, rufo-testacea, abdomine

ante apicem infuscato; antennis brevibus, apicem versus incrassatis; prothorace omnium brevissimo;

abdomine fere impunctato.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Capetillo, Las Mercedes 3000 feet, (Champion).

Antenne quite short, a good deal thickened towards the apex, joints fifth to tenth

transverse, the last of them strongly so. Head small, with small eyes, scarcely visibly

punctate, shining. Thorax very short, with the sides and base rounded, scarcely visibly

punctate, shining, with but slight trace of basal impression. Elytra differing but little

DIESTOTA. 251

in colour from the rest of the surface, very indistinctly punctate. Hind body with the

basal segments only sparingly and indistinctly punctate, the others almost impunctate.

A single individual from each of the localities is all I have seen; the two specimens

differ a little in some minute and probably unimportant respects. I am unable to

detect any sexual characters.

9. Diestota docilis.

Rufo-obscura, parce punctata et pubescens, sat nitida, antennis fuscis, abdomine ante apicem nigro-cingulato,

pedibus testaceis ; antennis brevibus, extrorsum incrassatis; capite fortiter parum profunde punctato.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Guatumata, San Gerénimo, 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne fuscous, with the two or three basal joints obscure red ; third joint much

shorter than second ; joints fifth to tenth transverse, the last of them strongly so. Head

short, rather small, of an obscure red colour, bearing numerous coarse punctures, which,

however, are so shallow as to easily escape observation. ‘Thorax very short and broad,

almost impunctate, with a very indistinct basal impression. Elytra much longer than

the thorax, rather coarsely punctured. Hind body with the basal segments only very

sparingly punctate, the following ones nearly without punctures.

The peculiar punctuation of the head will much facilitate the recognition of this

obscure insect ; only a single individual has been found.

10. Diestota nitens.

Breviuscula, brunneo-testacea, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis, subglabra, nitidula; prothorace parvo,

valde transverso.

Long. 1? millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Senahu (Champion).

Antenne rather slender ; third joint rather shorter than second ; of joints 4-10, each

is a little broader than its predecessor, the first two or three of them not transverse,

but the last rather strongly transverse. Head short and transverse, its hind angles

distinct, it being in fact borne on a very broad short neck, the surface polished and

shining. ‘Thorax a good deal narrower than the elytra, not rounded at the sides, a

little narrowed behind, surface polished and shining. Elytra much longer than the

thorax, very indistinctly punctured, shining. Hind body broad and short, shining, only

very sparingly punctate.

A single individual only has been found. It is in very fragile condition; and I am

unable to see the apical portion of the hind body so as to ascertain its structure.

11. Diestota microps.

Brevis, rufescens, capite abdominisque apicem versus nigricantibus, antennis extrorsum fuscis; capite parvo,

in medio impresso; prothorace fortiter transverso, subtiliter punctulato; abdomine sat crebre, obsolete

punctato, minus tenuiter hirtello.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Capetillo (Champion).

2 KK 2

252 STAPHYLINIDA.

Antenne rather short and stout, thickened externally ; third joint short, shorter than

the second; fifth to tenth each a little broader than its predecessor, so that the

penultimate joints are rather strongly transverse; terminal joint rather short, not so

long as the two preceding together. Head small, only about half as broad as the hind

body, nearly black, finely pubescent, shining, with a large impression on the middle in

front. Thorax nearly twice as broad as long, narrower than the elytra; hind angles

very indistinct ; surface very finely punctate, obsoletely impressed at the base in the

middle. Elytra broad and short, rather longer than the thorax, extremely finely

punctate. Hind body broad and short, the basal segments clear red, behind this nearly

black ; all the segments very finely punctate. Breast blackish; under surface of head

deeply impressed on each side.

This insect has the hind body unusually broad in comparison with the head ; this

character, in conjunction with the impressed head, will assist in its identification. Two

individuals have been found.

12. Diestota lativentris.

Brevis, rufescens, antennis extrorsum fuscis, omnium subtilissime punctulata, pube molli erecta vestita ; capite

parvo, in medio impresso ; prothorace transverso, quam elytra multo angustiore ; abdomine lato, subtiliter

parce punctato.

Long. 2} millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne stout; basal joint elongate, red, the other joints darker ; second short and

stout, hardly half as long as the first; third joint short and stout, shorter than the

second, nearly as broad as long; fourth rather, tenth very strongly transverse ; terminal

joint short. Head exserted, but without distinct neck; the eyes are placed quite at

the front, and behind these it is distinctly narrowed ; in front in the middle it has a

large impression. Thorax much broader than long, much narrower than the elytra,

very convex transversely in front, the very depressed front angles obtuse and rounded.

Elytra longer than the thorax, and like it with a very fine abundant pubescence

but without distinct punctuation. Hind body broad, only sparingly and extremely

finely punctate, and but little pubescent. Legs pale yellow.

Only a single specimen has been found. It appears to be allied to D. microps, but

with the peculiarities of that species exagerated.

13..Diestota funebris.

Haud depressa, nigra, tibiis basi apiceque dilutioribus, tarsis testaceis ; capite, thorace elytrisque densissime

punctatis, opacis; abdomine nitido, basi sparsim punctata, apice levigato.

Long. 37 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Sallé).

Antenne rather stout, not elongate; third joint about as long as the second; fourth and

DIESTOTA. 253

fifth each about as long as broad, of fifth to tenth each is slightly broader than its pre-

decessor, so that the tenth is rather strongly transverse; terminal joint large and stout,

quite as long as the two preceding together. Head broad and short, a good deal narrower

than the elytra, very dull, densely and indistinctly punctate. Thorax strongly transverse,

narrower than the elytra, straight at the sides, hind angles indistinct; surface densely

and obsoletely punctate, extremely dull. FElytra longer than the thorax, very densely

punctate, the sculpture not so obsolete as that of the thorax. Hind body with the

basal segments deeply transversely depressed, only very feebly punctate. Legs dark, the

the tarsi pale, the front tibie also pale, and the other tibize more dilute in colour at the

base and apex.

This insect has very much the facies of the species of Silusa ; but the middle coxe are

very widely separated, and the mesosternal process is extremely short and broad with

quite broad straight extremity; so I have placed it in Diestota. I have seen three

individuals ; one of them is a male, and has the hind margin of the seventh dorsal plate

finely crenulate, and at each side provided with a very slender spine.

14, Diestota convexa.

Convexiuscula, nigra, antennarum basi pedibusque rufis; prothorace valde transverso, convexo, angulis

posterioribus rectis, basi in medio impressa ; abdomine irregulariter punctato, segmentis secundo et tertio

ad basin profunde transversim depressis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Teleman (Champion); Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet

(Champion). °

Antenne short and stout, much thickened outwardly ; third joint about equal to the

second ; fourth about as long as broad; from the fifth to tenth, each is broader than

its predecessor, the fifth evidently, the tenth strongly transverse ; terminal joint thick,

elongate, longer than the two preceding together. Head narrow, only about half as

broad as the elytra, obsoletely punctate. Thorax very short and broad, a little narrowed

towards the front; the base in the middle somewhat lobed, and deeply transversely

impressed; the hind angles distinct and rectangular, the surface extremely finely

punctate. Elytra longer than the thorax, coarsely and closely punctate. Hind body

convex beneath, the second and third segments each very deeply transversely impressed

at the base, and with crenulations in the depression, elsewhere sparingly and rather

finely punctate, but with a distinct pubescence.

This is a peculiar species, readily recognized by the depressions on the hind body

and by the form of the thorax. Only two specimens have been found. In the male

the sixth dorsal plate has a longitudinal carina on the middle; the hind margin of

the seventh segment is closely crenulate, and has a very short tooth on each side.

254 STAPHYLINIDA.

GYROPH ANA.

Gyrophena, Mannerheim, Brachél. p. 74 (1830); Mulsant et Rey, Hist. Nat. Col. Fr., Brévipennes,

Aléochariens, Bolitoch. (1871), p. 17.

About sixty species are included in this genus; they are distributed over Europe,

Ceylon, Austro-Malasia, Japan, and North and South America, so that it is probable

the genus will prove to be nearly cosmopolitan. All the species whose habits are

known are in the perfect state exclusively dwellers in or among fungi; and at

present, if we may judge from the number of Central and South American species,

it would appear that the forests of tropical America are the headquarters of the

genus. The species are best distinguished by the sexual armature of the terminal

segments; and the study of the large series here described has disclosed the remarkable

fact that in many species this armature is as peculiar, or nearly so, in the female

as it is in the male sex: in certain cases where the male armature is very similar in the

males of two species, it is very dissimilar in the females; in the European species the

females are without external armature ; in one of the species here described the male ©

characters are subject to diminution or disappearance; so that we have in fact among

these minute creatures all the complex peculiarities of sexual armature that exist

among the large Lamellicorn Coleoptera, but in the latter on the anterior parts of the

body.

1. Gyrophena pumila.

Gyrophena pumila, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 72°.

Hab. GuateMaLta, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).—Sovtn America, Amazon

valley 1.

Mr. Champion has sent us but a single specimen of this most minute creature. It

differs from the Amazonian individuals in that the antenne are clear pale yellow, but

in no other respect so far as I can see.

2. Gyrophena oblita.

Minuta, brevis, latiuscula, subdepressa, sublevigata, nitida, fusco-nigra, antennis pedibusque dilute flavis ;

prothorace fortiter transverso, fere impunctato; elytris quam hic paulo longioribus, parcius subtiliusque

punctulatis.

Long. 1} millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne clear yellow, rather short and stout; third and fourth joints very small,

fifth to tenth transverse; terminal joint short. Head short and broad, narrowed behind the

eyes, impunctate. ‘Thorax twice as broad as long, narrower than the elytra, almost

impunctate, without trace of serially or quadrately disposed punctures. Elytra with

fine and distant punctuation. Hind body impunctate.

GYROPHAENA. 2590

This tiny insect is of broader form than G. pumila, and has the elytra visibly

punctate. I do not see any sexual characters among the sixteen individuals found by

Mr. Champion.

8. Gyrophena varians.

Minuta, angustula, picea, antennis pedibusque flavis, illis haud crassis, apicem versus leviter incrassatis, articulis

penultimis leviter transversis; capite angustulo; prothorace parvo, convexo, glabro; elytris brevibus, in

utroque sexu granulatis, sed maris interdum fere levigatis.

Long. vix 13 millim.

Hab. GuateMaa, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

Antenne clear yellow, slightly thickened from the fifth joint to the apex; third

joint short and slender, half as long as the second; fourth minute but distinct. Head

narrow. Thorax without impressed punctures. LElytra but little longer than the

thorax.

Ten specimens of this minute creature have been discovered by Mr. Champion. Its

sexual characters are of an extraordinary nature. Seven of the individuals are females

and have the elytra furnished with rather coarse raised granules, and two fine short

convergent raised lines on the dorsal plate of the sixth segment; the dorsal plate of

the seventh segment is triangular in the middle and has on each side an elongate

remarkably slender spine, placed very near to the side of the triangle and projecting as

far back as it. The three males differ greatly in the amount of development of their

sexual peculiarities: in the individual where they are greatly developed there are four

larger, irregular tuberculiform elevations near the suture of the wing-cases; the fifth

dorsal plate of the hind body bears two elongate, subapproximate, acuminate, depressed

spines, which project backwards over the following segment; the dorsal plate of the

seventh segment forms in the middle an elongate nearly parallel-sided lobe, the

extremity of which is emarginate; in another individual of this sex the elytra are

nearly smooth, and there is no trace of the spines of the fifth segment,—the third

individual being intermediate between the other two.

4, Gyrophena fuscipes.

Parum convexa, nigra, antennis fusco-testaceis, pedibus fuscis ; antennis articulis 5°-10™ transversis; pro-

thorace fortiter convexo, glabro ; elytris (in utroque sexu ?) subtiliter granulatis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne of a sordid testaceous colour, not stout; third joint small, shorter than the

second; fourth very indistinct; fifth to tenth transverse; terminal joint short. Thorax

small, glabrous, without impressed punctures, the sides very depressed. Elytra longer

than the thorax, with raised minute granules rather evenly distributed over the surface.

Legs dark ; the tarsi, however, nearly yellow.

256 STAPHYLINID A.

Of this minute species there are only two badly preserved individuals, and the sexual

characters are very obscure; but independent of these the species will be readily

recognized by the dark legs and the impunctate thorax. The male has two fine

granules on the middle of the dorsal plate of the sixth segment in front of the hind

margin ; the following segment is unusually small, and, though I have dissected it off,

I am unable to see exactly its structure; so that any peculiarity it possesses must be

very minute: as I have found the cedeagus, there is no doubt that this is really the 3

male. In the other individual I can scarcely detect the minute granules, so suppose

that it may be the female.

5. Gyrophena sordidula.

Subdepressa, parcius punctata, nitida, fuscescens, antennarum basi pedibusque dilute testaceis, elytrorum

humeris abdominisque apice vage testaceis; antennis brevibus, articulis 5°-10™ transversis; prothorace

fortiter transverso, obsolete punctato, elytris quam hic longioribus, parce obsoleteque punctatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guaremana, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather short; third joint short; fourth very small and obscure; fifth to

tenth strongly transverse; terminal joint short. Head short and broad, narrowed

behind the eyes. Thorax very strongly transverse, about twice as broad as long, a little

narrower than the elytra, with four very indistinct punctures quadrately placed on the

disk. Elytra longer than the thorax, of a sordid or smoky colour, with the shoulders

yellowish, sparingly punctate, the punctures indistinct.

In the male the hind margin of the dorsal plate of the seventh ventral segment bears

two very minute teeth distant from one another—so small that they cannot be observed

without dissecting off the plate,—and on each, outside, a rather longer slender spine.

I have contented myself with describing the male of this species, because certain

individuals of the other sex may be either its female or that of a very closely allied

species, as they have the thorax rather less transverse and the antenne quite yellow.

It is the more doubtful whether these specimens are really the females of G. sordidula,

because I have sufficient evidence that there occur in the same locality two other

species very closely allied to G. sordidula. This evidence consists of two fragmentary

males, having lost their antenne, extremely similar to G. sordidula, but with very

different male characters; they are not in a condition for description, but make it clear

that there are several excessively similar obscure species to be detected in the same

locality. In addition there are fragments of a female from the Volcan de Chiriqui

which probably pertain to another closely allied species.

6. Gyrophzna similis.

Subdepressa, parce punctata, nitidula, fuscescens, antennarum basi pedibusque sordide testaceis ; elytris sordide

GYROPHANA. 257

testaceis ad angulos externos fuscis ibidemque magis punctatis; antennis articulis 5°--10™ subquadratis ;

prothorace disco parum discrete quadripunctato.

Long. 22 millim. |

Hab. GuatTeMALa, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne moderately long ; third joint short; fourth small; fifth and following each

about as long as broad; terminal joint rather elongate. Head rather short and broad ;

eyes moderate. Thorax strongly transverse, base much rounded; the surface with a

few indistinct punctures, of which four on the disk (apparently the remnants of very

obliterated series) are the most evident. Elytra longer than the thorax, with numerous

punctures about the hinder angles, and a few irregularly placed near the suture. Hind

body impunctate.

Although very similar to G. sordidula and to G. apicicornis, and in respect of its

antenne intermediate between the two, this insect has very different male characters.

In this sex on the sixth dorsal plate of the hind body there is an elongate tuberculi-

form elevation before the hind margin; the hind margin of the following segment

terminates on each side in a very elongate spine, and between these spines is much

produced, so that its middle part forms an elongate subtriangular process whose apex

is a little rounded. |

Only a single male individual has been found in each of the two localities.

7. Gyrophzna apicicornis.

Subdepressa, parce punctata, nitida, fuscescens, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis, abdomine elytrorumque

basi minus lete testaceis ; antennis articulis 5°-10" subquadratis, articulo ultimo elongato; prothorace

quam elytra multo angustiore, parce obsoleteque punctato.

Long. 22 millim. .

Hab. Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Antenne moderately long; third joint very slender, fourth slender; longer than

broad ; the following each about as long as broad ; terminal joint remarkably elongate,

rather longer than the two preceding together, paler in colour towards its extremity.

Head broad, narrowed behind the eyes. Thorax much narrower than the elytra

and not very strongly transverse, a little narrower behind, with only a few very indefinite

punctures. Elytra longer than the thorax, very indistinctly punctate.

In the male there is a very minute granule just in front of the hind margin of the

sixth dorsal plate of the hind body; the hind margin of the following segment is

rounded, but from its middle there project two rather elongate incurved teeth, and in

the middle the hind margin is minutely tuberculate.

A series of sixteen specimens nas been secured of this species ; the unusual elongation

of the terminal joint of the antenne makes it easily recognized.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, September 1883. 2LL

258 STAPHYLINIDZ.

8. Gyrophena flavipes.

Nigra, elytris nigro-fuscis, antennis fusco-testaceis, basi pedibusque testaceis, nitidissima, fere impunctata ;

antennis articulis 5°-10™ transversim quadratis ; prothorace fortiter transverso.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

Antenne rather short and stout; terminal joint but little longer than the tenth.

Thorax very strongly transverse, about twice as broad as long, almost without punctua-

tion, but with two very minute punctures some distance in front of the base. Elytra

very shining, not quite so black as the thorax, the shoulders scarcely paler; finely and

extremely sparingly punctate.

In the male there are some granules on the sutural portion of the elytra, and the

third and fourth joints of the antennz are excessively short; the dorsal plate of the

seventh segment of the hind body has on each side a fine incurved spine, and, between

these, is angularly prominent in a tuberculiform manner. ‘The female has the third

joint of the antenne not quite so short.

Only a single pair is before me; and I have not succeeded in getting a very definite

sight of the male structural characters.

9. Gyrophena granulata.

Subconvexa, nitidula, picea, abdomine rufo, elytris sordide testaceis extrorsum late fuscis, antennarum basi

pedibusque testaceis; antennarum articulis 3° 4°que brevibus, 5°-10™ leviter transversis ; elytris crebre

subeequaliter granulatis.

Long. 2 millim.,

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne rather short and stout; the first four joints yellow, the rest infuscate ;

terminal joint short; head without punctuation. ‘Thorax very strongly transverse,

on the disk with four small punctures placed quadrately, the anterior pair very minute.

Elytra rather longer than the thorax, bearing numerous fine granules over the whole

surface. Hind body convex, red, with the fifth segment darker, not very shining, but

only very obscurely punctate and pubescent.

In the male the granules on the elytra are rougher than in the female, and the dorsal

plate of the seventh segment of the hind body terminates on each side in an elongate

rather slender spine, and between these spines forms a prominent angle, which, however,

does not project so far back as the apex of the lateral spines. The female has in the

middle of the hind margin of the corresponding plate two minute slender acuminate

teeth, and on each side a rather longer, slender, curved spine.

Five specimens of this species, only one of them a female, have been found. It is

allied to the Amazonian G. sparsa.

10. Gyrophena brevidens.

Vix depressa, nitidula, fusca, antennis pedibus elytrisque testaceis, his ad angulos externos infuscatis ; antennis

GYROPHANA. 259

subgracilibus, articulis penultimis leviter transversis; prothorace transverso elytris multo angustiore,

disco parum discrete quadripunctato.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne rather slender, moderately long; third joint small, much shorter than

second; fourth small, as long as broad ; fifth rather longer than broad; tenth slightly

broader than long; terminal joint moderately long. Thorax much narrower than the

elytra, the discoidal punctures not large, with a few other very indefinite punctures.

Elytra in the female nearly without punctuation, in the male with rather numerous

granules which are distinct at the suture but become obsolete at the sides and anterior

angles. The hind body is deeply infuscate yellow.

In the male there are two fine, distant, longitudinal raised lines on the dorsal plate

of the sixth segment of the hind body; the armature at the hind margin of the seventh

plate is remarkably short, and consists of an angular prominence in the middle, just

in front of which there is an obscure transverse tuberculation, and on each side there is

a very short, easily overlooked, prominent angle. The female is without peculiar

structure.

Five individuals, very badly preserved, have been found of this species.

11. Gyrophena discoidalis.

Sat convexa, picea, nitida, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis; prothorace convexo, disco quadripunctato ;

elytrorum disco levigato, lateribus crebre obsolete punctatis ; abdomine apicem versus attenuato.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Cerro Zunil 4000 feet (Champion).

This is apparently a very distinct species, though represented only by a single decayed

and mutilated individual. The four basal joints of the antenne are yellow; the third

small, only half as long as the second; fourth quite small; fifth to seventh dark, each

about as long as broad; the rest wanting. Head rather small. ‘Thorax a good deal

narrower than the elytra, transversely convex, the disk with four large quadrately placed

punctures. Elytra longer than the thorax, dark, with yellow shoulders ; near the suture

with a broad smooth space, but punctate at the sides; the punctuation being most ex-

tensive and distinct at the outer angles behind. Legs clear yellow.

The unique individual is a male, and has a large elongate tubercle on the middle of

the sixth dorsal plate of the hind body, some distance in front of the hind margin;

the corresponding plate of the following segment is narrowed behind, and has on each

side a very elongate slightly curved spine, and between these is produced so as to form

in the middle an elongate subangular projection, which is incrassate and does not

extend quite so far backwards as the lateral spines.

2LL 2

260 STAPHYLINIDA.

12. Gyrophena pollens.

Convexa, nitidula, haud pubescens, nigra, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis, his femoribus fuscescentibus ;

antennis articulo quarto brevissimo, 7°-10™ leviter transversis ; prothorace quadripunctato; abdomine

interdum (presertim in femina) picescente.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Payama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne with the four basal joints yellow, the others black; third joint shorter

than second ; fourth very short; joints fifth to tenth similar to one another in breadth,

the first of them about as long as broad, the last of them a little transverse. Thorax

very polished and shining, convex transversely, with four conspicuous punctures placed

so as to form a square on the middle. Elytra rather longer than the thorax, in the

male with numerous rough granules, in the female with a few distant punctures.

In the male the dorsal plate of the seventh segment terminates on each side in an

elongate scarcely acuminate spine; the two spines are parallel, except that they are

slightly incurved at the extremity ; between them the plate is produced so as to form

an elongate lobe, which is polished and shining, convex transversely, with rounded

extremity, which does not reach quite so far back as the lateral spines do. In the

female the corresponding plate terminates in four straight teeth, the two in the middle

shorter and finer than the lateral ones.

Mr. Champion has found a large series of this species. It exhibits but little variation

except in the colour of the hind body, which sometimes, perhaps owing to immaturity,

is picescent.

13. Gyrophena humeralis.

Convexa, nitidula, haud pubescens, nigricans, antennis fulvis, basi pedibusque testaceis; antennis articulo

quarto parvo, penultimis vix transyersis ; prothorace quadripunctato; abdomine picescente vel rufescente ;

elytrorum humeris flavescentibus.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet, Bugaba (Champion).

This species is closely allied to G. pollens, but has some constant differences in colour,

in the structure of the antenna, and in the characters of each of the sexes. It also

agrees In numerous respects with Erichson’s description of G. splendidula, but in other

points does not accord therewith. I think indeed there is little doubt, from the loca-

lities and measurements given by Erichson, that his description was taken from more

than one species.

Antenne rather slender ; third joint much more slender than second, almost as long

as it; fourth joint small, nearly as long as broad; fifth joint not, tenth hardly trans-

verse. ‘Thorax very shining, convex transversely, with four very large punctures on

the middle. Elytra rather longer than the thorax, very shining, with distinct pale

GYROPHANA. 261

humeral spot ; with a few granules, especially near the suture, in the male, and a very

few punctures in the female.

The dorsal plate of the seventh segment is formed much as in G. pollens, except that

the projections are rather longer, and the central lobe is flatter and more truncate at

the extremity and reaches as far back as the lateral teeth. In the female the corre-

sponding part is quadridentate, as in G. pollens, but the teeth are longer, the lateral

ones more convergent, and the middle pair reach nearly as far back as those at the

sides.

Like G. pollens, the specimens show variation in the colour of the hind body; but in

none of them is it black.

14. Gyrophena miranda.

Convexa, nitidula, haud pubescens, picea, antennis fulvis, basi, pedibus, elytrorumque humeris testaceis; an-

tennis articulo quarto parvo, 4°-10™ haud transversis ; prothorace quadripunctato ; abdomine picescente

vel rufo.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Toxpam and Cordova (Sallé); GuaTEMALA, Zapote (Champion); Nica-

RaGua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, David (Champion).

This insect is extremely similar to G. humeralis, and, in fact, differs only by the sexual

characters. These in the male are very similar to those of G. humeralis ; but the tubercles

on the elytra are rougher, and the middle lobe of the seventh dorsal plate is broader

and is more distinctly (but still only slightly) emarginate behind. The females of the

two species are, on the contrary, very distinct: in G. miranda the elytra are tuberculate,

though less coarsely than in the male, and the middle of the seventh dorsal plate forms

a large triangular projection, the apex of which is divided by a short and narrow

fissure; on each side there is an elongate spine directed much inwards, so that it runs

nearly parallel with the side of the triangular projection, and has the same length.

The Amazonian G. convera was described by me from a single individual, supposed

on account of its remarkable sexual peculiarities to be a male; but the discovery of

the two sexes of G. miranda indicates that the Amazonian individual is a female. It

is indeed excessively closely allied to G. miranda, but shows some slight differences in

the sexual characters, the chief of which are that in each sex it possesses a kind

of canaliculation along the middle of the seventh dorsal plate, and that the notch

dividing the apex of the middle lobe of the female is about twice as long as it is in

G. miranda.

Of G. miranda I have seen two Mexican specimens, which differ very slightly from

the typical or Central-American form, fourteen specimens from Zapote, one from Panama,

and three from Nicaragua. Of these latter two are entirely ferruginous in colour, but

do not differ in other respects.

262 STAPHYLINIDA.

15. Gyrophena chontalensis.

Convexa, nitidula, glabra, ferruginea vel picea, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis ; antennis articulo tertio

brevi, 6°-10™ leviter transversis; prothorace quadripunctato; elytris nitidissimis, parcissime punctu-

latis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Nicaraaua, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne with the third joint quite short, much shorter than the second, which is

not elongate ; fourth quite small. Thorax very shining, transversely convex ; disk with

four distinct quadrately placed punctures. Elytra with a few distant punctures.

This insect is extremely similar to the ferruginous variety of G. miranda, but has

quite different sexual characters. The elytra are destitute of granulation in each sex.

In the male the dorsal plate of the seventh segment of the hind body projects a little

in the middle, so as to form a very short obtuse prominence with truncate extremity,

and on each side there is a rather small slender spine. In the female the same plate

has two small closely approximate acuminate teeth in the middle, and on each side a

rather larger slightly curved spine extending scarcely further back than the middle

teeth.

I have seen four individuals in very bad condition of this species; a fifth specimen,

in fragments, is nearly black, but, as it presents apparently some other slight distinc-

tions, may be a different species.

16. Gyrophzena convexicollis.

Convexa, nitidula, glabra, nigra, elytris abdomineque piceis, antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis articulo tertio

brevi, 5°-10™ subquadratis ; prothorace convexo, disco quadripunctato; elytris maris parce granulatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. PanaMa, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne with the third joint very short, only about half as long as the not elon-

gate second joint, and indistinctly separated from the very minute fourth joint; the

following joints each almost as long as broad; terminal joint short. Head broad and

short. Thorax strongly transverse, very shining, the front angles much depressed, the

disk with four rather fine quadrately placed punctures. Elytra not so black as the

thorax, very shining, with some rather coarse tubercles along the suture (in the male),

a few towards the shoulders, and some finer ones about the hind margin.

In the male there are six or seven minute fine tubercles across the dorsal plate of

the sixth segment of the hind body in front of the hind margin. The following plate

is produced in the middle so as to form a rather elongate nearly triangular lobe, and

has on each side an elongate spine extending further back than the central lobe.

Only one specimen has been found. Although very closely allied to the Amazonian

G. sparsa, it is, I have no doubt, distinct.

GYROPHANA. 263

17. Gyrophena jansoni.

Sat convexa, nitidula, glabra, nigra, elytris abdomineque picescentibus, antennis pallide fuscis, basi pedibusque

testaceis, illis articulo tertio brevi, 5°-10™ transversis ; prothorace convexo, disco quadripunctato ; elytris

maris parce granulatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

This insect is extremely similar to G. convewicollis; but the antennz have joints fifth

to tenth shorter, broader, and darker in colour, and the male abdominal characters are

different: in this sex there are apparently no tubercles on the sixth segment; and the

central lobe on the following segment, instead of being triangular, is quadrate (that

is, it has parallel sides and a truncate extremity); and between it and the lateral

teeth there are on each side two excessively minute serrations.

Only a single badly preserved individual has been found. ‘Three individuals of the

other sex, from Zapote, though extremely similar to G. jansoni, are probably a distinct

species: they have no granulations on the elytra.

18. Gyrophena crassiventris.

Convexa, nitidula, nigricans, elytris fulvis, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis, abdomine rufescente,

apicem versus attenuato, subtus perconvexo; prothorace quadripunctato; elytris in utroque sexu

granulatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne with the four basal joints yellow, the others dark; the third joint very

short, only about half as long as the second; fourth very short; the fifth joint not, the

tenth slightly, transverse ; terminal joint short. Prothorax transverse, but not quite

so strongly as in some species, transversely convex; on the middle there are four

quadrately-placed impressions. lytra longer than the thorax, covered with numerous

granules, which are coarser in the male than in the other sex. Hind body red above,

with a darker fascia or spot behind the middle, more than usually convex beneath, and

conspicuously narrowed behind.

In the male there are six excessively minute linear granules on the sixth dorsal

plate in front of the hind margin; the dorsal plate of the following segment forms a

large triangle in the middle, and has on each side a long spine extending a good deal

further back than the middle triangle. In the female the corresponding plate has two

small teeth in the middle and a rather longer spine on each side.

Of this distinct little species Mr. Champion has found three specimens. Janson

also found at Chontales a single male which may be a small variety of this species, but

may possibly prove distinct; the chief differences are that it is rather smaller, has the

granules on the elytra less developed, and the triangle and teeth of the apical segment

smaller.

264 STAPHYLINIDZ.

19. Gyrophena gracilicornis. (Tab. VI. fig. 13.)

Subdepressa, testacea, nitida, capite, elytris (his basi excepta) abdominisque cingulo nigricantibus ; antennis

elongatis, articulis tertio quartoque elongatis ; elytris parce punctatis ; oculis magnis.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Senahu (Champion); Panama, David (Champion).

Antenne slender and elongate; the third and fourth joints slender, even the tenth

longer than broad; terminal joint rather elongate. Thorax very strongly transverse,

with four very minute punctures on the middle. Flytra in greater part black.

The male characters are very remarkable: there is a strongly elevated plica at the

outer margin of each wing-case a little before the extremity, and a second, oblique,

less elevated plica near the suture behind; the lateral margins of the hind body are

incrassate, and that of the second segment bears an elongate, elevated, acute free

angle or spine; the sixth dorsal plate has the basal portion broadly depressed in the

middle; and the hind margin of the seventh plate is narrowed towards the extremity

and has a very short tooth on each side, between which it projects as a short broad

angular prominence reaching about as far back as the lateral teeth. The female has a

short broad tooth on each side of the hind margin of the seventh dorsal plate.

The three individuals from Panama from which I have taken this description are

badly preserved. The unique female from Senahu is figured, and has the antenne

slightly less elongate than has the only individual from Panama that has not lost these

organs. .

This and the two following species belong to a group characteristic of the New

World, and remarkable by the large, convex, coarsely-facetted eyes. The group appears

well entitled to generic distinction.

20. Gyrophena sallei.

Subdepressa, testacea, nitida, capite, elytrorum apice abdominisque cingulo nigricantibus; antennis sat elon-

gatis, articulis tertio quartoque mediocribus; elytris parce punctatis; oculis magnis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Mzxico, Vera Cruz (Sailé).

This species, so far as I can judge from a single pair in bad condition, is extremely

closely allied to G. gracilicornis, but has the antenne less elongate, the sexual characters

of the male a little different, and the black colour on the wing-cases indefinite and

covering only the outer apical angle.

In the male the wing-cases bear two elevated folds similar to those of G. gracilicornis,

and the punctuation assumes the form of obsolete granules ; the lateral margins of the

hind body are much incrassate, but there is no detached process on the second segment ;

the dorsal plate of the sixth segment is broadly depressed along the middle; and the

apical teeth of the following segment are even shorter and more obtuse and approxi-

GYROPH AN A.—BRACHIDA. | 265

—_

mate than they are in G. gracilicornis. The female has a very short tooth at each side

of the hind margin of the apical dorsal plate.

One of M. Sallé’s specimens bears a label indicating that it was found in mushrooms,

in September 1854. A very badly preserved individual found by Blancaneaux at Belize

may possibly be a small specimen of G. salle.

21. Gyrophena, occulta.

Latiuscula, levigata, nitida, testacea, capite abdominisque cingulo fuscis ; antennis brevibus, apicem versus leviter

incrassatis, articulo tertio brevi; oculis magnis.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Isidro 1600 feet (Champion).

Antenne clear yellow; third joint short and slender; fourth joint small; fifth to

tenth each rather strongly transverse. Thorax smooth and shining, with four extremely

minute punctures on the middle. Elytra almost impunctate.

This species is readily distinguished from the others with large eyes by its short

antenne. ‘The external male characters are slight, the seventh ventral segment having

a small piece cut out of the extremity.

A series of eighteen specimens found at San Isidro by Mr. Champion shows very

little variation ; and there are also single females from Vera Cruz in Mexico, Belize in

British Honduras, and David in Panama, presenting minute differences, which a know-

ledge of the males would probably show to be different species.

BRACHIDA.

Brachida, Mulsant et Rey, Hist. Nat. Col. Fr., Brévipennes, Aléochariens, Bolitoch. p. 4 (1871).

This genus may perhaps prove to be of considerable extent; for although only

recently established for a single European species, three others from Australia and

two from South America have been added to it. At present it is not known to occur

in North America.

1. Brachida modesta.

Ferruginea, antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis in medio nigricantibus, pube brevissima sat dense vestita; pro-

thorace fortiter transverso, basi rotundata in medio subemarginata; elytris dense subtilissime punctu-

latis.

Long. 3? millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, San Juan in Vera Paz, Senahu, Cubilguitz, and La Tinta (Cham-

pion); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne rather short, slender at the base, distinctly thickened outwardly, the four

or five basal joints pale yellow, the following nearly black ; terminal joint again yellow ;

third joint slender, much shorter than the second; fourth slender and rather elongate ;

fifth quite as long as broad, tenth hardly so long as broad; terminal joint short. Head

BIOL, CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, September 1883. 2MM

266 STAPHYLINIDZ.

broad, but only half as wide as the elytra. Thorax quite twice as broad as long,

transversely convex in front, the front angles extremely depressed ; the surface finely

pubescent, but scarcely punctulate. lytra longer than the thorax, very finely punctu-

late, with short very fine pubescence. Hind body broad, acuminate behind, very

indistinctly and hardly densely punctulate ; the lateral margins of the anterior segments

broad.

Eleven individuals of this species have been found; but they do not exhibit any

external sexual character, so far as I can see: nearly all are in bad condition. Two

individuals found on the Volcan de Chiriqui, at a height of between 2500 and 4000 feet,

apparently only differ by the antenne being quite concolorous. Whether they will

prove to be a distinct species or not I am very doubtful.

2. Brachida sparsa.

Ferruginea, antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis in medio nigricantibus, pube brevissima vestita; prothorace

fortiter transverso, basi rotundata in medio subemarginata; elytris crebre subtilissime, abdomine parce

punctatis.

Long. 32 millim.

Hab. Guatema.a, Capetillo (Champion).

This insect is quite similar to B. modesta, except that it differs in the punctuation

of the elytra and hind body, which is comparatively sparing and not quite so invisible,

and the pubescence is consequently less dense.

Two individuals have been found.

3. Brachida carinata.

Ferruginea, capite abdominisque basi in medio picescentibus, antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis in medio

nigricantibus, pube brevissima vestita, omnium subtilissime, haud perspicue punctulata; mesosterno

longitudinaliter carinato.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Duefias (Champion).

Antenne similar to those of B. modesta, scarcely so elongate. Head small in com-

parison with the other parts. Thorax considerably narrower than the elytra; these latter

with a very fine, abundant, upright pubescence, which is very easily removed and then

leaves the surface smooth and shining. Hind body broad, only sparingly punctate.

Though very similar to B. modesta and B. sparsa, this insect will be readily distin-

guished by the smaller head and thorax and the carinate mesosternum. Only a single

individual has been found.

4. Brachida geniculata.

Ferruginea, antennis articulo basali elongato, in medio piceis, apice ?; elytris dense subtilissime granulatis ;

abdomine subtiliter punctulato, lateribus argute elevatis, acutis ; mesosterno medio fortiter carinato.

Long. circiter 2 millim.

BRACHIDA,.—BRACHYCHARA. 267

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne with elongate and slender basal joint; second joint slender, but broader

and much longer than the slender third joint; fourth joint small; fifth to seventh

each rather longer than broad, darker in colour than those preceding, the remainder

broken off. Head only half as broad as the elytra. ‘Thorax very transverse, trans-

versely convex ; base rounded and emarginate in the middle. Elytra longer than the

thorax, covered with extremely fine granules. Lateral margins of hind body much

elevated, and forming a sharp edge.

Although the specimens are in such a decayed condition that only a superficial

examination of them is possible, yet it is evident this is a very distinct species, but is

connected with the ordinary forms of the genus by means of B. carinata. The antenne

bend backwards at the slender extremity of the more than usually elongate basal joint,

and thus assume a geniculate appearance. I do not detect any sexual distinctions.

BRACHYCHARA.

Corpus crassum, convexum, prothorace amplo, convexo, lateribus abruptissime inflexis. Prosternum brevis-

simum. Coxe intermedia sat distantes; metasternum inter eas sat longe productum, cum mesosterno

processu lato conjunctum. Metasternum breve; cox posteriores magne. Tarsi posteriores articulo

basali elongato, ultimi fere squali.

A peculiar form, indicating in several respects an. approach to the Tachyporini. The

head is capable of great inflection ; and the segments of the- hind body are extremely.

retractile. The head is short and broad, the parts of the mouth small, and apparently

without much peculiarity. The thorax is very convex transversely, and the ample-

sides are so abruptly inflexed that, viewed from beneath, they present a quite

sharp edge; the prosternum is extremely short. The mesosternum is oblique in

direction; and the middle coxe are rather widely separated; the metasternum is much

produced between them, so that its process is as long as that of the mesosternum; and

its margin is rounded in front and received in, or on, the mesosternal process, to which

it is so accurately adapted that the outline of the two is indistinct ; the suture between

them, viewed in a certain light, appears however somewhat thickened. The middle

tarsi are rather short, four-jointed, the terminal joint as long as the three basal

together. The five-jointed hind tarsi have the basal and apical joints elongate and

subequal.

At present the genus is, I think, best located near Brachida, to which, however, it is

by no means closely allied.

1. . Brachychara crassa. (Tab. VI. fig. 14.) :

Convexa, ferruginea vel picea, pedibus antennarumque basi et apice testaceis, his medio nigris, subnitidis,

2MM 2

268 STAPHYLINIDA.

parcius minus tenuiter pubescens; elytris sparsim punctatis, punctis quasi transversim aciculatis; pro-

thorace transverso, convexo, basi in medio breviter lateque sublobata, angulis anterioribus obtusis.

Long. 23-37 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, San Geronimo, Zapote, Balheu and San Juan in Vera Paz

(Champion).

Antenne rather short, distinctly thickened outwardly, black in the middle, yellow or

nearly so at the base; the apical joint again yellow; basal joint rather short and

stout, scarcely longer than the second; third joint more slender than and only about

half as long as the second; fourth rather small, as long as broad; fifth as long as

broad; tenth decidedly transverse ; terminal joint rather large, obtuse. Thorax almost

impunctate, with a scanty but conspicuous, rather rigid pubescence. LElytra in the

middle hardly so long as the middle of the thorax, with a scanty peculiar sculpture

consisting of short transverse very obscure fine raised lines. Hind body quite sparingly

punctate, at the base impunctate. Legs yellow. |

In the male the dorsal plate of the seventh segment of the hind body is narrowed

towards the extremity and terminates on each side in an elongate spine, and between

these is produced so as to form a small nearly acuminate lobe. In the female the

surface of this plate is obscurely granulate, the lateral teeth are smaller, and the

central lobe is absent or replaced by a very obscure more or less emarginate

projection.

Eighteen individuals have been found; they vary a good deal in size and colour, and

even in the accentuation of the peculiar sculpture of the elytra.

2. Brachychara brevicornis.

Ferruginea, antennis fuscis articulo ultimo pedibusque testaceis, his tibiis fuscescentibus, nitida, parcissime

punctata et pubescens; prothorace convexo, brevi, angulis anterioribus rectis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

Antenne short, much thickened externally ; third joint short, fourth very small, fifth

to tenth each rather strongly transverse. Thorax very short and brvad, very convex

transversely, the base simply rounded, the anterior angles distinct; surface without

sculpture and with a very scanty pubescence. Elytra in the middle not longer than

the thorax, very sparingly and obsoletely punctate. Hind body with some punctures

on the fifth and sixth segments.

The only individual found is probably a female, the seventh ventral segment being

armed only with two quite minute rather distant teeth in the middle of its hind mar-

gin. Although similar to the small individuals of B. crassa in appearance, the species

is a very distinct one.

PLACUSA. 269

PLACUSA.

Placusa, Erichson, Kaf. Mark Brand. i. p. 370.

This genus comprises about twenty species, most of which are European ; but one

or two are known from Ceylon and Australia, and it is probable the genus has a wide

distribution, although no species has yet been recorded from North America. The

individuals are small obscure creatures, living under the bark of logs and dead trees.

1. Placusa confinis.

Placusa confinis, Sharp, Tr. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 44°.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).—Sovtn America, valley of the Amazon 1.

The few individuals found by Mr. Champion are apparently all females, so that their

identification is not quite certain.

2. Placusa minuta.

Depressa, nigro-fusca, pedibus testaceis, crebre, subtiliter, equaliter punctulata; antennis brevibus, haud

crassis ; capite quam thorax parum angustiore, hoc transverso, lateribus vix curvatis, antrorsum haud

angustato ; abdomine parallelo.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne blackish, with the basal joint fuscous-yellow ; third joint small, shorter than

the second; fourth minute but transverse; fifth and following joints rather strongly

transverse ; terminal joint rather small, scarcely so long as the two preceding together.

Head rather closely punctate. Thorax a little narrower than the elytra, transverse but

not strongly so, the sides very little rounded and but little narrowed in front, closely

and finely punctate. Elytra distinctly longer than the thorax, similarly punctate, as is

also the hind body. legs yellow.

In the male the hind margin of the seventh dorsal plate is armed with three rather

long widely separated equidistant teeth, one in the middle and one near each side

margin; at the base of the middle tooth there are two very small tubercular elevations.

This very minute insect is extremely similar to P. confinis ; but the male characters

are very different, and besides this the head isa little longer, and the thorax broader

in front, the head, thorax, and elytra are more closely punctate, and the elytra not at all

flavescent. Only three specimens of P. minuta have been found: the basal segments

of the hind body are more or less reddish, probably according to the immaturity of the

example.

3. Placusa crassidens.

Sat depressa, nigra, elytris vix dilutioribus, pedibus testaceis, femoribus fuscis ; antennis brevioribus, crassius-

culis; prothorace haud fortiter transverso, antrorsum haud angustato, parce punctato, sat nitido.

Long. 2-23 millim. .

270 STAPHYLINIDZA.

Hab. Guatemata, Balheu and San Joaquin in Vera Paz, Carrizal, San Gerdénimo

(Champion).

Antenne black, very obscurely paler at the base; third joint short, shorter than the

second ; fourth smaller than the others; fifth and following joints strongly transverse ;

terminal joint short, quite rounded at the extremity. Head a good deal narrower than

the thorax, not closely punctured, rather shining. Thorax transverse, scarcely so broad

as the elytra; the sides nearly straight; the surface rather sparingly punctured and

distinctly pubescent, but yet shining. Elytra longer than the thorax, not densely

punctate, slightly shining. Hind body not very depressed, subparallel, not densely

punctate.

In the male the hind margin of the dorsal plate of the seventh segment of the hind

body is armed with three rather short, very thick, rather approximate, equidistant

teeth, the outer one of these on each side being slightly curved; the preceding plate

bears on the middle two rather distant, minute, and short linear carine. _

Eight specimens have been found of this species.

4, Placusa simplex.

Sat depressa, posterius acuminata, crebre punctata evidenterque pubescens, nigra, antennarum basi pedibusque

testaceis, elytris nigro-fuscis, abdominis apice fusco-testaceo; antennis haud elongatis, subgracilibus ;

prothorace sat fortiter transverso, antrorsum leviter angustato.

Long. 27 millim. .

Hab. GuatTeMALA, Quiche Mountains, at an elevation of between 7000 and 9000 feet

(Champion).

Antenne rather slender, not elongate, conspicuously setose; third joint slender,

shorter than the second; fourth slender, longer than broad, fifth also longer than

broad, tenth about as long as broad; terminal joint rather stout, not elongate. Head

much narrower than the elytra. Thorax rather convex, rather closely punctate, rounded

at the sides and a little narrowed in front. Elytra longer than the thorax, closely

punctate. Hind body closely punctate.

The male characters are but slight: there is a very fine minute tooth on each side of

the hind margin of the dorsal plate of the seventh segment of the hind body; and

between these teeth there are some excessively minute serrations, so small, indeed, that

they can only be detected by isolating the plate. Four individuals have been found.

The colour of the elytra and apex of the hind body varies a little according to the

maturity of the specimen.

5. Placusa obliquata.

Subdepressa, posterius acuminata, haud dense punctata, sat nitida, nigra, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis,

elytris quam prothorax vix longioribus, oblique testaceo-signatis ; antennis brevibus, subgracilibus, articulis

°_10™ leviter transversis.

Long. 2 millim.

PLACUSA. 271

Hab. Guatemata, Balheu (Champion); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne short and not stout; third joint short, fourth and following joints short

but not strongly transverse; terminal joint short, stout, rounded at extremity. Head

not much more than half as broad as the elytra. Thorax transverse, convex, rounded

at the sides and narrowed in front, not densely punctate. Elytra scarcely longer than

the thorax, each with a large oblique testaceous patch extending from the shoulder

to the suture behind. Hind body acuminate, densely and finely punctate, slightly

shining. |

In the male the hind margin of the seventh dorsal plate of the hind body is armed

with five elongate teeth: the three in the middle are a little clavate at their apices ; and

the external tooth on each side is slender, acuminate, and directed inwards.

Seven specimens have been found of this species in Panama and three in Vera Paz.

6. Placusa signata.

Subdepressa, posterius acuminata, haud dense punctata, nitidula, nigra, pedibus testaceis ; elytris quam prothorax

paulo longioribus, oblique testaceo-signatis; antennis vix elongatis, subgracilibns, articulis 4°-10™ sub-

quadratis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Balheu (Champion).

This insect is extremely similar to P. obliquata; but the individuals are of larger size,

the antenne are more elongate, and the male characters very different. In this sex

the hind margin of the dorsal plate of the seventh segment of the hind body has in the

middle three very short projections; the middle one, indeed, is so short that it can

scarcely be detected, the one on each side of it being evidently longer but still quite

short; at the outside of the plate there is a rather longer, curved, slender, acuminate

tooth; these five teeth are about equidistant: there are two very fine tubercles on the

middle of the sixth plate.

Five individuals have been found of this species, which is in appearance one of the

most Homalota-like of the genus.

7. Placusa monilicornis.

Subdepressa, posterius acuminata, haud dense punctata, nigra, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis, abdo-

minis apice fusco-testaceo ; antennis haud elongatis, tenuioribus, articulis 4°-10™ submoniliformibus.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne slender; third joint slender, shorter than the second ; joints fourth to tenth

each about as long as broad; terminal joint short. Thorax rather strongly transverse,

not very convex, and but little curved at the sides, only slightly narrowed in front, very

distinctly and moderately closely punctate. Elytra a good deal longer than the thorax,

rather closely punctate. Hind body finely and evenly punctate, shining.

272 STAPHYLINIDA.

This species is readily distinguished by its slender but not elongate antenne. Only

two individuals have been found, and they are apparently both females.

8. Placusa longicornis. (Tab. VI. fig. 10.)

Depressa, posterius minus acuminata, haud dense punctata, nitida, nigricans, antennarum basi pedibusque

sordide testaceis, abdominis segmentis basalibus plus minusve rufescentibus ; antennis gracilibus, elongatis,

articulo singulo quam latitudo longiore.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne elongate and slender, not thickened outwardly; third joint elongate, quite

as long as the second; fifth joint considerably, tenth very slightly, longer than broad ;

terminal joint elongate, but not so long as the two preceding together. Palpi yellow.

Thorax transverse, evidently narrower than the elytra, a little rounded at the sides and

slightly narrowed in front, finely and distinctly, not very closely punctate, but little

convex transversely. Elytra a little longer than the thorax, similarly punctate, frequently

with a vague paler patch of colour near the suture behind. Hind body closely and

extremely finely punctate, shining.

In the male the hind margin of the dorsal plate of the seventh ventral segment is

armed in the middle with an extremely minute short tooth, and on each side of this are

two longer, closely approximated teeth, of which the inner is the longer; at the outside

there is another, slender and slightly longer tooth; the interval between this and the

two approximate teeth is rather greater than that between the latter and the middle

tooth.

Sixteen individuals have been found; they vary a little in colour, but are, I fancy, all

immature; possibly in fully mature individuals the reddish patch on the elytra, as well

as the similar tint of the basal segments, would be scarcely visible.

9. Placusa longipes.

Depressa, posterius acuminata, crebrius punctata, picea, abdomine rufescente, antennarum basi pedibusque

testaceis ; antennis gracilibus, articulis omnibus elongatis.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne very elongate, as long as head, thorax, and elytra, not thickened externally ;

third joint elongate, longer than the second, each of the following joints longer than

broad; terminal joint elongate, but not so long as the two preceding together. Thorax

strongly transverse, a little rounded at the sides, not narrowed in front, rather closely

and not very finely punctate. Elytra a good deal longer than the thorax, similarly but

rather more closely punctate. Hind body elongate, very densely and finely punctate.

Legs yellow, elongate.

In the male the hind margin of the dorsal plate of the seventh segment of the hind

PLACUSA.—HOPLOMICRA. 273

body is armed in the middle with three elongate rather slender teeth, and on each side

has a still longer, curved, fine spine.

Two specimens of this very distinct species have been found.

10. Placusa crassula, (Tab. VI. fig. 16.)

Fusca, capite thoraceque omnium densissime vix visibiliter punctulatis, opacis; abdomine nigricante, parce

punctato, nitidulo; antennis brevibus crassiusculis ; pedibus sordide testaceis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GuatEMata, San Gerdénimo (Champion).

Antenne very short; second and third joints very short, subequal in length; fourth

and following joints strongly transverse; terminal joint broad and short. Head broad

and short, but much narrower than the thorax, flat, very dull. Thorax strongly trans-

verse, almost broader than the elytra, the base slightly sinuate on each side, hind

-angles indicated by a group of sete, sides much rounded, the surface flat and dull.

Elytra longer than the thorax, piceous, rather closely and not very finely punctate.

Hind body rather convex beneath, shining, the base of each segment almost impunctaie,

a few punctures towards each hind margin. Legs yellow, with the femora more or

less infuscate.

The dorsal plate of the seventh segment of the hind body is armed on each side with

a long, slightly curved spine, and between these teeth is produced and more or less

rounded. These characters exist in all the sixteen individuals discovered, and probably

appertain to each sex; but certain individuals, which are probably males, have the

central lobe more acuminate in the middle, and also an obscure appearance of tubercu-

lation on the middle of the sixth segment, and a very obscure foveation of the middle

of the extremity of the central lobe of the seventh.

HOPLOMICRA.

Diestote affinis; coxe intermedie sat distantes, mesosternum inter eas sat productum, apice rotundato-acumi-

nato, cum metasterni processu perparum producto haud conjuncto.

I am obliged to establish a genus for a minute insect which has a facies intermediate

between Diestota and Gyrophena, but which cannot be associated with either of those

genera on account of the incomplete middle acetabula; the raised line marking off the

metasternal process is only very slightly carried forwards between the coxe, and the

point of the mesosternum being only of moderate length is thus widely separated from

it, and there exists a considerable intercoxal isthmus. I have no doubt I am correct in

seeing only four joints both on the front and middle tarsi; and this character separates

the insect from Homalota discrepens, which has quite the same facies.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, September 1883. 2 NN

274 STAPHYLINIDA.

1. Hoplomicra clavicornis.

Breyiuscula, parce punctata et pubescens, nitidula, nigro-fusca, antennarum basi, capite, thorace, abdominis

basi pedibusque testaceis; antennis brevibus, extrorsum incrassatis ; prothorace valde transverso.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne quite short, very thick externally, the four basal joints yellow, the others

dark; third joint small, much smaller than the second ; fourth joint small; fifth very

distinctly, the following very strongly transverse ; terminal joint stout, rounded. Head

rather broad, but much narrower than the thorax, shining, indistinctly punctate, yellow.

Thorax very strongly transverse, twice as broad as long, a little narrowed in front, base

rounded, the colour like that of the head, the surface shining, very indistinctly

punctulate. Elytra much longer than the thorax, fuscous, rather shining, sparingly

and finely punctate. Hind body rather broad, reddish at the base, darker towards the

extremity, very little punctate.

Three individuals have been found; the colour varies in accordance with the maturity

of the specimen. The male has the dorsal plate of the second segment of the hind

body armed with three long spines, projecting far back, the middle one straight, the

one on each side converging towards the middle.

SILUSA.

Silusa, Erichson, Kaf. Mark Brand. i. p. 377; Rey, Hist. Nat. Col. Fr. Brév. Bolitoch. p. 146.

Stenusa, Kr. Nat. Ins. Deutsch. u. p. 47.

Up to the present time this is a small genus of ten species, but has a very wide

distribution, occurring in Europe, North America (a single species), Chili, Ceylon, New

Guinea, and Australia. One of the characters of the genus is drawn from the structure

of the labial palpi, and this I have only been able to verify in an unsatisfactory manner

in the Central-American species; but, so far as I have been able to see these organs,

they agree with those of the European S. rubiginosa sufficiently to justify the classifi-

cation of the Central-American forms in the same genus.

1. Silusa hirtella.

Ferruginea, crebrius longiusque pubescens ; antennis fuscis, basi et articulo ultimo ferrugineis; capite thora-

ceque obsolete, elytris sat crebre et fortiter, abdomine crebrius et fortius, punctatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne only moderately long and stout, the two or three basal joints red, and the

apical joint again pale, the other joints darker; third joint elongate, rather longer than

the second ; fourth rather longer than broad; of five to ten each isa little broader than

its predecessor, the first of them as long as broad, the last of them slightly transverse.

SILUSA. . 275

Head small, not more than half as broad as the elytra, rather sparingly and indistinctly

punctate. Thorax strongly transverse, with a large impression at the base in the middle,

finely and indistinctly punctate. Elytra short, but longer than the thorax, distinctly but

not coarsely nor densely punctate. Hind body closely and rather coarsely punctate,

the punctuation towards the hind margin of each segment more scanty; the punctures

on the sixth and seventh segments quite as dense as on the basal ones. Hind tarsi

slender, the basal joint twice as long as the second.

Of this species four individuals have been found; they do not exhibit any external

sexual marks. It is an insect that has quite the appearance of S. rubiginosa, and

apparently agrees pretty closely in most respects therewith, but the mesosternal process

is a little longer, and more completely separates the middle coxe.

2. Silusa similis.

Ferruginea, crebrius longiusque pubescens, antennis fere brevibus, basi apiceque dilutioribus, pedibus testaceis ;

capite thoraceque obsolete, elytris fortius sed subobsolete punctatis; abdomine haud dense vix fortiter

punctato.

Long. 32? millim.

Hab. GuaTeMaua, Volcan de Atitlan 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

This insect is apparently very closely allied to S. hirtella, but the hind body is more

finely punctate, and the antenne are shorter and of different colour; these organs have

the fourth joint rather small, hardly so long as broad, and joints five to ten decidedly

transverse ; the apical joint is paler in colour than those preceding it, but not in such

a manner as to form a marked contrast with them. ‘The punctuation of the hind body

can only be called coarse on the fourth and fifth segments ; both on the more basal and

apical segments it is but indefinite. In other respects the unique individual is very

similar to S. hertella.

3. Silusa vestita.

Testaceo-ferruginea, longius pubescens, antennis capiteque fuscis, illis basi et articulo ultimo testaceis; elytris.

abdomineque ex parte tibiisque plus minusve fusco-suffusis ; abdomine irregulariter profunde punctato.

Long. 33-4 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Volcan de Atitlan 2500 to 3500 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather short, much thickened towards the extremity ; third joint rather

elongate, about equal to the second; fourth about as long as broad; tenth rather

strongly transverse; terminal joint forming a strong contrast in colour with those

preceding. Head only half as broad as the elytra, sparingly punctate. ‘Thorax strongly

transverse, twice as broad as long, a good deal narrower than the elytra, rather coarsely

punctate, and indistinctly impressed towards the base in the middle. Elytra longer

than the thorax, of vague coloration, the shoulders broadly paler than the other parts,

sparingly punctate, but with conspicuous pubescence. Hind body with a deep, rather

2NN 2

276 STAPHYLINIDZA.

coarse punctuation, which is not so dense and distinct on the basal segments as on the

apical, its greatest development being on the sixth plate; the colour is ferruginous, but

the dorsal plates are more or less vaguely marked with piceous in the middle of each.

Legs yellow, tibic infuscate.

Four specimens have been sent by Mr. Champion.

4. Silusa subtilis.

Ferruginea, parum nitida, subtiliter pubescens, antennarum basi et apice pedibusque testaceis ; elytris extror-

sum magis obscuris, dense punctatis; abdomine obsolete punctato.

Long. 23-34 millim.

Hab. GUaTEMALA, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne rather short, a good deal thickened externally, the three basal joints yellow,

the following very dark red, the extremity again yellowish; third joint about as long as

the second; fourth small, scarcely so long as broad; fifth to tenth transverse; terminal

joint large. Head narrow, only about half as broad as the elytra, quite obsoletely

punctate. Thorax not very strongly transverse, narrowed towards the front ; hind angles

moderately distinct, rather obtuse; the surface finely and closely punctate, scarcely

transversely impressed in front of the base. Elytra longer than the thorax, densely

punctate, not shining. Hind body with the second and third segments finely and

rather closely punctate; on the following segments there is also a punctuation, but

nearly confined to the basal portion of each, so that, unless extended, the segments

appear almost impunctate.

This species is readily distinguished from the others of the genus by the more densely

punctate elytra; it has the mesosternal lamina even more largely developed than it is

in S. hertella. Two of the three individuals agree closely, except that one of them is a

male, while the third is much smaller and of paler colour, but is, I have no doubt, a

poorly developed individual of the same species; the male has some obscure granules

scattered on the dorsal plates of the sixth and seventh segments, and the hind margin

of the latter is very obscurely crenulate.

5. Silusa maura.

Nigerrima, tarsis rufo-testaceis, antennarum articulo basali fusco, crebre, fortiter profundeque punctata,

evidenter flavo-pubescens, sat; nitida.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. GuatTEMALA, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne not elongate, rather slender, black, with the basal joint obscurely paler ;

second and third joints subequal in length; eighth to tenth rather transverse. Head

narrow, rather closely deeply punctate. Thorax strongly transverse, with a conspicuous

coarse punctuation, and a depression at the base in the middle. Llytra not closely but

distinctly punctate. Hind body not closely but rather coarsely punctate.

SILUSA. 277

This insect appears closely allied in structure to S. hirtella, and, like it, has quite the

facies of the well-known S. rubiginosa; it differs much, at first sight, from S. hirtella,

in consequence of the dark colour and coarser sculpture. Only a single individual has

been found.

6. Silusa opacella, (Tab. VI. fig. 17.)

Subparallela, nigro-fusca, opaca, obsoletissime punctata, pedibus sordide testaceis; antennis crassiusculis,

articulis 4°-10™ fortiter transversis.

Long. 3-34 millim.

Hab. GuateMALA, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

Antenne short and stout; the three basal joints very obscurely paler than the others ;

third joint rather shorter than the second; fourth to tenth transverse; terminal joint

stout. Head a good deal narrower than the thorax, dull, invisibly punctate. ‘Thorax

strongly transverse, dull, invisibly punctate. Elytra a good deal longer than the

thorax, dull, very obsoletely punctured. Hind body densely punctate, the sculpture

not quite so obsolete as on the more anterior parts of the body, and on the apical

segments a little less dense than on the basal ones.

This insect has a very Homalotoid appearance, and agrees with the genus Homalota

in the structure of the sterna, the middle coxz being contiguous, and the meso- and

metasternal processes widely separated. The basal joint of the posterior tarsus is short,

but distinctly longer than that following it. ‘The male has a tubercular carina on the

middle of the sixth dorsal plate, and the hind margin of the following plate provided

in the middle with four or five closely placed prominent teeth, and at each side with a

more remote tooth.

7. Silusa gracilis. (Tab. VI. fig. 18.)

Elongata, nigerrima, parcius pubescens, nitida ; antennis fuscis, basi rufo ; pedibus piceis, tarsis dilutioribus ;

prothorace parum transverso, anterius angustato, fortiter punctato; abdomine parum punctato, segmentis

2°-5™ basi profunde, transversim depressa.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion).

Antenne slender at the base, a good deal thickened outwardly; third joint as long

as the second; fourth quite slender, longer than broad ; fifth quite as long as broad;

tenth rather strongly transverse ; terminal joint moderately large. Head quite narrow,

rather elongate and exserted, shining, with distant punctures. Thorax of rather

peculiar form, owing to its being narrowed from the middle to the front, with the

anterior angles greatly deflexed, the hind angles distinct, the surface rather coarsely

punctate, without any basal impression. Llytra rather elongate, longer than the

thorax, rather coarsely punctate, the punctuation closer at the base than towards the

hind margin. Hind body rather slender, shining black; segments two to five each

278 STAPHYLINIDA.

deeply transversely impressed at the base, and with some coarse punctures in the

depression, elsewhere almost impunctate, or rather with but few and indistinct

punctures.

Although this insect has more the appearance of an Ocala or a Calodera than of the

other species of Silusa, still I have not been able to detect any reason for placing it

elsewhere than in this genus; the ligula appears to be elongate and quite linear. Only

two individuals have been found.

8. Silusa parvula.

Minor, ferruginea, nitida, parce punctata, parum pubescens, antennis tibiisque fusco-rufis, illis basi et apice

testaceis ; capite, thorace abdomineque fere glabris, elytris parce punctatis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Calderas (Champion).

Antenne rather short, a good deal thickened outwardly ; the two basal joints yellow,

the others obscure red, the terminal joint being again paler; third joint rather shorter

than the second ; fourth about as long as broad ; fifth scarcely, tenth strongly transverse ;

terminal joint moderately large. Head rather broad, but a good deal narrower than

the elytra. Thorax strongly transverse, narrower than the elytra, nearly straight at the

sides, shining, and but very little punctate, without basal impression. Elytra rather

short, but longer than the thorax, rather sparingly and not finely punctate, the colour

a little more obscure behind towards the outer angles. Hind body rather broad, almost

impunctate.

Of this obscure species only a single, badly preserved, individual has been found; the

diminished punctuation and pubescence readily distinguish it from the other Central-

American Siluse.

EUVIRA.

Caput exsertum, collo brevi et sat angusto. Coxe intermedie parum distantes sed haud contigus, haud magne,

acetabulis posterius sat argutis. Tibie tarsique tenues.

The above brief characters will not apply to any other genus of the Aleocharin

having like these insects four joints on the front and middle, five on the posterior, feet.

Autalia and Eudera appear to be the genera to which Euvira comes nearest, but it is

very distinct from either, the former genus having the mesosternum with a free raised

edge behind, and the middle acetabula quite indefinite, and Eudera possessing widely

separated middle coxe. The insects of this new genus are very minute, and possess a

very short prothorax, shaped somewhat as in Oligota; the sides of the prothorax are

not abruptly inflexed, and the prosternum is small; the head is truncate behind; the

trophi I cannot see clearly, but they appear not to be remarkable. The antenne are

short and thickened towards the extremity. The hind tarsi are very slender, but not

very long; their basal joint is elongate, about equal to the two following together.

EUVIRA. 279

The species are apparently numerous in Central America; but I am not acquainted

with any from other regions; they are apparently very similar to one another, and will

be difficult to discriminate.

1. Huvira nigra.

Nigra, antennis flavis, articulo ultimo nigricante ; capite dense fortiterque punctato ; prothorace convexo, parvo,

elytris quam hic multo longioribus; abdomine crebre substrigoso-punctato.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Nicaracva, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne yellow, with the terminal joint dark, and the preceding one somewhat

infuscate, short; third joint short, much shorter than the second ; fourth to tenth each

a little broader than its predecessor, all short, the first two or three of them quite

small, the penultimate joints strongly transverse; terminal joint stout, obtuse. Head

small, only about half as broad as the elytra, convex, very coarsely punctate. Thorax

strongly transverse, a little narrower than the elytra, the front angles greatly depressed,

surface coarsely punctate. LElytra rather coarsely punctate. Hind body parallel, with

a rather close and regular peculiar punctuation, consisting of fine longitudinal eleva-

tions. Legs black, the tarsi fuscous. |

In the male there are no impressions on the head or thorax, but the seventh dorsal

plate bears a few rough granules; this plate is small, and has its hind margin rounded.

I have had six specimens of this species for examination; the dark legs and the

yellow antenne with only their extremity dark appear to be constant characters.

2. Euvira longula.

Sat elongata, angustula, parallela, nigra, antennarum dimidio basali flavo, tibiis tarsisque fusco-testaceis ;

capite dense fortiterque punctato ; prothorace convexo, parvo, elytris quam hic multo longioribus ; abdomine

erebre substrigoso-punctato.

Long. 27 millim.

Hab. Muxtico, Jalapa (Hoge); Guaremaa, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Antenne short and stout; the five basal joints yellow, the others dark, the basal

joints rather stout, the fourth and fifth not slender.

In the male the upper surface of the head is flat on the middle; the sixth dorsal

plate is rather closely covered with fine, elongate granules, and the seventh bears more

conspicuous granules; the hind margin of the latter is truncate in the middle.

The species differs from £. nigra by the more elongate form, by the thicker basal

portion of the antennz, by the fact that these have a larger number of joints dark, and

by the flattening of the upper surface of the head in the male.

The two individuals found by Hoge are in bad condition, and their punctuation is

consequently obscure. From Cerro Zunil there is only a single female; and under

these circumstances some doubt must exist whether it be really the same species.

280 STAPHYLINIDA.

3. Huvira fuscipes.

Sat elongata, angustula, parallela, nigra, sat nitida, antennarum dimidio basali flavo, pedibus fuscis; capite

‘erebre punctato; prothorace convexo, parvo, elytris quam hic multo longioribus; abdomine crebre

substrigoso-punctato.

Long. 27 millim.

Hab. GuateMA.a, near the city and at Zapote (Champion).

Antenne with the five or six basal joints yellow, the others darker. Elytra not

densely punctate, the punctuation rather indefinite. |

In the male there is a rather broad, smooth, longitudinal space along the middle of

the thorax; this space is a little depressed, and has a dull appearance in contrast with

the rest of the surface; the sixth dorsal plate is but little granulate, and the seventh,

though rather closely granulate, has a broad space at the extremity smooth.

This species is again very similar to E£. nigra and L. longula ; but the punctuation of

the surface is less dense, and the male characters different. Four individuals have

been found.

4. Kuvira godmani. (Tab. VI. fig. 19.)

Nigra, parum pubescens, abdomine apicem versus latiore, antennarum basi flava, tibiis tarsisque fusco-

testaceis; dense fortiterque punctata; elytris quam prothorax longioribus.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. GuATEMALA, near the city, and Senahu (Champion).

This is apparently the largest of the small and obscure species of this genus, and its

punctuation is both coarse andclose. The antenne are short and rather stout ; the four

or five basal joints yellow, the others dark; the fourth and fifth joints are rather stout

and transverse, the following ones strongly transverse. The elytra are evidently longer

than the thorax, and are coarsely and distinctly and closely punctate. The hind body

has a close sculpture of rather elongate, very fine raised granules or short lines.

In the male the disk of the head and of the thorax are conspicuously hollowed; the

sixth dorsal plate bears numerous fine, and the seventh coarser, granules.

Three individuals, all males, have been found.

5. Kuvira difficilis.

Fusca, parum pubescens, subnitida, antennarum dimidio basali pedibusque flavis, illis extrorsum nigris,

dense fortiterque punctata; elytris quam prothorax longioribus.

Long. vix 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, near the city, and San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne not stout at the base; the fourth joint not, or only obscurely, transverse ;

the six basal joints yellow, the others dark. Punctuation of the upper surface coarse

and dense throughout.

Only two individuals, rather immature, have been found; so far as I can judge they

pertain to a species very similar to E. godmani, but they are smaller, not so black,

EUVIRA. 28]

and have the antenne decidedly smaller, and the male characters apparently less

conspicuous. One of the individuals is of this sex; it has the upper surface of the head

flat or slightly hollowed; the granulation of the sixth and seventh dorsal plates much

as in L. godmani, but rather finer.

6. Huvira minuta.

Angustula, parallela, subdepressa, minus pubescens et punctata, subnitida, nigro-fusca, prothorace plus minusve

dilutiore; antennis pedibusque flavis, illis articulo ultimo obscuro; elytris quam prothorax multo longioribus.

Long. 1? millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge); Guatemaa, near the city (Champion).

Antenne short, much thickened externally; the terminal joint nearly orbicular.

Head not closely and scarcely coarsely punctate; punctuation of the thorax rather

closer, that of the elytra and hind body rather indistinct, not close.

This little insect has a less punctate surface than any of the preceding species; and,

if I am right in considering I have both sexes before me, the male characters are very

slight, there being only an obscure granulation on the sixth and seventh dorsal plates

of the hind body.

7. Huvira debilis.

Angustula, subdepressa, minus pubescens et punctata, subnitida, nigro-fusca, antennarum dimidio basali flavo,

pedibus fusco-testaceis ; elytris quam prothorax multo longioribus.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city (Champion).

Antenne short, much thickened externally; the six basal joints yellow, the others

darker. Head narrow, much narrower than the thorax, rather coarsely punctate.

Thorax rather coarsely punctate. Hlytra much longer than the thorax, not closely,

rather coarsely punctate. Hind body shining, with coarse, substrigose punctuation.

Only a single specimen has been found; it isa male, and has the upper surface of

the head slightly impressed on the middle; the thorax has a shallow, broad, longitudinal

depression along the middle; this depression is dull and impunctate; the last dorsal

plate is rather obscurely granulate. ‘Two immature specimens from the same locality,

quite pale in colour, are possibly females of the species.

8. Euvira discedens.

Sordide testacea, antennis extrorsum abdomineque ante apicem obscurioribus, haud nitida, minus fortiter et.

argute punctata; antennis majoribus, extrorsum crassioribus, articulo tertio haud brevi; elytra quam

prothorax paulo longioribus.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne nearly as long as head, thorax, and elytra; third joint only slightly shorter

than the second; fourth not transverse, but the tenth strongly so. Head much

BIOL. CENT.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, September 1883. 200

282 STAPHYLINIDA.

narrower than the thorax, rounded behind. Thorax very transverse, twice as broad

as long, only indistinctly punctate. Elytra not much longer than the thorax, rather

sparingly sculptured. Hind body more closely strigose-punctate.

The unique individual of this very distinct species is no doubt a male; the whole of

the upper surface of the head is very deeply hollowed, and extremely densely and finely

punctate; the apical dorsal plates are almost destitute of granulation.

EUDERA.

Eudera, Fauv. Bull. Soc. L. Normand. x. p. 257 (1866).

This genus was established for a small Chilian insect, and the only subsequent addition

to it has been the EZ. cava. Whether LH. cava should not rather be referred to Ophio-

glossa, Fauv., is doubtful; but as it is uncertain whether Ophioglossa and Eudera are

really distinct, this point is not of much importance.

1. Kudera cava.

Eudera cava, Sharp, Tr. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 40°.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).—Sourn America, Para}.

GANSIA.

Statura gracilis. Caput exsertum, collo discreto, sat angusto. Coxe intermedie distantes, acetabula arguta.

Prothoracis latera haud inflexa.

The insects for which this genus is established are of small size, but are amongst the

most elegant of the Staphylinide; they are of Falagrioid form, but not only do they

differ from these members of the Myrmedoniina by the tarsal structure, but also when

careful examination is made they appear, independent of that fact, to be quite isolated,

and they should apparently be placed as the culminating point of the Bolitocharina,

the Falagria group of genera occupying a similar position in the Myrmedoniina. The

antecoxal piece of the prosternum is quite small, but the supracoxal portion is large,

and bears on the middle in front a prominent small lamina or plate; behind the coxe

the prosternum is membranous, and the side pieces of the prothorax are small and are

not inflexed. ‘The mesosternum is constricted just behind the front margin so as to

form a broad, very short neck, and the middle coxe are rather widely separated, and

their definite acetabula are surrounded entirely with a fine raised margin; the meta-

sternum is much produced between the coxe, so that its process is longer than that of

the mesosternum, the two processes being intimately connected by a somewhat indefinite

suture.

The place of the genus is near Ewvira and Autalia, from each of which, however, it

is abundantly distinct by the structure of the prothoracic and mesosternal pieces. ‘The

only species that can be assigned to it, besides the two here described, is the Amazonian

F. varicornis, Shp.

GANSIA. 283

1. Gansia bicolor. (Tab. VI. fig. 20.)

Hlongata, parum pubescens et parum punctata, fusco-rufa, femoribus basi tarsisque pallidis, abdominis segmentis

duobus basalibus ad basin late, tertio angustius, rufo-testaceis ; antennis elongatis, gracilibus, variegatis,

basi testacea, articulis tribus penultimis nigro-fuscis, ultimo fere albido.

Long. 33-4 millim.

Hab. Guatema.a, El Tumbador 2500 feet, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Cham-

pion).

Antenne slender and elongate; the basal joint stout and long, articulated with the

second joint in such a manner that the antenne are bent backwards at this spot more

readily than from the base; second joint elongate and slender ; third also long and

slender, a little longer than the second; the following joints also long and slender, but

each a good deal shorter and slightly broader than its predecessor, the tenth joint

being scarcely so long as broad ; terminal joint elon gate, longer than the two preceding

together. Head almost impunctate, deeply impressed along the middle. Thorax

about as long as broad, truncate in front, anterior angles rounded, slightly narrowed

from the widest part backwards, but again a little broader at the base, very broadly

impressed along the middle, but not canaliculate, very little punctate. Elytra rather

convex, broad, but little longer than the thorax, very sparingly punctate. Hind

body rather narrow and elongate, very little constricted at the base; first and

second segments reddish yellow, but black at the hind margins; third segment yellow-

red at the base only, the other segments black, the surface shining, very little punctate ;

the basal three segments each very deeply impressed at the base. Legs elongate and

very slender, nearly black ; the base of the femora and the tarsi very pale yellow.

Falagria varicornis, Sharp, is allied to this elegant and delicate species. Several

specimens of G. bicolor have been found by Mr. Champion. The male has the antenne

more elongate than they are in the female, and the basal joint much enlarged.

2. Gansia tibialis.

Elongata, parum pubescens et parum punctata, testacea, abdominis segmentis 3° et 4° nigro-signatis, tibiis

quatuor posterioribus prope basin fuscis, antennarum articulis penultimis nigro-fuscis, ultimo fere albido.

Long. 37 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Antenne scarcely so long as head, thorax and elytra, a good deai thickened towards

the extremity; the eighth joint about as long as broad; ninth and tenth transverse.

Head rather broad, narrowed gently from the eyes to the neck. Thorax not so long as

broad, broadly but indistinctly impressed along the middle. LElytra sparingly but

somewhat roughly punctate. Third segment of hind body in greater part black, the

base, however, yellow, the yellow colour being more extended backwards at the sides

than in the middle ; fourth segment similarly coloured, except that the black portion

reaches in the middle to the preceding segment, so that only a patch on each side is yellow.

200 2

284 STAPHYLINIDA.

This species is allied to G. bicolor, but besides the differences in colour, it has the

antennee and prothorax less elongate. The unique individual, in very bad condition,

found by Mr. Champion is probably a female.

TACHIONA.

Tarsi crassiusculi, tibiarum tantum dimidio longitudinis, posteriorum articulo basali brevi, quam sequens

vix longiore. Coxse intermedie distantes, acetabulis integris, mesosterno et metasterno inter se sutura

recta arcte conjunctis.

This genus is established for a peculiar Aleocharid of broad form, acuminate behind,

and flat upper surface, and thus approaching in appearance to the genera Dinusa and

Dinarda, to neither of which, however, does it appear to have any affinity. The tarsi

are short and stout, and those of the hind legs are five-jointed ; but those of the anterior

and middle legs I am tolerably certain are only four-jointed, so that the genus must be

placed in the Bolitocharaires of Rey, where, however, it is apparently quite isolated.

The head is very short and broad and is much immersed in the thorax, and the eyes

are rather large ; the maxillary palpi are of the ordinary Aleocharid form ; the mentum

has in front a broad semicircular emargination filled by a membrane, and the labial

palpi are apparently short and inconspicuous, while the lobes of the maxille are elongate

and prominent; the suture of the gene is without a raised margin, and the maxillary

cleft is remarkably large. ‘The sides of the prothorax beneath are flat, but not inflexed,

so that they are quite visible, and the prosternum is extremely short; the middle coxe

are rather widely separated ; the mesosternum is but little produced between them,

and is connected with the metasternum by a quite straight suture, which is placed as far

forwards as the middle of the acetabulum ; there is no raised line on the side of the

Wwing-case, and the metathoracic epimeron and the hind coxe are not prolonged so far

outwards and upwards as to be visible from above or indeed from the side.

1. Tachiona deplanata. (Tab. VI. fig. 21.)

Lata, posterius acuminata, supra deplanata, capite, elytrorum angulo externo antennisque (basi excepto) nigris ;

prothorace in medio abdomineque apicem versus nigro-maculatis ; prothorace valde transverso, angulis

posterioribus discretis, obtusis.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Hége).

Antenne thick, quite as long as head and thorax; the three basal joints yellow,

broad; the third much longer than the second, which is remarkably short ; fourth

transverse, a good deal narrower than those following it; fifth to tenth similar to one

another, each very strongly transverse ; terminal joint elongate, about as long as the

three preceding together. Head broad, but very much narrower than the thorax,

sparingly punctate and pubescent, shining. ‘Thorax very transverse, rounded at the

sides and a little narrower in front than behind, lateral margin very distinct, the surface

MYLLAENA. 285

sparingly punctate, the punctures coarser on the middle than at the sides, the colour

castaneous yellow, black along the middle. Elytra longer than the thorax, rather

closely and moderately finely punctate, broadly black at the outer angle; hind margin

scarcely sinuate. Hind body flat, shining, regularly moderately closely punctate, the

two or three apical segments more or less marked with black on the middle. Legs

stout, yellow, the tibie more obscure in colour than the femora, and the tarsi still

darker, so as to be piceous.

Three individuals have been found; they all have the dorsal plates of the sixth

- and seventh segments granulate, and the rather narrow hind margin of the seventh

truncate ; I think they are females.

MYLLABSNA.

Myllena, Erichson, Kaf. Mark Brand. i. p. 382.

About twenty-five species are at present comprised in this genus, which, like so

many others of those at present accepted in the Staphylinide, has a very wide distribu-

tion, species occurring even in the Sandwich Islands. It is one of the most difficult of

all the genera of the family to deal with, owing to the great resemblance of the species

and the absence of any important sexual or structural characters to distinguish them.

The habits of these creatures, which run swiftly in muddy places or live amongst

damp moss, render it certain they are not artificially distributed.

1. Myllzna mollis.

Densissime subtilissimeque punctulata, brevissimeque sericeo-pubescens, subopaca, fusca, prothorace dilutiore,

pedibus palpisque dilute testaceis; antennis articulis basali et apicali testaceis, gracilibus sed parum

elongatis.

Long. circiter 2} millim.

Hab. GuatTema.a, near the city (Champion).

Antenne longer than head and thorax; first joint very short, half as long as the

second ; third rather more slender and shorter than second ; fifth to tenth differing but

little from one another, each very distinctly longer than broad; tenth paler than those

preceding it. Thorax evidently paler in colour than the elytra, the base truncate, just

perceptibly sinuate on each side near the hind angles. Elytra scarcely longer than the

thorax. Hind body more or less distinctly testaceous behind. Legs stout, clear

yellow.

_ _This species is very similar to the European I. intermedia, and the individuals of

the two species are of about the same size; J. mollis is, however, rather the more

fragile and is paler in colour, its antenne are evidently shorter, as are also the legs.

Two typical individuals have been found ; a third, from the same locality, of rather

more slender form and darker colour, also probably pertains to the same species. An

286 «STAPH YLINIDA.

individual from the Rio Naranjo, and another from San Gerénimo, are slightly smaller

and paler, but can scarcely be considered distinct.

2. Myllena fragilis.

Densissime subtilissimeque punctulata, brevissimeque sericeo-pubescens, subopaca, fusca, pedibus palpisque

testaceis ; antennis elongatis, articulis basali et apicali testaceis.

Long. circiter 24 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerdénimo (Champion).

The individuals of this species are excessively similar to those of the European J.

intermedia, but they do not quite agree; the antenne of the two are nearly similar,

but are a little more dilute in colour in M/. fragilis, especially towards the extremity,

and the terminal joints are rather stouter in proportion to their length. The colour of

the American insect is probably more dilute, its punctuation a little finer, and the base

of the thorax is not sinuate on either side. In IZ. fragilis the antenne area good deal

longer than they are in WZ. mollis.

Two badly preserved individuals have been found.

3. Myllena debilicornis.

Densissime subtilissimeque punctulata, brevissimeque sericeo-pubescens, pallide fusca; antennis, palpis pedi-

busque testaceis, illis elongatis gracilibus.

Long. circiter 24 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

This species is again very closely allied to the two preceding, but is readily distin-

guished by the very elongate and slender, pale antenne, which are fully as long as head,

thorax and elytra. There is a scarcely perceptible sinuation on each side of the base

of the prothorax, just enough to render the hind angles rectangular. The sinuation

of the hind margin of the elytra is about as great as in I. intermedia.

Only one individual has been found.

4. Myllena obtusa.

Densissime subtilissimeque punctulata, brevissime sericeo-pubescens, fusca, pedibus testaceis; prothorace

angulis posterioribus fere obtusis, elytris quam hic haud longioribus ; antennis sat elongatis, subgracilibus.

Long. circiter 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Torola 1000 feet (Champion).

Antenne longer than head and thorax, rather stout for this genus, in colour not

paler than the body; terminal joint elongate, scarcely paler than those preceding.

Thorax with the base slightly rounded, and no sinuation at the hind angles, so that

these are slightly obtuse. FElytra slightly sinuate at the outer angle.

This insect is closely allied to the European I. glauca, Aubé, but is rather smaller

and darker in colour, and has the hind margin of the elytra less sinuate at the outer

angle. Only one individual has been found.

MYLLANA.—BAMONA. 287

5. Myllena robusta.

Densissime subtilissimeque punctulata, brevissime sericeo-pubescens, nigra, antennis fuscis, palpis pedibusque

sordide testaceis ; prothorace basi subrotundato, angulis posterioribus obtusis; antennis minus eclongatis

subgracilibus.

Long. circiter 24 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, near the city (Champion).

Antenne about as long as head and thorax, dark; the basal joint sordid yellow;

joints four to ten, each but little longer than broad. Thorax with the base a little

rounded and not sinuate, so that the hind angles are slightly obtuse. Elytra rather

longer than thorax, and only slightly sinuate at the outer angle.

The broader form, dark colour, and shorter antennz render this species easily

recognized. Only one badly preserved individual has been found.

Group OLIGOTINA.

All the tarsi four-jointed.

This group will comprise not only the forms with ten-jointed, but also those with

eleven-jointed antenne, so that Pronomea and Diglossa, as well as Huryglossa, will be

located in it; the new genera Bamona, Saphoglossa, and Barychara indicate that this

association will probably prove to be a natural one.

BAMONA.

Coxe intermedi contigue. Gens haud marginate ; palpi mandibuleque haud elongati; antenne undecim-

articulate. Tarsi omnes quadriarticulati, articulo ultimo apicem versus paulo crassiore.

This genus should find its place near Diglossa and Pronomea, from both of which

genera it differs by the ordinary trophi, and from the latter more especially by the quite

contiguous middle coxe. The characters of the genus are drawn from JB. gracilis, and

only fully apply to the three species placed at the head of the genus. The form is that

of Falagria or the slender Tachyusw, and the head is borne on a slender neck; the

side pieces of the prothorax are not inflexed, and the prosternum in front of the coxe

is large. The middle coxe are contiguous throughout the greater part of their length,

so that the short mesosternal process is largely separated from the metasternum. The

tarsi are rather elongate, the basal joint forming nearly half the length of the tarsus.

These species are probably riparial in their habits like our Tachyuse. The other species

I have provisionally referred to the genus are of less slender form and have a more

Homalotoid appearance, and the tarsi are short; but at present I do not think it is

necessary to isolate them generically, nor could I, from the material before me, ascertain

their characters satisfactorily.

288 STAPHYLINIDZ.

1. Bamona concolor.

Gracilis, nitida, subtilissime pubescens et punctulata, nigra, antennis pedibusque fusco-testaceis, illis in medio

plus minusve obscuratis ; prothorace elongato, quam elytra multo angustiore; abdomine fere impunctato,

segmentis basalibus margine posteriore utrinque parcius albido-ciliato.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne rather elongate, little thickened outwardly, obscurely yellowish, with three

or four joints in the middle much darker; third joint rather shorter than the second,

fourth longer than broad, tenth slightly transverse. ‘Thorax slender, rather longer than

broad, scarcely narrowed behind, without channel or impression. Elytra rather longer

than the thorax, entirely black, excessively finely punctulate. Hind body almost

impunctate, the three or four basal segments furnished on each side at the hind margin

with three or four erect white sete. Legs infuscate yellow, the tarsi yellow.

A series of fourteen examples has been found; they show some variation in colour,

dependent probably on the degree of maturity; occasionally the three or four basal

segments of the hind body are paler in colour, and in some specimens the variegation

of the antennee is less conspicuous.

2. Bamona gracilis, (Tab. VI. fig. 22.)

Nitida, subtilissime pubescens et punctata, sordide rufa, antennis in medio, capite abdomineque apicem versus,

fuscis, elytris fusco-rufis, margine apicali flavescente humeris plus minusve dilutioribus; prothorace

elongato quam elytra multo angustiore.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Rio Naranjo 450 feet (Champion).

Very closely allied to B. concolor, but of rather more slender form and dilute colour,

and to be distinguished from the immature individuals of the darker species by the

fact that the hind margin of the elytra is always paler; the antenne, too, are rather

more elongate, so that the penultimate joint is scarcely transverse, and the head is

rather more elongate and narrow.

A series of sixteen examples shows no notable variation.

3. Bamona marginata.

Sat nitida, subtilissime pubescens et punctulata, fusca, thorace rufescente, antennis pedibus elytrorumque basi

et apice testaceis ; abdomine segmentis 2°-5™ dense subtilissime punctulatis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guarnmata, San Geronimo (Champion).

Antenne entirely yellow ; third joint not longer than the second, the tenth scarcely

transverse. Head about as broad as the thorax, excessively finely punctulate. Thorax

slightly longer than broad, narrower than the elytra, excessively finely punctulate,

shining. Elytra rather longer than the thorax, with the hind margin broadly pale

BAMONA. 289

yellow, the base yellowish, the middle broadly dark, very finely and densely punctulate,

little shining. Hind body densely and finely punctulate, with conspicuous ciliation on

the hind margins of segments 2-4. Legs clear pale yellow.

The coloration of this species will readily distinguish it from B. gracilis and

B. concolor, to which it is very closely allied. Only a single individual has been

found.

4, Bamona minuta.

Subtilissime punctulata et pubescens, nigro-fusca, antennis fuscis basi dilutiore, pedibus pallide testaceis ;

prothorace subquadrato, vix punctulato; abdomine densissime subtilissime punctato.

Long. vix 2 millim.

Hab. GuATEMALA, Coatepeque 1300 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather elongate, infuscate red, with the base paler; third joint rather

shorter than the sécond; the tenth scarcely transverse. Head quadrate, nearly as

broad as the elytra, with narrow neck, excessively minutely punctate, with a rather

large depression in front. Thorax hardly so long as broad, a little narrower than the

elytra, a little narrowed behind, excessively finely and indistinctly punctulate, with a

flattening or slight depression of the surface in front of the base in the middle. Elytra

elongate, much longer than the thorax, excessively finely and closely punctate. Hind

body closely and very finely punctate.

This species differs from those preceding by the shorter and broader thorax, and by

possessing short tarsi. It is described from a unique individual.

5. Bamona brevicornis.

Minuta, subparallela, brunnea, capite antennisque fuscis, harum basi pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace quadrato,

subtiliter punctato; abdomine sat crebre punctato ; antennarum articulis 5°-10™ transversis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemaia, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne rather short and stout; third joint shorter than the second; fourth to

tenth each rather strongly transverse. Head subquadrate, a little narrower than the

thorax and elytra, rather closely and finely punctulate, not shining. ‘Thorax scarcely

so long as broad, slightly narrower than the elytra, nearly straight at the sides,

very finely punctulate, slightly shining. Elytra rather longer than the thorax, closely

and finely punctulate, not shining. Hind body not shining; segments 2-4 moderately

closely and finely punctate, the following segments more sparingly. Legs rather short,

yellow.

This insect does not possess the Falagrioid appearance of those I have placed before

it, but, on the contrary, resembles a small Homalota, and it does not exhibit

any incrassation of the terminal joint of the tarsi. Only one individual has been

found.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, November 1883. 2PP

290 STAPHYLINIDA.

6. Bamona plebeia.

Subparallela, subtilissime punctulata, rufescens, capite antennisque (harum basi excepta) fusco-rufis, pedibus

testaceis; prothorace subquadrato, subtiliter punctulato; pedibus antennisque crassiusculis, harum

articulis 4°-10™ transversis ; abdomine parce punctato.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. GuatTEMALa, Coatepeque 1300 feet (Champion).

Antenne stout, not elongate; third joint short and stout, shorter than the second ;

fourth and following joints transverse, but not strongly so. Head with distinct neck,

nearly as broad as the thorax, very finely punctate. ‘Thorax slightly broader than long,

alittle narrower than the elytra, a little narrowed behind, very finely punctulate. Elytra

longer than the thorax, very finely and closely punctulate, not shining. Hind body

only sparingly punctate ; the sixth segment, as well as the transverse impressions at the

base of those preceding, impunctate. Legs stout.

Only a single specimen has been found; though apparently very elosely allied to

B. parallela, it is smaller and has shorter joints to the antenne.

7. Bamona parallela.

Subtilissime punctulata, fere opaca, rufescens, capite, antennis abdomineque ante apicem subobscuratis, pedibus:

testaceis, crassiusculis ; prothorace quadrato; antennis sat elongatis, articulis 4°-10™ subquadratis; abdo-

mine parce punctato.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, San Gerénimo, and Rio Naranjo 450 feet (Champion).

Antenne moderately stout, rather elongate ; third joint stout, nearly as long as the

second; fourth to tenth each about as long as broad. Head subquadrate, densely and

finely punctate, not shining. Thorax about as long as broad, slightly narrower than

the elytra, slightly narrowed behind, closely and very finely punctate. LHlytra longer

than the thorax, densely and finely punctate, not shining. Hind body only sparingly

punctate; the sixth segment, as well as the transverse depression at the base of

those preceding, almost impunctate.

Only a single individual has been found in each locality; the one from the Rio

Naranjo is rather smaller, and has the antenne rather more slender than the other.

8. Bamona robusta.

Subparallela, subtilissime punctulata. nigro-fusca, elytris paulo dilutioribus, pedibus testaceis; antennis elongatis,

articulis nullis transversis ; prothorace subquadrato, angustiore quam elytra, subtilissime punctulato ;

elytris omnium densissime subtilissimeque punctulatis, opacis ; abdomine parce punctato.

Long. vix 4 millim.

Hab. GuateMa.a, near the city (Champion).

Antenne elongate and rather slender; third joint elongate, scarcely so long as the

second; fourth to tenth each a little longer than broad. Head nearly as broad as the

thorax, closely and finely punctate; neck rather broad. ‘Thorax evidently narrower

BAMONA.—SAPHOGLOSSA. 291

than the elytra, quite as long as broad, nearly straight at the sides, very finely punctate,

a little shining. LElytra elongate, longer than the thorax, remarkably densely and finely

punctulate. Hind body only sparingly and finely punctate; sixth segment almost

impunctate. Legs stout, clear yellow.

This is another species having much the aspect of such species of Homalota as H.

languida. The unique individual found is apparently a male; the elongate sixth segment

has a short elevated carina at its base, and the hind margin of the second segment is

prolonged backwards in the middle so as to form a spine.

SAPHOGLOSSA.

Prothorax marginibus inflexis omnino occultis; prosternum etiam in medio brevissimum. Coxe intermediz

late distantes. Mesosterni processus latus in medio, carina integra elongata. Metasterni processus anterius

cum mesosterno conjunctus, apice rotundato-truncato, crasse marginato. Parapleuris angustis fere

linearibus,

The insect for which I propose this generic name is a very peculiar one, so that I

have no doubt it is quite distinct from any other genus known to me, although the

fragile condition of the unique individual, the only one that has been captured, allows

me only to observe a portion of its characters. The general form makes an approxi-

mation to Myllena ; the trophi I cannot see at all distinctly, but they are apparently

not of the Myllena type. The gene are strongly margined, and the under surface of

the head is largely and deeply impressed on each side (probably allowing a very perfect

inflection). The convex prothorax has the acute sides and completely inflexed side

pieces seen in Aleochara and Oxypoda. The metasternal process is moderately produced

between the middle cox, and is connected with the mesosternum; but the suture

marking it off is still visible at the point of junction, and is arcuate, thus differing

materially from the quite, or nearly, straight suture existing in the genera near Diestota.

The side piece of the metasternum is remarkably narrow and linear, and the internal

laminze of the hind coxe are elongate and but little divergent. The legs are elongate

-and remarkably slender: the structure of the tarsi is very obscure, owing to their

tenuity, and to their having been covered, in this individual, with gum-tragacanth ; but

I think the anterior and middle are only four-jointed, and the posterior I think to

be also four-jointed, with elongate basal joint. These characters will bring it near the

Chilian genus Pachyglossa, Fauvel, from which, however, it differs very strongly by the

widely separated middle coxe.

1. Saphoglossa pictipennis. (Tab. VI. fig. 23.) .

Posterius acuminata, nigra, antennarum basi tibiisque anterioribus testaceis, elytris rufo-variegatis, abdominis

apice rufo-testaceo, tibiis posterioribus et intermediis geniculis flavescentibus ; antennis pedibusque elon-

gatis gracilibus.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 8000 feet (Champion).

292 STAPHYLINID.

Antenne as long as head, thorax, and elytra, slender, not at all thickened towards

the extremity ; the five basal joints yellow, the others infuscate; third joint shorter

than second, fourth longer than broad; from this to the tenth, each is a little longer

than its predecessor ; the terminal joint elongate. Head small, black, sparingly punc-

tate. Thorax very convex, broader than long; the anterior angles extremely deflexed,

the surface sparingly punctate. Elytra a good deal longer than the thorax, obscure

reddish, largely black in an irregular manner at the sides, closely punctate. Hind

body densely punctate, the seventh segment and hind portion of the sixth yellow.

Legs very slender.

The unique specimen is in fragile condition, and has the surface rather worn, but has

probably been clothed with a pale, fine, not very short pubescence.

BARYCHARA.

Corporis forma Oligote simillima, convexa, brevis, posterius acuminata. Antenne filiformes, undecimarticu-

late. Coxe intermedize distantes ; mesosternum carinatum. Tarsi breves.

The little insect for which this generic name is proposed appears to connect

Euryglossa and Saphoglossa with Oligota, as it has quite the appearance of the latter

genus; but it has the filiform eleven-jointed antenne of the former, with which it is

clear that its short tarsi (whose terminal joint shows not the slightest incrassation)

will not allow it to be associated. It thus appears probable that it may prove to be

the link required to connect the Oligote with the other Aleocharini having but four

joints to all the feet. I regret I cannot completely expose the characters of this

form, as the only individual of the minute species is in fragile condition, and its under -

surface and feet are clogged with gum-tragacanth. It does not appear to possess any

special affinity with Hypocyptus, though its size, form, and general appearance

suggest such.

1. Barychara filicornis. (‘I'ab. VI. fig. 24.)

Convexa, posterius acuminata, nitida, parce punctata, picescens, pedibus fusco-testaceis; antennis flavis, elon-

gatis, gracilibus, apicem versus haud crassioribus.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne pale yellow, not as long as head, thorax, and elytra, without the slightest

differentiation of the terminal joints; each joint longer than broad; terminal joint as

long as the two preceding together. Head rufescent, scarcely half so broad as the

“thorax, sparingly punctate. Thorax transverse, transversely convex, shining, scarcely

punctate. Elytra rather longer than the thorax, sparingly punctate, with a very scanty

but not short pubescence. Hind body short, attenuate behind, indistinctly punctate,

but with 1ather elongate scanty pubescence,

Only a single specimen has been found.

OLIGOTA. 293

OLIGOTA.

Oligota, Mannerheim, Brachel. p. 72 (1830) ; Erichson, Gen. et Sp. Staph. p. 179.

Microcera, Mannerheim, loc. cit.

This is a genus of wide distribution, containing about forty species of very minute

Coleoptera. For the purposes of this work the genus is understood in the more

extended sense given to it by Erichson, so that Microcera of Mannerheim and of Rey is

included in it.

1. Oligota centralis.

Brevis, convexa, nigra, pedibus fuscis, anterioribus dilutioribus, antennis flavis; his brevibus crassis, clava

majore; elytris abdomineque crebre punctatis.

Long. § millim.

Hab. GuateMata, near the city (Champion).

Antenne clear yellow, short and stout, with the three terminal joints forming a stout

definite club. Thorax nearly impunctate, rather shining. LElytra rather longer than

the thorax, like the hind body closely punctate.

So far as I can judge from a single specimen of this little atom, it is closely allied to

the Chilian 0. pygmea, Sol., from which it is distinguished chiefly by its shorter and

stouter antenne; the elytra are also a trifle shorter.

2. Oligota levipennis.

Lata, convexa, nigerrima, nitida, antennarum basi testacea; corpore sublevigato; antennis apicem versus

crassioribus, articulo ultimo magno.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne yellow at the base, becoming gradually dark about the middle, slender till

the seventh joint is reached ; this only very slightly broader than the sixth, and the

eighth and ninth each only slightly broader than its predecessor; tenth joint large and

elongate, broader than the preceding joint and longer than the two preceding together.

Palpi black. Head small. Thorax rather small, very black, shining and impunctate.

Elytra longer than the thorax, shining black, with only a few indistinct punctures.

Hind body obsoletely punctate ; hind margin of the sixth segment conspicuously white.

Legs black. _

This is a very distinct species, comparatively broader than the European 0. graaarica,

and with remarkably shining surface and comparatively small head. Only a single

specimen has been found.

3. Oligota polita.

Minus lata et convexa, nigerrima, levigata, nitida, abdominis apice fusco-rufo; antennis rufo-obscuris, brevibus,

articulis tribus ultimis abrupte majoribus.

Long. circiter ? millim.

Hab. GuateMaa, Senahu (Champion).

294 STAPHYLINIDZA.

This species is a very distinct one, the upper surface being smooth with the exception

of a few obsolete punctures on the elytra; and the club of the antenne is remarkably

abrupt, their seventh joint is small, while the eighth and ninth are strongly transverse ;

the terminal joint is about as broad as the ninth, and not elongate.

Only one individual, in very fragmentary condition, has been found.

4. Oligota teres.

Angustula, sat elongata, subparallela, dense punctata, haud nitida, nigricans, elytris fuscis, abdominis apice late

flavo, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. GuateMAtLa, near the city (Champion).

Antennee short, yellow at the base, becoming darker towards the extremity; third,

fourth, and fifth joints small and slender; sixth and seventh also small, very short,

transverse ; eighth and ninth much broader, strongly transverse, of the same width as

the terminal joint. Palpi infuscate yellow. Elytra evidently longer than the thorax,

and paler in colour than it.

This species appears to be very closely allied to O. parva, Kr.; but the speci-

mens are slightly larger and darker in the colour of the anterior parts, and

the club of the antennz is a little broader. Mr. Champion has found five specimens,

quite similar to one another.

Group DEINOPSINI.

All the tarsi three-jointed.

This group will be at present limited to the single remarkable genus Deinopsis.

DEINOPSIS.

Deinopsis, Matthews, Ent. Mag. v. p. 198.

This peculiar genus has only a few species, viz. four in South America, two in

North America, and one each in Australia, Ceylon, Japan, and Europe.

1. Deinopsis ferruginea. (Tab. VI. fig. 25.)

Ferruginea, abdomine paulo magis obscuro, antennis palpisque testaceis ; lata, posterius acuminata, densissime

subtilissimeque punctulata, opaca; prothorace basi utrinque sinuato, angulis posterioribus prolongatis,

acutis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Coatepeque 1500 feet (Champion).

Antenne excessively slender, as long as the head and thorax. Head about half as

broad as the thorax. FElytra about as long as the thorax, the hind angles of the latter

prolonged backwards and closely clasping the shoulders. Hind body not elongate,

red ; the hind margins of the segments darker, and visibly crenulate.

Three individuals have been found.

DEINOPSIS.—CEPHALOPLECTUS. 295

2. Deinopsis angusta.

Fusea, antennis, palpis pedibusque testaccis ; angustula, posterius acuminata; omnium densissime subtilissime-

que punctata, subtiliterque pubescens, peropaca; prothorace basi utrinque subtruncato, angulis posteri-

oribus parum prolongatis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guaremaia, Coatepeque 1300 feet ( Champion).

Antenne excessively slender, quite as long as head and thorax. Head narrower than

the thorax. This latter with the base only slightly sinuate on each side, about as

long as the elytra. Hind margins of the abdominal segments rather inconspicuously

crenulate.

Only a single individual has been found of this species, the most insignificant of the

genus*,

Subfam. CEPHALOPLECTINAE.

Y am constrained to place as a separate subfamily a curious insect that presents.

somewhat the appearance of Conosoma or Erchomus, but which canrfot be placed in the

subfamily Tachyporine on account of the extraordinary structure of the head. It also

presents other highly anomalous characters which will be gathered from the description

of the generic characters, a description, however, which is made from a single decayed

individual and is therefore very imperfect. The following points are amply sufficient

to serve as characters to validate the subfamily :— |

Caput in medio abrupte subtus inflexum, ore omnino in facie inferna corporis sito; antenne occulte; oculi

null. Prosternum posterius in processu maximo productum.

CEPHALOPLECTUS.

Corpus depressum, posterius acuminatum, anterius rotundatum, caput vix conspicuum. Prosternum post coxas

anteriores in processu maximo productum. Pedes breves, femoribus tibiisque laminato-dilatatis ; tarsi

breves, fere occulti.

This insect is the most anomalous of the Staphylinide yet discovered, and will be at

once recognized by the fact that the prosternum is produced backwards over the

anterior cox to form a large, broad process, similar to what exists in Hydrocanthus of

the Dytiscide, except that it is even larger than in the genus of water-beetles I have

mentioned. This is, however, only one of its peculiarities, for the condition of the head

is even more remarkable; when the upper surface of the insect is examined, there

seems to be no head, the large thorax, rounded in front, being apparently the most

anterior part of the body; but a more careful inspection reveals that there is really an

* At the conclusion of the Central-American Aleocharine I will call attention to the description noted

below ; its modern genus cannot be identified, nor can we conclude with any certainty to what group of the

Aleocharine the insect should be referred ; and as Say’s types are, I fear, not now in existence, it would appear

that the description cannot be utilized.

Aleochara obscuricollis, Say, Tr. Am. Phil. Soc. iv. p. 468; Lec. Say’s Am. Ent. ii. p. 585. Hab. Mexico.

296 STAPHYLINIDA.

emargination of the front of the thorax, into which is exactly fitted another piece of a

transverse form, and this small piece (all that can be seen of the head from above) is

the posterior part of the upper surface of the head. When the insect is viewed from

beneath it is seen that the rest of the upper surface of the head is abruptly infolded,

so that it forms part of the lower aspect of the body, the parts of the mouth being

accordingly placed quite beneath the insect and even at some little distance from the front

margin; the head, however, is quite as accurately adapted to the thorax on this aspect

of the body as it is on the upper surface, so that, indeed, it appears actually to be a

portion of the large thorax. The head, however, is capable of a slight extension from the

thorax, and when this is accomplished there is exposed a large emargination on each

side, so that two lateral projections are formed, and above these and concealed between

them and the thorax are placed the short stout antenne, of an uncertain number of

joints. The mouth is entirely closed by the rather large labrum, which meets the front

of the mentum, this latter being concealed, when the head is retracted, by the front of

the prosternum : a large portion of the body of the maxilla is exposed, attached to which,

and conspicuously exserted, is the slender and rather long maxillary palpus; the first

visible joint of this palpus is small and oval; the second is slender, twice or three times

as long as the first; the terminal joint small and slender, almost setiform. No trace of

eyes can be detected either on the upper or under surface of the head. The portion of

the prosternum displayed in front of the anterior coxe is rather large, and the coxe

themselves are nearly globular and are rather widely separated by the extension

backwards of the prosternum; this prolongation becomes broader behind the cox, and

is prolonged far backwards, so as to project as far back as the hind margin of the

pronotum; it is deeply emarginate behind, and reposes on the metasternum ; the sides

of the prosternum are completely folded in and closely applied to the upper face of the

thorax. The mesosternum is large and is folded in the middle, so as to form a

projection reposing on the upper face of the prosternal process, and joining behind a

projection of the metasternum, which extends forwards under and between the rather

widely separated middle cox. The hind coxe are broadly separated, and form each a

large lamina, rather larger than the metasternum, and extending outwards, becoming

rather longer externally, to the epipleura ; the other parts of the hind leg are concealed

behind this lamina. Six ventral segments, all very mobile, are visible besides the

genital armature. The.sides of the wing-cases form a free edge, as in the more highly

evoluted of the species of Erchomus. On the dorsal aspect there are visible four

segments of the hind-body in addition to that of the armature, and at the base behind

the margin of the wing-case the side piece of the preceding segment is displayed. There

appears at first to be no margination of the sides of this part; but more careful

inspection reveals that the margins are really extremely large, but that they are

completely adpressed on the dorsal surface, so as to form actually a large addition to the

superficies of the upper surface of the hind body.

CEPHALOPLECTUS.—HYPOCYPTUS. 297

On Tab. VII. fig. 1 A is an outline of the middle leg: 1 B is intended to give an idea

of the underside of the head as seen when extended ; in it « represents the buccal cavity

closed by the labrum, 8 a portion of the maxilla bearing its palpus, y such part of the

antenna as can then be seen. ‘The appearance of eyes in fig. 1 is illusory.

1. Cephaloplectus godmani. (Tab. VII. fig. 1.)

Depressus, latus, posterius acuminatus, ferrugineus; abdomine flavo-ferrugineo; dense pubescens, thorace

elytrisque pallide cinereo-pubescentibus, setulisque erectis adspersis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Head scarcely visible, antennze quite concealed. Thorax very large, its hind angles

much produced backwards. FElytra not so long and scarcely so broad as the thorax, a

little narrowed behind, the hind angles extremely obtuse; they have no visible

punctuation, but an excessively fine transverse rugulosity, and in this respect resemble

the thorax. The hind body is rather paler in colour than the anterior parts, and bears

a concolorous, dense depressed pubescence.

The habits of this curious insect must remain for the present quite unknown.

Mr. Champion found a single specimen in a track of the foraging ants (£citon) in the

dense virgin forest ; but though he subsequently frequently watched the ants he could

find no other example. From the condition of the specimen and the account

Mr. Champion has given me of its discovery it is quite clear that it was dead at the time,

and probably had been dropped by an ant who was carrying it off.

Subfam. TACHYPORIN AK.

HYPOCYPTUS.

Hypocyphtus, Mannerheim, Brachelytr. p. 58.

Hypocyptus, Erichson, Col. Mark Brand. i. p. 387 ; Gen. et. Spec. Staph. p. 214.

This is a genus of twenty or thirty species of very minute and obscure insects found

in the European and North-American regions ; it may, however, prove to be of wider

distribution, as Kraatz has described a species from Ceylon.

1. Hypocyptus debilis.

Convexus, parce longius pubescens, fere impunctatus, nitidus, nigricans; prothoracis marginibus late flavis,

abdominis segmentorum marginibus posterioribus, antennis pedibusque testaceis, elytris rufis.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador 2500 feet (Champion).

Antenne moderately long, rather stout; third, fourth, and fifth joints more slender

than the others, closely connected together, so that they are difficult to distinguish from

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, December 1883. 2 QQ

298 STAPHYLINID ZA.

one another; the four following each a little broader than its predecessor, subequal in

length, each longer than broad; tenth joint elongate, acuminate, nearly as long as the

two preceding together. Palpi yellow. Head black. Thorax broadly yellow at the

margins, the disk infuscate. Elytra red, longer than the thorax, finely and sparingly

punctate, shining.

Two individuals have been found.

ERCHOMUS.

Erchomus, Motschoulsky, Bull. Mosc. 1858, i. p. 218; Horn. Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc. vi. p. 107.

Tachinus fam. i. ex parte, Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 244,

Coproporus, Kraatz, Ins. Deutsch. ii. p. 399; Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 81.

Cilea, pars, Fauvel, Ann. Mus. Gen. xu. p. 110.

This genus at present consists probably of some sixty or seventy described species

distributed in the tropical parts of the world, where apparently they correspond to the

Tachini of the boreal regions. The genus exhibits considerable variety of structure,

and is rather sharply divided into two sections by the condition of the epipleure.

§ 1. The epipleura, or inflered margin of the wing-case, is but slightly developed in the

vertical direction, the line limiting tt internally being always quite free from the

inner face of the wing-case.

1. Erchomus politulus. (Tab. VII. fig. 2.)

Subdepressus, nitidissimus, niger; marginibus plus minusve picescentibus, antennarum basi pedibusque rufis,

abdomine apicem versus flavescente; capite, thorace elytrisque levigatis, abdomine parce subtiliter

punctulato; prothorace basi truncato, angulis posterioribus rotundatis.

Long. 22 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); GuateMata, Cahabon in Vera Paz (Champion) ;

Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).—Sovutn AMERICA, Bahia (coll. Sharp).

This species is no doubt closely allied to Tachinus*humilis, Er., which, however, is

described as possessing punctuation on the elytra. In L. politulus the antennee are

rather short and stout, thickened towards the apex, with the four basal joints pale, the

others black ; joints 6-10 slightly transverse; the elytra are longitudinally impressed

along the side, and the epipleure (seen beneath) have a somewhat prolonged edge,

which, however, is small and obtuse in comparison with what exists in the more convex

species.

Only a single individual is before me from each of the Mexican and Guatemalan

regions; but numerous specimens have been found at Chontales, and I have many from

Bahia. ‘The one represented on the Plate is from Chontales.

ERCHOMUS. 299

2. Erchomus debilis.

Depressus, nitidissimus, piceus; marginibus dilutioribus, antennarum basi, pedibus elytrisque posterius rufis,

abdomine apicem versus flavescente ; capite, thorace elytrisque levigatis; abdomine parce subtiliter

punctulato ; prothorace basi truncato, angulis posterioribus rotundatis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guaremaua, El Reposo 800 feet (Champion).

Allied to E. politulus, but the individuals are smaller, more depressed, and of more

dilute coloration, and with the emargination in the middle of the last ventral plate in

the male much smaller; the antennz are not quite so thick externally, but the penul-

timate joints are evidently transverse ; the mesosternal carina is but slightly developed,

being both short and little elevated. The resemblance to LE. distans also is great, but

the different punctuation of the hind body readily separates the two.

3. Erchomus strigosus.

Depressus, nitidus, rufo-testaceus; antennarum apice, elytris, pectore abdomineque (apice excepto) nigricantibus ;

thorace elytrisque impunctatis, abdomine parce obsolete punctato ; prothorace basi truncato, angulis pos-

terioribus rotundatis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Guajuco in Nuevo Leon, Saltillo in Coahuila (Palmer), Cordova (Sal:

GuATEMALA, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne slender, rather short, evidently thicker externally ; ninth and tenth joints

slightly transverse.

Although closely allied to E. dedilis, this is readily distinguished by the bright colour

of the head and thorax. When examined with a high magnifying-power, the elytra are

seen to be covered with dense very fine transverse scratches, which exist also on the

thorax, though not quite so conspicuously. The number of dark joints at the extremity

of the antenne varies in the few examples before me from one to four, and the amount

of black with which the elytra are tinged is also apparently rather variable.

4. Erchomus distans. (Tab. VII. fig. 3.)

Coproporus distans, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 92°.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerdénimo and Balheu in Vera Paz (Champion); NicaRaeua,

Chontales (Janson).—Soutn America, Amazons}, Bahia.

The figure is taken from a San-Gerénimo specimen ; the coloration is more vivid than

it is represented.

5. Erchomus tachyporinus. (Tab. VII. fig. 4.)

Parum convexus, nitidissimus, testaceus; elytris basi abdomineque segmento primo dorsali fuscis, antennis

nigricantibus, basi et articulo ultimo testaceis; capite, thorace elytrisque levigatis, abdomine crebrius

obsolete punctato; prothorace basi fere truncato, angulis posterioribus rotundatis.

Long. 23 millim.

2 QQ 2

300 STAPHYLINIDA.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote, Senahu in Vera Paz (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales

(Janson).

Closely allied to HL. distans, but distinguished by the more pallid colour and by the

fact that the whole of the last joint of the antenna is pale; the punctuation of the

hind body is not so dense and regular.

Three specimens have been found ; the one represented is from Senahu.

6. Erchomus truncatus.

Depressus, nitidissimus, niger; antennis fuscis, basi pedibusque testaceis, abdomine apicem versus flavescente ;

capite, thorace elytrisque levigatis, his ad apicem fere recte truncatis; prothorace basi truncato, angulis

posterioribus fere rectis; abdomine parce obsoleteque punctulato.

Long. 27 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Zapote, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion); Nicaraaua,

Grenada (SaJ/é).

Extremely similar to £. politulus, but readily distinguished by several characters of

the antenne, thorax, and elytra. The former are brownish in colour, with the two

basal joints paler; joints 4-10 are each almost of one length, and about as long as

broad. ‘The thorax has no distinct emargination on each side of the base, but the hind

angles are not broadly rounded, in fact depart but little from the rectangular form. The

elytra are very little convex, and only finely impressed along the side in contact with

the epipleural margin; the outer angle is only slightly obtuse, and the hind margin of

the two wing-cases taken together appears nearly straight, being scarcely at all emarginate

in the middle.

Two individuals were found at Zapote, and one in each of the other localities ; these

latter have the antenne rather larger and darker in colour.

7. Erchomus glabripennis. (Tab. VII. fig. 5.)

Subconvexus, niger; pedibus testaceis, antennarum basi palpisque fusco-testaceis ; prothorace versus latera

picescente ; capite, thorace elytrisque levigatis, nitidissimis ; abdomine subtilius sat crebre punctulato.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Zapote, San Gerénimo (Champion) ; NicaRacua, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne rather slender, scarcely thicker externally, black, with the two or three

basal joints obscure yellow ; the tenth joint about as long as broad. Thorax convex,

very shining, entirely impunctate; the base slightly sinuate on each side; the hind

angles scarcely at all prominent behind, very little rounded. Elytra deeply and rather

broadly impressed along nearly the whole length of the lateral margin. Hind body

finely but distinctly punctate, the segments at the base not at all rugose or strigose.

This is a peculiar species, having slender and elongate hind tarsi, and thus approaching

to Cilea ; but the margin of the epipleura is decidedly perpendicular; the hind tibiz are

ERCHOMUS. 301

destitute of exserted sete, and although the mesosternal carina is but little elevated, its

anterior part shows a small prominent angle; the impression along the side of the wing-

case, too, is peculiar, and causes the lateral margin to project further outwards than in

any other species.

8. Erchomus chontalensis.

Latus, depressus, piceus; antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis; thorace elytrisque opalescentibus, nitidis, fere

impunctatis ; abdomine crebre subtiliter punctulato, parum nitido ; elytris lateribus explanatis, angulo

externo rotundato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab, Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne rather elongate; fifth and sixth joints each much longer than broad;

tenth scarcely so long as broad; extremity of terminal joint pale. Base of thorax

distinctly sinuate on each side, hind angles not prolonged, quite obtuse. Lateral

margin of elytra explanate; thus no intramarginal impression appears to be present,

the sides being curved towards the hind angle, which is broadly and completely rounded.

Exserted sete of hind body elongate.

This is a peculiar and very distinct species; the mesosternal carina between the

middle coxz is only very slightly elevated, but in front of it there is a distinctly rather

more elevated prominent angle; the tarsi are elongate and slender; the tibie only

feebly spinose. Only a single, very damaged example has been received.

9. Erchomus affinis.

Depressus, nigerrimus, nitidus ; antennis fuscis, basi, palpis pedibusque testaceis; thorace parce subtiliterque

punctulato, nitidissimo, basi utrinque leviter sinuato, angulis posterioribus leviter retrorsum spectantibus ;

elytris crebre subtiliter punctatis, secundum marginem lateralem canaliculatis; abdomine crebre subtiliter

punctato.

Long. 3 lin.

Hab. GuatEMata, Guatemala city (Champion).

This species is very similar to both FE. truncatus and E. segnis, and its individuals are

intermediate in their stature between those species ; it is readily distinguished from the

former by the more closely and distinctly punctate hind body and by the shape of the

hind angles of the thorax, and from E. segnis by its smaller size, less punctate hind

body, and rather shorter antenne. It is almost equally near to the Amazonian

E. scutellatus, but that species has the punctuation of the hind body much coarser.

One of the two individuals found has the elytra picescent, probably as the result of

immaturity.

10. Erchomus segnis.

Depressus, nigerrimus, nitidus; antennis fuscis, basi, palpis pedibusque testaceis ; antennis sat elongatis, articulis

nullis transversis ; thorace parce subtiliterque punctulato, nitidissimo, basi utrinque leviter sinuato, angulis

302 STAPHYLINIDA.

posterioribus vix retrorsum spectantibus ; elytris crebre subtiliter punctatis, secundum marginem lateralem

canaliculatis; abdomine crebrius punctato.

Long. 32 millim.

Hab. GuateMaLa, Guatemala city, Capetillo, Cerro Zunil 4000 feet, Balheu and

Purula in Vera Paz (Champion).

Antenne scarcely thickened outwardly ; joints 8-10 each about as long as broad.

Extreme hind margin of elytra piceous; the sides of the elytra quite straight; the

hind margin rounded at its junction with the sides, and thus forming a rounded, not an

obtuse, angle. Hind body but little shining, not closely punctate; the two or three

basal segments each finely reticulate-strigose at the base; the hind margins more or

less piceous, that of the penultimate segment broadly so.

Three of the individuals from Cerro Zunil have the elytra rufescent or picescent, but

this is not sufficient warrant for their separation.

11. Erchomus dubius.

Depressus, piceo-castaneus; antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque testaceis ; antennis sat elongatis, fere gracilibus,

articulis nullis transversis ; thorace parce subtilissime punctulato, basi fere truncato; elytris subtiliter

punctulatis, vix ad marginem lateralem canaliculatis; abdomine crebre subtiliter punctato.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guatema.a, Cahabon in Vera Paz (Champion).

Compared with LE. segnis, the two individuals of this species are smaller and flatter,

and have the hind tarsi markedly shorter, so that they are no doubt representative of a

distinct species, even though the colour and other slight marks alluded to in the diagnosis

should prove not to be constant characters. The only two specimens found are imma-

ture, and in a broken and fragile state.

12. Erchomus sinuatus. (Tab. VII. fig. 6.)

Depressus, niger, nitidus ; elytris rufescentibus vel picescentibus, antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque testaceis ;

thorace elytrisque crebre sat subtiliter punctatis, his ad marginem lateralem canaliculatis, angulo externo

sinuato.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Grenada (Sallé), Chontales (Janson) ; Panama, Bugaba, 800 to 1500

feet (Champion).—Soutn America, Venezuela, Colombia.

The individuals of this species are larger than those of the allied species, and are

readily distinguished, inasmuch as the hind margin at the outer angle is slightly sinuate

instead of being obtuse or rounded as in other species; the mesosternal carina is not

much elevated, but presents near its anterior part a prominent, free, small angle. The

second joint of the antenna is a little longer than the third; the tenth hardly so long

as broad; the terminal joint elongate, dark, its acuminate extremity pale. The base

of the thorax is but little sinuate on each side, and the hind angles are not prolonged

ERCHOMUS. 303

backwards, and are obtuse and slightly rounded ; the surface has a fine quite distinct

punctuation, and the colour becomes near the hind angles picescent. The rather broad

hind body has very distinct lateral margins, and the punctuation at the extreme base of

the basal segment is rather coarse.

Only a few individuals have been found, and the figure has been drawn from a

specimen found at Bugaba. The species was extant in Guérin-Ménéville’s collection

under the name of Tachinus depressus, Er.; but I cannot consider it to accord sufficiently

with Erichson’s description, and suppose the French savant was mistaken in his

determination.

13. Erchomus apicicornis.

Subdepressus, nitidus, niger; thorace elytrisque piceo-fuscis, antennarum basi et articulis duobus ultimis, palpis

pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace impunctato, nitido, basi fere truncato, lateribus ad angulos posteriores

fortiter rotundatis; elytris «qualibus, parce obsolete punctatis; abdomine subnitido, parce obsoleteque

punctato.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sal/é).

A peculiar and readily recognized species of rather flat form and only feebly punctate

surface, with the terminal two joints of the antenne abruptly paler than the others ;

the elytra without lateral depression or channel, with the perpendicular portion of the

epipleure small and the mesosternal carina feeble, without angular elevation in front;

the hind legs are rather slender and elongate, so that the species makes a decided

approach to the genus Cilea.

14. Erchomus ruficornis.

Tachinus ruficornis, E. Dugés in coll. Sallé.

Parum convexus, nitidus, niger; antennis rufo-obscuris, basi pedibusque testaceis ;,prothorace parce, omnium

subtilissime punctato; elytris crebre subtiliter punctatis, lateribus haud curvatis ; abdomine minus nitido,

subtiliter parum crebre punctato ; mesosterno alte carinato.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Duges, coll. Sallé).

Antenne slightly thickened outwardly ; second and third joints equal; tenth about

as long as broad. Thorax with the base almost straight, the hind angles not produced

backwards, rounded. FElytra not impressed along the outer margin, which is straight

and not curved, so that though the hind margin is a little oblique externally, the

outer angle is only a little obtuse, not rounded.

This species effects a transition to the following group, the epipleure being more

vertical than in the other species of the group; it is readily distinguished from the

species resembling it in size and form by the great elevation of the mesosternal carina.

Four individuals are before me.

304 STAPHYLINIDA.

§ 2. Epipleura largely developed, perpendicular, being inflexed and applied to the inner

face of the elytra, so that the line limiting it internally stands out even at the

base but little from the inner face of the wing-case.

15. Erchomus rutilus.

Tachinus rutilus, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 2731.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sailé); Britiso Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaux); GUATEMALA,

Guatemala city and San Gerénimo (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).—

ANTILLES, Porto Rico 1, St. Thomas!; SourH America, Colombia 1, Bahia (Castelnau).

16. Erchomus cinctiventris.

Sat convexus, nitidissimus, niger; antennis rufis, basi pedibusque testaceis, prothoracis marginibus, elytrorum

abdominisque segmentorum marginibus dilute piceis ; thorace elytrisque levigatis, abdomine parce profunde

punctato.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Guatemala city (Champion).

Very shining, black, with the thorax piceous; the lateral and posterior margins of

the elytra more or less dilute in colour, and the terminal portions of the rings of the

hind body very distinctly rufo-piceous. The antenne are rather short, the three basal

joints yellow, the others obscure red, the two or three penultimate joints not quite so

long as broad. Thorax large, quite impunctate, the base slightly sinuate on each side ;

the hind angles rounded, not produced backwards. Elytra almost impunctate, with an

obscure depression near the side behind; the outer hind angles obtuse, scarcely rounded.

Hind body shining, with a good many rather coarse and deep punctures on each segment,

not extending, however, to the hind margin. Legs short. Mesosternal carina only

slight, and without anterior elevation.

A large series, showing scarcely any variation except in the more or less dilute piceous

colour of certain parts, has been found of this species; it and /. vicinus appear to be

rather closely allied to the Amazonian LE. inclusus. A North-American insect, probably

E. levis, Lec.,is extremely similar to the two Central-American species, but differs from

both by the punctuation of the hind body.

17. Erchomus levis.

Coproporus levis, Lec. New Sp. Col. i. 1868, p. 31°.

Erchomus levis, Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1877, p. 108°.

Hab. Norru America, Southern States 1, Gulf States Mexico, Cordova (Salié).

A single individual from Sallé’s collection may apparently be referred to this species,

though the head and thorax are rufescent in colour, the latter being, however, piceous

on the disk.

ERCHOMUS. 305

18. Erchomus vicinus.

Sat convexus, nitidissimus, niger; antennis rufis, basi pedibusque testaceis, prothorace picescente, elytrorum

abdominisque segmentorum marginibus minus argute piceis; thorace levigato, elytris parce subtilissime

punctulatis; abdomine equaliter obsolete punctato, minus nitido.

Long. 32 millim.

Hab. Guatemaia, Guatemala city, Zapote, San Gerénimo (Champion).

This insect is very similar to £. cinctiventris, but differs in the longer antenne and

the different punctuation of the hind body. The antenne are slender, but little

thickened externally, and no one of the joints is broader than long. The base of the

thorax is distinctly sinuate on each side, so that the rounded hind angles appear a little

produced backwards. The margins of the segments of the hind body are not very

conspicuously piceous.

19. Erchomus ignavus. (Tab. VII. fig. 7.)

Coproporus ignavus, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 87°.

Hab. Mexico (Truqui), Cordova (Sallé); GuaTEMALA, Guatemala city, San Gerénimo,

Las Mercedes 3000 feet, El Tumbador, Balheu in Vera Paz, Capetillo, Zapote, Aceituno

(Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet

(Champion).—Soutn America, Amazons valley !.

This species varies a little in size and colour, and the terminal joint of the antenne

is sometimes nearly black, sometimes nearly entirely pale. ‘The mesosternal carina is

rather strongly elevated, but there is no trace of a tubercle on the middle of the front

edge of the mesosternum. Tachinus elatus, Er. (Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 248), is probably

a similar species with longer and more slender antenne.

The individual figured was found by Truqui in Mexico.

20. Erchomus flavipalpis.

Convexus, nitidus, piceus; capite elytrisque nigricantibus, antennarum basi, pedibus palpisque testaceis ; antennis

tenuioribus, apicem versus leviter incrassatis, articulo ultimo apice pallido; prothorace impunctato, angulis

posterioribus paululum retrorsum productis, rotundatis; elytris parce subtiliter punctatis, angulo externo

late rotundato; abdomine crebre punctato.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Muxtco, Cordova (Sadlé); Guatema.a, Paraiso 300 feet (Champion); Panama,

David (Champion).

Each joint of the antenna is longer than broad. The large and ample thorax is

without punctuation, and is excessively finely strigose. The punctuation of the wing-

cases is quite distinct though fine; the lateral margin is curved near the hind angle, so

that the hind angles appear very broadly rounded ; there is no lateral depression. The

mesosternal carina is large; it terminates in front as a free angle, and just in front of

this angle the anterior edge of the mesosternum is tuberculate. The terminal ventral

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, December 1883. 2 RR

206 ; STAPHYLINIDZA.

plate of the female is armed with four long spines and an extremely short tooth on

each side.

Ten individuals have been found. The species is very closely allied to the Amazonian

E. rotundatus, but that species has the hind angles of the thorax more prolonged

backwards, and the antenne a little longer.

21. Erchomus ventralis.

Convexus, nitidus, piceus ; capite elytrisque nigricantibus, antennarum basi, pedibus palpisque testaceis ; antennis

tenuioribus, apicem versus leviter incrassatis ; prothorace impunctato, basi utrinque leviter sinuato, angulis

posterioribus haud retrorsum productis; elytris parce subtiliter punctatis, angulo externo late rotundato ;

abdomine crebre punctato.

Long. 54 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, El Tumbador 2500 feet (Champion).

Very closely allied to EF. flavipalpis, but with the thorax less sinuate on each side,

and.the hind angle less prolonged; the antenne are a little longer, and the spines of

the last ventral plate of the female are longer; the lateral tooth especially is longer.

The mesosternal carina is very large, but is rounded at its upper anterior termination.

Only two individuals have been found.

22. Erchomus gravidus. (Tab. VII. fig. 8.)

Convexus, nitidus, niger; antennis piceis, basi dilutiore, pedibus piceo-rufis; prothorace impunctato, basi

utrinque leviter sinuato, angulis posterioribus haud retrorsum productis; elytris parce subtilissime

punctatis, angulo externo late rotundato; abdomine dense punctato.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Las Vigas (Flohr), Cordova (Sallé); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000

to 4000 feet (Champion).

Very closely allied to EF. flavipalpis, but larger and darker in colour, and with the

elytra more finely punctate, the base of the thorax less sinuate on each side. The

mesosternal carina is very large. It is still more similar to the Brazilian L. converus,

Er., but that species has the hind angles of the thorax more produced.

The figure is drawn from one of the Panama exponents.

23. Erchomus impressus.

Convexus, nigro-piceus, nitidissimus ; antennis, palpis pedibusque rufis, abdomine piceo ; prothorace amplo, basi

utrinque leviter sinuato, angulis posterioribus vix retrorsum productis ; elytris parcissime obsolete punc-

tatis, intra latera impressis, angulo externo late rotundato ; abdomine parce punctato.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne slender, a little thicker externally, reddish; the three or four terminal

joints a little infuscate ; tenth joint quite as long as broad. ‘Thorax extremely shining,

without any punctuation or transverse strigosity. Elytra very shining, their surface a

ERCHOMUS.—TACHINODERUS. 307

little uneven, but only sparingly and indistinctly punctate; they are broadly but vaguely

depressed near the side, and the external angle is broadly rounded. The hind body is

only sparingly and indefinitely punctate.

This insect is rather narrower than E. flavipalpis, and is readily distinguished by the

very shining thorax and elytra, and the depression near the side of the latter; the

mesosternal carina is large and presents at its upper anterior termination a free angle,

and the middle of the front edge of the mesosternum is tuberculate. Only three

individuals have been found.

24. Erchomus mollis.

Minus latus, convexus, niger, nitidus, subtus piceus ; antennis, pedibus partibusque oris testaceis, illis brevibus,

articulis 4°-10™ transversis ; capite, thorace elytrisque nitidissimis fere impunctatis ; abdomine minus nitido,

parce subtilissime punctulato.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Antenne short and stout; third joint small, only half as long as the second joint; of

the following joints each is broader than its predecessor, so that the penultimate joints

are strongly transverse; the terminal joint is elongate, longer than the two preceding

together. Head very short. Thorax with the base not sinuate; the hind angles

rounded, but not largely so. Hlytra flat at the sides, but not impressed; the hind angle

but little rounded. Hind body not so pointed behind as in many other species; the

terminal segments picescent or rufescent; the terminal segment almost destitute of

teeth.

This is a very aberrant species; the middle coxe are very approximate, and there is

only a very fine and obscure raised line between them; the metasternum is very short,

the internal lamine of the posterior coxe very small, the tarsi slender and rather

short; the epipleurz are very largely developed, quite folded in, so that the free

trenchant sides of the elytra are very conspicuous when the underside of the insect is

inspected.

Five individuals have been found; they are in very decayed and fragmentary

condition.

TACHINODERUS.

Tachinoderus, Motschoulsky, Bull. Mosc. 1858, ii. p. 217; Fauvel, Ann. Mus. Gen. xii. p. 276.

Tachinomorphus, Kraatz, Wiegm. Arch. 1859, 1. p. 54.

This genus approaches very closely to Hrchomus by means of the more depressed

species of that genus, such as E. segnis and £. sinuatus; but still Zachinoderus

has, even compared with these Erchomt, the epipleure less metamorphosed from

the Tachinus-form, and as the maxillary palpi are more largely developed, and the

Tachinomorphi are larger insects, the genus may still be retained. Zachinoderus seems

2RR 2

308 STAPHYLINIDZ.

essentially a genus characteristic of Austro-Malasia and Eastern India, out of which

region I am acquainted only with the two species here ascribed to the genus.

1. Tachinoderus grandis. (Tab. VII. fig. 9.)

Coproporus grandis, Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ent. Ross. v. p. 121’.

Hab. Mexico 1, Jalapa, Mirador (Hoge), Guanajuato, Cordova, Yolos, Cuernavaca,

Puebla, Capulalpam (Sallé); GuaremaLa, Guatemala city, Capetillo, Las Mercedes

3000 feet, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet, Senahu and Sabo in Vera Paz (Champion).

The figure is drawn from examples found at Senahu.

2. Tachinoderus major.

Major, subdepressus, sat nitidus, nigerrimus; abdomine ad apicem piceo; prothorace nitido, fere impunctato,

subtilissime transversim striguloso, basi utrinque subsinuato, angulis posterioribus subacutis ; elytris parce

subtiliter punctatis, subtilissimeque transversim strigulosis, epipleuris evidenter breviter setulosis; abdo-

mine crebrius minus subtiliter punctato, lateribus minus obsolete marginatis ; pedibus cum tarsis nigris.

Long. 9 millim.

Mas, tarsis anterioribus leviter dilatatis; segmento ultimo dorsali equaliter quadrispinoso, spinis intermediis

minus separatis; segmento ultimo ventrali etiam quadrispinoso, spinis intermediis latioribus et paulo

longioribus, ab incisura magna, elongata, sat lata separatis; segmento penultimo margine posteriore

trisinuato, sinu intermedio ciliato.

Fem., segmento ultimo dorsali quadrispinoso, spinis intermediis paulo brevioribus, apicibus tenuibus sat late

distantibus ; segmento ultimo ventrali sexspinoso, spinis quatuor intermediis fere equalibus, lateralibus

evidenter brevioribus.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

This species is closely allied to 7. grandis, but the anterior portion of the mesosternal

carina is evidently more prominent; the hind body is reddish at the extremity, the

punctuation of the elytra is more distinct, that of the hind body rather coarser and less

dense; the male anterior tarsi are more dilated, and the sexual structures of the terminal

segment are a little different.

Three individuals only have been found, and the one female is quite fragmentary.

CILEA.

Cilea, Duval, Gen. Col. Eur. Staph. p. 25.

Leucoparyphus, Kraatz, Nat. Ins. Deutsch. ii. p. 393.

Cilea (ex parte), Fauvel, Ann. Mus. Gen. xii. p. 278.

This genus has been merged with Erchomus by Fauvel, but it may be retained; the

epipleure are normal, the tarsi more elongate, the hind body strongly margined at the

sides, and the mesosternum very feebly carinate; various species of Erchomus approach

Cilea in one or perhaps two of these respects, but none that I am acquainted with in

such a manner as to be intermediate. Discrepancy of opinion exists as to whether Cilea

or Leucoparyphus should be used for the name of the genus, the two names having

apparently been published simultaneously ; Duval (op. cit. p. 63, note) states definitely

CILEA.—TACHINUS. 309

that the name he proposed has priority, and I accept this declaration till evidence to

the contrary shall be produced. Although only four or five species are known, the

genus has a very wide distribution, occurring in Europe, Madagascar, Caffraria, and

Ceylon. ‘The species found in Europe also occurs in North America, and Mr. Champion’s

discovery of a species in Guatemala is the first indication we have obtained of the genus

being really endemic in the western hemisphere. ;

1. Cilea fenestrata.

Subdepressa, nitida, levigata, nigra; elytris pone scutellum plagis duabus testaceis, pedibus (antennisque ?)

fuscis ; abdomine ad apicem longius nigro-setoso.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

Three basal joints of antenne fuscous yellow; the fourth joint darker; the others

broken off. Thorax large, rather broader than the elytra, rounded at the sides, so that

the hind angles are obtuse; base not at all sinuate. Elytra with smooth and polished

surface, like the thorax entirely without punctuation, straight at the sides, but the hind

margin externally much sloped, so that the exterior hind angles are very obtuse. Hind

body strongly margined at the sides, quite black, shining, with only a few very fine

punctures.

The only individual found is in a very broken and decayed condition; it is a female,

and is remarkable for the great length of the terminal spines of the last segment; the

same segment is also ornamented with very long and conspicuous black sete.

TACHIN US.

Tachinus (ex parte), Gravenhorst, Micr. i. p. 135.

Tachinus (fam. II.), Erichson, Gen. et Sp. Staph. p. 253.

This is a genus of sixty or seventy species, and is one of the characteristic features of

the Staphylinid fauna of the boreal and temperate portions of the Palearctic and

Nearctic Regions; it is largely represented in North America. The four species here

described are of feeble development ; they indicate a greater extension of the genus to

the south in the northern part of the western hemisphere than has been hitherto

recorded, but in the Old World a similar feeble species has been found at a great

elevation in the Pamir. A species reputed to belong to the genus has been described

from Chili, and it is possible that others may be discovered at great elevations in the

more northern portions of South America.

1. Tachinus meridionalis. (Tab. VII. fig. 10.)

Debilis, subdepressus, nitidus, niger; prothoracis marginibus lateralibus flavescentibus, elytris fusco-testaceis,

circa scutellum et ad margines nigricantibus ; pedibus flavis, tibiis tarsisque fusco-testaceis.

Long. 43 millim.

310. STAPHYLINIDA,

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne elongate; the tenth joint as long as broad, blackish, with the basal joint

infuscate yellow. Thorax very finely rather closely punctate; elytra more coarsely,

very distinctly punctate.

The species is readily distinguished from the others here described by the more

distinct punctuation and more pallid colour of the wing-cases.

In the male the terminal ventral plate ends in two broad lacinie, separated by an elon-

gate fissure, the anterior portion of which is narrow; there is a lateral tooth of moderate

length on each side, but not extending so far back as do the central lacinie ; the penul-

timate plate has a rather deep rounded emargination, the edge of which is excessively

obscurely asperate. The dorsal plate resembles that of 7. alticola, but the lateral teeth

are more elongate; the front tarsi in this sex are only just perceptibly broader than they

are in the female. In the female the last dorsal plate terminates in four rather long |

spines; they all extend equally far back and are equidistant, the two middle ones being

the more slender; the last ventral plate is six-spinose, the outer tooth on each side being

rather the longer, though it does not extend so far back as the others.

Only two specimens have been found.

2. Tachinus inornatus. (Tab. VII. fig. 11.)

Subdepressus, nigricans, nitidus ; prothoracis marginibus basali et lateralibus flavescentibus ; elytris rufo-obscuris,

abdomine picescente, segmentorum marginibus pallidioribus; antennarum basi fusca, pedibus fusco-

testaceis ; prothorace fere impunctato, subtiliter striguloso, elytris parce obsoleteque punctulatis.

Long. 53 millim,

Hab. GUATEMALA, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne elongate, even the tenth joint longer than broad; they are black with the

two basal joints very obscure red. The thorax is destitute of punctuation, but it is

rendered less shining bya dense fine strigulosity. The punctuation of the elytra is not

only scanty, but very indistinct.

Two females have been found; the last dorsal plate ends in four equally long spines,

the outer of which are broad, and the inner not extremely slender; the last ventral

plate is six-spinose, the outer spine being rather longer than the others, though it does

not project nearly so far back.

3. Tachinus alticola.

Subdepressus, angustulus, nitidus, nigricans; prothoracis marginibus lateralibus flavescentibus; elytris

lateraliter versus humeros brunescentibus, pedibus flavis, tibiis tarsisque fuscis.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

Antenne elongate, entirely black; tenth joint as long as broad. Palpi black.

Thorax rather closely and finely punctate, very shining. Elytra rather more coarsely

TACHINUS.—TACHYPORUS. 311

punctured than the thorax. Hind body closely and finely punctate, but little shining ;

legs slender.

In the male the lacinie of the last ventral plate are rather elongate, and are separated

by a broad space, which is continued forwards as an elongate narrow fissure, the lateral

margins of this fissure being slightly raised ; the penultimate ventral plate has a broad,

shallow, sinuous emargination in the middle, and this portion of the hind margin is

rough or file-like, with very minute asperities. The last dorsal forms in the middle a

prominence, which is divided behind by an angular notch, so that it forms two short

broad teeth at the extremity; and each outside angle of the plate is slightly produced

so as to form a very short tooth, which does not extend so far back as the base of the

central notch.

Only a single individual has been found.

4. Tachinus nimborum.

Subdepressus, angustulus, nitidus, nigricans; prothoracis marginibus basali et laterali anguste picescentibus ;

elytris puncto humerali piceo, antennarum basi pedibusque rufis ; pedibus fusco-testaceis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion).

Antenne elongate; the tenth joint about as long as broad; the two basal joints

obscure red. Thorax with a distant and fine punctuation. Elytra rather more coarsely

and distinctly punctured. .

Only a single female has been found; though extremely similar to 7. alticola, the

colour is rather darker, except that the basal joints of the antenne are paler; hence it

is probable that it is a distinct species, although only a female of 7. nimborum and a

male of 7. alticola have been found. ‘Lhe structure of the terminal segment is similar

to that of the corresponding sex of 7. inornatus, except that the spines of the ventral

and dorsal plates are not quite so elongate.

TACHYPORUS.

Tachyporus, Gravenhorst, Mon. Staph. p. 1; Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 281.

This genus, of about forty or fifty species, is confined to the northern and north-

temperate regions of the two hemispheres, where the species are evenly distributed.

It is well known that the species of the genus are characterized only by very feeble

external characters, and the Central-American forms are no exception in this respect to

what has been observed elsewhere.

1. Tachyporus mexicanus. (Tab. VII. fig. 12.)

Niger, nitidus ; antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis extrorsum fuscescentibus ; prothorace elytrisque testaceis, illo

plaga magna picea, his sutura et ad latera anterius nigro signatis, abdominis segmentis posterius late

rufo-cingulatis.

Long. 43 millim.

312 STA PHYLINIDA.

Hab. Mexico, Saltillo'in Coahuila (Palmer).

The antenne are slender, with the tenth joint slightly longer than broad; the five or

six basal joints yellow, the rest slightly infuscate. The thorax is yellow, with a large

pitchy mark in front extending nearly to the base. The suture df the elytra in front

is infuscate, and there is a well-marked black line extending from the shoulder more

than halfway to the hind margin.

The species is very similar to 7. chrysomelinus, but the individuals are smaller, with

feebler antenne, largely infuscate disk to the thorax, and the front tarsi of the male

only very slightly dilated.

2. Tachyporus pectoralis.

Testaceus ; capite superne, pectore abdominisque segmentorum partibus anterioribus fuscis, elytris rufo-

testaceis.

Long. 4 millim.

Var. capite prothoraceque testaceis.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Quezaltenango 7800 feet (Champion).

Antenne testaceous, rather slender, evidently thicker externally. lytra very

sparingly punctured, scarcely darker about the scutellum. Hind body with the basal

portions of the three or four anterior segments dark in colour; the terminal segment

also darker.

I have seen only two individuals; the more pallid colour of one of them may be due

to immaturity. The male anterior tarsi are only slightly dilated.

3. Tachyporus pallescens.

Debilis, testaceus; capite superne pectoreque fuscis; prothorace antrorsum minus angustato, elytris parcius

punctatis.

3 Ty:

Long. 3? millim.

Hab. GuatTEMALA, Guatemala city, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion).

Antenne not elongate, evidently thicker externally; ninth and tenth joints scarcely so

long as broad. Elytra less punctate than usual. Hind body entirely yellow.

Two individuals from each locality are before me; those from the Quiche Mountains

are slightly larger, and have a slight cloud of dark colour on the middle of the thorax.

The anterior tarsi of the male are scarcely dilated.

4. Tachyporus argutus. (Tab. VII. fig. 13.)

Niger; antennis, pedibus, prothoracis lateribus et basi elytrorum posterius testaceis, abdominis segmentis

basalibus testaceo-marginatis.

Long. 4 millim,

Hab. GuatEMALa, Duefias (Champion).

Antenne entirely testaceous; ninth and tenth joints rather longer than broad.

CONOSOMA. 313

Thorax black, with a sharply defined border of yellow at the side and base, this border

being broadest at the hind angles. Elytra black, behind with a waved margin of

yellow colour; this is broad at the outer margin, just within this still a little broader,

then becomes narrower towards the suture.

CONOSOMA.

Conosoma, Kraatz, Ins. Deutsch. ii. p. 431; Horn, Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. vi. p-. 108.

Conurus, Steph. Ill. Brit. Ent. v. p. 188; Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p- 218.

This genus is of almost cosmopolitan distribution, and will no doubt prove to be very

rich in species ; at present about seventy species pertaining to it are described. The

name Conurus has priority ; but as it is in use in ornithology, it should give place to

Conosoma. |

1. Conosoma gravidum. (Tab. VII. fig. 14.)

Latius, convexum, ferrugineum ; capite, thorace, elytris antennisque fuscis, his articulis quatuor basalibus pedi-

busque testaceis ; thorace elytrisque minus dense punctatis, his ad basin ferrugineis ibidemque aureo-

setulosis ; abdomine aureo-setuloso, setis exsertis haud elongatis.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather short, much thickened towards the extremity, so that the tenth

joint is rather strongly transverse ; extremity of the terminal joint yellow. Thorax

dark in colour, more or less red at the sides and hind angles, the latterrounded. Hind

body ferruginous, fifth and sixth segments black at the base, seventh dark behind;

it is closely punctate. Mesosternum distinctly carinate ; the posterior division of the

carina short, coarsely punctate.

This species is allied to C. datum from the Amazons, but differs in numerous details

of the coloration and clothing of the surface. Only two individuals have been found.

2. Conosoma plebeium.

Elongatum, subopacum, dense punctatum, fuscum ; antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis ; antennis gracilibus

articulis nullis transversis ; prothorace elongato, basi utrinque sinuato, angulis posterioribus rectis, vix

minute rotundatis.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Antenne elongate and slender; tenth joint a good deal longer than broad ; terminal

joint a little longer than the tenth, pale at the apex; the two or three basal joints

yellow, the others more or less deeply infuscate yellow. Thorax elongate, the hind

angles distinctly produced backwards; the surface very finely punctate and pubescent.

The elytra though elongate are scarcely longer than the thorax; they are densely

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, February 1884. 2 SS

314 STAPHYLINIDA.

punctate, and indistinctly marked with red near the shoulder. The legs are slender

and long. The mesosternum is distinctly carinate, the posterior portion of the carina

elongate.

Only one individual has been found. ‘The species is very similar to the well-known

C. pubescens, but the insect is larger, and has considerably longer and more slender

antenne.

3. Conosoma mediale.

Gracile, nigro-fuscum, dense subtilissime punctatum, opacum ; antennis fuscis, basi pedibusque testaceis, abdo-

minis segmentis ferrugineo-cingulatis; prothorace elongato, basi fere truncato, angulis posterioribus

rectis haud rotundatis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. GuatemaLa, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet, Zapote (Champion); PanaMa,

Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne moderately long, a good deal thickened externally; the two basal joints

yellow, the others darker, the apex again a little paler; tenth joint just about as long

as broad. Thorax elongate, with the base only very slightly sinuate, so that the hind

angles project scarcely at all backwards. Elytra about as long as the thorax. Hind

body slender, the posterior portions of the segments reddish. ‘The mesosternal carina

is moderately elevated.

This obscure insect appears closely allied to C. pubescens, but is of darker colour, and

is rather smaller, and the hind angles of the thorax project a little more backwards.

Only one individual has been found in each locality: the one from Zapote is very

immature so as to be nearly brown in colour; the second, from Panama, has the antenne

slightly longer and more slender than the type from Guatemala.

4. Conosoma parcum.

Angustulum, minus dense punctatum et minus tenuiter pubescens, fusco-ferrugineum; antennis pedibusque

testaceis, illis extrorsum fuscescentibus ; elytris ad basin vage rufescentibus.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet, San Gerdénimo (Champion).

' Antenne a little thickened externally ; tenth joint about as long as broad. Thorax

elongate, truncate at the base, with the angles not projecting backwards, the surface

only sparingly punctate, and the pubescence less delicate than usual. Elytra elongate,

longer than the thorax, vaguely reddish at the base, less densely punctured and less

delicately pubescent than usual. Mesosternal carina in front very slight, behind slight,

but quite definite and punctate.

Three individuals have been found.

CONOSOMA. 315

5. Conosoma ornatum. (Tab. VII. fig. 15.)

Ferrugineum ; antennis fuscis, basi pedibusque testaceis, capite thoraceque in medio fuscescentibus, elytris

nigris, fascia irregulare basali rufa, abdomine variegato ; thorace parce punctato, basi truncato, angulis

posterioribus subobtusis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. GuaTeMaLa, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet, Guatemala city, Capetillo (Cham-

pion); Panama, Los Remedios (Champion).

Rather slender ; antenne moderately long, much thickened outwards, dark in colour,

with the basal joints pale, the two or three penultimate joints not so long as broad ;

the terminal joint large. Head more or less infuscate, usually paler in front. Thorax

about as long as broad, but little rounded at the sides, moderately narrowed in front;

the base not sinuate till quite close to the hind angles, these being very minutely

prolonged backwards, and not rounded ; the sides are broadly pale, the middle dark,

the surface rather sparingly punctate. Elytra evidently longer than the thorax, rather

more closely punctate than it, black with a broad irregular basal pale fascia. Hind

body slender, red, more or less marked with black. Mesosternal carina slightly elevated

behind, almost wanting in front.

The small series of individuals of this species show some variation. Seven individuals

from Guatemala agree closely except that the breast is either blackish or red,

probably dependent on maturity, and that the infuscation of the thorax and segments

of the hind body is variable in degree: an eighth individual, from Capetillo, has the

antenne paler and more slender, and the variegation of the elytra much less distinct,

while the pair from Panama have the antenne rather more slender and the terminal

joint quite pale. The individual delineated on the Plate is from Cerro Zunil.

6. Conosoma subornatum.

Fusco-ferrugineum; antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis, elytris ad basin minus argute rufo-maculatis;

crebrius punctatum; antennis articulo penultimo haud transverso.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Capetillo, Guatemala city, Zapote, Aceituno, Purula, San Isidro

1600 feet (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne rather slender; the tenth joint about as long as broad; terminal joint a

little paler towards the extremity. Thorax with the base only indistinctly sinuate on

each side, the hind angles scarcely projecting backwards, minutely rounded; it is of

fuscous colour, more or less vaguely ferruginous about the sides. Elytra only as long

as the thorax, with a large vague transverse red mark at the base, not extending to the

outer margin. Hind body fuscous, with each segment ferruginous behind. Meso-

sternal carina only slightly prominent.

The unique individual from Nicaragua is very pallid and immature, and it is not

quite clear that it is really conspecific with the Guatemalan specimens.

2 SS 2

316 STAPHYLINIDA.

7. Conosoma diffine.

Haud elongatum, nigro-fuscum ; antennis pedibusque fuscis, illis basi et apice testaceis; prothorace basi trun-

cato, haud breviore quam elytra.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. GuateMaLa, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne not elongate, the penultimate joint about as long as broad. Thorax much

narrowed in front, very finely punctate. lytra not longer than the thorax. Meso-

sternal carina only slightly elevated.

The three individuals found of this species are in very bad condition, and are very

similar to the C. fusculum of Europe. |

BOLITOBIUS.

Bolitobius, Mannerheim, Brach. p. 18 (1830) ; Steph. Ill. Brit. Ent. v. p. 171 (1832).

Lordithon, Thomson, Sk. Col. ii. p. 171.

This genus is moderately numerous in species (probably about fifty are known),

and occurs throughout the northern and temperate regions of the northern hemisphere.

A species from Rio de Janeiro has been ascribed to the genus, as well as another from

the Antilles, and there is also a record of a species in Ceylon. The Colombian B.

seriatus, Er., should probably be assigned to Megacronus, which genus Erichson did not

distinguish from Bolitobius. Two of the Central-American species are of the most

ordinary form of the genus, but the third, B. festivus, will probably be entitled to form

a distinct genus.

1. Bolitobius festivus. (Tab. VII. fig. 16.)

Nitidus, rufo-testaceus ; antennarum articulis 5°-11™, elytrorum apice abdomineque nigris, hoc apice testaceo ;

corpore anterius fere levigato, abdomine parce, segmento 5° densius, punctato.

Long. 9 millim.

Hab. GuATEMALA, Zapote (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000

feet (Champion).

Head broad and short (for a Bolitobius) ; antenne with the penultimate joints rather

shorter than broad. Thorax about as long as broad. Elytra longer than the thorax,

very polished, along the suture with a series of five or six fine setigerous punctures,

with a discoidal series of three or four distant, obsolete punctures, and with a marginal

series of more crowded punctures. Hind body intense black; the hind margin of the

fifth and the whole of the sixth and seventh segments yellow; the fifth segment is

much more punctate than the others, and densely armed with sete and pubescence.

The individual drawn is from Panama: the artist has represented the Species as

much more slender than it really is; it should, indeed, be considerably broader than

B. obliquus.

BOLITOBIUS.—MEGACRONUS. 317

2. Bolitobius obliquus. (Tab. VII. fig. 17.)

Gracilis, niger, nitidus; antennarum tibiarumque basibus elytrisque testaceis, his plaga scutellari elongata

maculaque magna versus angulum posteriorem nigris, tarsis sordide testaceis; abdomine versus apicem

fortiter haud dense punctato, segmento basali levigato.

Long. 6-8 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Cerro de Plumas (Hége).

Antenne slender ; the two basal joints testaceous, the others dark; tenth joint about

as long as broad. Palpi piceous. Head narrow, like the thorax entirely black.

Elytra longer than the thorax, yellowish, with a narrow, elongate, triangular sutural

patch reaching nearly to the apex, and with a large black mark at the outer angle of

each, with a sutural series of about six punctures, and a discoidal series of also about six

obsolete punctures, and with a marginal series of about ten punctures close to the

epipleural margin. The legs are black, but the bases of the tibiee are broadly testaceous

and the tarsi are sordid yellow. In one individual, supposed to be the male, the

terminal ventral plate is very slightly flattened at the middle of the extremity, and the

flat part is set with fine sete.

Three examples are before me. Hoge also found at Jalapa another species of Boli-

tobius similar to B. obliquus, but with the terminal joint of the antenne pallid, and

the dark scutellar patch of the elytra absent; but the example is too immature for

satisfactory description.

3. Bolitobius alticola.

Gracilis, niger; antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis, abdominis segmentorum marginibus posterioribus fuscis ;

elytris ex parte majore nigris, vitta obliqua testacea ; abdomine parce punctato, segmento basali levigato.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Totonicapam 8500 to 10500 feet, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000

feet (Champion).

This insect is closely allied to B. obliquus, but has a narrower head, a more sparingly

punctured hind body, and a rather shorter metasternum, besides differing in the details

of colour above mentioned.

Only one example is present from each locality ; they do not agree very closely: the

one from the Quiche Mountains is immature.

MEGACRONUS.

Megacronus, Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. v. p. 171; Fauvel, Faune Gal.-rhen. iii. p. 553.

Bryoporus, Kraatz, Ins. Deutsch. i. p. 452.

Much confusion has prevailed about this genus and Bolitobius and Mycetoporus; but

the union of Bryoporus with the Megacronus division of Bolitobius, while the other two

genera are treated as distinct, has been proposed by Fauvel, and affords at present a

318 STAPHYLINIDZ.

satisfactory solution of the difficulty. Probably about a score of species are known, the

genus having a similar distribution to Bolitobius. The Central-American species are

aberrant, but nevertheless the structure of their palpi is sufficiently congruous with

what we find in the European species of the genus to allow me to avoid their separation

at present.

1. Megacronus oscillans.

Niger; antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque rufo-obscuris, abdomine nigro-piceo apice rufescente; elytris

crebrius seriatim punctatis.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Three basal joints of antenne obscure yellow or red, penultimate joint scarcely so

long as broad. Thorax much broader than long, very shining black. Llytra very

elongate, but not twice as long as the thorax, regularly covered with incomplete

punctures. Hind body rather sparingly punctate, very acuminate.

The colour of the legs, palpi, and base of the antennz readily separates this insect

from MV. nigerrimus; the form of the maxillary palpi is also a little different, they being

in WV. oscillans more truly of the form characteristic of the genus, though unusually long

and slender.

Only a single individual has been found.

2. Megacronus nigerrimus. (Tab. VII. fig. 18.)

Totus nigerrimus; elytris crebre fortiter seriatim punctatis, abdomine crebrius punctato.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Head very short; penultimate joints of antenne evidently transverse. ‘Thorax black,

very shining, with a transverse series of six, very distant, fine punctures near the front

margin, and a similar series in front of the basal margin. Elytra longer than the

thorax, each with seven or eight series of very distinct punctures ; the sutural series

rather denser and more regular than the others, the two or three external series less

regular. Hind body with the basal segment broadly impunctate in the middle; the

other segments rather closely punctate, especially on the basal portion of each.

Only one specimen has been met with.

3. Megacronus acuminatus.

Gracilis, piceus; antennarum basi palpisque testaceis; elytris ad basin rufescentibus, fortiter, regulariter

seriatim punctatis; abdomine crebre punctato, apice rufo; antennis fere gracilibus articulis nullis

transversis.

Long. 63 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

MEGACRONUS. 319

Antenne with the three basal joints obscure yellow; the penultimate joints quadrate,

the tenth being nearly as long as broad. Head narrow. Thorax much broader than

long. Elytra each with seven or eight regular series of very distinct punctures. Hind

body slender, very acuminate behind, moderately closely punctate, with a very distinct

fuscous pubescence.

Also unique; the specimen is in decayed condition, and the natural colour of the

elytra and hind body may be more rufescent in good examples.

4, Megacronus meridionalis. (Tab. VII. fig. 19.)

Gracilis, rufescens ; antennis, elytris abdomineque fuscis, illis ad humeros plus minusve rufo-maculatis, anten-

narum basi palpisque testaceis; antennis crassiusculis, articulis penultimis leviter transversis; elytris

regulariter seriatim fortiter punctatis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote, Panima in Vera Paz (Champion); Panama, Volcan de

Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather short and stout; joints 5-10 differing but slightly from one another ;

the three basal joints yellow. Head and thorax red, the latter not so long as broad,

the hind angles rectangular. Elytra a good deal longer than the thorax, each with

seven or eight series of punctures. Hind body with each segment fuscescent at the

base, reddish behind, the segments only finely punctate, but conspicuously pubescent.

In all six specimens are before me, showing variation in the details of the colour and

of the stoutness of the antenne; in certain of the males the sixth ventral segment is

provided with an elongate longitudinal carina most elevated behind, while in another

there is no carina but only a tubercle behind. As the differences are but slight, and no

two individuals quite agree, I must consider all to be one variable species, the type being

a specimen of bright colour, with stout antenne and only tuberculate penultimate ventral

segment, from the Volcan de Chiriqui.

The figure represents a variety found at Zapote.

5. Megacronus regularis.

Nigricans ; antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque flavis; elytris rufescentibus, ad latera et ad suturam nigri-

cantibus; abdominis segmentorum marginibus posterioribus ferrugineis; antennis brevibus, apicem versus

incrassatis, articulis penultimis transversis; elytris regulariter seriatim punctatis; abdomine subtiliter

punctato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote, Capetillo (Champion).

This insect is much smaller than J. meridionalis, and the third, fourth, and fifth

joints of the antenne are markedly smaller; the elytra are a good deal less elongate,

and the seven series of punctures on each are remarkably regular and distinct.

There is only one example from each locality.

320 STAPHYLINID.

6. Megacronus minor.

Gracilis, niger; antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque flavis ; elytris minus dense et fortiter seriatim punctatis ;

antennis articulo penultimo leviter transverso ; abdomine minus crebre vix subtiliter punctato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Chiacam in Vera Paz (Champion).

Besides the dark elytra this little insect has other good characters to distinguish it

from MW. regularis, the antenne being rather more elongate, and the punctuation of the

elytra much less distinct and regular, only four or five rather indefinite series being —

distinguishable on each.

Only one example has been found.

MYCETOPORUS.

Mycetoporus, Mannerheim, Brachel. p. 62.

About fifty species are comprised in this genus, which, outside of the Palearctic and

Nearctic regions, possesses but a single East-Indian species.

1. Mycetoporus coxalis. (Tab. VII. fig. 20.)

Gracilis, elongatus, niger; antennarum articulo primo femoribusque testaceis; capite, thorace elytrisque niti-

dissimis, his punctorum serie suturali aliaque discoidali.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne elongate, evidently thickened towards the apex; tenth joint longer than

broad ; palpi fuscous; head narrow, attenuate in front. Thorax not so long as broad,

with the anterior angles greatly deflexed. LElytra elongate, much longer than the

thorax, with a regular sutural series of about twelve punctures, and a similar discoidal

series, and close to the epipleural margin a rather less distinct series. Hind body

slender, elongate and very acuminate, each segment at the base somewhat closely and

finely punctate, but behind only sparingly punctate. Legs elongate; hind tarsi

especially very long. Posterior coxe extremely large. The male has a broad but not

deep emargination in the hind margin of the last ventral plate.

Only one individual has been brought back.

Subfam. STAPHY LININAE.

Group QUEDIINA.

This group has hitherto been defined by characters that are only variable and

inconstant, and has been isolated rather on account of the facies of its components than

for any other reason. There exists, however, a constant character that has hitherto

escaped observation, although it defines and limits the group in a quite satisfactory

manner, viz. that the prosternum is connected with the sides of the thorax behind the

front angles, these being consequently free.

TANYGNATHUS. 321

TANYGNATHUS.

Tanygnathus, Erichson, Kaif. Mark Brand. i. p. 417; Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 288.

Although this genus consists of only a dozen described species, yet it has a very wide

distribution in the continental regions of both hemispheres, and even extends to

Australia. ‘The species are very similar to one another, and it will be necessary for

the sexes to be distinguished in order correctly to discriminate them; yet the most

important sexual peculiarities, being of a rather unusual character, have hitherto

escaped observation ; they consist of differences in those styles and tubes of the extre-

mity of the hind body that form what is frequently called the segment of the genital

armature. When the sexes have been thus distinguished it will be found that in

certain species the males have the front femora armed with a remarkable comb-like

organ, of which in other species there is no trace, and this character offers the only

satisfactory mode of sectionizing the genus that I have been able to discover; two of

the Central-American species possess this organ, while in the other two it is absent,

and it is also wanting in the European 7. terminalis.

Mr. Champion informs me that these insects are found in very wet places, in the

same manner as the Acylophort.

1. Tanygnathus antennalis. (Tab. VII. fig. 21.)

Piceus ; antennis elytrisque fuscis, illis elongatis; palpis testaceis, pedibus rufis ; elytris dense punctatis,

Long. 6-7 millim.

Hab. GuateMaLa, Guatemala city, San Gerdnimo, San Joaquin in Vera Paz

(Champion).

Antenne extending nearly as far back as the hind margin of the elytra, scarcely so

slender as is usual in this genus, the basal and apical joints only indistinctly paler than

the others. Thorax piceous, broad, the length scarcely equal to two thirds of the

breadth. Elytra slightly longer than the thorax, finely but densely and rather more

distinctly punctate and pubescent than is usual in this genus. Hind body obscure red,

the segments darker at the base, closely punctate and conspicuously setose.

This species is rather more robust than others of the genus, and the individuals are

larger than those of any other Zanygnathus known to me, and similar to 7. austral-

asi, Fauv. Seven specimens have been found. An individual of the male sex from

San Gerdnimo is figured.

2. Tanygnathus muticus.

Piceus; antennis sat elongatis, basi apiceque pallidescentibus; palpis testaceis, pedibus rufis, elytris nigrican-

tibus, dense subtilissime punctatis ; prothorace fortiter transverso.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Rio Naranjo 450 feet (Champion); Panama, Bugaba, San Miguel

one of the Pearl Islands (Champion).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, February 1884. 2 TT

322 STAPHYLINID A.

The antenne are only of moderate length, the tenth joint being scarcely broader

than long ; the basal and the three or four terminal joints are evidently paler than the

others. The head is nearly black, rather broad for this genus. The thorax is nearly

twice as broad as long. The length of the elytra at the sides is a little greater than

that of the thorax. In the male there is a very slight emargination of the hind

margin of the last ventral segment, and the terminal styles are larger than in the

female; there is no armature of the front femora. In the female the median lobe

between the terminal styles is barbed on each side at the apex. |

The unique individual from the Rio Naranjo seems to agree perfectly with the small

series found on Pearl Island.

8. Tanygnathus vilis. (Tab. VII. fig. 22.)

Angustulus, fusco-ferrugineus ; antennis fuscis, basi apiceque sordide testaceis ; prothorace rufo, elytris fuscis,

sutura apiceque rufescentibus ; abdomine pedibusque rufis, illo segmentis singulis ad basin fuscescentibus ;

elytris prothoracis longitudine, tantum subtilissime punctatis et pubescentibus.

Long. 4-5 millim.

Hab. GuateMaua, Guatemala city, San Gerdnimo, Rio Naranjo 450 feet, Coatepeque

1300 feet (Champion) ; Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, San Miguel one of

the Pearl Islands (Champion).

Var.? Abdomine fusco.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége).

This insect is rather smaller and more slender than 7’. terminalis, and has shorter

more finely punctate elytra, and its antenne are very slightly shorter; the palpi are

yellow. The thorax is of a rather obscure red colour, and is about one fourth broader

than long. The elytra are not quite so dull as usual, owing to their delicate punc-

tuation and excessively fine pubescence. The hind body is quite finely punctate, and

its setee are comparatively inconspicuous.

In the male the last ventral plate is more slender than in the female, its extremity

less truncate ; in the female the middle lobe between the terminal styles is bifid, and

is regularly barbed with sete on each side, while in the male this central portion is a

slender, corneous, unarmed process; this latter sex has an elongate file-like process of

densely placed, short, black cilize on the anterior face of the front femora.

The unique specimen from Mexico may be either this or some distinct closely allied

species ; it is too much damaged to decide positively. The individuals from the other

localities show a good deal of variation in the smaller details of colour and punctuation,

and I have treated the examples from San Gerénimo as the type form of the species:

one of these latter is figured.

4. Tanygnathus crassulus.

Minus elongatus, pallide piceus fere testaceus ; elytris vix fuscescentibus, antennis, palpis pedibusque pallidis,

TANYGNATHUS.—HETEROTHOPS. 393

illis tantum articulis 2° et 3° fuscescentibus; prothorace fortiter transverso, elytris illo haud longi-

oribus.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne quite slender, but not elongate. Head short. Thorax twice as broad as it

is long, rather broader than the elytra; the latter short and broad, very finely but not

very densely punctured and pubescent. Hind body with the first two segments quite

finely punctate, the base of each of the following segments also only very finely punc-

tate, the hinder portion densely setose.

This distinct species is known only by two male individuals; they are rather

immature, so that their natural colour is not quite certain; but I have no doubt that

the pallid tint of the antenne, with only the second and third joints a little more

obscure, is natural. The comb, or file, on the front legs is largely developed.

HETEROTHOPS.

Heterothops, Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. v. p. 256; Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 515.

This genus is widely distributed over the globe, and occurs indifferently in boreal

and tropical regions. About thirty species are known.

1. Heterothops remota. (Tab. VII. fig. 23.)

Nigra; antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis ; capite ovato, oculis a collo longe distantibus ; elytris abdomine-

que parce punctatis, hoc subversicolore. .

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Mexico (flohr), Mirador (Hoge); GuatemMata, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet,

San Gerénimo (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet, Pena Blanca

3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather long and stout, reaching as far back as the base of the thorax,

black, with the basal joint red or yellow; penultimate joint not transverse. Head

moderately long, so that the eyes are separated from the neck by a space about equal

in length to the length of the eye. Llytra slightly longer than the thorax, sparingly

punctured, so as to be a little shining; pubescence rather elongate. Hind body black,

with metallic reflections, the hind margin of each segment pale, its punctuation similar

to that of the wing-cases. |

Although so widely distributed in Central America, I have seen only half-a-dozen

examples of this species. The example figured is a female from Pena Blanca.

2. Heterothops insolita.

Nigricans ; antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis, elytris sordide testaceis ; capite ovato, oculis a collo longe

distantibus ; elytris abdomineque parce punctatis, hoc marginibus segmentorum posterioribus testaceis.

Long. 5 millim.

27T 2

3240 STAPHYLINIDE.

Hab. Guatemaua, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Antenne moderately long and stout, with three basal joints yellow, the penultimate

joint slightly longer than broad; palpi infuscate yellow. Thorax much narrowed in

front. Elytra longer than the thorax, only sparingly punctured.

The colour of the elytra distinguishes this insect readily from H. remota, and, more-

over, it is considerably more slender. Only one individual has been found.

8. Heterothops orbicularis. (Tab. VII. fig. 24.)

Nigricans; antennarum basi et apice, pedibus elytrisque testaceis ; capite suborbiculari, oculis a collo parum

distantibus ; elytris parce, abdomine crebrius subtiliter, punctatis.

Long. 44 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui

3000 to 4000 feet, Boquete 3500 feet (Champiun).

Antenne rather short and not stout, the two or three basal joints red or yellow, the

following dark, the apical joint again paler. Head small, the large eyes occupying

nearly all the sides, so that only a short interval (not one fourth the length of the eye)

separates the eye from the neck. Elytra only about as long as the thorax, sparingly

punctate. Hind body finely punctate, the hind margins of the terminal two segments

pale.

Five examples of this species have been found. The specimen figured is from

Panama.

4. Heterothops tenuicornis.

Minor, angustula, nigricans; antennis tenuioribus fuscis, pedibus fusco-testaceis, elytris brunneis ; capite sub-

orbiculari, oculis a collo parum distantibus ; abdomine crebre subtiliter punctato.

Long. 3? millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city (Champion).

Antenne remarkably slender, the two basal joints rather thicker than the others.

Elytra scarcely longer than the thorax, rather sparingly punctured. Hind body very

acuminate.

The slender antenne are peculiar to this species. Only a single example has been

found.

ACYLOPHORUS.

Acylophorus, Nordmann, Staph. p. 127, t. 1. f. 9; Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 519.

This is a well-known genus, of wide distribution in both hemispheres, extending

even to Australia. About twenty-four species are known, so that our region has more

than an average number of species, and in fact it is probable that the warmer portions

of the New World are the headquarters of the genus.

ACYLOPHORUS. 325

1. Acylophorus luctuosus.

Acylophorus luctuosus, Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ent. Ross. v. p. 122.

Hab. Mexico! (Boucard).

From the remarks in the preface to Mr. Solsky’s paper it appears probable this insect

was found at Oaxaca; it is stated to have a smooth scutellum and elytra shorter than

the thorax; it is unknown to me.

2. Acylophorus didymus. (Tab. VII. fig. 25.)

Nigerrimus, nitidus; mandibulis, palpis tarsisque fulvo-rufis; capite elliptico, haud anterius acuminato ; elytris

prothoracis longitudine, parce punctatis ; scutello tantum punctis duobus vel tribus subobsoletis ; abdomine

haud dense sat fortiter punctato.

Long. 8 millim. .

Hab. Guatemata, Duefias (Champion).

Antenne black, rather elongate, a good deal thicker externally ; second, third, and

fourth joints rather longer, only the ninth and tenth shorter than broad. Head

narrow and somewhat elongate, but not acuminate in front, sparingly pubescent and

somewhat coarsely punctate beneath.

3. Acylophorus proximus.

Niger, nitidus; femoribus late flavis, antennarum articuli primi basi tarsisque piceis; capite ovato; elytris

scutelloque parce punctatis, illis ad marginem posteriorem spinulis crassiusculis armatis ; abdomine

apicem versus fortiter attenuato, segmentis singulis ad basin crebre subtiliter, apicem versus parce,

punctatis.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Duefias, Paso Antonio (Champion).

The head beneath is indistinctly punctate and sparingly pubescent; the scutellum

bears about six or seven punctures; the flavescent femora are black at the extreme

base and apex.

This insect is extremely close to the Amazonian A. acuminatus; but the colour of

the legs is a little different, the hind body is more sparingly punctate, as is also the

scutellum.

4, Acylophorus simplex.

Nigerrimus ; capite thoraceque nitidis, tarsis piceis ; capite elliptico; elytris paulo longioribus quam prothorax,

erebre fortiter punctatis ; scutello parce punctato ; abdomine nigerrimo, sat crebre fortiter punctato.

Long. 9 millim.

Hab. Mextco, Oaxaca, Mirador (Hége), Cordova (Sailé).

The head is sparingly punctate and pubescent beneath, and the scutellum bears only

five or six punctures; the sete at the hind margin of the elytra are fine; the hind

326 STAPHYLINIDA.

body is more evenly punctate than in many Acylophori, that is, the punctures at the

base of each segment are not greatly more crowded than at the hind margin.

I have seen only four examples; the larger size, and the larger less acuminate head,

longer antenne, and several other slight differences readily distinguish the species from

A. mexicanus, to which it is very similar.

5. Acylophorus mexicanus.

Niger ; capite thoraceque nitidis, abdomine vix versicolore ; capite ovato, anterius acuminato; elytris paulo

longioribus quam prothorax, crebrius fortiter punctatis; scutello crebre punctato; abdomine sequaliter

dense punctato ; pedibus (preesertim anterioribus) cum palpis etiamque antennis plus minusve aurantiacis.

