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THOZnAS JLWC0LK

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1925

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COLEOPTEROLOGICAL NOTICES.

I.

WITH AN APPENDIX

ON THE

TERMITOPHILOUS STAPHYLINIDJ] OF PANAMA.

BY

THOS. L. CASEY.

[Extract from the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Vol. V.]

^^1

1

II. — Coleojjterological Notices,

I.

■I ~ '

BY THOMAS L. CASEY.

Read October 7, 1SS9.

The following pages embody the results of a number of detached

studies in various parts of the Coleopterous series, and are confined,

in general, to the fauna of America north of Mexico. The family

Phalacrida3, and the genera Thinobius, Aploderus, and Limnichus

are treated monographically.

I have to acknowledge my appreciation of the kindness shown

me by the authorities of the Museum of Comjmrative Zoology,

at Cambridge, Mass., under the curatorship of Dr. H. A. Hageo,

for permission to examine the types of Dr. LeConte, without

which no systematic work of scientific value could have been accom-

plished.

I am also indebted to Prof. C. V. Riley for the use of the

material of the National Museum, which has been of great service

in determining geographical distribution in the Phalacridee, and to

Dr. D. Sharp, and Messrs. E. A. Schwarz, Otto Lugger, and H. F.

Wickham, for valuable specimens.

New York, September 29, 1889.

Note.

The introduction of new names for parts of an insect, when names already

in use will serve just as well, should be avoided, and