‘Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Truqui, Flohr), Oaxaca, Las Vigas (Hége).

Although only five exponents are before me from the above sources, they agree

closely inter se, and are readily distinguished by the characters above given; the head

is almost entirely without pubescence beneath, the scutellum rather closely and finely

punctured, the sculpture of the elytra is rough and scabrous; when the hind body is

looked down on directly from above it has a slight cinereous or opalescent reflection:

the antenne are small.

6. Acylophorus parviceps.

Angustior, niger, nitidus ; capite ovato, anterius acuminato; elytris thoracis longitudine, crebre fortiter punc-

tatis; scutello sat crebre punctato ; abdomine crebre punctato, apice angusto ; pedibus (presertim anteri-

oribus) cum palpis etiamque antennis articulo basali, basi apiceque, testaceis.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city (Champion).

Although extremely similar to A. mexicanus, yet I am disposed, in a genus where the

species are so very closely allied as is the case in Acylophorus, to consider that these

Guatemalan individuals represent a distinct species. ‘They are slightly smaller, with

the elytra a little shorter, and with the hind body very slender behind, and the punctu-

ation is a little less dense; a more or less evident rufescent tint exists on the hind parts

of the two terminal segments, but this is scarcely visible except when the individuals

are moistened.

The six individuals found agree almost ad punctwm one with the other.

7. Acylophorus chontalenus.

Piceus, nitidus ; palpis flavis, pedibus rufis, abdomine purpureo-versicolore ; capite anguste ovato; elytris fere

brevioribus quam prothorax, ‘cumque scutello crebrius minus fortiter punctatis ; abdomine crebre punctato,

crebriusque setuloso, segmentis sexto septimoque ex parte rufescentibus.

Long. 73 millim.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne slender, piceous, the basal joint more dilute at its base, and the apical one

a little paler; parts of the mouth clear yellow. Thorax but little broader than long,

ACYLOPHORUS.—MIMOSTICUS. 327

piceous, very shining. Elytra rather darker, but still not quite black. Hind body with

each segment strongly purpurescent behind; on the penultimate segment the colour

behind becomes reddish, and the terminal segment is still more dilute behind. The

legs are red, the anterior brighter than the posterior ; the genz behind the eyes are

densely and finely punctate, but the under surface of the head is very little punctate.

Only one individual is known.

8. Acylophorus palpalis. (Tab. VIII. fig. 1.)

Minus convexus, nigricans; oris partibus pedibusque testaceis, tibiis fuscis; elytris cum scutello dense punc-

tatis; abdomine subtiliter punctato, dense pubescente, ante apicem rufo-cingulato; palporum articulo

ultimo incrassato, femoribus posterioribus hirsutis.

Long. 73 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, San Gerdnimo (Champion).

This insect will readily be recognized by the greater than usual development of the last

joint of the maxillary palpus; the minute acumen with which it is provided is moreover

placed on one side of the apex instead of in the middle; the hind femora are unusually

densely pubescent beneath, and on the upper surface the pubescence is distinctly visible

at their margins. The hind margin of the sixth segment of the hind body is rufescent,

and the terminal segment is broadly red at the base. The gene behind the eyes are

extremely finely punctate and pubescent, while the under surface of the head is but

slightly so.

A pair of this species has been found.

9. Acylophorus planatus.

Minus convexus, nigricans; capite thoraceque nitidissimis; elytris haud longioribus quam thorax, fusco-piceis,

cumque scutello dense punctatis, haud nitidis; abdomine versicolore, dense punctato denseque pubescente

et setuloso, segmentis sexto et septimo singulatim ad apicem rufis; pedibus testaceis.

Long. 73 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

Head rather large ; antennz rather long and stout ; the gene behind the eyes densely

and finely punctate; under surface of head very evidently pubescent and punctate.

Hind body with a strongly opalescent or iridescent tint, and with the clothing of hairs

and sete greatly developed; the hind margin of each of the two terminal segments

conspicuously yellowish red, and the extreme base of the terminal segment also of

this colour. The parts of the mouth are yellow.

Of this distinct species only one example has been met with.

MIMOSTICUS.

Genus inter Quedium et Acylophorum quasi intermedium, ab hoc ‘antennis haud geniculatis, ab illo antennis

subfractis articulo basali longiore, prothoraceque absque membrano stigmatico, distinctum.

This genus is closely allied to the Australian Quediopsis, Fauvel, from which it differs

328 STAPHYLINIDA.

by the fact that the four basal joints of the anterior tarsi are dilated and by the more

elongate maxillary palpi. The gene are not emarginate; and the dilatation of four

joints of the front feet is common to the two sexes. The facies is that of such species

of Philonthus as are of moderate size and slender form and have a narrow head, e. g.

P. longicornis, Steph.; but from these insects Mimosticus is readily distinguished by

the structure of the prothorax, the margins of which are strongly trenchant (or cutting)

beneath, even at the free front angles.

1. Mimosticus viridipennis. (Tab. VIII. fig. 2.)

Hlongatus, niger; elytris viridibus, abdomine viridescenti-versicolore, segmento ultimo ad apicem stylisque

terminalibus ad basin rufescentibus.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne entirely black, linear, reaching as far back as the base of the thorax; each

joint longer than broad, the basal joint quite as long as the second and third together:

these two subequal. Head scarcely half as broad as the thorax; this latter broader

than long, narrowed in front, base and hind angles quite rounded, the surface black, in

a certain light opalescent. Elytra rather longer than the thorax, moderately closely

and finely punctate. Hind body rather sparingly punctate, its surface with brilliant

viridescent reflections, becoming fiery at the hind margins of each segment; this fulgid

colour is broadest on the terminal segment, and the base of this latter segment shows

a large impunctate space both on the ventral and dorsal surfaces. The legs are quite

black.

Mr. Champion found only a single example of this insect. It has the central lobe of

the terminal armature bilobed; and as I have in my collection the male of a closely

allied Colombian species, I am able to conclude that Mr. Champion’s specimen is a

female.

QUEDIUS.

Quedius, Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. v. p. 214; Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 523.

This large genus comprises about two hundred described species, and is nearly cosmo-

politan in its distribution. From Tropical South America we know, however, as

yet, only three or four species, most of them of a type apparently peculiar to and

characteristic of the region; Chili possesses numerous very aberrant species. The

Central-American species fall into three natural groups, the first of which contains a

single species agreeing with the European and North-American forms, while the second

group is formed by three species allied to the Australian forms of the genus; the

remaining, third, group comprises the greater part of the Central-American Quedii,

and is peculiar to the Tropical-American region, with possibly a species or two north

of Mexico.

QUEDIUS. 329

§1. Gene with a raised margin; elytra evenly and regularly punctate and pubescent.

1. Quedius advena.

Niger; capite thoraceque subviridescentibus, elytris viridescentibus, antennis pedibusque fuscis, tarsis fusco-

testaceis ; capite suborbiculato,

Long. 8 millim,

Hab. Mexico, Las Vigas (Flohr).

Antenne rather short; basal joint pitchy red; second and third joints nearly black,

except that the second is red at the base; tenth joint as long as broad. Head broad,

the eyes extending more than three fourths of the length of the sides; four coarse

punctures in a transverse line near the front of the eyes, the inner puncture touching

the margin of the eye. Thorax nearly as long as broad, a little narrowed in front.

Scutellum smooth, without any punctures. Llytra rather longer than the thorax,

somewhat sparingly and not very finely punctured. Hind body black, feebly metalles-

cent, closely, very finely punctate. The front tarsi are rather broadly dilated in each

of the sexes.

This insect appears very closely allied in structure to the European Q. attenuatus ;

but the rather elongate terminal joint of the maxillary palpus is very slender and

acuminate. Mr. Flohr has sent nearly a dozen examples.

§ 2. Gene without raised margin ; elytra evenly and regularly punctate and pubescent.

2. Quedius leticulus. (Tab. VIII. fig. 3.)

Angustulus, nigerrimus; antennis pedibusque testaceis, elytris lete eneo-viridibus, abdominis apice late rufo.

Long. 73 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

This insect is similar in size and shape to the European Q. attenuatus. The antenne

are short and stout, with joints 5-10 transverse; palpi yellow. Thorax but little

rounded at the sides, about as long as broad, very black and shining. Elytra slightly

longer than the thorax, sparingly and finely punctate; scutellum sparingly punctate.

Hind body very black, with the terminal styles, the last segment and a portion of the

preceding segment red, sparingly but not finely punctate.

Only one specimen has been found; it is apparently a female, though the front tarsi

are broadly dilated.

8. Quedius championi. (Tab. VIII. fig. 4.)

Niger; antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis, elytris brunneo-testaceis, ad suturam late fuscis, abdomine fulyo-

pubescente, segmentorum marginibus posterioribus ferrugineis, ultimo ex parte majore rufo,

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo 3000 feet, Purula (Champion).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, February 1884. 2 UU

330 STAPHYLINIDA.

Head orbicular; antenne with the three basal joints yellow, the others dark, the

penultimate joints slightly transverse; palpi fuscous. Thorax broader than long.

Flytra a little longer than the thorax, of a pale brownish colour, broadly dark about

the suture, finely and rather closely punctate; scutellum closely punctate. Hind body

rather sparingly punctate; the hind margin of the penultimate segment rather broadly

red, the following segment red with a black patch on the middle; terminal styles red,

fuscous towards the extremity.

Four individuals have been found; the one figured is from San Gerénimo.

4. Quedius illatus.

Parvus, niger; antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis, elytris rufo-brunneis; abdomine versicolore, segmentis

apicalibus margine posteriore rufescente, crebrius punctato.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Flohr), Jalapa (Hoge); Guaremata, Sinanja in Vera Paz; Panama,

Volcan de Chiriqui up to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne scarcely thicker externally; the three basal joints red, the others darker ;

tenth joint as long as broad. Head orbicular. Thorax short, much broader than long,

much narrowed in front, like the head shining black. Scutellum densely punctate ;

elytra of a dark red colour, closely and finely punctate. Hind body strongly metallic,

with purplish or iridescent reflections, closely punctured, and with much black pubes-

cence; the hind margin of the penultimate segment lurid red or yellow, the terminal

segment with this colour more extensive on the hind margin; terminal styles red, with

long, dense, black pubescence.

Although widely distributed, this is apparently not a common species, as I have seen

altogether only ten individuals. The specimens from Mexico and Guatemala have the

legs nearly black, but do not apparently differ in other respects.

§ 3. Gene with a raised margin; elytra polished, with only a few setigerous punctures,

which are arranged in a serial manner, and in addition with a very regular series

of conspicuous punctures contiguous with the epipleural margin.

5. Quedius basiventris. (Tab. VIII. fig. 5.)

Rufo-testaceus, politus, nitidissimus ; capite abdominisque segmentis duobus basalibus nigris ; elytris sublevi-

gatis punctis nonnullis setigeris subobsoletis impressis, abdomine parce punctato.

Long. 7-8 millim,

Hab. GuatemMALa, Volcan de Atitlan about 3000 feet, Mirandilla 1700 feet, Las

Mercedes, Pantaleon, San Isidro (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui between

2500 and 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne yellow, a little thicker towards the extremity, the three or four penultimate

joints a little subserrate internally. Head orbiculate, but a good deal narrower than

QUEDIUS. . 33L

the thorax; this latter without discoidal punctures. Elytra about as long as the

thorax, each with about a dozen irregularly placed obscure punctures, each of which

bears a conspicuous erect black seta, the larger of these sete being three or four placed

at each outside; touching the epipleural margin there is a series of obscure punc-

tures, the punctures on the posterior part of this series distant and obsolete. Hind

body with the two basal segments black, strongly iridescent. The male has a slight

emargination in the middle of the hind margin of the last ventral plate.

This species apparently varies much in colour: all the red parts may become black,

except the antennz, legs, and two apical segments of the hind body, and, on the other

hand, the head may be in greater or less extent red. From Panama I have seen only

two individuals, both of them extreme colour-varieties, but very different from one

another.

This insect was found amongst branches cut from trees.

6. Quedius jocosus. (Tab. VIII. fig. 6.)

Nitidus, rufus; capite abdomineque nigris, hoc apice lete rufo-testaceo, pedibus testaceis; elytris thoracis

longitudine, punctis nonnullis magnis seriatim impressis ; abdomine crebre subtiliter punctato.

Long. 103 millim.

Hab. GuatTEMALA, near the city, at an elevation of 5000 feet (Champion).

The head is broad and short, shining black, the clypeal membrane pale, almost ivory-

like, the mandibles and palpi red. The punctures on the elytra are rather large, and

are disposed serially, five or six along the suture; a similar number on a series within

the shoulder, two punctures being interposed on the disk between these two series; at

the epipleural margin there is a regular series of twelve to fourteen setigerous punctures,

and above these there are at the side three or four elongate outstanding black sete.

The basal segment of the hind body has only a few punctures, a large space on it being

bare, but the segments beyond the second are rather closely and regularly punctate ;

the pale colour is confined to the two terminal segments and the apical processes. The

male has a deep notch on the last ventral segment.

Mr. Champion found three individuals of this elegant insect running on the banks of

streams, and I have for some years preserved an individual in my collection. There is

no sexual difference of coloration.

7. Quedius graciliventris.

Nigerrimus, nitidus, politus; capite inter antennas abdominisque apice rufis; mandibulis, palpis, antennarum

basi pedibusque anterioribus testaceis, pedibus intermediis fusco-testaceis, tarsis nigris ; elytris longioribus

quam prothorax, punctis nonnullis haud magnis impressis ; abdomine gracile fere impunctato.

Long. 9 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui between 2000 and 6000 feet (Champion).

The head is orbicular, but not very large ; the red colour on its anterior part is only

2UU 2

332 STAPHYLINIDA.

small in extent. The punctures on the epipleural series are not large, and are about

twelve in number. The slender hind body has the four basal segments black, a little

iridescent, each with a transverse series of punctures at the base, but the series on the

first segment is very indistinct; the two terminal segments and the apical styles are

red. The front legs are yellow, with the tarsi a little infuscate ; the middle legs yellow

at the base, becoming darker outwards, so that the tarsi are nearly black; the hind

legs black.

The above description applies to five individuals from Panama, all of which are

males ; and from the same locality, but not apparently found at the same spot or time,

I have before me eight female individuals, which are rather larger and have all the

legs, the palpi, base of the antenne, and front of the head quite or nearly black. Two

female individuals from Guatemala are intermediate in colour between the males and

females from Panama: it is thus impossible for me to say to what extent these colour-

variations may be sexual or due to other causes, and it is even possible that all may

not be really one species, though it is more than probable that the individuals from

Panama are the sexes of a single species.

8. Quedius concolor.

Nigerrimus, nitidus, politus; antennis, palpis pedibusque anterioribus testaceo-fuscis ; capite orbiculato-ovato ;

elytris longioribus quam thorax, punctis nonnullis haud magnis impressis; abdomine apicem versus parce

punctato.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne short, but little thickened externally, dusky yellow, the base rather darker

than the apex. Hind body entirely black, with a slight iridescent tint, the two basal

segments each with a transverse series of punctures near the base; the following

segment at the sides sparingly punctate; the three apical segments sparingly, not very

finely, punctate.

This species is represented only by a unique female. It is readily distinguished

from Q. graciliventris by the unicolorous hind body, and it is of less slender form;

but in other respects greatly resembles that species. The front legs are darker on the

anterior than on the posterior aspect.

9. Quedius anthracinus.

Quedius anthracinus, Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ent. Ross. v. p. 125+.

Hab. Mexico},

IT am not acquainted with this species, which appears to be founded on an entirely

black Quedius with iridescent hind body, and allied in many respects to the following

species.

QUEDIUS. 333

10. Quedius arrogans. (Tab. VIII. fig. 7.)

Niger, nitidissimus; abdomine iridescente, parce punctato; capite orbiculato; elytris paullo longioribus

quam prothorax, punctis nonnullis setigeris conspicuis impressis.

Long. 11-12 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, at elevations between 2000 and 6000 feet

(Champion). |

This species has a very broad head; and the head, thorax, and elytra are of a very

shining intensely black colour ; the upper surface of the hind body is strongly iridescent,

the basal portions of some of the middle segments being indeed occasionally of a lurid

red colour. ‘The mandibles are piceous at the apex. The disposition of the few

punctures on the elytra is much the same as it is in Q. graciliventris, but the punctures

themselves are not so small as in that insect. The two apical segments of the hind

body are quite sparingly punctured; the one preceding them is still more sparingly

punctate, except at the base, and the two basal segments are punctate only at the base,

the punctuation not being reduced, however, to a single transverse series. ‘The anterior

tarsi are of dark colour and are very broad. In the male the emargination of the

tip of the apical ventral plate is preceded by a rather elongate depression of the

surface.

Four individuals have been found.

11. Quedius flavicaudus,

Niger, nitidissimus ; abdomine opalescente, apice late rufo-testaceo, capite anterius plus minusve rufescente ;

antennarum basi, mandibulis, palpis tarsisque anterioribus piceis vel rufis; elytris vix longioribus quam

prothorax, punctis nonnullis setigeris conspicuis impressis; capite transversim orbiculato.

Long. 11-12 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui between 2000 and 4000 feet, Bugaba (Champion).

This insect has the two apical segments of the hind body as well as the terminal

styles bright red or yellow; the apical segments are but sparingly punctate, the one

preceding them not quite so sparingly, especially at its base; the three basal segments

have some punctures at the base and sides of each, but those on the basal segment are

only very few; when fully extended it is seen that the red colour of the penultimate

segment leaves the extreme base dark. The colour of the front of the head and of the

base of the antennee is apparently rather variable. The male has a broad, not deep,

emargination at the middle of the tip of the last ventral plate.

Several specimens have been found of this species. A very similar but distinct form

occurs at Rio de Janeiro.

12. Quedius rufinasus.

Niger, nitidissimus ; abdomine apice late testaceo ; capite orbiculato, anterius late rufescente; palpis, mandibulis

tarsisque rufis; elytris haud longioribus quam prothorax, punctis nonnullis setigeris magnis impressis.

Long. 10 millim.

334 - STAPHYLINIDZ.

Hab. Panama, David (Champion).

Antenne short, joints 6-10 transverse. Hind body but little opalescent, the two |

terminal segments entirely red, as well as the styles; the first segment has only a very

few punctures, and these do not extend as a complete series across its base; the

following segment has a complete series across the base and some punctures at the

sides, and the three following segments are more evenly, though still only sparingly,

punctate; the tarsi, though flavescent or rufescent, have the basal joint piceous.

Only a single female has been found of this species. Although very similar to

Q. flavicaudus, it has a narrower head and shorter antenne, and also the elytra slightly

shorter, with more conspicuous punctures, and differs too a little in the details of colour

and punctuation.

13. Quedius mexicanus.

Niger, nitidissimus; abdomine sat iridescente, apice late testaceo; antennis tarsisque testaceis, illis basi picea,

oris partibus rufis; elytris prothoracis longitudine, punctis nonnullis setigeris conspicuis impressis ;

capite orbiculato.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Sallé), Mirador (Hége).

This is another of the extremely closely allied species of this group, and is best

distinguished by the flavescent or rufescent antenne, which are paler externally than

at the base, this latter part being indeed piceous, and by the pallid tarsi. The hind

body is not quite so sparingly punctured as in the allied species, but, as in them, the

punctuation is deficient on the middle of the basal segments.

I have seen only two females, which do not agree exactly, as in one the punctuation

of the hind body is finer and the legs are paler in colour, the femora being piceous:

in both individuals the anterior tibiz are deeply infuscate yellow.

14. Quedius verecundus.

Niger, nitidissimus ; mandibulis tarsisque versus apicem piceis, abdomine purpureo-versicolore, crebrius zqualiter

punctato ; capite transversim orbiculato; elytris thoracis longitudine, punctis grossis seriatim im pressis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui between 2500 and 4000 feet (Champion).

The antenne are short, scarcely so long as the head and half the thorax, and are

very little thickened externally; joints seven to ten being a little transverse. The

elytra possess very large punctures, nine or ten extending from the base to the apex

along the suture, and a series of seven or eight within the shoulder, and four or five

large punctures are placed obliquely between these series ; on the outer margin there is

another series, and the epipleural series is very regular and distinct. The punctuation

of the hind body is rather coarse and moderately close; on the basal segment it is absent

from a small space on the middle of the hind margin.

QUEDIUS. | 335

The only individual found is a very decayed and mutilated female; probably in the

fresh state the front of the head and base of the antennz may be piceous; the labrum

is very large.

15. Quedius protensus.

Niger, nitidus ; antennarum basi, partibus oris pedibusque anterioribus rufis ; elytris rufo-sanguineis, pedibus

posterioribus piceis, tarsis rufis; capite orbiculato ; elytris fere brevioribus quam prothorax, punctis non-

nullis, seriatis, conspicuis impressis; abdomine magno, sat evidenter versicolore, crebrius equaliter punctato.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Duefias (Champion).

Antenne short, red at the base, darker externally; the eighth and ninth joints

scarcely transverse. The elytra, of a dark red colour, have the arrangement of punctures

seen in Q. verecundus and other allies, but the punctures are not numerous, there being

only four or five along the suture ; the posterior one or two of these are indistinct, and the

last of them is far in front of the hind margin ; the intra-humeral series is irregular and

consists of five or six punctures. The hind body is larger than in the allied species,

and is rather closely and coarsely punctate; the basal segment is without impunctate

space; the hind margin of the penultimate segment is narrowly reddish, as is the

extreme base of the apical segments, and also the terminal styles.

Only a single mutilated individual has been found.

16. Quedius rivorum.

Niger, nitidus; antennis, partibus oris pedibusque testaceis ; elytris sanguineo-rufis circa scutellum nigris,

punctis seriatis magnis impressis; abdomine subversicolore, crebrius punctato, apicem versus rufo

variegato.

Long. 9-10 millim.

Hab. Guatema.a, near the city (Champion).

Var. Capite anterius latius rufescente.

Hab. Mexico, Juquila (Sailé).

Antenne short, a little thicker externally, the three penultimate joints transverse.

Head orbiculate, not so much constricted at the neck as in most of the allied species;

the eyes, however, very prominent, the front margin vaguely and narrowly rufescent.

Elytra hardly so long as the thorax, polished, of a dark red colour, with a black patch

round the scutellum, and with the outer margin black; the serial punctures are large

and conspicuous, and disposed as in the allied species; those of the sutural series are not

so large as the rest. The hind body is black, rather closely punctate ; the penultimate

segment with a conspicuous red cincture behind; the extreme base of the apical

segment also reddish as well as its hind margin; the terminal styles more or less

infuscate red. |

The male has a large depression at the tip of the last ventral plate, and the hind

336 STAPHYLINIDA.

margin is emarginate; the two preceding segments are flattened along the middle, and

on this part densely and finely punctate, and furnished with a close yellow pubescence.

Mr. Champion has found a series of ten individuals of this species; it inhabits the

banks of streams. The unique Mexican individual is apparently immature, and though

it differs minutely in some points can hardly be a distinct species. I have two very

closely allied Brazilian new species.

QUEDIONUCHUS.

Caput quadrato-orbiculare, collo abrupto. Palporum articulus ultimus gracilis; gene immarginate. Pro-

thoracis margines anguste, parum inflexe. Femora posteriora longius fortiterque spinulosa. Tarsi

posteriores graciles.

This genus will comprise, in addition to the Central-American species here enu-

merated, some undescribed Japanese forms, and the well known European Staphylinus

levigatus, Gyll., referred by modern authors to Quediws. Although approached in one

or more of its peculiarities by different sections of Quedius, the genus is a truly distinct

and natural one, on account of the above combination of characters, and is of interest

by the fact that itis the nearest approach made by the Quediina to the genus Philonthus.

Indeed, in the form of the head, neck, and eyes, and the obliterated margin of the

gene, and the less developed and less infolded side margins of the prothorax, it

approaches very closely to some of the Staphylinine. Its nearest allies in the genus

Quedius are Q. impressus and Q. capucinus. All the species of Quedionuchus are sub-

cortical in their habits ; and all of them have the usual diffuse punctuation of the wing-

cases absent, the surface being smooth (except at the lateral margins) and bearing only

a few serial setigerous punctures.

1. Quedionuchus impunctus.

Subdepressus, niger ; pedibus palpisque piceis, his articulo ultimo illis tarsis rufis; elytris longioribus quam

prothorax, subopacis, levigatis ; abdomine parce punctato.

Long. 9-14 millim.

Quedius cordillere, Chev. in. litt.’

Quedius impunctus, Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ent. Ross. v. p. 124.

Hab. Mexico ', Popocatepetl 12,000 feet (Zruqui), Jacale, Orizaba (Sadlé), Ciudad

Mexico (Flohr & Forrer), Las Vigas, Jalapa, Oaxaca (Hége), Guatemala, Volcan de

Agua, 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

Var. Elytris rufis.

Hab. Mxxico, Oaxaca, Jalapa (Hége), Durasnal, Orizaba, Parada (Boucard, coll. Sallé).

Antenne rather short and stout, nearly black; third joint longer than the second,

fifth about as long as broad, sixth to tenth each a little transverse. yes but little pro-

minent, and not extending backwards quite half the length of the sides. Thorax about

as long as broad, a little narrowed in front and slightly sinuate at the sides; the front

QUEDIONUCHUS. 337

angles rather prominent, not at all rounded; near the front margin on each side of the

middle with a longitudinal series of three punctures, a large puncture near the lateral

margin in front of the middle, and a few irregularly placed punctures near the front

margin on each side. Elytra a little longer than the thorax, the surface dull, owing

to a most minute dense sculpture, only to be detected by a strong magnifying-power,

and also obscurely wrinkled, but without true punctuation, except that there are a few

obsolete serial punctures, three or so near the suture, another longitudinal series of

four or five within the shoulder, and one or two punctures between these two series.

Hind body with a scanty but distinct fine punctuation. The front tarsi of the male

are a little broader than those of the female, and in the former sex there is a small

notch at the tip of the last ventral plate.

The species apparently varies a good deal; the hind body is frequently more or less

flavo-piceous ; it is possible the form with red wing-cases may prove to be a distinct

species, as Hoge found a large series of the type form at Las Vigas without any of the

more brightly coloured form. Certain smaller individuals from Las Vigas and Oaxaca

with shorter elytra, and rather paler legs, antenne, and palpi, depart much from the

typical forms. Only a single decayed individual has been received from Guatemala.

Solsky’s description was apparently drawn up from a single female, and is so

erroneous in respect of the position of the lateral marginal puncture of the thorax, of

the punctuation of the hind body, and in making no mention of the serial punctures

on the wing-cases, that I have thought well to replace it by a fresh one. M. Fauvel

assures me that he has ample evidence from correspondence with the late Mr. Solsky

that this is the species he really intended to describe.

2. Quedionuchus spinipes.

Piceus ; antennis, palpis pedibusque rufis, tibiis piceis; elytris levigatis, subopacis, brevioribus quam pro-

thorax ; abdomine parce punctato.

Long. 9-10 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet, Totonicapam 8500 10,500

feet (Champion).

Var.? An femina? Tibiis posterioribus breviter spinosis.

Hab. Muxico, Las Vigas (Hége).

This species is closely allied to Q. impunctus, but the individuals are smaller, the

elytra are much shorter, the colour is paler, the antenne are more slender, and the

posterior femora (in the male if not in the other sex) are stouter and armed with

longer and stronger spines. The metasternum is in this species so much reduced in

length that the tips of the middle coxe very nearly touch the hind ones. The head

is elongate behind the eyes, which are consequently remote from the neck as in Q. im-

punctus.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, Pebruary 1884. 2XX

338 STAPHYLINIDA.

The three individuals found in Guatemala are males, and there is some doubt

whether the Mexican example (a female) is really conspecific with them.

8. Quedionuchus femoralis.

Niger, nitidus ; abdomine, palpis tarsisque piceis ; elytris subopacis, vix longioribus quam prothorax, levigatis ;

abdomine parce punctato; femoribus posterioribus subtus ultra medium incrassatis spinisque majoribus

armatis.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Totonicapam, 8500 to 10,500 feet, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000

feet (Champion).

This species is closely allied to Q. impunctus, but is of more elongate and parallel

form, and is readily distinguished by the incrassate ridge of the hind femora; this is

not a sexual character, as two of the three specimens found are females, and have the

femora and their armature quite as largely developed as the third individual, which is

a male.

4. Quedionuchus angustus.

Niger, nitidus; palporum articulo ultimo tarsisque rufis; capite breviter orbiculato ; elytris paulo brevioribus

quam prothorax, subopacis ; abdomine parce punctato.

Long. 84-9 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Totonicapam, 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

This is closely allied to Q. émpunctus, but is a smaller and narrower insect, with

shorter elytra, and especially with a smaller head, so that the distance between the

hind margin of the eyes and the neck is much less. There is merely a scarcely per-

ceptible emargination of the last ventral plate in the male.

Ten individuals have been found. Nine of them agree very closely inter se, but the

tenth is a variety of larger size, with rather shorter picescent elytra, and a hind body

also of this colour; it is a female and may prove to be a distinct species; it has some

resemblance to Q. spinipes, but the head is of different shape, and the antenne are

black.

5. Quedionuchus nigerrimus. (Tab. VIII. fig. 8.)

Nigerrimus, nitidus ; elytris levigatis, sat nitidis, multo longioribus quam prothorax ; abdomine parce punctato.

Long. 10-11 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet, San Gerdnimo 3000 feet (Cham-

pion).

This is very closely allied to Q. tmpunctus, but is really distinguished by the intense

black colour of the head and thorax, which also are very shining, and by the fact that

the elytra have no trace of fine alutaceous sculpture. The palpi and antenne are quite

black. The head is smaller, the eyes on the contrary rather larger than in Q. impunctus,

QUEDIOMAORUS. 339

and thus it is that the space between the hind margin of the eye and the neck is much

shorter than in Q. émpunctus, and that the postocular puncture on the temple is much

nearer the eye.

The male has a broad, shallow emargination at the tip of the last ventral plate.

ight specimens have been found at Cerro Zunil, and one at San Gerénimo; they

show no variation. Like its congeners, it lives under bark of dead trees.

QUEDIOMACRUWS.

Antenne crasse, subfusiformes ; genee distincte, immarginatew. Prothoracis margines anguste, parum inflexe.

Tarsi posteriores breves, subdeplanati, subtus ciliis elongatis adpressis vestiti.

The genz though destitute of a raised margin are separated by a distinct suture from

the under surface of the head. The mandibles are large and the left one is furnished

in the middle with two powerful teeth, the lower of which is broad and truncate or

emarginate ; the right mandible has a single smaller tooth, with a second very minute

tooth or tubercle above it *; the eyes are not at all prominent. The side piece of the

prothorax is very narrow and outside the insertion of the coxe is not bent upwards, so

that the margin of the thorax does not show there a sharp edge; there is a large horny

stigmatic shield. ‘The hind femora are armed with a series of short spinules.

The genus is allied to Quedius, but the short and broad, rigid hind tarsi (each joint

of which bears on the under surface a series of rigid adpressed ciliz not interrupted in

the middle) are sufficiently diagnostic, and it possesses in addition other peculiarities

only exceptionally found in the genus Quedius. It may probably prove to be peculiar

to the Central-American region.

1. Quediomacrus puniceipennis. (Tab. VIII. fig. 9.)

Staphylinus puniceipennis, Sturm, in litt.

Quedius puniceipennis, Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ent. Ross. v. p. 123°.

Hab. Mexico !, Puebla (Sallé), Esperanza (Hoge).

2. Quediomacrus pollens.

Subdepressus, nigerrimus, nitidus ; capite anterius obsolete punctulato, prothorace fortiter transverso, lateribus

ante angulos posteriores sinuatis.

Long. 20-28 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city and at Purula (Champion).

This is very closely allied to Q. punicetpennis, but is more depressed, has the wing-

cases deep black in colour, and has the antenne rather longer and thinner.

The specimen captured at Purula was flying through the forest ; the three examples

from Guatemala city were found under bark.

* In the figure on Tab. VIII. of Q. puniceipennis, the artist has represented the right mandible as similar to

the left ; but this is incorrect.

2XX2

340 STAPHYLINIDA.

CYRTOTHORAX.

Cyrtothoraz, Kraatz, Berl. ent. Zeit. 1858, p. 366.

This genus possesses, besides the Central-American species, two others found in

Northern South America, and two in the Indo-Chinese peninsula. Mr. Champion

states that these insects are found in fungus, thus corroborating the statement already

published by Messrs. Chevrolat and Sallé as to the habits of C. buphthalmus.

1. Cyrtothorax buphthalmus.

Bolitogyrus cribripennis, Dej. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 76°.

Quedius buphthalmus, Er. Gen. et Spec. p. 534°.

Cyrtothorax sallei, Kr. Berl. ent. Zeit. 11. p. 367°, pl. ii. V h.

Hab. Mexico!23, Flohr, Cordova (Sallé §& Hége), Tuxtla and Toxpam (Sail/é) ;

GUATEMALA, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet, Las Mercedes 3000 feet, San Gerdnimo

3000 feet, Sinanja and Chiacam in Vera Paz (Champion).

This species varies in size and in the colour of the head, thorax, and elytra, which are

sometimes brassy, sometimes black or blue-black ; also in the punctuation of the head

and of the sides of the thorax, and also in the width of this latter part; but I have not

seen enough specimens to warrant me in considering any of the forms distinct species,

there being only one or two individuals before me from each of the localities.

Kraatz® alludes to this variation; he speaks also of a difference in the colour of the

front coxe, but this appears to me probably dependent on the state of preservation of

the specimens.

2. Cyrtothorax bullatus.

Piceus, supra sneo-piceus; antennis extrorsum nigris, pedibus sordide testaceis, femoribus posterioribus fusco

maculatis ; capite fortiter rugoso, medio plaga circulari, elevata, subleevigata ; prothorace ad latera grosse

punctato ; elytris fortiter punctatis, valde inzequalibus.

Long. 73 millim.

Hab. Panama, Boquete (Champion).

This insect is closely allied to C. buphthalmus, but is smaller than any individual I

have seen of the latter species, and is readily distinguished by numerous peculiarities of

sculpture. The head is a little narrower than the thorax, and is entirely covered with

coarse sculpture except on the raised, circular, discoidal patch, on which there are only

a few fine punctures. The thorax is not broader than the elytra, and has a broad space

on each side very coarsely punctate, the disk being very shining and polished; the

marginal punctures on the front and hind margins are extremely large, and on the front

of the disk behind the two middle marginal punctures there are two rather deep, vague

depressions. ‘The elytra are coarsely punctate, and in addition have their surface more

CYRTOTHORAX. 341

uneven than it is in any of the other species known to me. The hind body is slender,

and each of the basal segments is punctate at the sides, and the punctures of each side

nearly meet in the middle on the base of each of these segments; the terminal and

penultimate segments are sparingly punctate.

The only example found is in a decayed condition, and the colour of the legs may

not, consequently, be very natural.

3. Cyrtothorax cyanescens, (Tab. VIII. fig. 10.)

Nigerrimus ; capite, thorace elytrisque cyaneis ; antennarum basi tarsisque piceis, femoribus basibus testaceis,

antennarum articulo ultimo ferrugineo ; elytris inequalibus fortiter punctatis.

Long. 10-12 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Capetillo, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

This is extremely similar to the larger specimens of C. buphthalmus, except in the

beautiful blue colour of the anterior parts, and the more limited extension of the

yellow colour on the legs.

Of the ten specimens before me nine were found at Capetillo.

4, Cyrtothorax fulgidus.

Rufus; capite superne viridi, elytris viridi-ceruleis, abdomine ante apicem nigro; antennis in medio, capitis

facie inferiore pectorisque lateribus nigricantibus ; elytris fortiter punctatis, subineequalibus.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne with joints 3-5 red at the base, dark at the extremity, the following joints

nearly black, the terminal joint pale. Thorax broader than the elytra, with a few

coarse punctures on each side. Hind body very little punctate, there being only a few

punctures at the side of each of segments 2—5, and very few punctures on the sixth

segment; the colour of this segment is black, like that preceding it, but its hind

margin, as well as the terminal segment, is red.

Only one example (a female) is known of this vividly coloured species.

5. Cyrtothorax salvini.

Fulvus ; capite thoraceque superne et scutello viridescentibus ; abdomine ante apicem nigricante, apice fulvo-

testaceo; antennis rufescentibus, articulo ultimo pedibusque testaceis; elytris fortiter punctatis, sub-

ineequalibus.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).

This insect is very similar in other respects, though so dissimilar in the colour of the

thorax and elytra, to C. fulgidus; it has, however, the punctuation of the front of the

head rather coarser and closer.

Two individuals, male and female, have been found of this species; the sexual

342 STAPHYLINIDA.

differences are extremely slight ; the male has no emargination of the last ventral plate,

but its anterior tarsi are slightly broader, and the middle ventral lobe of the terminal

armature is not bilobed as it is in the female.

CORDYLASPIS.

Cordylaspis, Nordmann, Symbol. p. 17 (1837) ; Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 341.

Smilax, Laporte, Etud. Ent. p. 116 (1835).

Although the name Smilax has priority, it has been displaced on account of its prior

use for a well-known genus of plants. ‘There is but one species of the genus.

1. Cordylaspis pilosa.

Staphylinus pilosus, Fabr. Ent. Syst. i. pt. 2, p. 523°; Olivier, Ent. no. 42, p. 24, t.1. f. 3%.

Smilax americanus, Lap. Et. Ent. p. 117°.

Cordylaspis tuberculatus, Nord. Symbol. p. 17, t. f. 6 *.

Cordylaspis pilosa, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 342’; Lacord. Gen. Col. Atlas, t. 15. f. 1.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt, Janson); Costa Rica (Van Patten); Panama,

David, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).—Sovutn America, Colombia °,

Cayenne 1?°°, Brazil® to Rio de Janeiro.—(Sumatra ex errore +.)

Var. Abdomine nigro, unicolore, corpore et pedibus nigro-pubescentibus.

Hab. Nicaracva, Chontales (Janson). (Tab. VIII. fig. 12.)

Although so widely distributed, this peculiar insect appears to be rare, solitary

specimens only being found; its habits are unknown, but the late Mr. Belt informed

me he used to find it in ants’ nests. The variety from Nicaragua that is represented on

the Plate may be distinct; but as the species is variable in its colour independently

of this particular race, I shall not treat it as distinct ; it has, however, other peculiarities,

the punctuation being less dense, and the peculiar setigerous punctures of the elytra

rudimentary.

Group XANTHOPYGINA.

I propose to isolate as a distinct group those members of the Staphylinine exhibiting

the following characters, viz. superior lateral marginal line of the thorax in front not

at all deflexed to the under surface, inferior line continued on to the front aspect of

the thorax without joining the superior line. This group of genera is peculiar to the

New World, and is indeed nearly confined to its tropical regions.

TYMPANOPHORUS.

Tyinpenophorus, Nordmann, Symbol. p. 9, t. f. 2? (palpi).

Staphylinus, Fam. XII., Erichson, Gen. et Spec. p. 4027.

This genus has comprised till now only a single Brazilian species, unique, I believe,

TYMPANOPHORUS.—SELMA. 343

in the Berlin collection. To it must also be assigned the North-American Eury-

porus puncticollis, Er., and I am able to add a third species, found in our region.

It appears strange that so careful a writer as Erichson should, after having described

fully ? the peculiarities of the genus in the same work, have referred a second species of

it to a genus where it was evidently misplaced. Nordmann’s sketch! of the maxillary

palpi is deceptive, and does not accord with his (or with Erichson’s) description ; the

terminal joint of the palpus is quite as long as the preceding joint.

1. Tympanophorus concolor. (Tab. VIII. fig. 13.)

Nigerrimus, nitidus, pubescentia concolore minus tenui vestitus; capite parvo densissime punctato, medio

levigato ; prothorace ovato-circulari, crebre fortiter punctato, linea mediali impunctata; elytris crebre

fortiter punctatis, vix longioribus quam prothorax ; abdomine nitido, parce punctato, conspicue nigro-

pubescente.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Costa Rica, Irazu 6000 to 7000 feet (Rogers).

This species is closely allied to 7. puncticollis, but is readily distinguished by its

intense black colour, it being clothed with concolorous pubescence instead of an ashy

one; the punctuation of the head is denser and coarser. ‘The male has on the middle

of the lower aspect of the penultimate segment of the hind body an elevated space open

behind so as to appear deeply bifid.

I have examined four specimens of this species as well as the fragments of a fifth

individual.

2. Tympanophorus puncticollis.

Euryporus puncticollis, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 554°; Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ent. Ross. v. p. 123°;

Horn, Tr. Am. Ent. Soe. vii. p. 149°.

Hab. Norra America !3,—MExtco ?.

The only indication of this insect belonging to the fauna of our region is Solsky’s

bare record of its name as a Mexican insect. It is, I believe, very rare in the United

States, and [am much indebted to Dr. Horn for having supplied me with the individual

that has enabled me to point out for the first time the genus to which it truly belongs.

SELMA.

Selma, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 426.

The genus at present comprises only one species.

1. Selma modesta. (Tab. VIII. fig. 14.)

Selma modesta, Sharp, op. cit. p. 427.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt).

344 STAPHYLINIDZ.

XANTHOPYGUS.

Staphylinus, Fam. VII, Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 363.

Xanthopygus, Kraatz, Ins. Deutsch. i. p. 539.

This genus is peculiar to Tropical America, where it is generally distributed, about

twenty species being previously known.

1. Xanthopygus sapphirinus.

Staphylinus sapphirinus, Er. Gen.et Spec. Staph. p.364!; Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 126°.

Hab. Muxico, Mirador (Hége); Guatemata, Zapote, San Gerénimo, Senahu, and

Purula in Vera Paz (Champion) ; Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000

feet (Champion).—Soutn America !, Amazons valley ?.

The specimens of this species known to me from our region are not numerous, only

about a dozen, and are all smaller than the Amazonian examples, and have the head

and thorax less punctate. They show, as do also X. solskyi and X. viridipennis, great

variation in the colour of the elytra, which is either violet, blue, or green, and the two

examples from Mexico have the extreme base of the penultimate segment of the hind

body black. The species may readily be distinguished from all the varieties of X. solskyt

by the male characters, and by the piceous labrum and the less pallid clypeal mem-

brane, which is less definitely marked off from the front of the head.

2. Xanthopygus solskyi.

Xanthopygus solskyi, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 126°.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Panima in Vera Paz (Champion); Nicaraeua, Chontales (Belt) ;

Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion)—Sourn AMERICA,

Amazons},

Erichson’s S. calidus from Colombia I have not been able to identify in the absence

of any reference to the male characters by the German author ; it may prove to be either

this species or X. viridipennis, or another closely allied species. Only a single example

of X. solskyi has been found in Guatemala, which is probably the northern limit of its

range.

3. Xanthopygus viridipennis.

Xanthopygus viridipennis, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 428’.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales! (Janson); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui

(Champion).

This species, as well as X. solskyi, has been found in some numbers, but both are

apparently much less common than X. xanthopygus. They are found about decaying

vegetable matter.

XANTHOPYGUS. 345

X. viridipennis is readily distinguished from X. solskyi by the male characters, by

the less dilated anterior tarsi, and the few but coarser punctures on the anterior part of

the head.

4, Xanthopygus flohri.

Niger; elytris lete ceruleis, vel cyaneis, vel viridibus, antennis testaceis, palpis piceis, abdominis segmentis

duobus ultimis totis rufo-testaceis, plantis anterioribus fuscis; capite fortiter punctato, medio levigato,

clypei membrana pallida, discreta.

Long. 12-18 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Flohr), Mirador, Oaxaca (Hoge), Cordova, Tuxtla (Sailé) ; GuaTEMALA,

Zapote (Champion).

Closely allied to X. solskyt and X. viridipennis, but readily distinguished by the

picescent palpi. The clypeal membrane is pallid and very definite though short.

The male has on the middle of the under surface of the penultimate segment a trans-

verse series of elongate concolorous set, and the hind margin of the following segment

has a rather broad notch in the middle, about as deep as it is broad, and quite cleanly

cut out, not at all membranous at the base, and differing in this way much from the

emargination of this sex in X. solskyi. The front tarsi are only moderately broad.

I have before me three or four dozen examples from various sources of this species ;

it varies much in size and the smaller examples have the head and thorax less closely

punctate, and the palpi not so darkly piceous; but the male characters are the same

in all, and I cannot distinguish more than one species. From Guatemala only two

examples have been received. In Sallé’s and other collections this insect was labelled

X. sapphirinus, Er., and I have also seen it called X. calidus, Er.

5. Xanthopygus puncticollis. (Tab. VIII. fig. 15.)

Niger; capite thoraceque violaceis, elytris cyaneis vel viridibus, abdominis segmentis duobus ultimis, palpis

antennisque testaceis, his extrorsum fuscescentibus ; capite parvo ; thorace fortiter punctato, linea angusta

mediali impunctata.

Long. 15 millim.

_ Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

This is readily distinguished from the other Central-American species by the violet

tint of the head and thorax; it is very closely allied to the Amazonian X. violaceus,

but that species has the penultimate segment of the hind body in larger part black,

while in X. puncticollis it is entirely yellow-red, the rufescent colour invading indeed

the hind margin of the antepenultimate segment.

The male has an elongate transverse series of sete on the middle of the lower plate

of the penultimate segment of the hind body, and the terminal segment has a deep

notch in the middle; these characters are the same as those of the corresponding sex

of X. violaceus, except that the hind margin of the sixth segment is apparently quite

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, Apri 1884. 2VYV

346 STAPHYLINID.

without emargination behind. Only three specimens have been found of this elegant

insect. The one figured is a female.

6. Xanthopygus morosus.

Subdepressus, niger ; elytris nigro-viridescentibus, antennis palpisque rufis, abdominis segmentis duobus ultimis

flavis ; thorace parcius punctato, seriebus discoidalibus a punctis lateralibus evidenter discretis.

Long. 15 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); GuaTemMaLa, Senahu in Vera Paz (Champion).

Antenne rather short and stout, the five penultimate joints transverse. Head with

distant but very coarse punctures, the middle being, however, largely smooth. Thorax

quite as broad as long, only sparingly punctate, the punctures consisting of two widely

separated longitudinal series along the middle, and a few distant punctures on each side.

Elytra of an obscure green colour, coarsely and rather sparingly punctate. Hind body

only sparingly and coarsely punctate.

The more depressed form, the shape of the thorax, and its sparse punctuation bring

this species into the proximity of XY. faustus, Er. Only a single specimen has been

found in each of the localities, and both of them are females.

7. Xanthopygus rufipennis. (Tab. VIII. fig. 16.)

Subdepressus, niger ; prosterno, pectore, scutello, elytris, antennis pedibusque rufis, tibiis omnibus femoribusque

posterioribus plus minusve nigricantibus ; abdominis segmentis duobus ultimis rufo-testaceis.

Long. 12-15 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000

feet (Champion).

Head with distant coarse punctures, which are wanting on the middle. Thorax as

long as broad, only sparingly punctured, the punctuation consisting of two widely

separated longitudinal series, and some lateral punctures numerous in front, but not

extending to the hind angles. Elytra and hind body only sparingly punctate. The

male has a short notch on the last ventral plate.

This species is very similar to X. morosus in form and sculpture, though so different

in colour; in this respect it departs entirely from its congeners and agrees with a

species of Belonuchus which was found by Hoge at the same locality and probably in

company with the Xanthopygus. Hoge, however, has sent only one individual, but a

good series was found by Mr. Champion. The Mexican example is a feeble individual

and has the front and middle legs and the hind femora entirely pale.

LAMPROPYGUS.

Ligula subintegra, apice vix perspicue emarginato. Prothorax lineis lateralibus haud conjunctis, externa ad

angulum anteriorem vix obducta, facie plana ante angulum fere nulla. ‘Tarsi anteriores dilatati.

Abdomen segmentis dorsalibus 2°-4™ basi impressis.

This genus is established for certain species which have been placed in Philonthus,

LAMPROPYGUS. 347

Staphylinus, and Xanthopygus, and must be located near the latter genus, from which

it differs by the fact that the ligula is less emarginate, and by the great diminution of

the plane surface of the front margin of the thorax at the anterior angles; by these

characters it makes some approach to Philonthus, in which genus Erichson located

the species known to him, while the species of Xanthopyqus, as I now restrict the term,

he placed in Staphylinus. There is still much discrepancy between L. analis and L.

bicolor and the typical species of the genus, and it is probable that it will still require

further analysis. The genus includes, besides the species here mentioned, Philonthus

bicolor, Er., and an undescribed species from Monte Video. It is no doubt confined to

the South and Central American regions.

1. Lampropygus xanthopygus.

Staphylinus xanthopygus, Nordm. Symbol. p. 45°.

Xanthopygus abdominalis, Har. Mun. Cat. ii. p. 597.

Hab. Mexico (Flohr), Guanajuato, Cuernavaca (Sallé), Oaxaca, Plan del Rio (Hége) ;

GUATEMALA, San Gerénimo (Champion).

The male of this species has the front tarsi a good deal more dilated than the female ;

the penultimate ventral segment has on the middle a large depression in which is

placed a series of suberect, elongate ciliz, and is armed on each side with four elongate

erect black sete placed in an irregular row, the outer one quite at the outer side, the

inner one near the bristles arising from the fovese; the terminal segment is broadly

and rather deeply emarginate, and bears on each side four very long erect black

sete.

Although the following species is usually named S. xanthopygus, Nordm., there can

be no doubt that Nordmann’s description applies rather to this. Hodge found a fine

series at Oaxaca; from Guatemala only one specimen has been obtained.

2. Lampropygus cognatus. (Tab. VIII. fig. 17.)

Philonthus xanthopygus, Er. (ex parte), Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 496°.

Staphylinus xanthopygus, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1876, p. 131°.

Xanthopygus cognatus, var. minor, Sharp, 1. c.°

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hége), Cordova (Sallé); Guatemata, Las Mercedes 3000 feet,

Pantaleon 1700 feet, Chiacam and Chacoj in Vera Paz (Champion); Nicaracva,

Chontales (Janson, Belt); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—Soutu

America, Amazons valley ? °.

This species though very similar to L. xanthopygus is distinguished by important

characters.

The male has no fovea or erect ciliz on the penultimate ventral segment, and has

only three erect sete on each side; this latter is also the number existing on each side

2YY2

348 STAPHYLINIDA.

of the following segment, the hind margin of which is feebly emarginate in the middle.

The punctuation of the head and thorax is less deep and coarse than it is in L. xantho-

pygus, and the punctures of the discoidal series are more regular and less numerous ;

the elytra are quite black, without the least trace of the leaden-blue colour seen in

LL. xanthopygus, and the antenne are shorter with the terminal joints broader. In this

species the hind margin of the antepenultimate segment of the hind body is nearly

always rufescent, whereas in LZ. xanthopygus it is completely and entirely black. The

cedeagus in the two species presents important differences.

The variation in size is great, and the small individual on which I founded L. cog-

natus is connected by the large series secured by Mr. Champion with the larger forms

which I then considered with other entomologists to be Nordmann’s S. zanthopygus ;

but as this abundant species proves now to be in want of a name, the one proposed by

me for the small variety may advantageously be applied to the species itself. A male

from Las Mercedes is figured.

3. Lampropygus analis. (Tab. VIII. fig. 18.)

Philonthus analis, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 495*; Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 132’.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla, Playa Vicente, Cordova (Sallé), Oaxaca (Hoge), Ventanas 2000

feet (Forrer); GuaveMALA, San Gerénimo, Zapote (Champion); Panama, Bugaba,

Volcan de Chiriqui to 4000 feet, Caldera 1200 feet (Champion).—Sovuta America ! 2,

widely distributed.

BRACHYDIRUS.

Brachydirus, Nordmann, Symbol. p. 131.

Staphylinus, Fam. I1I., Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 358.

This genus is characteristic of Tropical America, from whence we know about

a dozen species. ‘These insects Mr. Champion informs me are found in fungus.

Although many of the species are very similar to one another, they are as a rule

readily distinguished by the male characters, the ventral plate of the last segment being

the seat of remarkable developments in the case of several species.

1. Brachydirus terminalis.

Gracilis, niger; antennis pedibusque anterioribus et intermediis fusco-testaceo variegatis, abdominis apice

pallide testaceo, stylis ad apicem nigris ; capite fortiter densissime punctato, elytris abdominisque segmentis

4° 5°que parce albido-pubescentibus.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Panima in Vera Paz (Champion).

Antenne very short, the first seven joints testaceous but much infuscate, the terminal

four quite pale, the basal joint as long as the three following together, fourth and

fifth very small, sixth and following very strongly transverse. Head very coarsely

punctate, the punctuation on the anterior half very dense, sparingly pubescent. Thorax

BRACHYDIRUS. 349

very coarsely and not closely punctured, the punctuation absent from the base and from

a narrow space along the middle. Elytra a good deal longer than the thorax, each

obliquely impressed and quite sparingly punctate. Hind body with the second segment

quite impunctate, and the third nearly so, the three following quite sparingly punctured ;

the hind margin of the sixth and the whole of the seventh segment and also the ter-

minal styles pale yellow, the latter black, however, at the extremity. Anterior legs

with the coxee dark, the femora yellow, the tibiee infuscate yellow, darker behind than

in front; middle legs nearly black, but the femora yellow above ; hind legs black.

A single female only has been received; the species is not closely allied to any

other.

2. Brachydirus divisus. (Tab. VIII. fig. 19.)

Gracilis, rufus; elytris abdomineque nigris, hoc ad apicem pallide testaceo, antennis pedibusque testaceis,

elytris abdomineque parce sparsim albido-pubescentibus.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. PanaMa, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne very short, joints seven to ten very strongly transverse. Head very densely

punctate, the punctuation on the vertex more sparing. Thorax hardly so long as

broad, quite sparingly punctate. -Elytra longer than the thorax, sparingly punctate,

and with a few black and grey hairs. Hind body slender, very sparingly punctate.

The hind margin of the sixth and the whole of the seventh segment yellow; the anal

styles also pale yellow, but orange-coloured at the extremity, and there ciliate with

dark hairs.

The male has the terminal ventral plate much prolonged in the middle, the prolonged

portion is deeply cleft and is somewhat compressed, so that the edges of the cleft are

raised ; the preceding plate is narrower in the middle than at the sides; the terminal

styles are densely pubescent externally with black hairs,

Three specimens have been found; the male in bad preservation.

3. Brachydirus gracilis.

Gracilis, fulvo-testaceus ; abdomine nigro, apice flavo-testaceo, stylis analibus ad apicem nigro-ciliatis, antennis

pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace abdomineque parce punctatis, hoc segmentis intermediis sparsim albido-

pubescentibus.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt).

Antenne short, joints seven to ten very strongly transverse. Head very densely punc-

tate, rather sparingly pubescent, the vertex sparingly subobsoletely punctate. Thorax

irregularly and only sparingly punctate. Elytra longer than the thorax, quite sparingly

and not coarsely punctate. Hind body slender, second segment with two or three punc-

tures on each side, third very sparingly punctate, and also the following segments with

only scanty punctuation. The hind margin of the sixth and the whole of the seventh

350 . STAPHYLINIDA.

segment flavescent, as are also the anal styles, these latter, however, orange-coloured

at the extremity and much pubescent with black there and at the sides. The male

has the hind margin of the under plate of the sixth segment very broadly, rather

deeply emarginate, and the ventral plate of the seventh segment is produced in the

middle so as to form a very long acuminate process, which is divided to its base by a

very narrow, elongate slit; the margin of the slit is raised and furnished with a fine,

not conspicuous, pallid pubescence.

Only one specimen has been found.

4, Brachydirus solitarius.

Gracilis, fulvo-testaceus ; abdomine nigro, apice flavo-testaceo, stylis analibus ad apicem nigricantibus et nigro-

ciliatis, antennis pedibusque testaceis, femoribus tibiisque posterioribus fuscis; abdomine minus parce

punctato, segmento 4° transversim albido-pubescente.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Fort San Carlos (Sai/é).

Very similar to B. gracilis, but abundantly distinct by numerous details. Head very

densely (but not coarsely as in many other species) punctate in front, the punctuation

on the vertex scanty and obsolete. Thorax coarsely but sparingly punctate. Elytra

not impressed, rather sparingly punctate. Hind body black, the pale pubescence across

the fourth segment conspicuous; fifth and sixth segments not sparingly punctate, the

former with a few white hairs at the side.

In the male the hind margin of the under plate of the sixth ventral segment is

broadly emarginate, and the following segment is produced in the middle, and the apex

of the produced portion bears a short angular notch, the sides of this notch being

densely pubescent.

Only one example has been received.

5. Brachydirus championi.

Fulvo-testaceus ; abdomine nigro, apice flavo-testaceo, antennis pedibusque testaceis ; elytris parce punctatis,

abdominis segmentis 3° ad 5™ transversim albido-pubescentibus.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Zapote, San Isidro 1600 feet (Champion).

Antenne very short, yellow, joints seven to ten strongly transverse. Head very

densely punctured, sparingly pubescent. ‘Thorax slightly broader than long, coarsely

and sparingly punctate. Elytra quite sparingly punctate. Hind body black, with the

second segment impunctate, bearing some white hairs on its lateral margin; third

segment sparingly punctate and with scanty white pubescence, fourth and fifth rather

more closely pubescent; sixth rather sparingly punctate, its hind margin broadly

yellow ; the following segment and the anal styles also of this colour, but the latter

fuscescent and nigro-ciliate at the extremity. The male has a small notch at the tip

BRACHYDIRUS.—PLOCIOPTERUS. 351

of the last ventral plate, and the hind margin of the preceding segment is slightly

emarginate.

This species and B. fungicola are closely allied to B. testaceus, Fab., Er., but have

the elytra much less closely punctate. The yellow cincture on the hind part of the

sixth segment is a little broader in B. championi than in most of the allies.

6. Brachydirus fungicola. (Tab. VIII. fig. 20.)

Fulvo-testaceus ; abdomine nigro, apice flavo-testaceo, antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis extrorsum fuscis ;

elytris parce punctatis, abdominis segmentis 4° et 5° transversim albido-pubescentibus.

Long. 11-13 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet

(Champion).

This species is very closely allied to B. championi, but has the antenne dark

externally, and the hind body less punctate, the second and third segments being

entirely without punctuation, and the yellow cincture of the hind margin of the sixth

segment is narrower. The male characters are the same. A series of about a dozen

individuals has been found of each species, and the above characters are quite constant.

The unusually small amount of the punctuation of the hind body of B. fungicola

greatly aids its recognition.

PLOCIOPTERUS.

Plociopterus, Kraatz, Ins. Deutsch. ii. p. 589.

Staphylinus, Fam. IV. Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 355.

This genus comprises about fifteen described species, and is confined to Tropical

America. ‘These insects are found in fungi, which, like their allies the Brachydiri,

they no doubt frequent for predaceous purposes. In some species the males are

scarcely distinguishable from the females by external peculiarities, but in others the

male characters become extraordinary and conspicuous.

1. Plociopterus fetialis,

Staphylinus fetialis, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 3577.

Hab. Mexico’, Cordova (Sallé); Panama, Boquete 3500 feet (Champion).

The examples from Boquete (four in number) differ but slightly from the Mexican

exponents; the male characters indeed appear identical.

2. Plociopterus varipes.

Niger; antennis (medio excepto), mandibulis, palpis, abdominis segmentis duobus ultimis pedibusque testaceis ;

tibiis intermediis et femoribus tibiisque posterioribus nigricantibus ; elytris viridescentibus fasciis duabus

cinereo-pubescentibus ; abdomine parce punctato, segmentis medialibus parce cinereo-pubescentibus.

Long. 12-15 millim.

352 STAPHYLINIDZA,

‘Hab. GUATEMALA, Capetillo, Zapote, Las Mercedes 3000 feet, San Isidro 1600 feet

(Champion).

This insect is closely allied to P. fetialis, but is readily distinguished by the colour

of the antenne (of which the four basal and one apical joints are yellow) and of the

parts of the mouth. The male has characters similar to those of P. fetialis, the front

tarsi being simple, and the penultimate ventral plate bearing a fine pencil of long sete,

while the hind margin of the terminal segment is slightly emarginate.

Five examples have been found of this species.

3. Plociopterus collaris. (Tab. VIII. fig. 21.)

Niger; antennarum basi et apice, oris partibus, abdominis apice pedibusque testaceis, thorace rufo; elytris

viridescentibus, fascia una basali aliaque apicali cinereo-pubescentibus.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The antenne have the four basal joints and the terminal joint pale. The head and

thorax are coarsely and closely punctured, the former with a smooth space, the latter

with a smooth line, along the middle. Elytra coarsely and closely punctate. Hind

body rather sparingly punctate, the two terminal segments and anal styles yellow; the

third and fourth segments with a scanty cinereous pubescence. ‘The male has the front

tarsi simple, a slender pencil of pubescence on the penultimate segment, and a very

slight emargination of the apical segment.

Four individuals have been found. Though closely allied to P. fetialis, it is readily

distinguished by the colour differences.

4. Plociopterus lugubris.

Niger; antennarum articulis duobus ultimis abdominisque apice testaceis ; elytris cyaneis fasciis duabus cinereo-

pubescentibus ; abdomine parce punctato, seemento 8° parce cinereo-pubescente.

Long. 11-14 millim.

Hab. Panama, Caldera 1200 feet, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

The mandibles and palpi are black, except that the terminal joint of the maxillary

palpus is paler. The punctuation of the head is very coarse; that of the thorax is

scanty and less coarse. The elytra are evenly, rather coarsely and only moderately

closely punctate, and the punctuation of the hind body is but feeble and not close;

the penultimate segment is not entirely yellow, but is more or less dark at the extreme

base, especially on the underside; the anal styles are infuscate at the apex. The legs

are entirely black, except that the tarsi become rufescent at their terminations; there

is very little cinereous pubescence on the under surface. The male characters are

very slight, and consist only of an inconspicuous emargination at the tip of the last

ventral plate.

PLOCIOPTERUS. 353

The species agrees in many respects with Erichson’s description of Staphylinus ornatus,

from Cayenne, but the discrepancies lead me to believe the two are distinct.

A small series was found at Caldera, and an extensive one at Bugaba.

5. Plociopterus mollis.

Niger; antennarum articulis tribus ultimis abdominisque apice pallide flavis, elytris cyaneis, fasciis duabus

cinereo-pubescentibus ; abdomine parce punctato, segmentis medialibus parce cinereo-pubescentibus.

Long. 15 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

The antenne are black, with the exception of the very pale terminal three joints.

The punctuation of the head is coarse, but leaves a large space along the middle smooth.

The yellow colour at the apex of the hind body invades only the extremity of the

penultimate segment, leaving it more than half black; the terminal styles are black

behind. The male is only distinguished by a notch at the extremity of the last ventral

plate.

The unique individual has the hind body and front and middle femora of a dilute

piceous colour, probably due to its being very immature.

6. Plociopterus histrio.

Rufus; capite abdomineque nigricantibus, hoc apice flavo, antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis articulis 6°-9™

fuscis.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt).

In this species the fascie of pallid pubescence on the elytra are but little conspicuous,

owing to the unusual colour (a sordid red) of the wing-cases. ‘The head is very coarsely

punctate, and the coarse punctuation of the thorax is rather close; the hind body is

only quite sparingly and finely punctured. The male has beneath, on the middle

of the penultimate segment, a single long bristle springing from a minute fovea, and

the hind margin of the following segment is slightly notched; the front tarsi are

simple.

Only two examples are extant.

7. Plociopterus variegatus. (Tab. VIII. fig. 22.)

Rufo-testaceus ; pectore abdominisque summo basi et medio nigricantibus, elytris viridescentibus, fascia trans-

versa sat conspicua cinereo-pubescente ; antennis, palpis, pedibus abdominisque apice testaceis.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

The punctuation of the rather small head is coarse, but leaves a very large space on

the middle smooth. The thorax is only sparingly punctured, with a broad space along

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, Aprid 1884. 22ZZ

854 STAPHYLINIDA.

the middle quite free from punctures. The elytra are rather finely and not closely

punctured. The basal segment of the hind body is blackish, as also is the fifth segment

and the hind margin of the fourth, the intermediate space being reddish yellow; the

whole of the two terminal segments is flavescent. The upper aspect of the hind body

is very little punctate, except that in the female the penultimate segment is densely

and very finely punctured.

In the male the last dorsal plate is bisinuate, so that it is trilobed, the middle lobe

being the longest and broadest, and the outer projection, which is quite at the side, less

conspicuous; the corresponding ventral plate bears a notch at the apex in the middle,

and on each side of this the polished surface is somewhat hollowed ; the terminal styles

are distorted, broadly dilated behind, subfurcate, and with the infero-external portion

much prolonged; the front tarsi are moderately dilated, and the tibie incrassate

behind. The female has the front tarsi only very slightly dilated, and the last ventral

plate is a little produced and acuminate in the middle.

A good series of examples has been obtained of this remarkable species. The figure

is taken from a male example.

8. Plociopterus belti.

Rufo-testaceus ; pectore, elytris abdomineque ante apicem fuscis ; antennis, pedibus abdominisque apice testaceis,

elytris ante apicem fascia transversa sat conspicua cinereo-pubescente.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt).

The single female by which this species is represented appears to be very closely

allied to P. variegatus, though the colour-differences are numerous ; the punctuation is

very similar in the two, and so also are the female characters, except that the last

dorsal plate is more conspicuously produced and acuminate in the middle in P. belti

and is foveate in front of the point. The antenne are longer and more slender in the

female of P. delti than is usual in other species of the genus, and the apices of the

serrate joints 8-10 are swollen by some soft projection. ‘The male characters will no

doubt prove to be very remarkable.

PHILOTHALPUS.

Philothalpus, Kraatz, Ins. Deutsch. ii. p. 540.

Staphylinus, Fam. TX., Erichson, Gen. et. Spec. Staph. p. 395.

This genus, like all the allies, is peculiar to the warmer parts of America. After

abstraction of the species I have assigned to Styngetus, it includes seven or eight others

in addition to those here enumerated.

PHILOTHALPUS. 395

1. Philothalpus fasciatus.

Philonthus fasciatus, Nordm. Symbol. p. 112°.

Staphylinus fasciatus, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 397°.

Hab. Mexico !?, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Flohr).

2. Philothalpus segmentarius.

Staphylinus segmentarius, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 397°.

Hab. Guatemata, El Jicaro in Vera Paz (Champion); Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500

feet, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet, David (Champion).—Sovurn AMERICA,

Colombia 1.

Mr. Champion obtained a series of fifteen examples at Bugaba; they show that the

species is very variable in the colour of the thorax and elytra. The thorax is occasion-

ally of a dull red colour, and sometimes is of a dark dull eneous colour, the transition

occurring by a red thorax bimaculate with the darker colour; the elytra are most

frequently reddish brown, but they become more or less suffused with a dusky eneous

tint, so that some individuals have them of a fuscous-brassy colour. The punctuation

and pubescence remain without variation, and the hind body shows less variation in

colour than the parts before it.

From each of the other localities there is only a single exponent ; and the Guatemalan

individual is the most extreme variety obtained, its colour being very dark. Ihave not

seen any Colombian example of the species.

3. Philothalpus difficilis. (Tab. VIII. fig. 23.)

Rufescens; capite thoraceque snescentibus, opacis, antennis (basi excepto) nigricantibus, abdominis segmentis

tribus ultimis nigro-fasciatis, palpis pedibusque testaceis.

Var. Elytris, pectore abdominisque basi fuscescentibus.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Isidro 1600 feet, El Tumbador 2500 feet, Mirandilla 1700 feet

(Champion); Nicaraeua, Chontales (Janson).

This species is extremely closely allied to the two preceding, but has no trace of

flavescent pubescence on the extremity of the elytra. ‘The scutellum is of an obscure

red colour, and the elytra are slightly shorter than in P. fasciatus. The sexual

characters are the same. oo

Of a series of fifteen examples from Guatemala, one belongs to the dark variety, the

others are all similar. From Chontales only one example has been obtained.

4. Philothalpus debilis.

Rufus; capite thoraceque superne eeneis nitidis, hoc anterius rufo-signato, mesosterno scutelloque fuscis; abdo-

22Z 2

356 STAPHYLINIDA.

mine nigro, segmentis singulis testaceo-marginatis, segmento 7° ex parte majore testaceo ; pedibus testaceis,

antennis rufo-obscuris basi dilutiore.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne with the three or four joints pale red, the others darker. Head and thorax

shining brassy, coarsely punctate, the former with the disk broadly smooth, the latter

with a smooth space along the middle. Scutellum and elytra densely punctate. Hind

body very densely and finely punctate; segments 2-6 with the hind margins yellow,

that of the sixth more broadly than the others; seventh yellow, marked with black at

the extremity; anal styles yellow at the base, black at the extremity.

This insect is very similar in most respects to the smaller individuals of P. segmen-

tarius, but is readily distinguished by the shining head and thorax and the densely

punctured elytra and hind body. Only three individuals have been found; the sexual

characters are apparently the same as in P. segmentarius.

5. Philothalpus nigriventris.

Niger; capite thoraceque superne eneis nitidis, elytris nigro-eneis, abdomine ante apicem testaceo-cingulato,

palpis antennisque piceis, tarsis testaceis; capite thoraceque fortiter punctatis, abdomine crebrius subtiliter

punctato.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, San Geronimo (Champion).

Antenne rather elongate, even the tenth joint being evidently longer than broad,

blackish at the base, rather paler at the apex. Mandibles reddish. Head shining

brassy, with a few coarse punctures on the middle in front, behind these with a curved

transverse series, and with other punctures at the margins of the eyes, hind angles, and

vertex. Thorax also shining brassy, and rather coarsely punctate, and with a rather

broad line along the middle impunctate. Thorax rather longer than the elytra, rather

closely and not finely punctate. Hind body black, with a narrow margin at the extre-

mity of the sixth segment, and with the base of the seventh segment yellow. Legs

blackish, the base of the tibiz paler, the tarsi sordid yellow.

This, again, is closely allied to P. segmentarius, but is distinguished by good

characters of colour and punctuation. Only two specimens have been found ; and the

sexual peculiarities are much as in P. segmentarius.

6. Philothalpus pectoralis.

Niger; capite thoraceque superne eneis, nitidis, elytris pectoreque rufis, pedibus testaceis; capite thoraceque

fortiter punctatis, abdomine dense subtiliter punctato.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Guatemala, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne as long as head and thorax, black; palpi blackish, with the terminal joints

PHILOTHALPUS. 357

rufescent ; mandibles piceous; head with a smooth space on the disk, and thorax with

a rather broad line along the middle smooth. Elytra of a tawny-red colour, evenly and

closely, somewhat finely punctate. Hind body acuminate behind, black, with only the

hind margin of the penultimate segment narrowly yellow.

Only a single specimen has been found; it is a female, and has the front tarsi

distinctly dilated. The species is another close ally of P. segmentarius.

7. Philothalpus prolixus. (Tab. VIII. fig. 24.)

Niger, parum nitidus ; abdominis segmentis duobus ultimis rufis, femoribus picescentibus, elytris cyaneis ; pro-

thorace crebrius fortiter punctato, medio linea longitudinali levigata ; abdomine dense punctato.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

Antenne black, obscurely picescent at the extremity, elongate, the penultimate joints

each considerably longer than broad; mandibles dark red, palpi piceous. Head very

coarsely punctate, with only a small space on the middle smooth. Thorax evenly,

rather coarsely and closely punctate, the smooth space along the middle broader in

front and at the base than it is a little distance in front of the base. Elytra greenish

blue, slightly longer than the thorax, rather closely and coarsely punctate, with a

conspicuous black pubescence. Hind body closely and evenly punctate, black, with

the hind margin of the fifth and the whole of the sixth segment reddish yellow;

terminal segment and anal styles yellow, the latter brownish at the extremity. The legs

are nearly black, the femora being of a very dark obscure red, and the tarsi paler,

their terminal joint being red, the anterior tarsi infuscate red. The male has a broad

emargination at the tip of the last ventral plate, and its front tarsi are much dilated,

while in the other sex they are only slightly so.

Hight individuals have been found.

8. Philothalpus mexicanus.

Niger, parum nitidus; abdominis segmento ultimo penultimique margine posteriore rufis, femoribus picescenti-

bus, elytris cyaneis ; prothorace crebrius punctato, medio linea longitudinali levigata; abdomine dense

punctato.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); GuatemaLa, Cubilguitz in Vera Paz ( Champion).

This is extremely similar to P. prolixus, but is readily distinguished by the smaller

extent of the red colour of the extremity; the thorax is a little more finely punctate.

I have seen only four individuals, possessing sexual characters similar to P. prolixus.

9, Philothalpus tinctiventris.

Niger, parum nitidus ; abdomine rufescente, apicem versus dilutiore, basi nigro ; femoribus picescentibus, elytris

cyaneis ; prothorace crebrius punctato, medio linea longitudinali levigata; abdomine dense punctato.

Long. 11 millim.

358 STAPHYLINIDZ.

Hab. Guatemaia, Zapote (Champion).

Distinguished from the two preceding species by the colour of the hind body, which

is red suffused with black, so that the two basal segments are quite black, the others

becoming more rufescent behind, so that the apex is pale red.

Two female individuals only have been found.

10. Philothalpus subtilis.

Niger, parum nitidus ; pedibus piceis, elytris viridi-cyaneis; prothorace subtiliter sat crebre punctato, medio

linea longitudinali levigata; abdomine densius subtiliusque punctato.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cuernavaca (Sallé), Mirador (Hoge).

This is another very closely allied species, but has the punctuation throughout finer

than in any cther of the immediate allies of P. prolixus. At the base of the hind body

three segments are very distinctly transversely impressed, while in the other species

only two are so.

I have seen four individuals, in bad preservation. The characters of the sexes are

the same as in P. prolixus,

11. Philothalpus chiriquensis.

Niger, parum nitidus; elytris cyaneis; prothorace crebrius fortiter punctato, medio linea longitudinali levigata ;

abdomine dense punctato.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion). .

So far as I can judge from a single female, the only character of importance by which

this is distinguished from P. prolixus is the entirely black hind body.

12. Philothalpus philonthiformis. (Tab. VIII. fig. 25.)

Niger, parum nitidus; capite, thorace elytrisque nigro-aneis ; prothorace crebre fortiter punctato, medio linea

longitudinali levigata; abdomine dense punctato.

Long. 12-13 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Though very closely allied to P. prolixus, the colour-differences readily distinguish

this insect; it has, moreover, the thoracic punctuation less dense. There is not the

least trace of any transverse impression on the fourth segment of the hind body, and

even that on the (true) third segment is incomplete.

A pair of this species, showing similar sexual characters to P. prolixus, is all that has

been found.

PHILOTHALPUS.—GASTRISUS. 359

13. Philothalpus pederiformis. (Tab. IX. fig. 1.)

Rufus; capite abdominisque summo apice nigris, elytris viridi-cyaneis, pectore et antennis fuscis; capite tho-

raceque crebre subtiliter punctatis, hoc linea longitudinali impunctata parum discreta; elytris abdomineque

dense subtiliter punctatis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cuernavaca (Sallé).

Antenne elongate and slender, deeply infuscate red. Head with rather numerous,

somewhat fine, evenly distributed punctures, leaving only a small space on the middle

free. ‘Thorax punctured rather more finely than the head ; terminal segment of hind

body blackish, with the base red; anal styles also black. Breast infuscate.

A single pair only is known. The male has only a very slight emargination of the

apical segment; but the front tarsi are broader than in the female.

GASTRISUS.

Gastrisus, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 136.

This genus has hitherto consisted of three Amazonian species. The two species I

now add differ from the type of the genus by the more slender and elongate terminal

joint of the labial palpi; and they have quite a different appearance from either of

the previously described forms.

1. Gastrisus opaculus. (Tab. IX. fig. 2.)

Fusco-sneus, parum punctatus, opacus; abdomine apice sordide rufo-testaceo, pedibus antennisque fuscis.

Long. 17 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Antenne very obscure red, scarcely thicker towards the apex, but with joints 7-10

rather shorter than broad ; clypeal membrane large. Head with punctures along the

inner margins of the eyes and at the hind angles, and with two longitudinal series con-

verging towards the front of the clypeus. ‘Thorax near the front margin with a series

of three distant punctures on each side, and with a few punctures between these and.

the front angles. FElytra very dull, with very distant and quite obsolete punctures.

Hind body finely and evenly, not closely, punctate; the hind margin of the sixth

segment, the whole of the seventh, and the anal styles rather obscure reddish yellow.

Legs very obscure red, with the tibize darker, the spines of the middle tibie numerous

and elongate.

A series of six examples has been found. ‘The male has a very shallow emargination

at the tip of the last ventral plate, and its front feet are a little broader than they are

in the female.

360: STAPHYLINIDA.

2. Gastrisus mimetes.

Niger, subopacus; capite thoraceque fusco-subzneis, abdominis segmentis duobus ultimis rufis; elytris punctis

distantibus, parum conspicue impressis.

Long. 17 millim,

Hab. Costa Rica (Van Patten).

This species will be readily enough distinguished from G. opaculus by the rather

coarser punctuation and by the two red apical segments. It possesses a great super-

ficial resemblance to Lampropygus cognatus; and as the second dorsal plate has a well-

marked transverse line impressed on it near the base, it really approaches that insect in

the generic character. ‘There is also a shorter and more obscure line on the third

plate: these impressions are, however, very imperfect compared with what exists in

L. cognatus, and apart from them the species may be readily distinguished from

L. cognatus by the duller anterior parts and the much less punctuation on the head>

thorax, and elytra.

Only a single specimen has been found; it is a male, and has a slight notch at the

hind margin of the last ventral plate.

ISANOPUS.

Isanopus, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 141.

This genus has hitherto comprised a single Amazonian species, which, like the

I, salla@i here described, is known only by a single example.

1. Isanopus sallei. (Tab. IX. fig. 3.)

Gracilis, niger ; antennis rufo-fuscis basi nigricante, elytris cyaneis, abdominis segmentis duobus ultimis rufo-

testaceis ; prothorace sparsim punctato, medio area longitudinali lata irregulari impunctata.

Long. 17 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sailé).

_ Antenne very elongate, reaching to about the extremity of the elytra. Head coarsely

punctate on either side, and with four or five punctures on the anterior part of the

smooth middle space. Thorax longer than broad, narrowed behind. Scutellum black,

with numerous coarse punctures. Elytra as long as the thorax, of a dark blue colour,

coarsely punctate. Hind body slender, black, with slight iridescent reflections; the

two apical segments and anal styles yellow, moderately closely and finely punctate.

Legs black, the tarsi paler, rufescent at the extremity.

The only individual known is a male. The front tarsi are greatly dilated, the last

ventral segment has a rather deep notch at the tip, and the hind margin of the

preceding segment is a little emarginate.

The middle and hind feet are not very exactly rendered in the figure.

STYNGETUS. | 361

STYNGETUS.

Palpi omnes elongati, tenues; ligula integra; mandibule elongate, pone medium dentate. Tarsi anteriores

in utroque sexu simplices. Abdomen segmentis tribus basalibus linea curvata profunda impressis.

This genus will comprise certain species placed by Erichson in the genus Philonthus,

viz. P. egregius, P. fervidus, and P. viduus, and referred by Kraatz (who, however, was

imperfectly acquainted with them) to Philothalpus. They differ from this latter genus

by the front tarsi being simple in each sex and destitute of fine pubescence beneath, and

by the elongate trophi. They have a different appearance from the species of Philo-

thalpus, so that Erichson, as stated above, referred the species known to him to the

genus Philonthus, while the Philothalpi were placed by him as a section of Staphylinus.

All the species of Styngetus known to me possess in their males a very peculiar

character, viz. that the upper hinder margin of their posterior femora is crenulate.

So far as I at present know, the genus is peculiar to Central America and the parts

of South America north of the Amazons basin. Philonthus cupripennis and P. anten-

natus, Guérin-Mén., belong to it.

1. Styngetus deyrollei.

Philothalpus deyrollei, Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ent. Ross. iv. p. 105"; id. v. p. 141°.

Hab. Mexico 12, Cordova, Toxpam, Yolos (Sallé), Jalapa (Flohr), Mirador (Hége).

2. Styngetus viduus, var. (Tab. IX. fig. 4.)

Philonthus viduus, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 506’.

Hab. Sovutn America, Colombia 1.

Var. Abdominis segmento ultimo toto albido.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

The individuals obtained by Mr. Champion differ only very slightly from Colombian

examples, except as regards the very definitely pallid colour of the terminal segment ;

and I have therefore treated them as being merely a variety, though the colour is quite

similar in the six specimens obtained, one of which is figured.

8. Styngetus flavicaudus.

Niger; thorace subviolaceo, elytris violaceo-aureis, abdominis segmento ultimo flavo; abdomine parce

punctato.

Long. 15 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Balheu in Vera Paz (Champion).

This insect is very closely allied to P. deyrolle: ; but the thorax has a violaceous tint,

the hind body is more sparingly punctate, and the penultimate segment is entirely

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, Aprid 1884. 3AA

362 STAPHYLINIDA.

black. S. cupripennis, Guér.-Mén., is also very closely allied, but is larger, has a black

thorax, a larger head, and more closely punctured head and thorax.

Only two individuals have been obtained of S. flavicaudus; they are males. The

femoral crenulation is very coarse, and does not extend quite to the apex; the terminal

ventral plate is very slightly emarginate.

4. Styngetus championi.

Niger; thorace vix subviolaceo-micante, elytris violaceo-eeneis ; prothorace ad latera crebre fortius punctato,

area lata longitudinali levigata; abdomine subtiliter minus sparsim punctato.

Long. 16 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, San Gerdénimo, Sabo, Cubilguitz and Balheu in Vera Paz (Cham-

pron).

This species is very closely allied to S. flavicaudus; but it has the hind body

uniformly deep black and a little less scantily punctate. Although excessively similar

to S. deyrollei, it is readily distinguished by the concolorous hind body. The male

characters are the same as in S. flavicaudus.

The species appears to be somewhat rare, as only five individuals have been

obtained.

5. Styngetus anticus. (Tab. IX. fig. 5.)

Niger ; capite thoraceque vivide violaceo-cyaneis, elytris aureo-violaceis; abdomine parce punctato.

Long. 13-15 millim.

Hab. Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu 6000 to 7000 feet (Rogers) ; Panama, Volcan de

Chiriqui between 4000 and 6000 feet (Champion).

This is, again, very closely allied to S. deyrollei, but the extremely beautiful colour

of the head and thorax very readily distinguish it from all the allies. This character

appears to be invariable in the series of twelve examples before me. In the male

the crenulation of the hind femora extends to the extremity, and there is a rather

distinct emargination of the last ventral plate.

The figure is drawn from one of the Chiriqui females.

OCYOLINUS.

Palpi omnes elongati, tenues ; ligula integra ; mandibulw valde elongate, pone medium dente magno instruct,

apice tenui curvato. Tarsi anteriores in utroque sexu dilatati, subtus spongiosi. Abdominis segmenta

basalia absque lineis impressis curvatis.

This genus is distinguished very well by the above combination of characters, and

will comprise, in addition to O. amethystinus, two or three other undescribed species

from Northern South America; the characters of the genus are taken, indeed, from

OCYOLINUS.—PHANOLINUS. . 363

the Venezuelan O. rugatus*, the fragmentary condition of the unique individual of

O. amethystinus rendering it unfit for bearing much manipulation, but it appears to

be quite congeneric with O. rugatus.

1. Ocyolinus amethystinus. (Tab. IX. fig. 6.)

Niger; capite, thorace elytrisque violaceis, nitidis, antennis dimidio externo albido; thorace disco quadri-

punctato ; elytris fortius punctatis. .

Long. 20 millim.

Hab. Costa Rica (Van Patten).

Antenne very slender, with the five terminal joints very pale yellow. Head with

two large punctures on each side between the eyes, placed so as to form a transverse

series, the vertex punctate all across, and with a very large puncture on each side

behind the internal one of the transverse series. Thorax a good deal narrowed behind,

with four punctures in front of the middle, two on each side, and outside each anterior

puncture with another more indistinct. Elytra very coarsely punctate, about as long as

the thorax. Hind body closely and finely punctate.

The unique individual I believe to be a female. Though in a very fragmentary

condition I have succeeded in restoring it sufficiently for representation; the mandibles

should be rather more elongate, curvate, and slender than they are shown to be in the

figure.

PHANOLINUS.

Trigonophorus, ex parte, Kraatz, Ins. Deutsch. ii. p. 541.

Palpi omnes elongati, graciles, articulo terminali quam penultimus longiore ; mandibule mediocriter elongate ;

ligula medio parum prominula, vix emarginata, apice tantum canaliculato. Prothorax absque membrana

stigmatica. Tarsi anteriores in utroque sexu maxime dilatati. Abdomen absque lineis curvatis discretis

in segmenta basalia. |

The insects hitherto composing this genus have been, since Kraatz (op. cit.) rearranged

the genera of Staphylinini, provisionally located in T'rigonophorus (Lrigonopselaphus of

the Munich Catalogue of Coleoptera), while other species unknown to Kraatz have

remained in Philonthus. The genus being abundantly distinguished from all the other

Xanthopygina by the above characters may now be formally established with advantage.

In addition to the species here enumerated it will comprise Philonthus pretiosus, Er.,

* Ocyolinus rugatus, n. sp.

Niger ; capite, thorace elytrisque viridescentibus ; antennis, mandibulis palpisque rufo-fuscis ; capite thoraceque

fortiter punctatis, grosseque transversim rugosis, absque areis levigatis; elytris crebre fortiter punctatis ;

abdomine crebrius subtiliter punctato.

Long. 19 millim.

Hab. Venezuela.

3 AA 2

364 STAPHYLINIDA.

P. amenus, P. cyanescens, and P. cupreus, Guérin-Mén., and Trigonopselaphus violaceus

and 7’. venustus, Shp. The insects of this genus are all remarkable for the brilliancy

and beauty of their colours; but the species are very closely allied and form a most

difficult study. In certain of them the impressed lines on the basal dorsal segments,

which when well developed are considered of generic importance in the Xanthopygina,

exist in a rudimentary state, and appear to me to offer great assistance in discriminating

the species. The genus is confined to Tropical America, and has its headquarters in

the northern and north-western portions of South America. Mr. Buckley informed me

that a very brilliant species he brought trom Ecuador was common under dried dung ;

Mr. Champion found most of the few individuals he met with on the wing, I believe ;

and Mr. Flohr finds a species amongst moss and dead leaves, so that it would appear

that the habits of these lovely creatures are somewhat varied. It is impossible in the

Plate to do justice to their polished and brilliant metallic colours.

1. Phanolinus obsoletus.

Minor, fulgidus, auratus ; elytris, pedibus antennisque basi purpureo-metallicis, antennis extrorsum tarsisque

fuscis ; thorace seriebus dorsalibus parum punctatis, punctis lateralibus perpaucis ; abdomine parce punc-

tato, segmentis 2°-4™ profunde transversim impressis.

Long. 18 millim.

Hab. Mexico (ex coll. Guérin-Ménéville).

This insect has, compared with most of its congeners, but little punctuation on the

head and thorax. The palpi are rufescent at the extremity; the distant punctures on

the head and thorax are coarse; the thoracic series of punctures on each side consists

of about six, with two or three others nearly intercalated; there are also a few irregu-

larly placed punctures near the front on each side, but the posterior parts are destitute

of punctures except at the margins.

Although closely allied to P. fohri, I am inclined to think this may be a distinct

species, the punctuation of the elytra and hind body being not quite so effaced, and the

tarsi and terminal joints of the palpi are paler. ‘The unique individual is a male, and

has a broad shallow notch at the extremity of the last ventral plate.

2. Phanolinus flohri. (Tab. IX. fig. 7.)

Cupreo-auratus, fulgidus; elytris purpureo-metallicis, antennarum basi pedibusque nigro-cyaneis, antennis

extrorsum tarsisque nigro-fuscis; thorace perparum punctato ; elytris obsolete punctatis ; abdomine parce

obsoleteque punctato, segmentis 2°-4™ transversim impressis.

Long. 21 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Almolonga (Flohr).

The punctures on the head are very distant and not numerous, moderately coarse.

The palpi are piceous; the punctures of the thoracic series are only four or five in

number, and besides this there are only five or six other punctures on each side near

PHANOLINUS. 369d

the front, except those contiguous to the margins. The punctuation on the wing-cases

is unusually fine and distant, as is also that on the hind body.

The species is described from a single female individual sent to me by Mr. Flohr, in

recognition of whose exertions I have named it; he informs me that it is only occasion-

ally met with amongst moss and leaves in the forests.

3. Phanolinus divisus.

Capite thoraceque sneo-auratis, fulgidis, fortiter parce punctatis; elytris nigro-cyaneis fortiter punctatis;

scutello abdomineque eeneis minus nitidis; antennarum articulo primo pedibusque nigro-viridescentibus,

tarsis nigris ; abdominis segmentis 2°-4™ transversim impressis.

Long. 20 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Head with very coarse punctures, those behind the eyes numerous. Thorax with the

serial punctures rather distant, all coarse, and with distant coarse punctures at the sides

both at the base and in front. The hind body is of a brassy colour, not brilliant,

moderately closely punctate.

Although extremely similar to the less fulgid examples of P. godmani, the present

species may be distinguished by the more definite transverse impressions on the basal

segments of the hind body. I have seen only a single female example.

4. Phanolinus gravidus.

Violaceus ; capite thoraceque nitidis, illo minus crebre punctato, hoc seriebus dorsalibus irregularibus circiter

9-punctatis, lateribus parce punctatis; elytris fortiter punctatis; abdomine viridi-nigro parum nitido,

segmentis dorsalibus secundo et tertio parum discrete transversim impressis.

Long. 21 millim.

Hab. GuatEmALA, Sinanja in Vera Paz (Champion).

Readily distinguished by its colour from the other species with linear transverse

impressions on basal segments of the hind body, and also by the rather more numerous

punctures on the thorax. Independently of colour, the lines of the basal segments will

distinguish it from all varieties of P. godmani.

Only a single female has been found.

5. Phanolinus pollens.

Viridescens, subnitidus; capite parce punctato; thorace seriebus dorsalibus circiter 9-punctatis, lateribus

perparum punctatis ; scutello opaco nigricante; elytris fortiter punctatis; abdomine parce punctato,

segmentis dorsalibus secundo et tertio basi transversim impressis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt).

This is readily distinguished by its broad form and less shining surface. The thorax

is much narrowed behind, but scarcely at all sinuate at the sides. The head has only

366 STA PHYLINID A.

a very few punctures, and these are not coarse, and the four quadrately disposed

punctures are placed nearly on the middle, very far from the front margin; the thorax,

besides the discoidal series, has only six or seven fine punctures on each side. The

impressions at the base of the first two segments of the hind body, though rather short,

are definite, being limited in front by a distinct elevation of the surface. The emargi-

nation at the tip of the last ventral plate in the male, though broad, is very slight, but

in front of it there is a smooth space, and in front of that a greater concentration of

the pubescence ; the hind margin of the preceding segment is a little emarginate.

I have seen only one specimen.

6. Phanolinus auratus.

Auratus, fulgidus; elytris viridescentibus, pedibus antennarumque basi nigro-viridibus, antennis extrorsum

tarsisque nigris ; capite thoraceque sparsim subtiliter punctatis, elytris crebre fortiter punctatis ; abdomine

ubique nitido.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. GuaTeMALA, Purula in Vera Paz (Champion).

Rather larger, broader, and flatter than the allies, and with the scanty punctuation

on the head and thorax finer than usual, especially on the anterior parts. Near the

front of the head in the middle there are a few irregularly disposed fine punctures; the

thoracic series consists of about twelve punctures on each side, and the lateral punc-

tures are not numerous. The hind body is very shining, and has no definite opaque

portions.

Two female examples, agreeing pretty closely, have been found.

7. Phanolinus godmani. (Tab. IX. fig. 8.)

Fulgidus ; capite thoraceque metallico-viridibus, parce fortiter punctatis; elytris lete cyaneis, crebre fortiter

punctatis ; abdomine aureo-viridi, subtiliter punctato; antennarum basi pedibusque nigro-viridibus,

antennis extrorsum tarsisque nigris.

Long. 18-20 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui at various elevations below 6000 feet (Champion).

Var. Capite thoraceque violaceis, elytris viridescentibus.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

The punctures of the head are only moderately numerous, but are coarse. The

thoracic series consists of about nine coarse punctures, and there are several very coarse

punctures at the sides. Both the head and thorax are extremely brilliant. The elytra

are of a beautiful blue colour and also are shining. The scutellum agrees in colour

with the anterior parts rather than with the elytra. The hind body is shining, but at

the extreme base of each segment there is a distinct opacity. There are no transverse

impressed lines on the basal segments. ‘The male has a shallow, very broad emargination

at the apex of the last ventral plate.

PHANOLINUS. 367

Five individuals have been found, apparently all at different spots; although by no

means agreeing absolutely in the shades of colour, the above description applies to each

of them. Of the variety from Guatemala only one example has been obtained; and

although it differs markedly in colour (resembling in this respect P. gravidus), there are

not sufficient distinctions in other respects to warrant its being considered distinct at

present.

8. Phanolinus longulus.

Nigro-viridulus ; capite thoraceque viridibus fulgidis, crebre punctatis, hoc seriebus dorsalibus circiter 1&-punc-

tatis ; abdomine subtiliter punctato.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt).

This unique female I am unable to assign either to P. godmani or to P. punctatus,

to each of which it has much resemblance. ‘The punctuation on the hinder portion of

the head is numerous, and there are four fine quadrately disposed punctures near the

front margin in the middle. The punctures of the thoracic series are more numerous

than in any other of the species; and the lateral punctures are numerous and extend

from the front to the base, leaving, however, the dorsal series evidently distinct. The

hind body is but little shining.

9. Phanolinus punctatus.

Violaceo-viridis, sat nitidus ; capite thoraceque crebrius punctatis, hoc medio area longitudinali lavigata; abdo-

mine crebrius punctato.

Long. 21 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

This species is readily distinguished from others by the closer punctuation, so that

on the thorax the dorsal series are not distinct from the lateral punctuation.

Only two specimens have been obtained. ‘The male has a broad, but not deep, emar-

gination on the last ventral plate.

10. Phanolinus speciosus. (Tab. IX. fig. 9.)

Violaceus, minus nitidus; antennis extrorsum tarsisque nigris; capite thoraceque crebre punctatis; elytris

profunde punctatis.

Long. 22 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sal/é).

The uniform and beautiful violet-blue colour, and the surface less metallic and fulgid

than usual, render this easily recognized; and it has the punctuation of the elytra

rather deeper and coarser than in the other forms. The hind body is very little

368 STAPHYLINID.

shining; a small space on the middle of each segment is all that is brilliant. The male

has a deep notch at the tip of the last ventral plate.

Sallé’s collection contained a nice pair of this lovely insect ; the male is figured.

11. Phanolinus discedens. (Tab. IX. fig. 10.)

Capite thoraceque aureo-eneis, parum punctatis, hoc seriebus discoidalibus tantum tripunctatis ; elytris lete

viridibus, fortiter punctatis ; abdomine impunctato, ex parte majore opaco, nigricante, apice flavo ; antennis

pedibusque testaceis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne rather slender, not thicker externally; the tenth joint about as long as

broad. Mandibles short, red, like the other parts of the mouth. Head short and broad,

the eyes occupying nearly all the side, the vertex with some coarse punctures, and three

or four punctures touching the inner margin of the eye. Thorax subquadrate, the

discoidal series reduced to two or three punctures on each side near the front margin, a

puncture on each side near the front angle, and with a very few punctures touching the

margins; otherwise impunctate. Elytra very shining, with very coarse, remarkably dis-

tinct punctures. Hind body with the basal portion of each segment dull, the hinder part

shining, the terminal segment yellow, the preceding one red largely marked with black

on the middle; anal styles yellow, a little darker towards the extremity. The whole of

the hind body remarkably free from punctuation, no trace of which can be detected

on the basal segments, and only a very few indistinct punctures on the apical ones.

Of this species a single individual, apparently a female, has been found ; it will pro-

bably form a distinct genus, and appears to have relations with different genera of the

Xanthopygina. At present it is systematically least misplaced in Phanolinus, from

which it differs by the shorter and stouter trophi. The facies is rather that of

Gastrisus and Xanthopygus, in neither of which, however, can it be placed, owing to

the entire absence of a stigmatic membrane.

NAUSICOTUS.

Palporum maxillarum articulus ultimus precedente longior; palpi labiales articulis duobus basalibus brevibus,

tertio oblongo, leviter incrassato, apice truncato, quam precedentes simul sumtis longiore; mandibule

elongate. Tarsi anteriores dilatati, subtus spongiosi; prothorax membrana stigmatica instructus.

This genus appears to be most nearly allied to Phanolinus, from which, however, it

is distinct by the structure of the labial palpi and the presence of a stigmatic mem-

brane ; this latter has only a very short extension inwards. As in certain species of

Phanolinus, there are rudimentary curved impressions on the second and third dorsal

plates of the hind body. The ligula, though acuminate in front, has the apex rather

deeply divided. ‘The structure of the labial palpi readily distinguishes the genus from

Gastrisus, to the species of which genus it is, moreover, very dissimilar in appearance.

NAUSICOTUS.—GLENUS. 369

Trigonopselaphus opacipennis, Shp., and one or two undescribed South-American

species, belong to the genus.

1. Nausicotus spectabilis. (Tab. IX. fig. 11.)

Capite thoraceque aureo-purpureis, fulgidis ; elytris, pectore abdomineque fusco-nigris, opacis, hoc segmento

ultimo pedibusque testaceis ; antennis rufo-obscuris, dimidio apicali pallide testaceo.

Long. 22 millim.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt).

Antenne not elongate, and but little thickened externally ; the two or three penulti-

mate joints rather broader than long. Palpi and parts of the mouth flavescent. Head

with numerous punctures near the inner margins of the eyes, densely punctured

behind, and with four or five punctures near the front in the middle. Thorax rather

longer than broad, on each side of the middle with a longitudinal series of about eight

distant punctures, with punctuation near the front and lateral margins, but with very

few punctures between these and the discoidal series. Elytra very opaque, with very

obsolete punctuation, rather closely pubescent. Hind body closely and very finely

punctured, very dull, the apical segment pale yellow ; the extreme hind margin of the

preceding segment is also of this colour, and so are the anal styles, the latter, however,

are fuscescent behind, but their terminal pubescence is yellow. The legs are yellow, with

distinct black spinules. The unique individual is a male, and has a broad, very shallow

. notch on the last ventral plate.

GLENUS.

Glenus, Kraatz, Ins. Deutsch. ii. p. 542.

Staphylinus, Fam. VIII., pars, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph.

This is one of the most distinctive of the genera of South-American Staphylinide.

It is not found out of Tropical America, nor has it anywhere, so far as we know, any

near ally. The species found in our region are both much inferior to the South-

American forms in the stature of their individuals, and are apparently of great

rarity. I had not anticipated the extension of this genus to Mexico previous to Mr.

Flohy’s discovery of a species there.

1. Glenus coxalis.

Glenus coxalis, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 425.

Hab. Panama (Henry Edwards).

2. Glenus flohri.’ (Tab. IX. fig. 12.)

Rufo-fulvus; thorace rufo-aureo, scutello nigro, abdomine nigro-variegato; capite thoraceque densius fortiter

punctatis, cumque elytris fulvo-pubescentibus ; thorace linea lata in medio levigata.

Long. 15 millim.

Hab. Mezxico, Jalapa (Flohr); Guatemana, near the city (Champion).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, Apri/ 1884. 3 BB

370 STAPHYLINIDA.

Head with a slight metallic tint, very closely punctured all over. Thorax coarsely

and densely punctured, but with a broad straight line down the middle smooth. Elytra

short and broad, without definite punctuation. Hind body red, with the segments each

broadly marked with black on the middle and at the sides, but the seventh segment

entirely yellow, and the anal styles yellow, a little infuscate at the extremity.

The male has the posterior lobe of the hind coxa with an increased extension

externally; the posterior external angle is, however, only rectangular, not at all

spinose. The apical ventral plate has a very broad, curved (not angular) emargination

in the middle behind.

I have seen only a single Mexican example, from which the pubescence is unfortu-

nately in great part removed. The unique example found by Mr. Champion in Guate-

mala may possibly prove to be a very closely allied but distinct species, as the peculiar

extension of the hind coxa is greater, and its posterior external angle is somewhat pro-

duced and spinose. This specimen has a rather broader head, and more metallic head

and thorax, so that I am in doubt whether it be a better developed male variety of G.

flohri or a very closely allied species. The figure is taken from this individual.

Group STAPHYLININA.

Superior line of the prothorax deflexed to the under surface at the front angle;

inferior line not continued on to the front aspect of the thorax, and usually united with

the superior line behind the prosternum.

CREOPHILUS.

Creophilus, Mannerheim, Brachel. p. 20.

Staphylinus, Fam. II., Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 347.

Emus, pars, Fauvel, Faune Gall.-rhen. ii. p. 394.

This genus consists of eight or nine species, six of which are confined to the antipodes

and New Guinea, a seventh is found in South America, the eighth being very widely

distributed in the eastern hemisphere and occurring in a slightly modified form in our

region, to which it is probably a comparatively modern immigrant, that may well have

arrived by way of Kamtschatka and Alaska. Fauvel’s union of the genus with the

European Hmus is not a correct step, the differences in the prothorax being of much

importance, and corroborated by other minor distinctions.

1. Creophilus maxillosus, var. villosus.

Staphylinus mazillosus, Linn. Faun. Suec. no. 891’.

Staphylinus villosus, Grav. Micr. p. 160°; Er. Gen. et Spec. p. 849°.

Creophilus villosus, Nordm. Staph. p. 319%.

SCHIZOCHILUS.—STAPHYLINUS. 371

Hab. Norra America?4, from Alaska southwards.—Mexico%, Ciudad in Durango

(Forrer), near the city (Flohr, Hége), Cordova, Juquila, Guanajuato (Sallé), Chihuahua

(Hepburn), San Luis Potosi and Monclova (Dr. Palmer); Guaremata, Duefias (Salvin).

—Cvsa?,

SCHIZOCHILUS.

Schizochilus, Gray, An. King. xiv. p. 210.

Staphylinus, Fam. V., Er. Gen. et Spec. p. 358.

. Diococephalus, Nordm. Staph. pl. 1. fig. 8, not in text.

Leistotrophus, Perty, Del Anim. p. 80.

Leistotrophus, pars, Munich Cat. vol. ii.

This genus has been united with Lestotrophus by modern authors, but quite erro-

neously ; the very peculiar structure of the front tarsi, unique in the family, is of itself

sufficient for its distinction; and to this must be added other characters of importance,

' such as the absence of a stigmatic membrane, the differently formed anterior tibiz, the

very widely separated middle coxe, with the mesosternum scarcely produced between

them in a very gentle curve. Only one species is known. The name Leistotrophus was

proposed by Perty for our insect; but as it has since become applied to a number of

well-known species, I think it would be better to continue to apply the name as is

generally done, it being, in my opinion, hopeless to adopt any absolute system of priority

for the names of genera, owing to the constant fluctuations that genera undergo.

1. Schizochilus versicolor.

Staphylinus versicolor, Grav. Mon. p. 119’; Er. Gen. et Spec. p. 359’.

Schizochilus brasiliensis, Gray, An. King. xiv. p. 304, pl. 32. fig. 3°.

Leistotrophus versicolor, Munich Cat. ii. p. 576%.

Staphylinus infuscatus, Nordm. Staph. p. 29’.

Hab. Mexico, Toxpam, Cordova (Sallé), Misantla (Hoge), Jalapa®; GuatEMA.a, Cal-

deras, San Gerdénimo, Cubilguitz, Zapote, La Tinta (Champion) ; Nicaragua, Chontales

(Belt, Janson) ; Costa Rica, Cache, Irazu, 6000 to 7000 feet (Rogers); Panama, Bugaba,

David, Volcan de Chiriqui, San Lorenzo, Tolé (Champion).—Soutn AMEricA to Rio de

Janeiro.

STAPHYLINUS.

Staphylinus, Linné, Syst. Nat. ii. p. 683.

Platydracus, Thoms. Sk. Col. i. p. 28.

This genus, as I accept it here, is equivalent to Platydracus, Thoms., no forms related

to the two European species for which Thomson reserved the name Staphylinus occur- .

ring in our fauna. In this restricted sense Staphylinus will still comprise about one

hundred described species, and is distributed over the continental regions of the

3 BB2

372 STAPHYLINIDA.

Old and New Worlds, being absent, however, from Australia and Madagascar. If

Staphylinus and Platydracus be really distinct, as seems probable, it will be well to

apply the Linnean name to the genus comprising the great majority of the species that

were included in it by Linneeus.

1. Staphylinus extensus.

Major, niger, opacus; capite, thorace elytrisque violaceis, nigro-pubescentibus, dense haud fortiter punctatis ;

antennis brevibus, alis fusco-fulvis.

Long. 40 millim.

Hab. Costa Rica, Cache (Rogers); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet

(Champion).

Antenne only as long as the head ; joints 6~10 transverse. Thorax about as long as

broad, densely punctate, with an indistinct shining line along the middle, which becomes

broader and distinct at the base. Elytra without punctuation, of a blue or violet

colour, but rendered black by a very dense pubescence. Hind body covered with an

intensely black tomentum.

The male has the hind tibiz much sinuate, and the basal joint of the hind tarsus a

good deal incrassate and very densely furnished with pubescence beneath: the apical

ventral segment slightly, the preceding one scarcely visibly, emarginate beneath.

Mr. Champion found four examples in tapirs’ dung in the forests, Rogers a single

specimen which is now in very bad state. The species is excessively similar to S. buqueti,

but the front parts are more blue, the hind body more intensely black, and the sexual

development of the hind legs of the male is greater, while the emargination of the ventral

plates is much less.

2. Staphylinus ferox. (Tab. IX. fig. 14, wing.)

Staphylinus ferox, Nordm. Symb. p. 39’; Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 384’.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa!? (Hoge); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui,

4000 to 6000 feet, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

3. Staphylinus atrox. (Tab. IX. fig. 15, wing.)

Staphylinus atrox,.Nordm. Symbol. p. 88°.

Hab. Muxico1 (Flohr), Cordova, Toxpam (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge).

Erichson has stated that S. atrox, Nordm., is a synonym of the Brazilian 8. buqueti,

and that Nordmann was wrong in stating the insect to be from Mexico. It appears to

me, however, that Nordmann was correct, and that Erichson, confounding the S. atroa

with the Brazilian species, inferred Nordmann to be in error on account of the

habitat of other specimens. At any rate, Nordmann’s description applies to the

STAPHYLINUS, 373

present species, which is distinguished from all its allies, including 8. buqueti, by the

colour of the wings, a character which is apparently quite constant; but I am not able

to point out any other means of distinguishing the species from S. feror. Nordmann’s

statement that 9. atrox is 2" 2!" long is an error for 1" 2’, and is corrected by the mea-

surement he gives of the head, viz. 3'", which corresponds with the insect we are at

present occupied with.

4. Staphylinus fulvomaculatus. (Tab. IX. fig. 13.)

Staphylinus fulvomaculatus, Nordm. Staph. p. 89; Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 384.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Guanajuato (Sallé), Jalapa (Flohr, Hoge), Oaxaca, Tehuacan

(Flohr), Orizaba (coll. Sharp); Guatemata, Aceytuno, 5100 feet (Salvin), Escuintla

(Champion).

This remarkable species appears to be far from common, only about a dozen speci-

mens from all sources having come under my observation, three of these being from

Guatemala. Mr. Flohr informs me that it is usually found in ants’ nests, but also

occasionally in dung. The figure is drawn from a female example found at Cordova.

The figure of the wing (fig. 13 a) is that of the specimen found by Mr. Salvin.

5. Staphylinus caliginosus.

Staphylinus caliginosus, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 388°.

Hab. Mextco!, Oaxaca, Jalapa (Hége), Parada, Puebla, Guanajuato, Etla, Capulalpan,

Yolos (Sad/é), Las Vigas, Maravatio (Flohr) ; GuaTEMaLa, Duefas, Quezaltenango, 7800

feet (Champion).

This is an extremely variable species; varieties in Sallé’s collection are ticketed

S. caudatus and S. scutellaris, Deyr., and Mr. Flohr has communicated another variety

as being S. pardalis, K. Dugés, all these being MS. names. The hind body is at the

extremity usually of a sordid red colour, as described by Erichson, but occasionally it

is completely black; the head and thorax are sometimes of an eneous colour; the

tibiee and tarsi vary from black to testaceous in colour; and the elytra are sometimes

ferruginous instead of black. In fresh specimens there are always to be detected some

few fuscous scales on the elytra and hind body, and in the paler specimens these become

much increased, so that the surface is very much more variegate, and in these specimens

the pubescence of the under surface is paler and more elongate. I am not acquainted

with any other species of Staphylinus showing so great an amount of variation.

It is very closely allied to the North-American S. mysticus, Er., and the larger

individuals attain the stature seen in its congener; but even in these examples of

similar size, the antenne of the North-American species are considerably longer and

more slender, so that the two are probably really distinct.

374 STAPHYLINIDE.

6. Staphylinus sepulchralis.

Staphylinus sepulchralis, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 388°.

Hab. Mexico 1, Toluca and Puebla (Sai/é).

A small series of five specimens of this species show that it is extremely similar to the

blacker varieties of S. caliginosus, but is really a very distinct species, the middle cox

being absolutely contiguous; the basal joints of the antenne are not marked with

yellow, and the hind body has no trace of black spots. The rufescence of the middle

of the tarsi alluded to by Erichson is not present in these examples, and was perhaps ©

due to an immature condition of the example described by Erichson.

7. Staphylinus biseriatus.

Niger, opacus; abdomine segmento singulo ad latera parce griseo-pubescente; capite thoraceque densissime

punctatis, nigro-pubescentibus ; pectore abdomineque subtus parce griseo-pubescentibus ; palpis piceis.

Long. 27 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, near the City (Champion).

Antenne short, scarcely longer than the head, black, very obscurely ferruginous at

the apex. Head a little narrowed in front, about as broad as the thorax; eyes occupying

scarcely two fifths of the length from the base of the mandibles to the hind margin ;

the surface rather coarsely, very densely punctured and with a short pubescence.

‘Thorax a little more finely punctured than the head, at the base in the middle with a

short linear space, dull, not shining, free from pubescence. Elytra about as long as the

thorax, dull black, without visible punctuation ; scutellum velvet-black. Hind body

dull, with a faint black tomentum, without sculpture; on each side of each segment

there is a patch of pale grey scanty tomentum, which is denser at the base than at

the hind margin, and is very inconspicuous ¢ on the apical segments. Legs black, with

the front tarsi piceous.

A single female is all that has been obtained of this very distinct species; it is of

the stature of the smallest and narrowest examples of 8. atrov. The middle legs are

moderately distant.

8. Staphylinus vittatus. (Tab. IX. fig. 16.)

Fulvo-ferrugineus ; pectore, scutello abdominisque vitta mediali nigris, abdomine utrinque vitta lata pubescentie

aureo-flave ; antennis fuscis, basi et articulo ultimo rufis ; pedibus rufis, coxis nigris.

Long. 26 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Juquila, Parada (Sallé), Uruapan (Flohr).

Antenne conspicuously longer than the head, rather slender. Head and thorax very

densely punctured, quite dull. Elytra not at all maculate. Under surface toa large

extent black, the three or four apical segments, however, entirely red.

This is a much more slender insect than 8. maculiventris. Of the three examples

STAPHYLINUS. 375

before me only the one figured (a male found at Juquila) is in good preservation, and it has

the anterior parts covered with a nearly concolorous pubescence, which on the elytra is

more flavescent; the example from Parada is very abraded; that from Uruapan is

somewhat immature and abraded, but the pubescence on the elytra is rufescent and

concolorous, and the black spots of the hind body are considerably narrower ; I expect

all will prove to be one species. Mr. Flohr imforms me that in November 1870 he

found two examples of S. vittatus amongst damp leaves in a garden at Acapancingo

near Cuernavaca.

9. Staphylinus maculiventris. (Tab. IX. fig. 17.)

Capite, thorace elytrisque rufo-fulvis; abdomine nigro, segmentorum marginibus elevatis segmentoque ultimo

rufo-variegatis, segmento singulo ad latera macula conspicua pubescentiz aureo-flave ; pedibus testaceis,

coxis femoribusque ex parte nigris, tibiis fusco-spinulosis.

Long. 27 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Ventanas, 2000 feet (Forrer).

Antenne rather longer than the head, red. Head large; eyes occupying scarcely

more than one third of the length of the sides; colour dull red, with the mandibles

black, very densely punctate. Thorax similar in colour to the head, very densely and

obscurely punctured, quite dull. Scutellum velvety black. LElytra as long as the

thorax, slightly more obscure in colour than it, and with a very faint maculation at the

shoulder and sides, quite dull, densely and indistinctly punctured. The maculation of

the hind body by the yellow spots of pubescence is very conspicuous. The male has a

slight emargination of the last ventral plate.

The species is closely allied to the North-American S. vulpinus, but the thorax is of

brighter colour, and the pubescent yellow spots of the hind body are much more

conspicuous, extending all the way along the side of each segment, but not across the

base. Three individuals have been found.

10. Staphylinus funebris.

Nigerrimus, opacus, nigro-tomentosus; abdomine in medio bifariam nigro-velutino bimaculato, apice obscure

rufo.

Long. 19 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Purula (Champion).

Antenne entirely black, short, and stout. Head with dense, coarse, obsolete punc-

tures, and with quite black pubescence; quadrate, the eyes occupying scarcely one

half the sides. ‘Thorax quadrate, densely and obsoletely punctured, with quite black

tomentum; a short bare space along the middle at the base. Hind body intensely

black, but allowing two black velvety spots to be seen on the middle of each segment ;

the apex dark red. |

This also is described from a single example in bad preservation. Though very

376 STAPHYLINIDA.

similar to certain of the darker varieties of S. caliginosus, it is distinct by the more

quadrate head and thorax, and by the antenne, which are not marked with yellow at

the base; in these respects it resembles S. incognitus, from which it is distinguished

by the larger punctures on the thorax, and the intensely black colour of the surface

and of the pubescence.

11. Staphylinus incognitus.

Niger, opacus, griseo-pubescens; abdomine in medio bifariam nigro-velutino bimaculato, apice testaceo.

Long. 20 millim.

Hab. Mzxtico, Coatepec (Flohr).

The antenne are entirely black, short, evidently thickened towards the extremity.

Head quadrate, not narrowed in front, excessively densely punctured. Thorax quadrate,

excessively densely punctured, very dull, without smooth line along the middle. Elytra

as long as the thorax, excessively densely and indistinctly punctured. Hind body

black, with minute grisescent atoms mixed with the black tomentum, on the middle

of each segment with two rather distinct black spots; the terminal segment, the anal

styles, and the hind margin of the penultimate segment yellow.

This is described from a single, very abraded individual, but indicates a species

certainly distinct ; the head and thorax are more quadrate than in S. caliginosus, and

the eyes occupy a slightly greater extent of the sides, just less than one half; the punc-

tuation of the head, thorax, and elytra is more dense; and if I may judge from a small

amount of pubescence existing on the extremity of the wing-cases, the anterior parts of

the body bear a more pallid griseous pubescence.

12. Staphylinus angusticeps. (Tab. IX. fig. 18.)

Omnium nigerrimus, opacus, nigro-tomentosus ; abdomine in medio parum conspicue bifariam nigro-bimaculato ;

minus parallelus, capite thoraceque angustioribus magis elongatis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Flohr), Puebla and Toluca (Sallé), Jalapa (Hége).

Readily distinguished from other species by the peculiar form, the head being con-

siderably narrower than the thorax, and the thorax also narrower than the elytra; the

mandibles too are rather longer, the front tarsi narrower, and the raised margin along

the sides of the thorax less fine than in the allied species. There is a very fine carinula

along the middle of the thorax, and the punctuation of these parts is excessively dense,

rather coarse. ‘The middle coxe are only slightly separated. The male characters are

but slight, being limited to a broad shallow emargination of the apical ventral plate.

Apparently not a common species, as I have seen only a single example from each of

the localities above cited: the one figured is a female sent by Mr. Flohr; but the

figure does not give a good idea of the insect, the head being drawn too square.

STAPHYLINUS. 377

13. Staphylinus tempestivus.

Niger, opacus, nigro-tomentosus ; abdomine in medio bifariam nigro-maculato ; capite in medio obscure rufo-

bimaculato ; alis violaceo-nigrinis.

Long. 26 millim.

Hab. Mexico, near the city (Forrer).

This insect is very similar in form to S. maculosus, and is of the size of the smallest

individuals of that species, but is readily distinguished by the intense black colour.

The antennz are black, with the terminal joint rusty colour. The head is narrowed in

front, the eyes do not occupy one half of the length of the sides, it is very densely and

coarsely punctured, and has two small obscure ferruginous spots on the middle. The

thorax is punctured like the head, and has a well-marked smooth line along the middle.

The elytra are dark black, and have a few grisescent atoms sprinkled amongst the

pubescence. The hind body is rather sparingly and indistinctly punctured, very deep

black, with a few white atoms amongst the pubescence on the upper surface; on the

under surface these atoms are replaced by griseous hairs amongst the pubescence,

and across the extreme base of the penultimate segment there is a band of grisescent

pubescence. The wings in colour and pigmentation are almost exactly similar to those

of S. atrox.

I have seen only a single male.

14, Staphylinus castaneus. |

Staphylinus castaneus, Nordm. Staph. p. 54°; Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 379’.

Hab. Mexico 12, near the city (Flohr), Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge).

15. Staphylinus phenicurus.

Staphylinus pheenicurus, Nordm. Staph. p. 57’; Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 380°.

Hab. Mexico 12, near the city (Flohr, Hoge), Acaxuchillan (Flohr), Toluca (Saddé). |

16. Staphylinus maculosus, var.

Staphylinus maculosus, Grav. Mon. Micr. p. 123°; Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 375°.

Hab. Norta America }2,—Mexico (ex coll. Saunders).

The only individual from our region known to me is a well-marked variety with

fuscous pubescence on the thorax, and almost without atoms of golden tomentum on

the hind body, with the basal joint of the antenne black on its upper face, and with a

greater extension than usual of the black colour of the legs.

17. Staphylinus fervidus. (Tab. IX. fig. 19.)

Ferrugineus ; capite thoraceque «neo-variegatis, dense fortiterque punctatis ; elytris griseo-subvariegatis, scutello

nigro-tomentoso ; abdomine fusco-variegato, pubescentia aureo-flavescente vestito, in medio bifariam fusco-

maculato; corpore subtus aureo pubescente, pectore anterius, prothorace et capite ex parte majore nigri-

cantibus ; antennarum basi pedibusque (cum coxis) testaceis.

Long. 19 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Mirador (Sai/é).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, June 1884. 3 CC

378 STAPHYLINID A.

This is very closely allied to the smaller and paler-coloured examples of S. fusco-

maculatus, but is readily distinguished by the beautiful pallid golden pubescence of

the hind body, and by the cox not being darker than the rest of the legs. The hind

body beneath is densely and finely punctate, the basal segment is nearly entirely red, as

is the apical one, the second segment is largely infuscate on the middle, and the follow-

ing still more largely. The variegation of the head and thorax is similar to that of

S. fuscomaculatus, except that the e#neous markings along the middle are less in

extent ; the raised smooth line along the thorax is only to be perceived for a short

space at the base.

Described from two examples found at Cordova; the third example, from Mirador,

has the hind body much less densely punctate beneath, and it is possible it may belong

to a distinct though very similar species. The figure fails to give any idea of the

variegation of the hind body.

18. Staphylinus vestitus.

Gracilis, ferrugineus ; capite thoraceque eneo-variegatis, crebre fortiusque punctatis ; elytris fusco-subnebulosis ;

abdomine variegato, pubescentia aureo-flavescente vestito, in medio bifariam fusco-bimaculato, segmentis

40_6™ ex parte majore fuscis; pectore capiteque subtus nigro-variegatis ; antennarum basi pedibusque (cum

coxis) testaceis.

Long. 15-17 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

This is another species very similar to S. fuscomaculatus, but the individuals are

more slender, and are clothed, like S. fervidus, with a golden flavescent pubescence ;

it is distinguished by the very coarse punctuation of the head and thorax. On the

under surface the basal two segments of the hind body are entirely flavescent, the

fourth has a black mark on the middle, the fifth and sixth are in larger part black,

the seventh being again entirely pale; the punctuation and pubescence on segments

five to seven is not dense ; the prosternum is flavescent, the inflexed sides of the pro-

notum dark in front; the head black in the middle and on each side, with a large red

vitta between the black marks.

Described from two males: a third example from the same locality is still smaller,

and has the upper surface more definitely variegate, and the punctuation of the head

and thorax not quite so coarse; it may possibly be another extremely closely allied

species.

19. Staphylinus fuscomaculatus.

Emus fuscomaculatus, Lap. Etud. Ent. p. 113’.

Staphylinus fuscomaculatus, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 876’.

Hab. Mexico '?, near the city, Jalapa (Flohr), Cordova (Sallé), Juquila (Hoge) ;

GuatemaLa, Cachil in Vera Paz (Champion).

STAPHYLINUS. 379

This species, of which I have seen but a few examples, is apparently variable, the

hind body being sometimes fusco-ferruginous instead of black; and in the example

from Jalapa the tibie are in larger part black. The specimens from Juquila belong to

a remarkably small and slender variety, with the hind body towards the extremity in

large part red. The unique individual from Guatemala is in bad preservation, and is

possibly a different species, the dark marks on the head and thorax being of great

extent and the pubescence apparently fuscous.

20. Staphylinus affinis.

Staphylinus affinis, Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ent. Ross. v. p. 126°.

Hab. Mexico }, near the city (Mohr), Oaxaca, Mirador, Cerro de Plumas, Maltrata

(Hoge), La Parada (Sallé) ; Guatemata, Zapote, San Gerdnimo (Champion).

This is another species variable within the limits of Mexico, and extremely close to

some of the varieties of S. fuscomaculatus. From Guatemala I have seen only three

examples; they are very aberrant from the Mexican examples, but do not agree sufii-

ciently with one another to allow me to distinguish them by any satisfactory character.

21. Staphylinus discretus.

Niger; elytris saturate rufis, tibiis tarsisque fusco-testaceis; abdomine in medio minus conspicue bifariam

nigro-maculato; capite thoraceque fortius punctatis, hoc in medio linea lata impunctato.

Long. 16 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Las Vigas (Flohr).

Antenne rather short, evidently thickened externally, black; second joint red at its

articulation. Head rather small, distinctly narrowed in front; eyes occupying less

than one half of the sides. Thorax short, quadrate, straight at the sides, with very

coarse punctuation, and with a broad smooth space along the middle, continuous with

which is a smooth line on the posterior part of the head. Elytra obsoletely punc-

tate, of a pale, sordid red colour, scarcely nebulose. Hind body black, but little

variegate.

Although I have only a single example in very abraded state at my disposal, and

it is very similar to the smallest, dark examples of S. affinis, yet I have no doubt it is

distinct, and will be recognized by the broader smooth space on the thorax ; fresh

examples will probably prove to have a rather scanty black pubescence on the head,

thorax, and elytra.

92. Staphylinus marcidus. . _

Niger; capite thoraceque fusco-subseneis, nigro-pubescentibus ; elytris fusco-rufis, fusco-nebulosis ; abdomine in

medio bifariam nigro-bimaculato, tibiis prope geniculos plus minusve late sordide testaceis; corpore

subtus parce griseo-pubescente.

Long. 20 millim.

3 CC 2

380 STA PHYLINIDA.

Hab. Panama, Volean de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet

(Champion).

Var. pedibus latius pallidis.

Hab. Costa Rica, Irazu 6000 to 7000 feet (Rogers).

Head coarsely and very densely punctured, almost black, with black pubescence.

Thorax. not elongate, straight at the sides, with punctuation and pubescence like the

head, with a shining line, which is broad in front of the scutellum, along the middle,

usually with a minute obscure ferruginous mark on each side of the middle of the front

and hind margins. Elytra about as long as the thorax, of a very obscure fuscous-reddish

colour, largely mottled with darker marks. Hind body, including the anal styles, black,

with only a very slight sprinkling of grisescent pubescence at the sides.

This insect is almost equally closely allied to S. fuscomaculatus and to S. affinis, but

is much darker in colour than either, and has a rather longer head than S. affinis, while

the thorax is rather shorter than in S. fuscomaculatus. The specimens from the Volcan

Irazu are far from agreeing with those from Panama; but they also do not accord

amongst themselves in the points of distinction, the hind femora in some being in

larger part yellow, while in others the black mark nearly covers their surface.

23. Staphylinus memnonius.

Niger ; capite, thorace elytrisque fusco-subzeneis, his parum conspicue griseo-marmoratis, illis fusco-pubescentibus,

dense fortiterque punctatis, thorace ante scutellum area parva levigata; abdomine in medio parum con-

spicue bifariam nigro-maculato; corpore subtus parum dense griseo-pubescente; pedibus nigro-fuscis,

tibiis superne sordide testaceis.

Long. 22 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne black, with the base of the second joint red. Head rather large, only a

little narrowed in front, very densely coarsely punctate; eyes a little prominent,

occupying about one half of the length of the sides. Thorax very nearly as long as

broad, straight at the sides, punctured and pubescent like the head, with only a

narrow and short space in the middle at the base smooth. LElytra of a very dull

obscure fusco-seneous tint, with faint griseous marmorations arising from a very scanty

griseous pubescence scattered on places where is also a slight difference in the tint of

the ground-colour, at the shoulders obscurely rufescent. Scutellum clothed with black

tomentum. Hind body black, scarcely variegate, the black spots on the middle of

each segment obscure. Legs with the coxe and femora nearly black, the hind

trochanters infuscate yellow, the knees and upper part of the tibie very obscure

yellow.

Although extremely similar to 8S. marcidus and the S. affinis allies, this is a distinct

species by the colour of the wing-cases and the absence of a carinula along the length

STAPHYLINUS. 381

of the thorax. Eight specimens have been found, one of which (a slender male) is only

about 19 millim. long.

24, Staphylinus apicipennis.

Angustulus, niger ; capite, thorace elytrisque subzeneis, peropacis, his ad apicem griseo-pubescentibus ; abdomine

fusco-subvariegato, in medio bifariam maculato, apice ferrugineo-nigro.

Long. 19 millim. |

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

Head rather small, coarsely, very densely punctured ; eyes occupying about one half

the length of the sides. Thorax evidently longer than broad, straight at the sides,

extremely densely punctured, without any longitudinal smooth space. LElytra scarcely

so long as the thorax, with a dark fuscous pubescence, which at the hinder part is

replaced by a griseous pubescence. Scutellum velvet-black. Hind body blackish,

with two rather widely separated black spots on the middle of each segment, and with

an obscure admixture at the sides of pallid griseous pubescence; the hind margin of

the sixth segment dark red, and also the whole of the seventh segment; anal styles dark

red, black at the extremity. Under surface of head and hind body with a rather coarse

punctuation. Femora black, middle and hind tibie blackish, streaked externally with

yellow; tarsi dark, clothed rather densely with paler hairs.

Described from a single, rather abraded male. It bears a great resemblance to

S. antiquus, and might easily be passed over as of that species, from which, however,

it is readily distinguished by the less extent of the sides of the head occupied by

the eyes. It is very similar also to the Mexican S. incognitus, which, however, has a

larger, more quadrate head, with denser, more confluent punctuation, and longer

elytra.

25. Staphylinus ignotus.

Niger; capite, thorace elytrisque eeneis, illis dense fortiter punctatis, fusco-pubescentibus ; abdomine tomentoso-

vestito, bifariam fusco-variegato, apice testaceo; mento magno transversim elliptico, eburnaceo.

Long. 22 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Mirador (Sallé); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet

(Champion).

Antenne rather slender, fuscous. Head broad; eyes rather prominent, large, occu-

pying more than half the length of the sides.’ Thorax not so long as broad, straight

at the sides, without distinct central smooth line. FElytra a good deal longer than the

thorax, very dull, densely covered with very fine tomentum, and with a scanty pubes-

cence besides. Hind body densely covered with fine tomentum, with two elongate

obscure darker marks on the middle of each segment; the seventh segment and the

anal styles yellow, the extreme hind margin of the preceding segment red. Legs

fuscous black.

382 STAPHYLINIDA.

This is one of a small group of species, of which S. ochropygus, Nordm., may be taken

as the type, having a very peculiar condition of the mentum; they have also the left

mandible more deeply excised between the base and the middle tooth than other

species, so that it is there much more slender.

I have three specimens of S. ignotus before me, two being from Mexico; all of them

are in bad preservation.

26. Staphylinus championi. (Tab. IX. fig. 20.)

Latior, niger ; capite, thorace elytrisque eneis, illis densissime fortiter punctatis, fusco-pubescentibus ; abdomine

parum conspicue bifariam nigro-variegato ; mento minore, eburnaceo.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather slender, fuscous. Head broad, slightly narrowed in front, very

densely punctate. Eyes occupying fully one half of the length of the sides. Thorax

large, scarcely broader than long, straight at the sides, extremely densely punctured,

without smooth line, except on a short and narrow space at the base. Elytra quite

dull. Hind body black, and with two indistinct black marks on the middle of each

segment, with scattered punctures visible among the pubescence. Under surface bearing

a rather pallid fuscous pubescence.

Three individuals have been found of this species. Although extremely similar to

S. ignotus, it is a very distinct species, the mentum is only about half as broad, and the

mandibles have not the peculiar form they have in that species.

27. Staphylinus consors.

Latus, niger; capite, thorace elytrisque eneis, illis densissime fortiter punctatis, opacis, fusco-pubescentibus ;

abdomine medio parum discrete bifariam maculato, utrinque fusco-pubescente.

Long. 22 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather slender, fuscous red, with the base darker. Head rather large, with

the eyes occupying fully one half the length of the sides. Thorax as long as broad,

quite dull, very densely punctured, with traces only of a smooth line along the middle.

Elytra as long as the thorax. Hind body black, with two indistinct black spots on the

middle of each segment, at the sides with fuscous pubescence; with rather numerous

coarser punctures visible among the pubescence.

This species is very similar to S. championi, but has a smaller head and shorter

mandibles, and the mentum is in the ordinary membranous condition. It is distin-

guished from S. antiquus by the rather larger size, and by the eyes not occupying so

great a proportion of the sides of the larger head, Only one ill-preserved individual

has been found.

STAPHYLINUS. 383

28. Staphylinus sallei.

Haud latus, niger; capite, thorace elytrisque fusco-eneis, illis dense fortiter punctatis, haud omnino opacis,

fusco-pubescentibus ; abdomine fusco-pubescente, in medio parum conspicue bifariam maculato; tibiis

tarsisque fusco-testaceis.

Long. 21 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Parada (Sailé).

Antenne nearly black ; second and third joints yellow at the base. Head moderately

large, eyes occupying fully one half the length of the sides, coarsely and closely punc-

tured, but with the interstices a little shining. Thorax about as long as broad, slightly

narrowed towards the front, punctured like the head, with a narrow smooth line along

the middle, which is continuous with a still narrower line on the posterior half of the

head. Elytra not longer than the thorax, quite dull. Hind body black, clothed with

fuscous pubescence, its variegation indistinct. Posterior femora dull sordid yellow,

marked with black; middle and posterior tibiee and tarsi fuscous reddish.

This is narrower than S. consors, and has a less densely punctate head and thorax;

it is closely allied to S. antiquus, but is larger, and the eyes do not occupy so large a

portion of the sides of the head; by this latter character and by the concolorous apex

of the hind body it is distinguished from the Amazonian S. priscus. I have seen only

a single example.

29. Staphylinus modestus. (Tab. IX. fig. 21.)

Haud latus, nigerrimus, nigro-tomentosus; abdomine in medio bifariam nigro-maculato; capite thoraceque

omnino opacis, illo minore anterius angustato, hoc elytris paulo longiore densissime subtiliter punctato.

Long. 19-21 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Flohr, Hoge).

Antenne short. Head narrower than the thorax, considerably narrowed in front,

very densely and subobsoletely punctate, with quite short pubescence ; mandibles black ;

eyes occupying fully one half the length of the sides. Thorax rather longer than

broad, very densely and indistinctly punctate. Scutellum clothed with intensely black

velvety pile. Hind body very black, with two indistinct velvety distant spots on the

middle of each segment.

The male has a deep emargination on the terminal ventral plate, and a slight emargi-

nation on the preceding segment; in front of the latter emargination the surface is

impressed.

I have seen but two examples of this species. It is very similar to the North-

American S. tomentosus, but is a good deal narrower, and has a smaller head, a larger

proportion of its sides being occupied by the eyes, the pubescence is less rusty, and

the hind body is free from the conspicuous larger punctures seen in the North-American

insect. In the figure the head is represented too short and broad.

384 STAPHYLINIDZ.

30. Staphylinus centralis.

Hand latus, niger, nigro-tomentosus; abdomine in medio bifariam nigro-maculato, inter maculas parum

distincte griseo-maculato; capite thoraceque omnino opacis, illo minore anterius angustato, hoc densissime

subobsolete punctato; tarsis anterioribus ferrugineis, posterioribus piceis subtus ferrugineo-pubescentibus.

Long. 20 millim.

Hab. Mzxtco, Oaxaca (Hége); GuatemaLa, San Gerénimo (Champion).

This species is extremely closely allied to S. modestus, but is readily distinguished by

the maculation of the hind body and by paler tarsi, and the punctuation of the head

and thorax is a little coarser. It is also extremely similar to S. medialis; but that has

the head and thorax more quadrate and closely punctate, and the eyes occupy a larger

portion of the sides of the head.

Hoge’s collection has supplied five examples of this species, while from Guatemala

only one has been received. The Mexican individuals have a slight brassy tint on the

head and thorax, which is absent from the Guatemalan exponent ; and this latter has the

thorax rather more densely and finely punctate, and the central pallid marks on the

hind body rather narrower and less conspicuous.

31. Staphylinus medialis.

Niger, nigro-pubescens et tomentosus; capite thoraceque vix subeneis; abdomine in medio parum conspicue

bifariam nigro-maculato, inter maculas parum dense griseo-variegato, segmento ultimo basi summo fascia

flammulata pallide griseo-pubescente.

Long. 21 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Oaxaca (Hoge).

Head narrower than the thorax, subquadrate, little narrowed in front, coarsely punc-

tate ; eyes large, occupying fully two thirds of the length of the sides. Thorax scarcely.

as long as broad, densely and coarsely punctate, with a black pubescence, a smooth

shining line in front of the scutellum extending one third of the length. Elytra rather

longer than the thorax, very dull black. Hind body with the maculation only slight,

the central pallid spot at the base of each segment being small, and the black spot of

tomentum on each side of it obscure; the flammulate fascia at the base of the terminal

segment consists of scanty pale pubescence placed among the black tomentum.

I have seen only a single female example, which is very closely allied to S. mexicanus,

but is much narrower and has the hind body less variegate.

32. Staphylinus mexicanus.

Sat latus, niger, nigro-pubescens et tomentosus ; capite, thorace elytrisque subaneis ; abdomine nigro griseoque

variegato.

Long. 23, lat. 43 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Misantla (fohr),

Head rather large and broad, subquadrate, coarsely and very densely punctured ; eyes

STAPHYLINUS. 885

occupying two thirds of the length of the sides. Thorax quadrate, quite dull, very

densely, rather coarsely, punctate, with a very short shining line in front of the

scutellum. Elytra as long as the thorax. Hind body with a rather faint mark of

whitish pubescence at the middle of the base of each segment—this mark is rendered

more conspicuous by the tomentum on each side of it being blacker and more dense ;

the sixth segment has at its hind margin a short, irregular, transverse, faint pallid fascia,

and the terminal segment has at the extreme base a flammulate fascia extending all

across it; the lateral portions of the anterior segments are also obscurely variegate with

sparing griseous atoms. |

Mr. Flohr has sent a pair of this species; the male has a deep broad excision on the

terminal ventral plate, and there is a depression along the margins of the excision; the

preceding segment also is broadly and conspicuously emarginate, and somewhat depressed

in front of the emargination, and the middle portions of these two segments are more

densely and finely punctate and more pubescent.

This insect is about the size of S. tomentosus, but is readily distinguished by the

different eyes and more variegate hind body.

33. Staphylinus antiquus.

Staphylinus antiquus, Nordm. Staph. p. 35’; Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 373’.

Hab. Mexico (Flohr), Toxpam, Cordova, Playa Vicente (Sallé), Mirador, Jalapa,

Oaxaca (Hége); Guatemaa, Cubilguitz and Teleman (Champion); Honpuras (SaJ/é) ;

NicaraGua, Chontales (Belt); Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).—SovutH

America! 2, widely distributed.

This is the most abundant and most variable of the Tropical-American species of the

genus. In our region it shows much variation. I have not observed any examples

agreeing exactly with the variety from Para described as the type of the species by

Nordman; but an example from Chontales in my collection approaches in most respects

thereto, but has the antenne entirely ferruginous; the examples from Bugaba differ

but little from Colombian specimens. The species apparently is very common in

Mexico, where also it varies a good deal, many examples having the hind body but

little variegate, and dark even at the extremity.

34. Staphylinus cyanomelas.

Staphylinus cyanomelas, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 392".

Hab. Mexico !, Patzcuaro (Flohr), Puebla (Sallé), Oaxaca (Hége).

35. Staphylinus salvinianus. (Tab. IX. fig. 22.)

‘Niger ; capite thoraceque fortius punctatis, nigro-pubescentibus, hoe omnino opaco, anterius parum angustato et

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, June 1884. 3 DD

386 STAPHYLINIDZA.

subsinuato; elytris nigro-tomentosis hic inde parcissime albido-spergatis ; abdomine parum dense nigro-

tomentoso, segmento singulo ad basin et latera albido-variegato; corpore subtus cinereo-pubescente.

Long. 22 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Flohr), Jalapa (Hoge), Cordova (Sallé).

Antenne evidently thicker externally. Head narrower than the thorax, quadrate,

with large eyes occupying fully two thirds of the length of the sides, with a remarkably

distinct, deep, coarse punctuation, but not shining. Thorax about as long as broad,

coarsely and very closely punctured, with a very small smooth space in front of the

scutellum, this latter velvety black. Elytra very dull, black, slightly sprinkled in an

irregular manner with minute white pubescence. Hind body black, on the middle and

sides of each segment with a white pubescence, which is most developed on the apical

segments, where it forms a fascia extending all across the base of the segment. The

male has a slight emargination of the apical ventral plate, and in the female the front

tarsi are much less broad than they are in the other sex. The figure is drawn from

two examples found at Jalapa; it does not give an adequate idea of the variegation of

the hind body, which, as in many other species of the genus, is too delicate and complex,

as well as variable according to the light, to be faithfully rendered.

36. Staphylinus optatus.

Niger ; capite thoraceque cyaneis, subnitidis, fortius punctatis ; elytris subeyaneis; abdomine parum dense nigro-

tomentoso, segmentis basalibus vix albido-variegatis, 5°-7™ basi fascia flammulata albida.

Long. 22 millim.

Hab. Muxico (coll. Sharp).

This species is very closely allied to S. salvinianus, but has the anterior parts of a

beautiful violet-blue tint ; the punctuation of the head and thorax is less dense, so that

the interstices being broader give a somewhat more polished appearance.

I have seen only a single example, of the female sex, obtained from Mr. G. R.

Waterhouse’s collection. The surface of the wing-cases and hind body are apparently

less variegate with white than they are in S. salvinianus, but this is possibly due to

abrasion ; the front tarsi are not much dilated.

37. Staphylinus guatemalenus.

Niger, nigro-pubescens et tomentosus; capite thoraceque cyaneis, sat nitidis, crebre fortiter punctatis; elytris

nigro-cyaneis, opacis, subtiliter vageque albido-nebulosis ; abdomine albido-variegato.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Sinanja (Champion).

Antenne with the three basal joints elongate. Head quadrate, not narrowed in

front, coarsely but not densely punctate, the interstices between the punctures being

quite as large as the punctures: eye occupying just a little more than one half the

length of the side; mandibles elongate and slender. Thorax a little narrowed in front,

STAPHYLINUS. 387

and distinctly sinuate there, punctured like the head, with an obscure, short, smooth

space in front of the scutellum. Elytra longer than the thorax. Hind body black, the

three basal segments only very minutely variegate at the sides and middle with white

hairs, the three apical segments more broadly and distinctly variegate with white at the

base. Breast rather densely clothed with white pubescence; hind body beneath quite

sparingly punctate.

The unique individual found is a male, and has a slight broad emargination of the

apical segment: the species has a resemblance to 8. cyanomelas, but is very distinct on

account of its variegate hind body, longer basal joints to the antenne, and other cha-

racters ; it is more nearly allied to S. optatus, but has no violet tint in its blue colour,

has a larger head, with the eyes occupying a slightly less extent of the sides, and more

elongate basal joints to the antenne.

38. Staphylinus belti. (Tab. IX. fig. 23.)

Minus latus, niger; capite thoraceque lete cyaneis, nitidis, crebre minus fortiter punctatis, nigro-pubescentibus ;

elytris opacis, subcyaneis, nigro-tomentosis, parum distincte albido-nebulosis; abdomine nigro-tomentoso,

albido-variegato.

Long. 19 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt).

This is a very distinct species, with eyes for this genus more than usually prominent,

occupying just over one half the length of the sides of the head; the sides of the thorax

are strongly sinuate in front, and there is an impunctate line along the middle. The

hind body has the three basal segments spotted with white at the sides, not in the

middle; the fifth and seventh segments are broadly marked with white. The under

surface bears much white pubescence. Although of narrower form than the average of

the genus, the middle coxee are widely separated; the ligula is broad, and its two

slightly separated lobes are each distinctly rounded.

A single female example is all I have seen.

39. Staphylinus mendicus.

Niger; capite thoraceque cyaneis, nitidis, crebre fortiter punctatis; elytris cyaneis, subopacis, nigro-pubes-

centibus; abdomine subnitido, apicem versus albido-variegato.

Long. 20 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion); ? Costa Rica (Van Patten).

Head broad, not narrowed in front, eye occupying rather more than half the length

of the side, with a rather coarse but not close punctuation, so that the interstices are

larger than the punctures. Thorax quadrate, but little narrowed and sinuate in front,

rather coarsely not densely punctate, shining, with only a very narrow and indefinite

impunctate line down the middle. Flytra of a similar colour to the head and thorax,

but not shining; very indistinctly punctate. Hind body almost destitute of tomentum,

| 3 DD 2

388 STAPHYLINIDA.

sparingly punctate, the sixth and seventh segments each with a band of scanty white

hairs at the base, the preceding segments with just a few white hairs at the base of

each at the middle and sides. Breast with well-marked cinereous pubescence; hind

body beneath very sparingly punctate, shining.

The species has a Philonthus-like aspect, and is similar in form to P. splendens, but

is more robust and rather larger; the ligula is acuminate, with the angle very minutely

emarginate.

A pair taken at Zapote are similar to one another, except that the male has the

anterior parts broader than the female. A third individual, found in Guatemala,

without special locality, has the punctuation rather less coarse; a mutilated and

abraded individual from Costa Rica doubtfully belongs to the same species.

40. Staphylinus chiriquensis.

Niger ; capite thoraceque subcyaneis, crebre minus fortiter punctatis, pernitidis, scutello nigro-tomentoso ; elytris

purpureis, subtiliter discrete punctatis, sat nitidis; abdomine tomentoso, opaco, segmentis 6° et 7° basi

pareius albido-pubescente.

Long. 19 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Head quadrate, very distinctly but not closely punctate, and with an impunctate

space on the middle; eye occupying about one half the length of the side. Thorax

punctured like the head, with a broad impunctate line along the middle. Hind body

black, not shining, being covered with a black tomentum, except at the anterior outer

angle of each segment; the two apical segments furnished at the base with only scanty

griseous hairs.

This is a very peculiar species, resembling Philonthus in the definite punctuation of

the wing-cases ; the ligula is very distinctly emarginate. A single male only has been

found; it has a broad very shallow emargination of the apical ventral plate, and a

slight emargination of the preceding segment.

41. Staphylinus gracilipes. (Tab. IX. fig. 24.)

Niger ; capite thoraceque aureo-eneis ; elytris fulvis, basi apiceque aureo-pubescentibus ; abdomine nigro-tomen-

toso, segmentis terminalibus dense aureo-tomentosis; antennarum basi, tibiis tarsisque rufis, femoribus

nigricantibus, antennis ante apicem obscurioribus.

Long. 15-18 millim.

Hab. Muxico (Flohr), Cordova (Sallé), Misantla, Jalapa (Hoge).

Head short and broad, with long mandibles and rather prominent eyes, coarsely

punctate, but with the surface shining, bearing a scanty flavescent pubescence. Thorax

subquadrate, rather small, similar in punctuation, pubescence, and colour to the head,

with a narrow smooth space along the middle. Scutellum with dense black tomentum.

Elytra of a tawny colour, clothed at the base and extremity with golden pubescence, so

STAPHYLINUS. 389

that there is the appearance of a darker fascia across the middle. Hind body black,

with the hind margin of the sixth segment, the seventh segment, and the terminal

styles yellow; the basal segments have scarcely any golden tomentum, but the fifth

segment has a very large patch thereof, and the sixth and seventh are entirely covered

with it.

The male has a slight emargination of the apical ventral segment; the anterior tarsi

are moderately dilated in each sex.

This is another very peculiar species, with much longer and more slender feet than is

usual in this genus, and with less broad anterior tarsi, the two next species agreeing with

it in these respects. It is subject to some variation in colour of the metallic parts, and

in one decayed example from Cordova the fascia on the elytra is almost entirely absent.

42. Staphylinus tarsalis.

Niger; capite thoraceque purpureo-aureis; elytris fulvis, basi apiceque aureo-pubescentibus; abdomine nigro-

tomentoso, segmentis terminalibus dense aureo-tomentosis ; antennarum basi pedibusque rufis.

Long. 17—20 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This, although very closely allied to S. gracilipes, is almost certainly a distinct species ;

for, independently of the colour of the head and thorax (a point perhaps not of much

importance), there are other differences: the head is narrower in proportion, and the

eyes do not occupy quite so large a part of the sides, the punctuation of the head

and thorax is finer, the sides of the thorax are distinctly sinuate in front, and the

antennee are broader and darker in colour.

Only two specimens have been found.

43. Staphylinus insolitus. (Tab. IX. fig. 25.)

Niger; capite, thorace elytrisque cyaneis, illis crebre fortiter punctatis, nitidis; abdomine apice testaceo dense

aureo-pubescente.

Long. 15 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Panistlahuaca (Sailé).

Very similar in form to S. gracilipes, though of a totally different colour. The

antenne are thickened outwardly, nearly black. The thorax has an impunctate line

along the middle. The elytra, of a very dark blue colour, have a fine distinct punctu-

ation and a black pubescence. The basal segments of the hind body are without

tomentum, and rather sparingly punctate and pubescent; the fifth segment has a little

tomentum mingled with the pubescence, and the sixth is covered with a golden pubes-

cence, as also is the following segment ; the hind part of the sixth, the seventh segment,

and the terminal styles yellow.

I have seen only a single example of this very Philonthus-like species; it is a male,

and has a broad shallow emargination on the apical ventral plate.

390 STAPHYLINIDA.

The emargination of the ligula in this species is excessively minute; so that by this

species and 8. mendicus, the genus Hesperus is linked very closely with Staphylinus.

AMICHORUS.

Ligula parum prominula apice integro; palpi parum graciles; mesosternum inter coxas mediocriter productum,

apice obtuse acuminato, absque carina transversa. Pedes graciles.

The insects for which I propose this generic name are apparently almost equally

allied to Staphylinus, Philonthus, and Hesperus, their facies being intermediate between

that of the two first-named genera; they cannot be associated with Staphylinus on

account of the unemarginate ligula and the slender legs; while from Philonthus and

Hesperus they depart by the absence of a transverse carina on the mesosternum, and by

the extreme deflection in front of the prothoracic upper marginal line. The position

of the genus is clearly between Staphylinus and Philonthus, with the former of which

it is closely connected by means of those Central-American species I have located near

the end of the genus Staphylinus.

1. Amichorus fauveli. (Tab. IX. fig. 26.)

Niger; capite, thorace elytrisque lete cyaneis, illis nitidis, crebre fortiter punctatis; abdomine apice late rufo-

et aureo-pubescente.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Sallé), Mirador (Hége).

Antenne nearly black, stout, with the five or six penultimate joints transverse.

Head rather narrower than the thorax, very coarsely punctate, with a smooth space on

the middle; eye occupying more than one half of the length of the side. Thorax

subquadrate, rather closely, moderately coarsely punctate, each puncture bearing a

short black hair, a smooth line along the middle. Scutellum dark violet, pubescent.

Elytra sparingly, distinctly, and finely punctate. Hind body rather shining, sparingly

punctate and pubescent; the hind margin of the sixth segment, and the whole of the

seventh, and the terminal styles, of a bright orange colour, and bearing a golden

pubescence. Legs black.

I have seen only two examples of this species; both are females. The individual

from Sallé’s collection is of a more violet tint on the anterior parts than the other;

this example is figured. The species is dedicated to M. Albert Fauvel of Caen, to

whom we are chiefly indebted for our knowledge of the genus Hesperus.

2. Amichorus cyaneus.

Niger ; capite, thorace elytrisque lete cyaneis, illis nitidis, fortiter minus crebre punctatis; abdomine parce

punctato, segmentis 6° 7°que basi summo fascia pubescentiz albide,

Long. 18 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Mirador (Hége).

AMICHORUS.—FLOHRIA. O91

Antenne a little thickened externally, the four penultimate joints moderately trans-

verse. Head quadrate, coarsely punctate, the punctuation absent from a large space

on the anterior part; eye occupying fully one half of the length of the side. Thorax

very shining, coarsely but sparingly punctate, the punctuation leaving very little trace

of a smooth space along the middle. Elytra dull, indistinctly punctate. Hind body

black, without the least trace of tomentum; sparingly punctate, each of the terminal

two segments with a fascia of scanty white hairs at the extreme base. Breast with a

scanty griseous pubescence. Legs black, tarsi rufescent.

I have seen only a single example; it is a male, and has a broad, moderately deep

notch on the last ventral plate; the hind margin of the preceding segment is also a

little emarginate. |

8. Amichorus vividus.

Niger; capite, thorace elytrisque nitidissimis, illis viridi-cyaneis, minus crebre fortiter punctatis, his aureo-

viridis subtiliter punctatis; abdomine apice late flavo.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui between 4000 and 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne much thickened externally, the terminal joint ferruginous, the penultimate

joints strongly transverse. Head rather sparingly punctate, the punctuation absent

from a space on the middle. Thorax with the sides evidently sinuate in front, punctate

like the head, with a smooth space along the middle. Scutellum black, metallic on

the middle, this part punctate. Elytra very distinctly punctate, of a beautiful metallic

green colour, showing, according to the light, purple or golden reflections. Hind body

shining, black, sparingly punctate, and with an extremely scanty flavescent pubescence ;

the hind margin of the sixth segment broadly yellow, as well as the whole of the

seventh and the terminal styles. Legs elongate and slender, tarsi piceous.

Of this species also only one example has been found; it is a male, having a very

slight emargination of the apical ventral plate.

FLOHRIA.

Corpus elongatum, subcylindricum; antenne breves, latissimse ; palpi breves, labiales crassi articulo ultimo

precedente latiore et plus duplo longiore; caput collo lato parum abrupto. Prothorax linea marginali

superiore ad angulum anteriorem subtus parum inflexa..

This curious insect is not at all closely related to any other known to me. There is

no stigmatic membrane on the sides of the thorax ; the ligula is broad at the extremity

and slightly emarginate. The mesosternum is much produced between the middle

coxe, so that it has a very acute termination; its posterior portion is separated strongly

from the anterior by a line curved in the middle but not angulated; the middle coxe

are very nearly contiguous; the metasternum is elongate, and the coxal appendages (at

392 STAPHYLINIDA.

its extremity in the middle) are remarkably large, separated by a deep incision, and are

not at all bent upwards.

I suggest that the genus is at present best placed between Philonthus and Ocypus.

I have named it in honour of Mr. Julius Flohr, to whom science is indebted for the

discovery of a great number of new forms in the Mexican insect fauna, this being one

amongst the number.

1. Flohria laticornis. (Tab. IX. fig. 27.)

Nigra; elytris viridibus, capite thoraceque nitidis, illo dense fortiter punctato, anterius glabro, hoc ad latera

punctato; elytris crebrius profunde punctatis; abdomine elongato, crebre fortiter punctato.

Long. 11-20 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Almolonga, Jaleomulco, Uruapan (Flohr), Ciudad in Durango (Forrer).

Head about as broad as the thorax, a little narrowed behind to form the very broad

neck; eyes small, the punctuation coarse, remarkably dense. Thorax longer than

broad, straight at the sides, very convex transversely in front, with numerous coarse

punctures on the sides, the middle broadly impunctate, except for four or five punctures

on each side placed so as to form two irregular distant series. Scutellum densely

punctured. EHlytra as long as the thorax, their punctuation remarkably deep. Hind

body very little pubescent, coarsely and evenly punctate, the hind margins of segments

two to five densely crenulate.

I have examined four individuals of this species, three of them found by Mr. Flohr;

one of them is a male. The characters are very slight, there being only a feeble

dilatation of the front feet; but there is a broad shallow emargination of the last

ventral plate. The figure is taken from a small female found at Uruapan.

ONTHOSTYGNUS.

Corpus gracile, dense punctatum, capite majore. Ligula integra; palpi elongati, articulo ultimo longiore, .

gracili, cylindrico. Coxe intermedie valde distantes; mesosternum inter eas absque carinula; femora

mutica; tarsi anteriores in utroque sexu parum dilatati, posteriores, haud elongati, subdeplanati.

This genus is apparently closely allied to Hesperus, Fauv., though strikingly different

therefrom in appearance. It has the side piece of the prothorax very small, so that the

inferior marginal line is behind connected with the superior line far in front of the

base; this character, in addition to the comparatively broad middle and hind feet, and

the mesosternal structure are amply sufficient for its definition.

Tam not acquainted with any species that can be referred to this genus other than

the two whose discovery we owe to Mr. Flohr.

1. Onthostygnus fasciatus. (Tab. X. fig. 1.)

Niger ; elytris basi apiceque transversim cinereo-pubescentibus ; stylis analibus albidis, ad apicem fuscis.

Long. 17-21 millim., mandibulis clausis.

Hab. Muxico, Jalapa (Flohr).

ONTHOSTYGNUS.—MISANTLIUS. 393

Basal joint of the antenne elongate, equal to the three following together ; joints four

to ten stout, five to ten each shorter than broad ; terminal joint ferruginous. Head

densely and not finely punctate. Thorax rather slender, a good deal narrower than the

elytra, rather closely punctate, but with a broad space along the middle impunctate.

Elytra rather closely and finely punctate, with a band of ashy pubescence at the base

and another at the extremity. Hind body slender, rather closely and coarsely

punctate. ;

This species was discovered by Mr. Flohr in the flowers of Bromelie. The sexual

differences are apparently but slight; the individual figured is, I believe, a male.

Owing to the tarsi being represented edgewise they do not appear so broad in the

figure as they really are.

2. Onthostygnus pollens.

Niger ; abdomine apice testaceo; capite majore.

Long. 25 millim. (mandibulis clausis).

Hab. Muxtco, Jalapa (Flohr).

Though closely allied to O. fasciatus this fine insect is certainly another species.

The pubescence of the elytra is black and quite unicolorous; the hind part of the

terminal segment is yellow, as are also the terminal styles, which are not tipped with

black. The pubescence of the hind body is more abundant, and the punctuation on the

apical part of each of its segments is more obsolete.

The unique example is no doubt a male, as it has a minute emargination of the apical

ventral plate.

MISANTLIUS.

Corpus gracile, densissime punctatum, opacum. Antennz tarsique elongati, graciles. Palpi elongati graciles ;

labiales articulo intermedio valde elongato, quam basalis sexies, quam ultimus duplo, longiore. Cox

intermediz approximate, mesosternum inter eas transversim ecarinatum. —

This is a very distinct genus, with some affinity to Philonthus, but without any close

ally ; it will be readily recognized by the peculiar proportions of the joints of the labial

palpi, their middle joint being remarkably elongate, while the basal joint is diminished.

The side-piece of the prothorax is small, but extends from the base; it is little inflexed

and its lower marginal line approaches the upper line at the front coxz, so as to touch

_it, but does not disappear, but runs forward quite close to the upper line till near the

front of the prosternum. The genus shares with Onthostygnus a peculiarity in the form

of the middle trochanters, these not being acuminate at the extremity, but broad and

subtruncate. The ligula is small and not emarginate. There is an obscure longitu-

dinal carinulation of the middle of the mesosternum behind, which, however, is scarcely

marked enough for a generic character. I am not acquainted with any species other

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, January 1889. 3 HE

394 STAPHYLINIDA.

than those here described, one of which has long been in my collection, without locality,

and was supposed by me, from its facies, to belong to the East-Indian region.

1. Misantlius optatus. (Tab. X. fig. 2.)

Flavo-ferrugineus ; capite, thorace antennisque (basi excepta) nigricantibus ; abdomine fuscescente, basi rufes-

cente, apice late testaceo; opacus, elytris flavo-pubescentibus.

Long. 15 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Flohr), Misantla (Hége).

Head very densely punctate, quite dull, with red mandibles and palpi. Thorax very

opaque, narrowed behind, densely and quite obsoletely punctate, very dull. Elytra rather

longer than the thorax, densely punctate, clothed with a short golden pubescence.

Hind body rather closely punctate, the three basal segments each with a short longi-

tudinal plica at the base on each side, about halfway between the side and the middle,

and extending less than half the length of the segment.

The male has a small emargination on the apical ventral segment, and the front feet

are rather broader than in the female; the example figured is of the latter sex, and

was found by Hége at Misantla. Mr. Flohr’s example was sent me some years ago,

without any specified locality.

2. Misantlius torquatus.

Ferrugineus ; capite, thorace, antennisque nigricantibus; abdomine apicem versus nigro-fusco, stylis analibus

rufescentibus, apicibus fuscis; mandibulis palpisque piceis; opacus, elytris minus lete flavescenti-

pubescentibus.

Long. 17 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Calderas (Champion).

Mandibles (of male) very elongate, beyond the middle abruptly attenuate and much

twisted. Head very broad, very densely punctate. Thorax very obsoletely punctate.

Hind body densely punctate ; the three basal segments dark dull red, the three following

blackish, the apical one (which is sparingly punctate) with metallic reflections; on each

side of the three basal segments the plicule are connected together at the base by a

deep transverse impression. Hind tarsi very elongate.

Though very similar to VV. optatus this unique individual is distinguished by numerous

good characters. It is a male, and has a distinct notch on the terminal ventral plate.

3, Misantlius carinulatus. (Tab. X. fig. 3.)

Ferrugineo-obscurus ; capite nigro; antennis abdomineque nigricantibus; hoc basi rufescente, subnitido, parce

punctato ; capite, thorace elytrisque opacis, his dorso ad latera carinulato-marginato,

Long. 15 millim. (mandibulis clausis).

Hab. Mexico (Flohr), Toxpam (Sa/l/é).

This is readily distinguished from the other two species by the colour of the thorax,

MISANTLIUS.—PHILONTHUS. 395

which is similar to that of the elytra, and by the sparingly punctate hind body; the

thorax, too, is not only obsoletely but also sparingly punctate, and the punctuation

of the head is less dense than in the preceding species; the sides of the wing-cases have

a slightly raised margin proceeding forwards from the hind angle to near the shoulder ;

but this may possibly be peculiar to the male sex, the only one known to me.

The example figured is that from Sallé’s collection. The individual sent by My. Flohr

was probably found at Jalapa.

4. Misantlius discedens.

Niger; antennis, palpis tarsisque fusco-rufis ; capite suborbiculari, dense punctato, disco parcius punctato, nitido ;

prothorace posterius angustato, dense omnium obsoletissime punctulato, pube subtilissima vestito ; elytris

abdomineque dense subtilissime punctatis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Mzxtco, Yolotepec (Salié).

Antenne elongate and slender, the three basal joints black, the others infuscate-

yellow ; from joint five to ten each is shorter than the predecessor, the tenth being

considerably longer than broad, the fifth at least twice as long as broad. Head very

densely and finely punctured, the punctures becoming rather less fine on the middle

and also less dense, so as to make a small space shining, the rest of the surface very

finely pubescent. Thorax narrowed behind, with a very indistinct punctuation and a

very fine pubescence, the latter so dense as to make the surface dull, which without it

is shining. Elytra elongate, closely and finely punctate. Hind body slender, also

densely and finely punctured.

The male has the front tarsi moderately dilated and a small emargination on the last

ventral plate. The female is unknown.

Only a single fragmentary example is known. Though not very similar in appearance

to the other species of Misantlius it is clear to me that it is really allied to them, though

it will probably prove distinct enough for a separate genus; but the condition of the

specimen will not allow a detailed examination.

PHILONTHUS.

Philonthus, Curtis, Brit. Ent. t. 610 (1825) ; Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 426.

This is a very extensive genus, comprising at present four or five hundred species, and

is very widely distributed; certain of the species being disseminated by maritime

commerce are found in various parts of the globe. The European species are numerous,

and have recently been studied by C. J. Thomson and Cl. Rey, as well as by Fauvel, and

the result of their studies has been that no European species in which the longer lateral

seta of the prothorax is distant from the lateral margin remains in the genus. This

character is certainly one of great importance, for the seta, remaining as a fixed point

3 EE 2

396 STAPHYLINIDA.

at the outer side of the thorax, serves as a mark to indicate whether the lateral raised

margin is deflexed to the underside of the thorax or not. In treating the genus for the

present work I have, however, been obliged to place in it, as did Erichson, a considerable

number of species in which the lateral raised margin being much deflexed is distant

from the lateral seta; to have done otherwise would have necessitated the creation of

several new genera, and could not, in fact, be properly carried out without making a

complete revision of the exotic as well as the European forms. The species in our

fauna are numerous, and to facilitate reference I have grouped them according to

Erichson’s method of arrangement, by which those agreeing in the number of punctures

in the two dorsal series of the pronotum are placed together; and asa matter of con-

venience I have adopted Erichson’s nomenclature and numeration of the groups, though

one or more of these is unrepresented in our fauna. The genus Belonuchus was accepted

by Erichson as distinct from Philonthus, though with some hesitation, on account of the

spinose femora; but this is a very unsatisfactory character, being in many species con-

fined to one sex; it has occasioned me much trouble, and has induced confusion in the

case of other writers. Some further remarks on this will be found in the pages dealing

with Belonuchus; but I must here mention that I have been obliged to include in

Philonthus certain species in which the hind femur of the male bears a single series of

spines, and that in the corresponding sex of the species of Belonuchus the femur is

always armed with two series of spines.

§ 1. Thorax punctorum seriebus dorsalibus nullis.

1. Philonthus crassulus. (Tab. XI. fig. 1.)

Minor, rufo-brunneus ; capite thoraceque fusco-rufis, elytris ad latera abdomineque ante apicem parum discrete

fusco-maculatis, antennis pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace levigato.

Long. 63 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Las Vigas (Flohr), Guanajuato (Sallé).

This is a very distinct little insect. The antenne are short, with the last seven joints

transverse. The head is small, very shining, the mandibles short. The thorax is small,

narrowed in front, and is remarkable by its shining surface free from punctures even on

the disc and at the margins. The elytra are about as long as the thorax, rather finely

and not closely punctured, of a reddish colour, with the suture dark and an indistinct

dark mark on the side. The hind body is densely, very finely punctate, and the three

terminal segments have some indistinct dark marks along the middle.

This species, like several others without thoracic punctuation, has a Quedioid

appearance, and the upper marginal line of the thorax scarcely at all inflexed to the lower

surface at the front angles. The male has the front tarsi moderately dilated. The

pair of the species in Sallé’s collection was labelled ‘Philonthus rufescens, E. Dugés.”

PHILONTHUS. 397

§ 2. Thorax seriebus dorsalibus 3-punctatis.

2. Philonthus abnormalis. (Tab. XI. fig. 2.)

Elongatus, subdepressus, nigerrimus, nitidus, abdominis apice rufescente ; thorace oblongo, seriei discoidalis

puncto basali a punctis anterioribus longe remoto ; elytris nitidis, minus crebre punctatis; abdomine rude

pubescente, crebrius fortiter punctato.

Long. 104 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge).

Head suborbiculate, quite as broad as the thorax in the female, and in the male a

little broader, very flat, canaliculate along the middle in front, extremely shining, and

with only a few coarse punctures. Thorax straight at the sides, much narrower than

the elytra, longer than broad, the basal puncture of the discoidal series placed at

between one third and one fourth of the length in front of the base, and very distant

from the two anterior punctures, which are near the front margin; there are also about

six supplementary punctures near each side, besides those at the margin. Scutellum

large, coarsely punctate. Elytra intensely black, shining, rather sparingly but not

finely punctate. Hind body very black, with the apical segment lurid red, and the

preceding segment black at the base becoming gradually red behind, the armature

segment red, with the styles in greater part black ; the pubescence is conspicuous and

suberect, the surface rather shining and somewhat closely and coarsely punctate.

This is a peculiar species, located only temporarily in Philonthus, the thoracic

marginal line being much inflexed in front, so that the elongate lateral seta is remote

from it; the terminal joint of the hind foot considerably shorter than the elongate

basal joint. Only two examples have been found, apparently male and female; in the

former sex the front femora are armed with elongate spines, but the hind femora are

slender and quite unarmed, although the insect has a very Belonuchoid appearance.

The figure is taken from the female.

§ 3. Thoraax seriebus dorsalibus 4-punctatis.

3. Philonthus palmatus. (Tab. X. fig. 4.)

Niger ; capite thoraceque lete cyaneis, nitidis, ilo quadrato, elytris violaceo-eneis ; abdomine dense eequaliter

punctato.

Long. 11-13 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Oaxaca (Hoge), La Parada (Saivé).

Antenne slender, penultimate joint as long as broad. Head short and rather broad ;

the eyes large, occupying quite two thirds of the length of the sides. Thorax like the

head, of a beautiful violet-blue colour, shining ; the four punctures of the discoidal series

equidistant, very distinct ; the sides scarcely sinuate behind. Elytra longer than the

thorax, shining, of a golden brassy colour tinctured with violet, closely and finely

punctate. Hind body closely and finely punctate.

The male has the front tarsi very broadly dilated, the female has them much dilated,

398 STAPHYLINIDA.

and in the former sex the apical ventral plate bears a moderately deep angular excision.

Four examples are before me; the two males from Jalapa display the peculiarity, unusual

in this genus, of being much smaller than the females; as the sexes have not occurred

in the same locality, it is possible the females may prove to be those of another species.

The figure is taken from a female found at Oaxaca.

4. Philonthus nigerrimus.

Philonthus nigerrimus, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 484".

Hab. Mexico 1, Parada, Puebla, Toluca (Sad/é), Las Vigas (Hoge).

Although very closely allied to P. furvus, and especially similar to the var. P. flohri,

this is, I think, a distinct species. It is apparently confined to Mexico, and is replaced

in California by another very similar insect, P. alutaceus, Fauvel in litt.

5. Philonthus furvus.

Philonthus furvus, Nordm. Staph. p. 88°; Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 434.7.

Hab. Norta America, from Labrador.—Mexico!?, Puebla, Parada, Guanajuato,

Capulalpam (Sal/é), Las Vigas, Oaxaca, Mirador (Hoge); GuatemaLa, San Ger6énimo,

Guatemala city, Panajachel 5000 feet, Quezaltenango 7800 feet, Totonicapam 8500 to

10,500 feet (Champion); Costa Rica, Irazu 6000 to 7000 feet (Rogers).

Var. Elytrorum lateribus concoloribus.

Philonthus flohri, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 429°.

Hab. Mexico ® (Flohr), Chiapas (Saldé).

This is a very variable species. In Mexico the common form has black elytra with

the inflexed margin broadly yellow, the under surface of the body furnished with a

grey pubescence, which also covers the raised lateral margins of the upper surface.

In the var. P. flohri no trace exists of the yellow stripe, and the pubescence is darker

and the punctuation finer; this variety apparently is not found in company with the

common form, but I have seen a few specimens which connect it therewith. In

the specimens from Guatemala the elytra are eneous and never have a yellow side-

margin; but some of the individuals found at a great elevation at Totonicapam

connect this variety with those (P. flohri, var.) of the Mexican form. Costa Rican

individuals resemble those from Guatemala, but they are smaller, with shorter

articulations to the antenne, and a finer punctuation of the hind body.

6. Philonthus sallzi. (Tab. X. fig. 5.)

Nigerrimus, nitidus ; prothorace lateribus posterius fortiter sinuatis; elytris abdomineque parce punctatis ;

antennis apicem versus parum incrassatis, articulis 7°-10™ leviter transversis.

Long. 14-18 millim.

Hab, Mexico, La Parada (Sal/é).

PHILONTHUS. 399

Third joint of the antenne slightly longer than the second, fifth and sixth each a little

longer than broad, seventh about as long as broad, the three following each slightly

shorter and broader. Thorax short, not so long as broad, the four punctures of the

discoidal series large and conspicuous. The punctuation of the elytra leaves their

surface quite shining, and that on the hind body is not coarse.

The front tarsi of the male are only very slightly dilated, and the apical ventral plate

bears a broad shallow excision. The species is described from a single male and a

fragmentary female; but three individuals of the female sex with the anterior parts

neous, are, I think, only a variety of the same species. The example figured is the

male above mentioned ; it is much larger and broader than the other sex.

7. Philonthus fissilis.

Niger; capite, thorace elytrisque wneis; prothorace lateribus fortiter sinuatis, elytris abdomineque crebre

subtiliter punctatis; antennis apicem versus vix incrassatis, articulo penultimo quam longitudo vix

breviore.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Totonicapam 8000 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

This is another close ally of P. furvus, and resembles particularly the Costa-Rican variety

thereof with short antenne, but cannot be united therewith on account of the fact that

the male anterior tarsi are almost undilated ; P. /issilis has also a shorter thorax than

P. furvus, and the pubescence of the under surface is less griseous; there may be

detected an obscure picescence of the inflexed side of the wing-cases. The two

examples found are both males, and have a broad shallow notch on the last ventral

plate. One of them has the anterior coxe flavescent ; but I think this is an abnormal

deficiency of colour, as it is not quite the same on the two sides of the body.

8. Philonthus griseolus.

Piceus, griseo-pubescens ; antennis nigro-fuscis, articulo penultimo quam latitudo haud breviore ; prothorace

lateribus fortiter sinuatis ; elytris abdomineque crebrius subtiliusque punctatis.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Costa Rica, Irazu 6000 to 7000 feet (Rogers).

This is another species closely allied to P. fwrvus, but distinguished by its shorter

thorax and the griseous pubescence of the upper and under surface, as well as by the

different colour. Judging from a single example it appears about equal in size to the

smallest example of P. furvus. The male anterior tarsi are strongly dilated, but there

is only a very shallow excision on the last ventral plate. The unique individual is

very greasy, and there is probably in good individuals a brassy tint on the anterior

parts.

400 STAPHYLINIDA,

9. Philonthus alticola. (Tab. X. fig. 7.)

Elongatus, nitidus, nigricans ; capite, thorace elytrisque wneis, antennis pedibusque piceis, tarsis palpisque rufis ;

prothorace lateribus posterius haud sinuatis; elytris quam ille fere brevioribus, cumque abdomine parce

punctatis.

Long. 17 millim.

Hab. Guatnmata, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

This, though a very distinct species, is still, I think, a real ally of P. furvus; it has

the head rather longer, so that the eyes are farther from the vertex, the thorax scarcely

at all sinuate behind, and the elytra rather shorter and narrower at the shoulders,

indicating the probable absence of wings. The antenne are rather slender, with the

penultimate joint about as long as broad. Only one example (a female) has been

found.

10. Philonthus testaceipennis.

Philonthus testaceipennis, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 485,91; Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ent. Ross. v.

p- 127, 37.

Hab. Mxxico! ®, near the city (Flohr), Las Vigas (Hoge), La Parada, Yolos (Sallé).

In the male of this species the front tarsi are only slightly dilated, but the excisions

of the ventral plates of the penultimate and terminal segments are remarkably large

and the hinder tibie are slightly curved.

11. Philonthus hogei. (Tab. X. fig. 6.)

Niger ; capite thoraceque nitidis, elytris rufo-testaceis, cumque abdomine crebrius subtiliter punctatis.

Long. 14-16 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Las Vigas (Flohr, Hoge), Milpas (Forrer).

This insect is very similar to P. testaceipennis, but is distinguished at a glance by the

closer punctuation of the elytra and hind body, and by the darker yellow colour of the

wing-cases; the head and thorax have a very faint bluish tinge. In the male the

front tarsi are not much dilated, the penultimate ventral segment has scarcely any

emargination, and the notch on the terminal segment is not large; the hind tibie

are quite straight.

Hoge met with a very large series of this conspicuous insect. Our figure represents

a male example.

12. Philonthus piceatus. (Tab. X. figg. 8, 9, et 10.)

Philonthus piceatus, Nordm. Staph. p. 851; Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 446”.

Philonthus iridiventris, Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ent. Ross. v. p. 128°.

Philonthus mexicanus, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 430‘.

Philonthus rufo-plagiatus, Solsky, op. cit. p. 180°.

PHILONTHUS. AQ]

Hab. Norta America, Texas (coll. Sharp).—Mexico1?34%, Parada, Ktla, Toluca,

Guanajuato, Cuernavaca, Capulalpam (Sallé), Oaxaca, Las Vigas, Mirador, Jalapa

(Hoge); Guarmmata, Capetillo, Aceituno, Guatemala city, San Gerdénimo, Calderas,

Ostuncalco 7500 feet, Quezaltenango 7800 feet, Quiche Mountains 7900 feet (Cham-

pion); Costa Rica, Ivazu 6000 to 7000 feet (Rogers); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui up

to 6000 feet (Champion).

This is a most variable species. The greater part of the Mexican examples agree

pretty well with Erichson’s description (made from a single mutilated example), but

there occur also some very remarkable varieties of coloration; one of these, found near

Guatemala city by Mr. Champion, is represented (fig. 9); a similar example, but with

more black colour on the hind body, was found in an ants’ nest at Jalapa by Flohr; a

second variety, of which four examples agreeing inter se are extant, from Calpulalpam

(fig. 10). In Guatemala the larger portion of the specimens were found at a considerable

elevation, and agree pretty closely with the ordinary Mexican form ; nearly all the speci-

mens from this region not registered as being found at much altitude are varieties, one of

which from San Ger6nimo is figured (fig. 8); this variety is of large size, with elongate

antenne, golden brassy, coarsely punctate elytra, and shows very brilliant reflections on

the hind body. From the State of Panama many examples are before me; they agree

closely inter se, are of dark colour, and differ only from the ordinary Mexican form in

their rather larger stature. As a rule the species may be recognized by the peculiar

scanty punctuation of the hind body, the surface of which exhibits iridescent reflections,

and the few punctures on which are conspicuously setigerous ; but there may be developed

between these punctures an additional punctuation, which in a few examples reaches

such an extent as to cause the hind body to be evenly though never closely punctate.

It is remarkable that most of the varieties—differing widely as they do among them-

selves—depart from the type form by a slight structural variation, inasmuch as the

transverse carina of the mesosternum, which in this species is very greatly developed, is

only slightly waved in the middle, whereas in the type form it is a little more produced

backwards, and forms in the middle an obtuse angle. I have satisfied myself by com-

parison of many of the varieties that this slight structural character is variable. Though

P. piceatus is pretty certainly a variable species, it is far from improbable that some

of the forms I have treated as varieties of it may prove to be really distinct species,

more or less approximated to by variations of P. piceatus. The P. rufo-plagiatus,

Solsky, is pretty certainly a variety allied to that represented by fig. 10 of our plate.

13. Philonthus iris. (Tab. X. fig. 11.)

Philonthus iris, H. Dugés in litt.

Niger ; elytris lete cyaneis, antennarum basi pedibusque rufo-testaceis, abdomine metallico-versicolore ; capite

subovato, elytris abdomineque crebre minus subtiliter punctatis.

Long. 13 millim.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, January 1885. 3 FF

402 STAPHYLINIDA.

Hab. Mexico (Flohr), Cuernavaca, Capulalpam (Sa//é).

Antenne elongate, only alittle thickened externally ; second joint elongate, but little

shorter than the third, penultimate joint longer than broad. Thorax curved at the

sides but not at all sinuate, a little narrowed in; front like the head, of a very shining

black colour. Elytra not longer than the thorax. .

This species is closely allied by the structural characters to P. fibularius, but in

addition to the colour differences, it has the antenne less incrassate outwardly, and the

thorax rather different in outline, owing to its being a little narrowed in front. The

legs vary a little in colour, the tibize and tarsi being usually darker than the femora.

The example figured is a female sent by Mr. Flohr. |

14. Philonthus fibularius.

Philonthus fibularius, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 442°.

Hab. Mexico (Flohr), Cordova (Sallé), Oaxaca, Las Vigas (Hége).

This is apparently not a common species, but I have been able to examine a series of

eighteen examples. It varies a little in the colour of the elytra, which is sometimes

golden brassy tinged with purple, and in these brighter-coloured examples the thorax

is a little longer and slightly sinuate at the sides.

P. fibularius may be taken as the type of a natural little group of species, comprising

besides itself the preceding and the five following species ; they all have the side-piece

of the prothorax broad behind, and its marginal lines not connected in front, the

superior line running on just under the front angle to the front surface, while the inner

or inferior line is curved inwards in front to join the hind margin of the prosternum, an

arrangement which much approximates the structure we find in Quedionuchus.

15. Philonthus carinulatus.

Niger ; capite subovato, thorace elytrisque viridi-eneis, his crebre sat fortiter punctatis ; abdomine versicolore,

segmentis duobus ultimis stylisque analibus rufescentibus, tibiis piceo-testaceis; antennis extrorsum

crassioribus ; mesosterno in medio subtiliter longitudinaliter carinulato.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Flohr), Oaxaca, Las Vigas (Hoge).

This species is precisely similar to P. fibularius, but the angle on the middle of the

mesosternum has a fine carina running backwards from it, and the hind margins of the

two last segments are broadly rufescent, as well as the anal styles. I have satisfied

myself, by a careful comparison of about twenty examples of the two species, that these

characters are constant and valid.

One of the examples sent by Mr. Flohr was registered as found in an ants’ nest.

PHILONTHUS. 403

16. Philonthus guatemalenus.

Niger; capite anguste ovato, thorace elytrisque viridi-aneis, his fortiter vix crebre punctatis, abdomine versi-

colore ; tibiis margine externo testaceo, interno fusco; antennis extrorsum crassioribus ; mesosterno in

medio longitudinaliter carinulato.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. GuateMaa, San Gerénimo (Champion).

This is extremely similar to P. fibularius and P. carinulatus, but the unique example

indicates, I have very little doubt, a distinct species, as the mesosternum is considerably

more prolonged backwards between the coxe, and its longitudinal carinula is more

largely developed. P. guatemalenus is also probably a narrower insect, with

considerably narrower head, and rather more coarsely punctate hind body. The

specimen is a female.

17. Philonthus accedens.

Niger ; capite subovato, thorace elytrisque eeneis, his fortiter profundeque punctatis; abdomine versicolore, minus

crebre punctato ; antennis extrorsum crassioribus.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, Capetillo (Champion).

This is very closely allied to P. fibularius, but is larger and more robust, has the

elytra more brightly coloured than in most individuals of that species, and with a

coarser and deeper punctuation, and the hind body more sparingly punctate; the

mesosternal triangle is a good deal larger than in P. fibularius, but has no trace of

carination, and the tibie are entirely black. The two examples obtained are females.

18. Philonthus cribripennis.

Niger; capite subovato, elytris cyaneis fortiter profundeque punctatis ; abdomine versicolore parce punctato ;

antennis elongatis, extrorsum crassioribus.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemata (Champion).

Var. Paulo major, abdomine minus parce punctato.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

This is closely allied to P. fibwlarius, but has the antenne longer, the penultimate

joint being as long as broad, the elytra of a dark blue colour, with remarkably deep

and coarse punctures, and a quite scanty punctuation of the hind body. The meso-

sternal triangle is larger than in P. jfibularius, and has no trace of carination. The

unique example has not been ticketed with its exact locality ; it is a male, but the

front tarsi are not dilated.

The variety from the State of Panama is illustrated only bya badly preserved female,

and I think is very probably distinct ; it is rather larger, and has the elytra a little

longer, rather more finely punctate, and the punctuation of the hind body rather greater.

3 FF 2

404 STAPHYLINIDA,

19. Philonthus chiriquensis. .

Niger; capite prothoraceque vix subeneis, elytris cyaneis fortiter minus dense punctatis, abdomine versicolore

parce punctato ; antennis extrorsum crassioribus.

Long. 16 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui between 4000 and 6000 feet (Champion).

This is the largest insect of this group of species, and has the head and thorax

comparatively less slender than any of the others. The penultimate joint of the

antenne is not quite so long as broad. The thorax is a good deal narrowed in front,

and the impressed punctures on it are large. The punctures on the elytra are rather

coarse, very definite, not close. The hind body is very fulgid, and the impressed punc-

tures on it are scanty and coarse.

A single female only has been found.

20. Philonthus boucardi.

Philonthus boucardi, Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ent. Ross. v. p. 127°.

Hab. Mexico 1.

This dubious species was described apparently from a single female example ; Solsky,

in his enumeration of the rather numerous Mexican Philonthi known to him, does not

include P. fibularius, Er. ; and I think from this and his description that P. boucardi

will probably prove a variety of P. fibularius with the elytra tinctured with violet

colour.

21. Philonthus atriceps. (Tab. X. fig. 12).

Fere parallelus, subdepressus, brunneo-testaceus ; capite nigro, abdominis segmento ultimo nigricante ; antennis

tenuibus, articulis medialibus fuscescentibus ; prothorace subquadrato, serie discoidali subtiliter quadri-

punctata ; elytris abdomineque dense, hoc fortius, illis subtilius, punctatis.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Las Vigas (Flohr).

This is a very distinct readily recognized species, having very slender antenne, not

thickened outwardly, so that the penultimate joint is much longer than broad ; each of

joints 4-7 has its outward portion more or less infuscate, the rest being, like the palpi

and labrum, red or reddish yellow. The subquadrate head is nearly as broad as the

thorax, but in the female is somewhat narrower; it is black and shining, and very little

punctate. ‘The thorax is scarcely narrowed in front, and is nearly as long as broad ; it

is very shining, and its punctures are remarkably small. The scutellum is concolorous

with the elytra ; these are dull and very closely and regularly punctate. The legs and

tarsi are slender, the tibie- only very scantily spinose ; the basal joint of the hind

tarsus is longer than the terminal one; the front tarsus of the male is only slightly

dilated and its very elongate terminal joint is equal in length to the other four together.

PHILONTHUS. 405

I am not acquainted with any other speciesat all like this; the middle coxe are con-

tiguous and the lateral lines of the thorax are not joined till the hind margin of the pro-

sternum is reached. Mr. Flohr found it in ants’ nests at Jalapa. The male is figured.

22. Philonthus scintillans.

Philonthus scintillans, Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ent. Ross. v. p. 1817.

Hab. Mexico 1, Puebla (Sallé).

23. Philonthus apheles.

Philonthus apheles, Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ent. Ross. v. p. 182, 27.

Hab. Mexico}, Las Vigas (Flohr), Jalapa (Hoge).

In the male of this species the front tarsi are very broadly dilated, in the female they

are moderately broad, and in both sexes of a sordid flavescent colour. The individuals

are similar to those of P. feralis and might easily be passed over for that common

species. I have seen only five examples of P. apheles, four of which were found at

Las Vigas by Mr. Flohr.

24. Philonthus melanopus.

Angustulus, nigerrimus; antennis sat elongatis, prothorace elongato, antrorsum minus angustato, abdomine dense -

subtilissimeque punctato.

Long. 9-10 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Mohr); Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu 6000 to 7000 feet

(Rogers); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, between 2500 and 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne entirely black, third joint slightly longer than second, tenth rather longer

than broad. Head rather small. Thorax longer than broad, slightly narrowed in

front. Elytra longer than the thorax, quite black, rather closely punctate.

The front tarsi of the male are very broadly dilated, and the tibize also are a little

dilated.

This insect is extremely similar to P. feralis, Er., but, independently of the number

of punctures in the thoracic series, is distinguished by other good characters, the form

being rather narrower and more parallel, the head less ovate, and the male anterior

tarsi more dilated. It is almost equally similar to P. apheles, from which it differs by

the rather longer antennz, more elongate thorax, and the darker front tarsi. It is

apparently uncommon, only six specimens having been obtained.

25. Philonthus stygialis.

Nigerrimus; antennis elongatis, extrorsum haud ecrassioribus, capite thoraceque oblongis, abdomine dense

subtiliter punctato.

Long. 11 millim.

406 STAPHYLINIDZ.

Hab. Guatemata, Balheu in Vera Paz (Champion) ; Panama, Pefia Blanca 3000 to 4000

feet (Champion).

Antenne longer than the head and thorax, the penultimate joint nearly twice as broad

as long. Head rather elongate, not ovate, eyes occupying but little more than half

the length of the side. Thorax longer than broad, not narrowed in front. Elytra

intense black, closely punctate, somewhat shining. Hind body densely punctate, except

the terminal segment. The front tarsi of the male are moderately dilated.

This species differs from P. melanopus and P. apheles by its larger size, more elongate

head and antenne, longer wing-cases, and less densely and finely punctured hind body.

Four examples have been found, two in each locality ; they agree closely.

26. Philonthus vilis.

Philonthus vilis, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 451°.

Philonthus pauxillus, Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ross. v. p. 128.

Hab. Mexico?, Las Vigas (Hoge); Guatemata, San Gerdénimo, Zapote (Champion) ;

Nicaracua, Chinandega (Sad/é).— ANTILLES 1. 7

The colour of the elytra is correctly described by Solsky, and differs in our Central-

American examples from that exhibited by individuals from the Antilles, but there does

not appear to me sufficient difference for specific separation.

27. Philonthus parvimanus. (Tab. X. fig. 14.)

Parvus, fuscus; capite nigro, prothorace rufo, elytris fusco-rufis sutura dilutiore, abdominis segmentorum

marginibus, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis; capite ovato; elytris crebre subtiliter, abdomine

crebrius subtillissime, punctato.

Long. 4-5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Hége) ; GuaTema.a, near the city, Paso Antonio, Champerico,

San Joaquin in Vera Paz (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, David

(Champion).

This is excessively similar to P. vilis, but smaller, of a more dilute colour; it has a

narrower head, and rather more closely punctate elytra) The sexual characters,

however, indicate it as a quite distinct species, the female anterior tarsi being undilated,

and those of the male possessing only a very feeble dilatation ; in this latter sex. there

is a very slight emargination of the last ventral plate.

About a dozen examples have been obtained. The figure is taken from an example

found at Guatemala city.

28. Philonthus ochromerus, (Tab. X. fig. 13.)

Parvus, niger, nitidus ; antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis ; capite haud angusto; elytris parce sat fortiter,

abdomine crebre subtilissime, punctato. :

Long. 6 millim.

PHILONTHUS. 407

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); Guaremana near the city, San Gerénimo, Zapote,

Capetillo, Calderas, Cerro Zunil, Lanquin, Senahu and San Joaquin in Vera Paz

(Champion); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Very closely allied to P. vilis, but with the thorax, elytra, and hind body quite black,

the head slightly broader, and the male posterior tibie slightly curved and a little

thickened towards the extremity. The tibie and the coxe are more or less infuscate,

but the femora are pallid yellow. The middle coxe, as in P. vilis, are contiguous, and

the front feet of the female are moderately, those of the male rather broadly, dilated ;

in this latter sex there is a deep notch on the last ventral plate.

This is apparently a common species throughout most of our region, and varies a

good deal'in the minor details. The description is taken from a long series, agreeing

pretty closely, found at San Gerénimo. One of these is figured. In other cases the

base of the antennze becomes darker, and occasionally the elytra are picescent ; and such

an example is labelled in Sallé’s collection, “ P. caliginosus, EK. Dugés, in litt.”

29. Philonthus occultus.

Fuscus ; prothorace piceo, antennarum basi pedibusque piceo-testaceis; capite ovato, prothorace antrorsum

angustato; elytris crebre punctatis ; abdomine dense subtilissime punctato.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Guatemata (Sallé).

Antenne shorter than the head and thorax, but little thicker towards the apex, the

penultimate joints each very nearly as long as broad. Head much narrower than the

thorax, the latter rather longer than the elytra. Hind body very densely, evenly, and

finely punctate.

This is an obscure species, of which only a single example has been received ; it is a

male and cannot be treated as an extreme variety of P. ochromerus, on account of the

sexual characters, the front tarsi being broadly dilated and the front tibize short and

thick, while the hind tibiz are simple; there is a large notch on the last ventral plate.

30. Philonthus planulatus.

Subdepressus, niger, nitidus; elytris «neis, femoribus fusco-testaceis; capite subquadrato; elytris parce

profunde punctatis ; abdomine parce subtiliter punctato.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet, Pefia Blanca 3000 to 4000 feet

(Champion).

Antenne black, scarcely thickened outwardly, the penultimate joints not quite so

long as broad; palpi rather long and slender. Head as broad as, or broader than, the

thorax, extremely shining, quadrate, but with the hind angles greatly rounded. Thorax

not narrowed in front, narrower than the elytra, very shining, and, like the head, with a

408 STAPHYLINIDA.

faint brassy tinge. lytra sparingly but deeply and very distinctly punctate. Hind

body very black, very finely punctate.

The male has apparently no external sexual marks, except that the head is larger;

the front tarsi being quite simple, and the terminal ventral plate quite without emar-

gination. I have certainly, however, this sex before me, as from one example I have

extracted the large and peculiar cedeagus.

31. Philonthus mollis. (Tab. X. fig. 15.)

Subdepressus, nitidus, fuscus ; prothorace rufescente, antennarum basi pedibusque flavis ; abdominis segmentorum

marginibus late testaceis ; capite subquadrato.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Panama, San Feliz (Champion).

Antenne rather short, the penultimate joints each not quite so long as broad, the

basal two or three and the apical one pale, the intermediate joints being dark. Head

piceous, very shining. Thorax straight at the sides, very shining, reddish yellow.

Elytra scarcely so long as the thorax, shining, sparingly punctate. Hind body finely

and not densely punctate.

The male characters are very remarkable; the head is larger, and the anterior part

is curvedly emarginate in front, the space behind the labrum being occupied by a large

membrane; the hind femora are armed on their posterior margin with some long black

ciliz, the anterior tarsi are slightly dilated, and there is a large emargination on the

last ventral plate. This is the sex figured.

Only four examples have been found; they are in bad preservation, and perhaps

immature, so that the coloration is perhaps not very correctly described.

32. Philonthus enescens.

Philonthus enescens, Solsky, Bull. Soc. Mosc. 1868, iv. p. 2627.

Hab. Mexico 1.

§ 4. Thorax seriebus dorsalibus 5-punctatis.

33. Philonthus cavifrons.

Subdepressus, parallelus, fuscus ; femoribus coxisque flavis, elytris abdomineque dense punctatis, subopacis ;

capite subquadrato.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

Similar in form to P. discoideus. Antenne dusky black, with the articular portion

of each joint red, moderately stout, scarcely thickened outwardly; penultimate joints

not quite so long as broad. Mandibles elongate, yellowish ; terminal joint of the palpi

long and slender. Head about as broad as the thorax; the latter scarcely narrowed in

PHILONTHUS. 409

front, of a piceous hue, the discoidal punctures rather large. Elytra scarcely so long

as the thorax, closely and finely punctate, and rather densely pubescent ; hind body

very finely, closely punctate.

Only a single example has been secured; it is a male, and in the structure of the

front of the head resembles the same sex of P. mollis, the front of the head being

curvedly emarginate, and the labrum separated from it by a large membranous space ;

the anterior tarsi are rather broadly dilated, and the terminal ventral plate exhibits a

rather broad, but not deep notch.

34. Philonthus discoideus.

Staphylinus discoideus, Grav. Micr. p. 38°.

Philonthus discoideus, Nord. Symb. 977; Er. Gen. et Spec. p. 474°.

Hab. Mexico (Flohr), Cerro de Plumas, Las Vigas (Hoge); GUATEMALA, near the city

(Champion).—CubBa?; Europe !?3; Avsrrauia (Mus. Sharp).

35. Philonthus quadraticollis. (Tab. X. fig. 16.)

Robustus, parallelus, nitidus, niger, parce fusco-pubescens ; elytris eneis ; coxis femoribusque testaceis; capite

quadrato; prothoracis seriebus grosse punctatis; elytris abdomineque parce punctatis.

Long. 9-12 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Mohr); GuaremMata, San Gerénimo (Cham-

pion).—South America, Rio de Janeiro (Mus. Sharp).

The mandibles are elongate, a good deal curved at their apices; the terminal joint of

the palpi is very elongate and slender. The antenne are scarcely thickened externally,

the penultimate joints not quite so long as broad. The head is large, broad, and nearly

square, with four quadrately placed large punctures on each side between the eyes.

The thorax is a little narrowed behind. The elytra are about as long as the thorax,

with ascanty, very distinct punctuation, and rigid pubescence. The hind body only

very sparingly punctate. |

The male has the head larger, and largely depressed in the middle in front; its

anterior tarsi are undilated, and there is a slight emargination of the apical ventral

plate. This is a very distinct species, not closely allied to any other; the Brazilian

examples are of a more pallid colour, but show no important difference. The figure

is taken from a male found at Cordova.

36. Philonthus letipennis. (Tab. X. fig. 17.)

Parce punctatus, nigerrimus ; elytris cyaneis; scutello fortiter punctato.

Long. 7-8 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Misantla (Flohr).

Mandibles slender, elongate, and acuminate ; last joint of maxillary palpi very long

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, January 1889. 3 GG

410° STAPHYLINIDA.

and slender. Head subquadrate, but distinctly narrowed behind, the epistome depressed

in the middle, and somewhat produced in front between the insertion of the antennae,

the clypeal membrane indistinct. The antenne bear very evident exserted sete, and

their penultimate joints are not quite so long as broad. The thorax is rather narrow,

and nearly straight at the sides. The elytra are of a beautiful dark blue colour,

sparingly punctate. The hind body is acuminate behind, shining, of an intense black

colour, with only a very few punctures, but very conspicuously setose. The legs are

quite slender.

I do not know the sex of the three examples before me of this distinct species; they

have the front tarsi simple, and the last ventral plate not emarginate. Although it has

much the aspect of some of the slender Belonuchi, neither the front nor the hind

femora are spinose.

87. Philonthus fulgipennis. (Tab. X. fig. 18.)

Parce punctatus, nigerrimus ; elytris fulgidis, purpureis; scutello fortiter punctato.

Long. 64 millim.

Hab. Panama, Chiriqui (Ridbe), Volcan de Chiriqui below 4000 feet, Boquete 3500

feet (Champion). :

This species is in nearly all respects similar to P. letipennis, but is readily distin-

guished by the splendid golden-purple or coppery colour of the wing-cases; the indi-

viduals also are a little smaller, and have slightly more slender antenne.

A very large series of examples was captured by Mr. Champion, who informs me

it is locally abundant in fungus growing on forest trees. I cannot detect any external

sexual characters; the front feet are always quite slender.

38. Philonthus seticornis.

Parce punctatus, nigerrimus; elytris nigro-eneis ; scutello fortiter punctato.

‘Long. 9 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Though very closely allied in structure to P. letipennis this is readily distinguished

from that species by its differently coloured elytra; it is also rather more elongate, and

has an evidently longer thorax.

A series of eight examples was found showing no variation; the male has no external

sexual marks, and the cedeagus is small and simple.

39. Philonthus hirtiventris.

Exongatus, subdepressus, nigerrimus, nitidus ; elytris abdomineque parce punctatis, hoc evidentius setosello ;

capite subcirculari.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca, Mirador (Hége).

PHILONTHUS. All

Structurally allied to the two preceding, this is nevertheless a very distinct species,

and has much broader antenne, joints 5-10 being strongly transverse ; though, as in

them, the head is narrowed behind, with the hind angles rounded and the eyes rather

prominent. The thorax is straight at the sides. The elytra are sparingly and rather

finely punctate; the scutellum a good deal more closely and coarsely punctured ;

although the hind body is only sparingly punctate, its pubescence is remarkably

conspicuous, and on its under face the punctuation is rather coarse and deep.

Only a few examples have been found, but I appear to have the two sexes before me,

for though all have the front feet simple, yet on comparison it is seen that there is an

extremely slight emargination of the hind margin of the last ventral plate, which is no

doubt indicative of the male sex.

40. Philonthus idoneus.

Elongatus, subdepressus, nigerrimus, nitidus; elytris abdomineque crebre vix fortiter punctatis, hoc evidenter

setosello ; thorace suboblongo, posterius angustato.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador 2500 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather thicker externally, with joints 6-10 transverse, but not strongly so.

Head subquadrate, not narrowed behind, but the eyes slightly prominent. Scutellum

coarsely punctate. Elytra rather finely and not sparingly punctate. Hind body mode-

rately closely and finely punctate, the pubescence well marked, and the two penultimate

segments with very coarse hairs.

Although very similar to P. hirtiventris, this is distinguished by good characters, the

antenne being less stout, the thorax evidently narrowed behind, and the wing-cases

more closely and finely punctate. The only example discovered is no doubt a male, for

though the front: feet are quite simple, there is a slight emargination of the apical

ventral segment.

41. Philonthus rufopygus. (Tab. X. fig. 19.)

Nigerrimus, nitidus, abdominis segmento ultimo rufo-testaceo; capite post oculos subangustato, antennis

mediocriter latis ; elytris abdomineque parce punctatis, evidenter setosellis.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne black, joints 6-7 transverse, but not strongly so. Thorax oblong, straight

at the sides, a good deal narrower than the elytra. Scutellum rather finely punctate.

Elytra only sparingly punctate, furnished, in addition to their scanty depressed pubes-

cence, with four rows of fine distant erect sete. Hind body moderately closely punctate,

very pubescent, and also with erect elongate sete; the last segment, as well as the

terminal styles, bright reddish yellow.

The front tarsi are simple in the male, and in that sex the head is broader, and

3 GG 2

412 STAPHYLINIDA.

may even be twice as broad as it is in the female; the terminal ventral plate has a

moderately large notch ; the anterior femora are spinose, and the posterior femora are

furnished with a series of elongate, but subdepressed spines along the under ridge of

their hind margin, so that this sex will probably be supposed, on casual inspection, to

be a species of Belonuchus.

A series of half a dozen examples was met with in rotten palm-fruits; the figure is

taken from a male example.

42. Philonthus rufocaudus.

Parum latus, nigerrimus, nitidus; abdominis segmentis duobus ultimis lete rufo-testaceis; antennis latis ;

elytris parcissime punctatis, abdomine parcius punctato, conspicue nigro-setosello; thorace serie dorsali

5- vel 6-punctato.

Long. 6-8 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Antenne very broad, joints 5-10 strongly transverse. Head evidently narrowed

behind the eyes. Thorax almost straight at the sides. Scutellum with only a few

punctures. Elytra very sparingly punctate, and with a few erect serial setee. Hind body

only sparingly punctate, but with remarkable distinct pubescence and coarse sete; the

two terminal segments as well as the apical styles bright reddish yellow, the coarse

black sete across the middle of the penultimate segment very remarkable.

The male has a small notch on the last ventral plate, but the front tarsi are quite

simple; the anterior femora are apparently more spinose than they are in the female.

The number of punctures in the thoracic discoidal series is sometimes six instead of

five.

43. Philonthus platypterus. (Tab. XI. fig. 3.)

Sat latus, depressus, niger; abdominis segmentis duobus ultimis rufo-testaceis; capite subquadrato, prothorace

posterius angustato; elytris abdomineque crebrius punctatis ; femoribus tarsisque piceis.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Guaremara, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather short, not stout, the penultimate joint as long as broad. Head

broader than the thorax, with numerous coarse punctures on the sides, but impunctate

along the middle, a broad impression in front; the eyes rather small. Thorax rather

slender, and distinctly narrowed behind, the discoidal punctures large. Scutellum

finely punctate. Elytra rather shining, but somewhat closely and not coarsely punctate.

Hind body black, with the two terminal segments and the armature bright reddish

yellow, rather densely and not finely punctate; basal joint of hind foot scarcely so long

as the apical joint.

This species was found under sappy bark. It has quite the aspect of a Belonuchus,

but the femora are destitute of spines, and though the lateral seta of the prothorax is

PHILONTHUS. 413

(as in numerous other species I have at present placed in, Phélonthus) distant from the

anteriorly much inflexed side margin, yet I cannot place it in Hesperus, of which it has

not at all the facies, and from which it differs in numerous details, such as having the

mesosternal line in the condition normal in Philonthus.

Two males and one female of P. platypterus have been found; the male has the

anterior femora angularly dilated in the middle behind, but there is no emargination of

the last segment; this sex is figured.

44, Philonthus corticalis.

Depressus, niger ; abdominis apice rufo-testaceo, stylis analibus nigris ; capite subquadrato, prothorace posterius

angustato; elytris abdomineque crebre sat fortiter punctatis.

Long. 94 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Though closely allied to P. platypterus this is a smaller and narrower insect, with

only the apical segment and the hinder part of that preceding it red; the terminal

armature though red has the greater portion of the styles black.

The only example found is pretty certainly a male, though the only indication I see

of this is that the trochanters of the hind legs are prolonged and have a slender free

termination.

45. Philonthus godmani. (Tab. X. fig. 20.)

Nigerrimus, capite thoraceque violaceo-cyaneis, elytris fulgidis vel purpureis vel auratis; elytris abdomineque

parcissime punctatis.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Orizaba (Sallé) ; Guatema.a, Calderas 1200 feet, Panajachel 5000 feet,

San Gerdnimo 3000 feet (Champion); Panama, Boquete 3500 feet (Champion).

The antenne are only moderately long, slightly thickened externally, the penultimate

joints not quite so long as broad. The head is not broad, only as broad as, or not quite

so broad as, the thorax, the eyes not prominent, the hind angles much rounded. The

thorax is narrower than the elytra, nearly straight at the sides, and nearly parallel-

sided. The scutellum is coarsely punctate. ‘The hind body, pointed behind, bears only

a very few punctures, and is of a shining, intense black colour.

This beautiful insect is apparently rare, only one or two examples having been found

in each locality; they bear no external marks of their sex, although I have little doubt

I have both sexes before me; the tarsi are in all quite simple. The Mexican example

was labelled in Sallé’s collection P. trochilus. Solsky’s description of P. trochilus,

though indicating a similarly coloured insect, states that the head is large, and that in

the female the feet are subenlarged, so that it must be different from our species. The

example figured is a variety with golden-green elytra from San Gerénimo ; it is impos-

414 STAPHYLINIDA.

sible to represent satisfactorily by colour the delicate but brilliant metallic tints of the

anterior parts of this insect.

46. Philonthus nugax.

Niger, nitidus ; capite oblongo, antennis latis, articulis 4°-10™ transversis, elytris abdomineque crebre subtiliter

punctatis ; pedibus piceis.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Mirador (fH6ge).

Head very slightly narrowed behind the eyes, with a small longitudinal impression

on the middle in front. The very broad antenne are much shorter than the head

and thorax, joints 5-10 very strongly transverse. Thorax elongate, much narrower

than the elytra, shining black with a slight sericeous lustre. Scutellum densely

punctate.

Although I am not able to describe the sexual characters, only a unique female

having been found, yet this little insect should be readily recognized by the unusually

thick antenne.

47. Philonthus infimus. (Tab. XI. fig. 4.)

Depressus, niger, nitidus ; abdominis segmento ultimo rufo-testaceo ; capite quadrato, utrinque punctis paucis

majoribus; prothorace posterius angustato; elytris parce, minus subtiliter, abdomine apicem versus

crebrius, punctato.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. GuatemaLa, Las Mercedes 3000 feet, Chiacam (Champion); Panama, Volcan

de Chiriqui (Champion).

Antenne short and stout, with joints 5-10 rather strongly transverse. Head broad,

with a few remarkably distinct coarse punctures on each side, and finely canaliculate

on the middle in front. Scutellum rather finely punctate. Elytra finely and sparingly

punctate, black, shining. Hind body with the basal segments only sparingly and

finely, the two or three penultimate segments closely and rather finely punctate.

Legs rather stout and short, the hind tarsi short, the basal joint not longer than the

apical one.

In some examples the head is larger, and I have no doubt these are the males, though

I cannot detect other indication of their sex; one of these larger-headed individuals

from Las Mercedes is figured.

This and the three following species form a peculiar group; they have much the

facies of the genus Holisus, and resemble those insects by the depressed flattened shape

and the stouter, shorter legs; the side piece of the prothorax is very small, and so

greatly inflexed that it is not seen at all when the insect is examined at the side; the

marginal line is inflexed to the under surface for all its length, so that it is not visible

at all from above, and the elongate lateral seta is consequently remote from it.

PHILONTHUS. 415

48. Philonthus extremus.

Depressus, latior, nitidus, nigro-piceus ; antennis nigris ; capite quadrato, utrinque punctis paucis majoribus ;

prothorace posterius angustato; elytris sat crebre et sat fortiter punctatis.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, San Geronimo (Champion).

This is very closely allied to P. infimus, but is rather broader, and is readily distin-

guished by the unicolorous hind body.

Only a single, very immature, example has been found.

49. Philonthus latecinctus. (Tab. XI. fig. 5.)

Depressus, rufo-fulvus ; capite, antennis abdominisque cingulo lato nigris, antennarum basi rufescente, abdo-

minis apice testaceo, stylis nigris; capite quadrato, utrinque punctis paucis majoribus ; prothorace poste-

rius angustato ; elytris abdomineque crebre sat fortiter punctatis.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne with three basal joints red, the others dark ; second and third joints subequal

in length, fifth to tenth transverse, but not strongly. Hind body with the two basal

segments red, and the three following black, the hind margin of the sixth and the whole

of the terminal segment yellow, the armature also yellow, but with the styles black.

This species is again in most respects very similar to P. infimus, though so different in

colour; the three examples found show no character by which the males can be

certainly recognized.

50. Philonthus lucilius.

Depressus, rufus; capite abdominisque cingulo ante apicem nigris, antennis elytrisque fuscis, illis basi apiceque,

his basi, rufis, abdomine testaceo; capite quadrato, utrinque punctis paucis majoribus; prothorace posterius

angustato ; elytris abdomineque sat crebre et sat fortiter punctatis.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Very closely allied to P. latecinctus, but with several differences in the distribution

of the colours. The antenne have the three basal and the apical joint red, the penul-

timate joint being dusky red. The elytra are dusky red, with the base brighter red.

The three basal segments of the hind body are reddish yellow, the next two black, the

hind margin of the sixth segment yellow, as are also the whole of the terminal segment

and the armature.

Only one example has been met with.

51. Philonthus figulus.

Philonthus figulus, Er. Gen. et Spec. p. 464°.

Philonthus amazonicus, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 165.

416 STAPHYLINIDA.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Flohr); Guatemata, Mirandilla,

Cubilguitz, Zapote (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Costa Rica (Rogers) ;

Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—Sovutn America ! 2,

The specimens from our region all belong to a dark variety similar to what is found

in Brazil at Rio de Janeiro, the Amazonian examples forming the other extreme.

Although the species is in several respects a variable one I have failed to find at present

satisfactory evidence of there being more than one included under it, though I formerly

thought P. amazonicus distinct.

52. Philonthus feralis.

Philonthus feralis, Er. Gen. et Spec. p. 469°.

Hab. Mexico, Las Vigas (Flohr, Hoge), Cordova, Parada, Tepanistlahuaca (Sallé),

Jalapa, Oaxaca, Mirador (Hége); GuaTEMALA, Aceituno (Salvin, Champion), near the

city, San Gerdénimo, Cerro Zunil, Capetillo, Sabo, Senahu, San Juan, Purula, Teleman,

Kl Tumbador (Champion) ; Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu 6000 to 7000 feet (Rogers) ;

Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion)—Soutn America, Colombia 1, Venezuela.

58. Philonthus longicornis.

Philonthus longicornis, Steph. Ill. Brit. Ent. v. p. 2387.

Philonthus scybalarius, Nordm. Symb. p. 94.

Philonthus varians, var., Er. Gen. et Spec. p. 470.

Philonthus fumosus, Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ross. v. p. 134°.

Hab. Mexico! (Flohr), Las Vigas (Hége), Guanajuato (Sallé).—Fere in orbe toto.

Although I have not seen a type of Solsky’s P. fumosus, I am not able to find any

characters in his description which would distinguish it from P. longicornis, as a

synonym of which I have therefore placed it.

54. Philonthus incertus.

Philonthus incertus, Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ross. v. p. 1857.

Hab. Mexico', Las Vigas (Flohr).

55. Philonthus flavolimbatus.

Philonthus flavolimbatus, Er. Gen. et Spec. pp. 471* and 9297.

Hab. Norra America, South Carolina 2,—Merxico, Cordova, Guanajuato (Sallé), Las

Vigas, Tehuacan (fége); Guatema.a, near the city, San Gerénimo, Zapote, San Joaquin

(Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Tolé, Los Remedios (Champion).

—SoutH AMERICA, Colombia '!, Brazil.

PHILONTHUS. 417

56. Philonthus xanthomelas.

? Belonuchus xanthomelas, Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ross, v. p. 189°.

Mas. Capite majore, mandibulis ad basin extus oblique dilatatis; femoribus anterioribus ultra medium longius

spinosis.

Hab. Norta America, Arizona (Morrison)—Mexico!, Jalapa (Hége), Puebla,

Capulalpam (Sal/é).

The resemblance of this insect to Belonuchus formosus is very great, but the male

characters are quite different, and the colour is of a darker or more dusky red. The

colour of the breast apparently varies somewhat, for though the mesosternum is black

in all the examples before me, yet the metasternum in one or two is more or less dusky

red. The legs vary in colour in a similar manner. The peculiar dilatation of the

mandibles is not very conspicuous, except when they are extended, and in the smaller

males is so much reduced that it may in extreme cases almost elude observation.

Although this insect cannot be placed in Belonuchus at present, owing to the hind

femora being without spines in either sex, yet I expect it will prove to be the species

Solsky intended under the name above cited; but as there are certain discrepancies

between his description and one or two of the details of colour, in addition to the fact

that the hind femora are unarmed, this identification cannot be considered as un-

doubted.

57. Philonthus trochanterinus. (Tab. XI. fig. 6.)

Rufus ; capite cum antennis, thorace, scutello abdominisque apice nigris; elytris abdomineque parcius punctatis.

Mas. Trochanteribus posterioribus longe prolongatis, curvatim hamatis, femoribus basi excavata ; stylis analibus

extrorsum dilatatis.

Fem. Trochanteribus vix prolongatis, apice libero.

Long. 10-12 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Capetillo (Champion).

This species has quite the colour and appearance of an enormous Seloruchus

formosus, but the very peculiar sexual characters of the male readily distinguish it

from that species, as well as from B. validus, which it still more resembles on account

of the similar size. The head is broadly and conspicuously impressed on the middle in

front; the punctuation of the hind body is much reduced, being both fine and scanty.

The breast and all the coxe are entirely clear red. ‘The two terminal segments and

the anal styles are black, as in the two Belonuchi mentioned. ‘There are a very few

short spines on the front femora of the female, and a rather greater number of slightly

longer ones on those of the male; the hind femora are quite without spines in each

sex. In the male there is a rather large emargination on the last ventral plate. An

example of this sex is figured.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, March 1880. 3 HH

418 STAPHYLINIDZ.

58. Philonthus zunilensis.

Rufus ; capite cum antennis palpisque, thorace abdominisque apice nigris; elytris abdomineque parcius

-punctatis.

Long. 11-13 millim.

Mas. Trochanteribus posterioribus breviter prolongatis, acutis, femoribus basi excavata; segmento 7° ventrali

apice subprolongato, haud emarginato.

Fem. Trochanteribus posterioribus parum prolongatis, apice acuto, femoribus basi simplice.

Hab. Guatemaa, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

This species presents an almost exact resemblance in appearance to Belonuchus

formosus,but is much larger and has the scutellum pale; this last named character is

peculiar to it, all the numerous similar species having the scutellum black. All the

coxe and the whole of the breast are pale.

Only four examples were captured.

59. Philonthus basiventris.

Nitidus, nigerrimus; elytris et abdominis medio rufis, pedibus testaceis; elytris abdomineque pareius punctatis,

nitidioribus.

Long. 9-11 millim.

Mas. Capite majore, mandibulis ad basin extus oblique dilatatis, femoribus anterioribus, ultra medium longius

spinosis.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Puebla, Yolos (Sallé), Oaxaca (Hoge), Jalapa (Flehr).

This species is very closely allied to P. zanthomelas, the male characters being the same ;

but P. basiventris will be readily identified by the two basal segments of the hind body

being black instead of red, as well as by the very distant punctuation of the elytra; the

black colour of the two+basal segments is on the under surface only partial, the two

segments being in greater part red beneath; though the breast is quite black, the legs,

including all the coxe except the hind ones, are clear yellow.

60. Philonthus alternans. (Tab. XI. fig. 7.)

Rufus; capite cum antennis, thorace, scutello abdominisque dimidio apicali nigris; pedibus testaceis, coxis

anterioribus fuseis ; elytris abdomineque parce punctatis.

Long. 10 millim.

Mas. Trochanteribus posterioribus elongatis, apice recurvo, femoribus basi angusta.

Fem. Trochanteribus femoribusque posterioribus simplicibus.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (fohr), Oaxaca (Hoge).

Extremely similar to the largest specimens of B. formosus, but readily distinguished

from them, as well as from its other allies, by there being three instead of two segments

black at the apex of the hind body. Although the male trochanters are similar to those

of P. trochanterinus, yet in P. alternans the terminal styles are simple, and the last

ventral plate is not emarginate, agreeing in these respects with P. zunilensis.

I have seen only three examples. The figure is taken from one of two females sent

by Mr. Flohr.

PHILONTHUS. 419

61. Philonthus apiciventris.

Rufus; capite cum antennis palpisque, therace, scutello, mesosterno abdominisque apice summo nigris; pedibus —

cum coxis omnibus testaceis ; elytris abdomineque parcius punctatis.

Long. 9 millim.

Mas. Trochanteribus posterioribus spina tenue armatis.

Hab. Mexico, Juquila (Hége).

Only a single example is before me, and though it has a very great resemblance to

Belonuchus formosus, it can be readily distinguished by the fact that only the apical

ventral segment and the armature is black; the sexual characters are quite different

too from those of B. formosus. The example is presumed to be a male on account of

the armature of the trochanters, though there is no other evidence of its sex visible;

this armature consists of a fine slender spine placed at the apex of the trochanter,

projecting at an acute angle from the direction of the femur and very slightly curved

upwards ; it is so slender that it may easily escape notice.

The black colour on the breast being quite confined to the mesosternum, and leaving

all the coxse clear yellow, may also readily escape notice, as it is concealed by the middle

cox; the punctuation of the under face of the hind body is very much finer than in

B. formosus.

62. Philonthus oxyporinus.

Rufus; capite cum antennis, thorace, scutello, mesosterno, coxis quatuer anterioribus abdominisque apice

summo nigerrimis; elytris abdomineque parecius punctatis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hége).

This is another of the numerous species having a great resemblance to Belonuchus

formosus, and is apparently—for only a solitary female has been obtained—the largest

of these species ; it has, however, only the armature and the hinder half of the terminal

segment black, and the antenne are a little thicker towards the apex than in the allies;

the labial and maxillary palpi are piceous, with the terminal joint of each yellow. The

much larger size and the black cox readily distinguish the insect from P. apiciventris.

It is possible that a knowledge of the male may show this to be near Belonuchus

pollens; but I think it more probable it will prove to be an insect with peculiar

trochanters rather than with spinose femora, as in this female the trochanters are large

and prominent.

63. Philonthus colon.

Elongatus, nitidus, fulvo-rufus; capite cum antennis abdominisque segmentis duobus ultimis nigris, palpis

piceis; elytris abdomineque parce punctatis.

Long. 11-13 millim.

Mas. Trochanteribus posterioribus acuminato-prolongatis, femoribus basi tenuiore ; abdominis segmento ultimo

ventrali producto, apice angulariter emarginato,

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sadlé).

3 HH 2

420 STAPH YLINID.

Antenne rather stout, with the penultimate joints transverse. Head very deep

shining black, broadly and deeply impressed along the middle in front, with numerous

coarse large punctures, which, however, do not extend to the central space. Thorax

brighter red than the rest of the surface, oblong, straight at the sides, and scarcely

narrowed behind, the discoidal punctures rather large, and with four or five other

punctures on each side. Elytra very sparsely punctate, as is also the hind body ; both

are of a tawny red colour, the two terminal segments of the latter and the armature

deep black.

This species resembles the species of the Belonuchus formosus group, but has a red

thorax, and is best placed near P. trochanterinus. The front femora are spinose in both

sexes; the male, in addition to the characters mentioned above, has a rather peculiar

structure of the terminal styles, which are rather broader, and furnished across the

middle of the underside with a series of coarse sete.

Only two examples are known, a small and very fragmentary male and a female.

64. Philonthus xanthopus.

Belonuchus xanthopus, Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ross. v. p. 139°.

Mas. Mandibulis extus ad basin oblique dilatatis, femoribus anterioribus ultra medium longius spinosis,

segmento ultimo ventrali parum conspicue sinuato-emarginato.

Hab. Mexico! (Truqui, Flohr), Jalapa, Oaxaca (Hoge), Guanajuato (Sallé).

Although the male of this insect was unknown to Solsky, and it is not a Belonuchus,

I have little doubt in identifying it as his species; it is, at any rate, the only one known

to me to which his description can apply.

65. Philonthus celatus.

Niger, nitidus ; elytris rufis, pedibus piceis, tarsis rufescentibus ; elytris abdomineque parce punctatis.

Long. 9-11 millim.

Mas. Mandibulis extus ad basin oblique dilatatis, femoribus anterioribus ultra medium Jongius spinosis,

segmento ultimo ventrali sinuato-emarginato.

Hab. Mexico, Mirador, Oaxaca, Tehuacan (Hoge), Yolos, Cuernavaca (Sal/é).

Head and thorax very black and shining; the former impressed on the middle in

front, and with numerous coarse punctures at the sides; the latter oblong, slightly

narrowed behind. Antenne but little thickened externally, the penultimate joint as long

as broad. Scutellum closely and coarsely punctate. Elytra shining, red, only sparingly

and not coarsely punctured. Hind body intense black, shining, only sparsely punctate.

This is distinguished from P. xanthopus almost solely by the dark colour of the

legs. The sexual characters are the same in these species as they are in P. zanthomelas

and P. basiventris.

PHILONTHUS. 421

§6. Thorax seriebus dorsalibus 6-punctatis *.

66. Philonthus misellus.

Niger ; elytris fuscis, abdominis segmentis posterioribus margine posteriore ferrugineo ; mandibulis, palpis, anten-

narum basi pedibusque testaceis, his tibiis fuscis; capite suboblongo; abdomine crebre subtiliter

punctato.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Gvatema.a near the city, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion).

Antenne moderately long, rather thicker externally, penultimate joint quite as long

as broad. Head nearly as broad as the thorax; the latter nearly straight at the sides,

scarcely at all narrowed in front. Elytra not longer than the thorax, neither closely

nor coarsely punctate. Hind body narrowed at the apex, quite finely and not at all

densely punctate. The male has the front tarsi simple, and a distinct though not

large notch on the last ventral segment.

This species is very similar to the European P. exiguus, but has the head rather

broader, and the male hinder tibie destitute of fringes; the terminal joint of the labial

palpi is remarkably slender and quite linear. The colour varies somewhat ; the elytra

being in some examples enescent, and the hind body sometimes darker and nearly

black; in others the latter is more dilute and with distinct pale rings.

67. Philonthus ovaticeps.

Elongatus, niger; capite angustulo subovato ; antennis fuscis, palpis pedibusque fusco-testaceis; abdomine sat

erebre subtiliter punctato.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Las Vigas (Flohr).

Closely allied to P. misellus, but larger, and readily distinguished by the compara-

tively elongate and ovate shape of the head. ‘The two species agree pretty closely in

the male characters and in the shape of the last joint of the labial palpi.

68. Philonthus rusticus.

Niger; capite thoraceque nitidissimis nigro-eneis, elytris wneis nitidulis; pedibus testaceis, tibiis tarsisque

fascis ; capite subquadrato ; elytris parce fortiter, abdomine minus crebre subtiliter, punctatis.

Long. 64 millim. ,

Hab. Mzxico, Las Vigas (Flohr), Cordova (Hage).

This species is very closely allied to P. misellus, but is readily distinguished from that

species by the broader head and the more brassy colour of the anterior parts. The head

is large, in the male even broader than the thorax, and is slightly narrowed behind.

The punctuation of the elytra is deep and definite and rather coarse. The male

characters are similar to those of P. misel/us.

* § 2 and § 3, antea p. 397, should stand as § 3, § 4, and § 4 p. 408 as § 5: see my remarks p. 396.

422 STAPHYLINIDA.

69. Philonthus centralis.

Nigricans ; pedibus testaceis, tibiis tarsisque fuscis ; capite subquadrato, elytris abdomineque crebrius subtiliter

punctatis.

Long. 63 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Flohr); GuaTEMaLa, San Gerdnimo (Champion) ; Panama,

Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Antenne not elongate, the penultimate joints only about as long as broad. Elytra

rather closely and finely, hind body still more finely and densely, punctate. The male

has the head much broader, and the front of it semicircularly emarginate and with

large clypeal membrane, the anterior tarsi rather strongly dilated, and a distinct notch

on the last ventral plate; thus it greatly resembles P. cavifrons of Group 5. The

female is very similar to P. mised/us, but has the punctuation of the hind body denser,

and the terminal joint of the labial palpi less slender. The hind tarsi are short, with

stout basal joint, which is about equal in length to the terminal joint.

70. Philonthus armatipes.

Subdepressus, fusco-niger; capite thoraceque nigro-subeneis, elytris sordide eneis; antennis sat elongatis ;

capite lato, subquadrato ; prothorace serie discoidali vel 6- vel 7-punctato ; elytris abdomineque crebre

subtiliter punctatis ; tibiis tarsisque posterioribus setis longissimis armatis.

Long. 73 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city at an elevation of 5000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather slender, with all the joints longer than broad. Head broad, very

shining, with numerous scattered coarse punctures, which are absent from a broad space

along the middle in front. ‘Thorax elongate, evidently narrowed behind; the discoidal

series consists on each side of either five or six punctures, and an additional more remote

one very close to the anterior margin. Scutellum very finely punctate. Elytra not

longer than the thorax, not shining, rather closely but not coarsely punctate. Hind

body finely and not closely punctate. Hind tibie armed externally about the middle

with two rather long slender spinules, and also with some very fine long sete ; the upper

of these, placed near the knee, are so elongate as to be nearly as long as the tibia; the

basal joint of the corresponding tarsus also bears an extremely long seta.

Of this remarkable species I have four examples before me, three of which are

apparently males, though they present no external marks of distinction from the fourth

individual, which I believe to be a female.

71. Philonthus serpens. (Tab. X. fig. 21.)

Subdepressus, niger; pedibus fuscis ; antennis sat elongatis; capite lato, subquadrato; elytris abdomineque

crebre subtiliter punctatis; tibiis posterioribus externe setis tenuissimis elongatis armatis.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, San Gerénimo, Torola (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui

4000 to 6000 feet, Pefia Blanca 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

PHILONTHUS. 423

This species is very closely allied to P. armatipes, but smaller, of blacker colour, with

considerably shorter hind legs, whose tibie are without median spinules, and are only

provided with about three very fine hairs, much shorter than those of P. armatipes;

the basal joint of the hind tarsus also bears a very fine seta on its upper face at the

apex, but it apparently varies in its development. The male has a small notch at the

extremity of the last ventral plate.

The number and disposition of the tibial setee is apparently variable in this species,

or it may be that there are three or more very similar species differing in this respect.

but as only one or two individuals have been received from each locality, 1 am unable

to determine this point. |

The example figured is from Pefia Blanca; the sete of the hind tibie are so delicate

as to be only perceptible with a good and powerful lens, and thus are not indicated in

our figure.

72. Philonthus deplanatus.

Subdepressus, piceus ; capite suboblongo, thorace angusto quam elytra fere duplo angustiore, his subtiliter

minus dense punctatis ; abdomine crebre fortiter punctato.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne pale piceous, moderately long, a little thickened externally, the penultimate

joints not quite so long as broad, the fifth and sixth each about as long as broad. Head

a little narrowed behind the eyes, which are slightly prominent; in front with a fine

channel along the middle, behind with rather numerous distant coarse punctures.

Thorax elongate and narrow, nearly straight at the sides, slightly narrower behind.

Scutellum deeply and definitely punctate. Elytra broad, rather finely and sparingly

punctate. Hind body with the base of each segment coarsely and closely, the hind

part of each more finely and sparingly, punctate ; the apical segments much more finely

and sparingly punctured than the basal ones. Legs long and slender.

This is a very distinct species, of which only a single example of the female sex has

been found. Although the punctures of the thoracic series are irregular, and do not

agree in their positions on the two sides, yet I have little doubt it will prove to belong

to this group.

73. Philonthus macilentus.

Angustulus, parallelus, fuscus; antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis, elytrorum sutura et apice rufo-obscuris ;

elytris abdomineque densissime punctatis ; antennis elongatis.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

Var. Elytris lete rufis.

Hab. Mexico, Las Vigas, Jalapa, Cerro de Plumas (Hoge).

424 STAPHYLINIDZ.

Head small, subquadrate, with the eyes occupying more than half of the length of

the sides. Thorax straight at the sides, not narrowed behind. Scutellum densely and

very obsoletely punctate. Tlytra quite dull, very densely punctate, the hind margin

and suture more rufescent than the other parts. Hind body very densely and finely

punctate. Legs, including the coxe, clear yellow.

The male has the front tarsi much dilated, and the last ventral plate marked with a

moderately large notch behind.

Somewhat similar to the species of the P. fulvipes group; this insect is readily

distinguished by the different shape of the head and by the rather larger eyes, and is

more nearly allied to P. corallipennis, Sharp, which has, however, a different number of

punctures in the thoracic series. As I can find no other difference of importance, I

have treated the individuals with red wing-cases as no more than a variety.

This is one of a little group of species, distinguished by the shape of the head as

described above, and by the very parallel-sided thorax, the longer of whose lateral

sete is placed close to the margin.

74. Philonthus umbratus.

Angustulus, subparallelus, fusco-niger ; pedibus testaceis, antennarum basi fusco-testacea ; scutello peropaco

obsoletissime punctato ; elytris dense, abdomine densissime, punctatis ; antennis elongatis.

Long. 7 miliim.

Hab. Mexico, Las Vigas (Hége) ; Guatemata, Paso Antonio (Champion); Panama,

Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet, Pefia Blanca 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Very closely allied to P. macilentus, but of rather darker colour, and with the elytra

less finely punctate.

75. Philonthus prolixicornis.

Angustulus, niger ; elytris subsneis, pedibus testaceis, coxis antennarumque basi fuscis; elytris abdomineque

densissime punctatis ; antennis elongatis.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALa, Torola (Champion).

This is another species very closely allied to P. macilentus, but readily distinguished

by the metallic tint of the wing-cases. The antenne are very elongate, the penultimate

joint being much longer than broad. ‘The scutellum is quite obsoletely punctate.

The elytra and hind body are very densely punctate; the latter has the terminal segment

and the bases of the anal styles pale sordid red.

Only one example has been found; it is a male, with the front tarsi moderately

dilated, and a shallow notch on the last ventral plate.

76. Philonthus solitarius.

Fuscus ; antennarum basi piceo-testacea, pedibus testaceis, tibiis infuscatis, segmentorum ventralium marginibus

ferrugineis ; capite oblongo-ovato, antennis minus elongatis ; elytris abdomineque dense punctatis.

Long. 7 millim.

PHILONTHUS. 425

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge).

Antenne not stout, rather short, penultimate joints not so long as broad. Head

rather small, narrower than the thorax, the latter narrowed in front with the punctures

of the discoidal series fine. Scutellum very indistinctly punctate, dull. Elytra densely

and finely punctate, as is also the hind body. Legs with the coxe yellow, the tibie

more obscure.

This is apparently an obscure species of the P. micans group; only a single female

has been found, having the front tarsi simple. It much resembles P. macilentus, but

will be readily distinguished by the shorter antenne, the less parallel form, the less

dense and fine punctuation of the elytra and hind body.

77. Philonthus tachiniformis. (Tab. X. fig. 22.)

Staphylinus tachiniformis, Say, Trans. Am. Phil. Soe. iv. p. 450°.

Hab. Mexico! (Truqui), near the city of Mexico (Sallé), Las Vigas (Mohr), Jalapa

(Hoge).

The figure represents an example from Jalapa; the head is represented rather too

large in comparison with the other parts of the body.

78. Philonthus melancholicus.

Nigerrimus ; tarsis palpisque piceis; capite ovato, antennis sat elongatis; elytris abdomineque dense punctatis.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Capulalpam (Sal/é).

Antenne about as long as the head and thorax, thickened externally, penultimate

joint about as long as broad, joints 4-8 each longer than broad. Head small, much

narrower than the thorax; the latter very black and shining, and a good deal narrowed

in front. Elytra densely punctate, not longer than the thorax, dull, black. Hind body

very densely and rather finely punctate.

This is apparently extremely closely allied to P. tachiniformis, but is rather larger,

and very different in appearance on account of its unicolorous dark colour. It is

extremely similar also to a Californian insect labelled in my collection as being probably

P. californicus, Mannerheim ; but P. melancholicus is smaller, has a less elongate-ovate

head, the antenne a little shorter and externally thicker, and the hind angles of the

thorax completely rounded.

Only one example, a female, has been obtained.

§ 7. Thorax seriebus dorsalibus vel T- vel multipunctatis.

79. Philonthus rectilaterus. (Tab. X. fig. 23.)

Niger ; capite thoraceque nigro-eneis, elytris fusco-eneis, pedibus fuscis, femoribus plus minusve flavescentibus

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, March 1885. 3 1T

496 STAPHYLINIDZA.

capite thoraceque subquadratis, illo ad angulos posteriores crebre fortiter punctato; elytris abdomineque

crebre minus subtiliter punctatis, pallide fusco-pubescentibus.

Long. 8-9 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Las Vigas (Hége); Guatemata, Duefias (Champion).

Antenne rather shorter than the head and thorax, with the penultimate joint not

longer than broad. Head almost as broad as the thorax, with numerous very coarse

punctures which do not cover the middle. Thorax about as long as broad, nearly

straight at the sides, the discoidal series consisting of seven rather coarse punctures ;

there are also five other punctures on each side between the discoidal series and the

margin. Scutellum densely punctate. Elytra rather closely and, though not coarsely,

very definitely punctate, and ofa dull brassy colour. Hind body rather coarsely punctate,

the three basal segments each with a deep transverse impression. The middle coxe

are rather widely separated.

The male has the front tarsi broadly dilated, and a rather large notch on the last

ventral plate; in the female the front tarsi are a little dilated. A female from Duefas

is figured.

80. Philonthus atricolor.

Niger, parum latus, subparallelus ; pedibus piceis ; capite oblongo-ovato ; thorace serie dorsali circiter 7-punctato ;

elytris abdomineque crebrius punctatis.

Long. 73 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Capulalpam (Sallé), Cerro de Plumas (Hége); GuatEmaLa, Totoni-

capam 8500 to 10,000 feet (Champion).

Antenne moderately long, scarcely thicker externally, the penultimate joint about as

long as broad. Head rather long and narrow, nearly as broad as the thorax ; the latter

almost straight at the sides, just perceptibly narrowed in front, and, like the head, of an

intense shining black colour. Scutellum dull, indistinctly punctate. Elytra about as

long as the thorax, rather closely and, though not coarsely, very definitely punctate.

Hind body finely and moderately closely punctate.

The male has quite simple front tarsi, and an extremely small emargination on the

last ventral plate.

Four examples were found in Guatemala, and but two in Mexico; I find no specific

difference in the specimens from the two localities, although those from Mexico have

the antenne paler and apparently a little more elongate and slender.

_ 81. Philonthus cribellatus.

Philonthus cribellatus, Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ross. v. p. 1877.

Hab. Mexico }.

PHILONTHUS. 427

82. Philonthus duploseriatus.

Philonthus duploseriatus, Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ross. v. p. 186’.

Hab. Mexico 1,

83. Philonthus optatus.

Rufus ; capite cum antennis, thorace, scutello abdominisque apice nigris, palpis pedibusque testaceis; capite

oblongo, fortiter punctato ; thorace seriebus dorsalibus octo-punctatis.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Guanajuato (Sallé).

Antenne with three or four of the joints before the terminal one slightly trans-

verse. ‘The head is channelled in front, and bears numerous very coarse punctures,

only a very small area on the middle being free from them. The thorax is oblong,

straight at the sides, scarcely at all narrowed behind; obscurely canaliculate along

the middle, and the eight punctures on each side forming the dorsal series coarse

and deep. The scutellum is densely punctate. The elytra are bright red and rather

sparingly punctured. The hind body is quite sparingly punctate, with the armature,

the terminal and the greater part of the penultimate segments, black.

This insect bears the greatest resemblance to Belonuchus formosus, and was labelled

with that name in Sallé’s collection, but the head and thorax are quite different. Only

a single female example is known.

84. Philonthus punctifer. |

Philonthus punctifer, Nordm. Symb. p. 107*; Er. Gen. et Spec. p. 498°.

Hab. Mexico 12; Costa Rica (Van Patten).

I have not seen any example I can refer to this species, other than one labelled as

found by Van Patten in Costa Rica; it does not agree very satisfactorily with the

descriptions of Nordmann and Erichson (made, I believe, from one and the same

example), and perhaps may prove not to be entitled to the name I assign to it at

present.

85. Philonthus discretus. (Tab. X. fig. 24.)

Philonthus discretus, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1876, p. 428°.

Hab. Mexico ! (Flohr), Las Vigas, Jalapa (Loge).

Of this remarkable species a male example from Jalapa is represented on our Plate.

86. Philonthus championi. (Tab. X. fig. 25.)

Gracilis, niger ; antennarum basi pedibusque piceis ; capite subquadrato, crebrius subtiliter punctato ; antennis

elongatis ; prothorace elongato, posterius angustato, serie discoidali irregulariter circiter €-punctato ;

elytris abdomineque crebrius sat subtiliter punctatis.

Long. 8 millim.

3 LL 2

428 STAPHYLINIDA.

Hab. Panama, Pefia Blanca 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

This is allied structurally to P. serpens of the preceding group, but is readily distin-

guished by the sculpture of the head, which consists of a rather fine but not dense

punctuation covering all the surface except a very fine space on the middle. The rather

slender thorax is conspicuously narrowed behind, and the anterior angles are greatly

depressed and rounded; the elongate lateral seta is placed at a distance from the

side margin, and there are only six or seven punctures on each side in addition to the

discoidal series. The male has apparently no external mark of its sex, and the front

tarsi are quite slender. ;

Only three examples, unfortunately in bad preservation, have been met with ; in the

figure the antenne should have been more slender than they are represented.

This and the two following species have the basal joint of the hind tarsi much

shorter than the apical joint, and there can be little doubt they will prove entitled to

generic isolation, possibly in combination with P. serpens and its allies, though in these

latter the basal joint of the tarsus is not so much shortened.

87. Philonthus approximans.

Gracilis, nigerrimus ; capite subquadrato, crebrius subtiliter punctato ; antennis elongatis ; prothorace elongato,

angusto, quam elytra multo angustiore, posterius fortiter angustato, serie discoidali circiter 8-punctato ;

elytris abdomineque crebrius minus subtiliter punctatis.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

This, to judge from a single example in bad preservation, is a species very closely

allied to P. championi, but of intense black colour, with more slender thorax, and

rather coarser punctuation.

88. Philonthus elegans.

Gracilis, niger ; antennarum basi pedibusque piceis ; capite suboblongo, crebrius subtiliter punctato; antennis

elongatis ; prothorace elongato, gracili, quam elytra fere duplo angustiore, posterius fortiter angustato, serie

discoidali irregulariter circiter 8-punctato; elytris crebrius profunde fortiter punctatis ; abdomine crebre

sat fortiter punctato.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Panama, Pefia Blanca 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Though rather closely allied to P. championi, this species will readily be recognized

by the narrow head and thorax, and the coarser and very definite punctuation of the

elytra.

Only one example has been met with.

BELONUCHUS.

Belonuchus, Nordmann, Staph. p. 129, t. 2. £. 2; Er. Gen. et Spec. p. 419.

As already remarked (ante p. 396), this genus is at present systematically distin-

BELONUCHUS. 429

guished from Philonthus only by the anterior and posterior femora being spinose

beneath. It has, however, hitherto escaped the attention of writers that this character

in certain of the species is confined to the male sex, and even in this sex varies greatly

in its development according to the species, and in the case of some species is subject

even to individual variation. This remark applies to the armature of the posterior

femora only, for that of the front legs is so very variable both in Philonthus and Belonuchus

that no reliance can at present be placed on it as a generic character. It would thus

almost appear that the proper course would be to merge Belonuchus into Philonthus ; but

it is very undesirable to adopt such a course in a faunistic work, and it is also well to

avoid, if possible, increasing the bulk of a genus already so unwieldy as is Philonthus.

Moreover, there are characters which will cause Belonuchus to be recognized as valid

when Philonthus is divided, as it will ultimately be. In Philonthus it is very rarely

the case that the posterior femora are spinose, and in the few species where we find

this there is but a single series of spines, whereas in Belonuchus there are always two

series, one on each of the ridges existing on the posterior face of the femur. The

species of Belonuchus, too, have, without exception, the lateral margin of the thorax so

much inflexed that it is remote from the longer of the lateral tactile sete.

Belonuchus comprises about forty species besides the new ones here defined, and is

characteristic of the Tropical-American fauna, two or three species only extending their

range to the United States of North America ; a few species have also been recorded from

the Austro-Malay region, but these are doubtfully congeneric with the New World

forms.

1. Belonuchus cognatus. (Tab. XI. fig. 9.)

Elongatus, depressus, nitidulus, nigerrimus ; abdominis segmentis duobus ultimis rufis.

Long. 11-13 millim.

Hab. Britisn Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneauz) ; GuateMaa, El Reposo, Las Mercedes,

San Isidro, Mirandilla (Champion) ; Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba

(Champion).

This insect is exactly similar to B. hemorrhoidalis, Kr., except that the two terminal

segments, as well as the armature, are entirely reddish yellow; as this difference is

without variation in a large series of examples, it is probably a mark of specific

difference.

2. Belonuchus dichrous.

Belonuchus dichrous, Evichson, Gen. et Spec. p. 420°.

Hab. Mexico, Orizaba1, Cordova, Tuxtla, Playa Vicente (Sallé), Oaxaca, Mirador

(Hoge), Jalapa (Flohr, Hoge); Guatemala, near the city, Las Mercedes (Champion).

This insect, Mr. Champion informs me, is found under bark still saturated with sap.

430 STAPHYLINIDZ.

3. Belonuchus alternatus. (Tab. XI. fig. 10.)

Elongatus, depressus, nitidus, rufus; capite cum antennis abdominisque segmentis tribus nigris, abdominis.

_apice flavo.

Long. 11 millim. ;

Hab. GuateMaua, near the city, San Gerénimo (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales

(Janson) ; Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne blackish, with the terminal joint ferruginous; palpi red, the second joint of

the maxillary pair piceous. Head black, without sericeous reflection. Thorax rather

bright red, without sericeous reflection ; elytra paler red, as also the two basal abdo-

minal segments; the three next segments deep black; the hind margin of the

penultimate segment, the whole of the terminal segment, and the armature clear

yellow.

This is excessively closely allied to B. dichrous, but differs in having the two basal

segments of the hind body red, and in some of the minute details of colour, such as the

absence of the peculiar reflections seen in certain lights on the head and thorax of the

former species. There is scarcely any external difference between the sexes perceptible.

The figure is taken from a small female found at Bugaba.

4, Belonuchus flavipennis.

Belonuchus flavipennis, Solsky, Bull. Soc. Mosc. 1868, xlii. p. 263°.

Hab. Mexico ! (Flohr, Sallé), Mirador, Oaxaca (Hoge).

Although very similar to Philonthus celatus and to Belonuchus simplex, this species is

readily distinguished, when fully extended, by the fact that the medial lobe of the

armature and the bases of the anal styles are white; the thoracic series is regularly

quadripunctate, the punctures being placed on the front half of the thorax, and the

surface of the head and thorax present a remarkably conspicuous sericeous reflection.

The male is still unknown.

Apparently rare, only one example being present from each source.

5. Belonuchus bidens. (Tab. XI. fig. 11.)

Niger; pectore elytrisque rufis, abdominis apice pallide flavo; antennarum basi apiceque, palpis pedibusque-

testaceis.

Long. 18 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Flohr), Oaxaca, Mirador (Hoge), Tuxtla (Sailé) ; Nicaragua,

Chontales (Belt).

Mandibles very elongate, piceous. Antenne short, the penultimate joints rather

strongly transverse, the three basal joints and the terminal one yellow. Head trans-

versely subquadrate, black, very coarsely punctate, with a broad space on the middle

impunctate. Thorax short, quadrate, slightly narrowed behind, on each side of the

BELONUCHUS. 431

middle with a discoidal series of five punctures. Elytra and hind body rather sparingly

and finely punctate; the latter with rather more than one half of the penultimate

segment, the whole of the terminal segment, and the armature pallid yellow. In

the male the clypeus is produced on either side in the middle so as to form a short

thick projection or tooth ; the front femora are dilated behind near the extremity, and

coarsely spinose; the hind femora densely set with two series of closely placed spines ;

the terminal ventral plate scarcely emarginate.

Very closely allied to B. xanthopterus, but rather smaller, and with less punctate and

setose hind body, and with the head in the male different, and also with a larger extent

of the penultimate segment pale.

6. Belonuchus formosus.

Staphylinus formosus, Grav. Mon. p. 72’.

Belonuchus formosus, Er. Gen. et Spec. p. 426 *.

Hab. Uniren States, Carolina!, Pennsylvania.—Muxico, Jalapa (Flohr, Hége),

Oaxaca (Sallé, Hoge), Teapa, Capulalpam, Playa Vicente (Sal/é); British Honpuras,

Rio Hondo (Blancaneaux); GuatEMa.a (Salvin), near the city, San Gerénimo, Capetillo,

Cahabon in Vera Paz (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba

(Champion).—Sovta America, Colombia ?, Brazil.

There are three varieties of this species, viz.:—1. A very small form, as described by

Gravenhorst 1, slender, with fuscous antenne, the base and apex of which are more or

less indefinitely paler, the palpi entirely clear yellow, and the hind femora of the male

with their armature so much reduced that the few spines are not easily perceived; this

variety I have seen only from Mexico and the United States. 2. The most common

form has the antenne black, with the base more or less picescent, as are also the palpi,

these latter, however, being sometimes nearly yellow, with the exception of the basal

joints of the labial pair, which are always picescent. 3. A variety with the base and apex

of the antennz definitely yellow, and the palpi entirely clear yellow, the punctuation

of the elytra rather closer and finer, and the setosity of the penultimate segment greater ;

these two latter varieties occur from Mexico to Brazil. It has hitherto escaped record

that the hind femora of the female are unarmed. The species is recorded in the

Munich Catalogue under the name of B. rufipennis, Fabr., Erichson having stated that

the Fabrician type of Staphylinus rujipennis is the present species; the description of

Fabricius is, however, so definitely erroneous that his name cannot be adopted, for he

not only omits to mention the red hind body, but reiterates “ corpus atrum.”

7. Belonuchus pollens.

Rufus; capite cum antennis, thorace, scutello, pectore anterius, coxis quatuor anterioribus abdominisque

segmentis duobus ultimis nigris; palpis piceis ; elytris parce, abdomine crebrius, punctatis.

Long. 11-14 millim. .

Mas. Femoribus posterioribus tantum ad basin rude spinosis.

4392 STAPHYLINIDA.

Hab. Nortu America (coll. Castelnaw).—Mexico, Oaxaca (Hége); GUATEMALA

(Salvin), near the city (Champion) ; Honpuras (Sal/é).

This is similarly coloured on the upper surface to Belonuchus formosus, but beneath

the anterior part of the breast and the four front coxe are black ; it is also much larger

than B. formosus, and the spines on the hind femora of the male consist of a few

closely placed, and confined to the basal third of the femur. The male has only a slight

emargination on the last ventral plate.

Although the male characters of this species and Philonthus xanthomelas are so

different, I am not able to point out any certain character for distinguishing the females

of the two; usually in P. xanthomelas the metasternum is black, but I have one male

individual in which it is red, and if a similar variety should occur in the female I do not.

see how it could be distinguished from B. pollens.

The locality North America is given on the authority of an example from Castelnau’s

collection labelled “ Philonthus extremus, Chev., Am. bor.”

8. Belonuchus iridescens.

Belonuchus iridescens, Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ross. v. p. 140°.

Hab. Mexico 1.

9. Belonuchus erythropterus. (Tab. XI. fig. 13.)

Belonuchus erythropterus, Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ross. v. p. 187°.

Hab. Mexico |, Oaxaca (Hoge), Guanajuato, Cuernavaca, Puebla (Sal/é).—VENEZUELA

(coll. Sharp).

A large series of this species, varying excessively in size and development, from 11

to 21 millim. in length, was met with by Hoge. The male characters are but slight,

confined, in fact, to an emargination of the apical ventral plate; the other abdominal

characters mentioned by Solsky as indicating this sex being only visible in certain

individuals, and dependent on slight peculiarities of the shape and sculpture of the hind

body, both of which are very remarkable in this species. Sallé considers the species in

his collection to be Say’s Staphylinus ephippiatus.

The figure is that of a large variety of the male from Guanajuato, in which the last

segment is scarcely emarginate.

10. Belonuchus simplex.

Nigerrimus; elytris rufis; abdomine crebre punctato, haud dilatato, punctis setigeris conspicuis tamen nec

STOSsIS.:

to} °

Long. 10-15 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge), Vera Cruz (coll. Castelnau).

Extremely similar to B. erythropterus, but with the hind body of normal shape and

BELONUCHUS. 433.

sculpture, more closely and finely punctate on the upper surface, especially on the base

of each segment, and beneath much more finely punctate. The male has only an

excessively slight emargination of the last ventral plate. The absence of punctuation

on a narrow space along the middle of each of the two terminal segments is more

conspicuous in this species than in B. erythropterus, and it is probable that Solsky’s

general description of B. erythropterus was taken from that species, but the male

characters from an example of B. simplex.

I have seen only four examples of B. simples.

11. Belonuchus ephippiatus.

Staphylinus ephippiatus, Say, Trans. Am. Phil. Soe. iv. p. 448°.

Belonuchus ephippiatus, Lec. in Say’s Insects of North America, ii. p. 563°.

Hab. Norta America, San Diego ? (Leconte), Arizona (Horn).—Mexico 1.

I have no evidence that the species sent me by Dr. Horn is really found in our

region, and it is quite uncertain whether it is really the S. ephippiatus, Say; the

responsibility of the identification rests, therefore, with the North-American savants.

Say’s description is very vague, but I think it more probable that Sallé’s identification

of it with B. erythropterus, Solsky, is correct.

The Arizonan insect is excessively close to B. simplex, but has a densely punctate

hind body, and more closely punctured and less shining wing-cases.

12. Belonuchus connexus.

Staphylinus connexus, Say, Trans. Am. Phil. Soe. iv. p. 448°.

Belonuchus connexus, Munich Cat. Col. 1. p. 596%.

Hab. Mexico 1.

This species cannot be identified from description with any certainty; it might be

either a variety of B. erythropterus, B. simplex, B. ephippiatus, Philonthus xanthopus,

or P. celatus.

13. Belonuchus dejectus. (Tab. XI. fig. 12.)

Depressus, niger, nitidus; elytris viridescentibus vel cyaneo-nigris; prothorace posterius fortiter angustato,

seriebus discoidalibus subtiliter 5-punctatis ; abdomine segmentis 2°-4™ basi transversim depresso et rugulose=

punctato.

Mas, Trochanteribus posterioribus plus minusve prolongatis.

Long. 7-8 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Trugqui, Flohr), Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa, Las Vigas, Mirador (Hége);

GuaremaLa, Capetillo, Cerro Zunil, Balheu, Tamahu, San Joaquin, Purula, El Tum-

bador, San Gerénimo (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet

(Champion).

Head large, broader than the thorax, very intense black and shining, with an irregular

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, March 1885. 3 KK

434 STAPHYLINID.

series of punctures extending transversely across the front part ; elsewhere with only a

few rather fine punctures, about five to seven on each side. Antenne inserted on the

front of the clypeus, rather short and stout, thicker externally, with joints 6-10

transverse. Scutellum densely and rather finely punctate. Elytra shining, sparsely and

rather finely punctate. Hind body rather slender, moderately closely punctate.

This is one of a group of species, of which it may serve as the type, of depressed

form, and with the punctures on the head peculiar, there being more than usual on the

front part, and less than usual near the hind angles; the hind femora are armed with

only a few short distant spines, and the front femora unarmed, the sexes agreeing in

these respects.

B. dejectus is one of the commoner Staphylinide of our region, and varies somewhat

in size, in the colour of the wing-cases, and in the prolongation of the hind trochanters

of the male; this last is very slight indeed in the smaller of the Mexican and Guatemalan

examples, but becomes very remarkable in the large examples from the Volcan de

Chiriqui. I have received the species from M. Fauvel, with the MS. name of

Belonuchus biarti.

The figure represents a female example from the Volcan de Chiriqui.

14. Belonuchus stenoderus.

Depressus, gracilis, omnium nigerrimus, nitidus; mandibulis, palpis antennarumque basi piceis; prothorace

gracili, posterius fortiter angustato, seriebus discoidalibus subtiliter 5-punctatis; elytris abdomineque

parce punctatis, hoc segmentis 2°—4™ basi transversim depressis et crenato-punctatis.

Long. 5-6 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne short, thickened externally; the two basal and the apical joints slightly

paler than the rest. Head large and broad, quadrate, with the hind angles rounded.

Elytra much broader, but not longer, than the thorax. Hind body slender, shining

black, somewhat coarsely punctate.

This is smaller and more slender than B. dejectus, and is readily distinguished by the

black elytra, not longer than the thorax. The male has a small notch at the extremity

of the last ventral plate.

_ Four examples have been found.

15. Belonuchus panamensis.

Depressus, nigerrimus, nitidus ; prothorace posterius fortiter angustato, seriebus discoidalibus sepius 4-punctatis

abdomine elytrisque dense punctatis.

Long. 9 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba, Tolé

(Champion).

This is closely allied to B. dejectus, but is readily distinguished by numerous details.

BELONUCHUS. 435

The antenne are but little thickened externally, the penultimate joints less transverse

than in B. dejectus; the palpi are black or piceous; the thorax is elongate, and the

dorsal series of punctures in the examples before me never have more than four

punctures, the hinder one of which is separated by a larger space from the others;

the hind body is densely punctate, and only shows in a very obsolete manner the

rugose punctuation that is so conspicuous on the base of each of the basal segments

of B. dejectus; the armature is of a lurid red colour.

There is apparently no distinction between the male and the female, except a slight

notch on the apical ventral segment of the former.

A small series was found on the Volcan de Chiriqui, but only single examples were

obtained at Tolé and Chontales, and a pair at Bugaba.

16. Belonuchus docilis.

Depressus, minus elongatus, nigerrimus, nitidus ; antennarum basi palpisque rufis ; prothorace posterius fortiter

angustato, seriebus discoidalibus sepius 4-punctatis ; abdomine elytrisque densius punctatis.

Long. 7-8 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Pantaleon (Champion); Panama, Bugaba, Tolé (Champion).

Antenne short and stout, the penultimate joints very strongly transverse, the two or

three basal joints red. Elytra and scutellum densely and finely punctured. Hind body

densely punctate, the two penultimate segments more densely and coarsely setose. Anal

styles black.

This is readily distinguished from the two preceding species, to which it is closely

allied, by the less slender form, and by the bright colour of the base of the antenne

and palpi, as well as by the denser setosity visible on the two segments before the last

one. I see no male characters, except a small notch on the last ventral plate.

17. Belonuchus hoops.

Gracilis, depressus, nigerrimus, nitidus ; femoribus piceis; prothorace posterius fortiter angustato, seriebus

discoidalibus 4-punctatis ; elytris abdomineque dense punctatis.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Rather more slender than B. dejectus, and differing from it and the other allies in

that the head is narrower in proportion to the length, and the eyes are more prominent.

The punctuation of the elytra, scutellum, and hind body is close and fine, resembling

in these respects B. panamensis ; the medial lobe of the armature and the bases of the

styles are pallid yellow, the apices of the latter fuscous.

Only one pair has been found; the male differs from the female by the three basal

joints of the antenne being shorter and thicker, and by the existence of a very small

emargination on the last ventral plate.

3 KK 2

436 STA PHYLINID.

18. Belonuchus mexicanus.

Belonuchus mexicanus, Solsky, Bull. Soc. Mosc. 1864, i. p. 440°.

Hab. Mexico}.

Though I have seen no insect answering to this description, I believe it will prove

to be an ally of B. deectus.

19. Belonuchus mimeticus. (Tab. XI. fig. 14.)

Subdepressus, rufus, nitidus ; capite eneo, antennis in medio fuscis ; antennarum basi, ore pedibusque testaceis ;

elytris dimidio apicali nigricante ; abdomine ante apicem nigro, apice flavo.

Long. 7-73 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

Antenne moderately long; the three basal joints yellow, the next six fuscous, the two

terminal fuscous yellow; the tenth joint about as long as broad. Mandibles and palpi

yellow. Head short and broad, of a dusky-brassy colour, but very shining, with a few

coarse punctures about the hind angles. Thorax rather short, yellow-red, much narrowed

behind, a little produced in the middle in front, on each side of the middle with a

discoidal series of five large punctures, and with four or five other punctures near the

front angle. Elytra coarsely punctate, fulvous-red, with the apical portion broadly and

indefinitely black. Basal segments of the hind body sparingly punctate; terminal

segment pale yellow, the two preceding it black, but the hind margin of the penultimate

yellow; the black parts rather coarsely setose; apices of anal styles fuscous.

The male has a minute prominent tooth on each side of the clypeus in front; the

anterior and posterior femora spinose, and a broad shallow emargination on the ventral

plate of the last segment. The femora of the female are without spines.

20. Belonuchus pictipennis.

Subdepressus, rufus, nitidus; capite eneo, antennis fusco-rufis, harum basi, ore pedibusque testaceis ; elytris ad

apicem macula magna nigra; abdomine ante apicem nigro, apice flavo.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This is very closely allied to B. mimeticus, but is rather larger, and the black colour

on the elytra forms a definite spot limited to a smaller space. .

The male has a very broad head, without teeth on the clypeus; the femora very

strongly armed with Jong spines; the emargination on the apical segment very slight ;

and the palpi extremely elongate.

Only two males have been found.

21. Belonuchus similis. (Tab. XI. fig. 15.)

Rufus ; capite thoraceque nigro-eneis, nitidissimis; antennarum medio, elytrorum postico abdominisque fascia

CHROAPTOMUS. 437

ante apicem, nigris; pedibus abdominisque apice testaceis; elytris crebrius ad basin dense subtiliter

punctatis.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui between 2500 and 6000 feet (Champion).

This is closely allied to B. mimeticus and B. pictipennis, though readily distinguished

by the metallic colour of the head and thorax, and the longer and more closely punctate

elytra, the punctuation being at the extreme base dense and fine.

The male has six or seven short spines on the front femora, and two series of spines

on the hind femora, and also a broad shallow emargination of the hind margin of the

last ventral plate; the female has only one or two spines on the front femora, the hind

legs being unarmed.

Only three examples of B. similis have been found; the figure is that of a female.

As will be seen on reference to the plates, this species bears an excessive resemblance to

Pederomimus pectoralis.

CHROAPTOMUS.

Antenne longe post capitis marginem anteriorem inserts. Prothoracis seta lateralis elongata ad marginem

lateralem propinqua. Palpi maxillares articulo secundo dilatato. Tarsi posteriores tenues, elongati,

articulo basali quam articulus apicalis longiore.

Although the Philonthus flagrans, Er., has remained associated with the other Phi-

lonthi, yet as it differs from all the species of that genus known to me by the antenne being

inserted in large fosse so as to be remote from the front margin, and by the remarkable

characters of the male, these latter having, however, hitherto escaped observation, it

must clearly form a separate genus. Whether the Brazilian P. celites, Kr., should be

associated with it I do not know, the insect being unknown to me.

1. Chroaptomus flagrans.

Philonthus flagrans, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 441°.

Mas, Capite in medio anterius argute foveolato, labro fisso, opaco, in medio membranaceo.

Fem. Capite in medio anterius foveolato, labro nitido, dimidiis haud distantibus.

Hab. Mexico!, Mirador (Hoge), Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Mohr); Guatemata, Balheu,

San Geronimo, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion) ; Costa Rica (Van Patten) ;

Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui below 4000 feet, Boquete 3500 feet, Caldera 1200 feet,

(Champion).—Soutn America, Colombia! (Mus. Sharp), Venezuela.

This is occasionally met with in great abundance; Mr. Champion found it flying

about rotten fruits in the forest. A variety occurs in which the head of the male is

rather larger, with the anterior impression large and deep and occasionally even

punctate behind.

438 STAPHYLINIDA.

2. Chroaptomus regalis. (Tab. XI. fig. 8.)

Parce punctatus, nitidus, niger ; capite thoraceque violaceis; elytris splendidis viridi-auratis vel purpureis.

Mas. Capite latiore, anterius in medio depresso et coriaceo-opaco, minute foveolato ; labro fisso, opaco, in medio

late membranaceo.

Fem. Capite in medio potius late canaliculato, vix foveolato ; labro nitido, dimidiis haud distantibus.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet,

Caldera 1200 feet (Champion).

Very closely allied to C. flagrans, but rather larger and broader, and with the head

in the male differently formed in front.

About two dozen examples were captured in the State of Panama; although so

extremely similar to P. flagrans, I have no doubt of its being distinct, as I have

examined more than 150 individuals of the latter species without finding any inter-

mediate. A male from the Volcan de Chiriqui is figured.

PZDEROMIMUS.

Corpus gracile, late coloratum. Prosternum ante coxas carinato-divisum. Prothorax linea elevata laterali

valde deflexa superne invisa, a seta laterali longe remota. Coxe intermedie distantes.

This genus is established for some elegant insects peculiar to the Tropical-American

fauna, the few species hitherto known having been placed with Philonthus—from

which genus they may be distinguished by the fact that the prosternum in front of the

coxe is definitely divided transversely into two parts, which have a different texture, the

posterior portion being frequently strigose, and serving probably in conjunction with the

cox as a more or less rudimentary organ of stridulation. ‘The side piece of the

prothorax is small, and is not inflexed as in Philonthus. ‘The genus comprises, in

addition to the species enumerated in the following pages, P. /wtus and P. lustralis, Er.,

and P. wniceps, cognatus, traili, capitalis, lustrator, eneicollis, palpalis, aberrans, con-

formis, propinquus, regellus, abactus, and longipes, Sharp.

There are three groups of species in the genus, viz.:—1. The first seven species of

the following series; these are comparatively large and beautifully variegated insects,

having slender and elongate palpi, the middle joint of the labial pair being more or less

elongate, and longer than the terminal joint, while the basal joint of the hind tarsus is,

though elongate, more or less shorter than the apical joint. P. nigrinus is a very aberrant

species described from a mutilated example, and not apparently a member of either of

the groups. 2. A group comprising the species numbered 9 to 13, and of which

P. angularius, Ey., may be taken as the type; they are rather depressed and less

elongate insects, with the thorax truncate or nearly so in front, its anterior angles

distinct, the transverse division of the thorax less marked, the palpi rather slender, but

the intermediate joint of the labial pair not longer than the terminal joint, and the basal

joint of the hind foot about equal to the apical; this group approaches closely to some

of the Belonuchi, but is also nearly allied to the next by P. simplex. 3. A group for

PEDEROMIMUS. 439

which, if the genus be divided, the name Pederomimus may be retained, and of which

P. difformiceps may be taken as the type; it comprises the remainder of the genus ; they

are graceful insects of slender and not depressed form; the thorax has the front angles

rounded and its upper surface prolonged, so that the anterior margin appears also more

or less rounded; the prosternum is very definitely divided; the middle joint of the

labial palpus not longer than the apical; the joints of the hind tarsi vary in their

proportional lengths, but the basal joint is usually more or less incrassate. In this

group certain of the species exhibit extraordinary and incomprehensible sexual dif-

ferences in the structure and sculpture of the head and trophi, which, if they extended

to both sexes, would be amply sufficient for the generic separation of each of the species

displaying them.

Mr. Champion informs me that most of the species of this genus met with by him

were found about moss or fungi attached to the trunks of decaying or fallen trees in

the forests; one or two species were, however, met with under decaying leaves on the

sandy banks of the streams.

1. Pederomimus gentilis. (Tab. XI. fig. 17.)

Elongatus, rufus ; capite, elytris (basi excepta) abdominisque apice nigris; antennis in medio fuscis; prothorace

elongato, anterius truncato, seriebus discoidalibus subtiliter 5-punctatis.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cerro de Plumas, Jalapa (Hége).

Head suborbicular, with distant punctures at the sides. Antenne rather long, the

three basal joints red, the following six fuscous, the two terminal ferruginous. Palpi

and mandibles red. Thorax nearly straight at the sides, a little narrowed behind,

bright red, smooth, and shining; the punctures of the dorsal series are five on each

side, and are rather fine, and besides these there are about six other fine punctures on

each side. Scutellum red, densely punctate. Elytra rather closely and deeply but not

coarsely punctate, black ; the base, as far back as the apex of the scutellum, pale red.

Hind body elongate, reddish yellow, very sparingly and finely punctate ; the penultimate

segment, and the hinder part of the antepenultimate, black; the hind margin of the

penultimate and the greater part of the terminal segment pale yellow, but the hind

margin of the latter as well as the anal styles black.

Though similar in colour to P. angusticollis, Er., this is readily distinguished by the

different shape and punctuation of the thorax. Only three examples have been found,

which may perhaps be all females; the one figured is that from Jalapa.

2. Pederomimus mandibularis.

Rufus ; capite, elytrorum dimidio apicali, abdomine ante apicem antennisque nigris, his basi rufa ; elytris parce

punctatis ; thorace seriebus discoidalibus 5-punctatis.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

440 STAPHYLINIDZ.

Antenne rather elongate; the basal joint, and the base of each of the two following

joints, red. Mandibles and palpi elongate, clearred. Head with very numerous coarse

punctures, but with a space smooth along the middle. Thorax a good deal narrowed

behind, the serial punctures moderately coarse. lytra shining ; broadly red at the base,

reddish along the suture, and with the hind margin very narrowly flavescent, elsewhere

black ; sparingly and not very coarsely punctate. Hind body broadly red at the base,

then black, the apical segment yellow, the anal styles black. The hind femora are

slightly infuscate externally. Although closely allied to P. gentilis this species has

numerous slight points of distinction, and the very much more sparing punctuation of

the elytra makes it distinguishable at a glance.

Only one example has been found; it is a male, with a few spines on the middle of

the front femora, and a broad, rather deep notch on the last ventral plate.

3. Pederomimus chontalensis.

Rufus ; capite, elytris (basi excepta), abdomine ante apicem antennisque in medio nigris, his articulis duobus.

ultimis cum abdominis apice pallide flavis; elytris ad angulos exteriores breviter flavescentibus, parce

punctatis ; prothorace seriebus discoidalibus minus subtiliter 5-punctatis.

Long. 9 millim.

Hab. Nicaracva, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne rather elongate and slender; the three basal joints red, the next six black,

the terminal two pale yellow. Head black, with moderately numerous coarse punctures.

Anal styles pale fuscous at the extremity.

This is another ally of P. gentilis, from which it is readily distinguished by the less

elongate thorax with coarser punctures, and by the more sparingly punctate elytra.

These points bring it near to P. mandibularis, with which it cannot, however, be united

on account of the two pallid terminal joints to the antenne.

Only one example, a female, has been found; it has no spines on any of the femora.

4. Pederomimus salvini. (Tab. XI. fig. 18.)

Rufus ; elytris (basi excepta), pectore, abdomine ante apicem antennarumque medio nigris; elytris minus crebre

punctatis.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet

(Champion).

Antenne elongate and slender ; the three basal joints red, the next six black, the two

terminal joints ferruginous. Head with afew coarse punctures behind. Thorax narrowed

behind, only moderately long, the dorsal series consisting of five rather fine punctures,

and also with about five other punctures of similar size on each side. Scutellum

densely punctate, red. Elytra black, with a rather narrow red fascia at the base, each

PADEROMIMUS. | A441

outer hind angle yellow. Hind body red, with the two penultimate segments black,

the hind margin of the latter, together with the terminal segment, yellow; the

armature also is yellow, the sete by which the middle lobe and the styles are terminated

being, however, blackish.

The male has the front femora furnished in the middle beneath with a few spines,

and the last ventral plate emarginate by a broad moderately deep notch.

5. Pederomimus capitatus.

Rufus, nitidus; capite abdominisque fascia lata ante apicem nigris; antennis fuscis, basi picea; elytris nitidis,

sat crebre punctatis ; prothorace seriebus discoidalibus 5-punctatis.

Long. 104 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Flohr, Hoge), Playa Vicente (Hoge).

Antenne evidently thicker externally ; the basal joints elongate; after the middle

each joint is conspicuously shorter than its predecessor, so that the penultimate joint is

transverse ; the terminal joint not elongate. Mandibles and palpi red. Thorax bright

red, its punctures not coarse. Elytra shining, rather dilute red, rather sparingly

punctate. Hind body red at the base, but with the two or three (or even four) penul-

timate segments black or blackish; the hind margin of the penultimate and the greater

part of the terminal segment, yellow, the latter as well as the anal styles infuscate

behind; legs yellow.

The colour and sculpture of the elytra and the structure of the antenne readily

distinguish this species from P. gentilis, of which it is an ally. The colour of the base

of the antenne, and the extent of the black abdominal fascia, is apparently variable ; but

I have seen only four examples: one of these is a male, and has about six spines on the

front femora, none on the hind; the extremity of its hind body has been destroyed; the

femora of the female are unarmed.

6. Pederomimus hilaris. (Tab. XI. fig. 19.)

Sanguineo-rufus ; capite thoraceque viridi-cyaneis, nitidissimis ; abdominis elytrorumque posticis nigris ; antennis

in medio nigricantibus, articulis duobus externis flavis; prothorace seriebus dorsalibus 5-punctatis.

Long. 9 millim.

Hab. Paxama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather elongate ; the three basal joints red, the next six nearly black, the

two terminal joints yellow ; the penultimate joint a little longer than broad. Mandibles

and palpi red. Head and thorax very brilliant, blue-green in colour; the former

rounded and narrowed behind the eyes, with rather numerous punctures about the

sides; the thorax slender. Scutellum with a few coarse punctures on the middle.

Elytra with only very distant punctures, very shining, the basal half red, the posterior

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, March 1885. 3 LL

442 STAPHYLINID.

part black, with a slight bluish reflection. Hind body slender, red, the two terminal

segments and the anal styles black. Legs red, the hind tibie infuscate.

Only one example has been obtained ; it is apparently a female.

7. Pederomimus nobilis. (Tab. XI. fig. 20.)

Sanguineo-rufus, haud depressus ; capite, abdominis fascia ante apicem antennisque nigris, his articulis duobus

ultimis testaceis ; elytris viridibus ; abdominis apice flavo, stylis terminalibus nigricantibus ; palpis mandi-

bulisque piceis, elongatis ; thorace seriebus dorsalibus 5-punctatis.

Long. 113 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne elongate, the intermediate joints long, but from the fifth to the tenth each

joint shorter than its predecessor, so that the tenth is but little longer than broad.

Head rather broad, very shining, of a black colour, with a faint metallic reflection, its few

punctures coarse. Scutellum closely punctate. Elytra of a beautiful green colour, with

the extreme base red, sparingly punctate. Hind body with only a few punctures, except

on the fifth and sixth segments ; segments two to four each with a very deep transverse

impression near the base. Legs red, the femora externally and the tibic infuscate.

Only one example, of uncertain sex, hasbeen found. Its coloration and the elongation

of the labial palpi render it very distinct; the intermediate joint of the latter is more

than twice as long as the basal joint.

8. Pederomimus nigrinus.

Elongatus, gracilis, minus depressus, nigerrimus, nitidus ; abdominis antennarumque apicibus flavis; abdomine

parcissime punctato ; thorace seriebus dorsalibus minus fortiter 5-punctatis.

Long. 93 millim.

Hab. Nicaraeva, Chontales (Belt).

Antenne slender and elongate, the two apical joints clear yellow, the tenth joint a

good deal longer than broad. Head rounded and narrowed from the eyes to the neck,

the surface with only a few not coarse punctures. Thorax rather elongate and narrow,

scarcely narrowed behind, the sides and front angles very deflexed, the dorsal series

with four or five punctures on each side placed in a curved series along the side.

Scutellum very shining and impunctate. Elytra elongate, with only a few subseriately

arranged punctures. Hind body slender, very sparsely punctate; the armature, the

whole of the terminal segment, and about one third of that preceding it, yellow. Legs

slender ; hind tibie with a few long slender spinules.

Only one mutilated example has been obtained ; I suspect that it is a male, though

the last ventral plate has no emargination; there are a few rather long spines

extending the whole length of the front femora; owing to the mutilated and rigid

condition of the specimen I have not been able to see the prosternum satisfactorily, and

the palpi are in greater part destroyed, so that the genus is not quite certain; the

species is not like any other known to me in appearance.

PAZDEROMIMUS. 443

9. Pederomimus angularius.

Philonthus angularius, Er. Gen. et Spec. p. 477'.

Hab. Mzxtco ! (coll. Sharp), Cerro de Plumas, Tehuacan (Hége), Cordova (Sallé).

10. Pederomimus pectoralis. (Tab. XI. fig. 16.)

Rufus ; capite thoraceque nigro-zneis, nitidissimis ; elytris ad apicem, abdominis postico, pectore ex parte majore,

coxis quatuor anterioribus antennisque in medio nigris; pedibus testaceis; elytris parce fortiter

punctatis.

Long. 8-10 millim.

Hab. GuatmMALA, near the city, Capetillo, El Tumbador 2500 feet, Cerro Zunil

4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

This species is extremely similar to P. angularius, from which it differs by the more

sparingly punctured elytra, by the entirely yellow legs, and by the greater extension of

the black colour of the breast, which in P. angularius leaves the metasternum red.

The sexual characters of the two species are similar; the males have no emargination of

the last ventral plate, but its hind margin is less rounded than in the female, and the

front femora bear six or eight spines on the middle beneath, while in the female but

three or four exist.

P. pectoralis is apparently, like P. angularius, a rare insect ; the figure is taken from

_a male example found at Cerro Zunil.

11. Pederomimus punctipennis.

Testaceus ; capite thoraceque nitidissimis, illo seneo, hoc rufo cumque elytris eneo-micantibus, his nigricantibus,

ad basin testaceis; abdominis fascia ante apicem nigra; antennis in medio fuscis; prothorace seriebus

dorsalibus fortiter 5-punctatis; elytris fortiter profundeque punctatis.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather short, the three or four penultimate joints transverse. Palpi and

mandibles yellow. Head of a very shining brassy colour, very deeply impressed on the

middle in front, and with very coarse punctures on each side behind. ‘Thorax a good

deal narrowed behind ; in addition to the large punctures of the discoidal series, with

about six other punctures on each side, four of which are very large. LElytra with a

brassy tinge, blackish behind, yellow at the base. Hind body yellow, with the two

penultimate segments in greater part black; terminal styles blackish.

Very similar to Belonuchus mimeticus, but readily distinguished by the brassy lustre

of the thorax and elytra, as well as by the coarser punctures on these parts. Only two

very immature females have been found; and as the prosternum is only indefinitely

divided, it is quite possible that a knowledge of the male may prove the insect to be

congeneric with B. mimeticus.

3 LL 2

444 STAPHYLINIDA.

12. Pederomimus vicinus.

Rufus ; capite thoraceque nitidissimis, illo eneo, hoc wneo-micante, elytris ad angulos exteriores late fusces-

centibus; antennis in medio fuscis; abdominis fascia ante apicem nigra; prothorace seriebus dorsalibus

fortiter 5-punctatis ; elytris fortiter punctatis.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Very closely allied to P. punctipennis, but rather larger, and with the antenne a

little longer, and the elytra without brassy tint ; in most other respects similar, so that

it may possibly prove to be only a local variation of P. punctipennis.

Only one female, in bad condition, has been found.

13. Pederomimus simplex.

Fulvus; capite thoraceque eneis, nitidissimis; elytris abdominisque apice nigris, illis basi rufa, hoc testaceo-

cingulato; antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis in medio obscuratis; prothorace seriebus dorsalibus

5-punctatis ; elytris fortiter punctatis.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city, San Gerdédnimo and San Joaquin in Vera Paz

(Champion).

Although very similar to P. pectoralis, this is a much smaller and feebler insect, and

has the breast but little infuscate, while the black colour on the wing-cases extends

much nearer to the base.

In the male there is a scarcely perceptible emargination of the last ventral plate ;

but when the legs are extended this sex is readily distinguished, as the hind tibie are

a good deal dilated, being, except at the base, nearly twice as thick as they are in the

female.

A small series was found at San Gerénimo, and single examples at each of the other

localities. |

14. Pederomimus mexicanus.

Fulvus ; capite thoraceque fuscis, subeenescentibus ; elytris ad angulos posteriores abdominisque apice nigris;

antennis testaceis in medio fuscis ; pedibus pallide testaceis ; elytris fortiter punctatis.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége).

Although very closely allied to P. simplex, this insect presents too many points of

difference to allow of its being considered a mere variety thereof. It is smaller, with

less brassy head and thorax; the elytra are shorter, with fewer punctures, and with

the black colour occupying only one half their surface, and the black colour of the .

hind body is less definite and extensive in front.

Only one example has been found; it is a male, having the hind tibie dilated

as in P. simplex.

PADEROMIMUS. 445

15. Pederomimus maculipes.

Capite, elytris, abdominis postico pectoreque nigris; thorace abdominisque basi rufis; antennis crassiusculis,

flavis; pedibus albidis, femorum dimidio externo dilute nigro.

Long. 63 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Flohr), Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge).

Antenne rather stout, entirely yellow, rather thicker externally, the penultimate

joints not quite so long as broad. Head black, only moderately broad, with numerous

coarse punctures behind. Thorax rather slender, a good deal narrowed behind, the six

punctures of the discoidal series and the six or seven others existing on each side large

anddeep. Scutellum densely and coarsely punctate. Elytra not elongate, scarcely so long

as the thorax, black, with the base red, with deep coarse punctures, which are wanting

towards the hind margin. The three basal segments of the hind body red, and each

with crenate sculpture on the transverse depression at its extreme base; the following

or fourth segment in greater part black, but red at the extreme base; the penultimate

Segment black, with the hind margin yellow; the terminal segment black, with the base

yellow ; the segment of the armature dark. Legs very pale, with the outer portions of

the femora broadly and definitely dark, and the apices of the tibie slightly infuscate.

Apparently rare, only three examples having come under my observation. That which

has served as the type for the above description is no doubt a male, though the only

character indicating this that I can observe is an extremely slight emargination of the

last ventral plate. The female much resembles the same sex of P. difformiceps, but

has the head and thorax of a rather different form, and the basal joint of the hind

foot shorter.

16. Pederomimus difformiceps. (Tab. XI. fig. 23.)

Angustior, rufus, nitidus ; capite, elytris (basi excepta) abdominisque postico nigris, hoc flavo-cingulato ; antennis,

palpis pedibusque testaceis ; femoribus extrorsum pectorisque lateribus fuscis; prothorace seriebus dorsa-

libus sat fortiter 6-punctatis ; elytris fortiter minus dense punctatis.

Long. 73 millim.

Mas, Capite superne postico truncato.

Hab. GuatTEMALa, near the city, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne rather stout, the penultimate joint about as long as broad. Head narrow,

with very few punctures. Thorax slender, the six punctures of the dorsal series and the

four or five other punctures present on each side rather coarse. LElytra black, with the

base narrowly red, coarsely punctate, shining, the punctures more scanty and less coarse

behind, so that the hind margin is smooth. Mind body red, with the dorsal plate of

the antepenultimate segment more or less black behind; the penultimate segment

black, with the hind margin yellow; the terminal segment yellow at the base, black

behind; the armature black. Legs pallid yellow, with the femora externally broadly

dilute black ; the tibie slightly obscure at the apex.

446 STAPHYLINIDA.

The male has the head very peculiarly formed, the vertex above being truncate, and

connected with each angle of the truncature there is a broad obscure channel, which is

finely punctate; at the back there is a deep excavation on each side, and in front of -

this on each side a patch of very short minute pallid pubescence; there is a very

slight emargination of the last ventral plate.

A good series was found near Guatemala city, three examples at Capetillo ; the figure

represents a male.

17. Pederomimus cephalax.

Rufus; capite superne eneo-fusco; elytris (basi excepta) abdomineque ante apicem nigris; antennis pedibus-

que testaceis, illis in medio obscuratis; prothorace seriebus dorsalibus fortiter 6-punctatis ; elytris basi

dense, apice parce, punctatis.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. Panama, David (Champion).

Head rather broad (especially in the male), bearing only a few coarse punctures.

Antenne rather long, a little thickened externally, the middle joints slightly darker

than the others, the tenth joint about aslong as broad. Thoraxlongand slender. Elytra

black, not broadly red at the base. Hind body with the two penultimate segments

more or less deep black, the hind margin of the penultimate yellow; the terminal

segment and the apical styles yellow, each more or less infuscate behind.

The male has the head larger than the female and tumid beneath, the submentum

very large, and the convergent lines of the gens more separated than usual, so that

they do not meet till the hind margin is attained. In the female the structure of the

head is normal. The male has also an extremely slight emargination of the last

ventral plate.

Leaving aside the remarkable structure of the head in the male, this species has a

considerable resemblance to P. ornatellus, but is much less slender, and has rather

shorter and thicker antenne, and the head is paler. The intensity of the black colour

on the posterior part of the hind body is apparently variable.

18. Pederomimus nigripennis. (Tab. XI. fig. 22.)

Rufus ; elytris, metasterno antennisque in medio nigris; femoribus apice, tibiis abdomineque ante apicem plus.

minusve nigricantibus ; antennis articulis tribus ultimis flavis; elytris parce punctatis.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab, Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 fect, Volcan de Chiriqui from 2000 to 4000 feet

(Champion).

Antenne rather long and slender ; the three basal joints red, the next five black, the

terminal three clear yellow; the penultimate joints rather longer than broad. Head

rather narrow, quite rounded behind, bearing distant moderately coarse punctures.

Thorax much narrowed behind, the five punctures of the dorsal series and the five

PEDEROMIMUS. 447

others existing on each side not coarse. Scutellum and the extreme base of the elytra

red, the former punctate on the middle. Elytra with only distant, moderately coarse

_punctures ; about as long as the thorax. Tarsi slender ; the basal joint but little thicker

than the following, slightly longer than the apical joint. Hind body red, the two

penultimate segments more or less tinctured with black, and with numerous coarse,

black, depressed sete; the other part of the hind body bears rather numerous, very

elongate erect sete, which, however, are readily removed, so as to be more or less

wanting in most of the examples.

A few examples were found on the Volcan de Chiriqui and a very large series at

Bugaba; but I have not detected any sexual distinctions. The only feature showing

much variation is the depth of the black colour on the hind body and on the tibia.

19. Pederomimus insolitus. (Tab. XI. fig. 21.)

Rufo-testaceus ; capite nigro, subsneo ; elytris ex parte abdomineque ante apicem nigris; antennis in medio

fuscis, apicem versus fusco-rufis ; pedibus abdominisque apice testaceis ; elytris crebrius punctatis; thorace

seriebus dorsalibus fortiter 6- vel 7-punctatis.

- Long. 84-94 millim.

Mas, Capite majore, palpis labialibus difformiter dilatatis.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

Antenne slender, every joint longer than broad. Thorax elongate, the dorsal and

lateral punctures coarse. Scutellum red, densely punctate. Elytra black, broadly red

at the base, rather coarsely and not sparingly punctate. Hind body with the fifth

segment, except at the extreme base, black; the sixth segment black, with the hind

margin broadly yellow; the apical segment yellow; the terminal styles infuscate.

The male has the head broader than the female, and furnished in proximity to the

median channel with a very minute punctuation ; its labial palpi are very peculiar, the

basal joint is incrassate, and the second joint is greatly dilated, so as to form an irregular

quadrate plate furnished with a coarse abruptly curved seta, while the terminal joint is

triangular, the triangle being articulated to the preceding joint by a slender base,

forming a very short peduncle, placed at one side of the triangle; the front tibie in

this sex are a good deal thicker than they are in the female, and there is a broad

shallow notch on the last ventral plate.

Six examples have been found; the one represented is a male.

Though closely allied to P. angusticollis, the species differs in several details.

20. Pederomimus angusticollis.

Philonthus angusticollis, Er. Gen. et Spec. p. 487".

Hab. Mexico! (coll. Sharp), Cordova (Sallé), Mirador (Hoge); GuaTEMALA, San

Gerénimo, Volcan de Atitlan 2500 to 3500 feet (Champion).

This species is apparently rare; the only two examples of the male I have seen are

448 STAPHYLINIDA.

in a very fragmentary and decayed condition, but appear to possess the same extra-

ordinary sexual characters that I have described in P. insolitus. It is very remarkable

that these should have escaped Erichson’s notice, as he leaves us to infer, by stating

that the tarsi are simple in both sexes, that he had really distinguished the sexes. The

species is, I think, however, really the one Erichson intended, and was so determined

in the Sallé collection, the original type being in Chevrolat’s collection.

The four examples found in Guatemala are all females, but appear truly conspecific

with those from Mexico.

21. Pederomimus cribricollis.

Philonthus cribricollis, Er. Gen. et Spec. p. 487°.

Hab. Mexico (coll. Chevrolat)!.—Soutn AMERICA, Colombia !.

I can give no information about this species, which would appear to be extremely

closely allied to P. angusticollis; but I have considerable doubt whether it ought to

be included in our list, as it is extremely questionable to me whether any species of

Pederomimus, especially a rare one, occurs both in Colombia and Mexico.*

22. Pederomimus contractus.

Rufus ; capite superne nigro-snescente ; antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis medio subobscuratis, his femoribus

extrorsum late fuscis; elytris (basi excepta), abdominis postico pectoreque nigricantibus; abdomine ante

apicem flavo-cingulato; prothorace seriebus dorsalibus grosse 6-punctatis; elytris profunde fortius

denseque punctatis.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, San Gerdénimo, Cubilguitz, Cahabon, Chacoj (Champion); Nica-

RAGUA (coll. Sallé).

Antenne rather stout, yellow, with the four or five middle joints brownish, the

penultimate joint not quite so long as broad. Head rather narrow, extremely shining,

brassy black, its punctures very large. Thoracic punctures excessively large, the dorsal

series closely approximate in front, so as to give rise frequently to the appearance of

the space separating them being carinate, each puncture separated from the next only

by a very small space. Elytra very densely and coarsely punctate, but the hind margin

shining; a rather broad band at the base red. The apex of the hind body black, the

black colour being divided just before the extremity by a broad yellow space. Legs

pale yellow, each of the femora broadly dilute black outwardly.

Mr. Champion met with a large series of examples of this species, exhibiting but

little variation ; only one or two examples were met with in each of the other localities.

The example from Nicaragua has the antenne darker in the middle than in the others,

The male can scarcely be distinguished from the female by external characters.

* The species figured under the name of P. cribricollis (Tab. XI. fig. 24) should be referred to P. cribratus.

PHDEROMIMUS. 449

23. Pederomimus confertus.

Rufus ; capite superne plus minusve nigro-subenescente ; pedibus albidis, femoribus extrorsum antennisque in

medio fuscis, elytris apicem versus nigricantibus, abdomine ante apicem plus minusve dilute nigro-tincto ;

prothorace seriebus dorsalibus grosse 6-punctatis; elytris profunde, fortius denseque punctatis.

Long. 6-64 millim.

Hab. Panama, David, Volcan de Chiriqui about 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather stout, a little thickened externally, very pale yellow, the middle five

joints deeply infuscate, the tenth joint just about as long as broad. Head rather

narrow, its punctures coarse. ‘Thorax slender; its punctures very coarse, the two

dorsal series considerably more approximate in front than behind, but not sufficiently

so to give any appearance of carination of the space between them. Elytra short, their

hinder half vaguely black; their punctuation very coarse, close, and deep. Hind body

with the three basal segments much depressed at the base, and in this part with very

evident crenate punctuation.

This species varies in the amount to which the upperside of the head and the

posterior part of the hind body are tinctured with black. There is hardly any

difference between the sexes, the male having only a scarcely perceptible emargination

of the last ventral] plate.

Eight examples were found at David, and two others on the Volcan de Chiriqui.

24. Pederomimus ornatellus.

Angustior, rufus; capite nigro #neo-micante » elytris abdomineque ante apicem nigris, illis basi rufa, hoc apice

flavo; pedibus antennisque testaceis, illis medio atque pectoris lateribus plus minusve infuscatis; thorace

seriebus dorsalibus fortiter 6-punctatis; elytris crebre punctatis.

Long. 73 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

This is a narrow insect, with elongate slender antenne, each joint of which, from the

fourth to the tenth, is evidently shorter than its predecessor, the tenth being, however,

considerably longer than broad. The head is narrow, and extremely shining, and bears

rather numerous coarse punctures, which are absent from the middle. The thorax is

elongate and slender, and the elytra are rather more closely and less coarsely punctate

than in many of the allied species. The hind body has the penultimate segment black,

but yellow behind; the segment preceding it is broadly black behind; the terminal

segment is yellow, its hind margin and the terminal styles slightly infuscate.

Fight examples have been found; the male differs from the female only by a mode-

rately deep notch on the last ventral plate. The species presents no salient points of

distinction from the Amazonian P. aberrans, but has many minor points of difference

in colour, sculpture, and form.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, Aprid 1885. 3 MM

450 STAPHYLINIDA.

25. Pederomimus basipennis.

Angustior, rufus; capite nigro, elytris abdomineque postico nigris, illis basi rufa, hoc ante apicem flavo-cingu-

lato; antennis pedibusque rufis, his tibiisque apicem versus, illis medio, fuscescentibus; thorace seriebus

dorsalibus fortiter 6-punctatis ; elytris crebre fortiter punctatis.

Long. 7} millim.

Hab, Panama, Chiriqui (£7d0e).

This is a species apparently closely allied to P. ornatellus, but with numerous points

of minor distinction; the antenne are less elongate, the penultimate joint being

scarcely longer than broad ; the thorax is rather more slender, and a little more rounded

at the anterior angles; the hind part of the insect is black, with a yellow fascia on the

base of the terminal and hind margins of the penultimate segments dividing the black

colour; and the antenne and legs are infuscate in part. ‘The unique example, which

is in a decayed, and to a certain extent discoloured, condition, is apparently a female.

26. Pederomimus distans. |

Rufus; capite nigro-zneo, elytris [basi excepta] abdomineque ante apicem nigris; antennis minus gracilibus,

basi rufa; prothorace seriebus dorsalibus 7- vel 8-punctatis, inter series has punctis adjectis quatuor ;

pedibus testaceis, nigro-spinulosis.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne rather long and stout, the penultimate joint rather longer than broad.

Head very shining, brassy black, rather narrow; with numerous coarse punctures,

leaving a broad space on the middle quite smooth. ‘Thorax pale red, with a very

slight brassy reflection; with a crowded dorsal series of seven (on one side) or eight

(on the other) large punctures, on the space between these, just behind the middle,

with four other punctures quadrately placed, and also with about seven other large

punctures on each side. Elytra black, rather broadly red at the base, shining, coarsely

punctate, the punctures at the base finer and denser. Hund body with the two penul-

timate segments black, the hind margin of the hinder of them, as well as the terminal

segment, yellow; middle lobe of the armature yellow; apical styles, except at the

extreme base, black. Legs yellow, the tibie slightly infuscate.

This species is a very abnormal one in the genus, the mandibles and palpi being less

slender and elongate than usual, and the prosternum only very indistinctly divided, so

that the genus is doubtful; the basal joint of the hind foot is a good deal longer than

the apical joint. Only one example has been met with, and its sex is uncertain; possibly

it may be a female, and in that case the male might show the species to be an aberrant

mimetic Belonuchus.

27. Pederomimus cribratus. (Pederomimus cribricollis, Tab. XI. fig. 24.)

Rufus; capite, metasterno abdomineque ante apicem nigris; capite superne enescente ; elytris (basi excepta)

PADEROMIMUS. 451

nigricantibus; antennis testaceis, medio subobscuratis; pedibus pallide testaceis, femoribus extrorsum

fuscescentibus; capite thoraceque dense grosse punctatis.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Head shining brassy above, covered with very coarse punctures. Thorax covered

with very coarse punctures, which leave at the base and at the front margin small

spaces along the middle between them smooth. Elytra densely and rather. coarsely

punctate, the punctuation at the hind margin more scanty and finer ; black, with an

obscure brassy tinge, the base rather broadly red. Hind body with the two penulti-

mate segments in greater part black, the apical segment yellow, its hind margin and

the terminal styles infuscate. Underside of the head shining, with numerous coarse

punctures.

Five examples of this remarkably sculptured species were met with. The male

scarcely differs from the female externally.

28. Peederomimus perforatus.

Rufus; capite, metasterno abdomineque ante apicem nigris; capite superne enescente; elytris (basi excepta)

nigricantibus; thorace rufo-eneo; antennis in medio nigricantibus ; pedibus testaceis, tibiis apicem versus

fuscescentibus ; capite thoraceque dense grosse punctatis.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Head very shining, brassy above, covered with very coarse punctures, leaving a

considerable space along the middle in front smooth. Thorax red, but deeply tinctured

with brassy; with very numerous coarse punctures, which do not extend to the base, the

punctures of the two sides of the thorax remain distinct, and not meeting on the middle

except just on the disc. Elytra brassy black, rather broadly red at the base, somewhat

closely and moderately coarsely punctate. Head beneath shining, with only a few

fine punctures.

A single, decayed example is the only one that has been captured: though allied to

P. cribratus this species has numerous good points of distinction, the most striking of

them being the finely and sparingly punctate underside of the head.

29. Pederomimus corrosus, (Tab. XI. fig. 25.)

Fulvus; capite thoraceque rufo-fulvis, illo interdum superne enescente ; elytris (basi excepta) fusco-subeneis ;

antennis testaceis, medio enescentibus; pedibus albido-testaceis, femoribus extrorsum abdomineque ante

apicem fuscescentibus ; capite thoraceque omnium densius grosseque punctatis.

Long. 6} millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather slender and elongate. Head, except on its front margin between

the antenne, entirely covered above with very large closely placed punctures. Thorax

with its very coarse punctuation even denser than that upon the head, so that many of

3 MM 2

452 STAPHYLINIDA.

the punctures are confluent, and with no smooth space along the middle. Elytra

deeply and very densely punctate.

This species is most remarkable on account of its sculpture, and is very Stilicoid in

form. The male differs from the female in having the mandibles much broader, and

the whole of the underside of the head, including the mentum, and the bases of the

maxille and labium covered with a dense fine punctuation, rendering these parts opaque,

and with a minute pubescence; while in the female the parts named are in the normal

condition, the head being shining beneath and bearing coarse punctures; there is no

emargination of the last ventral plate.

Mr. Champion found a series of a dozen examples, under decaying leaves and

vegetable rubbish, on the banks of running streams in the forest of the low country.

The figure is taken from a male.

LINODERUS.

Corpus gracile, haud depressum; antennis pedibusque elongatis, gracilibus. Tarsi posteriores articulo basali

elongato, quam articulus apicalis longiore. Palpi labiales, articulo intermedio sat elongato quam articulus

ultimus paulo longiore. Antenne multo post marginem frontis anteriorem inserte. Cox intermedize

distantes.

I have separated this insect on account of the insertion of the antenne at some

distance behind the front margin of the head; they are not inserted in large cavities, as

in Chroaptomus; and the slender labial palpi, as well as numerous other characters,

distinguish it from the genus just named, to which, indeed, it is not allied by any

other character than the position of insertion of the antenne. ‘The side-piece of the

prothorax is extremely small and moderately inflexed; the prosternum is divided by

a well-marked transverse ridge; the portion behind this ridge is polished and not

strigose. The extremely slender legs have the femora destitute of spines, and the

tibie clothed with long hairs, but with no true spines. The front tarsi are quite

undilated in each sex, and the claws are small.

1. Linoderus gracilipes. (Tab. XII. fig. 2.)

Gracilis, haud depressus, sanguineo-rufus, nitidus; capite elytrisque cyaneo-viridibus ; antennis basi apiceque

testaceis, medio nigricante; tibiis plus minusve nigricantibus; abdominis postico nigro, parce punctato;

thorace seriebus discoidalibus subtiliter 4- vel 5-punctatis.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba? (Champion).

Antenne slender and elongate, with the three basal and the two apical joints yellow,

the three basal joints remarkably elongate. Head narrowed behind the eyes. Thorax

slender, the discoidal and other punctures fine; the number of punctures in each series

may be four, five, or six, five being usual; the anterior one is remote from the others.

Scutellum red, with a few coarse punctures. Hind body slender, quite sparingly punctate,

the two terminal segments and the armature black. Under surface of the head with a

PESCOLINUS. 453

single large puncture on the middle of each side. In the male the head is densely and

finely punctate and clothed with an upright pubescence; the antenne are longer than

they are in the female; and the last ventral plate is longer in the middle behind, and

marked at the apex by a broad shallow angular notch, each side of which forms an

angle, as the notch extends the whole width of the prolonged portion of the plate;

the anal styles are twice or three times as broad as they are in the female.

A fine series of this graceful insect was procured; the male is figured. As all the

few specimens labelled Bugaba were amongst Mr. Champion’s duplicates, I think it

probable there has been a mistake in labelling, and that the insect has only been found

on the Volcan de Chiriqui.

Mr. Champion states that it is found in moss and fungi on trees.

PESCOLINUS.

Corpus gracile, minus depressum, late coloratum. Palpi graciles, elongati, labialium articulo intermedio quam

articulus basalis fere duplo longiore. Prosternum anterius transversim divisum. Coxe intermedis parum

distantes. Tarsi anteriores marum sat dilatati, subtus longissime hirtelli.

This genus is established for an elegant insect of Pederoid colours, differing from its

immediate allies amongst the Philonthus group of genera by the slight separation of

the intermediate coxe and by the peculiar structure of the front tarsi of the males.

The prothoracic lateral seta is removed from the examples at my disposition; but there

can be no doubt that, owing to the great deflection of the thoracic marginal line, the

seta must be placed at a considerable distance therefrom. The division of the proster-

num into two parts is very definite, and the posterior portion is obsoletely and not

finely transversely striate. The hind tarsi are very elongate, the basal joint being quite

as long as the apical.

1. Pescolinus palmatus. (Tab. XII. fig. 3.)

Gracilis, nitidissimus, omnium parcissime punctatus, sanguineo-rufus; capite abdominisque apice nigris, illo

superne viridi-micante ; pedibus nigris; tarsis, coxis omnibus femorumque summis basibus rufis; antennis

in medio fuscis; elytris viridibus, basi rufa; prothorace seriebus dorsalibus 4-punctatis.

Long. 94 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne slender, the penultimate joint longer than broad. Head a little narrowed

behind the eyes, the upper surface with a few not coarse punctures. Thorax

elongate and slender, very shining, red, the dorsal series consisting of about four, rather

fine, widely separated punctures, in addition to which there are five or six punctures

on each side. Elytra elongate, finely and extremely sparingly punctured, of a blackish

green colour, with the base [and scutellum] red, very shining. Hind body slender, very

little punctured, the three terminal segments and the armature black.

The male has the front tarsi dilated, and furnished beneath with very long divergent

454 STAPHYLINID A.

hairs; the last ventral plate is prolonged in the middle, so as to form an abrupt lobe,

the hind margin of which is feebly emarginate; the anal styles are dilated, except at

the base, and the peculiar structure of the last ventral plate evidently influences their

movements.

Only three examples of this elegant insect have been found. The female is unknown.

ODONTOLINUS.

Palpi labiales articulo secundo quam ultimus breviore. Prosternum anterius transversim carinato-divisum.

Coxe intermedize late distantes. Tarsorum unguiculi basi appendiculata.

This genus is characterized by the possession of a structure absent from all the allies,

viz. the claws of the tarsi being furnished with a tooth beneath. The tarsi are slender,

but somewhat deplanate, and are very pubescent beneath, the basal joint of the hinder

pair being much longer than the apical joint. The lateral line of the thorax is placed

quite on its under surface, the lateral seta being thus remote from the marginal line;

the true side-piece is very small. The male of the unique species has the hind femora

spinose at the base, the front ones with several short spines in the middle. Thus the

characters of the genus, independent of the unguicular structure, are a mixture of

those found in Belonuchus and Pederomimus. |

1. Odontolinus fasciatus. (Tab. XII. fig. 4.)

Subdepressus, nitidus, rufo-testaceus ; elytris (basi excepta) abdomineque ante apicem nigris; prothorace

seriebus dorsalibus 2-punctatis ; elytris parce minus fortiter punctatis.

Long. 9 millim,

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet

(Champion).

Although this insect has almost the coloration of Pederomimus salvini and P. nigri-

pennis, it is distinguishable at a glance by the great diminution of the number of punctures

on the thorax, there being only two in each of the dorsal series (one just behind the

middle, the other some little distance behind the front margin), and two or three

lateral punctures, all of them being fine. The scutellum is closely and finely punctate,

but there are very few punctures on the elytra, and only two or three on each side of

the head; the latter is canaliculate along the middle in front. The two black fascize

on this insect are remarkably definite.

The male has the front femora spinose in the middle beneath, and a small patch of

black spines at the base of each of the hind femora, but there is no emargination of

the last ventral plate; an example of this sex is figured.

Ten examples were taken at Bugaba, and one on the Volcan de Chiriqui.

MUSICODERUS. 455

MUSICODERUS.

Palpi elongati, labiales articulo intermedio perelongato quam articulus basalis triplo longiore. Prothorax

parum elongatus, lateribus valde deflexis. Prosternum anterius transversim divisum, parte anteriore

brevi, parte posteriore evidenter strigosa. Coxe intermedie distantes. Tarsi posteriores graciles,

articulo basali quam ultimus paulo breviore. Femora maris breviter spinosa.

This genus will be distinguished from Belonuchus by the great elongation of the middle

joint of the labial palpi, and by the much deflexed sides of the prothorax, as well as by

the strigose posterior part of the prosternum. Musicoderus is equally close to Pedero-

mimus, but has a different form of prothorax, this being abbreviate rather than

elongate, and by the great elongation of the middle joint of the labial palpi; in this

last character certain aberrant species I have at present placed in Paederomimus

(e.g. P. nobilis) approximate to it. Although the division of the prosternum into two

parts is not indicated by any definite carina, yet the condition of the surface of the two

parts is so different as to render the two very distinct, the strigosity of the hinder part

being probably better developed than in any of the Pederomimi; the bases of the front

coxee near the strigose portion of the prosternum are also strigose, and I have no doubt

this indicates a stridulatory function of these parts, for when the loosely articulated

coxa is turned forwards the two strigose parts come into apposition.

The genus is no doubt peculiar to Tropical America, and will comprise, in addition

to the species here described, one or two nondescript Peruvian species.

1. Musicoderus cephalotes. (Tab. XII. fig. 5.)

Niger; abdomine apice flavo; antennis articulo ultimo ferrugineo; capite subcirculari; prothorace parum

elongato, seriebus dorsalibus 5-punctatis, nitidissimo ad angulos anteriores, et ad latera deflexa dense

subtilissime punctulato; elytris parce punctatis, singulo prope scutelli apicem impresso.

Long. 10-11 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

Antenne very slender, the basal joint very elongate, the penultimate joint much

longer than broad. Head large, with numerous coarse punctures, which are absent along

the middle in front, and with numerous, finer, subobsolete punctures at the rounded

hind angles. Thorax rather small, narrowed behind, the anterior angles rounded,

convex, the deflexed sides finely punctulate, and on each side of the middle with a

dorsal series of five punctures, the anterior and posterior of these punctures being more

separated than the others; between the dorsal series and the fine lateral punctuation

there are five or six other punctures. Elytra very intense black, shining, rather finely

and sparingly punctate, with a depression on each side of the apex of the scutellum ;

this latter very densely and finely punctate. Hind body moderately closely punctate ;

the terminal segment, the hind margin of that preceding it, and also the armature,

yellow.

The male has two series of short, distant spines along the hind margin of the

456 STAPHYLINIDA,

posterior femora, and the front femora are armed with longer spines; there is no emar-

gination of the last ventral segment. The female has no true spines on the hind femora,

and those on the front femora are fewer and shorter than they are in the male.

Mr. Champion captured about a dozen examples; the male is figured.

2. Musicoderus gracilis.

Niger; abdomine apice flavo, antennis articulis duobus ultimis albido-testaceis ; capite subcirculari; prothorace

parum elongato, seriebus dorsalibus 5-punctatis, nitidissimo ad angulos anteriores et ad latera deflexa

dense subtilissime punctulato; elytris parcius punctatis, singulo prope scutelli apicem impresso.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Nicaraeva, Chontales (Janson).

Although only a solitary female example has been received, I have no doubt that it

indicates a distinct species, though it is exceedingly similar to MW. cephalotes; it is a

little more slender, and has the elytra more sparingly punctate, and the two terminal

joints of the antenne remarkably definitely pale in contrast with the other joints,

which are quite black. The spines on the front femora of this female are only three

in number, and being quite short readily elude observation.

PADERALLUS.

Corpus subdepressum, fragile; antennis, pedibus palpisque elongatis, gracilibus. Prothorax lateribus deflexis,

margine laterali oculto. Tarsi posteriores subtus longius setoselli, unguiculis magnis.

The curious insect for which I propose this generic name is allied to such aberrant

Philonthi (e.g. P. serpentinus) as have the prothorax slender and the marginal seta

remote from the lateral margin; but in the insects I have just mentioned, the sides

of the thorax are less deflexed, and the peculiar structure of the legs and claws is

not developed: moreover, as the Philonthi in question will have to be removed from

the genus when it can be submitted to a revision, this need not militate against the

separation of the very peculiar Pederallus. There is probably an elongate lateral seta

placed far from the prothoracic margin, but in the examples at my disposition this is

removed. The sides of the thorax are so much deflexed that when viewed from above

no part of the lateral margin can be seen., The prothoracic side-piece, though very

small, is not displayed as in Pederomimus, but is inflexed as it is in Philonthus. The

mesosternum is much produced between the coxe, and terminates in a very acute point,

the middle coxz being contiguous. The hind legs are remarkably elongate, the femora

being thickest at the base, the tibize without spinules, the basal joint of the tarsi a

good deal shorter than the apical joint; the rather elongate claws are evidently of

unequal thickness. Although the palpi are slender and rather elongate, I anticipate

the genus will prove to be allied to Actobius rather than to Philonthus.

PEDERALLUS.—ACTOBIUS. 457

1. Peederallus fragilis. (Tab. XII. fig. 1.)

Gracilis, subdepressus, nigricans ; capite thoraceque dense subtiliter punctatis, hoc linea mediali, angusta levi-

gata; elytris subtiliter minus dense, abdomine ecrebrius, punctatis; pedibus fuscis.

Long. 9-10 millim.

Hab. Panama, Pefia Blanca 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne reaching nearly to the extremity of the elytra ; the joints very elongate, each

of the fourth to the tenth slightly more slender in the middle than at the base and apex.

Head rather narrow, greatly rounded at the hind angles; the eyes not occupying half

the sides; the surface closely punctate, without a smooth space. Thorax slender, much

narrower than the elytra, narrowed behind, punctate like the head, but with a narrow

smooth line along the middle. Scutellum densely but indistinctly punctate. Llytra

black, rather shining, rather closely and finely but very distinctly punctate. Hind body

acuminate at the apex, densely punctate, the punctuation rather coarse, especially at

the bases of the segments.

Three examples only have been found; they all have the front tarsi simple, and

offer no indication of their sex; they are unfortunately in a condition of imperfect

preservation.

ACTOBIUS.

Erichsonius, Fauvel, Faune Gal.-rhen. iii. p. 427 (nom. preoc.).

Actobius, Fauvel, idem Supp. p. 72.

Bisnius, Thoms. (nec Leach) Skand. Col. ii. p. 168; Rey, Col. Fr. Staphyliniens, p. 489.

This genus comprises about forty species, and has a wide distribution in each hemi-

sphere, but is probably more numerous in species in the New World than in the Old,

Dr. Horn having just discriminated twenty-three species in the North-American fauna.

These insects are of riparial habits, frequenting the margins of streams and moist places ;

they are all of small size, and the species are frequently extremely similar and difficult

to distinguish. Hence it will probably prove the case that some species that have been

supposed to be found in widely separated localities have been incorrectly identified.

1. Actobius fortis.

Major, nigerrimus, nitidus, femoribus basi fuscescentibus ; capite thoraceque crebrius fortiter punctatis, nitidulis ;

elytris crebrius minus subtiliter punctatis, nitidulis, vix perspicue subchalybeis.

Long. 74 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet

(Champion).

Antenne slender, black, the penultimate joint slightly longer than broad. Head

very distinctly punctate, with only an extremely small space on the middle smooth.

Thorax quite straight at the sides, punctured like the head, with a narrow sharply

defined space along the middle smooth.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, May 1885. 3 NN

458 STAPHYLINIDZA.

The male front tarsi are moderately dilated, and there is a small narrow notch on the

last ventral plate. |

This species is readily distinguished by its stature and broad form; the middle cox

are more widely separated than in other species. Only two examples have been found.

2. Actobius facilis.

Major, niger, nitidulus; pedibus fuscis, femoribus pallide testaceis; capite thoraceque crebrius fortiter, elytris

subtilius, punctatis.

Long. 63 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne slender, with the basal joints more than usually elongate, the penultimate

joint quite as long as broad. Head rather elongate, a little narrowed behind, closely

and rather coarsely punctate. Thorax intense black, extremely shining, its punctuation

coarse and close. Elytra shining, sparingly and rather finely punctate.

The male front tarsi are moderately dilated, and there is a small but distinct notch

on the last ventral plate, the quite small space in front of the notch being smooth and

shining.

This is another rather distinct species, with hind tarsi longer than usual. Only one

example has been found.

3. Actobius concolor.

Niger, nitidulus ; pedibus fuscis, femoribus fusco-testaceis ; capite thoraceque crebrius fortiter, elytris crebrius

subtiliter, punctatis.

Long. 67 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet, Pefia Blanca 3000 to 4000 feet

(Champion).

Antenne rather stout, the penultimate joint scarcely so long as broad. Head rather

broad, rather closely and deeply punctate. Thorax quite straight at the sides, punctate

like the head, the medial smooth space definite and distinct. Elytra shining, their

punctuation differing little at the base and apex, not dense.

The male front tarsi are moderately dilated, and there is a small notch on the last

ventral plate.

A series of a dozen examples was found on the Volcan de Chiriqui, and a single

example at Pefia Blanca.

4, Actobius arduus.

Angustulus, parallelus, niger ; pedibus pallide testaceis ; antennis fuscis, basi sordide testaceis ; capite thoraceque

crebrius fortiter punctatis; elytris quam prothorax longioribus, minus dense subtilius punctatis, margine

posteriore vage pallidescente.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato, Cordova, Puebla (Sallé), Mirador, Tehuacan, Jalapa

ACTOBIUS. 459

(Hoge); GuATEMALA, near the city, San Gerdénimo, Torola, Senahu, Balheu, Tactic,

Panajachel 5000 feet, Cerro Zunil 4000 feet (Champion); Panama, San Miguel in the

Pearl Islands (Champion).

This is a slender species, with rather long and narrow head. The antenne are rather

slender with the tenth joint nearly as long as broad, the terminal joint elongate. The

oblong thorax is quite straight at the side, and bears numerous distinct but not coarse

punctures, a space along the middle being smooth; the elytra are elongate, a good deal

longer than the thorax, their punctuation rather fine and somewhat distant, and have a

scanty flavescent pubescence ; the hind body has also a flavescent pubescence. The legs

are pale yellow, the front tibie slightly fuscescent, and the coxe fuscous. The male

has the front tarsi a good deal dilated, and a slight emargination of the last ventral

plate; the surface in front of the emargination is, as it were, obliquely shaved off.

A large number of examples have been found, and amongst these a considerable

number of variations, but I have not been able to discriminate more than one species ;

the most remarkable of the varieties is an example from Puebla, in which the elytra are

shorter, and the punctuation of the head and thorax more obsolete than in the type.

The flavescent hind margin of the elytra is always very narrow, and in immature

examples appears merely as a picescent condition of the posterior part of the wing-cases.

5. Actobius agnatus.

Philonthus agnatus, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 513'*; Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ross. v. p. 1877’.

Actobius agnatus, Horn, Tr. Am. Ent. Soe. xi. p. 229°.

Hab. Nortu America, Louisiana !.—Mexico ?.—Sovuta AMERICA, Colombia’.

I have not seen any example from within the limits of our fauna agreeing with

Erichson’s description. A. arduus is probably nearest to A. agnatus, but among the

numerous variations of the former species there is none that accords with the description

alluded to.

6. Actobius simplex.

Angustulus, parallelus, fuscus ; capite elytrisque nigricantibus ; pedibus sordide testaceis, coxis concoloribus;

antennis gracilibus ; capite, thorace elytrisque crebrius punctatis.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Mirador (H6ge).

Antenne slender, black, with the base only indistinctly paler, the tenth joint quite

as long as broad. Head rather long and narrow, with rounded hind angles. Thorax

narrow and elongate, with its punctuation coarse and rather close, so that the smooth

space along the middle is unusually definite. Elytra elongate, black, finely but not

very closely punctate. Hind body fuscous red.

The male front tarsi are moderately dilated, the last ventral plate only very slightly

3 NN 2

460. STAPHYLINIDA.

emarginate, but with a small smooth angular space in front of it; the female is

unknown.

The only example found is possibly immature, and its colour when mature might be

nearly all black. Though very closely allied to A. arduus it is distinguished by

numerous slight peculiarities.

7. Actobius mixtus.

fordide rufus; capite elytrisque nigricantibus, horum apice, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis ; pectore

abdominisque apice fuscis ; thorace crebre fortiter, elytris parcius, punctatis, his nitidulis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Vera Cruz, Tehuacan (Hoge); GuateMaLa, San Gerdénimo

(Champion). |

Antenne fuscous yellow, with the three basal joints clear yellow; moderately long, not

stout, the penultimate joint not quite so long as broad. Head rather coarsely punctate,

with a rather broad space along the middle impunctate. Thorax slender, slightly

narrowed behind, very shining, infuscate red, somewhat sparingly and coarsely punctate,

with a rather broad space along the middle smooth. Elytra shining, dilute black, with

the hind margin rather broadly pale, and the sutural region frequently obscurely paler,

sparingly and rather finely punctate. Hind body sordid red, with the two terminal

segments more or less infuscate.

The male has a small notch on the last ventral plate, and its front tarsi rather

strongly dilated.

Only four examples have been received from Mexico, but Mr. Champion secured

eighteen specimens at San Gerénimo.

8. Actobius nitidulus. (Tab. XII. fig. 6.)

Angustus, niger, parce pubescens et punctatus; elytris margine posteriore pedibusque pallide testaceis, antennis

sordide testaceis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city, San Gerdnimo (Champion).

Antenne dark yellow, the penultimate joint not quite so long as broad. Head

sparingly punctured, with a broad space on the middle smooth. Thorax narrow, a

good deal narrower than the elytra, evidently narrowed behind, with two widely

separated series of punctures along the middle, and with a few lateral punctures.

Hind body slightly broader from the base till beyond the middle, the basal segments

each very deeply transversely depressed at the base, each segment with the hind margin

more or less definitely pallid.

This species is a very distinct one, the sparing punctuation and the less parallel form

distinguishing it satisfactorily from its congeners in our fauna. The punctuation on

the wing-cases is almost confined to the basal part, becoming so very scanty and obsolete

ACTOBIUS. 461

behind that the terminal half may be said to be impunctate. The dilatation of the

male front tarsi is but slight, and there is only a small notch on the last ventral plate.

A good series of examples has been obtained.

9. Actobius politus.

Angustus, parce punctatus et pubescens, nitidulus, fusco-rufus; capite elytrisque nigricantibus, his margine

apicali pedibusque pallide testaceis; abdomine apicem versus nigricante, antennarum basi testacea.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Mexico (fohr).

This little insect is closely allied to A. nitidulus, and like it has the punctuation of

the head, thorax, and elytra much reduced, there being only a few punctures on each ;

it is, however, readily distinguished by the more pallid coloration, in which respect it

more resembles A. mixtus. ‘The single example received is also smaller than any

specimen of A. nitidulus; it is I believe a female.

10. Actobius delicatulus. (Tab. XII. fig. 7.)

Angustulus, nitidus, minus parallelus, rufus; capite nigro, elytris nigricantibus, margine apicali pedibusque

testaceis; abdomine apicem versus fusco-cingulato, pectore infuscato; antennis sordide testaceis, basi

diluta ; capite thoraceque crebre minus fortiter, elytris parce obsoleteque, punctatis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, Pantaleon 1700 feet, Paso Antonio 400 feet (Champion).

This species is very distinct from any of the others described here ; it is of narrow, slender

form, the penultimate joint of the antenne about as long as broad, the head rather narrow,

and the punctuation on it as well as on the thorax neither coarse nor close; the elytral

punctuation is obsolete and distant, but the pubescence is quite distinct, and the hind

margin is broadly yellow. The hind body is a little narrowed near the base; it is of a

rather dusky red colour, the terminal and penultimate segments more or less definitely

marked with fuscous, the colour between these two patches being yellow rather than

red. The tarsi are rather elongate.

The male front tarsi are but little dilated, and the notch on the last ventral plate is

but small.

Three examples were found at Pantaleon and four at Paso Antonio.

11. Actobius alternans. (Tab. XII. fig. 8.)

Parallelus, minus nitidus, rufo-testaceus ; capite, elytris, pectore abdominisque apice, nigris; antennis sordide

testaceis, basi diluta ; capite thoraceque crebre fortiter, elytris dense subtiliter, punctatis.

Long. 5-6 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, San Gerénimo, Torola, Paso Antonio (Champion).

Antenne stout, not elongate, penultimate joints distinctly transverse. Head quadrate,

coarsely and rather closely punctate, with a space along the middle smooth. Thoracic

462 STAPHYLINIDA.

punctuation similar to that of the head. Elytra closely and finely punctate, not

shining. Hind body densely and extremely finely punctate, the transverse impression

at the base of each of the basal four segments deep, but with only indistinct crenate

punctuation.

The male front tarsi are much dilated, and there is a broad not deep emargination on

the last ventral plate ; the front tarsi of the female are a good deal dilated.

HOLISUS.

Holisus, Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 298.

Piestomorphus, Motschoulsky, Bull. Mosc. 1858, ii. p. 666, t. 1. f. d.

This is a genus peculiar to Tropical America, where it ranges from Mexico to Rio de

Janeiro, and has included hitherto eleven species. It is a very peculiar genus without

any close ally, and its components are apparently insects of great rarity, being only

occasionally met with, and then only in one or two examples; the species are appa-

rently very closely allied, external sexual characters being confined to a difference in

the medial lobe of the terminal armature; so that under these circumstances the species

can only be ,at present very imperfectly differentiated. Mr. Champion tells me that

these insects are subcortical in their habits, as, indeed, might have been inferred from

their very depressed flat form.

1. Holisus protensus.

Depressus, nigerrimus, nitidus; coxis anterioribus rufis, tarsis piceis, capite oblongo-quadrato, crebrius fortiter

punctato; thorace brevi; elytris crebre subtiliter punctatis.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. GuateMALA, San Gerénimo, Rio Maria Linda (Champion).

Head oblong, with numerous punctures on the front, and others on each side, leaving

a rather large triangular space on the middle free from punctuation. Thorax short, a

good deal shorter than broad, narrowed behind, hind angles very obtuse; there is a

channel in the middle behind, and the lateral punctures are rather numerous. The

elytra are not elongate, and their punctuation is fine and not close. The hind body is

much narrowed behind, rather coarsely and not closely punctate. Metasternum chan-

nelled in the middle behind, and with a rather large fovea on the channel.

Three examples have been met with. The best characters for distinguishing the

species are the moderately elongate head, the unusually stout antenne, and the intense

black colour, with which the rufous anterior coxe form a strong contrast.

2. Holisus confinis.

Depressus, nigro-piceus, nitidus ; tarsis piceis, capite oblongo-quadrato, crebrius fortiter punctato ; thorace brevi ;

elytris crebrius subtiliusque punctatis.

Long. 7 millim.

HOLISUS. 463

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Very closely allied to H. protensus, and distinguished, so far as I can see, only by the

slight characters mentioned in the diagnosis, and the less stout antenne; the most

important of the distinctions is the finer and closer punctuation of the wing-cases.

8. Holisus solskyi.

? Holisus ater, Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ross, v. p. 141' (nec Motsch.).

Depressus, niger, nitidus; pedibus piceis, capite oblongo-quadrato, crebrius fortiter punctato ; elytris crebrius

minus subtiliter punctatis, apicem versus picescentibus ; abdomine fortiter punctato.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Mexico !, Cordova (Sallé).

This is extremely similar to H. protensus, but is readily distinguished by the greater

number of punctures on the head and thorax; on the former these are so numerous that

the medial triangular space is only indefinite, while those on the front part are not recog-

nizable as forming three patches; there is no channel on the base of the thorax behind,

and this segment is longer and narrower than it is in H. protensus. The metasternum

is channelled but not foveolate behind.

Three examples have been obtained. The present species is certainly not the

Piestomorphus ater, Motschoulsky; that species is found in Colombia, and our insect

does not agree with Motschoulsky’s description. Although Solsky’s record of H. ater,

Motsch., as a Mexican insect is probably erroneous, yet it is possible that he may not

have referred to the present species; but in the absence of any indication of the

occurrence of a second species in Mexico, we naturally treat his record as referring to

the one known.

4. Holisus prolixus. (Tab. XII. fig. 9.)

Depressus, nigerrimus, nitidus; pedibus piceis, capite subquadrato, crebre fortiter punctato; thorace brevi ;

elytris crebre subtiliter punctatis.

Long. 63-7 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cahabon, and San Jian in Vera Paz (Champion).

Of slender, elongate form, with the hind body gradually narrowed towards the apex.

The head is very shining and its punctures are coarse, and consist of a large patch on

each side behind, and three smaller patches on the front; the anterior of these is on

the middle of the front, and consists of three closely placed punctures. The thoracic

punctures are coarse but not numerous; and the punctuation of the elytra and hind

body is not coarse, and is moderately close; on the under surface of the latter it is

denser and coarser.

This is very closely allied to H. protensus, but is smaller and more slender, and the

punctures on the head are less numerous. Four examples were met with. The one

figured is a female found at Cahabon.

464 STAPHYLINIDA.

5. Holisus atratulus.

Angustus, depressus, nigerrimus, nitidulus, pedibus nigro-piceis; capite oblongo-quadrato, crebrius fortiter

punctato; prothorace minus brevi; elytris crebrius subtiliter, abdomine minus subtiliter, punctatis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador 2500 feet, Capetillo (Champion).

Closely allied to H. prolixus, but considerably smaller and narrower, with less

transverse thorax, more numerous punctures on the head, and rather closer punctuation

of the elytra and hind body.

Two examples were found at El Tumbador, one at Capetillo.

6. Holisus filum.

Parvus, omnium maxime depressus, angustus, parallelus, flavus; elytris fuscescentibus ; capite thoraceque

crebrius punctatis, hoc linea mediali levigata ; elytris dense subtilius punctatis.

Long. 3 millim,

Hab. GuateMALA, Teleman in the Polochic valley (Champion).

Antenne entirely yellow. Head quadrate, with numerous coarse punctures, leaving a

longitudinal space along the middle smooth, and in front indefinitely canaliculate.

Thorax with rather numerous coarse punctures evenly distributed, but leaving a space

along the middle smooth. Elytra very closely and finely, hind body extremely finely,

punctate.

Only one example has been found of this distinct, minute species.

7. Holisus pallens.

Parvus, depressus, rufescens ; capite, elytris abdomineque fuscescentibus ; capite thoraceque crebrius fortiter

punctatis, hoc linea mediali levigata; elytris abdomineque subtiliter fere dense punctatis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

This little insect has the thorax unusually long, it being about as long as the head;

it resembles in most respects H. filum, and has a similar punctuation on the head and

thorax, but the elytra and hind body are less densely and finely punctured. Only one

example has been met with.

8. Holisus rufipes.

Nigro-piceus, nitidus ; pedibus antennarumque basi rufis; abdomine piceo apicem versus dilutiore, rufo ; capite

oblongo ; prothorace minus brevi ; elytris nitidulis, minus crebre et minus fortiter punctatis; abdomine

dense fortiterque punctato.

Long. 6—7 millim.

Hab. GuateMaa, San Gerénimo 3000 feet (Champion).

Head very shining, its punctures not coarse, and not distinctly arranged in patches,

HOLISUS. 465

without impression on the front margin in the middle. Thorax rather elongate, as long

as broad, the punctures on either side not very numerous, and not coarse.

This species has the head rather longer than is usual, and the hind body more coarsely

and densely punctate. Only two examples have been found.

9. Holisus oblitus. (Tab. XII. fig. 10.)

Angustulus, depressus, niger; elytris sordide testaceis, basi nigricante, pedibus fuscis; abdominis segmento

ultimo posterius plus minusve anguste rufo ; capite thoraceque crebrius punctatis; elytris dense subtiliter,

abdomine dense fortiter, punctatis.

Long. 5-6 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, near the city, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet, Purula (Cham-

pion).

Head quadrate, black, its punctures very numerous so that the medial smooth

space is greatly reduced and obscure. ‘Thorax rather short, its punctures numerous.

Elytra elongate, densely and not finely punctate, the punctures being rather deep and

definite. Hind body black, the hind margins of the segments more or less distinctly

ferruginous, the terminal segment more broadly so than the others.

Eight examples have been found; of these four from Cerro Zunil and two from

Guatemala city agree pretty closely ; the one from Capetillo has the hind body blacker,

while, on the contrary, the example from Purula has the terminal segment entirely

rufescent, and the hind margin of the one preceding rather broadly of that colour.

The example figured is a male found at Cerro Zunil.

10. Holisus elatus. (Tab. XII. fig. 11.)

Latior, depressus, nitidus, rufus ; capite nigro, abdominis segmentis basalibus late fuscescentibus ; elytris sub-

opacis, crebre subtiliter punctatis.

Long. 7 miliim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui

(Champion).

Head quadrate, its punctures numerous and coarse; the triangular central space free

from punctures is large, and the anterior punctures form three definite patches. Thorax

greatly narrowed behind, its punctures moderately numerous. LElytra dull, of a more

pallid red colour than the thorax. Hind body coarsely and closely, the apical segments

more sparingly, punctate.

The two examples found at San Gerénimo differ somewhat in the extent of develop-

ment of the black colour of the hind body: the one figured is the darker of these. The

examples from Bugaba are a good deal narrower than the type, and the two from the

Volcan de Chiriqui are also slight varieties.

BIOL, CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, May 1885. 3 OO

466 STAPHYLINIDA.

11. Holisus eleusoides.

Testaceus, depressus; capite nigricante, thorace piceo; antennis fuscis, basi rufa; elytris dense subtiliter

punctatis.

Long. 53-6 millim.

Hab. Guavemata, Las Mercedes 3000 feet, Cerro Zunil 4000-5000 feet (Champion).

Head very shining, its punctures rather coarse but not numerous, and absent from

a longitudinal space along the middle. Thorax rather elongate, greatly narrowed

behind; its hind angles obtuse, not rounded ; its punctures not very coarse and not

very numerous, consisting (on each side) of seven or eight in an irregular series, and

eight to ten outside of these. Elytra pallid yellow, dull, densely and finely punctate.

Hind body rather broad, entirely yellow, rather closely, moderately coarsely punctate.

Only one example was found in each locality.

Group XANTHOLININA.

DIOCHUS.

Diochus, Kirichson, Gen. et Spec. p. 300.

This is a genus with a wide distribution, although only about twelve species are

known; it has been found in Australia, India, Southern Europe, and the United

States of North America, as well as in South America. The species are minute insects,

with feeble external specific characters, and are found, Mr. Champion informs me, on

the sandy banks of streams.

1. Diochus nanus.

Diochus nanus, Er. Gen. et Spec. p. 301°.

Hab. GuateMana, Paraiso 800 feet (Champion); Panama, San Miguel in the Pearl

Islands (Champion).—Sovutn America, Colombia}.

A series of sixteen examples exhibiting no notable variation was secured in the

Pearl Islands. The unique example from Paraiso is a very small pallid variety.

2. Diochus inornatus. (Tab. XII. fig. 12.)

Piceus, nitidus; prothorace dilutiore, abdomine piceo-testaceo ; antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis parum

elongatis, articulis penultimis transversis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab, Nicaracva, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba 800-1500 feet, Tolé, Pefia

Blanca 3000-4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne entirely yellow, rather stout, a little thickened externally ; second and third

joints subequal in length, fourth about as long as broad, seventh to tenth transverse.

Head piceous, rather small. Thorax longer than broad, narrower than the elytra, very

DIOCHUS.—AGRODES. 467

shining, of a dilute piceous colour, with four punctures placed near one another on the

middle behind, and with five other punctures on each side. Elytra shorter than the

thorax, shining, with but few punctures. Hind body quite dull, very densely and

finely punctate, fusco-piceous ; the segments ferruginous behind, and more broadly so

at the extremity.

This species differs from D. nanus by its larger size and much larger antenna, these

being both longer and stouter. Five examples in all were secured; the one figured

was found at Pefia Blanca.

8. Diochus schaumi.

Diochus schaumi, Krz. Wien. ent. Monat. iv. 1860, p. 27}.

Hab. Norra America, Louisiana 1.—GuatemaLa, Paso Antonio 400 feet, Paraiso 300

feet, San Joaquin in Vera Paz (Champion) ; Nicaragua, Managua (Sadlé).

4. Diochus vilis.

Angustus, nigro-piceus, nitidus; abdomine apice dilutiore, antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque testaceis; capite

parvo, angustulo; antennis minus crassis, articulis penultimis leviter transversis; abdomine subtiliter,

segmento ultimo parce, punctato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city (Champion).

This species is very closely allied to D. schaumi, but is slightly smaller and of darker

colour, with a narrower head and rather more feeble antenne; the elytra are a little

longer, and the punctuation of the hind body is not quite so dense and fine.

Only two examples were met with.

AGRODES.

Agrodes, Nordmann, Symb. p. 161; Sharp, Trans, Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 192.

Sterculia, Krichson, Gen. et Spec. p. 301 (pars).

This genus is no doubt confined to the regions of Tropical America, where specimens

of four species have been procured, two being from the valley of the Amazons.

1. Agrodes longicornis. (Tab. XII. fig. 13.)

Cyaneus, nitidus; abdomine corporeque subtus viridescentibus ; capite fere clliptico, rugoso-punctato, posterius

nitido et obsolete punctato; prothorace obsolete subtiliter punctato; elytris setis subtilibus erectis sat

dense vestitis.

Long. 20 millim.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt).

Antenne slender, extending backwards as far as three fourths of the length of the

thorax. Head with the vertex narrowed to the neck bya rather gentle curve, which

does not extend forwards more than one fourth of the length; eyes convex, surface

3 00 2

468 STAPHYLINIDA.

deeply and coarsely rugosely punctate, but the punctuation on the narrowed portion is

obsolete, so that the surface there is shining. ‘Thorax slender, a good deal narrowed

from the middle towards the front, and very slightly towards the base; the surface

very shining, very finely punctate, and with a broad impunctate space along the middle.

Elytra as long as the thorax, only minutely punctate, but with an erect black hair

arising from each puncture.

The sex of the unique individual is uncertain.

STERCULIA.

Sterculia, Laporte, Etudes Ent. p. 118; Erichson, Gen. et Spec. p. 301.

This is another Tropical American genus of large and brilliant Staphylinide ; I have

already excluded from it Agrodes, which was improperly sunk by Erichson, and I propose

also to further limit it by the establishment of Plochionocerus for 8. formicaria and its

allies. With these reductions the genus will still consist of about fifteen species, found

in various parts of Tropical America.

Mr. Champion captured most of the specimens he met with flying over dead leaves

in the sunny openings in the forests.

1. Sterculia fulgens.

Areocnemus fulgens, Nordm. Symb. p. 164’.

Sterculia fulgens, Er. Gen. et Spec. p. 303 °.

? Staphylinus fulgens, Fabr. Ent. Syst. i. pt. 2, p. 522°.

Hab. Mrxico!? (Flohr, Guérin-Meneville), Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hége).—? Soutu

America, Cayenne °.

The nine examples before me vary slightly in colour and in the length of the

mandibles, the differences in this latter respect bemg probably sexual. It is very

doubtful whether this be really the Fabrician species, the only evidence to that effect

being Erichson’s belief that the insect he described? agreed with the description given

by Fabricius ®. I doubt extremely whether our Mexican species will be found to occur

in Cayenne; and if not, it will be necessary to give it a fresh name, a course which need

not be adopted, however, till the evidence is more complete.

2. Sterculia mandibularis.

Cyaneo-purpurea, nitida ; thorace quam elytra paulo breviore ; capite oblongo-elliptico, minus angusto, densissime

minus grosse punctato, subtus disperse minus grosse punctato ; mandibulis elongatis, capitis longitudine.

Long. 22 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne moderately long, penultimate joint strongly transverse, not in the least

longer than the one preceding it; terminal joint rather short. Head very densely and

STERCULIA. 469

deeply punctate, the ocelli of the punctures unusually indistinct. Mandibles very

nearly as long as the head. Elytra finely and sparingly punctate.

This species is very closely allied to 8. fulgens, Er., and has a similar structure of

the antenne, but it has longer mandibles, a rather broader head, and the punctures on

the under surface of this are less coarse and numerous and scattered irregularly over

its surface. I have seen only two examples from Mexico and one from Nicaragua.

3. Sterculia basalis.

Viridis, nitida; capite thoraceque cyaneo-viridibus ; capite oblongo-elliptico, minus angusto, densissime minus

grosse punctato, subtus disperse minus grosse punctato, mandibulis elongatis; elytris quam thorax longio-

ribus, basi subtiliter rugoso-punctata.

Long. 20 millim.

Hab. Mexico (ex coll. Guérin-Meneville), Jalapa (Hége).

This species, of which I have seen only one typical example, of the male sex, agrees

with S. mandibularis in the structure of the antenne and the elongate mandibles, but

differs in colour, and in the existence of a peculiar rugose, though obsolete, punctuation

at the base of the elytra. A second example found by Herr Hoge differs in the colour

being less green, but is, I think, certainly the same species.

4, Sterculia humeralis. (Tab. XII. fig. 14.)

Purpurea ; subtus viridi-cyanea, nitida; antennis gracilibus, articulo penultimo haud transverso; capite

angusto, oblongo, supra dense fortius rugoso-punctato, opaco, subtus grosse punctato, nitidissimo, mandi-

bulis brevibus ; prothorace angustulo, utrinque crebre sat fortiter punctato, area iongitudinali levigata,

lata, utrinque basin versus conspicue impressa; elytris quam thorax paulo longioribus, minus subtiliter

punctatis, sat nitidis, ad humeros sepius viridi-nitentibus.

Long. 22-25 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 6000 feet (Champion).—SoutTH AMERICA,

Colombia, Venezuela (coll. Sharp).

This is readily distinguished from S. fulgens, Er., by the antennal structure, and the

importance of this character is confirmed by numerous other minor characters, which

show but little variation in the series of twelve examples before me. The antenne

are 7 millim. long, the third joint is elongate, the fourth to the ninth transverse, the

tenth much longer than the ninth and as long as broad, the terminal joint also is

rather elongate. The punctuation of the upper surface of the head is coarse, and the

ocelli of the punctures are easily detected; the mandibles are much shorter than the

head.

5. Sterculia pollens.

Robustior, viridi-cyanea ; capite latiore, nigro-cyaneo, obscuriore, omnium densissime minus fortiter rugoso-

punctato, subtus nitidissimo, vage, parce, haud grosse punctato, mandibulis gracilibus perelongatis ; thorace

minus gracili, utrinque sat fortiter punctato, area longitudinali in medio sat lata levigata, utrinque basin

versus sat conspicue impressa; elytris elongatis, tantum subtiliter obsoleteque punctatis.

Long. 25 millim.

470 STAPHYLINIDA.

Hab. Guatemata, Coban in Vera Paz (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson) ;

Costa Rica, Cache (fogers).

This species is readily distinguished by the very elongate slender apical portion of

the mandibles and the broad head, the latter with unusually dense but less coarse

punctuation than in the allied forms. The antenne are rather stout, but not thicker

towards the extremity; the penultimate four joints similar to one another, evidently

transverse. ‘The head behind is convex, its angles broadly and regularly rounded.

Only one example was sent from each locality.

6. Sterculia puncticeps.

Purpurea, nitida ; capite sat lato, posterius rotundato-truncato, supra opaco densissime fortiter punctato, subtus

nitidissimo densissime grosse punctato; prothorace gracili, ad latera tantum obsolete punctato, utrinque

vix impresso ; elytris obsolete, parce punctatis.

Long. 22 millim.

Hab. Costa Rica (Van Patten).

This is one of a group of species distinguished by the more slender thorax, which is

only indistinctly impressed. S. puncticeps is remarkable on account of the great

development of the punctuation on the under surface of the head. The antenne are

moderately slender, not thicker towards the extremity, the penultimate four joints sub-

equal, transverse, but not strongly so; the mandibles are only of moderate length.

Only one example has been procured.

7. Sterculia discedens.

Minor, lete viridi-cyanea, nitida; capite convexo, dense minus rugose punctato; prothorace minus gracili,

subleevigato, margine laterali pone medium conspicuo; elytris parce minus obsolete punctatis.

Long. 15 miilim.

Hab. Guatemata, Quiche Mountains 7000-9000 feet (Champion).

This is quite dissimilar to any other species of the genus. The antenne are stout,

a little thickened towards the apex, with the penultimate joints strongly transverse ; and

the apical portion of the mandibles is rather elongate. The punctuation of the head

is less rugose than in the other species, so that the interstices are distinctly shining.

The thorax has no distinct lateral impression, but appears nevertheless to be somewhat

impressed at the side some distance in front of the base, owing to the lateral margin

being remarkably elevated at this spot; it bears numerous long erect hairs, but has no

punctuation. The punctuation of the wing-cases and hind body, though fine and

distant, is less obsolete than in other species, and on the under surface of the head the

punctures are very dense at the base.

Only one example was met with.

PLOCHIONOCERUS. AT1

PLOCHIONOCERUS.

Palpi breves, labiales articulo ultimo parum incrassato. Prothorax elongatus, linea marginali superiore

subtus divergente ante medium prolongato.

This genus is established for Sterculia formicaria and its allies. Besides a marked

difference in facies arising from the different colour and sculpture and the more linear

form, they differ constantly by the shorter trophi and less dilated rather differently

shaped terminal joint of the labial palpi, and also by the superior marginal line of the

thorax ; this latter in true Sterculia is peculiar; on the basal half it limits the superior

pagina from the side, but about the middle becomes suddenly obsolete and very

abruptly deflexed, while a false margin of a more or less distinct character is continued

forwards from the point where the true marginal line is directed downwards. In

Plochionocerus, on the contrary, the true marginal line is diverted downwards without

disappearing, and is continued forwards to the prosternum, and there is no false

marginal line on the anterior part of the thorax.

Plochionocerus, like Sterculia and Agrodes, is no doubt peculiar to Tropical America,

and comprises, in addition to the species here mentioned, S. funebris, S. fimetaria,

S. clavicornis, and S. minor, Sharp.

Mr. Champion informs me these insects are found running on the roads and paths,

and look like large ants.

1. Plochionocerus brachypterus. (Tab. XII. fig. 15.)

Elongatus, nigro-subzneus, griseo-pubescens, opacus, densissime punctatus; palpis, antennis tarsisque piceis ;

elytris quam thorax brevioribus, omnium densissime punctatis; thorace linea mediali antice latiuscula

levigata; abdomine subnitido, minus dense punctato.

Long. 17 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Misantla (Hége); Guatemaa, Cerro Zunil 4000 to

5000 feet, Las Mercedes 3000 feet, Zapote (Champion); Honpuras (Sallé); Panama,

Bugaba (Champion).

Although closely allied to P. formicarius, this species is readily distinguishable by

the short elytra; it is also less black in colour, and somewhat smaller in size. It is

apparently a rare insect, for although it has been procured in several localities, only nine

examples have been obtained. ‘They do not exhibit much variation, except that the

two individuals from Bugaba are somewhat larger and darker in colour.

The specimen figured was found at Cerro Zunil.

2. Plochionocerus formicarius.

Sterculia formicaria, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 304°; ? Lap. Et. Ent. p. 119, pl. 3. f. 32.

Areocnemus flagellicornis, Nordm. Symb. p. 165°.

Hab. Costa Rica, Cache (Rogers).—Soutn America !23, Colombia 4, Cayenne !, &c.

472, STAPHYLINIDA.

Only one example has been procured in our region, and it may ultimately prove to

be distinct from the South-American P. formicarius; but at present it must be

treated as a variety of a variable species.

3. Plochionocerus debilis.

Minor, elongatus, nigro-eneus, subnitidus; abdominis apice rufo, capite suboblongo, dense fortiter punctato,

opaco; thorace minus gracili, crebre subtiliter punctato, subnitido, linea mediali lavigata; elytris thoracis

longitudine, crebre subtiliter punctatis, sat nitidis ; capite subtus densius fortiter punctato.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo and San J oaquin in Vera Paz (Champion).

Antenne stout, black, a good deal thickened towards the extremity. Thorax broad

(for this genus), but a good deal narrower than the elytra. Last segment of the hind

body red.

This is the smallest species of the genus, and should be placed after P. minor, from

which it is distinguished by its smaller size, more parallel form, by the red extremity of

the hind body, and slight differences in the sculpture of the different parts of the body.

Only one example was met with in each locality.

HOMALOLINUS.

Corpus depressum, fere levigatum, capite angulis posterioribus haud rotundatis, medio canaliculato (canalicula

antice bifurcata) utrinque sulcula curvata breviore, collo perabrupto angusto. Labrum late emarginatum

longissime ciliatum. Palpi graciles, elongati, articulo ultimo quam precedens longiore. Tarsi anteriores

graciles. Prothorax anterius in medio rotundatus, linea laterali superiore subtus abrupte sinuato-deflexa ;

prosternum magnum, haud carinatum.

This genus is proposed for Xantholinus canaliculatus, Er., and allies; it should be

placed near Nudobius, from which it departs by the sculpture of the head, the much

more elongate trophi (the difference as to the terminal joint of the labial palpi in the

two being very great), and also by the fact that the superior marginal line of the thorax,

notwithstanding its great deflection, does not reach the inferior line, but remains quite

separate from it even at the front of the coxal cavity.

The different species live under bark of trees; and the genus seems specially charac-

teristic of our region, one species extending its range to Rio de Janeiro.

1. Homalolinus canaliculatus. (Tab. XII. fig. 17.)

Xantholinus canaliculatus, Er. Gen. et Spec. p. 307°.

Hab. Mexico1, Cordova, Tuxtla (Sallé), Jalapa (Flohr, Hoge), Cerro de Plumas

(Hége); Guatemata, Capetillo, Cerro Zunil, Las Mercedes (Champion); Costa Rica,

Cache, Irazu 6000-7000 feet (Rogers); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui up to 6000 feet,

Tolé (Champion).—Sovtu America, Colombia 14, Brazil.

This species is found under bark of dead trees, and I have a fine series before me

HOMALOLINUS. 473.

showing some interesting points of variation. The head varies in its development, and

in small individuals has the hind angles obtuse, and departs comparatively little from

the shape normal in the Xantholinina. In the larger examples found in the State of

Panama and Costa Rica the sides of the head have a concave emargination, and a

specimen of this variety from Irazu is represented on our Plate. The extent of the

red colour at the extremity of the hind body is also variable, there being in this respect

two forms, which apparently are not found in company: in the first the penultimate

segment is black at the base, its hind margin and the whole of the terminal segment

being red; while in the second form the whole of these two segments is red ; all the

Mexican examples belong to the first of these varieties, except the single example from

Tuxtla, while in the more southern parts of our area the two forms occur about equally,

not being, however (if I may judge from the labels attached to our specimens), found

in company.

2. Homalolinus flavipennis.

Xantholinus flavipennis, Er. Gen. et Spec. p. 307°.

Hab. Mexico}, Oaxaca (Sallé), Cerro de Plumas (/6ge).

The three examples before me of this species indicate that the head may probably

vary in shape like that of H. canaliculatus; so that importance must not be attached

to Erichson’s describing the hind angles as obtuse.

3. Homalolinus affinis.

Elongatus, angustulus, depressus, nitidissimus, niger, elytris anoque rufis; capite medio canaliculato, utrinque

sulcato, sulcis latis, posterius punctatis, subtus vage punctato.

Long. 20 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Purula, San Gerénimo (Champion).

This species is very similar to H. flavipennis, but has the terminal segment and the

hind margin of the penultimate segment red; the elytra are almost impunctate, the

punctures along the suture and on the disc being very indistinct ; the lateral grooves

of the head are broad and indefinite behind, and exhibit some punctures ab out their

termination, and there is also a scattered punctuation on the under surface of the head..

Only two examples have been met with.

4. Homalolinus dilutus.

Elongatus, angustus, depressus, nitidissimus, brunneo-testaceus, capite nigro ; hoc subtriangulari, medio cana--

liculato, utrinque latius sulcato.

Long. 20 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Parada (Sal/é).

This species, though differing so much in colour from H. canaliculatus, is in other

respects excessively similar thereto ; the short lateral grooves of the head, however, are

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, July 1885. 3 PP

474. STAPHYLINIDA.

broader and their inner margin is indefinite, and there are a few indefinite punctures near

their termination; on the under surface the lateral grooves are deep and moderately

broad, and are very finely sculptured; but there is no other punctuation. |

Three examples.

5. Homalolinus apicalis. (Tab. XII. fig. 18.)

Elongatus, angustus, depressus, nitidissimus, brunneo-testaceus, capite abdomineque ante apicem nigris ; capite

suboblongo, anterius parum angustato, medio canaliculato, utrinque minus argute et profunde sulcato.

Long. 20 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Juquila (Sal/é).

This species differs from H. dilutus in that the penultimate and terminal segments are

black, the hind margin of the latter, as well as the armature segment, being, however,

pale; it is in proportion to its length the narrowest of the genus, and the head is very

little narrowed in front, its vertex rounded ; the lateral channels on the head are rather

broad and indefinite, there is no punctuation behind them, but there are a few

punctures outside them, connecting with the lateral punctuation.

Only two examples are before me.

6. Homalolinus sanguineus.

Elongatus, angustus, depressus, nitidissimus, rufus; capite abdomineque nigris, hoc apice rufo, antennis piceis ;

capite subquadrato, anterius sat angustato, medio canaliculato, utrinque sulcato.

Long. 15 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city (Salvin), Calderas, Duefias, Capetillo, San Gerénimo

3000 feet, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

This species is very similar to H. divisus, but has a bright red thorax, and the head is

rather broader and shorter. From the various localities where it has been found I have

in all eight examples before me, showing a little variation in size, and in the form of

the head.

7. Homalolinus divisus.

Xantholinus divisus, Er. Gen. et Spec. p. 308’.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz (coll. Chevrolat)}, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa, Cerro de Plumas,

Oaxaca (Hége).

Var. guatemalenus. Minor et angustior, capite magis oblongo, vertice minus truncato, sulcis lateralibus angus-

tioribus magis argutis.

Hab. Guatemaa, San Gerénimo, Balheu (Champion).

I have been able to examine a good series of Mexican examples, and though individuals

vary a good deal in size, in other respects there is but slight difference ; one example from

Oaxaca has the two terminal segments entirely red, while in all the others the base of

HETEROLINUS.—XANTHOLINUS. 475

the penultimate segment is black. The slight differences exhibited by the four

examples from Guatemala are not, I feel sure, of specific importance.

HETEROLINUS.

Corpus depressum, fere levigatum, capite latissimo anterius angustato, collo perabrupto, angusto. Labrum

sat elongatum, leviter emarginatum, longissime ciliatum. Palpi graciles, elongati, articulo ultimo quam

precedens longiore. ‘Tarsi anteriores subdilatati. Prothorax linea laterali superiore subtus abrupte

sinuato-deflexa ; prosternum magnum, posterius in medio carinato-compressum.

The remarkable insect for which this genus is established, though possessing a resem-

blance in facies with Homalolinus, differs in so many characters as to render it very

distinct ; the head is without the channels seen in Homalolinus, the labrum is elongate,

the front tarsi are broad instead of slender, the two thoracic marginal lines are joined

behind the prosternum, and this latter in the middle behind is carinate, the carina

being continued as a compressed process, extending back between the coxe.

The unique species is found in Colombia as well as in our region.

1. Heterolinus puncticeps. (Tab. XII. fig. 19.)

Xantholinus puncticeps, Guérin, Rev. Zool. 1844, p. 11°.

Hab. Costa Rica (Van Patten).—Sovutu America, Colombia 1.

The unique example differs from the Colombian type by its great size and the

enormous development of its head, which has longer mandibles having a more curved

and slender extremity ; but I think it is only an extreme development of the Colombian

species, of which I know, however, but a single example.

TESBA.

Tesba, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 194.

This genus comprises two species from the Amazons valley, besides one found in our

region.

1. Tesba belti. (Tab. XII. fig. 16.)

Tesba belti, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 431°.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt) 1.

XANTHOLINUS.

Xantholinus, Serville, Encycl. Méth. x. p. 475 (1825) ; Erichson, Gen. et Spec. p. 306.

Eulissus, Mannerheim, Précis, Brach. p. 35 ; Mun. Cat. Col. ii. p. 600.

This genus, after abstraction of Gauwropterus and Nudobius, still remains a very

extensive one, having something like 150 described species ; it has an almost cosmopo-

litan distribution, and comprises a number of varied forms. At present I find it impos-

sible to separate Hulissus by any characters that do not reappear in some of the species

3 PP2

476 STAPHYLINIDA.

at present located in Xantholinus, and accordingly, for the purposes of this work, the

two are treated as one genus.

1. Xantholinus chalybeus.

Eulissus chalybeus, Mann. Précis, Brach. p. 35°.

Xantholinus chalybeus, Er. Gen. et Spec. p. 309°.

Staphylinus saphyreus, Perty, Del. An. Art. p. 31, t. 7. £.5°%.

Hab. Mexico, Presidio (Forrer), Cordova (Flohr, Hoge, Sallé), Santecomapan, Tehu-

antepec (Sallé), S.W. Yucatan ; GuaTEMALA, Panzos, ‘Teleman, Chacoj, and La Tinta in

the Polochic valley, Mirandilla (Champion) ; Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson), Granada

(Sallé); Panama, Tolé, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—SovutH AMERICA,

Brazil}? 2,

Found in fresh dung in the low hot forest region (Champion).

2. Xantholinus rutilus.

Staphylinus rutilus, Perty, Del. An. Art. p. 80, t. 7. f. 2°.

Xantholinus rutilus, Er. Gen. et Spec. p. 318”.

Hab. Panama, David, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, below 4000 feet (Champion).—

Sourn America, Brazil ! 2.

Of similar habits to the preceding species.

3. Xantholinus nigriceps. (Tab. XII. fig. 20.)

Xantholinus nigriceps, Guér. Rev. Zool. 1844, p. 12°.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Oaxaca (Hoge), Jalapa (Flohr); GuaTEMALA, Pantaleon,

Chiacam (Champion); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).—Sourn America, Colombia 1.

This is apparently a rare insect, represented in our collections by one or two examples

from each locality. Our figure is taken from an example found at Pantaleon.

4. Xantholinus strigiceps.

Nigerrimus, nitidus, minus depressus; antennis pedibusque piceis ; capite striguloso, tantum punctis impressis

paucis; thorace absque seriebus discoidalibus, utrinque versus angulos posteriores tripunctato ; elytris

quam prothorax paulo brevioribus.

Long. 10-11 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

Head a good deal narrowed in front, covered with fine longitudinal striz, which are

wanting, or at any rate more scanty, on the disc, and on the underside are very regular and

definite ; with two punctures behind the eyes, and three others forming a distant series

nearer the middle. Thorax a little narrowed behind. Elytra rather shorter than the

thorax, somewhat coarsely but scantily punctate, with a discoidal series of coarser

punctures.

This is a very distinct species from any other ; it has no carina on the prosternum,

and the second and third joints of the antenne are rather elongate.

XANTHOLINUS., ATT

5, Xantholinus oculatus.

Nitidus, rufus ; capite nigro, abdominis segmentis 3°-6™ late nigricantibus; capite punctis impressis tantum

paucis; prothorace absque seriebus dorsalibus, utrinque versus marginem anteriorem punctis duobus ;

elytris sublevigatis serie discoidali punctorum majorum.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

Head narrowed in front, with large and rather prominent eyes, with only a very few

punctures, one on each side between the eye and the termination of the frontal furrows,

one or two just behind the eye, and some others about the vertex. Thorax very

slightly narrowed behind, of a shining red colour; the only punctures it bears in addition

to those at the margins are two on each side placed transversely near the front. Elytra

rather longer than the thorax, pale red, shining, only obsoletely punctured, but with a

distinct discoidal series of about six distant punctures, and a more indistinct sutural

series. Hind body with the base red and the extremity broadly yellow, the intervening

segments being blackish, their margins, however, remaining red.

6. Xantholinus levipennis.

Rufus, capite abdomineque nigris, hoc apice pedibusque flavis, pronoto piceo ; capite angusto, punctis impressis

perpaucis ; prothorace absque seriebus dorsalibus, utrinque prope latus puncto singulo, et versus marginem

anteriorem punctis duobus transversim positis ; elytris sublevigatis, seriebus discoidalibus et suturalibus

tantum distinctis.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla (Sal/é).

Head rather narrow, with large and rather prominent eyes, and with very few

punctures, but with an oblique groove on each side at the margin of the eye.

This species is similar to X. oculatus; but in addition to the dark pronotum it is

distinguished by the narrower form, and the head being more distinctly quadrisulcate.

Only one badly-preserved example is known to me.

7. Xantholinus rudis. (Tab. XII. fig. 21.)

Niger, nitidus ; elytris, pectore pedibusque rufis, antennis rufo-obscuris, basi picea; capite fortiter punctato,

medio levigato; elytris seriebus dorsalibus irregularibus 10—12-punctatis, lateribus crebre irregulariter

punctatis.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. GuareMAaLa, near the city, San Gerénimo, Mirandilla 1700 feet ( Champion).

Allied to X. pectoralis, Er., but readily distinguished by the more numerous punc-

tuation of the thorax. The head is a good deal narrowed in front, with rather

numerous moderately coarse punctures that are wanting on the middle. The thorax is

a little narrowed behind, its punctures are coarse, and in addition to those of the dorsal

series there are about twenty others on each side. ‘The elytra are as long as the thorax,

coarsely punctate; the hind body is sparingly but distinctly punctate and pubescent.

478 STAPHYLINIDA.

The under surface of the head is shining and rather sparingly but coarsely punctate ;

the prosternum, as well as the meso- and metasternum, red.

This species is found on the banks of streams; a good series was obtained. Either

this or an allied species occurs in Mexico, as shown by an immature example from

Sallé’s collection, found at Cordova.

8. Xantholinus fuliginosus.

Niger, nitidus ; antennis pedibusque piceis, abdominis apice rufo-obscuro ; antennis articulis secundo et tertio

elongatis ; capite fortiter punctato; elytris seriebus dorsalibus irregularibus, multipunctatis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Sallé, Trugut).

Although very similar to X. carinatus this species will be readily distinguished by the

elongate second and third joints of the antenne, and by the large number of punctures

in the dorsal series ; these punctures are, however, very irregular, and as others are placed

near them at the sides, and render them still more irregular, their number can only

with some hesitation be stated as about twelve; there are rather numerous irregular

punctures about the sides, but these, as well as the dorsal punctures, are probably

variable. The elytra are as long as the thorax, shining, somewhat coarsely punctate.

The hind body is broadly dull red at the extremity. There is no trace of carination on

the prosternum.

Two very badly-preserved examples from Sallé’s collection, and one from Truqui, are

all I have seen; Sallé’s examples were probably found by Truqui.

9. Xantholinus lacertosus.

Nigricans, nitidus ; elytris pedibusque sordide rufis, capite sat crebre minus fortiter punctato, prothorace seriebus

dorsalibus obsoletis, circiter 7-punctatis, lateribus parce punctatis.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge).

Second and third joints of the antenne rather long, the latter distinctly the longer.

Head oblong-oval, being somewhat narrower towards the front, its punctures rather

distant and not coarse, and absent from a space along the middle. Thorax a little

narrowed behind, the dorsal series consisting of about seven distant fine punctures, and

the lateral punctures of about the same number placed in an irregular curved series.

The elytra are not longer than the thorax, shining, obscure red, somewhat sparingly

and vaguely punctured. ‘There is no carination on the prosternum proper, but there is

a rather acute elevation behind it just between the front of the coxe; the thoracic

pleura is broad in front, the superior marginal line being very little inflexed.

This is an obscure insect, but with structural characters that differentiate it thoroughly

from either X. rudis, X. carinatus, or X. fuliginosus. Only one example has been

found.

XANTHOLINUS. 479

10. Xantholinus serpens.

Rufo-obscurus, sat nitidus ; capite nigricante, oblongo-ovali, utrinque sat crebre et sat fortiter punctato ; pro-

thorace seriebus discoidalibus irregularibus circiter 12-punctatis, ad latera anterius punctis sat numerosis

adjectis ; elytris quam prothorax haud longioribus, sat fortiter punctatis.

Long. 9 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hége).

Antenne moderately stout, scarcely thicker externally, second and third joints

moderately long, the latter distinctly the longer. Head rather long and narrow, with

numerous rather regularly placed moderately coarse punctures, not at all crowded, and

with a longitudinal space along the middle, smooth. Thorax a little narrowed behind,

the dorsal series of punctures rendered irregular by some additional punctures placed

outside them, and near the sides in front with numerous punctures, which may be

described as an indistinct oblique series of about ten punctures extending a great part

of the length of the thorax, and outside this series in front with a few other punctures

about eight in number, and two or three punctures near the hind angles. LElytra

irregularly and rather coarsely punctured, the punctures most numerous about the

suture, and with a not very definitely separated discoidal series. Head beneath dull,

not coarsely, and rather sparingly, punctured.

This isan obscure species, without any salient character, though not very closely

allied to any other; the prosternum has on its posterior part between the coxe a very

small carina, which is not prolonged in front. Only one example has been found.

11. Xantholinus mexicanus.

Fusco-piceus, sat nitidus ; capite nigricante, antennarum basi palpis pedibusque rufis ; parum punctatus ; capite

ad latera remote punctato; prothorace seriebus discoidalibus 7-punctatis, elytris quam thorax paulo

brevioribus.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge).

Second and third joints of the antenne moderately long, subequal.

little narrowed in front, its surface as well as that of the thorax very finely transversely

strigose, so that it is rendered somewhat dull; the latter is elongate, distinctly narrowed

behind, the punctures few and distant, there being only five or six on each side in

addition to the dorsal series; elytra with only a few distant punctures. Under surface

of the head with only a very few punctures; prosternum carinate; body beneath more

rufescent than above; terminal joint of the maxillary and labial palpi slender but

Head convex, a

elongate.

One example.

12. Xantholinus brachypterus. |

Piceus, sat nitidus ; capite nigricante, pedibus rufis; capite utrinque sat crebre minus fortiter punctato $ pro-

thorace seriebus discoidalibus 8- vel 9-punctatis ; elytris quam thorax multo brevioribus,

Long. 7 millim.

480 STAPHYLINID.

Hab. GuatemMaua, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,000 feet (Champion).

This species is readily distinguished by the very short elytra; it is closely allied to.

X. mexicanus, but the punctures of the head are coarser and slightly more numerous,

and the transverse strigulosities are coarser, rendering the surface more distinctly dull ;

the maxillary palpi are a little broader; the eyes are unusually small; the second

and third joints of the antenne only moderately long, the former the longer; elytra

quite obsoletely punctate.

Only one example was obtained.

13. Xantholinus carinatus.

Nigricans, nitidus; antennis pedibusque piceis, illis articulis secundo et tertio brevibus subequalibus; capite:

utrinque parce fortiter punctato; prothorace posterius angustato, seriebus dorsalibus circiter 5-punctatis ;

elytris politis, parce vage punctatis ; prosterno subtiliter longitudinaliter carinato.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Durasnal (Sallé).

This species is an ally of the European XY. punctulatus, but has the carinate com-

pression along the middle of the prosternum rather longer and more distinct; the

surface of the prosternum is very distinctly and regularly transversely strigose, and the

anterior angles of the thorax beneath are piceous. The frontal furrows are rather

elongate and but little convergent; the surface of the head and thorax is very shining ;

the five or six punctures forming the dorsal series of the latter are rather large, and in

addition to these there are about five other punctures on each side; the punctuation of

the wing-cases is very obsolete.

I have seen only three examples.

14. Xantholinus fumatus.

Nigro-piceus, nitidus ; antennis pedibusque rufis, illis articulo secundo et tertio brevibus subequalibus ; capite

utrinque parce fortiter punctato ; prothorace posterius angustato, seriebus dorsalibus circiter 5-punctatis ;

elytris politis, parce punctatis ; prosterno subtiliter longitudinaliter carinato.

Long. 9 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Truqui), San Andres, Guanajuato (Sallé), Las Vigas (Flohr), Oaxaca

(Hoge).

This species is much smaller and narrower than X. carinatus, to which it is very

closely allied, but the colour is more dilute, and the punctuation of the elytra more

distinct, so that I am not able at present to unite the two.

15. Xantholinus resectus.

Nigro-piceus, nitidus; antennis pedibusque rufo-piceis; illis articulo secundo et tertio subbrevibus; capite

utrinque parce fortiter punctato; prothorace elongato, posterius angustato, seriebus dorsalibus circiter-

10-punctatis ; elytris nitidis, parce punctatis ; prosterno subtiliter longitudinaliter carinato.

Long. 9 millim.

XANTHOLINUS. A8T

Hab. Mzxico (Flohr).

Iam unable to consider the one example before me as a variety of X. fumatus, for

not only is there a considerable increase in the punctuation of the thorax, but this part

is also a good deal more elongate, the lateral punctures are also about ten in number ;

in other respects the differences are quite unimportant.

16. Xantholinus alticola.

Angustulus, elongatus, niger, nitidus ; capite utrinque dense fortiter punctato ; prothorace seriebus dorsalibus

circiter 7-punctatis ; elytris dense subtiliter punctatis, minus nitidis ; pedibus piceis.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. GuatTEMALA, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet, Quezaltenango 7800 feet

(Champion).

This species is very readily distinguished by the regular, definite, rather close and deep

punctuation of the wing-cases; there is also a minute strigosity on the head and

thorax, and the underside of the former is not shining ; the second and third joints of

the antenne are rather short, and there is only a very indistinct carination of the

prosternum.

A considerable series was found, exhibiting but little variation; the punctures of

the dorsal series (which, as in all the allies, are somewhat irregular) may be either six,

seven, or eight in number.

17. Xantholinus humilis. (Tab. XII. fig. 22.)

Angustus, parallelus, niger, nitidus; pedibus piceis; capite utrinque fortiter punctato; prothorace elongato,

posterius angustato, seriebus dorsalibus 6- vel 7-punctatis; elytris nitidis, parce punctatis, serie discoidali

discreta; prosterno subtiliter longitudinaliter carinato.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Flohr), Jacale (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge); Guaremata, Capetillo, Cerro

Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

This species is extremely closely allied to A. fumatus, but is so much smaller and

narrower that it is clearly a distinct species; the punctuation of the elytra is rather

more definite, and the series of discoidal punctures along the middle of each is quite

distinct, and there is generally an additional puncture in the thoracic series; there are

only six punctures in the lateral curved series.

18. Xantholinus discretus.

Angustus, parallelus, niger, nitidus; antennis pedibusque piceis ; capite utrinque sat crebre punctato; pro-

thorace elongato, seriebus dorsalibus circiter 11-punctatis; elytris nitidis, parce punctatis ; prosterno

anterius fere ecarinato.

Long. 8 millim. ;

Hab. Guatemata, Volcan de Agua between 8500 and 10,500 feet (Champion) ;

Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, July 1880. 3 QQ

482 STAPHYLINIDA.

This species is extremely similar to X. humilis, but is readily distinguished by the

greater number of punctures in the dorsal series ; also the second and third joints of the

antenne are a little longer, and the carination of the prosternum can scarcely be said

to extend at all on to the anterior part.

Only one example was met with in each locality.

19. Xantholinus championi.

Minor, depressus, angustus, nitidus, niger ; elytris stramineis ; antennis piceis, pedibus rufis ; prothorace seriebus

dorsalibus 5-punctatis. |

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

This species is very closely allied to X. humilis, but is considerably smaller, and is

readily distinguished by the pallid elytra forming an abrupt contrast to the colour

of the anterior parts; the smaller number of punctures in the thoracic series will

distinguish it from any of the varieties of X. vilis. The antenne are rather stout, the

second and third joints quite short; the elytra are only sparingly punctate, but there

isa series of punctures along the middle quite distinct from the punctuation about the

suture; the head is shorter and broader than in the immediate allies, and only sparingly

punctate on the sides; the prosternum is indistinctly carinate along the middle.

Three examples.

20. Xantholinus difficilis.

Minor, nitidus, angustus, piceus ; palpis pedibusque testaceis; prothorace seriebus dorsalibus 5-punctatis sat

crebre fortiter punctato.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. GuatemaLa, El] Tumbador 2500 feet (Champion).

This little insect is narrower than X. daxus, and has a smaller number of punctures

in the thoracic series; it differs from X. championi in being rather smaller, with a

shorter thorax and concolorous elytra, these latter being also shorter and having very

little punctuation. The head is rather narrower towards the front than in the

species mentioned ; the punctures about its sides are not numerous, and there are

only six punctures at each side of the thorax, forming a curved series.

Only a single example has been obtained.

21. Xantholinus laxus.

Minor, nitidus, piceus ; capite nigro; palpis pedibusque testaceis; prothorace seriebus dorsalibus 7-11 punc-

tatis; capite utrinque sat crebre fortiter punctato.

Long. 5 millim,

Hab. GuatTEMALA, Aceituno (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui up to 6000

feet, Pea Blanca 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

-XANTHOLINUS. 483

This obscure insect has no salient feature by which it can be recognized, but I have

quite failed to reduce the examples to variations of any of the allied species. The third

joint of the antenne is quite small, evidently shorter than the short second joint; both

head and thorax are oblong, the normal number of punctures in the thoracic series of

the latter being apparently seven or eight.

I have treated some of the examples found on the Volcan de Chiriqui as a variety of

this species, though they are somewhat larger and darker in colour, have a closer

punctuation on the side of the head, an increased number of punctures (there may be

as many as eleven) in the thoracic series, and a more definite punctuation of the elytra,

a dorsal series of punctures being quite evident.

22. Xantholinus vilis.

Minor, nitidus; capite nigro; palpis, pedibus elytrisque testaceis, antennarum basi rufa; prothorace seriebus

dorsalibus multipunctatis, capite utrinque sat crebre fortiter punctato ; prosterno posterius carinato.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Truqui), Guanajuato, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge); GuaremaLa,

near the city, San Gerdénimo, Torola, Capetillo, Panajachel (Champion).

This is yet another species very closely allied to X. darus, but is smaller and narrower,

and readily distinguished by the pallid elytra, which are picescent only at the extreme

base. The antenne are rather small and slender, the second joint rather longer than

the third. The thorax is slightly narrowed behind; the usual number of punctures in

the thoracic series is nine, but it varies from seven to eleven, it being usually the larger

individuals that possess the smaller number. The prosternum is pallid ; the punctuation

of the elytra is scanty, but shows a distinct series along the middle.

A considerable series was obtained of this obscure insect ; it is, indeed, probably one

of the commoner Staphylinide of our region.

23. Xantholinus salvini.

Elongatus, angustus, depressus, pallide piceus; antennis pedibusque testaceis, his apicem versus latioribus,

articulis secundo tertioque sat elongatis; prothorace seriebus dorsalibus 9-11-punctatis.

Long. 5-6 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa (Sallé), near the city (Salvin), San Gerénimo (Champion).

This is similar to some of the varieties of X. vilis, but isa very distinct species,

readily recognizable by the colour and structure of the antenne, and by the prosternum

being quite destitute of carination. The head is coarsely but not rugosely punctate on

either side. The thorax is slender and elongate, distinctly narrowed behind ; the dorsal

series are irregular, and there are in addition about fifteen punctures on each side

irregularly placed. ‘The elytra are not longer than the thorax, are very shining,

sparingly but somewhat coarsely punctate, without distinct discoidal series. The under

surface is paler than the upper, nearly yellow.

3 QQ 2

484 STAPHYLINIDA,

Four examples: the one obtained by Mr. Salvin is larger and more elongate than the

others, and has a greater amount of punctuation on the head, but I think is certainly

the same species as the smaller examples.

24. Xantholinus crassiceps.

Parallelus, nitidus, piceus; capite nigro; elytris fusco-testaceis, antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque rufis

capite oblongo, utrinque dense fortiterque rugoso-punctato, angulis posterioribus minute subdentatis ;

prothorace seriebus dorsalibus 4- vel 5-punctatis.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Sallé), Oaxaca, Cerro de Plumas (Hoge); GUATEMALA,

Capetillo (Champion).

This species is closely allied to X. attenuatus, Er., but is rather larger and broader,

and hasa smaller number of punctures in the thoracic series ; from all the allied species

in our fauna it may be distinguished by the structure of the head, the space at the sides

under and behind the eye being unusually broad, very densely rugose-punctate, and

enclosed by two lines meeting behind, and forming at their junction a very minute angle

visible only in a certain light; the lower of these lines extends the greater part of the

length of the head, while the upper is very obsolete, and in fact only definite quite

near the hind angle; the punctuation on the upper surface of the head is coarser

and closer than usual, and the smooth space on the middle large; the colour of the

elytra and hind body vary somewhat; the former are, however, yellow, more or less

clouded with piceous, and the latter has the sides of the segments near the base pallid

to a greater or less extent. The prosternum is finely carinate along the middle.

It is apparently rare, only seven examples having been procured, one of which is

from Guatemala.

25. Xantholinus eneotinctus. (Tab. XII. fig. 23.)

Fuscus, supra sneus, nitidus; antennarum basi, pedibus palpisque rufis; capite subquadrato, versus latera

fortiter punctato; prothorace parum punctato, seriebus dorsalibus irregularibus, circiter 8-punctatis ;

elytris quam thorax paulo brevioribus, parce fortiter punctatis, nitidis.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Isidro 1600 feet, El Tumbador 2500 feet, Zapote (Champion) ;

Panama, David, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne stout, thicker externally, second and third joints moderately long, the latter

evidently the longer. Head very shining, broadly impunctate on the disc, with rather

coarse, not close, punctures on the sides. Thorax evidently narrowed behind, shining

brassy, the punctures of the discoidal series irregular, especially on the basal portion,

owing to some supernumerary punctures near the hind angles, and in addition with six

or eight larger punctures on each side. Elytra quadrate, infuscate yellow, strongly

tinctured with brassy, with numerous rather distant definite punctures.

XANTHOLINUS. 485

A series of about twenty examples was procured, exhibiting a little variation in the

size and number of the punctures of the thoracic series and the distinctness of the

brassy tint of the upper surface.

26. Xantholinus guatemalenus.

Fuscus ; elytris fusco-testaceis, capite nigro ; supra leviter seneo-tinctus, nitidus; capite fortiter minus crebre

punctato, medio levigato ; prothorace seriebus dorsalibus 3-punctatis ; elytris thoracis longitudine, parce

subobsolete punctatis; antennis pedibusque testaceis.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, San Gerdénimo (Champion).

Antenne stout ; second and third joints elongate, the latter the longer. Head convex,

oblong, slightly narrowed in front, its punctures large and distant. Thorax with only

three punctures in the dorsal series; they are large and placed on the posterior two

thirds; there are also four other large punctures on each side.

Though similar to X. wneotinctus this species can be readily distinguished by the

thoracic punctuation; the head, too, is rather longer and narrower; only one example

has been found.

27. Xantholinus flagellifer.

Rufescens, supra leviter eneo-tinctus ; capite ened, elytris infuscatis ; antennis crassis ; capite ovali, minus dense

et fortiter punctato; prothorace seriebus dorsalibus obsoletis, tantum versus basin perstantibus ibidemque

irregularibus ; elytris crebre fortiter punctatis.

Long. 9 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

Antenne unusually stout, second and third joints rather long. Head very shining

brassy, between the frontal grooves with an excessively minute punctuation; the disc

impunctate, about the rounded hind angles and vertex with distant, not very coarse

punctures. Thorax elongate, a little narrowed behind, very shining red, faintly

tinctured with brassy, towards the base on each side of the middle with a group of

punctures; these and two punctures near the front represent the discoidal series, and

there are in addition a few quite irregularly placed punctures near the sides. The

elytra are about as long as the thorax, infuscate red, more pallid at the base, a little

tinted with brassy, rather coarsely punctate. Legs clear yellow-red.

Three examples.

28. Xantholinus panamensis.

Fusco-rufus, zeneo-tinctus, nitidus ; capite ovali, gracili, sat crebre fortiter punctato ; prothorace seriebus dorsali-

bus circiter 8-punctatis, ad basin utrinque punctis adjectis nonnullis ; elytris fortiter sat crebre punctatis,

summa basi rufa.

Long. 83 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

486 STAPHYLINIDA.

Antenne stout; third joint elongate, much longer than the second; fourth joint

slightly, tenth strongly, transverse. Head slender, narrowed in front, strongly rounded |

at the hind angles, very shining brassy, with rather numerous coarse punctures, which are

absent from an irregular rather small space on the disc. Thorax elongate and rather

slender, with a curved series of seven or eight punctures on each side in addition to the

discoidal series, and a few supernumerary punctures at the base on each side. Legs

clear red. Underside of head black, rather coarsely and closely punctate.

One example. The species has a good deal of resemblance in form to Allotrichus

arenarius, but the palpi are quite different, the terminal joint being conical and rather

short.

ALLOTRICHUS.

Corpus elongatum, angustum, minus depressum. Labrum bilobum. Palpi graciles, elongati, articulo ultimo

elongato, latere interiore subcurvato ; maxillares apice acuminato, labiales minute truncato. Prothorax

angulis anterioribus nullis, linea marginali superiore versus angulos anteriores minus fortiter deflexa,

pleura haud abbreviata, anterius angustata. Mesosternum breve, margine posteriore leviter curvato.

Tarsi simplices.

This genus agrees with Sawrohypnus in the form of the palpi, but in other respects

is not allied to that genus; it is, indeed, nearer to Xantholinus, from which it differs

by the longer terminal joint of the palpi, by the larger prosternum, and by the shape

of the thoracic side-piece, which is not a parallel-sided narrow slip, but is broad,

especially just behind the insertion of the coxe; then, owing to the superior marginal

_ line being more deflected at the front angle than it is in Xantholinus, becomes in front

of the prosternum quite narrow. The longer of the thoracic tactile sete is placed

very near the front of the thorax, but is not very conspicuous, owing to the rather

numerous other sete existing along the side of the thorax, but (if I am right in con-

sidering this seta placed at the rounded anterior angle to be the tactile seta) is really

remote from the marginal line. Thus I doubt whether the genus will really prove to

be a close ally of Xantholinus, as on first consideration it appears to be.

A. arenarius, Mr. Champion informs me, was found on the sandy bank of a stream

in the forest.

1. Allotrichus arenarius. (Tab. XII. fig. 24.)

Angustulus, niger; capite thorace elytrisque violaceis, nitidis; capite fortiter sat crebre punctato ; prothorace

elongato utrinque plaga longitudinali punctorum rarorum, inter has et latera parce punctato.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Panama, Pefia Blanca 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Only two examples were met with.

Antenne rather large, joints four to ten transverse. Head elongate, of a shining

violaceous colour, with numerous coarse punctures, which are more distant along the

middle; beneath rather more closely and finely punctate, shining. Thorax very

HYMENEUS. 487

elongate, not at all narrowed behind, and only very slightly towards the front angles ;

with a broad smooth space along the middle, and on either side of this rather sparingly

and irregularly punctate; between this irregular punctuation and the sides with a

few punctures, and with numerous others at the lateral margin. Scutellum shining,

with a few punctures. Elytra of a darker violet colour than the head and thorax,

scarcely longer than the thorax, very finely and rather sparingly punctured.

HYMENEUS.

Corpus parum punctatum, politum. Mandibule ineequales, sinistra medio dentata, basi minus crassa, membrana

libera aucta ; labrum angustum, prominens, medio fere ad basin divisum. Palpi articulo ultimo elongato.

Thorax elongatus oblongus, prosterno sat elongato, pleuris haud abbreviatis, lineis marginalibus haud

conjunctis, superiore integro, versus angulos anteriores subtus sat deflexo. Caput trophique secundum

sexum dissimiles.

This genus comes nearest to the Eulissus division of Xantholinus, from which it is

well distinguished by the structure of the mandibles, the basal part of which is

comparatively slender; the prosternum, too, is longer and narrower, and the peculiar

structure of the head in the males is characteristic of the genus. The head of the

male is much broader than in the other sex, and differently sculptured at the sides and

beneath; the maxillary palpi are more elongate, the second joint being elongate and

slender, not stouter than the following; the mandibles are more elongate and slender,

and more unequal, the left having a large bifid tooth in the middle, which is absent on

the right mandible, the inner margin of this latter being, however, more twisted and

sinuate; the female has a bifid tooth on the middle of the left mandible, and a smail

tooth on the middle of the other one. The front tarsi are quite slender.

Hymeneus is no doubt peculiar to Tropical America; the species, I believe, are

stercoraceous in their habits. Xantholinus impressifrons, Guer., and X. temporalis

and X. pygialis, Sharp, belong to the genus.

1. Hymeneus godmani. (Tab. XIII. fig. 1.)

-Nitidissimus, niger, capite thoraceque violaceo-cyaneis; elytris cyaneis, fere impunctatis, abdominis apice

late rufo.

Long. 16 millim.

Hab. Costa Rica, Irazu 6000 to 7000 feet (Rogers); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui up

to 6000 feet, Bugaba (Champion).

Head evidently narrowed in front, very polished, behind the eye with a single

puncture, the vertex with numerous coarse punctures; the hind angles rounded, not

at all denticulate. Thorax oblong, narrower than the elytra, near the anterior angles

with two large punctures, but with no other punctures, except those quite near the

margins ; a short, distinct channel at the base in the middle. Elytra rather longer than

the thorax, only very obsoletely punctured, indeed the only punctuation that is evident

488 STAPHYLINIDA.

on them is a sutural and a discoidal series of rather obsolete but setigerous punctures ;

their colour is not so beautiful as that of the head and thorax. Hind body with the

terminal segment and part of that preceding it bright red. In the male the head is.

much broader, and behind the eyes at the sides the surface is somewhat depressed and

finely strigose so as to give it a silky opacity; the whole of the underside, except the

proximity of the gular suture, is similarly strigose and opaque.

I have a series of eight examples of this brilliant insect before me; they vary in the

extent of red colour at the extremity of the hind body; and the example from Costa

Rica has the anterior parts of a greenish instead of a violaceous hue, but I do not see.

any grounds for treating them as more than one species. Xantholinus erythropygus,

Chevr. MS., is an allied species. The example figured is a female taken on the Volcan

de Chiriqui. Found in dung in the forests.

2. Hymeneus splendens.

Nitidissimus, niger ; capite, thorace elytrisque leete cyaneis, abdominis segmento ultimo rufo; capite ad angulos:

posteriores denticulato.

Long. 16 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

I have seen only a single female of this species; and the only important characters

by which it is distinguished from H. godmani are that the space between the frontal

grooves is depressed behind, the hind angles of the head are denticulate, and the

punctures on the vertex less numerous; probably the male will show more marked

distinctions.

3. Hymeneus divisus.

Nitidissimus, niger; capite thoraceque violaceo-cyaneis ; elytris cyaneis, fere impunctatis; capite ad angulos.

posteriores fortiter denticulato.

Long. 16 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Of this species also only a single female has been procured ; it has the frontal grooves

finely sculptured and opaque, and the posterior part of the space between them separated

from the anterior; the hind body is entirely black; in other respects it agrees with

H. splendens.

4. Hymeneus cephalotes. (Tab. XIII. fig. 2.)

Nigerrimus, nitidus; elytris elongatis, viridibus; abdominis apice rufo-testaceo.

Long. 20 millim.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt).

This is a remarkable species, of which only a single male example has been obtained,

and the description of the head of this sex will probably only partially apply to the

HYMENEUS.—LEPTACINUS. 489

female. The head is broad, rather broader than the elytra, the anterior part is much

advanced between the antenne, and the frontal grooves are not sharply defined ; the

surface is very shining; there is a rather small puncture just behind the eye, and another

in a line with it nearer the middle; there are several punctures about the vertex, and

each side is compressed and flattened so as to form a large, flat space, which is dull and

rugose, and limited above by a curved raised line; the underside is not dull, but is only

finely punctate, and at the base of each mandible there is a large compressed projection.

The thorax is oblong, and has on each side two punctures near the front angles, and a

single puncture placed about the middle of the length at some distance from the margin.

The elytra are only obsoletely and very sparingly punctate. The terminal segment

is bright red-yellow.

5. Hymeneus amethystinus.

Nitidissimus, niger ; capite thoraceque purpureis ; elytris elongatis, cyaneis.

Long. 15 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Flohr).

This species differs only from H. godmani in the colour (the head and thorax being

purple, and the hind body unicolorous), and by the head being rather more elongate;

the sexual distinctions are similar in the two species.

I have seen a pair from Sallé’s collection, and a male sent by Flohr; the latter is.

recorded as being found in dung.

6. Hymeneus leticulus.

Nitidissimus, niger ; elytris cyaneis, abdominis segmentis duobus ultimis rufis; pedibus piceis.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui below 4000 feet (Champion).

This insect is well distinguished from H. godmani by the much smaller size and the

black head and thorax; the head, too, is shorter in each sex. The sexual distinctions

are almost the same as in the larger species, but in H. /eticulus the strigosity of the

sides and under surface is very much coarser.

Six examples (agreeing exactly except that in one the base of the penultimate

segment is black) were obtained.

LEPTACINUS.

Leptacinus, Erichson, Kaf. Mark. p. 429; Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 333.

This is a genus of about thirty species, and has a wide distribution in both hemi-

spheres; the two species here assigned to it differ a little from the typical forms in the

structure of the palpi, the last joint of the maxillary palpus being, though slender,

broader at the base, so that it is not linear; the difference, however, would not justify

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, July 1885. | 3 AE

490 STAPHYLINID A.

the establishment of a separate genus at present, especially as these insects have the

narrow prothoracic side-piece in common with the typical Leptacint.

1. Leptacinus grandiceps. (Tab. XIII. fig. 5.)

Minor, nitidus, piceus ; antennis pedibusque testaceis ; capite latiore, nigricante, crebre fortiter punctato; pro-

thorace seriebus dorsalibus circiter 8-punctatis ; elytris fere impunctatis.

ong. 4-5 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Las Mercedes 3000 feet, El Tumbador 2500 feet, Coatepeque 1300

feet (Champion); Panama, San Feliz, Bugaba (Champion).

The size of the head is liable to some variation, but is always larger than it is in

Xantholinus larus, X. vilis, and the other small species of that genus. It is usually a

good deal broader than the thorax or elytra, but is not round, for though the sides are

rounded, they are also a good deal narrowed towards the front; the sides of the head

are peculiarly formed; there exists a distinct genal space at the sides analogous to that

I have described in X. crassiceps, but in the L. grandiceps the superior line is distinct,

and the lower line is effaced; the underside of the head as well as this lateral space

being opaque in marked contrast with the very polished upper surface. The second

and third joints of the antenne are short; and there is a carina on the prosternum, this

part being usually yellow.

In the series of eight examples there is a little variation in the size of the head; the

specimen figured is from Coatepeque.

2. Leptacinus oscillans.

Minor, nitidus, piceus; capite nigricante, elytris fusco-testaceis ; capite sat lato; antennis, palpis pedibusque

testaceis ; prothorace seriebus dorsalibus 10-punctatis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This little insect will no doubt at first be considered by others, as it was by myself, as

a variety of Xantholinus lavus or X. vilis, but it is really more nearly allied to Z.

grandiceps, as shown by the small terminal joint of the maxillary palpus and the

structure of the head; this latter is larger than it is in either of the two species

of Xantholinus mentioned, and less oblong, being more narrowed to the front;

the genal space described in ZL. grandiceps exists also in this species, but is less

distinct, the curved line limiting it being only distinct near the eye, and the punctu-

ation in the space is not rugose, but is rather coarse, and has shining interstices, and

the underside of the head is not opaque. The elytra are hardly so long as the thorax,

and have a scanty punctuation. Only one example has been met with, in each of the

localities; though differing in some of the slighter details, they must at present be

considered as one species; but I may mention that the exponent from Bugaba has

the wing-cases evidently longer than they are in the typical example from Chontales.

LITHOCHARODES. 491

LITHOCHARODES.

Lithocharodes, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 204.

This genus appears to be peculiar to the New World, where its species range from

Mexico to Uruguay, the Central-American region being apparently their metropolis.

Only one other species is known to me in addition to those here enumerated.

1. Lithocharodes spinigera.

Rufa, nitida; elytris dilute fuscis, pedibus testaceis; capite thoraceque sat crebre vix fortiter punctatis, linea

mediali levigata ; elytris parce subtilius punctatis, prothoracis longitudine ; capite subtus parce haud

subtiliter punctato.

Long. 5-6 millim.

Hab. GuateMALa, near the city (Champion).

The head is oblong, rather narrow; the thorax also is slender, and the superior

marginal line of the thorax exists in front, though very fine. The male has the hind

margin of the last ventral plate marked with a deep angular excision on either side,

and projects in the middle as a very acuminate tooth; the last dorsal plate is broad at

the extremity, and truncate, being just perceptibly sinuate on each side; in the female

the hind margin of each of these plates is simply rounded.

A dozen examples have been found, showing very little variation ; these were captured

on the sandy banks of the small streams at the bottom of the deep ravines or “ barrancas”’

on the outskirts of the city of Guatemala.

2. Lithocharodes armata.

Rufa, nitida; pedibus testaceis; capite thoraceque sat crebre fortiter punctatis, linea mediali laevigata ; elytris

parce subtilius punctatis, prothoracis longitudine ; capite subtus parce fortiter punctato.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Nicaracva, Granada (Sal/é).

This species is very closely allied to L. spinigera, but the punctuation is a little

coarser, and the male characters a little different; the central projection or tooth of

the last ventral plate is very acute, but there is only a slight emargination on each side

of it; on the other hand, the sinuation of the last dorsal plate is slightly more distinct,

and its angles rather more prominent.

Only one example is present.

3, Lithocharodes simillima.

Rufa, nitida; pedibus testaceis; capite thoraceque linea mediali levigata, fortiter, illo crebrius hoc sparsim,

punctatis ; elytris quam thorax brevioribus, parce punctatis ; capite subtus parce fortiter punctato.

Long. 5} millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Cahabon (Champion).

3 RR 2

492 STAPHYLINIDA,

This species is very similar to L. armata, but has the head more oblong and rather

more punctate, and the elytra shorter. The unique individual found is, I have no

doubt, a male, though the sexual characters are quite different from those of L.

armata; the last dorsal plate is feebly emarginate in the middle, and the corresponding

ventral plate broadly truncate.

4. Lithocharodes germana.

Rufa, nitida; capite superne fuscescente, pedibus testaceis; capite thoraceque crebre fortiter punctatis, linea

mediali levigata ; elytris minus subtiliter punctatis, quam prothorax paulo brevioribus; capite subtus

anterius sat fortiter punctato, posterius fere levigato.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Guatemara (Sallé), San Gerénimo (Champion).

Rather larger and broader than L. spinigera, and with the punctuation of the upper

surface more marked, and the broader head a little narrowed in front, but with totally

different male characters ; the last dorsal plate has its hind margin slightly thickened

and sinuously emarginate, while the last ventral plate is broadly truncate and quite

straight, with its outer angles just perceptibly projecting outwards, not backwards.

Only one example is before me from San Gerénimo; but I believe I am correct in

considering the example from Sallé’s collection as its female, although the head is

quite pale.

5. Lithocharodes flohri.

Minus gracilis, rufa, nitida; capite thoraceque crebre fortiter punctatis, linea mediali levigata, hoc anterius

evidenter latiore ; elytris quam thorax paulo brevioribus; capite subtus sat fortiter punctato, nitido.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Uruapan (Flohr).

This is larger and broader than any of the other species, but the other distinctions from

L. spinigera are small, and as the two examples before me are apparently both females,

the validity of their specific distinction cannot be fully established.

6. Lithocharodes fuscipennis. (Tab. XIII. fig. 6.)

Lithocharodes fuscipennis, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 205*.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city, Zapote, San Gerdnimo, Paso Antonio (Champion).—

Sout. AMEeRiIcA, Amazons },

This is apparently a rare insect, only one example having been brought from each

locality where it has been met with. I do not observe any marked sexual characters

in the examples obtained. The specimen figured is from Paso Antonio.

7. Lithocharodes fusciventris.

Minus lete rufa, nitida; elytris abdomineque fuscis, illis apice pedibusque testaceis; capite thoraceque fortiter

LITHOCHARODES. 493

sat crebre punctatis, linea mediali levigata; elytris thoracis longitudine, fere impunctatis; capite subtus

fortiter punctato, evidenterque setosello.

Long. 54 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

This species differs from ZL. fuscipennis in its rather smaller size, less vivid colour,

and the more evident punctuation of the head and thorax. The unique individual is, I

believe, a male, although there is nothing to indicate the sex, except that the terminal

dorsal plate is quite truncate.

8. Lithocharodes gracilis.

Gracilis, nitida, rufa ; elytris fuscis, apice testaceo, abdomine sepius apicem versus plus minusve infuscato ; capite

thoraceque sat crebre et sat fortiter punctatis, linea mediali levigata; elytris thoracis longitudine, parce

obsoleteque punctatis ; capite subtus tantum anterius fortiter punctato.

Long. 44 millim.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chinandega (Sallé); Panama, Tolé, Pefia Blanca 3000 to 4000 feet,

Bugaba (Champion).

Very closely allied to L. fuscipennis, but considerably smaller, not so brightly

coloured, and with the punctuation less obsolete. I see no sexual distinctions. Seven

individuals have been found; the one from Nicaragua is in bad preservation, and may

possibly be another species,

9. Lithocharodes sordida.

Gracilis, nitida, rufo-picea ; elytris dilute fuscis; capite thoraceque fortiter sat crebre punctatis, linea mediali

levigata ; elytris thoracis longitudine, subtiliter punctatis; capite subtus parce fortiter punctato, nitido.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

One example, probably a female; the tubular aperture at the extremity of the last

segment being small, and the hind margin of the ventral plate rounded, that of the

dorsal plate truncate.

10. Lithocharodes puncticeps.

‘Gracilis, nitida ; elytris fuscis, apice pedibusque testaceis, abdomine pectoreque fuscis; capite oblongo, anterius

haud angustato, linea mediali levigata minus discreta; thorace gracili, anterius latiore, fortiter sat crebre

punctato ; elytris thoracis longitudine, subtiliter punctatis ; capite subtus crebre fortiter punctato.

‘Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hége).

This and the three following species form a group distinguished by the greater

punctuation of the head. I have seen only four examples of L. puncticeps, two of

which are very fragmentary; in one sex, presumed to be the male, the last ventral

plate is produced in the middle so as to form there a rather indistinct broad, somewhat

rounded, angle; the corresponding dorsal plate is slightly emarginate in the middle.

494 STAPHYLINIDA.

11. Lithocharodes fuscula.

Gracilis, rufo-fusca ; elytris fuscis, apice rufescente, antennis pedibusque testaceis; capite oblongo, anterius

leviter angustato, crebrius punctato, linea mediali angusta levigata; thorace gracili, anterius latiore,

_erebre fortiter punctato, linea mediali levigata; elytris subtilius parce punctulatis, quam thorax haud

longioribus ; capite subtus crebre fortiter punctato.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. GuatTeMAta, near the city, San Gerénimo (Champion).

The six examples before me do not exhibit any sexual character. Found beneath

dead leaves &c., on the sandy banks of streams.

12. Lithocharodes rufula.

Gracilis, rufa; pedibus testaceis, elytris disco subfuscescente, pedibus testaceis ; capite oblongo, anterius angus-

tato, crebrius punctato, linea mediali angusta levigata; thorace gracili, anterius latiore, crebre fortiter

punctato, linea mediali levigata; elytris quam thorax: paulo brevioribus, subtilius punctatis; capite subtus

crebre fortiter punctato.

Long. 44 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city, Pantaleon, Rio Naranjo (Champion).

The three individuals do not exhibit any sexual characters. The species is distin-

guished from L. fuscula chiefly by the rufescent colour. Found on the sandy banks

of streams.

13. Lithocharodes collaris.

Fusca ; capite elytrisque nigris, thorace antennarumque basi rufis, pedibus testaceis ; capite anterius angustato,

densius fortiterque punctato, linea mediali laevigata, angusta; thorace crebrius fortiter punctato, linea

mediali levigata; elytris quam thorax haud longioribus, sat crebre minus subtiliter punctatis; capite

subtus crebre fortius punctato.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cubilguitz in Vera Paz 1000 feet (Champion).

The only example found has no peculiarity by which I can form an opinion as to

its sex.

SOMOLEPTUS.

Statura minor, forma gracilis. Caput elongatum, collo angusto. Palpi maxillares articulo ultimo tenue,

lineari, basi quam articulus precedens multo angustiore. Antenne scapo magno; sulci antennarii inter-

medii obsoleti, laterales nulli. Thorax anterius angustus, pleuris haud abbreviatis. Coxe intermediee

sat distantes. Tibie espinulose ; tarsi omnes graciles.

This genus will include some small but graceful forms of Xantholinina allied to

Leptacinus, but differing by the more elongate anterior portion of the thorax and its

larger pleure, by the obsolete antennal furrows, and the slender legs destitute of

spinules; the species have a peculiar facies by which they are readily recognized, and

which depends, I think, chiefly on the shape of the thorax and the large scape of the

antenne. In these respects they agree with the eastern genus Mitomorphus, Kraatz,

SOMOLEPTUS. 495

but they differ from it in the structure of the terminal joint of the maxillary palpi,

which in Somoleptus does not depart to any extent of importance from what obtains in

Leptacinus. Somoleptus is probably peculiar to the tropical regions of the New World:

and no doubt Leptacinus clavicornis and L. subtilis, Ev., and possibly also L. dedilis,

Er., all of which are Colombian species, belong to it, Kraatz having erroneously

referred them to Mitomorphus when he established that genus (Wiegm. Arch. xxv.

p. 106). JZ. nitidus, Sharp, also is a Somoleptus.

1. Somoleptus znescens. (Tab. XIII. fig. 8.)

Fuscus, supra enescens, nitidus; antennarum basi rufa, pedibus testaceis; parce obsoletissime punctatus ;

capite oblongo; abdomine apicem versus latiore.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. GuatTeMALA, near the city, San Gerdnimo, San Joaquin in Vera Paz

(Champion). |

Head longer than broad, only very sparingly punctate, shining brassy, subtruncate

behind, the hind angles being rounded. Thorax elongate and narrow, slightly narrowed

behind, like the head of a shining brassy colour, sparingly and only extremely finely

punctured. Elytra scarcely so long as the thorax, very shining, almost impunctate.

Hind body with the margins of the segments sordid testaceous. Colour beneath

infuscate testaceous, the breast being darker, and the head brassy, very shining, and

with only a few fine distant punctures. The terminal ventral plate is broadly emargi-

nate; in one sex the segment of the armature is very large, and consists of two lobes

separated by a very long fissure, while in the other sex this segment is terminated by a

small circular orifice.

This species was found in plenty at San Gerénimo, and the examples exhibit only

very slight variation. Found beneath dead leaves &c. on the sandy banks of streams.

2. Somoleptus bicolor.

Rufescens, nitidus; capite, elytris abdominisque apice nigricantibus, pedibus testaceis; capite suboblongo

cumque thorace crebre subtiliter punctato, medio longitudinaliter levigato.

Long. 54 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, Capetillo, Quezaltenango 7800 feet (Champion).

Head not very elongate, oblong, but slightly narrowed in front, and the hind angles

a little rounded ; the surface rather closely punctate and finely pubescent, with a smooth

space along the middle. Thorax distinctly punctate and pubescent, the punctuation

slightly more distant than that of the head; a broad space along the middle, smooth.

Elytra scarcely so long as the thorax, very finely and sparingly punctate. Hind body

very finely and rather closely punctate and pubescent, the two terminal segments

blackish.

496 STAPHYLINIDA.

3. Somoleptus gracilis.

Angustus, rufescens, nitidus; capite, elytris abdominisque apice nigricantibus, pedibus testaceis; capite subob-

longo, cumque thorace crebre subtiliter punctato, medio longitudinaliter levigato.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

The unique example indicates a species very similar to S. dicolor, but of much

narrower form, and smaller, so that I have little doubt it will prove distinct. The

punctuation of the head beneath is moderately distant and rather coarse.

4. Somoleptus parvulus.

Rufescens, nitidus; elytris abdomineque apicem versus fuscis, pedibus testaceis; capite suboblongo, minus.

elongato, cumque thorace crebre subobsolete punctato, medio longitudinaliter levigato.

Long. 33-4 millim.

Hab. GuateMAta, near the city, San Gerénimo (Champion); Panama, Los Remedios,

Tolé (Champion).

This is so much smaller than S. bicolor that it cannot fail to be distinguished, and it

is of less elongate form, with more indistinct punctuation on the head and thorax.

Found on the banks of streams.

5. Somoleptus obscurus.

Nigricans, nitidus; antennis pedibusque rufis; capite gracili, cumque thorace crebrius subtiliter punctato,

medio longitudinaliter levigato.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Panama, Pefia Blanca 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

In this species the head is of more slender form, less truncate at the vertex than

those previously described. The punctuation of the head and thorax, though fine, is

quite distinct; the elytra are about as long as the thorax, sparingly and excessively

finely punctate. The colour beneath is of an infuscate red, with the head and breast

darker ; the punctuation of the head is distant and excessively fine.

The only example found is in a rather decayed condition.

6. Somoleptus obsoletus.

Nigricans, nitidus; antennis pedibusque rufis; capite elongato, oblongo-ovali, cumque thorace crebre obsole-

tissime punctato, medio longitudinaliter levigato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city, Aceituno (Champion).

The head is elongate and narrow, not narrowed in front, but the sides rounded

behind ; the thorax is moderately elongate, and the punctuation of it and the head is

as obsolete as in S. e@nescens, though not so distant; the elytra are elongate, though

SOMOLEPTUS. 497

scarcely longer than the thorax, and their punctuation is excessively scanty and

indistinct.

This species is distinguished from 8. obscurus chiefly by the obsolete punctuation of

the head and thorax.

7. Somoleptus punctulatus.

Fusco-rufus, nitidus; capite elytrisque obscurioribus, antennis pedibusque rufis; capite angusto, suboblongo,.

cumque thorace sat crebre minus subtiliter punctato.

Long. 44 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALa, near the city, Aceituno (Champion).

The head is a little narrowed in front, rather abruptly truncate behind, and the

punctures on it are more conspicuous than in the allied species; the thorax is not very

elongate, and the elytra are slightly longer than it, and bear a distant fine punctuation.

One example only was met with in each of the localities.

8. Somoleptus sparsus.

Nigricans, nitidus; antennis pedibusque rufis; capite elongato, oblongo, parce obsoleteque punctato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Chiacam in Vera Paz (Champion).

The head is not at all narrowed in front, and the eyes are rather prominent, the

truncature of the vertex rather abrupt, the punctuation very scanty. The elytra are

rather elongate.

The shape of its head will not permit me to consider the unique example of this

insect to belong to S. obsoletus, which species it resembles in size and colour.

9. Somoleptus pallipes.

Niger, supra eeneus, nitidus; antennis rufis, pedibus pallide flavis; capite oblongo-ovali; elytris ad basin dense

subtiliter rugoso-punctatis ; abdomine apicem versus latiore.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Head narrowed in front, much curved at the sides, and greatly rounded at the hind

angles, very indistinctly punctulate, of a very shining brassy colour. Thorax very

elongate, very obsoletely punctate. Elytra densely punctate at the base, so as to be

there opaque, the punctuation becoming scanty at the apex; the base is clothed with a

very fine pallid pubescence, and a similar pubescence exists also on the basal segments

of the hind body.

This is a very graceful insect of slender form, reminding one of Tachyusa in the

Aleocharina. Only one example has been obtained.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, July 1885. 3 8S

498 STAPHYLINIDA.

10. Somoleptus elegans.

Angustior, nigricans, subeneo-micans, nitidus ; antennis pedibusque piceis; capite angusto, oblongo-ovali, sat

fortiter punctato; elytris ad basin dense subtiliter rugoso-punctatis ; abdomine apicem versus latiore.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Guatema.a, Balheu (Champion).

Although allied to S. pallipes in appearance and in the punctuation of the wing-

cases, this species is distinguished by some minor characters. The antenne and legs are

darker in colour, the head is rather less rounded at the sides and hind angles, and the

punctuation is a little coarser, so that, although only a single example has been

obtained, I believe it will prove to be a distinct species.

11. Somoleptus alticola.

Nigro-piceus, nitidus, tarsis dilutioribus ; elytris quam thorax multo brevioribus, abdomine apicem versus latiore.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Totonicapam between 8500 and 10,500 feet (Champion).

Head oblong-oval, very shining, almost impunctate. Thorax elongate, almost elliptic

in form, rather sparingly and indistinctly, but not minutely, punctured, with a broad

space along the middle impunctate. Elytra much shorter than the thorax, narrower at

the shoulders than at the apex, very indistinctly and sparingly punctulate, very shining.

Hind body broad behind, narrower towards the base.

Only one example has been obtained of this very distinct species.

12. Somoleptus agreeformis. (Tab. XIII. fig. 7.)

Angustior, gracilis, nitidus, rufescens; elytris abdomineque apicem versus fuscescentibus, pedibus pallide

testaceis ; capite ovali, vertice rotundato, cumque thorace obsolete punctulato,

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Flohr).

This species is readily distinguished by the form of the head, which is not at all

truncate behind. The thorax is very elongate, appears straight at the sides till near

the front, thence much narrowed forwards; like the head very indistinctly punctulate.

Elytra parallel-sided, scarcely so long as the thorax, indistinctly punctulate.

The special locality of the two examples, for which we are indebted to Mr. Flohr

has not been recorded.

THYREOCEPHALUS.

Thyreocephalus, Guérin, Rev. Zool. 1844, p. 10.

This genus should be accepted, as it cannot be united either with Xantholinus or

Scytalinus ; the peculiar form of the head and thorax, the remarkable mandibles, the

widely separated antennz, the wide labrum, the presence of both marginal lines of the

THYREOCEPHALUS. 499

thorax, and the fact that these are nearly conjoined behind the prosternum, are

sufficient to validate the genus. It is probably peculiar to Tropical America; though

some of the Malasian and Papuan insects (X. lorquint, Fauv., e.g.) approach it closely,

I think it more probable that they will form a distinct genus. The Amazonian Linidius

tenuipes and L. extremus, Sharp, are also Thyreocephali. ‘The genus is by no means

homogeneous, and its study is a good deal complicated by the sexual differences being

very considerable, and the insects themselves very rare.

1. Thyreocephalus salvini. (Tab. XIII. fig. 3.)

Nigerrimus; elytris cyaneis, nitidis, fortiter punctatis; capite magno, disco post sulcos frontales fortiter

punctato.

Long. 18-20 millim.

_ Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Head depressed, black and shining, coarsely punctured at the sides and vertex, and

also with a similar coarse punctuation extending backwards behind the frontal grooves.

Thorax very shining, straight at the sides, with rather numerous punctures near the

front and side margins. Elytra shining blue, somewhat sparingly and irregularly, though

coarsely, punctured. Under surface of the head with a few coarse, distant punctures.

In the male the head is broader, so as to attain twice the width of the thorax, and

the vertex is more rounded, the interantennal space bearing the labrum is broader, as

is also the labrum itself, and the mandibles are longer and more slender.

Two males and one female were secured ; an example of the former sex is figured.

2. Thyreocephalus subtilis. |

Nigerrimus; elytris nigro-cyaneis, subopacis, subtiliter punctatis; capite magno subtiliter punctato, ad latera

et ad verticem punctis majoribus impressis.

Long. 17 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion) —Sovutn America,

Venezuela (coll. Sharp).

Only one example of this species has been obtained in our region; but I have a small

series in my collection from Venezuela. T. subtilis, though closely allied to T. salvini,

is easily recognizable by the different punctuation of the head and elytra. The examples

exhibit sexual distinctions similar to those of 7. salvinz, the individual captured by

Mr. Champion being a small male. -

8. Thyreocephalus lynceus.

Xantholinus lynceus, Er. Gen. et Spec. p. 309". .

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet

(Champion).—CotomB1a, Bogota + (coll. Sharp).

An example taken by Mr. Belt differs a little from the two specimens found by

3 SS 2

500 STAPHYLINIDA.

Mr. Champion, and these two are again slightly different from the small series of Colom-

bian examples in my collection; the distinctions are merely of minor details, and there

is no ground at present for regarding the examples as other than all exponents of one

somewhat variable and rather widely distributed species.

4. Thyreocephalus cyanipennis.

Nigerrimus ; elytris cyaneis, nitidis, parce fortiter punctatis; abdominis segmentis duobus ultimis rufo-

testaceis ; capite magno, disco post sulcos frontales fortiter punctato.

Long. 20 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

This species differs from 7. salvini almost solely by the bright red termination of the

hind body; the elytra are of rather darker colour and a little more sparingly punctate.

One example only has been met with; it is a well-developed male.

5. Thyreocephalus unicolor.

Nigerrimus, nitidus; capite magno, fortiter punctato; elytris parce, subseriatim, sat fortiter punctatis.

Long. 18 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Flohr).

This is another species excessively closely allied to 7. salvini, though readily distin-

guished by the black wing-cases. The head is a little more densely punctured above, so

that the coarse punctures behind the frontal grooves are scarcely isolated from the other

punctuation, and on the under surface the sides are rather finely punctate, while a broad

space on the middle is impunctate. The insect, too, is apparently rather broader, and

the thorax is a little narrowed behind; and it has an acute elevation, almost a carina,

on the prosternum between the front coxe.

This insect was discovered by Mr. Flohr in the flowers of a Bromelia. The three

examples sent me, though much damaged, appear to agree entirely, except that one

has the head rather narrower than the others, probably a sexual character.

6. Thyreocephalus rufipennis, (Tab. XIII. fig. 4.)

Nigerrimus, nitidus ; elytris rufis, crebrius fortiusque punctatis ; tarsis rufescentibus ; capite majusculo, crebrius

fortiusque punctato, sat nitido.

Long. 15-18 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge); Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

This and the following species are readily distinguished from 7. salvini and its allies

by the fact that the prosternum is acutely carinate behind, and the punctuation

more evenly distributed over the upper surface of the head. In Z. rufipennis the head

is broader than the thorax, but not greatly so, and is not at all broader than long ; its

punctuation is so close that the interstices only occupy as much space as the punctures

themselves: these are rather elongate and narrow, and are densest on the part between

THYREOCEPHALUS.—SAUROHYPNUS. 501

the eyes. The thorax is slightly narrowed behind, and the elytra are not longer

than it.

Herr Hoge found three examples ; as one of them has the head narrower than the

others, I conclude I have both sexes before me. In Guatemala Mr. Champion met

with only a single example, and though it has the punctuation on the head not quite so

dense, it is not sufficiently different to be treated as distinct at present.

7. Thyreocephalus puncticeps.

Nigerrimus, nitidus; elytris rufis, crebrius fortiusque punctatis; pedibus piceis, tarsis rufescentibus; capite

oblongo-ovali, densissime fortiter punctato, opaco.

Long. 17-20 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Uruapan (fohr), Juquila (Salié).

This species is closely allied to 7. rufipennis, but has the head very densely punctured

and rather narrower, and the punctures of the elytra rather more numerous, especially

near the suture.

_ Only one example is extant from each locality. That from Sallé’s collection has

‘the punctuation of the head a little less dense; but I feel sure the two belong to one

species. They may be the sexes; if so, the differences of punctuation may be sexual ; or

they may both be females, as the mandibles are shorter and thicker than they are in the

male of any other species of the genus.

8. Thyreocephalus cribripennis.

Nigerrimus ; elytris pedibusque piceis, illis crebrius fortius profundeque punctatis ; capite oblongo-ovali, parce

fortiter punctato.

Long. 20 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sal/é).

This insect is similar to T. rufipennis, but has the elytra darker in colour and with a

larger development of punctuation. ‘The head is quite sparingly punctate, so that it is

shining like the thorax; the punctures at the sides of the latter are very coarse.

Only one example has been received; to judge from it the species is well distin-

guished from its allies by the fact that, in addition to the trivial characters, the labrum

is less transverse and more prominent, its central notch being much larger, and it is

nearly simply bilobed, the lateral angles (which are so evident in the other species)

being in 7. cribripennis not distinguishable. The sex of this individual is unknown

to me.

SAUROHYPNUS.

Labrum rugosum, quadrilobatum. Caput inter antennas processu lato conspicuo. Palpi elongati, articulo

terminali elongato, latere interiore curvato apice acuminato; mandibule sat elongate. Prothorax linea

superiore subtili, subtus valde deflexa. Mesosternum breve, leviter rotundatum. Tarsi simplices.

The insect on which this genus is founded resembles the European Nudobius lentus

502 STAPHYLINIDZA.

in form, but is distinguished by several characters from Nudobius, near which it should

be placed. The prothoracic pleura is very short, owing to the early deflection of the

superior line; this is continued on the under surface as far as the neck, while the

inferior line ceases behind the prosternum, being for some considerable distance on the

anterior part of its course extremely approximate to the superior line. The genus in

appearance is most similar to the European Gauropterus, from which it differs by the

comparatively wide separation of the antennz and the correlative development of the

labrum, which is furnished on each side with a well-marked, angular, corneous projec-

tion, as also by the larger development of the terminal joint of the maxillary palpi.

1. Saurohypnus scutellaris.

Elongatus, angustulus, minus depressus, niger ; elytris rufis; pedibus, palpis antennisque piceis, illis articulo

basali nigro; prothorace elongato, ad latera sat crebre punctato; capite quam thorax paulo latiore,

crebrius fortiter punctato, nitido; elytris fortiter profundeque punctatis.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Pinos Altos in Chihuahua (Buchan-Hepburn).

Scape of antenne elongate; third joint a good deal longer than the second. Head

oblong, with numerous coarse punctures, but quite shining. Thorax a good deal

narrowed towards the base, the front angles rather prominent, very shining black,

near the sides with some deep irregularly placed punctures, without trace of discoidal

series. Scutellum with five or six very large punctures. FElytra as long as the thorax,

with numerous deep distinct punctures. Legs piceous; tarsi red.

NUDOBIUS.

Nudobius, C. J. Thomson, Sk. Col. ii. p. 188; Rey, Col. Fr. Xantholin. p. 83.

This is a perfectly valid genus, though rejected by Fauvel, and consists of two or

three species found in Europe, North America, and Japan. The European JX. lentus

lives under the bark of dead trees, and this is probably the case with the species found

in our region.

1. Nudobius celatus. (Tab. XII. fig. 25.)

Angustulus, parallelus, elongatus, niger, nitidus; antennis pedibusque fusco-rufis, capite parce sat fortiter

punctato ; prothorace seriebus dorsalibus subtiliter 7-punctatis, lateribus parum punctatis.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Truqui, Flohr), San Andres (Sallé), Oaxaca (Hoge); GuaTEMALaA,

Balheu (Champion).

This species, though bearing a great resemblance in appearance to the small black

Aantholini (such as X. fumatus and X. resectus), may be, independently of the

generic characters, distinguished from them by the existence of an extremely minute

distant punctuation on the surface of the head and thorax. The coarse punctures on

NUDOBIUS.—METOPONCUS. 503

the head are absent from the middle: the thorax is distinctly narrowed behind, is

elongate, and, in addition to the dorsal series, has about six other fine punctures placed

in a curved series at the side. The elytra are as long as the thorax, rather coarsely,

moderately closely punctured, shining. The underside of the head is more closely and

regularly punctate than the upper.

From the various sources nine examples have been procured. The one figured was

found under pine bark at Balheu.

METOPONCUS.

Metoponcus, Kraatz, Nat. Ins. Deutsch. ii. p. 93; Rey, Col. Fr. Xantholin. p. 98.

This is a genus of wide distribution, though comprising at present not more than

twenty species, several of which are Oceanic and Australian, and two or three South-

American. In Metoponcus the reduction in size of the prothoracic pleura becomes

extreme, though at first sight the contrary appears to be the case, owing to the inflexed

portion of the pronotum being very large, and to the fact that this latter part develops

at the outside in front a more or less indistinct margin simulating the true margin, and

occupying a similar position in the shape of the insect.

§ 1. Capite subtus utrinque marginato et canaliculato.

1. Metoponcus filarius.

Leptacinus filarius, Er. Gen. et Spec. p. 334".

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerdnimo, San Joaquin, Las Mercedes, Tamahu, Zapote

(Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson), Granada (Sallé).—Souta AMERICA,

Colombia 1, Amazons valley (Bates).

2. Metoponcus guatemalensis.

Minor, angustior, piceus, nitidus, sublevigatus; elytris pedibusque sordide testaceis, antennis rufis,

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. GuateMa.a, San Geronimo (Champion).

This species is extremely closely allied to MZ. filarius, but is much smaller and narrower,

with narrower and more elongate head and shorter and broader antenne. Possibly the

pallid colour may not be a constant character, as only two examples have been found,

and they differ slightly in this respect.

3. Metoponcus cingulatus.

Angustus, elongatus, nitidus, piceo-niger; pedibus flavis, antennis rufis; abdominis basi pallide testacea, apice

piceo-testaceo.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

504 STAPHYLINIDA.

The only example obtained of this species is almost exactly similar to M. filarius,

except for the definitely pallid base of the hind body. It is also, however, rather more

slender than MV. filarius, has the elytra a little shorter, and not quite so smooth.

§2. Capite subtus plano.

4. Metoponcus longiceps. (Tab. XIII. fig. 10.)

Angustior, elongatus, subcylindricus, nigerrimus, nitidus, fere levigatus; capite inter antennas compresso-

spinoso; antennis latiusculis, brevibus, picescentibus.

Long. 5-6 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Head very long and narrow, longer than the thorax ; the antenne very approximate,

and the front between them compressed and produced so as to form a sort of short horn

or spine. Thorax elongate and narrow, straight at the sides, very shining black, with

about three very fine punctures on each side of the middle, representing the longitu-

’ dinal series, and about three others, equally fine, on each side. LElytra polished, about

as long as the thorax. Underside of the head without any trace of margin or lateral

channel, polished and impunctate.

Two examples were found of this remarkable little insect, the one figured being that

found on the Volcan de Chiriqui.

5. Metoponcus varians. (Tab. XIII. fig. 9.)

Niger, nitidus; pedibus rufis, antennis piceo-rufis ; capite punctis impressis ; prothorace seriebus dorsalibus

subtiliter 5-punctatis.

Long. 53-10 millim.

Hab. Muxico (Truqut), Cordova (Hoge); Guatemata, Volcan de Fuego 6400 feet

(Salvin), Capetillo, San Gerdnimo, Cerro Zunil, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet,

Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

Head closely and excessively finely strigose, so that its lustre is a little dulled,

bearing a few irregularly placed rather large punctures. Thorax narrowed behind, a

good deal sinuate at the sides in the middle, like the head finely strigose, and on each

side of the middle with a series of five or six distant small punctures, and with one or

two still smaller punctures outside these. Elytra as long as the thorax, minutely punc-

tulate and setulose.

If I am right in considering the specimens from the above localities as all one

species, Metoponcus varians is very variable in size; the smaller examples resemble

almost exactly M/. filarius, and were probably found in company therewith, Mr.

Champion having mounted the two on one card; J. varians is, however, readily

identified by the absence of any trace of channel at the side of the head beneath, and

by the prothoracic dorsal punctures. Mr. Champion found a good series of the present

METOPONCUS. 505

species at Totonicapam under pine-bark, and five specimens on the Quiche Mountains ;

but the other localities have only yielded unique examples, some of which differ a good

deal from the type.

The specimen represented on our Plate was found at Cerro Zunil.

6. Metoponcus sinuatus.

Elongatus, subdepressus, nitidus, piceus; capite, thorace elytrisque nigricantibus ; sublevigatus, capite minute

sparsim punctato, punctis majoribus impressis paucis ; prothorace ad latera fortius sinuato.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Patzcuaro (Flohr).

This species is allied to M. varians, but is distinguished by numerous minor details.

The head and thorax are not strigose, but have a distinct distant minute punctuation ;

the former has also a few larger punctures, the eyes being small. The thorax is narrowed

behind, and on each side about the middle has a sinuation or impression deeper than in

the other species ; two or three small punctures on each side of the middle represent

the dorsal series. The elytra are shining, about as long as the thorax, finely punctulate.

The front tibiee are much dilated at the extremity.

7. Metoponcus holisoides. (Tab. XIII. fig. 11.)

Metoponcus holisoides, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 206°.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote, Torola, Chacoj (Champion).—SovuTH AMERICA, Amazons

valley 1.

One example only was found in each locality. The figure on our Plate is taken from

the specimen brought from Torola.

8. Metoponcus minutus.

Testaceus, nitidus; capite fuscescente ; hoc oblongo, cumque thorace parce subtiliter punctato.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne clear yellow; scape short, second joint somewhat elongate, twice or three

times as long as the minute third joint ; penultimate joints very short, strongly trans-

verse. Head abruptly truncated behind, only very slightly narrowed in front, very

shining, with a few fine distant punctures. Thorax straight at the sides, scarcely

narrowed behind, at the sides very sparingly and finely punctate. Elytra as long as

the thorax, shining, very minutely punctulate and pubescent. Hind body with the

apex yellow, the base slightly infuscate. :

Only one example has been found. It is somewhat doubtful whether the species will

prove to be really a Metoponcus; but I can see no reason for excluding it at present.

It is the smallest member of the Xantholinide I am acquainted with.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, August 1880. 3 TT

506 STAPHYLINID A.

Subfam. PHDERINA.

Group LATHROBIINA.

CRYPTOBIUM.

Cryptobium, Mannerheim, Brach. p. 830; Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 561.

Homeotarsus, Hochuth, Bull. Mosc. 1851, p. 34.

This genus, originally established for a single European species, comprises at present

about one hundred species, and is found in most parts of the world. The species in

the New World are evidently especially numerous, and present a most difficult study

to the coleopterist, the sexual characters being peculiar and subject to a complex

variation that may be described as quite analogous with the phenomena that exist in

the cornute Lamellicornia. Thus males of certain species have a produced lobe, some-

times of enormous size, on the middle of the hind body beneath, and also some

pubescent and setigerous spaces; but in certain examples of the same species and sex

the lobe may be entirely absent, and the pubescent or setigerous spaces much reduced,

and, I am inclined to think, occasionally, like the ventral lobe, entirely absent; this

latter varies in form according to the species, and may be a long slender spine, or a

very broad plate, sometimes cleft nearly to the base. The females of certain species

apparently have setigerous spots similar to those of the male; but this is rare, and

requires verification by dissection—the rule, at any rate, being that both setigerous

spaces and the ventral lobe are absent in this sex; and I think it possible that the

supposed females with setigerous spaces may prove to be incompletely developed

males.

I find the best character for dividing the genus consists in the presence or absence of

a raised line on the outside of the wing-case parallel with the lateral margin. This

does not exist in the original species of the genus, but is present in the majority of

those in our fauna, and will ultimately prove, I think, of generic importance. In the

Central-American region the species of this section are very homogeneous in structure,

the labrum being destitute of denticles, the lower tooth of the mandibles divided, and

the pro- and mesosterna strongly carinate. The species of section 2 are much less

homogeneous; C. rostratwm, very aberrant for our fauna, approaching rather closely

in structure to the European C. fracticorne, while in other species the labrum is not

denticulate in the middle; the mandibles may be either simply bidentate (C. rostratum

and others) or with the lower tooth bifid (C. nigriventre, &c.)—the species near to

C. nquisitor being closely allied, but differing inter se in this respect, prevent its being

utilized as a subsectional character.

The structure of the terminal joints of the maxillary palpi is of subordinate value

to some of the other characters I have alluded to, and cannot therefore be used for

CRYPTOBIUM. 507

validating the generic division into Cryptobium and Homeotarsus as proposed by

Hochuth.

Mr. Champion informs me that most of the species met with by him were found on

the sandy banks of rivers and streams, beneath stones or decaying leaves; some were

captured in dark places in the forests, others in the more open country; they were

chiefly obtained during the dry season, at which period the streams dry up a good

deal.

§ 1. Elytra with a raised lateral line parallel with the side margin.

1. Cryptobium collare. (Tab. XIII. fig. 12.)

? Cryptobium ruficolle, Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ross. v. p. 142°.

Sat latum, fusco-rufum ; capite elytrisque nigris; antennis pedibusque testaceis, thorace rufo; capite elytris

paulo latiore, opaco, crebre sat fortiter punctato ; thorace crebre fortiter punctato, medio late impunctato ;

elytris thorace longioribus, crebrius fortiter punctatis, subnitidis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Mexico! (Truqui), Oaxaca (Hoge), Yantepec, Morelos (Flohr, coll. Sharp),

Cordova (Sallé); Guatemata (Sallé), near the city, San Gerdnimo, Tocoy, Rio Naranjo

450 feet (Champion); Nicaragua, Chinandega (Sal/é); Panama, Bugaba, San Feliz

(Champion).

Antenne with the scape rather short, third joint scarcely half as long again as the

second. Head dull, its punctuation not dense nor deep, the punctures near the front

larger and more distant, a broad space behind the labrum impunctate; eyes placed

near the base of mandibles; neck broad. Thorax broad, but subcylindric, red, shining,

a little longer than broad, rather coarsely and moderately closely punctate, with a

broad space along the middle smooth. Elytra quite one and a half times as long as

the thorax, their punctuation deep, coarse, and dense. Hind body rather broad, infus-

cate red, with the apex paler, moderately closely and distinctly punctate.

In the male the fourth ventral plate is furnished behind with a long lobe reaching

quite as far as the extremity of the next segment; it is broad, but narrower behind, and

fringed with numerous very long hairs; at the base of the fourth segment there is a

small transverse setigerous impression, and on the middle of the preceding segment an

elongate transverse line bearing a series of erect sete.

In the female each of the third and fourth segments bears a circular fovea. In some

examples of the male sex the ventral lobe is entirely absent, and I have found one

example of this imperfect form in which also the setigerous impressions are much

reduced in size.

This species was met with plentifully both in Mexico by Herr Hoge, and in Guate-

mala by Mr. Champion, but from the State of Panama only five individuals have been

brought back. The Mexican examples exhibit but little variation from the description

given above. The examples from Guatemala are usually rather smaller, and frequently

3 TT 2

508 STAPHYLINIDA.

have the thorax and the tibiz and tarsi darker in colour, and the abdominal lobe of the

male rather more slender, and the setigerous impressions on the third and fourth

segments rather less extensive. The examples from the State of Panama are all very

aberrant. There are two males and one female from Bugaba; all are of small size, and

the males have no trace of the abdominal lobe; the setigerous impression of the third

segment is not extensive, and that on the fourth segment assumes the form of a rather

small elliptical space: the two examples from San Feliz are males, and have the hind

body pale, which is probably the result of immaturity, and the sexual characters similar

to the Bugaba examples, except that the setigerous impressions are of rather larger

size. I cannot look on these differences as specific; whether they are examples of local

or endemic sexual variation remains to be tested by examination of a larger number of

specimens.

Solsky has merely recorded the supposed occurrence of C. ruficolle, Motsch., in our

region ; but I feel sure the determination was erroneous, and that the true C. rujicolle

does not occur in Mexico; and I also suppose it not improbable that C. collare was the

species Solsky alluded to.

We have figured a well-developed male from Oaxaca.

2. Cryptobium umbratum.

Sat latum, nigricans; antennis pedibusque piceis, femoribus rufis ; capite sat elongato, quam elytra vix latiore,

crebrius fortiter punctato; prothorace crebrius fortiter punctato, medio longitudinaliter levigato; elytris

quam thorax paulo longioribus, crebrius fortiter punctatis ; abdomine subtiliter punctato.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city, San Joaquin, and Balheu in Vera Paz (Champion).

This species is very closely allied to C. collare, but differs as follows:—it is of more

slender form and of darker colour, the head is rather more deeply punctate, and not so

dull, the elytra are a little shorter and not quite so densely punctate, and the hind body is

rather more closely and finely punctate, and the sexual characters are different; in the

male the fourth ventral segment bears a very broad lobe, which does not get narrower

behind ; its margins are fringed with very long hair, the hind margin being rounded;

at the base of the same segment there is a large circular setigerous fovea, and on the

preceding segment a transverse setigerous line. In the female there are no abdominal

fovee. The male characters vary greatly in their development; the description above

gives them as seen in well-developed examples, but in some cases the lobe is reduced

to a quite short, broad projection, and the setigerous impressions to mere punctiform

fovee.

A good series was obtained of this species. Specimens of this and other species of

the genus were captured by Mr. Champion on the sandy banks of small streams at the

bottoms of the very deep ravines or “ barrancas” near the city of Guatemala.

CRYPTOBIUM. 509

3. Cryptobium salvini.

Elongatum, nigrum, nitidum; antennis tarsisque rufis, illarum articulo basali piceo; capite dense fortiter

punctato, anterius nitido et impunctato; prothorace crebrius fortiter punctato, medio longitudinaliter

levigato; elytris quam thorax longioribus crebrius fortiusque punctatis ; abdomine parce punctato.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, Chinautla 4100 feet (Salvin).

So far as I can judge from a single female, this is a species allied to C. wmbratum and

C. collare, but with numerous points of distinction. The black colour, the narrower

form, the more coarsely punctate head, shining in front, cannot fail to distinguish it

from C. collare; while from C. umbratum the sparse punctuation of the hind body

renders it quite distinct. The example is destitute of positive sexual marks.

4, Oryptobium grandiceps.

Latum, subdepressum, nigrum ; antennis pedibusque rufis ; capite majore, dense fortiter punctato, opaco ; thorace

parum elongato, cylindrico, crebrius fortiter punctato, medio longitudinaliter levigato ; elytris quam thorax

evidenter longioribus, dense fortiter subrugulose punctatis, parum nitidis ; abdomine lato, dense punctato.

Long. 16 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Tamahu (Champion).

Of this species, an ally of C. collare, a single example only of doubtful sex has been

found. It has a large head, with elongate mandibles, and will be readily recognized by

its more densely punctate surface; the fourth ventral plate has on the middle a nearly

circular setigerous impression, and the preceding segment a long transverse line, with

elongate, erect sete: springing from it.

5. Cryptobium cephalotes.

Cryptobium cephalotes, Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ross. v. p. 141°.

Hab. Mxxico1, Oaxaca (Hoge).

I have seen only a single example that agrees at all well with Solsky’s description, and

am not quite sure that the determination is correct even in this case. Two other

examples differ in that the under surface and hind body are in one picescent, in the

other nearly black. But I am of opinion that all are examples of one species variable

in colour. Solsky has only defined the sexual characters imperfectly; the male has, in

addition to the lobe of the fourth segment, a large patch of very fine punctuation and

pubescence, and a rather large transverse setigerous impression on the preceding

segment. The female has a rather small curved depression, open behind, on the

third segment.

6. Cryptobium stipes.

Subdepressum, parum latum, nigrum ; antennis rufo-obscuris, pedibus testaceis ; capite elongato, oblongo, opaco,

densius fortiterque punctato ; prothorace cylindrico, nitido, dense fortiterque punctato, medio linea haud

510 STAPHYLINIDZ.

lata levigata; elytris quam prothorax bene longioribus, densius, profunde, sat fortiter punctatis, sub-

nitidis ; abdomine sat crebre punctato.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge).

The head is elongate, and about as broad as the elytra, and the antenne are long and

slender, with the third joint not quite twice as long as the second. The male has a

rather long and rather narrow lobe on the fourth ventral segment, furnished with long

pubescence, and at its base an indefinite, rather small space covered with very fine

punctuation and pubescence; on the preceding segment is a rather short transverse

setigerous depression.

The male characters and the general appearance bring this species near to C. cepha-

lotes, but it is well distinguished by the opaque head, longer elytra, and more numerous

punctuation. Only one example has been found.

7. Cryptobium longipenne.

Cryptobium longipenne, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 565°.

Hab. Mexico !, Cordova (Sallé).

This is apparently a rare species, as I have before me altogether only six examples

all from old collections. The sexual characters were not described by Erichson; in

the male there is a short setigerous space on the third ventral plate, and a circular

fovea bearing a small tuft on the next segment; this segment, moreover, is produced

so as to form a very long, narrow, convex lobe, not narrowed towards the extremity,

which is somewhat rounded. The small series of examples appear to me to indicate

two forms, which may possibly be distinct species—(1) a larger one, in which the female

has setigerous areas on the hind body almost as 1 have described in the male, but no

ventral lobe—to this form belong the two exponents from Sallé’s collection ; and (2) a

smaller form with rather shorter elytra, in which the male has characters similar to

those of the larger form, but the female has no positive sexual marks.

8. Cryptobium adversum.

Subdepressum, nigrum; antennis piceis, pedibus testaceis, coxis fuscis; capite oblongo-subquadrato, crebre

fortius punctato, subopaco; prothorace cylindrico, crebrius fortiter punctato, medio linea lata impunctata ;

elytris quam prothorax fere sesqui longioribus, dense, fortiter profundeque punctatis, subnitidis ; abdomine

minus dense punctato.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Oaxaca (Hoge).

This species is very closely allied to C. cephalotes, but is much smaller, of more slender

form, with less elongate antenne, and narrower thorax. It is almost equally similar

to the smaller forms of C. longipenne, but has a less densely punctate head, this, more-

over, being of slightly different form (slightly dilated in place of slightly narrowed

CRYPTOBIUM. 511

behind the eyes), rather shorter thorax, and rather shorter and more coarsely punctate

elytra. The male has a short transverse space in which are implanted two pencils of

sete, on the third ventral plate, and on the fourth a scarcely perceptible, pubescent

fovea; this segment, moreover, is produced so as to form a very broad lobe projecting

as far back as the hind margin of the next segment, and having a quite rounded

extremity. The female I have not seen.

I have preserved the name with which this insect was labelled in Hége’s collections ;

he found six examples, and these are all I have seen.

9. Cryptobium speculator. (Tab. XIII. fig. 13.)

Gracile, elongatum, subdepressum, dilute rufo-obscurum ; capite elytrisque fuscescentibus, pedibus testaceis,

thorace rufo, nitido; hoe subobsolete sed fortiter, minus crebre, irregulariter punctato, medio longi-

tudinaliter late levigato ; elytris elongatis, dense sat fortiter subrugulose punctatis, fere opacis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge).

Antenne slender and elongate, third joint nearly twice as long as the second. Head

elongate, pilose, dull, but not entirely opaque, rather closely and definitely, moderately

coarsely punctate, the punctuation absent from the anterior part. Thorax slender,

almost cylindric, quite straight-sided, shining, red, with somewhat coarse, but not

deep, rather scanty punctuation, a rather broad space along the middle impunctate.

Elytra flat, elongate. Hind body slender, rather closely and finely punctate. Legs

slender.

In the male the fourth segment beneath is furnished with a broad, short, pubescent

lobe, and in the middle with a circular setigerous impression, the preceding segment

having just before the hind margin a very short transverse setigerous line; in the

female these two segments each bear a setigerous pore. Our figure represents the

female.

10. Cryptobium palustre.

Parum latum, subdepressum, ferrugineum, pedibus testaceis; capite oblongo, crebrius fortiter punctato, anterius

nitido; thorace cylindrico, crebre fortiter punctato, medio longitudinaliter late levigato; elytris quam

thorax paulo longioribus, crebrius fortiter, profundeque punctatis, subnitidis; abdomine parce punctato.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Mxxico, Guanajuato (Sallé).

In the male of this species the fourth segment is furnished on the ventral aspect

with a broad, moderately long, lobe, having straight sides and a very rounded

extremity, and furnished with very long sete; at the base of this lobe there is a

small transverse setigerous depression, and at the base of the preceding segment a

quite small impression bearing a fine pencil of sete. The female has a linear trans-

verse impression on the fourth segment; it is, however, quite fine, and may easily be

overlooked.

512 STAPHYLINID A.

Though a close ally of C. collare, this species is readily distinguished by the colour

and the narrower form, as well as by the differences of sculpture expressed in the

diagnosis. It was labelled “C. palustre, E. Dugés,” in Sallé’s collection, and I have

preserved this name.

11. Cryptobium ferrugineum.

Subdepressum, sat latum, ferrugineum ; pedibus testaceis ; capite opaco, suboblongo, sat crebre, minus profunde

punctato; prothorace minus crebre punctato, medio late longitudinaliter levigato; elytris sat fortiter,

dense, profunde punctatis, subrugosis.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge).

Though very similar at first sight to C. palustre, this species has much denser

punctuation on the elytra, and on the head a more distant and obsolete punctuation, ©

and it has also a shorter thorax. The male has an elongate setigerous line on the

third ventral plate, and on the next segment a transverse area bearing some delicate

pubescence; this segment, too, is produced behind so as to form a long, somewhat

narrow lobe. The female has no positive sexual marks. I have seen only one pair of

the species.

12. Cryptobium luridum.

Subdepressum, sat latum, ferrugineum, opacum; thorace nitido; capite subquadrato, peropaco, crebre, minus

fortiter, haud profunde punctato; thorace crebrius punctato, medio minus late longitudinaliter levigato ;

elytris dense, ad basin sat fortiter, ad apicem obsolete, punctatis, subrugosis, vix nitidis.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hége), Yantepec, Morelos (Flohr, coll. Sharp).

This is a species with large eyes and slender antenne; the head is quite dull, and its

punctuation rather fine. The thoracic punctuation is scanty at the base; that of the

hind body is quite sparing. From C. palustre and C. ferrugineum the species is readily

distinguished by the more quadrate head, and by the much finer punctuation on the

apical portion of the elytra. The male has a short space on the third ventral plate

giving out two pencils of sete, a rather small circular setigerous fovea on the next

segment, and the hind margin of this latter produced to form an extremely broad,

rather short, lobe; the female has no positive sexual marks.

13. Cryptobium terminatum.

Sat latum, rufum ; pedibus flavis, abdominis segmentis duobus ultimis nigris; capite, thorace elytrisque crebre:

fortiter punctatis.

Long. 124 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Pinos Altos in Chihuahua (Buchan-Hepburn).

Head scarcely so broad as the elytra, closely and coarsely punctate, shining in front, and

there more sparingly punctate. Thorax a good deal narrower than the elytra, closely,

CRYPTOBIUM. 513

coarsely, and regularly punctate, a rather narrow distinct space along the middle

smooth. LElytra flat, a little longer and much broader than the thorax, coarsely and

very densely punctured, a little shining. Hind body finely and moderately closely

punctate, slightly shining.

The unique example is no doubt a female, as there are no positive sexual marks.

14. Cryptobium rubeculum.

Parum latum, ferrugineum ; pedibus testaceis; capite suboblongo, opaco, dense subobsolete punctato ; prothorace

elongato, crebrius punctato, medio longitudinaliter sat late levigato; elytris quam prothorax paullo longi-

oribus, dense, minus fortiter et profunde punctatis, subrugosis, haud nitidis.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Pinos Altos in Chihuahua (Buchan-Hepburn).

This is a more slender insect than C. lwridum, with a narrower head, which, moreover,

is not so dull in colour; in shape it comes much nearer to C. terminatum, from which

it is readily distinguished by the unicolorous hind body. The antenne are elongate ; the

punctuation of the head, though coarse, is indefinite and not deep, but on the middle

between the eyes it is distant and finer, and the surface there is not quite dull. The

thorax is not greatly narrower than the head and elytra, and only a little shorter than

the latter; the punctuation of the hind body is scanty and indistinct. The male has a

short setigerous space on the third ventral plate, and a small circular fovea on the

following segment; this segment, moreover, is produced behind to form an extremely

broad, rather short, lobe. The female is without positive sexual marks.

Three examples are before me.

15. Cryptobium zquale. (Tab. XIII. fig. 15.)

Angustulum, subcylindricum, nitidum, rufulum; abdomine elytrisque plaga magna discoidali nigricantibus,

antennis pedibusque testaceis ; elytris haud elongatis, fortiter subseriatim punctatis.

Long. 9 millim.

Hab. Guaremaa (Sailé), near the city, San Gerdénimo, Tocoy (Champion).

Head elongate and narrow, dull, sparingly and rather coarsely punctate. Thorax a

little narrower than the elytra, very shining, pale red, coarsely and moderately closely

Fanictate, with a rather broad regular space along the middle impunctate. LHlytra a

little longer than the thorax, coarsely and closely punctate. Hind body quite sparingly

punctate. Legs yellow.

The male has a broad, rather short lobe, subattenuate behind, on the fourth segment

beneath, and a small, rather indistinct setigerous space on the same segment, there

being on the preceding one a small transverse setigerous space; the lobe varies greatly

in its development, and may be entirely absent. The female has no positive sexual

characters.

An example of the male sex from Tocoy is figured.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, October 1885. 3U0U

514 STAPHYLINIDA.

16. Cryptobium conforme.

Angustulum, nitidum, rufescens ; capite nigro, oblongo ; prothorace nigricante, margine anteriore basique rufes-

centibus, crebrius fortiter punctato, medio longitudinaliter sat late levigato; elytris nitidis, crebre fortiter

subseriatim punctatis, margine apicali angustius dilutiore ; abdomine nigricante, segmentorum marginibus

plus minusve rufescentibus ; pedibus testaceis.

Long. 9 millim. |

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hége), Juquila (Salié).

This species is closely allied to C. wguale, though with differently coloured head and

thorax; it is not quite so narrow in form. The head is shining, and has a deep and

definite punctuation, very scanty in front, but dense near the rounded hind angles.

The male has a rather long setigerous line on the third ventral plate, and a small tuft-

bearing fovea on the fourth segment ; this segment is produced behind to form a narrow

lobe, attenuate behind, reaching as far back as the hind margin of the next segment;

the female is without positive sexual marks.

17. Cryptobium bicolor.

Lathrobium bicolor, Grav. Micr. p. 179°.

Cryptobium bicolor, Er. Gen. et Spec. p. 563°.

Hab. Nortu America!?, United States.—MeExico (Mus. W. W. Saunders).

18. Cryptobium formosum.

Angustulum, nitidum, rufum; abdomine nigro, pedibus testaceis; capite oblongo, crebre fortiter punctato,

anterius parcissime punctato, nitido ; prothorace cylindrico, fortiter irregulariter punctato; elytris quam

prothorax paullo longioribus, dense fortiter punctatis, nitidis.

Long. 9 millim.

Hab. Muxico, near the city (Flohr, coll. Sharp), Pinos Altos in Chihuahua (Buchan-

Hepburn).

Similar to C. bicolor, though with a different arrangement of the colours. The head

is narrow, scarcely broader than the thorax, this latter elongate, but little narrower

than the elytra, with coarse, not dense, punctuation, and with the medial impunctate

space less regular than usual, owing to being infringed on by a few punctures near the

middle. The coxe are but little darker than the femora.

Mr. Flohr sent me two females several years ago, and a slender example of the same

sex with rather less vivid coloration was sent by Mr. Hepburn.

19. Cryptobium concolor.

Angustulum, brunneo-castaneum, nitidum ; pedibus antennisque testaceis; capite oblongo, crebre sat fortiter

punctato, nitido, anterius inter tubera opaco; prothorace crebre fortiter punctato, medio sat longitudi-

naliter levigato ; elytris quam prothorax paullo longioribus, dense fortiter punctatis, nitidis.

Long. 9 millim.

Hab. Muxtco, Presidio, Ventanas 2000 feet (Forrer).

CRYPTOBIUM. 515

The head is but little narrower than the thorax, and shining, with the exception of

the depressed space between the tubercles. The thorax is rather broad, being about

three fourths of the width of the elytra.

This species is similar in form to C. formosum, but the hind body is concolorous

with the anterior parts. Only one female was obtained in each locality; the one from

Ventanas has a slightly broader head and narrower thorax than the type.

aye

20. Cryptobium mixtum. (Tab. XIII. fig. 14.)

Planatum, parum latum, rufum, capite nigro, elytris fuscescentibus, basi apiceque plus minusve rufescentibus,

abdomine ante apicem nigricante, pedibus testaceis ; capite oblongo, opaco, crebrius fere subtiliter punc-

tato; prothorace nitido, dense, argute punctato, linea mediali levigata sat angusta.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui below 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne red, with the middle joints blackish; third joint nearly one and a half

times the length of the second. Mandibles red. Head as broad as the elytra, oblong,

black, quite dull; eyes convex, punctuation rather close, but not coarse, absent from a

broad space behind the labrum. Thorax two thirds of the width of the elytra. Elytra

distinctly longer than the thorax, somewhat shining, blackish, with the base distinctly,

the apex indistinctly, red; densely, moderately finely punctate. Hind body rather

coarsely punctate; the penultimate segment, and the segment preceding it, black.

In the male the fourth segment beneath is furnished with an elongate lobe reaching

farther back than the hind margin of the following segment; the lobe is broad and

subacuminate behind, and there is a very obscure line of setigerous pubescence in front

of its base, and on the preceding segment a more distinct line; the lobe of the fourth

segment is sometimes entirely absent. The female has no positive sexual marks.

Four examples were obtained of this species. It is an ally of C. fasciatum, Ex.

21. Cryptobium chontalense.

Planatum, parum latum, rufum, nitidum; capite nigro, elytris fascia lata abdomineque ante apicem nigri-

cantibus, pedibus testaceis ; capite subopaco, crebre fortiter punctato.

Long. 11 millim.

_ Hab. Nicaracva, Chontales (Janson).

This species is closely allied to C. mixtum, but differs in having the elytra shorter,

only just longer than the thorax, &c. ‘The head is not so dull, and is more definitely

punctured ; the elytra are more shining, more coarsely punctured, and the base and

apex are rather broadly red.

Only one example has been procured. It is without positive sexual marks, but is no

doubt a female.

3 UU 2

516 STAPHYLINIDA.

22. Cryptobium venustum.

Subdepressum, rufescens, nitidum; capite nigro, subquadrato, crebrius fortiter punctato, subopaco; elytris

crebre fortiter, basin versus subseriatim, punctatis, nitidioribus; abdomine piceo, apice rufo; pedibus

testaceis.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Mxxico, Oaxaca, Jalapa (Hége).

The head is densely, coarsely and subobsoletely punctured behind, on the middle

sparingly and definitely ; the middle is a little shining, the impunctate portion between

the antennal tubercles being dull. The thorax is red, shining, coarsely and closely

punctured, at the base more sparingly and with a broad impunctate space along the

middle. The elytra are about one third longer than the thorax, red, shining, rather

coarsely, deeply, and closely but not densely punctate, the punctuation towards the

apex much finer but quite definite. The male has a moderately broad setigerous space

on the third ventral segment, and on the fourth a large circular setigerous fovea; this

segment also is produced to form a broad short lobe. The female has no positive

sexual marks.

The individuals of this species are similar in size and form to C. similipenne, but the

two are readily distinguished by the coloration and differences in the details of the

punctuation.

23. Cryptobium coloratum.

Subdepressum, sat latum, nitidum, piceo-rufum, antennis rufis, pedibus testaceis; capite subquadrato, opaco,

crebrius fortiter punctato; prothorace crebre fortiter punctato, medio sat late longitudinaliter levigato ;

elytris nitidioribus, rufis, sat fortiter haud dense punctatis; abdomine apice dilutiore.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Guatemata (Sallé).

The unique example of this species is very closely allied to C. venustum, but is a

rather larger and broader insect, with rather coarser punctuation on the elytra, and

different characters in the male; the third segment in this sex has a somewhat narrow

transverse setigerous space, and the next a small circular pubescent spot; this segment,

moreover, is produced so as to form a rather long lobe, broad at the base but much

attenuate behind.

24. Cryptobium politulum.

Subdepressum, nitidum, piceum ; antennis rufis, pedibus testaceis ; capite subquadrato, crebre fortiter punctato ;

prothorace crebre fortiter punctato, medio sat late longitudinaliter levigato; elytris crebre fortiter pro-

fundeque subseriatim punctatis.

Long. 94 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Uruapan (Lohr, coll. Sharp).

This species is very closely allied to C. venustum, but is, I have no doubt, distinct, as, in

addition to its more dilute and uniform colour, it is rather smaller, has a more shining,

CRYPTOBIUM. 517

rather more sparsely and finely punctate head, and rather shorter elytra. I have seen

only two females, one of which is very mutilated.

25. Cryptobium complectens.

Subdepressum, piceum, supra nigrum, elytrorum margine apicali anguste flavo, abdominis segmentorum mar-

ginibus ferrugineis; antennis rufis, pedibus pallide flavis; capite subquadrato, crebrius sat fortiter

punctato, minus opaco; prothorace fere dense fortiter punctato, medio sat late longitudinaliter levigato ;

elytris crebre fortius subseriatim punctatis, parum nitidis.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Yautepec, Morelos (Flohr, coll. Sharp).

This is another species closely allied to C. venustum, and differs in little besides the

colour; the thorax, however, is slightly larger and rather more closely punctate. I

have seen but one female.

26. Cryptobium stygicum.

Subdepressum, nigrum ; antennis rufis, pedibus testaceis ; capite latiusculo, crebre subobsolete punctato, per-

opaco; prothorace cylindrico, nitido, crebrius fortiter punctato, linea mediali parum lata impunctata ;

elytris quam prothorax longioribus, creberrime, sat fortiter, subrugulose punctatis; abdomine parce

punctato, fere opaco.

Long. 9-11 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca, Jalapa (Hége); Guatemata (Sallé), San Joaquin (Champion).

In the male there is a rather short transverse setigerous impression near the hind

margin of the third ventral plate; on the following segment there is a deep circular

fovea with a short tuft of sete springing from it, and the hind margin of this segment

is produced so as to form a very broad short lobe, reaching hardly as far back as the

hind margin of the next segment, and having its hind margin rounded. The female is

usually smaller and more slender than the male, but has no positive sexual marks.

This species agrees with C. collare in the sculpture of the head and hind body, but

the individuals are a good deal smaller in size, and are readily distinguished by the

denser and rather finer punctuation of the thorax and elytra in addition to the different

sexual characters. Herr Hoge obtained a good series, and Mr. Champion and M. Sallé

one example each.

27. Cryptobium tinctipenne.

Subdepressum, haud latum, piceum ; capite nigro, antennis rufis, pedibus testaceis ; capite oblongo, crebre sub-

obsolete punctato, peropaco; prothorace cylindrico, nitido, crebrius fortiter punctato, linea mediali parum

lata impunctata; elytris quam prothorax longioribus, creberrime sat fortiter punctatis; abdomine parce

punctato, fere opaco.

Long. 9-10 millim.

Hab. Guatemata (Sallé), San Gerénimo, San Joaquin, Tamahu, Cahabon, Chacoj

(Champion).

This is a species very closely allied to C. stygicwm, but has a considerably narrower

518 STAPHYLINIDA.

head, and the colour is usually not so dark, especially on the underside. The male

has a small setigerous impression on the third ventral plate, and on the fourth plate

an obsolete very small fovea; this plate projects backwards as a very broad short lobe,

not reaching so far back as the hind margin of the following segment.

The colour varies somewhat in this species; frequently the base and sides of the

wing-cases are rufescent, and sometimes this colour is only visible on them as an obscure

humeral spot.

Banks of streams (Champion).

28. Cryptobium guatemalense.

Subdepressum, nigrum ; antennis rufis, pedibus testaceis ; capite latiusculo, crebre subobsolete punctato, opaco ;

prothorace cylindrico, nitido, crebrius fortiter punctato, opaco, linea mediali parum lata impunctata; elytris

quam prothorax paullo longioribus, creberrime sat fortiter et subrugulose punctatis; abdomine parce

punctato, fere opaco.

Long. 10-11 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Paraiso 300 feet, San Gerdnimo (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales

(Janson).

This species is very closely allied to C. stygicum, but the male characters agree rather

with those of C. tinctipenne, and the elytra are a little shorter, being not more than one

sixth longer than the thorax; the head, too, is not quite so dull, and its punctuation

is rather closer and less obsolete; as a series of seven examples is constant in these

respects I must consider them to represent a species distinct from either C. stygicum or

C. tinctipenne. From San Gerdnimo only a very damaged example has been received,

and there is only one exponent from Nicaragua.

29. Oryptobium puncticolle.

Subdepressum, nigrum ; antennis rufis, pedibus testaceis ; capite latiusculo, dense subobsolete punctato, peropaco ;

prothorace cylindrico, nitido, dense fortiter punctato, linea mediali antice fere interrupta, impunctata ;

elytris quam prothorax longioribus, creberrime sat fortiter et subrugulose punctatis; abdomine fere opaco.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Guatrmata, San Isidro 1600 feet, Zapote (Champion).

This species also is extremely close to C. stygicum, but the punctuation of the head and

thorax is a good deal, and that of the elytra slightly, denser; the elytra also are rather

shorter. It is equally near to C. guatemalense, but the more dense punctuation of the

head will not permit me to unite the two. The two examples obtained do not quite

agree, that from Zapote having the head rather more densely punctured and less dull,

and the male characters as in C. tinctipenne, whereas in the type the fovea of the fourth

segment of the male is entirely obsolete.

30. Cryptobium modestum.

Subdepressum, sat latum, nigrum, nitidum; antennis rufis, pedibus testaceis; capite latiusculo, crebre subob=

CRYPTOBIUM. 519

solete punctato, peropaco ; prothorace cylindrico, crebre fortiter punctato, medio longitudinaliter levigato ;

elytris quam prothorax longioribus, crebrius fortiter punctatis; abdomine parce punctato.

Long. 10-12 millim.

Hab. Panama, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands ( Champion).

This species is closely allied to C. collare, and particularly resembles it in the

punctuation of the head and thorax, but the examples are not half the size, and the

upper surface is concolorous. The male has a transverse setigerous impression emitting

two small tufts near the hind margin of the third ventral plate, and on the following

segment a very obscure transverse setigerous mark; the hind margin of this segment

may be either simple or produced to form a very broad moderately short lobe; the

female is without positive sexual marks. Three examples were captured.

Banks of small streams (Champion).

31. Cryptobium jejunum.

Subdepressum, nigrum, nitidum; antennis rufis, pedibus testaceis; capite subquadrato, crebrius fortiter

argute punctato, opaco; prothorace cylindrico, crebre fortiter punctato, medio longitudinaliter levigato ;

elytris quam prothorax paullo longioribus, crebre fortiter profunde punctatis, nitidis.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Torola 1000 feet (Champion). Four examples.

This differs from the preceding species by the deep definite punctuation of the head

and the coarse less dense punctuation of the wing-cases; by these characters it more

resembles C. similipenne, but the punctuation of the head in C. jejunum is much

coarser, and the ventral lobe of the male is narrower; in other respects the male

characters are similar to those of C. similipenne, there being a rather long transverse

line bearing sete on the third segment, and on the next segment a rather small and

deep nearly circular tuft-bearing fovea; the ventral lobe of this segment is rather

short, reaching to the hind margin of the following segment, and is much attenuate

behind, its apex, however, being quite rounded.

32. Cryptobium derasum.

Subdepressum, nigrum; antennis rufis, pedibus testaceis; capite subquadrato, crebre subobsolete punctato,

opaco, inter oculos parce argute punctato, nitido; prothorace cylindrico, crebrius fortiter punctato, nitido,

linea mediali impunctata; elytris quam prothorax longioribus, crebrius sat fortiter punctatis, nitidis.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, near the city, and San Gerénimo (Champion). .

This species is another very close ally of C. stygicum, and the elytra are one third

longer than the thorax, as in that species, but they are rather more coarsely punctate

and shining, as in C. modestum; the punctuation on the basal portion near the suture

is rugulose; the species is, however, readily distinguishable by the shining spot on the

head near the front. The male has a small setigerous impression on the third ventral

520 STAPHYLINIDA.

plate, and a very minute circular spot on the next segment; the hind margin of this

is produced into a very broad rounded lobe reaching as far back as the hind margin of

the following segment; the female has no positive sexual marks.

Only one pair was met with at San Gerdnimo, and one example at Guatemala

city; this latter is a male with narrow head, without ventral lobe, and with a large

fovea in place of a minute one on the fourth segment; it may prove to be a distinct

species.

33. Cryptobium crassulum.

Minus gracile, subdepressum, piceum ; capite thoraceque nigricantibus, antennis rufis, pedibus testaceis; capite

suboblongo, opaco, crebrius subobsolete punctato; prothorace minus gracili, crebrius fortiter punctato,

medio sat late longitudinaliter levigato ; elytris dense vix fortiter punctatis, subopacis.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cuernavaca (Sal/é).

This species is allied by its colour to C. tinctipenne, and by its shape and general

appearance to C. derasum, but is readily identified by its considerably broader thorax,

the length of this part being hardly at all greater than the width; the head is not

very large, but little broader than the thorax ; the antenne are clear red in colour; the

tibize a good deal darker than the femora; the elytra are about one third longer than

the thorax.

The two examples are in a bad state of preservation, and are females without positive

sexual marks.

34. Cryptobium certatum.

Minus gracile, subparallelum, subdepressum, haud nitidum, piceo-rufum; capite thoraceque nigricantibus,

antennis rufis, pedibus testaceis; capite suboblongo, opaco, crebrius subobsolete punctato; prothorace

crebrius punctato, medio minus late longitudinaliter levigato; elytris densius fere subtiliter punctatis,

subopacis, basi externe rufescente.

Long. 83 millim.

Hab. Nicaraeua, Managua (Sallé).

The head is not large, not at all broader than the thorax ; this latter slightly narrowed

behind, and but little narrower than the elytra.

This species is readily recognizable by its form, though connected by means of

C. crassulum with O. derasum and C. tinctipenne. Only one example, of the female

sex, has been received.

35. Cryptobium similipenne.

? Lathrobium similipenne, Say, Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. iv. p. 153; Lec. Say’s Amer. Ent. ii. p. 568°.

Cryptobium similipenne, Er. Gen. et Sp. p. 270’.

Hab. Mexico ! 2, near the city (Flohr, coll. Sharp), Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa, Oaxaca

(Hoge).

CRYPTOBIUM. 521

On the authority of the type in Chevrolat’s collection, I identify as Erichson’s species

a not uncommon Mexican Cryptobium frequently bearing the above name in collections.

I do not know on what evidence Erichson considered this to be Say’s L. similipenne, the

description of Say being extremely imperfect, but not, I am inclined to think, referring

to any species of Cryptobiwm. 'The insect I am now alluding to is very similar to

C. stygicum, but may be readily distinguished by the sculpture of the head and elytra,

the former being more densely and deeply and definitely punctate and not so completely

dull; the elytra are shorter, quite shining, more coarsely and considerably less densely

punctate. The tibie are deeply infuscate. The male has a rather extensive transverse

setigerous mark on the third ventral segment, and on the following segment a mode-

rately large and deep, nearly circular fovea, with a small tuft springing from it; the

hind margin projecting so as to form a very broad, rather long lobe with greatly

rounded extremity.

36. Cryptobium assimile.

Cryptobium assimile, Kr. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 570°.

Hab. Mexico (coll. Chevrolat) }.

The type of this species in Chevrolat’s collection is an insect allied to C. antoniense

and C. filariwm, but not agreeing sufficiently with either to lead me to suppose it to be

conspecific; unfortunately it is a female.

37. Cryptobium flohri.

Subdepressum, latiusculum, nigrum, nitidum; antennis rufis, pedibus testaceis; capite subquadrato, nitido,

crebrius fortiter punctato; prothorace crebre fortiter punctato, medio longitudinaliter late levigato ;

elytris quam prothorax paullo longioribus, dense fortiter et profunde punctatis, nitidis ; abdomine crebrius

subtiliter sed sat profunde punctato.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Mexico, near the city (Flohr, coll. Sharp), Oaxaca (Hoge).

This species though similar to C. similipenne is larger and broader, and is readily

distinguished by the head being polished, especially in front; the thoracic punctuation

is less dense than in C. similipenne, and that of the wing-cases is remarkably deep and

definite. The male has a rather elongate line bearing sete on the third segment, and

on the following segment there is a large transverse setigerous space, having also

considerable extension in the longitudinal direction, its hind margin being curved and

less definite than the anterior; this segment also bears behind a very broad lobe,

extending back beyond the hind margin of the next segment; towards the extremity

this lobe is a good deal attenuate, its hind margin being, however, quite rounded.

The female is without positive sexual characters.

I received a pair of this species (found near the city of Mexico) some years ago from

Mr. Flohr, and there is a single female amongst Herr Hoge’s captures.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, October 1885. 3 XX

522 STAPHYLINID.

38. Cryptobium antoniense.

Angustulum, nigrum; antennis rufis, pedibus testaceis; capite oblongo, crebre fortiter subobsolete punctato,

peropaco ; prothorace crebrius profunde punctato, linea mediali impunctata; elytris quam prothorax paullo

longioribus, dense, fortiter et profunde punctatis, nitidis, margine summo apicali piceo; abdomine minus

subtiliter punctato.

Long. 83 millim.

Hab. GuateMa.a, Paso Antonio 400 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather stout; red, tenth joint evidently longer than broad, the intermediate

joints a little clouded. Head as broad as the elytra, straight at the sides, with prominent

eyes. Thorax cylindric, a little narrower than the head and elytra; the latter only

about one eighth part longer than the thorax. ‘Tibie scarcely darker than the femora.

The unique example is in a bad state of preservation, abraded and broken ; it appears

to have the abdominal punctuation coarser though not deeper than usual; it is a male,

and has a short transversely elliptical impression on the third ventral plate, and a

circular fovea on the next segment; there is no lobe.

This species and C. filariwm have the elytra more coarsely punctured and shining

than in the species placed immediately after them.

Banks of streams in the low country (Champion).

39. Cryptobium filarium.

Angustulum, nigrum ; antennis rufis, pedibus testaceis; capite oblongo, crebrius subobsolete punctato, opaco ;

prothorace crebrius profunde punctato, linea mediali impunctata; elytris quam prothorax longioribus,

dense fortiter et profunde punctatis, nitidis, margine summo apicali piceo; abdomine sat crebre punctato.

Long. 9 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Paso Antonio 400 feet (Champion).

The unique example has no positive sexual marks, but is no doubt a female. Though

closely allied to C. antoniense I cannot consider it to be the other sex thereof, the head

being more narrowed behind; the general form is rather more slender, the antenne are

a little more slender, the elytra a little longer, and the punctuation of the hind body

apparently finer.

40. Cryptobium errans.

Nigrum ; antennis rufis, pedibus testaceis; capite subquadrato, opaco, dense, vix subtiliter, minus profunde

punctato ; prothorace cylindrico, nitido, dense punctato, linea mediali impunctata ; elytris quam prothorax

longioribus, densius vix subtiliter punctatis, subnitidis.

Long. 103 millim.

Hab. Panama, Caldera in Chiriqui 1200 feet (Champion).

Antenne elongate and slender, the tenth joint being a good deal longer than broad.

Head quite as broad as the elytra.

This species most resembles C. puncticolle, but has considerably more slender antenne,

more finely punctured head, and longer and rather more coarsely punctured elytra. The

CRYPTOBIUM. 523

less deep and definite punctuation of the head and the less fine sculpture of the wing-

cases will not allow it to be united with C. tenuicorne or its immediate allies. The

only example before me is in a very decayed condition, but is no doubt a female, as it

possesses no positive sexual marks.

41. Cryptobium rugosipenne.

Minus gracile, nigrum ; abdomine piceo, antennis rufis, pedibus testaceis ; capite subquadrato, densius subtiliter

argute punctato, subnitido ; prothorace densius minus fortiter punctato, linea mediali levigata minus lata ;

elytris quam prothorax paullo longioribus, densissime vix subtiliter punctatis, rugulosis.

Long. 9 millim.

Hab. Panama, Pefia Blanca 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne neither elongate nor slender. Head very closely punctate, but the fine

interstices are distinctly shining, and the impunctate space behind the labrum is quite

polished. Thorax less cylindric than in the allied species, the sides being a little

dilated in front of the middle, its punctuation very close, its impunctate line disap-

pearing in front, and encroached on behind by the punctuation so as to be compressed,

and in this part rather deeply canaliculate.

The unique example, which is in a very decayed condition, is apparently, judging

from the absence of conspicuous sexual marks, a female.

Banks of rapid streams in the forest (Champion).

42. Cryptobium confine.

Gracile, nigrum; antennis rufis, pedibus testaceis, coxis rufo-obscuris; capite breviter suboblongo, dense sub-

tiliter argute punctato, subnitido; prothorace cylindrico, nitido, dense punctato, linea mediali angusta

impunctata; elytris quam prothorax longioribus, densius vix subtiliter punctatis, subnitidis.

Long. 83 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

This species, though closely allied to C. rugosipenne, is a much more slender insect,

with very much smaller head, which is even slightly narrowed behind the eyes, instead

of being slightly dilated; the cephalic punctuation is dense and rather definite, but on

the space between the antennal tubercles there are only a few punctures, these being of

larger size. The thorax and elytra are less elongate than in C. tenuicorne, to which, on

account of its stature and slender form, C. confine is very similar. ‘The only example is

a female, and has lost the greater part of its antenne.

43. Cryptobium arduum.

Gracile, nigrum; antennis coxisque rufis, pedibus testaceis; capite oblongo-subquadrato, densius subtiliter

argute punctato, subnitido; prothorace cylindrico sed anterius magis evidenter angustato, dense punctato,

linea mediali arguta impunctata; elytris quam prothorax longioribus, densius minus fortiter punctatis,

subrugulosis.

Long. 83 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

3 XX 2

524 STAPHYLINIDA.

Antenne elongate. Head, though rather broad, a good deal rounded at the sides

behind, very definitely punctured on the anterior half, but the punctuation very scanty

towards the labrum.

The unique example does not agree sufficiently with C. confine to allow me to unite

it therewith ; it has a much larger head and more slender thorax, but it is possible the

two may be the sexes of one species. The male characters consist of a moderately

broad depression on the third segment, and a rather large and deep, nearly circular

(but slightly transverse), fovea on the fourth segment, the hind margin of the latter

being prolonged to form a rather slender elongate lobe.

44. Cryptobium tenuicorne.

Gracile, nigrum ; antennis rufescentibus, pedibus cum coxis testaceis; capite suboblongo, opaco, crebrius sub-

obsolete punctato; prothorace cylindrico, nitido, dense punctato, linea mediali angusta impunctata; elytris

elongatis, quam prothorax multo longioribus, dense fere subtiliter punctatis.

Long. 94 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

Antenne very slender, elongate. Head elongate and rather narrow, very dull, except

a quite small space immediately behind the labrum in the middle. Elytra elongate and

narrow, their sides quite parallel.

This species is distinguished among its immediate allies of slender form with delicate

antenne by its very dull head, the punctuation of which is quite obsolete on the part

in front of the middle of the eyes. The male has a rather deep transverse impression

on the third ventral plate, but none on the following segment, the hind margin of

which forms a broad very short lobe. Two male examples were captured.

Banks of small streams in the forest (Champion).

45. Cryptobium ovaticeps.

Nigrum; antennis rufis, pedibus testaceis, coxis fuscis; capite oblongo-ovali, densius subtiliter sat argute

punctato, subopaco; prothorace cylindrico, nitido, dense punctato, linea mediali angusta impunctata;

elytris elongatis, quam prothorax longioribus, densius vix subtiliter punctatis, subnitidis.

Long. 84 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Lanquin (Champion); Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet, Caldera in

Chiriqui 1200 feet (Champion).

This is a slender species with elongate antenne, and long, narrow, parallel-sided elytra

like C. tenwicorne; the head, however, of C. ovaticeps differs from that of C. tenuicorne

in being a little narrowed behind the eyes, and the dense rather fine punctuation, deep

and definite on the anterior half and extending nearly to the front margin, leaving only

a small elevated space behind the labrum impunctate and polished: as in C. fenuicorne

the slender thorax has the sides a little rounded and narrow in front. The male has a

very short transverse setigerous space on the third segment, and a very minute round

fovea on the next, the hind margin of this latter segment being a little prolonged in

CRYPTOBIUM. 525

the middle so as to form a very broad and very short lobe. In one male, however, the

lobe is entirely wanting, and the setigerous space of the third segment is very much

reduced in size. The female is without positive sexual marks.

Six examples were met with at Caldera and one in each of the other localities; all

are in a bad state of preservation.

46. Cryptobium celatum.

Gracile, nigrum ; antennis rufis, pedibus cum coxis testaceis; capite dense punctato, medio parce punctato et

nitido ; prothorace cylindrico, nitido, crebre fortiter punctato, linea mediali levigata lata; elytris elon-

gatis, densissime fere subtiliter punctatis, subopacis.

Long. 93 millim.

Hab. GuatmMata, near the city, San Gerdénimo (Champion).

This species, though very similar to C. ovaticeps, cannot be confounded therewith on

account of the much less dense punctuation of the thorax. The head, though it may

be described as oblong-oval, is not so slender as in C. ovaticeps ; its punctuation is very

dense behind, more scanty and coarser on the disc, and there quite shining, and does not

extend to the front margin. The thorax is very slender and the elytra very elongate ;

the antenne are long and slender. The two examples are females, without positive

sexual marks; the one from Guatemala city has rather longer elytra, which, together

with the hind body, are also broader. If the difference in the shape of the head between

C. celatum and C. subgracile should prove sexual, the two may prove to be one species ;

but I do not think this very probable.

Banks of streams in comparatively open places (Champion).

47, Cryptobium subgracile.

Subdepressum, nigrum; antennis rufis, pedibus cum coxis testaceis; capite suboblongo, minus gracili, dense

fere argute punctato, subnitido ; prothorace subcylindrico, crebrius fortiter (basin versus parcius) punctato ;

elytris elongatis, subampliatis, densius vix subtiliter punctatis, subopacis ; abdomine crebrius punctato.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Joaquin in Vera Paz (Champion).

This species has the facies of C. longipenne, though it is very much smaller in size.

the very elongate elytra are less parallel than in C. tenuicorne, which species also C. sub-

gracile much resembles, though it has the punctuation on the basal part of the thorax

much more scanty. The antenne are extremely elongate and slender ; the head is rather

broad, and the punctuation on the part in front of the eyes quite scanty. The colour

of the under surface in the unique example is piceo-rufous, but it is perhaps not quite

mature ; the specimen is a male, and has a rather obscure, short, transverse, setigerous

impression on the third segment, and a small, shallow, circular setigerous mark on the

next, the hind margin of this fourth segment being produced so as to form a broad,

elongate, parallel-sided lobe, with quite rounded extremity.

526 STAPHYLINIDA.

48. Cryptobium apicipenne.

Haud latum, subparallelum, nigrum, opacum; antennis picescentibus, basi rufa, pedibus elytrorumque apice

summo pallide flavis ; capite minore, subquadrato, peropaco, obsolete punctato ; prothorace densius fortiter

punctato, medio linea angusta levigata minus arguta; elytris quam prothorax paullo longioribus, densius

et fortiter punctatis, subrugosis.

Long. 73 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Playa Vicente (Sallé), Jalapa, Oaxaca (Hége), Tlalcotalpam (Flohr,

coll. Sharp); GuareMaa, Paso Antonio, 400 feet (Champion) ; Nicaragua, Greytown

(Janson).

The male has a rather large transverse setigerous impression on the third ventral

plate, and a slightly smaller one on the next; the hind margin of this latter segment

may be produced to form an extremely broad short lobe, or this lobe may be entirely

absent ; the size of the setigerous impressions, too, is apparently variable. The species

is readily recognized, and not very similar to any other known to me. I have an

example in my collection purporting to come from the United States, but the locality

is doubtful.

49, Cryptobium nasutum. (Tab. XIII. fig. 16.)

Angustum, subcylindricum, nigricans; antennis pedibusque sordide testaceis ; capite prothoraceque opacis, illo

elongato, subrugose obsolete punctato, hoc linea mediali nitida, parce subtilissime punctato; elytris

crebrius, fortiter et profunde punctatis, subnitidis.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

Head elongate, swollen on each side at the base of the mandibles; eyes convex, placed

about the middle of the sides; the surface quite dull, impunctate in front, rugosely but

indistinctly punctate behind. Thorax slender, subcylindric, a little narrower than the

elytra, almost impunctate, very dull with a shining space extending along the middle

of its entire length. Hund body a little shining, rather closely punctate.

In the male the fourth segment beneath is armed with a long spine, extending as

far back as the hind margin of the sixth segment; the hind trochanters are very much

prolonged, and exhibit a slender, acute, free extremity.

Three examples have been obtained of this distinct species. C. nasutum differs from

the rest of the section in that the line on the side of the elytron joins the margin far in

front of the extremity.

§ 2. Elytra without lateral raised line.

50. Cryptobium nigriventre. (Tab. XIII. fig. 21.)

Minus depressum, colore instabile, rufescens, plus minusve piceo-tinctum ; abdomine supra nigricante, segmentis

duobus ultimis marginibus testaceis; antennis rufis, medio fuscescentibus; pedibus albido-flavis, coxis

rufis; capite prothoraceque parce punctatis; elytris dense fortius et profunde punctatis, margine apicali

vage rufescente ; stylis analibus corneis lateraliter compressis.

Long. 10 millim.

CRYPTOBIUM. 527

Hab. Mexico, near the city (Flohr, coll. Sharp), Cordova, Playa Vicente (Sallé),

Jalapa, Oaxaca (Hoge) ; GuaTEMALA (Sallé), near the city, and San Gerénimo (Champion).

Head rather narrow, not much more than half as broad as the elytra, sparingly

but coarsely punctate, somewhat shining, with large convex eyes. Thorax slightly

narrower than the head, the sides a good deal rounded in front, very slightly narrowed

behind, coarsely but sparingly punctate, there being a broad impunctate space along

the middle, and on either side of this an irregular double series of punctures imper-

fectly separated from the lateral punctuation; the surface dull, minutely coriaceous.

Elytra very distinctly longer than the thorax, with remarkably deep coarse punc-

tuation.

In the male the terminal ventral plate is broadly and rather deeply emarginate ; but

the base of the emargination in the middle is armed with a slight angular projection ;

the lateral lobe of the armature is much broader than in the female, the under margin

is rounded, the upper margin nearly straight, but with a small upward curvature at

the apex, causing it to be minutely acuminate; there is also an obscure setigerous

impression on the third ventral plate, and a transverse pubescent line on the next

segment.

This is one of a group of species characterized by the peculiar construction of the

external genital armature. It varies much in colour; very red examples were labelled

““ C. nigriventre, Chey.,” in Sallé’s collection. A very dark example of the male sex

from Guatemala city is figured.

51. Cryptobium cognatum.

Minus depressum, nigricans ; capite prothoraceque dilute rufo-castaneis, elytris piceis, margine summo apicali

angustissime pallido, abdominisque segmentis duobus ultimis posterius flavo-marginatis ; antennis rufis,

pedibus pallide flavis ; prothorace minus nitido, utrinque crebre punctato ; elytris densissime, profunde, vix

fortiter punctatis, subrugosis.

Long. 9 millim.

Hab. Panama, Tolé, San Feliz (Champion).

This species is very closely allied in all respects to C. nigriventre, except that the

punctuation of the elytra is much denser and finer, and the head and thorax generally

more slender. The male has a small setigerous impression on the third ventral plate,

and an elongate transverse pubescent line on the next plate; the terminal segment is

broadly but slightly emarginate behind, and with a very slight angular projection in

the middle of the emargination.

Seven examples, agreeing closely with one another, were met with. Sandy banks of

rivers (Champion).

52. Cryptobium perforatum.

Minus depressum, nigricans ; capite rufo, antennis pedibusque testaceis, elytrorum margine summo abdominisque

528 STAPHYLINIDA.

segmentis duobus ultimis posterius flavescentibus; prothorace densius fortiter punctato, linea angusta

mediali impunctata ; elytris dense, fortiter et profunde punctatis.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Nicaraaua, Managua, Granada (Sallé); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to

3000 feet, David (Champion).—VEnEZUELA, Caracas (Thieme).

This is another species very closely allied to C. nigriventre, but distinguished by the

dense, coarse, thoracic punctuation, the surface of the thorax, moreover, being shining ;

the punctuation of the head is dense and subobsolete behind, very scanty on the middle,

and absent in front. The male has a transverse setigerous space on the third ventral

plate, and an elongate transverse pubescent line on the next plate; but the terminal

segment is not emarginate. The female has no positive sexual marks.

Six examples from our region are before me; the example from David is a small

dark variety of the male sex. The example from Venezuela was sent me by M. Réné

Oberthiir, named C. sulphuripes, Er., but does not accord sufficiently with the description

of that species.

53. Cryptobium centrale. (Tab. XIII. fig. 20.)

Piceum ; antennis pedibusque rufis, elytris piceo-rufis ; capite haud elongato, post oculos rotundato, cumque

thorace nitido, hoe irregulariter punctato, medio longitudinaliter late levigato ; elytris quam prothorax

longioribus, dense, parum profunde, sat subtiliter punctatis, subopacis.

Long. 94 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Oaxaca (Hoge); Guatemana (Sallé), San Geronimo, Tocoy,

San Isidro 1600 feet (Champion) ; Nicaragua, Chinandega (Sailé).

Head short and broad; eyes rather large and convex, placed about the middle of

the sides; the surface shining, coarsely punctate, a few minute punctures mixed with

the larger ones, the anterior part depressed and dull, impunctate. Thorax very

shining, a little narrower than the head, and distinctly narrower than the elytra, a

broad space on the middle impunctate, and on either side of this with numerous rather

coarse irregularly-distributed punctures. Elytra reddish, more or less infuscate, very

closely punctate. Hind body extremely finely punctate.

The male has the posterior trochanters prolonged, so as to form a long slender free

spine lying parallel with the femur; the fourth ventral segment is provided with a

large elongate nearly parallel-sided lobe, its extremity truncate or very feebly emar-

ginate, and with the angles a little enlarged ; at the base of the lobe there is a trans-

verse slightly curved setigerous depression, and the seventh segment is provided at the

apex with a rather deep angular excision. The female has a curved elevation near the

base of the fourth segment. In certain examples which I consider, though with

hesitation, to be less developed males of the same species, the ventral lobe is narrower,

a little shorter, and has a slightly rounded extremity. The figure represents a small

male of unusually rufescent coloration.

CRYPTOBIUM. 529

54. Cryptobium affine.

Fusco-rufum ; capite piceo, antennis pedibusque rufis; capite haud elongato, post oculos rotundato, cumque

prothorace nitido, hoc irregulariter punctato, medio longitudinaliter late levigato; elytris quam prothorax

paullo longioribus, dense sat subtiliter punctatis.

Long. 73 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Oaxaca (Hoge) ; Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

There seems little to distinguish this species from some of the varieties of C. centrale,

except the smaller size and the different male characters; in the sex alluded to the

fourth ventral plate is provided with a lobe of variable length, which tapers from the

base to the apex, the latter being nearly acuminate ; the setigerous mark at the base

of this lobe is feeble, and differs but little from the curvate elevation that exists in the

females of both C. affine and C. centrale.

55. Cryptobium grandicolle.

Nigrum ; antennis pedibusque rufis; capite haud elongato, post oculos rotundato, cumque prothorace nitido,

hoc ad latera parce punctato, medio latius longitudinaliter impunctato ; elytris prothoracis longitudine,

crebrius minus fortiter punctatis.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge) ; Guatemata, Balheu in Vera Paz (Champion).

Although closely allied to C. centrale this species is larger, darker in colour, and has

the thorax larger, so that it is scarcely perceptibly shorter than the elytra; these latter

are less densely punctate, and the thoracic punctuation also is more scanty. The male

characters are the same as in the variety of C. centrale with narrow attenuate lobe.

Only one example has been received from each locality.

56. Cryptobium brevipenne. (Tab. XIII. fig. 17.)

Piceum, angustulum, subdepressum; antennis pedibusque rufis ; prothorace vage punctato ; elytrisquam prothorax

haud latioribus et multo brevioribus.

Long. 9 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Purula in Vera Paz 4000 feet (Champion).

Head rather broad and short, sparingly punctate, dull; eyes quite small, not at all

prominent. Thorax large, slightly narrowed behind, rather sparingly and coarsely but

subobsoletely punctate, with a broad space along the middle impunctate. LElytra

narrow at the shoulders, coarsely and closely but not deeply punctate, shining. Hind

body rather closely punctate, reddish in colour behind.

The small eyes and short elytra render thisa very distinct species. The only example

that has reached me is a male; it has the fourth ventral segment provided with an

elongate rather slender lobe, narrowed behind so as to be almost acuminate at the

apex, and in front of the base of the lobe there is a transverse setigerous depression.

Banks of streams in the forest (Champion).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, October 1885. 3 VV

530 STAPHYLINIDA.

57. Cryptobium inquisitor.

Nigrum, nitidum ; antennis piceo-rufis, pedibus testaceis, coxis fuscis; capite nitido, crebre fortiter, anterius

parce, punctato; prothorace crebrius punctato, medio sat late longitudinaliter impunctato ; elytris quam

prothorax vix longioribus, densius minus fortiter rugoso-punctatis.

Long. 83 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, near the city, Balheu, San Joaquin and Tamahu (Champion).

Though allied to C. centrale this is a smaller and much narrower insect, with a

differently shaped head, the eyes being but little prominent, and there being but little

constriction in front of them; the third joint of the antenne is not longer than the

second. The structure of the terminal ventral plate in the male is very remarkable:

it is very deeply longitudinally impressed from the base to the apex, the impression

being divided into three parts; the anterior is slightly narrower than the others, and

its sides terminate as a minute denticle projecting backwards; the middle depression

has an indefinite longitudinal elevation on its middle, while the apical one is cut away

to a large extent by an elongate narrow notch. The fourth ventral plate projects

behind as a rather narrow lobe, attenuate behind. The female has no positive sexual

marks.

58. Cryptobium monticola.

Minus latum, subparallelum, nigrum, nitidum ; antennis piceo-rufis, pedibus testaceis, coxis fuscis, tibiis fusces-

centibus ; capite suboblongo, nitido, crebre fortiter et profunde punctato; prothorace crebrius punctato,

medio minus late longitudinaliter impunctato; elytris quam prothorax vix longioribus, densius minus

fortiter rugoso-punctatis.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Quiche mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion).

This species is extremely similar to C. inguisitor, but has a rather longer head, which,

moreover, is a good deal more closely punctured, and the male characters are different ; in

this sex the third ventral plate has in the middle behind a shining elevated space some-

what like a flattened tubercle, in the middle of which there is a minute fovea, which is

probably pubescent, and. on the middle of the next segment there is a similar space, but

less elevated and destitute of fovea; the terminal ventral plate has in the middle

behind a narrow deep notch, the anterior part of which is contracted and placed in a

longitudinal depression ; at the front of this depression there is an excessively minute

tubercle, and the depression is prolonged to the base of the segment as a slender longi-

tudinal channel. The female has no positive sexual marks. Only three examples

were obtained. Banks of streams in the pine-forest region (Champion).

59. Cryptobium mexicanum.

Minus latum, subparallelum, nigrum, nitidum ; antennis fusco-rufis, pedibus testaceis ; capite sat crebre, argute,

anterius parce, punctato, nitido, oculis haud magnis ; prothorace crebre punctato, medio sat late longitu-

dinaliter levigato; elytris quam prothorax vix longioribus, dense minus fortiter punctatis.

Long. 84 millim.

CRYPTOBIUM. 531

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (fége).

This species greatly resembles C. inguisitor, but has a much more sparingly punctate

thorax; and the male characters of the third and fourth segments are very different ; on

the third segment there is in the middle behind a slightly elevated, round tubercle,

impressed with a fovea, and on the fourth segment a very large, slightly impressed

pubescent space, arcuate in front, nearly straight behind, without projecting lobe ;

the terminal ventral plate has at the apex a long narrow excision, the front part of

which extends forward into a deeply depressed oblong space; in front of this space

there is another deep narrow depression, extending forward nearly to the base of the

segment. Only one example has been obtained.

60. Cryptobium lithocharinum.

Minus elongatum, subdepressum, subparallelum, nitidum, piceum; capite thoraceque nigris, antennis, pedibus

elytrisque ad humeros rufis ; capite quadrato, omnium densius fortiter et profunde punctato, nitido; pro-

thorace crebre obsolete punctato, medio jongitudinaliter impunctato, pernitido; elytris quam prothorax

paullo longioribus, dense minus fortiter punctatis, nitidis ; abdomine apicem versus crebrius argute punctato.

Long. 73 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

This is a very distinct species, with comparatively short and stout legs and antenne ;

the labrum is but little prominent, and is apparently depressed, rather than divided, in

the middle, without denticles. The only example obtained is a male, with a moderately

deep, sharply-defined angular notch on the last ventral plate. I possess four or five

allied, undescribed species from various parts of South America; C. curticorne, Er.,

from the Amazons valley, is also a cognate species.

Banks of streams in dark places in the forest (Champion).

61. Cryptobium ducale. (Tab. XIII. fig. 18.)

Maximum, latum, supra planatum, nigerrimum, nitidum; capite sat elongato, cumque prothorace parce, fere

grosse, punctato; elytris quadratis, fortiter et profunde punctatis.

Long. 20 millim. (mandibulis clausis).

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).

Third joint of the antenne very elongate, quite twice as long as the second. Head

very shining, black, with some very large punctures irregularly distributed, and more

numerous minute punctures. Thorax polished, with about six large punctures forming

an irregular series on each side of the middle, and a very few others at the sides.

Elytra flat, not quite so long as they are conjointly broad, shining black, coarsely

and closely but not densely punctured. Hind body shining black, only obsoletely

punctured.

The unique example was found by beating the still attached withered leaves of a

fallen tree in the dense forest; its sex is doubtful, but I think it may be a male, the

3 YY 2

532 STAPHYLINID A.

terminal ventral plate being slightly produced in the middle and sinuate at the sides

behind, and its hind margin very feebly emarginate.

62. Cryptobium grande. (Tab. XIII. fig. 19.)

Nigrum, deplanatum; antennis rufis, scapo nigricante ; capite brevi, lato, opaco; prothorace crebre fortiter

punctato, utrinque ante basin depresso, inter depressiones elevato et polito ; elytris quam prothorax paullo

brevioribus, dense fortiter et profunde punctatis, subnitidis ; abdomine apicem versus latiore.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sal/é).

This species is an ally of C. gigas, Sharp, but is readily distinguished by the coarse

thoracic punctuation and the rather shorter elytra; the punctuation of the head is

remote and subobsolete yet distinct. ‘The male has a deep longitudinal depression on

the last ventral plate ; the margins of the depression are obscurely serrate, and its surface

minutely granulose ; its posterior part bears a large curved excision. The fourth and fifth

segments on the upper surface show at the base a broad indefinite plica.

Three examples of this species are extant ; a female is represented on our Plate.

63. Cryptobium planatum.

Latum, nigrum ; capite prothoraceque opacis, obsolete punctatis, hoc linea mediali polita anterius minus arguta ;

elytris quadratis, dense et fortiter punctatis, nitidis.

Long. 15 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Mandibles very elongate ; third joint of the antenne distinctly longer than the rather

elongate second joint. Head broad, slightly dilated behind the eyes, and very rounded

behind, dull, finely and obsoletely punctate. Thorax narrower than the head, but

little more than half as broad as the elytra, dull, with a polished narrow longitudinal

space, which behind is somewhat raised, and near the front spreads out in an indefinite

manner, forming a somewhat shining space ; it is finely and obsoletely punctate. Elytra

flat, not so long as conjointly broad, densely and coarsely punctate. Hind body

obscurely red at the extremity.

Of this species one male was obtained by beating cut branches. The seventh segment

beneath is furnished with a longitudinal depression, terminated in front by a short

ridge of serration ; the posterior part of the depression bears a notch, the sides of which

are sinuate; the margins of the impression project minutely behind. The species is

very closely allied to C. gigas and C. maxillosum ; it differs from the former by the less

opaque head, thorax, and elytra, and by the elytra being less densely punctate; from

C. maxillosum by the absence of plice on the fourth and fifth segments.

64, Cryptobium rostratum. (Tab. XIII. fig. 22.)

Nigrum ; antennis rufis, pedibus flavis, elytrorum margine apicali anguste rufescente ; capite elytrisque dense

CRYPTOBIUM.—ABABACTUS. 533

fortiter punctatis ; prothorace nitido, ad latera crebre irregulariter fortiter punctato, medio longitudinaliter

levigato.

‘Long. 6 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALA, near the city, and San Gerdénimo (Champion) ; Panama, Bugaba,

David, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).

Labrum with straight anterior margin, divided in the middle by a narrow definite

notch, the angle on either side of which is very minutely prominent. Mandibles

shorter than the head, each with two teeth. Antennze with the scape elongate, equal to

the five following joints united ; joints 6-10 each a little shorter than the preceding one.

Head not depressed, with convex eyes placed at the middle of the sides, rather coarsely

and closely punctate, the punctuation extending nearly to the labrum. Thorax rounded

at the front angles. Elytra very densely and rather deeply punctate, subrugose, but

slightly shining. Hind body very finely punctured, dull.

The male has a deep rather narrow excision at the apex of the last ventral plate;

the female is without positive sexual characters. The species is allied to the Amazonian

C. triste, Sharp ; though widely distributed in our region it is apparently not a common

insect. It varies somewhat in the details of colour and punctuation: usually the hind

margin of the wing-cases is picescent, or even more dilute in colour, and in some

examples a considerable extent of the body is of this more dilute colour; the lateral

punctuation of the thorax is sometimes divided so as to leave a more isolated and

regular series of punctures on each side of the middle, and the head is in some examples

not so densely punctured.

A darkly-coloured example of the female sex is represented on the Plate.

65. Cryptobium aberrans.

Rufulum, opacum ; elytris nigris, capite superne abdomineque apicem versus nigricantibus, antennis in medio

infuscatis, pedibus testaceis; capite anterius longiore, post oculos breviore, vertice subtruncato, obsolete

punctato, anterius et in disco fere omnino impunctato sed haud nitido; prothorace minus gracili, elytris

multo angustiore, lateribus leviter rotundatis, obsoletissime punctato, opaco ; elytris quam prothorax paullo

longioribus, omnium densissime fere obsolete punctatis, opacis; abdomine ante apicem testaceo-cingulato.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Paso Antonio 400 feet (Champion).

This is an aberrant species allied to the Amazonian C. scrobiculatum, Sharp, and with

the labrum minutely denticulate on each side of the central incision in a manner similar

to C. rostratum. Only a single example, without sexual marks, and presumably a

female, has been obtained.

ABABACTUS.

Antenne graciles, fracte. Collum angustum. Labrum corneum, medio bispinosum, inter spinas divisum.

Tarsi breviores, parum elongati, articulis 2°, 3°, 4° latitudine haud vel vix longioribus, articulo ultimo haud

gracili, apicem versus crassiore, unguiculis parvis.

534 STAPHYLINID A.

This genus is established for some small insects allied to Cryptobiwm, but differing in

the structure of the labrum, mandibles, and tarsi; the structure of the last I look on

as the most important diagnostic at present. From Scopwodes the genus is distinguished

by the neck being of the ordinary structure, though narrow. The species at present

placed in the genus by me belong to three groups, which will probably be found

ultimately to be valid genera; in the first of these, which forms the type of Ababactus,

the tooth in the middle of the mandible is deeply bidentate, the antenne are less

abruptly geniculate, the prosternum is short, and the general facies is as much that

of Lathrobium or Lithocharis as of Cryptobium; A. gracilis and A. filarius have the

mandibular tooth undivided, the spines of the labrum minute, the pseudo-terminal

joint of the maxillary palpi remarkably short and stout, and the prosternum longer

than in the first group; A. poletus, which forms the third group, has a differently-shaped

head, strongly geniculate antenne, and the tooth of the mandibles single, and resembles

Scopeodes in facies.

I am not acquainted with any species out of our region that I can refer to the genus.

Mr. Champion informs me that all the species met with by him were found on the

sandy banks of streams, beneath stones or dead leaves, and chiefly in the forest.

1. Ababactus depressus. (Tab. XIII. fig. 23.)

Fusco-piceus ; capite prothoraceque nigricantibus, abdomine piceo-testaceo, antennarum basi apiceque rufis,

pedibus testaceis; prothorace crebre subtiliter punctato, linea angusta longitudinali levigata; elytris

elongatis, dense subtiliter punctatis.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet, Pefia Blanca 3000 to 4000 feet

(Champion).

Antenne elongate, the scape about as long as the three following joints together ;

joints 3-8 dark, apical joints pallid. Head subquadrate, rather closely and finely

punctate. Thorax not much longer than broad, curved at the sides. Elytra very much

longer than the thorax, with close and fine but quite definite punctuation. The male

has two circular impressions on the fourth ventral plate, and a rather small angular

notch on the terminal plate.

The example figured was found on the Volcan de Chiriqui.

2. Ababactus pennatus.

Fuscus ; antennis basi apiceque rufis, pedibus testaceis; prothorace obsolete punctato ; elytris quam prothorax

longioribus, crebrius subtiliter punctatis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Although very similar to A. depressus this is a much smaller insect, and has other

good distinctive characters; the antenne are less elongate, the penultimate joint being

ABABACTUS. 535

but little longer than broad; the head is truncate behind, the hind angles a good deal

less rounded, and the front of the thorax is also more truncate; the elytra are less

elongate. The punctuation of the head and thorax is extremely indistinct. ‘The

unique example is in a bad state of preservation, and, having no notch on the last

ventral plate, is presumably a female. .

3. Ababactus pallidus.

Depressus, testaceus ; antennis gracilibus, articulis tertio ad octavum subinfuscatis ; capite crebre sat subtiliter

punctato; prothorace parum elongato, subtiliter sat crebre punctato, medio longitudinaliter levigato ;

elytris crebre subtilius punctatis, subnitidis.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. GuatemaLa, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne very slender, elongate. Head subquadrate, but with the hind angles much

rounded. LElytra a little broader and considerably longer than the thorax. The male

has on the under surface of the fourth ventral segment two excessively minute black

fascicles placed each in avery small circle, and on the terminal segment a small

excision.

Although closely allied to A. depressus this species is undoubtedly distinct, as besides

being of a more pallid colour, it is rather broader, has much more slender antenne,

shorter elytra, and a rather less dense punctuation, especially on the thorax. Three

examples were obtained.

4, Ababactus gracilis. (Tab. XIII. fig. 24.)

Sublinearis, testaceus, plus minusve infuscatus, nitidus, pedibus pallidis ; capite prothoraceque parum punc-

tatis, elytris sat crebre et fortiter punctatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Teleman in the Polochic valley (Champion).

Antenne slender, moderately elongate; tenth joint a little longer than broad. Head

narrow, suboval, somewhat sparingly but not finely punctate towards the front. Thorax

very slender, only about half as broad as the elytra, very shining, obsoletely punctate,

with a space along the middle impunctate. Elytra elongate and slender, rather darker

in colour than the adjoining parts, somewhat coarsely punctate, shining, the punctuation

behind obsolete. The male has a very minute circular depression on the middle of the

fourth ventral segment, and a still more minute punctiform impression near the hind

margin of the preceding segment; the terminal ventral plate has an elongate very

narrow excision.

5. Ababactus filarius.

Sublinearis, rufus, prothorace elytrisque infuscatis; nitidus, pedibus pallidis ; capite prothoraceque sat crebre et

fortiter punctatis, hoc medio longitudinaliter levigato; elytris elongatis, crebrius fortiter punctatis.

Long. 4 millim.

536 STA PHYLINIDA.

Hab. Panama, Tolé, San Feliz (Champion).

This species is very closely allied to A. gracilis, and is even of narrower form; but

is, I think, distinct, the punctuation of the anterior parts being more evident, and that

of the elytra distinctly denser, and not so obsolete behind; the thorax and elytra,

moreover, are apparently of a darker colour.

The male characters are apparently similar to those of A. gracilis.

6. Ababactus politus. (Tab. XIII. fig. 25.)

Castaneo-testaceus, parce pubescens, nitidus, parum punctatus ; capite posterius attenuato, haud truncato.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Guatemata (Sallé), near the city, Rio Naranjo 450 feet, Rio Maria Linda, and

San Gerdénimo (Champion).

Antenne slender, strongly geniculate. Head narrowed behind the eyes to the neck,

so that it is not at all truncate; very sparingly and indistinctly punctate. Thorax

elongate and narrow, much narrowed from the middle to the front, sparingly and

indistinctly punctate at the sides, impunctate along the middle. Elytra longer than the

thorax, shining, feebly punctate at the base, impunctate at the extremity. Legs very

pallid. The male has two minute circular impressions on the middle of the fourth

ventral segment, and one on the segment preceding ; the terminal plate bears a narrow,

very elongate, angular emargination.

LATHROBIUM.

Lathrobium, Gravenhorst, Mon. p. 128 ; Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 588.

This extensive genus has now upwards of 150 described species, and though widely

distributed is perhaps more characteristic of temperate than tropical regions; twenty-

five species are, however, known from the Amazons valley, and between thirty and forty

from America north of Mexico. Under these circumstances the paucity of species in

our region appears remarkable, and I can scarcely accept it as final.

1. Lathrobyium guatemalense.

Parallelum, subdepressum, castaneo-testaceum ; capite, prothorace elytrisque rufescentibus, pedibus testaceis ;

capite subquadrato, anterius nitido, basi utrinque densissime punctato, opaco; prothorace crebre fortiter

punctato, medio longitudinaliter levigato; elytris hoc paullo longioribus.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Torola 1000 feet (Champion).

Antenne with each joint very slender at the base, second and third joints elongate,

the latter a little the longer. Head obscure reddish in colour, as broad as the thorax,

truncate behind, hind angles little rounded, in front shining, and there coarsely, irregu-

larly, and distantly punctured ; at each hind angle a large space quite opaque owing to

LATHROBIUM. 537

a dense confluent subobsolete punctuation. Thorax rather longer than broad, straight

at the sides and scarcely narrowed behind, with numerous coarse punctures rather

regularly distributed, except that there is a definite rather broad space along the

middle impunctate. Elytra concolorous with the head and thorax, as broad as and

slightly longer than the latter; the punctuation almost similar to that on the thorax,

the pubescence scanty but distinct. Hind body unicolorous, more pallid than the

anterior parts, densely and finely punctate. ;

The male has a deep, broad emargination with rounded front on the last ventral

segment ; the preceding plate is vaguely impressed along the middle, more distinctly at

the base than behind, and the plate before it is also impressed.

This is allied to the Amazonian LZ. parallelum, Sharp, but is considerably smaller,

and the male characters are very different. Only one example was obtained.

2. Lathrobium mexicanum. (Tab. XIV. fig. 1.)

Parallelum, testaceum, prothorace pallide rufo, capite nigricante; hoc oblongo, crebre fortiter punctato; illo

crebre fortiter punctato, medio longitudinaliter leevigato; elytris seriatim subobsolete punctatis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Saiié).

_ Antenne slender, the second and third joints elongate, the latter rather the longer.

Head quite as broad as the thorax, coarsely and rather closely punctate, the punctures

more distant on the disc, closer at the hind angles, where the surface is subopaque.

Thorax longer than broad, the sides straight, a little narrowed behind ; each side rather

coarsely and numerously punctate, a broad space along the middle impunctate. Elytra

a good deal longer than the thorax ; their punctuation obsolete, especially behind, but

regularly and serially arranged.

Of this species we have received but one example, a female: it is allied to the

Amazonian L. minor, Sharp, but has a much coarser punctuation on the head.

3. Lathrobium clandestinum.

Parallelum, fusco-testaceum, capite prothoraceque nigris, elytris rufo-testaceis ; capite suborbiculari, disperse.

fortiter punctato; prothorace crebrius fortiter punctato, medio longitudinaliter levigato; elytris hoc haud

longioribus.

Long. 73 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Torola 1000 feet (Champion).

Antenne infuscate red, the base more dilute; third joint longer than the second.

Head black, very shining, scarcely so broad as the thorax, the hind angles rounded,

coarsely punctate, the discoidal portion almost free from punctures. ‘Thorax longer than

broad, shining black, with numerous coarse punctures, a broad space along the middle

impunctate. Elytra pallid red, shining, about as long as the thorax, with a rather

sparing, moderately coarse but not very definite punctuation which at the base is sub-

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, June 1886. 3 ZZ

538 STAPHYLINID &.

serial in its arrangement. Hind body infuscate yellow, with the two apical segments

more clearly yellow. Legs yellow, the tibie sordid.

Of this species also we have received but one female example. It does not appear to

be very closély -allied to any other ; it differs from L. guatemalense in the shape-of the

head, which is less truncate behind, with the angles more rounded.

4, Lathrobium relictum.

Fulvo-testaceum, nitidum ; capite minore, parce punctato; prothorace medio biseriatim punctato, utrinque

crebre punctato ; elytris hoc vix longioribus, seriatim punctatis.

Long. 42 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Hége); Guatemata, Duefias (Champion).

Head rather small, with a few coarse punctures irregularly placed, most distinct in

front. Thorax oblong, quite parallel-sided, with moderately numerous punctures at

the sides, but with the dorsal series distinct from the lateral punctuation, these series

widely separated. Elytra slightly longer than the thorax, the punctuation serial, the

punctures rather large though shallow. Legs yellow.

This insect, though similar to the pallid variety of L. dimidiatum, will be readily

distinguished by the more abundant punctuation on the thorax and wing-cases; only

one female example was found in each locality.

5. Lathrobium dimidiatum. |

Lathrobium dimidiatum, Say, Tr. Am. Phil. Soc. iv. p. 455’; Leconte, Complete Writings of Thomas

Say, u. p.570: Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 598°.

Lathrobium rufo-partitum, Fairm. et Germ. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1861, p. 486°.

Hab. Nortn America, United States} 2.—Guatemata (Sallé), San Geronimo, Cham-

perico, Paso Antonio (Champion).—Sovutn America, Chili ®.

Var. Capite, prothorace, elytrisque testaceis.

Hab. Mexico, Presidio (Forrer).

SCOP/ZOMERUS.

Labrum bilobum, haud denticulatum. Caput collo angustissimo. Tarsi anteriores dilatati.

The little insects for which this genus is established have the appearance of Scopeus

with rather less slender antenne than usual. The structure of the labrum and front

tarsi brings the genus near to Lathrobium, while the excessively slender neck is similar

to that of Scopeus; the labrum is divided to the base by a very broad gentle excision,

and I am unable to see any trace of denticulation. The penultimate joint of the

maxillary palpus is short and much swollen as in Scopwus. The front femora are

dilated, and the front tibie are moderately broad; the four dilated joints of the tarsus

about equal in width. The posterior tarsi are moderately long and slender, the first

SCOPZOMERUS. | 539

joint a good deal longer than the second, but much shorter than the terminal joint.

The prosternum appears to be constructed in a similar manner to that of Scopus.

‘The mandibles are peculiar, consisting of a stout basal part which is bidentate, and an

elongate slender apical portion.

All four species were found on the shady banks of streams, beneath decaying leaves.

1. Scopzomerus chiriquensis. (Tab. XIV. fig. 2.)

Elongatus, angustatus, parallelus, omnino subtilissime punctulatus, fuscus, antennis rufis, pedibus elytrisque

testaceis, his ad apicem et circa suturam fuscescentibus.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Antennz rather stout; first joint thick, not equal to the three following ones in

length, the third joint a good deal longer than the second, the tenth about as long: as

broad. Head oblong, with the eyes a little prominent, very finely and densely punc-

tured, dull. ‘Thorax slightly longer than broad, a little narrowed behind, the punc-

tuation even more indistinct than that of the head. Elytra a good deal longer than

the thorax, extremely finely and indistinctly punctured. The male has the penultimate

ventral segment broadly but feebly impressed on the middle, ‘while the terminal

segment bears an elongate very narrow excision.

The unique example is no doubt immature.

2. Scopeomerus guatemalenus.

Angustulus, subparallelus, omnino subtilissime vix visibiliter punctulatus, rufus, capite elytrisque fuscis, his

circa humeros vage flavescentibus, antennis pedibusque testaceis.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. GuatTEMALa, near the city (Champion).

This insect appears to be very closely allied to 8. chiriquensis, but is a smaller insect,

with much feebler antenne ; the oblong head is distinctly emarginate behind. A single

female only has been obtained.

3. Scopzomerus palmatus.

Angustulus, subparallelus, omnino subtilissime vix visibiliter punctulatus, rufescens, supra fuscescens, elytris

circa humeros, pedibus antennisque testaceis, his medio fuscescentibus ; capite oblongo, angulis posterioribus

rotundatis.

- Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, San Feliz (Champion).

This species is very closely allied to S. guatemalenus, but has a rather broader head,

with more rounded hind angles, and the middle joints of the antenne infuscate. The

male has a slight broad depression on the middle of the terminal portion of the penul-

timate ventral segment, and a deep very narrow excision on the terminal segment.

3 ZZ 2

540 . STAPHYLINIDA.

4. Scopeomerus obscurus.

Angustulus, subparallelus, subtilissime punctulatus, subopacus, fusco-rufus, supra fuscus, elytris ad basin

rufescentibus, antennis rufis, pedibus testaceis; capite oblongo, angulis posterioribus rotundatis.

Long. 3 millim:

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

This insect has the punctuation very fine, but not quite so indistinct as in the preceding

species, and there is no flavous colour on the elytra, though their base is indefinitely

rufescent. The antennie are rather slender and quite immaculate. The elytra are

considerably longer than the thorax, very densely punctate. The male characters are _

apparently similar to those of 8. palmatus. A single example in bad preservation.

SCOPKUS.

Scopeus, Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 604.

This is a very widely distributed genus, occurring in nearly all the geographical

faunistic regions, but is not yet very numerous in species, only about sixty being

described. They are minute insects, the genus containing in fact the smallest forms

of the Pederine; the species greatly resemble one another, but present in many cases

very remarkable sexual characters in their males, and the cedeagus exhibits much

variety of form. I have arranged the twenty species of our region in four groups:

those of the first group are very similar to what we are familiar with in the European

representatives. of the genus; those of the other three groups have a different

appearance, and their longer legs indicate their probable possession of superior

cursorial activity ; I do not however, at present, see any characters by which they can

be generically separated. .

These insects are found upon the sandy banks of strearns, beneath stones or decaying

leaves (Champion).

§ 1. Tarsi short ; surface of the body minutely punctulate, not shining ; anterior

angles of the thoraa quite indistinct.

1. Scopzus ligulifer.

Subparallelus, fuscus, antennis pedibusque testaceis ; densissime subtiliter punctatus, opacus capite subquadrato,

posterius leviter emarginato.

Long. vix 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne rather slender, not thicker externally, the terminal joints paler, the middle

joints being slightly infuscate, the penultimate joint about as long as broad. Head very

densely and finely punctured, quite dull, the hind angles but little rounded. Thorax

broad, about as wide as the head and elytra, not much rounded at the sides, densely

SCOPAUS. 541

and finely punctured, without smooth line or basal depressions, slightly shining.

Elytra slightly longer than the thorax, finely and excessively densely punctured,

quite dull. Legs yellow.

The male of this obscure insect has a most extraordinary sexual character, the

penultimate ventral plate being deeply and broadly excised quite to its base, and from

the middle of the excision there projects backwards a long slender ligula, which attains

the extremity of the body, and is there acuminate and curved upwards, appearing

something like a sting. A single example of each sex. |

2. Scopzus latitarsis.

Latiusculus, subtilissime punctulatus, subopacus, rufescens, elytris fuscescentibus ; tarsis omnibus brevibus,

latis, anterioribus subdilatatis.

_ Long. 34 millim,

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne rather long, the penultimate joint about as long as broad. Head broad,

subquadrate, the vertex emarginate, the hind angles but little rounded, the surface

excessively finely punctate, not shining. Thorax broad, much rounded at the sides,

like the head excessively finely punctate, scarcely visibly impressed on either side at

- the base. Elytra rather elongate, a good deal longer than the thorax, like the head and

thorax very finely punctate but darker in colour. Front tarsi short, slightly dilated ;

the other feet with the terminal joint stout, so that the tarsus has the appearance

of being almost broader at the extremity than at the base.

Only a single example has been met with; it is a female, in a very decayed condition,

so that it will not bear much manipulation after being unmounted. Although it no doubt

_ approaches the genus Scopeomerus, it certainly cannot be placed there, as the front

tarsi are scarcely at all dilated, and the labrum appears to be bidenticulate; probably

the species may prove to be allied structurally to the Amazonian 8. ¢arsalis, Sharp.

3. Scopzus vilis.

Subparallelus, subtilissime punctulatus, subopacus, pallidus, rufescens, antennis pedibusque testaceis; capite

subquadrato, posterius leviter emarginato.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne rather long and slender; third joint scarcely so long as the second, about

equal to the fourth, the tenth joint about as long as broad. Head about as broad as

the elytra, straight at the sides, the hind angles a little rounded, the vertex distinctly

emarginate in the middle, the surface excessively finely punctate, almost dull. Thorax

rather broad, scarcely narrower than the head, much rounded at the sides, with a feeble

but elongate depression on either side of the middle at the base. LElytra elongate,

longer than the thorax, similarly coloured and punctate. The male has two almost

542 . STAPHYLINIDA.

contiguous tubercular prominences on the hind margin of the penultimate ventral

plate, and the terminal plate broadly and angularly excised. One example. —

4, Scopus apicicornis.

Angustulus, subparallelus, testaceus, antennarum articulis duobus ultimis fuscescentibus, dense subtilissime

punctatus, subopacus ; capite oblongo; tarsis brevissimis.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Rio Naranjo 450 feet (Champion).

Antenne slender, so that each of the joints is longer than broad. Head oblong,

densely and extremely finely punctured, pubescent, slightly shining, the hind angles but

little rounded, the vertex feebly emarginate. Thorax broad, scarcely longer than wide,

a good deal narrowed behind, very finely punctured, rather shining, with faint traces of

a fine subcarinate line along the middle. Elytra longer than the thorax, very finely |

punctured, not quite dull. The unique example is a female.

* -

5. Scopus filum.

Elongatus, angustior, depressus, subtilissime punctulatus, testaceus, antennis abdomineque plus minusve fusco:

tinctis. .

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Paso Antonio (Champion).

Antenne small and slender, the joints from about the fourth onwards more or less

slightly infuscate, the apical joint or two being perceptibly paler. Head narrow,

oblong, almost straight behind, very finely densely punctate, dull. Thorax only very

slightly narrowed behind, elongate, suboblong, its front part not much produced, very

minutely punctate. Elytra rather longer than the thorax, and of a slightly darker

yellow colour, with a feeble appearance of infuscation; very minutely punctate, dull.

Hind body distinctly narrowed towards the base; the dorsal aspect, at any rate, always

infuscate. The male has a slight broad emargination of the last ventral plate, and from

it there projects a short broad ligula which is emarginate at the tip. The small series

of examples does not exhibit any variation. |

6. Scopzus concolor.

Elongatus, angustior, depressus, subtilissime punctulatus, testaceus, subopacus.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatumata, San Gerénimo, Chacoj (Champion), Yzabal (Sallé).

This species can scarcely be distinguished from S. filum, except by the uniformly

pallid colour; the male characters are, however, very different, and are indeed very slight,

there being merely a slight emargination of the last ventral plate. ‘Ten examples were

obtained. The example from Yzabal is in a very bad state of preservation, and its.

determination as this species is not very certain.

SCOPAUS. 543

7. Scopzeus salvini. (Tab. XIV. fig. 4.)

Angustulus, rufo-testaceus ; pectore abdomineque fuscis, elytris basin versus fuscescentibus, antennis pedibusque

testaceis; capite anterius subangustato; prothorace omnino vix visibiliter punctato, subopaco.

Long. 23 millim. .

Hab. GuatEMa.a, near the city, San Gerdénimo, Paraiso (Champion) ; Panama, Los

Remedios, San Lorenzo (Champion).

Antenne short, entirely yellow, joints 5-10 each not so long as broad. Head narrow,

very slightly narrowed in front, the vertex scarcely emarginate, the sides a little curved

near the hind angles, densely, excessively finely punctate. Thorax suboblong, rather

bright yellow, scarcely perceptibly punctate. Elytra longer than the thorax, finely

punctate, broadly fuscescent at the base. The male has a rather small emargination

of the last ventral plate.

Although this species has externally the appearance of being very closely allied to

S. concolor, the cedeagus of the two species is very different ; it terminates in this species

in a long slender point like a wasp’s sting, whereas in S. concolor the termination is

truncate, with two short angular processes which are probably articulated and mobile.

8. Scopzeus obscurus.

Angustulus, niger; antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis medio vix obscuratis; subtilissime punctulatus, pro-

thorace subnitido. ,

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador 2500 feet, Zapote (Champion).

Though differing very greatly in colour from S. salvini, this insect, in respect of form,

size, and sculpture, is extremely similar thereto. The male characters externally are

scarcely perceptible, but the cedeagus bears no resemblance to that of S. salvind; it is

more similar to that of S. concolor; it is, however, of more elongate form, with a more

dilated apex. Hight examples were found at El Tumbador, and one at Zapote.

9. Scopzus piceolus.

Elongatus, angustulus, subparallelus, subtilissime punctatus, subopacus, picescens ; pedibus testaceis, elytris ad

suturam vage obscureque rufescentibus.

Long. 3 millim.

+ Hab. Guaremaa, San Gerénimo (Champion).

This insect is excessively similar, except in colour, to S. concolor, but being dark it

more resembles S. obscurus. S. piceolus will, I think, be recognized by the dark elytra

being obscurely rufescent along the suture, and I have therefore ventured to give it a

name. We have received only two female examples, and in one of them the antenne

are fuscous; this may be due to decay, as these organs are yellow in the other

example.

544 STAPHYLINIDZ.

10. Scopzeus brevipennis.

Elongatus, angustulus; capite, prothorace elytrisque ferrugineis, abdomine nigricante; prothorace elongato,

suboblongo, elytris hoc fere brevioribus.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

Head elongate, subcordate, the vertex being emarginate, the eyes rather small, the

surface extremely minutely and densely punctulate, almost dull. Antenne yellow,

moderately stout, the penultimate joint about as long as broad. ‘Thorax red, shining,

almost impunctate, nearly straight at the sides, and scarcely narrowed behind, much

longer than broad. Elytra almost shorter and no broader than the thorax, very slightly

narrowed at the shoulders, their punctuation excessively minute, almost imperceptible.

Although we have received only one example of this species, and that in such

decayed condition that it has entirely lost the legs, yet as the short elytra render it easy

of recognition, I have described it.

11. Scopeus umbra.

Angustissimus, depressus, omnino subtilissime vix visibiliter punctulatus, testaceus, subopacus ; capite elongato,

oblongo, oculis minutis.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Pantaleon 1700 feet (Champion).

Antenne small, riot thicker externally, joints 2-10 differing very little from one

another. Head narrow and elongate, parallel, the vertex a little emarginate ; eyes minute,

punctiform ; neck excessively minute. Thorax elongate and slender, much longer than

broad, scarcely curved at the sides, not visibly punctate, feebly shining. Elytra long

and narrow, a little longer than the thorax, their punctuation almost imperceptible.

Of this fragile and minute creature only one example was obtained.

§ 2. Tarsi short; surface polished ; anterior angles of the thorax less obsolete.

12. Scopus dissimilis, (Tab. XVI. fig. 5.).

Subdepressus, nitidus, rufescens; antennis pedibusque testaceis, prothorace elytrisque fusco-rufis, his apicem

versus flavescentibus, abdomine nigricante.

Long. 27 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).

Head subquadrate, the vertex emarginate ; shining, almost impunctate. Antenne .

yellow-red, the penultimate joint scarcely so long as broad. Thorax broad, scarcely

longer than wide, a little narrowed behind; shining and impunctate. Elytra longer

than the thorax, shining and almost impunctate, piceous, broadly flavescent behind.

Hind body a good deal narrowed at the base, blackish, the hind margins of the two

last segments testaceous. Legs short, clear yellow.

SCOPAUS. 545

Four examples were met with of this small insect; they are in very decayed condition.

The species is like no other known to me. The polished surface, short legs, and

comparatively broad thorax are diagnostic.

§ 3. Zarsi longer ; elytra densely punctulate.

13, Scopzus antoniensis. (Tab. XIV. fic. 6.)

Fusco-niger ; antennis pedibusque testaceis, illarum basi, horum tibiis geniculisque infuscatis; elytrorum margine

apicali flavo ; capite latiusculo, posterius rotundato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Paso Antonio, Torola (Champion).

“Antenne rather long, the four or five basal joints infuscate, the basal joint nearly as

long as the three following together, the third joint not quite so large as the second, the

penultimate joint about as long as broad. Head convex, the hind angles much rounded,

the vertex not emarginate ; surface excessively finely, in fact almost invisibly, punctate

and pubescent, moderately shining.. Thorax ovate, much narrowed behind, punctate

like the head, with only obsolete traces of a plica at the base in the middle. Elytra

slender, about as long as the thorax, very finely and densely punctured, dull, their

punctuation much more distinct than that of the head and thorax. Hind body a

good deal narrower towards the base. The colour of the under surface is paler,

fuscous red. The male has a broad not very deep sinuous emargination of the last

ventral segment, and a very slight emargination of the preceding segment, the more

basal segments being slightly flattened in the middle of each. A single example was

found at Torola, and a small series at Paso Antonio.

14. Scopzeus mollis.

Rufescens, capite prothoraceque fuscescentibus, elytris nigricantibus margine apicali flavo, antennis pedibusque .

pallide flavis; capite prothoraceque fere invisibiliter punctulatis, sat nitidis; elytris omnino densissime.

punctatis, opacis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Champerico (Champion).

This insect is closely allied to S. antoniensis, but in addition to the more pallid colour:

differs in other details, the most important of which is the extremely dense and even

punctuation of the elytra, rendering these parts quite dull, and the broader extent of

the pallid colour at their hind margin. The Amazonian S. ornatus, Sharp, is extremely

close to this, but is a broader insect with more rounded sides to the thorax. Only two.

examples were procured, and they are both females.

15. Scopseus carissimus.

‘Niger, tibiis tarsisque testaceis, antennis fusco-rufis ; sat nitidus, elytris omnino peropacis, margine apicali

flavo.

Long. 3$ millim.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, June 1886. 4 AA

546 STAPHYLINID.

Hab. Guaremata, Rio Naranjo 450 feet (Champion).

Antenne a little thickened externally ; second and third joints equal, the penultimate

joints transverse. Head oblong, the vertex a little emarginate ; surface extremely finely

punctate, only slightly shining. Thorax suboblong, minutely punctate, more shining

than the head. Elytra excessively densely punctate, so as to be quite dull; black, the

basal portion with a griseous pubescence, the hind margin rather broadly yellow. |

Femora blackish, the tibie and tarsi pallid yellow. The unique example of this very

distinct species is a male, and has a deep excision of the terminal ventral segment, a-

very slight excision of the preceding segment, and on the three more basal segments a

transverse shining space, depressed, but with the front margin somewhat carinate.

_ § 4. Larsi longer ; surface of the body, including the elytra, polished.

16. Scopzus politus. (Tab. XIV. fig. 8.)

Elongatus, haud depressus, politus, nitidus, fere impunctatus, rufo-testaceus ; elytris fusco-nigris, abdomine apice

nigricante, pedibus pallide flavis; antennis articulis quarto ad sextum interdum infuscatis.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Guatemata (Sallé), near the city, San Gerdnimo, El Jicaro, Rio Naranjo

(Champion).

Antenne not quite so long as the head and thorax, a little thickened externally, the

third joint nearly as long as the second, the penultimate joint not quite so long as broad.

Head suboval, convex, the eyes prominent, a little narrowed behind, the hind angles

rounded, the vertex not emarginate; surface impunctate, with a scanty, not short,

depressed pubescence. Thorax considerably longer than broad, a little narrowed behind,

and still more strongly in front, shining and impunctate. Elytra scarcely longer than

the thorax, blackish, obscurely rufescent about the suture. Hind body very finely

punctate, the terminal segments blackish. Legs clear pale yellow. The male has a

broad rather shallow excision of the hind margin of the last ventral plate.

The small series of this species exhibits some variation in the colour of the elytra,

the fuscous coloration being sometimes so much reduced that these parts are nearly

entirely pale with an infuscation near the apical angle; this is especially the case in

the examples from the Rio Naranjo. One or two of the specimens are intermediate.

17. Scopeus discoidalis.

Haud depressus, politus, nitidus, fere impunctatus, testaceus; elytris oblique nigricantibus, sutura, apice basique

dilutioribus, abdominis apice nigricante.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, San Gerdnimo (Champion); Nicaracua, Chinandega (Sai/é).

Antenne rather short, thickened externally, the penultimate joint strongly transverse.

Thorax oblong oval, not elongate. Elytra very sparingly punctate.

SCOP AUS. 547

This species is considerably smaller than S. politus, and has a less slender and elongate

thorax, and the dark colour on the wing-cases leaves the hind margin pale.

Mr. Champion procured a series of a dozen examples, all of which agree very closely,

as do also the two exponents from Nicaragua.

18. Scopzeus filitarsis.

Elongatus, haud depressus, politus, nitidus, rufo-testaceus; elytris plaga fuscescente, ad marginem apicalem

pallidis; tarsis posterioribus tenuioribus.

Long. 3g millim. —

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz (Hoge); Guatemata, Champerico (Champion).

This insect is very closely allied to S. politus, from which it differs by the more

slender hind tarsi, and the fact that the fuscescent patch on the elytra leaves the hind

margin pale; this is also the case in S. discoidalis, but that species has the head and

thorax less elongate, and the legs less elongate, with comparatively thicker hind tarsi.

The six examples from Guatemala agree closely; but the two from Mexico are

of rather larger size, and may not perhaps. be the same species, though I cannot at

present detect any other distinctive character.

19. Scopus apicipennis. (Tab. XIV. fig. 7.)

Elongatus, haud depressus, politus, nitidus, fere impunctatus, fusco-rufus ; elytris nigris, angulo apicali externo

flavo-guttato; femoribus fuscis, tibiis tarsisque testaceis ; abdomine dimidio apicali nigricante. .

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Gvuatemata, near the city, San Gerénimo, Panajachel, Coatepeque (Champion) ;

~ Panama, San Feliz (Champion).

Antenne rather slender, very slightly thicker externally, the penultimate joint scarcely

so long as broad. Head black or dark red, more or less infuscate, very shining, a little

narrowed behind, the eyes prominent. ‘Thorax elongate, much narrowed behind and

still more strongly in front, the colour scarcely so dark as that of the head. Elytra

shining black, longer than the thorax, with a definite pallid yellow mark at the outer

angle extending inwards but not quite reaching the suture. Basal segments of the hind

body infuscate red, with griseous pubescence ; the apical segments nearly black. This

+ species is very closely allied to S. politus, though readily distinguished by the differences.

in colour. The Colombian S. pulchellus has, according to Erichson’s description, a

similar coloration, except that the legs are entirely pallid; and the thorax is said to be

more narrowed behind than in front.

The examples procured are not numerous, and vary a little in the colour of the

femora, and in the red parts 0 of the body being more or less tinted with piceous or

fuscous colour.

4 AA 2

548 | STAPHYLINIDA.

20. Scopzus delicatulus.

Haud depressus, politus, nitidus, rufo-piceus ; pedibus pallide flavis; elytris nigris, angulo apicali externo minute

flavo-guttato ; antennis testaceis; abdomine dimidio apicali nigro. ,

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALA, El Jicaro (Champion); Panama, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands

(Champion).

This insect is very similar to S. apicipennis, but is smaller, and has the head and thorax

less elongate, and the apical pale spot of the elytra more minute. In some examples

the legs are entirely pallid yellow, in others the femora are a little infuscate at the

extremity.

The unique example from Guatemala is a variety of rather paler colour. The eight

examples from the State of Panama exhibit but little variation. |

EUSCOPARUS.

Labrum longius bispinosum, medio fere ad basin exciso. Mandibule sat elongate, tantum minute

denticulate, quasi serrate. Caput collo angustissimo. Tarsi breves, robusti, articulo ultimo presertim

lato.

These insects are allied to Scopus, but are of rather broader and heavier build; and

the very long teeth in the middle of the labrum, in conjunction with the peculiar minute

teeth of the mandibles, seem to me to render it necessary to treat them as a genus distinct

from Scopeus; the latter character is not to be found in any of the allied genera so far

as I have been able to observe.

Same habits as Scopewus (Champion).

1. Euscopzus crassitarsis. |

Haud depressus, robustus, brunneus, pedibus testaceis; omnium subtilissime vix perspicue punctulatus; tarsis

latis.

Long. 44 millim.

Hab. GuatTEMALA, near the city (Champion).

Antenne rather slender, the penultimate joint as long as broad. Head broad, convex,

slightly narrowed in front, the hind angles much rounded ; surface excessively minutely |

and indistinctly punctate and pubescent, not shining. Thorax broad, but rather longer

than wide, subovate, much narrowed in front, almost impunctate. Elytra longer than —

the thorax, finely and not densely punctate, shining. Hind body broad, narrower

towards the base. Front tarsi thick; terminal joint of all the tarsi very stout. The

male has a large and deep emargination of the last ventral plate. One example.

2. Euscopzeus gracilicornis. (Tab. XIV. fig. 9.)

Haud depressus, brunneus, pedibus pallide flavis ; omnium subtilissime vix perspicue punctulatus ; labro longius

bispinoso.

Long. 44 millim.

EUSCOPAUS.—LITHOCHARIS. 549

Hab. Guatemata, Paraiso, San Gerénimo (Champion).

This species is not of such robust build as EZ. crassitarsis, and has the antenne and tarsi

more slender, and the spines of the labrum longer. The male has a broad and deep

angular excision of the last ventral segment, and a quadrate depression on the middle

of the terminal part of the preceding segment, the hind margin being also feebly emar-

-ginate; the three preceding segments are also very slightly impressed. Two examples.

Our figure represents the one found at San Gerdénimo; it is rather immature.

ORUS.

Orus, Casey, Contributions to the descriptive and systematic Coleopterology of N. Amer. part ii,

p. 186 (1884).

This genus has recently been established for two Californian . species, and I now add

one from our region. It comes very near to Scopeus, but is well distinguished by the

fact that the neck is not so excessively slender as it is in that genus, and the whole

build is correlatively more compact.

1. Orus guatemalenus. (Tab. XIV. fig. 3.)

Elongatus, angustulus, piceus, antennis pedibusque testaceis; capite dense subtilissime punctato, subopaco ;

prothorace parcius punctato, medio area lata levigata.

Long. 33-4 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Duefias, San Gerdénimo (Champion).

Antenne rather short and stout, the third joint rather shorter than the second, the pen-

ultimate joints distinctly transverse. Head very finely punctate and pubescent. Thorax

longer than broad, extremely finely and not densely punctate, shining, and with a broad

impunctate space along the middle. Elytra rather longer than the thorax, obsoletely

punctate, subopaque. The male has the apical portion of the penultimate ventral

segment deeply and broadly impressed along the middle, the depression being smooth

and shining, and produced on each side so as to form a rather long lacinia ; the terminal

segment bears a deep, narrow, parallel-sided excision. Five examples.

LITHOCHARIS.

Lithocharis, Boisduval et Lacordaire, Faun. Ent. Paris, p. 431 (1835); Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph.

p. 610; Rey, Pédériens, p. 172.

This genus will in future comprise only a small proportion of the very numerous

forms that have been hitherto assigned to it. Rey and others have already separated

the greater number of the European species under the generic name of Medon, and it

appears that this is clearly a necessary course. In addition to the characters hitherto

pointed out as distinctive of Medon, I find there exists another of great importance,

viz. that the prosternum above the front coxe is prolonged to form a process resting on

550 | STAPHYLINIDA.

the front of the mesosternum. This character appears to me of primary importance in

the classification of the genera hitherto associated under the name of Lithocharis, and to

it I would subordinate the structure of the labrum, the width of the neck, the dilatation

of the front tarsi, the relative proportions of the joints of the hind tarsus, and the structure

of the fourth joint of this latter organ. By so doing a series of very natural genera is

obtained ; while, on the other hand, if this be not attended to, it will be found impos-

sible to separate Lithocharis from the genera near Lathrobium at the one extremity,

and those near Sunius at the other. Lithocharis then will be specially characterized by

the small development of the supra-coxal process and the side pieces of the prosternum,

by the quite slender neck, the undilated front tarsi, the four basal joints of the hind

tarsi decreasing gradually in length, the fourth joint being simple in structure and

interposed in the normal manner between the third and the fifth. The genus is repre-

sented in the warmer regions of Asia and America, and one species has been distributed

by commerce so as to be nearly cosmopolitan.

Most of the species obtained by Mr. Champion were found on the sandy banks of

streams. .

1. Lithocharis mendax.

Fusca, opaca ; capite prothoraceque opacis, subquadratis, omnium subtilissime invisibiliter punctatis, hoc medio

linea subobsoleta levigata ; elytris quam prothorax paullo longioribus, dense subtilissime rugulose punctatis,

margine apicali spe parum distincte pallidiore ; antennis rufis; pedibus sordide testaceis.

Long. 47 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba, David, San Feliz, Tolé

(Champion).—Sovta America, Colombia (coll. Chevrolat).

Antenne moderately long, not at all thicker externally, the. tenth joint as long

as broad. Head just as broad as the thorax, rather large, straight at the sides.

Thorax not quite so long as broad, its medial line not raised. In the male there is a .

broad shallow emargination of the last ventral plate.

This insect is very similar to L. diffinis, Sharp, but the punctuation of the thorax is

still finer and more imperceptible, and the male has a distinct though slight emargination

of the last ventral plate. The species was called LZ. limbata, Er., in Chevrolat’s collection,

but from the description it cannot be that insect.

2. Lithocharis limbata.

Lithocharis limbata, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 621°.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city, Aceytuno (Champion); Panama, David (Champion).

—Sovutn America, Colombia 1.

I refer with some hesitation these examples to Erichson’s species, but the male has

the hind margin of the last ventral plate nearly truncate, and thus differs from L. mendax.

L. diffinis is considerably smaller, and has the elytra infuscate behind. On the other

LITHOCHARIS. 551

hand the Amazonian L. sobrina, Sharp, may possibly prove to be only a variety of

L. limbata. The species of this immediate group are very similar to one another, and an

examination of the cedeagus will be required before they can be satisfactorily determined.

3. Lithocharis hilaris. (Tab. XIV. tig. 11.)

Fusco-rufa ; capite nigro ; elytris abdomineque fuscis, his apicem versus argute testaceis ; prothorace antennisque

rufis ; pedibus flavo-testaceis.

Long. 5 millim. |

Hab. GuaTEMALA, near the city, Torola, Zapote, Paso Antonio, San Gerdnimo,

Cubilguitz, Lanquin (Champion); Panama, David, Tolé (Champion).

Antenne rather stout, red, slightly clouded in the middle, the tenth joint as long as

broad. Head rather large, subquadrate, black, shining. Thorax nearly as long as

broad, the sides a little narrowed behind, the front margin on either side rather

strongly oblique; the surface closely and finely punctate, with a smooth line along the

middle indistinct in front, but broader behind. Elytra densely and finely punctate,

nearly black, with the hind part yellow ; longer than the thorax. In the male there

is a feeble emargination of the last ventral plate.

4, Lithocharis discoidalis.

Fusca; capite prothoraceque nigricantibus ; elytris testaceis, apice pallidiore, disco late infuscato; antennis

pedibusque testaceis, illis brevibus apicem versus leviter incrassatis, articulis penultimis transversis.

Long. 42 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This insect is very closely allied to L. ochracea, but is readily distinguished from it

and the other allied species by the structure of the antenne; the colour of the thorax

and elytra also is different from L. ochracea. The antenne are not so long as the head

and thorax, and are clear, pale red; they are very slightly thickened towards the |

extremity, and the penultimate four joints are each distinctly shorter than long. The

head is quite as broad as the thorax, larger than in L. ochracea, very densely and finely

punctate. The thorax is subquadrate, dull, very densely and finely punctate, with a fine

smooth line along the middle. The elytra are more coarsely punctate than in L. ochracea,

and their yellow colour is pallid at the apex, the disc being broadly infuscate. Only

two examples were obtained, both apparently females.

5. Lithocharis ochracea.

Pederus ochraceus, Grav. Micr. p. 59°.

Lithocharis ochracea, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 623°.

Hab. Nortu America.—GuateMaLa, near the city, Dueias, Zapote (Champion).—

Sovurn America ?.—ANTILLES 2.—EuRoPE !.

552 STAPHYLINIDA.

6. liithocharis infuscata.

Lithocharis infuscata, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 622°. ;

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Chevrolat); GUATEMALA, near the city, Las Mercedes, El Reposo,

Teleman (Champion); NIcARAe@va, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).—

Soutn America, Colombia !.

7. Lithocharis alticola.

Tenuis, fusca; capite nigricante, omnium dense subtilissime punctato, opaco; elytris quam prothorax fere

longioribus.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Quiche mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion).

Antenne slender, the penultimate joint as long as broad. Head small, a little nar-

rowed in front. Thorax elongate, rather longer than broad, densely punctate, without

carina. Elytra scarcely so long as the thorax.

This is a distinct little species, of which six examples were obtained; they are all in

a bad state of preservation.

ADEROCHARIS.

Corpus latum, depressum, densissime punctatum. Caput quadratum, collo sat lato. Tarsi anteriores dilatati.

Prosterni processus parum productus, epimeris inter sese valde distantibus. Tarsi posteriores evidenter

quinque-articulati, articulo basali quam secundus multo longiore.

This genus is distinct from Lithocharis by the comparatively broad neck and the

dilated front tarsi, while from Medon it departs by the smaller development of the

pieces contiguous with the front coxe. The maxillary palpi are elongate, the terminal

joint very minute, being excessively slender as well as short; the labrum » is large,

obscurely unidentate in the middle. |

The genus has a wide distribution in the New World, as it will comprise the North-.

American LL. corticina, Grav., as well as the South-American JL. hepatica, Er., and the

species here described. The Eastern L. staphylinoides, Kr., with a similar facies, will

form another new genus.

Same habits as Scopewus (Champion).

1, Aderocharis latro, (Tab. XIV. fig. 10.)

Ltthocharis latro, Sharp, Tr. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 255°.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); GuatemMaua, near the city, San Isidro, Coatepeque,

Zapote, San Gerénimo (Champion); Panama, Bugaba, David (Champion).—Sovta

America, Amazons valley 1, Rio Janeiro 1.

Mr. Champion procured a good series of this species near the city of Guatemala,

but from each of the other localities we have only one or two examples. The specimens

agree closely, except that those from the State of Panama are smaller, agreeing in this

ADEROCHARIS. 5538

respect with my original individual from the Amazons valley: the larger examples from

our region agree with specimens from Rio Janeiro which I formerly thought might be

distinct ; but I find they all agree in the structure of the cedeagus, and in this respect

differ completely from the North-American Lithocharis corticina, Grav., though in other

respects the two species are very similar. A Mexican example is extant in Chevrolat’s

collection under the name L. fuscipennis, Chevr., and this was considered by Fauvel to

be L. hepatica, Er.; Erichson’s description indicates, however, a much smaller insect,

with the head less emarginate behind than it is in A. latro.

2. Aderocharis furtiva.

Latiuscula, subdepressa, opaca, densissime subtilissime punctulata, fuscula; antennis, prothorace elytrisque

ferrugineis, his interne subinfuscatis; pedibus testaceis ; capite subquadrato, posterius truncato, angulis

posterioribus haud rotundatis.

Long. 7 millim,

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hége); GuaTEMaLA, San Gerénimo (Champion); Nicaragua,

Chontales (Janson); Panama, David (Champion).

This insect is closely allied to A. latro, but does not attain the size of the smallest

examples of that species, and has the thorax more pallid in colour; the head is more

quadrate, being scarcely perceptibly emarginate behind; the front of the thorax on either

side is less oblique, that is to say, the front margin is nearly rectilinear in form; and the

male characters are very different, the penultimate ventral segment having the hind

margin straight and bearing a few fine long black hairs on either side, the terminal

segment being very broadly emarginate. The cedeagus is very different from that of

A. latro.

A fine series of over forty examples, showing no variation, was procured at San

Gerénimo, but we have only two Mexican specimens; from Nicaragua and the State

of Panama we have only unique exponents, which may possibly be distinct. The

North-American JZ. corticina, Grav., is no doubt closely allied, but has the head deeply

emarginate behind; and I find, moreover, that the cedeagus is so different as to leave

no room for doubt as to its being perfectly distinct from A. furtiva.

3. Aderocharis sagax.

Latiuscula, subdepressa, opaca, densissime subtilissime punctulata, sordide rufa, pedibus testaceis ; capite sub-

quadrato, posterius emarginato. ,

Long. 63 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Paso Antonio (Champion).

This species also is a large Aderocharis, extremely closely allied to A. latro, but, so

far as I can judge from the two examples, more pallid in colour, and with a curious

difference in the male characters ; in that sex the hind margin of the penultimate ventral

plate is armed with four angular teeth, and the next segment is less deeply emarginate.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, July 1886. 4 BB

554 STAPHYLINID 2.

DACNOCHILUS.

Dacnochilus, Leconte, New Sp. N. Am. Col. part 1, p. 47 (1863); Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ent. Ross. v.

p. 142, t. 4.

This, apparently, is a Central-American genus, whose only species extends its range

to the Southern States of the North-American Union.

The genus belongs to the division in which the prosternum above the coxe is not

prolonged ; it should be placed near Aderocharis. ‘The mandibles have each, about the

middle, two rather long definite teeth.

1. Dacnochilus letus. (Tab. XIV. fig. 12.)

Dacnochilus letus, Lec. loc. cit. p. 47°.

Hab. Nort America, South Carolina, Louisiana! (coll. Chevrolat).—MeExico (Tru-

qui), Jalapa (Flohr, Hoge), Cuantla, Yautepec (Flohr), Cordova (Sailé), Tehuacan,

Cerro de Plumas (Hége); Guatemana, Duefas, Capetillo, Pantaleon, Panajachel

5000 feet, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Leconte, trusting to his memory when in Europe, identified his species with the

Colombian Lithocharis angularis, Er., and published this identification in the Ann. &

Mag. N. H. ser. 4, vi. p. 403; this, however, was quite erroneous, as will be readily

seen by comparing the two descriptions. The extent of the black colour on the basal

portion of the elytra varies a great deal; our figure represents an example from

Capetillo in which the black colour is rather more extended than it usually is.

ACALOPH ZENA.

Calophena, Arribalzaga, Bol. Ac. Arg. vii. p. 267 (1884) (nec Klug).

This genus is distinguished from Dacnochilus not only by the spinose labrum, but

also by the fact that the mandibles are thickened near the basal portion, and this

thick part is minutely serrate or dentate; in this particular the structure does not

quite agree with the description of Arribdlzaga; but as I find, on comparison of several

species, that this character is subject to some variation, I do not look upon the discre-

pancy as of much importance. The genus will include Lithocharis macularis and

L. angularis, Ey., and L. polita, L. pagana, L. germana, aud L. picta, Sharp, in addition

to Arribalzaga’s typical species from Buenos Ayres. With this latter I am not

acquainted ; it is said to be termitupnilous in its habits. Mr. Champion informs me

that 4. angularis is often found under stones.

Although of wide distribution in the New World, the genus has not yet occurred

further north than Mexico.

As the name proposed by Sefior Arribdlzaga is already in use in Coleoptera, I have

made a change in it.

ACALOPHENA.—LITHOCAON. 555

1. Acalophena angularis. (Tab. XIV. fig. 13.)

Lithocharis angularis, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 614 '.

Hab. Mexico 1, Cerro de Plumas (Hége), Tuxtla (Sallé), Jalapa (Mohr); Guatemaua,

near the city, Capetillo, Tactic (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).—Sovuta

America, Colombia', Venezuela (SaJ/é).

Our figure is taken from the example found at Jalapa by Mr. Flohr.

LITHOCAON.

Corpus elongatum, angustulum, politum. Tarsis anterioribus sat fortiter dilatatis. Labrum per latum, breve,

anterius fere subrectum, medio incisione parva. Mandibule modice elongate, unidentate. Caput collo

lato. Tarsi posteriores articulo basali modice elongato, quam secundus longiore, quam ultimus breviore.

This distinct genus has the aspect of a Lathrobium, but I think is more nearly allied

to the Lithocharis division of the Pederina. The penultimate joint of the maxillary

palpus is broad, with a truncate extremity; and the short terminal joint is also very

broad. ‘The moderately long mandibles have a single long tooth in the middle. The

broad head is truncate behind, and has an abrupt but broad neck. ‘The prosternal

pieces are largely developed, the process above the cox being large, and spreading

out laterally so that the prolonged side pieces overlap it. The hind tarsi are rather

slender, the joints one to four decreasing gradually in length; the terminal joint about

as long as the first, second, and third together.

There are two species, as yet undescribed, of the genus from Rio Janeiro in my

collection.

1. Lithocaon sparsus. (Tab. XIV. fig. 14.)

Angustulus, elongatus, nitidus, rufo-piceus, antennis pedibusque testaceis, elytris rufescentibus apice fusco ;

capite subquadrato, fortiter punctato, medio ixvigato; prothorace sat fortiter punctato, area longitudinali

impunctata.

Long. 54 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne small, the second and third joints about equal, the tenth about as long

as broad. Head rather short, the eyes a little prominent; on each side rather closely and

very coarsely punctate, with a broad smooth space along the middle. Thorax longer

than broad, a little narrowed behind, the base greatly rounded, the surface less coarsely

and closely punctured than the head, the broad smooth space along the middle

rather irregular. Elytra rather longer than the thorax, quite sparingly punctured,

shining. Hind body only sparingly punctate, the penultimate segment a little infuscate

across the middle. The male has an elongate parallel-sided excision of the last ventral

segment.

Five examples. Sandy banks of mountain streams (Champion).

4 BB 2

556 STAPHYLINID ZA.

LYPETICUS.

Labrum anterius leviter tri-emarginatum, medio dentibus duobus robustis, perparum prominulis. Mandibule

bidentate. Tarsi posteriores graciles, evidenter quinque-articulati, articulo basali elongato, secundo

bene longiore. Caput collo angusto.

The structure of the labrum is rather peculiar: in the middle there is a broad

shallow excision, and on either side of ita very short broad truncate tooth, and again on

either side a very slight emargination. The head is quadrate, with a narrow neck, not,

however, so extremely narrow as in Scoepeus. The prosternum is short, and the process

above the cox extends on to the metasternum. The penultimate joint of the maxillary

palpus is short, moderately broad, the terminal joint very minute and slender. The

front tarsi are scarcely dilated.

The genus is founded on Lithocharis munda, Sharp. When describing that species,

I thought that it would form a distinct genus; and as I have now introduced the

elongation of the prosternal process as an aid to the separation of these forms,

L. munda cannot remain in Lithocharis, as it has the prosternal structure of the Medon

type. The best position for the genus seems to be between Orus and Neomedon ; from

the latter of these two genera it is distinguished by the very narrow neck, narrower

even than in Orus.

1. Lypeticus celatus.

Fulvo-castaneus, nitidulus, antennis elytrisque testaceis, pedibus pallide testaceis; capite majore, subcordato,

utrinque post oculos profunde strigoso ; prothorace subpentagonali, nitido, sublevigato; elytris sat crebre

punctatis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. GuatemaLa, El Reposo 800 feet (Champion).

This will be readily identified among our species by the peculiar sculpture of the

head on either side behind the eyes. The head is deeply emarginate behind, with the

hind angles much rounded, so that it is subcordate in form. The thorax is nearly as

long as broad, with the sides a good deal narrowed behind, and the front margin rather

strongly oblique on either side; the punctuation is quite absent along the middle, and

on either side is obsolete and distant. The elytra are more distinctly punctate, the

punctuation being definite and rather deep at the base, more obsolete behind.

The unique example is in bad preservation, and is, I believe, a male; for though I

have not been able to withdraw the retracted terminal segment, yet I think I can see

that it bears a deep emargination of the ventral plate. The species is closely allied to

the Amazonian L. mundus, but is rather more elongate, with more cordate head, longer

and narrower thorax (whose punctuation is obsolete), &c.

Sandy banks of streams (Champion).

NEOMEDON. 557

NEOMEDON.

Corpus subdepressum. Mandibule mediocriter elongate, bidentate. Labrum breve, latum, medio haud vel

vix emarginato, utrinque minute trituberculato. Tarsi posteriores, articulo basali quam secundus dimidio

longiore, anteriores leviter dilatati.

This genus is readily distinguished amongst its immediate allies by its possessing

two large teeth on the mandibles, the usual basal tooth being quite absent. Compared

with the European genus Medon, it differs in the structure of the mandibles and

labrum, and also in having the neck broader. As in the European species the horny

pieces of the prosternum are largely developed, so that the coxe are much enclosed ;

the basal ventral segment is carinate.

The genus, so far as I know, is peculiar to our region, though I have little doubt it

will be found in other parts of Tropical America. Lithocharis gigantea, Fauv., from

New Guinea, is somewhat similar in appearance, but has tridentate mandibles and

different front and hind feet. Lypeticus has only two teeth to the mandibles, but in

that genus the neck is very narrow, almost Scopwus-like, and the facies is very

different.

1. Neomedon princeps. (Tab. XIV. fig. 15.)

Major, latiusculus, subdepressus, niger, elytris pedibusque rufis, antennis rufo-obscuris; capite, prothorace ely-

trisque crebrius fortiter punctatis.

Long. 8-10 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, Capetillo, San Gerénimo, San Joaquin, Panajachel (Champion).

Antenne with very elongate third joint, quite twice as long as the second and three

times as long as broad ; tenth joint rather longer than broad. Head large, closely and

coarsely punctate, the punctuation absent from a very narrow space along the middle.

Thorax more closely and finely punctured than the head, with a broader and more

distinct smooth space along the middle. LElytra rather longer than the thorax, densely

and rather coarsely punctate. The male has a slight emargination of the hind margin

of the last ventral plate.

Of this species a series of twelve examples was obtained. It lives under bark.

2. Neomedon rufipennis.

Latiusculus, subdepressus, niger, elytris, antennis pedibusque rufis ; capite, prothorace elytrisque crebrius fortiter

punctatis.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Pinos Altos in Chihuahua (Buchan-Hepburn).

This insect appears to be very closely allied to N. princeps, but is considerably

smaller, and has shorter antenne, with a much less elongate third joint, this being

only about twice as long as it is broad. The male characters of the two are

similar.

558 STAPHYLINIDA.

3. Neomedon sallzi.

Latus, niger, capite, prothorace, elytris, antennis pedibusque rufis; capite prothoraceque parce punctatis, hoe

fortiter transverso, ad latera leviter impresso.

Long. circiter 7 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jacale (Sallé).

Third joint of the antennz not twice as long as the second. Head large, a little

curvate at the sides; the punctuation rather coarse and sparing, absent from the _

discoidal part. Thorax very short, the sides a little impressed, so as to have a slightly

concave appearance, the surface sparingly subobsoletely punctate, with a broad smooth

space along the middle, which behind is indistinctly canaliculate. Hlytra broad and short,

rather sparingly and coarsely punctate. Hind body obscure reddish towards the apex.

The unique example of this very distinct species is in bad preservation ; itis a male,

and has a broad, shallow, rounded emargination on the last ventral plate.

4, Neomedon mexicanus.

Parum latus, subdepressus, niger, elytris, antennis pedibusque rufis, his femoribus piceis ; capite prothoraceque

dense fortiterque punctatis, hoc tenuiter canaliculato; elytris crebre subrugulose punctatis.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Volean de Orizaba (Sallé), Las Vigas (Flohr), Jalapa, Cordova

(Hoge).

Antenne rather small, the third joint a little longer than the second. Head sub-

quadrate, black and shining, densely and coarsely punctate. Thorax not so long as

broad, a little narrowed behind, closely and coarsely punctured, with a very fine channel

along the middle, but without smooth space. Elytra slender, rather longer than the

thorax, moderately closely punctate, the punctuation being somewhat rough and

indefinite. The male characters are apparently very slight, but there is a just

perceptible emargination of the hind margin of the last ventral plate, that is, I have

little doubt, indicative of this sex,

5. Neomedon mollis.

Subdepressus, testaceo-ferrugineus ; capite prothoraceque dense fortiterque punctatis, hoc medio tenuiter

canaliculato ; elytris crebre subrugulose punctatis.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Mirador ({ége).

This species is rather broader than WV. mexicanus, though readily distinguished by

the pallid colour ; the sculpture, too, appears to be a little coarser and closer. I do

not observe any male characters.

Four examples.

NEOMEDON. 599

6. Neomedon densus.

Sat latus, subdepressus, niger, elytris, antennis pedibusque rufis, his femoribus piceis ; capite prothoraceque

densissime fortius punctatis, hoc canaliculato; elytris crebre punctatis.

Long. 54 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Chalchicomula (Sai/é).

This insect is broader than NW. mexicanus, and is remarkable for the excessive close-

ness of the coarse thoracic punctuation; the head also is very closely and coarsely

“punctate, but not quite so densely as the thorax. In other respects the unique example

agrees with V. mexicanus.

7. Neomedon flohri.

Subdepressus, niger, nitidus, antennis rufis, pedibus piceis, tibiis tarsisque rufis; capite prothoraceque dense

fortiter punctatis, hoc medio linea levigata angusta, medio obsolete canaliculata; elytris crebrius fortiter

punctatis.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Las Vigas (flohr).

This species, also, is closely allied to V. mexicanus, but is broader, and has a fine im-

punctate line on the thorax ; the head is considerably larger, and the elytra are broader

and shorter and quite black. The male has a small angular notch at the apex of the

last ventral plate.

8. Neomedon nigricans.

Sat latus, subdepressus, niger, nitidus, antennis palpisque fusco-rufis, pedibus fusco-nigris, tarsis testaceis

capite prothoraceque crebrius fortiter, elytris dense subrugulose, punctatis ; prothorace medio canaliculato ;

tarsis anterioribus parum dilatatis.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Capetillo (Champion).

Exceedingly similar to V. flohri, but undoubtedly distinct on account of the slight

dilatation of the front tarsi; the elytra, too, in the present species are more densely

punctate. The male has a slight emargination of the last ventral plate.

Four examples.

9. Neomedon puncticeps.

Sat latus, subdepressus, nigricans, antennis pedibusque fusco-rufis; capite preesertim fortius densiusque

punctato, prothorace crebrius fortiterque punctato, medio linea angusta levigata, obsoletius canaliculato ;

elytris crebre fortiterque punctatis ; tarsis anterioribus parum dilatatis.

Long. 54 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Mirador (Hége); Guatemana, San Gerénimo (Champion).

This insect has a large broad head, remarkable on account of its very dense and

coarse punctuation; the sculpture of the head and thorax readily distinguishing the

560 STAPHYLINID ZA.

species from WV. nigricans. N. densus has the front tarsi rather more dilated and a

smaller head.

Two female examples; in one, which is immature, the elytra are piceous. The

individual from Mexico is in bad preservation, but appears to be a variety of the

same species.

MESPALERUS.

Corpus depressum. Mandibula sinistra bidentata, dextra tridentata. Labrum breve, fere recte truncatum.

Tarsi anteriores haud dilatati; posteriores breves, articulis secundo, tertio quartoque subsequalibus, articulo

basali parum elongato, sed quam secundus bene longiore.

This genus, though closely allied to Neomedon, seems quite distinct by the above

characters. ‘The only species I know are those described below.

1. Mespalerus przustus.

Angustulus, depressus, nigricans, nitidus, antennis rufis, pedibus fuscis, tibiis dilutioribus, tarsis testaceis ;

elytris dimidio basali rufo-lurido, subtiliter punctatis, capite prothoraceque fortiter punctatis.

Long. 44 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Aceytuno, San Gerdénimo, San Joaquin, Balheu (Champion).

Antenne short and rather stout, the third joint slightly longer than the second.

Head large, quadrate, coarsely, very closely and regularly punctate, shining; eyes small.

Thorax small, transverse, narrowed behind, coarsely and closely punctate, with a very

fine smooth line down the middle, the punctuation not so coarse and close as that of

the head. Elytra long and narrow, finely punctate, shining ; the basal portion largely

red, the apical portion black, the division between the two colours rather indefinite.

There is scarcely any external difference between the male and the female.

2. Mespalerus flavipennis. (Tab. XIV. fig. 16.)

Angustulus, depressus, nitidus, fuscus, capite nigro, antennis, elytris pedibusque testaceis ; capite quadrato,

crebre fortiterque punctato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Zapote, San Gerénimo, El Jicaro (Champion).

This insect is very closely allied to WZ. preustus, and is of similar flat, parallel form;

it is, however, rather smaller in size, and the punctuation is not quite so coarse; and,

though the two examples are rather immature, I have little doubt the coloration will

be found constantly more pallid.

One example from each locality; the specimen figured was taken at San Gerénimo.

3. Mespalerus debilis.

Angustior, sat depressus, nitidus, nigricans, antennis fusco-rufis, pedibus testaceis, elytris basin versus vage

rufescentibus ; capite quadrato, dense fortiterque punctato; prothorace minus transyerso, fortiter sub-

obsolete punctato, medio linea levigata; elytris subtiliter minus dense punctatis.

Long. vix 33 millim.

MESPALERUS.—SCIOPORUS. 561

Hab. GuateMata, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Antenne small and rather slender; eyes rather prominent ; sides of the head very

slightly narrowed behind. Thorax not so long as broad, distinctly narrowed behind,

transversely convex, with a coarse subobsolete punctuation, and a slender smooth line

along the middle canaliculate at the base.

This insect is much smaller than W/. preustus and less depressed, and the teeth

of the mandibles are more feeble. It is unique.

4. Mespalerus piesticulus.

Angustior, sat depressus, nitidus, ferrugineus; capite quadrato, cumque prothorace crebrius sat fortiter

punctato, hoc medio tenuiter obsolete canaliculato ; elytris quam prothorax paullo longioribus, crebrius sat

fortiter punctatis.

Long. 37 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

The small size, pallid colour, and rather less depressed form are sufficient to distin-

guish this species from the rest of the group; it also has comparatively shorter and

more coarsely punctate wing-cases, and the head is not so largely developed, and has

rather less dense and coarse punctuation. Unique.

SCIOPORUS.

Corpus minus depressum. Mandibule tridentate, dentibus seepe inequalibus. Labrum sat elongatum, medio

excisum, utrinque muticum. Tarsi anteriores leviter dilatati; posteriores modice elongati, articulo basali

quam secundus bene longiore.

This little group of species comes close to the European Medon, but I think it would

be incorrect to treat them as one. Scioporus has a broader neck and shorter prothorax ;

the mandibles appear to be invariably tridentate ; the membrane intervening between

the labrum and head is larger, and the labrum itself is apparently denticulate in the

middle. The type is 8. drunneus; I mention this as the paucity of examples and the

difficulty of manipulating them has made my examination less complete than it should

be. Lithocharis crassula, Sharp, belongs to the genus, and is the only one I am

acquainted with in addition to those here characterized, though some of the Californian

forms approach the genus very closely.

1. Scioporus brunneus.

Minus depressus, brunneo-ferrugineus, sat nitidus, pedibus testaceis; capite prothoraceque crebrius fortiter

punctatis, hoc medio linea angusta levigata.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, near the city (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson),

Granada, Chinandega (Sal/é).

Head rather broad, quadrate ; eyes large and prominent, occupying one half the

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, July 1886. 4CC

562 STAPHYLINIDA.

length of the sides ; labrum not denticulate, distinctly notched in the middle, separated

from the head by a rather large membrane; middle tooth of the right mandible

elongate, the upper and lower teeth small; basal tooth of the left mandible longer

than the two upper teeth. Antenne slender, the third joint a little longer than the

second. Thorax rather strongly transverse, distinctly narrowed behind, like the head

coarsely and closely punctate, but with a distinct smooth line down the middle. Elytra

a little longer than the thorax, rather closely rugose punctate. Tarsi slender, rather

long; the anterior pair well dilated. The male has a slight emargination of the last

ventral plate.

2. Scioporus fulvescens. (Tab. XIV. fig. 17.)

Sat latus, minus depressus, ferrugineus, capite vix picescente, nitidus ; capite prothoraceque crebre fortiter

punctatis, hoc medio linea levigata.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, David (Champion).

Antenne stout and short, the first joint thick, the third joint small, rather smaller

than the second, the joints from the fourth onwards not so long as broad. Head

coarsely and distinctly but rather irregularly punctured, the disc convex, shining and

impunctate. Thorax strongly transverse, coarsely, moderately densely punctate, with a

very distinct smooth line along the middle. Elytra longer than the thorax, somewhat

shining, rather definitely and moderately coarsely punctate. Front tarsi rather feebly

dilated.

Two examples.

3. Scioporus signatus. (Tab. XIV. fig. 18.)

Fuscus, capite prothoraceque nigricantibus, antennis, pedibus elytrisque ferrugineis, his medio nigris ; capite

dense rugoso-punctato, opaco, disco levigato, nitido.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

The head has a dense confluent punctuation on either side, very confused behind ;

the lower tooth on the right mandible is a little longer than the two upper. The

thorax is short, a little narrowed behind, shining, very coarsely, rather closely punctate,

with a smooth space on the middle, not extending the whole length. Elytra longer

than the thorax, indistinctly punctate, ferruginous, with a very large angular black mark

on the disc. ‘The male has a slight emargination of the last ventral plate. Unique.

4. Scloporus sellatus.

Fuscus, capite prothoraceque piceis, nitidis, antennis pedibusque testaceis, elytris ferrugineis, dorso fusco ;

capite prothoraceque fortiter disperse punctatis, hoc medio linea parum discreta levigata.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA (Champion).

SCIOPORUS. 563

Closely allied to S. stgnatus, but with a different punctuation of the head and

thorax, especially the former, where the punctures leave the disc quite shining, and

become scanty towards this smooth spot, the hind angles being, however, densely and

rugosely punctate. The thoracic punctuation is coarse but subobsolete, the smooth

space down the middle is finely canaliculate behind. The fuscous mark on the wing-

cases is ill-defined. ‘The unique example was not labelled with the locality.

5. Scioporus apicipennis.

Niger, nitidus, antennis, pedibus elytrorumque apice testaceis; capite prothoraceque fortiter punctatis, hoc

medio linea angusta levigata.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne rather short and slender, slightly thicker at the apex; second and third

joints equal in size, the seventh to the tenth each not so long as broad. Head rather

short, quadrate, very slightly narrowed behind, the eyes a little convex, occupying one

half the length of the side, the surface shining, very coarsely punctate. Thorax slightly

transverse, very slightly narrowed behind, very coarsely but somewhat obsoletely and

not densely punctate, with a rather indefinite smooth space along the middle. Elytra

elongate, rather shining, somewhat sparingly and finely punctate, black, with the apical

margin yellow. Front tarsi rather strongly dilated. On the right mandible the two

upper teeth are very small, on the left the upper tooth is very minute. Unique.

6. Scioporus obsoletus.

Fuscus, capite nigro, prothorace piceo, antennis, pedibus elytrisque ferrugineis, his disco infuscato; capite sat

fortiter disperse punctato, prothorace obsolete punctato.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This species is very closely allied to S. signatus, but is readily distinguished by the

absence of coarse punctuation on the head and thorax. The head is shining, has no

very large punctures, and the moderately large punctures are very scanty on the middle

and front, but on the vertex, especially at the sides, form a very dense confluent

punctuation, while the thoracic punctuation is rather fine and obsolete; the large

fuscous mark on the wing-cases is rather indefinite. Unique.

7. Scioporus chontalenus.

Piceus, nitidus, antennis pedibusque testaceis, elytris ferrugineis, apicem versus obscuratis ; capite prothorace-

que parce obsolete punctatis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne rather long. Head with the hind angles well marked, the surface only

4 CC 2

564 STAPHYLINID.

quite obsoletely and sparingly punctured, except at the hind angles, where there is a

fine rugose punctuation ; eyes occupying less than one half of the length of the sides.

Thorax strongly transverse, its punctuation scanty and quite obsolete. LElytra very

indistinctly punctuated, the infuscation of their extremity indefinite.

In addition to the different coloration, this insect has longer antenne and smaller

eyes than the preceding. Unique.

8. Scioporus parvidens.

Fusco-rufus, capite prothoraceque piceis, hoc dilutiore; antennis elytrisque ferrugineis, his apicem versus

fuscescentibus, pedibus testaceis ; capite prothoraceque crebrius sat fortiter, minus regulariter punctatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Chiacam in Vera Paz (Champion).

Antenne small, a little thickened at the apex; basal joint unusually long, nearly

equal to the first, second, and third together ; third joint small, rather smaller than

the second. Mandibles tridentate, but the teeth very small, the basal one of the right

mandible in fact only barely indicated. Labrum large, distinctly excised. Head rather

broad and short, closely and finely rugose-punctate, the disc smoother. Thorax closely

and rather coarsely punctate, with a narrow smooth line down the middle. Elytra longer

than the thorax, closely and rather finely rugose-punctate.

Only one example, in bad preservation.

9. Scioporus latifrons. (Tab. XIV. fig. 19.)

Latior, subdepressus, fusco-niger, elytrorum humeris apiceque ferrugineis, antennis pedibusque rufis; dense

subtilissime punctatus; capite latiore, membrana clypeali majore.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Antenne rather slender, the first joint as long as the second and third together, the

latter much longer than the second, the penultimate joint scarcely longer than broad.

Head broad and flat, extremely densely and finely punctate, the sides and the hind angles

a little rounded; the mandibles elongate, the pallid membrane between the clypeus and

labrum remarkably large, the clypeus behind it obscurely margined. Thorax transverse,

like the head very densely and finely punctate, very slightly narrowed behind. Elytra

elongate, densely and finely punctate, blackish, with the shoulder and hind margin

ferruginous. Terminal joint of tarsi elongate, on the posterior foot about equal to the

three basal joints together. Male with a moderately deep excision in the last ventral

plate.

A small series of this species was found, but they are in a very decayed state. In

fresh examples there would probably be numerous long sete present *.

* It may prevent confusion to describe a very closely allied species found at Rio Janeiro by Squire.

Scioporus breviceps, n. sp. SS. latifronti persimilis, capite breviore, subtransverso abdominisque segmento

ultimo in mare profundius exciso, tantum fere differt.

SCIOPORUS.—STILOMEDON. 565

10. Scioporus ——?

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

A specimen in too fragmentary condition for close examination, represents apparently

a species near S. Jatifrons, but with the basal portion of the elytra pale yellow.

STILOMEDON.

Corpus depressum, dense minus subtiliter punctatum. Caput subquadratum, collo angusto. Tarsi omnes breves ;

anteriores dilatati; posteriores articulo quarto membranaceo, sub articulo quinto prolongato.

The chief peculiarity of this genus was pointed out by me some years ago when

describing as members of Lithocharis some species that must now be referred to

Stilomedon. It consists in the fact that the terminal joint of the hind and middle

tarsus is inserted close to the third joint, the fourth joint being placed beneath the

terminal joint, but remaining still very conspicuous owing to its greater width; it is

semimembranous in texture. This genus, therefore, and Ophiomedon and Suniocharis,

so far as the tarsi are concerned, connect the Lithocharis group of genera quite inti-

mately with the forms near Sunius.

Stilomedon is also remarkable by its slender neck and subpentagonal thorax; the

chitinous pieces of the prosternum are greatly developed; the broad prosternal process

attains the mesosternum and is overlapped by the side pieces, the coxal cavities (when

the coxe have been removed) thus looking at first glance as if they were completely

enclosed.

The genus will include Lithocharis biseriata, Er., and L. discedens, Sharp, in addition

to the species of our region.

1. Stilomedon triseriatus. (Tab. XIV. fig. 20.)

Depressus, opacus, ferrugineus, densissime punctatus; prothorace omnino densissime punctato, haud strigoso, basi

conspicue quadripunctato ; elytris quam prothorax longioribus, seriebus tribus elongatis punctorum majorum.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Panama, David, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne short, ferruginous. Head large, quadrate ; coarsely and excessively densely

punctate, so that the interstices are reduced to a very fine reticulation. Thorax not so

long as broad, the sides much narrowed behind, the front strongly oblique on either

side; the surface excessively densely punctate, so that the interstices are almost as

minute as possible, but not strigulose; there is no median smooth line, but a very fine,

short channel frequently exists on the posterior part, and on the hind margin there are

four large punctures of equal size, the surface between them being feebly plicate. The

elytra are much longer than the thorax, densely punctate, only feebly shining, and on

each there exists three very distinct series of larger punctures which do not quite

extend to the hind margin. The male has the penultimate ventral segment feebly

566 STAPHYLINIDZ.

impressed along the middle, and at the hind margin on each side of the impression

there is a black tuft of very short pubescence; the terminal segment bears a very long,

rather narrow notch.

This insect is readily distinguished from the allied species by the longer elytra.

Inthocharis biseriata, Er., is no doubt closely allied, but the description cannot apply

to our species. The Amazonian L. discedens, Sharp, is also very close, but is smaller

and has shorter elytra.

A small series only was secured of this species.

2. Stilomedon strigicollis.

Subdepressus, ferrugineus, capite prothoraceque piceo-ferrugineis, densissime punctatus; prothorace fortiter

transverso, densissime strigoso-punctato ; elytris sat nitidis, crebre punctatis, punctis seriatis vix per-

spicuis.

Long. 4-5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Pilate); British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaur); GuaTEMa.a,

El Tumbador, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet, El Reposo, Cahabon (Ohampion) ; Panama,

David, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Though very similar at first sight to S. triseriatus, this insect cannot be confounded

therewith, the thorax being strigose, with the basal punctures scarcely perceptible, the

elytra shining, much shorter, with the serial punctures almost imperceptible. The

male characters consist only of a feeble emargination of the hind margin of the last

ventral plate.

The two Mexican exponents are from Chevrolat’s collection, where they were ticketed

“Lithocharis cribrata, Fauvel, ined.”; they form a variety of smaller size, with smaller

and rather more coarsely sculptured head; the three examples from Belize agree with

them.

S. strigicollis has not been found in numbers, but I have examined about thirty

examples.

8. Stilomedon connexus.

Lithocharis connexa, Sharp, Trans, Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 254°,

Inthocharis convexa, Sharp, |. c. p. 262 (errore typog.).

Hab. Panama, David, Bugaba (Champion).—Sourn America, Amazons |.

I wrote the name of this species as connewa, and it is so styled on p. 254 of the

volume above quoted, but at the commencement of the description the printer changed

it to convera, and this error escaped my observation: as converus is a bad trivial

designation for this species, it will be better to use the word connexus, which is

sufficiently certified by the first of the two quotations cited.

Mr. Champion met with this insect in abundance at David, but only one individual

was found at Bugaba.

STILOMEDON.—OPHIOMEDON. 567

4. Stilomedon verticalis.

Subdepressus, ferrugineus, elytris rufescentibus; capite prothoraceque densissime punctatis, subopacis, illo

vertice summo medio breviter canaliculato-impresso ; elytris obsoletius triseriatim punctatis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Panama, David (Champion).

Extremely similar to 8. connexus, but with a longer thorax, which is rather more

densely and coarsely punctate; the outline of the head is evidently emarginate behind,

and there is a small depression in the middle just in front of the neck. There are

other slight differences which it is not necessary to mention, as the male characters are

quite different: the penultimate ventral plate has a depression along the middle, which

is feebly carinate on either side, and the apical segment exhibits a rather deep narrow

notch. Unique.

OPHIOMEDON.

Corpus subdepressum, dense subtilissime punctatum. Caput magnum, collo angusto. Tarsi omnes breves ;

anteriores sat dilatati; posteriores articulo quarto brevi, articulo quinto ad articuli tertii basin proxime

inserto.

This genus, though allied to Stilomedon, has not the fourth joint produced in any

conspicuous manner underneath the terminal joint, and although the fifth joint is

inserted very near to the third—so that if the transverse sutures on the upper face of

the tarsus be considered without reference to the lateral outline, the tarsus appears

only four-jointed—yet the fourth joint remains really of normal size in relation to the

other joints. Swniocharis has a similar tarsal structure, but in that genus the tarsi are

long and slender. In Ophiomedon the first joint of the hind tarsus is short, but is a

little longer than the next; the labrum is large, with two distant short teeth in the

middle; the prosternal structure is, I believe, similar to that of St¢lomedon, though I

have no example for dissection. Ophiomedon will include also the Amazonian Litho-

charis integra and L. compressa, Sharp, and the Hawaiian L. incompta.

1. Ophiomedon stipes. (Tab. XIV. fig. 21.)

Subdepressus, sordide ferrugineus, opacus, antennis pedibusque testaceis, densissime subtilius punctatus;

capite majore, posterius emarginato, vertice summo in medio impresso.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne small, the terminal joints a little thicker, the penultimate joint not quite

so long as broad. Head large, rather larger than the elytra, the eyes comparatively

small, the sides a little curved, the surface dull, densely and finely punctate, with an

obscure smooth line along the middle. Thorax strongly transverse, a good deal

narrowed behind, densely and finely punctate, with a short, very fine, and indistinct

channel in the middle behind. Elytra a good deal longer than the thorax, very finely,

568 STAPHYLINIDA.

densely punctured, dull, of a ferruginous colour. Legs short. The male has an

extremely feeble emargination of the hind margin of the last ventral segment.

One example from each locality.

2. Ophiomedon longiceps.

Subdepressus, sordide ferrugineus, capite prothoraceque nigricantibus, antennis pedibusque testaceis, densissime

subtilissimeque punctatus, opacus ; capite elongato, oblongo, posterius emarginato ; prothorace subquadrato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne small, not thicker externally, the terminal joint short. Head elongate, the

eyes small, very densely and finely punctate, the vertex rather deeply emarginate. Thorax

rather small, as long as broad, a little narrowed behind, the punctuation extremely

minute. Elytra very finely punctate, ferruginous yellow, infuscate about the suture.

Three examples. I do not detect any sexual character.

3. Ophiomedon subtilis.

Subdepressus, fuscus, antennis pedibusque sordide testaceis; capite orbiculato-quadrato, densius subtiliusque

punctato ; prothorace subquadrato, omnino subtilissime densissime vix perspicue punctato.

Long. 4¢ millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

We have received only one example, in very bad preservation, of this species, which,

however, is clearly distinct, and can be certainly distinguished from O. longiceps by the

shape of the head and thorax; the former is much curved at the sides near the hind

angles, and the vertex is less emarginate; while the latter is scarcely at all narrowed

behind. The punctuation of the head is fine and very dense, but quite distinct, while

that on the thorax can scarcely be distinguished; the thorax has an excessively fine,

short channel behind the middle; the terminal joint of the tarsus is longer than in

the allied species. ‘The unique individual has a broad, but very slight, emargination of

the last ventral segment, and is probably a male.

4, Ophiomedon longulus.

Elongatus, angustulus, subdepressus, ferrugineus, capite prothoraceque nigricantibus; capite subquadrato,

omnino densissime minus subtiliter punctato, opaco; prothorace subelongato, densissime minus sub-

tiliter punctato, tenuiter canaliculato; elytris dense punctatis, minus opacis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather long, not thickened externally, each joint longer than broad. Head

not emarginate behind, its punctuation excessively dense, moderately fine. Thorax as

long as broad, very slightly curvate at the sides, the front angles indistinct, the surface

very densely, moderately finely punctate, with a fine channel along the middle nearly

MONOCHARIS.—SCIOCHARIS. 569

reaching the base, but rather further from the front margin. Elytra elongate, densely

and distinctly punctate, rather shining.

The unique example is probably a female; it is in a very fragile state, and I have

_ damaged it a good deal in attempting to manipulate it in order to see all its characters.

It can scarcely remain in this genus, but cannot be placed in any other at present

formed. The mandibles are moderately long, quadridentate; the outline of the

labrum I cannot see definitely, but do not think it differs much from that of the other

species of this genus. The prosternal process and side-pieces are largely developed.

The front tarsi are well dilated, their terminal joint stout. The basal joint of the

hind tarsus is apparently quite short, the terminal joint being stout and elongate,

almost as long as the other four together. If this be correct, and the tarsi have really

four equal short basal joints, the insect should clearly be a distinct genus,

MONOCHARIS.

Corpus sat convexum, laxe pubescens. Caput convexum, collo angusto. Tarsi anteriores vix dilatati; posteriores

sat elongati, quam tibiz paullo breviores, articulo quarto brevi, articulo quinto ad articuli tertii basin

proxime inserto.

This genus is allied to Ophiomedon, though different in appearance, but the compa-

rative elongation of the hind feet, accompanied by minor differences in many details,

requires its separation, and it is in fact a connecting link between Medon and Monista.

The mandibles are quite short, the labrum not large, its front margin nearly simple.

The neck is very slender, as in Stilomedon. The prosternal structure is that of Stélo-

medon. ‘The middle cox are small, deeply embedded. The hind feet are slender,

and have the basal joint rather elongate, considerably longer than the second. The genus

at present will comprise only one species.

1. Monocharis vestita. (Tab. XIV. fig. 22.)

Lithocharis vestita, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 259°.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet, Bugaba (Champion).—Sovutu

AMERICA, Caracas (Sallé), Amazons valley !.

An example from Caracas of this species is extant in Chevrolat’s collection under the

name Lithocharis parvicollis, Chevr.

SCIOCHARIS.

Sciocharis, Arribalzaga, Bol, Ac. Arg. vii. p. 260 (1884).

This genus is peculiar to the New World, where it appears to be numerous in

species, and extends as far south as Buenos Ayres; it will probably be found to be

represented in Mexico and the Southern States of the North-American Union. In

addition to the species mentioned by Arribdlzaga, it must comprise Lithocharis oculata

and L. humilis, and probably also Z. egena and L. ardua, Sharp.

Most of the species are found on the sandy banks of streams (Champion).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, July 1886, 4 DD

570 STAPHYLINIDZ.

1. Sciocharis arribalzagz. (Tab. XIV. fig. 23.)

Fusco-rufa, densissime punctata, antennis pedibusque testaceis; capite quadrato, posterius recte truncato,

oculis convexis, densissime vix subtiliter punctato; prothorace transverso, posterius angustato, densius

fortiusque punctato, medio linea angusta levigata ; elytris densissime subtiliter subrugose punctatis.

Long. 43-5 millim. |

Hab. Guatemaua, near the city, Capetillo, San Gerénimo (Champion).

First and second joints of the antenne moderately thick. Head quite straight behind,

not at all emarginate, the hind angles remarkably definite, the convex eyes extending

more than halfway to the vertex, opaque, the rather coarse punctuation as dense as

possible. ‘Thorax more shining than the head, and rather more coarsely punctate, the

narrow smooth line more or less distinctly canaliculate behind. Elytra infuscate-

ferruginous, the humeral and lateral regions usually less infuscate. The male has a

moderate angular excision on the last ventral segment.

I have named this insect in honour of the accomplished author of the memoir styled

‘‘ Los estafilinos de Buenos Aires,” to whom we are indebted for the generic characters

of Sciocharis. The species is allied to the Amazonian Lithocharis quadrata, Sharp,

but differs in numerous details.

Seven examples from the city of Guatemala, one from each of the other localities.

2. Sciocharis nigriceps.

Fusco-rufa, omnino densissime punctata, opaca, capite nigricante, prothorace fusco, antennis pedibusque

testaceis ; capite subquadrato, posterius truncato, angulis posterioribus leviter rotundatis; elytris sordide

testaceis, regione suturali fusca.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. GuateMaua, near the city, San Gerdnimo (Champion); Panama, Volcan de

Chiriqui (Champion).

In this species the hind margin of the head is straight, not emarginate, the hind

angles, however, being a little rounded. The thorax is as densely and finely punctate

as the head, and the smooth line down the middle is correspondingly definite, it is

feebly canaliculate at the base. The elytra are very finely punctate. The front tarsi

are scarcely dilated.

This insect is readily distinguished from 8S. arribalzage@ by the punctuation of the head

and thorax, as well as by the much less definite hind angles of the former, the smaller

eyes, almost undilated front tarsi, &c. It is nearer to the Amazonian Lithocharis egena,

Sharp, from which it differs in numerous details.

Four examples.

3. Sciocharis cognata.

Fusco-rufa, omnino densissime punctata, opaca, capite nigricante, prothorace fusco, antennis pedibusque

testaceis ; capite subquadrato, posterius truncato, angulis posterioribus leviter rotundatis ; elytris sordide

testaceis, regione suturali fusca.

Long. 4 millim.

SCIOCHARIS. | 571

Hab. Guatemata, near the city, Capetillo, and Tamahu (Champion).

So far as I can see this insect differs from S. nigriceps only by the smaller eyes, which

not only are less convex, but occupy considerably less than one half of the length of the

sides of the head, and by the punctuation on the basal portion of the thorax being less

extremely dense and fine. The median line on the thorax is distinct and is canaliculate

at the base. The front tarsi are very feebly dilated, and the male has only a broad

shallow excision of the last ventral plate.

Four examples.

4. Sciocharis similaris.

Fuscula, subtiliter sed evidenter pubescens, omnino densissime punctata, opaca, capite nigricante, prothorace

fusco, antennis pedibusque rufis, elytris sordide testaceis; capite subquadrato, posterius recte truncato,

angulis posterioribus nullo modo rotundatis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. GuateMaa, Aceytuno (Champion).

This species is extremely similar to S. nigriceps, though readily distinguished by the

more sharply defined hind angles of the head. The punctuation of the head is excessively

dense, so that the surface is minutely and finely yet roughly rugose; the thoracic punc-

tuation too is excessively dense; there is no definite smooth line on the thorax, but a

fine channel extends nearly the whole length. The emargination of the last ventral

segment in the male is broader and less deep than it is in S. nigriceps, and the front

tarsi are distinctly dilated. Unique.

5. Sciocharis capitata.

Subrobusta, ferruginea, capite prothoraceque fusco-ferrugineis, omnino densissime subtiliter punctata, opaca ;

capite majore, elytris fere latiore, posterius emarginato-truncato, angulis posterioribus fere acutis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Panama, David (Champion).

This insect is much larger than S. nigriceps, and is readily distinguished from that

species by the shape of the head. The punctuation of the head is excessively dense,

subobsolete; on the posterior part of the thorax the sculpture is less dense and fine, so

that the surface there is very feebly shining ; the channel in the median smooth line

extends almost all the length. The elytra are only slightly longer than the thorax, very

densely, finely punctate. The unique example is apparently a female; the front tarsi

are feebly dilated.

6. Sciocharis egena?

Lithocharis egena, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 264".

Hab. Guaremata, near the city (Champion).—Sovura America, Amazons valley !.

| 4 DD 2

572 STAPHYLINIDZ.

The single example differs from the unique Amazonian type in several minute points

of form, colour, and sculpture, so that it may prove to be not really conspecific.

7. Sciocharis subnitens.

Fusca, antennis pedibusque testaceis, elytrorum lateribus abdominisque apice ferrugineis; capite transversim

subquadrato, oculis majoribus, obsolete punctato; prothorace crebre subtiliter punctato, subopaco, medio

linea sat lata levigata.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, David (Champion).

Head short and broad, straight behind, the hind angles only very slightly rounded ; eyes

large and convex, occupying two thirds of the length of the sides; surface very finely

and obsoletely punctate, on the disc almost impunctate. Thorax small, much narrowed

behind, covered with a fine subgranular punctuation, leaving the surface a little

shining, especially on the basal region, and with a broad smooth line down the middle

which is very feebly canaliculate at the base. lytra closely and finely punctate,

slightly shining. Front tarsi undilated.

Closely allied to the Amazonian S. egena, Sharp, but with considerably larger eyes

as well as less important differences in the colour and sculpture. Unique.

8. Sciocharis testacea.

Testaceo-ferruginea, elytris pedibusque flavis ; capite subquadrato, oculis convexis sat magnis, dense subtilis-

sime punctulato ; prothorace crebrius subtiliter granuloso-punctato, medio linea levigata.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Panzos, Paso Antonio (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales

(Janson).

This insect is closely allied to S. subnitens, but, in addition to the colour distinctions, has

a rather narrower head, with eyes occupying scarcely more than one half of the length of

the sides, and the punctuation on the basal portion of the thorax is not so scanty. One

example from each locality. The exponent from Paso Antonio may prove distinct, being

of rather larger size and darker colour, with some minute differences of punctuation.

9. Sciocharis nitidicollis.

Fusca, abdomine fusco-ferrugineo, apice dilutiore, antennis pedibusque testaceis ; capite transversim subquad-

rato, posterius recte truncato ; prothorace nitido, tantum obsolete punctulato.

Long. 3} millim.

Hab. Panama, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).

The eyes occupy more than one half of the length of the short head, which is quite

straight behind, the angles not at all rounded, the surface finely punctulate, a little

shining. Thorax strongly transverse, quite shining, finely punctate, with no smooth

area along the middle, but with an indistinct channel bebind. Elytra closely and

finely punctate, blackish, shining.

This distinct little insect is nearest to the Amazonian Lithocharis ardua,Sharp. Unique.

SCIOCHARIS. 573

10. Sciocharis championi.

Testacea, capite nigro, prothorace fusco, elytris apicem versus fuscescentibus, opaca, dense subtilissime punc-

tata; prothorace minus fortiter transverso, elytris angustiore, in medio linea levigatas distincta.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALa, Coatepeque (Champion) ; Panama, David (Champion).

This species has the base of the head rather rounded, its surface very densely and

finely punctate, quite dull, the eyes occupying one half of the length of the sides. The

thorax considerably narrower than the elytra, all the angles broadly rounded, the

surface very densely and finely punctate, the smooth line along the middle very

definite, not canaliculate. Elytra very densely and finely punctate, quite dull. The

front tarsi are slightly dilated, and the male has a very broad rather shallow emargina-

tion of the last ventral plate.

Six examples from Guatemala, one from the State of Panama; this latter in bad

condition and not certainly the same species.

11. Sciocharis densicollis.

Ferruginea, capite prothoraceque fusco-ferrugineis, elytris circa suturam fuscis, antennis pedibusque testaceis ;

capite prothoraceque omnino densissime punctatis, opacis, illo subquadrato, posterius recte truncato.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, David (Champion).

Head quite truncate behind, the eyes occupying one half of the length of the sides.

Thorax much narrowed behind, excessively densely and minutely punctured, quite dull,

with a narrow, indistinct, canaliculate smooth line down the middle. Elytra quite dull,

very densely punctate.

This species is readily distinguished from S. champion by the shape and colour of

the head ; it is, moreover, a broader insect. The front tarsi are feebly dilated, and the

male has a broad shallow emargination of the last ventral plate. Six examples.

12. Sciocharis gregaria.

Ferruginea, capite fuscescente, elytris plus minusve late infuscatis, omnino densissime vix visibiliter punctu-

lata, opaca.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Of very parallel form. Head subquadrate, not rounded behind, the eyes occupying

one half of the length of the sides; surface dull, not visibly sculptured. Thorax also

dull, and almost without visible sculpture, with very faint trace of a channel along the

middle. Elytra densely and finely punctate. Front tarsi distinctly dilated. Male

with a small excision at the narrow extremity of the last ventral plate.

Nearly three dozen examples were obtained of this species. The antenne are

extremely delicate and are broken off from nearly all the specimens.

574 STAPHYLINIDZ.

13. Sciocharis fragilis.

Minor, angustula, sordide ferruginea, capite nigricante, prothorace fusco-ferrugineo, antennis pedibusque

testaceis, omnino subtilissime fere invisibiliter punctulata, opaca.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, near the city, San Gerénimo, Aceytuno (Champion).

In this minute and obscure insect the head is subquadrate, the base and hind angles

a little rounded, the eyes rather small, and not occupying one half of the length of the

sides. The thorax is transversely subquadrate, only very slightly narrowed behind, the

punctuation almost imperceptible, but a straight smoother space may be detected along

the middle. The elytra are elongate, their punctuation extremely fine. The front

tarsi are quite undilated. A good series was obtained,

14. Sciocharis minuta.

Minor, angustula, ferruginea, capite prothoraceque fuscescentibus, antennis pedibusque testaceis, omnino sub-

tilissime fere invisibiliter punctulata, opaca.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Panama, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).

This species is very closely allied to S. fragilis, but is smaller and narrower, and the

head is less quadrate, being considerably narrower; the thorax, moreover, is about as

long as broad. Unique.

15. Sciocharis boops. (Tab. XIV. fig. 24.)

Nigra, omnino densissime punctulata, opaca, antennis pedibusque fusco-rufis; capite subtransverso, oculis

majoribus ; prothorace haud transverso, basin versus angustato, basi in medio canaliculato.

Long. 44 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Head short and very broad, the hind angles very much rounded, the eyes convex,

extending more than half the length of the sides, excessively finely and densely punc-

tate, tomentose. ‘Thorax much narrower than the head, considerably narrowed behind,

excessively densely and finely punctate, with a deep channel in the middle behind.

Flytra longer than the thorax, densely and finely punctate. Front tarsi much dilated.

Three examples.

16. Sciocharis juno.

Fusca, opaca, antennis pedibusque testaceis; capite transverso, oculis per magnis, prothorace basin versus

angustato, medio canaliculato; elytris apicem versus dilutioribus.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. PanaMa, Bugaba (Champion).

Head and thorax excessively obsoletely punctate, almost smooth but not shining, the

latter with a narrow smooth line along the middle canaliculate at the base. Eyes very

SCLOCHARIS.—EUSCLERUS. . 575

convex, extending seven eighths of the length of the sides. Elytra very finely punctate,

the apical margin pallid. Legs slender, the front tarsi not dilated. Unique. Closely

allied to the Amazonian Lithocharis oculata, Sharp, but rather smaller, the thorax

shorter and not so visibly punctate, and the pallid colour at the extremity of the elytra

less extensive.

17. Sciocharis perdita.

Ferruginea, capite minore fuscescente, antennis pedibusque testaceis ; dense subtilissimeque punctulata.

Long. 2? millim.

Hab. Panama, David (Champion).

Head rather small, the eyes extending the whole length of the sides, but not extremely

convex, the vertex straight, the surface very feebly punctate, not shining. Thorax rather

narrower than the head, rather broader than long, slightly narrowed behind, closely

covered with a minute granular punctuation and with a vague smooth line along the

middle. Elytra rather short, closely and finely punctate. Front tarsi slightly dilated.

Two examples.

18. Sciocharis flavipennis.

Fusco-nigra, antennis pedibusque testaceis, elytris pallide flavis ; dense subtilissimeque punctulata.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Head subquadrate, the eyes extending scarcely half the length of the sides; surface

opaque, scarcely visibly sculptured, feebly tomentose. Thorax subquadrate, excessively

finely punctate, canaliculate at the base along the middle. Elytra a little longer than

the thorax, scarcely visibly punctate, almost white. Legs rather stout, pale yellow ;

front tarsi very feebly dilated.

This species is readily identified by the remarkably pallid wing-cases. ‘Two examples

were obtained.

EUSCLERUS.

Caput suborbiculare, oculis maximis. Antenne breviuscule, parum setosx, apicem versus paullo crassiores.

Tarsi posteriores graciles, evidenter quinque-articulati, articulo basali quam secundus bene longiore;

anteriores simplices.

Labrum rather small, rounded in front, but divided by a deep angular incision almost

to the base, apparently without denticulation. Mandibles short, with feeble teeth. Penul-

timate joint of the maxillary palpus short’and broad, with truncate apex. Neck of the

head moderately broad. Front of the pronotum rounded. Prosternum rather large.

Legs slender ; hind tarsi with the fourth joint simple, conspicuously interposed between

the third and the fifth, the basal joint a good deal longer than the second.

_ The position of this genus is rather doubtful, but I opine it will be found near to

Sciocharis ; still, as the structure of the labrum and maxillary palpus, so far at least as

5716 STAPHYLINIDZA.

I can gather, is somewhat of a Lathrobioid type, and as the condition of the pieces of

the prosternum cannot be ascertained, this may prove to be an erroneous conclusion.

The two unique examples are in a decayed state, and the under surface is much covered

with dirt, which, owing to the fragile condition of the specimens, cannot be thoroughly

removed.

1. Eusclerus rugifrons. (Tab. XIV. fig. 25.)

Niger, opacus, capite prothoraceque vix subznescentibus, antennis, pedibus elytrorumque apice testaceis ; capite

suborbiculari, dense rugoso-punctato, punctatura anterius grossiore.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. GuatEMa.a, near the city (Champion).

Antenne short, a little thickened outwardly ; third joint slender, much more so than

the first and second. The punctuation of the head is coarse, rugose, and irregular,

coarser in front, more indistinct behind, the eyes occupy nearly the entire length of the

sides. Thorax narrower than the elytra, subquadrate, very densely punctate, the

punctuation fine and granular, with a narrow smooth line on the basal portion. Elytra

longer than the thorax, blackish, with the hind margin yellow, finely, extremely densely,

subrugosely punctate, dull. The unique example is probably a female.

2. Eusclerus sordidus.

Sat latus, posterius attenuatus, fuscus, capite, prothorace elytrisque sordide ferrugineis, antennis pedibusque

flavis; omnino densissime punctatus, opacus, prothorace in medio linea laevigata.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Cubilguitz 1000 feet (Champion).

Antenne small, reaching but little beyond the back of the head, entirely yellow.

Head large, subcircular; eyes very large, convex ; surface excessively densely, finely

rugose-punctate, quite dull. Thorax transversely subquadrate, a little narrowed behind.

densely covered with aminute granular punctuation, with a distinct though narrow smooth

line along the middle. Elytra rather short, but longer than the thorax, excessively

densely, minutely subrugose-punctate, dull, infuscate-ferruginous. Hind body above

black. Legs short, yellow. The male has a small emargination on the middle of the

hind margin of the last ventral segment.

STILOCHARIS.

Caput elongatum. Labrum minute bidenticulatum. Caput collo angusto. Prothorax elongatus. Tarsi

anteriores tenues ; posteriores sat elongati, articulo basali quam secundus conspicue longiore.

This is one of several genera that connect Medon very closely with Stilicus. Stilocharis

is near Medon, but differs by possessing a considerably narrower neck and a greater

development of the anterior part of the prosternum. The left mandible is tri-, the

STILOCHARIS.—DERODERUS. 577

right quadri-dentate. The labrum ample, with two small denticles in the middle

separated by a slight excision. The prosternal process rests on the front of the meso-

_ Sternum, and the side pieces are rather large. Although the oblique elongation of the

thorax on either side is greater than in Medon, yet it is not so great as in Deroderus.

1. Stilocharis longula. (Tab. XV. fig. 1.)

Elongata, angustula ; nigro-fusca, capite vix subenescente, antennis, pedibus elytrisque fuscis ; dense subtiliter

punctulata.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. GuatemMaua, Capetillo, Zapote, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet

(Champion).

Antenne rather short, not stout; third joint scarcely longer than the second, the

penultimate scarcely so long as broad. Head oblong-oval, the eyes small; surface finely

and very densely punctate, the punctuation definite in front, quite indistinct behind, the

pubescence very fine and short. Thorax elongate, rather longer than broad, straight at

the sides, finely and extremely densely punctured, with a rather indistinct fine line down

the middle smooth. Elytra rather longer than the thorax, extremely densely and finely

punctured. The male is distinguished by a very feeble emargination of the hind margin

of the last ventral plate.

A series of twelve examples; the three specimens from the Quiche Mountains form

a variety of slightly smaller size, with the elytra only about as long as the thorax.

DERODERUS.

Corpus subdepressum. Labrum bidenticulatum. Caput collo perangusto. Tarsi breves, crassiusculi; anteriores

haud dilatati, posteriores articulo basali parum elongato.

This is intermediate in most respects between Stilocharis and Stilicus, but the tarsi

are shorter and broader than in either of those genera. The labrum is ample, and has

two short denticles in the middle. The left mandible is tri-, the right quadri-dentate,

the basal tooth being in each case very small. ‘The neck is not quite so slender as in

Stilicus. In the typical species, D. vestitus, the sculpture is wholly unlike, but in

the aberrant D. difficilis it is similar to, that of Stzlécus.

I am not acquainted with any species other than those here described.

1. Deroderus vestitus. (Tab. XV. fig. 2.)

Fusco-rufus, capite nigricante, opacus, subtilissime punctatus, pube brevissima erecta dense vestitus; elytris

punctis majoribus impressis parum distinctis.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne short, dark red, the third joint a little longer than the second. Head sub-

circular, excessively finely and densely punctured and pubescent, quite dull; eyes small.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, August 1886. 4 EE

578 . STAPHYLINIDZ.

Thorax rather smaller than the head, about as long as broad, a little curvate at the

sides and distinctly narrowed behind ; the punctuation dense, excessively minute, indeed

almost entirely obsolete, the pubescence dense; colour dull red. lytra slightly longer

than the thorax, finely and densely punctured, with some indistinct larger punctures,

which are not serial in their arrangement. The male is distinguished only by the hind

margin of the last ventral plate being less rounded than in the female, and scarcely

perceptibly emarginate in the middle. Four examples.

2. Deroderus punctipennis.

Fuscus, capite prothoraceque nigris, pedibus fusco-rufis; densissime punctatus, elytris punctis majoribus

impressis distinctis.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. GuatemaLa, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Antenne short and stout, the third joint a little longer than the second. Head subcir-

cular, excessively densely, evenly and finely punctured, quite dull. Thorax subquadrate,

a little narrower than the head and elytra, distinctly narrowed behind, its greatest length

rather exceeding the breadth, punctate like the head, with an indistinct canaliculate

carina at the base in the middle. Elytra elongate, longer than the thorax, densely and

finely punctate, not quite so dull as the head and thorax, with numerous larger punctures

subserially arranged. The unique example is probably a female.

3. Deroderus latipes.

Fusco-niger, subdepressus, densissime subtilissimeque punctatus, peropacus ; antennis pedibusque sordide rufis,

his crassiusculis.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. GuateMa.a, Las Mercedes 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne short and stout, the third joint scarcely so long as the second, the fourth to

the tenth differing little from one another, the fourth slightly longer than broad, the tenth

not so long as broad Head subcircular, flat, excessively finely and densely punctulate.

Thorax suboblong, slightly narrowed behind, rather longer than broad, punctate like

the head, with a fine channel in the middle behind. Elytra elongate, flat ; very densely

and finely punctate, in a manner almost similar to the head and thorax; with very faint

traces of larger punctures. Legs short and stout. The unique example is probably a

female.

4. Deroderus difficilis. (Tab. XV. fig. 3.)

Latiusculus, niger, elytris sordide rufis, pedibus fusco-rufis, antennis testaceis; capite quadrato-orbiculato,

densissime fortiterque punctato; prothorace fortiter punctato, medio area lata levigata.

Long. 53-6 millim,

Hab. Mexico, Las Vigas (Flohr).

Third joint of the antenna slender, a little longer than the second. Head broad, exces-

DERODERUS.—EUSTILICUS. 579

sively densely and coarsely punctate. Thorax broad, but rather longer than wide, greatly

narrowed in front, moderately so behind, densely and coarsely punctate, with a broad space

along the middle smooth and shining. Elytra rather shining, of a sordid red colour,

rather finely punctate.

This species is a most difficult one to place; it agrees almost as well with Stilicus as

with the typical species of Deroderus, and probably should form a genus between the

two. The shorter and stouter tarsi and the less development of the angular sides of

the thorax are the chief characters that forbid its being located in Stilicus.

EUSTILICUS.

Corpus elongatum, subtiliter punctatum. Labrum permagnum, medio elongatum et fortiter bidenticulatum.

Mandibule latissime. Caput collo angustissimo. Prothorax angulis anterioribus ad latera sitis, brevissime

rotundatis. Prosternum elongatum.

This genus is distinguished from Stzlicus by the labrum being longer in the middle

and by the thick mandibles, by the very elongate penultimate joint of the maxillary

palpi, and by the complete absence of the lateral angles from the sides of the thorax.

The prosternum is very elongate, not concave, but carinate for its whole length. The

antenne are elongate. The legs long and rather robust. The sculpture is totally unlike

that of Stilicus, being remarkably fine and obsolete. The basal joint of the hind foot

is very elongate, longer than the terminal joint.

I am not acquainted with any species besides those here described.

1. Bustilicus crassidens. (Tab. XV. fig. 4.)

Fusco-niger, opacus, antennis pedibusque fusco-rufis, elytris ad summum basin sordide ferrugineis ; capite pro-

thoraceque opacis, fere invisibiliter punctulatis, illo subelliptico ; elytris omnino densissime subtiliterque

subscabroso-punctatis, absque punctis majoribus.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. GuatTeMata, near the city (Champion).

Antenne rather elongate, extending nearly to the base of the thorax; third joint a

good deal longer than the second. Head and thorax scarcely visibly punctured ; eyes

very small. Elytra with a remarkably dense, fine but scabrous punctuation. The male

has the hind margin of the penultimate ventral segment broadly but slightly emargi-

nate; that of the terminal segment is also broadly emarginate, but in a more rounded

manner.

Two examples, found on the sandy banks of small streams.

2. Hustilicus orbifer.

. Fusco-ferrugineus, capite nigricante, pedibus abdominisque apice sordide testaceis ; capite prothoraceque opacis,

omnino densissime subtilissimeque punctatis, illo suborbiculare; elytris densissime subtiliterque sub-

scabroso-punctatis.

Long. 7 millim.

4 EK 2

580 STAPHYLINIDA.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This species is distinguished from E. crassidens chiefly by being rather less elongate,

more pallid in colour, with a shorter head, and the punctuation of the latter and the

thorax, though very fine, not so extremely obsolete.

The unique example is apparently a female.

3. Hustilicus mexicanus.

Latior, niger, opacus, antennis pedibusque fuscis ; capite prothoraceque omnino opacis, fere invisibiliter punc-

tulatis, illo suborbiculare ; elytris omnino densissime subtilissimeque subscabroso-punctatis.

Long. 83 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Misantla (Hoge).

Antenne short, not reaching to the base of the thorax; penultimate joint scarcely so

long as broad. Head broad. Thorax with a very dull surface, without any distinct

sculpture. Elytra covered with a very dense, fine, granular punctuation. Male with a

broad deep emargination of the last ventral plate, and a very slight emargination of

that preceding. Unique.

Readily distinguished from E. crassidens by the broader form, very dark colour, and

shorter antenne.

4, Kustilicus gracilis.

Gracilis, fusco-niger, opacus, pedibus fusco-rufis; antennis fuscis, apicem versus rufis ; capite prothoraceque opacis,

fere invisibiliter punctatis, hoc subovale ; elytris omnino densissime subtilissimeque subscabroso-punctatis.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. GuateMaALA, Tactic 5000 feet (Champion).

Very closely allied to EL. crassidens, but of rather darker colour, more slender form,

and with the punctuation of the head and thorax not quite so obsolete.

The unique example is a female.

TROCHODERUS.

Characteres fere ut in genere Hustilico, sed labrum medio multidenticulatum, mandibuleque tenuiores.

So far as I can detect, this genus agrees thoroughly with Hustzlicus, except in the

structure of the labrum and mandibles. The labrum is peculiar; it is large and

prominent, though not quite to such an extent as it is in Hustilicus; and instead of

having two large definite teeth in the middle, separated by a slight excision, it has a

number of smaller less definite teeth; on each side of the middle are two teeth placed

quite close together, and between them, exactly on the middle, a less prominent denticle ;

nearer to the side there is a still smaller denticle, separated by a considerable space

from the two contiguous teeth.

TROCHODERUS.—STILICUS. 581

1. Trochoderus godmani, (Tab. XV. fig. 5.)

Niger, opacus, antennis pedibusque fusco-rufis, dense obsoleteque punctatus; elytris punctis majoribus sub-

seriatis impressis.

Long. 7-8 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne moderately stout; third joint a little longer than the second, the penultimate

a little shorter than broad. Head subcircular, excessively densely and finely punctate,

dull. Thorax longer than broad, a little narrowed behind, much narrowed in front,

with a fine polished line along the middle quite vanishing in front. Elytra slightly

longer than the thorax, densely and finely punctate, not quite so dull as the anterior

parts; with some larger punctures along the suture and middle of each, and some

still finer ones towards the sides. The male has a just perceptible emargination of the

hind margin of the last ventral plate.

A good series was obtained. Sandy banks of streams (Champion).

2. Trochoderus dubius.

Fuscus, pedibus antennisque versus apicem sordide rufis; dense subobsoleteque punctatus, elytris punctis

parum conspicuis impressis.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. GuateMAa, San Joaquin in Vera Paz (Champion).

So far as I can judge from a single immature example, this is a rather smaller and

less elongate insect than 7. godmani, with the punctuation not quite so dense and

obsolete, and the front part of the thorax less elongate; the more pallid colour may be

partly due to immaturity. Although so similar in appearance to 7. godmani, 1 think

the structure of the labrum will be found to be different and less complex, as the median

teeth do not appear to be duplicate.

| STILICUS.

Stilicus, Latreille, Régn. Anim. iv. p. 486; Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 629.

This genus is widely distributed in both the Old and the New Worlds; but, as yet,

only about thirty-five species have been described. In some of the species of our region

the tarsi are bilobed, but the lobes are so slender that they are not easily perceived in

dried examples, and I have therefore not used the character for dividing the genus

into sections. |

1. Stilicus angularis. (Tab. XV. fig. 6.)

Stilicus angularis, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 634°.

Hab. Nortu America, Carolina !.—Mexico (coll. Saunders), Campeche (Chevrolat),

Cordova (Sallé).

Of this distinct species we figure an individual from the Saunders collection.

582 STAPHYLINIDA.

2. Stilicus cribratus, (Tab. XV. fig. 7.)

Niger, antennis palpisque testaceis, pedibus pallide flavis, capite prothoraceque dense fortiterque rugoso-punc-

tatis, hoc medio linea elevata levigata exarato; elytris fortiter profundeque punctatis, nitidis.

Long. 44-54 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); Guatemata (Sallé), near the city, San Gerénimo, El

Tumbador, Cahabon (Champion); Panama, David, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet

(Champion).

Head not very broad. Thorax rather slender, longer than broad, with the lateral

angles very distinct, the portion in front of them elongate; the surface very

convex transversely, and very densely and coarsely punctate, the smooth line down

the middle very distinct. The elytra are longer than the thorax, and are remark-

able on account of the coarse deep punctuation with shining interstices. The hind

body is excessively finely punctate, shining, the three basal segments depressed at the

base and more coarsely punctate in the depressions. The male has the hind margin of

the last ventral segment feebly bisinuate, the median angle being very minute; the

terminal segment has a rather small angular excision.

We have received only two examples from Mexico, both females; they have the

thorax a little broader than the specimens from Guatemala and the State of Panama.

The species is no doubt closely allied to the Colombian S. carinatus, Er.; but it would

_appear from Erichson’s description that the male characters are more largely developed

in that insect.

We have received a good series of this species; indeed it is apparently the only

Stilicus at all common in our region. Our figure represents an individual from

Guatemala city. |

3. Stilicus guatemalenus.

Niger, subseneus, antennis palpisque testaceis, pedibus pallide flavis, capite prothoraceque dense fortiterque rugoso-

punctatis, hoc medio linea laevigata elevata exarato; elytris fortiter profundeque punctatis, nitidis, punctis

versus apicem evidenter subtilioribus.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city, San Gerénimo, Las Mercedes, Volcan de Atitlan

2500 feet (Champion).

This insect is very closely allied to 8. eribratus, but is rather larger and has a broader

head and thorax; the elytra are a little longer and their punctuation is not quite so

coarse and deep, and on the apical fourth is evidently finer and more regular than

elsewhere ; the male has a much longer tooth in the middle of the emargination of

the penultimate ventral segment.

This agrees with Erichson’s description of 8. carinatus even better than S. cribratus

does ; but as S. guatemalenus has been found only in Guatemala, and is apparently rare

STILICUS. 583

there, it is in the highest degree improbable that it will prove to be identical with the

above mentioned insect from Colombia.

Ten examples.

4, Stilicus cribripennis.

Nigro-subzeneus, antennis fusco-testaceis, pedibus testaceis, femoribus apice, coxis anterioribus palpisque fuscis ;

capite prothoraceque dense fortiterque rugoso-punctatis, hoc medio longitudinaliter canaliculato; elytris

dense profunde fortiterque punctatis, nitidis.

Long. 44 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); Guatmmata, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet, Duefias

(Champion).

This species is readily distinguished from 8. guatemalenus by the thorax being

canaliculate along the middle instead of furnished with a polished raised space; the

colour of the legs and palpi is also characteristic. The head and thorax are rather

broad; the elytra short and broad, scarcely longer than the thorax, coarsely and very

densely punctate, uneven. ‘The male has a broad excision of the terminal ventral plate ;

the hind margin of the preceding segment simple.

The unique Mexican exponent is quite similar to the small series of Guatemalan

individuals.

5. Stilicus nimborum.

Niger, minus eenescens, antennis fusco-testaceis, pedibus palpisque fuscis, femorum basi tarsisque testaceis ;

eapite prothoraceque dense fortiterque rugoso-punctatis, hoc medio longitudinaliter canaliculato ; elytris

dense profunde fortiterque punctatis.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Guatumata, Quezaltenango 7800 feet (Champion).

We have received only one mutilated female of this species, and except for the colour

of the legs it almost exactly resembles S. cribripennis; as this character is, however, of

specific importance in this genus, I have no doubt the two will prove to be distinct.

6. Stilicus femoratus.

Niger, opacus, elytris subenescentibus, subnitidis, pedibus testaceis, femorum apicibus, antennis palpisque

fuscis; minus gracilis, capite prothoraceque dense fortiterque rugoso-punctatis, hoc medio vix perspicue

canaliculato; elytris crebrius minus fortiter punctatis,

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Head broad, transversely subquadrate, excessively densely punctured, quite dull.

Thorax broad, but distinctly narrower than the elytra, scarcely longer than broad,

much narrowed in front; lateral angles distinct, with only an indistinct trace of a

channel along the middle. Elytra broad and short, about as long as the thorax, finely

584 STAPHYLINIDA.,

but deeply punctate, smoother on the basal part, and with an elevation on each side

near the base. Legs rather stout, yellow, with a definite infuscation of the apices of

the femora. The male has a slight broad emargination of the last ventral plate.

Though similar in the colour of the legs to S. cribripennis, S. femoratus has a

broader thorax, almost without channel along the middle, and more finely punctate

wing-cases. Unique.

7. Stilicus simplex. |

Niger, opacus, antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis, coxis fuscis ; minus gracilis, prothorace lato, medio obso-

lete canaliculato; elytris densissime punctatis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. GuatreMa.a, near the city (Champion).

Head broad and short, excessively densely punctate. Thorax broad, but distinctly

narrower than the elytra, about as long as broad, very densely punctate, and with a

very indistinct channel along the middle. Elytra broad and short, slightly longer than

the thorax, and of a rather more fuscous colour than the anterior parts, and scarcely so

dull, though very densely, evenly, and rather deeply punctate. Legs stout, yellow. The

male has a very slight gradual emargination of the hind margin of the last ventral

plate.

Only two examples have been obtained.

8. Stilicus chiriquensis.

Niger, antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis, coxis fuscis; capite prothoraceque dense fortiterque punctatis, fere

opacis, hoc sat lato, medio minus distincte canaliculato ; elytris sat nitidis, crebrius subtiliter punctatis.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

This species has a broad, short, very densely punctate head, and a moderately broad

thorax, only obsoletely canaliculate along the middle. The elytra are short and broad,

shining, distinctly and finely, though by no means densely, punctate, with an elevation

near the base on each side of the suture, and a shallow longitudinal depression

external to this; they are not longer than the thorax. The male has a shallow angular

excision on the last ventral segment.

Readily distinguished from S. simplex by the shining, less densely punctate elytra.

Seven examples.

9. Stilicus rugicollis.

Elongatus, niger, elytris subseneis, antennis pedibusque testaceis, palpis femorumque posteriorum apicibus fuscis,

coxis nigris; prothorace elongato, angulis lateralibus prominulis, omnino fortiter rugoso-punctato ; elytris

dense sat fortiter substrigoso-punctatis.

Long. 6-63 millim.

Hab. Payama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

STILICUS. 585

Antenne with the five or six basal joints slightly infuscate. Head broad, excessively

densely punctate. Thorax elongate, much longer than broad, with the lateral angles

unusually distinct; the sculpture excessively coarse, especially at the sides. Elytra

closely punctate, the punctuation rather indefinite and peculiar owing to many of the

punctures being confluent in the longitudinal direction; the surface towards the base

is uneven; they are not longer than the thorax. Hind body very densely and finely

punctate. Legs long; tips of the hind femora infuscate. The male has a large

excision on the apical ventral segment.

Four examples were procured of this very distinct species.

10. Stilicus bidens.

Latiusculus, niger, subseneus, elytris fusco-encis apicibus testaceis, antennis palpisque rufis, pedibus cum coxis

testaceis ; prothorace rugoso-punctato, medio anguste profundeq ue canaliculato; elytris politis, parce obso-

leteque punctatis.

Long. 63 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, near the city, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Head densely and coarsely punctate, the interstices longitudinally strigose. Antenne

with the penultimate joint not broader than long. Labrum acutely bidenticulate in

the middle. Thorax not large, much narrower than the elytra, longer than broad, much

narrowed behind, the lateral angles entirely round ; surface extremely coarsely punctate,

with a very distinct longitudinal channel along the middle. Elytra evidently longer than

the thorax, very shining, with very fine distant punctures; the hind margin yellow,

more broadly so at the outer angle.

This resembles the European species of the genus, and, like them, has the labrum

conspicuously bidentate.

Only two examples have been found, both females.

11. Stilicus muticus. (Tab. XV. fig. 8.)

Nigro-sneus, elytrorum apice, antennis, palpis pedibusque cum coxis testaceis; capite prothoraceque dense

punctatis, hoc medio argute canaliculato ; elytris crebre sat subtiliter profunde punctatis.

Long. 44 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Head suborbiculate, rather slender; penultimate joint of the antenne shorter than

broad. Labrum not visibly denticulate. Thorax broad, rather longer than wide, densely

punctate, and very distinctly canaliculate along the middle. Elytra slightly longer than

the thorax, rather shining, distinctly but not densely punctate, impressed within the

shoulders; hind margin very conspicuously yellow. Legs slender. Male with a rather

narrow excision on the last ventral segment, and the hind margin of the penultimate

segment very indistinctly bisinuate.

Three examples.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Part 2, August 1886. 4 FF

586 STAPHYLINIDA.

12. Stilicus dissimilis.

Niger, subopacus, pedibus fusco-testaceis, femoribus ex parte majore testaceis ; capite prothoraceque densissime

punctatis, hoc medio subtiliter canaliculato; elytris crebrius subtiliter punctatis, subnitidis, angulo apicali

externo flavescente; tibiis anterioribus subincrassatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion).

Antenne short, much thickened externally, the penultimate joints strongly transverse.

Labrum with two very prominent teeth in the middle. Head elongate, densely rugose-

punctate. Thorax broad and short, very densely rugose-punctate. Elytra much longer

than the thorax. Front tibie thicker than usual, rounded externally. Underside of

the head very densely and coarsely punctate.

This very distinct species is unique ; the example obtained being a female.

SUNIOCHARIS.

Corpus angustulum ; facies quasi Suntorum. Caput posterius truncatum, collo sat angusto. Tarsi omnes

tenuiores ; anteriores nullo modo dilatati, posteriores articulo basali quam secundus fere duplo longiore.

This genus is not only remarkable from its resemblance to Sunius, but has really the

tarsi constructed to a certain extent like those of that genus, though owing to their great

tenuity this is very difficult to perceive ; the terminal joint is, however, inserted above

the fourth joint very near the base of the third; as the fourth joint is thus placed

underneath the terminal one, and is not wider than it, the foot appears to be only

4-jointed. The mandibles are short, acutely tridentate; the labrum is large, very

indistinctly bidenticulate in the middle. The neck is not so narrow as in Lithocharis ;

the thorax has the front margin only gently curved so that the form is quadrangular.

The prosternum is large, the prosternal process is elongate, and the side pieces large.

The front femora are rather dilated. The basal ventral segment is carinate at the base.

1. Suniocharis modesta. (Tab. XV. fig. 9.)

Angustula, ferruginea, elytris dilutioribus, abdomine obscuriore, pedibus flavis; capite prothoraceque opacis,

fere impunctatis ; elytris dense subtilissimeque punctatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Mirador (Hége); Guatemaa, Mirandilla (Champion) ;

Nicaragua, Chinandega, Managua (Sal/é) ; Panama, David, Bugaba, San Miguel in the

Pearl Islands (Champion).

Antenne small and slender; ninth and tenth joints distinctly longer than those

preceding, the tenth a little longer than broad, the terminal joint still longer. Head

nearly as broad as the thorax, straight at the sides and quite truncate behind, exces-

sively obsoletely punctured. Thorax about as long as broad, very slightly narrowed

behind, the sides a little curved, impunctate, but quite dull, with the marginal sete black

SUNIOCHARIS.—SUNIOTRICHUS. 587

and distinct. Elytra rather longer than the thorax. Hind body slender, ferruginous

brown, acuminate behind, excessively densely and finely punctate.

Mr. Champion met with half a dozen specimens in the Pearl Islands, but from each

of the other localities we have only one or two examples. The individual figured was

found at David. Found on the sandy banks of small streams.

2. Suniocharis nigrescens.

Angustula, fusco-nigra, opaca, antennis pedibusque testaceis; capite prothoraceque impunctatis; elytris

densissime subtilissimeque punctatis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Capetillo (Champion).

This insect is very closely allied to S. modesta, but is larger and is readily distinguished

by the dark colour ; it also has rather longer elytra.

Only two examples were met with, exhibiting no sexual marks.

3. Suniocharis fragilis.

Fuscescens, prothorace elytrisque ferrugineis, antennis pedibusque testaceis ; antennis sat elongatis ; capite pro-

thoraceque fere impunctatis, opacis; elytris dense punctatis.

Long. 423 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Hoge).

Antenne rather slender, with evident exserted sete on the basal joints, the penultimate

joint longer than broad. Head subtruncate behind, the eyes small ; surface dull, but at the

hind angles brighter and minutely rugose. Thorax about as long as broad, the base and

hind angles greatly rounded, very dull, without perceptible sculpture. Llytra flat,

slender, longer than the thorax, more pallid in colour towards the extremity than at

the base, closely and finely punctate, rather shining. Hind body fuscescent, sordid

testaceous towards the extremity. |

We have obtained only one mutilated individual (apparently a female) of this species.

I am not at all sure that it can be correctly included in Sunitocharis, as the antenne and

mandibles are more elongate, and the labrum is very distinctly bidenticulate. Possibly

it may form a genus between Swniocharis and Suniotrichus.

SUNIOTRICHUS.

Antenne tenues, setis’elongatis munite, articulo secundo quam tertius haud crassiore. Labrum magnum, medio

longius bispinosum. ‘Tarsi filiformes, articulo quarto superne vix perspicuo, subtus sub articulo quinto in

lobo tenui producto.

This very distinct genus is allied to Medon rather than to Swnius, although in

appearance and in the structure of the feet it comes nearer to the aberrant species of

the latter genus comprised in the group of which S. Jatus, Rosenh., may be taken as the

type. The prothorax is constructed like that of J/edon, the coxal cavities being quite

4 FF 2

588 STAPHYLINID.

open behind, and the prosternal process laterally compressed and attaining the front of

the mesosternum. The mandibles are rather long, and are each armed with three

elongate teeth. The pseudo-terminal joint of the maxillary palpi is remarkably elon-

gate and slender. ‘he head is constricted behind to form a narrow very abrupt

neck. The front tarsi are quite simple. The hind tarsi are quite slender; the

basal joint elongate, equal to the second and third together; the fourth joint is quite

half the length of, though scarcely broader than, the terminal one, and prolonged

beneath it in the form of a slender lobe closely adapted to the joint, and therefore almost

invisible from above.

I am not acquainted with any other species of the genus than those here described.

1. Suniotrichus capillaris. (Tab. XV. fig. 10.)

Ferrugineo-brunneus, antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis, illis nigro-setosis; obsolete punctatus, subopacus ;

capite subquadrato, posterius emarginato.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, near the city (Champion).

Antenne slender and rather short, furnished with elongate exserted black sete; first

joint much stouter than the following. Head transversely subquadrate, the vertex

broad, emarginate, the angles not rounded, the eyes placed at the front; surface almost

unsculptured, dull. Thorax strongly transverse, narrowed behind, with the base

rounded, and the front margin produced and rounded in the middle; quite dull, not

visibly sculptured. Elytra longer than the thorax, closely and finely asperate-punctate,

not quite so dull as the head and thorax. Hind body acuminate behind, excessively

finely punctate.

Found on the sandy banks of streams (Champion).

2. Suniotrichus sordidus.

Fusco-ferrugineus, pedibus palpisque testaceis; subtiliter granuloso-punctatus, subopacus; antennis longis,

nigro-setosis, extrorsum pallide flavis ; capite suboblongo, posterius emarginato.

Long. 54 millim.

Hab. GuateMALA, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

The antenne are dark at the base, with the apical joints sordid white, very slender, and

furnished with very long hairs. The head is covered with a distinct granular punctuation,

and the thorax with a very fine, dense granulation. The apices of the hind femora are

infuscate.

So far as I can judge from a single very decayed example, this, though allied to

S. capillaris, is a quite distinct species.

3. Suniotrichus puncticollis.

Ferrugineus, sat nitidus, antennis, palpis pedibusque flavis, illis nigro-setosis ; capite subtransverso, vertice medio

profundius emarginato; prothorace fortiter, irregulariter impresso-punctato.

Long. 43 millim.

SUNIOTRICHUS.—MONISTA. 589

Hab. Panama, David (Champion).

Antenne short and slender, pallid yellow, furnished with long black sete. Head

broad and short, very deeply emarginate behind ; the surface finely and closely asperate-

punctate, smoother and slightly shining on the middle. Thorax rather strongly

transverse, the base rounded, the front oblique on each side, truncate in the middle,

with a coarse not deep punctuation. Elytra much longer than the thorax, shining,

closely and deeply punctate.

This species is represented only by one example in a decayed state, but it is very

distinct ; indeed the front of the thorax is almost sufficiently different in shape to

warrant the insect being generically separated.

MONISTA.

Monista, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 271°.

This genus consists of four or five Neotropical species, in addition to those of our

region. In my diagnosis of the genus! the fourth joint of the tarsus is erroneously

said to be “ bilobo-membranaceo ”; this should be corrected to ‘ lobo-membranaceo.”

This error has been already pointed out by Arribalzaga (cf. Bol. Ac. Arg. vii. p. 285);

this savant is no doubt correct in pointing out that Sunius troglodytes and S. pusio, Er.,

belong to this genus; on the other hand his suspicions that Styliderus, Motsch., may

be the same as Monista are, I have no doubt, erroneous.

1. Monista concolor. (Tab. XV. fig. 11.)

Ferrugineo-brunnea, antennis articulis 4° ad 9™ nigricantibus; capite prothoraceque dense fortiterque

punctatis.

Long. 44 millim.

Hab. GuateMaua, near the city, Zapote, Coatepeque, Cerro Zunil, San Gerénimo

(Champion) ; Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne a little thicker externally, the two or three penultimate joints transverse.

Head rather narrow, much rounded behind the eyes, so that the vertex is quite narrow ;

coarsely and closely punctate. Thorax globose, scarcely so long as broad, closely and

coarsely punctate. Elytra much longer than the thorax, convex, almost impunctate, the

hind margin only indistinctly flavescent. The male has the terminal ventral segment

broadly and deeply excised behind.

This species may be placed at the head of the genus; it is more robust in build than

any other. Mr. Champion obtained nearly a score of specimens in the vicinity of the City

of Guatemala, and eight on the Volcan de Chiriqui, but the other localities have each

yielded only one or two examples. The specimens exhibit some variation in size and

in the outline of the head and thorax, but I cannot at present distinguish more than one

species. Our figure represents a typical example from the Volcan de Chiriqui.

590 STAPHYLINIDA,.

2. Monista similis.

Ferrugineo-brunnea ; antennis brevibus, nigricantibus, apice testaceo ; palpis, pedibus elytrorumque apice flavis ;

capite prothoraceque dense fortiter punctatis.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote, La Tinta (Champion).

This insect is very similar to M/. concolor, but besides being smaller than the smallest

variety of that species, it has also the elytra considerably shorter and distinctly flavescent

at the hind margin. It is equally close to the Brazilian WZ. typica, but has stouter and

darker antenne and a more densely punctured thorax. We have received only one

example from each locality ; in one of them the antenne are darker than they are in

the other, possibly the result of decay.

3. Monista plagiata.

Ferruginea, antennis fuscis, basi et articulo ultimo, palpis pedibusque testaceis ; elytris apice vage testaceo, ad

latus plaga magna nigricante.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Panama, David, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne with the two or three basal and one or two apical joints yellow, the rest

dark. Head rather small, rounded behind, rather sparingly punctured. Thorax rather

small, about as long as broad, globose, rather sparingly punctate, with a broad line

along the middle impunctate. Elytra much longer than the thorax, very obsoletely

punctate, the apex yellow, a large dark mark, rather indefinite, on the side of each,

fading away towards the suture. Hind body testaceous.

The place of this species is between MM. typica and M. longula. We have received a

series of nine examples from David, and one from the Volcan de Chiriqui; this latter

may possibly, however, prove to be a different species, as it differs in several of the

minuter details.

4, Monista strigicollis.

Brevis, fusco-ferruginea, antennis, palpis, pedibus, elytrorum abdominisque apicibus testaceis ; capite posterius

truncato-emarginato, cumque prothorace fortiter strigoso-punctatis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, David (Champion).

Antenne yellow, immaculate, short and rather stout, the joints from the fourth to the

tenth each broader than long. Head subquadrate, not narrowed or rounded behind,

the vertex a little emarginate ; the surface reticulately sculptured, almost as in the genus

Sunius. Thorax transversely subglobose, rather coarsely, strigosely sculptured. Elytra

longer than the thorax, densely and distinctly punctured, the apex broadly though

rather indefinitely yellow. Legs short.

Of this distinct species only one example was obtained.

MONISTA.—ECHIASTER. 591

5. Monista diffinis.

Ferruginea, capite prothoraceque obscurioribus, abdominis apice dilutiore ; elytris quam prothorax vix longiori-

bus, fascia mediali ad suturam interrupta nigra; capite prothoraceque strigosis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

Head subquadrate, truncate behind, strigosely sculptured; antenne immaculate.

Thorax about as long as broad, not altogether globose, the sides being very obtusely

angular, the surface rather coarsely strigose. Elytra densely punctate.

Of this species only a single badly preserved example has been obtained; it isa much

narrower insect than I. strigicollis, and differs in many other details, the form of the

head being, however, similar in the two.

6. Monista picturata. (Tab. XV. fig. 12.)

Elongata, angusta, nigra, elytrorum macula basali, fascia lata apicali flammulata, abdominis apice pedibusque

flavis, tibiis fuscescentibus, antennis palpisque fusco-testaceis, illis basi testaceis.

Long. vix 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne shorter than the head and thorax, a little thicker towards the apex, the five

basal joints yellow, the others infuscate ; palpi yellow, a little infuscate. Head narrow,

rounded and narrowed behind the eyes, so that the vertex is very narrow, indistinctly

punctured. Thorax narrow, very convex transversely, rounded at the sides, rather

longer than broad, indistinctly punctured. Elytra longer than the thorax, black; each

with a large humeral spot, and a broad apical band (extending further forwards

near the suture, yellow); indistinctly punctate. Hind body very finely, scarcely

perceptibly punctate.

The only example found of this very distinct species is in fragments, but I have

restored it sufficiently for delineation.

Group SUNIINA.

I propose to include in this group all the genera of Peederine that have the roof over

the anterior coxe entirely corneous behind; this character, for taxonomical purposes,

is evidently of superior importance to the structure of the tarsi. The group will con-

sequently (like the Lathrobiina) include genera with simple filiform tarsi, and others

with the fourth tarsal joint, and sometimes the third also, furnished with a mem-

branous lobe beneath.

ECHIASTER.

Echiaster, Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 620.

This is a New-World genus numerously represented in South America; one or two

592 STAPHYLINIDA.

species also inhabit North America. Only sixteen species are described, and most of

these are from the Amazon valley; eight inhabit Central America. These insects

are found on the sandy banks of streams (Champion).

1. Kchiaster solitarius.

Elongatus, fuscus, capite prothoraceque ferrugineis, elytris ad basin flammulatim testaceo-signatis, antennis

pedibusque flavis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Panama, David (Champion).

Antenne about as long as the head, a little thicker externally ; third, fourth, and fifth

joints longer than broad, the sixth small, as long as broad, the penultimate joint slightly

transverse. Head opaque, longer than broad, the sides curvate behind the eyes.

Thorax very long, twice as long as broad, only one half the width of the elytra, much

narrowed in front, less so behind, not impressed, and like the head coarsely but indi-

stinctly sculptured. Elytra rather longer than the thorax, remarkably coarsely punc-

tured; fuscous, with two basal longitudinal marks, the inner one extending further

backwards than the outer. Hind body with the four basal segments very coarsely

sculptured, fuscous, the next segment smooth, black.

This insect is allied to the Amazonian £. signatus, but is smaller and more coarsely

sculptured, with the head narrower, and more curvate at the sides. Unique.

2. Echiaster filum. (Tab. XV. fig. 13.)

Elongatus, angustus, opacus, testaceus, elytris dimidio apicali nigro, abdomine ad apicem fusco variegato.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALa, Panzos, Coatepeque (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne short, the four penultimate joints strongly transverse, the third, fourth, and

fifth joints small. Head large, rather broad, subtruncate behind, the hind angles

rounded, the eyes placed at the middle of the sides, densely and finely sculptured, dull.

Thorax rather small, longer than broad, only about one half the width of the head,

obscurely carinate along the middle. Elytra a little longer than the thorax, festooned

behind with black. Hind body very slender and elongate, quite finely sculptured, the

penultimate segment in greater part infuscate, the terminal segment with fuscous hairs

behind.

Three examples.

3. Echiaster orbifer.

Testaceus, opacus, confertissime punctatus, abdominis segmentis duobus ultimis nigris; capite lato, orbicu-

lato, oculis magnis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. PanaMa, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).

ECHIASTER. 593

Antenne short, the penultimate joints rather strongly transverse. Head rather

broader than the elytra, nearly circular; eyes large, occupying the greater part of the

sides. Thorax much longer than broad, subovate, gently curved and quite without

angles at the sides, unimpressed. Elytra considerably longer than the thorax, dilutely

fuscescent. The two terminal segments of the hind body tubular, quite black.

Two examples.

This agrees in most respects with Erichson’s description of EL. melanurus, but is, I

think, a different species.

4. Echiaster minutus.

Brevior, ferrugineo-testaceus, antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis brevibus, clavatis ; prothorace quam latitudo

paullo longiore ; abdomine apice summo nigricante.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne very short, the penultimate joints very strongly transverse. Head suboblong ;

the eyes rather small, placed at the middle of the sides, the vertex slightly emarginate.

Thorax curved at the sides, narrowed behind, but little prolonged in front, longitudinally

but obsoletely raised along the middle, quite dull, like the head densely, almost imper-

ceptibly sculptured. Elytra a good deal longer than the thorax, densely and very

finely sculptured, very slightly infuscate behind. Hind body not elongate, attenuate

behind, the sixth and seventh segments clothed with black hairs ; legs short.

In this minute but distinct insect the labrum is less prominent than usual, and

the lateral denticles are excessively minute.

Two examples from Guatemala, one from Nicaragua.

5. Echiaster championi. (Tab. XV. fig. 14.)

Brevior, ferrugineo-testaceus, antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis brevibus, clavatis; capite subquadrato, oculis

convexis ; prothorace quam latitudo vix longiore, longitudinaliter obsolete bisulcato.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, near the city, Zapote (Champion).

Very closely allied to E. minutus, but with a more quadrate head and considerably

larger eyes ; the thorax slightly broader and distinctly bisulcate.

6. Echiaster funebris.

Niger, brevissime griseo-pubescens, densissime sculpturatus, peropacus ; antennis pedibusque sordide testaceis,.

illis crassis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne short, thick, the penultimate joints very strongly transverse. Head wide,

nearly as broad as long, the vertex rounded, the eyes convex, the surface extremely densely

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, August 1886. 4 GG

O94 STAPH YLINIDA.

punctured. Thorax about as broad as long, much narrowed behind and in front, convex,

subglobose, very densely sculptured, almost unimpressed. Elytra broad, much wider

and rather longer than the thorax, very densely sculptured. Hind body rather broad,

the penultimate segment not tubular.

One example, in very decayed condition.

In this distinct species the labrum has a median angular notch, and a smaller notch

on each side.

7. Echiaster curtus.

Brevior, ferrugineus, elytris dimidio apicali nigro ; capite suboblongo, prothorace latiusculo, bisulcato.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, El Reposo (Champion).

This insect seems to occupy an intermediate position between the true species of

Echiaster, which have one or two of the terminal segments more or less tubular in

structure, and the following one, in which this part of the body is of the form usual

in the subfamily: in £. curtus the terminal segments are rather broad, and not elongate,

but their sculpture and clothing are similar to that existing in the species where the form

of these segments is more elongate; also, as in these latter, the penultimate segment is

only finely margined, and the terminal one is not margined. In £. curtus the head is

suboblong in form, almost subquadrate, and the moderately small eyes are placed far

from the front. The thorax is about as long as broad, much narrower than the elytra,

much narrowed behind, and with two longitudinal depressions, separated by a broad and

feeble elevation. The elytra are broad and short, a little longer than the thorax. The

sculpture throughout is very fine and indistinct, the surface quite dull, the two terminal

segments clothed with dark hairs. The labrum is acutely quadri-denticulate, the two

lateral teeth much shorter than the median pair.

The unique example is in bad preservation.

8. Echiaster lativentris. (Tab. XV. fig. 15.)

Nigricans, confertissime punctatus, opacus ; prothorace vel rufescente vel nigro; elytris disco late angulariter

rufo-signato ; abdomine lato, apice obtuso, segmentis basalibus parce flavo-setulosis ; antennis pedibusque

rufis.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Guatema.a, Capetillo, Las Mercedes, Cerro Zunil, El Reposo (Champion).

Antenne short, not much thickened externally; penultimate joint not transverse,

those preceding it shorter, transverse. Head suborbiculate, the eyes rather large and

convex. Thorax moderately narrow, longer than broad, much narrowed behind, longi-

tudinally elevated along the middle, and sulcate on each side, very dark red, or black.

Elytra short and broad, scarcely longer than the thorax; with a large subtriangular

rufescent mark on the disc, the base of the triangle extending across the elytra and

ECHIASTER.—ZONASTER. 595

just behind the scutellum, while the apex is on the suture at the extremity; the basal

part of this mark is more pallid than the apical portion, this latter being rather vaguely

limited. The three basal segments of the hind body sparingly clothed with shining

flavescent hairs, the terminal segments not at all tubular in form.

One example from each locality.

Although this species is very different in appearance from the more typical forms of

Echiaster, the difference probably being chiefly due to the complete absence of the

tubular structure of the apical segments, yet I cannot observe any character that would

justify the establishment of a distinct genus, some of the other species being inter-

mediate as regards the abdominal structure. The labrum in FE. lativentris is acutely

quadri-denticulate.

ZON ASTER.

Labrum latum, haud elongatum, medio denticulis duobus approximatis, inter ea angulariter excisum, utrinque

denticulo minuto. Mandibule perelongate, graciles; sinistra tri-, dextra quadridentata; dentibus

basalibus minutis. Prothorax antrorsum rotundatus. Tarsi tenuiores, filiformes, articulo quarto brevis-

sime lobato.

Although very different in appearance from Echjaster, the characters mentioned

above bring the unique insect for which I propose this new generic name near to that

genus. ‘The front coxal cavities are entirely corneous. The neck of the head is very

abrupt, but not so slender as in Hchiaster ; this character, the greater number of teeth

on the mandibles, and the fact that the fourth tarsal joint is undoubtedly though very

slightly lobed beneath, distinguish the genus from Echiaster, and indicate that Zonaster

links Echiaster with the group of genera allied to Swnius, from all of which it is

distinguished by the very imperfect lobation of the fourth joint of the tarsi; so

rudimentary, indeed, is this lobation, that it requires a careful examination to detect it.

1. Zonaster optatus. (Tab. XV. fig. 16.)

Angustulus, nigricans, nitidus, capite prothoraceque piceis, antennis, palpis mandibulisque testaceis, tibiis

tarsisque albidis ; elytris pone basin fascia transversa testacea.

Long. 44 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne slender, slightly thicker externally, the third joint longer and thinner than

the second. Head subquadrate, very densely and rugosely sculptured. Thorax about as

long as broad, much narrowed behind, the front margin with three minute denticles on

each side, the surface very densely and rugosely sculptured ; rufescent in front, blacker

behind. Hlytra flat, rather longer than the thorax, coarsely punctate, shining, with a very

distinct yellow fascia behind the base. Legs slender, the very pallid tibize and tarsi

contrasting abruptly with the black femora. Unique.

4GG2

596 STAPHYLINID &.

SUNIUS.

Sunius, Erichson, Kafer Mark-Brand. 1. p. 523.

Sunius (genuini), Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 637.

Mecognathus, Wollaston, Ins. Mader. p. 595 (1854).

This genus is at present an extensive one, comprising over one hundred described

species. It is a very difficult one to treat, owing to the want of accord as to the validity

of genera that have been described as allied to it, and also to the fact that it actually

includes more than one valid genus. I find that Dibelonetes and Stilicopsis can be

accepted as valid, and by separating them the genus is left in a much more satisfactory

condition ; and I therefore treat them as distinct in the following pages. All the

species placed by Erichson in his section “ Sunius spurit” are to be removed from the

genus, and it will be found that I have enumerated in the remarks on other genera

what appear to be their correct positions according to my views. As I propose to

limit it, the genus is still a very extensive one and distributed over most parts of the

world ; it appears to be nowhere better represented than it is in Tropical America.

The Munich Catalogue of Coleoptera credits the genus to Stephens ; but that author's

Sunius contains no species of the genus, and the name must therefore be regarded as

due to Erichson.

1. Sunius longinasus. (Tab. XV. fig. 17.)

Elongatus, perangustus, nigerrimus, antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis; capite posterius angustato, ante

oculos prolongato.

Long. 6-643 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, David (Champion).

Antenne very slender and elongate, the penultimate joint several times longer than

broad. Head elongate, dull, covered with very fine thread-like reticulations, the eyes

placed at a considerable distance behind the insertion of the antenne, the sides behind

the eyes considerably narrowed to the neck. Thorax very elongate and slender, quite

twice as long as broad, sculptured like the head. Elytra about as long as the thorax,

closely, coarsely, and deeply punctured, slightly shining. Hind body very long and

narrow, coarsely punctured. The male has an elongate, polished, depressed space on

the penultimate ventral plate, and a deep angular excision on the following segment,

the greater part of the excision being occupied by a pallid membrane.

Of this very distinct species a series of ten examples was obtained. Our figure is

taken from a female.

2. Sunius cognatus.

Elongatus, angustus opacus, niger, griseo-pubescens, antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis; capite sub-

oblongo.

Long. 53 millim.

SUNIUS. 597

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne about as long as the head and thorax. Head elongate, the eyes placed at the

middle of the sides, the pterygia very conspicuous; densely punctate. Thorax as broad

as the elytra, longer than wide, much narrowed behind, sculptured like the head.

Elytra rather longer than the thorax, densely covered with a rough granular sculpture.

Hind body rather densely punctured and pubescent.

This insect somewhat resembles the European S. anguinus, but is larger and much

more elongate, with longer head, distinct pterygia, and very much longer and more

slender antenne. The male has a deep sharply defined excision on the last ventral

segment; the hind margin of the preceding segment is very slightly emarginate in

the middle, and the emargination is studded with excessively minute bristles, so as to

be file-like.

3. Sunius vilis.

Hlongatus, angustus, opacus, niger, griseo-pubescens, antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis; capite sub-

oblongo, convexiusculo.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Guatumata, Las Mercedes 3000 feet, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet, Sabo

(Champion).

The description of S. cognatus applies to this species, except that in 8S. vilis

the pterygia are not developed. Compared with S. anguinus, S. vilis is larger and

more elongate, with much longer elytra, and considerably longer anterior part of

the thorax. The male has an angular excision on the hind margin of the last ventral

segment.

Only one example has been procured of this species in each of the localities men-

tioned.

4, Sunius filiventris.

Elongatus, omnino angustus, opacus, niger, griseo-pubescens ; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis, illis

extrorsum fuscescentibus ; capite suboblongo.

Long. 54 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

This species also is closely allied to S. cognatus, but is remarkable on account of its very

slender form, the hind body being remarkably narrow ; it differs also from S. cognatus in

several other particulars. The antenne are very long and slender, longer than the head

and thorax, with the five or six outer joints infuscate. The eyes are convex, placed at

the middle of the sides. The elytra are conspicuously longer than the thorax, and are

‘a little narrowed towards the hind margin. The male has only a small excision on the

last ventral segment. Unique.

598 STAPHYLINID A.

5. Sunius substrictus.

Elongatus, angustus, abdomine apicem versus paullo latiore, ferrugineus, antennis pedibusque pallide flavis,

abdomine ante apicem nigricante ; elytris angustis, quam prothorax paullo longioribus et fere angustioribus.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 8000 feet (Champion).

Var. Plus minusve nigro suffusus, corpore interdum toto nigro.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 8000 feet (Champion).

This species is closely allied to 8. cognatus, but the head is without the conspicuous

development of pterygia seen in that species; while from S. vilis the present insect is

distinguished by the less parallel form, the elytra being a little narrower than the

thorax, and the hind body more distinctly dilated from the base to beyond the middle.

The male has a deep excision on the last ventral segment.

The few examples found are unfortunately in very bad preservation. The two found

at the elevation of 8000 feet agree in colour, and I have regarded them as the typical

form: at the lower elevation three examples were found, and they all differ a little in

colour; two of them are, I think, nevertheless, certainly the same species, but the one

in which the body is entirely black may be distinct.

6. Sunius subtilis.

Elongatus, angustus, niger, opacus, antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis, elytrorum apice testaceo marginato ;

abdomine dense subtiliter punctato.

Long. 5} millim.

Hab. Mexico, 'Teapa (Pilate).

Head oblong, broader than the thorax, densely and strigosely sculptured. Thorax

rather broad, longer than wide, much narrowed behind and much rounded in front,

densely and strigosely sculptured. Elytra a little longer than the thorax, slender, slightly

narrower at the apex, the hind margin with a slender linear band of testaceous colour,

densely asperate-punctate. Hind body slender, at the base very slender, densely and

finely punctate.

I have only a female, in bad condition, of this species, obtained from Chevrolat’s

collection, where it was labelled S. prolixus, Er.; but it is not likely to be that insect.

It is allied to the European 8. filiformis, but the head has distinct pterygia at the

insertion of the antenne; the areolets formed by the sculpture of the head and thorax

are much larger; the thorax is more slender and more narrowed behind; the hind body

is more constricted at the base, and rather more finely punctate.

7. Sunius signatellus.

Perangustus, nigricans, antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis, elytris sutura posterius margineque apicali

testaceis; abdomine perangusto, lineari, dense obsoleteque punctato.

Long. 43 millim.

SUNIUS. 599

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Pilate).

This insect is closely allied to S. subtilis, but is considerably smaller; the elytra

are yellow behind, and the yellow colour extends forwards along the suture for

about two-thirds of the length. The hind body is very slender and almost linear,

quite finely punctate. The male has a deep narrow excision on the last ventral

plate.

This is also known to me only by one exponent, obtained from Chevrolat’s collection,

where it was labelled S. limbatus, Er., an evidently erroneous determination.

8. Sunius centralis.

Sat angustus et elongatus, dense fortiter punctatus, subopacus, niger; antennis, palpis, pedibus elytrorumque

margine posteriore pallide flavis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne very long and slender, rather longer than the head and thorax. Head sub-

oblong, broad, dilated in front, and with distinct pterygia; eyes convex, placed almost

behind the middle of the sides; the surface sculptured with fine thread-like reticula-

tions. Thorax rather small, considerably narrower than the head or the elytra, much

longer than broad. Elytra rather broad, slightly longer than the thorax, densely and

deeply punctate, a little shining, the posterior portion definitely pale.

A single female only has been procured.

9. Sunius pilatei. (Tab. XV. fig. 18.)

Nigricans, antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis, elytris testaceis, ad latera nigris; abdomine fortiter

punctato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Pilate); Guatemaua, Zapote, San Isidro (Champion).

Head broad, evidently broader at the distinct pterygia; eyes convex ; vertex narrow.

Thorax rather slender, much longer than broad, greatly narrowed behind, like the head

covered with a reticulate sculpture. Elytra scarcely longer than the thorax, coarsely

punctate. Hind body rather broad, broader behind, bearing coarse deep punctures

arranged rather irregularly in a transversely linear manner ; with a scanty but rather

long griseous pubescence. The male has the penultimate ventral segment flattened and

polished along the middle, and a rather broad and short excision at the extremity of

the last segment.

Mr. Champion obtained a small series of this species. The Mexican exponents are

from Chevrolat’s collection, where one was labelled S. pélatei, Chevr., and a second

(immature) S. lateralis, Er. Fauvel had corrected the error as to the latter example

by uniting it with the other under the name S. linewentris, Fauv., ined. Having thus

two names to choose from, I have elected to preserve the older.

600 STAPHYLINIDA.

10. Sunius sanctus.

Ferrugineus, antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis, elytris ad latera nigro maculatis ; abdomine dense sub--

tiliter punctato, segmento penultimo nigro.

Long. 44 millim,

Hab. Guaremaua, San Gerénimo, El ji icaro (Champion).

Antenne long and slender. Head oblong; pterygia distinct; eyes convex, placed

almost nearer the vertex than the front. Thorax rather broad, as wide as the elytra,

longer than broad, much narrowed behind, covered like the head with a fine reticulate

sculpture. Elytra slender, longer than the thorax, a little narrower at the hind margin,

more flavous in colour than the head or thorax, rather coarsely punctate, with a some-

what angular dark mark on the middle of the side extending nearer to the apex than

to the base. Hind body very slender, slightly narrower at the base, closely and rather

finely punctate; the penultimate segment black. The male has a small excision at the

extremity of the last ventral segment.

One of the two examples found has an angular dark mark on the elytra as described

above, while the other has a round mark.

11. Sunius tenuis. (Tab. XV. fig. 19.)

Angustior, ferrugineus, antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis, elytris ad latera nigro maculatis, abdomine ante:

apicem nigro cingulato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Paso Antonio 400 feet (Champion).

Very closely allied to S. sanctus, but a smaller insect, with much shorter antenne.

Each wing-case has a very large black mark on the side. The male has a slight emar-

gination on the hind margin of the last ventral segment.

Ten examples were procured ; they show no variation except in the size of the black

mark on the elytra, and not much in this. All have the head a little infuscate ; but

this, I believe, is due to discoloration, the specimens being in very decayed condition.

12. Sunius opaculus.

Peropacus, ferrugineus, antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis, elytris testaceis, prothoracis et elytrorum

latera, abdominis segmentis duobus ultimis pectoreque nigricantibus.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, El Jicaro (Champion).

Antenne elongate and very slender. Head broad, very slightly wider than the

elytra, fusco-ferruginous. Thorax as broad as the elytra, longer than wide, only

moderately narrowed behind, very dull. Elytra elongate, longer than the thorax, dull,

roughly asperate-punctate, flavescent, with the inflexed margin blackish. Hind body

densely punctate, quite dull, the two terminal segments dark. Unique.

This insect has longer elytra than the immediate allies, besides being peculiar in its

coloration.

SUNIUS.—DIBELONETES. 601

13, Sunius cinctiventris.

Elongatus, linearis, testaceo-ferrugineus ; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis, abdomine segmento penultimo

nigricante.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Pilate, Sallé); GuateMa.a, near the city, San Gerénimo, San

Isidro (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne elongate. Head oblong, quite as broad as the elytra, distinctly pterygiate.

Thorax elongate, slightly narrower than the elytra, a good deal longer than broad.

Elytra longer than the thorax, asperate-punctate. Hind body densely punctate; penul-

timate segment black, with the hind margin red; terminal segment ferruginous.

This insect is very similar to the North-American S. longiusculus, but has longer

antenne, more distinctly pterygiate head, a longer thorax more slender behind, rather

longer elytra, and only one segment at the extremity of the body dark.

The name I have used was proposed by Chevrolat for this species. Fauvel labelled

it S. attenuatus, Er., and Sallé S. lateralis, Kr.; but it is improbable that either is

correct. From Guatemala we have received only one or two examples from each

locality.

14. Sunius testaceus,

Sunius testaceus, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 613°.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, near the city (Champion); Nicaracua, Managua (Sallé).—Sovru

America, Colombia (Moritz) !.

I have not seen any Colombian exponent of S. festaceus, and it cannot be considered

certain that our exponents are really the Erichsonian species. We have received only

one example from Nicaragua and two from Guatemala.

DIBELONETES.

Dibelonetes, Sahlberg, Act. Soc. Fenn. ii. 1847, p. 791.

Sunius (spurii), Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 645 (pars).

Sunides, Motschoulsky, Bull. Mosc. 1858, ii. p. 688, t. 1. f. c.

This genus was established on rather indefinite characters, and has since been merged

in Sunius ; it will, however, be a proper course to maintain it as distinct, and include

in it such Sunii as have the labrum large in the middle, bispinose, 7. e. furnished with

two teeth or long spines, but without median excision; there is usually a very minute

additional lateral denticle on each side. The teeth of the mandibles are constantly

different in the two genera. In Swnius the labrum is not prolonged in the middle and

is feebly bidenticulate.

The genus is, I believe, peculiar to the New World, and more specially characteristic

of the tropical regions. In addition to the numerous species found within our limits it

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, August 1886. 4 HH

602 STAPHYLINIDA.

should include Sunius bidens, S. bispinus, S. spinifer, S. celatus, S. palpalis, S. confinis,

S. peltatus, and S. catena, Sharp; 8S. bipunctatus, S. hybridus, S. stigma, and S. nevius,

Er. ; and, I believe, also Sunides boreaphilides, Motsch., though this insect is placed in

the Munich Catalogue in the genus Lithocharis. Although I am not at present able

to accept Sunides as a genus distinct from Dibelonetes, yet it forms a distinct section.

§ 1. Thorax small, subovate ; right mandible bidentate (Dibelonetes).

1. Dibelonetes biplagiatus. (Tab. XV. fig. 20.)

Dibelonetes biplagiatus, Sahl. Act. Soc. Fenn. 11. 1847, p. 792°; Solsky, Hor. Soc. Ross. viii. p. 809 *.

Hab. Guatrmata, Zapote, Pantaleon, San Isidro, Las Mercedes, Volcan de Atitlan

2500 to 3500 feet, San Gerdénimo (Champion).—Sovutu America, Peru ?, Brazil !.

This species is placed in the Munich Catalogue as a synonym of Sunius bipunctatus,

Er., a Colombian insect. There are, however, numerous closely allied species of this

genus, and it is by no means clear to me that Erichson’s description really refers to our

insect ; so I have followed Solsky’s example, and used Sahlberg’s name. The species

is very variable in the dark markings, and I am not able to separate the Guatemalan

examples by any good character from individuals captured at Rio Janeiro by Sahlberg

and others.

2. Dibelonetes fragilis.

Elongatus, angustulus, testaceus ; elytris nigro bipunctatis, abdomine ante apicem nigro variegato.

Long. 52 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne very pallid and very slender, the terminal joints slightly enlarged. Labrum

in the middle with two short teeth. Head slender, much narrowed behind the eyes,

reticulate-strigose. Thorax slender, much longer than broad, much narrowed towards

the front, sculptured like the head. Elytra long and narrow, much longer than the

thorax; the punctuation deep and distinct, and rather coarse; with an oval black spot

behind the middle of each. Hind body slender and elongate, distinctly pubescent, very

indistinctly punctured, the penultimate segments infuscate. Underside of the head with

only very few distant punctures. Last ventral segment of male deeply and broadly

excised.

Closely allied to D. biplagiatus, but of more slender form, with shorter teeth to the

labrum, and narrower head and thorax. We have received four examples in very bad

preservation; they show that the black marks are variable, as is also the case in

D. biplagiatus. |

DIBELONETES. 603

§2. Thorax more developed, always broader, usually longer, with the lateral angles not

altogether obliterated ; right mandible tridentate, the superior tooth only slightly

prominent (Sunides).

3. Dibelonetes pallipes.

Nigerrimus, antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis; elytris minus opacis, crebre fortiter profundeque

punctatis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. GuatemMaLa, Cubilguitz in Vera Paz (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales

(Janson).

Antenne long and slender, the terminal joints a little thicker. Labrum with two spines

in the middle, and a minute sharp denticle on either side; right mandible tridentate,

the left bidentate. Head suboblong, but a little constricted in front of the eyes, and a

little narrowed behind these to the vertex, rather coarsely reticulate-strigose. Thorax

elongate, considerably longer than broad, a little narrowed behind and more so in front,

coarsely sculptured, towards the sides rugose and obsoletely impressed. Elytra con-

siderably longer than the thorax, rather deeply and coarsely punctate. Hind body

indistinctly punctate. Legs very pale yellow, rather stout. The male has the hind

margin of the last ventral] segment broadly but slightly emarginate.

Two examples from Guatemala, one from Nicaragua.

4. Dibelonetes laticeps. (Tab. XV. fig. 21.)

Nigerrimus, opacus, cinereo-pubescens, dense punctatus ; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis, elytrorum

apice omnino angustissime testaceo signato.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, San Feliz (Champion).

Antenne slender, rather long, a little thicker externally; penultimate joint only a

little longer than broad. Head broad, slightly broader than the elytra, a little narrowed

behind the convex eyes, the vertex truncate; densely reticulate-strigose. Thorax elongate,

much longer than broad, gently narrowed behind, more abruptly so in front, densely

sculptured. Elytra a little longer than the thorax, densely punctate, the outer apical

angle of each with a small transverse pallid mark.. Male with a very broad excision

of the last ventral segment.

Readily distinguished from D. pallipes, and from an undescribed Brazilian species,

by the much broader head. Five examples.

5. Dibelonetes robustus.

Latior, fortiter punctatus, fuscus ; antennis, palpis, pedibus elytrorumque apice pallide testaceis.

Long. 42 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

4 HH 2

604 STAPHYLINIDA.

We have only a single very immature example of this species, but it is so certainly

distinct that I do not hesitate to give it a name; the colour may be darker (possibly

black, as in D. laticeps) in the mature state. D. robustus is much broader than any of

the allied insects; the head is broad, with the hind angles rounded, in shape very

much like that of Stilicus, and densely reticulate. Thorax a little longer than broad, a

little narrowed behind and greatly so in front, reticulate like the head. Elytra broad,

rather longer than the thorax, coarsely and closely punctured, the hind margin irregu-

larly of a flavescent colour, as in D. posticalis. Hind body densely, rather finely

punctate.

6. Dibelonetes posticalis.

Latiusculus, niger; antennis, palpis, pedibus elytrorumque apice flavis, femorum posteriorum apice anguste

fuscescente.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil, El Tumbador, Las Mercedes (Champion).

Antenne only moderately long and slender, evidently thicker at the extremity ;

penultimate joint scarcely longer than broad. Thorax a little narrowed behind, more

abruptly so in front, the lateral angles a little more distinct than in D. laticeps (so that

the shape is like that of the species of Sfilicus); rather coarsely rugose-punctate,

the head being reticulate. Elytra broader and a little longer than the thorax,

deeply and distinctly punctured; the hind margin rather broadly yellow, but the dark

colour at the suture reaches the apex. Hind body densely and finely but distinctly

punctate. Hind femora distinctly, the middle femora indistinctly, fuscescent at the

extremity. Male with the hind margin of the terminal ventral segment broadly and

deeply excised, that of the penultimate segment broadly but less deeply.

Though closely allied to D. laticeps, this insect is distinguished from it by numerous

details. Swnius hybridus, Er., appears, from the description, to be also very near to

D. posticalis.

7. Dibelonetes panamensis.

Niger, antennis, palpis, pedibus elytrorumque apice flavis, femorum apicibus fuscis.

Long. 47 millim.

Hab. Panama, David (Champion).

Antenne only moderately long, thicker externally; penultimate joint transverse, the

basal joint quite as long as the three following together. Head only moderate in width,

the vertex completely rounded, the surface strigose. Thorax slender, much narrowed

behind, and still more so in front. Elytra as long as the thorax, coarsely, deeply and

distinctly punctured ; hind margin of each with a rather large yellow spot. Hind body

densely punctate. Hind and middle femora fuscescent externally.

A single fragmentary example of the female is all that has been found. The species

has shorter antenne and wing-cases than D. posticalis, and a narrower thorax.

DIBELONETES, 605

8. Dibelonetes pictipes.

Nigricans, opacus, evidenter pubescens ; antennis, palpis, pedibus elytrorumque apice: flavis, femorum dimidio

externo nigricante ; abdominis segmentis duobus basalibus marginibus testaceis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne elongate and slender, very little thicker externally. Labrum, mandibles,

and palpi yellow. Head large and broad, much larger than the elytra, finely reticulate.

Thorax small, rather longer than broad, much narrowed behind and in front. Elytra

small, not longer though much broader than the thorax, rather convex, the pubescence

conspicuous, densely and somewhat coarsely punctate. Hind body finely punctate.

Legs long, the outer half of all the femora blackish.

One female example.

This species is closely allied to the Amazonian Sunius palpalis, but differs in numerous

details.

9. Dibelonetes tristigma. (Tab. XV. fig. 22.)

Sat latus, testaceus, capite prothoraceque ferrugineis, elytris nigro triguttatis, abdomine segmento quinto

nigro.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, Las Mercedes, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Antenne rather short, slender, a little thickened externally, the penultimate joint about

as long as broad. Labrum with two distinct fine short spines or denticles in the middle.

Head suborbiculate, closely and finely reticulate. Thorax about as broad as long, a

little narrowed behind, the greatest width near the front, thence considerably narrowed ;

densely reticulate, quite dull. Elytra a little longer than the thorax, coarsely punctate,

with a small dark mark on the middle of each and a smaller common mark at the

extremity of the suture. Hind body short, very finely punctate; the antepenultimate

segment black. Hight examples.

10. Dibelonetes occultus.

Ferrugineus, antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis, elytrorum apice dilutiore; labro longius bidenticulato.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador (Champion).

Antenne long and slender, slightly thicker externally; mandibles very elongate ;

labrum prolonged in the middle and armed there with two slender elongate teeth.

Head large, strigose in front, the sculpture effaced behind, where the surface is smooth

and shining ; vertex rounded. Thorax longer than broad, narrowed behind and more

strongly so in front; the surface coarsely sculptured and rather deeply impressed on

each side. FElytra slightly longer than the thorax, deeply and coarsely punctured,

606 STAPHYLINIDA.

rather shining, ferruginous, with the apex paler. Hind body rather broad, ferruginous,

with the apex paler.

This species will be readily recognized by the sculpture being effaced on the hinder

part of the head.

Only one example, in very bad preservation, has been obtained.

11. Dibelonetes latitans.

Latiusculus, ferrugineus; elytris abdomineque nigricantibus, apicibus (cum antennis), palpis pedibusque flavis.

Var. Corpore ferrugineo, elytris fascia mediali abdomineque segmento antepenultimo nigris.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, El Tumbador 2500 feet (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales (Jan-

son); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne slender, only slightly thicker externally; penultimate joint as long as

broad. lLabrum yellow, large, with two elongate denticles in the middle. Head elon-

gate, finely reticulate, the vertex subtruncate. Thorax about as broad as long, distinctly

narrowed behind, reticulate. Elytra longer and much broader than the thorax, the

basal two thirds black, the apical third bright yellow, closely and distinctly punctate.

Hind body fuscous-black, with the two apical segments yellow; broad. Legs pale

yellow, quite unspotted.

I am not at all sure that the five examples I ascribe to this species are actually

all conspecific. From the State of Panama we have three examples—one of the

typical, two of the varietal form; in this latter the deficiency of colour may be due

in part to immaturity. The example from Chontales is intermediate between the

two Panama forms; and the exponent from Guatemala also exhibits some slight

distinctions.

This species is closely allied to the Amazonian Sunius peltatus.

STILICOPSIS.

Stilicopsis, Sachse, Stett. ent. Zeit. 1852, p. 144.

Acanthoglossa, Kraatz,Wiegm. Arch. 1859, i. p. 144.

This genus, though approximated by certain forms of Dibelonetes, appears to be truly

distinct. It has the labrum nearly unarmed in the middle, the mandibles short, and

the thorax shorter and broader than it is in any species of Dibelonetes. In addition to

the North-American species (for which it was instituted) and the species found in our

region, it will include 9. pictus, S. modestus, and S. crassus, Sharp. Iam unable at

present to point out any good character by which the Eastern genus Acanthoglossa can

be distinguished from the New-World Stilicopsis, the difference in the shape of the

labrum between the two being so slight that I cannot at present treat it as of generic

STILICOPSIS.—STAMNODERUS. 607

importance. As the species of the Eastern tropics are, however, very imperfectly

known, it is probable that this union may only prove temporarily valid.

: 1. Stilicopsis brevis. (Tab. XV. fig. 23.)

Sunius brevis, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 295".

Hab. Guatemata, Champerico, San Isidro (Champion).—SovutTH AMERICA, Amazons

valley }.

We have received only two examples of this species; the differences they exhibit

when compared with the type from Ega are so slight that I cannot establish a species

on them.

STAMNODERUS.

Caput ante oculos prolongatum. Collo angusto, Labrum magnum, medio longiore quasi lobum productum

anterius subrotundatum formante. Mandibule tenues, modice elongate; sinistra uni-, dextra bidentata.

Thorax elongatus, anterius attenuatus quasi tubuliformis. Femora anteriora plus minusve dilatata.

This curious genus is well distinguished by the form of the labrum and the peculiar

structure of the thorax. The front tibie are slender and more or less curved. The

tarsi have the basal joint elongate, the third joint very small, and the fourth produced

as a membranous lobe under the terminal joint as in Sunius.

In addition to the species of our region the genus will include the Amazonian Sunius

insignis and a nondescript insect from Louisiana; and I anticipate, from Erichson’s

description, that Swnius labeo will prove to be a Stamnoderus.

1. Stamnoderus championi. (Tab. XV. fig. 24.)

Fulvus, antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis; capite prothoraceque subobsolete punctatis, hoc minus elon-

gato et latitudine longitudinem superante.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote, San Gerdénimo (Champion).

Antenne long and very slender. Head with the anterior part depressed and rather

obsoletely punctate, the posterior portion convex, finely carinate along the middle,

almost impunctate. Thorax very round at the sides, the anterior constricted portion

short; finely carinate along the middle, rather obsoletely rugose-punctate. Elytra

scarcely longer than the thorax, deeply and closely punctate. Hind body moderately

broad, scarcely at all broader behind. The male has the terminal ventral segment

broadly excised, and the basal joint of the hind tarsus much dilated.

2. Stamnoderus sallezi.

Fulvus, antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis ; prothorace densissime rugoso-punctato.

Long. 44 millim.

Hab. Guatemata (Sallé).

608 STAPHYLINIDA.

Vertex with a rough, not dense, sculpture of very feebly elevated granules, not cari-

nate. Thorax very densely rugose-punctate, carinate along the middle. Elytra slightly

longer than the thorax, densely, deeply, and coarsely punctate. Hind body densely and

rather coarsely punctured.

We have received only one mutilated example of this species; it is readily distin-

guished from S. championi by the dense sculpture.

3. Stamnoderus optatus.

Testaceus, capite sublevigato ; prothorace elongato, punctato, medio linea levigata; elytris quam prothorax

brevioribus.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Head almost entirely impunctate, the clypeus limited by a distinct angular suture.

Thorax elongate, the narrow anterior portion elongate, the surface irregularly and rather

coarsely punctate, with a well-marked smooth line along the middle, and an elongate

linear lateral impression. Elytra narrow at the shoulders, coarsely but not densely

punctate. Hind body a little constricted at the base ; very little punctured, except on

the basal segment, and at the base of each of the two following segments. One female

example.

4. Stamnoderus gracilis.

Elongatus, testaceus ; capite anterius rugoso; prothorace elongato, crebre punctato, medio linea levigata minus.

discreta ; elytris quam prothorax brevioribus.

Long. 5} millim.

Hab. Guatema.a, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Head rugose in front, the posterior part impunctate. Thorax elongate, greatly

rounded at the sides, the anterior narrow portion elongate, coarsely and closely

but rather indefinitely punctate, with a smooth line along the middle quite obsolete

on the anterior part, the lateral impression rather broad and short. Elytra shorter

than the thorax, coarsely punctate, narrow at the shoulders. Front tibie slender,

curvate.

A single female.

5. Stamnoderus godmani. (Tab. XV. fig. 25.)

Elongatus, ferrugineus, antennis, palpis pedibusque flavis; abdomine subdilatato, nigricante, apice testaceo ;

dense punctatus, prothorace elongato, elytris longiore.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne long and slender, reaching nearly to the base of the thorax. Head elon-.

gate, densely rugose-punctate. Thorax elongate, greatly rounded at the sides, and with

STAMNODERUS.—PADERUS. 609

the narrow anterior portion elongate ; densely rugose-punctate, with a fine longitudinal

carina, and a lateral depression near the base. Elytra densely punctate. Hind body

coarsely and closely punctate, the punctuation towards the extremity obsolete. Front

femora greatly dilated, with a slight angular projection armed with a porrect seta near

the base ; tibie slender, strongly curvate. The male has the terminal ventral segment

broad, excised behind.

Four specimens of this curious insect were obtained by beating the thatch of a hut

in the dense forest. Our figure represents a female.

Group PADERINA.

This group is characterized by the broad fourth joint of the middle and hind tarsi

being deeply excavated above for the reception of the terminal joint, and more or less

emarginate at the tip. The front coxal cavities are largely membranous above, in

striking contrast to the ‘Suniina’; the group, indeed, is much more nearly allied to the

genera near Lithocharis than to Sunius, with which it is usually associated.

PADERUS.

Pederus, Fam. III., Gravenhorst, Mon. p. 142.

Pederus, Curtis, Brit. Ent. iii. t. 108; Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Col. p. 619.

This genus is one of the best defined of the Staphylinide, and comprises at present

about one hundred or rather more species, and is widely distributed in each hemisphere.

The species of the group having a bright-red hind body tipped with black are numerous,

and found in all parts of the world, and are so similar to one another that they can only

be certainly discriminated by examining the cedeagus, which presents frequently great

differences in species appearing externally almost perfectly similar.

The brachypterous species are arboreal in their habits, according to Mr. Champion.

§ 1. Brachypterous species, with the shoulders of the elytra but little prominent ;

hind body more or less dilated.

1. Pederus alticola. (Tab. XVI. fig. 1.)

Major, latiusculus, niger; elytris brevibus et angustis, cyaneo-viridibus ; antennis, palpis, tarsis abdominisque

segmentis duobus ultimis rufis.

Long. 17 millim.

Hab. GuatemaLa, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet, Volcan de Agua 8500 to

10,500 feet (Champion).

Antenne slender, very long, unicolorous yellow, the penultimate joint quite twice as

long as broad; palpi clear yellow; mandibles piceous. Head broad, sparingly and

coarsely punctured. Thorax rather longer than broad, much narrowed behind, rather

coarsely, sparingly punctate, with a broad space along the middle impunctate. Elytra

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, October 1886. 4A TJ

610 STAPHYLINIDA.

very narrow at the shoulders, shorter than the thorax, sparingly and finely punctate.

Hind body broad, with the terminal two segments and the armature red. Legs black,

the apices of the tibiae picescent, the tarsi pale.

This is one of the most distinct species of the genus, and cannot be confounded with

any other. Six examples were procured. Our figure represents a male.

2. Pederus luridiventris. (Tab. XVI. fig. 2.)

Elongatus, angustulus, piceus; elytris viridi-piceis, brevissimis, capite nigro, abdomine luride rufo; antennis,

palpis pedibusque testaceis, femoribus extrorsum late fuscis.

Long. 15 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui up to 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne long and slender. Head broad, subtransverse, only sparingly punctate.

Thorax much narrowed behind, quite sparingly punctate. Elytra small, very short and

narrow, transversely impressed, very sparingly, obsoletely punctate, of a peculiar fusco-

metallic colour.

Of this very distinct species a good series was obtained. We figure the male.

Found in the dense forest, by beating the lower branches of the trees (Champion).

3. Pederus testaceitarsis.

Niger; antennis, palpis tarsisque testaceis, mandibulis flavo-piceis; capite parce punctato; elytris brevissimis,

transversis.

Long. 14-15 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Istapan (Sallé).

Antenne long and slender, immaculate. Head broad, quite sparingly and not very

coarsely punctate. Thorax broad, scarcely so long as wide, but little narrowed behind,

sparingly punctate, with a broad space along the middle impunctate. LElytra not quite

so long as the thorax, broad and short, each deeply impressed, rather sparingly and not

coarsely punctate. Hind body black, the terminal styles flavo-piceous. Tarsi yellow.

I have seen only one pair of this species. It was labelled P. testaceitarsis, Fauv., in

Sallé’s collection, and I have preserved the name. It is similar to P. rujitarsis, Solsky,

but is larger and broader, with much less punctuation on the head, more elongate

antenne, &c.

4. Pederus salvini.

Pederus salvini, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 431".

Hab. Guatemata (Sallé), Aceytuno 5100 feet (Salvin !), near the city, San Gerdénimo,

Capetillo, Duefias, Panajachel, Volcan de Atitlan (Champion); Panama, Volcan de

Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

This interesting species is apparently rather common in Guatemala, and does not

vary. From the State of Panama we have obtained only one female example.

PADERUS, 611

5. Pederus rufitarsis.

Pederus rufitarsis, Solsky, Hor. Soc. ent. Ross. iv. p. 106+.

Hab. Mexico 1, Yolos (Sallé).

We have received three examples of this species. The antenne are shorter and

stouter than in any of the immediate allies. It has an unusually coarse punctuation

on the head, and in this respect resembles P. salvini. Solsky! gives the length as

93 millim., but in fully extended examples I find it to be 11 millim.

6. Pederus currax.

Elongatus, gracilior, nitidus, niger; elytris cyaneis, antennis palpisque flavis, tarsis testaceis, mandibulis

flavo-piceis.

Long. 11-12 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Playa Vicente, Jalapa (Hége).

Antenne long and slender. Head only moderately broad, rather sparingly punctate.

Thorax not quite so broad as long, a good deal narrowed behind, sparingly punctate.

Elytra slender, narrow at the shoulders, scarcely so long as the thorax, shining blue,

coarsely and roughly punctured.

This insect is very closely allied to P. salvini, but differs in its pallid mandibles; it is

narrower and more elongate than P. rujitarsis, with more elongate antenne. We have

received only three examples; the punctuation of the head is a little variable, but is

less than in P. rujitarsis and P. salvini.

7. Pederus letipes. (Tab. XVI. fig. 3.)

Gracilis, niger, nitidus ; elytris viridibus; palpis, antennis pedibusque testaceis, femoribus extrorsum antenna-

rumque articulis penultimis fusco-nigris, mandibulis piceis.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Mexico (flohr), Jalapa (Hége).

Antenne moderately long, yellow, joints 5-10 more or less black. Head moderately

broad, broader in the male than in the female, sparingly punctate. Thorax convex,

longer than broad, much narrowed behind, only very sparingly punctured. Elytra

shorter than the thorax, quite slender, not impressed, sparingly and not coarsely

punctured. Apices of femora broadly black.

Although very similar to P. curraz, this species is readily distinguished by the colour

of the legs and of the antenne. Hodge procured a large series of P. letipes. We figure

the male.

8. Pederus velox.

Elongatus, angustulus, niger, nitidus; elytris viridibus; antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis, femoribus

extrorsum fuscis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Purula, Sinanja, Sabo (Champion).

4 IT 2

612 STAPHYLINIDA.

Head broad, rather sparingly and coarsely punctate. Antenne very slender, elongate,

clear yellow, immaculate. Thorax longer than broad, much rounded at the front and

hind angles, but not narrowed behind, very little punctured, very convex. LElytra very

short and slender, deeply impressed, sparingly punctate. Femora broadly fuscescent

externally.

Readily distinguished from P. /etipes by the longer and immaculate antenne, the

impressed wing-cases, and darker mandibles. /P. velox greatly resembles P. salvini, but

has a differently shaped thorax, and can be distinguished at a glance by the colour of the

legs. The few examples I have seen were supposed to be duplicates of P. salvint.

9. Peederus erythroderus.

Pederus erythroderus, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 663°.

Hab. Mexico 1, Orizaba (Chevrolat), Cordova (Sallé).

Of this species I have seen only the type from Chevyrolat’s collection and three

examples obtained by M. Sallé. Chevrolat’s example was obtained from Sallé.

10. Peederus filicornis.

Elongatus, gracilior, nigerrimus; elytris cyaneis; antennis tenuioribus elongatis, testaceis, articulis 4°-10™

fuscis, tarsorum apicibus sordide testaceis.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge).

Antenne unusually slender, elongate. Mandibles black, piceous at the tip. Head

rather narrow, narrower behind the eyes towards the vertex, quite sparingly punctate.

Thorax suboblong, considerably longer than broad, but little narrowed behind, with

but few, subobsolete punctures. Elytra short, not so long as the thorax, very narrow

at the shoulders, sparingly punctate. Hind body broader than the anterior parts.

This is a much more slender insect than P. currax, and is readily distinguished from

that species by the slender antennze with infuscate middle joints, by the narrow head,

dark palpi, and more oblong thorax. The species is known to me only by a unique

female.

11. Pederus thoracicus.

Pederus thoracicus, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 663’.

Hab. Mexico1, Playa Vicente (Hége).

This species is very similar to P. erythroderus, but can be distinguished easily by the

coarsely and deeply punctate wing-cases, which are slightly longer than in P. erythro-

derus; the scutellum and the greater part of the mesosternum also are black. Only

a single immature example has come under my notice.

PEDERUS. 613

§ 2. Elytra well developed, with well-marked shoulders ; hind body more

parallel-sided.

12. Pederus signaticornis. (Tab. XVI. fig. 4.)

Subparallelus, niger ; antennis, palpis, mandibulis, prothorace pedibusque rufis, illis medio dilute fuscescentibus ;

femoribus extrorsum, tibiis tarsisque nigris; elytris lete cyaneis, crebre equaliter punctatis, quam pro-

* thorax tertia parte longioribus; scutello mesosternoque rufis.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Playa Vicente (Hoge, Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge); British Honpuras, Rio

Hondo, Rio Sarstoon (Blancaneaux); GuatEMALA, Zapote, La Tinta, San Juan, Cubil-

guitz, El Reposo (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson), Granada, Managua

(Sallé).

Antenne elongate, yellow, joints 4-7 more or less deeply infuscate. Head rather

narrow, the vertex narrow; very sparingly punctate, shining black. Thorax bright red,

a good deal longer than broad, a little narrowed behind, very sparingly and feebly

punctate. Elytra elongate and parallel, of a beautiful blue colour, deeply, coarsely,

and rather closely punctate. Hind body entirely black, shining. Legs long, yellow;

front tibize fuscescent ; extremities of the hind femora, and the whole of the hind tibiz

and tarsi, black or blackish.

This elegant insect is apparently not abundant, though widely distributed in our

region. The only variation it exhibits is in the intensity of the black colour of the

legs and of the middle joints of the antenne. Chevrolat in his collection proposed

the name I have adopted for it; Fauvel, in the same collection, considered it to be

P. tricolor, Er., but this can scarcely be the case. Our figure represents a male from

the Rio Hondo.

13. Pederus letus. (Tab. XVI. fig. 5.)

Pederus letus, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 660°.

Hab. Mexico! Cordova (Sallé, Hoge), Jalapa (Hoge), Teapa (Chevrolat); Brivis

Honpuras, Rio Hondo (Blancaneaux); GuatEmMata, Chinautla 4100 feet (Salvin), Gua-

temala city, San Gerdénimo, Zapote, Cerro Zunil, El Tumbador, E] Reposo, Lanquin,

Tamahu, Sabo, Chiacam, Chacoj (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt, Janson) ;

Costa Rica (Van Patten); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

In Mexico this species varies but little, the form met with being that described by

Erichson, with the intermediate and posterior legs largely infuscate. In the State of

Panama Mr. Champion secured a large series, belonging to a different race, having the

legs immaculate yellow, the elytra short and very coarsely punctured. From Guatemala

we have received a fair series, and in this region the species is apparently much more

variable. The legs are either yellow or infuscate to a variable extent, and the elytra

in some examples are much longer. As these characters are variable, and as all the

614 STAPHYLINID A.

forms agree in the structure of the oedeagus, I have no doubt they are all one species.

We figure a female of the typical form from J alapa.

14. Pederus yucateca. (Tab. XVI. fig. 6.)

Robustus, niger; elytris quam prothorax vix longitudine, viridescentibus vel cyaneis, fortiter punctatis ;

mandibulis, prothorace, mesosterno abdominisque segmentis quatuor basalibus rufis ; antennis, palpis

pedibusque testaceis, antennis medio, femorum apicibus tibiarumque basibus fuscis ; prothorace majore,

basin versus evidenter angustato.

Long. 12-13 millim.

Var. Elytris majoribus, quam prothorax evidenter longioribus.

Pederus tempestivus, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 659, obs. ii. *.

Pederus rugepunctatus, Chevr., in coll.

Hab. Mexico (Truqui), Orizaba1, Cordova (Sallé, Hoge), Toxpam (Sallé), Jalapa

(Hoge), Yautepec (Flohr); British Honpuras, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaua); GUATEMALA,

near the city, San Gerénimo, Panajachel, San J oaquin, Cubilguitz, Chiacam (Cham-

pion); Nicaraaua (Sallé), Chontales (Janson); Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu 7000 feet

(Rogers).

Although Erichson himself regarded ! an example of our P. yucateca as a large variety

of his South-American P. tempestivus, I have no doubt he was in error in so doing. The

Neotropical species of this group of Pederus can only be satisfactorily discriminated by

the assistance of an examination of the cedeagus, but this was unknown to Erichson ;

and as I fail to trace P. yucateca further to the south than Costa Rica, and as it is appa-

rently replaced, even in the State of Panama, by an excessively similar but distinct

species, I think it in the highest degree improbable that it extends to Brazil: thus I

have little doubt that Erichson mixed more than one species under the name of P.

tempestivus. I therefore treat our insect as undescribed, and adopt for it a name

proposed by Fauvel, with which it is labelled in Chevrolat’s and other collections.

P. yucateca is a variable species. The male usually has the head much broader than

the female, but this is not constant. In all the Mexican examples the elytra are

short, as mentioned in the above diagnosis, but in Guatemala they are usually con-

siderably longer, though this also is variable. The southern examples of the female

sex usually have the tooth terminating the last ventral plate longer, more slender, and

spine-like, and with more recurved extremity. The lateral angles of this plate are

always quite obtuse in P. yucateca. The cedeagus is of complex form, and a little

asymmetric ; its two lateral lobes are largely developed and of complex structure, the

central lobe consisting of a long slender process something like a slightly crooked needle,

and projecting considerably beyond the lateral lobes; it presents no marked difference

even in the most dissimilar varieties in which I have examined it.

Our figure represents one of the largely developed males from Jalapa.

PADERUS. 615

15. Pederus antiquus.

Gracilis ; capite, metasterno abdominisque apice nigris; mandibulis, prothorace, mesosterno abdominisque basi

rufis ; antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis, illis medio, tibiis femorumque apicibus fuscescentibus ; elytris

cyaneis, prothoracis longitudine, parce punctatis.

Long. 9-10 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Minas Viejas (Palmer).

Antenne very elongate. Head broad, the vertex on either side evidently broader than

the neck. Thorax longer than broad, a good deal narrowed behind. Elytra coarsely

and sparingly punctured. Joints 4-8 of the antenne dilute fuscous; the apices of the

middle and hind femora fuscous, and all the tibie fuscescent for the greater part of

their length.

This species is very similar to the smaller examples of P. yucateca, but is rather

more slender ; the elytra are a little shorter, the cedeagus is totally different, and the

hind margin of the last ventral segment is tridentate in the female.

We have received only one pair.

16. Pederus arduus.

Alatus, niger; elytris quam prothorax paullo longioribus, cyaneis ; mandibulis, prothorace, abdominis segmentis

quatuor primis mesosternoque rufis; antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis; antennis medio femorum

apicibus tibiarumque basibus nigricantibus.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Panama (Salvin), Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet, Bugaba (Champion).

This is extremely similar to P. yucateca, but is a considerably smaller insect, having

the elytra of a beautiful blue colour, and the thorax rather smaller. The cedeagus in

the two is so very different that no question can be entertained as to the distinctness of

the two species.

The only male I have seen came into my possession with Mr. Janson’s collection

fifteen years ago, and was labelled “ Panama (Salvin).” Mr. Champion’s specimens are

females, and, though broader, are apparently the same species; they have the lateral

angles of the last ventral segment quite obtuse, as in P. yucateca, but the cedeagus is

nearer to that of P. antiquus, though abundantly different therefrom. Three slender

styles project from the basal lobe, and are of nearly equal length in P. ardwus ; whereas

in P. antiquus the middle style is only half the length, and is moreover different in

form. I do not think there will be any marked difference in the shape of the head

of the sexes of P. arduus.

17. Pederus antoniensis. |

Gracilis, alatus ; capite, metasterno abdominisque apice nigris ; mandibulis, prothorace, mesosterno abdominisque

basi rufis; palpis, antennis pedibusque testaceis, femorum posteriorum apicibus antennarumque articulis

4°-7™ fuscescentibus ; elytris viridescentibus, quam prothorax longioribus, crebrius fortiter punctatis.

Long. 9 millim.

616 STAPHYLINIDA.

Hab. Guatemaua, Paso Antonio 400 feet (Champion).

This insect is smaller and more slender than the smallest examples of P. yucateca,

and has the front legs entirely yellow, the tips of the middle femora just perceptibly,

those of the hind femora distinctly, infuscate ; the tibie all clear yellow. The head is

broad and short, finely punctate; the thorax is a little longer than broad, not much

narrowed behind, shorter than in P. yucateca ; the elytra are distinctly longer than the

thorax, rather more closely and less coarsely punctured than in P. yucateca.

The cedeagus is similar to that of the species last mentioned. Unique.

18. Peederus cordovensis.

Alatus, niger; elytris cyaneis, mandibulis, prothorace, mesosterno abdominisque segmentis quatuor basalibus

rufis ; antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis, illis articulis 4°-8™, his ex parte majore, nigricantibus ; capite

latiusculo ; elytris amplis, quam prothorax longioribus.

Long. 10-12 millim.

Hab. Mrxico, Cordova (Hoge).

This species differs from P. yucateca by the elytra being more ample and rather more

closely and finely punctured ; by the legs being dark over a greater extent, the tibiee and

tarsi being nearly black or fuscescent, as well as the apices of the femora. We have

received only two pairs of the species. The cedeagus is similar to that of P. yucateca,

but with well-marked distinctions, the most striking of which is that, owing to the

greater elongation of its lateral lobes, the slender median style is scarcely longer than

they are. The female has the terminal ventral segment with a slender spiniform

recurved tooth in the middle, the lateral angles being quite obtuse. I do not

observe any marked difference in the size of the head between the two sexes.

P. cordovensis is excessively like the Amazonian P. sordidus, but the cedeagus is

quite different in the two. P. femoralis, Lec., is also allied to P. cordovensis, but

has shorter elytra.

19. Peederus costaricensis.

Alatus, rufus; elytris viridescentibus, quam prothorax paullo longioribus, fortiter punctatis, pectore nigricante,.

femoribus apice dilute fuscis.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Costa Rica, Cache, Volcan de Irazu 6000 to 7000 feet (Rogers).

Var. Capite nigricante, tibiis posterioribus ad baseos fuscescentibus.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson); Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu 6000 to 7000

feet (Rogers).

Very closely allied to some of the varieties of P. yucateca, but distinguished by the

pale antenne and legs, and the absence of black colour on the hind body. We have

received only two examples of the typical form, and two of the variety, and I feel by

PADERUS. 617

no means sure that P. costaricensis will prove to be more than an extremely remarkable

variation of P. yucateca.

20. Pederus mexicanus.

Pederus mexicanus, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 657°.

Hab. Muxico (Deppe'), Presidio (Forrer), Cuernavaca (Sallé, Chevrolat), Puebla,

Juquila (Sallé), Cordova (Hége).

Erichson’s type of this species must have been a variety with unusually large elytra.

The small series before me varies in respect of the length and breadth of these parts;

usually when the wing-cases are short and broad, the punctuation is remarkably coarse.

The cedeagus is quite different in its structure from that of any other species I have yet

examined,

21. Pederus columbinus. (Tab. XVI. fig. 7.)

Pederus columbinus, Lap. Etud. ent. p. 123°.

Pederus equinoctialis, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 657 *.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet, Caldera, Tolé, San

Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).—Sourn America, Colombia}?, Cayenne ?

(Lacordaire).

Erichson being in doubt whether Laporte de Castelnau’s description really applied to

this species, redescribed it under a fresh name. As there is no character at all to be

found in Castelnau’s insufficient description that is inapplicable to this insect, it will

be well to adopt the prior name, as is done in the Munich Catalogue.

This insect is apparently common in the State of Panama, and differs in slight

particulars only from any examples I have seen from Colombia or Cayenne; it is, I

consider, conspecific with specimens found in the latter locality by Lacordaire, and

named P. eguinoctialis by Erichson himself; there is, however, a slight difference

in the cedeagus.

22. Pederus apicalis. (Tab. XVI. fig. 8.)

Parvus, gracilis, testaceus, abdominis apice summo nigro.

Long. 54 millim.

Hab. Mextco, Cordova (Sallé); Guatemata (Sallé, Castelnau), Paso Antonio, Cham-

perico (Champion); Nicaragua, Managua (Sallé, Chevrolat).

Antenne entirely yellow. Head narrow, with slender vertex. Thorax slender,

longer than broad, sparingly punctate, with a broad space along the middle smooth.

Elytra distinctly longer than the thorax, coarsely and rather closely punctate.

I have preserved for this distinct little insect the name given to it by Chevrolat,

under which it is distributed in collections. Our figure represents an example

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, October 1886. AKK

618 | STAPHYLINIDE.

from Paso Antonio. PP. ustus, Lec., from the Gila river, is, no doubt, an allied

species.

23. Peederus pallidus.

Parvus, gracilis, fulvo-testaceus, abdominis apice nigro, antennis articulis 5°-10™ nigricantibus ; elytris pro-

thoracis longitudine.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Cubilguitz in Vera Paz (Champion).

This species is closely allied to P. apicalis, but is apparently a rather broader insect,

with the antennz in large part dark, the elytra shorter and rather more finely punctate.

We have received only two mutilated examples.

Subfam. PINOPHILIN AL.

TANODEMA.

Tenodema, Laporte, Etud. ent. p. 120; Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 679.

Gymnurus, Nordmann, Symb. p. 158.

This genus consists of about five-and-twenty species, and is confined to Tropical

America, with the exception of a single species from Africa added to it by Dr. Gestro.

When alive, the hind body is very extended, the membranes separating its segments

being displayed and marked with white at their outer extremities; indeed, in some

cases, the membrane may be entirely white; these membranes are also beautifully

sculptured.

In our region, as elsewhere, these insects are only very rarely met with ; and I have,

indeed, only eight examples before me, representing at least six species.

The species are arboreal in their habits (Champion).

1. Tenodema stigmaticum. (Tab. XVI. fig. 9.)

Nigrum, nitidum ; capite, prothorace elytrisque viridi-cyaneis; antennis, palpis pedibusque rufis, geniculis

omnibus tarsisque quatuor posterioribus nigris, antennis extrorsum fuscis; prothorace elytrisque

irregulariter minus dense punctatis. .

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemana, Sinanja in Vera Paz (Champion).

Antenne rather long and slender, obscure red; three or four of the penultimate

joints infuscate at the tip, the terminal joint black; palpi infuscate, red. Head densely

and coarsely punctate, with a small smooth space on the vertex. Thorax quite as long as

broad, slightly narrowed in front, the hind angles largely rounded, irregularly punctured

with a mixture of small and larger punctures, shining. Elytra very elongate, very

shining, sparingly and feebly punctate. Hind body black, with the membranous borders

of the segments ornamented with white ; the basal segments with coarse punctuation

on the basal part of each, the penultimate segments sparingly and finely punctate.

_TENODEMA. 619

2. Tenodema ornatum. (Tab. XVI. fig. 10.)

Angustum, nigrum, nitidum ; capite, prothorace elytrisque viridi-cyaneis, antennis palpisque flavis, illis extrorsum

fuscescentibus ; pedibus rufis, intermediorum tibiis tarsisque fusco-rufis, posteriorum tibiis tarsisque nigris ;

capite prothoraceque dense fortiterque punctatis, nitidis ; elytris parce punctatis.

Long. 19 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

Antenne not elongate, yellow, with the three terminal joints infuscate. Head

coarsely, very densely punctate. Thorax a little longer than broad, very coarsely punc-

tate. Elytra longer than the thorax; sparingly, irregularly, rather coarsely punctured,

very shining. Hind body with the exposed dorsal membrane of the first and fourth

segments entirely white, of the second and third black with white extremities.

This species has many points of difference from T. stigmaticum, to which, however,

it is more nearly allied than to any of the others. Unique.

3. Tenodema nigripes.

Nigerrimum ; antennarum basi, palpis tarsisque anterioribus fusco-testaceis, capite prothoraceque nigro-zneis,

elytris eneis, parce punctatis ; capite prothoraceque fortiter punctatis, hoc marginibus fere impunctatis.

Long. 16 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Teleman (Champion).

Var. mexicana. Elytris minus obsolete punctatis,

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sal/é).

Antenne only moderately long. Head closely, very coarsely punctate, with a small

transverse space on the vertex impunctate. Thorax quadrate, closely and coarsely

punctate on the disc, but with the lateral and basal margins rather broadly impunctate,

Elytra of a brighter metallic tint than the anterior parts, distinctly but not greatly

longer than the thorax; sparingly and finely punctured, a little more closely so about

the suture. Hind body intensely black, with the exposed membranes in part white.

If the Mexican example be indicative of a distinct species, it must be an extremely

closely allied one; as we have received only one example of the type and one of the

variety, I cannot speak very positively. The Amazonian 7. guadratum is another allied

species.

4, Tenodema hemorrhoidale. (Tab. XVI. fig. 11.)

Nigerrimum, nitidum ; antennarum basi, palpis tarsisque anterioribus fusco-rufis ; capite, prothorace elytrisque

viridi-gneis, abdomine apice rufo ; capite prothoraceque fortiter punctatis, hoc marginibus fere impunctatis ;

elytris quam prothorax vix longioribus, parce punctatis.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Tolé (Champion).

This species agrees in most respects rather closely with 7’. nigripes, but is apparently

a considerably smaller insect, with red extremity to the body. We have only one

specimen from each locality. We figure the example from Tole.

4 KK 2

620 STAPHYLINIDA.

5. Teonodema filiforme.

Angustius, elongatum, nigrum ; antennarum basi palpisque testaceis ; capite, prothorace elytrisque minus lete

viridescentibus, densissime fortissimeque punctatis, his punctatura apicem versus parcius ibidemque

nitidis.

Long. 9 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne rather slender, very little thicker externally; the five basal joints red, the

others dark. Head coarsely, very densely punctate. ‘Thorax very slightly longer than

broad, slightly narrowed behind, remarkable on account of the very dense coarse punc-

tuation. Elytra elongate and slender, one and a half times as long as thorax, also very

coarsely punctate, and with a distinct grey pubescence, the interstices slightly shining,

the punctures on the apical portion much more distant and finer, and the surface there

more shining. Hind body very slender, the basal segments coarsely punctate, but

smooth towards the hind margins.

Unique. I know no species closely allied to this, except the following.

6. Tenodema tibiale. (Tab. XVI. fig. 12.)

Angustius, elongatum, nigrum; antennis, palpis tibiisque quatuor anterioribus testaceis, antennis extrorsum

fuscescentibus ; capite, prothorace elytrisque opacis, minus lete metallescentibus, densissime fortissimeque

punctatis, his punctatura versus apicem parcius ibidemque nitidis.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

Although very closely allied to 7. filiforme, this insect is readily distinguished by the

colour of the tibiz; it has also a more convex thorax, with the punctuation rather

denser and coarser. The sculpture of the elytra is, however, considerably less dense,

and their pubescence much less conspicuous.

One example.

PINOPHILUS.

Pinophilus, Gravenhorst, Micr. p. 201 (1801) ; Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 669.

Pityophilus, Brullé, Hist. Nat. Ins. iii. p. 75.

This genus has a wide distribution even after the subtraction from it of the forms I

separate under Lathropinus, and occurs in the Old World as well as in the tropical and

temperate regions of the New World. The species are usually rare, and the number

extant in collections is probably only sixty or seventy. The genus Arwocerus, Nordm.,

is ascribed to Pinophilus as a synonym by Erichson and others; but this is a mistake,

as Areocerus is well distinguished by the edentate mandibles; it will probably be

discovered in our region, as it occurs in South America, and the North-American

LP. picipes (which has been found near our borders) belongs to it. The Pinophili of

our region form two very distinct groups, which will ultimately have generic im-

PINOPHILUS. 621

portance, and will also, no doubt, require separation from the Old World forms.

Fauvel, indeed, intends separating an Asiatic form allied to my second group, under

the name Leucotrichus.

The different species are found on the sandy banks of streams (Champion).

§ 1. Thorax oblong (Pinophilus verus).

1. Pinophilus parcus.

Pinophilus parcus, Lec. New Species N. Am. Col. p. 487.

Hab. Norta America, Southern States !, New Orleans (coll. Sharp).—Mexico (coll.

Sharp).

The species of this group of Pinophilus are very difficult to separate, though the

cedeagus indicates that they are valid. Hence I am not sure whether our insect be

truly the species I have referred it to. In Chevrolat’s collection specimens were

labelled P. flavipes, Er., and if this were correct I should have adopted the latter name ;

P. flavipes is a Porto-Rican insect, and the description does not agree well with our

species. I have only one Mexican exponent; but though I have retained no note as to

the source whence I obtained it, I think the label probably correct.

- In P. parcus the cedeagus is much broader than in any of the allied species of our

region at present known to me, and the terminal ventral segment is much more

prolonged.

2. Pinophilus albipes. (Tab. XVI. fig. 13.)

Pinophilus albipes, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 675 ?.

Hab. Mexico (Chevrolat 1, Flohr), Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge).

Very close to P. parcus, but with rather shorter and more coarsely punctate elytra, the

segments of the hind body not margined with red, and with strongly marked differences

in the cedeagus. Erichson’s type is now in my collection, and I am able to say that it

was by some error that he described the sixth abdominal segment as being emarginate,

as this is not the case. P. albipes is apparently not a common insect, and [I anticipate.

from the short series before me that it will be found to vary a good deal in the sculp-

ture of the anterior parts.

8. Pinophilus erythropterus.

Subopacus, niger; pedibus, palpis antennisque albido-flavis, his articulis extrorsum fuscescentibus ; elytris

quam prothorax longioribus, rufis ; abdomine apice rufo, segmentis singulis rufo-marginatis,

Long. 15 millim.

Hab. Muxico (Flohr), Tuxtla (Sallé); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Costa Rica,

Cache (Rogers). |

Head and thorax minutely punctulate, and with an additional coarse punctuation ;

622 STAPHYLINIDE.

the former more or less ‘shining; the latter dull, about as long as broad, a little

narrowed behind. Elytra a little longer than the thorax, coarsely and densely

punctate.

Externally this insect differs from P. parcus only by the red elytra ; but the cedeagus

shows well-marked distinctions, and differs but little from that of P. aldipes. The

species is apparently rare, as we have only one example from each source.

4. Pinophilus sejunctus.

Opacus, niger; palpis, antennis pedibusque pallide flavis, antennis articulis extrorsum fuscescentibus ; elytris

rufis, abdomine apicem versus rufescente ; prothorace obsoletius minus crebre punctato.

Long. 13-15 millim.

Hab. GuateMALa, Paso Antonio 400 feet (Champion).

This species is extremely similar to P. erythropterus, but is well distinguished by the

external sexual characters of the male; in this sex the last ventral segment is sinuate

on each side behind and more prolonged than in the female, the rather narrow apex

being subtruncate; the ventral valve of the armature is flatter and terminates in a

longer spine which is scarcely recurved. Independently of this the coarse punctuation

of the thorax is more scanty and much more obsolete.

A series of sixteen examples exhibiting very little variation was obtained.

5. Pinophilus parviceps.

Angustulus, sat nitidus, nigro-piceus, capite dilutiore, elytris fusco-rufis; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide

flavis, abdomine apicem versus vage rufescente ; prothorace nitido, transversim convexo, crebrius fortiterque

punctato.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Ventanas 2000 feet (Forrer).

This is a rather more slender insect than P. albipes, and is well distinguished by the

transversely more convex thorax, which is more shining, owing to the absence of the

minute interstitial punctuation that exists in most of the allied species. The unique

example is a male and has the ventral plate of the last segment formed almost as in

P. sejunctus, that is sinuate at the sides behind and prolonged in the middle, the

rather narrow apex being nearly truncate; the ventral valve of the armature is armed

at the extremity only with a short angular process, not long enough to be called a

spine.

6. Pinophilus panamensis.

Angustior, subcylindricus, niger ; antennis, palpis pedibusque flavis ; capite prothoraceque fortiter minus dense

punctatis pretereaque minute punctulatis; elytris quam prothorax vix longioribus, dense fortiterque

punctatis.

Long. 12 millim.

fab. Panama, Tolé, San Feliz (Champion).

Extremely similar to P. albipes, but a smaller and rather more slender insect, with

PINOPHILUS. 623

shorter antenne; the head and anterior parts of the thorax more shining; this latter

is about as long as broad, scarcely at all narrowed behind, transversely convex, the

coarse punctuation shallow and not at all dense, and the smooth space on either side

near the front very distinct and polished. The cedeagus is shorter and not so slender

as it is in P. albipes, and its lateral corneous wings do not appear as detached

prominences.

7. Pinophilus guatemalenus.

Niger, opacus ; palpis, pedibus antennisque pallide flavis, his articulis extrorsum fuscescentibus ; capite prothora-

ceque punctatis pretereaque minute punctulatis ; elytris prothoracis longitudine, densissime, fortiter, rugose

punctatis.

Long. 15 millim.

Hab. GuateMALa, Torola, Paraiso, San Gerénimo, Balheu, San Joaquin (Champion).

Externally this insect is excessively similar to P. albipes, but the sculpture is rather

coarser and denser; the cedeagus, however, shows distinctions indicating that this may

probably be a different species ; the median style is shorter and broader, and instead of

being gradually narrowed from the base to the apex, it is parallel-sided for three fourths

of the length, and thence more abruptly narrowed; the short corneous lateral wing

is shorter and broader than in P. albipes. There is also an external sexual distinction,

inasmuch as the last ventral plate is much shorter than in P. aldzpes.

We have received only six examples of this species.

8. Pinophilus iners. :

Angustulus, subopacus, niger ; elytris rufis, densissime fortiter punctatis ; antennis, palpis pedibusque flavis ;

prothorace sat crebre et fortiter punctato, subopaco.

Long. 12-13 millim.

Hab. Panama, Tolé, San Feliz (Champion).

Head picescent in front, the mandibles red. Thorax quite as long as broad, with

rather close but shallow coarse punctures, and with a dense, interstitial, minute

sculpture rendering the surface dull. LElytra no longer than the thorax, with very

dense coarse punctuation, dark red. Hind body black, with one or two of the terminal

segments a little rufescent behind.

The external distinctions of the sexes are not very conspicuous, but in the male the

last ventral plate is more shining and impunctate in the middle behind, the hind margin

of the plate is more truncate, and the ventral valve of the armature has the apical

portion strongly laterally compressed and acuminate, but scarcely recurved.

This is another species closely allied to P. albipes. Only one pair was found at Tolé ;

a female specimen of a variety from San Feliz, of broader form and with feebly rufescent,

rather larger elytra, may not be the same species.

624 STAPHYLINID.

9. Pinophilus lineaticollis.

Angustulus, piceus; antennis, palpis pedibusque flavis; elytris densissime fortiter punctatis, prothorace fere

brevioribus ; hoc crebrius fortiterque punctato, subopaco, medio linea angustula nitida,

Long. 13 millim,

Hab. Panama, Pefia Blanca 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

This may possibly prove to be a variety in an immature state of P. iners, but I think

it more probably distinct, though the male characters externally appear almost

identical. P. lineaticollis, however, is more uniform in colour, the elytra being but

little more rufescent than the rest of the surface, and there is a distinct shining line

along the middle of the thorax. Unique.

10. Pinophilus fragilicornis.

Niger, subdepressus ; capite prothoraceque picescentibus, omnino opacis, hoc alutaceo et sat crebre subtiliterque

punctato ; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis; elytris dense fortiterque punctatis, sat nitidis.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This is a very distinct species, distinguished by the regularly alutaceous, very dull

thorax, which bears also numerous larger but yet fine punctures. The elytra are

evidently longer than the thorax. ‘The unique example found is a male, and has the

last ventral plate prolonged behind, and with an angular notch at the extremity. I

do not detect any spine at the apex of the ventral valve of the armature.

11. Pinophilus opacicollis.

Subdepressus, nigricans, opacus ; antennis, palpis pedibusque flavis; prothorace peropaco, subtiliter punctato ;

elytris densissime punctatis.

Long. 15 millim.

Hab. Panama, Pefia Blanca 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Similar in form to P. albipes, though more depressed, and with a shorter thorax,

which is less narrowed behind; the thoracic sculpture, however, is very different, the

surface being alutaceous so as to be quite dull, and the larger punctures, so conspicuous

in P. albipes, are here small and indistinct. The elytra are obscurely rufescent at the

base.

The only example discovered is a female.

§ 2. Thorax globose, oblong, shining (Pinophilus spurius).

12. Pinophilus penetrans. (Tab. XVI. fig. 14.)

Nitidus, niger, laxe pubescens; antennis, palpis pedibusque flavis, elytris sanguineis, abdominis apice late

rufo; prothorace vix transverso, lateribus rotundatis, basin versus angustatis, fortiter punctato.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

PINOPHILUS. 625

Head and thorax very shining; the latter only slightly broader than long, coarsely

punctate, the punctures absent from a small.space near the base on the middle, and

from another space on each side near the front margin. Elytra much longer than the

thorax, shining, red, very coarsely punctate. Hind body black, with the terminal two

segments red; rather sparingly but not finely punctate, and with a scanty flavescent

pubescence. Male with the last ventral plate prolonged and feebly emarginate behind ;

ventral valve of the segment of the armature broader towards the apex, which is

deflexed and with a deep emargination in the middle, the angle on each side slightly

hamate.

A good series of this species was procured; the variation seems very slight indeed,

except that in immature examples the thorax (or the head and thorax) is more or less

piceous or even rufescent.

13. Pinophilus reflexus.

Gracilis, nitidus, niger, laxe pubescens ; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis, elytris sanguineis ; prothorace

haud transverso, lateribus rotundatis, basin versus angustatis, fortiter punctato.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Closely allied to P. penetrans, but considerably more slender, with the hind body

entirely black, and with the ventral valve of the segment of the armature in the male

abruptly bent upwards so as to close the orifice of the body behind. The punctuation

of the surface is not quite so coarse, and the antennz are more slender and shorter than

they are in P. penetrans. The breast is red, but I am not sure that this is a constant

character.

The small series of about ten examples exhibits no variation.

14. Pinophilus basiventris.

Gracilior, nitidus, rufus; capite, pronoto abdominisque basi nigris; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis ;

prothorace haud transverso, lateribus rotundatis, basin versus angustatis, fortiter punctato.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Brivish Honpuras, Rio Hondo (blancaneaur); GuateMaua, San Geronimo,

Zapote (Champion).

Though readily distinguished from P. reflecus by the colour of the hind body, which

is lurid red with the two (or three) basal segments blackish, this species is in other

respects externally similar thereto, though the thorax is apparently more slender ; but

the male characters of the two species are different: in P. basiventris the prolonged

portion of the last ventral plate is rounded and narrowed towards the tip; the ventral

valve of the segment of the armature is bent upwards at the tip, but does not close the

body, as it is pierced by a large orifice, due to a deep emargination of the reflexed

apex.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, October 1886. ALL

626 STAPHYLINID A.

The basal segments of the hind body vary in colour according to the maturity of the

individual; when quite immature all the segments are rufescent, even though the head

and thorax have nearly attained the ordinary black pigmentation.

15. Pinophilus agilis. (Tab. XVI. fig. 16.)

Gracilior, nitidus, rufus, capite abdomineque nigris; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis; prothorace

haud transverso, lateribus rotundatis, basin versus angustatis, fortiter punctato.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Panama, Caldera in Chiriqui 1200 feet (Champion).

This insect, though excessively similar to P. basiventris and P. reflexus, is readily distin-

guished by the bright red thorax, concolorous with the wing-cases; it agrees in this

respect with the Amazonian P. bicolor, which species indeed it almost exactly resembles,

but the male characters seem to indicate that the two are distinct. In P. agilis the

ventral plate of the last segment is narrowed towards the apex in a curvilinear manner ;

the apex of the ventral valve of the segment of the armature is bent upwards at the

extremity, but at the very apex it again becomes nearly longitudinal in its direction, and

it exhibits behind a large orifice caused by an emargination that has an angular tooth at

its base. In P. bicolor the sides of the last ventral plate are not curvilinearly narrowed,

and the angular tooth of the ventral valve is represented by a very slender projection.

Unique.

16. Pinophilus validus.

Robustior, nitidus, niger, laxe pubescens, elytris rufis ; antennis, palpis pedibusque flavis, geniculis posterioribus

late fuscis ; prothorace leviter transverso, lateribus rotundatis, basin versus angustatis, fortiter irregulariter

punctato, medio linea impunctata sat discreta.

Long. 15 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Flohr), Cordova (Sallé) ; Guaremata, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000

feet, El Tumbador, Senahu (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt).

Very similar to P. penetrans, but more robust. The thorax is distinctly broader

than long, the punctuation is more crowded along the middle on either side of the

rather irregular and indistinct median space; the elytra are a little longer than the

thorax, very coarsely punctate, slightly fuscescent at the extreme base. In the male

the ventral plate of the last segment is strongly sinuate at the sides, moderately broad

and scarcely emarginate at the apex; the ventral valve of the segment of the

armature is of peculiar form, flat at the base, a little beyond which it is directed

slightly upwards, forming a very obtuse angle; the apex of the valve is prolonged, bent

downwards, and divided by a very narrow deep incision into two almost contiguous lobes.

We have received four examples from Guatemala, and the description is made from

these specimens ; from Nicaragua we have only one female, and from Mexico only two

specimens of the same sex; there is a little doubt therefore whether these last-named

PINOPHILUS. 627

female exponents are truly conspecific, as the species in this group can scarcely be satis-

factorily determined without a knowledge of the male characters.

17. Pinophilus cribricollis.

Nitidus, niger, laxe pubescens, elytris rufis; antennis, palpis pedibusque flavis, geniculis posterioribus

fuscis ; prothorace vix transverso, lateribus rotundatis, basin versus angustatis, crebrius fortiter punctato,

absque linea impunctata.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Senahu in Vera Paz (Champion).

The thorax in this species is only about as broad as long; it is coarsely punctured,

and there is no smooth space along the middle, or rather there are along the middle

two very closely approximated irregular series of slightly larger punctures, scarcely

distinguishable from the other punctures and so close together as to leave no distinct

space between them. In other respects P. cribricollis is very similar to P. validus, but

the male characters are different: the last ventral plate is not greatly produced in the

middle, and has a rather broad slightly emarginate hind margin ; the ventral valve of the

segment of the armature is very peculiar in form, ¢. g.it is large, and the sides are raised,

the apical portion being gently flexed upwards, the flexed portion forming two lobes

separated by a deep and extremely narrow excision, and the apices of these lobes are a

little deflexed.

We have received two male examples, one of them immature.

18. Pinophilus parvicornis.

Niger, nitidus, laxe pubescens ; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis, illis brevibus.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne slender, reaching only as far back as the hind margin of the thorax.

Thorax about as long as broad, coarsely punctate, very shining, without smooth space

on the middle, but with a round smooth spot on either side near the front angle, the

hind angles much rounded. LHlytra longer than the thorax, shining black, very

coarsely and not closely punctate. Hind body slender, rather closely punctate. The

male has the last ventral plate much prolonged, and its hind margin very slightly

emarginate; the ventral valve of the armature is abruptly bent upwards at the

extremity so as to close the aperture of the body.

This insect is more slender than P. reflexus, and readily distinguished from that species

by the black elytra. Only one example was obtained in each locality.

19. Pinophilus longicornis. (Tab. XVI. fig. 15.)

Niger, nitidus, longius, laxe pubescens; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis, illis longioribus.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet, Bugaba (Champion).

4 DL 2

628 STAPHYLINID.

Antenne slender, reaching much further back than the base of the thorax. Head

with the punctuation on the vertex coarse and extensive, separated from the discoidal

sculpture by a narrow curvate space. Thorax very nearly as long as broad, curved at

the sides and narrowed behind, very coarsely punctate, with an irregular space along the

middle impunctate. Elytra elongate, much longer than the thorax, sparingly and very

coarsely punctate. Hind body sparingly punctate. Legs immaculate, pale yellow.

In the male the last ventral segment is much prolonged and has an obtuse, but not

truncate, extremity ; the segment of the armature has the dorsal plate extended

beneath so as to greatly overwrap the ventral valve.

This species is nearest to the Amazonian P. laxus, but is abundantly distinct. In

the small series of examples before me the extent to which the ventral valve of the

male is enwrapped by the dorsal plate is variable, and I suspect there will prove to be

two species in the series; but the specimens are so decayed and fragile that they cannot

be submitted to a sufficiently prolonged examination. I am not able to point with

certainty to any other character likely to distinguish the two forms. The type is that

in which the enwrapping of the ventral valve is so very complete that only its tip can

be seen.

LATHROPINUS.

Mandibule dentate, dente oblique truncato. Labrum brevissimum, medio leviter emarginatum. Antenne

recte. Prothorax oblongus. Tarsi anteriores lati, subrotundati, intermedii et posteriores articulo quarto

parvo. Tibise intermediz extus spinose.

The insects for which I propose this new genus are apparently mimetic, resembling

species of Lathrobiwm and Ocypus more than their congeners. Independently of this

peculiar facies they may always be recognized by the spines on the outer side of the

middle tibie, and by the eyes being placed at the sides of the head, greatly in front of

the hind angles.

The species of our region and P. tenuis, modestus, and mimus, Sharp, are the typical

forms of the genus and resemble Lathrobia; the larger forms of American Pinophile

that resemble Ocypus must also at present be included in the genus, viz. P. tenebrosus,

Er., P. dua, rectus, wqualis, and ater Sharp, and no doubt also P. major, Brullé,

P. fulvipes, Er., and P. subtilis, Arrib. The genus Arwocerus resembles these larger

Lathropini in its facies, and has the middle tibie imperfectly spinose externally, but is

well distinguished from Lathropinus and all the other Pinophili by its edentate mandibles.

1. Lathropinus parallelus. (Tab. XVI. fig. 17.)

Elongatus, subdepressus, piceo-niger, nitidus; antennis, palpis pedibusque rufis.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

Antenne slender, extending rather further back than the base of the thorax. Head

LATHROPINUS.—HETEROLEUCUS. 629

oblong-quadrate, very shining and impunctate in front, the vertex rather finely punctate,

the disc also punctate in a curvate manner, and this punctuation only imperfectly

separated from the sculpture of the vertex. Thorax oblong, considerably longer than

broad, straight at the sides; shining, with an impunctate space along the middle, along

each side of this punctate on a longitudinal space extending all along the thorax, and

outside of this more sparingly punctate, all the punctures rather fine. Elytra scarcely

at all longer than the thorax, rather sparingly and moderately coarsely punctured. Hind

body rather closely but obsoletely punctate, much less shining than the other parts,

the hind margins of the segments obscurely reddish, the apex itself red. The unique

example is apparently a female.

HETEROLEUCUS.

Corpus subcylindricum, crassum. Antenne geniculate. Caput parvum, oculis marginem posteriorem

attingentibus. Mandibule unidentate, dente acuto. Pedes breves; tibia inermes; tarsi anteriores

rotundati, intermedii et posteriores articulo quarto parvo.

This genus is well distinguished by the strongly geniculate antenne, and by the

shape of the mandibular tooth, which is simply acuminate instead of being chisel-

shaped at the extremity. The form and sculpture are characteristic and do not occur

in any of the allied genera, though approximated by the Old World Pinophilus brevi-

collis, Kr. The genus is peculiar to Tropical America, and will comprise P. crassi-

collis, Er., P. abax and P. egens, Sharp, in addition to the two found in our region.

1. Heteroleucus marginatus. (Tab. XVI. fig. 18.)

Parum elongatus, niger ; capite prothoraceque nitidissimis, elytris rufis, crebrius fortiterque punctatis ; antennis,

palpis pedibusque albido-flavis ; abdominis lateribus cinereo-pubescentibus, apice flavo-fusco maculato.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the City, San Gerdnimo, San Joaquin, Balheu (Champion).

Antenne short, the basal joint equal in length to the four following joints together.

Head small, very shining, with a curvate series of punctures commencing at each angle

of the clypeus and extending far backwards transversely across it, and a few punctures

near each hind angle. Thorax slightly transverse, nearly straight at the sides, very shining,

black, with two widely separated series each consisting of five or six punctures along

the middle, and with four or five punctures on each side. Elytra coarsely and densely

punctate, longer than the thorax. Hind body densely punctate, dull, the pubescence

along each side cinereous, the hind margin of the penultimate segment pallid yellow

with a fuscous dorsal mark. Legs very pale yellow. Male with the middle of the

last ventral plate prolonged and acuminate at the apex, with a very short rather abrupt

sinuation on either side. Some of the individuals of this sex have a very long seta

projecting from the interior of the body quite at the apex.

Found on the sandy banks of streams (Champion).

630 STAPHYLINIDZ.

2. Heteroleucus mexicanus.

Parum elongatus, niger ; capite prothoraceque nitidissimis, elytris rufis, parce fortiterque punctatis ; antennis,

palpis pedibusque albido-flavis ; abdominis lateribus cinereo-pubescentibus, apice rufo.

Long. 11 millim. .

Hab. Mexico, Yautepec, Morelos (Flohr) ; GUATEMALA (Sallé).

Though very similar to H. marginatus this insect is well distinguished by the longer

thorax, the length of this part being slightly greater than the width, and the more

sparingly punctured elytra and hind body; the extremity of the hind body is immaculate

red. In the male the last ventral plate is a little prolonged in the middle, and has

the extremity almost rounded and the sides a little sinuate.

CEDODACTYLUS.

Cidodactylus, Fairmaire et Germain, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1861, p. 441; Fauvel, Bull. Soc. Linn.

Normand. 2nd ser. i. p. 22.

This distinct genus comprises one (possibly two) Chilian and two Amazonian

species.

1. Gdodactylus fauveli. (Tab. XVI. fig. 19.)

Piceus ; antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis, his sordidis ; capite prothoraceque parce punctatis, nitidulis ; elytris

abdomineque dense punctatis, subnitidis.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Hoge), Morelos (fohr).

Antenne slender, each joint from the fourth to the tenth decreasing slightly in

length, the first four or five joints differing but little from one another in length.

Head small, rather sparingly and finely punctured. Thorax slightly longer than

broad, considerably narrower than the elytra, distinctly narrowed behind, moderately

closely and rather finely punctate. Elytra rather longer than the thorax, emarginate

behind, deeply and closely punctate. Hind body cylindric, immarginate, coarsely

punctate, distinctly pubescent. Male with a small angular excision on the hind margin

of the last ventral plate.

This species is closely allied to the Chilian @. fusco-brunneus, but is rather smaller, has

_the head shorter, more truncate behind, and with smaller eyes, the punctuation of the

head less distant, and that of the hind body not at all obsolete. The examples sent by

Mr. Flohr have the legs more or less piceous, due no doubt to their being in very

decayed condition.

I have named this interesting Mexican insect after the distinguished Coleopterist to

whom we owe the larger part of our knowledge of Chilian Staphylinide, M. Albert

Fauvel, of Caen.

PALAMINUS. 631

PALAMINUS.

Palaminus, Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 681.

This genus consists of about fifty described species and is specially characteristic

of the New World, its species being very numerous in South America, while there are

nine or ten known from the United States of North America. It is also sparingly

represented in the Indo-Malayan and Austro-Malayan regions and in Northern

Australia.

It is very difficult to treat it satisfactorily, owing to the obscure external specific

characters, and the fact that the species are scarcely ever represented by sufficient

series of examples to allow the varied sexual characters to be properly studied. This

is not, I believe, due so much to the actual rarity of these insects—for Mr. Champion

informs me that they are frequently to be met with by beating foliage—as to the great

difficulty of preserving specimens, owing to their fragile nature and the rapidity with

which they decay if not mounted soon after capture. It is no doubt for this reason

that we possess only a very insufficient series of examples, so that I have been obliged

to leave a few obscure species uncharacterized. The only character I can at present

detect to divide the genus at all satisfactorily is based on the structure of the antenne.

The species of the first group are as a rule of more slender build than those of the

second.

§ 1. Antenne excessively slender; terminal joint scarcely perceptibly broader than

that preceding it and much narrowed towards the base, which is therefore very

slender.

1. Palaminus lacertinus. (Tab. XVI. fig. 20.)

Angustus, elongatus, niger; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis, palporum articulo ultimo magno; pro-

thorace elongato, basin versus angustato, elytris multo angustiore, irregulariter punctato; elytris fortiter

punctatis, ad apicem fere levigatis.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet, El Tumbador 2500 feet (Champion).

Antenne slender, long. Head small, very coarsely punctured, bearing long pallid

hairs, the eyes rather small. Thorax small, just as broad as the head, but not much

more than half the width of the elytra, as long as broad, not curved at the sides, greatly

narrowed behind, very coarsely and irregularly punctured, and bearing long pallid hairs.

Elytra about twice as long as the thorax, very coarsely punctured and distinctly pubes-

cent, the punctures more distant towards the hind margin, and quite absent at the margin

itself. Hind body coarsely, squamosely sculptured. One example from each locality.

2. Palaminus parviceps.

Angustus, elongatus, niger; antennis (?), palpis pedibusque pallide flavis, palporum articulo ultimo majore ;

632 STAPHYLINID.

capite prothoraceque angustis, hoc elongato et basin versus angustato, elytris multo angustiore, irregulariter

punctato ; elytris fortiter punctatis, ad apicem fere levigatis.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (fHége).

Though closely allied to P. lacertinus this insect is no doubt distinct, and differs as

follows: it is smaller, the head and thorax are still narrower, the terminal joint of

the maxillary palpus is larger, the eyes touch the hind margin of the head, and the

thorax is not so broad in front and therefore less strongly narrowed behind. The

unique example has lost its antenne.

3. Palaminus longicollis.

Angustus, elongatus, niger ; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis, palporum articulo ultimo majore; capite

mediocre, oculis magnis; prothorace elongato, basin versus angustato, elytris multo angustiore; his crebre

punctatis, ad apicem fere levigatis.

Long. 74 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Of this species also we have obtained only one example; though allied to the two

preceding by the long slender thorax, it is undoubtedly distinct. Antenne mutilated,

but the third, fourth, and fifth joints are very long. Head moderately large, with

convex eyes not attaining the hind margin; terminal joint of the maxillary palpus

extremely large. Thorax rather longer than broad, much narrower than the elytra,

strongly narrowed behind ; its punctuation like that of the head, moderately coarse,

not confluent. Elytra very elongate, rather closely punctate. Hind body unusually

definitely sculptured ; terminal styles very long, strongly sinuous. Legs slender.

4. Palaminus validus.

Hlongatus, niger; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis, palporum articulo ultimo magno ; capite sat lato;

prothorace sat elongato, basin versus angustato, minus dense punctato; elytris fortiter punctatis, ad

apicem fere levigatis.

Long. 84 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

This species has the front tibie and tarsi considerably broader than in either of the

species above described; the thorax is a little broader, its punctuation and that of

the head less close and deep; the eyes are moderately large, and do not attain the hind

margin. The elytra are about twice as long as the thorax. Two mutilated examples.

5. Palaminus cognatus.

Elongatus, niger ; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis, palporum articulo ultimo magno; prothorace sat

elongato, basin versus angustato, irregulariter subobsolete punctato ; elytris fortiter punctatis, ad apicem

fere levigatis.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet, San Feliz (Champion).

PALAMINUS. 633

This species is closely allied to P. validus, but differs in having distinctly shorter elytra

and a shorter and broader, more obsoletely punctured thorax ; the terminal joint of the

maxillary palpus is scarcely so large. The eyes are not large, and do not quite attain

the hind margin. The thorax is evidently broader than long, and the rather few

punctures on it are placed so as to leave two or three almost bare spaces. The

punctuation of the elytra is close only at the base. Three mutilated examples.

6. Palaminus crenatus.

Angustulus, elongatus, niger; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis; prothorace angusto, basin versus

angustato, parce punctato, utrinque impresso; elytris apicem versus latius levigatis ; abdominis segmentis

ultimo et penultimo ad summam basin minute crenulatis.

Long. 73 millim.

Hab. GuateMALa, Cubilguitz (Champion).

Antennz long and slender. Head broad, nearly as broad as the elytra, coarsely

punctate, the eyes separated by a considerable space from the hind margin. ‘Thorax not

quite so long as broad, considerably narrower than the elytra, greatly narrowed behind,

with a depression on each side of the middle (more distinct than in the preceding and

following species), sparingly punctured, the major part of the punctures placed in the

depressions. Elytra not twice as long as the thorax, rather sparingly punctate.

One female. The crenulate sculpture, extending as a band all round the base of each

of the terminal two segments, does not appear to be present in any of the other black

species here described.

7. Palaminus insignis.

Elongatus, angustus, niger; antennis (?), palpis, pedibus elytrorumque margine apicali, pallide flavis; pro-

thorace angusto, basin versus fortiter angustato.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne with the six basal joints slender and elongate (the rest broken off). Head

slightly broader than the thorax, coarsely punctate. Thorax slender, very much

narrower than the elytra, about as long as broad, greatly narrowed behind, coarsely

punctate, indistinctly bi-impressed. lytra not quite twice as long as the thorax,

coarsely punctate, the punctuation dense at the base, absent from the hind margin,

which is very conspicuously flavescent. Legs very slender. Terminal styles very

long.

This insect somewhat resembles P. apicipennis on account of its coloration, but is

very distinct by reason of the slender thorax and elongate terminal styles; and though

the antenne are mutilated, I have no doubt from the general structure that the species

belongs to this group. Unique.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, November 1886. 4 MM

634 STAPHYLINIDA.

8. Palaminus gracilipes.

Elongatus, angustus, ferrugineus; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis ; elytris testaceis, sutura angustis-

sime fuscescente; prothorace gracile, crebre fortiterque punctato.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet, Pefia Blanca 4000 to 5000 feet

(Champion).

Antenne long, very slender. Head considerably narrower than the elytra, coarsely,

punctate, the eyes not quite attaining the hind margin. Thorax about as long as broad,

strongly narrowed behind, coarsely not densely punctured, with a smooth space on the

middle and a slight depression on each side of it. Elytra not quite twice as long as the

thorax, coarsely punctate, the hind margin impunctate. Legs very slender. Terminal

styles very long. The unique typical example has the last ventral segment quite simple

and is probably a female; the exponent from Pefia Blanca is extremely mutilated, and

I am not at all sure that it is really conspecific.

9. Palaminus fusciventris.

Gracilis, testaceo-ferrugineus, abdomine fusco-ferrugineo ; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis ; prothorace

gracile, fortiter punctato ; elytris minus elongatis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Nicaraaua, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne rather slender, moderately long; terminal joint scarcely at all thicker and

but little longer than the penultimate joint. Head short and broad, quite as broad

as the thorax, the eyes attaining the vertex. Thorax rather broader than long, much

narrower than the elytra and greatly narrowed behind, irregularly, moderately closely

punctate, and impressed on each side of the middle. Elytra very coarsely punctate,

rather convex, scarcely one and a half times the length of the thorax.

This obscure insect much resembles P. deforms and its allies, but from the structure

of the antenne must be placed in this group. It is unique.

§ 2. Lerminal joint of the antenne with less slender base, and always distinctly broader

than the preceding joint.

10. Palaminus sordidus.

Hlongatus, angustulus, ferrugineus; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis; elytris testaceis, sutura basin

versus, abdomineque ante apicem fuscescentibus.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab, Mexico, Cordova (Hége).

Antenne slender, the terminal joint a little stouter than that preceding it, but only

slightly longer ; last joint of the maxillary palpus only moderately large. Head a good

deal narrower than the elytra, the eyes not attaining the vertex. Thorax evidently

broader than long, but a good deal narrower than the elytra, curved at the sides and

PALAMINUS, 635

strongly narrowed behind, moderately closely and coarsely punctate. Elytra elongate,

moderately closely and coarsely punctate ; along the sutural region vaguely infuscate, |

more distinctly so about the scutellum. Terminal styles elongate. Legs moderately

long and slender. Unique.

The terminal joint of the antenne in this species is to a certain extent intermediate

in form between the two groups, as it is rather more slender at the base than in the

other species of this group, and so more disconnected from the preceding joint.

11. Palaminus mexicanus.

Minor, gracilis, dense punctatus, niger; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis; prothorace elongato, dense

fere regulariter punctato; elytris dense punctatis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Flohr), Cordova (Hoge).

A very distinct little Palaminus, with short and (for this genus) unusually stout

antenne, more than usually dense punctuation, very large apical joint of the palpi, and

short terminal styles to the hind body. The thorax is a little narrower than the elytra,

not so long as broad, rather strongly narrowed behind, closely and almost regularly

punctured. Llytra densely punctured, the punctures not so scanty near the hind

margin as usual. Membranes separating the segments of the hind body pallid. Two

examples; the one sent by Mr. Flohr, though in very bad condition, is no doubt con-

specific with the type.

12. Palaminus concolor. (Tab. XVI. fig. 21.)

Latior, niger, crebrius punctatus; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis; prothorace brevi, transverso, basin

versus angustato.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador 2500 feet (Champion); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne short, and for this genus rather stout. Head broad and short, nearly as

broad as the elytra, closely and coarsely punctured. Thorax much shorter than broad,

a little narrower than the elytra, coarsely and closely punctured, with a slight longi-

tudinal elevation or plica in the middle before the base. LElytra closely and regularly

punctured. Legs rather short, the front tibiz stout. The male has the last ventral

plate prolonged and strongly asymmetrical, it being narrowed towards the apex in an

obliquely sinuous manner, the sinuosity on the right-hand side being much shorter than

that on the left; the apex is very narrow, but not acuminate. One example from each

locality: we figure the specimen from Bugaba; it is a female, and considerably larger

than the Guatemalan exponent.

13. Palaminus rubripennis, (Tab. XVI. fig. 22.)

Niger, elytris rufis, antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis; dense fortiterque punctatus; prothorace brevi.

Long. 7 millim.

4 MM 2

636 STAPHYLINIDA.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Antennz only moderately slender, thicker externally, the terminal joint more than

twice as long as the tenth. Head broad, not much narrower than the elytra, densely and

coarsely punctate; eyes large, attaining the hind margin. Thorax much broader than

long, closely and coarsely punctured, without any depressions. Elytra elongate, twice

as long as the thorax, closely and coarsely punctate, the apical part not free from

punctures. The terminal plate in the male is much prolonged in the middle and is

asymmetrical; it is sinuate on each side, the sinuosity of the right side being much

shorter and more abrupt than that of the left.

Three examples.

14. Palaminus palmatus.

Robustus, piceo-testaceus; antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis, crebrius fortiterque punctatus; prothorace

brevi.

Long. 63 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather short, thicker externally, the terminal joint longer and a good deal

thicker than the tenth. Head rather narrower than the elytra, coarsely punctate ; eyes

rather small, not attaining the hind margin. ‘Thorax a little narrower than the elytra,

considerably broader than long, a little narrowed behind, coarsely and rather closely

punctate. Elytra coarsely punctate, not quite twice as long as the thorax. Front tibie

very thick. Terminal styles elongate. The unique example isno doubt a female, as it

possesses a slight broad emargination of the last ventral plate. This example is much

decayed, and it is probable that when fresh the wing-cases and the anterior parts of the

body may be of a brighter ferruginous colour than they are at present.

15. Palaminus apicipennis. (Tab. XVI. fig. 23.)

Fuscus ; antennis, palpis, pedibus elytrorumque margine apicali flavis ; dense punctatus, longius pilosus.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, near the city, Aceytuno, San Gerénimo, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne rather short and stout, thicker externally, the terminal joint being con-

siderably less slender than the penultimate one. Head very coarsely punctate; eyes

rather small, not quite attaining the hind margin. Thorax rather small, evidently

narrower than the elytra, broader than long, curved at the sides and narrowed behind,

densely and coarsely punctured, with a small smooth space on the middle. Elytra

closely punctate, the hind margin yellow, the punctuation scarcely present on this

flavescent part. Legs short. Terminal styles short, rather widely separated. Sexual

distinctions apparently very slight.

Several specimens, obtained by beating trees.

PALAMINUS. | 637

16. Palaminus parvulus.

Parvus, testaceus, abdomine ferrugineo; capite prothoraceque densius fortiterque punctatis; elytris elongatis,

dense subtilius punctatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge).

Antenne short, the terminal joint stouter but scarcely longer than the one preceding

it. Head small, rather narrower than the thorax; eyes attaining the hind margin.

Thorax much narrower than the elytra, rather broader than long, very coarsely and

densely punctured. Elytra pallid yellow, twice as long as the thorax, densely and

rather finely punctate. Terminal styles moderately long. In the male the last ventral

plate is much produced, and is broad, forming a transparent shield to the basal portion

of the armature.

This obscure little insect resembles P. testaceus, Er., Lec., but the male characters

are quite different.

Two examples.

17. Palaminus deformis, (Tab. XVI. fig. 24.)

Parvus, testaceus, abdomine ferrugineo; capite prothoraceque densius fortiterque punctatis, hoc transverso ;

elytris dense punctatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Chrevrolat), Jalapa (Hoge) ; GuaTEMALA, near the city, Aceytuno,

Capetillo, Zapote (Champion).

This insect is very similar to P. parvulus, but the thorax is strongly transverse, and the

elytra are shorter and more coarsely punctate. The male characters are peculiar: the

last ventral segment is much produced and very unsymmetrical in form; on the left

side there is a spine separated by a deep incision from the more elongate main lobe ;

this latter has a broad extremity, which is sinuate-emarginate in an unsymmetrical

manner. The female has the last ventral plate simple.

We have a small series of this species; the two Mexican examples are females in

a bad state of preservation, and are far from agreeing with the type or inter se, so that

I am not at all sure that they really represent the same species.

18. Palaminus chiriquensis.

Parvus, gracilis, testaceus, abdomine ferrugineo ; capite prothoraceque dense fortiterque punctatis, hoc trans-

verso ; elytris crebre fortiterque punctatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

This species bears a very great similarity to P. deformis, but is rather more slender and

a little less densely punctate, and the males of the two have strongly marked distinctions.

In this sex of P. chiriquensis the terminal ventral plate is produced backwards and

638 STAPHYLINIDA.

abruptly sinuate on each side so as to form a short broad median lobe, which is asym-

metrical, having been, as it were, forced a little towards the left, the right angle being

quite rounded, while the left is acute. The cedeagus presents strongly marked

distinctions in the two species, though, owing to the extremely contorted form, these

are not easily described. Unique.

19. Palaminus filum.

Parvus, gracilior, testaceus, abdomine ferrugineo ; dense punctatus; prothorace minus transverso, basin versus

angustato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. British Honpuras, Belize (Llancaneaux) ; Nicaracva, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne only slightly thicker at the extremity; terminal joint quite short. Head

short; eyes attaining the vertex. ‘Thorax a little narrower than the elytra, a little

broader than long, very distinctly narrowed behind, coarsely and densely punctate.

Elytra elongate, slender, not quite twice as long as the thorax, densely and rather

finely punctate.

This species, on account of the less transverse thorax and more finely punctate elytra,

comes near P. parvulus; but P. filum has less ample wing-cases and different sexual

characters. The two examples of P. filuwm have an angular emargination in the middle

of the hind margin of the last ventral plate; and although in this genus such a character

is usually characteristic of the female sex, yet I have little doubt these two examples

are males, as the emargination is accompanied by an evident prolongation of the plate

and on each side of it there isa small prominent angle. Moreover, a third example,

which, though only 33 millim. in length, is, I have no doubt, the same species, has the

terminal ventral plate simple.

20. Palaminus debilis.

Parvus, testaceus ; abdomine ferrugineo, elytris circa suturam leviter infuscatis ; fortiter punctatus ; prothorace

transverso.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Nicaracva, Chontales (Janson).

Terminal joint of the antennz elongate (in the male), about three times as long as the

tenth joint. Thorax rather strongly transverse, coarsely, rather closely punctate. Elytra

nearly twice as long as the thorax, coarsely, rather closely punctate. In the male the

terminal ventral plate is much produced in the middle, and so strongly twisted to the

left as to be sub-uncate; on each side there is a minute tooth.

Very similar to P. deformis ; but, in addition to the male characters, it is probable

that the species may be distinguished by the darker colour of the middle of the

wing-cases. Unique.

PALAMINUS. 639

21, Palaminus vittatus. (Tab. XVI. fig. 25.)

Angustus, elongatus, nigro-fuscus ; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis; elytris testaceo vittatis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Nicaracva, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne rather short and stout ; terminal joint but little longer than that preceding

it. Head very coarsely punctate. ‘Thorax transverse, but not strongly so, evidently

narrowed behind, closely and very coarsely punctate. Hlytra moderately long, one and

a half times as long as the thorax, rather coarsely and closely punctate, with a pallid

vitta near each outer margin, extending the whole length, and with the hind margin

also pale. The two examples before me do not exhibit any conspicuous sexual

mark.

22. Palaminus humeralis.

Fuscus ; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis; elytris utrinque vitta sat elongata testacea.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Teapa (coll. Chevrolat).

Antenne rather short and moderately stout, very pallid; terminal joint evidently

shorter and longer than that preceding it. ‘Thorax strongly transverse, a little narrower

than the elytra, rather closely punctate, with a faint depression on each side near the

middle. Elytra only moderately long, rather closely punctate, with a humeral mark

not reaching the apex; the hind margin very narrowly pale.

One example.

23. Palaminus diffinis.

Parvus, angustior, elongatus, testaceus, abdomine ferrugineo ; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis ; capite

prothoraceque obsolete punctatis.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

This obscure little insect is very distinct on account of its more obsolete punctuation.

It is of very slender form, and, with the exception of P. fragilis, the smallest species

yet described. The antenne are short, with the terminal joint slightly thicker and

longer than that preceding it. The eyesdo not quite attain the vertex. Thorax trans-

versely subquadrate, but little narrowed behind, dull, only cbsoletely punctate, with a

faint broad depression on each side of the middle. Elytra very slender, elongate, nearly

twice as long as the thorax, rather closely and somewhat finely punctate. Unique.

Subfam. HV AISTHETIN AL.

These insects, though allied to the ‘“‘ Pederine” and “Stenine,” must receive the

rank of subfamily, as the structure of the front coxz is totally different from that of

the “ Peederine,”’ and the insertion of the antenne and the structure of the trophi will

640 STAPHYLINIDZA.

not permit their association with the “Stenine.” The subfamily will include Stenes-

thetus and Ctenomastax, besides its typical genus, and some others that have already

been associated with Hvwsthetus ; and I have little doubt that Turellus (Sharp, Tr. Ent.

Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 423), for which I have not previously ventured to suggest a position,

also belongs to it. |

EDAPHUS.

Edaphus, Leconte, Class. Col. N. Amer. 1st edit. p. 67 (1861); Leconte & Horn, ibid. 2nd edit.

p. 98 (1883).

Tetratarsus, Schaufuss, Nunq. Ot. ii. p. 460.

This genus consists of only five or six species, but has already been detected in North

America, Europe, and Eastern Asia. ‘These insects are remarkable from their great

resemblance to Luplectus in the Pselaphide. .

1. Edaphus euplectoides. (Tab. XVII. fig. 1.)

Dilute piceus, pedibus dilutioribus, nitidus, fere glaber, impunctatus; capite inter oculos depresso; prothorace

basi profunde impresso.

Long. vix 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

Of short convex form, with small head. Antenne with the two terminal joints

abruptly larger than the others. Head deeply depressed, and the surface thickened

and somewhat raised in front of the depression. ‘Thorax broader than long, constricted

at the base; behind with four fovese forming an almost continuous transverse depression,

the pair on each side being only indistinctly separated, and the two pairs divided in the

middle by a plica. Elytra longer than the thorax, with fine sutural strie, impunctate,

polished. Hind body very short.

The two examples obtained exhibit no sexual characters.

Subfam. STENIN A.

Rey’s recent definition of “Stenides” is satisfactory, and as a subfamily these insects

are well distinguished by the quite exposed insertion of the antennae, and the broad

separation of the hind coxe by a bilobed process of the metasternum, in conjunction

with the small anterior cox inserted at the posterior part of the prostenum. The

subfamily will comprise only Dianous and Stenus, for Megalops, which has been placed

in it by some authorities, differs in some important structural particulars.

STENUS.

Stenus, Latreille, Préc. des Car. Gén. des Ins. p. 77 (1796) ; Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 689.

Hemistenus, Motschoulsky, Bull. Mosc. 1860, pt. 2, p. 557.

Areus, Casey, Rev. Sten. N. Am. p. 150.

This genus is one of very large extent, about 500 species being known, and as it is

STENUS. 641

undoubtedly well represented in tropical as well as in temperate countries, the lowest

estimate that I can make of the number of its species is 1500; it is found in nearly all

parts of the world, except oceanic islands and New Zealand. It was proposed by

Motschoulsky, and more recently by Casey, to separate the genus into two, leaving the

name to those species having filiform tarsi; this course, however, is premature, and the

genus when divided will probably fall into many more than two. Rey has very recently

proposed six subgeneric names for the European species, but his divisions are not

happily selected; and as Erichson’s main sections of the genus, depending on the

lobation or simplicity of the tarsi and the margined or immarginate hind body, are

quite satisfactory, I make use of them, adding a few subordinate groups where necessary

to facilitate the determination of our species. These, as will be seen, are fairly

numerous, though falling far short of the corresponding number of species in North

America, from which region Casey has recently described no less than 170. The

species of our country seem, as a rule, to be less gregarious in their habits than those

of more northern regions. I have no doubt that further researches will more than

double the number of Central-American species. The Stent of our region show appa-

rently but little relationship with those of North America, and it is probable that,

except in the northern parts of Mexico, very few species indeed are common to the two

regions. Our species are much more similar to those of the Amazon valley and other

parts of South America, but as yet very few appear to be common to it and to the

South-American continent. I here register 66 species as found in our region.

I. Tarst articulo quarto simplice.

A. Abdomen marginatum.

1. Stenus renifer. (Tab. XVII. fig. 2.)

Stenus renifer, Lec. New Sp. Col. p. 50*; Casey, N. Am. Stenini, p. 16 *,

Hab. Norra America, Fort Yuma}, Texas ?.—MEeExico (Mohr).

2. Stenus sallzi.

Elongatus, angustus, subopacus, niger ; abdomine minus opaco, brevissime griseo-pubescente ; palpis flavis,

antennis pedibusque fusco-testaceis ; dense rugoso-punctatus ; prothorace obsolete canaliculato; elytris

minute vix perspicue flavo guttatis.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Mxxico, Guanajuato (Sallé).

Antenne rather long, with ‘slender club, each joint of which is considerably longer

than broad. Head excessively densely sculptured, the sculpture consisting of minute

rugosities ; the interocular grooves are extremely obsolete, the space between them less

than the lateral space. The thorax is considerably narrowed in front and behind, the

greatest width slightly in front of the middle ; the rugose sculpture is deep, rather fine,

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, November 1886. 4 NN

642 STAPHYLINIDA.

very dense, the channel very indefinite. The elytra are a good deal longer than the

thorax, and their sculpture is deep, dense, and rather coarse, consisting of punctures

with extremely minute interstices. The hind body is slender, rather densely punctate,

each of the four or five basal segments with a single distinct cusp in the middle near

the base. The legs are flavescent, with the apical half of the femur fuscescent. The

male has the penultimate ventral plate slightly but broadly emarginate at the hind

margin, and with a short denticle on each side of the emargination.

Though closely allied to S. renifer, this species has rather finer sculpture and shorter

elytra; the elytral mark is so very indistinct that it can only be detected in certain

lights, and when the wing-cases are quite clean and a little damp.

8. Stenus championi. (Tab. XVII. fig. 3.)

Nigerrimus, subopacus; abdomine cinereo-pubescente, palporum articulo basali pallido; dense sculpturatus,

elytris apicem versus intricato-sculpturatis; abdomine parce obsolete punctato, segmentis basalibus ad

basin profundius depressis, fere ecuspidatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége), Guanajuato, Cordova (Sallé); GuaTEMALA, near the

city, Panajachel, Duefias, Cerro Zunil, Paso Antonio, San Gerdénimo, Tactic, Senahu

(Champion); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather short, the joints of the club not longer than broad. Head nearly as

broad as the elytra; interocular grooves moderately distinct, separated by a broad space,

which is broader than the lateral space. Thorax rather small, subcylindric, being only

slightly broader at its greatest width in front of the elytra. Llytra a little longer than

the thorax, very densely sculptured, the sculpture on the apical portions somewhat

confluent and tortuous. Male characters very slight, consisting of a very slight emar-

gination of the hind margin of the last ventral plate.

This is evidently one of the most abundant of the Staphylinide of our region. It

does not agree with any of Casey’s descriptions, but is perhaps nearest to his S. arizone.

The specimens from Chiriqui have the sculpture of the elytra decidedly more tortuous

than is the case in examples from the more northern parts of our region.

4, Stenus inermis.

Nigerrimus, subopacus; abdomine cinereo-pubescente, antennis, palpis pedibusque piceis; dense sculpturatus ;

abdomine parce obsolete punctato, segmentis basalibus ad basin profundius depressis, fere ecuspidatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, near the city (Champion).

Distinguished from certain examples of S. championi only by the comparatively pallid

colour of the palpi, legs, and antenne; so that I am doubtful whether it may not be a

variety; but as it is very rare to find variation in this respect in the species of this

genus, and as I have no intermediate examples, I give it specific rank.

Three specimens.

STENUS. 643

5. Stenus graciliventris. (Tab. XVII. fig. 4.)

Angustus, niger, subopacus, eneo-tinctus, breviter flavo-pubescente; palpis fusco-flavis, pedibus testaceis,

antennis fusco-testaceis ; dense fortiterque punctatus, minus rugosus.

Long. 33-4 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Reposo 800 feet (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui

2000 to 3000 feet, Bugaba (Champion).

Palpi very slender, elongate. Antenne rather long, the middle joint of the club

quite as long as broad. Head as broad as the elytra, the eyes large, the interocular

grooves very indistinct. Thorax slender, its greatest width just in front of the middle ;

deeply, very densely punctured, and without channel. Elytra distinctly longer than

the thorax; coarsely, very closely punctured, but not rugose. Hind body slender,

rather finely and closely punctate; three basal segments with a long slender cusp in

the middle. Legs elongate, quite slender. Male with the third and following ventral

segments deplanate, and the penultimate segment more densely pubescent; terminal

segment with a very narrow elongate excision.

This little Stenus has the pubescence on the elytra, and even on the thorax, more

distinct than its allies. We have received six examples—only one of them, a female,

not in good preservation, being from Guatemala; this latter may prove, when the

male is known, to be distinct, as the elytra appear slightly shorter and rather more

coarsely sculptured.

6. Stenus hostilis.

Niger, eeneo-tinctus; palpis flavis, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis, femoribus extrorsum fuscescentibus ;

capite leviter excavato, simplice; prothorace elytrisque profundius fortiterque punctatis; abdomine dense

punctato, brevissime pubescente.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Truqui, Flohr), Cordova (Sallé, Hoge); GuateMaua, near the city,

Cerro Zunil, Chiacam, San Gerdnimo (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000

to 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather short. Head broad, the surface distinctly excavate between the eyes,

but without grooves or carination. Thorax very densely and deeply punctured, with an

indistinct depression on the disc. LElytra slightly longer than the thorax, deeply,

densely, and coarsely punctate, the punctures to some extent confluent, so as to give

rise to an intricate appearance. Hind body densely, rather finely sculptured. The male

has the femora rather incrassate, the middle tibie very minutely mucronate inwardly at

the apex, the fifth and sixth ventral plates depressed on their hinder half and emar-

ginate behind, and the seventh segment with a broad but not deep emargination.

Although so widely distributed, we have received only a small series. The head

without grooves or carination and the dense abdominal punctuation are the chief

characters of S. hostilis.

4 NN 2

644 STAPHYLINIDA.

7. Stenus mexicanus.

Niger ; palpis flavis, pedibus testaceis, femoribus extrorsum fuscis, antennarum basi rufescente; capite medio

levigato, subcarinato ; prothorace elytrisque dense profundeque punctatis; abdomine crebrius subtiliter,

obsolete punctato.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Hége), Las Vigas (Flohr).

We have received only two, badly preserved, female examples of this species, which

seems to be very similar to S. hostilis, though it will be readily distinguished from that -

insect by the smooth shining space along the middle of the head.

8. Stenus nimborum.

Sat elongatus, niger, subnitidus; palpis pedibusque fusco-rufis; dense fortiterque punctatus, vix rugosus;

elytris quam prothorax paullo longioribus, hoc disco foveolato.

Long. vix 4 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather short, the middle joint of the club slightly longer than broad. Palpi

sordid testaceous, the outer joint more infuscate. Head scarcely so broad as the elytra,

densely rather coarsely sculptured, not excavate between the eyes; interocular grooves

vague, separated by a broad indistinct interval. Thorax distinctly dilated in the middle,

densely, deeply, and coarsely punctured, without channel, but with an indistinct fovea

on the disc. FElytra distinctly longer than the thorax, closely and coarsely punctured,

the punctuation externally slightly intricate or confluent near the middle; one or two

of the intervals are sufficiently broad to be shining. Hind body rather densely and

coarsely punctured, with a single cusp in the middle of the base of each segment.

Legs sordid red, darker externally, so that the tarsi are nearly black. Male with the

penultimate ventral segment depressed along the middle and emarginate behind, the

terminal segment feebly emarginate.

An obscure species allied to the European S. providus. One example.

9, Stenus mucronatus.

Niger, sat nitidus, subeeneo-tinctus ; palpis flavis, pedibus antennisque sordide testaceis, his clava fusca; capite,

prothorace elytrisque dense fortiterque rugoso-punctatis ; abdomine parce obsoleteque punctato, parce

minus breviter pubescente.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Panama, Pefia Blanca 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Palpi elongate, flavescent, scarcely infuscate. Antenne only moderately long, the

middle joint of the club scarcely so long as broad. Head broad, a little narrower than

the elytra; ocular grooves rather indistinct, widely separated from the eyes, but sepa-

rated inter se only by a narrow subcarinate space. Thorax subglobose, deeply and

coarsely rugose-punctate, not channelled. Elytra short, just perceptibly longer than the

STENUS. 645

thorax, deeply and coarsely rugose-punctate, the interstices more or less obliterated, so

that the surface appears corroded. Hind body with a scanty but distinct setosity, the

segments rather coarsely punctate at the extreme base, elsewhere almost impunctate,

without true cusps. Male with the femora distinctly incrassate, and the middle and

hind tibize mucronate internally at the apex: the ventral plates from the second

onwards a little deplanate, the terminal plate with a very long narrow angular excision.

Three examples.

10. Stenus zunilensis.

Niger, nitidus, eneo-tinctus ; palpis flavis, pedibus antennisque testaceis, his clava fusca; elytris densius

fortiterque rugoso-punctatis ; abdomine parce punctato, parcius flavo-pubescente.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. GvaTEMALA, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

This insect is similar to S. mucronatus, but is shorter, and the interocular grooves

are less distinct and separated by a rather broad slightly elevated space; the punctuation

of the elytra is rather denser and finer, the pubescence of the hind body is shorter,

and the male characters different. In the male sex the legs are nearly simple, though

there exists an excessively minute mucronation of the middle tibia, and a very slight

incrassation of the femora; and the terminal ventral plate has only a broad short

angular excision. ‘l'wo examples.

11. Stenus corrosus.

Niger, sat nitidus, eneo-tinctus; palpis flavis, pedibus testaceis; antennis basi rufescente, apice nigricante ; capite,

prothorace elytrisque dense fortiterque rugoso-punctatis; abdomine parce punctato, longius pubescente.

Long. 63 millim,

Hab. Panama, David, Pefia Blanca 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Very closely allied to S. mucronatus, but with a longer less globose thorax and

rather longer elytra. The male characters are almost the same, but the legs are longer,

and the hind tibiz are sinuate internally near the apex. We have only one example

from each locality.

12. Stenus punctiventris.

Niger, eneo-tinctus; palpis flavis, pedibus testaceis, antennis fusco-testaceis ; prothorace elytrisque dense pro-

fundeque rugoso-punctatis ; abdomine densissime punctato.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Palpi elongate. Antenne moderately long. Head broad, a little excavate, and

bisulcate along the middle, the intervening space being rather broad, not at all carinate.

Thorax densely covered with deep corroded sculpture. Elytra scarcely longer than the

thorax, sculptured like it. Hind body very densely punctured, the pubescence neither

extremely short nor elongate.

646 STAPHYLINIDA.

13. Stenus repletus. (Tab. XVII. fig. 5.)

Robustus, niger, subeneo-tinctus, perrugosus; palpis flavis, antennis pedibusque testaceis, illarum clava

obscuriore ; abdomine densissime punctato.

Long. 63 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador, San Joaquin, Cerro Zunil, Tamahu, San Gerdénimo

(Champion).

Head bisulcate, the intermediate space moderately broad, not carinate. Thorax

rather short, unimpressed, very deeply rugose-sculptured. Llytra a good deal longer

than the thorax, very deeply and coarsely rugose ; no individual punctures can be distin-

guished, and the erosions are vermiculate rather than granulose. Hind body densely

punctured, with scanty moderately long pubescence ; the segments not cuspidate. In

the male the legs are much incrassate, the under surface of the body more densely

pubescent, the metasternum deplanate and densely punctured, the terminal ventral

plate with a large deep excision ; the middle tibiz are minutely mucronate at the apex ;

the hind legs very thick, the femora with the hind margin incrassate in the middle,

pubescent at the base, the tibize obtusely angulate internally in the middle and emar-

ginate below this. Six examples.

B. Abdomen immarginatum.

14. Stenus fauvelianus. (Tab. XVII. fig. 6.)

Elongatus, angustulus, niger, eneo-tinctus, nitidus; palpis pallide flavis, antennis pedibusque testaceis, femo-

ribus extrorsum fuscescentibus; capite medio anguste carinato ; prothorace elytrisque dense fortiterque

punctatis, subrugosis ; abdomine albido-pubescente, segmentis basalibus fortiter, cxteris obsolete parceque,

punctatis.

Long. 42 millim.

Hab. Mexico, San Pedro in Coahuila (Palmer), Cordova, Jalapa (Hége), Yautepec

near Morelos (Flohr); GuaremaLa (Sallé), near the city, San Gerdénimo, Cubilguitz

(Champion) ; Nicaragua, Chinandega (Sad/é) ; Panama, David, Bugaba (Champion).

The male of this species has the femora slightly incrassate ; the terminal ventral

segment with a rather elongate excision, that preceding it with a depression on the

apical portion, margined on each side with very dense, fine pubescence.

S. fauvelianus is no doubt very closely allied to the Colombian S. chalcites, Er., and a

specimen of it was labelled with that name in Chevrolat’s collection; but Erichson’s

description of the male characters renders it more probable that our insect is distinct.

It was ticketed S. sulcipennis, Fauv., in Sallé’s collection; but I have not preserved

the name, as it is not so applicable to this species as to some of the allies, and have

preferred a name in honour of the talented entomologist of Caen. It is apparently one

of the commonest of the Steni of our region ; we have received a good series both from

Mexico and Guatemala, and also four examples from the State of Panama.

STENUS. 647

15. Stenus macilentus.

Elongatus, angustulus, niger, subeeneo-tinctus, nitidus; palpis pedibusque testaceis, femoribus extrorsum sub-

fuscescentibus ; capite medio anguste carinato; prothorace elytrisque dense fortiterque punctatis; ab-

domine breviter albido-pubescente, segmentis basalibus dense fortiterque punctatis, apicalibus fere

impunctatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. GuatTema.a, near the city (Champion).

Very closely allied to S. fauvelianus, but rather smaller, and with the elytral punc-

tuation not at all rugose, the thoracic punctuation without the transverse rugosity seen

in 8. fauvelianus; the palpi are not of a pallid flavous colour, the basal joints of the

antennz are dark in colour, and the punctuation of the basal abdominal segments is

rather greater, especially on the under surface. We have received five examples of

the species. The male characters apparently are similar to those of S. fawvelianus.

S. buccalis is similar in appearance to this species, but has the labrum differently

formed.

16. Stenus sobrinus.

Angustulus, niger, subseneo-tinctus, nitidus; palpis pallide flavis, antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis cumque

femoribus extrorsum fuscescentibus ; capite medio anguste carinato; prothorace elytrisque dense fortiter-

que punctatis, illo transversim subrugoso ; abdomine obsolete punctato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, near the city (Champion).

Very closely allied to S. fawvelianus and S. macilentus, but readily to be distin-

guished from either by the abdominal punctuation, which, even on the basal segments,

is obsolete. We have received only two female examples.

17. Stenus solitarius.

Angustulus, niger, nitidus ; palpis flavis, antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis clava fuscescente; capite latiore,

medio anguste carinato ; prothorace elytrisque dense fortiterque punctatis ; abdomine fortiter punctato,

apice parcius punctato.

Long. 35 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Closely allied to the preceding three species, but smaller than any of them; most

similar to S. sobrinus, from which it differs by the coarse abdominal punctuation; the

head is comparatively very broad on account of the large eyes; the punctuation of the

thorax is excessively dense, but scarcely rugose, and that of the elytra is not at all

rugose. We have received only one example; it is a male, and has the penultimate

ventral segment broadly impressed along the middle and finely pubescent, with the

lateral margins of the impression a little elevated; the preceding segment is deplanate

on the middle of the hinder portion ; the terminal segment cannot be seen.

648 STAPHYLINIDA.

18. Stenus buccalis.

Nigro-zneus, parum nitidus, dense fortiterque punctatus; palpis flavis, antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis basi

et apice fuscescentibus ; labro anterius in medio angulato prominulo ; capite fortius carinato ; prothorace

in medio ampliato.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Managua (Sai/é).

Head very broad, rather broader than the elytra, densely punctate, excavate, with a

very conspicuous, rather broad, strongly elevated carina along the middle of the exca-

vation. Thorax rather longer than broad, much rounded at the sides, its greatest width

in front of the middle; very densely and coarsely punctate, but not rugose. Elytra

scarcely longer than the thorax, densely punctate. Basal segments of the hind body

very coarsely, the apica] one very obsoletely, punctate. Male with a small, very narrow

angular excision of the last ventral plate, the following segment depressed and

pubescent along the middle for a great part of the length. Unique.

This and the following species cannot fail to be recognized, on account of the

peculiar condition of the labrum.

19. Stenus nasutus. (Tab. XVII. fig. 7.)

Niger, vix subsneus, nitidus, fortiter punctatus; palpis pedibusque testaceis, antennis fuscis; labro in medio

porrecto, acuminato ; vertice medio argute et alte elevato, polito.

Long. 44-5 millim.

Hab. Panama, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).

This is a very curious species, readily identified by the angularly prominent labrum ;

the head is very broad, coarsely punctate, with a polished strongly raised longitudinal

elevation extending all along the middle. Thorax short and broad, subglobose, very

coarsely and closely punctured, shining. Hind body sparingly pubescent; the basal

segment coarsely punctate, the apical one nearly impunctate. Legs long and slender.

Male with a rather slender excision of the last ventral plate, the preceding segment a

little deplanate and near the hind margin densely pubescent. Two examples.

II. Zarsi articulo quarto bilobo.

A. Abdomen marginatum.

20. Stenus scabrosus.

Niger ; antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace elytrisque dense fortiterque rugoso-punctatis; abdo-

mine basi parce punctato, apice fere impunctato.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); Guarmmata, El Tumbador, Las Mercedes, Cerro

Zunil, Balheu, San Juan in Vera Paz, Sabo (Champion).

Antenne and palpi very elongate, yellow, the club of the former only slightly darker.

STENUS. 649

Head very broad, excavate, closely punctate, with a short, broad, shining space on the

middle of the vertex. Thorax rather longer than broad, the sides in front dilated and

rounded, very densely rugose-punctate. Elytra broad, scarcely longer than the thorax,

coarsely and closely rugose-punctate. Hind body shining, black, only finely margined ;

the basal segments coarsely but sparingly, the apical segments very obsoletely and

very sparingly, punctured. Tarsal lobes slender, very elongate. Male with the

middle tibie minutely mucronate at the apex internally; hind legs with the femora

a little dilated, the trochanters slender, elongate, and free at the extremity, the tibie

mucronate internally a little distance above the apex; fourth and fifth ventral segments

depressed along the middle and feebly emarginate behind, the sixth deplanate and finely

punctate along the middle, the seventh with a moderately large simple excision.

I have preserved the name with which this species was ticketed in Sallé’s collection.

The examples from Guatemala have the elytra slightly shorter than in those from

Mexico. The species is apparently rare, as we have received only a dozen examples.

21. Stenus trochanterinus. (Tab. XVII. fig. 8, 3.)

Niger ; antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace elytrisque dense, fortiter profundeque rugosis ; abdo-

mine basi parce punctato, apice fere impunctato.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

This species is very closely allied to S. scabrosus, but the sculpture of the thorax and

elytra is still rougher, so that it does not appear atall like punctuation. ‘The structure

of the legs in the male is similar to that of S. scabrosus, but the terminal ventral

segment has a deep elongate excision, the sides of which are reflexed, the notch being

preceded by a deep depression, becoming narrower in front, and extending nearly to

the base of the segment.

We have received a good series of this remarkable Stenus; the specimens do not

exhibit any variation.

22. Stenus scabripennis.

Niger ; antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace elytrisque dense profundeque rugoso-punctatis ; abdo-

mine fortiter punctato.

Long. 55 millim. ,

{| 42ab. Mexico, Jalapa, Cordova (Hége); GUATEMALA, near the city, San Gerdnimo,

Capetillo, Panima in Vera Paz, Cubilguitz (Champion); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This insect also is very closely allied to S. scabrosus, but besides being smaller, may

be readily distinguished by other characters: the thorax is considerably shorter, not at

all longer than broad; the sculpture of the thorax and the elytra, though rugose and very

dense, is finer ; the punctuation of the hind body is more conspicuous, and on the apical

segments less obsolete ; the legs are shorter, and the trochanters in the male are not

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, December 1886. 4 00

650 STAPHYLINIDA.

spinose; the penultimate ventral segment in the male is impressed at the base as well

as deplanate and finely pubescent on its apical part, and the depression of the preceding

segment is confined to the hind margin.

Mr. Champion obtained a fine series of this species in Guatemala; but we have

received only two examples from Mexico, and two from the State of Panama. The

pair from this latter locality differ a little in possessing a somewhat finer sculpture, and

being of rather shorter form.

23. Stenus longiventris.

Niger ; antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis, Ularum clava fusca ; prothorace elytrisque densissime profundeque

rugoso-punctatis; abdomine angusto, basi parce fortiter punctato, apice nitido, fere impunctato.

Long. 64 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Very closely allied to 8. scabripennis, but with a longer hind body, and this part

more indistinctly margined, and much more sparingly punctured. The structure of

the legs in the male is similar to that of 8. scabripennis, but the abdominal characters

are much less evident, there being only a slight deplanation of the penultimate ventral

segment and that preceding it; the terminal segment has a rather large simple

excision. Unique.

24. Stenus densipennis.

Niger, minus nitidus; antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis, illarum clava fuscescente; prothorace elytrisque

densissime punctatis, illo minus elongato, rugoso, his vix rugosis; abdomine crebre fortiterque punctato,

tenuiter albido-pubescente.

Long. 4-4} millim.

Hab. Panama, David in Chiriqui (Champion).

Readily distinguished from the variety of S. scabripennis found at Bugaba by the

denser and less coarse sculpture of the thorax and elytra, and by the former being

shorter in length. The male has a slight impression on the penultimate ventral plate,

and a very slight depression on the hind margin of that preceding it; the terminal

segment has a rather small excision ; the mucro on the inner margin of the hind tibia

is placed very near to the extremity. Two examples.

25. Stenus ornativentris.

Niger, minus nitidus ; antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis, femoribus posterioribus extrorsum fuscescentibus ;

prothorace elytrisque densissime punctatis, illo minus elongato; abdomine dense fortiterque punctato,

evidenter albido-pubescente.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Panama, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).

Tam not sure that this insect will prove to be specifically distinct from S. densi-

pennis, but the sculpture of the thorax and elytra appears even more dense, and the

STENUS. 6ol

white pubescence on the base of each segment of the abdomen is very distinct. ‘The

male characters are, I think, similar in the two species.

B. Abdomen immarginatum.

As this section includes the greater number of our species, and as it is here that

we meet with the larger part of the peculiar forms of our region I have thought it

advisable to divide it into four groups.

§1. Thorax short and broad; head without polished elevation ; tarsi broad, with the

third joint more or less lobed or produced on one side ; size considerable.

The species of this group have North-American and European allies, e. g. 8. recon-

ditus, Casey, and S. tarsalis, Ljungh.

26. Stenus consimilis. (Tab. XVII. fig. 9.)

Niger, subopacus, breviter albido-pubescens ; antennis palpisque flavis, illis articulo basali nigro ; dense, fortiter

eequaliterque punctatus ; abdomine a basi ad apicem angustato ; tarsis fusco-albidis.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Trugui, Sallé), Las Vigas (Flohr), Jalapa, Cordova (Hége), Popocate-

petl 12,500 feet (Zruqut).

Antenne and palpi only moderately long, yellow, each slightly sordid towards the

apex, the basal joint of the former black. Head nearly as broad as the elytra, evenly

and closely punctured; not excavate, rather indistinctly bisulcate, the middle portion

broad, wider than the juxta-ocular interval. Thorax rather longer than its greatest

width, which is a little in front of the middle, a good deal curved at the sides, much

narrower than the elytra, densely and evenly punctured like the head. Elytra slightly

longer than the thorax; the punctuation dense, almost the same as that of the thorax,

and not at all rugose. Hind body elongate; the punctuation not differing greatly from

that of the elytra, but not quite so coarse, and at the apex not so close or coarse.

Legs black; tarsi pallid but more or less infuscate, the lobes very distinct, short

and broad. Male with a short broad notch on the hind margin of the last ventral

segment.

This insect has a more conical hind body than the European S. ¢arsalis, and at first

sight reminds one rather of S. pubescens, Sturm, a species belonging to a different

section of the genus. It is probably common, as it has been received from several

sources though in small numbers; Herr Hoge procured a small series at Jalapa.

27. Stenus leucopus.

Niger, subopacus, breviter parciusque albido-pubescens ; antennis palpisque flavis ; fortiter punctatus, abdomine

subtilius punctato; tarsis fusco-albidis.

Long. 54-6 millim.

4002

652 STAPHYLINID-.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Cordova (Hége); Guaremana, San Joaquin, Volcan de Agua

8500 to 10,500 feet, Cerro Zunil, Duefias, Purula, Sabo in Vera Paz (Champion).

Very closely allied to S. consimilis, though readily distinguished by the basal joint

of the antenne being of the same colour as the other joints; it also differs in the

following respects: the antenne and palpi are rather more elongate, the head broader,

the thorax a little longer and more cylindric; the punctuation of the anterior parts is

rather coarser, but that of the hind body finer, so that a considerable contrast exists

between the punctures of the elytra and those of the hind body; the white pubes-

cence is considerably less conspicuous. The male has a large deep excision on the

terminal ventral plate; the antepenultimate segment is more pubescent and slightly

deplanate along the middle, and the two preceding segments are slightly impressed

towards their hind margins.

This is probably a common species ; a good series was obtained by Herr Hoge and a

fair one by Mr. Champion. Mexican specimens vary a little in punctuation, and have

the basal joint of the antenne sometimes dark, probably as the result of decay of the

interior of the joint, and the tibie usually more or less pallescent towards the extremity.

The Guatemalan examples are generally slightly more coarsely punctate, and have the

tibie more distinctly pallid and the male characters rather less developed.

28. Stenus alticola.

Niger, breviter parciusque albido-pubescens ; antennis palpisque flavis, illis articulo basali nigro; fortiter

punctatus ; tarsis fusco-albidis.

Long. 52 millim.

Hab. GuatTeMALA, Quezaltenango 7500 feet (Champion).

Extremely closely allied to 8. consimilis, but of rather shorter and more robust build,

with the punctuation of the anterior parts, especially of the elytra, and of the apical

abdominal segments, coarser; the thorax is about as long as its greatest width. Three

female examples.

29. Stenus incognitus.

Niger, subnitidus, evidenter albido-pubescente ; antennis palpisque testaceis, illarum clava fusca, articulo basali

nigro; femoribus basi rufo, extrorsum tibiisque ex parte majore nigricantibus, his ad apicem tarsisque

testaceis ; dense punctatus, abdomine obsolete punctato.

Long. 5-53 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city, Duefias (Champion).

Antenne rather short, the basal joint dark. Head obscurely bisulcate, the vertex

in the middle broadly convex. Thorax short, rounded at the sides and narrowed

behind, densely and somewhat finely punctate. Elytra rather closely and moderately

coarsely punctate, not elongate, but distinctly longer than the thorax. Hind body

STENUS. 653

much narrowed behind, indistinctly punctate, but with the depressed pubescence very

evident. Male with a small excision on the last ventral segment.

This insect also is closely allied to S. consimilis, though readily distinguished by the

colour of the femora; it much resembles the European 8. nitidiusculus, which

belongs, however, to another section of the genus; a fair series was obtained at

Duefas.

30. Stenus vestigialis.

Stenus vestigialis, Erichs. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 7327.

Hab. Mexico 1,

Apparently allied to S. leucopus, but, as it is stated to have a very elongate thorax,

perhaps not really pertaining to this group.

§ 2. Thorax short or not very long ; head without polished elevation ; tarsi

slender ; size small.

These insects are allies of the North-American S. punctatus, Ey.; the group will

probably not prove capable of sharp definition from the next.

31. Stenus docilis. (Tab. XVII. fig. 10.)

Nigro-zeneus, nitidus, fere absque pubescentia, dense fortiterque punctatus, parum elongatus, abdomine

subconico; antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis, illarum clava fusca; capite haud excavato, fere sequali.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. GuaTeMAta, near the city, Duefias, San Gerdnimo, El Tumbador, San Joaquin

(Champion).

Antenne rather long. Head nearly as broad as the elytra, extremely densely

punctured, not excavate and very indistinctly sulcate on each side. Thorax rather

longer than broad, much rounded at the sides, coarsely and very closely punctured.

Elytra along the suture about as long as the thorax, shining; remarkably coarsely and

definitely punctured, the punctuation very dense but not rugose. Hind body coarsely

punctured on the basal segment, the punctuation becoming finer on each succeeding

segment, so that the apical one is very finely punctured. Legs moderately long ;

femora scarcely at all darker externally. The male has a short, broad, angular excision

of the last ventral segment; the preceding segment is nearly simple but is more

pubescent behind, and at the hind margin in the middle is just perceptibly shorter.

32. Stenus bajulus.

Nigro-subseneus, nitidus, fere absque pubescentia, dense fortiterque punctatus, subrugosus ; antennis, palpis

pedibusque testaceis ; capite late obsoleteque bisulcato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. GuateMALa, near the city, Zapote (Champion).

654 STAPHYLINIDA.

The male of this species has the legs a good deal incrassate, especially the hind

femora; it has a rather broad short excision on the last ventral plate, and the preceding

plate rather broadly, though slightly, deplanate and finely pubescent.

We have received only two males of this species; though this sex, on account of its

incrassate hind legs, is not difficult to distinguish from S. docilis, it is possible that

the discrimination of the female will be far from easy; but probably the fact that the

palpi are a little more elongate in S. dajulus will be a clue to its identification ; the

sculpture of the thorax and elytra appears to be rather denser.

33. Stenus alumnus.

Parvus, nigro-eneus, tenuissime pubescens, parum nitidus ; antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis; densissime

fortiter punctatus, subrugosus ; capite fere plano.

Long. 3-4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Mirador (Hége), Guanajuato (Sal/é); GUATEMALA, near the city, San

Gerdénimo (Champion).

This, one of the smallest Stent of our region, is closely allied to S. docilis, but

slightly smaller, more densely and rugosely, though not so coarsely, punctured,

less shining, the antenne frequently entirely flavescent, the space at the back of the

head between the eyes considerably smaller, and the male characters different. ‘The

male has a moderately long narrow excision of the last ventral plate, and the segment

preceding it slightly impressed, the impression not, however, extending to the hind

margin, which is very slightly produced in the middle.

The North-American 8. punctatus, Er., is very closely allied to S. alumnus, but has

the punctuation of the terminal segments of the hind body coarser and the male

characters different.

Herr Hoge procured a good series at Mirador; these examples, though in bad preser-

vation, appear to vary but little, and all have the antenne and legs flavescent. In |

most of the specimens from Guatemala the club of the antennee is dark in colour,

and the femora are darker testaceous externally.

34. Stenus addendus.

Nigro-ceneus, nitidus, tenuiter pubescens; antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis ; dense fortiterque punctatus ;

capite leviter bisulcato.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALa, near the city (Champion); Panama, Tolé (Champion).

Head unusually small, irregularly and rather finely punctate, the slight elevation

separating the indistinct grooves glabrous and shining. ‘Thorax a good deal shorter

than the elytra, much rounded at the sides. The male has a broad short excision of

the last ventral plate. ‘Three examples.

STENUS. 655

Though very similar to 8. alumnus this insect is no doubt distinct; it is more

distinctly pubescent, has a more uneven head, shorter thorax, and male characters

similar to S. docilis. Only four examples have been obtained (including one male), and

I am by no means sure they are all one species. The type is from Tolé.

35. Stenus segnis.

Niger, vix subseneus, nitidus, fortiter punctatus; antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis, illis extrorsum nigris ;

capite parvo, fere plano; elytris quam prothorax parum longioribus.

Long. 3} millim.

Hab. Panama, near the city (Champion).

Differs from S. alumnus in its coarser, less rugose sculpture and more shining

surface; from S. docilis, to which it is very similar in sculpture, by its smaller size

shorter thorax, and flatter head; and from S. addendus by its less brassy colour, shorter

and more coarsely punctured elytra, and flatter head.

We have received only four examples, all females.

36. Stenus eremitus.

Brevis, nigro-subsneus, nitidus, tenuiter albido-pubescens, fortiter punctatus; antennis, palpis pedibusque

testaceis, his femoribus extrorsum tibiisque brunnescentibus, tibiarum basi indiscrete flavo-cingulato ;

capite in medio obsolete carinato ; abdomine minus argute punctato.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Vera Cruz (LHége).

Antenne moderately long. Head small, rather finely and irregularly punctate, the

small median space separating the obscure grooves shining. Thorax rather longer

than broad, much rounded at the sides, moderately coarsely but rather irregularly

punctate, with a small indefinite shining space on the middle. Elytra longer than the

thorax, rather coarsely punctate. Hind body rather sparingly and indistinctly, the

basal segment more distinctly, punctate; the segments at their base furnished with

very distinct white pubescence. The male has a small excision on the last ventral

plate. Unique.

This little insect, though closely allied to the foregoing, makes a considerable

approach in some of its details to the next group, but it appears almost equally close

to S. addendus ; the elevation on the middle of the head is much less conspicuous

than it is in the next group.

§ 3. Head with a sharply defined shining elevation on the middle ; legs

variegate or dark.

This group contains some very remarkable forms with irregularly distributed

punctuation and highly polished interstices; the more insignificant species in it are

allied to the North-American S. callosus, Er. In a few species the variegation of the

legs is confined to an infuscation of the extremities of the femora.

656 STAPHYLINIDA.

37. Stenus micans.

Nigerrimus, nitidus, brevissime albido-pubescens, fortius irregulariterque punctatus ; antennis, palpis pedibusque

fusco-testaceis, antennarum, femorum, palporum tibiarumque basibus testaceis ; capite in medio angustius,

minus argute, elevato et levigato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cubilguitz, San Gerodnimo, Duefias (Champion).

Head small, only obscurely bisulcate, and with a narrow indefinite shining elevation

on the middle. Thorax short and broad, only about as long as wide, rounded at the

sides; coarsely but irregularly punctured, the sculpture being rugose, with here and

there small indistinct smooth spaces. Elytra deeply, coarsely, and densely punctured,

subrugose, shining. Hind body with the segments constricted and depressed at the

base, rather feebly punctured and pubescent. Each tibia with a rather vague ring of

lighter colour at its base. Male with a moderately large excision of the last ventral

plate; the preceding segment slightly deplanate, pubescent, and projecting backwards

in the middle. Six examples.

A rather obscure species of the S. contractus and S. callosus group; the shining

elevation on the middle of the head being much less developed than in the allied forms.

38. Stenus inanis.

Brevis, nigerrimus, nitidus, tenuissime albido-pubescens, fere grosse punctatus ; antennarum basi, palpis pedi-

busque testaceis, femoribus apice summo palpisque extrorsum brunnescentibus ; capite parvo, vertice medio

plaga elevata sat lata; prothorace rugoso, medio area angusta levigata; abdomine conico, obsoletius

punctato.

1 on:

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Panama, David in Chiriqui (Champion).

A distinct little insect somewhat resembling S. callosus, Er., but of shorter form, with

smaller head and much coarser punctuation ; easily distinguished from S. micans by

the pallid legs and the much smaller head. The thorax is small, much narrower than

the elytra, much rounded at the sides, coarsely and rugosely punctured, shining, with

a narrow impunctate space on the disc. Elytra convex, longer than the thorax, very

coarsely punctate, very shining. Hind body conical; the basal segment rugosely

punctate, the others nearly impunctate.

One female.

39. Stenus peregrinus.

Nigerrimus, nitidus, tenuissime albido-pubescens, fere grosse punctatus; antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque

testaceis ; capite haud lato, vertice medio parum argute levigato; prothorace fortius rugoso, medio area

angusta levigata parum discreta.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, David in Chiriqui (Champion).

This insect has a rather broader head than S. znanis; the thorax is a little broader,

STENUS. 657

the elytra rather shorter, and the legs longer. I have little doubt it is a distinct

Species, though only one female example has been obtained.

40. Stenus ambulator.

Nigerrimus, nitidus, fortiter punctatus; antennarum, palporum, femorum tibiarumque basibus testaceis ;

capite bisulcato, vertice in medio latius sat argute elevato et polito; prothorace brevi, basi subconstricto,

fortiter punctato, medio area levigata parum discreta.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cubilguitz, San Gerénimo, Duefias (Champion).

Very similar to S. micans ; but the pubescence of the anterior parts almost wanting,

the head considerably broader and with the smooth elevation on the middle of the vertex

wider, the elytral punctuation more scanty, and the male characters very different.

The head is about as broad as the elytra. The thorax is short, only about as long as

broad, strongly rounded at the sides, closely but unequally punctate. Elytra coarsely

but rather sparingly punctate. Tibie fusco-testaceous, paler at the knee, but without

definite annulation there. Male with a broad very short excision of the last ventral

plate ; the preceding segment nearly simple, but feebly deplanate, and with the hind

margin just perceptibly emarginate.

Four examples. The description is made from the two found at Duefas; the other

two are females, and differ slightly.

41. Stenus gentilis. (Tab. XVII. fig. 11.)

Gracilior, nigerrimus, nitidus, tenuissime pubescens ; antennis, palpis pedibusque rufo-testaceis, illis extrorsum

femorumque apicibus fuscis; vertice plaga elevata, lata et arguta; prothorace fere subcylindrico, irregu-

lariter punctato; elytris parce punctatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cubilguitz 1000 feet (Champion).

Palpi testaceous, the terminal joint rather more sordid. Head only moderately broad,

the elevation on the vertex very distinct and wide. Thorax rather narrow, gently

rounded at the sides, rather uneven, coarsely and irregularly punctate, with a space on

the middle impunctate. Elytra longer than the thorax, rather closely and coarsely

punctate, a little rugose on a slightly depressed space behind the shoulders. Hind

body rather slender, feebly punctate, terminated by two distinct slender sete. Legs

rather long; yellowish-red, the tips of the femora darker, the tibize more or less slightly

infuscate. Male with a very broad moderately deep excision of the last ventral plate ;

the preceding segment with the pubescence projecting backwards in the middle behind

the margin. Six examples.

This insect is easily distinguished, though to a considerable extent intermediate

between iS. ambulator and SS. salvint. The thorax is much more cylindric than in the

former, and the legs are different in coloration from either of the two species men-

tioned.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, December 1886. 4 PP

658 STAPHYLINIDZA.

42. Stenus megops.

Nigerrimus, nitidissimus; palpis pedibusque dilute flavis, femorum apicibus angustissime fuscescentibus ;

antennis testaceis, extrorsum fuscescentibus ; capite lato, parum punctato, profundissime bisulcato; pro-

thorace brevi, basin versus angustiore ; elytris convexis, quadratis, parce fere grosse punctatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Head very broad, the median elevation wide and elongate. Thorax a good deal

broader in the middle, coarsely, irregularly punctate. Hind body polished and

shining, with a few punctures on the basal segments. One female example, in bad

preservation. Very distinct from the allied species by the deep frontal furrows; and

in the dilute almost immaculate legs resembling S. inanis.

Two examples.

43. Stenus leetipes.

Nigerrimus, nitidus ; antennarum basi, palpis, femorum tibiarumque dimidiis basalibus lete flavis, tarsis fusco-

flavis ; grosse irregulariter punctatus; vertice plaga elevata, polita, elongata.

Long. 47 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Mirador (Hoge).

Head with the median elevation very abrupt. Thorax not longer than broad, rugosely

punctate, with a space on the middle shining. Elytra rugosely and very coarsely, but

unequally punctured, the punctures being scanty on some parts. Hind body shining

and polished. :

We have received only one badly-preserved female without antenne. The species

will be probably distinguishable by the great and abrupt contrast in the colours of

the different parts of the legs. In 8. laceratus the bases of the femora are nearly

black ; here the basal half is bright yellow, the outer half black.

44. Stenus laceratus.

Gracilis, nigerrimus, sat nitidus, rugosus; antennarum tibiarumque basibus palpisque flavis, antennis tibiis-

que extrorsum cum tarsis fusco-flavis ; vertice medio plaga elongata, elevata, nitida ; elytris dense fortiter-

que rugoso-punctatis,

Long. 4? millim.

Hab. Mexico, Yautepec, Morelos (Flohr).

Head moderately large. Thorax about as long as broad, strongly rounded at the

sides, rugosely punctate, with an impunctate space on the middle. Elytra rather

longer than the thorax, very rugosely, densely, and coarsely punctate. Hind body

very feebly punctate, sparingly furnished with a whitish pubescence ; terminal sete

excessively minute.

Of this species we have received only one female example. The dense rugose punc-

tuation of the elytra readily distinguishes it.

STENUS. 609

45. Stenus asperatus.

Nigerrimus, sat nitidus, densius, fortius profundissimeque punctatus, rugosus; antennarum basi, palpis,

femorum tibiarumque dimidiis basalibus flavis, tarsis fusco-testaceis ; vertice medio plaga elongata, elevata,

nitida ; prothorace medio area parva levigata,

Long. 42 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Cahabon 1000 feet (Champion).

Readily distinguished from all the allied species, except S. Jaceratus, by the externally

dense coarse punctuation of the thorax and elytra; from S. laceratus it differs by the

basal half of each femur being bright yellow, and by the rather coarser punctuation.

The male characters are slight, there being a shallow angular emargination of the

last ventral segment, that preceding being a little deplanate along the middle and

finely pubescent.

46, Stenus salvini. (Tab. XVII. fig. 12.)

Sat elongatus, nigerrimus, nitidus, inequaliter minus denseque punctatus; prothorace utrinque tuberculato ;

palpis pallide flavis; antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis extrorsum, femorum apicibus tibiisque plus

minusve late fuscescentibus ; abdominis apice longius bisetoso.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet, Bugaba (Champion).

Palpi elongate, clear yellow. Head rather broad, deeply bisulcate ; with a highly

polished elongate elevation extending from the vertex to near the labrum, but narrower

in front. Thorax longer than broad, with a small but distinct angular tubercle on the

middle of each side, coarsely and irregularly punctate, with a smooth space along the

middle. Elytra longer than the thorax, sparingly unequally punctate. Hind body

subcylindric, polished and shining, with a few punctures on the basal segment. Male

with an elongate, very definite, nearly parallel-sided excision of the last ventral

segment; the penultimate segment broadly deplanate and finely pubescent, and the

one preceding deplanate and pubescent on the hind margin.

Nearly a dozen examples were procured of this elegant and distinct Stenus; the

under surface is strongly pubescent (like many other Stent), in striking contrast to

the polished and shining upper surface.

47. Stenus remotus.

Gracilior, nigerrimus, nitidissimus, parcius grosse punctatus ; palpis femorumque basibus flavis; antennis

tibiisque testaceis, extrorsum fuscescentibus ; capite parum punctato, profundissime bisulcato ; prothorace

disco area majore levigata.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Coatepeque, San Gerénimo, Panima in Vera Paz (Champion).

Thorax rounded at the sides, without lateral tubercle, irregularly punctate, with a

rather large impunctate space on the disc, rugose at the sides, rather slender, a little

4 PP 2

660 . STAPHYLINIDA.

longer than broad. Elytra very shining; irregularly, very coarsely, rather sparingly

punctate. Hind body punctured only on the basal segment, the other segments very

shining. Legs long; femora bright yellow on the basal half, the outer half nearly

black; tibie testaceous, the apical half darker; tarsi fusco-testaceous. The male

has an extremely short notch or emargination on the terminal ventral plate; the

preceding plate deplanate on the middle, feebly pubescent, the hind margin slightly

emarginate.

Four examples.

This insect is smaller than S. salvini and destitute of the thoracic tubercles.

48. Stenus scutiger. |

Gracilior, nigerrimus, nitidus ; antennarum basi palpisque sordide testaceis : tibiarum basi summo plus minusve

anguste flavescente; parce irregulariterque punctatus; capite profundissime bisulcato.

Long. 4? millim.

Hab. Panama, David, Bugaba, Caldera, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet

(Champion).

Head with a large, elongate, wedge-shaped, polished elevation on the vertex. Thorax

slender, rather longer than broad, a good deal rounded at the sides; very irregularly

punctate, the punctuation being in some places rugose, while other spots are polished

and free from sculpture. Elytra rather longer than the thorax, coarsely but sparingly

and irregularly punctured. Basal segment of the hind body rugose, the other segments

polished and shining. Male witha slight angular emargination of the last ventral

segment.

The small series of this insect shows some variation in sculpture and in the amount

of yellow colour at the bases of the tibiz. Possibly there may be more than one

species ; but the material leaves this quite uncertain.

49. Stenus exulans.

Gracilis, nigerrimus, nitidus; antennarum palpisque fusco-nigris, his articulo basali flavo; tibiis basibus

testaceo-annulatis ; prothorace minus gracile, lateribus rotundatis, posterius angustato, irregulariter

punctato, areis majoribus levigatis ; elytris parce irregulariterque punctatis ; capite profundissime bisulcato.

Long. 5; millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, San Gerénimo (Champion).

The dark palpi, legs, and antenne render it impossible to confound this species with

any of the allies except S. scutiger; and to that species S. exulans is closely allied,

but is a more robust insect, with broader thorax and darker antenne and palpi; and

the male has a moderately deep angular excision on the last ventral plate, and an

emargination of the hind margin of that preceding it. Unique.

STENUS. 661

§ 4. Thorax very elongate, nearly cylindric; head without a definite polished elevation

on the middle ; legs unicolorous, pallid.

This interesting group has numerous representatives in Tropical South America, and

also in other parts of the world. They appear to be rare insects and not met with

gregariously. ‘The head is usually very broad, with the eyes very widely separated, and

underneath the genz are of unusual width, so that the eyes are not visible on the

under surface of the head; this latter character is not, however, constant, and I have

in consequence at present included in the group some species, such as 8. sagax, which

do not differ from the normal St¢eni in this latter respect. In the more remarkable

species of the group the segment of the armature in the males becomes developed

in an extraordinary manner.

50. Stenus aculeatus. (Tab. XVII. fig. 14, 3.)

Niger, parum nitidus; antennis, palpis pedibusque flavis; dense fortiterque punctatus ; capite lato, leviter

excavato, plano; elytris quam prothorax paullo brevioribus.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Antenne and palpi extremely elongate. Head very broad. Thorax nearly twice as

long as broad ; very densely punctured, almost rugose. LElytra narrowing somewhat

from the apex to the base, so that the shoulders are not very prominent ; densely and very

coarsely punctate. Hind body coarsely punctate, the apical segments more sparingly

than the basal. In the male the ventral plate of the armature is prolonged to form an

elongate, very acuminate spine, the terminal segment bears a large and deep notch,

and the preceding segment is pubescent along the middle.

51. Stenus armatus.

Niger, sat nitidus, elytris vix eneo-tinctis; antennis, palpis pedibusque flavis ; dense fortiterque punctatus ;

capite lato, leviter excavato; elytris prothoracis longitudine ; abdomine fortiter punctato.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne and palpi extremely elongate. Head very broad, a little excavate, with a

very feeble convexity along the middle. ‘Thorax nearly twice as long as broad, coarsely,

very densely punctured, a good deal rounded at the sides. LElytra just about as long

as the thorax, closely and extremely coarsely punctured, the shoulders moderately

prominent. The punctuation of the apical segment definite, though finer and less dense

than that of the basal segments. In the male the ventral plate of the armature is

produced to form a curious laterally compressed process or lamina with rounded

extremity, the terminal ventral plate bears a rather large notch, and the preceding

segment is finely pubescent along the middle.

662 STAPHYLINIDA.

52. Stenus godmani. (Tab. XVII. fig. 13.)

Niger, supra calvus, sat nitidus; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis; capite excavato, disco fortius

parciusque punctato ; prothorace densissime fortiterque punctato, quam elytris paullo breviore.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sailé), Jalapa (Hoge); GuatemaLa, Zapote (Champion).

Palpi very long, their terminal joint about twice as long as the space separating the

antenne at their insertion. Antenne very long, the club elongate but very abrupt, the

eighth joint being long and very slender. Head rather deeply excavate, not sulcate,

evidently more coarsely and sparingly punctured on the middle. Thorax very elongate,

nearly twice as long as broad, subcylindric, a little curved at the sides; coarsely and

very densely punctured, almost rugose. FElytra a little longer than the thorax, with

rather abrupt shoulders, the punctuation coarser and not quite so close as that of the

thorax. Hind body coarsely, moderately closely punctured, the terminal segment

obsoletely punctate. Male with the ventral plate of the armature large, flat, deeply

emarginate at the tip; the terminal (seventh) segment with a very deep and broad

sharply-defined excision which is rounded in front; the sixth segment impressed and

finely pubescent along the middle, with the sides of the impression a little elevated

behind; the four preceding segments flattened and glabrous in the middle behind.

53. Stenus cribriceps. (Tab. XVII. fig. 15.)

Nigro-subviridis, nitidus ; antennis, palpis pedibusque flavis ; capite leviter excavato; dense punctatus; abdo-

mine basi crebre sat fortiter punctato, segmentis apicalibus multo obsoletius et parcius punctatis.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet

(Champion), Chiriqui (22dée).

Antenne and palpi very elongate. Head broad, coarsely but evenly punctate, slightly

excavate, flat, with a very slight, fine, minute carination along the middle. Thorax

nearly twice as broad as long, very slender, very densely punctured, subrugose. FElytra

densely and coarsely punctured, about as long as the thorax, the shoulders well-marked.

Male with the segment of the armature very long ; its ventral plate simple, feebly emar-

ginate at the tip; the preceding segment with a rather narrow, deep, angular excision ;

the sixth segment furnished with very minute fine pubescence along the middle, and there

is also a little of such pubescence on the posterior part of the preceding segment.

The metallic tint, rather less developed sculpture of the hind body, and the unusually

coarse sculpture of the under surface of the head distinguish this species, independently

of the male characters. We have received only one example from each source: with

the exception of the typical individual from the Volcan de Chiriqui, all are females, and

it is possible, as they differ a little from one another, they may not all be one species.

We figure the female example found by Ribbe in Chiriqui.

STENUS. 663

54. Stenus chiriquensis.

Gracilior, niger, vix perspicue metallescens, nitidus ; antennis, palpis pedibusque flavis; capite fere plano;

prothorace cylindrico, densissime punctato, fere rugoso; elytris humeris rectis, densissime punctatis ;

abdomine segmentis duobus ultimis impunctatis.

Long. 54 millim.

Hab. Panama, David in Chiriqui (Champion).

This is one of the most slender species, and greatly resembles S. placidus and

S. albipes, but may be distinguished from both by the terminal two (before the arma-

ture) abdominal segments being quite without punctures; it has, moreover, the punc-

tuation of the thorax and elytra denser, and the shoulders of the latter more prominent ;

it is one of the most densely punctured Stent. One female.

55. Stenus cylindricus.

Gracilior, niger, nitidus ; antennis, palpis pedibusque flavis; capite leviter excavato, medio parce punctato;

prothorace elongato, angusto, cylindrico, fortiter punctato; elytris prothoracis longitudine, fortius

punctatis ; abdominis apice fere impunctato.

Long. 6 millim. —

Hab. Mexico (coll. Chevrolat), Cordova, Jalapa (Hége) ; British Honpuras, R. Hondo

(Blancaneaux); Guatemaua, Zapote, San Gerdnimo, Purula, Chiacam (Champion) ;

Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet

(Champion).

This species is closely allied to S. godmani, but the male characters are different ; it

may also be readily distinguished from that species by the antenne being less elongate,

with avery much shorter club, the head smaller and the vertex flatter, the thorax

narrower and more cylindric, and the latter and the elytraless densely punctate. In the

male the segment of the armature is only about half as large as it is in S. godmani, and

its ventral plate is not emarginate at the tip; the terminal segment has an elongate

narrow excision; the preceding segment is emarginate at the tip, depressed along the

middle, and there covered with very dense and minute pallid pubescence.

We have received a small series from Mexico and also from British Honduras, and

these specimens agree well; but from the more southern localities the unique expo-

nents are, without exception, females, and as they all differ, more or less, from the

Mexican series, it is possible they may not all belong to this species.

56. Stenus placidus.

Angustior, elongatus, nigerrimus, nitidus ; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis; capite leviter excavato,

disco parcius punctato; prothorace elytrisque fortiter punctatis, his angustis ; abdomine fortiter punctato.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Panama, Pefia Blanca 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

In this species the male has the ventral plate of the armature with a small shallow

664 STAPHYLINIDZ.

emargination in the middle of the hind margin; the last ventral segment has an incision

that is very deep and very narrow in front; the preceding segment is broadly depressed

behind, and densely set with very minute, almost snow-white, pubescence, the hind

margin being emarginate.

Though this insect is extremely similar to S. albipes, the male characters are nearer

to those of §. cylindricus; it differs from the former in having the elytra rather

narrower, less convex, and not quite so coarsely punctured. It is only half the size of

S. cylindricus, has the dorsal plate of the last true segment more punctured, and the male

characters a little different, the extremely narrow elongate incision being remarkable.

Unique.

57. Stenus albipes.

Elongatus, nigerrimus, nitidus ; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis ; capite fere plano, sat crebre punctato ;

prothorace elytrisque fortiter punctatis, illo cylindrico.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge); British Honpuras, R. Hondo

(Blancaneaux) ; GuateMaLa, Zapote (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne and palpi very elongate. Head moderately broad, nearly flat, moderately

closely and coarsely punctured. Thorax narrow, almost perfectly cylindrical, being very

nearly straight at the sides. Elytra rather convex, scarcely longer than the thorax,

very coarsely punctured, very shining. Hind body rather sparingly, coarsely punc-

tured, the terminal segments nearly impunctate. Legs very pale yellow. Male with

the segment of the armature small and simple, the last ventral plate with a moderately

large and deep excision, the preceding segment feebly pubescent on the middle.

Besides being only half the size of S. cylindricus, this species has a more closely

punctured head and different male characters. We have a fair series from Mexico

and British Honduras, one exponent from Guatemala, and several from Nicaragua; the

specimens from these latter two localities do not quite agree, but as the external

male characters are almost the same, they cannot be satisfactorily separated.

58. Stenus cylindricollis.

Angustus, cyaneo-niger, nitidus ; antennis, palpis pedibusque flavis; capite sat lato, leviter excavato, parcius

punctato, nitido; prothorace cylindrico, crebrius fortiterque punctato, nitido; elytris fortius punctatis,

nitidis; abdomine parce punctato.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. British Honpuras, R. Hondo (Blancaneauz).

This species is similar in size and punctuation to S. albipes, but, besides the cyaneous

colour, it exhibits other distinctions, the head being a little excavate and more sparingly

punctured, and the punctuation of the hind body less. It is one of the species in which

the upper surface is almost completely destitute of pubescence. One female.

STENUS. 665

59. Stenus detector.

Niger, parum nitidus; densissime fortiterque punctatus; antennis, palpis pedibusque flavis; capite latiore,

evidenter excavato.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Tolé (Champion).

Antenne and palpi very elongate. Head extremely broad, broader than the elytra,

evidently excavated, scarcely visibly bisulcate, closely punctate. ‘Thorax very densely,

deeply, and closely punctate, elongate, but much rounded at the sides. Elytra almost

shorter than the thorax, very coarsely and densely punctured, subrugose. Hind body

unusually coarsely punctured at the base, more finely so at the apex. Male with a

moderately large excision of the last ventral plate. ‘Two examples.

A distinct species allied to S. sagaz.

60. Stenus guatemalenus.

Elongatus, nigerrimus, nitidus, subtiliter albido-pubescens ; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis; dense

punctatus; capite fere plano; abdomine segmento basali ad basin evidenter pubescente.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cahabon 1000 feet (Champion).

Antenne moderately long. Head broad, scarcely excavate, flat, rather sparingly

punctured on the middle. Thorax very narrow, but distinctly curved at the sides;

densely though not very coarsely punctured. lytra not longer than the thorax ; closely

and coarsely punctured, more densely so at the extreme base. Hind body closely, mode-

rately coarsely punctured. Male with a rather large excision on the last ventral plate.

Unique.

This species much resembles S. albipes, but makes an approximation in form and

pubescence to S. sagax and its allies; the specimen is not in good preservation, and, if

fresh, the pubescence might be greater.

61. Stenus sagax. (Tab. XVII. fig. 16.)

Niger, subzenescens, subtiliter albido-pubescens ; antennis, palpis pedibusque flavis ; dense punctatus ; elytris ad

basin evidentius albido-pubescentibus.

Long. 44 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Torola (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet

(Champion).

Antenne elongate. Head broad, with very prominent eyes, slightly excavate, flat,

closely punctured. Thorax not twice as long as broad, a good deal curved at the sides ;

coarsely and very densely punctured, almost rugose. LElytra along the suture about as

long as the thorax, coarsely and densely punctured. Hind body rather densely, moderately

coarsely punctured, the apical segments more finely so; each of the basal segments more

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, December 1886. 4QQ

666 STAPHYLINIDA.

distinctly pubescent at the base. Male with a rather large excision on the last ventral

plate, and a finer punctuation and pubescence on that preceding it.

62. Stenus chontalenus.

Niger, evidenter pubescens, parum nitidus, dense punctatus ; antennis, palpis pedibusque flavis; capite leviter

‘ excavato; elytris abdomineque segmentis basalibus singulo ad basin densius albido-pubescente.

Long. 43-5 millim.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

This insect is very closely allied to S. sagax, but is rather more slender, without

metallic tint, and with the punctuation more indistinct on account of the more con-

spicuous pubescence. The male characters are almost the same. Three examples.

63. Stenus deceptor.

Niger, subnitidus, dense punctatus; antennis, palpis pedibusque flavis, illis minus elongatis; capite obsolete

bisulcato.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city (Champion).

Head moderately broad, not at all excavate, broadly indistinctly bisulcate, closely

punctate. Antenne only moderately long, gradually thickened from the sixth joint

onwards. Thorax not twice as long as broad, a good deal curved at the sides, coarsely

and closely punctured. Elytra slightly longer than the thorax, coarsely and closely

punctured. Hind body at the base moderately coarsely, at the apex quite obsoletely,

punctured. One female.

This species is readily distinguished from S. cylindricus and S. albipes by the shorter

antenne and the subsulcate head; it is larger than S. flohri, with closer punctuation

and a differently shaped hind body, the segments being scarcely at all constricted.

64. Stenus flohri.

Angustior, niger, nitidus; antennis, palpis pedibusque pallide flavis; capite vix excavato, utrinque leviter

sulcato ; prothorace elytrisque fortiter punctatis; abdomine minus argute punctato, subtiliter pubescente.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cuantla (Flohr).

I have received only one example of this species, but, though in bad preservation,

there is no doubt of its being distinct; it is a male, and has only a very short broad

emargination of the last ventral segment, the preceding segment being slightly depla-

nate and a little pubescent along the middle. The female will, no doubt, be readily

distinguished from S. albipes by the head being a little depressed on each side and the

hind body more obsoletely punctured, with scanty but distinct pubescence.

STENUS, 667

65. Stenus suaveolus.

Cyaneus, nitidus ; antennis, palpis pedibusque flavis, illis extrorsum fuscescentibus ; capite bisulcato ; prothorace

subcylindrico, medio subcarinato; abdomine pubescente, obsolete punctato.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Paso Antonio (Champion).

Antenne very long, almost gradually thickened from the middle to the extremity.

Head moderately broad, not at all excavate, sparingly punctured, indistinctly bisulcate, —

the wide median interstice a little convex and still more sparingly punctured. Thorax

very elongate, a good deal curved at the sides, rather closely and irregularly but not very

coarsely punctured, with an abbreviated shining smooth space along the middle. Elytra

scarcely longer than the thorax, more coarsely and less closely punctured. Hind body

only finely punctured, but more than usually pubescent.

One female, in bad preservation. A very distinct species.

66. Stenus podagricus. (Tab. XVII. fig. 17.)

Cyaneo-niger, nitidus, pube depressa evidenter vestitus ; antennis, palpis pedibusque flavis; capite late obsolete-

que bisulcato ; abdomine obsolete punctato.

Long. 63 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne and palpi very long. Head not so broad as the elytra, rather densely

pubescent, finely punctate, broadly but rather indefinitely impressed on each side.

Thorax not twice as long as broad, curved at the sides, moderately, finely, and not

very densely punctate, with distinct depressed pubescence. LElytra shining, rather

sparingly punctured, with a white pubescence very conspicuous on the basal part.

Hind body almost impunctate, with distinct depressed white pubescence. Male with

the ventral plates depressed along the middle from the base to the fifth segment; sixth

segment obsoletely pubescent along the middle, the seventh with an elongate excision

not broader at its commencement than near its termination; hind legs greatly swollen,

the femur in the middle behind with a truncate prominence, the tibia angularly dilated

internally in the middle and below this excised and pubescent.

Two examples. J. cerritus from the Amazons, and an undescribed species from Rio

Janeiro, in my collection, have the hind legs similarly formed.

Subfam. MEGALOPIN AL.

Erichson placed the genus Megalops as a separate group of “ Oxytelini ;’

in the

Munich Catalogue it is placed in “Stenine.” I cannot persuade myself at present that

it can be correctly placed in either of these subfamilies, and I therefore isolate it. It

is perhaps more nearly allied to “ Evesthetine ” than to any other of the subfamilies,

and, if this be the case, it would naturally be placed between that subfamily and the

** Stenine.”

4QQ 2

668 STAPHYLINIDE.

MEGALOPS.

Megalops, Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 751; Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 378.

In addition to the characters already pointed out by Erichson and myself, I can

now add the following information:—The antenne, in certain species, are distinctly

11-jointed, when the basal joint evidently projects beyond the margin of the head; in

other cases, however, the basal joint cannot be thus detected, and the antenne then

appear 10-jointed, as they were described to be by Erichson. The structure of the

tarsi also exhibits some important modifications: in the majority of the species they

are evidently 5-jointed, and formed as described by Erichson (J. ¢c.); in a few species

(e.g. M. preditus) the fourth joint is so imperfectly separated from the terminal one

that the distinction between the two articulations is difficult to detect; a third

modification is the very peculiar one described by me (J. ¢.), in which the fourth

joint, though apparently absent, exists as a slender lobe placed beneath and closely

applied to the terminal joint.

Hitherto only twelve species of this peculiar genus have been described—two from

North America, six from South America, two from Australia, and one each from Java

and South Africa. The tropics of the New World are, however, certainly the region

most favoured by these insects, as, in addition to the very remarkable series here

described, I have some ten or twelve nondescript species from South America.

Some species have been recorded as frequenting chips of wood; Mr. Champion

informs me that he found them in this way, and also in moss and fungus on stumps

and recently felled timber.

§ 1. Larsi simple.

1. Megalops cruciger. (Tab. XVII. fig. 18, ¢.)

Niger, nitidus, elytris cruce testacea magna signatis; antennis rufis, pedibus flavis ; prothorace parce punc-

tato, sat profunde parum regulariter transversim sulcato ; elytro singulo medio punctis quinque impressis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); Guaremata, Zapote, Capetillo, Las Mercedes, Cerro

Zunil, San Gerénimo (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet,

Bugaba (Champion).

Head with a large irregular horseshoe-shaped impression embracing the greater part

of the front and open behind, this impression more or less distinctly crenate or plicate

in places; a narrow groove separates the elevation by which it is limited from the eye,

and there are four punctures, two on the disc, two on the vertex. Thorax about as

long as broad, with a transverse groove extending across it parallel to and very near

the front margin, this groove being formed more or less distinctly by large punctures

MEGALOPS. 669

joined together ; basal margin sharply elevated, the surface depressed in front of it, and

furnished with a series of transverse punctures; besides this there are, on each side,

two convergent depressions, and at the point where the four depressions nearly meet on

the disc there is a large depression or some punctures. The elytra are largely variegate

with yellow, a common mark on the disc and each outer angle being black; each

bears five punctures placed in two short series near one another, three on the internal,

two on the external series. The male has the terminal joint of the antenna elongate

and armed with long hairs; the club is more or less dark in colour.

M. cruciger is the predominant Megalops of our region; we have, indeed, received

nearly as many examples of it as we have of all the other species together; it varies a

little in the extent of the yellow marks on the elytra, so that the outer quadrangular

black marks are sometimes connected with the discoidal mark by their angles. The

punctures on the elytra vary considerably in number, and this apparently in connection

with locality; but I am not able to distinguish more than one species. We have only

one example from Mexico, and I very much doubt whether it really pertains to the

species, as the sculpture of the head and thorax is rather more largely developed, and

the femora are a little infuscate; but this latter difference may be due to decay, as the

example is in bad preservation.

2. Megalops mexicanus.

Niger, nitidissimus, elytris fascia irregulare flava transversa signatis; antennis pedibusque testaceis, ilarum

clava nigra, his femoribus apice nigricante, tibiis basin versus plus minusve fuscescentibus; capite protho-

raceque punctis impressis numerosis, hoc profunde transversim sulcato; elytro singulo seriebus brevibus

approximatis duobus punctorum impressorum,

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge), Cordova (Sallé).

Though closely allied to M. cruciger, I have no doubt this insect is distinct there-

from; it is broader, with many punctures on the upper part of the head, and with the

yellow marks confined to the basal half of the elytra. The coloration of the legs, if it

proves constant, will be an easy means of separating the two. One example from each

locality.

8. Megalops adjectus.

Niger, nitidus, elytris fascia sub-basali testacea ; antennis pedibusque flavis; prothorace crebrius punctato-

sulcato; elytris seriebus duabus elongatis punctorum et ad latera punctis nonnullis impressis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Zapote, San Isidro (Champion) ; Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000

to 4000 feet (Champion).

Head with numerous punctures on the space between the eyes. Thorax with

an anterior transverse punctate sulcus, and behind this a second punctate groove

670 STAPHYLINIDZA.

‘with two discoidal punctate impressions, an external lateral impression, and a not very

definite transverse basal sulcus placed immediately in front of the basal margin. Elytra

scarcely so long as the thorax, with two very closely placed series of large punctures,

and on the deflexed lateral margin a patch of two or three punctures about the

middle.

Three examples from Guatemala, one from the State of Panama.

Readily distinguished from its allies by the additional punctures on the outside of

the elytra. |

4, Megalops morosus.

Niger, nitidissimus, elytris maculis humeralibus et suturalibus testaceis ; antennis pedibusque flavis ; prothorace

minus grosse sulcato et punctato; elytris seriebus duabus brevissimis punctorum,

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. GvuatemaLa, Zapote, Cahabon (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000

to 4000 feet (Champion).

Head with numerous punctures on the space between the eyes. ‘Thorax with punc-

tured grooves, as in MU. cruciger, but the grooves are not so broad or deep, and are

interrupted on the middle. Elytra about as long as the thorax; each with a yellow

spot on the shoulder, and another similarly coloured spot on the suture at the apex;

and with two very short series of punctures, two or three punctures only in each series.

Two examples.

This species may be distinguished from the varieties of WZ. cruciger with small yellow

markings by the yellow spot at the shoulder. Two examples from Guatemala and a

like number from the State of Panama.

5. Megalops armatus.

Niger, nitidus, elytro singulo fascia curvata testacea ; antennis pedibusque flavis; elytris inzequalibus, seriebus

duabus brevibus punctorum impressorum.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Head with coarse punctures on the space between the eyes. Thorax with four

punctured grooves, the two inner ones interrupted in the middle. Llytra longer than

the thorax, each with a curved yellow mark extending from near the scutellum to

the middle of the outer margin, and with two deep grooves formed by nearly united

punctures, and with the space between these and the suture at the base a little

elevated. Male with the terminal joint of the antenna elongate and setose, and the

penultimate ventral segment armed with a long spine projecting backwards. ‘Two

examples,

MEGALOPS. 671

6. Megalops modestus.

Niger, nitidus, elytris basi apiceque testaceo-signatis ; antennis pedibusque flavis, femoribus posterioribus

extrorsum fuscescentibus ; prothorace minus sulcato et punctato.

Long. 34 millim. .

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Head similar to that of VW. cruciger. Thorax with the anterior margin picescent,

with a slender punctate groove behind this, and another fine groove across the middle,

and a slight depression in front of the base; besides this with only a few punctures.

Elytra with a testaceous spot close to the shoulder, and the hind margin testaceous

for a great part of its width, this colour being more extensive near the suture; each

with a series of three punctures and one or two punctures adjacent to it. Club of the

antennz in the male not in itself very elongate, but adorned with long sete. Unique.

7. Megalops ineptus.

Niger, nitidus, elytris fascia magna testacea in medio ad marginem posteriorem descendente; antennis pedi-

busque flavis; prothorace parce punctato, sulcato, sulcis intermediis in medio late interruptis ; elytro

singulo seriebus punctorum duobus abbreviatis.

Long. 32 millim.

Hab. GuateMALa, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

This species differs from VW. cruciger in wanting the large depression on the middle

of the thorax, and also in the fact that the yellow colour on the wing-cases does not,

at the suture, extend forwards towards the scutellum. Although we have received only

one female, I think it indicates a different species.

8. Megalops integer. (Tab. XVII. fig. 19.)

Niger, nitidus, elytris fascia magna ad suturam interrupta testacea; antennis pedibusque flavis; capite pro-

thoraceque haud numerose punctatis, hoc suleato; elytris tantum ad basin punctis impressis.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Eyes rather small. Head with only a few punctures. Thorax with a transverse,

punctate groove near the front, another across the middle, and with the base depressed

and punctate in front of the margin, and with only a few additional punctures.

Elytra each with a large spot, extending from the outer margin to near the suture, so

as to form an interrupted band.

One male. In this sex the terminal joint of the antenne is very elongate, not

acuminate as in M. cruciger, but gently rounded at the apex. In this example

there is a single puncture on the right elytron, very near the shoulder, but none on

the left.

672 STAPHYLINIDA.

9. Megalops cognatus.

Niger, nitidus, elytro singulo macula magna externa testacea ; antennis pedibusque flavis ; capite prothoraceque

haud numerose punctatis, hoc sulcato ; elytris pone humeros punctis quatuor impressis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui between 2000 and 4000 feet (Champion).

This species appears to be very close to M. integer, but the yellow spot is much more

separated from the suture, and there are four punctures on each wing-case. We have

only received one example; and I do not know which sex it represents. The terminal

joint of the antenne is similar in shape to that of M/. integer, but it is much smaller ;

on the other hand it is much larger than in the female sex of M. cruciger and its allies.

10. Megalops elegans, (Tab. XVII. fig. 20.)

Niger, nitidus, elytris abdomineque testaceo-variegatis ; antennis pedibusque flavis; prothorace elytrisque

ineequalibus, his multipunctatis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne short. Head with very numerous punctures on the space between the

eyes. Thorax without grooves, but with very many punctures, and with smooth,

shining, elevated spaces. Elytra short and very broad, testaceous, marked with black

about the scutellum and at the four angles, with an elevated space near the suture

towards the base, and with numerous coarse punctures placed in two series, and a large

external patch. Hind body with pallid marks on the penultimate segment and on the

margins of the other segments.

A single female.

11. Megalops preditus. (Tab. XVII. fig. 21.)

Niger, nitidus, elytro singulo macula externa rufo-testacea; antennis pedibusque flavis, illis extrorsum fuscis ;

oculis majoribus; prothorace transversim sulcato ; elytro singulo striola curvata impressa.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui between 2500 and 6000 feet (Champion).

Head with very large eyes, moderately numerously punctate. ‘Thorax with three

broad and deep furrows bearing punctures, and the base in front of the hind margin

depressed, the two furrows near the disc interrupted for a short space only; there are

no punctures except in the grooves. Elytra broad, shining, each with a deep, impressed,

curved striola behind the shoulders. Legs elongate.

Two examples; they have the terminal joint of the antenna small, and are probably

females.

This is a very distinct species, resembling in its large eyes, long legs, and the striole

on the wing-cases the species of the next group, from which, however, it remains quite

distinct by the structure of the tarsi.

MEGALOPS. 673

12. Megalops guatemalenus. (Tab. XVII. fig. 22.)

Brevis, nigerrimus, nitidus ; antennis rufis, pedibus flavis ; capite prothoraceque parce punctatis, hoc latiusculo,

parum profunde sulcato ; elytris seriebus duabus abbreviatis punctorum impressis.

Long. 3} millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne very short. Head with moderately large eyes, the discoidal space bearing

a few definite punctures. Thorax with the two anterior grooves very shallow, the post-

median one very broadly interrupted in the middle but deep at the sides; the grooves

bear definite though not very large punctures, and there are also a few impressions on

each side connecting the post-median groove with the basal punctures.

Our two examples are no doubt females.

13. Megalops panamensis.

Nigerrimus, nitidus ; antennis rufis, pedibus flavis ; capite prothoraceque punctatis, hoc profunde sulcato ; elytris

seriebus duabus punctorum impressis.

Long. 3? millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Although very similar to I. guatemalenus, this insect is quite distinct, the head

having numerous coarse punctures on the upper portion, and the grooves on the thorax

being very deep though rendered irregular by large punctures. The single example is

no doubt a female, and has the terminal joint of the antenne considerably larger than

in the same sex of I. guatemalenus.

14. Megalops politus.

Nigerrimus, nitidus; antennisrufis, pedibus flavis ; capite prothoraceque parce punctatis, hoc obsolete sulcato

elytris seriebus duabus abbreviatis punctorum impressis.

Long. 3? millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Head with only three or four punctures on the discoidal area. Thorax elongate and

rather slender ; the two anterior grooves very shallow, the post-median one very widely

interrupted. Elytra with from four to six punctures in each series.

In this species the punctures are distinctly obliterated from the basal margin

of the thorax, or rather the few punctures that exist are placed not quite close

to the margin. The lateral portions of the hind body bear a distinct pubescence. The

unique exponent is a male; it is remarkable on account of the extreme elongation

of the last joint of the antenne, this joint, moreover, being densely pubescent.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I, Pt. 2, January 1887. 4 RR

674 STAPHYLINIDA.

15. Megalops vulneratus.

Nigerrimus, nitidus ; antennis pedibusque flavis ; capite prothoraceque numerose punctatis, hoc parum profunde

sulcato ; elytris seriebus duabus punctorum abbreviatis punctisque nonnullis externis adjectis ; oculis haud

magnis,

Long. 3} millim.

Hab. Panama, Caldera in Chiriqui 1200 feet (Champion).

Head with numerous punctures, which are not so coarse as in most of the other

species of the genus. Thorax with the anterior channel almost obsolete and not parallel

with the anterior margin, its situation rendered very definite by the numerous rather

fine punctures; the second groove more distinct, and likewise very definitely punctate,

and on the middle angulate behind; just behind the middle on each side is a

punctate depression, and the disc is occupied by an angular elevation. The punctures

of the elytral series are large and definite, and there are seven or eight on the outer,

and five on the inner series; the punctures on the outside are placed in an irregular

manner, and are five or six in number.

This species has smaller eyes than any other MJegalops, except the aberrant

M. peploides ; it will be identified by this character and by the punctures on the thorax

being less coarse than usual. The unique example is in very bad condition; it isa male

and has the terminal joint of the antenne large, suboblong, with gently rounded apex.

16. Megalops obscurus.

Nigro-piceus, nitidus ; capite prothoraceque nigris, elytrorum basi dilutiore, antennis pedibusque flavis ; capite

prothoraceque sat numerose punctatis, hoc obsolete sulcato; elytris seriebus duabus abbreviatis punctorum.

Long. 35 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Isidro 1500 feet (Champion).

Apparently closely allied to WM. guatemalenus, but I think distinct: independently

of the more dilute colour (which is perhaps in part due to immaturity) IZ. odscurus is

rather more slender, and has considerably smaller eyes, and the thoracic sulci are a

little deeper and more definitely punctate. The unique example is a female; its

antenne are nearly similar to those of I. guatemalenus.

17. Megalops basalis. (Tab. XVII. fig. 23.)

Piceo-rufus, nitidus ; capite superne, pronoto elytrisque ex parte majore nigricantibus, his basi abdomineque

apice rufis, antennis pedibusque flavis, abdominis lateribus rufo-variegatis ; capite prothoraceque crebrius

fortiter punctatis, hoc ineequali, haud sulcato ; elytris seriebus punctorum duabus abbreviatis.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne short. Head with numerous large punctures ; eyes only moderately large.

Thorax with the grooves effaced, but their position still indicated, the punctuation on

the other hand greatly developed. Elytra broadly red at the base. Hind body piceous

MEGALOPS. 675

or black in the middle, the margins in great part, and the apex, red. Under surface

piceous-red, with the breast red. Male with the terminal joint of the antennez broad

and not acuminate and considerably larger than in the female.

Two examples.

18. Megalops porcatus.

Nigro-subzneus, nitidissimus ; antennis pedibusque flavis, femoribus sordidis ; capite prothoraceque numerose

punctatis, hoc haud sulcato ; elytris seriebus duabus punctorum, punctis nonnullis ad suturam et ad mar-

ginem lateralem adjectis.

Long. 37 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

The antenne are short, the eyes small. The head and thorax covered with large

punctures; on the latter there are, however, some small, irregular, shining spaces.

There are six small distinct foves at the base of each segment of the hind body.

Of this distinct little insect we have received but one example ; its sex is uncertain,

the terminal joint of the antenne being of moderate size.

19. Megalops peploides. (Tab. XVII. fig. 24.)

Brevis, nigro-piceus, minus nitidus; prothorace omnino densissime, grosse punctato ; elytris sulcatis,

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Independently of its extraordinary sculpture, this little insect could be recognized by

its comparatively small eyes and short legs. The antenne are very short; the terminal

joint sub-globular, the preceding one very strongly transverse. The head is small, its

width, including the eyes, being much less than that of the elytra; the sides of the

front are greatly elevated over the insertion of the antenne, and the intervening space

bears some coarse punctures. ‘The thorax is broad and rather short, denticulate at the

sides, with coarse punctures so crowded that they are in part confluent. The elytra are

broad and short, and each bears four or five deep, though irregular, punctate longitudinal

grooves. The six fovee on the basal segment of the hind body are rather large,

those on the following segments smaller. Unique.

§ 2. Tarsi with the fourth joint prolonged as a lobe or style beneath the terminal joint.

20. Megalops incultus.

Nigerrimus, nitidus; pedibus antennisque flavis, his extrorsum fuscis; prothorace punctato-sulcato, preterea

vix punctato; elytris striola curvata impressa.

Long. 32 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Sallé); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Head with a few punctures only between the eyes, these latter large. Thorax with

4A RR2

676 STAPHYLINIDZ.

a punctate groove close to the front margin, and behind this another groove extending

completely across; behind the middle is a third groove, interrupted on the disc; the

base depressed and punctate in front of the hind margin.

This insect is closely allied to the Amazonian VM. spinosus, but smaller, with smaller

eyes, a less uneven surface of the head, and the grooves of the thorax not so wide

though more distinctly punctured. Erichson’s WM. cephalotes is probably another allied

species, although in his figure the tarsi are represented with a different structure.

We have received only one example from each locality; the one from Mexico differs

a little from the Panama type.

21. Megalops puncticeps. (Tab. XVII. fig. 25.)

Nigerrimus, nitidus ; pedibus antennisque flavis, his extrorsum fuscis ; capite numerose punctato ; prothorace

punctato-sulcato ; elytris striola curvata impressa.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, near the city (Champion).

Though closely allied to VM. incultus and M. spinosus, this insect is readily distin-

guished by the surface of the head being less uneven, but covered with numerous, large,

definite punctures ; the punctures in the thoracic grooves are also much more con-

spicuous. The sex of the unique example is uncertain ; it is probably a female.

22. Megalops impressus.

Megalops impressus, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 380°.

Hab. Panama, Tolé (Champion).—Sovutn America, Amazons valley ?.

Our single example, though not perfectly agreeing with the unique Amazonian type,

is not sufficiently different to warrant its separation. From MM. puncticeps, to which it

is closely allied, it differs by the rather smaller eyes, which are separated by a larger

space, and by this space being rather more uneven and less definitely punctured ; the

thorax is broader, its grooves less distinct, its punctuation more developed.

Subfam. OXY PORINAL.

OXYPORUS.

Oxyporus, Fabricius, Ent. Syst. p. 267 (1792) ; Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 555 ; Leconte,

Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. vi. p. 214,

This genus comprises about twenty-four species, distributed in North America,

Europe, Siberia, and Japan. The occurrence of two species, though both peculiar to it,

in our region, is one of the more important of the facts that prove some considerable

resemblance between the Mexican and North-American faune.

OXYPORUS.—OSORIUS. 677

1. Oxyporus mexicanus. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 1.)

Ozxyporus mexicanus, Fauvel, Bull. Soc. Normand. x. p. 217.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Sallé +), Juquila (Sallé, Hoge).

2. Oxyporus flohri. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 2.)

Testaceus ; mandibulis fasciisque duabus, una ad elytrorum apicem, altera ante abdominis apicem, nigris ;

capite infra pectoreque fuscis.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Alto del Tizar (Flohr).

Antenne entirely yellow. Thorax small, not so long as broad, rounded at the sides.

Elytra with two irregular discoidal series of punctures, the black band broader at the

outer angle.

I am indebted to Mr. Flohr for two examples of this distinct species; both are

rather immature.

Subfam. OXYTELINA.

For the purposes of this work, this subfamily will comprise, not only Erichson’s

tribe ‘Oxytelini,’ but also his ‘ Piestini,’ ‘ Phlceocharini,’ and ‘ Proteinini,’ as I find it

quite impossible to distinguish these smaller tribes, now that we are acquainted with a

much greater number of forms than were known to Erichson fifty years ago. There is

in this division of the Staphylinide great variety in the form of the anterior coxe and

the pieces of the prothorax adjacent to them, but the modifications are so gradual that

it would be very difficult to use them for taxonomical purposes; it will probably be

found more advantageous to make use of the structure of the front of the head and the

number of joints in the tarsi as the means of classification.

Group OSORIINA.

OSORIUS.

Osorius, Latreille, Régn. Anim. iv. p. 438 (1829) ; Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 753; Leconte,

Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. vi. p. 215.

This genus comprises about thirty species, and is widely distributed in the warm and

temperate regions of the Old and New Worlds, though not found in Europe. America

north of Mexico has two or three species, but the greater number of those known to me

inhabit South America.

These insects are said to live in decaying wood. Mr. Champion found the greater

part of his specimens living in sand on the banks of streams after the manner of

Bledius, one or two were, however, found by him in very wet rotten wood; he also

frequently captured examples on the wing. Osorius would appear to take the place

of Bledius in Tropical America, the latter being represented only by a small number

of inconspicuous species in this region. :

678 STAPHYLINIDA.

§ 1. Lateral margins of the thorax more strongly elevated near the base.

1. Osorius canaliculatus. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 3.)

Osorius canaliculatus, Solsky, Bull. Mose. xlii. pt. 2, p. 265 (1869) *.

Hab. Mexico (Boucard1), Orizaba (coll. Chevrolat), Cordova (Salié), Jalapa (Hoge) ;

Guatemaa, Chiacam, Tactic, Senahu, Sinanja (Champion); Panama, Bugaba (Cham-

pion).

Of this insect we have obtained single examples from most of the above sources,

and though I can find no good characters to distinguish more than one species among

them, it is quite possible there may prove to be such. Our figure represents an

example from Sinanja.

2. Osorius puncticeps.

Angustulus, cylindricus, niger, nitidus ; antennis pedibusque piceis; capite crebrius minus subtiliter punctato ;

prothorace basin versus fortiter angustato, sat crebre subtiliter punctato, medio canaliculato; elytris parce

punctatis.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Truqui, Flohr), Orizaba (coll. Chevrolat), Jalapa, Cerro de Plumas

(Hoge), Tuxtla (Sallé), Cordova (Sallé, Hoge).

Mandibles rather long and slender, the teeth quite minute. Thorax just about as

long as it is broad at the base, strongly narrowed behind, the lateral margins much

raised on the posterior part; hind angles definite, rectangular. Elytra slightly longer

than the thorax, with distant, but distinct, punctures. Hind body with a very few

punctures on the upper surface; on the under surface the penultimate and terminal

segments are rather sparingly punctate.

Readily distinguished from 0. canaliculatus by the conspicuous punctuation of the

head, and by the terminal ventral plate not possessing coarse deep longitudinal ruge.

Some examples have a rather dense punctuation on the terminal ventral segments,

due, I consider at present, to variation, or possibly it may be a sexual character.

Most of the examples, except for the above characters, agree satisfactorily, but

there are one or two showing other slight differences that may possibly be indicative

of another species.

8. Osorius vicinus.

Cylindricus, niger, nitidus ; antennis pedibusque piceis; capite fortiter punctato ; prothorace transverso, crebre

punctato ; elytris parce punctatis; mandibulis argute dentatis.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet, Caldera (Champion).

Extremely similar to O. puncticeps, but readily distinguished by the well-defined

teeth of the mandibles; the thorax also is broader and less narrowed behind, and hasa

short channel on the disc. The clypeus is feebly bisinuate, its angles obtuse. The

OSORIUS. 679

lateral margins of the thorax are rather strongly elevated behind; the hind angles

nearly rectang ular, very slightly obtuse. The two apical ventral segments bear a few

coarse punctures. .

The series of about fifteen examples shows but little variation.

4. Osorius dubius.

Cylindricus, niger, nitidus; antennis pedibusque rufo-piceis; sublevigatus, capite parce subobsolete punctato ;

clypeo in medio tantum obsolete bisinuato.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

The mandibles are rather long, the left one with a very small tooth-like tubercle on

the middle. The eyes are scarcely convex. The thorax has the lateral margin strongly

elevated behind; there is a short obsolete channel on the disc, and the punctuation is

scarcely visible. The elytra are almost destitute of punctuation, and are only feebly

coriaceous. The hind body above is quite impunctate, and beneath the terminal and

penultimate segments rather sparingly punctate. Two examples.

This and the following species bring the two groups into which I have divided the

genus very close together.

5. Osorius levigatus.

Cylindricus, niger, nitidus ; antennis pedibusque piceis; sublevigatus, capite parce punctato; clypeo late emar-

ginato. .

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Sinanja and Sabo in Vera Paz (Champion).

Extremely similar to 0. dubius, but the clypeus cannot be said to be bisinuate in

front; the punctuation of the head is not quite so effaced, and there is no channel on

the disc of the thorax. The elytra are smooth and shining, and there is a moderately

close punctuation on the last two ventral segments; the terminal segments are more or

less dilute in colour so as to be piceous or rufescent. The mandibles are a little longer

than in O. dudius, and the left one is bisinuate rather than toothed on the inner

margin. Three examples.

6. Osorius boops.

Cylindricus, niger, vel piceus, sat nitidus ; antennis pedibusque rufis; capite fere lwvigato, subopaco; oculis

fortius convexis.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champzon).

This is another species with extremely little sculpture, and readily distinguished

by the more convex eyes. The front margin of the clypeus is broad and rather

peculiarly formed—the angles being not at all prominent, and the front margin straight

or feebly emarginate near each angle, and then slightly emarginate in the middle.

The head has a silky opacity, and some extremely fine and obsolete punctures. The

thorax is rather broad, but little narrowed posteriorly, the lateral margins behind rather

680 STAPHYLINIDA.

broadly explanate-elevate. The terminal ventral rings are almost without sculpture.

Two decayed examples.

7. Osorius opacifrons.

Cylindricus, nigricans, minus nitidus ; antennis pedibusque rufis; sublevigatus, capite peropaco.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Chasles, in coll. Chevrolat).

This insect is extremely similar to 0. doops, but has the eyes less convex, and also

exhibits some other distinctions. The front of the clypeus is broad, simply emarginate.

The eyes are slightly convex. The surface of the head is remarkably dull, and punctures

can scarcely be detected on it. The thorax is broad, a little sinuate at the sides behind,

where the lateral margins are slightly, but distinctly, elevated, the angles rectangular ;

it is very finely and sparingly punctate, and there is a very obsolete channel along the

middle. The elytra are almost impunctate, and the terminal ventral segments without

sculpture. Unique.

§2. Lateral margins of the thorax not more elevated behind ; thorax not canaliculate,

but with a median smooth space, which is usually limited on each side by serial

punctures.

8. Osorius cylindricus.

Osorius cylindricus, Latr. Nouv. Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. 1. p. 86 1; Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 756°.

Hab. Mexico !, Orizaba (Deppe?), Jalapa (Flohr, Hoge), Cordova (Sallé).

9. Osorius germanus.

Sat latus, nigricans, nitidus; antennis pedibusque rufis; capite, prothorace elytrisque parce subtiliterque

punctatis, hoc medio anguste longitudinaliter levigato.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Guavemata, near the city, Capetillo, Duefias (Champion).

This insect is extremely close to O. cylindricus, but is broader than the broadest and

largest examples of that species, and readily distinguished by the much finer punctua-

tion of the thorax. From the following species it may be known by the fact that,

though there is an indefinite smooth space along the middle of the thorax, this space

is not bounded by any serial punctures. The punctuation of the ventral plates of the

last two segments is less than in O. cylindricus. Sixteen examples.

10. Osorius parcus.

Cylindricus, nigricans, nitidus; antennis pedibusque rufis; capite dense subtiliterque coriaceo, opaco, parcius

subtiliter punctato; prothorace parce punctato, medio area lata levigata.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Hége); Guaremata, Panzos, Cubilguitz, and San Juan in Vera

OSORIUS. | 681

Paz (Champion); Honpuras (Sallé); Costa Rica, Irazu 7000 feet (Rogers); Panama,

Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

This species has a dull head, with scanty sculpture. The thorax is rather short, not

so long as broad, the sides curvate and much narrowed behind, the hind angles very

obtuse ; the surface with distant, coarse punctures, which are altogether absent from a

short space along the middle. The elytra are rather longer than the thorax, and have a

scanty subobsolete punctuation.

Mr. Champion found a large series of this species at Panzos, and these examples

exhibit very little variation; from the other localities we have received only a small

number of specimens. The two examples from Honduras have the elytra piceous-red,

and may possibly be distinct.

11. Osorius crassus.

Latior, cylindricus, niger, sat nitidus ; antennis pedibusque rufis ; capite dense coriaceo, opaco, parce punctato ;

prothorace parce punctato, medio area lata laevigata, angulis posterioribus sat obtusis; elytris parce

punctatis, subopacis.

Long. 8-9 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Hége); Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Compared with 0. parcus this species is larger and much broader, and has considerably

more elongate mandibles, and the hind angles of the thorax are less obtuse and not so

depressed. In other respects the two insects are very similar. Three examples.

12. Osorius mundus. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 4.)

Osorius mundus, Sharp, Tr. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 432°.

Hab. Mexico (Flohr), Guanajuato (Sadlé), Cuantla (Flohr), Jalapa, Cordova, Cerro

de Plumas (f/6ge).

Although very closely allied to O. parcus, I have no doubt about this species being

distinct. It is a narrower insect, and usually has red elytra and a coarser punctuation ;

and, moreover, may always be distinguished by the narrower and differently sculptured

head (the surface being less coriaceous, and therefore less dull, while the punctuation

is closer and rougher, being more tuberculate, and nearly absent from a rather narrow

indefinite space along the middle); by the mandibles being shorter, and the angles of

the clypeus quite blunt. The anterior tibie are extremely broad.

13. Osorius debilis.

Angustulus, cylindricus, rufescens, nitidulus; capite, elytris apicem versus abdomineque plus minusve pices-

centibus; parce punctatus, prothorace angulis posterioribus minus obtusis; mandibulis argute sat longe

dentatis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, January 1887. 4 SS

682 STAPHYLINIDA.

Head shining, rather closely punctate. Thorax as long as broad, a little narrowed

behind, the hind angles not very obtuse; with but few, only moderately coarse

punctures ; the median smooth space broad, definite, and parallel. Elytra rather longer

than the thorax, sparingly punctate.

We have received eight examples of this species. The comparatively large develop-

ment of the mandibular tooth—that on the right mandible being particularly large and

prominent—distinguishes O. debilis satisfactorily from its allies, independent of the

minor characters.

14, Osorius salvini.

Angustus, cylindricus, piceus ; elytris rufis, antennis pedibusque testaceis; capite prothoraceque fortiter punctatis ;

mandibulis brevibus argute dentatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, near the city 5000 feet (Salvin), San Gerénimo (Champion).

Head shining, its sculpture subtuberculate and moderately close. Thorax strongly

narrowed behind, very coarsely punctured, with a very definite space along the middle

impunctate. Elytra rather obsoletely punctured.

In this species the short sete on the surface are more distinct than in the allied

forms ; the hind body is densely punctured, and its sete very evident. Mr. Champion

met with a good many specimens, but they are mostly in a very bad state of preserva-

tion; the colour is variable, perhaps as the result of decay. The North-American

O. latipes is closely allied to this insect, but is twice the size, and has more densely

punctured elytra.

15. Osorius micros.

Angustior, cylindricus, piceus vel rufescens; antennis pedibusque testaceis; capite prothoraceque fortiter

punctatis.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. GuateMaLa, Pantaleon (Champion); Honpuras (Sallé); Panama, San Feliz

(Champion).

This is the smallest, narrowest, and most parallel of all the Osoriz. It has the thorax

but little narrowed behind, and its lateral margins excessively fine; in other respects

similar to O. salvini.

We have received only four examples of this species; the one from Honduras was

labelled “ O. micros, Fauvel” in Sallé’s collection.

HOLOTROCHUS.

Holotrochus, Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 757 (1840) ; Leconte, Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. vi. p- 216.

This genus has a considerable number (twenty or so mostly undescribed) of species

in South America, two in the Antilles, and one each in Java and Madagascar. They

appear to be rare insects and solitary in their habits. According to Mr. Champion

they are usually found beneath wet sappy bark.

HOLOTROCHUS. 683

1. Holotrochus rufopygus. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 5.)

Subcylindricus, nitidissimus, niger; abdominis segmentis duobus ultimis rufis; antennis pedibusque piceis ;

prothorace parce subtilissimeque punctulato, utrinque prope angulum posteriorem longius impresso ; elytris

vage subtiliter punctatis.

Long. 64 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Purula 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather short ; joints 4-6 each about as long as broad, 7-10 slightly trans-

verse, the terminal joint obtuse and rather longer. Head very feebly and sparingly

punctured. Thorax transversely subquadrate, straight at the sides, the hind angles a

little rounded ; near each side is a rather large impression extending more than one third

of its length. Elytra longer than the thorax, the shoulders sharply defined and a little

prominent ; with a deep sutural stria and very obsolete punctuation. ‘Terminal ventral

segments feebly punctulate, dull; an elongate deep depression on the middle of the

last segment, and a slight impression with four minute tubercles on the penultimate

one in the male.

One pair.

2. Holotrochus simplex.

Nitidissimus, niger ; antennis pedibusque rufis; subtilissime punctulatus ; prothorace fere inimpresso.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, Las Mercedes 2500 feet (Champion).

In this species there is only a feeble impression, bearing three or four rather larger

punctures, on each side of the thorax, and the terminal segments of the hind body

are not red; in other respects the unique female greatly resembles the same sex of

H. rufopyqus.

3. Holotrochus picescens.

Subcylindricus, nitidissimus, nigro-piceus ; antennis pedibusque rufis; subtilius punctatus; prothorace fere

inimpresso.

Long. vix 5 millim.

Hab. GuateMaa, Rio Naranjo 450 feet (Champion).

Closely allied to the two preceding species, but the thorax is without conspicuous

depression, and the surface is a little less obsoletely though more closely punctate ;

such depression as there is on the thorax is very vague and small, though replaced by a

more conspicuous one at the extreme base of the wing-case. ‘The male has an elongate,

deep, elliptical impression, with a slightly incrassate margin, on the middle of the last

ventral plate. Unique.

4. Holotrochus politus.

Subcylindricus, nigro-piceus, nitidissimus; antennis pedibusque rufis; fere impunctatus; elytris prothoracis

longitudine,

Long. 42 millim.

ene 4 S82

684 STAPHYLINIDZ.

Hab. Mexico (Truqut, in coll. Sharp).

Above blackish, with the margin of the clypeus, the base of the thorax, and the hind

margins of the rings of the hind body reddish, the elytra piceous; beneath piceous.

Thorax straight at the sides, not quite so long as broad, the hind angles rectangular ;

without fovea, and the punctuation very distant and excessively fine. The elytra are

only about as long as the thorax, and almost impunctate. Hind body very shining,

almost impunctate, both above and below. Unique.

5. Holotrochus centralis.

Subcylindricus, nigerrimus, nitidus ; parcius subtilissime punctulatus ; antennis pedibusque rufis ; elytris obso-

lete substrigosulis ; abdomine segmento ultimo ventrale granulato,

Long. 44 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion) ; Ntcaraeua, Chontales (Janson).

The thorax is about as long as broad, straight at the sides; without impression,

sparingly, extremely finely punctate. Elytra without punctuation, very indistinctly

strigulose. The two terminal abdominal segments punctate ; the last ventral segment

distinctly granulate. Three examples.

This insect is no doubt closely allied to H. cylindrus, Er.

6. Holotrochus uniformis.

Subcylindricus, nigerrimus, nitidissimus ; omnino tenuissime punctulatus, fere glaber; antennis pedibusque

rufis. .

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Joints 4-6 of the antennze small, 7-10 each strongly transverse. Thorax nearly as

long as broad, very convex transversely, without fovee. Elytra a little longer than

the thorax, polished and shining. Hind body without sculpture ; hind margin of the

penultimate segment and the armature red ; terminal segment reddish beneath, without

sculpture. Unique.

7. Holotrochus marginatus, (Tab. XVIII. fig. 6.)

Minus cylindricus, nigerrimus, nitidissimus; parcius subtilissime punctulatus ; antennis, pedibus anoque rufis ;

prothorace transverso, basi subtiliter marginato.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Guaremaa, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

This species is easily distinguished from the preceding by the shorter thorax, and by

this part possessing a distinct basal margin. The thorax is much broader than long,

almost impunctate, without impressions, slightly curvate at the sides, the hind angles

rounded. Elytra rather longer than the thorax, shining, almost impunctate. Terminal

segments of the hind body almost destitute of sculpture, shining both above and below.

Two examples.

BLEDIUS. 685

Group OXYTELINA.

BLEDIUS.

Bledius, Mannerheim, Brach. p. 44 (1830) ; Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 760; Leconte, Tr.

Am. Ent. Soc. vi. p. 217.

This extensive genus contains at present about 150 species. Its metropolis appa-

tently is North America, where there are about fifty described species. South

America on the contrary is very poor in Bledius; it possesses only seven or eight

described species, all of which are minute inconspicuous forms. In the eastern hemi-

sphere the genus is generally distributed, except in islands.

1. Bledius lecontei. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 7.)

Testaceus, opacus ; capite elytrorumque disco plus minusve infuscatis; mandibulis elongatis, medio longius

dentatis ; prothorace elytrisque dense subobsoleteque punctatis.

Long. 7—9 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Tres Marias Islands (Forrer).

We have received only two badly preserved specimens of this insect ; these differ

considerably in size and colour, but are, I have no doubt, one species. B. lecontei is

closely allied to B. jacobinus, Lec., but with a denser punctuation on the head, thorax,

and elytra; this punctuation is more obsolete than in B. jacobinus, and the disc of the

elytra is peculiarly dull. The depression on the submentum is deep in the middle

behind, and the suture behind it is nearly straight.

2. Bledius inornatus. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 8.)

Rufescens, sat nitidus; capite superne abdomineque nigricantibus; prothorace elongato, fortiter punctato ;

mandibulis sat elongatis, curvatis, ante apicem breviter dentatis.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Costa Rica, Irazu 6000 to 7000 feet (Rogers); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Head dull, impunctate, unarmed; eyes very convex. ‘Thorax shining, reddish, some-

what infuscate along the middle, nearly as long as broad ; sides curvate, gently narrowed

behind, the hind angles extremely indistinct; surface rather closely and coarsely punc-

tured, more sparingly so along the middle, the dorsal channel very deep and distinct.

Elytra rather longer than the thorax, shining red, coarsely and closely punctured.

This Bledius is allied to the European B. fracticornis. Three examples only were

obtained, two from Irazu and one from Bugaba; they agree closely.

3. Bledius gregarius.

Parvus, niger, sat nitidus; prothorace piceo; antennis, pedibus elytrisque testaceis, his disco plus minusve

infuscatis ; mandibulis brevibus, simplicibus.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. GuateMaua, Duefias (Champion).

686 STAPHYLINIDA.

Antenne with the terminal joint nearly twice as long as the tenth. Head shining,

impunctate; eyes rather small. Thorax rather strongly transverse, curvate, not

angulate at the sides; hind angles obtuse, indistinct ; surface rather closely and coarsely

punctured, with a very fine channel extending all along the middle. Elytra much longer

than the thorax, closely and rather finely punctate. Hind body almost impunctate.

Mr. Champion procured a large number of specimens of this obscure little Bledzus,

all of which were captured on the wing towards sunset, and near the banks of a small

stream. The species is allied to the Amazonian B. simplex, but has much longer elytra.

4. Bledius bifasciatus.

Minutus, subopacus, minutissime punctatus, piceus ; capite nigricante, mandibulis, antennis, pedibus elytrisque

testaceis, his basi apiceque transversim nigris ; capite supra antennas utrinque tuberculo acuto; mandibulis

elongatis, tenuibus, curvatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Rio Naranjo 450 feet, Pantaleon (Champion).

Head very broad, dull, without visible punctuation. Thorax rather shining, almost

impunctate, with traces of an obliterated channel along the middle ; the sides are almost

straight nearly to the base, where they become greatly narrowed. Elytra obsoletely

punctate.

This minute but elegant Bledius is not closely allied to any species known to me.

Seven examples were obtained.

5. Bledius infantilis.

Minutus, rufescens ; capite fusco, antennis pedibusque flavis, elytris testaceis; prothorace sat transverso, parce

punctato, disco obsolete canaliculato; elytris dense subtiliterque punctatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Presidio (Forrer).

Head impunctate; eyes large, very convex; mandibles very short. Thorax dark red,

rather shining ; subobsoletely and sparingly, but not finely, punctured; sides straight

nearly to the base, then gently rounded so that the hind angles cannot be detected.

Elytra longer than the thorax, each very rounded at the apex. Seven examples.

Closely allied to B. gregarius, but still smaller and readily distinguished by the much

larger eyes. It is almost equally close to B. muticus, from the Amazons valley, but that

species has a shorter thorax, with the dorsal channel still more obliterated

PLATYSTETHUS.

Platystethus, Mannerheim, Brach. p. 46 (1830).

Platysthetus, Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 781.

This genus is at present best represented in the north temperate regions of the Old

World, but it is probably widely distributed; the species are minute unattractive

PLATYSTETHUS.—OXYTELUS. 687

insects, living in very muddy places, and are not likely to be captured by casual collectors.

About thirty species are known, including one from North America, and one from

South America; both these latter have been met with in our region.

1. Platystethus americanus.

Platysthetus americanus, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 784.

Hab. Norra America, Pennsylvania and Virginia 1.—Mexico, Guanajuato (Sallé).

We have received only one female, but I have no doubt about its determination.

2. Platystethus obscurus.

Niger, nitidus ; elytris piceis, pedibus testaceis; capite prothoraceque parce obsoleteque punctatis, hoc canaliculato,

illo vertice utrinque impresso.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Sallé).

Of this obscure little insect we have only received females. P. obscurus appears to

be about equally allied to P. americanus and P. spiculus, from the former of which it

is distinguished by the existence of a short deep depression on either side of the vertex

(this depression is a little curvate and longitudinal in its direction, and being placed

at a little distance from the eye gives rise to an appearance of aslight elevation between

it and the eye), and another close to the inner margin of the eye; in P. spiculus there

is a third stria between the two just mentioned, and punctuation can hardly be detected

on the surface.

3. Platystethus spiculus. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 9.)

Platysthetus spiculus, Kr. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 784’.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo, Quezaltenango 7800 feet (Champion); Panama,

Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).—VENEZUELA, Caracas 1.

OXYTELUS.

Oxytelus, Gravenhorst, Micr. p. 101 (1802) ; Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 785 ; Leconte, Tr.

Am. Ent. Soe. vi. p. 234.

The unattractive insects of which this genus is composed are mostly of stercoraceous

habits, and are but rarely secured by collectors in tropical countries. Notwithstanding

this fact, more than one hundred species have been described, so there is no doubt that

the members of this genus are very numerous. It is of almost universal distribution,

and occurs from the Arctic regions to the equator; in the southern hemisphere few

species have yet been obtained, except in Australia.

688 STAPHYLINIDZ.

§1. Thorax without, or with only a very slight, impression near the lateral margin.

1. Oxytelus principalis. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 10, ¢ .)

Latiusculus, subdepressus, nitidus, nigerrimus ; elytris apicem versus livide testaceis; prothorace medio late,

vage impresso ; elytris parce subtiliterque punctatis.

Mas mandibulis longioribus, valde curvatis ; clypeo medio processu lato subtriangulari, utrinque subdentato.

Fem. clypeo medio quinque-dentato, dentibus lateralibus obtusis, parum prominulis,

Long. 8-10 millim.

Hab. GuatTEMALA, Quezaltenango 7800 feet (Champion).

Antenne entirely black. Head shining, feebly punctulate, the punctuation more

developed on the middle of the vertex, where the surface is broadly vaguely depressed ;

eyes remote from the hind angles. ‘Thorax twice as broad as long, feebly punctate, with

a broad depression along the middle (deep in front, more shallow behind), and also

vaguely depressed near the sides ; lateral margin excessively fine. Elytra broad and short,

a little longer than the thorax ; the basal portion black, shading into livid testaceous,

the black colour continued to the apex along the suture. Legs black ; tarsi very long

and slender, infuscate-testaceous. In the male the middle tooth of the clypeus becomes

enlarged, and the intermediate tooth placed on its side becomes more or less obsolete ;

the terminal ventral plate has a short truncate, produced lobe in the middle, and on

the hind margin of the preceding segment there are two slight, rather widely separated,

tuberculiform projections. In the female the terminal ventral plate is obtusely angular

in the middle.

A series of nine examples was procured of this remarkable species; like so many of

its congeners, it is of stercoraceous habits.

2. Oxytelus luteipennis.

Oxytelus luteipennis, Er. Kaf. Mark-Brand. i. p. 593’; Gen. et Spec. Staph. p.'592 *

Oxytelus fuscipennis, Mann. Bull. Mosc. 1843, i. p. 233°; Solsky, Bull. Mosc. xlu. pt. 2, p. 265 *.

Oxytelus laqueatus, Gemm. & Har. Mun. Cat. ii. p. 649°; Fauv. Faun. Gall.-rhen. iii. p. 167°.

Oxytelus mexicanus, Chevr. in litt. (coll. Sharp).

Hab. Evrope!?*°—Norru America, Sitka?.—Mexico* (Zruqui), Jalapa, Mirador

(Hége), Cordova, Orizaba, Guanajuato (Sallé); Guatemata, Chiacam, San Gerdénimo,

San Joaquin, Rio Maria Linda, Zapote, Aceytuno (Champion).

Examples from Guatemala agree well with others from Sitka and Scotland in

my collection, the Sitka examples being authentic exponents from Mannerheim.

Leconte’s O. fuscipennis (Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. vi. p. 235) is apparently quite different,

unless his description of the male characters be erroneous. G. R. Waterhouse (Cat.

Brit. Col. 1858) supposed this insect to be Staphylinus laqueatus, Marsham (Ent. Brit.

p. 913), and this opinion has been accepted by the authors of the Munich ‘ Catalogue’

and by Fauvel®; but the terms of Marsham’s description seem to me to render it certain

OXYTELUS. 689

that he intended some other insect. In Mexico this appears to be the most abundant

of the Oxyteli.

3. Oxytelus insignitus.

Oxytelus insignitus, Grav. Mon. p. 1881; Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 793°; Lec. Tr. Am. Ent. Soc.

vi. p. 236°.

Hab. North America!?’,—Mextco, Guanajuato (Sallé), Mirador (Hége), Cordova

(Sallé, Hoge); Guatemana, near the city, San Gerdénimo, San Joaquin, Sinanja,

Cubilguitz (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de

Chiriqui, Los Remedios (Champion).—Sovurn America, Colombia 2.—ANTILLES, St.

Thomas ?.

4. Oxytelus derasus.

Politus, piceus; capite nigricante, antennarum basi, pedibus elytrisque testaceis, his ad angulos exteriores

fuscescentibus ; parce punctatus; prothorace polito, obsolete trisulcato, sulcis lateralibus abbreviatis, vix

perspicuis ; clypeo medio acuminato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz, Jalapa, Cordova, Cerro de Plumas (Héye); GuATEMALA,

San Gerénimo, Zapote, Champerico, Coatepeque, El Reposo (Champion); Nicaracua,

Granada (Sal/é) ; Panama, David, Bugaba, Los Remedios (Champion).

Though allied to O. luteipennis, this insect is readily distinguished by the polished

surface, with greatly diminished sculpture, and the obsolete thoracic grooves. The

head is sparingly punctate, the front of the clypeus is rather depressed, and forms a

minute projection in the middle. There is a fine obsolete groove along the middle of

the thorax, and the lateral grooves can usually be detected, but they are abbreviated and

very obsolete. The elytra are longer than the thorax, their sculpture much effaced,

polished. The male has a larger head than the female, and the hind margin of the

last ventral plate is prolonged in the middle to form a short, broad lobe. The species

varies in colour from a piceous to a flavescent tint, and the sculpture is in some examples

considerably less effaced than it is in others.

5. Oxytelus lucidus. |

Politus, fere impunctatus, piceus; capite nigricante, mandibulis, antennarum basi elytrisque flavis; prothorace

trisulcato, sulcis lateralibus postice abbreviatis.

Mas clypei medio breviter spinoso, spine apice emarginato.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui

2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne elongate, the penultimate joints slightly transverse, the terminal joint very

long. Head polished, without sculpture, with a vague depression on the vertex on each

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, January 1887. 4 TT

690 STAPHYLINID~.

side, the middle of the clypeus with a small projection, which is emarginate at the

tip. Thorax polished, impunctate; with a channel along the middle (deep and

broad in front, finer behind), and on either side another one which is quite obliterated

posteriorly. Elytra pallid, longer than the thorax, smooth and shining. The male has.

no peculiar abdominal characters. One example from each locality.

6. Oxytelus carbonellus.

Oxytelus carbonellus, Solsky, Bull. Mose. xlii. pt. 2, p. 266 (1869) *.

Hab. Mexico (Boucard 1), Puebla, Guanajuato (Sallé).

7. Oxytelus strigosulus. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 12.)

Nigricans, pedibus rufis, opacus, dense minus subtiliter strigosulus ; prothorace late obsolete trisulcato, lateribus.

minutissime, vix perspicue crenulatis.

Long. 3-34 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); GuatTeMaLA, near the city, San Juan in Vera Paz,

Cubilguitz, Senahu, Balheu (Champion).

Antenne short, black, piceous at the base. Head with a feeble inequality of the

surface. Thorax short, rounded at the base; emarginate in front, so that the anterior

angles are rather prominent; with only very indistinct grooves, which are, indeed,

scarcely present, but the spaces separating them are elevated, though abbreviated and

indefinite. The elytra are longer than the thorax, blackish or picescent, very evidently

strigose. Hind body closely and distinctly punctured. I have not been able to find

any sexual distinction in our small series of examples.

8. Oxytelus vilis.

Niger, opacus ; pedibus testaceis, femoribus fusco-testaceis ; dense strigosus, haud punctatus, strigulis elytrorum

minus subtilibus; prothorace obsolete trisulcato.

Long. 2-3 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Truqui); GuaTema.a, Quezaltenango 7800 feet, El Tumbador, Tamahu,

San Joaquin, Cubilguitz (Champion).

Antenne black, rather short ; third and fourth joints very small, subequal, 5-10 each

broader than the preceding one, transverse, the penultimate joints very strongly

transverse. Head very densely and finely strigose, quite dull. Thorax sculptured like

the head, the three median channels obliterated. Elytra a good deal longer than the

thorax, densely and more coarsely strigose, more or less dilute in colour so as to be

sometimes piceous instead of black. Hind body closely and finely punctured.

We have received a fair series of this obscure insect; it is probably an abundant

species in our region. I can detect no conspicuous sexual differences, though, as some

specimens have the head a good deal larger than others, I have no doubt that both

sexes are before me.

OXYTELUS. 691

9. Oxytelus fragilis.

Minutus, opacus, niger; pedibus testaceis; densissime subtilissime strigosulus ; prothorace fere equali.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador, San Joaquin, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion) ;

Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Extremely similar to the European O. depressus ; resembling also the North-American

O. nanus, Er., but readily distinguished by the absence of the slightly polished lines

which mark the limits of the thoracic grooves in that species. The antenne are

entirely black; joints 3 and 4 very small, 5-10 transverse. Head very minutely

strigose, quite dull, without depression on the vertex, the front margin of the clypeus

feebly shining. Thorax strongly transverse, the grooves just perceptible and rather

broad, the whole surface quite dull. Elytra longer than the thorax, and almost as

finely strigose. Hind body very feebly, scarcely perceptibly, punctured.

The small series (nine examples) obtained of this obscure species does not exhibit, so

far as I can see, any conspicuous sexual differences; but the specimens are in very

decayed condition, so that I cannot examine them thoroughly.

10. Oxytelus emeritus.

Minutus, nigricans, omnino subtilissime strigosulus, subnitidus ; pedibus testaceis; prothorace trisulcato.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemara, San Joaquin, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Head shining, the clypeus polished, the vertex with a definite fovea in front. Thorax

strigose; the grooves present, the spaces separating them polished and rather broad.

Elytra longer than the thorax, dull, excessively minutely strigose.

Only two examples of this minute Oxytelus were obtained : I believe they represent

the sexes though I see nothing very conspicuous to indicate it.

§2. Thorax with a large and very deep impression on each side near the lateral margin.

11. Oxytelus spinifrons. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 11, ¢.)

Niger; mandibulis, antennarum basi, pedibus elytrisque testaceis, his brevibus, strigoso-punctatis ; prothorace

profunde trisulcato.

Mas clypei medio triangulariter subspinoso-producto.

Long. 33-4 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne with the four basal joints yellow or red, the others dark; terminal joint

elongate, acuminate. Head much larger in the male than in the female; vertex

punctate-strigose, and with three depressions, these depressions as well as the sculp-

ture much more largely developed in the male than in the female; the anterior

4 TT 2

692 . STAPHYLINIDZ.

portion impunctate, and in the male polished, and produced as a triangular process, with

decurved spinose apex. Thorax about twice as long as broad; the three dorsal grooves.

very deep, definite, and straight; the large lateral cavity surrounded by a small

amount of strigose punctuation. Elytra but little longer than the thorax, rather

coarsely strigose-punctate; at the outside there is an impressed line. The abdominal

characters of the male are very slight indeed: the hind margin of the terminal ventral

plate is feebly sinuate, and the preceding segment has some very fine punctuation on

the middle.

This is one of a group of species the determination of which on a small number of

specimens is very difficult; I supposed them, indeed, to be mere variations of one

species, till I examined the male characters. The late Mr. Janson obtained many

examples of this insect.

12. Oxytelus armatifrons.

Piceus; mandibulis, antennarum basi, pedibus elytrisque testaceis, his brevibus, strigoso-punctatis ; prothorace

profunde trisulcato; antennarum articulo ultimo subquadrato, parum transverso.

Mas clypei medio longius spinoso-producto.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

In the male of this species the head has the whole of the back part densely strigose,

and there is an elongate, oblique, longitudinal channel on each side, but no conspicuous

depression in the middle, and the anterior part is polished, and produced so as to form a

long spine; the middle of the hind margin of the last ventral segment projects a little,

thus forming a short, broad, subacuminate lobe.

We have received only two males of this species; though extremely similar to

O. spinifrons, it differs in the sexual characters, and is therefore probably distinct.

13. Oxytelus stipes.

Piceus, nitidus ; elytris dilutioribus, antennis apicem versus sordide testaceis, mandibulis pedibusque testaceis ;

prothorace profunde trisulcato, haud punctato ; elytris brevibus, profunde strigoso-punctatis.

Mas clypei medio longius spinoso-producto.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

We have only a single male of this species, and, though very similar to 0. spinifrons

and O. armatifrons, there is little doubt it is distinct. The antenne are rather long

and slender, neither the fifth nor the tenth joint being transverse. The head is

densely, regularly, longitudinally strigose on the disc, the vertex, however, being shining

and canaliculate in the middle; on either side there is a remarkably conspicuous

elongate, oblique, longitudinal channel, and the polished clypeus is produced in front

to form avery long spine. The thorax is very short. The abdominal characters are:

OXYTELUS, 693

very slight, almost the same as in O. spinifrons, the chief one being that the penultimate

segment has some fine punctuation on the middle of the hind margin.

14. Oxytelus latifrons.

Niger, nitidus; elytris piceis, antennarum basi, mandibulis pedibusque testaceis; prothorace trisulcato, inter-

stitiis latioribus, parce punctatis; elytris punctatis, vix strigosis.

Mas clypei medio longius spinoso-producto.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Head of the male short and broad; the vertex smooth, not channelled, the middle

finely strigose ; clypeus polished, and produced into a very long spine in front, the

oblique channel on each side deep; mandibles very long. Terminal ventral plate

deeply bisinuate, so that the middle forms a short, broad lobe; hind margin of the

penultimate segment emarginate in the middle, and obsoletely punctate in front of this.

Though we have only one male, and it is very close to the three preceding species, it

will probably be found more easy to separate it, as the intervals between the thoracic

grooves are rather more flattened and broader.

15. Oxytelus incilis.

Piceus, capite nigro, pedibus flavis; clypeo nitido, vertice strigoso-punctato; prothorace profunde trisulcato ;

elytris brevibus, parce punctatis, vix strigosis.

Mas clypei medio breviter spinoso-producto.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GuatEeMaLa, Coatepeque 1300 feet (Champion); Panama, San Miguel in the

Pearl Islands (Champion).

This is smaller than either of the foregoing species, and has joints 7-10 of the

antenne transverse. The head has the vertex strigose, and a short channel in the

middle; it has no oblique lateral channel. There is very little punctuation on the

thorax, and the sculpture of the elytra is much effaced. The male can be readily

distinguished from the female by its head being larger and spinose in front; this sex

is destitute of any notable abdominal character.

16. Oxytelus exaratus.

Niger, sat nitidus; fortiter strigosus; pedibus flavis, mandibulis antennarumque articulo ultimo rufescentibus ;

prothorace profunde trisulcato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Balheu in Vera Paz 3000 feet (Champion).

This, though closely allied to the preceding species, is readily distinguished from all

of them by the dense coarse strigosity of the wing-cases, on which no punctures can be

detected. We have only one example, which is no doubt a female. The antenne are

elongate, the basal joints piceous, the penultimate joint quite as long as broad, the

694 STAPHYLINIDA.

terminal joint very long and of a dull red colour. The clypeus is rounded in front,

and shining, though bearing a few punctures ; the vertex coarsely strigose. The thorax

is somewhat strigose, but obscurely so on account of the deep grooves and the large

lateral depressions occupying the greater part of the surface. The elytra are a good

deal longer than the thorax. The hind body is black and shining.

17. Oxytelus externus.

Rufo-piceus, nitidus; antennis pedibusque testaceis; capite medio sublevigato, angulis posterioribus sculptu-

ratis; prothorace profunde trisulcato ; elytris sublevigatis, haud strigosis sed parce punctatis minuteque

setosulis.

Mas clypei medio producto; lobo elongato, deplanato, apice subobtuso.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This is a very distinct species, of which only one example has been obtained; it will

be readily distinguished by the pallid antenne and by the different form of the cephalic

spine, which is here straight, flattened, and almost blunt at the extremity. The man-

dibles are elongate. The head is nearly smooth in the middle, though there is a very

distinct sculpture at the hind angles. The thorax has very deep grooves, and also a

very fine distant punctuation which is still more indistinct than that on the elytra. I

do not observe any sexual character on the hind body.

APOCELLUS.

Apocellus, Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 812 (1840) ; Leconte, Tr. Am. Ent. Soe. vi. p. 247.

This genus contains fifteen described species—all from temperate and tropical

regions of the New World. The genus is a very distinct one, and some of its

species have been mistaken for members of the “ Aleocharine”; the male characters

are remarkable and unlike those of any other known Coleoptera. Leconte records the

North-American species as of stercoraceous habits, and Mr. Champion makes a similar

statement about those of our region.

1. Apocellus sphericollis. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 13.)

Lathrobium sphericolle, Say, Tr. Am. Phil. Soc. iv. p. 455°; Lec. Complete Writings of Thomas

Say, ii. p. 570°.

Apocellus sphericollis, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 813, t. 2. f£.5°; Lec. Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. vi.

p- 248%.

Hab. Nortu America! 23 4,—Mexico (Truqui, Flohr), Guanajuato (Sallé), Yautepec

(Flohr), Jalapa, Tehuacan, Cerro de Plumas, Mirador (Hdge), Cordova (Hoge, Sallé):

Teapa (Chevrolat) ; Guatema.a (Sallé), near the city (Salvin, Champion), San Gerénimo

(Champion).

I am not able to discriminate more than one species amongst the large number of

examples before me, though they vary much in colour and size, and somewhat in the

APOCELLUS. 695.

form of the peculiar lateral wings of the terminal segment of the male. The

specimens in Sallé’s collection were separated as several species with MS. names of

Fauvel attached. Erichson’s outline figure is not satisfactory, and we consequently give

one taken from the well-developed male example found by Mr. Salvin. In Chevrolat’s

collection two examples of an Apocellus are labelled as having been received from

Erichson as A. sphwricollis; these, however, are a distinct species (A. nigriventris,

Chevy. in litt.), and it seems as if Erichson’s figure had been made partly from one of

these examples, and partly from A. sphericollis. This insect is very widely distributed

in the Southern United States.

2. Apocellus. analis.

Apocellus analis, Lec. Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. vi. p. 2477.

Hab. Norrn America, Louisiana !, California}, Arizona }.—Mzuxtco, Cordova (Hége).

3. Apocellus cognatus. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 14.)

Politus, rufo-testaceus, abdominis apice nigro, parce longiusque setosus, nitidus, impunctatus; prothorace sub-

quadrato, basin versus leviter angustato.

Long. 33-4 millim.

Hab. Norra America, Opelousas in Louisiana (Sa//é).—Guatemata (Sallé),

Champerico, Rio Naranjo, near the city of Guatemala, San Gerdénimo (Champion) ;

Honpuras (Sallé); Nicaracua, Managua (Sal/é).

Antenne elongate, thicker externally. Head large, subquadrate, broader than the

thorax, truncate behind. Thorax rather broader than long, the sides nearly straight, a

little narrowed behind. Elytra broad and short, much wider and a little longer than

the thorax. Hind body broad. In the male the hind margin of the penultimate

ventral plate is somewhat emarginate and very slightly deflexed in the middle, and the

following segment is broadly but feebly impressed.

This insect is allied to A. analis, Lec., but has a comparatively feeble development

of the male characters. The examples from Guatemala city and San Gerénimo are

darker in colour and have a decidedly greater development of the male characters ;

they may be distinct but are in very decayed condition, and the dark colour may be the

result of this. The unique exponent from Honduras is a very large male of dark

colour, and it also may possibly be distinct.

4, Apocellus muticus.

Sat latus, politus, rufus; elytris dimidio apicali fusco, abdominis apice nigro; prothorace subquadrato, basin

versus angustato.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz (Hoge).

Very similar to A. analis, but the thorax is narrower, and not broader than long ; the

basal half of the wing-cases pallid, the apical half fuscescent. The male characters

696 STA PHYLINIDA.

are excessively slight, the penultimate segment being simple, and the terminal segment

possessing only a slight depression along the middle. Unique.

5. Apocellus gracilis.

Gracilior, politus, fusco-rufus, pedibus testaceis; prothorace subquadrato, basin versus angustato; elytris

quam prothorax paullo angustiore.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Truqui), Guanajuato (Sailé).

This is a smaller insect than A. cognatus; the male especially is much smaller, with

feeble sexual characters, the penultimate ventral ring being nearly simple, the terminal

segment deeply and broadly depressed.

6. Apocellus barbatus.

Gracilior, politus, nigricans ; pedibus albidis, femoribus extrorsum fuscis; antennis elongatis, articulo ultimo

rufescente; prothorace minus quadrato, basin versus angustato.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, David, Bugaba (Champion).

This insect is smaller than the smallest examples of A. sphericollis, and has different

male characters. The thorax is convex and more globose than in A. analis and

A. cognatus, though strongly narrowed behind. The elytra are rather longer than the

thorax. The hind body is comparatively slender, and the basal segment is yellowish

in colour. In the male the penultimate ventral segment is nearly simple, its hind

margin being, however, slightly incrassate and emarginate in the middle; the terminal

segment is only feebly impressed, but has a group of very long slender sete on each

side at the outer hind corner of the depression. Four examples.

7. Apocellus prestans.

Gracilis, nigricans, politus; elytris fuscis, marginibus dilutioribus ; antennis rufis, ante apicem fuscescentibus ;

pedibus flavis; prothorace subgloboso.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, near the city, Zapote (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui

3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Exceedingly similar to some of the smaller varieties of A. sphericollis, but the thorax

is shorter and distinctly transverse. The male characters are also quite different: the

hind margin of the penultimate ventral segment is armed with a much larger plate than

in A. sphericollis; this plate is but little curvate, and projects obliquely backwards ;

there are lateral wings on the terminal segment, but the wings are not elongate and

their margins are fringed with long cilie; the basal portion of the terminal segment,

under the protection of the lamina of the preceding segment, is very deeply impressed,

and is either minutely sculptured or furnished with a fine pnbescence, I am unable to

say which.

APOCELLUS.—TROGOPHL@US. 697

Of this little species, with such remarkable male characters, we have received only

one example from each locality: the male from the city of Guatemala has the hind

body contracted, and as I have been unable to restore it to its natural length I cannot

say if the structure of the terminal segments agrees exactly with that of the typical

example from Chiriqui.

8. Apocellus sordidus. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 15.)

Parvus, minus gracilis, opacus, fusco-niger; elytris dilutioribus; antennis fuscescentibus, basi testacea ;

pedibus flavis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador, Mirandilla, near the city of Guatemala, San Gero-

nimo, Balheu (Champion).

Antenne very stout; joints 4-10 short, the terminal joint more pallid than the

preceding. Head small, quite dull, without definite sculpture. Thorax very small,

strongly narrowed behind, dull like the head. Elytra rather longer than the thorax;

very finely, densely, and minutely punctulate, not so dull as the head and thorax.

Hind body broad, moderately shining. ‘Legs entirely pallid. In the male there is

a slight lamination and deflection of the middle of the hind margin of the penultimate

ventral plate, and the following segment is broadly deplanate along the middle.

TROGOPHLCUS.

Trogophleus, Mannerheim, Brach. p. 49 (1830); Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 801; Leconte,

Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. vi. p. 242.

This genus at present includes about one hundred described species ; it is very widely

distributed, occurring even in oceanic islands. The genus is no doubt one of the most

extensive of the Staphylinide, but its species have been as yet but little collected and

studied; Leconte records about fifty species known to him as occurring in America

north of Mexico, but the greater portion still remain undescribed. <A comparatively

small number of species, represented only by very few examples, have yet been obtained

in our region, and I have little doubt that Central America harbours many others in

addition to those recorded here.

1. Trogophleus fulvipes.

Trogophleus fulvipes, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 804; Lec. Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. vi. p. 2477.

Hab. Norta America, Southern States?.—GuaremaLa, near the city, Duefias, Paso

Antonio, San Gerénimo, San Joaquin (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson) ;

Panama, Bugaba (Champion).—ANTILLES, Puerto Rico ! 2,

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, January 1887. 4 UU

698 STAPHYLINID A.

2. Trogophleus suffusus.

Angustus, subdepressus, subnitidus, nigricans ; prothorace piceo, elytris rufis, antennarum basi apiceque cum

pedibus testaceis ; prothorace dorso bi-impresso ; elytris minus obsolete punctulatis.

Long. 2? millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Paso Antonio (Champion).

Antenne short and stout; third joint smaller than the second, the penultimate

joint strongly transverse. Head a little narrower than the thorax; eyes small. Thorax

not very strongly transverse; much rounded at the sides, so that the front angles.

are quite obtuse; surface visibly punctulate, the disc with two elongate impressions.

Elytra rather longer than the thorax, rather closely and distinctly punctate, somewhat

shining. Hind body becoming broader towards the apex. Unique.

This Zrogophieus has an appearance quite similar to the European species of the

T. riparius and T. corticinus group; it is not closely allied to any of the others here

recorded.

3. Trogophleus planellus. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 16.)

Sat latus, subdepressus, sat nitidus, nigricans; antennis fusco-testaceis, basi pedibusque testaceis, elytris fulvis ;

prothorace fortiter transverso, basi minus profunde bi-impressa, angulis anterioribus obtusis; elytris quam.

prothorax multo longioribus, densius, subtiliter, sed perspicue, punctulatis, sat nitidis.

Long. 22 millim.

Hab. Guatemana, Rio Naranjo (Champion); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne slender, thicker externally; penultimate joint about as long as broad.

Head broad, very short; eyes large. Thorax twice as broad as long, rounded at the

sides and much narrowed behind, quite truncate in front; anterior angles but little

deflexed, obtuse ; the two basal impressions short and rather indefinite. Elytra much

longer than the thorax, finely but quite distinctly punctulate, shining.

This species is very closely allied to the Cuban 7. aridus, Jacq. Duv., but is con-

siderably smaller, has shorter antenne, more pallid elytra, and less distinct thoracic

impressions. It varies in the colour of the elytra, which sometimes are nearly black.

4. Trogophleus filarius.

Angustus, haud convexus, dense subtilissimeque punctulatus, subopacus, nigricans ; antennis pedibusque testaceis,

illis extrorsum magis obscuris; prothorace minus transverso, basin versus angustato, angulis anterioribus.

rotundatis et fere equali; elytris fulvis.

Long. 2 millim,

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerdnimo (Champion).

Antenne short and rather slender; third joint much smaller than the second, the

penultimate joint slightly transverse. Head short, deeply bi-impressed. Thorax rather

broader than long; the front angles rounded, whence the sides are narrowed to the

base ; the surface very finely punctulate, feebly shining, just visibly bi-impressed at the

TROGOPHL@US. 699

base. Hind body dull, excessively finely and densely punctulate; distinctly broader

from the base towards the extremity. Two examples.

5. Trogophleus curtulus.

Brevis, subdepressus, tenuissime punctulatus et pubescens, nitidus, nigricans ; antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis

extrorsum magis obscuris; elytris fuscis, apicem versus rufescentibus; prothorace fortiter transverso,

lateribus rotundatis, obsolete bi-impresso.

Long. vix 2 millim.

Hab. GuateMaa (Sallé), Torola 1000 feet (Champion); Panama, San Miguel in the

Pearl Islands (Champion).

Antenne short; third joint much smaller than the second, the penultimate joint

rather strongly transverse. Head very broad and short, deeply bi-impressed. Thorax

broad and very short; front margin and sides curvate, so that no anterior angles can be

seen; the disc with two elongate but obsolete depressions. LElytra distinctly longer

than the thorax, shining, feebly and not densely punctate. Hind body shining.

This insect is allied to the Cuban 7. fulvipennis, Fauy., but is larger, has a somewhat

different punctuation, and the thoracic impressions obsolete.

6. Trogophleus nigrellus.

Brevis, niger, nitidus, tenuissime punctulatus et pubescens; antennarum basi pedibusque fusco-testaceis

prothorace fortiter transverso, fere inimpresso, vix perspicue punctulato.

Long. vix 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador, Rio Naranjo, Cerro Zunil, San Joaquin (Champion).

Antenne very short, much thicker externally ; penultimate joints strongly transverse.

Head very short; eyes but little convex, well separated from the hind margin. Thorax

strongly transverse ; sides rounded, much narrowed behind; front angles depressed and

rounded ; surface almost even and impunctate, shining. Elytra broad and short, shining,

feebly punctulate.

This species is closely allied to 7. curtulus, but differs in numerous minor characters.

We have received about a dozen examples.

7. Trogophleus excellens.

Brevis, niger, nitidus, tenuiter punctulatus ; antennis basi pedibusque testaceis; prothorax quam elytris

multo angustiore, basin versus angustato, dorso bi-impresso.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Rio Naranjo (Champion).

Antenne rather short, not stout, the penultimate joints only slightly transverse.

Head very short; eyes large, reaching nearly to the hind angles, Thorax small,

much narrowed behind, shining, finely punctulate; with a well-marked depression,

4 UU 2

700 STAPHYLINIDZ.

which is divided into two by a short definite elevation. Elytra much longer than

the thorax, feebly punctulate, shining. Legs yellow, slightly infuscate.

Though very similar to 7. nigrellus, this species is distinguished by well-marked

characters, especially the larger eyes and deeply impressed thorax. Three examples.

8. Trogophleus insignellus.

Brevis, convexus, nitidus, nigricans ; antennis, pedibus elytrisque testaceis, his disco infuscatis ; prothorace

fusco, brevi, lateribus rotundatis, dorso bi-impresso.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Reposo (Champion).

A distinct little insect, resembling a miniature Bledius, though not belonging to the

subgenus Jroginus, Rey, which includes most of the minute Bledius-like Trogophiet.

Antenne very short; third joint minute, the penultimate one strongly transverse.

Head very short, deeply bi-impressed. Thorax transverse, shining, scarcely punctulate ;

with two rather deep impressions on the middle. Elytra much longer than the

thorax; feebly, rather closely punctulate, shining. Unique.

9. Trogophleus misellus.

Brevis, niger ; antennarum basi pedibusque sordide testaceis ; prothorace sat elongato, basin versus angustato,

inimpresso ; elytris quam prothorax longioribus, subtilius punctulatis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne short, the penultimate joints rather strongly transverse. Head short; eyes

not large, placed close to the base ; the constriction forming the neck extremely slight.

Thorax strongly narrowed behind, the sides curvate, the front angles quite invisible ;

very finely punctulate, without any trace of depressions. Elytra longer than the thorax,

finely punctulate. Unique.

This little insect resembles the European T. exiguus, but the structure of the head,

é. g. very short so that the eyes are placed close to the thorax, will not allow it to be

placed in the subgenus Troginus, Rey, of which 7. exiguus is the type.

10. Trogophleus velutinus.

Brevis, niger ; antennarum articulo basali pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace brevi, cumque capite nigerrimo,

quasi velutino, inimpresso ; elytris evidenter punctulatis ; abdomine nitidulo.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne short, the penultimate joints strongly transverse. Head short and broad,

rather abruptly constricted behind the eyes, only feebly bi-impressed ; intensely black,

quite dull. Thorax nearly twice as broad as long, curved at the sides and narrowed

behind ; very black, quite dull, not visibly punctate. Elytra a good deal longer than the

thorax, closely and finely punctate, feebly shining. Hind body more distinctly shining.

TROGOPHLCUS. 701

A very distinct little species with points of resemblance to 7. miselius and T. puncti-

pennis. Only one example was obtained.

11. Trogophleus punctipennis. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 17.)

Brevis, nigerrimus; pedibus fuscis, opacus ; elytris fortiter punctatis, subnitidis. |

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. GuateMa.a, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne short, the penultimate joints strongly transverse. Head narrow, scarcely at

all constricted behind. Thorax narrow, rather broader than long; surface feebly

uneven, very black and dull, not visibly punctate. LElytra rather longer than the

thorax ; deeply, rather closely, and coarsely punctured.

Four examples were obtained of this very distinct little Trogophleus.

12. Trogophleus centralis.

Latus, subdepressus, nigricans, pube breve erecta vestitus; antennarum basi pedibusque sordide rufis; pro-

thorace basin versus curvatim impresso ; elytris sat fortiter punctatis.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Guatnmata, Cahabon, Lanquin (Champion); Panama, Caldera in Chiriqui 1200

feet (Champion).

Antenne a little thicker externally; third joint longer than the second, the penulti-

mate joint about as long as broad. Thorax rather broader than the head, not much

more than half the width of the elytra; the sides rounded in front, strongly narrowed

behind; the surface somewhat coarsely but indefinitely punctured, the punctuation

effaced on the middle, where there are two very obsolete depressions; the curved

impression in front of the base large and distinct. The elytra are shining, much longer

than the thorax, and coarsely punctate.

This species is extremely similar to the European T. scrobiculatus, Er., but has a

narrower thorax, as well as other slighter distinctions. Seven examples.

13. Trogophleus triangulum.

Niger, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis, elytris rufis et ad suturam angulariter nigro-signatis ; pube minus

obsoleta vestitus, sat fortiter punctatus ; prothorace basin versus profunde curvatim impresso.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Chiacam 2000 feet (Champion).

This insect is allied to 7. centralis; in addition to the colour of the elytra it differs

in being narrower, and also in other slight details. ‘The disc of the thorax is punctate

as well as the sides, but has scarcely any trace of depressions; the suture of the elytra

is black and the dark colour extends itself in a vague manner so as to form a triangle

with its apex at the extremity of the suture; the pubescence of the hind body is

remarkably distinct. One example.

702 STAPHYLINIDA.

In this species the tip of the scutellum is minutely exposed, as in the genus T’hino-

dromus, Kr.

14. Trogophleus mollis, (Tab. XVIII. fig. 18.)

Niger, femoribus antennarumque articulo basali rufo ; densissime subtilissimeque punctatus et pubescens ; capite

lato, posterius truncato ; prothorace brevi, dorso impresso, ante basin curvatim depresso.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. GuatTEMALA, Coban, San Gerénimo (Champion) ; Panama, David (Champion).

Antenne rather short, the penultimate joint slightly transverse. Head very broad,

rather broader than the thorax. Thorax strongly transverse, much narrower than the

elytra ; with a large depression on the disc, a curvate depression behind this, and a vague

depression near each side. LElytra like the thorax, very finely, scarcely perceptibly

punctulate. Five examples.

Closely allied to the Cuban 7. croceipes, Fauv.

15. Trogophleus vittatus. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 19.)

Niger, antennarum articulo basali pedibusque testaceis ; subtilissime punctulatus et pubescens; elytro singulo

juxta suturam testaceo-vittato.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GuatemaLa, Coban (Champion).

Head not broad, but little truncate on either side behind the eyes. Thorax obso-

letely bi-impressed on the disc and at each side, but with a deep curvate basal depression.

Elytra with a broad, longitudinal, pallid vitta very close to the suture. Unique.

This species resembles 7. mollis in the excessively fine punctuation and pubescence,

but differs from it in numerous other characters.

TROGACTUS.

Corpus gracile, haud depressum. Antennis pedibusque gracilibus. Palpi maxillares sat elongati; articulo

ultimo minutissimo, setiformi. Scutellum parvum.

These elegant insects are allied to Trogophleus, but differ strikingly by their long

limbs, and the visible scutellum. The palpi are rather long; the pseudo-terminal

joint slender, but still a little broader than that preceding it; the terminal joint is

peculiar, and being like a small hair (truncate at the extremity, and not at all thicker

at the base) is only visible with a strong magnifier. The front coxe are rather long,

vertical, and their cavities have scarcely any extension outwards towards the front

angles of the thorax.

There are no known Staphylinide very similar in appearance to the species of this

genus. These insects are found, Mr. Champion informs me, on the sandy banks of

mountain streams in the forest.

TROGACTUS. 703

1. Trogactus funebris. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 20.)

Niger, tibiarum apicibus tarsisque rufis; opacus, omnino subtilissime densissimeque punctatus; prothorace

cordato, disco obsolete bi-impresso.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne very elongate and slender, scarcely at all thicker externally; third joint

longer than the second, several times longer than broad. Thorax slightly broader than

the head, only about half the width of the elytra, about as long as broad; sides rounded

in front, and much narrowed behind; surface quite dull, scarcely visibly punctate, the

disc with two elongate vague depressions. Elytra ample, quadrate. Hind body

elongate, scarcely visibly punctate. Three examples.

2. Trogactus championi.

Nigerrimus, tibiarum apicibus tarsisque rufis ; opacus, subtilissime densissimeque punctatus ; prothorace trans-

versim cordato, disco longitudinaliter bi-impresso.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Panama, Pefia Blanca 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Very closely allied to T. funebris, but rather larger; the articulations of the antennz

a little longer; the thorax slightly shorter and broader; the elytra a little longer, rather

more than twice as long as the thorax; and the punctuation of the surface slightly less

dense, so that the insect is not quite so dull. The tarsi are much longer than those of

T. funebris.

The only example captured of this remarkable insect is unfortunately in a very

decayed condition.

3. Trogactus elegans.

Gracilior ; niger, antennarum apice pedibusque testaceis, femoribus extrorsum tibiisque fuscescentibus; sub-

opacus, densissime subtilissimeque punctatus.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne very long and slender, the terminal two joints testaceous. Thorax slender,

subcordate, very obsoletely bi-impressed on the disc; quite dull, without visible

punctuation. Elytra slightly shining, densely and finely punctulate. ‘Tarsi very short.

Also unique.

4. Trogactus godmani. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 21.)

Gracilior, sat nitidus; pallide brunneus, antennis pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace cordato, basin versus pro-

funde impresso.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne very long and slender, the middle joints very slightly infuscate. Thorax

with a large impression (deep near the base, but becoming more shallow as it extends

704 STA PHYLINIDA.

forwards), the sides also depressed, shining, the basal portion finely punctate. Elytra

nearly twice as long as the thorax, closely and finely punctate, shining. Tarsi very

minute. Three examples.

The tarsi in this elegant insect are very short, and so slender that without a good

lens they are not perceptible; in our figure they appear too large.

PAROSUS.

Corpus depressum, punctatum. Mandibule porrecte, curvate. Labrum in medio profunde emarginatum,

utrinque denticulatum. Abdomen alte marginatum. Tibie mutica.

In facies this new genus is intermediate between Charhyphus and Eleusis; the

structure of the labrum is, however, very peculiar and will allow Parosus to be readily

recognized. ‘The clypeus is sinuate on either side so that the middle is prominent, and

the labrum very exposed ; the latter is small, armed with two widely separated denticles

and between these emarginate. ‘The antenne are 11-jointed, rather short, and inserted

at the sides of the head in front of, and rather near to, the eyes. The terminal joint

of the maxillary palpus is slender and subulate, the preceding joint rather large. The

prosternum is rather short, the coxe only very slightly exserted; the latter are rather

widely separated from the lateral margin, and the side-piece of the prosternum gives

off no distinct process behind them, and there is no external transverse fissure. The

middle cox are moderately large, contiguous; the internal lamine of the hind coxe

rather small; the trochanters quite small. The legs are slender; the tibie long,

slender, unarmed; the tarsi three-jointed, the two basal joints quite small, the terminal

joint long and slender.

Although the single species I include in this genus apparently has an affinity with

Eleusis and the anterior coxee when seen from the front appear very short, yet the

structure of the prosternum and other characters locate the insect near Oxytelus and

Trogophleus. Itis possible that the North-American genus Zriga, Fauv., may be allied

to Parosus, though from the description I can say the two are not identical.

1. Parosus hilaris. (Tab. XIX. fig. 1.)

Rufo-testaceus, capite, abdomine ante apicem elytrisque nigricantibus, his humeris late rufis; capite majore,

dense fortiterque punctato ; prothorace basi lateribusque rotundatis.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne short, the first joint nearly equal to the three following joints together ; the

third joint smaller than the second, the penultimate joints not so long as broad. Head

very large, very coarsely and densely punctured. ‘Thorax short; sides greatly rounded

and narrowed behind, so that there are no hind angles and the narrow truncate base is

but little differentiated from the sides; rather coarsely and closely punctured, with a

smooth space along the middle. Elytra longer than the thorax, rather closely and

finely punctate. Hind body feebly pubescent, almost impunctate. Two examples.

THINOBIUS. 705

Group THINOBIINA.

It is necessary to separate Thinobius and its immediate allies from the other groups

of the subfamily “Oxyteline,” as they possess a different structure of the prothoracic

side-pieces and of the front coxe, making some approach in these respects to the

subfamily ‘“ Aleocharine.”

THINOBIUS.

Thinobius, Kiesenwetter, Stett. ent. Zeit. 1844, p. 855; Leconte, Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. vi. p. 239

(1877).

This genus comprises at present about twenty species, all from the European and

North-American region, with the exception of one from Chili. They are amongst the

most minute of Coleoptera, and it is quite probable that the genus will prove to be rich

in species and widely distributed. The different species are found in muddy places,

and especially about the sandy banks of rivers and streams.

1, Thinobius tenuis. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 22.)

Fusco-piceus, antennis pedibusque sordide testaceis; antennis longissimis, fere ad elytrorum apicem attingentibus;

omnino subtilissime punctulatus, opacus.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne slender and elongate; third joint more slender and much shorter than the

second ; terminal three joints very elongate, scarcely perceptibly thicker than those

preceding them. Thorax obscure red, nearly straight at the sides, rather strongly

transverse. Elytra one and a half times as long as the thorax. Hind body distinctly

pubescent.

This insect is about the size of the European T. longipennis, but has a more elongate

head and thorax and remarkably long antenne. Five examples. In our figure the

antenne are represented as very much thicker than they should be.

2. Thinobius thripsoides.

Fascus, antennarum basi pedibusque sordide testaceis; antennis tenuibus, modice elongatis; omnino subti-

lissime punctulatus.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne with the terminal joints slender, though slightly broader than the others;

none of the joints transverse, the terminal joint short. Head very narrow, the eyes

very small. Thorax about twice as long as broad. Elytra about twice as long as the

thorax, very dehiscent at the apex. ‘Two examples.

This species is extremely similar to the European 7. longipennis, but is not half the

size, and has a narrower head and smaller eyes.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, February 1887. 4AXX

706 STAPHYLINID A.

3. Thinobius curtellus.

Fuscus, abdomine nigricante, antennis, pedibus elytrorumque apice testaceis; antennis minus elongatis ;

omnino subtilissime punctulatus.

Long. 1 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, near the city, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne clear yellow, rather stout; fifth joint considerably longer than broad, longer

than either of those adjacent to it; ninth and tenth joints scarcely transverse ; terminal

joint moderately long. Head subcircular. Thorax rather strongly transverse, much

rounded at the sides. Elytra nearly twice as long as the thorax. Hind body distinctly

punctulate and pubescent. Nine examples.

4, Thinobius nigricans.

Niger, pedibus sordide testaceis; angustus, subtilissime punctulatus, opacus; capite parvo; antennis haud

elongatis, crassiusculis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne evidently thicker externally, dark fuscous, the penultimate joints a little trans-

verse. Head rather short and broad, slightly broader from behind the eyes, and rather

abruptly narrowed at the neck. Thorax rather strongly transverse. Hlytra one and a

half times as long as the thorax. Unique.

5. Thinobius agilis.

Minutissimus, angustus, niger; antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis minus elongatis, crassiusculis ; obsolete:

punctulatus.

3 TT:

Long. 2? millim.

Hab. Guatemata, near the city, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne short and stout; third joint not longer than broad, the fourth strongly trans-

verse, the fifth rather longer, the sixth similar to the fourth, the four following joints

rather broader, differing little from one another, transverse, the terminal joint quite twice

as long as the tenth. Head elongate. Thorax with the sides and base much rounded,

nearly twice as broad as long. Elytra much longer than the thorax. Hind body rather

narrower at the base than near the apex.

This is one of the most minute species of Coleoptera, nevertheless Mr. Champion

secured and preserved a dozen examples.

THINOPHILUS.

Thinophilus, Rey, Hist. Nat. Col. Fr. Oxyteliens, p. 822 (1879) *.

This genus has recently been established to receive a portion of the European species

* This generic name has long been preoccupied in Diptera (Wahlb. 1844) and cannot be retained in.

Coleoptera ; for the purposes of this work, however, I have not thought it necessary to change it.

THINOPHILUS.—SCIOTROGUS. 707

placed by previous writers in Thinobius. Possibly the North-American Thinobius

brachypterus, Lec., may belong to it.

1. Thinophilus dissimilis.

Fusco-testaceus, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis ; angustior, subparallelus, sat dense punctulatus, sub-

nitidus ; prothorace leviter ineequali.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Very slender. Antenne rather stout, slightly thicker externally ; penultimate joints

slightly transverse. Head subquadrate, truncate behind the eyes, the neck abrupt.

Thorax transverse, the sides straight, very faintly punctulate; the surface rather

uneven, the vague depressions most distinct near the base. Elytra long and narrow,

extremely finely punctulate. Unique.

SCIOTROGUS.

Facies fere Aleocharinarum. Corpus elongatum, subdepressum. Antenne filiformes. Caput tuberculis anten-

nariis haud discretis ; oculis parvis. Coxe anteriores subtransverse. Tarsi triarticulati, articulis basalibus

brevissimis. Elytra apice truncato.

I establish this genus upon a very interesting though obscure little insect, which makes

in structure as well as in appearance a considerable approach to the “ Aleocharine” ; it

is, however, undoubtedly a member of the “Oxyteline.” The antenne are eleven-

jointed, not in the least clavate, inserted at the sides of the head close to the eyes, with

only a very obscure tubercle over the point of insertion. The clypeus, though small,

exists and is defined by an obscure suture. The eyes are small, coarsely faceted. The

maxillary palpi are very short; the pseudo-terminal joint stout, subovate, with truncate

extremity, the true terminal joint not visible. The prosternum is short, and the front

coxe extend to near the sides, the side-piece behind the coxa being quite short and obtuse.

The middle coxz are small and contiguous. The legs are rather short, compressed ;

the tibize broader in the middle than at the extremity, and without spines. The tarsi are

very small. The hind body is margined, and very similar to that of the “ Aleocharine.”’

‘The elytra are truncate at the extremity. The texture of the surface and the minute

pubescence are more suggestive of the Trogophiai than of any other Staphylinide.

The examples are in a very decayed condition: most of them appear to have lost

their palpi, and I cannot see the exact form of the two basal joints of the tarsi. The

insertion of the antenne under the edge of the side of the head renders it clear that

the insect cannot be placed in the subfamily “ Aleocharine,” and I think the genus

truly belongs to the group “ Thinobiina.”

1. Sciotrogus opacus. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 23.)

Fusco-cinnamomeus, pedibus testaceis; omnino obsoletissime punctatus, peropacus.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Paxama, Bugaba (Champion). 4 XX 2

708 STAPHYLINIDA.

Antenne of nearly equal thickness throughout; third joint a little shorter than the

second. Head small, not visibly sculptured; eyes not prominent. Thorax transverse,

nearly truncate (very feebly bisinuate) in front ; the sides slightly, the base very strongly,

curved; the surface without impressions and not visibly sculptured. Elytra much

longer than the thorax. Hind body with very fine punctuation and pubescence, the

latter, however, more distinct than on the anterior parts; on the terminal two segments

the punctuation and pubescence are very obsolete.

Group PHL@OCHARINA.

This group cannot very well be defined at present; the chief reason for retaining it

is that the few genera it comprises cannot be satisfactorily placed in the other groups.

of “ Oxyteline.”

ECBLETUS.

Corpus glabrum, depressum, abdomine parce pubescente. Tarsi quinque-articulati, posteriores elongati. Palpi

maxillares articulo ultimo breviter conico. Antenne undecim-articulate, filiformes.

The insect for which this genus is established is a peculiar one, having the appear-

ance of an Omalium though really allied to Olistherus and Phiwocharis. The mandibles

are short, thick, and curvate and acuminate at the apex. The maxillary palpi are short

and thick; the terminal joint as broad at the base as the penultimate joint, thence

gradually narrowed to the apex. The anterior coxe are oblique, moderately exserted,

and extend nearly to the front angles of the prosternum; the side-piece of the pro-

thorax is rather small, and only slightly enlarged behind the coxa, though distinctly

broader there than it is nearer to the front. The middle coxe are contiguous; the

hind coxe transverse, their interior lamine rather small; the hind trochanters small.

Tarsi 5-jointed; the basal joints rather stout, those of the front pair slightly dilated

in the male; posterior pair with the first joint distinctly longer than the second, the

second, third, and fourth joints subequal in length, and the terminal joint nearly as

long as the preceding four joints together.

1. Echletus simplex. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 24.)

Niger, nitidus, elytris castaneis; antennis, palpis pedibusque flavis; fere impunctatus ; elytris elongatis,

obsolete rugulosis.

Long. 3} millim.

Hab. Panama, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).

Antenne rather stout; second joint stout, longer than the third; joints 4-8 differing

little from one another and neither of them quite so long as broad, 9 and 10 rather

longer, the terminal joint short; no elevations over the points of insertion. Eyes

rather small, very finely faceted. Thorax strongly transverse, truncate in front, slightly

curved at the sides; even, black, shining, not visibly punctate. Scutellum scarcely

ECBLETUS.—CHARHYPHUS. 709

visible. Elytra elongate, without punctures, but shining and with a feeble irregular

longitudinal wrinkling. Hind tarsi about as long as the tibie.

Three examples were obtained of this unattractive but anomalous insect.

CHARHYPHUS.

Corpus elongatum, depressum, punctatum. Palpi maxillares breves; articulo ultimo sat elongato, tenui,

subulato. Coxe anteriores parve, subglobose. Prosternum utrinque posterius processu brevi munitum.

This genus consists of a single species, of which only one example has been found,

and is allied to Phiwocharis and to Eleusis; it appears to connect the “ Phlceocharina”

satisfactorily with the “Piestina.” The mandibles are prominent; the labrum short

and broad, slightly emarginate. The antenne are short, simple; inserted at the sides

of the head considerably in front of the eyes. The maxillary palpi are small, the

terminal joint shorter and very much more slender than that preceding it. The pro-

thorax is transverse. The anterior coxe are only very slightly prominent, and placed at

the posterior part of the prothorax ; the side-piece of the latter sending off behind them

an acuminate though rather short prolongation, which leaves a rather narrow parallel

fissure between it and the hind margin of the prosternum. ‘The middle coxe are

rather small and minutely separated; the hind coxe very nearly contiguous, their

internal lamine rather large. The legs are feeble, the tibia slender and unarmed ;

the tarsi short, apparently 4-jointed, the three basal joints being short and broad and

difficult to discriminate, while the terminal joint is quite equal in length to the

remaining three together. The hind body is provided with a broad but not much

elevated lateral margin.

1, Charhyphus brevicollis. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 25.)

Depressus, subopacus, subtiliter pubescens, fuscus; capite nigricante; antennis, pedibus abdominisque apice

testaceis ; prothorace fortiter transverso, medio basin versus late bi-impresso.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

Antenne with the third joint slender and but little shorter than the second, the

fourth joint minute, the fifth also small; joints 6-10 transverse, the terminal joint

small. Head large, flat, coarsely punctate; eyes small. Thorax twice as broad as long,

but little curved at the sides, feebly narrowed behind, punctured like the head; the

two large impressions in front of the base shallow, but quite distinct. Elytra much

longer than the thorax; fuscous, the base and apex more rufescent; more obsoletely

punctured than the thorax. Hind body obsoletely punctate, rather closely and distinctly

pubescent.

A single example was found under the bark of a pine-tree.

710 STAPHYLINIDA.

Group PIESTINA.

This group received the rank of subfamily from Erichson, and was considered to be

differentiated from the ‘ Oxyteline” by the front coxze not being exserted ; this character

is, however, variable, so that really at present a satisfactory line of demarcation between

the two groups cannot be pointed out.

The species of this group are subcortical in their habits, and chiefly found beneath

sappy bark.

HYPOTELUS.

Hypotelus, Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 840 (1840) ; Leconte, Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. vi. p. 249

(1877).

This genus comprises four species from Tropical America and one from Texas.

These insects are very similar to one another; but I find the males possess some slight

distinctive characters that greatly facilitate the determination of the species.

1. Hypotelus hostilis.

Hypotelus hostilis, Fauv. Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand. ix. p. 43’; Notices ent. i. p. 38’.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Pilate1 2); GuateMata, Cerro Zunil, Zapote, Capetillo

(Champion).

In the male of this species and in that of H. pusillus the basal joint of the antenne

is armed with an acute tooth, and the alternate joints, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, are armed with

longer exserted setee: the tooth I presume is what Erichson alluded to in his description

of the genus by saying “ medio introrsum subdentato ”; there is, however, no tooth at all

in the other sex. Mr. Champion obtained a good series of H. hostilis at Zapote; the

three examples from Cerro Zunil are all females, and have the elytra slightly longer,

and may prove distinct when the male is known; the single example from Capetillo is

also a female, and as it differs in some slight details may be a third species. I have not

seen any Mexican example, and it is possible that the Guatemalan insect may not really

be Fauvel’s H. hostilis.

2. Hypotelus lucidus.

Nigricans, nitidus; antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis ; elytris pallide flavis, sutura fuscescente, subtiliter

punctatis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This insect is almost exactly similar to H. hostilis, but is a little smaller, and the

antenne in the male have only a very minute tubercle on the basal joint, and the sete

on the alternate joints shorter. Six examples were obtained, two being males. The

Amazonian H. micans again is very similar, but has the thorax rather more coarsely

punctate, and the antenne entirely yellow.

HYPOTELUS.—ZIROPHORUS. T1L

3. Hypotelus marginatus. (Tab. XIX. fig. 2.)

Niger, pedibus piceis; elytris rufis, nigro-marginatis ; prothorace crebre sat fortiter punctato.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Senahu 2500 feet (Champion).

Closely allied to H. hostilis, but the antenne are entirely black; and in the male

there is no tooth on the basal joint of these organs, the alternate joints being, however,

armed with longer sete. One pair.

ZIROPHORUS.

Zirophorus, Dalman, Sv. Ak. Handl. 1821, p. 871; Anal. ent. p. 23 (1828).

Piestus (pars), Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 830 (1840); Fauvel, Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand.

ix. p. 21 (1865); Notices ent. ii. p. 17.

The Piesti with elongate mandibles and the head armed in both sexes with porrect

prominences or horns form a very distinct genus; they are distinguished quite naturally,

even abruptly, from the typical species with short, inconspicuous mandibles, and the

head unarmed but more or less depressed in the middle. I propose to revive Dalman’s

name of Zirophorus for the former of the two genera: this course will, I believe, be

found convenient, though the three species, viz. Z. fronticornis, Z. penicillatus, and

Z. spinosus, on which Dalman established the genus, include amongst them one true

Piestus—penicillatus.

Zirophorus is one of the most remarkable of the genera of the family, and is peculiar

to Tropical America; it includes, in addition to the three species found in our region,

Piestus lacordairei, Ex., P. longipennis, Fauv., P. spinosus, Lap., P. capricornis, Lap.,

and P. validus and P. frontalis, Sharp.

1. Zirophorus planatus. (Tab. XIX. fig. 3.)

Nigerrimus, depressus, parallelus, nitidus; fronte cornubus duobus porrectis distantibus armato.

Long. 10-12 millim.

Hab. Maxico, Cordova (Sallé); Britis Honpvras, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaua) ; Gua-

TEMALA, Sinanja (Champion) ; Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt, Janson); Panama, Volcan de

Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Closely allied to P. spinosus, Lap., but entirely black in colour, with the frontal

horns less parallel, and the clypeal suture sharply angulate in the middle. The disc of

the thorax is punctate. The elytra each have five punctate stric, and a sixth incomplete

stria externally. The hind body is punctured at the base and sides of each segment,

but the apical portion of each segment is broadly smooth.

This remarkable insect appears to be rare, and Mexico and Guatemala have each

yielded as yet but one example. About half a dozen specimens, however, have been

brought from Chontales.

712 STAPHYLINIDA.

2. Zirophorus bicornis.

Oxytelus bicornis, Oliv. Encycl. Méth. viti. 2, p. 615°.

Zirophorus fronticornis, Dalm. Act. Holm. 1821, p. 373; Anal. ent. p. 24, t. 4. f. 1 (1828).

Piestus bicornis, Lap. Etud. ent. i. p. 128°; Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 831°.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt, Janson), Granada (Sallé); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan

de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).—Souts America’ 4, Colombia 1.

Var. oxytelinus.

Piestus oxytelinus, Lap. Etud. ent. i. p. 128°.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt, Janson),—VENEZUELA}.

3. Zirophorus furcatus. (Tab. XIX. fig. 4.)

Rufo-piceus, nitidus; capite cornubus duobus subdistantibus armato, mandibulis furcatis; elytris quinque-

striatis.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antennz moderately long, very sparingly setose; the fourth and one or two of the

following joints a little incrassate. Mandibles elongate, divided in the middle; the

upper branch elongate and slender, the lower branch thicker and also elongate and

placed nearly at right angles to the upper. Thorax transversely subquadrate, canalicu-

late, impunctate. Elytra each with five impunctate stric, and an extremely abbreviated

sixth external stria. Hind body coarsely punctate, with a large smooth space on the

middle of the posterior part of each segment.

This insect is only half the size of Z. dicornis, and is also quite distinct from that

species by the structure of the mandibles; it is nearer to Z. lacordatrei, but the latter

is black, has the frontal horns more distinct, and the space between them more depressed,

the upper branch of the mandible less elongate, and the hind body more punctate.

A series of eight examples was procured.

PIESTUS.

Piestus, Gravenhorst, Mon. Col. Micr. p. 223 (1806).

Piestus (pars), Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 830 (1840); Fauvel, Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand.

ix. p. 22 (1865).

This genus is peculiar to the tropical regions of the New World; it contains, after

the abstraction of the insects I refer to Zirophorus, about fifteen described species.

1. Piestus niger.

Piestus niger, Fauv. Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand. ix. p. 28, t.1. £.77; Notices ent. ii. p. 24, t.1. £77.

Hab. Muxico (Flohr), Cordova (Sallé12), Jalapa, Tehuacan (Hége); GuatEmAua, near

the city, Zapote (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui below 4000 feet (Champion).

PIESTUS. 713

We have received a fair series of this species as well as of P. minutus, and though

the two are extremely close in their characters, they appear to be constantly and really

distinct *,

2. Piestus minutus.

Piestus minutus, Kr. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 884'; Fauv. Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand. ix. p. 31’;

Notices ent. ii. p. 27.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa?; British Honpuras, R. Sarstoon, Belize (Blancaneaua) ;

‘Guatemaa (Sallé?), Cahabon, San Juan in Vera Paz, Zapote (Champion); Nicaraeua

(Sallé and coll. Sharp), Granada (Pilate); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).—SovTu

America, Colombia !? (coll. Sharp), Amazons.

Erichson’s description! was no doubt taken from an immature example, as in all

the specimens before me (except the var. from Para and Ega recorded by me, Trans.

Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 407), including those from Colombia, the head and thorax

are black, and the elytra red as described by Fauvel ?.

3. Piestus extimus.

Depressus, nitidus, niger; antennis piceis, elytris pedibusque rufis; prothorace fortiter transverso, medio late

punctato-sulcato, basi fortiter constricto; elytris quinque-striatis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Pinos Altos in Chihuahua (Buchan-Hepburn).

This species is distinguished from P. minutus and P. pygmeus by the existence of a

punctate groove along the middle of the thorax, in place of a fine impunctate channel ;

in other respects it partakes of the characters of the two species: the thorax is broad,

and much narrowed at the base as in P. minutus, but the head has not the transverse

carina on the vertex, which is a constant character of P. minutus; the clypeal suture

extends, however, nearer to the neck than it does in P. pygmeus, and the space between

the extremity of the suture and the neck is more convex than in the last-named species ;

the thorax is almost impunctate, except in the median groove.

We have received only one example; this is no doubt a male, as it has antenne

similar to those of the same sex of P. minutus. Judging from the description of

P. buqueti, Fauv., from Cayenne, our insect would appear to be nearest allied to that

species, which, however, has a narrow and punctate thorax.

4, Piestus pygmeus.

Piestus pygmeus, Lap. Etud. ent. i. p. 180°; Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 835°; Fauv. Bull. Soe.

Linn. Normand. ix. p. 33°; Notices ent. ii. p. 29.

* The Cuban P. erythropus, Er., is recorded by Fauvel (Bull. Soc. Linn, Normand. ix. p. 29; Notices ent. ii;

p. 25) as a Mexican insect; but as Opelousas, where the example is said to have been obtained, is in Louisiana, I

-do not give the species a place in our list, though it is far more likely to occur in Mexico than in the United States.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, Hebruary 1887. 4 VV

714 STAPHYLINID A.

Hab. Mexico (Truqui, Flohr), Cordova, Vera Cruz (Sallé), Teapa (Pilate *, Sallé) ;

British Honpuras, Belize, R. Hondo (Blancaneaux) ; Guatemata (Sallé*), Zapote, Chacoj

(Champion) ; Nicaragua, Granada * (Sallé), Chontales (Janson) ; Panama, Bugaba, Volcan

de Chiriqui (Champion).—AnTILLES, Guadeloupe ?—Soutu Amzrica’?? to Rio Janeiro.

5. Piestus mexicanus. (Tab. XIX. fig. 5.)

Piestus mexicanus, Lap. Etud. ent. p. 180*; Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 836°; Fauv. Bull. Soc.

Linn. Normand. ix. p. 34, t. 4. f. 9°.

Hab. Mexico 12 (Lesueur, Sallé*), Campeche? (coll. Sharp), Yucatan *, Teapa (Pilate?,

coll. Sharp), Cordova (Sailé), Jalapa (Flohr, Hoge), Tehuacan (Hoge); GUATEMALA, near

the city, Zapote, Balheu, Teleman (Champion) ; Panama, Bugaba, David (Champion).—

ANTILLES, Santo Domingo (coll. Sharp).—Brazit, Santa Catarina °.

This is either a very variable species, or there are more than one mixed under the

name; from the material before me I must regard the former to be the case. The

dozen examples from the State of Panama are only about half the size of the Mexican

specimens, and have a very strongly transverse thorax. The greater number of examples

—about two dozen—are from Mexico, and exhibit much variation in the punctuation

of the thorax. The Guatemalan exponents do not agree either with those from Mexico

or those from the State of Panama, and are remarkable from the deeper clypeal suture,

and the greater convexity of the space it surrounds, as well as by the nearly complete

absence of punctuation from the head. LErichson’s type of the species, and I believe

the example is also a type of Laporte’s, is a large female, with the thorax much punc-

tured; it came from Mexico.

6. Piestus alternans.

Depressus, dilute piceus; antennis pedibusque rufis; prothorace punctato, lateribus ultra medium obsolete

unidenticulatis ; elytris sulcatis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Panama, David in Chiriqui (Champion).

Head obsoletely punctured, shining; clypeal suture deep. Thorax very strongly

transverse; the sides rounded in front, constricted behind, and with a short obtuse

tooth just before the constriction; the surface rather numerously punctured, and with

a channel along the middle, and a very vague rugosely-punctate depression extending

forwards from the front angle. Elytra short ; each with four grooves: the sutural one

broad, and followed by a broad interstice, then another broad groove (consisting in fact

of two grooves, the interstice between being subobsolete), and external to this two

narrower grooves and coste. Hind body much punctured. Metasternum polished in

the middle.

This insect is very similar to the smaller form of P. mexicanus found in the State of

Panama; it is distinguished by the second elytral interstice being quite, the fourth

PIESTUS. 715

nearly, obsolete, while the third is, on the contrary, increased in width. We have

received only one example, a male; it bears a few long hairs on the basal joint of the

antenne.

7. Piestus chiriquensis.

Nigro-piceus, opacus, rugoso-punctatus ; elytris tenuiter sex-costatis; pedibus rufis; metasterno medio levigato.

Long. 5-6 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Head finely margined in front, densely rugose; clypeal suture fine, but definite.

Thorax transverse, densely rugose, constricted behind, not canaliculate; with a vague

depression on the middle and in front of each hind angle, and a denticle at the sides.

Elytra rugose, each bearing seven fine longitudinal coste, of which the second, fourth,

and sixth are scarcely so distinct as the others. Hind body densely punctate. Meta-

sternum polished in the middle.

The antennz are very long in each sex, in the male remarkably so, and bear a few

long hairs on the basal joint.

This insect much resembles the Amazonian P. rugosus, but that species has the

metasternum punctate all over.

8. Piestus costatus.

Piceus, subopacus, rugosus ; antennarum basi pedibusque rufis ; elytris tenuiter sex-costatis, costis alternis sub-

obsoletis ; metasterno medio levigato.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

This insect is very similar to P. chiriquensis, but, besides being smaller and narrower,

differs in the following particulars:—The antenne are much shorter, the head is not

margined in front, and the clypeal suture is very obsolete; the thorax is less transverse,

and the denticle at the side is scarcely to be detected; the elytral coste are less sharply

elevated, and the second, fourth, and sixth, though distinct at the base, become quite

obsolete behind. One female only has been found.

9. Piestus angularis.

Piestus angularis, Fauv. Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand. ix. p. 35, t. 1. f. 10°; Notices ent. 1. p. 31,

t. 1. f. 10.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).—Brazit, Santa Catarina ? *.

The only example I have seen is a very badly preserved one from Sallé’s Mexican

collection; it agrees with Fauvel’s description and figure, but as it is from a very

different locality, it may ultimately prove to be different. This specimen was labelled

P. angularis by M. Sallé.

4VYV 2

716 STAPHYLINIDZ,

10. Piestus crassicornis. (Tab. XIX. fig. 6.)

Niger, opacus, dense punctatus, rugosus ; prothorace lateribus obtuse tridentatis ; antennis elongatis et crassis..

Long. 54 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Head densely rugose; clypeal suture fine and obsolete; antennary tubercles very

elevated. Thorax greatly constricted behind; the sides much rounded and narrowed in

front, and with three prominent but obtuse teeth about the middle; the surface densely

and coarsely rugose, depressed laterally for nearly the whole length. Elytra each with,.

including the sutural elevation, seven fine raised coste, the second, fourth, and sixth of

which are more obsolete than the others. Hind body densely punctured.

Of this remarkable species we have received only one example. Although the

antenne are remarkably long and thick, the individual is probably a female; it agrees

with P. angularis in possessing a coarsely punctate metasternum, but differs from that

species by the thorax being less transverse, more narrowed, and rounded in front, and

with larger and more prominent and more obtuse teeth, as well as in smaller details of

colour and sculpture.

ANCZKUS.

Anceus, Fauvel, Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand. ix. p. 60, t. 1. ff. 18-17 (1865); Notices ent. ii. p. 56.

Holotrochus (pars), Sharp, Tr. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 387.

This genus was established for an insect from our region, and its author has since

added to it a second species from New Guinea, and Leconte three others from North

America. It is one of the numerous links between the “ Piestini” and “ Oxytelini” of

Erichson: if the structure of the coxee be taken as the point of distinction between the

two groups, then the genus belongs to the latter near Holotrochus, from which it differs

in the structure of the front of the head, in which latter respect it is nearer to Lispinus.

Holotrochus clavipes and H. fauveli, Sharp, belong to Anceus, as I anticipated would

prove to be the case when I described them. Fauvel, though the author of the genus,

appears to be very uncertain about its characters, as in his recent Notices ent. vii. p. 16,

he refers A. rufescens, Lec., and the other two North-American species of Ancewus to

Lispinus: there can be no doubt, however, that A. rufescens is an Anceus; the other

two North-American species are unknown to me.

1. Anczus crassicornis. (Tab. XIX. fig. 7.)

Piceus, pedibus rufis; politus, levigatus; prothorace quam latitudo breviore, lateribus basin versus fortiter

angustatis sinuatisque, medio vix perspicue canaliculato ; elytris quam prothorax multo longioribus.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cubilguitz 1000 feet (Champion).

Antenne extremely stout, the eight terminal joints transverse. Mandibles very long,

ANCAUS. T17

more than half as long as the head. Head polished and shining, with two large feeble

depressions.in front. Thorax without punctuation, with a small depression at each

hind angle.

This species is closely allied to A. megacephalus, but has longer mandibles, the

surface of the head and other parts polished instead of being dull, the thorax shorter

and broader and more sinuate at the sides, and the elytra longer. Only one example

was procured.

2. Anceus megacephalus.

Anceus megacephalus, Fauv. Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand. ix. p. 61’; Notices ent. il. p. 57%.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Pilate! ?).

I have seen only one example, one of Fauvel’s types from Chevrolat’s collection ;.

A. clavipes, Sharp, is very closely allied, but I have little doubt is distinct, the specific

characters in this genus being very slight.

3. Anczus porrectus.

Rufo-testaceus, sat nitidus, fere impunctatus; capite, prothorace elytrisque omnino subtilissime strigulosis ;

prothorace medio depresso, subtiliter canaliculato.

Long. 32 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Panzos, and San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

Mandibles short. Antenne with the two penultimate joints transverse, the three

preceding joints smaller and slightly transverse. Head broad in front, rather deeply

bi-impressed. Thorax about as long as broad, the sides a good deal narrowed and

distinctly sinuate behind. Elytra a little longer than the thorax.

Very closely allied to A. megacephalus, but with the antenne thinner; the thorax

more narrowed behind, depressed along the middle, and the surface more finely strigose

and therefore more shining. Two examples were obtained.

4. Anceus minutus.

Piceus, sat nitidus; capite, prothorace elytrisque minutissime strigulosis; prothorace basin versus leviter

angustato, ad angulos posteriores tantum obsolete impresso.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Panzos (Champion).

Mandibles porrect, moderately long. Antenne very short, thick, only a little more

slender at the base than at the extremity. Head large, rather deeply bi-impressed in

front; eyes very small. Thorax about as broad as long, the sides not sinuate, the

channel on the middle almost obliterated. Elytra but little longer than the thorax.

This insect is near A. megacephalus, but not half the size, the elytra shorter, and the

fovea at the hind angle of the thorax scarcely to be detected. Unique.

718 STAPHYLINIDA.

5. Anceeus clavipes.

Holotrochus clavipes, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 391°.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador (Champion).—Sovuta America, Amazons valley !.

6. Anczeus rufescens.

Lispinus rufescens, Lec. New Spec. N. Am. Col. p. 59 (1863)".

Lispinus exiguus, Fauv. (nec Er.) Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand. ix. p. 59°; Notices ent. ii. p. 55°;

ibid. vii. p. 16%.

Holotrochus fauveli, Sharp, Tr. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 392°.

Anceus rufescens, Lec. Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. vi. p. 249°.

Hab. Norta America, Southern States!4®—Muxico, Teapa (Pilate?34, in coll.

Chevrolat); Guatemata, San Joaquin, El Reposo, Pantaleon, Zapote (Champion).—

Sovta America, Amazons valley °.

If L. rufescens, Lec., be really L. exiguus, Fauv., there can be no doubt that it is an

Anceus, as recently stated by Leconte: Fauvel, however 4, denies this.

7. Anceus politus.

Nitidus, rufo-testaceus, elytris versus apicem fuscis; prothorace basin versus fortiter sinuato, ad angulos

posteriores profunde foveolato ; oculis prominulis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador (Champion).

Surface very shining. Mandibles short. Antenne rather slender at the base; ninth

joint much broader than the eighth, strongly transverse. Head rather short, feebly

bi-impressed in front. Thorax broader than long, finely canaliculate along the middle,

very shining. Elytra much longer than the thorax. Five examples.

LISPINUS.

Lispinus, Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 828 (1840) ; Fauvel, Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand. ix.

p. 44 (1865) ; Notices ent. i. p. 40.

This genus is widely distributed in the warmer regions of the world, and comprises

about sixty described species.

1. Lispinus laticollis.

Lispinus laticollis, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 828°; Chevr. & Fauv. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1868,

p. 442°; Fauv. Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand. ix. p. 49°; Notices ent. 11. p. 45*.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).—ANTILLES,

Cuba ! 23 4,

2. Lispinus quadripunctulus.

Lispinus quadryunctulus, Fauv. Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand. ix. p. 49*; Notices ent. ii. p. 45°.

LISPINUS. 719

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Hége); British Honpuras, R. Hondo (Blancaneaux) ;

GuaTEMALa, Zapote (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Volcan de

Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).—CoLomBIa

(coll. Chevrolat); VENEZUELA, Caracas ! 2.

3. Lispinus striola.

Lispinus striola, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 829*; Chevr. & Fauv. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1863,

p. 442°; Fauv. Notices ent. ii. p. 46°.

Hab. Mexico *, Teapa ! (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge) ; British Honpuras, Belize, R. Hondo,

R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaux) ; Guaremaa, El Tumbador, Zapote (Champion) ; NicaRacva,

Chontales (Janson), Granada (Sallé).— ANTILLES, Cuba !? 3.—Soutu America 2, Colombia

to Rio Janeiro.

4, Lispinus catena.

Lispinus catena, Sharp, Tr. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 412°.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).—Soutn America, Amazons valley 1.

The only evidence of the existence of this species in our region is an example I

received many years ago from Chontales; it has not been remounted, and I have no

doubt the locality is correct.

5. Lispinus tardus.

Angustulus, subparallelus, sat nitidus, niger; antennis rufis, pedibus piceis; prothorace subquadrato, crebre

fortiter punctato, utrinque longius profunde impresso, basin versus perparum angustato; elytris quam

prothorax longioribus, crebre subtiliter strigulosis, minus nitidis, sat crebre et fortiter punctatis.

Long. 54 millim. .

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

An obscure species of which we have received only examples in a bad state of pre-

servation; it is apparently about equally allied to Z. striola and L. quadripunctulus,

but is narrower than either of those species, and the sculpture of the hind body does

not consist of obsolete oblique grooves, but of an obsolete punctuation ; thg punctures

of the head, thorax and elytra are more numerous and rather more coarse than in

either of the two species mentioned. ‘The structure of the antenne is more like that

of L. quadripunctulus than that of L. striola; the hind body is less setose than in

L. quadripunctulus, but this may be due to the decayed condition of the examples.

6. Lispinus granadensis.

Lispinus granadensis, Fauv. Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand. ix. p. 52 *; Notices ent. 1. p. 48°.

Hab. Mexico (Zruqui), Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge); GuatTEMaLa, Cerro Zunil,

near the city, Aceytuno, Zapote, Capetillo, San Gerdénimo, Balheu (Champion); Nica-

raaua, Chontales (Janson), Granada !? (Sal/é).

720 STAPHYLINIDA.

Var. minor, magis nitidus, paullo subtilius punctatus.

Lispinus insularis, Chevy. & Fauv. Aun. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1863, p. 442°; Notices ent. i. p. 49 *,

Hab. Mexico (Truqui?4); Guatemata, Zapote (Champion)—AntitiEs, Santo Do-

mingo 3 4, Cuba 34,

I think it more than probable that L. insularis is only a small form of L. granadensis,

though I have only seen one exponent, and that a not very satisfactory one, from our

region ; the larger form appears to be the least rare of our Lispini.

7. Lispinus planus.

Lispinus linearis, Fauv. (nec Er.), Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand. ix. p. 51+; Notices ent. ii. p. 47°.

Lispinus planus, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 416°.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Pilate }*).—Soutn America, Colombia !?, Amazons valley °.

A single example—one of Fauvel’s types—is all I have seen from our region, and it

is apparently conspecific with Amazonian specimens. In ‘ Notices ent.’ vii. p. 13, Fauvel

refers Leconte’s L. obscurus to this species as a synonym, but from the remarks he

makes it is probable it may be distinct.

8. Lispinus anguinus.

Lispinus anguinus, Fauv. Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand. ix. p. 54°; Notices ent. ii. p. 50°.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Pilate 1*).—Antiturs, Santo Domingo (Sallé ! 2).

I have seen no example from our region of this distinct species.

9. Lispinus fauveli.

Lispinus tenellus, Chevr. & Fauv. (nec Er.), Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1863, p. 443°; Fauv. Notices ent.

li. p. 53°.

Depressus, subnitidus, nigricans; prothorace, elytris antennisque piceis, harum basi pedibusque testaceis ;

abdominis apice rufescente ; parcius omnino subtilissime punctulatus.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Mexico 1, Teapa (Pilate, in coll. Chevrolat), Cordova (Sallé); Britisn Hon-

puras, R. Hondo (Blancaneaux); Guatemata, near the city, Zapote, El Tumbador

(Champion).—CotomBt1a! ?.—ANTILLES, Cuba ! 2.

I do not think it at all probable that this insect is the species described by Erichson

under the name of L. tenellus, and I therefore give it a new name. We have received

altogether nearly two dozen examples of this insect, representing four races or possibly

distinct species.

LISPINUS. 721

10. Lispinus sculpturatus.

Depressus, niger, fere opacus; antennarum basi pedibusque rufis; dense subtiliter strigulosus; prothorace

fortiter punctato.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. GtatTeMata, near the city, San Gerénimo (Champion).

This insect is larger than L. fauveli, with the surface more coarsely strigose and there-

fore more opaque, and it has also a coarse, rather scanty punctuation on the thorax; the

head is rather long and narrow, and the eyes more distant from the front margin of the

thorax ; the four impressions at the base of the thorax are more distinct than in the

allied species, the two near the middle being especially less obsolete. Seven examples.

11. Lispinus dejectus.

Angustior, depressus, niger, opacus; antennarum basi pedibusque rufis; dense subtiliter strigulosus ; protho-

race obsolete punctato.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GuatEMaLa, Purula, San Gerénimo, Zapote (Champion).

This obscure little Lispinus has the minute sculpture of the surface more distinct

than in any of the allied species, and is correlatively less shining; the minute sculpture

is distinct even on the hind body, the form is very slender, and the thoracic punctuation

is both fine and obsolete. These characters will enable the insect to be recognized

from L. fauveli and L. sculpturatus, to each of which it is closely allied. We have

received five examples, all unfortunately in bad condition.

12. Lispinus flavipennis.

Lispinus flavipennis, Fauv. Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand. ix. p. 58°; Notices ent. ii. p. 54.

Lispinus tenellus (pars), Fauv. Notices ent. vil. p. 15°.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Pilate! ?, in coll. Chevrolat).—Souta America, Caracas ! 2.

I cannot adopt Fauvel’s recently expressed opinion ? that this is merely a synonym

of our L. fauveli (L. tenellus, Fauv., nec Er.). Although it is a fact that the species

of this group of Lispinus are most closely allied and very difficult to distinguish by

conspicuous characters, yet this latter remark is equally true of most of the other

‘ Piestina,’ though experience shows the slight differences to be constant ; as an instance

I may allude to Piestus. minutus and P. pygmeéus, which, though varying considerably

and inhabiting frequently the same localities and distributed over a large part of the

New World, remain distinct though extremely similar externally.

13. Lispinus bicolor.

Angustus, depressus, nigricans ; prothorace elytrisque rufis; antennis pedibusque testaceis; densius subtilius

strigulosus, subnitidus ; prothorace crebre punctato.

Long. 2} millim.

Hab. British Honpvuras, Belize, R. Hondo (Blancaneaus) ; GuateMata, El Reposo,

Cubilguitz (Champion).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, February 1887. 4 ZZ

729, | STAPHYLINIDA.

This species is rather larger than L. flavipennis and has the thorax distinctly punc-

tate and with a slender smooth space along the middle; it is equally close to L. fauveli,

but is narrower, and has the thorax and elytra red, the former more distinctly punctate,

the latter rather shorter. Hight examples.

14. Lispinus brevicollis.

Lispinus brevicollis, Fauv. Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand. ix. p. 56°; Notices ent. ii. p. 52°.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa!?, Cordova (Sallé); GuareMaua, near the city, El Jicaro,

Cubilguitz, Cahabon (Champion) ; Nicaragua, Granada (Sal/é).

Of this rare species we have only single examples from each locality.

15. Lispinus longicornis. (Tab. XIX. fig. 8.)

Rufus, depressus, pernitidus ; antennis quam corpus vix brevioribus ; parce punctatus; prothorace breve, basi

utrinque longitudinaliter minus profunde impresso.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

This insect is similar in form to ZL. brevicollis, but is distinguished not only by the

very elongate antenne but also by the very minute prosternal process separating the

front coxe. The head is broad and short, not margined in front; with prominent eyes,

and very distinct widely distant antennal tubercles; sparingly punctate, and without

fovee. Thorax strongly transverse, a little narrower at the base, coarsely and rather

irregularly punctate; not canaliculate, but with a narrow smooth space along the

middle. Elytra very sparingly and obsoletely punctate, much longer than the thorax.

Hind body also with a very minute almost invisible coriaceous sculpture. Unique.

16. Lispinus planellus. (Tab. XIX. fig. 9.)

Depressus, rufo-testaceus, levigatus, nitidissimus ; prothorace ad basin constricto.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne short, moderately stout, piceous; joints 6-10 each shorter than long.

Head short and broad, not margined, bi-impressed in front ; antennary tubercles present,

but flattened and broad. Thorax broader than long, flat; sides much rounded,

narrowed and sinuate behind, and depressed close to the hind angles; with a very fine

short channel along the middle, and the surface, though very polished, bearing a few

very fine punctures. Elytra much longer than the thorax, polished and shining, with a

single puncture on the disc of each.

This is an anomalous species, presenting to a great extent the appearance of an

Anceus ; the front coxe, however, are not at all prominent and the prosternum is

developed into a very delicate process extending under and between them. We have

received only one example.

GLYPTOMA. 723

GLY PTOMA.

Glyptoma (pars), Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 908 (1840)*; Motschulsky, Etudes ent. vii.

p. 67 (1859) °.

This genus was confounded by Erichson! and other writers with Thoracophorus,

Motsch.; Erichson refused to accept the latter name and proposed Glyptoma for the

combination. Motschulsky? pointed out Erichson’s double error and corrected it by

adopting the name Glyptoma for the species not belonging to Thoracophorus, Motsch.

This course seems quite satisfactory and I now adopt it. In Glyptoma the anterior

coxee are separated by a process of the prosternum, as in Lispinus, and the two genera

should be placed in proximity, Glyptoma being distinguished by the abruptly constricted

neck of the head and by its peculiar antenne. ‘The genus is confined to Tropical

America and consists of three previously described species, viz. G. crassicorne, Er.,

G. punctatoplicatum, Solsky, and G. (Thoracophorus) opacum, Sharp, and the five new

ones from Central America here recorded.

1. Glyptoma leviceps. (Tab. XIX. fig. 10.)

Nigrum, pedibus rufis, opacum ; capite convexo, levigato, nitido ; prothorace anterius in medio suleato ; elytris

bicostatis ; abdomine basi vage sculpturato, apice levigato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne elongate, densely setose; penultimate joint slightly longer than broad.

Head intensely black, polished and unsculptured. ‘Thorax with a broad short groove

on the middle in front, the space outside this vaguely rugose. Elytra considerably

longer and broader than the thorax; with a strongly raised curved costa on the middle

of each, and a second rather less conspicuous one externally; the surface dull, with

some vague depressions. Upper surface of the hind body with some vague depressions

and sculpture on the basal segments, the apical segments unsculptured and rather

shining ; under surface vaguely sculptured, the sculpture gradually more obsolete from

the base to the apex.

Two examples were procured under bark saturated with sap. The species is very

distinct on account of its polished and shining head.

2. Glyptoma longipes.

Nigerrimum, pedibus piceis, opacum; capite medio levigato; prothorace anterius in medio sulcato; elytris

unicostatis ; abdomine basi vage sculpturato, apice levigato.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Antenne very elongate, moderately setose; penultimate joint longer than broad.

Head shining in front and along the middle, opaque on each side. Thorax coarsely

4ZZ2

724 STAPHYLINIDA.

and deeply sculptured, with a broad groove along the middle in front. Elytra elongate,

quite black, dull, with a conspicuous raised costa along the middle of each, sparingly

and coarsely punctured. Hind body with the apical segments shining and obsoletely

sculptured; basal segment dull, with some large depressions. Unique.

8. Glyptoma cribellum.

Piceum, opacum; capite nigricante undique fortiter punctato; abdomine equaliter, densissime, fortissime

profundeque punctato.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador, Zapote, Capetillo (Champion); Panama, Volcan de

Chiriqui (Champion).

Antenne rather short, sparingly setose ; joints 2-10 differing little from one another,

strongly transverse. Head black, closely and deeply punctured, slightly shining.

Thorax rugose, without depressions or channel. LElytra longer than the thorax,

longitudinally rugose, with a well-marked costa along the middle of each. Hind body

above and below, together with the breast, remarkably densely, deeply, and coarsely

punctate-rugose ; terminal segment very setose.

Of this species, so very distinct by the sculpture, Mr. Champion obtained a dozen

examples at El Tumbador, and one each from the other localities ; I regret to say that

I lost the unique Panama exponent after determining it.

4, Glyptoma hirticorne. (Tab. XIX. fig. 11.)

Piceum, elytris rufescentibus, subnitidum; capite nigricante, polito, parce punctato; prothorace parvo,

ineequali ; elytris unicostatis; abdomine grosse punctato; antennis brevibus, medio dense pubescentibus.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. GusTEMALA, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne short ; joints 2-10 strongly transverse, 3-6 densely, the others more sparingly,

pubescent. Head with only a few distant fine punctures. Thorax narrower than the

head, rounded in front, greatly narrowed behind, with two very large punctiform

depressions in front of the base, and with some other large irregular punctures. Elytra

elongate, red, rather shining, with a few coarse punctures, and along the middle of

each an acutely raised costa. Hind body very coarsely sculptured, the sculpture

consisting of irregular punctiform depressions which are coarser and deeper at the base

of each segment. Five specimens.

5. Glyptoma cognatum.

Rufulum, sat nitidum; capite nigricante, polito, parce punctato; prothorace parvo, inaquali; elytris

unicostatis ; abdomine grosse punctato ; antennis brevibus.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, El Reposo (Champion).

GLYPTOMA.—THORACOPHORDS. 725

This species is readily distinguished from G. hirticorne by the absence of the thick

pubescence seen on the antenne of that species; it is also slightly smaller and rather

more depressed in form, and the sculpture is less deep, though of an exactly similar

character. Five examples.

ANEUCAMPTUS.

Corpus subcylindricum, rude sculpturatum. Antenne clavate. Palpi maxillares articulo ultimo valde

elongato, quam preecedens quadruplo longiore. Coxee anteriores distantes, haud prominule.

Thoracophorus eacisicollis, Motsch., forms an isolated genus and has a remarkable

structure of the maxillary palpi. In these organs I am unable to see the basal

joint, but no doubt it is very small as in all the allied genera; the second joint is

thick, about as long as broad at its apex, the apex quite truncate, the base being more

slender; the third joint is stout, but not quite so broad as that preceding it, short, not

so long as broad; the terminal joint very elongate, more than twice as long as the

preceding two joints together, a little more slender at the extremity, the latter

apparently bearing a minute articulated supplementary appendage. Mandibles small,

scarcely projecting beyond the front of the head. Antenne 11-jointed; the basal

joint large and very conspicuous, the terminal joints thicker than the intermediate ones.

Front coxe minute, globose, not widely separated, not extending in the transverse

direction ; placed far from the sides of the thorax, which form no projection behind

them. Middle coxe slightly separated. Tibize slender and elongate; tarsi very short,

apparently 4-jointed—three short basal joints and a long terminal one. Hind body

not margined.

1. Aneucamptus excisicollis. (Tab. XIX. fig. 12.)

Thoracophorus excisicollis, Motsch. Etudes ent. viii. p. 68 (1859) *.

Hab. Panama!, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet, David (Champion).

- THORACOPHORUS.

Thoraxophorus (err. typ.), Motschuisky, Bull. Mose. x. 5, p. 98 (1837).

Thoracophorus, Motschulsky, Bull. Mose. xiii. p. 197 (1840); Etudes ent. viii. p. 66 (1859).

Glyptoma (pars), Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 908 (1840).

Thoracophorus includes about ten species from South America, two from North

America, and also two or three from the East Indies and the Malay archipelago.

1. Thoracophorus sallei. (Tab. XIX. fig. 13.)

Fusco-ferrugineus; capite fusco, antennis pedibusque ferrugineis ; prothorace minus regulariter costato, basi

constricto; elytris regulariter costatis; abdomine alte multicostato.

Long. 23 millim.

726 STAPHYLINIDA.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); GUATEMALA, El Tumbador, Cerro Zunil, Capetillo,

Tamahu, Balheu, Cubilguitz (Champion).

Head rather strongly produced in the middle, the hind angles slightly obtuse; the

vertex with two rather strong carine, and a longer but less elevated carina between these

and the outside. Thorax broader than long, greatly constricted behind the middle ;

with two basal carinee near the middle extending only half of the length towards the

front, and between these and the sides an elongate carina furcate in front. FElytra

much longer than the thorax, each with three strongly elevated carine. Hind body

with a series of seven sharply elevated carine; the latter appearing continuous when

the segments are contracted, but when they are extended it is seen that the carine

do not extend to the base of each segment, but that this part is occupied by a series

of fine crenulations.

This species was labelled Glyptoma saliwi, Fauv., in Sallé’s collection, and I have

preserved this specific name; it is very distinct on account of its costate hind body.

We have received twelve examples; the one from Cubilguitz is a variety of small size,

with the sculpture of the thorax less coarse.

2. Thoracophorus brevicristatus.

Glyptoma brevicristatum, Horn, Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. 1871, p. 832°.

Thoracophorus brevicristatus, Fauv. Notices ent. vil. p. 12”.

Hab. Nortu America !, Arizona ?,—Mexico, Teapa ?.

I have not seen any example of this species.

8. Thoracophorus truquil.

Ferrugineus, opacus, minus sculpturatus; prothorace quadrato, medio costis duabus distantibus munito ; elytris

tenuiter sexcostatis; abdomine fere esculpturato.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Truqui, Sallé, and coll. Sharp).

Head very short and broad, only slightly rounded in front, the disc with two short

longitudinal elevations, the antennal tubercles strongly elevated. ‘Thorax transversely

quadrate, quite straight in front; the sides erenulate and quite straight nearly to the

base, then a little narrowed; hind angles rectangular; on the middle are two coste,

and near each side a finer one, the coste widely separated and the space between them

uneven though not sculptured. Elytra slightly longer than the thorax; finely and

regularly costate, otherwise not sculptured, dull. Hind body very feebly sculptured at

the base only, the apex slightly shining.

Of this species I have seen only the two examples collected by Truqui; I have

retained the name proposed for it in Sallé’s collection.

THORACOPHORUS. 727

4. Thoracophorus zqualis.

Peropacus, rufo-niger; antennis pedibusque rufis; prothorace obsolete costato; elytris regulariter ‘ostatis,

interstitiis abdomineque esculpturatis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo, Balheu (Champion).

Head with a well-marked carina close to the eye and continuous with the anterior

margin, and also with two short elevations on the vertex, otherwise flat. Thorax a

good deal broader than long, the coste and depressions obsolete ; hind angles obtuse.

Elytra nearly twice as long as the thorax; each with three very distinct regular carine,

but with no sculpture or trace of other carine between them. Hind body quite

destitute of sculpture.

Closely allied to 7. rujficollis, but larger and with considerably longer elytra. Four

examples.

5. Thoracophorus ruficollis.

Glyptoma ruficolle, Fauv. Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand. ix. p. 65°; Notices ent. 11. p. 61%.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Pilate1?), Cordova (Sallé); GuaTEMaLA, Cubilguitz, Senahu,

Capetillo (Champion).

6. Thoracophorus discretus. (Tab. XIX. fig. 14.)

Rufo-niger, peropacus ; antennis pedibusque rufis; prothorace elytrisque obsolete costatis, illo vix transverso ;

abdomine esculpturato, brevissime setuloso.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador (Champion); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne rather large, much thicker externally. Head rather small; hind angles

minutely denticulate immediately behind the eyes; the vertex obscurely bicarinate, the

juxta-ocular carina distinct. Thorax rather broader than long, the surface uneven and

with some obscure elevations but without definite carine. Llytra a little longer than

the thorax ; tricostate, with an additional more obsolete carina between the first and

second elevations. Hind body dull and rather rough; without definite sculpture, but

sprinkled with very minute and short sete.

This species is allied to 7. ruficollis, but is smaller and more depressed, has a longer

thorax and shorter head and elytra, and slightly different sculpture.

7. Thoracophorus pusillus.

Subdepressus, opacus, fusco-ferrugineus; antennis, prothorace pedibusque rufis; prothorace elytrisque minus

argute costatis, illo brevi.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Teleman (Champion).

This insect is closely allied to 7. ruficollis, but only half the size, has a considerably

728 STAPHYLINIDA.

shorter thorax, and the elevations on the thorax and elytra not so conspicuous;

there is no trace of an additional carina between the inner two elevations on the elytra ;

the hind body has neither sculpture nor sete.

8. Thoracophorus pallidus.

Testaceo-ferrugineus, opacus ; antennis tenuibus ; prothorace elytrisque costatis, illo fortiter transverso.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Differs from 7. pusil/us not only in its smaller size and pallid colour (this may be

due to immaturity), but also by its more slender antenne, smaller eyes, and by the

more distinct, though fine, costee on the thorax and elytra. The head is most minutely

denticulate at the hind angles. The thorax has the surface uneven, and a fine carina

halfway between the middle and each side. The elytra are considerably longer than

the thorax, each bearing three fine cost, but there is no other sculpture. Hind body

without sculpture. One example only.

9. Thoracophorus filum.

Angustior, fere depressus, rufescens, opacus; capite nigricante; prothorace elytrisque vix costatis, illo haud

transverso, ineequali.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. GuatemaLa, El Tumbador, El Reposo, Zapote (Champion).

This species is very closely allied to 7. pusil/us, but is much narrower and more

depressed and has an elongate thorax. The antenne are short, strongly thickened

externally. The head is only a little constricted behind the eyes, the hind angles

obtuse, the carine quite obsolete. The thorax isa little broader than long, without

carine, but the surface is uneven and has a large depression on the middle. . The

elytra are a good deal longer than the thorax, indistinctly tricostate. ‘The hind body

is without sculpture.

Group ELEUSININA.

It will facilitate the classification of the “ Oxytelinee” if these insects be treated as a

separate group, defined by the small, globose front cox, whose acetabula are widely

open behind, while their external prolongation is closed by the trochantin, which latter

has the appearance of a supernumerary piece of the sternun.

ELEUSIS.

Eleusis, Laporte, Etud. ent. p. 131 (1835) ; Fauvel, Ann. Mus. Genov. xii. p, 206; Notices ent. vii.

p. 17.

Isomalus, Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 838 (1840) ; Fauvel, Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand. ix,

p- 35; Notices ent. ii. p. 31.

This genus as at present limited is a widely distributed one, and possesses represen-

ELEUSIS. 729

tatives in the tropics of both hemispheres, as well as one or two in the United States of

North America.

Hileusis is a very distinct genus, though its characters have been only very incom-

pletely exposed. The front cox are extremely short, and the thoracic pieces adjoining

them exhibit a very peculiar structure: the side-piece forms only a short obtuse pro-

jection behind the coxa, but in front of it there is an additional piece, which from its

position makes the lateral portion of the coxa appear very largely exposed and visible.

I expect it will prove that this peculiar piece is really the trochantin that has become

enlarged, and attached to the prosternum in such a manner as to form part of the outer

skeleton of the insect.

5 1. Llytris bipunctatis (singulo in disco puncto subtili impresso).

1. Eleusis bicolor.

Lsomalus bicolor, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 8391; Fauv. Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand. ix. p. 387;

Notices ent. ii. p. 34°.

Hab. Muxico !?%, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hége); Guaremata, Senahu, Purula, Sabo,

San Joaquin, Balheu (Champion).

Var. dwisa. Elytris dimidio basali testaceo. (Tab. XIX. fig. 16.)

Hab. Guatemaa, Cerro Zunil, Zapote, Senahu, San Gerénimo (Champion).

We figure an example of the variety divisa ; it is apparently commoner in Guatemala

than the typical form; intermediate examples occur but rarely. Fauvel states that the

female has the head suborbiculate, but this is not the case; some examples are only

half the size of others, and these have perhaps a rather smaller head than is due merely

to diminution of general stature, but the head is always straight at the sides and

suboblong in shape.

2. Kleusis rufula.

Rufo-testacea ; elytris versus apicem fuscis ; capite oblongo, subtiliter strigoso, inter antennas punctis majoribus

obsoletis impressis.

Long. 44-5 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

. This species is very closely allied to H. bicolor, but, besides being only half the size,

has the head and thorax red, the sculpture much finer, and the elytra a little shorter.

The vertex has an obsolete fovea. The thorax is about as long as broad ; it has a well-

marked depression on the front margin on each side; and the sides are straight to

behind the middle, thence much narrowed to the base. The elytra are very densely and

finely strigose. The surface is very shining, and has no distinct punctures except those

near the front of the head between the antenne. Five examples.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, February 1887. 5 AA

730 STAPHYLINIDA.

3. Kleusis fenestrata.

Nigra; antennis pedibusque piceis, tibiis tarsisque testaceis ; elytro singulo plaga magna testacea; dense strigo-

sula; capite oblongo, parce obsoleteque punctato.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. GuateMALa, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Similar in size and form to E. rufula, but differing from it in colour, and the much

greater development of the strigose sculpture on the head, thorax, and elytra. As in

E. rufula the head has an obsolete fovea on the vertex, and the thorax is also similar

in form and has similar impressions on the front margin. Each of the wing-cases has a

large pallid mark occupying the greater part of the surface, but leaving a black patch

round the scutellum; the suture also is dark, and the hind margin broadly so.

4, Eleusis pallidipennis.

Isomalus pallidipennis, Fauv. Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand. ix. p. 40’; Notices ent. ii. p. 36°.

Isomalus tenuis, Fauv. Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand. ix. p. 41°; Notices ent. ii. p. 87°; Sharp, Tr.

Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 411’.

Hab. Mexico, Campeche (Sallé), Teapa (Pilate+?); British Honpvuras, R. Hondo

(Blancaneauz) ; GuatTEMALA, El Reposo, Zapote, Chacoj (Champion).—SovutH AMERICA,

Caracas 123, Amazons valley 4°, &c.

This species varies in size, and in the colour of the legs and antenne, and I have no

doubt [somalus tenuis was founded on a very small example with these organs pallid; I

have examples agreeing with Fauvel’s description before me from both Guatemala and

the Amazons valley. In his recent ‘ Notices ent.’ vii. p. 17, Fauvel adopts the name

E. fasciata for our insect, considering it to be the same as Tsomalus fasciatus, Lec. I

am not acquainted with the North-American insect, but as the descriptions are far

from conveying to my mind the impression that this identification is correct, I do not

adopt it at present.

5. Eleusis corvina. (Tab. XIX. fig. 17.)

Nigra; antennis, tibiis tarsisque fusco-testaceis, elytris testaceo-plagiatis; omnino subtilissime strigosa, fere

impunctata ; prothorace angusto.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Senahu (Champion).

This insect is very closely allied to the form of £. pallidipennis with dark femora

and antenne, but readily distinguished by the elytra being broadly black at the base as

well as at the apex; in this latter respect it resembles L. fenestrata, from which it is

well distinguished by the quite different strigosity of the surface and by the deep gular

suture. ‘he head is suboblong, with a few distant very fine punctures which are not

more conspicuous between the antenne than elsewhere. The thorax is about as long

as broad, the sides simply rounded from the front angles to the base, the front margin

ELEUSIS. 731

bipunctate on each side. The hind body is quite black, the apex not at all more

dilute.

6. Eleusis flavipennis.

Angustior, nigro-picea ; antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis ; elytris pallide flavis.

Long. vix 3 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Purula (Champion).

This insect differs from the smaller, narrow examples of FE. pallidipennis in possessing

longer, as well as unicolorous elytra. In other respects quite similar to that species.

Unique. .

7. Hleusis infima.

Nigro-picea ; antennis pedibusque rufis; omnino subtilissime strigosa, fere impunctata.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Nicaraeva, Chontales (Janson).

Extremely similar to L. interrupta, Er., but twice as large, considerably broader, and

with a transverse thorax. The antenne are elongate. The head is rather short and

broad, and intermediate in shape between that of H. bicolor and that of the species of

the following group. The thorax is short and broad, very greatly narrowed behind ;

bipunctate on each side on the anterior margin, with two large punctures at each side

near the middle, and the outline of the side interrupted or emarginate between these.

Elytra unicolorous, piceous, but more dilute than the head and thorax.

§ 2. Elytris quadripunctatis.

8. Eleusis breviceps.

Nigro-picea ; tibiis tarsisque et abdomine versus apicem rufescentibus; capite transversim suborbiculato, sub-

tilissime punctulato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Senahu 2500 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather short. Head moderately shining, sparingly and very finely punctate.

Thorax short, bipunctate on the anterior margin ; the surface extremely feebly,

obliquely, longitudinally depressed on each side, the middle with a fine, short channel.

Similar to E. infima, though readily distinguished by the quadripunctate elytra and

the shorter head. Only two examples were obtained.

9, Hleusis scita. (Tab. XIX. fig. 18.)

Rufo-testacea; capite, prothorace elytrorumque apice nigris; antennis fuscis, basi testacea; nitida, fere

impunctata.

Long. 4-5 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, near the city, Capetillo, Zapote, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

5 AA 2

732 STAPHYLINIDA.

This species has a very broad head, and the groove near the eye is very deep and

distinct and rather strongly curved. It differs greatly in colour from E. breviceps, but

the sculpture and other details are nearly identical.

10. Eleusis mixta.

Capite, prothorace pectoreque nigris; elytris flavis, apice fusco; antennis femoribusque fuscis, tibiis tarsisque

testaceis, abdomine fusco-testaceo ; nitida, capite crebre punctato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); Guatemaua, Cerro Zunil, San Gerdénimo, Purula

(Champion).

Differs from E. scita in the more obscure colour, and in the distinct punctuation of

the head; the elytra are indefinitely infuscate behind; and the hind body, though of a

yellowish colour, is always more or less infuscate along the middle.

11. Eleusis insignis, (Tab. XIX. fig. 19.)

Nigra; antennis, pedibus abdomineque rufis, hoc medio fusco; elytris flavis, sutura apiceque fuscis; capite

latiore, fortiter punctato.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion).

Head short, very broad; surface uneven, coarsely punctate; the juxta-ocular groove

very broad, rather indefinite. Thorax broad, greatly narrowed behind, denticulate at

the side behind the middle; the surface rather uneven, canaliculate on the disc, and

with rather numerous large punctures. Elytra very finely punctulate. One example.

EUMALUS.

Corpus depressum, elongatum. Prosternum valde elongatum. Abdomen tenuissime, vix perspicue, mar-

ginatum.

This genus must certainly be placed next to Kleusis, though it is distinguished by

numerous characters. The prosternum is extremely elongate, the supernumerary piece

or trochantin extending far forward and uniting with the prosternum by a very visible

suture; this piece is somewhat depressed so as to form an imperfect groove for the

reception of the femur, where the leg is flexed on the prosternum. The head has well-

marked antennary tubercles, and the front margin of the pronotum is tuberculate. The

mandibles, though small, are prominent like those of Eleusis. ‘The maxillary palpi are

similar to those of Hleusis, except that they are shorter, with the penultimate joint

rather thicker, and the terminal joint rather smaller. The front coxe are small and

subglobular, and not exserted, and situated quite at the back of the elongate prosternum.

The tarsi are 5-jointed, the four basal joints quite small and together not quite equal

in length to the terminal joint.

The peculiar development of the trochantin I have described in connection with

EUMALUS.—LEPTOCHIRUS. 733:

Eleusis is here presented in a still more conspicuous manner. I am not acquainted

with any species of the genus other than the two here described, but it is probable that

the North-American [somalus nigrellus, Lec., belongs to it.

1. Kumalus strigosus. (Tab. XIX. fig. 20.)

Hlongatus, niger ; antennarum basi, pedibus elytrorumque apice rufis; strigosus, haud punctatus.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

Antenne with the three basal joints red, the third joint rather shorter than the

second. Head with a longitudinal elevation on either side in continuation with the

antennary tubercles. Thorax elongate, much narrowed behind, canaliculate along the

middle ; with four elevations on the front margin, the outer elevation being more elongate

than the others. Elytra elongate; quite impunctate, but delicately strigose. Fourteen

examples, exhibiting no variation.

2. Kumalus nigriceps, (Tab. XIX. fig. 21.)

Rufo-testaceus ; capite nigro, abdomine nigro-fusco ; subtiliter strigosus, haud punctatus.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. GuatTEMALA, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne yellow, short, scarcely thicker externally; third joint rather smaller than

the second. Head narrow, longitudinally bi-impressed. Thorax longer than broad,

finely canaliculate along the middle, feebly plico-tuberculate on the front margin;

delicately strigose, without punctures. Elytra elongate and narrow, delicately strigose,

without any punctures. Five examples.

Group LEPTOCHIRINA.

The genus Leptochirus and its allies having the anterior acetabula closed behind by

the junction of the prothoracic side-pieces with a process of the prosternum, they must be

separated into a distinct group. The separation of this group and the “ Eleusinina ” from

the “ Piestina” will be found greatly to facilitate an improved arrangement of the

*“‘Oxytelina” and “ Piestina.”

LEPTOCHIRUS.

Leptochirus, Germar, Ins. spec. nov. p. 35 (1824); Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 824 (1840).

This genus, after the abstraction of Priochirus, will be defined by the existence of a

conspicuous prosternal process behind the anterior coxe, and by the apices of the coxe

not being exserted. It will comprise all the New-World species of Leptochirus hitherto

described, except L. dicornis, and will also include for the present two or three species

of the eastern hemisphere, viz. L. laticeps, Er., L. guadridens, Motsch., and L. ide, Kr.

The New-World species of the genus are greatly in need of a thorough revision; the

734 STAPHYLINIDA.

allies of L. scoriaceus, Germ., forming a very difficult and intricate study; the peculiar

mandibles have hitherto been neglected, but their structure evidently offers specific

differences, though the appreciation of them is rendered difficult by the existence of

individuals of imperfect development, as in the analogous case of the family Lucanide.

In Leptochirus I have not detected a sexual difference in the mandibular structure. The

upper edges of the mandibles always have an erect tooth or horn, which I shall speak

of as the “dens superior.” The inner edges of the mandibles bear several teeth, those

nearest the extremity being always acuminate, these I call “dentes tenaces;” while

nearer the base there are more obtuse teeth, or a prominence of large size and irregular

form, which I name “ dens molaris ;”’ the apical teeth are much more constant in their

shape and position than those nearer the base. In the L. mexicanus group of species

the upper edge of the mandible bears a tooth or tubercle nearer to the base than the

superior tooth, and which I therefore call “ dens supero-basalis.”

§1. Mandibule superne dente superiore unico munite.

A. Spatio frontali abrupte diviso, parte anteriore perpendiculari,

parte posteriore horizontalt.

1. Leptochirus maxillosus.

Cucujus mazillosus, Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 93°.

Leptochirus mazillosus, Kr. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 825°; Fauv. Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand. ix.

p. 18, t.1. f. 2°; Notices ent. ii. p. 15, t. 1. f. 2%.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa**; Brivish Honpuras, R. Sarstoon, Belize (Blancaneaun) ;

Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).—Soutn AmeErica!??4, Colombia to Rio Janeiro.

This species I have not been able to verify as Mexican ; the examples named Z. mazil-

losus in Sallé’s collection were L. proteus and L. extimus.

2. Leptochirus brunneo-niger. |

Leptochirus brunneo-niger, Perty, Del. Anim. Art. Brasil. p. 382, t. 7. f. 7°; Fauv. Bull. Soc. Linn.

Normand. ix. p. 17*; Notices ent. ii. p. 13°.

Leptochirus cayennensis, Lap. Etud. ent. i. p. 125, t. 4. f. 5%.

Leptochirus mazillosus, var. a, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 825°.

Hab. Mexico (coll. Chevrolat ?*)—Sourn America to Brazil!?345,

Additional evidence is required before this insect can be regarded as a native of

our region. I have seen only one individual reputed to have been thence obtained—a

very old example in Chevrolat’s collection ; it is probable that Fauvel’s 2% record of the

species as Mexican depends on this example, and if so, I think it untrustworthy.

Though common in South America, there is no other evidence as yet of the occurrence of

L. brunneo-niger further north than Peru or Guiana.

LEPTOCHIRUS. 735

3. Leptochirus proteus.

Leptochirus proteus, Fauv. Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand. ix. p. 16°; Notices ent. i. p. 127.

Hab. Mexico (coll. Chevrolat +), Cordova (Sallé).—Souta Amsrica, Colombia ! ? (coll.

Sharp), Brazil 12.

I have seen only two examples of this species from our region; though considerably

larger than the Colombian exponents, I cannot separate them by any other good

characters.

4, Leptochirus extimus.

Nigerrimus, depressus, nitidissimus; mandibula sinistra dente superiore simplice, acuminato, dentibus duobus

tenacibus, denteque magno molari cujus margine interno profunde emarginato.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Toxpam, Tuxtla (Sal/é).

Though very similar to L. proteus, this insect is readily distinguished by the different

armature of the mandibles, and by the shorter antenne, thorax, and elytra. The two

basal teeth of the left mandible are conjoined to form one very large molar tooth with

emarginate inner margin, and there is no trace of the inner or hinder margin of the

erect tooth being armed, as it is in all the examples I have seen of L. proteus. ‘The

two median lobes of the vertex are not produced further forwards than the lateral

lobes, and they are evidently on a higher plane than the posterior part of the forehead—

thus distinguishing the species completely from L. mawillosus, which latter has, more-

over, a longer thorax, and the horizontal lobe of the forehead deeply emarginate in the

middle. There is much punctuation on the basal portions of the ventral segments in

this species.

I have seen only two examples of L. extimus; though I can detect no difference

between them, one was labelled Z. mawillosus, and the other L. proteus, in Sallé’s

collection.

B. Spatio frontali obliquo, hawd fracto.

5. Leptochirus molossus. (Tab. XIX. fig. 22.)

Nigerrimus, depressus; abdomine segmentis ventralibus ad basin minus late rugulosis; mandibulis crassis,

sinistra dentibus tribus tenacibus, denteque molari sat prominulo, elongato, margine interiore bisinuato,

dextra dentibus tenacibus duobus, denteque molari maximo.

Long. 14-18 millim.

Hab. Mextco, Jalapa (Hoge), Tuxtla, Cordova (Sailé); Britisn Hoypuras, R. Sarstoon,

R. Hondo, Belize (Blancaneaux); Guatuma.a, El Tumbador, Las Mercedes, San Isidro,

Pantaleon, Mirandilla, Capetillo, San Gerdnimo, Teleman, Chacoj, San Juan in Vera

Paz, Cubilguitz (Champion); Satvapor (Ulew); Nicaraeua, Chontales (Belt, Janson) ;

Costa Rica, Irazu 6000 to 7000 feet, Cache (Rogers); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chi-

riqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion). |

736 STAPHYLINIDA.

This is a smaller and narrower insect than the Brazilian L. scoriaceus, and it is there-

fore only the largest examples of L. molossus that could be mistaken for that species,

and these may be readily distinguished by the mandibular structure; the molar tooth

of the right mandible being in such examples of L. molossus of remarkably large size,

subquadrate in form, and very prominent, and separated from the lower angular tooth

by an extremely large interval; while on the left mandible there are three angular

teeth beyond the molar mass instead of two as in L. scoriaceus. In L. molossus the

front of the vertex is scarcely at all produced in the middle, the antenne are mode-

rately long and slender, and there is not more sculpture on the ventral segments than

in L. scoriaceus.

We have received a large series of L. molossus, and, as a rule, it may be recognized

by a glance at the mandibles. Small examples do not, however, exhibit the specific

characters in any thing like so conspicuous a manner; in such specimens the mandibles

are much shorter, and on the left the molar mass is very much reduced in length in the

longitudinal direction ; the molar tooth of the right mandible is also greatly reduced in

size, and separated from the lower or basal angular tooth only by a small angular interval.

‘These variations are apparently in part regional; thus while nearly all of the twenty-

five Mexican examples belong to the larger or typical form, there is not one of this

form amongst the twenty specimens from Nicaragua and the provinces further to the

south, and even when the individuals from the south attain the size of the large

Mexican form, they still retain the mandibular structure of the smaller Mexican form.

This would suggest that there are really two closely allied species mixed by me under

this name ; but the mandibular structure in the smaller examples is not sufficiently

stable for me to discriminate two forms amongst them with certainty, while in Mexico

the small form seems quite certainly to be connected by gradations with the larger

form. I have not traced L. molossus beyond our region, though the smaller and more

slender examples greatly resemble an undescribed Colombian species, Z. angustulus *,

which, however, has apparently always two approximate punctures on the vertex, thus

resembling superficially the allies of LZ. mexicanus, under which name, indeed, I have

received an example from M. Fauvel.

6. Leptochirus edax.

Nigerrimus, depressus ; abdomine segmentis ventralibus ad basin parum sculpturatis ; mandibulis sat elongatis,

sinistra dentibus duobus tenacibus et proprius ad basin tantum tuberculis duobus munita, absque dente

* Leptochirus angustulus, sp. n.

Depressus, nigerrimus, abdomine subtus haud ruguloso; mandibula sinistra dentibus duobus tenacibus, denteque

molari elongato, margine interno tridentato, dextra dentibus duobus tenacibus, denteque molari sat

magno ; vertice in medio anterius punctis duobus approximatis.

Long. 17 millim.

Hab. Colombia, Venezuela (coll. Sharp).

LEPTOCHIRUS. 137

molari, dextra dentibus duobus tenacibus denteque molari mediocri, hoc a dente tenace vicino sepius

parum disjuncto.

Long. 14-18 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Flohr), Jalapa (Hoge); Guatemaua, El Tumbador, Cerro Zunil, San

Lucas 6500 feet, Volcan de Fuego 6400 feet, Capetillo, San Gerdnimo, Purula, Sabo,

(Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba, Tolé (Champion).

Var. a.

Major; mandibula sinistra haud crassa, dentibus duobus tenacibus denteque molari valde elongato, perparum

prominulo; dextra dentibus duobus tenacibus denteque molari valde prominulo, a dentibus tenacibus

intervallo longe et profunde disjuncto.

Long. 20 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Sinaloa (H. Edwards).

Var. B.

Major; mandibula sinistra dentibus tribus tenacibus, absque dente molari, dextra dentibus duobus tenacibus

denteque molari mediocri, hoc a dente tenace vicino parum disjuncto.

Long. 22 millim.

Hab. Costa Rica (van Patten).

Var. y.

Vertice in medio anterius punctis duobus approximatis impresso.

Hab. Guatemala, Duefias (Champion).

This insect, like L. molossus, is placed in collections as L. scoriaceus. The larger

developments of LZ. edax can be distinguished by a glance at the slender basal portion

of the left mandible; the right mandible moreover appears at first to have only one

angular tooth instead of two, but as the molar mass has an upper angular portion more

or less detached from its basal part, I have preferred to call this an angular tooth but

little separated from the molar tooth.

The small developments of ZL. edax are difficult to distinguish in a perfectly satis-

factory manner from the imperfectly developed examples of L. molossus: the left

mandible not only becomes shorter, but its basal portion becomes thicker, so that a

molar tooth or mass evidently exists. In the small developments of Z. edax this

molar mass has a large longitudinal and a slight transverse extension, while in the

small developments of Z. molossus the reverse is the case.

There are some peculiar aberrant forms of which I have not seen sufficient examples

to justify me in treating them as distinct, and which I therefore place at present as

varieties.

Of the vars. a and y I have seen only two examples of each; of var. 6 only one

specimen. There exist also variations in other points that appear to me of minor

importance, such as the extent of the sculpture on the ventral segments and the form

of the erect tooth or horn of the left mandible; this latter not very rarely has the hind

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, March 1887. 5 BB

738 STAPHYLINIDA.

margin near the apex more or less swollen, and occasionally this is carried to such an

extent as to cause this horn to have a broad emarginate extremity.

7. Leptochirus serriger.

Depressus, niger; abdominis segmentis basalibus ad basin anguste rugulosis; mandibulis parum elongatis,

absque dentibus molaribus, sinistra dentibus quatuor tenacibus et basin proprius dente quinto minore ;

dextra dentibus tribus tenacibus, et basin proprius dente quarto minuto.

Long. 12-13 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Truqui), Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa ([ohr).

I establish this species upon four examples which I am unable to comprehend under

either Z. edax or L. molossus. LL. serriger scarcely attains the size of the smallest

examples of those species; the left mandible is armed internally with five teeth,

which gradually decrease in size from the apical to the basal one, this latter being

merely a tubercle ; the apical tooth on the right mandible is large, and is followed by

two equal rather approximate teeth, between which and the base the mandible itself

is much narrowed and bears a small tubercle and still nearer the base a yet more

rudimentary prominence ; and the front of the vertex is much produced in the middle.

8. Leptochirus gracilis.

Depressus, niger; pectore, elytris pedibusque castaneo-rufis; abdomine parum sculpturato; mandibula sinistra

dente erecto subparallelo, apicem versus haud acuminato, apice ipso emarginato.

Long. 11-12 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

This insect is readily distinguished by the colour of the wing-cases and the

peculiar form of the erect tooth on the left mandible; the armature of the inner

margin of the mandibles is very similar to that of some of the extremely small

varieties of L. edax. The characters are quite constant in the five examples before

me.

§ 2. Mandibule dente superiore et dente, vel tuberculo, supero-basali munite.

9. Leptochirus punctiger.

Nigerrimus, sat depressus ; vertice anterius in medio punctis duobus majoribus notato ; mandibulis brevibus,

dente supero-basali parvo ; antennis sat elongatis.

Long. 15 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca, Orizaba (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge).

This is apparently the least rare of the species of this group. JL. punctiger is similar

to L. meaxicanus, but has numerous points of distinction: the supero-basal tooth of

the mandibles is only an acute tubercle; the superior tooth is large and strongly

directed inwards, its inner margin, however, being only feebly sinuate; the mandibles

themselves are rather short, and the basal or molar tooth on each is large and consists

LEPTOCHIRUS. 7389

of three subequal teeth ; the vertex has large punctures on its anterior part, but there

are no punctures on the middle; the rugose sculpture at the base of the ventral

rings is only very slight in extent.

10. Leptochirus quadricollis.

Nigerrimus, sat depressus ; vertice anterius in medio punctis duobus approximatis parum conspicuis notato ;

mandibulis dente superiore introrsum vergente, margine interne incrassato et sinuato, dente supero-

basali minuto ; antennis gracilibus.

Long. 20 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Sallé, ex coll. Sturm), Jalapa (Hoge).

This species is readily distinguished from L. mexicanus not only by the characters

mentioned in the diagnosis, but by several others: the supero-basal tooth of the

mandible is here merely an acute tubercle, while the superior tooth is very large,

strongly curved inwards, and with its inner margin sinuate; the lower internal tooth of

the right mandible forms a large quadrate mass ; there are no punctures on the middle

of the vertex, and the two approximate punctures or depressions on the front are small ;

the inner margin of the two frontal depressions is but little elevated; and the rugose

sculpture is not present at the bases of the ventral rings. The front coxe are distinctly

divided; the antenne are longer than in either of the allied species, and the thorax is

remarkably elongate.

11. Leptochirus mexicanus.

Leptochirus mexicanus, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 826°.

Nigerrimus, sat depressus ; vertice ad apicem punctis duobus approximatis, in medio duobus distantibus notato ;

mandibulis dente superiore introrsum parum vergente, dente supero-basali valde elongato; antennis sat

gracilibus.

Long. abdomine extenso 15 millim.

Hab. Mexico ! (Flohr), Cordova (Hoge).

This is the species with which Erichson’s description! best agrees. The punctures

along the middle of the vertex are sometimes four in number, and placed in a transverse

line ; sometimes two, as described by Erichson. The inner portion of the margin of the

two frontal depressions is remarkable for its great elevation; the interior basal or molar

tooth of the left mandible is divided into three smaller teeth, the lower or posterior

tooth being, however, very short and obtuse: the corresponding tooth on the right

mandible is bidentate ; the front coxe are extremely approximated; and the first four

ventral segments have a well-marked band of rugose sculpture at the base.

Mr. Flohr sent me three examples many years ago without any special locality, and

I have for many years possessed a fourth from an old collection. Hoge found a single

immature example, piceous, with the head and thorax red, which I believe to be the

same species; it, however, has the supero-basal tooth of the mandible shorter, and

there are some other slight distinctions. These are all the specimens I have seen.

5 BB2

740 STAPHYLINIDA.

12. Leptochirus cephalotes.

Nigerrimus, sat depressus ; mandibulis dente superiore introrsum vergente, margine interno hand incrassato,

dente supero-basali elongato ; prothorace transverso ; antennis extrorsum incrassatis, articulis penultimis

transversis.

Long. 15 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Sallé, Fauvel).

This is readily distinguished from the allied species by the shorter thorax and the

thicker antenne. The superior tooth of the mandible is remarkably elongate, quite

acuminate, and without any sinuation internally; the internal teeth are placed further

from the base than in the preceding species, and on the left mandible the lower tooth

is bidentate, on the right simply acuminate. The punctures on the vertex seem to be

variable: sometimes there are two on the middle, but these may be absent, and the

anterior approximate punctures are quite obsolete.

Four examples. I have preserved the name under which I received this insect

from M. Fauvel, and with which it is labelled in M. Sallé’s collection.

13. Leptochirus ramosus.

Nigerrimus, sat depressus; vertice in medio bipunctato, anterius punctis duobus majoribus notato; mandibulis

dente superiore elongato, introrsum valde curvato, margine interno simplice, dente supero-basali elongato ;

prothorace subtransverso; antennis crassiusculis.

Long. 17 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge).

We have received only one example of this species; but I cannot doubt its being

distinct. It is nearest to L. cephalotes, but the thorax is not so short, and the antenne

are not so thick externally; the superior teeth of the mandibles are similar, but the

internal teeth are different—the molar tooth on the left mandible having an extreme

extension in the longitudinal direction, and not being distinctly divided, though its

basal portion is abruptly narrower ; the corresponding tooth on the right mandible is

approximately similar to that on the left, except that it has a rather deep emargination

on the upper portion of its inner edge. The sculpture of the ventral rings is coarse

and rather largely developed.

PRIOCHIRUS.

Acetabula anteriora posterius occlusa. Coxe anteriores contigue, haud brevissime. Prosterni processus post

eas minutus, vix perspicuus. Mentum elongatum.

This genus is very easily distinguished from Leptochirus by the prosternal struc-

ture and by the more elongate mentum. The different species are nearly always less

depressed in form than is the case in Leptochirus. The genus, in the New World, is

limited to our region; but it will also include, for the present, the greater portion of

the species of the Old World hitherto placed in Leptochirus. In some of the eastern

species the shape becomes nearly cylindrical (P. mandibularis, e. g.), and the exsertion

PRIOCHIRUS. 741

of the front coxe is remarkable, so as to form a striking contrast to the structure

of these parts in Leptochirus.

§1. Frontal area depressed only slightly below the level of the vertes.

1. Priochirus laxus.

Niger, abdominis apice piceo-rufo; vertice sat longe bicornuto, cornibus margine interno inferus prope basin

dentato, apice subtruncato, vix perspicue emarginato, inter cornua area plana, sat depressa, margine

anteriore bidentato.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. British Honpuras, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaux); Guatemala, Purula (Cham-

pion).

In this species the antenne are rather long; the supra-antennal prominences very

obtuse; the prothoracic channel very deep, but not foveolate behind; and the horns

of the head divergent.

2. Priochirus bicornis.

Leptochirus bicornis, Fauv. Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand. ix. p. 20, t. 1. £.4°; Notices ent. ii. p. 16.

Hab. Mexico}, Jalapa (Flohr), Cordova (Sal/é).

3. Priochirus hzemorrhous.

Minor, sat depressus, nitidus; piceo-niger, abdominis apice, tibiis tarsisque rufis; vertice sat longe bicornuto,

cornibus apice emarginato, inter cornua area lata, inequali, margine anteriore in medio emarginato,

utrinque elevato.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Cubilguitz, Chiacam (Champion).

Very closely allied to P. bicornis, but with the frontal space between the horns much

broader, the horns themselves longer and more slender and much less definitely bifid at

the apex:; the articulations of the antennz rather longer, and the ventral segments not

so free from sculpture.

Six examples.

4. Priochirus dilutus.

Minor, sat depressus, nitidus ; piceus, elytris castaneo-rufis ; vertice sat longe bicornuto, cornibus apice emar-

ginato, inter cornua area lata, fere plana, margine anteriore in medio late parum profunde emarginato.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Although very close to P. hemorrhous, the slight characters by which this insect is

distinguished are quite constant in a series of sixteen examples. The colour of the

elytra allows the species to be immediately recognized ; but, besides this, the frontal

area is rather flatter and less deeply emarginate in front.

742 STAPHYLINIDZ.

§ 2. Frontal area deeply depressed.

5. Priochirus divergens. (Tab. XIX. fig. 23.)

Minus depressus, niger, nitidus; antennis pedibusque piceis; vertice cornibus duobus divergentibus, apicibus

acuminatis, cornu margine interno subtus longius dentato, inter cornua area magis depressa, margine ante-

riore rotundato.

Long. 11-13 millim.

Had. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Though very similar to P. larus, this species is readily distinguished by the armature

of the head, the horns being longer and acuminate at the tip; the space between the

horns more depressed, with its front margin rounded instead of emarginate.

Four examples.

6. Priochirus collaris.

Minus depressus, niger, nitidus; pedibus piceis, abdominis apice rufescente ; vertice cornibus duobus sub-

parallelis, apicibus leviter emarginatis, cornu margine interno subtus longius dentato, inter cornua area

magis depressa, margine anteriore in medio vix producto, seta munito; prothorace ad latera numerose

setigero.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, Purula 4000 feet (Champion).

This species has the space between the horns short and with a nearly straight ante-

rior margin, the latter bearing a single long seta in the middle; these characters and

the greater depression of the space below the level of the vertex distinguish the

species from P. laxus, to which it is otherwise extremely similar. P. collaris has

apparently another character, in the setigerous punctures at the side of the thorax

being more numerous than usual. Unique.

7, Priochirus laticornis.

Convexus, niger, nitidus; pedibus piceis, abdominis apice rufo; vertice cornibus duobus latis, parallelis,

apicibus truncato-emarginatis, inter cornua area profunde depressa, plana, margine anteriore truncato.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sal/é).

This apparently is the largest and least depressed of our species; it will be recog-

nizable by its very broad, flat cephalic horns, which are broadly emarginate at the apex

and have their inner margin slightly sinuate beneath; the lobes of the vertex much

swollen, and their hind angles rectangular and sharply defined; and the prothoracic

channel very deeply foveolate behind. Unique.

8. Priochirus salvini.

Minor, sat depressus, nitidus, niger; antennis pedibusque piceis, abdominis apice rufo; vertice cornibus

PRIOCHIRUS.—MEGARTHRUS. 743

duobus brevibus, parallelis, apice externo subtus dentato-producto, facie inferiore medio longius dentata,

inter cornua area concava, profunde depressa.

Long. 7-8 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, Volcan de Fuego 6400 feet (Salvin), Quiche Mountains 7000 to

9000 feet, Cerro Zunil, Calderas 7000 feet, Volcan de Agua 8500 to 10,500 feet, San

Gerdénimo, Sabo (Champion).

This species is quite similar in appearance to P. hemorrhous, though readily

distinguished by the cephalic structure and by the channel on the thorax being more

deeply depressed behind. The long tooth of the horns of the vertex is placed so

completely on the underside that it is difficult to detect. We have received a good

series of specimens of P. salvini, which, though varying a little in size and also in some

other minute particulars, are evidently conspecific. The most important variation is

the existence occasionally of a fovea on the upper surface of the head on each side

of the median channel.

Group PROTEININA.

MEGARTHRUS. -

Megarthrus, Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. v. p. 330 (1832); Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 904 (1840).

This genus has hitherto consisted only of a few species found in the northern

portions of the eastern and western hemispheres, extending, however, to Madeira and

the Canary Islands.

1. Megarthrus zunilensis. (Tab. XIX. fig. 15.)

Fuscus ; antennarum articulis duobus ultimis testaceis; prothorace lateribus plus minusve distincte rufescen-

tibus, ad angulos posteriores breviter latius excisis.

Long. 3 millim.

fab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Antenne slender, the two terminal joints conspicuously paler than the others. Thorax

densely punctate, with a broad channel along the middle, the lateral margins slightly

angulate in the middle; the hind angles rectangular, slightly acute, and behind them

a small excision broader than long. Elytra nearly twice as long as the thorax, very

densely and finely punctured. Male with the hind and middle tibie rather thicker, and

the terminal ventral plate largely and deeply excised.

A distinct species, somewhat resembling the European J. sinuaticollis, but with

different thoracic margin and remarkably coarse sculpture of the elytra.

2. Megarthrus solitarius.

Fusco-niger, opacus, fortiter punctatus; pedibus piceo-testaceis ; prothorace antrorsum angustato, lateribus

undulatis, angulo posteriore acuto, retrorsum spectante.

Long. 22 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Purula (Champion).

744 STAPHYLINIDA.

In this species the thorax becomes broader from the apex to the base; the sides are

sinuate so as to form three obscure angles between the front and the hind angle; the

latter is remarkably acute, and behind it is a very abruptly defined excision. The

sculpture is coarse.

Only one example was procured ; it is apparently a female and is not in very good

condition; the terminal joint of the antenne is elongate and appears to be a little paler

than the others.

Subfam. OMALITNA.

OMALIUM.

Omalium, Gravenhorst, Col. Micr. p. 111 (1802) ; Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 871 (1840).

Homalium, Gemminger & Harold, Cat. Col. ii. p. 665 ; Fauvel, Notices ent. vii. p. 41.

This genus, taken in the larger sense of the Munich Catalogue, includes about 120

species, most of them European; Fauvel (¢. c.), however, records 23 North-American

species. Many genera have been proposed for the European species, but these it would

not be possible to accept at present, as they are based on very slight characters and on

an examination of only a portion of even the European forms.

As yet our region has produced only eight or nine extremely obscure species (which

may perhaps ultimately form a genus allied to Anthobium as well as to Omalium), and

Tropical South America has so far only a single equally obscure representative. Thus

as we have no other genera of the subfamily to record, and as North America is very

rich in this subfamily, it is evident that we have here a striking contrast between our

region and that of North America. It may be worth while to mention that of our

eight or nine species, four have been found only in what may be looked on as the

alpine parts of our region.

1. Omalium sordidum.

Depressum, nigricans, subopacum, parce subobsolete punctatum ; antennarum basi pedibusque sordide testa-

ceis ; elytris fusco-rufis, marginibus plus minusve argute nigricantibus,

Long. 23-3 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé) ; GuatemaLa, Cerro Zunil, Capetillo, Zapote, Carrizal,

near the city, San Geronimo (Champion).

Thorax very strongly transverse, without fovez on the disc, sparingly and indistinctly —

punctured, twice as broad as long, rounded at the sides; hind angles obtuse. Elytra

nearly twice as long as the thorax, rather sparingly and finely punctured ; of an obscure

reddish colour, usually more dilute on the humeral region, and the hind margins and

side margins blackish. The male has the posterior part of the metasternum impressed

with a deep groove in the middle, the margins of the groove being plicate; the

terminal ventral segment broadly emarginate.

OMALIUM. 745

We have received a large number of examples of this obscure insect: if I am right

in considering them all to be one species, it is evidently variable in size, colour, and

minute details of form and sculpture. We have only four Mexican examples: these

are labelled O. flebile, Fauv., and O. preustwm, Motsch., in Sallé’s collection. It is

quite uncertain whether Motschulsky really had this species before him when he

penned his very imperfect description of Phiwonomus preustus, which indeed agrees

even better with our 0. atomarium. At Carrizal, Mr. Champion procured 0. sordidum

in numbers from a fungus; and as many of these examples are immature, it is probable

they may have undergone their metamorphoses in it.

M. Fauvel (Notices ent. iii. p. 7) in describing O. xanthopterum gives as one of its

localities “‘ Mexique, en Octobre, A. Sallé.” There does not exist any insect under this

name in M. Sallé’s collection; and the typical examples of O. xanthopterum from

Caracas do not sufficiently agree with our O. sordidum to induce me to record our

species under the name given by Fauvel to the Venezuelan insect, though the two are

very close.

2. Omalium anceps.

Depressum, nigrum, opacum; antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis; prothorace obsolete, elytris crebrius

fortiusque, punctatis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet, Volcan de Agua 8500 to

10,500 feet (Champion).

I separate this insect from 0. sordidwm on account of the coarser and closer

punctuation of the elytra, and the more coarsely alutaceous surface of the thorax; the

colour also is more obscure than in any of the examples of O. sordidum. The male

characters are similar, though not quite so conspicuous. We have received fourteen

examples.

3. Omalium triste.

Longius, depressum ; nigrum, tibiis tarsisque testaceis ; crebre minus obsolete punctatum, subnitidum, prothorace

disco obsoletissime bi-impresso.

Long. 37 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Totonicapam 10,500 feet (Champion).

Although we have received only a single example of the female sex of this species,

there can be no doubt it is quite distinct from O. sordidum ; independently of the black

colour, the punctuation of the elytra is closer and more distinct, and the general form

more elongate. Although the femora are black, their tips exposed at the sides of the

body are yellow like the tibie. The unique example was found under the bark of a

pine-tree.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, September 1887. 5 CC

746 STAPHYLINIDA.

4. Omalium atomarium.

Omalium atomarium, Fauv. Bull. Soc. Linn. Normand. x. p. 16°; Notices ent. lil. p. 8°.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Pilate1*)?; Guaremana, Yzabal (Sadlé), Zapote, El Reposo

(Champion).

Fauvel !2 gives as the only locality “ Teapa, Mexique (Pilate), collection de M. A.

Sallé et la mienne.” The two examples of A. atomarium, Fauv., in M. Sallé’s collection

are, however, from Guatemala, and the Mexican habitat therefore requires con-

firmation.

5. Omalium pumilio.

Depressum, omnino peropacum, obsoletissime vix perspicue punctatum, subtilius pubescens ; fusco-nigricans,

pedibus testaceis.

Long. 2-23 millim.

Hab. GuateMmaua, Capetillo (Champion).

This species is readily distinguished by the extremely opaque surface, without

definite punctuation ; there are scarcely any traces of impressions on the thorax, the

hind angles of which are sharply defined and slightly obtuse. The male has a gentle

emargination of the hind margin of the last ventral plate. Four examples.

6. Omalium faustum.

Depressum, omnino peropacum, obsoletissime vix perspicue punctatum, subtilissime pubescens; nigricans,

pedibus sordide testaceis ; prothorace convexiusculo, minus fortiter transverso.

Long. 17-27 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This insect is extremely close to O. pumilio, but is rather smaller and narrower, and

presents several other slight differences. The antennz are short, with the joints 6-10

transverse. The thorax is rather narrow, and not so strongly transverse, and a little

narrower in front than in the allied species. ‘The elytra are short, scarcely one and a

half times so long as the thorax. Twelve examples.

7. Omalium incultum.

Depressum, opacum; fusco-ferrugineum, antennis extrorsum nigris, pedibus testaceis; prothorace fere

impunctato, dorso late, parum argute, bi-impresso ; elytris dense punctatis.

Long. 3-37 millim.

Hab. GuateMaLa, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion).

A broad and short, very depressed insect, distinguished from the other Omalia of our

region by the bi-impressed but impunctate thorax, and by the densely punctate elytra.

The thorax has a slightly sinuous outline, and the hind angles are obtuse though

distinctly marked; the elytra are not quite so long as the thorax. The male has an

emargination of the hind margin of the last ventral segment. ‘Ten specimens.

OMALIUM.—MICROPEPLUS. TAT

8. Omalium leticulum. (Tab. XIX. fig. 24.)

Parvum, depressum, subopacum; nigrum, prothorace rufo, elytris fusco-rufis, antennarum basi pedibusque

testaceis ; parcius obsolete punctatum ; prothorace medio bi-impresso.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab, GuateMALa, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

Antenne short ; the four basal joints yellow, the others dark, the sixth joint transverse

but not broad. Thorax strongly transverse, slightly sinuate at the sides, the hind

angles rectangular ; the disc with two broad, short, rather widely separated depressions ;

the surface alutaceous, almost impunctate. Elytra twice as long as the thorax,

sparingly, very finely, and obsoletely punctured. Seven examples.

Subfam. MICROPEPLIN A.

MICROPEPLUS.

Micropeplus, Latreille, Gen. Crust. et Ins. iv. p. 377 (1809); Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph.

p. 911 (1840).

This peculiar genus of about twenty species has hitherto been supposed to be

confined to the northern portions of the globe, its species being about equally divided

between the New and the Old Worlds. The existence of a Micropeplus so far south

as Guatemala was quite unexpected.

1. Micropeplus acumen. (Tab. XIX. fig. 25.)

Fusco-piceus, antennis pedibusque testaceis, prothorace utrinque flavo-signato; prothorace elytrisque costatis ;

abdomine acuminato, multicostato.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Cahabon, El Tumbador (Champion).

Head very short and broad. Thorax very strongly transverse, broader than the

elytra, the sides angulate in the middle, the hind angles acute, and with a very minute

angulation between the latter and the middle angle; quadricostate, the outer coste

less distinct and regular than the inner ones. Elytra short, rather longer than the

thorax, each with three strongly raised coste in addition to the raised suture. Hind

body short, strongly acuminate ; each of the three basal segments with six, the fourth

segment with four, raised carine. |

This is a very distinct Micropeplus and the smallest as yet known of the genus.

Only one example was procured in each locality ; one of them is more ferruginous in

colour than the other, such variation being common to the other species of the genus.

5 CC2

SUPPLEMENT.

CNEMIDOTUS (p. 1).

2. Cnemidotus mexicanus.

Cnemidotus mexicanus, Wehncke, Deutsche ent. Zeit. xxvii. p. 145 (1883) ’.

Sat elongatus, pallide testaceus, minus argute nigro-maculatus, sat fortiter punctatus; coxarum laminis poste-

rius rotundatis.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Flohr 1), near the city (Hoge).

This insect differs from C. simplex by the much larger punctures of the upper surface,

and by the margins of the elytra not being dentate near the extremity; it is quite as

similar to C. 12-punctatus, Lec., but that species has the hind margins of the coxal

lamine angulate, and the spots of the upper surface much more largely developed and

very definite.

In C. mexicanus the thorax is bimaculate at the base and the spots extend inwards

so as to be united in front of the scutellum ; the punctuation on these spots is coarser,

but the surface there is not at all depressed. The punctures of the wing-cases are

black, and so is the suture and a common sutural spot at the apex; the other black

spots are small and indistinct. The apices of the elytra are strongly sinuate.

HALIPLUS (p. 2).

4. Haliplus curtulus.

Brevis, convexus, fulvus; elytris obsolete nigro-maculatis ; fortiter punctatus, elytrorum interstitiis seriatim

parce sat fortiter punctatis.

Long. 33 millim.

fab. Mexico, Vera Cruz (Hoge).

Allied to H. robusius, but smaller, with the sculpture much less deep, and the surface

only very indistinctly spotted. The middle of the prosternum is coarsely margined on

each side, and there is a raised line, continuous with the prosternal line, on each side

of the middle of the mesosternum. The coxal lamine are coarsely and closely punc-

tured, and their hind margins are denticulate at the suture. The head and thorax are

rather closely punctate, and the latter has no depressions.

CANTHYDRUS (p. 5).

1(a). Canthydrus similaris.

Breviter ovalis, convexus, nitidus, testaceus; elytris castaneis, crebre obsolete punctatis ; prosterni processu

medio vix perspicue depresso ; coxarum laminis parce punctatis.

Long. 27 millim.

DYTISCIDA. 749

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz (Hoge).

Distinguished from C. simplex by the more oval form, but in other respects extremely

similar to that species. A considerable series showing no variation has been received.

Canthydrus rufipes (p. 7).

Before the localities given, insert :—Mexico, Vera Cruz, San Juan, Bautista in

Tabasco (Hége).

LACCOPHILUS (p. 9).

Laccophilus apicalis (p. 10).

To the localities given, add:—Panama, Pefia Blanca, Panama city (Champion).

Laccophilus decipiens (p. 10).

To the Mexican locality given, add :—Chihuahua city (Hoge).

In this, as well as in some other species, there occur rarely females with the epipleure

dilated. I had previously supposed this to be a constant character for this sex in the

species where I noticed it; but I am now convinced that in the case of this, and pro-

bably of other species, it is only a rare and exceptional occurrence: another very

remarkable form of female dimorphism is thus added to those previously recognized as

occurring in this family of Coleoptera.

Laccophilus fuscipennis (p. 10).

The character of dilated epipleure is not a specific one, and this species, therefore,

is distinguished from ZL. confusus, so far as I can at present judge, and we have received

no more examples of it, solely by the larger size and the immaculate upper surtace, and

the absence of a coxal file in the female.

Laccophilus confusus (p. 11).

To the Mexican locality given, add:—San Juan Bautista in Tabasco, Vera Cruz

(Hoge).

We have received now a good series of this species, and it appears at present to be

really distinct from L. americanus: a form of the female with dilated epipleure occurs

rarely. The coxal file is apparently always present in the female, though much more

delicate than it is in the male.

10 (a). Laccophilus suffusus.

Laccophilus suffusus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 293°.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).—Soutn America, Bahia.

750 SUPPLEMENT.

10 (s). Laccophilus filicornis.

Ovalis, subdepressus, nitidus, testaceus ; pectore sub-infuscato ; elytris fuscis, fascia basali flammulati, alia sub-

apicali disintegrata apiceque testaceis. a

Long. 44, lat. 24 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Very similar to Z. suffusus, but very different in the male sex, owing to the absence

of a coxal file and to the fact that the terminal ventral segment is truncate and its

hind margin not acuminate in the middle; this structure allows the male to be readily

distinguished from the female, in which the corresponding segment is simple, acuminate

in the middle, and not truncate. The female can be distinguished from that sex of both

L. suffusus and L. agilis, to each of which it is extremely similar, by the more distinct

yellow marks near the apex of the elytra.

This insect is almost exactly like L. optatus, but that species has an elongate pro-

sternal process.

11 (a). Laccophilus insignis.

Laccophilus insignis, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. p. 290°.

Hab. Nortu America, Texas 1, Lower California :—Mexico, Monterey in Nuevo Leon

(Hoge).

Laccophilus oscillator (p. 11).

To the Mexican locality given, add :—Northern Sonora (Morrison).

Laccophilus duplex (p. 12).

To the localities given, add :—Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

We have received only one example, a female, from the State of Panama, but it

appears to me conspecific with the Mexican insect, though I have no longer the female

before me to compare it with. The prosternal process is so much longer in this

species than it is in the others of the group where I have placed it, that I think it will

have to be located in group 5 of the genus.

14 (a). Laccophilus agilis.

Ovalis, parum convexus, nitidus, testaceus; elytris fascia sub-basali flammulata testacea.

Long. 34, lat. 12 millim.

Hab. Panama, Taboga Island (Champion).

Very similar to LZ. duplex, but much smaller, and without doubt a distinct species.

The elytra bear an excessively minute punctuation, but reticulation is scarcely visible ;

the basal fascia is almost entire, consisting of short longitudinal marks nearly touching

one another; there are two very small pallid marks close to the suture about the

DYTISCIDA. 751

middle, and one at each side; externally the apex also is obscurely pale. The under

surface is quite pale, the breast not being at all infuscate. It is rather difficult to

distinguish the sexes, the male characters being limited to the minute sexual clothing

of the tarsi; in both sexes the terminal ventral segment is simple, without truncation

or sinuation.

The species is also extremely similar to L. suffusus, from which it is distinguished

by the complete absence of a coxal file.

19. Laccophilus fragilis.

Ovalis, angustus, testaceus, elytris sordide testaceis, femoribus quatuor anterioribus palpisque viridescentibus ;

prothorace basi subtruncato.

Long. 33, lat. 1? millim.

Hab. Panama, near the city (Champion).

An obscure species, of which only two females have been obtained; it belongs to the

group with elongate prosternal process, and it is probable that the male possesses no

- coxal file; in the female the middle of the last ventral segment projects as a long lobe

owing to the segment being truncate-emarginate on each side; there is scarcely any

sculpture on the ventral segments. It is probable that during life the more pellucid

parts of the body are viridescent, as some green colour still remains evident on the

femora, palpi, and antenne. ‘The coloration appears to be the chief point by which

the species is distinguished from L. ovatus.

HYDROVATUS (p. 14).

_ Hydrovatus obscurus (p. 15).

Before the localities given, insert: —Mexico, Tlacotalpam (Hége).

1 (4). Hydrovatus concolor.

Brevissimus, sat convexus, piceo-niger, nitidus ; antennis pedibusque rufis ; crebrius sat fortiter punctatus.

Long. 23, lat. fere 2 millim.

Hab. Mexico, near the city (Hége).

This is a much larger and broader insect than H. obscurus, and is comparatively less

convex ; it is readily distinguished by the very dark colour and the more numerous

punctuation. The head is truncate in the middle in front, and the punctuation of the

thorax is unusually close and distinct. The breast is very deeply and coarsely punc-

tured. I do not observe any sexual differences among the four specimens obtained.

Hydrovatus inornatus (p. 15).

To the Mexican locality given, add :—near the city (Hoge).

The single example recently received is a male ; it differs strikingly from the female

752 SUPPLEMENT.

by the comparatively large front tarsi, the second joint being strongly transverse, but

agrees with the other sex in the peculiarly dull upper surface and obsolete sculpture.

DESMOPACHRIA (p. 16).

6 (a). Desmopachria speculum.

Breviter ovalis, fere omnino esculpturatus, nitidissimus, ferrugineus, elytris sordidis; capite lato, brevi, clypeo

rotundato, tenuissime marginato.

Long. 13, lat. 13 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).

Remarkable on account of the excessively polished surface, on which, however, a very

fine punctuation may be detected, more particularly on the anterior parts. In other

respects this insect is very near to D. circularis, though a little larger in size. Unique.

6(s). Desmopachria striola.

Brevis, lata subrotundata, testaceo-ferruginea ; elytris sutura fuscescente, striola valde abbreviata impressa ;

corpore subtus levigato; clypeo anterius rotundato, tenuissime marginato.

Long. 13, lat. vix 1 millim.

Hab. Panama, near the city (Champion).

This insect is rather smaller and narrower than D. circularis, and is readily distin-

guished by the definite, though short, sutural stria. Unique.

Desmopachria glabricula (p. 18).

To the locality given, add:—Panama, David, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands

(Champion).

Desmopachria mexicana (p. 19).

To the Mexican locality given, add :—Northern Sonora (Morrison).

9. Desmopachria vicina.

Breviter ovalis, convexa, crebrius punctata, testacea, elytris longitudinaliter nigro-signatis, prothorace basi

apiceque nigricantibus,

Long. vix 3, lat. 12 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz (Hoge).

This species is extremely closely allied to the Brazilian D. varians, but the good series

obtained by Herr Hége present certain constant differences, viz. the general shape is

rather more elongate, the punctuation of the upper surface is not quite so dense, the

thorax is infuscate on the front margin in the middle, and the longitudinal dark marks

on the elytra are almost separate from one another.

DYTISCIDA, 753.

BIDESSUS (p. 19).

Bidessus hydrovatoides (p. 20).

Before the locality given, insert :—Muxico, Vera Cruz (Hége).

4(a). Bidessus maculatus.

Anodochilus maculatus, Bab. Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond, iii. p. 16 (1841) *.

Bidessus maculatus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 348 *.

Hab. Panama, near the city (Champion).—Sovutn America, Brazil 1.

5 (a). Bidessus curtulus.

Breviter ovalis, convexus, absque pubescentia, nitidus, niger, parce punctatus ; elytris signatura sub-basali aliaque

ad apicem testaceis; prothorace rufo-sordido, basi apiceque obscurioribus; antennis pedibusque flavis,

Long. 1%, lat. ¢ millim.

Hab. Panama, Taboga Island, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).

Head obscure red, the clypeus distinctly margined in the middle; striola on the

wing-case rather longer than that on the thorax, the posterior yellow mark placed quite

at the apex ; the coxe with only a few obsolete punctures.

Allied to B. quadrisignatus, but only half the size and with the yellow mark on the

wing-case extending quite to the apex. Numerous examples.

6 (a). Bidessus centralis.

Ovalis, sat convexus, dense punctatus, subtilissime pubescens, parum nitidus, testaceus; capite abdomineque

fuscescentibus ; elytris nigris, fascia sub-basali ad suturam interrupta signaturaque anteapicali flavis.

Long. 24, lat. 1 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Chihuahua city (Hoge).

Allied to B. pictodes, but of more elongate form and more acuminate behind; and

with the yellow marks on the elytra of a different shape, the basal fascia being more

irregular and with a more or less distinct prolongation extending backwards from it

near the suture; the apical mark is subhamate, and placed well in front of the apex;

the striola on the wing-case is about as long as that on the thorax.

Bidessus lynceus (p. 22).

Before the localities given, insert :—Mzxico, Tehuantepec (Loge).

Bidessus spretus (p. 24).

Before the localities given, insert :—Mexico, Mazatlan (ége).

Bidessus obtusus (p. 24).

Before the locality given, insert :—Mexico, San Juan Bautista in Tabasco, Mazatlan

in Sinaloa, Tapachula in Chiapas (Hége).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, September 1887. 5 DD

154 SUPPLEMENT.

16 (a). Bidessus pullus.

Hydroporus pullus, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1855, p. 294°.

Bidessus pullus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 868°.

Hab. Nortu America! 2.—Mexico, Tupataro in Guanajuato (Hoge).

Four examples of a Bidessus obtained at Tupataro, though differing much inter se,

I cannot separate from this species, which is widely distributed in North America,

but very imperfectly known to me. —

Bidessus adumbratus (p. 25).

To the localities given, add:—Mexico, San Juan Bautista in Tabasco (Hége) ;

Panama, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).

DERONECTES (p. 26).

Deronectes xquinoctialis (p. 27).

To the Mexican localities given, add :—Northern Sonora (Morrison).

In this district the late Mr. Morrison obtained both the typical form and a small

dark variety, which may possibly prove to be distinct.

2. (a). Deronectes grammicus.

Suboblongus, opacus, ferrugineus, supra nigro-testaceo variegato, elytris lineis elongatis ornatis; dense minuteque

punctatus; elytris stria suturali posterius abbreviata striaque juxta hanc magis profunda et elongata;

antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis extrorsum tibiisque fuscis, tarsis piceis.

Long. 54, lat. 3 millim.

Hab. Mexico, near the city (Hoge). One example

This remarkable Deronectes is of more elongate form than any of the others of our

region, and is readily distinguished by the numerous elongate lines of colour on the

elytra. The antenne are elongate; the head is yellow, with the margins of the eyes

black ; the thorax is yellow, black on the front margin, and with a large double black

mark at the base; the elytra bear alternate lines of black and yellow colour, and are

spotted with yellow at the sides. The hind coxal cavities are very distinctly separated.

HYDROPORUS (p. 28).

7 (a). Hydroporus corvinus.

Ovalis, convexus, absque pubescentia, opacus, niger, elytris ad latera et ad basin interdum testaceo-signatis,

pedibus piceis, antennis testaceis extrorsum fuscescentibus ; elytris serie suturali punctorum, punctisque

obsoletis irregulariter adjectis; prothorace punctato, ad latera et ad basin subrugoso.

Long. 4, lat. 24 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison).

This species is closely allied to H. addendus; but besides differing much in colour, it

DYTISCID. 755

has a narrower prosternal process, so that it is no doubt distinct. Of the three examples

received one is quite black, and the other two have an obscure yellow mark at the base

of each wing-case, and two spots at the side, and also an indistinct spot on the disc of

the thorax.

10 (a). Hydroporus civicus.

Oblongo-ovalis, niger, dense punctatus, evidenter pubescens; capite prothoracisque lateribus rufescentibus ;

pedibus rufis, antennis fusco-rufis.

Long. 4-5 millim.

Mas subopacus, subtiliter punctatus; tarsis anterioribus latis.

Fem. omnino opacus, obsolete punctatus ; tarsis anterioribus sat latis..

Hab. Mexico, Ciudad in Durango (Hége).

Allied to H. modestus, but more oblong in outline, with the punctuation not quite

so dense and fine, and the tarsi much broader ; the front claws of the male are curvate

and nearly equal, the posterior one being, however, more abruptly bent at the base.

The broad feet of the male will permit of the identification of the species without

much difficulty. A good series was obtained exhibiting no variation in addition to the

sexual differences.

10 (8). Hydroporus axillaris.

Hydroporus axillaris, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1855, p. 293°; Sharp, Trans, Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii.

p. 479°.

Hab. Norta America! ?,—Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison).

There is some doubt whether this is really Leconte’s species, as the only example I

examined of that insect 2 was deprived of its feet, and is not now in my possession. In

our insect the male and female are very similar, but the male has the anterior claw of

the front foot much shorter than the other claw.

12. Hydroporus vilis.

Hydroporus vilis, Lec. Ann. Lye. N. York, v. p. 208°; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n.s. ii. p. 4842,

Hab. Nortu Amertca !2,—Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison), Guanajuato. (Hoge).

AGABUS (p. 32).

2 (a). Agabus ——?

Hab. Mexico, Villa Lerdo, Durango (Hége).

We have received a single female example of an Agabus very similar to the European

A. biguttatus, but with a rather smaller thorax, and there is little doubt it will prove

distinct from any of the North-American allied forms.

5 DD 2.

756 SUPPLEMENT,

2 (s). Agabus texanus.

Agabus texanus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. a. 8. 11. p. 505°.

Hab. Norra America, Texas1.—Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison), Refugio in

Durango (Hége).

2 (c). Agabus disintegratus.

Gaurodytes disintegratus, Crotch, Trans. Am. Ent. Soe. iv. p. 416°.

Agabus disintegratus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 510%.

Hab. Norra America! 2,—Maexico, Paso del Norte in Chihuahua (Hége),

We have received only one example from our region.

4, Agabus flohrianus.

Elongatus, subdepressus, niger, antennis rufis, pedibus piceis ; superne subtiliter reticulatus, vel nitidus ( ¢), vel

opacus (2); prothorace angusto, basin versus leviter angustato, angulis posterioribus obtusis.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Amecameca in Morelos (Flohr, Hoge).

Allied to A. cordatus, Lec., and A. amaroides, Sharp; it is distinguished from the

latter by the peculiar form of the thorax, which, instead of becoming broader behind,

is a little narrower at the base than it is in front, and much narrower than the base of

the elytra. The upper surface is densely and finely reticulate, and there are three

irregular series of punctures on each wing-case, and a minute depression on the disc of

the thorax ; all the legs are elongate, the hind pair remarkably long and slender. The

male, in addition to the surface being more shining than it is in the female, has the

basal three joints on the front and middle feet a little incrassate.

AGAMETRUS (to precede the genus Copelatus, p. 34).

Agameirus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii. p. 547 (1882).

This genus has hitherto consisted of three species found in the north-west parts of

South America.

1..Agametrus nitens,

Late ovalis, depressus, nitidissimus, niger, antennis palpisque rufis, capite anterius et in vertice prothoraceque

ad latera rufescentibus, elytro singulo versus latus post medium puncto flavescente notato; prothorace

basi utrinque sinuato, angulis posterioribus acutis; elytris omnino obsoletissime reticulatis.

Long. 73, lat. 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Pefia Blanca 3000 feet (Champion).

This insect is larger and more depressed than A. labiatus, and is destitute of the

lateral linear rufescent marks on the elytra, and has the base of the thorax more sinuate

on each side. Only one example was obtained; it is a male, and has very distinct

sexual pubescence on the front and middle feet, and a few oblique scratches on each

side of the middle of the last ventral segment.

DYTISCIDA, TST

COPELATUS (p. 34).

Copelatus laccophilinus (p. 35).

To the Panama locality given, add :—Bugaba (Champion).

A good series has now been received showing scarcely any variation. The male

differs from the female only by a slight dilatation of the front and middle tarsi.

« :

6 (a). Copelatus mancus.

Oblongo-ovalis, sat angustus, parum convexus, piceus, elytris fascia basali apiceque testaceis, antennis pedi-

busque rufis; elytris striis decem subtilibus ante apicem multo abbreviatis et haud ad basin attingentibus ;

femina prothorace utrinque striguloso.

Long. 5, lat. 23 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).

‘Although we have received only a single immature female of this species, there can

be no doubt it is very distinct. The elytral strie are of unequal length at the base,

the 83rd, 5th, and 7th reaching nearly to the base, while the others are shorter; the

9nd, 4th, 6th, and &th strie are very short, and more or less interrupted; even the

longer strize cease much in front of the apex. The sides of the thorax in the female

bear rather long, fine strie, and there are a few still shorter and finer strie on the

disc; there are a very few such strie on the lateral part of each elytron. The basal

yellow fascia on the elytra is very distinct, but does not extend quite to the lateral

margin ; there is no trace of a submarginal stria.

Copelatus prolongatus (p. 39).

To the locality Panama, add :—Bugaba, David (Champion).

Copelatus posticatus (p. 39).

Mr. Champion obtained near the city of Panama a fresh variety, similar to the var.

signatus, but a good deal smaller, and with much diminished sculpture on the thorax.

Copelatus impressicollis (p. 40).

To the Mexican localities given, add :—Northern Sonora (Morrison).

The individuals from this locality are all of large size and have the full complement

of striz on the elytra; and the females have a more perfect development of the sexual

sculpture on the thorax than those from other localities. The species is one of the

most difficult of the genus to recognize on account of its great variation; in some

examples even the submarginal stria is very obsolete, and such individuals are liable

to be referred to the other section of the genus. Some examples much resemble

C. glyphicus, Say, but that species has the submarginal stria very definite, and the

‘758 SUPPLEMENT.

space between it and the epipleura smooth, whereas in C. impressicollis this space is

always covered with coarse punctures. The varieties of the species seem to be toa

large extent local ; the series from Sonora shows only slight variation.

Copelatus integer (p. 40).

To the Panama locality Bugaba, add :—David, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands

(Champion).

Copelatus fragilis (p. 40).

To the locality given, add :—Mexico, San Juan Bautista in Tabasco (Hége).

COPTOTOMUS (p. 41).

1. Coptotomus obscurus. .

Coptotomus obscurus, Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soe. n. 8. ii. p. 601". |

Coptotomus interrogatus, huj. op. p. 41°.

Hab. Norta America”, Texas 1.—Mexico, Guanajuato 2, Tupataro (Hége).

This change of name results from both sexes of our species having been obtained at

Tupataro, and an inspection of the male proving that it is C. obscurus.

RHANTUS (p. 42).

Rhantus atricolor (p. 42).

To the Mexican localities given, add:—Northern Sonora(Morrison), Mochitlan (Baron).

HYDATICUS (p. 43).

8. Hydaticus amazonicus, var.?

_ Hydaticus amazonicus, Sharp, Trans, Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s, ii. p. 655’.

_ Hab, Mzxico, Vera Cruz (Hége).—Sovutn America, Amazons}, Brazil (coll. Sharp).

The unique example differs from the type by its narrower and more depressed form,

and by the absence of the basal fascia and lateral spots from the elytra; but as it agrees

with a Brazilian example I obtained from an old collection, I have treated it as a

variety of H. amazonicus.

THERMONECTES (p. 43).

Thermonectes succinctus (p. 44).

To the locality Mrxico, add :—Ventanas (Forrer), Vera Cruz (Hage).

7 (a). Thermonectes —— ?

Hab. Mexico, Presidio (Forrer).

DYTISCIDA. » 799°

A single female in a very bad state of preservation seems to belong to an undescribed

species; it is allied to the convex members of the genus, such as T. depictus; the

thorax is apparently not marked with black.

MEGADYTES (p. 46).

Megadytes fraternus (p. 47).

To the localities given, add:—Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet,

Panama city (Champion).

Megadytes giganteus (p. 47).

To the Mexican locality given, add:—Presidio (Forrer).

CYBISTER (p. 47).

Cybister fimbriolatus (p. 48).

The specimens from Vera Cruz, alluded to as forming a well-marked variety of short

form, I now consider to be C. explanatus; the only evidence of the existence of this

North-American species at Vera Cruz is therefore the unique specimen of a female

variety also mentioned ((. ¢.).

1 (a). Cybister explanatus.

Cybister explanatus, Lec. Aun. Lyc. N. York, v. p. 202’; Sharp, Trans. Roy. Dubl. Soc. n. s. ii

p. 734’.

Hab. Norra America, California! 2,—Mexico, Vera Cruz, near the city (Hoge).

This species is readily distinguished from the shorter varieties of C. fimbriolatus by

the spinose angle of the hind femora. The only female before me has a well-marked

sexual sculpture of irregular scratches on the basal part of the wing-cases, covering

scarcely one fourth of their area; in this respect it differs from the description (which

states that there is no sexual sculpture on the elytra) of the female of C. explanatus.

1 (8). Cybister cavicollis.

Ovalis, convexus, latus, supra olivaceus ; capite, antennis, prothorace elytrisque ad latera testaceis 5 -subtus

piceus, abdomine dilutiore; pedibus quatuor anterioribus rufis.

Long. 30, lat. 173 millim.

Hab. Mexico, near the city (Hoge).

Although we have received only one female of this insect it is clearly a distinct

species; it resembles C. explanatus more than any other member of the genus, but is

readily distinguished therefrom by the hind femora not being spinose at the outer angle;

this angle is, however, quite acute and even minutely prominent. The upper surface

has no sexual sculpture, except that on each side of the thorax near the hind angle

760 SUPPLEMENT.

there is a slight depression of the surface, and this depression has a dull lustre and is

obscurely strigose. The epipleure are rather broad near their termination; there is

no trace of a second claw on the hind foot; and the outer posterior part of the hind

coxa is densely strigose.

ENHYDRUS (p. 48).

Enhydrus atratus (p. 48).

To the locality Panama, add :—Bugaba (Champion).

Mr. Champion captured a large number of specimens of this insect in the low forest-

region at Bugaba.

GYRINUS (p. 50).

Gyrinus turbinator (p. 50).

To the Mexican locality given, add :—Llanos de Salazar 10,000 feet (Hége).

I have not yet seen a male from Mexico, and am not sure that this insect will prove

to be really G. turbinator; the female has decidedly a more conspicuous sexual

sculpture than the Guatemalan type.

Gyrinus obtusus (p. 50).

Dr. Regimbart considers that Say’s description of G. obtusus does not refer to the

insect to which I applied it, and treats Say’s species as one unknown to us.

As this author’s work is now the standard authority on the Gyrinide, I accept his

nomenclature. The localities Parada and Puebla (Sal/é) have therefore to be transferred

to the following species.

2 (a). Gyrinus plicatus.

Gyrinus plicatus, Regimb. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1883, p. 183.

Gyrinus obtusus, huj. op. p. 50 (nec Say).

2(s). Gyrinus dimorphus.

Gyrinus dimorphus, Regimb. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1883, p. 474', and 1886, p. 2557.

Mexico, Ciudad in Durango!?, Ventanas (Forrer), Llanos de Salazar 10,000 feet

(Flohr, Hoge).

I am not at all sure that I have correctly identified Regimbart’s species; if I have,

G. dimorphus is very closely allied to G. plicatus, but has no convexity of the alternate

interstices of the elytra, and has the depression close to the side margin just in front

of the outer angle of the wing-case not so deep and conspicuous. The Mexican Gyrini

are, however, very difficult, and it is necessary to have the sexes taken together before

satisfactory conclusions can be formed.

GYRINIDZ.—HYDROPHILID. 761

4. Gyrinus plicifer.

Gyrinus plicifer, Lec. Ann. Lyc. New York, v. p. 209'; Regimb. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1883, p. 153°.

Hab. Nortn America }?,—Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison).

Though very similar to G. parcus, this species is readily distinguished by the clear

red epipleure, the more shining surface, and the absence of sexual sculpture in the

female.

GYRETES (p. 51).

Gyretes leinotus (p. 51).

The Guatemalan examples referred by me to G. letonotus belong to the following

species :—

1(a). Gyretes minor.

Gyretes minor, Regimb. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1883, p. 407+.

Gyretes leionotus, var. minor, huj. op.”

Hab. Guatemata 1, Torola (Champion).

Dr. Regimbart ! regards the extremely slight differences between this and G. leionotus

as indicative of two distinct species.

3. Gyretes guatemalensis.

Gyretes levis, huj. op. p. 51.

Gyretes guatemalensis, Regimb. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1883, p. 3997.

Dr. Regimbart considers! our insect probably distinct from G. levis, Brullé, and has

described it (. c.) from an example I sent to him.

Gyretes acutangulus (p. 52).

To the locality given, add:—Panama, Bugaba, Panama city, San Miguel in the

Pearl Islands (Champion).

Mr. Champion procured a fine series of this species; though decidedly smaller than

the Mexican types, I can find no other difference.

6. Gyretes mexicanus.

Gyretes mexicanus, Regimb. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1883, p. 405°.

Hab. Mexico}.

HYDROPHILUS (p. 54).

Hydrophilus ater (p. 54).

To the localities given, add :—Panama, near the city (Champion).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, September 1887. 5 HE

762 SUPPLEMENT.

4. Hydrophilus pollens.

Ovalis, convexus, niger, supra viridi-olivaceus, parum nitidus, pedibus nigro-piceis, antennis palpisque testaceis ;

prosterni processu profunde fisso, utrinque anterius dente acuminato deorsum spectante ; femoribus poste-

rioribus validis; abdomine pubescente, segmento penultimo medio linea levigata et carinata, posterius in

dente libero producta, segmento ultimo medio spatio parvo, anterius angusto leevigato ; palpis maxillaribus

maris dilatatis.

Long. 30-85 millim.

Hab. Mexico (coll. Laferté), Vera Cruz (Hége).—Soutn America, Demerara (Harper).

Of this species I have before me three examples, and have no doubt that the

example from Mexico with the maxillary palpi dilated is the same species as the indi-

vidual from Demerara with the palpi simple, although in this presumed male there is

not the slightest incrassation or peculiarity of the front tarsi, which are quite like those

of the female; the second example from Mexico has unfortunately lost the palpi.

H. pollens is one of a group of species distinguished by the prosternum in front

being divided into two lobes, by the hind body being nearly entirely covered with

pubescence, by the broad hind femora, and by the males possessing peculiar sexual

distinctions. The species of this group are rather numerous in South America; but

are apparently scarce, and only two or three have been described.

5. Hydrophilus violaceo-nitens.

Hydrophilus violaceo-nitens, Jacq. Duv. in Sagra’s Hist. fisica polit. y nat. de Cuba, vii. Ins. p. 231;

Chevr. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1863, p. 205°.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz (Flohr).—-ANTILLES, CuBa ! ?.

The two examples of this insect received from Mr. Flohr are extremely mutilated

and immature, but I expect they will prove to be the same as the Cuban species, of

which only the female appears to be known. If I am correct in this supposition,

H. violaceo-nitens is closely allied to H. pollens, but the colour of its upper surface is

less viridescent, the lobes of the prosternum are quite obtuse, and the penultimate two

segments are polished along the middle, while the glabrous space on the terminal

segment is of oblong rather than triangular shape; the pectoral lamina is thick in

front, and bears a remarkably deep depression ; all the femora are red, but this may be

due to the immature condition of the two examples.

These specimens were met with in the Laguna de los Cocos some time ago; but

though sought for since the species has not again been found there.

TROPISTERNUS (p. 54).

Tropisternus mexicanus (p. 55).

To the Mexican localities given, add :—Mazatlan in Sinaloa, San Juan Bautista in

Tabasco (//6ge).

HYDROPHILIDA. 763

The large number of specimens received show some variation in connection with

locality, the dark marks on the upper surface being remarkably extended in the small

series from Tabasco; but there is nothing before me to connect the species with

T. collaris.

Tropisternus nitens (p. 56).

To the localities given, add :—Britiso Honpuras, R. Hondo (Blancaneaux) ; Panama,

near the city (Champion).

9(a). Tropisternus sublevis.

Hydrophilus sublevis, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1855, p. 368°.

Hab. Nortu America, Nebraska and Georgia !.—Mexico, Northern Sonora (Mor-

vtsON).

11 (a). Tropisternus flavipalpis.

Tropisternus flavipalpis, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1883, p. 102°.

Hab. Mexico (coll. Saunders) }.

Tropisternus xanthopus (p. 59).

To the Mexican localities given, add :—Paso del Norte and Santa Clara in Chihuahua,

Durango city, Aguas calientes city (Hége).

15 (a). Tropisternus dorsalis.

Hydrophilus dorsalis, Brullé in Voy. d’Orb. vi. pt. 2, Ins. p. 57, t. 4. f. 6".

Aydrophilus limbalis, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1865, p. 367”.

Hab. Norta America, California ?.—MeExico, Mazatlan in Sinaloa (Hége), Rio

Mescales (Buchan-Hepburn).—Soutn AMERICA 1.

I think this insect will not prove to be distinct from H. lateralis; indeed, two or

three of the examples found at Mazatlan are intermediate in colour, and this is the

only character I know of to distinguish the two species.

PLEURHOMUS (to follow Tropisternus, p. 61).

Pleurhomus, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 18838, p. 114.

This genus has been established to include a Brazilian insect, and one of our species

formerly placed in Tropisternus.

1, Pleurhomus obscurus.

Tropisternus obscurus, huj. op. p. 60.

To the locality given, add :—Mexico, Vera Cruz (Hoge).

5 EE 2

764 SUPPLEMENT.

HYDROCHARIS (p. 61).

Hydrocharis perfectus (p. 61).

To the locality given, add :—Mexico, Vera Cruz (Hoge).

OOCYCLUS (p. 61).

Oocyclus vestitus (p. 62). |

To the locality given, add:—Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Cham-

pron).

If the unique specimen from Chiriqui be not really conspecific with the, likewise

unique, Mexican exponent of this interesting species, it is, at any rate, closely allied

thereto ; it is, unfortunately, in a very decayed condition.

Oocyclus maculatus (p. 63).

To the locality given, add :—Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champzon).

This example is, like that from Guatemala, the only one found in the locality, and

the peculiar green spots of the upper surface are indistinct, but I see no other difference.

HYDROBIUS (p. 64).

Hydrobius subcupreus (p. 64).

To the localities given, add :—Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge) ; Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui

4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Hydrobius armatus (p. 64).

To the localities given, add:—Mexico, Mazatlan (Hoge); Panama, near the city, and

San Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).

Hydrobius debilis (p. 65).

To the Panama locality given, add :—San Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).

PHILYDRUS (p. 66).

Philydrus zequalis (p. 68).

To the localities given, add :—Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, Panama city, San

Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).

HYDROCOMBUS (p. 70).

Hydrocombus fraterculus (p. 71),

To the Mexican locality given, add :—Northern Sonora (Morrison).

These specimens were named Philhydrus imbellis, Lec., by Morrison, and that species

is probably a close ally of H. fraterculus; examples from California in my collection

that I consider to be Leconte’s species are, however, distinct from the Mexican insect.

HYDROPHILID&. 765

HELOCHARES (p. 74).

Helochares oculatus (p. 74).

To the locality given, add :—Panama, near the city (Champion).

Helochares seriatus (p. 76).

Before the localities given, insert:—Mexico, Pinos Altos in Chihuahua (Buchan-

Hepburn), Yautepec (Flohr).

Helochares regularis (p. 76).

To the locality Mexico, add :—Aguas calientes city (/ége).

DERALLUS (p. 77).

2. Derallus rudis.

Lateraliter valde compressus, longitudinaliter convexus, niger, supra sneus, pedibus piceis, antennis, palpis

tarsisque anterioribus fusco-testaceis ; elytris seriebus regularibus punctorum, internis basin versus desi-

nentibus, interstitiis crebre punctatis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz (fdége).

Antenne yellow, with the elongate club griseous; palpi sordid yellow, with the

elongate terminal joint fuscous. Head closely, the thorax more sparingly, punctate.

This insect is readily distinguished from D. altus by the series of punctures on the |

wing-cases. Nine examples.

BEROSUS (p. 78).

Berosus salvini (p. 79).

To the Mexican localities given, add:—Northern Sonora (Morrison), and delete

Guanajuato, Puebla, and Toluca (Sallé): also delete the reference to Tab. III. fig. 1, as

this represents B. hoplites.

The examples from Northern Sonora (nine in number) differ but little from the

Guatemalan representatives of the species, the small prominence on the penultimate

ventral segment of the male being, however, not always present.

Dr. Horn has recently recorded the occurrence of this species in Texas (Canad. Ent.

xvii. p. 139).

1 (a). Berosus hoplites. (B. salvini, Tab. III. fig. 1.)

Major, supra testaceus, in elytris fusco-maculatus, capite zneo, prothorace dense fortiterque punctato, rugoso,

opaco, in medio metallico-bivittato et utrinque maculato ; elytris striatis, rugoso-punctatis, opacis, apici-

bus spinosis, angulo suturali acuminato; palpis maxillaribus flavis, apice nigro; corpore subtus nigro,

prothoracis lateribus late testaceis ; pedibus rufo-testaceis, femoribus basi tibiisque apice nigris, tarsis

variegatis ; metasterno medio posterius lamina erecta armato.

Long. 8, lat. 4 millim,

766 SUPPLEMENT.

Hab. Mextco, near the city (Hége), Guanajuato, Toluca, Puebla (Sa//é).

This species resembles B. salvini, but the individuals are of rather larger size, and

are readily distinguishable by the peculiar prominent carina at the apex of the meta-

sternum; and the punctuation of the upper surface is denser and more rugose. The

abdominal characters of the male scarcely differ from those of B. salvini, but the front

tarsi are considerably larger in B. hoplites. I had two or three examples of B. hoplites

before me when I described PB. salvini, and looked on them merely as an extreme form

of that species, and thus one of them was figured as B. salvini. The examples now

received of both species from Mexico show that the two are distinct.

Berosus truncatipennis (p. 80).

To the localities given, add :—Mexico, San Juan Bautista in Tabasco (Hége), Ventanas

Forrer); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

The two examples from the State of Panama are unusually large and may be distinct,

but they are in such a decayed condition that they will not bear manipulation.

Berosus griseus (p. 80).

Before the locality given, insert :—Mexico, San Juan Bautista in Tabasco (Hodge).

3 (a). Berosus flavipes.

Oblongus, nitidus, testaceus, capite superne aureo, prothorace in medio tenuiter fusco-bivittato, elytris fusco-

maculatis; capite subtus nigricante, pectore abdomineque infuscatis ; elytris ad apicem communiter emar-

ginatis, angulo suturali obtuso, utrinque dente parvo armatis.

Long. 53-6} millim.

Hab. Mexico, Mazatlan (Hoge), Presidio (Forrer).

The palpi and antenne are flavous. The head is rather sparingly punctured. The

thorax is finely punctate on the middle, the punctuation being double (that is, a very

minute sculpture or punctuation is present in addition to the more visible punctures) ;

at the sides the punctures are coarser. The elytra are deeply striate at the sides and

behind, but at the base the striz are feeble, and are, indeed, replaced by serial punc-

tures; the interstices are coarsely punctured at the sides and behind. The sexes are

difficult to distinguish, but the male has the two basal joints of the front tarsi a little

dilated. The ventral structure is similar in the two sexes: there is a small excision of

the last ventral plate, and the excision is armed at the base in the middle with two

minute approximate teeth.

We have received six examples from Mazatlan of this species; and, from the same

locality, two others that are slightly larger in size (7 millim. long), and have the bases

of the femora darker and the sutural angle of the elytra slightly acute; whether the

latter is a variety or a distinct species I cannot decide at present.

HYDROPHILIDZ. , 767

10 (a). Berosus dispar.

Brevis, mare nitido, femina opaca, fortiter punctatus, testaceus, capite metallescente, prothorace in medio vix fusco-

bimaculato, elytris parce obsoleteque maculatis ; capite subtus nigricante, pectore abdomineque fusco-rufis.

Long. 4-5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Chihuahua city, Mexico city (Hége).

Head densely and coarsely punctate, with a distinct fine carina on the middle of the

vertex; palpi and antenne pallid yellow. Thorax coarsely and rather closely punc-

tured. Elytra deeply striate, the interstices coarsely punctured. Legs entirely yellow.

Terminal ventral plate slightly excised, with a single angular prominence in the middle

of the base of the excision. In the male the upper surface is shining, the basal joints

of the front tarsi are slightly incrassate, and the apices of the elytra are quite simple ;

the basal ventral segment is carinate throughout its whole length, and there are short

prominences or caring on each of the following three segments. In the female the

upper surface is opaque, owing to the existence of an additional minute punctuation,

and the apices of the elytra are slightly prolonged, so that the sutural angle is acute ;

the carina on the basal ventral segment scarcely extends to the hind margin, and there

are no prominences on the following segments. Five examples.

10 (8). Berosus debilis.

Minor, brevis, capite prothoraceque metallescentibus, hoc flavo-marginato, elytris sordide testaceis, parce nigro-

maculatis ; subtus niger, prothorace marginibus testaceis ; antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis, palporum

apice femorumque basi nigris, antennarum clava grisea.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Tehuantepec (Hoge).

Head and thorax rather closely and coarsely punctured, not at all rugose, metallic ;

the latter with yellow margins, the yellow colour on the front margin irregular, owing

to its extending farther backwards on each side of the middle, the basal yellow margin

extremely slender. Elytra moderately deeply striate, the interstices rather sparingly

punctured ; of a sordid yellow or griseous colour, with four small black spots on the

disc, placed in a row longitudinally, and also with a humeral spot, and a lateral spot

about the middle. Basal ventral segment with a carina on the middle, extending the

entire length of the segment; apical segment with a rather deep narrow excision.

Male with the basal joints of the front feet moderately dilated.

HEMIOSUS (p. 84).

Hemiosus maculatus (p. 85).

To the locality given, add :—Mexico, La Noria in Sinaloa (Hége) ; Panama, Bugaba

(Champion).

A single example has been received from each of these distant localities.

768 SUPPLEMENT.

CHETARTHRIA (p. 86).

Chetarthria glabra (p. 87).

To the locality given, add:—Panama, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).

Chetarthria leticula (p. 87).

To the locality given, add :—PANAMA, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).

HELOPHORUS (p. 85).

3. Helophorus minutus.

Helophorus minutus, Oliv. Ent. iii. n. 38, p. 7, t. 1. f.6*; Rey, Hist. Nat. Col. Fr., Palpicornes,

2nd ed. p. 179”.

Hab. Evrore 12,—Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison), Chihuahua city, Durango

city (Hége).

Iam unable to find any character that satisfactorily separates the series found by

Hoge and Morrison in Mexico from this common European species.

4. Helophorus —— ?

Hab. Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison).

A single example of a very obscure species, possibly an extreme variety of H. regu-

laris, but more likely distinct.

5. Helophorus 2

Hab. Merxtco, near the city (Hége).

A single example in a very dirty condition, apparently closely allied to H. minutus,

but on account of its larger size (5 millim. long) probably distinct.

OCTHEBIUS (p. 90).

1(a). Octhebius aztecus.

Minor, niger, capite, prothoraceque metallescentibus, elytris fusco-testaceis, antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis,

illarum clava grisea; prothorace sublevigato, medio canaliculato, utrinque parum profunde bi-impresso ;

elytris seriatim punctatis.

Long. 17 millim.

Hab. Mexico, near the city (ége).

Head brassy in colour, with two moderately large impressions on the vertex. Thorax

nearly as long as broad, without distinct punctures, largely depressed near the anterior

angles ; with a distinct channel along the middle, on each side of which is a faint

longitudinal impression, and in front of this with an indistinct small fovea. Elytra

with very regular series of punctures, without pubescence. :

HYDROPHILIDA. 769

Two examples only have been received of this obscure little Octhebius. It appears to

be exceedingly closely allied to the S. European 0. parvulus, Rey (not our O. parvulus ;

Rey’s species must be renamed); but is a little larger, and has the elytra more coarsely

punctured, so Ido not think proper to record it under the name of the European species.

The two examples have the sides of the thorax covered with some white substance.

CYCLONOTUM (p. 94).

1(4). Cyclonotum abdominale.

? Spheridium abdominale, Fabr. Ent. Syst. i. p. 791.

Cyclonotum abdominale, Muls. Ann. Soc. Agr. Lyon, 1844, p. 179°.

Dactylosternum abdominale, Gemm. & Har. Cat. Col. ii. p. 496°.

Dactylosternum rousseti, Woll. Ins. Mader. p. 100, t. 3. f. 1+.

? Celostoma insulare, Cast. Hist. Nat. Ins. Col. ii. p. 59.

Dactylosternum insulare, Rey, Hist. Nat. Col. Fr., Palp., 2nd edit. p. 307.

Hab. Mexico, San Juan Bautista and Teapa in Tabasco (Hége).—Brazit 123;

ANTILLES 7; Maprrra 4; Mapacascar; &c.

Cyclonotum dispar (p. 95).

To the Mexican locality given, add :—Tula in Hidalgo, Teapa in Tabasco (Hage).

4 (a). Cyclonotum externum.

Rotundato-ovale, convexum, nitidum, nigrum, pedibus piceis, antennarum basi palpisque testaceis, tarsis rufis,

antennarum clava opaca; supra crebre fere subtiliter punctatum ; elytris seriebus punctorum majorum

impressis, internis longe ante basin desinentibus, punctis basin versus subtilioribus.

Long. 41-5 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Closely allied to C. centrale, from which it is distinguished chiefly by the punctures

of the elytral series being not so large, especially those in front; in respect of the size

of the punctures it is intermediate between C. centrale and C. tibiale. Sixteen examples.

6. Cyclonotum posticatum.

Rotundato-ovale, convexum, nitidum, nigrum, pedibus rufis, antennis, palpis tarsisque testaceis ; prothorace

levigato; elytris sat crebre, fortiter punctatis, ad apicem stria suturali abbreviata impressa.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This insect resembles a Phenonotum rather than a Cyclonotum of the ‘ Dactylosternum

group’; it may be distinguished from the species of the former genus by the existence

of a short sutural stria, and from Dactylosternum by the absence of serial punctures.

The shape of the mesosternal lamina is peculiar, being narrow and linear, but margined

in front. Six examples, in very decayed condition.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, October 1887. 5 FF

770 _ SUPPLEMENT.

PHENONOTUM (p. 97).

Phenonotum dubium (p. 98).

To the localities given, add :-—Mexico, San Juan Bautista in Tabasco, Tlacotalpam,

Tehuantepec (Hége), Yautepec (Flohr); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, David

(Champion).

The few examples from the State of Panama have the surface rather more sparingly

punctate; but the differences are not sufficient to render necessary their separation at

present.

Phenonotum apicale (p. 98).

Before the localities given, insert :—MeExico, Cuernavaca ([ége).

Phenonotum rotundulum (p. 100).

To the Panama locality given, add:—San Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).

PEROCHTHES (p. 101).

2. Perochthes levis.

Subhemisphericus, piceus, nitidus, pedibus rufis, antennis palpisque flavis ; elytris subtiliter sat crebre punctatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Readily distinguished from P. globulus by the absence of the deep striz on the

elytra. The thorax is almost impunctate. The elytra have their discoidal portion

sparingly and very finely punctate, the lateral portions rather more distinctly so; and

near the margin, rather behind the middle, there are a few rather larger punctures

arranged in a linear manner, so as to form very short indistinct series. Six examples.

CERCYON (p. 103).

Cercyon pretextatus (p. 107).

To the locality Mexico, add :—Jalapa, San Juan Bautista in Tabasco (Hége).

8 (a). Cercyon zqualis.

Ovalis, subdepressus, niger, supra fusco-testaceus, capite nigro, antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis, illarum

clava fusca ; capite prothoraceque crebre punctatis; elytris profundius striatis, striis crenatis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge).

This insect is very easily distinguished by the regular and extremely deep striation of

the elytra, the strize being very deep at the base as well as at the apex; the sixth stria is

much abbreviate at the shoulder. The mesosternal lamina is broad, but narrowed

behind, and not at all consolidated with the metasternum. ‘Two examples.

HYDROPHILIDA. 771

Cercyon variegatus (p. 107).

To the localities given, add :—Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Cham-

pion).

9 (a). Cercyon alticola.

Ovalis, sat convexus, testaceus, capite prothoraceque in medio nigris, antennarum clava fusca, palporum articulo

ultimo nigricante ; elytris striatis, striis ad apicem vix profundioribus, interstitiis obsolete parce punctatis.

Long. 2}-millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 8000 feet (Champion).

Head and thorax with numerous rather large but extremely shallow punctures ; elytra

striate, the strie not punctured, the interstices obsoletely punctured.

On account of its colour this species resembles C. variegatus, but is narrower, with

much finer striation of the elytra, and different punctuation on the head and thorax ;

there is no trace of a lateral mark outside the medial black mark on the thorax. Four

examples.

PELOSOMA (p. 109).

1(a). Pelosoma collare.

Late ovale, sat convexum, rufescens, elytris nigricantibus, antennis palpisque pallide flavis; supra sat crebre

subtiliter punctatum ; elytris subtiliter striatis, striis posterius parum profundius impressis.

Long. 24, lat. 13 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Distinguished by the very delicate striation of the elytra, the striation consisting of

series of punctures connected by extremely fine lines; the punctures of the three or four

series near the suture are extremely fine, but those near the sides are larger; the

marginal series is much sinuate or crooked near the base; the interstitial punctuation is

scanty and very fine. The under surface is more or less picescent ; frequently the upper

surface is entirely red.

Numerous examples. According to Mr. Champion this insect and the allied species

are found at the sap of trees.

1(s). Pelosoma liodes.

Subhemisphericum, nitidum, parce punctatum, fulvo-testaceum ; elytris striatis, striis posterius profundioribus.

Long. 24, lat. 14 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Punctuation of the head and thorax rather distant but distinct. Internal strie of

the elytra very fine at the base, but distinctly impressed at the extremity ; the interstitial

punctuation very fine and distant.

This is shorter in form than the other species of the genus, and is remarkable on

account of the very scanty punctuation of the elytra. Three specimens.

5 FF 2

772 SUPPLEMENT.

Pelosoma sordidum (p. 109).

To the localities given, add :—Panama, Bugaba ( Champion).

8 (a). Pelosoma ovulum.

Ovale, sat convexum, crebre punctatum, rufescens, nitidum ;

Long. 24, lat. 17 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Amecameca (Hége).

This obscure little insect is no doubt quite distinct from the other species of our

region, as it has the mesosternal process considerably more slender. The series of

punctures on the wing-cases are not in the least deeper behind, and the outer series are

scarcely coarser than the sutural ; the marginal series is not crooked. The punctures of

the thorax and of the elytral interstices are distinct and rather numerous. Three

elytris subtiliter seriatim punctatis, substriatis.

examples.

NITIDULODES (p. 112).

Nitidulodes jansoni (p. 112).

To the locality given, add :—Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Found at the sap of fallen trees in the forest-region of the low country.

OOSTERNUM (p. 112).

Oosternum costatum (p. 113).

To the localities given, add:—Panama, David (Champion).

MEGASTERNUM (p. 118).

Megasternum strigicolle (p. 113).

Before the localities given, insert :—Mexico, Cordova (Hoge).

HETEROCERUS (p. 116).

1(a). Heterocerus americanus.

Minor, angustus, parallelus, testaceus, corpore subtus capiteque plus minusve infuscatis ; omnino subtilissime

punctulatus, pubescens, opacus.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Norta America, Arizona (Morrison).—Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison), —

Yautepec in Morelos (Flohr).

This insect is very closely allied to H. debilis, but is larger and not quite so convex,

and possesses an extremely fine basal margin on each side of the thorax. H. americanus

still more nearly resembles H. flavidus of South Europe; but that species is scarcely so

elongate, and has the thoracic margin more distinct, though the differences are very

HETEROCERIDZ. 773

slight ; the European species is also usually more black in colour beneath; both

possess a femoral line on the metasternum.

1(s). Heterocerus vilis.

Minor, angustulus, sordide testaceus, opacus, omnino subtilissime punctulatus; prothorace rufescente, basin

versus plus minusve infuscato; elytris vage fusco signatis.

Long. vix 4 millim.

Hab. North America, Arizona (Morrison).—Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison),

Yautepec in Morelos (Lohr).

A very obscure insect apparently closely allied to H. mexicanus, but rather smaller

and narrower, with still finer sculpture, and with the pronotum in part, if not entirely,

red; the marks of the elytra are indefinite and also variable in their extent; and the

legs are entirely yellow. There is a fine basal margin on each side of the thorax, and

a femoral line on the metasternum. I do not observe any sexual distinctions.

3 (a). Heterocerus velutinus.

Latiusculus, niger, elytris signaturis testaceis parvis, pedibus fusco-testaceis ; opacus, omnino subtilissime

punctulatus, densius griseo-pilosus.

Long. 4-5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, near the city ({ége).

Broader than H. simplex, and distinguished by the excessively fine sculpture and dense

griseous pubescence, by the small size of the yellow marks, and by the black antennz.

The yellow marginal band of the wing-cases is extremely slender, and gives off near the

base a slender branch directed obliquely backwards; the other yellow marks are situated

as usual, but are very slender ; usually there is a yellow spot at the base on each side of

the scutellum, but this spot is occasionally almost or quite absent; and sometimes the

other yellow marks can be scarcely detected. There is an extremely fine basal margin

on each side of the thorax, but no femoral line on the metasternum. The male has the

mandibles longer and angulate externally, and the elongate labrum abruptly narrowed

about the middle of its length.

3 (s). Heterocerus cognatus.

Sat elongatus, subparallelus, flavescens, pectore, capite, prothorace elytrisque fuscis, his signaturis transversis,

magnis, testaceis ; subtilissime punctulatus, brevissime griseo-pilosus, opacus.

Long. 44-5} millim.

Hab. Mexico, Manzanillo in Michoacan (fHége).

This insect is very similar to H. mexicanus, but is rather larger, and there is no

femoral line on the metasternum; it resembles still more closely the European

H. femoralis, but is of rather more elongate form, and the legs are clear yellow. There

is an excessively fine basal margin on each side of the prothorax; the lateral margin

of the elytra is rather broadly yellow, and the yellow irregular transverse marks are

774 SUPPLEMENT.

connected with it. Ido not see any sexual distinctions in the six examples found by

Herr Hoge.

DRYOPS (p. 119).

Dryops puncticollis (p. 121).

To the locality given, add :—Norru America, Arizona (Morrison).—MExico, Northern

Sonora (Morrison), Las Vigas (flohr).

PELONOMUS (p. 122).

Pelonomus palpalis (p. 122).

To the Panama locality given, add:—Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet

(Champion).

This species, described from two examples, has since been found in abundance, both

at David and on the Volcan de Chiriqui.

PARNUS (p. 123).

Parnus pusillus (p. 123).

Erase the locality Panama, Bugaba, as the specimen is a female of P. centralis.

2(a). Parnus centralis.

Elongato-ovalis, parum convexus, niger, opacus, pube fusca brevissima densa setulisque erectis vestitus ; pedibus

rufis ; elytris in parte basali parce minus fortiter punctatis.

Long. 33 millim.

Mas tarsis anterioribus subtus serratis, articulo quinto longius angulato,

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet, Tolé (Champion).

This species is very similar to P. pustl/us, but the male has peculiarly formed front

tarsi, joints 2-5 being acuminate beneath ; the angle on the fifth joint is placed in the

middle and is very large (this distinguishes the insect from P. mexicanus, where the

angle on the fifth joint is small, but that of the fourth elongate; here the reverse is

the case). In general characters the insect is scarcely distinguishable from P. meai-

canus, but is not quite so large, and the minute clothing of the upper surface is a little

denser, while the erect hairs are a little shorter.

2(s). Parnus major.

Elongatus, parum convexus, niger, pube flavo-grisea brevissima dense vestitus cumque setulis erectis, sat elon-

gatis; elytris basin versus sparsim parum fortiter punctatis ; pedibus rufis.

Long. 43, millim.

Hab. Panama, Los Remedios, Tolé (Champion).

The male in this species has the tarsi armed beneath with long, fine hairs, most

conspicuously so on the hind feet. The insect is extremely similar to P. pusiilus, but

PARNIDA.—STAPHYLINIDA. 775

is considerably larger, and differs by this male character. P. punctipennis has a similar

male character, but the tarsi are rather shorter and their clothing somewhat longer ;

it also differs in the sculpture and clothing of the upper surface of the body. From

P. centralis the species may be distinguished by the rather larger size, by the differently

formed male tarsi, and also by the tarsi in the female being considerably larger than

they are in the corresponding sex of P. centralis.

HEXANCHORUS (p. 127).

Hexanchorus gracilipes (p. 128).

To the locality given, add:—Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

HETERELMIS (p. 130).

4. Heterelmis longulus.

Major, elongatus, convexus, niger, parce griseo-setosus, antennis tarsisque rufis; prothorace elongato, medio

transversim depresso ; elytris seriatim punctatis.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Salazar (Flohr, Hoge).

Thorax quite as long as broad ; with a very conspicuous depression across the middle,

causing a distortion of the intra-lateral carina, and a slight sinuation of the outer

margin. Elytra with the series of punctures rather coarse, the setosity unusually

distinct ; the two intra-lateral series of granules fine and not very distinct, the upper

one especially being indistinct. Legs elongate.

This insect has the terminal joint of the maxillary palpus longer than in the other

species of the genus.

CYATHOCERUS (p. 142).

Cyathocerus horni (p. 144).

To the localities given, add:—Panama, Pefia Blanca (Champion).

ALEOCHARA (p. 148).

1 (4). Aleochara stygialis. |

Sat lata, nigra, elytris ad apicem prope suturam macula parva testacea, pedibus fusco-testaceis; fortiter punc-

tata; antennis brevibus, latis, subfusiformibus.

Long. 7-8 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Zapotlan, Colima (Hége).

Antenne piceous at the base; fourth joint strongly transverse, but only about half as

broad as the fifth, the latter being rather broader than the terminal joint; joints 5-10 very

strongly transverse. Thorax strongly transverse, narrower in front, coarsely and closely

776 SUPPLEMENT.

punctate. Elytra scarcely so long as the thorax, closely and rather coarsely punctate ;

on each at the apex near the suture is an indefinite yellow spot. Hind body entirely

black, shining, coarsely and rather closely punctured. Legs infuscate-yellow.

This species is an ally of A. fuscipes, Grav. The two examples received are both of

one sex, and have the dorsal plate of the terminal segment simple, slightly rounded

behind, the ventral plate less truncate, being more prolonged in the middle as if

forming one half of a broad oval figure.

10 (a). Aleochara repetita.

Gracilis, subopaca, nigricans, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis; elytris brunneis, circa scutellum macu-

laque magna laterali nigris, quam prothorax brevioribus ; abdomine acuminato, ex parte majore rufescente,

minus dense et subtiliter punctato, maris margine posteriore minute serrato.

Long. 43-6 millim.

Hab. Panama, San Feliz (Champion).—Amazons, Para (coll. Sharp).

This insect is very closely allied to A. orypodia, but the male is distinguishable by the

hind margin of the last dorsal plate being minutely serrate. The colour is more exten-

sively rufescent, especially on the hind body, than it is in A. orypodia, and this allows

the females of the two to be discriminated, as does also the punctuation of the hind body,

which is a little coarser and less close than it is in the allied species. The female has

the last dorsal plate deeply emarginate in the middle; but there is no depression on the

penultimate segment, and no trace of lobe on the hind margin of the antepenultimate.

Found in dung (Champion).

Aleochara simulatrix (p. 151).

To the locality given, add:—Panama, San Feliz (Champion).

13 (a). Aleochara, hilaris.

Fulvo-testacea, capite abdomineque in medio nigris, prothorace elytrisque subtiliter punctatis, pedibus flavis,

abdomine nitido, parce fortiter punctato.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

A species with rather slender antenne and not apparently very closely allied to any

other known to me, though somewhat near A. miradoris, from which it is readily

distinguished by its black head. Antenne with the fourth joint transverse, shorter and

a little narrower than the fifth; joints 5-10 similar to one another, each slightly trans-

verse; terminal joint elongate, nearly three times as long as the tenth. Thorax

transverse, a little narrowed in front, finely punctate. Elytra not so long as the thorax,

rather closely and finely punctured, scarcely infuscate at the outer angle. Hind body

only sparingly punctate; terminal two segments clear yellow, the preceding two

blackish.

STAPHYLINIDA. 177

The unique example is probably a male, the terminal ventral plate being rounded ;

the last dorsal plate truncate, apparently with a minute scarcely visible serration.

17. Aleochara peltata.

Aleochara peltata, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 172’.

Hab. Mexico}.

We have not as yet received any species agreeing with this description +, and | am

inclined to suppose it may prove to be not a true Aleochara.

MASEOCHARA (p. 154).

4 (a). Maseochara hogei.

Subparallela, opaca, abdomine subnitido, nigro, elytris disco vage rufescente; griseo-pubescens, obsolete

punctata; prothoracis angulis posterioribus obtusis.

Long. 6-7 millim.

Hab. Mexico, near the city, Tula, Cholula in Puebla (Hoge).

Distinguished from the other species of the genus by the elytra being obscurely

rufescent, with the sides nearly or quite black. The basal joint of the antenne is piceous,

and the penultimate joints are slightly transverse. The thorax is transversely quadrate,

its sides narrowed behind, the hind angles quite distinct though very obtuse, the surface

very dull, the punctuation very obsolete. Elytra scarcely so long as the thorax, finely

punctate. Hind body parallel, with fine punctuation. Legs nearly black, the tarsi

sordid red. The male has six teeth on the hind margin of the last dorsal plate.

POLYLOBUS (p. 158).

2. Polylobus flavescens.

Parum elongatus, posterius acuminatus, flavo-testaceus, abdomine nigricante dense subtiliter punctato.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Zacualtipan in Hidalgo (Hége).

Antenne short, much thickened externally, the base slender ; joints 7-10 transverse ;

terminal joint short, obtuse. Head short, only about half as broad as the thorax. Thorax

strongly transverse, the base rounded, the surface very finely punctulate. lytra rather

longer than the thorax, closely and very finely punctulate. Hind body narrowed from

the base to the apex; black, with the margins of the segments more or less yellow, the

basal segments almost entirely of that colour; very closely and regularly punctate. The

male has a minute carina along the middle of the terminal and penultimate dorsal

plates.

As in the case of P. advena I can only see four joints in the front feet of this insect,

so that its systematic position is doubtful.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, October 1887. 5 GG

778 SUPPLEMENT.

PHLCEOPORA (p. 164).

13. Phleopora levigata.

Depressa, levigata, nitida, fusco-testacea, antennarum basi palpisque testaceis, pedibus flavis,

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Panama, Tolé (Champion).

Antenne short, thicker externally ; fourth joint small, joints 5-9 transverse (the ter-

minal two joints missing). Head broad and short, transversely quadrate, the sides a little

narrowed behind, the hind margin truncate; the surface smooth, shining, and impunc-

tate, piceous in colour. Thorax a little narrowed behind, about as long as broad, the

front margin rounded; the surface shining and impunctate, fusco-testaceous in colour.

Elytra pallid yellow, rather longer than the thorax, shining and impunctate. Hind

body slender, with few and indistinct punctures ; fusco-testaceous, the penultimate

segments a little darker. Legs yellow, short.

This is a remarkable and very distinct species of the genus; the depressed form and

polished surface distinguish it from all others.

14. Phleopora grandis.

Elongata, haud depressa, nigra, sat nitida, antennarum basi pedibusque fusco-rufis; fortiter punctata; pro-

thorace elongato.

Long. 54 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Huitzo in Oaxaca (Hége).

Antenne stout; fourth joint as long as broad, joints 5-10 transverse, the last of them

very distinctly so. Head long and rather narrow, sparingly and rather coarsely punctate.

Thorax rather longer than broad, narrower than the elytra, nearly straight at the sides,

rather coarsely and not densely punctured. Elytra longer than the thorax, rather

coarsely and closely punctate. Hind body sparingly punctate; segments 3-5 deeply

depressed at the base. One example.

TINOTUS (p. 170).

Tinotus flavescens (p. 171).

To the locality given, add :—Muexico, near the city (Hége); GuatemaLa, San Geré-

nimo (Champion).

The four examples now obtained differ from the type in being rather larger and

darker in colour, but the distinctions do not warrant the establishment of a species at

present.

STAPHYLINIDA. 779

HOMALOTA (p. 172).

43 (a). Homalota ornatula.

Rufo-testacea, capite, pectore abdomineque in medio nigris, antennis medio fusco; opaca, subtiliter punctata ;

abdomine parce punctato, nitido.

Long. 2} millim.

Hab. Panama, David (Champion).

Antenne moderately long and stout; base yellow, the middle joints infuscate, the

terminal one again more pallid; joints 5-10 slightly transverse, the eleventh joint nearly

twice as long as the tenth. Head black, very feebly punctate. Thorax much broader

than long, even, very finely punctate. Elytra a little longer than the thorax, more

distinctly punctate. Hind body sparingly punctate. Legs clear yellow.

This is not very close to any other species; in colour it is somewhat similar to

H. championi, but it is only half the size and differs in several points of form and

punctuation. I have only two examples before me, and they do not exhibit any sexual

character.

HOPLANDRIA (p. 219).

6 (a). Hoplandria arguta.

Flavicans, antennis ex parte majore, capite elytrisque angulis exterioribus nigricantibus, prothorace abdomi-

neque nitidis, elytris crebre subtiliter punctatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Mas elytris ad marginem posteriorem processu acuminato erecto, abdomine segmento sexto longius carinato.

Hab. Mexico, Huitzo in Oaxaca (Hoge).

Antenne with the base sordid yellow, the following joints black; the penultimate

joints transverse; the terminal joint elongate, acuminate, yellow. Thorax shining, very

finely pubescent, scarcely visibly punctate. Hlytra rather closely and finely punctate ;

in the male with an acute process near the outer hind angle. “Hind body remarkably

polished and shining, but at the extreme base of each segment, except the terminal,

with a dense fine punctuation. In the male the terminal dorsal plate is provided with

a large carina more elevated behind. Three examples.

MERONA (p. 229).

I find this name is preoccupied in zoology and propose therefore to substitute

Meronera for it.

DIESTOTA (p. 247).

1 (a). Diestota civica.

Elongata, subdepressa, subparallela, nigricans, antennarum basi, pedibus abdominisque basi et apice testaceis,

elytris testaceo-brunneis ; subopaca, dense subtiliter punctata, abdomine parce punctato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, near the city (Hoge).

5 GG 2

780 SUPPLEMENT.

Antenne elongate, none of the joints transverse. Head black, dull, very finely

punctate, much narrowed behind. Thorax strongly transverse, much narrower than the

elytra, a little narrowed behind, with a very obsolete impression at the base in the

middle; the surface dull, very minutely punctate. Elytra ample, much longer than the

thorax, densely and finely punctate. Hind body with the basal three segments yellow,

the next two black, the apex again yellow; the basal segments finely and not closely,

the apical segments still more sparingly, punctate. In the male the hind margin of the

terminal dorsal plate ends in six equidistant teeth, the outer one of which on each side

is considerably longer than the others.

This insect is very like a Homalota in appearance, and the size is considerably larger

than that of any other species of Diestota. Only one example has been obtained.

4 (a). Diestota homalotoides.

Parum elongata, rufula, abdomine ante apicem nigricante, antennis ante apicem piceis; evidenter pubescens,

subtiliter punctata.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Panama, Pefia Blanca 3000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Antenne moderately long and stout, a little thicker externally, the penultimate joints

slightly transverse. Head rather large, nearly as broad as the thorax, obsoletely

punctate. Thorax much narrower than the elytra, transverse but not strongly so.

Elytra longer than the thorax, closely and finely punctate, rather densely and distinctly

pubescent. Hind body sparingly punctate, distinctly pubescent.

This obscure little insect is not very similar to any other of our species; I do not

observe any sexual mark on the three examples obtained of it.

GYROPHENA (p. 254).

5 (a). Gyrophena equalis.

Subdepressa, nitida, fere laevigata, testacea ; antennis fuscis, sat brevibus, articulis 5°-10™ leviter transversis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne rather short and stout, fuscescent ; joints 3 and 4 small, 5-10 differing little

from one another and each slightly transverse. Head small. Thorax strongly trans-

verse, being twice as broad as long, almost impunctate. Elytra short, but longer than

the thorax, almost impunctate, and with very scanty pubescence. Hind body impunctate.

The male has two small tubercular elevations on the penultimate dorsal plate; and the

hind margin of the terminal plate is armed with two rather stout, not very distant,

strongly curved teeth. Two examples.

This little insect has quite the appearance of the ordinary European species of the

genus, but is not very closely allied to any other of our region.

STAPHYLINIDA. 781

11. Gyrophena zunilensis.

Gyrophena discoidalis, huj. op. p. 259 (nec Fauvel).

14 (a). Gyrophena convexa.

Gyrophena convexa, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 75+.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Caldera (Champion).—Souta America, Amazons valley !.

This species was incidentally mentioned by me (ante p. 261), and we have now received

three male examples that apparently belong to it.

BAMONA (p. 287).

In giving the characters of this genus I omitted to state that the claws are abruptly

bent so as to be almost angulate. |

Bamona gracilis (p. 288).

To the locality given, add:—Panama, San Feliz (Champion).

7 (a). Bamona plana.

Subdepressa, subparallela, dense subtiliter punctata, brevissime evidenter pubescens, opaca, fusco-rufa (colore

variabile), pedibus flavis; prothorace quadrato; tarsis brevibus.

Long. 3-33 millim.

Hab. Panama, Pefia Blanca (Champion).

Antenne rather long, only slightly thicker externally, the third joint longer than the

second, each joint longer than broad. Head rather narrower than the thorax; this

latter quadrate, narrower than the elytra, flat, unimpressed. Elytra considerably longer

than the thorax. Hind body very feebly punctate at the base, the apex smooth.

Closely allied to B. parallela, but with longer elytra, and a rather longer and

narrower thorax.

OLIGOTA (p. 293).

3. Oligota laevigata.

Oligota polita, huj. op. p. 293 (nec Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1880, p. 45).

ERCHOMUS (p. 298).

Erchomus segnis (p. 301).

To the localities given, add :—MExico, near the city (Hoge).

TACHINODERUS (p. 307).

1 (a). Tachinoderus remotus.

Nigerrimus, nitidus, antennarum basi pedibusque rufis; subtilissime punctato; abdomine dense punctato,

subopaco.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Mzxico, Tula in Hidalgo, Acapulco (Hége).

782 SUPPLEMENT.

This species is smaller than 7’. grandis, and easily distinguished by the colour of the legs,

and the greater convexity of the upper surface ; the mesosternal lamina, moreover, is more

largely developed, its anterior portion being more prominent, and flavescent in colour.

Only two examples have been met with; they are females, and the abdominal structure

is similar to that of the same sex of 7. grandis, except that the lacinize are longer and

more slender.

TACHINUS (p. 309).

Tachinus alticola (p. 310).

To the locality given, add :—Mzexico, Huitzilac, Amecameca (Hoge).

The two examples now received from Mexico being females, while the original type

from Guatemala is a male, some doubt exists as to this determination.

TACHYPORUS (p. 311).

5. Tachyporus tarsalis.

Niger, nitidus, prothoracis lateribus, elytrorum apice, antennis tarsisque testaceis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Salazar (Hége).

Antenne elongate, thickened towards the extremity. Head and thorax very shining,

black, the latter broadly testaceous at the hind angles, this colour extending forward

along the sides and also along the base. LElytra longer than the thorax, finely punc-

tate and pubescent. Hind body black, finely punctured. Legs black, the tarsi pallid

yellow. |

This species bears considerable resemblance to 7. argutus, but is readily distinguished

by the colour of the legs. Only one specimen has been received

MEGACRONUS (p. 317).

4 (a). Megacronus mexicanus.

Gracilis, rufo-testaceus, pectore, elytris abdomineque apice excepto fuscescentibus; antennis parum crassis;

elytris regulariter, seriatim fortiter punctatis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Sayula in Jalisco (Hoge).

Antenne rather short and not stout, but at the apex considerably thickened ; joints

9 and 10 transverse. Head and thorax pale red. Elytra longer than the thorax,

each with six or seven regular series of setigerous punctures. Hind body sparingly

punctured, pale red at the extremity.

There is little to distinguish this species from I. meridionalis, except differences in

colour, which are not very important, and the much more slender antenne.

STAPHYLINIDA. 783

ACYLOPHORUS (p. 324).

4 (a). Acylophorus versicolor.

Niger, nitidus, abdomine versicolore ante apicem obscure rufo-cingulato, antennarum basi pedibusque rufo

obscuris ; scutello crebre punctato.

Long. 9 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Tehuantepec (Hége).

Similar to A. simplex, but readily distinguished by the closely punctate scutellum

and the colour of the hind body, and differing also in numerous other particulars. The

antenne are rather long, and the base of the elongate basal joint is brown. The head

is dull beneath, pubescent, and sparsely punctate, the parts of the mouth red, with the

apical joint of the maxillary palpi darker. The elytra are longer than the thorax,

closely and rather closely punctate. The hind body has fulgid reflections, is densely

punctured and very strongly pubescent, the spinose sete of the hind margins of the

segments largely developed; the hinder part of the penultimate segment and the base

of the following segment are red, the white membranous border of the penultimate

segment very distinct. One example.

QUEDIONUCHUS (p. 336).

Quedionuchus impunctus (p. 336).

Add:—Var. 3. Abdomine rufo-testaceo.

Hab. Mexico, Ciudad in Durango (Hége).

A small series of this variety was obtained: both it and the form with red elytra

may, perhaps, prove to be distinct.

CYRTOTHORAX (p. 340).

Cyrtothorax salvini (p. 341). (Tab. VIII. fig. 11.)

The reference to the figure was accidentally omitted on p. 541.

Group PLATYPROSOPINA.

(To precede Xanthopygina, p. 342.)

PLATYPROSOPUS.

Platyprosopus, Mannerheim, Brach. p. 36 (1830) ; Erichson, Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 292.

This genus is widely distributed in the tropical regions of the Old World, but in the

New World has hitherto been only detected in the Amazons Valley, where the species

are rather numerous.

1. Platyprosopus mexicanus.

Angustus, parallelus, fusco-rufus, capite prothoraceque piceis, antennis pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace nitido,

seriebus punctorum discoidalibus brevibus parum discretis, ad latera parce punctatis; elytris abdomineque

opacis, dense subtiliter punctatis.

Long. 9 millim.

Hab. Mexico, San Juan Bautista in Tabasco (Hoge), Tlacotalpam (Lohr).

784 SUPPLEMENT.

Antenne moderately long and stout, not thicker externally. Head rather broader

than the thorax; neck very broad, but the constriction in front of it quite distinct ;

coarsely, irregularly punctate. Thorax with a short, irregular series of about five

punctures on each side of the middle, and with fifteen or sixteen punctures irregularly

placed between these and the sides. Elytra slender, slightly longer than the thorax.

Four examples.

Extremely close to the Amazonian P. rectus, but with the head rather broader, the

articulations of the antenne a little longer, and the punctures on the thorax more

numerous.

TYMPANOPHORUWS (p. 342).

Tympanophorus concolor (p. 343).

Before the locality given, insert:—Mexico, near the city (Hége), Atlisco, Orizaba

Flohr).

Mr. Flohr captured one of his examples in an ant’s nest, another was taken flying.

PHANOLINUS (p. 363).

Phanolinus obsoletus (p. 364).

To the locality Mexico, add:—Jalapa (Hoge).

GLENUS (p. 369).

3. Glenus extimus.

Rufo-fulvus, abdomine nigro variegato, antennis tibiisque fuscescentibus; prothorace elongato, vix metal-

lescente, parce, minus profunde punctato.

Long. 16 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Durango city (Hége).

Head very short, densely punctate. ‘Thorax with moderately numerous and large,

but subobsolete punctures, each bearing a seta; dull, with a broad smooth space along

the middle and a short obsolete channel. Elytra about as long as the thorax, dull,

obsoletely punctate. Hind body sparingly punctate; each of the segments, except the

terminal one, with a large black mark on the middle. Male with the posterior coxa

produced so as to form a long stout spine; terminal ventral plate with a remarkably

broad, gently curved emargination of the hind margin. One example.

This has different male characters from G. flohri, and, moreover, is easily distinguished

from that species by the finer and more distant punctuation of the thorax.

4. Glenus setosus.

Rufo-fulvus, abdomine vage nigro variegato, antennarum basi tibiisque fuscescentibus; prothorace nitido,

metallico-nitescente, parce minus fortiter punctato, medio latius levigato.

Long. 15-18 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Altisco in Puebla (Hége).

STAPHYLINIDZ. 785

Although similar to G. extimus this species is easily distinguished by the more shining

thorax, and the less densely punctured head. The dark marks on the hind body do

not take the form of distinct spots, but of a vague blackening of the surface across the

middle of each segment, including the apical one. In the male the hind coxa projects

backwards, its external portion forming a broad curved process; the last ventral plate

has a rather narrow and shallow, subangular, excision on the hind margin. Five

examples.

STAPHYLINUS (p. 371).

Staphylinus biseriatus (p. 374).

Before the locality given, insert:—Muexico, Cuernavaca, Tonila in Colima (ége).

7 (a). Staphylinus sedatus.

Niger, opacus, capite prothoraceque fusco-pubescentibus, abdomine utrinque griseo-flavescente maculato ; corpore

subtus griseo-flavescente.

Long. 28 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Zapotlan in Colima (Hége).

Closely allied to S. diseriatus, but readily distinguished by the fuscous pubescence of

the head and thorax. The punctuation is fine and very dense, coarser on the head, but

quite shallow and obsolete there. The antenne are short, fusco-ferruginous, the median

joints black. The clypeal membrane is large and pallid. ‘The cinereous marks on the

sides of the dorsal segments of the hind body extend to the hind margin; the anal styles

are clothed with flavescent hairs. ‘The front feet are sordid red, the other tarsi piceous.

The male has a small excision on the hind margin of the last ventral plate. One

example.

14 (a). Staphylinus lupinus.

Elongatus, opacus, densissime subtilissime punctatus, fusco-niger; elytris, antennarum basi pedibusque rufis ;

capite prothoraceque fulvo-tomentosis; abdomine parce aureo-pubescente, medio minus argute nigro-

vittato.'

Long. 27 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Refugio in Durango (Hége).

This insect is closely allied to the North-American S. vulpinus; but the hind body

above is covered scantily with golden hairs, except that on the middle of each segment

there are two almost united black spots forming thus a median black band which does

not extend to the terminal segment. ‘The head is narrowed in front, and the base and

hind angles of the thorax are quite rounded; the sculpture of these parts is extremely

fine. The elytra are clothed with a fulvous pubescence, giving them a red appearance.

The undersurface bears a rather scanty pubescence, which is between fulvous and flavescent

in tint. ‘The middle and hind femora are fuscescent above. ‘Two female examples.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, October 1887. 5 HH

786 SUPPLEMENT.

Staphylinus discretus (p. 379).

To the Mexican locality given, add :—Jalapa (Hoge).

The example now received is, like the original one, in a very bad state of preservation.

38 (a). Staphylinus nudicollis.

Angustus, niger, capite prothoraceque supra eneis, subnitidis, vage fortiter, minus profunde punctatis, elytris

abdomineque fuscis, opacis, hoc vix variegato, ad apicem fusco-ferrugineo, tarsis piceis.

Long. 16 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Pastepec (Flohr).

Somewhat similar to S. antiquus, but with a peculiar sculpture of the head and

thorax. The former is subquadrate, sparingly punctate, but between the larger

punctures there are numerous minute ones. ‘The thorax is about as long as broad,

sculptured like the head, except that the larger punctures are closer, and the minute

ones less numerous; there is a definite, rather narrow, smooth space extending all

along the middle. The scutellum is covered with black tomentum. The elytra are

about as long as the thorax, very dull, with obsolete sculpture. The hind body is only

very indistinctly variegate, but there are two somewhat curved and not contiguous

darker marks on the middle of each segment. The male has a rather broad shallow

excision on the hind margin of the last ventral plate. One example.

MISANTLIUS (p. 393).

3 (a). Misantlius rufipennis.

Subdepressus, subopacus, niger, elytris, tibiis tarsisque ferrugineis ; dense punctatus.

Long. 16 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Yolotepec, Juquila (Lohr).

Head broad, transversely suborbicular, very densely punctured. Thorax elongate,

much narrower than the elytra, much narrowed behind, coarsely and very densely

punctate. FElytra rather longer than the thorax, very finely, densely punctate, tawny

red. Hind body slightly shining, not so densely punctate as the anterior parts. Legs

slender; femora black, the tibie and tarsi ferruginous, the former darker towards the

base. The front tarsi are a little dilated in each sex. The male has a small notch on

the hind margin of the last ventral segment ; and the preceding segment is marked with

a large shallow depression, the sides of which are fringed with long erect seta, and the

base with similar but more densely-placed sete, which (in the example before me) are

divided into three pencils.

Four specimens of this distinct species have recently been sent me by Mr. Flohr.

STAPHYLINIDZ. 787

PHILONTHUS (p. 395).

1(a). Philonthus rufiventris.

Rufo-testaceus, capite, prothorace pectore cum coxis antennisque nigris, his articulis duobus ultimis ferrugineis ;

prothorace serie dorsali bipunctato.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Amecameca in Morelos (/ége).

This is a very peculiar insect not allied to any other Philonthus except P. abnormalis,

from which it differs greatly in colour, and in the absence of the posterior puncture on

the thorax. Superficially it resembles Belonuchus formosus, differing, however, by the

hind body being entirely black. The thorax has two punctures near the front margin,

the anterior one being placed close to the margin, and the second about one fifth of the

length of the thorax behind it: there is no other species known agreeing with P. ruji-

ventris in this respect, and in Erichson’s system it would form a distinct group; the

thoracic seta is placed at a distance from the margin as in Belonuchus. The antenne

are moderately long, but little thicker externally, the penultimate joints scarcely trans-

verse. Head with a few large punctures near the sides. ‘Thorax elongate, shining black ;

with two punctures near the front on each side of the middle, and outside these two others

similarly placed, and with a puncture or two between these and the marginal impressions.

Scutellum black, finely punctate. Hlytra tawny-yellow, slightly longer than the thorax,

rather closely and coarsely punctate. Hind body moderately closely and finely punctate ;

terminal styles fuscous except at the base.

A single female; it has the front and hind femora without spines.

3 (a). Philonthus prescottianus.

Niger, capite prothoraceque violaceis, elytris violaceo-eneis ; parce punctatus.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Amecameca in Morelos, Salazar (Hoge).

Similar to P. palmatus, but readily distinguishable by the extremely distant punctua-

tion of the hind body. Rather broad; antenne not thicker externally, the penultimate

joint about as long as broad. ‘Thorax rather short and broad, not so long as wide,

feebly sinuate at the sides, the hind angles distinct but very obtuse. Scutellum black,

very sparingly punctured. Elytra shining, sparingly punctured, of a beautiful golden or

brassy hue tinctured with violet. Hind body intensely black, shining, very sparingly

punctate and pubescent. The tarsi are slender, reddish, with the basal joint darker.

The female has the front tarsi slightly dilated; the male is unknown.

I have named this species in honour of the distinguished author of the History of

the Conquest of Mexico.

12 (a). Philonthus semiruber.

Philonthus semiruber, Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 187''.

Hab. Nortu America, California!, Arizona '!.—Mexico, Villa Lerdo in Durango (Hége).

5 HH 2

788 SUPPLEMENT.

Philonthus incertus (p. 416).

Philonthus gracilicornis, Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 190°.

Before the locality given, insert: —Norra America, Arizona ! (Horn).

56 (a). Philonthus iteratus.

Rufo-testaceus, capite, prothorace abdomineque ad apicem nigris; antennis basi nigro, extrorsum ferrugineis ;

prothorace serie dorsali interdum 6-punctato.

Mas capite majore, mandibulis extus ad basin oblique dilatatis, femoribus anterioribus subtus in medio spinosis.

Long. 10-12 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Villa Lerdo in Durango (Hége).

Resembles almost exactly the larger examples of Belonuchus formosus, but rather

larger, and with different sexual characters; also similar to P. trochanterinus and

P. zunilensis, but with the trochanters simple and the mandibles of the male dilated.

P. iteratus is most nearly allied to P. wanthomelas, from which it differs in the colour

of the breast, coxee, antenne, and palpi; and, moreover, has the basal joint of the hind

tarsus considerably longer. Herr Hoge met with a good series of this species, and no

variation beyond that of the sexual characters is to be seen in it. I may mention that

in addition to the characters I have previously pointed out to distinguish the males of

this intricate group of species there exists another, viz. that in Belonuchus formosus the

male mandibles have a simple tooth internally, while in P. canthomelas and P. iteratus

this is replaced by an elongate slightly emarginate incrassation.

84 (a). Philonthus heteropus.

Elongatus, subparallelus, niger, capite, prothorace elytrisque vix subznescentibus; prothorace serie dorsali

multipunctato, punctis fere grossis; tarsis posterioribus brevibus, articulo basali crasso, brevi, quam

articulus terminalis breviore.

Long. 93 millim.

Hab. Mexico, near the city (Hoge).

Antenne black, moderately stout, the penultimate joint about as long as broad. Head

with two large punctures on each side near the eye, and with numerous coarse punctures

at the hind angles. Thorax subquadrate, very shining ; dorsal series of punctures rather

irregular, consisting of six or seven very large impressions; outside the series there are

five or six other punctures on each side, and a few near the front angles. Elytra longer

than the thorax, closely and rather finely punctate. Hind body moderately closely and

finely punctate.

A single mutilated female is all we have received of this interesting species, remark-

ably distinct on account of the short basal joint of the hind foot ; notwithstanding this

latter character, I think it better placed in Philonthus than in Actobius.

84 (s). Philonthus actocharis.

Hlongatus, subdepressus, niger, femoribus sordide testaceis ; prothorace nigerrimo, sat crebre punctato, medio

late levigato; elytris grisescentibus, fortiter sat crebre punctatis.

Long. 9 millim.

STAPHYLINID A. 789

Hab. Muxico, Tehuantepec (Hége).

Antenne long and slender, not thicker externally, black, the basal joint more pallid

beneath. Head rather closely punctate, with a large space on the middle and a smaller

one behind the labrum smooth. Thorax elongate parallel, the lateral punctuation

irregular, rather numerous. Elytra with rather close and definite punctuation. Hind

body rather closely punctate, subgrisescent. The front tarsi are very slightly dilated in

the female, more distinctly dilated in the male; in the latter sex there is a small

angular notch on the last ventral plate.

This species approaches closely to the genus Actobius, but the basal joint of the hind

foot is just perceptibly longer than the terminal one.

BELONUCHUS (p. 428).

Belonuchus flavipennis (p. 430).

To the Mexican localities given, add:—Tula in Hidalgo (Hége).

We have now received a fair series of this species exhibiting little or no variation.

The male has only a very slight emargination of the hind margin of the last ventral plate.

Belonuchus erythropterus (p. 432).

To the Mexican localities given, add :—Tehuacan and Cholula in Puebla, Tula in

Hidalgo, Mexico city (Hége).

This insect varies greatly in size; all the examples (about twelve) from Tehuacan

belong to a large form of which no specimens occurred among the large series found at

Tula. There may be two species still mixed under this name, but I cannot distinguish

them by any constant character other than that of size.

Belonuchus simplex (p. 432).

To the Mexican localities given, add :—Acapulco in Guerrero (Hége).

Herr Hége has now found a fair series of this species, and although very closely allied to’

B. erythropterus it appears to be really distinct. In this group of species of Belonuchus

there exists a peculiar transverse band at the base of each of the basal dorsal plates of

the hind body, developed at the expense of the true basal margin, which is very much

reduced in extent; the band bears a very fine sculpture, and is elevated so as to be

separated by a sharp line of demarcation from the rest of the segment. This band of

sculpture does not exist as above described on the antepenultimate segment in B. simplez ;

it is, however, present in B. erythropterus.

13. Belonuchus viridipennis.

Belonuchus viridipennis, Baudi, Studi Ent. p. 125'.

Belonuchus dejectus, huj. op. p. 433.

790 SUPPLEMENT.

To the localities given, add :—Conomsta ! (Fawvel).

M. Fauvel informs me that he has seen the type of Belonuchus viridipennis, Baudi,

and that it is this species, and also that he possesses an example from Colombia. The

name dejectus, therefore, becomes a synonym.

ACTOBIUS (p. 457).

3 (a). Actobius mestus.

Subparallelus, nitidus, niger, pedibus fuscis; dense punctatus, abdomine omnino densissime subtilissimeque

punctato.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, near the city (Hoge).

Antenne rather short, a little thicker externally, the penultimate joints each slightly

transverse ; black, the base fuscous. Head subquadrate, shining black ; rather coarsely

punctured, with a smooth space along the middle. Thorax rather closely punctate, with

a smooth space along the middle. FElytra longer than the thorax, closely and finely

punctate ; black, with a very minute griseous pubescence. Hind body not at all narrowed

towards the base, extremely densely and scarcely visibly punctured.

This may be distinguished from all other of our species by the minute, dense punctu-

ation of the hind body. The two examples we have received are, I think, of the female

sex, though they have the front feet distinctly dilated.

Actobius politus (p. 461).

To the locality given, add :—Guatrma.a, Coatepeque (Champion).

9 (4). Actobius adustus,

Angustus, elongatus, parce punctatus et pubescens, nitidulus ; capite, pectore, elytris ex parte majore abdominis-

que versus apicem nigris, prothorace abdomineque basi rufis, antennarum basi, elytrorum apice pedibusque

pallide flavis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, La Noria in Sinaloa, Tehuantepec (H6ge).

A distinct species, of elongate slender form, in colour similar to A. pol?tus. Antenne

elongate ; blackish, with the basal joints pale yellow. Palpi and mandibles yellow. Head

elongate and narrow, oblong-oval, black, very sparingly punctured. ‘Thorax red, elongate,

and slender, much narrower than the elytra, at the sides sparingly punctured. Elytra

longer than the thorax, very sparingly punctured ; blackish, the hind margin broadly pale

yellow. Hind body with coarse punctuation at the extreme base of each one of the

basal four segments, these segments red, more or less infuscate ; the penultimate segment

black, with yellow margin; the terminal segment black, but yellow at the extreme base.

The male has a feeble dilatation of the front feet, and a slight emargination on the hind

margin of the last ventral ring.

STAPHYLINIDZ. 791

Kight specimens. The example from La Noria is in a very bad state of preservation,

but apparently is a pallid variety of this species.

DIOCHUS (p. 466).

1 (a). Diochus longicornis.

Diochus longicornis, Sharp, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. 184’.

Hab. Mexico, 'Teapa in Tabasco (Hége).—Soura Amurica, Amazons valley !.

The unique example we have received from Herr Hoge may, perhaps, prove not to

belong to this species, with which, however, it agrees in the elongate antenne, and

differs only in slight details.

XANTHOLINUS (p. 475).

Xantholinus resectus (p. 480).

To the locality Mexico, add :—near the city (Hége).

Xantholinus difficilis (p. 482).

Before the locality given, insert :—Mexico, Salazar (/égqe).

I am not quite sure that the solitary example now obtained is really conspecific with

the unique Guatemalan type, as it is both smaller and more slender.

SOMOLEPTUS (p. 494).

Somoleptus bicolor (p. 495).

Before the locality given, insert :—-Mexico, near the city, Zacualtipan (//6ge).

SAUROHYPNUS (p. 501).

2. Saurohypnus nigerrimus.

_Elongatus, angustulus, nigerrimus, nitidus ; antennis extrorsum tarsisque rufo-obscuris ; capite elytrisque fortiter

punctatis; prothorace tantum versus angulos anteriores et ad Jatera punctato.

Gong. 16 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (//oge).

Head slightly broader than the thorax, shining black, coarsely punctured, the

punctures on the middle distant; antennal grooves elongate. Thorax elongate,

narrowed towards the base, shining black, with coarse punctuation along the side

margins and front, and with six or seven other punctures placed irregularly near the

side in front. Scutellum bearing six large punctures. Elytra about as long as thorax,

regularly, coarsely, and distantly punctured. Hind body finely and sparingly punctured,

shining black. Four examples.

This insect has the antenne rather more widely separated than they are in the

792 SUPPLEMENT.

typical species; and the two median lobes of the labrum are slightly emarginate, so that

the front of the labrum exhibits six slight projections.

CRYPTOBIUM (p. 506).

Cryptobium collare (p. 507).

Var. Prothorace nigro, parcius punctato.

Hab. Mexico, La Noria in Sinaloa (/ége).

The small series procured of this variety agree rather closely inter se, but can scarcely

be regarded as representing a distinct species without more evidence.

Cryptobium luridum (p. 512).

To the Mexican localities given, add:—La Noria in Sinaloa, Tehuantepec (Hége).

12 (a). Cryptobium sedatum.

Piceo-ferrugineum, antennis rufis, pedibus dilutis; capite subopaco, dense profunde punctato; prothorace

crebrius punctato, medio longitudinaliter levigato, lateribus subrotundatis; elytris densius, profunde

fortiterque punctatis, subrugosis.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Mexico, La Noria in Sinaloa (Hége).

Though very similar to C. /uridum and its immediate allies this species will be easily

distinguished by a slight difference in the shape of the thorax, the sides being a little

rounded and narrowed towards the front ; the head is shining in front, and the punc-

tuation of the thorax is closer than in the species mentioned. Only two examples have

been obtained ; they are of the female sex, and are without positive sexual marks.

12 (8). Cryptobium placidum.

Ferrugineum, pedibus testaceis ; capite subnitido, dense, profunde punctato ; prothorace crebre punctato, medio

late longitudinaliter levigato ; elytris crebre fortiter punctatis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Zacualtipan in Hidalgo, Aguas Calientes city (Hége).

This insect resembles C. /uridum in colour and appearance, but the surface of the

head is shining: this is very evident in front, where the punctuation is absent; but

on the vertex, where the punctuation is very dense, it is, of course, less conspicuous.

The punctuation of the elytra is also rather coarser than in the species similar to this in

colour. C. placidum is more nearly related to C. sedatum, but the head is rather more

coarsely and less densely punctured ; the thorax is very much more sparingly punctured,

and the rounding of the sides at the front angles scarcely evident; and the elytra are

shorter and more coarsely punctate. ‘The male has an elongate setigerous line on the

third ventral plate ; the following plate is produced so as to form a long broad lobe,

and also bears a small, elliptical, setigerous fovea.

STAPHYLINIDA. 793

Cryptobium equale (p. 513).

Before the localities given, insert :—-Mrxico, Nuevo Laredo in Tamaulipas, La Noria

in Sinaloa (Hoge).

The specimens from La Noria seem quite similar to the typical examples from

Guatemala, but the two individuals from Nuevo Laredo may possibly be distinct; the

latter are, however, so very immature that not much value can be attached to the

differences that are perceptible.

Cryptobium venustum (p. 516).

To the Mexican localities given, add :—vVilla Lerdo in Durango (Hége).

Cryptobium politulum (p. 516).

To the Mexican locality given, add :—Cuernavaca in Morelos (Hége).

Cryptobium complectens (p. 517).

To the Mexican localities given, add :—-Tehuantepec (Hodge).

The male has a short setigerous line on the third ventral plate, and a circular fovea

on the following segment; the hind margin of this segment is produced so as to form a

long rather broad lobe narrowed towards the extremity and there subacuminate.

Cryptobium crassulum (p. 520).

To the Mexican locality given, add :—La Noria in Sinaloa, 'Tehuantepec (Hége).

A good series has now been procured of this insect ; the examples are rather smaller

and more slender than the two females originally described. The male has two minute

pencils of hair placed in a small space on the third ventral plate, and a single pencil

on the following segment; the hind margin of this latter segment is produced so as to

form a very broad short lobe.

Cryptobium rostratum (p. 532).

Before the localities given, insert:—Mexico, Acapulco in Guerrero (Hége).

The unique example from this subregion differs from the more southern examples in

being narrower, and possessing a more densely punctured thorax.

Cryptobium aberrans (p. 533).

Before the locality given, insert: —Mexico, Acapulco in Guerrero (Hoge).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, October 1887. 5 IT

794 SUPPLEMENT.

ABABACTUS (p. 533).

Ababactus politus (p. 536).

Before the localities given, insert :—Mexico, Tapachula in Chiapas (/6ge).

LATHROBIUM (p. 536).

6. Lathrobium pusillum.

Elongatum, angustulum, subdepressum, testaceum ; prothorace medio biseriatim, ad latera crebre, punctato ;

elytris quam prothorax longioribus, seriatim obsolete punctatis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, San Juan Bautista in Tabasco (Hoge).

Antenne slender, elongate, not thicker externally. Head small, quite shining, smooth

in the middle, the margins sparingly punctate. Thorax subquadrate, with two widely

separated series of punctures along the middle; the lateral punctures are numerous,

and not distinctly separated from the serial punctures. Elytra with numerous series of

quite obsolete punctures extending their whole length. Hind body quite dull, very

densely and finely punctured.

This species is similar to the pallid examples of L. dimidiatum, but may be easily

discriminated by the more numerous and more obsolete serial punctures on the elytra.

The examples received are not in a good state of preservation, and the specimens

examined do not exhibit any sexual character.

7. Lathrobium flavidulum.

Elongatum, angustulum, subdepressum, testaceum ; prothorace medio biseriatim, ad latera crebre, punctato ;

elytris quam prothorax paullo longioribus, crebre, minus fortiter, irregulariter punctatis.

Long. 63 millim.

Hab. Mexico, San Juan Bautista in Tabasco (Hoge).

Var. Rufo-testaceum, elytris ad basin seriatim ad apicem irregulariter punctatis.

Hab. Mexico, Nuevo Laredo in Tamaulipas (Hége).

Antenne long and slender. Head sparingly punctate. Thorax longer than broad.

Elytra with irregular punctuation.

This insect is more elongate (the antenne, head, and thorax being longer in propor-

tion to the width) than Z. pusillwm, and the elytral punctuation is coarser and less

regular. The only example received is apparently a female.

The variety may perhaps prove to be a different species; the unique exponent of it

is also a female.

8. Lathrobium durangoense.

Robustum, piceum, capite prothoraceque nigris, elytris fusco-rufis, antennis pedibusque rufo-testaceis ; protho-

STAPHYLINIDZ. 795

race medio biseriatim, ad latera crebre, punctato, punctis seriatis irregularibus; elytris crebre, fortiter,

seriatim punctatis.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Mxxico, Durango city, Villa Lerdo (Hoge). .

In this insect the thoracic punctuation is coarser than is usually the case in the

species with biseriate sculpture, and the series are irregular; but I think there is no

doubt it really belongs to the group in question, though these characters, in addition

to the large stature, give it a great resemblance to the species without serial thoracic

punctuation. Head with coarse punctuation nowhere numerous, and on the middle

extremely distant; hind angles much rounded. Thorax longer than broad, narrowed

towards the base. Elytra each with five series of rather coarse punctures, and with

irregular punctuation at the sides and apex.

The two examples received are both females, and are in a bad state of preservation.

SCOPEUS (p. 540).

Casey (in Bull. Calif. Ac. Sci. ii. p. 220) has proposed two new genera, Scopewodera

and Leptorus, dismembered from Scopeus, and to include certain of our species indi-

cated by him (/.¢.). I content myself at present with pointing this out, for it would

not be prudent to dismount the typical examples, frequently unique, of these fragile and

minute insects to examine their structural characters.

1(a). Scopzeus femoralis.

Testaceus, parum convexus, subopacus, subtilissime punctatus; prothorace basi in medio subelevato, utrinque

vix impresso. ;

Long. 4 millim.

Mas femoribus posterioribus incrassatis, margine posteriore concavo.

Hab. MeExico, near the city (Hége).

Antenne with the second and third joints subequal, the tenth joint about as long as

broad. Head elongate, extremely finely and densely punctured, quite dull. Thorax

oblong, rounded at the front and hind angles, yellow, rather shining, finely and not very

densely punctate. Elytra longer than the thorax, finely not very densely punctate, a little

shining. Male with a broad emargination of the last ventral plate; the basal segment

depressed, deplanate and shining in the middle; the following two segments each with

a fine seta on either side of the middle near the hind margin, the first of these segments

with a small tubercle at the extreme base; hind femora rather incrassate, curvate, at

their point of junction with the trochanters furnished on their upper face with a short

pencil of black sete ; the upper edge of the hind margin of the femur minutely serrate

at the extremity; and the tibize extremely minutely serrate and pubescent along the

inner margin.

_ This is not at all allied to any other of our species, and the remarkable characters

of the male are quite unique. We have received only one example.

5 IT 2

796 SUPPLEMENT.

LITHOCHARIS (p. 549).

1(4). Lithocharis curviceps.

Nigra, antennis pedibus elytrisque fusco-testaceis, his disco fuscescente ; capite prothoraceque subtiliter punc-

tatis, medio nitidulis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, near the city, Amecameca, Toluca, Huitzo (Hoge).

Antenne rather large. Head distinctly emarginate behind, black ; densely and very

minutely punctate except on the disc, where the punctures are more distant, so that

this part is shining. Thorax about as long as broad, black, very minutely punctate ;

the punctures are more distant on the disc, and there is a very slender shining space

along the middle. Elytra much longer than the thorax, densely and finely punctate,

slightly shining. Hind body extremely finely punctate. Male unknown.

Distinguished from L. mendax by the head being a little emarginate behind.

EUSTILICUS (p. 579).

Eustilicus mexicanus (p. 580).

To the Mexican locality given, add :—Cuernavaca in Morelos (Flohr).

TROCHODERUS (p. 580).

3. Trochoderus ovaticeps.

Ferrugineus, capite fusco-ferrugineo, pedibus testaceis, dense subtilissime punctatus, opacus ; prothorace medio

linea levigata nitida.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Mexico, La Noria in Sinaloa (Hoge).

Head oval, very densely punctured, dull, darker in colour than the other parts.

Thorax about as long as broad, very greatly narrowed in front, densely and finely

granulose, dull, with a slender smooth space along the middle. Elytra longer than the

thorax, densely punctate.

We have received only one female of this insect. In addition to being of a brighter

colour than the other species of the genus, it has a considerably narrower head.

SUNIOCHARIS (p. 586).

Suniocharis fragilis (p. 587).

To the Mexican locality given, add:—Acapulco in Guerrero (Hége).

An example recently captured by Herr Hoge at Acapulco has the head quite pale,

but does not apparently differ in any character of specific importance from the type.

STAPHYLINIDA, 197

DIBELONETES (p. 601).

Dibelonetes pallipes (p. 603).

Before the localities given, insert :—Mexico, Jalapa (Hége).

PINOPHILUS (p. 620).

2(a). Pinophilus fuscipes.

Niger, opacus; antennis palpisque fusco-testaceis, pedibus testaceis, femoribus extrorsum tibiisque basin versus

fuscescentibus ; prothorace opaco, obsolete punctato; elytris dense fortiterque punctatis.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Mexico, San Juan Bautista in Tabasco (Hége).

Head dull, with very coarse distant punctures on the anterior part, behind them an

impunctate space, the vertex obsoletely rugose-punctate. Thorax about as long as

broad, a little narrowed behind; the surface quite dull, with numerous distant obsolete

punctures. Elytra longer than the thorax, coarsely rather closely punctate. Hind

body coarsely punctate.

Resembles P. albipes, but is only half the size, and has the sculpture of the thorax

different. It has a narrower thorax than P. opacicollis, and more coarsely and less

densely punctured elytra. Only one specimen has been received.

Pinophilus parviceps (p. 622).

To the Mexican locality given, add :—Paso del Norte (Hoge).

11(a). Pinophilus picifrons,

Hlongatus, parallelus, piceus ; capite prothoraceque nigris, illo clypeo piceo, antennis, palpis pedibusque flavis ;

prothorace nitido, fortiter minus dense punctato.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Acapulco in Guerrero ({ége).

Antenne very slender, extending as far back as the hind margin of the thorax.

Head with two large punctures on the front margin; with fine punctures on each side

near the front, and some other large punctures about the vertex; the surface quite

shining, bearing numerous minute punctures in addition to the coarser sculpture.

Thorax about as long as broad, narrowed behind; with numerous coarse punctures

leaving a smooth line along the middle, and a smooth space near each front angle.

Elytra piceous-red, coarsely and rather closely punctate. Hind body coarsely and

closely punctate, red at the extremity.

Distinguished from all the others of this group by the quite shining head and thorax.

‘One example.

798 SUPPLEMENT.

CEDODACTYLUS (p. 630).

2. Gedodactylus aper.

Fusco-brunneus, opacus, dense punctatus, subrugosus, antennis pedibusque rufis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Tlacotalpam in Vera Cruz (Hoge).

Antenne pale red, slender, delicately articulated, the terminal joint truncate. Head

short, almost as broad as the thorax, closely and coarsely punctate, somewhat shining

in front. Thorax rather longer than broad, a little narrowed behind, with the base

quite rounded; densely and coarsely punctate, even, not shining. Elytra slightly longer

than the thorax, dull, densely rugose-punctate. Hind body pubescent, indefinitely

rugose-punctate.

Very closely allied to the Amazonian @. anceps, but rather smaller and more slender,

with comparatively more elongate thorax.

PALAMINUS (p. 631).

Palaminus concolor (p. 635).

Before the localities given, insert :—Muexico, Tapachula in Chiapas (Hége).

Palaminus vittatus (p. 639).

Before the locality given, insert :—Mexico, Teapa (Hége).

: STENUS (p. 640).

4(a). Stenus abscondens.

Niger, pedibus piceis, palporum articulo basali flavescente ; rugoso-punctatus, parum nitidus ; abdominis parce

pubescente, segmentis ad basin tricuspidatis.

Long. 44 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Chihuahua city (Hoge).

Head a little broader than the thorax and narrower than the elytra; vertex not

excavate, broadly but slightly bisulcate ; interstice broad, one third of the width of the

interocular space, the punctuation rather coarse, dense. Thorax rather longer than

broad, rounded at the sides; surface rather uneven, without any trace of channel,

rugosely punctate. lytra rather longer than the thorax, densely and rather coarsely

rugose-punctate, slightly shining. Hind body very much narrowed to the extremity,

the bases of the segments strongly tricuspidate, the punctuation moderately close, the

pubescence depressed but more distinct than on the anterior parts. The male haga rather

small notch on the hind margin of the last ventral segment ; and the preceding segment

STAPHYLINIDA. 799

has behind a broad depressed space, the anterior margin of which is curvate, the hind

margin being very feebly emarginate. Two examples.

This is not closely allied to any other of our species. In Casey’s arrangement of

the North-American Steni it should apparently come near S. animatus.

4(s). Stenus idoneus.

Niger, pube erecta sat dense vestitus, dense fortiter punctatus, sat nitidus, pedibus piceis, antennarum articulo

basali flavescente ; fronte obsolete bisulcata, haud excavata; prothorace canaliculato; abdominis segmentis

ad baseos quadricuspidatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, near the city, Toluca (Hége).

Head rather small, scarcely broader than the thorax, broadly and very indistinctly

depressed on either side near the eye. Thorax longer than broad, densely rugose-

punctate, distinctly canaliculate along the middle. Elytra considerably broader,

and a little longer, than the thorax; densely rugose-punctate, but shining, and the

sculpture not at all tortuous. Hind body rather sparingly punctured. Male unknown.

Two specimens.

This species is not closely allied to any other known in our region, nor does it

appear to be closely allied to any of the North-American Sten described and tabulated

by Casey. The erect pubescence is one of its most striking peculiarities, and in the

typical example from Toluca the pubescence is flavescent; the second example from

the City of Mexico is much abraded, and the pubescence is paler; this latter example,

moreover, has the legs black, so that it possibly may be a closely allied distinct species.

Stenus eremitus (p. 655).

To the Mexican locality given, add :—Tlacotalpam (Hége).

Stenus laceratus (p. 658).

To the Mexican localities given, add :—Mexico city, Huitzo in Oaxaca, Cordova,

San Juan Bautista in Tabasco, Tehuantepec (Hége).

The small series shows a good deal of variation in the punctuation of the thorax and

elytra, the punctuation being much scantier in the slender examples from Tehuantepec.

Stenus godmani (p. 662).

Mr. Flohr informs me that this species (and probably others of this peculiar group)

is arboreal in its habits; he has recently obtained it by beating small oaks at Jalapa

800 SUPPLEMENT.

OSORIUS (p. 677).

Mr. Flohr confirms Mr. Champion’s statement that the smaller species of this genus

live in sand on the banks of streams, while the larger ones inhabit burrows in rotten

wood; and he also remarks that they possess the power of running backwards as well

as forwards in their channels.

Osorius salvini (p. 682).

Before the localities given, insert :—Mexico, near the city, Cordova, Vera Cruz

(Hoge).

BLEDIUS (p. 685).

1(a). Bledius armatus.

Oxytelus armatus, Say, Journ. Ac. Sci. Phil. iii. p. 155°; Complete Writings, ii. p. 100°.

Bledius armatus, Er. Gen. et Spec. Staph. p. 779°; Lec. Trans. Am. Ent. Soe. vi. p. 221°.

Hab. Norts America 12°, Nevada to Arizona 4.—Mexico, near the city (Hége).

Bledius inornatus (p. 685).

Before the locality given, insert :—Merxico, Medellin (Flohr).

Found in the sand on the banks of the river Jamapa.

2 (a). Bledius derasus.

Niger, prothorace rufo, antennis pedibusque flavis, elytris pallidis; prothorace parce obsolete punctato, medio

canaliculato, angulis posterioribus obtusis ; elytris quam prothorax longioribus, crebre sat fortiter punctatis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Villa Lerdo in Durango (Hége).

Head dull; antennal carine sharply elevated, elongate, red in front; mandibles

rather short. Thorax not so long as broad, straight at the sides nearly to the hind

angles, then much narrowed, the angles distinct though very obtuse; the surface quite

dull, the distant punctuation obsolete. Elytra very pale yellow; coarsely punctate near

the suture, more obsoletely so at the sides. Three examples.

Kasily distinguished from B. inornatus by the more obsolete sculpture.

PLATYSTETHUS (p. 686).

Platystethus spiculus (p. 678).

Before the localities given, insert :—MeExi0o, near the city (Hoge).

STAPHYLINID A. 801

APOCELLUS (p. 694).

1(4). Apocellus mestus.

Angustulus, niger, capite prothoraceque piceis, antennarum basi, palpis pedibusque testaceis, femoribus ex-

trorsum fuscis; prothorace subgloboso, marginibus punctulatis ; elytris parce punctatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, near the city, Huitzo (Hoge).

Antenne stout, not very long, joints 5-10 transverse. Head narrow. Thorax convex,

between quadrate and globose.in form, with a vague feeble punctuation, closer near the

sides and basal margin. Elytra slender, longer than the thorax ; blackish, more dilute

at the shoulders; hind margin and posterior part of the suture bearing a few distant

fine punctures. Hind body entirely black, extremely finely punctate.

This insect is similar to the smallest and darkest examples of A. sphericollis, but may

be readily distinguished by the shorter thick antenne and the existence of a feeble

punctuation on the thorax and elytra. The male characters are similar to those of

A. sphericollis. The twelve examples before me agree satisfactorily, except that the

unique individual from Huitzo is rather larger and has a less distinct sculpture.

Apocellus analis (p. 695).

To the Mexican locality given, add :—near the city, Huitzo (Hoge).

I have as yet only seen two examples from our region that I can refer with certainty

to this species; the examples now received from Huitzo appear to be intermediate

between A. analis and A. cognatus, and may possibly be a third species; but I fail, on

the very imperfect material before me, to find any satisfactory distinctions for the three

forms other than the peculiar sexual structures of the male, and it is possible these

may be liable to grades of development, though such a gradation does not appear to

occur in the common A. sphericollis. A. brevipennis, Casey, is another species very

closely allied to A. analis, the chief distinctions being in the male characters ; it is

found in Texas and Arizona, but has not yet occurred within our limits.

TROGOPHLQUS (p. 697).

1(4). Trogophleus argutus.

Latus, parum elongatus, subdepressus, niger, geniculis tarsisque flavescentibus ; prothorace elytrisque crebre

sat fortiter punctatis, sat nitidis, illo medio sat profunde bi-impresso.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Mexico, near the city (/Hége).

Antenne rather slender, thicker externally, the penultimate joint rather longer than

broad. Head much narrower than the elytra; antennal tubercles strongly elevated.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, November 1887. 5 KK

802 SUPPLEMENT.

Thorax a good deal narrower than the elytra, transverse, the sides greatly narrowed

behind, definitely and closely punctured, rather shining, the impressions broad and

distinct though not deep. Scutellum not visible. Elytra broad, rather short, but a

good deal longer than the thorax, closely and coarsely punctate, a little shining, almost

without pubescence. Hind body scarcely visibly punctate. Three examples.

This species is readily recognizable by the definite, quite distinct, punctuation of the

thorax, avery unusual character in this genus.

INDEX.

{Names in small capitals refer to Families &c.; those in roman type to the chief reference to each species included in the work ;

those in italics to species incidentally mentioned, synonyms, &c. |

Page

ABABACTUS ....eeeeceee 5338, 794

Ababactus wo. cece ce cceceees 534

depressus .......ee ee eee 534

epressusS ...ceccceveees 535

—— filarlus ............04.. 535

JUArUS voc ccc cee eeees 534

oracilis ............000. 535

GPACUIS Loe cee ceeeee 534, 586

pallidus .............05- 535

pennatus .........0006, 534

politus .........06. 536, 794

Politus vivcerccccveveee 534

ACALOPHEINA ...ccceee eens 554

——angularis .............. 555

ANG“UIATIS vevsvcsevceees 554

Acanthoglossa oo .ccceceecees 606

Actlius cinctatus oe. cece eens 45

CUCUMSCYIPLUS 66... eevee 44

——— INCISUS eee ecceeceeece 45

——.__ MACUIATUS 6c ec eceeee ees 44

—— margineguttatus ..... oe. 45

—— Nigro-fasciatus ......000. 44

—— ornaticollis .....cccceecee 44

——— SUCCINCLUS oo. eececcecee 44

ACTOBIUS ......ecee eens 457, 790

Actobtus ..... cece 456, 788, 789

adustts ......e..e.eeeee 790

——- agmatus ......... 0.0 e eee 459

——alternans .............. 461

arduus ........2eeeeeee 458

AVAUUS occ cee eeeee 459, 460

Concolor...... ce. see eee 458

—— delicatulus ............ 461

facilis... .. ee eee eee 458

fortis... cece eee eee 457

—— mixtus ................ 460

——— MAUS eee eneee 461

——— MOStUS 6. eee eee eecee 790

—— nitidulus .............. 460

—— mitidulus wo cc ecceecaes 461

—— politus ............ 461, 790

—— simplex .............-.. 459

Page

ACYLOPHORUS ......005. 324, 783

Acylophorus ........ 821, 326, 327

acuminatus ......e.caee 325

—— chontalenus ............ 326

—didymus .............. 325

luctuosus ..... cee eee eee 325

—— mexicanus.......... ,... 326

palpalis........ tenes 327

PparvicepS ......... eee 326

—— planatus..............05 327

PFOXIMUS 1.2... .. eee eee 325

—— simplex ............005. 325

SUMPLEL Liev ececccveuee 783

versicolor ....... cece ees 783

ADEROCHARIS wo... cece eee ees 552

Aderocharts ........006. 555, 554

furtiva ........ cee eee 553

latro vo. eee eee 552

UAtVO vie ccc cee eee nee 553

—— SAQAK. eee e eee eee 553

AGABUS . oe cece cece eee 32, 755

AGADUS Ciaceeccrenneeeeenes 31

Pee cece eee eee 755

—— amaroides .............4. 33

AMAPOIUES Loe eee cee 756

—— americanus ............ 33

Deguttatus ..ccceseeeeees 755

COPUALUS ove ec cece 756

disintegratus............ 756

flohrianus .............. 756

—— spinipes...........-. 005 3

TtEXANUS ... cee eee ee 756

AGAMETRUS ....ese cee eeeees 756

Agametrus labiatus ....... 66s 756

——- MIGENS. .. eee ee eee eee 756

AGRODES «oc eeee cece ee eeees 467

Agrodes oo. ccceseecevees 468, 471

longicornis .........46. 467

ALFOCHARA .........65- 146, 775

Aleochara .. 145,157, 170, 219, 222,

291, 777

—— angusticeps ...........- 153

Page

Aleochara Qtra@ viv ccccccceces 146

bicolor ......0. cece neces 222

—— bilineuta. cece ceccccees 148

—— bimaculata ............ 147

bimaculata.......... 148, 153

centralis ..........000. 146

—— duplicata .......... 147, 148

funestior ..........005. 151

Puscipes occ cc ceeee 147, 776

Hilaris ...........0005. 776

lacertina ...........005 148

VAEA. ecccce eens 146

—— mexicana ...........06. 149

miradoris ..........006- 152

MUAMOVIS or ecccvceccece 776

——— MCSA ee cvcccccvees 1538

MUA. eee eee cece eeaee 148

——notula .............0.. 148

NOCUE ce vecevcvevcvcs 149

obscuricollis .....46 . 295

—— oxypodia ...........0.. 150

—— orypodia ..eeessues 151, 776

—— pauper ......eee eee eee 147

peltata ............000, 777

quadrata ...........66, 149

repetita ....... ee eee eee 776

—— sall@i..............000. 152

1 153

—— semivelutinad .........0.. 154

SerratA ... ce. cece ee eens 147

signaticollis .........44. 148

simulatrix.......... 151, 776

—— stygialis................ 775

—— l@MALA «6... .000, 150, 151

torquata .....eeeeeeaee 153

verberans ...........005 149

ALEOCHARINA ......e0000005 146

ALFOCHARINE .....e.s eens -, 145

ALLOTRICHUS .....cce cece 486

arenarius ............0. 486

AMBODINA ..... cece eee eeeee 157

granulata ...........04. 157

5 KK 2

804

Page

AMICHORUS .........e eee eee 390

—— cyameus .............06. 390

— fauveli .............00. 390

VividUs ..........000 08. 391

ANAC@NA .... ec eens 62, 64, 65, 66

ANCBUS occ eee eee eee e eee 716

ANCEUS Lovee ce cece eenee 718, 722

clavipes............0085 718

—— clavipes ........ eee eee 717

—— crassicornis ............ 716

—— megacephalus .......... 717

MinuUtUS......... ee ee eee 717

——politus ..............5. 718

porrectus ...........0.. 717

rufescens ...........00485 718

PUPESCENS vo vee ecvevenes 716

ANEUCAMPTUS .........0000- 725

excisicollis...........6-. 725

Anodochilus maculatus ........ 758

Anthonum . occ cceccceeceues 744

APOCELLUS ......00.... 694, 801

Apocellus voce iccceccveceaes 695

analis...........00. 695, 801

CL 696

—— barbatus .............. 696

Drevipennts... 6... cece. 801

—— cogmatus ....,......00. 695

—— cognatus .......... 696, 801

—— eracilis ................ 696

—— MOSTUS .... eee eee 801

—— muticus................ 695

—— nigriventris 6... eee eee 695

——- prestamSs .............. 696

—— sordidus.............00. 697

—— sphericollis ............ 694

—— sphericollis . 695, 696, 801

AYL@OCEPUS Wiens 620, 628

Areocnemus flagellicornis...... 471

Fulgens oo. ecceccccnees 468

AYCUS Coe cece ccc neces 640

Autaha ....cceeeee. 235, 278, 282

BAMONA..... cc cee eee eee 287, 781

brevicornis ............ 289

CONGO]... . 6... eee eee 288

CONCOLOY Lo. eee cece eee ee 289

gracilis ............ 288, 781

GQTACUIS Loe cece 287, 289

—— marginata.............. 288

—— minuta ................ 289

—— parallela .............. 290

pardlela.. i cccevevves 781

plana......... ee eee, 781

—— plebeia ................ 290

robusta ...........0. 008 290

BARYCHARA ............0.0. 292

INDEX.

Page

BaryCRard vovcvccvccccvcvees 287

——- filicornis .............. 292

Baryodma ..vvevcues 146, 157, 170

BELONUCHUS.........4.. 428, 789

Belonuchus...... 346, 396, 410, 412,

417, 420, 429, 438, 450, 454,

455, 787

—— alternatus .............. 430

1 a 434

bidens ...........0.00. 430

11100) 0 435

—— cognatus .............. 429

—— COMNEXUS ...........06. 435

dejects............000- 433

— dejectus .. 434, 435, 436, 789,

790

dichrous .............. 429

CUChVOUS. eee cee 430

—— docilis ..............6. 435

ephippiatus ............ 433

—— erythropterus ...... 432,789

erythropterus....eccceeee 438

—— flavipennis ........ 430, 789

formosus ....... eee eee 431

—— formosus ...... 417, 418, 419,

420, 427, 432, 787, 788

— hemorrhordalis .......... 429

—— iridescens .............. 432

—— mexicanus...........+.. 456

— mimeticus.............. 436

MUMEMCUS we. cree 437, 443

—— panamensis ..........6. 434

PANAMENSIS oe seveveres 43

pictipennis.............. 436

PUCLUPENMS 6. eve cenceee 437

pollens .............0.. 451

PollenS .icceveceees 419, 432

—— Pufipennts . 6... ceccees 431

— similis ................ 436

——_ stMUS eee eee 437

—— simplex ............ 432,789

—— simplex oo. cee ceeee 430, 433

—— stenoderus.............. 434

—— validus oo... cee ececneee 417

—— Viridipennis ............ 789

—— viridipennts .......6666. 720

vanthomelas ........40.4. 417

—— wxanthopterus ... 10.06.06. 431

—— wanthopus vi. cee ccveeee 420

BEROSUS .......0. 0c eee 78, 765

Berosus.. i... cece 79, 84, 85, 108

GUUS occ ccc eens 78

debilis ............008. 767

dispar ......e cee eee ee 767

faleatus ....... ee. eee ee 81

Faledtus oc. cee 79, 82

Page

Berosus flavicornis .......... 82

JUAViCOrMUS We vc vec ccenees 79

—— flavipes ............005. 766

gracilipes .........000e 83

—— JPACIPES ve ecvreceveens 79

QTISCUS ........004- 80, 766

GTUSEUS eee e cee eeee 79

~— hoplites............005. 765

hophlites vi... cece cee eee 766

infuscatus ...........04. 81

MPUSCATUS . 6c veces 79, 82

Lavtdus oie ccec cece ceeee 84

—— metalliceps ........... . 8&8

—— metalliceps............4. 79

—— mexicanus.............. 82

MELICANUS 6 ee cece enes 79, 83

—— MOYTENS,........-..006. 84

MOPENS . occa eccveeeees 79

—— punctatissimus ......6... 80

puncticollis ............ 80

puncticollis oo... cece, 79

salvini ............ 79, 765

0 766

StYNFOTUS oe cee eee cneeee 82

truncatipennis ...... 80, 766

truncatipenmis ..... 0005 79

BIDESSUS ...........06. 19, 753

Bidessus occ cevccccueeees 754

abjectus.............08. 24.

adumbratus ........ 25, 754

affinis....... 0... ..e eee, 23

apicatus.............00. 20

centralis .............. 753

curtulus.............0.. 753

denticulatus .........0.. 25

discedens .............. 19

discoidalts ...........0.. 25

— elongatus .............. 25

8 22

—— germanus .............. 20

—— hydrovatoides ...... 20, 753

latifroms... 6.6.2... eee. 22

—— lynceus............. 22, 753

—— lYNCCUS cere ccccceees 21

—— maculatus.............. 753

—— magensis .............. 24

—— obtusus ............ 24, 753

—— pictodes ..... ce cece, 753

pullus .............0., 754.

—— quadrinotatus .......... 21

—— quadrinotatus .......... 22

—— quadrisignatus .......... 21

—— quadrisignatus ...... 22, 753

—— spretus ............ 24, 753

subornatus...........0.. 23

substriatus ..........4. 22

Page

Bisntus vec cc ccccccccceaee 457

BLEDIUS.........0000005 685, 800

Bledius wo... ccc cee. 677, 686, 700

AYMALUS. ... eee ee 800

—— bifasciatus.............. 686

derasus ......0.. cece 800

Fracticornis oie... ce eee 685

QTeEGATIUS ........e eee, 685

GTEYAPIUS Levee ccc eeee 686

—— infantilis .............. 686

inornatus .......... 685, 800

JACODINUS Lee cece 685

—— lecontei..... bene ee eee 685

—— MUETCUS oe cece eae 686

SIMPLER Loe eee eee eens 686

BoLITOBIUS ......... 0.0000: 316

Bolitobius . occ. 317, 318

alticola .............00. 317

festiVUS ..... 0.2. cee eae 316

obliquus..............0. 317

ObUQUUS v6. ee eee eee 316

SEVUATUS Coe c eee cecccecas 316

Bolitocharaireés ..... 0. .c.000. 284

BOLITOCHARINA ............ 240

Botitogyrus cribripennis........ 340

BRACHIDA ..... 000.000 e eee 265

Brachtda... cece cece cee 267

carinata........... ee eee 266

CATINEALA 6 ee cece 267

geniculata.............. 266

modesta.........ee ee eee 265

—— modesta .........4. cee 266

SpaTs@ os. eee eee ee eee 266

BRACHYCHARA ..........000 267

brevicornis ............ 268

CTASSA. LL ees 267

CPASSAL cence 268

BRACHYDIRUS ..........0005 348

BrachyMrus o.ccccccvcceeuee 351

championi.............. 350

Champront ..... 20. cee 351

divisus ...........0 eee 349

fungicola ....... eee eee 351

gracilis ....... bec eeanee 349

——. gr aeullt8 vse eee 350

solitarius ...........06. 350

terminalis .............. 348

LESCUACCUS Lo eee ec caneens 351

Bryoporus occ ccc cece evens 317

BYRRHOMORPHUS............ 125

Byrrhomorphus ....... 000000. 129

Vestitus 6... cece ee eee 126

Calobius 0... ccc ccc eee eee 90

Calodera .... ccc cece eens 162,278

—— SYNE ove vcvvvncveees 196

INDEX.

Page

Calophand oo... cc cece ee eee 554

CANTHYDRUS........000005 5, 748

—— centralig ...........065 6

—— majusculus ............ 6

—— mexicanus.............. 6

rotundatus .....eeceees 5

rufipes ..........0065 7, 749

—— similaris.............045 748

simplex ............200. 5

—— simple 6... eee e cece ees 749

subsignatus ............ 6

varians 2.0... . eee ee eee 5

VATUANS oo cee cen e eens 6

Cardiola oo. cece eee 232, 233

CELINA ....... 0. . 0c e eee 31

—— aculeata......... eee eee 31

ANGUSTATA Lice cece eenes 32

debilis .............00 32

—— gracilicornis ............ 31

a 31

—— punctata ...........0.. 31

CEPHALOPLECTIN® .......... 295

CEPHALOPLECTUS .......+.. 295

godmani ............4. 297

Ceratoderus ...cevcecceceees 88

CERUYON ........0000e. 103, 770

Cercyon . 97, 101, 102, 105, 107,

109, 110, 111, 112, 118, 115

—— eequalis ............008. 770

alticola ...........0.06. 771

aYMatus..... eee eee eee 108

—— APMALUS Lecce eee 109

——ebeninus .............. 106

INSIQNIS 6... 6... eee eee ee 105

integer ....e cece eee eee 106

lateralis 6... 6. ccc eee. 111

— mellipes........ een eee 105

—— mexicanus.............. 104

MELICUNUS cess ceeeeee 105

Obsoletus. .... ces eaee 105, 106

politus ......... cee eee 105

preetextatus ........ 107, 770

SCTIAtUS.... ee eee eee eee 104

—— striatus ........ cece 108

subsignatus .........6.. 107

-—— subsignatus ........ 108, 109

variegatus.......... 107, 771

CH#UTARTHRIA .......... 86, 768

Chetarthria vee ce ccc eaes 87, 102

bicolor ..... cece ee eee 87

—— elabra ...........005 87, 768

—— lawticula ..,......... 87, 768

NUGPCUG . i vce racseceeeas 88

PAWda oo circerecvvces 87

—— punctulata.......... 6.6. 87

—— pusilla ......ceeee eee 88

Page

Chetarthria seminulum ...... 87

CHARHYPHUS ......... 00005 709

Charhyphus ... 0. cece cee eee 704

brevicollis.............. 709

CHAROXUS. 0... 0.00 cece ee eee 224

CRhATOLUS oc cee 225

fodiens ............000- 225

CHASMOGENUS ........000065 73

fragilis 2.0.00... 0.0000. 73

CHITALIA ..... cece eee eee 235

——~ crenata ......... cee eee 235

CVENAa oe cee eee ceee 236, 237

——debilis .............08. 236

dubia... 2... eee eee 237

AUDA ccc cee 236

granigera ........ eee eee 236

CHROAPTOMUS .........0005- 437

Chroaptomus ..... cece eens 452

flagrans.............04- 437

JlAGTANS. cove eee 438

regalig ..... 0c. cece eee 438

CILEA... ec ccc ee ee eee 308

Clea oie ccc cece 298, 300, 303

fenestrata ...........04. 309

CNEMIDOTUS.........0000 1, 748

Cnemidotus oo... ccc cee cee 2

12-punctatus 1... eee. 748

* _. mexicanus...........0.. 748

simplex .............0.. 1

simplex oo... cece eee eee 748

COELAMBUS 2... ce cece eee ee 26

Cocelambus vo. cc ccc cece ees 15

infacetus .............. 26

— medialis .............. 26

wardi....... cee eee ees 26

Coclostoma oo c ccc cece ccc cee 94.

IMNSULATE Lo ccc cece ee 769

——— MINUEUM Lec ccccccees 98

subdepressum oo... e000 95

Colymbetes 6.0... ccc eee 42

atricolor oo ec ees AQ

binotatus .........00. .- 42

CANAUS ooo cece eee 42

gutticollis ....... eee 42

maculicollis ........000. 42

MAPMOLATUS oo cece eevee 45

MELUCANUS Woe ccc cee ccaee 42

CONOSOMA..... 0.0 eee eeeeeee 3138

CONOSOMA Loe cece cece cece 295

diffine ............000. 316

—— fusculum .occcecccceee. 316

gravidum ............6. 3138

1 313

—— mediale................ 314

ornatum .............4. 315

—— parcum .......... cece 314

806

Page

Conosoma plebeium.......... 318

pubescens ....... cee eee 314

subornatum ............ 315

CONULUS 2 oc ec ees 313

COPELATUS.........00005 34, 757

Copelatus ........ cece eee 35, 756

basalis ............0005 37

basalis vic ce eee e eee 34, 39

biformis ..........5.6. 34

—— celatipennis............ 41

CONSOVS pereeeeccecveuee 37

—— debilis .......... ce eee 37

—— depressus ..........005- 39

distinctus .........0.005 40

—— fragilis...........04. 40, 758

—— fragilis voce evceveueeee 34

—— glyphicus ....... 0000. 41, 757

—— impressicollis........ 40, 757

tmpressicollis ... 4.000. 758

—— incognitus ........6.6. 38

INCOgMtUS ... 1.10. rae. 04, 37

inteGer.....se eevee 40, 758

laccophilinus .,...... 35, 757

laccophilinus 6.0.66... 00s 34

—— leticulus .............. 38

—— la@ticulls....cccececceeee 34

—— MaNcus ........... 0c eee 757

mundus.............00. 35

neglectuS .............. 37

—— posticatus .......... 39, 757

—-— prolongatus.......... 39, 757

PFOXIMUS ........00eee, 36

PVOLIMUS vicsecevevvace 34

—— sall@i.......... eee eee 35

SAUL... eee nuns veeeeee 34

—— SINUS vv eseeeevee 39, 757

—— solitarius .............. 36

SOUULATIUUS oie vec eeeeenee 34

terminalis .............. 39

validus .......... eee ei 38

COproporus...ccccccscereveee 298

AUStANS wo ees ccceveceees 299

——- TANAS vee eee ceeaees .. 3808

——— 1YJ NAVUS ov ccc cnrecaes . 305

—— @VIS Lecce ccseecceees 304

CoPproToMUs ...... sseees 41,758

—— interrogatus ............ 41

INEETTOGALUS . oe. cee eeees 758

—— obscurus ............., 758

—— serripalpus ...........,. 41

CORDYLASPIS ............ .. 342

pilosa.............. eee. 042

—— tuberculatus ..... ae seee 842

CREOPHILUS.......... corse. 870

—— maxillosus, var. villosus .. 370

m——— VILOSUS Leer 370

INDEX.

Page

CRYPTOBIUM............ 506, 792

Cryptobium ........ 507, 521, 534

—— aberrans .......... 588, 793

adversum ...........06- 510

—— equale............. 518, 793

——. QUE vee ivvcvcccavees 514

—— affine ..............000. 529

antoniense .........0.6. 522

antoniense ......... eee 521

——apicipenne ............ 526

aTduUUM ...... 0. eee ee eee 523

assimile ............4. 521

—— bicolor ............005. 514

—— hrevipenne ............ 529

celatum............005. 525

— centrale .............. 528

Centrale... 6. i cece 529, 530

—— cephalotes.............. 509

cephalotes 6... cece eae 510

certatum ............0. 520

—— chontalense ............ 515

—— cognatum .............. 527

collare ............ 507, 792

—-- collare .... cc. 0. 508, 509,

512, 517, 519

— coloratum.............. 516

—— complectens........ 517, 793

— concolor.............008 514

confine ...........ee eee 523

CONFINE .icivccceceeveee 624

conforme .............. 514

crassulum .......... 520, 793

CUNLICOTNE Vo. ee eeccecees 531

—derasum .............. 519

—— derasum . eee eeeecuee 520

ducale ................ 531

—— eITamS wwe eee eee eee 522

——— fasciatum ...cccccceaee. 515

ferrugineum ............ 512

—— filarlum................ 522

—— filartum ccc eccneceee 521

— flohri.............0000.. 521

formosun ........00.00. 514

SOYMOSUM oo. ec eecceces 515

fracticorne ..... 6.005. 506

—— JUJAS. vec cecccrvccuae 532

—— grande ................ 532

grandiceps ..........4.. 509

—— grandicolle ............ 529

guatemalense .......... 518

—— Inquisitor ............., 530

—— inquisitor .......... 506, 531

jejunum .............. 519

—— lithocharinum .......... 531

longipenne ............ 510

—— longipenne.......... wees 625

Page

Cryptobium luridum...... 512, 792

Uuridum —vvevescvcveces 513

MALULOSUMN sv eceevennene 532

mexicanum ........-0.. 530

MIXtUM. .. ee eee eee neces 515

—— modestum.........0.0.- 518

MOMESTUM 1... ccceeeees 519

—— monticola...,...... .... 530

masutuM .........22005 526

nigriventre .........08. 526

—— nagriventre...... 506, 527, 528

ovaticeps ...........05- 524

OVALICEPS oo. cece ee ceaee 525

palustre.............06% 511

palustre. .cccccceuvees 512

perforatum ............ 527

——placidum .............. 792

—— planatum .............. 532

politulum .......... 516,798

—— puncticolle ............ 518

puncticolle........eeeeee 522

rostratum ........4. 532, 793

POStVALUM oc ceceees 506, 533

rubeculum ........++.. 513

ruficolle . 6... ee cece 507, 508

rugosipenne ............ 523

Salvini ....... ee eee eee 509

serobiculatum .....6.065 533

sedatum ........... cee 792

similipenne ............ 520

similipenne .... 516, 519, 521

speculator ..........65 511

StIPCS... eee eee ee eee 509

stygicum .............. 517

stygicum ...... 518, 519, 521

subgracile .........8.. 525

sulphurtpes ......0000.. 528

tenuicorne .........66 524 .

CENUICOINE oe eee nee 523, 525

terminatum ............ 512

termUnatum oo. cicaceeee 513

tinctipenne ............ 517

tinctipenne ........ 518, 520

—— FUSES vec cence ewes 533

umbratum............6. 508

—— umbratum oc ee cseeeee 509

venustum .......... 516, 793

——— VENUSEUM Lec eeeccececas 517

CRYPTOPLEURUM. ...eeceeeee 115

Cryptopleurum ...ceeeees 118, 114

impressuM ..........-. 115

Ctenomastad ....ccececcecees 640

Cucujus maxillosus ......0.65 734

CYATHOCERIDH .........06. 141

CYATHOCERUS .......0. 142, 775

hori... sees eeeee 144, 775

Page

CYBISTER. 0... cece eee eee 47,759

Cybister oo cc eee cence eens 46

cavicollis ............5- 759

Aisstmtts vive ecsvevcees 48

ellipticus ...ceceecceees 48

explanatus ............ 759

FAMAL eee cece eens 47

—— fimbriolatus ........ 48, 759

—— flavocinctus ............ 48

GJIGanteUS wivceccevecees 47.

—— levigatus 6.0... . cc cee 46

—— lhermintert oo... cece. AT

CYCLONOTUM ........06.. 94, 769

Cyclonotum.... 62, 95, 97, 98, 100,

101, 102

—— abdominale ............ 769

——— CHE cee cence cnn 95

centrale.......... 00000. 96

centrale ......0. 97, 104, 769

dispar ......0...005. 95, 769

OY 96

—— extermum .............0. 769

—— grossulum ........,.0.. 96

OPUNI oo vc ecvccnceces 96

—— posticatum .........4.. 769

—— subdepressum .......... 95

—— subdepressum ....++..5- 96

—tibiale ................ 97

—— tibtale... cece cece eee 769

CYCLOTYPUS..... cece scene 100

—— godmani ............4. 100

GOUMANE voc cceeccccees 101

—— latissimus .....,.....+.. 101

CylWidiwm vicccceecceccccuee 86

CYLLGPUS ... cee eee eee eee 129

Cyllcepus ve cccccccccceucees 134

Optatus .....ce cee eee 129

Cymbiodyta ....sceeccee 66, 70, 71

CYRTOTHORAX .....--005 340, 783

bullatus.........ee eee 340

—— buphthalmus .......... 340

—— buphthalmus ......0+.04- 341

cyanescenS .....-..6-6- 341

fulgidus. ......eseeee eee 341

SAM EU voc cece reece 340

—— salvini ............ 341, 783

DACNOCHILUS ......eeeeeees 554

letus..... cee cece eens 554

Dactylosternum ........ 94, 95, 96,

108, 769

abdominale ........655. 769

—— insulare ..... ne eeeeeeeee 7€9

TOUSSELE os cee ccceeeevans 769

DEINOPSINI ...ceee eee ee eee 294

DEINOPSIS.,.....000e0eeeeeee 294

INDEX.

Page

Deinopsis angusta............ 295

ferruginea ............ 294

DELTOSTETHUS............6- 114

palpalis..............0. 115

sulcatus ......... eee 114

SUICALUS 6. ee ccc 115

DERALLUS ...........06- 77, 765

Derallus ccc cece ccccees 78

GGUS Coe ee cece ee eee 765

—— angustus .............. 78

TUGIS 2... eee eee eee 765

DERODERUS ..........000005 577

Deroders oo. ccceccccecccees 579

difficilis ..........00.. 578

Aiffictlts vo vec e cen eene 577

—— latipes ................ 578

punctipennis .......... 578

vestitus .... eee eee eee 577

DERONECTES ............ 26, 754

Deronectés .... 0... cece eee ee 27

eequinoctialis ........ 27, 754

grammicus ............ 754

—— opaculus .............. 27

striatellus .............. 27

DESMOPACHRIA .......... 16, 752

Desmopachrta - v.cccceccccuee 17

bryanstoni.............. 18

circularis .............. 18

CUVCULATIS voc. cece eee 752

dispar .............00. 17

Aispar vee eee ee eens 19

—— glabricula .......... 18, 752

—— 1@VI8 voce ee 17,18

—— mexicana .......... 19, 752

MULAA oo iveccrccccenees 18

polita....... cee eee eee 17

portmanni...........6.. 17

speculum .............. 752

Striola ......... eee eee 752

VATUANS Lovee eee cece 752

—— variegata .............. 16

VATUGUHA ..... ce ceeee 17,19

VICINA 2... ee eee eee 752

Dianous vec cccc ccc vceeeeuns 640

DIBELONETES .......... 601, 797

Dnrbelonetes .......4.. 596, 602, 606

biplagiatus ............ 602

fragilis ......... 0.0000 602

laticeps .........0000 00. 603

LatUCOEPS vo. cece cece cece 604

—— latitans ................ 606

occultus............000. 605

pallipes ............ 603, 797

panamensis ............ 604

pictipes .............0.. 605

—— posticalis .............. 604

Page

Dibelonetes robustus.......... 603

YODUSTUS. cece cece cece 604

tristigma ...........0.. 605

DIESTOTA ..........005. 247,779

Diestota ........ 253, 273, 291, 780

——hbrevicornis ............ 250

—— CIVICAL Lee cece eee 779

—— CONVEXA..... eee 253

—— CTASSA eee ee eee eee 248

——debilis ................ 250

docilis ...... ec cee ee eee 251

—— foveata ............000. 249

funebris............200 252

funest@ ...........0000. 247

—— homalotoides .......... 780

—— laticornis .............. 248

—— lativentris.............. 252

—— microps.............00. 251

MUCYOPS vo. sve v ev ee ences 252

NitENS oe. ee eee eee eee 251

proxima.............0.. 249

sperata ........ 00... 250

SPeratd ...sseeeeaee 247, 249

Diglossa .. cece ccc eee 287

Dinarda vv cvccccccccucucees 284

DINEUTES ........ cee e neces 49

Dineutes. 00. ccc ccccccvcces 48

discolor .............005 49

—— longimanus ............ 49

solitarius ............4. 49

—— sublineatus ............ 49

truncatus .............. 49

vittatus....... cc eee 49

Dinusd vice ccccccccccencnas 284

DIOCHUS ..........005. 466, 791

—— inornatus .............. 466

——longicornis ............ 791

MANUS... .... eee eee 466

MANUS ccc neve cvace 467

schaumi .............. 467

ViliS wo eee ee cece eee 467

Diococephalus ....... cc cee, 371

DISERSUS 2... cece cece ee eee 127

DUSEVSUS Lo ccc cee eee ee 128

longipennis ............ 127

Drusilla oc. cc. 211, 212, 213

DRYOPS ....... 0.000000 119, 774

Dryops veeceveseun. 120, 122, 123

elmoides .............. 121

— fastigiatus............., 121

productus.............. 120

—— productus 0.0... 6... cane 121

—— puncticollis ........ 121,774

— suturalis .............. 121

DYTISCIDH ............008. 3

DYTISCUS ..... cee cece eae .. 43

808

Page

Dytiscus basilaris .......06605 45

calidus ..... beeen eee 42

CUCUMSCTUPLUS .. 00. enee 44

—— fimbriolatus ......6 666 48

habilis ............004. 43

—— interrogatus vo. cceeeeee 41

—— levigatus .... cece ees 46

POsticatus ..... cece eevee 39

SEUCHICUS Cece cece eens 46

—— unistriatus 6... cece eee 23

ECBLETUS 2.0.0.0. cee ees 708

simplex ...........0000) 708

EXCHIASTER ....... 0. scenes 591

Eichiaster vic ccc ccc eeeees 595

—— championi.............. 593

CUITUS 2... eee eee eee 594

—— filum..............0.4.. 592

—— funebris................ 593

—— lativentris.............. 594

lativentris ..... cece cee ee 595

MELANUTUS voce veeeecnes 593

MINUtUS..... ee eee ee 593

orbifer ..... cee eee eee 592

SUGNATUS eve eee ce eens 592

solitarius .............. 592

Exchidnoglossd. .. 0.0 cece ee 237

EDAPHUS ...... cece e eee eee 640

— euplectoides ............ 640

EXLEUSININA ............006- 728

ELEUSIS... 0... ee cece eee eee 728

Eleusis .... 704, 709, 729, 732, 733

bicolor .............02. 729

bicolor, var. divisa ...... 729

bicolor ...... Cee e eens 731

breviceps .............. 731

DrevicepS oo eee ce ee ceees 732

COPVINA 2... eee eee ee eee 730

a 730

—— fenestrata...........0.. 730

—— flavipennis ............ 731

infima ......... cease 731

INSIQNIS ..... eee ee eee 732

—— INbCTTUPED oe eee eevees 731

—— mixta ........eees eee 732

—— pallidipennis .......... 730

—— pallidipennis ....... 0006 731

—rufula ................ 729

——— UfUlA eer ececceeens 730

——_ 8Cita ....eee eee eee eee 731

BCU vivccccreceuceeecs 732

ELMINI «0.0... ces cece cece 129

ELMIS. 6... cece cece eee eee 133

Elms wo veces 122, 125, 180, 134

ANGUSTATUS. 6... cee . 134, 186

—— apicalis.............00. 136

INDEX.

Page

Elmis bufo..... cs ee eee eee 140

championi ............ 134

ChAMPIONE Loc cceeveves 135

curtulus ........e eevee 139

CUTLULUS oo cece nce nneee 140

distortus ........08.00- 137

formoOsusS ....eeeeeeeeee 140

granulosus .......+006- 136

— heteroceros .........4.. 135

ineequalis .........00065 137

longicollis ......... 666 138

NUEENS eve c een neeeeee 136

—— nodipes ....... cece eeees 138

—— sculptipennis .......... 1385

sulcicollig ..........200- 139

sulcicollis ..... tenes 140

ELMOPARNUS .......-. ee eee 125

brevicornis .........06. 125

Elophorus vec ccc ceccvccvcnee 88

AQUALICUS vo. ev eee ween 88

GANS oo. cece cee e eens 88

ELSIANUS .......ee cece eeeee 131

Ellsianus ... 0... eee 133, 135, 136

OTANIGEY sive cece eens 133

vobustus ......... ee eee 132

PODUSTUS . oe eens 133

striatus ..... cee ee ee eee 132

EYMUS ccc cnc c ence enes 370

fuscomaculatus .......6... 378

ENHYDRUS ...........06. 48, 760

atratus......... 0. eee 48, 760

Einochrus vive c cece eee 67, 68

Dicolor oie cece eee ee 67

Einoplurus occ ccvccecceee 78

EXPIMETOPUS ........00000 00 88

Costatus....... ce eee eee 88

EPIPEDA oo... cece eee eee 240

EYNped voce ccc cece ec cuas 245

angusticeps ............ 245

brevicornis ............ 242

debilis ............008. 244

Aeblts eee cc cc ceccces 245

delicatula ...........0.. 242

discedens ...........0.. 245

linearis .............04. 246

UNEATIS 2... cece eee 247

longicepS ....... 6... eee 244

— longula ................ 241

—— minor .............00. 241

minuta ..... cee eee eee 241

MINUED occ ccaceccccees 249

PUAN ve vevecces 240, 248, 246

pumila ......... eee eee 243

—— puncticeps.............. 244

TOY] vice eee eceeeeeees 246

A) | 247

Page

Epipeda rufa ....... cc eee eee 240

A kr 241, 242

—— sordida .........ecee eee 243,

SOFUUAA woe ccc eee ees 244, 245

ERRCHOMUS ........-25- 298, 781

Erchomus ...... 295, 296, 307, 308

affinis....... cee eee ee eee 301

apiciCOMMis...........65. 303

chontalensis ............ 301

cinctiventris ............ 304

cinctiventris vo ..eceeeaes 305

CONVELUS vec eee cc ncees 306

debilis ...........0000- 299

distanS ..........0 eee 299

AistanS oe eee ee eee 3800

dubius ........ce eee 302

flavipalpis............0. 305

flavipalpis ... 66.660. 306, 307

glabripennis ............ 300

—— gpravidus ..........068. 306

—— IgMAVUS...... ee eee eee 305

—— impressus .............. 306

——— INCIUSUS oo eee ccecaceces 304

—— ]@ViS .... cece eee ee ee 304

——mollis ............005, 307

politulus ...........06. 298

politulus....ccceecee 299, 300

POCUNAALUS. 62. eee eeeeee 306

—— ruficornis ...........00. 303

——rutilus ...... cc cece eee 3804

—— scutellatus oo... cece cece 301

—— segmis ........000. 301, 781

——— SCEYNIS cee cence 302, 307

—— sinuatus................ 302

—— SINUALUS ec cccccnaee 307

—— strigosus ..........006. 299

—— tachyporinus............ 299

truncatus ....2.....e eee 300

UUNCALUS vee secereveees 301

ventralis ....... eee eee 306

——- VICINUS .... eee ee ee eee 3805

VICINUS cov cecccaceccecs 304

EERRETES 1... . cc eee e ee eee 46

sticticuS ....... ee. eee 46

EYVUChSONIUS oe cece eee 457

EXUDERA owe cc eee ee eens 282

O00 (1 278

COVA woe cece cece twee eee 282

Ehulissus occas 475, 487

chalybeus ... cece ec e eee 476

EUMALUS 2... . cc cece eee eee 732

nigriceps .........-.66- 733

StVIZOSUS 2... eee ee ee eee 733

BUNCHES occ cece ween 46

~—— GVISCUS vee seceveee ceeee 46

Euuplectus occ cece cccuceeees 640

Page

ELuryglossa .... 6.6. we. 287, 292

ELuryporus puncticollis .......+ 343

EXUSCLERUS ......000. eseeee 575

rugifrons ........ eecaee 576

Ssordidus ........eceeee 576

EQVUSCOPBUS ..... cee cee eeee 548

crassitarsis .........0.8. 548

CYASSILAT SIS ok ea eee eee 549

gracilicornis ............ 548

ERUSTILICUS ..........6. 579, 796

Biustilicus oe cece ccceees «e.. 580

crassidens ..........000. 579

CYASSIAENS wee. ceees eee. O80

gracilis... ... cc cece eee 580

mexicanus.......... 580, 796

—— orbifer .........02 0005 579

EXUTHORAX oo. cece ecw eee 163

pictipennis .......... .. 163

Euvirma...... cece cece eens 278

Huvira ...... cece c eens econ 282

debilis ..........4. ceeee 281

—— difficilis....... see e cece 280

discedens .......eeee00 281

fuscipes........eeese eee 280

godmani .........0.... 280

Godmant ....seee seeeee 281

longula ........... eevee 279

longula ....cceeeee wees. 280

—— minuta ...... cece eee 281

NIQTA .. cece eee ce eneee 279

NUGVO vse csccnvccccseces 280

EV2STHETINE...... se eeeeee 639

Hvesthetus..... ce esennes «ee. 640

FALAGONIA ....... cece eeeee 212

—— crassiventris........05.4. 2138

MEXICANA ..... eee ee ees 2138

FALAGRIA ........ceeeee wees 202

Falagria .. 211, 229, 231, 233, 234,

235, 237, 238, 282, 287

alboguttata ........ 231, 2382

—— bilobata .... cece eens 236

—— cingulata .iccecscceseces 237

CONCINNA vivcecceseeces 240

CULTAL cecccccacceccece 233

curtipennis ..sseeee wee. 233

——_ delactata... ce ccccccceees 229

denigrata ..........006, 234

LX bee eeee 240

fauveli vicccscccccceges 2833

7 233

IMfiMA 1... cece eee 233

Imornata ........00.00. 234.

UNOTNALA occ rencacccees 232

MELICANA coveeseves 218

——— NGA. sv evcveceee coves 204

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, November 1887.

INDEX.

Page

Falagria nitidula ............ 233

PATE vicccccccscccveces 240

—— quadrata ..........008 234

A A a 236

ThOVACUCA .icseveveeaees 236

VATICOYNIS ree eceaes 282, 283

venustula ....0. wee. 229, 230

FLoHRIA ...... seeseeeveees ODL

— laticornis .............. 392

GANSIA vo... ccc cece ceeveses 202

GANSIA voice ccceencccees oo. 231

bicolor .........ce eee 283

bicolor eevee enceceees 284

tibialis ........ 0.20 ee 283

GASTRISUS...... 0c ceeeeeees 359

Glastrisus occ cece cece anes 368

MimeteS ...ccceeeeeees 3860

—— opaculus .............. 359

OPACUlUS. 6. cc eeccvnceaee 360

Gaurodytes disintegratus ...... 756

Gauropterus .iscececeeee 475, 502

GEORISSIDH ..... eens seeee 141

GEORISSUS........0 ee cece eee 141

MINOL voc eeee cee eeeeee 141

SUMUIS ve eee cc cecccaees 141

GLENUS .. 0. eee cece ee ees 369, 784

—— coxalis ...... cc cece eee 369

OXtiMUS,........ cee eee 784.

CLELMUS Coc cvcececeucace 785

flohri..... ce. cece eee eee 369

WORT. ov vcccccaees 370, 784

—— setOSUS ..... cee eeeeeee 784

GLYPTOMA..... cece eee ences 723

Gilyptoma ... cece cess ecceues 725

brevicristatum voc... 726

—— cognatum .............. 724

CYASSICOTNE vce cevcueee 723

cribellum ...........065 724

hirticorne ...........000- 724

Rtrtecorn€ ...ceccecceeee 725

—— leviceps ...........05. 723

longipes....... cece ee eee 723

OPACUM . oc cecccceeevece 723

—— punctatoplicatum .......% 728

rUficolle vo. cscvvcveeeees 727

1 fd 726

GNYPETA ... cece cece eee 227

Ginypeta oo... cceeees 1738, 226, 228

fragilis... . ce eee eee eee 227

1) | Xr 227

MEXICANA ....... eee eee 228

——_ Migricans ..........00.. 227

—— NUGTICANS vec veesveeeee 228

GYMNUTUS Vo cccevcccereences 618

GYRETES ........00000- 51, 761

Page

Gyretes acutangulus...... 52,761

boucardi ...........0.. 51

—— guatemalensis .......... 761

leionotus .......... 61, 761

CC) | 51

a 761

MEXICANUS, 6... eee eee eee 761

MINOY ve. cess eee eeeee 761

MOV cece cecceenenees 52

PYOXIMUS ......... ee eee 52

SAILALTIN id ccccevceees 51

GYRINIDH.......... seve wees 48

GYRINUS oe. cece eee 50, 760

GYTINUS Lovee ccc e even eens . 48

DUuquett vo. cccccvcevvess 48

——dimorphus ............ 760

LONGUMANUS .eeeececeeee 49

—— obtusus............ 50, 760

——— PaTCUS wee escccceeeee 50

PATCUS voc evccccecccees 761

plicatus............008. 760

PUUCAtUS oe ec ceeecnee 50

plicifer .............0.. 761

—— sublineatus ............ 49

turbinator.......... 50, 760

VENETANS eee veeeceees 50

—— VittatUs oe cen .. 49

GYROPHAEINA........000. 254, 780

Gyrophena.......... 191, 195, 273

eequalis......... eeeeee 780

apicicornis ............ 257

brevidens .............. 258

——chontalensis ............ 262

CONVEXA. .. eee eee eee eee 781

CONVENE wove ceccccccoees 261

convexicollis............ 262

CONVERICOMS 6.6... ceeeeee 263

crassiventris ............ 263

discoidalis.............. 259

Miscotdalts ..creeeccevees 781

—— flavipes .............. .. 258

—— fusciceps ....... veces 255

gracilicornis ............ 264

—— gracilicornis .........00e 265

—— granulata .............. 258

—— humeralis.............. 260

—— humeralis ........... 2. 261

—— jansoni ................ 263

Miranda .........ee00 261

MUANAA .evecccecevaee 262

—— oblita............. eee, 254

occulta .........05 ween 265

pollens ............000. 260

pollens... ceevceveveaee 261

—— pumila ................ 254

PUNTA eee ceccceecees 255

810

Page

Gyropheena sallei............ 264.

11 2 265

——- similis ..... 0... cece eee 256

—- sordidula............... 256

SOVUIAUA vic ceccccevees - 257

BPATEA eee ee canes 258, 262

splendidula ......ececees 260

—— VaTians............0000- 255

zunilensis ...........00- 781

HALIPLIDEH oo. cee eee ee eee 1

FHIALIPLUS 2... ccc cece ee eee 2, 748

curtulus ...........44. 748

——— PUNCLALUS ec cvncvvcaes 2

obustus. .......00ee eee 2

TODUSLUS occ cece cn cnees 748

SIGMAtUS,. 6... cee cece eee 2

solitarius ...........00. 2

Haploglossa oc ccccecccceeee 156

Helichs oc ccc cceccccees 119, 120

Dasalts occ cc even ceees 121

Fastigiatus . 6... cece 121

——_ productUS vee eeccccccaee 120

SULUTANS cece cee eee 121

HELOCHARES .......... 74, 765

Helochares...... 66, 70, 72, 73, 77

bipunctatus ............ 76

— championi...,.......... 75

macultcollis .....0.ec00% 76

-oculatus .,........ 74, 765

—regularis .,......., 76, 765

Salli... cee ee cee eee eee 75

seriatus...,........ 76, 765

HELOPELTIS............005. 77

-larvalis ..... cece cece ee 77

Felophilus vivveccccccccccces 74

HELOPHORUS ,,........ 88, 768

TLClopRorus recs pevcccccceces 85

Peace cee eeeeaes 768

—$—— Pon e eee cee eeuee 768

—— ENCWPENN.. vce ceaee 89

—— aquaticus .............. 88

~LWNEATIS caccceccccccevee 89

—— lineatus oo... 6 ee eee 89

-MinUtUS......... ee eee 768

regularig .............. 89

- TEQ“UMuaris. vie eee eee ceeee 768

HEMIOSUS......... sees 84, 767

maculatus.......... 85, 767

Hemistenus ......0.. 00.055. 640

Henicocerus .eeecceeescue. 90, 91

Hesperus ...... » ++. 890, 392, 413

HETERELMIS............ 130, 775

Heterelmis ve. cece cece ees 182, 133

——longulus. .............. 775

—— obesus ....... pee neve 131

INDEX.

Page

Heterelmis obscurus.........; 180

ODSCULUS. cece eccees ... 181

—— simplex... ....seeeeeees 131

HETEROCERIDE ..... wa ae Dawes 116

HETEROCERUS.......006. 116, 772

Heterocerus americanus ...... 772

—— AYMALUS. Loe ev eee eeeees 117

CogNAatUS ....eeeeeeee .. 773

— debilis ....... eee cease 116

Meds oe vcvcvcccveace 772

FeMOrales cvcccerveccees 773

——_ flavidUS. oe eeevesese 117,772

——.gnatho ....06. pees as 117

—— MeXiCaNUS........eeeeee 118

MELUCANUS . ce ceccacvcees 773

SimpleX....ceeee ee eeees 117

Ch 7738

spinifer ...........eeeee 119

velutinus ........ ee eserves 773

—— Vilis woe ccecec cece eves 773

HETEROLEUCUS ......00.00. 629

marginatus ..........0. 629

MALGINALUS voce cececces 630

MEXICANUS....... ee eee 620

HETEROLINUS ..........000- 475

puncticeps...........06. 475

HETEROTHOPS ..... 00.0008 . 823

—— insolita ........... 0000 323

orbicularis..... bee teeeee 324

YOEMOtA ... see eee eee ees 323

TEMOEA wivssvcccsvccees 324

tenuicornis ............ 324

HETERYON ..........eeeeee 103

—— depressus .............. 108

HIEXANCHORUS .......06. 127,775

gracilipes........... 128, 775

FOLISUS. 0... cee eee cece . 462

Holisus ....... Veeeeeeeceves 414

0 re 463

atratulus ..........000. 464

— confinis ................ 462

Clatus....... eee cece ae 465

eleusoides.............. 466

filum oo... eee eee eee 464

—— oblitus ........0....... 465

pallens ........e... eee, 464

prolixus............000. 463

PTOULUS oo. cece cee eeeens 464

—— protensus .............. 462

PYOTENSUS Lovee cece ences 463

—— Tufipes ...........4. ».. 464

solskyi ...... 0... eee eee 463

HOLOTROCHUS ..........0.00. 682

HHolotrochus vo. ccc ccc ccees 716

centralis ...........00, 684.

——— AAUIYPEB wv vcceeee 716, 718

Page

Holotrochus cylindrus ........ 684

fauveli vrcccccveces 716, 718

—— marginatus ............ 684.

—— piCeSCONS ..... ee ee eves 683

politus ....... erevenene 683

rufopygus...... Me bo seove 683

Simplex. ........ eee eee . 683

uniformis ......... wae 684

Fomalium oc ccecccvcccces .. 744

HOOMALOLINUS ........ 000000 472

Flomalolinus . 6... cece eee 475

affinis ....... eee eee ee 473

—— apicalis .............. .. 474

canaliculatus .......... 472

canaliculatus ......40.. 473

dilutus ....... Sect eeeee 473

a 474

Givisus ....... eee eee eee 474

divisus, var. guatemalenus 474

flavipennis ............ 473

sanguineus ............ 474.

HOMALOTA ............ 172,779

Homalota .. 154, 163, 177, 189, 190,

191, 198, 196, 197, 201, 202, 203,

204, 214, 224, 227, 248, 249,

. 271, 277, 289, 291, 780

alticola ...... cece eee ee 174

ANAS. oe cece ce veccccs 176

ANCEPS ev ce vceccuceues 188

annulata ..........000. 190

ALEYTUMNA ve ecevcvccuces 188

AtrAMENTAIMA ve ecccceee 186

ALATA cece eee ee ees 179

basalis oo. eee cece sees 154

—— basiventris ............ 192

—— brevis ..........0..0ee 189

CAMDINCH Live ccc ceecaee 173

—— carinata.............00. 176

centralis ............., 174

——certata ............ 0 eee 184

CENTATA ive cece ccc veee 185

— championi.............. 192

Chanynront ... cee. 193, 779

—— chiriquensis ............ 184

ChariquenstS oi... ccc eee 178

—— cingulifera ............ 194

CINGUUS EIA. Looe cece ee 195

ctnnamoptera 6... eee ee 181

Cognata....... cece eee 181

COQNALA cece ccc ce ae ncnee 182

—— colorata..........cee eee 180

consimilis.............. 173

CONSOYS ..... ee eee eee 172

CONSOTS. Wo. cece cee nea 173

—— CUPPA cr ccccnccnees 199

—— despecta..... wee ee neces 180

INDEX. 811

Page Page Page

Homalota diffinig ............ 178 Homalota sordidula .......... 185 Hydrocanthus texanus........ 7

-Giscrepans..... 0.02.00 0s 191 sordidula oo. ceec ec eeeee 186 Hydrochare wiccece cece enes 61

AISCrEPAN8 . 6. see es 192, 278 spergula ..........0005 179 | Hyprocnaris .......... 61, 764

dissimilis .............. 173 terminicornis .......... 183 -perfectus .......... 61, 764

€vanescenS 2.6... cee. 177 LESLACEUPES 66. ee cece eae 249 HYDROCHUS ...........00 00s 89

CUANESCENS oo eee sees canes 178 thoracica .......0..62.. 188 HTydrochus .. 0. cee ces re. 84

CLI eee cece ees 177 trisignata ........ seeee. 194 debilis ..............., 89

—— flavicauda.............. 189 —— trisignata oo cece cece 195 devs... eee eee 90

FVAGUus occ cece ues 173 Vexata oo... cece cece eee 176 ObscuruS ..........000. 90

—— fungt oor... 185, 203, 205, 224 wanthoptera ..., 163,175,179 PUPIPCS voce cvvevcvcnces 89

godmani .............. 193 Homocotarsus....c ee ecces 506, 507 HyDROCOMBUS.......... 70, 764

GVEGATUA oe eecccccveees 173 HOPpLANDRIA,....... .+.. 219,779 Hydrocombus oo... 0. cece 66, 71

—— guatemale ............ 175 HHoplandria oo... cece. 214, 222 brevicollis............4. 71

——— quatemal@. oo cece ceees 176 ATQUtA Lee eee ee cee 779 fraterculus ........ 71, 764

heterocera.............. 180 —— brevicollis .............. 220 politus ........... reves 72

heterocera ........0. 182, 183 brevicollis ..........008. 221 HivyDROPHILIDE ..........0. 53

hirtiventris ............ 187 —— debilis ................ 224 HYDROPHILUS .......... 54, 761

hospta .icvaccccceceees 205 digna..... a rn 220 HHydrophilus .. 6. cece 61

ANCOGNUA wevvecccececes 175 I 221 aprcipalpts. 6... eee cee 55

intermedia... .ececcceces 184 flavicans ..........000. 222 ater oo. e eee eee 54, 761

jugicola.............6.. 186 | ~—gemina ............ wee. 219 brasilienst8....... 00.000. 54

——_ fugicol vce cevcccceues 187 lugubris.............00% 223 collarts .......04 reseeee 55

LacryMO8A . 1. eee eens 154 —— peltata .........ec eee 223 Gorsats ... eee eee a ee 7638

— lewticula..............6. 189 PICEA Lecce e cece e eee 9921 CSEIUALUS ec eee nee 97

—— letioula ..... cc cece cee. 190 PUA vo eee e cee cece eee 921 insularig .............. 54

—— leviventris.....0..00.04. 195 vestita oo. cece eee eeeees 299 lateralis... .. 0.0.00. 60, 763

langwidd .....ceeeeeeee 291 | Hopnomicra ...........005 273 | ——lambalis....... 0.000000, 763

leucoptera............0- 182 —— clavicornis...... eeceees 274. | ——nimbatus ......... 6008, 60

— libera....... cc cee ee 175 HIYDATICUS ....0cccevee 43, 758 ——. pilater cece rete eee sene 54

longicornts.......00. 181, 182 —— amazonicus, var.P ...... 758 pollens Coe e eee cree eeees 762

—— longifrons .............. 178 Jlavo-maculatus ........ 45 SUBCUPLEUS. oe eee cece ee 64

longipennig ............ 190 MAYMOPALUS ose e eevee 45 SUBIEVIS vo. eee eee eee 763

longipennts ......eceeee 191 VIMOSUS ..... eee ee eee 43 triangularis ............ 54

—— macrocera........ eae 188 subfasciatus ............ 43 violaceo-nitens.......... 762

—— mollis ......cee cece eee 191 | HYDRaNA..... cc cece cee eeee 93 | Hyproporus .......... 28, 754

—— montium .............. 186 brevis ...... eee eee eee 94 | Hydroporus ..........4. 19, 26, 27

——— MONTIWM veer ecvrereaee 187 | —— longicollis.............. 93 addendus ...........eee 754

—-mundula .............. 187 longicollis ..... cece eevee 94. adumbratus .......44. 25, 26

NUT ce cceccnce 179, 180 —— puncticollis ............ 93 —— equinoctialis ...... 27, 28, 30

——_ MMU eee cece . 204 —— puncticollis ....cscveues 94 AGNES rei erevevenee 23, 24

——ornmatula .............. 779 | ——sordida ...........00005 94 ApicatUs.. ses eveceee ... 20

—— pavens ...... cee cence 173 HYDROBIUS .......... .. 64,764 | ——axillaris............... » 755

—— pectoralis .............. 177 Hydrobius .icceecccceevees 61, 62 bifidus ...,...... ne 30

perdita .........e eee eee 182 armatus............ 64,764 | —— bryanstonit ..........4. 18

perdita wesceccceces 183, 184 debilis ........6- ,. 66, 764 CATADUS 6... cece ee ceeees 26

| 0) 8: ¢: 195 | ——limbatus ...........00. 65 Charlottit ........e0 eee, 23

—— puberula cv iveeccccccees 196 | ——subcupreus ........ 64, 764 ——civicus ....... vee cenens 755

-—— pumila ................ 186 —— subcupreus. .... cere. vee 65 — COYVINUS vee sees eee e eee 754

—— questicula .....,...... 188 | HyDROCANTHUS .,......006. 7 —— decemsignatus .......... 29

—— rufiventris.............. 193 | Hydrocanthus ......0.60. ro. 295 — decemsignatus ........ 28, 30

—— sall@i........00....000, 183 atripennis............5. 7 —— emilianus ...... en 23

BCAPULATIS Wo. c eee ceeeeee 180 ——debilis ....,.....005. pe Bf a CHIQUUS Wo eee eee 21

semiobscura .....-...4.. 179 UNGICUS vo cesevneceeens (7 eee LE LL 22

—— sobrina....... eweewees .. 185 | —— lavigatus .........5. we 7 | of USCALUS ss vere eeeecenee 24

Socialis... se... ee. sevens 204 Vineatus ..cccvevccees ven 6 | Goudottt ... eevee eran, 21

~— sodalis. ..svssseee veeees 185 —— marmoratus .......7. we B — JPANUM vivreveeccccecee 19

812

Page

Hydroporus infacetus ........ 26

infaustus ..........000. 28

—— interjectus.............. 29

—— kingi ...............00. 30

lacustris... ce cece eeees 24.

latisstmus ....... ccc eens 19

lecontett ... cece ceaee .. 1d

—— libens........ ee ree 29

——— MAGENSIS Le cececcecees 24

MEMAUS 6... cc enccveees 26

—— Mexicanus..........006- 28

——— MEXICANUS 66. ce veees 29, 30

——_ modestUs ....ececesevee 755

—— nebulosus .............. 29

—— nudatus...........0000e 30

pictodes ......eeeceaee 20, 22

—— portmanni ....... oeesane 17

—— pulicarius vo ecccvesseees 26

pullus.c.ccccces woe. 25, 754

——_ PUMMUB Lecce ccccees 21

0 28

— sericatus ..........000. 30

—— striatellus ....cccccas 27,28

—— undulatus .. 0... ccc ceeee 30

—— VIIS Lecce eee eee 755

C0 30

WAPAM eevee ecccceceee 26

Hydrotrupes palpalis ........ 32

FMYAr0us ooo ees 54, 61

HYDROVATUS............ 14, 751

Hydrovatus wo... cece eae 15, 20

2) 1 15

—— clypealis ........0eeeee 15

COMPPESSUS. eee cneee 15

concolor ...........00. 751

—— inornatus............ 15, 751

—— lecontéi................ 15

—— MAJor... eee ee 15

obscurus............ 15, 751

HYMENEUS .............00. 487

—— amethystinus .......... 489

—— cephalotes.............. 488

—— divisus ..............., 488

—— godmani .............. 487

godmant .......... 488, 489

—— leticulus .............. 489

—— splendens .............. 488

Hyphidrus 0... eae 16

Hyphydrus obniger’ .......... 16

HHypocyphtus oo... 0... ce cece 297

HYPOCYPTUS.............00. 297

Hypocyptus oo. cece ccc 292

debilis ..............., 297

FIYPOTELUS ................ 710

hostilis ...........000.. 710

—— hostilis oo... 0c ee, 711

INDEX.

Page

Hypotelus lucidus...... weveae 710

—— marginatus ............ 711

——_ MICANS se vsevece cece ees 710

pusillus oi crevees veseces 710

ISANOPUS .....seeeue. eeeees B00

Salli... cece eee eee eee 360

Tsomalus...ccvcvcccccees wees 128

Bicolor ... ccc cece wee. 129

fasciatus ...cceceeeecee 730

—— migrellUs ...ccccccceeee 733

pallidipennis ...ccccseeee 730

——— LENUIS. ee cncercccaeeas 730

LACCOBIUS. .... ec seeeeeee wee 10

ellipticus ......ee. scene 77

TiQeconecteS. se cececcscccceecs 35

LACCOPHILUS ..... ve eeeee 9, 749

Laccophilus. cc. cc ccveeseees . 385

beg ot: 750

americanus .........00. ll

AMEPICANUS oo ceveceuces 749

——apicalis ............ 10, 749

atristernalis .....eceeces 9

Difasciatus oo... ccc ees 12

championi.............. 14

CRAMPVONE 6 ec cveecces 9

— confusus ............ 11, 749

decipiens............ 10, 749

—— duplex ............ 12, 750

duplee voc ce ce cececenes 9

—— filicornis ..... Sent ee ees 750

fragilis ............000- 751

——_ fume ccccees 12

—— fuscipennis .......... 10, 749

INSIQNIS .............00, 750

——levipennis ........... . 12

—— levipennis ........4.. .. 9,18

Latefrons ..cscccecceeee 18

—— mexicanus.,............ 9

MEXICANUS Voc ee cvccncaes 10

mistecuS ..........005. 9

—— mistecu8.......... se eeee 10

—— optatus ............008, 138

OPtAtUS voc eeeeccncees 9, 750

oscillator............ 11, 750

oscillator oo. cece cc ceee 9, 12

—— OvatUS Lo... cece 14

OVALUS voice cece ecenecs 751

pictUs ....... ee eee eee 11

—salvini ............000, 10

spergatus ............., 10

SUAVIS wo... eee eee eee es 13

SUAVIS eee cc ccucees 9

suffusus............000. 749

SUPUSUS vo. eee eee ». 750, 751

Page

Laccophilus terminalis........ 11

truncatus ....6. eaeenece 10

VENUSTUS, VAT. PO cee veveeee 18

LAMPROPYGUS ......+eeeeee . 346

——amnalis........-.006. wee. 348

Ce 347

bicolor ..ssceceeees cee B47

—— cognatus ....ececeeeees BAT

COGNALUS ..cceveees 348, 360

xanthopygus ....++... . 347

LANCMOPYGUS oe ceccvecees 348

DAreyM. ri ccrcccccccees 1338, 184

LATHROBIINA .....006. wees. 006

LATHROBIUM .......00- 536, 794

Lathrobium,. 534, 588, 550, 555, 628

Bicolor .. ccc eeeeeeees . 614

——clandestinum .......... 537

dimidiatum ....... veeee O38

—— dimidiatum ......0000.. 794

—— durangoense .........0+- 794

flavidulum ........ weve 194

—— guatemalense ....... ... 536

—— guatemalense.......44. .. 038

—— mexicanum ........000. 537

————_ MINOT. ee eevevves veeeee 537

parallelum.......0- wees. O87

—— pusillum ......... weve 194

——relictum .......... vee. O08

—— rufo-partitum .icccseeee 538

SUMUUPENNE ....200 520, 521

sphericolle.......+06 wo. 694

LATHROPINUS .......eeceeee 628

Lathropinus oo... cece veeeees 620

parallelus ..........00e. 628

Leistotrophus oo... cece eccceees 371

versicolor vss. cceeeeees 371

LEPTACINUS ....... cece eee 489

Leptacinus ..,...646% 490, 494, 495

CLAVICOINUS 6... ee eee eee 495

—— debilis .... cece eee eee 495

—— fllartus occ reeeccveees 503

—— grandiceps.............. 490

NUAdUS Loe cece veceees 495

—oscillans .............. 490

SUDLUIS Lo. ccc ee eee ees 495

LEPTOCHIRINA ........000055 733

LEPTOCHIRUS ........0000 733

Leptochirus......045% 734, 740, 741

ANGUSTUIUS ee cece 736

DUCOrNtS . 6... eee eee 733, 741

brunneo-niger .......... 734

CAYENNENSIS we cece eeceae 734

cephalotes..........0.- 740

—— Ed AX vecessecceeee cence 736

CUAL cee cece eeeee 737, 738

——extimus .............. 735

Page

Leptochirus extimus .......... 734

—— eracilis ................ 738

TE cccccccccencaves 733

—— laticeps 6... ccc cence. 733

—— maxillosus ............ 734

MAXLULOSUS .... cre eeceees 735

mexicanus...... peweeees 139

—— mericanus...... 734, 736, 738

molossuS ............6- 735

molossus........ 736, 737, 738

proteus .............00. 735

—— rob eUS Loe eevee ccccceen 734

—— punctiger ..........006. 738

—— quadricollis ............ 739

—— quadridens ..........4. 733

TAMOSUS...... 0. eee eee 740

SCOrtUCEUS ...... 734, 736, 737

SEITIQET 0... .. eee eee 738

LEPTOGLOSSA ..........005. 195

puberula .............. 196

LEPTONIA .......ce cece eee 196

Deptonta oo icccccccececvenee 194

picta ....... ee eens . 196

PULA vicccceccsecccaues 197

Deptorus ccc cccccccscseneves 795

Leucoparyphus .occecceccccas 308

Leucotrichus ........005 vee. 621

Diimnebius see vccccvccvecas 85, 86

TAMNUS Woven ees 133, 134, 140

LIMNOCHARIS ........ seeeee 85

Limnocharis .....cece cece 86

PUCOUS. Lecce cece eee eees 86

sinuatus ..........005 86

Lanidius extremus ... ccc ee aes 499

CENUULES oe cece eee eee 499

LINODERUS ......c0cee sees 452

gracilipes ...........00. 452

LIsPINUS ....... Lecce eee nee 718

Lispinus..... ... 716, 720, 721, 728

anguinus ...... beeen 720

bicolor we... eee ee ee eee 721

brevicollis .............. 722

—— catena .............085 719

dejectus ........... 00 721

CLUJUUS Cece vcvvccvceees 718

—— fauveli ............008- 720

fauveli vicce cc eeeee 721, 722

—— flavipennis ............ 721

Plavipennts... 6. ceevvees 722

granadensis ............ 719

“GPANAMENSIS 6.6 cee eee 720

PNSULATIS Oo ee cee cee n eee 720

laticolli8 ~. eee... eee eee 718

——— Wn€aNW8 cece eee 720

longicornis *............ 722

ODSCUPUS. Cec eee eee eee 720

INDEX.

Page

Lispinus planellus............ 722

planus ............000. 720

quadripunctulus ........ 718

—— quadripunctulus ......4 719

—— rufescens ..... veveeceee 18

sculpturatus ........ wees C21

——striola ............ wee 719

——tardus ............006. 719

temellus ..ccccvceees 720, 721

LITHOCAON ..... ee cece eee 555

SPATSUS .....eeeeeeeeees 555

LITHOCHARIS ,......... 549, 796

Inthocharis 534, 550, 552, 555, 556

565, 586, 602, 609

——alticola ...........e0ee. 552

ANGUIATIS .. ccc eaves 554, 555

A 569, 572

bisertata......... ... 565, 566

COMPTESSA oo. scsccevcees 567

CONNELA Liv vvvevevavvves 566

CONVETA .iccsccveveveees 566

COPTICINA =. .cceveane 552, 5538

CYASSUIA . ccc wees 56],

ee 566

CUIVICEPS ....... eee eee 796

Uffints .ivccvccvecveves 550

discedens ......0005 565, 566

discoidalis..........006- 561

1 569, 570, 571

Puscipennts ...cecceeees 553

GEVMANA vivcveveveeees 554

Gigante vivccccceceees 557

hepatica. ...cceceees 552, 553

hilarigs .........0.e0eee 561

—— humilis voc cvvcrccceee 569

UNCOMPLA Vocseveceveees 567

infuscata ..........006. 552

INLCYTA vecscvevecceeees 567

ALTO Lic eccccevccnveene 552

—— limbata ....... cece eee 550

A 551

MACULATIS Covcccvecceeee 554

——mendax ...........- . 550

MENAAL oo cveveccceseees 796

—— MUNAA voc ecccceveccaee 556

ochrace€ .........eeeee 551

OCULALA vic cecaceces 569, 575

PAGANA .ivvecevvcevnces 554

——— parvicols ...ccecveveees 569

FC 554

OL a a 554

quadrata ...cceeveveees 570

SOOTINA vec cv cee ceveeees 551

staphylinoides .......+4. 552

VESEUA Lecce enc ercnnces 569

LITHOCHARODES ........-005 491

Page

Lithocharodes armata ........ 491

APMAEA .vcecsareccceees 492

Collaris .... cece eeeeeee 494.

——flohri ........ see eeeee 492

—— fuscipennis ............ 492

Puscipennts ...cssesveee 493

—— fusciventris ............ 492

—— fuscula ...........0000e 494.

GeTMANA .....seeeevees 492

gracilis ....... cece eee 493

puncticeps...........06 493

rufula... cece see eee eee 494

—— simillima .............. 49]

sordida .......e0ee scene 493

spinigera ..........0 eee 491

SPUNUGENA vicssvccecvees 492

Dordtthon .icceccccccvcceces 316

Tutrochus ...cccccccccceeeee 129

australis oo e eee e cence 129

LYPETICUS wo... eee eee eee 556

Lypeticus vee eeccccccccseees 557

Celatus ..... ec eee eee eee 556

MUNAUS oc evcsccecvveee 556

MACROVATELLUS .....-000055 8

MEXICANUS. .... eee eee eee 8

MASEOCHARA ,......... 154,777

—— depressa ..,......,.-.. 155

depressd..,...,..... 154,156

—— duplicata ....,.....064. 156

Auplicata .ssvrecvees ».. 154

—— gracilis... cece cence eee 155

—— HOVE errr cece eeecees 777

opacella......eee eee eee 154

—— opacelld vii ccsvcveevcaes 155

robusta ..... eee eee e eee 155

semivelutina............ 154

Ssemivelutind ....eececees 155

Mecognathus ...cccceceevvees 596.

Medon. .549, 552, 556, 557, 561, 569,

576, 577, 587

MEGACRONUS ,......... 317, 782

Megacronus ........000. soe. 316

acuminatus ............ 318

—— meridionalis............ 319

mMertdvonalts ...s.ceeeees 782

—— MeXicanus...........0.. 782

MINOL wee eee e eee ee eee 320

——nigerrimus ............ 318

— oscillans .............. 318

regularis .......-...00: 319

PEQ“UIAYIS vo. ceuveeeenee 320

MEGADYTES ............ 46, 759

fallax . ok. eee ee eee 47

——flohri ................ 47

SJUORTE ce ccc e cee e ees 46

814

Page

Megadytes fraternus ...... 47,759

—— giganteus ....,..... 47,759

— levigatus..... ppedavaee 46

ODESUS ..... eee ce eeees 47

MEGALOPINA .... eee eee eee 667

MEGALOPS..... ap ebenaveuser 668

Megalops.... 142,640, 667, 669, 674

adjectus ........eee eee 669

Armatus...... cece eee 670

basalis ....... cee ee eee 674

cephalotes .......eeeeees 676

—— cognatus .........ee ees 672

CTUCIQET. 6... cece eee eee 668

cruciger.... 669, 670,671, 672

—— elegans ........... 0008 672

—— guatemalenus .......... 673

guatemalenus.....eceveee 674

—— IMPpYessus ..........000- 676

Incultus...ceceseeceeaes 675

INCUILUS Woe vce cevecceces 676

—— Ineptus ....... 0. cece eee 671

—— Integer ..... ee cece ee eee 671

—— NEEGYEF ec cccccecnes 672

MeXICANUS..... 2. eee eee 669

—— modestus ..........005 671

—— MOYOSUS....... ccc eeeeee 670

—— ObSCUTUS ..... eee eee 674

panamensis ............ 673

peploides ..... Veceeeees 675

peploides ...scceeeceeee 674

politus ......... eee eee 673

porcatus ......... ee eee 675

preeditus ...........0.. 672

PV@MUUS vee eecevacenes 668

—— puncticeps.............. 676

—— SPINOSUS Leer eeeeeee 676

—— vulneratus.............. 674

MEGARTHRUS .........0008- 743

sinuaticollis ...ccececaee 743

solitarius ..........000. 743

—— wunilensis ...........0.. 743

MEGASTERNUM.......... 118, 772

strigicolle .......... 118, 772

MERONA..... cece eens 229, 779

Meron vivcccasecccecvccves 231

—— previcollis........0.006. 230

fragilis ......... cece eee 230

—— polita........eeeeeeeeee 230

Meronera viscvccvcccvceeves 779

MESONOTERUS ......e eee eeee 4

— levicollis .............. 4

MESPALERUS........0500000- 560

debilis oo... cee ee eee eee 560

flavipennis ............ 560

—— piesticulus...........08. 561

— preustus ........0, «... 560

INDEX.

Mespalerus preustus ......+. 561

METACYMUS .....eeeeeeeeees 65

——parvulus ........eeeeee 66

METOPONOUS..... cece ee eeeee 503

Metoponcus ..scsvvcancceees 505

cingulatus........ceeees 503

—filarius ......... ese eee 503

JUArUS vic ccvccsceneces 504

guatemalensis .......... 503

holisoides ...........05. 505

]ongicepS ....... ee eevee 504

—— minutus............000- 505

sinuatuS .........ee eee 505

VATIADS 1... .. cece ee eee 504

VATIANS we vceccvccvceecs 505

Mcrocerd vivccccccncccccecs 293

MICROGLOSSA ...... Tee 156

Mrcroglossa wc. cee ccc cceeeee 157

—— mexicana .............. 157

ul occ vcccnccvceees 157

MICROPEPLIN® .......eeeee 747

MICROPEPLUS ......0.es000. 747

ACUMEN... .... eee ee eee 747

MIMOSTICUS .......-.00eeeee 327

Mimosticus. ccc cccc ec ccces 328

viridipennis ............ 828

MISANTLIUS ........02.. 393, 786

Misanthus . 6... c ccc cece 3895

carinulatus ............ 394

discedens .............. 395

—— optatus ............0.4. 394

rufipennis .............. 786

torquatus ...........4.. 394

Mitomorphus ....... 0064. 494, 495

MONISTA oo. cece eee eee eee 589

Monista .... ce ccc ec cece eee 569

concolor ..........405- 589

CONCOLOL . ccc cece ceeeaes 590

—— diffinis ....... bee ee eee 591

longula ..ccccccececcaes 590

—— picturata ..........000, 591

plagiata 1... .. eee eae 590

similis ..........e cee 590

strigicollis.............. 590

strigtcolls ... cee ce eee 591

——— LYPICA dere e ccc ceues . 590

MONOCHARIS.........ee0e00- 569

vestita .... cece eee eee 569

Morychus vicccccscccccecees 126

MUSICODERUS .........6605. 455

cephalotes..........0005 455

— Cephalotes 6... ccceceees 456

gracilis ......... 0.0000 456

MYCETOPORUS .......e0se0e 320

MY CObOPOTUS voce ceevcneeees 317

— CoxAl Loe eeeeeece cence 820

Page

MYLLAINA oo. cece cece ee eee 285

Mylland....cecceeeeeeee 162, 291

debilicornis ............ 286

fragilis ........e..e0008 286

glauca cae esc em petiosoes 286

intermedta........0% 285, 286

—— mollis ...........0008. 285

MOIS... ccc eeeecceveee 286

obtusa ..........e eee 286

robusta ..... eee eee eee 287

Myrmecochara ....... cece ees 163

prctipennts....... scene 163

MYRMEDONIA ......0...005, 198

Myrmedonia .. 168, 196, 203, 204,

205, 209, 210, 218, 214, 219, 225

brevicepS ..........00.. 207

brevicollis.............. 201

canaliculata.. vo... ce eee 209

COMATIS vie cccccvacevces 209

confinis ............000- 200

— diluta ................ 201

—— AUT A. cee 202

docilis ...........0005, 205

fallax... . ccc cc ewes 206

fauveli ....... cc. ee eee 199

fauveli ........ 200, 201, 202

—— filicornis .............. 203

—— flavicornis.............. 200

Slavicornis ..... cee 201, 202

fragilis ....... cece ee eee 202

——godmani ...........4.. 206

homalotoides .......... 203

homalotoides ..... 00.05. 202

rr 199

—levior ........00.0.20ee 204.

laxicOrmis ........e.000. 202

laXICOPNIS . cc cee cecees 2038

longipeS.......ceeceeees 207

LONGUPES . oe cc cevececeees 209

—— mimula............008. 209

NUTAUA eee vceeecceees 208

plebeia ...........000ee 203

pusilla .........ccceeee 205

SCADTIPENNIS 66... ce ceeee 207

SCLIQETA .. cece eee ceeeee 200

tETES wc cece cee cceceees 208

LETES voce ccc c cece ceees 209

MYRMEDONIINA ......eeeee- 170

NAUSICOTUS .....ceeeeeves .. 868

spectabilis..........006- 369

NEOLARA ....eeeee eer eees .. 231

Neolard ..cccccveccccvcceces 229

centralis ....eceseseeee 231

NEOMEDON ...eeceseeeces .. 557

Neomedon ........0+0+0. 556, 560

Page

Neomedon densus..........++ 559

CENSUS vi ccevececeveees 560

50) | 559

MeXiICANUS ......- eee 558

MEXICANUS voce cceceveece 559

MOllis. .... eee eee eee eee 558

—— nigricans ...........08. 559

———— NIGTICANS ve sevececcees 560

princepS .........ee0e- 557

—— puncticeps. .........4.. 559

— rufipennis .............. 557

sallei ...... cc eee ee eee 558

NITIDULODFS .......... 112, 772

jamsoni .........00. 112,772

Noterus voce cccccc ce ccceees 4

levigatUs oo. cccceeeees 7

NOTOMICRUS....... 0. eevee 3

gracilipes .........6.08- 3

Gracilipes ...cccccceeeee 4

~-—— L@VIGAtUS eri eccccccenee 4

—— politus .........eeeeee 3

tratlt oo ccc eee eee nes 3

NUDOBIUS.... 0 ce eee eee eee 502

Nudobvwus occ cccccscccee 472, 475

Celatus .... cece eee ee ees 502

—— dentus veviccseeues 501, 502

OCALEA +... 0.6 ‘ea eeeeeececas 169

Ocaled: vive ccccecccceeceees 278

dejecta 2... . eee ee eee 169

OCTHEBIUS .....-eeeeeeee 90, 768

Octhebius vicsevcceccvcvnees 769

apicalis.........eee.0-- 91

AZTECUS .. cee eee eee eeeee 768

CTASSIPES 6... eee seen 90

ODSCUTUS ...... eee ee eee 92

—— parvulus ........eeee ee 91

PAPVULUS oe csereneeeees 769

—— pulosuS vir cececcrevoees 92

——— PYJMAUS ev cevecccvees 92

rufo-Marginatus ...ssees 91

Similis .......ceeeeeee . 92

OCYOLINUS oo... cece ee eens 362

amethystinus .......... 363

amethysttnus......0.0005 362

TUGALUS Wo cece ee eenees 863

OCYOTA J... eee cee e ee eee ees 168

dubia... . cece eee eee eee 163

OCYPUS vo vee ccceenevnes 392, 628

ODONTOLINUS ...eeseee evan 454

fasciatuS ........ee eee 454

CEDODACTYLUS........6- 630, 798

ANCEPS vs cseres Seen 798

aper ....6. Deeeeececees 798

fauveli .....0.00- seen 630

——— fusco-brumneus oversees 630

INDEX.

Page

OLIGOTA ...ee cess eee 293, 781

Oligota .... 177, 191, 192, 278, 292

centralis ..........008 293

GTANATIA vivccvvvvveaes 293

—— levigata ..........005. 781

—— levipennis ............ 298

PAPUA. cece ecvnceneenves 294

POlita..... cece eee e eens 293

OL a 781

——. PYYMAD. vc veaee sees 293

1) Ao a 294

OLIGOTINA ...... eesees .... 287

OUSth@rUs . occ cece eee ees 708

OMALIINE ... cc ee eee eee eens 744

OMALIUM .....e cece eee .. 744

Omalium vicvccccescees 708, 746

ANCEPS .eeeesseeeeeeees 745

atomarium ..... cece 746

ALOMATIUM vivseveveaee 745

faustum ......e cece eee 746

Plebtle cove cccvccccenees 745

—— incultum .............. 746

—— leticulum.............. 747

PVRUSUM .oeccceveceees 745

—— pumilio...........0000, 746

sordidum ..........006. 744

SOTUIAUM wevcacecevcces 745

triste... eee cece eee eee 745

vanthopterum .iccoceees 745

ONTHOSTYGNUS ........-44- 392

Onthostygnus .icececcvceees 393

—— fasciatus ......... ce eee 392

Pasctatus wivcvvesvvcees 393

—— pollens .........eeeeeee 393

OOCYCLUS 1... ee. cee eee 61, 764

Oocyclus... ccc cvececcvevaces 62

brevicornis .........06. 63

brevicornts ...seeeeee 62, 64

—— maculatus .......... 63, 764

MACULALUS . oc eecerevees 62

vestitus .........005 62, 764

OOSTERNUM ......0+000. 112, 772

Oosternum . occ ccceerecvvcces 114

COStatUM ....... eee 1138, 772

Ophioglossad ...ceeeeeveaeees 282

OPHIOMEDON ...esee eee eeee 567

Ophiomedon ......eeeees 565, 569

longicepS .....--.eeeees 568

longulus ......-seeeees 568

StIPCS. .. cece eee eee eee 567

subtilis ......... 00 eee 568

ORPHNEBIUS.......eeeeeeees 209

Orphnebius. crc ccrccrecrnves 210

lativentris...........005 210

lativentris.......6- cenaes 211

— similis ...... gesewseces 211

Page

ORUS ....00000. wibed ages ve... 549

OFUS .cccccccesrecenvveces . 556

—— guatemalenus ......... . 549

OSORIINA .eccceeceeeeeeeees 677

OSORIUS. ..cceeeeeeeeee 677, 800

DOOPS..... ce ceeeee eens 679

—— DOOPS ve resrecenvcvcees 680

—— canaliculatus .........6. 678

CYASSUS 2... eee eee renee 681

cylindricus ...........6- 680

——debilis .............0. 681

debilts eee vavcscaeces 682

dubius ........eee cece 679

germanus ...... vee e eee 680

—— levigatus ........ eee 679

LAbipeS. wv vvscvccvceecucs 682

micros .... ae eee ee eeee 682

MUNAUS. ec e cece e eens 681

—— opacifrons..... cee. ee ee 680

PALCUS 2... cece eee eee 680

PAVCUS. vivcvcueceeeecees 681

—— puncticeps ............ 678

salvini ..........-. 682, 800

VICINUS . oe ee eee eee eee 678

Oxynoptilus 6... cccceveeeeees 14

OXYPODA wo ee cece eee eee 159

Oxypoda.. 151, 160, 162, 163, 189,

ae 190, 291

ANCNG vivcacccevevcees 163

GULEYNANS oo ccc ceceecees 160

—— carinata .....eceeeeees 161

—— certata ... eer eeceveees 159

—— championi......... ..... 160

—— championt...ccecccercees 161

— clavigera ...........0.. 159

——inmepta ............000. 161

—— MICTopS..........0....0.. 161

——— OPAC vr vccvcvvvcvcues 161

palpalis..............48 162

Palpalts oo cccvcvvcceeee 159

—— plebeia ............. 0 160

OXYPORINA . oe cece eee eee eee 676

OXYPORUS. .cce eee cece eee eee 676

flohri... cee eee 677

—— mexicanus ............ 677

OXYTELINA. wee cece cee eee 685

OXVTELINE 2... cece eee eee 677

OXYTELUS 0. cece eee 687

Oxytelus ...ccceaee 689, 691, 704

armatifrons ...........0. 692

AYIVAMAUS acc eee encenes 800

—— DUCOTNIS. ee caccecccces 712

-carbonellus .........0.. 690

AepVreSSUS wicvceccaveaes 691

Gerasus .... cece cece ees 689

—— EMETILUS on. eecececee .. 691

816

Page

Oxytelus exaratus...... seeees 693

——— ExteIMUS .......eeee ... 694

—— fragilis .......... veces. 691

——— fUscipennis .esecveeees. 688

INCIIS Lo. kee eee eee eee 693

INSIQNItUS .... eee eee eee 689

laquedtus .iccsscecceees 688

—— latifrons ...........06. 693

—— lucidus ......... ceeeues 689

—— luteipennis ............ 688

—— lutetpennis .......005 .. 689

MELICANUS .. csv vveeveees 688

——— NANUS. ee cscvveeeveseees B91

—— principalis ...... beeen 688

spinifrons ...... see eeees 691

SPUNUFTONS wc eeeeees 692, 693

—— stipes........ cee ee eens 692

strigosulus .....+...0. . 690

—- vilis eeeeeeeon

PACHYDRUS ..cseseeesoeeees 16

cribratus ...... soc cc cee 16

—— politus ....ceeeeeeceees 16

Pachyglossa ........ seeeeeee 201

PADERALLUS ....0...0000++ 456

fragilis .........+00.24. 457

PADERINA .oee esses eeeee .. 609

PRDERINZA .......05, weeees 506

PHEDEROMIMUS.......... sees 488

Pederomimus 439,448, 454, 455, 456

ADACEUS Wc cece ccceneeee 438

ADErVANS veeseveees 438, 449

———_ @nCCOMIS eee canes .. 438

——_ @MICEPS .. 0.00 ceeeeeee 408

—— angularius...... seeeeees 448

ANGUATUUS . occ vcaeccaes 438

angusticollis............ 447

angusticollis ........ 439, 448

——— basipennis...... veveeeee 450

CAPUANS. 6. cevecaevnes 438

—— capitatus .............. 441

cephalax ..........000. 446

chontalensis ............ 440

COGNALUS ... 000 veeees 488

—— confertus .......00.0.6. 449

———_ CONFOTMIS ov ecceeeveees 438

—— contracts. ......eeeeeee 448

Corrosus ....... eet eeee 451

—cribratus ...... eeeeeees 450

—— cribratus .......... 448, 451

—— cribricollis ............ 448

—— cribricollis......cccecees 450 |

——— difformiceps ............ 445

—— difformiceps ....... wevee 409

——-— distans ..... ccc cece eee 450

mmm= Gentilis ccc ceeeceeeees 439

INDEX.

Page

Pederomimus gentilis . 440, 441

—hilaris ...... ee wees 441

——insolitus .............. 447

INSOUEUS 6. cove ceeeeee 448

—— 1@TUS oo ec ccccccvveeee 438

—— longipes .... recvccceees 438

Iustralis....cccceceecece 438

——lustrator ...csceveeeees 438

»——maculipes.........0000- 445

——mandibularis .......... 439

mandibularis ..sceeeees 440

mexicanus .........00+ 444

—— NIQTINUS ...... eevee 442

NUQTUNUS sv eceeeeevees 438

—— nigripennis ............ 446

—— NigripenNis ..c.iceereee 454

— nobilis ............000- 442

nobilis ...... voce cece 455

— ornatellus.............. 449

ornatellus .......44 446, 450

Palpaus ...ccrevececenes 438

pectoralis .............. 443

pectoralts ..eveceeee 437, 444

—— perforatus.............. 451

RO 438

—— punctipennis............ 443

PUNCEUPENNIS ... ce eeeeees 444

regellus ........ eee eee 438

Salvind ........eee eens 440

SAVING voce cece ceeeeess 454

simplex.......0. sees eee 444

——_ S1MplOL voce ccvvceveves 458

RC | 438

VICINUS «6... eee eee aoe 444

PHEDERUS 1... cece eee eee ees 609

PAAEIUS Coe ccc een eee 614

—— e@quinoctialis..........0 617

— alticola ............008. 609

antiquuS .......6..eeee 615

——antoniensis ..........., 615

—— apicalis................ 617

GPiCAs vo cccceccaccecas 618

ATAUUS 11... ee cece ewes 615

— columbinus ............ 617

— cordovensis ............ 616

costaricensis............ 616

~ COSLATUCENSIS . 6. ce veceees 617

—— CUITAX ose eee e eee eee 611

——— CUTTAL ve vcvccccecesees 612

—— erythroderus............ 612

—— femoralis .....cceceeees 616

—— filicornis .............. 612

—— letipes ..............6- 611

—— latipes .rcccrcccccceees 612

—— ]8tUS. . ceceee scree eveee 613

—— luridiventris............ 610

Page

Peederus mexicanus ........-- 617

—— OCHTACEUS 6... eeveeeevee SOL

—— pallidus .......eseeeee 618

—— rufitarsis ......0eseeeee 611

TUPUATSIS covsveveeeeees 610

TUGEPUNCLALUS 2 .seeveeee 614

salvini .......... eee eee 610

BSAIVINE vor ev ceeceee 611, 612

signaticormmis............ 618

SOPAIMUS vee eececevees 616

LEMpeEStIVUS 66. ccveveees 614

testaceitarsis ........6+ 610

—— thoracicus........0e006. 612

ErtcOlO” occ eee eee 613

——— USEUS oc cn cc eevcvecee 618

(2) (0): a 611

VELOX ve cevaccsvovcvees 612

——- yucateca 2... cece eeees 614

—— yucateca ...... 615, 616, 617

PALAMINUS ...cceceeees 631, 798

Palaminus oo. cc ccccccecccees 6385

apicipennis ..........65 636

—— apicipenmis oo .ceseccves 633,

chiriquensis ............ 637

—— cognatus .............. 632

concolor .......06. 635, 798

crenatus .....e see wees 633

debilis ........0c.e0ee . 688

deformis ..........0005 637

deforms ...cssveee 634, 638

—— diffinis ................ 6389

—— filum...............055 638

Fragitis vc ccccecccceees . 639

—— fusciventris ............ 634

gracilipes ...........06. 634

— humeralis.............. 689

INSIQNIS ....... eee ee eee 633

—— lacertinus .............. 631

lacertanus oo. cccececcees 632

longicollis............., 632

MeXicanuS ......0.-05- 635

palmatus ......6....00. 636

parvicepS ..........000. 631

parvulus ..........060, 637

PArVUUsS vi eccevcacvane 638

——rubripennis ............ 635

sordidus ......... ee eee 634

LESEACEUS cece eee eenee 6387

—— validus ...... set ececeee 632

VANAUS oo. ccccecacaees 633

vittatus.........6.. 639, 798

ParacymMus wivscscccececaes 64

PARNIDA oo. ecw eee eee e eee 119

PARNINI ... eee e cece e ee eeee 119

PARNUS ..e cece ee eee eeee 123, 774

PATNUS ve ccvscccceveees 125, 182

INDEX. 817

Page Page Page

Parnus centralis ............ 774 Phanolinus auratus .......... 366 Philonthus celatus ........- 430, 433

centralis vice cece cans 775 discedens .........0000- 368 centralis ..........0085 422

detritus. ..........0000- 124 divisuS ...cceccececeees 865 championi.............. 27

Sastigiatus... 0.6... eee. 121 flohri......cccccceccees 364 —— championt .. 0.60. c cece 428

——— MAJOr owes eee 774 godmani ........e.e0e- 366 —— chiriquensis ............ 404

—— mexicanus.............. 124 godmant .......45. 365, 867 —— colon. ...... ccc cee eee 419

MEXICANUS . oc cece ceveces 774 gravidUS ......e.eeeees 365 —— corallipennis .....+. 0006. 424

—— prolifericornts .......... 123 GTAVIAUS occ eee eee 867 corticalis ............6. 413

—— punctipennis............ 124 longulus ..........0005 367 crassulus .........0008- 396

punctipennis ........ 125, 775 obsoletus .......... 364, 784 — cribellatus.............. 426

—— pusillus............ 128, 774 pollens ...........00005 865 —— crtbricollts 6... es 448

—— pusilus oo. ce ceccccues 124 punctatus ...........06. 367 —— cribripennis ............ 403

PAROSUS ......... cee e eee 704 speciosus ee eeeeeeeeeee 367 ——— CUPTEUS Voc cee eee cn reens 364

hilaris .............00. 704 Philhydrus o. 0000 ccc cece 70, 74 —— CUPPYPENNAS oo cee renee 361

Peloptera mtcans ... 6.6.00 605 206 imbellis ooo... ccc cence 764 —— CYANESCENS. 6. eens 364

PELONOMUS ............ 122,774 OChTACCUS ... ee ee cee eee 70 —— deplanatus ............ 425

obscurus .........e000- 122 PHILONTHUS........00005 395, 787 discoideus..........0-6- 409

ODSCUTUS occ e eee ees 123 Philonthus .... 828, 336, 346, 347, discotdeus oo... cee eee ee 408

—— palpalis............ 122,774 361, 363, 388, 389, 390, 392, discretus ..........000- 427

PELOSOMA........00005. 109, 771 393, 396, 397, 404, 413, 429, | —— duploseriatus .......... 427

Pelosoma ....ecceveeces 110, 112 487, 438, 453, 456, 787, 788 —— EYTEGIUS ee ccc ere enees 361

carinatuM..........606 110 | ——abnormalis ............ 397 elegans ........0 see eee 428

—— cercyonoides............ 111 —— abnormalis ...... 6.000. 787 | CLIGUUS 6. ccc cece ee eeees 421

Collare ... cee eee e eee 771 —— accedens ..........000- 403 extremus ........0000- 415

lafertel ..........0.000- 169 —— actocharis..........068. 788 CXEPEMUS oc cee eevee 432

lafertet .. ccc cece eee ceee 110 —— #HNESCENS 1.6... . eee eee 408 fasciatus ..cccceeeeeeee 355

liodes..... cc. cece eee eee 771 —— AQNALUS Lecce vcenees 459 feralis ....... cece e ees 416

ovulum .............04. 772 —— alternans ..........04.. 418 feralis ... cece cece neces 405

-— prosternale ............ 110 —— alticola .............05. 400 —— fervidus. ccc erccereveces 361

prosternale ......0.008 111 —— alutaceus wie... cceeeeee 398 — fibularius .............. 402

sordidum .......... 109, 772 —— amaxonicus ........ 415, 416 —— fibularius ... 0.6666. 403, 404

subcarinatum .......... lil ——— AMONUS. ec cveeneee 364 —— figulus ......6ee see eeee 415

PEROCHTHES .......... 101, 770 ANAS occa eee ee ee 848 | ——fissilis ..........00.05- 399

Perochthes vc ccvcccsecececes 102 —— ANGUIATIUS. Loe ccc eens 443 JlAGTANS wivseveveveees 437

globulus .............. 102 angusticollis ......6.0055 447 —— flavolimbatus ...,...... 416

Globus... cece cece eee 770 antennatus vee cceeeeees 361 5 398

—— levis ........ cece eee 770 apheles .........00 cea 405 —— fulgipennis ............ 410

PESCOLINUS ......--00e0000- 453 —— apheles ..... cece ec eeeee 406 —— fulvipes .. 0... cc eeevvnnee 424

palmatus .............. 453 apiciventris .........06, 419 —— FUMOSUSB. oe eee e eens 416

PHANONOTUM .......--. 97,770 | —— approximans............ 428 FUTVUS Looe cece eee eee 398

Phenonotum ........ 98, 100, 769 —— armatipes............4. 422 —— fUrvUs wiiceccevees 399, 400

——apicale ............ 98, 770 ——— APMALIPES Lene cnnes 423 godmani ..........+06- 413

collare ............000. 99 | ——atriceps............006- 404 Gracticornis v6... eee eee 788

——dubium ............ 98,770 | ——atricolor ........ beveee 426 griseolus ........--e00. 399

—— dubium oo... ccc eee eee 99 basiventris ..........4. 418 | —— guatemalenus .......... 403

CSEPIATUM oo. eee e ees 98 DaStVENtTIS.. vee s ee ceeee 420 heteropus .........-.04- 788

—— levicolle .............. 99 Dicolor vices cee eee eeee 347 —-— hirtiventris . .......... 410

—— levicolle.... 0... cece ee 100 boucardi ........eeeees 404. hirtiventris 6... eee 411

rotundulum ........ 100, 770 ——— CME cece eneceee 437 NOVEL... eee cece ee ences 400

—— tarsale ............,... 98 CAalifornicus ....sceveees 425 —— idoneus................ All

a 99 —— caliginosus... 6. .ccevees 407 incertuS...........- 416, 788

PHANOCERUS ..........005- 128 —— carinulatus ............ 402 infimus ............008- 414

Phanocerus... 2.00 0ecceeveeee 129 —— carinulatus wiccecevenes 403 INPIMUS voce cc cccenenee A415

clavicornis ............ 129 —— cavifrons .......... eee 408 iridiventrtS vec. cece eee 406

PHANOLINUS..........6. 363, 784. | —— cavifrons .....6. cece ee 422 WHS eee ee ee ee eee eee 401

Phanolinus .... 0.0 c ccc ceve ane 368 celatus ....-. eee eee eee 420 —— iteratus..............0.. 788

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 2, November 1887. 5 MM

818

Page

Philonthus letipennis ........ 409

—— letipennis ..........04.. 410

latecinctus .. ......... 415

—— longicornis ............ 416

—— longicornis ..........4. 828

lucilius .............0.. 415

——macilentus ............ 423

macilentus ........ 424, 425

——melancholicus .......... 425

——melanopus ............ 405

MELANOPUS ..... cece eee ee 406

——— MELUCANUS 00 eee 400

——— MICANS eee eee 425

——misellus .............. 421

misellUs ... sc rececccenee 422

——Mmollis ................ 408

MOS... eee cece eee 409

nigerrimus ............ 398

NUGAX .... eee eee 414

—— oceultus .......... 407

—— ochromerus ............ 406

Ochromerus ....... 000s 407

optatus ............00.. 427

OvaticepS ......... 00 42]

—— oxyporinus ............ 419

palmatus .............. 397

palmatus oo... 0.6.60. 787

parvimanus ............ 406

paurillus oo... eee eee. 406

piceatus............ 008, 400

PUCCHMUS 2. eee eee -40]

—— planulatus.............. 407

—— platypterus ............ 412

platypterus we... eee 413

prescottianus .......... 787

PVEUOSUS ieee ceceeeeee 363

prolixicornis............ 424

—— punctifer .............. 427

—— quadraticollis .......... 409

rectilaterus ............ 425

TUFESCENS oe cece eeecsee 396

rufiventris.............. 787

rufocaudus ............ 412

rufo-plagiatus ...... 400, 401

—— rufopygus.............. 411

TUSLICUS..........00000. 421

Salle@i ..... eee. eee, 398

scintillans.............. 405

scybalarius .........00. 416

-—— semiruber.............. 787

SCYPeNs ........-... 005. 422

SETPENS wee vecervveceeee 428

SETPENtiNUS ...... 0.00. 456

seticornis ............., 410

solitarius .............. 424

splendens ..........00., 388

INDEX.

Page

Philonthus stygialis.......... 405

tachiniformis .......... 425

—— testaceipennis .......... 400

trochanterinus.......... 417

—— trochanterinus .. 418, 420, 788

trochilus woe... ccc euees 413

umbratus .............. 494

VATIANS voce cece ccc cveee 416

UVIAUUS oe reece cece 361

——yilis ..............08., 406

VUS eee ccc ec cee eeee 407

—— xanthomelas............ 417

—— wanthomelas 418, 420, 482, 788

——xanthopus ............ 420

—— wanthopus............e. 433

—— wanthopygus oo... .csee es 347

—— zunilensis.............. 418

wuUnlensts ... 6... cece 788

PHILOTERMES .............. 171

laxicornis .............. 171

PHILOTHALPUS.............. 354

Philothalpus 00... cc cece 361

chiriquensis ............ 358

debilis ...........,000. 355

deyrollet oo... cece eee 361

—— difficilis........ 0.00.00, 3855

fasciatus ..........000, 355

—— mexicanus.............. 357

—— nigriventris ............ 356

—— pederiformis .......... 359

—— pectoralis .............. 356

—— philonthiformis ........ 358

—— prolixus .............. 357

PVOULUS. Loe eee 358

—— segmentarius .......... 355

segmentarius........ 356, 357

subtilis .........0.0..0., 358

tinctiventris............ 357

PHILYDRUS...........0.. 66, 764

Philydrus. , 67, 68,70, 71, 72, 73, 74

eequalis ............ 68, 764

—— equalis .........., 67, 69, 7

debilis ......0...0..... 69

debits... . eee eee 67

-—— discedens .............. 67

melanocephalus........4. 67

miexicanus ............ 67

MEXUCANUS Woe cece cece ces 68

—— nigellus........... pees. 68

MigelUs . 6... eve cceee 67, 69

Obscurus ...... 0.0.0.0 eee 69

ODSCUTUS. 6 ee eee e eee 67

ochraceus .............. 70

OChVACEUS eee cee ees 67

PHLGOCHARINA ........004. 708

Page

Phleonomus preustus ........ 745

PHLG@OPORA..........5. 164, 778

PRCOPOra sev ec cevcvenee 168

alticola .............04. 165

—— crassula.............00. 167

debilis ..........00006. 168

fenestrata ............0. 164

—— fenestrata ... cece eee 165

flavipennis ............ 168

furcata ...... eee eee 167

—— glabra .............0., 165

grandis .............04. 778

—— leticula.............0.. 166

—— levigata .............. 778

minima................ 168

TEPUANS oo. eee eee eee 168

rufipennis.............. 166

rufula ............. 0. 169

sinuata .............00. 165

PUESTINA ..... ce eee eee eee 710

Prestomorphus .ieeiccccveees 462

GLCP eee cece neces 463

PIESTUS. 2.0... . ee cece ee eee 712

Piestus ei vvcccccccceces 711

alternans .............. 714

—— angularis .............. 715

ANGUIATIS wo... cece eee 716

OL 712

—— bugquett oo. eee eae. 7138

—— Capricornis ...c.eceeeee 711

—— chiriquensis ............ 715

—— costatus.............0.. 715

crassicornis ............ 716

—— erythropus...........4.. 713

extimus............000. 713

Frontalis wo... cece, 711

lacordatret.. 6.66.0... 00% 711

longipennis ........04.. 711

—— mexicanus ............ 714

—— minutus .............. 713

—— MINUEUS. eee 721

NIVeT eee eee eee 712

oxytelnus ...... 2... ee. 712

penicillatus 6... eee. 711

—— pygmeus ...........0., 718

PYGMAUS . oe eeeeesceee, 721

PUGOSUS 6... eee cece ewes 715

SPUNOSUS. Lee eee cceeeaee 711

VANAUS oie cece cece eee 711

PINOPHILINA ..........00.. 618

PINOPHILUS ..........., 620, 797

Pinophilus ........0% 621, 624, 628

ADAL oo cece cee eecccces 629

CQUANS Loe cece e eee 628

——agilis.................. 626

Phiceocharis ....... 0.005 708,709 | ——albipes ................ 621

Page

Pinophilus albipes . .622, 623, 624, 797

Lc a 628

basiventris ............ 625

basiventris..... 0.0.0.6 626

bicolor... ke eee 626

brevieollis ... 6. eee 629

erassicollis... 0.6.2... 68. 629

eribricollis ............ 627

—— UX cece een ee 628

CGYENS Loe eee eee ae 629

erythropterus .......... 621

—— erythropterus .......... 622

JlaVipes oe cece ccceees 621

fragilicornis ............ 624

—— fulvipes oo... ce eee 628

fuscipes............000. 797

—— guatemalenus .......... 623

IMers ..... eee ee 623

MEPS oo eee ween 624

UALUS voce cece eee eee 628

—— lineaticollis ............ 624

longicornis ............ 627

——— MYO eevee cece eee 628

——— MIMUS eee eee e eee 628

—— modestUs wo... ceecceee. 628

—— opacicollis.............. 624

—— opacicollis ....... 6.0.40. 797

—— panamensis ............ 622

parcus ........0...000, 62]

PAVCUS Lice ccc cece eee 622

parviceps .......... 622, 797

—— parvicornis ............ 627

penetrans .............. 624

penetrans .......... 625, 626

picifroms .............. 797

re 620

TECEUS. Loe eee cece cence 628

reflexus................ 625

TOPCLUS . 6. ee cae 626, 627

sejunctus .............. 622

SUBLETS Lee eee ee eee 628

tenebrosus ...... 6c cee ee 628

LENUIS. Lecce nee e ee eee 628

validus .............0.. 626

VAWAUS 0... eee cece eee 627

Pityophilus. ccc. cccccvcees 620

PLACUSA ... ese eee eee eee 269

confinis................ 269

crassidens .............. 269

crassula....... eee eee 273

—— longicornis ............ 272

longipes.............0.0. 272

—— minuta ................ 269

—— monilicornis ............ 271

obliquata .............. 270

—— obliquata ...........04, 271

INDEX.

Page

Placusa signata.............. 271

simplex. ............00. 270

PLATONICA ....... 0.0 c eae 214

Platontea vive cccee cece cease 219

acuminata..........00 216

centralis ......... 0008s 217

Centraus vee cece cee 216

chiriquensis ............ 218

fuscicollis .2........0.0.. 218

—— fuscicollis ..... 6.6.06. 0. 220

intermedia ............ 216

latifrons .............. 217

—— major..... eee eee 215

MOAJOP eve cvcccneeees 216

sall@i..... 2... eee eee 215

Platydracus ........44.. 371, 372

PLATYPROSOPINA............ 783

PLATYPROSOPUS ..........0. 783

MeCXICANUS...... 20.2000. 783

TOCIUS . cece cece c cnc neees 784

PLATYSTETHUS.......... 686, 800

—— americanus ............ 687

obscurus .........0.0005 687

spiculus............ 687, 800

Platysthetus .... 00. cece eens 686

GMELUCANUS eve e eevee 687

SPUCUlUS v6. cece eceeeees 687

PLEURHOMUS ........0.000 763

obscurus ........ 0.000 763

PLOCHIONOCERUS........24. 471

Plochionocerus ......eceveeee 468

brachypterus .......... 471

debilis ......... cee eee 472,

formicarius ............ 47]

formicarius ..... 6c eee 472

——— MINOP cc cncvncncaces 472

PLOCIOPTERUS ........0000. 351

belti .. cee cece eee eee 354

Collarig 2... cee ee eee 352

fetialis ..........e ee eee 351

Petias coc ceccccceeeues 352

histrio ........0.00.00, 3538

lugubris.............00, 352

—mollis ................ 353

variegatus...........06, 3538

VATIEGALUS 6. cece cen eens 354

VAVIP€S oo... ee ee eee eee 351

POLYLOBUS ............ 158, 777

Polylobus vce. cc ee cece 189

ACVENA 2... cece eee eens 158

AAVENA oo cece cence cena 777

flavescens ............0. 777

Polystoma wiv ceccveeceeceeee 154

POMANUS oo ccc eee 119

POrusS coc ccc een nees 224

Potamophilus .... 126,127,128, 129

Page

Potamophilus flavicornis ...... 128

Goudotit vo... cece eee 127

PRIOCHIRUS ...........0000, 740

Priochtrus oe ee 733

bicornis .............00, 741

—collaris ................ 742

-—— dilutus ................ 741

divergens ........0..... 742

—— hemorrhous............ 741

hemorrhous .........0.. 743

laticornis .............. 742

laxus ..............000, 74]

LALUS Vee eee 742

mandrbularis.......0..04. 740

salvini .............0.. 742

SAIVINE Lee cc eee, 743

PronoM@d oo. ccc cece cues 287

Pronoterus ... 00.00 4

PROTEININA .....0...000.00. 743

QUEDIINA 2.0.0... cee cee eee 320

QUEDIOMACRUS ............ 339

—— pollens ................ 339

puniceipennis .......... 339

QUEDIONUCHUS ........ 336, 783

Quedionuchus..... 06.005. es 402

angustls .............. 388

femoralis .............. 338

impunctus.......... 336, 783

—— impunctus ...... 337, 338, 339

nigerrimus ............ 338

—— spinipes................ 337

SPINES vee eee ecccveces 338

Quediopsts 6.0... eee eee 327

QUEDIUS ..............000. 328

Quedius ........ 827, 382, 336, 339

advena .............00. 329

—— anthracinus ............ 3832

——arrogans .............. 333

—— attenuatus 6.0... ccc cee 329

—— basiventris.............. 330

—— buphthalmus ............ 340

—— CAPUCINUS oe eee 336

—— championi.............. 329

— concolor .............. 332

cordiller@ oo... cece eee 336

flavicaudus ............ 333

—— flavicaudus .........44. 334

graciliventris .......... 331

graciliventris........ 332, 333

illatus 2.0... ee, 3380

UMPPCSSUS oo... eee ee ee 336

UmpunclUs ... 0... eee, 336

jocosus .............0., 331

——leticulus ............., 329

—— mexicanus.............. 334

820

Page

‘Quedius protensus............ 335

PUNUCEYPENNS. 6. vee 339

YIVOYUM.........02 00 ee 335

——rufinasus .............. 333

verecundus ............ 334

VEFECUNAUS. 0... cece eeaee 335

RECHOTA wo... cece eee eee 228

impressA ..........000- 229

RHANTUS wesc cece ees 42, 758

atricolor .......... 49,758

binotatus ..........005- 42

—calidus .............4.. 42

—— mexicanus.............. 42

suffusus ....... 00. ee eee 42

SAPHOGLOSSA ... eee eee eee 291

Saphoglossa ... ss. seen 287, 292

pictipennis ............ 291

SAUROHYPNUS .......... 501, 791

Saurohypnus i. cccevscccvees 486

nigerrimus........++..4. 791

— scutellaris...........00- 502

SCEPTOBIUS ........00eeeee 211

Gispar....... cece eee eee 212

SCHIZOCHILUS ........eeeeee 371

—— brasiliensis. .........000. 371

versicolor .........00ee. 371

SClOCHARIS ........00cceuee 569

Scvwocharts vo... vce cece 570, 575

arribalzagee ............ 570

OOPS... eee eee ee eee 574

capitata ..... 6. eee eee 571

championi.............. 573

—— cogata ...... cece eens 570

densicollis ...........00. 573

CQENA. .. eee eee ceeeeee 571

CGENA ere vvvvceecevees 572

—— flavipennis.............. 575

fragilis ................ 574

—— gregaria................ 578

—— JUNO once eeecccseceaee 574

—— minuta ................ 574.

NIQTICEPS ..........000, 570

NUGTUCEPS ves evvevevcees 571

nitidicollis.............. 572

perdita ..............0, 575

similaris................ 571

—— subnitens .............. 572

—— testace@........ccceeaes 572

SCIOPORUS.... eee cece eee eee 561

— Peewee eee es oe. 565

——apicipennis ............ 563

DreviCePS eee cece eens 564

—— brunneus .............. 561

chontalenus ............ 563

INDEX.

Page

Scioporus fulvescens.......... 562

latifrons ............6- 564

Latafrons. .. 6. c cee cane 565

— obsoletus .............. 563

—— parvidens ...........4.. 564

— sellatus ........... 00 eee 562

signatus.....0. ee... e eee 562

SUGNALUS ocr eceeeceevees 563

SCIOTROGUS ........e cece eee 707

OPACUS ...e eee eeeeveuee 707

SCOp@oderA ..cseccccvsvcavees 795

Scop@odes .isvcsecccrreeces 534

SCOPHOMERUS ......++0. wee. 538

SCOP@OMEVUS ci esvvcveccvecas 54]

chiriquensis ............ 539

—— guatemalenus .......... 539

ODSCUTUS 2... eee e eee 540

palmatus .............. 539

PALMATUS .reveivcoeseee 540

SCOPBUS wo. cece ce eeeee 540, 795

Scopeus.... 538,539, 548, 549, 552,

556, 557

—— antoniensis ........ wee. O45

APICICOTNIS......0 eee eee. 542

apicipennis ....... saves O47

Apicypennts..s..se. veeeee 548

brevipennis ............ 544

—— CarissIMUS ...... 2... eee 545

—— concolor............006. 542

CONCOIOY . cee cae ee cnees 548

delicatulus.............. 548

discoidalis............-. 546

discotdalis ..........008. 547

dissimilis ............4. 544

—— femoralis .............. 795

—— filitarsis................ 547

—— filum ........ rn 542

latitarsis .........-.0.- 541

ligulifer.............0.. 540

mollis woe... cece ee eee 545

Obscurus ........0 eee 543

OTNALUS Lo ccecceececcens 545

—— piceolus.............06. 543

politus ..............0. 546

—— polituS ec cescareceeces 547

pulchellus ..scccsveveees 547

Salvini ..... ccc eee ee eee 543

CAVSAIIS vce ececceccuees 541

——umbra ................ 544

ViliS coe cece cece ee 641

Scytaunus .icssccccceecceees 498

SELMA wo ccc cece ec ee ee eeees 343

modesta.....sseeceeeeee 343

Seprdulum ..ccccsvcccecceees 88

COSLATUM =. cw ees eeeoes .. 88

SILUSA 2... cee cece eee ees 274

Page

Silusd vo cee ceaes 240, 246, 2538, 278

gracilis 26... eee eee eee 277

hirtella ..... 0.2... 0008. 274

—— hirtella ........ 275, 276, 277

—— MAUTA 2... eee cece eee 276

—— opacella............ eee 277

parvula ........... e008. 278

rubiginosa ...... 274, 275, 277

similis .............005 275

subtilis ......... 0.00 eee 276

vestita wo... eee ee eee 275

SINDOLUS 2... cece eee eee eee 72

mundus ............006. 73

—— optatus ............00., 72

OptatUs .....ccceeeesees 73

Smilat vevvcccccveces Lene 342

AMEPUCANUS oe eee nceee 342

SOMOLEPTUS............ 494, 791

Somoleptus vo. .cecceecccecaee 495

@NESCENS 1. .seeeeeeeeee 495

——— @NESCENS were esecuces 496

agreeformis ............ 498

alticola ......ce.. eee eee 498

bicolor ............ 495, 791

0 (rr 496

elegans ..........000 eee 498

gracilis ........... 00s 496

Obscurus .....e...eeeee 496

ODSCUTUS 6. ee cee ee 497

obsoletus .........0.00. 496

obsoletus oo. eee cece eee 497

pallipes ............04.. 497

Pallipes ..icveicccreeees 498

parvulus .............. 496

—— punctulatus ............ 497

SPAYsUS 2.6... . eee ee eee 497

Spheridium abdominale ...... 769

mellipes vo... cece cceeee 105

pratextatum ...cecccecee 107

STAMNODERUS ............0. 607

championi.............. 607

ChAMPVONIE 6. eee eee 608

godmani .............. 608

gracilis .............08. 608

—— optatus ........... 0088. 608

allel... ec eee cee ee eee 607

STAPHYLINIDD «2... eee eae . 145

STAPHYLININA ......0.00000. 370

STAPHYLININZE. 2... eee eee 320

STAPHYLINUS .......... 371, 785

Staphylinus .... 842, 344, 347, 348,

351, 354, 361, 369, 370, 371,

372, 378, 390

affinis.......... cee eee 379

AGNS oc ee cece eee 380

Page

Staphylinus antiquus ........ 385

antiquus.... 381, 382, 383, 786

apicipennis ............ 381

AtTOX oo eee cece eee ee 372

ALTOX Leese ee 3738, 374, 377

belti oo... . ec. eee eee 387

biseriatus .......... 374, 785

— buquett ..........0. 372, 373

—— calidus wo... ieee caee. 344

—— caliginosus ............ 373

—— caliginosus .......... 374, 376

—— canaliculatus ........004. 213

—— castaneus .............. 377

CAUMALUS Le cece ene 378

centralis ...........005 384

championi.............. 382

chiriquensis ............ 388

CONNELUS oo. cece ee eeeee 433

CONSOTS ... ee eee eee eee 382

CONSOTS vo. cece ecaevcees 383

eyanomelas ............ 385

CYANOMELAS oe ee vseseeee 387

discordeus .....eeeeeeee 409

discretuS ........0. 379, 786

ephippiatus .....6... 432, 433

—— OXteNSUS ....6-...e000. 372

Fasctatus ...ceeeveccees 355

3 he): aa 372

POPOL civ ec ccc cccnceenes 373

fervidus.............0.. 377

Pervidus voc cc ecevccceces 378

fetialis cece ccc cceeee 351

formosus ...... vee eens 431

JUUGENS ccc cece ccneeee 468

fulvomaculatus.......... 373

funebris............000- 375

fuscomaculatus.......... 378

—— fuscomaculatus ...... 379, 380

eracilipes ...........60. 388

—— gr actlipeS vieeecceveceee 589

—— guatemalenus .......... 386

——- ignotus .............4.4. 3881

—— 1JNOLUS vee ee eecceee 382

—— incognitus .............. 376

UNCOGMULUS oe reenecccees 381

INfFUSCALUS vo. ce cereceess 371

insolitus................ 389

—— levigatus .......cceeen, 336

laquedtus .eeccseccccaee 688

lupinus ..........00.06. 785

— maculiventris .......... 375

MacUliventrts.....ececees 374

—— maculosus.............. 377

MAarcidUS .......eeeeeee 379

MAPCUUUS vivcececcveeee 380

MAXULOSUS . 6. vc ver eneee 370

INDEX.

Page

Staphylinus medialis ........ 384

memMnNnonius ...........4. 380

mendicus ..........000 387

MENACUS oo ecceaccvencs 390

MEXICANUS... 2... ee ee eee 384

modestus ..........+08. 383

modestUS .rccesccaccece 3884

———— MYSEICUS eee ee cancaes 373

nudicollis ...........00. 786

OChVOPYGUS vos esceeaees 382

—— optatus .............06. 386

OPtAtUS Loe ee cecececcuee 387

—— OFMALUS Lee ccc cece eae 353

pardalts ... ccc ccvceeees 373

—— phoenicurus ............ 377

—— _ plosuS vee eeceeeccaee 342

PTUISCUS oe cece eee e eee 383

—— punicempennis............ 339

TUPPENNUS ove cccceeee 431

PULLUUS ec eecccevcceecs 476

salleei... cc. e cee eee 383

— salvinianus ............ 385

SAIVINTANUS vec ec cvccuee 386

SUPNYVCUS 6... cece e eens 476

SApPPharinus .eeccececee, 344

SCULEMATIS . oe cee cee eeeee 3738

Sedatus ........... cece. 785

SEYMENLATIUS Loc cece ees 355

sepulchralis ............ 374

tachiniformis..... 1... c eee 425

tarsalis .............085 389

tempestivus ............ 377

COMENLOSUS . 6. ee eee 385, 385

VErSICOLOP ve eccecceceece 371

vestitus ....... cece eee 378

VULlOSUS Lo cece e cee cence 370

vittatus ....... eee eee 374

VUETATUS Cece ec cece ccuce 875

VUINNUS oo. cece ceeee 375, 785

vanthopygus ........ 347, 348

Stenesthetus .occececcceccecs 640

STENAGRIA .....ee cee e cece 237

Stenagria ..seeeeces 233, 238, 240

constricta ............0 239

gracilipes ........6...4. 238

GVacdypeS vecssessveeene 239

humeralis .............. 240

—— humeralis ... 0... ce canes 238

opacula .............00. 239

PATH occ cece eee eeeee 240

PATE vecssccevccevvens 238

Stenelmis .icccccceccccceeas 134

STENINA 2... cece eee eee eee 640

STENUS ......e sees ee ees 640, 798

Stenus .... 641, 648, 646, 649, 654,

659, 661, 663, 799

Page

Stenus abscondens .......... 798

aculeatus ...........00. 661

addendus ...........005 654

addendus ........eeceee 655

——albipes .............0.. 664

——albipes ........ 663, 665, 666

—— alticola ................ 652

———alumnus .............. 654

—— AUWMNUS 6. eee 655

— ambulator.............. 657

——_ amimatus oo... eee 799

——— ANIBONE eee ccc cece cas 642

—— armatus................ 661

asperatus ...........0., 659

—— bajulus ................ 653

bajUus cover ececcc cee. 654

— bueealis................ 648

bucealis 2... 0c eee 647

callosus ..... 6. eee 655, 656

CETTILUS Cole cece cee 667

Chalettes ... cece cee 646

championi.............. 642

—— chiriquensis ............ 663

— chontalenus ............ 666

consimilig ...........00. 651

OS 652, 653

CONEVACEUS Woe ee ee ce ees 656

COITOSUS. . 6. ee eee ee ee eee 645

cribriceps ............4. 662

—— cylindricollis............ 664

cylindricus ............ 663

cylindricus.......... 664, 666

deceptor .............. 666

densipennis ............ 650

detector............000. 665

docilis ............0008 653

Mocs. 6. eee cece 654, 655

eremitus .......... 655, 799

—— exulans ................ 660

fauvelianus ............ 646

—— fauveianus .........65. 647

flohri ..... 0.0... eee 666

gentilis ................ 657

godmani .......... 662, 799

GOUMANG. Looe cece cece ene 668

graciliventris .......... 643

—— guatemalenus .......... 665

hostilis .............04. 643

hostilis oo... cee 644

idoneus .............04. 799

INANIS..... 6. eee ee ee eee 656

MANS occ cece neces 658

incognitus............0. 652

IMerMis ..........00.05. 642

—— laceratus .......... 658, 799

—— laceratus .......... .... 659

822

Page

Stenus letipes ............-- 658

leucopus ........e eee 651

Leucopus oo... cv ee ce eeeee 653

longiventris ..........- 650

macilentus........-+..0. 647

MELOPS . oe. eeceeeeeeeee 658

—— MEXiCANUS...........065 644

MICANS .....e. eee eee 656

MIUCANS .ovicevercerencs 657

——— mucronatus ............ 644

——— MUCrONALUS .. eee eens 645

—— Masutus ........ eee eee 648

nimborum..........e00: 644

mitidiusculus .....eeceeee 653

ornativentris..........-. 650

peregrinus .........ee06- 656

—— placidus............500. 663

—— podagricus...........66- 667

—— pr0vtdUS oo cece eee eeee 644

——— pubescenS ..e.cceveceeee 651

punctatus .......0e 653, 654

—— punctiventris............ 645

——— PECONAUUS Civic ccecnceees 651

——— TeMOtUS ..... cece eee eee 659

venifer .... cee ce eee eee 641

PENGCF vo iccevevvevceees 642

—— repletus............000, 646

———— BAQAX eee cece eevee 665

SUGUL voce ec cccanes 661, 666

—— sallw@i... cc. eee eee eee 641

Salvini oo... ec eee e ee eee 659

SAWING voce eee cece 657, 660

scabripennis ............ 649

SCADIUPENNIS 66... ee eee 650

—— scabrosus ...........-.. 648

SCADTOSUS ee cee eee 649

scutiger.....s. ee. eee eee 660

SCEQNIS.... se eee eee e eee 655

/ —— sobrinus.............0.. 647

—— solitarius .............. 647

suaveolus ..........000. 667

—— sulcipennis ...... 0... ee 646

CArSANS 6... eee cee eee 651

trochanterinus .......... 649

—— vestigialis.............. 653

gzunilensis ............0. 645

SECNUSA oe cece ees 274.

STERCULIA..............00005 468

Sterculia . 6... c ccc ae 467, 471

basalis ............000. 469

clavicornts 2... 66. 471

discedens .............. 470

—— fimetaria 6... ee. 471

formicaria.......... 468, 471

fulgens .......0........ 468

—— fulgene oo... cece cece. 469

INDEX.

Page

Sterculia funebrts ....... +000. 471

humeralis ..........006. 469

—— mandibularis............ 468

mandrbulurts .. 0... eee eee 469

MUNOY oes cvceccceeceees A71

pollens ................ 469

puncticeps.........6ee ee 470

Sternopriscus 6... ce ecceceeces 26

Stilictoides oo... ee cee eee eee 238

STILICOPSIS ..........00000, 606

SEUICOPSIS ve cece cece eee 596

brevis... 0.2.0.0... eee eee 607

CFASSUS oe eee eee eee 606

—— modeéstuS ........ eee eee 606

PUCEUS Vee cece eee ce ecu 606

STILICUS 2... ee eee ee ee eee 581

Stilicus .... 576,577, 579, 582, 604

angularis ..........0... 581

bidens ............006- 585

Carinatus ..... 6. eee 582

chiriquensis ............ 584

cribratus .............. 582

cribripennis ............ 583

Ty 584

—— dissimilis .............. 586

femoratus ............-. 588

—— femoratus ...cceerereees 584.

-—— guatemalenus .......... 582

—— guatemalenus.........04. 583

—— muticus..............., 585

nimborum...........-.. 583

rugicollis .............. 584

simplex .............-.-. 584

STILOCHARIS............00.- 576

Stilocharts 0... 00.0 0c cee eee 577

longula .............0.. 577

STILOMEDON ...........0005. 565

Stilomedon .... 6... 20s 567, 569

connexus .............. 566

CONNELUS ese eee eee eee 567

CONVELUS vee c eee e eens 566

strigicollis.............. 566

—— triseriatus .............. 565

triservatus .. 66. eee eeeeee 566

verticalis .............. 567

Styliderus oo. cccccccccccnces 589

STYNGETUS ...........0.06. 361

Styngetus oo. ev ceee eee c cece 354

ANGICUS ..... ee. eee eee 362

championi.............. 362

—— cupripennts ...-...6000. 362

—— deyrollei .............. 361

deyrollet 6.6... cece eee 362

—— flavicaudus ............ 361

Jlavicaudus ............ 362

viduus, var. .........0.. 361

Page

Sunides .. se... cues 601, 602, 603

boreaphilides ... 0... .006- 602

SUNIINA . 1. cece eee eee eee eee 591

SUNIOCHARIS........004 586, 796

Suntocharts......6+4. 565, 567, 587

fragilis ... 0.02.00. 587, 796

—— modesta......... eee eee 586

—— MOdesta oo. ec ccvcrcccnes 587

—— nigrescens .........+.45- 587

SUNIOTRICHUS .......---000- 587

capiliaris ........6.. 0. 588

—— puncticollis ............ 588

sordidus...........0.06. 588

SUNIUS 1... ec cece e ee cee eee 596

Sunius .... 550, 565, 586, 587, 590,

595, 601, 607, 609

ANGUINUS os eeceseeeees 597

ALLENWALUS oe vce eceeees 601

—— Bidens... ccc c ce cecas 602

—— bipunctatus ........6.4. 602

DUSPINUS wo. cece cee c cence 602

Tg 607

—— CAEENA vec eevcecveeeeee 602

—— CEMALUS kee cece cece 602

—— centralis .............. 599

—— cinctiventris ............ 601

—— cogmatUS ......6 see eee 596

COGNATUS. 6. 6c ee eee 597, 598

CONJINIS . 6... cece eee eee 602

CTASSUS Cea cece eee 606

—— filiformis oo... cece eens 598

—— filiventris .............- 597

—— hybridus ......445. 602, 604

UNSUGNIS Loc vececccccecee 607

labeO oe ca cece cee eee ees 607

lateralis... 16. ce eee 599, 601

——— HUtUS vee cece ce eee aes 587

limbatus... 6... eee eee eee 599

lineiventris ... cece ee eee 599

longinasus......-....... 596

—— longiusculus .........45. 601

—— modestUs ....ceccccuees 606

——— NEVIUS over eeeccceen 602

—— opaculus .............. 600

palpalis ...... 6... 602, 605

peltatus oo... ceeee 602, 606

PUEUS Cece ee cece cece 606

——pilatel .............0.. 599

PYOWUXUS 6. eee eee ee eee 598

JUSTO vee ecnceneeeenes 589

—— sanctus ..........0060.. 600

—— signatellus.............. 598

—— spuntfer oii cc cc cceveee 602

——— SEUJNA eee ee eee 602

—— substrictus ............ 598

—— subtilis .............0.. 598

Page

Sunius subtilis... 6.6.0. ees 599

teNUIS 6... eee ee eee ee 600

—— testaceus ...........00. 601

troglodytes 6... 1... eee eee 589

——vilis ..... eee eee eee 597

—— UTS ce cence 598

SUPHIS ..... 0... cece eee eee 5

difformis, var. ........-- 5

Lineatus ... 06. c ee eee eee 7

TACHINODERUS ........ 307, 781

—— grandis .............06. 308

Grandts ... cre ceee eens 782

—— Major ...... se eee eee 308

TEMOLUS. .. 2... eee eee eee 781

Tachinomorphus .......++05- 307

TACHINUS ........-.005- 809, 782

Tachinus ....ceeceeeees 298, 307

alticola ..........6. 310, 782

alttcola oc. cece eee ees 311

Aepressus .....eeeeeeees 303

CLAUS. oe eee eee 305

—— humilis 0... cece cee 298

—— imornatus ..........606- 310

——— INOPNATUS cee ceceveees 311

—— meridionalis............ 309

—— nimborum..........++6- dll

TUPILOTMS vo eee ccseeees 38038

TULUUS ca eeceveveerces 304

TACHIONA 0... cece eee ce ees 284

—— deplanata ........--+55- 284

TACHYPORINE......0000008 297

TACHYPORUS .....----- 311, 782

ATGULUS . 6... ee eee eee 312

AV GUUS vo creer ee ceennes 782

chrysomeltnus .....0.04- 312

mexicanus .........+-. 311

—— pallescems .........-++-- 312

-—— pectoralis ......++...06- 312

tarsalis ..... 0... ee ee eee 782

TACHYUSA.... eee eee eee eee 225

Tachyusa ...... 174, 227, 287, 497

CXEVANCA wsscceeaes 199, 225

MEXICANA voce vececnee 228

picticOrnis ......005- 199, 225

seticOrmiS .........00ee 226

SPATSA@ .. eee eee eee ees ‘226

TMNODEMA «2... eee eee eee 618

—— filiforme ..........64.- 620

—— hemorrhoidale....,..... 619

—— nigripes..........--005- 619

nigripes, var. mexicanum . 619

ormatum .....-...ee eee 619

——— quadratum vescesereees 619

stigmaticum ...........- 618

SLIGMALICUM Viv eecr vce 619

INDEX.

Page

Teenodema tibiale............ 620

TANYGNATHUS .....- 0202s eee 321

antennalis..........++.- 321

australaste@ ....6e seen 321

crassulus ........2e000- 822

MuUtICUS..... 2... ee eee 321

terminalis .......... 821, 322

—— Vilis ..... ee eee eee ee eee 322

TEHSBA... cece ee eee eee ee eee 475

belti .... 2c. eee 475

Tetratarsus .icccccccceccees 640

THAMIARMIA ....... 0. cee eee 197

Thamiar@a ... cece eee 196, 205

cogmata.... cc. e eee eee 198

—— galvini ........-....0-. 197

—— salvint oi cece cece ccees 198

variegata ........5 ee eee 198

Thecturd ..ccccescveves 195, 240

THERMONECTES ......+-.- 43, 758

a 758

—— basilaris ...........06- 45

Cinctatus ...........06- 45

circumscriptus .......... 44

CUPCUMSCYIPLUS 6... cere ee 45

Cumeatus ......0- eee ees 45

depictUsS ...cecseeees 45, 759

—— maculatus.............. 44

margineguttatus ........ 45

—— marmoratus ............ 45

nigro-fasciatus........+- 44

— ornaticollis .........4.- 44

succinctus .......... 44,758

ThermonectuS 2... cece eeeee 43

THINOBIINA ...eee cere ee eees 705

THINOBIUS. 1.0... eee eee eee 705

Thinobius ......eeeeee re 707

—— agilis...........-.0008- 706

brachypterus ... 1.0... ees 707

—— curtellus ..........00-- 706

longipennts ......eeeeee 705

NiQTICANS .......ee eevee 706

tenuiS 2... cece ee ee eee 705

thripsoides ......-..... 705

Thin0dromu8 oo... cece ee eecee 702

THINOPHILUS .....-. eee ees 706

dissimilis ...........00. 707

THORACOPHORUS ..........4- 725

Thoracophorus ....eeeeeceees 723

eequalis ..... cece ee eee 727

brevicristatus .......... 726

discretuS .........0.00- 727

——. excisicollis ... ec eceees 725

—— filum ............00006. 728

OPACUS cicsceereeeeeces 723

pallidus.........-...65. 728

—— pusillus....... See e eee 727

Page

Thoracophorus pusillus .......+. 728

ruficollis ..........0eee 727

Salli... cc eee ee ee eee 725

truqull ....... eee e eee 726

Thoraxophorus ... cee eeeeee 725

THYREOCEPHALUS ........-- 498

Thyreocephalus .......0eeev ee 499

cribripennis ..........-. 501

cyanipennis ............ 500

—— lynceus .........+--. 0+ 499

puncticeps ............ 501

—— rufipennis ............-. 500

PUfIPENMS . oc. eee ee renee 501

Salvini ..... cece eee eee 499

1 500

subtilis ....... 0. ee eee 499

unicolor....... 6... e ee eee 500

TINOTUS......... 0000 ee 170, 778

—— cavicollis ...........--. 170

cavicollis oi. cece ee ees 171

flavescens .......... 171, 778

0 704

Trigonophorus .......ce eee 363

Trigonopselaphus ........+04- 363

OPACIPENNS 11... eee eens 369

VENUSLUS. Lecce nee enee 364

VUOIACEUS Lecce ce eens 364

TROCHODERUS .........-. 580, 796

dubius ......... eee eee 581

——godmani .............. 581

——- ovaticeps ..........006 796

TROGACTUS .......-0 cece eee 702

championi.............- 703

elegans ..........0 000s 7038

—— funebris................ 703

godmani ...........04- 703

Tr0ginus. occ ec ccceee eee 700

TROGOPHL@US.......... 697, 801

Trogophleus.. .

_ 243, 698, 700, 701,

702, 704, 707

—— argutus ...........00 06, 801

—— APUUS cece 698

——centralis ...........00. 701

——— COTTICINUS voces 698

——— CTOCEWPES vee eee 702

—curtulus .............. 699

— excellens .............. 699

——_ EXIG™UUS Loe ec veccennes 700

—— filarius .............006 698

fulvipennts. 6... cee evees 699

—— fulvipes ...........006. 697

—— insignellus ............ 700

——nmisellus .............. 700

—— mtsellUs .... ccc eccceees 701

—— mollis .............44. 702

—— nigrellus ee tecreess 699

824

Page

Trogophieus nigrellus ........ 700

planellus .............. 698

—— punctipennis............ 701

A 698

scrobiculatus ..... 6.0.08 701

— suffusus................ 698

——triangulum ............ 701

—— velutinus .............. 700

vittatus ........ eee eae 702

TIOGUS vce eee c cece eee ee 47

Slavocinctus ....... 0.06. 47

TROPISTERNUS .......... 54, 762

Tropisternus .. 0... cece ce ceee 763

-—— apicipalpis.............. 55

—— brevicollis.............. 56

californicus .......e eee 59

—— chalybeus .............. 55

—— chontalengis ...... ceeaee 57

Collaris ......... cee eee 55

—— COMATIS . Le ecccccccnves 763

—— concolor ..........008. 57

CONCOLOY . 6. cceesceeeccas 58

CYASSUS we. cee cece eee ees 56

—— dorsalis............... 763

—— duis vec eccccccceess 59

—— flavipalpis.......... wee. 768

—— fuscitarsis..........6. .. 58

FUSCHATSIS oe eee eens 59

lateralis. ........... eee, 60

—— lambalis ..... cece cee 60

—— mexicanus .......... 55, 762

NIteNS ....... eee eee 56, 763

—— nitidulus ...ccccccceces 57

NUAUS occ cceccecccces 56

obscurus .............. 60

obscurus ..... cece eee 61, 763

oculatus ..........0008 58

—— ovalis...............0.. 57

SUIGNALPES 66. ceaee 59

sublevis .............. 763

tinctus .............00, 59

—- VNU eee cece eee 61

xanthopus .......... 59, 763

Turellus . 6. ccc cece ccces 640

TYMPANOPHORUS........ 342, 784

concolor............ 343, 784

—— puncticollis ............ 348

INDEX.

Page

Voluulus .....0. 000. 65, 77, 78, 79

XANTHOLININA ........000- 466

XANTHOLINUS .......... 475, 791

Xantholinus .... 145,476, 486, 487,

490, 498, 502

—— eneotinctus ............ 484.

—— eneotinctus .........44. 485

alticola ............00 ee 48]

AMLENUALUS 6. ce ee eee eee 484

brachypterus............ 479

canaliculatus... 6.0.0... 472

carinatus ............4. 480

CATINALUS oe cee eee eee 478

—— chalybeus .............. 476

—— championi.............. 482

CYASSICEPS 66.6.6... 0. ee 484

CYASSICEPS 6. cece ce ween 490

— difficilis............ 482,791

—— discretus ..... weet eee 481

iVisus vee ee ceccceceves 474

CTYthTOPYGUS. .eceeeceees 488

flagellifer .............. 485

JMAVIPENNAS. ove eee ceeees 473

fuliginosus ..........0. 478

—— fumatus................ 480

—— fumatus......cc.00- 481, 502

—— guatemalenus .......... 485

—— humilis ................ 481

humilis occ eccccecccee 482

UMPVESSYFYONS .....0.0e 487

lacertosus ...........0.. 478

—— levipennis ............ 477

laxus oo... . eee eee eee 482

VALUS oo cece eee 483, 490

LOrquint ... 6. cece eee eeee 499

—— lyneeu8 oo. eee cece ces 499

—— mexicanus ............ 479

—— MCXICANUS. Leese ceeeeee 480

—— nigriceps .............. 476

—oculatus .............. 477

—— panamensis ............ 485

pectoralis .... ee. eee e eee 477

PuncticepS....... cece eee 475

punctulatus ......... ee 480

—— Pyglalts . eee eee ceeen 487

Page

Xantholinus resectus 480, 791

—— TCSECLUS Levee cece cncees 502

—— rudis..............0... 477

TUS Woe cece eee eee 478

—— rutilus .............06. 476

Salvini ........... 0.08. 483

SETPENS ..........0.006, 479

strigiceps ...........08. 476

temporalis we. eeeeceuee 487

Vilis 2... eee eee 483

7 482, 490

XANTHOPYGINA ............ 342

Xanthopyginad .......0. 00. 783

XANTHOPYGUS ..........00.. 344

Aanthopygus ........ 346, 347, 368

abdominalis ............ 347

—— CANAUS ..... eee eee ee 345

—— cognatus, var. minor .... 847

FAUHUS Loe eee cece ee 346

510) 9 345

MOTOSUS......... 000000, 346

—— puncticollis ............ 345

rufipennis .............. 346

sapphirinus ............ 344

sapphirinus ....... 008, 345

SOlskyi ........... ec eee 344

SOUSKYE vee eee cccceeeees 345

CUOIACEUS vee eee eee 345

viridipennis ............ 344

VUUAPENNIS oo... ee eeeee 345

LANCHOPYGUS voce ceveaee 344

ZIROPHORUS ... 0... cece ee eee 711

Lr Ophorus ov ccc ecccccccccces 712

bicornis................ 712

bicornis, var. oxytelinus.. 712

fronticornis ........ 711,712

furcatus.............0.. 712

lacordatrét............0. 712

pemeillatus ............ 711

——planatus .............. 711

SPUNOSUS eee eee e eens 711

ZONASTER . 0.0... ee eee eee 595

—— optatus................ 595

LYVAS cece eee ee enes 202, 207

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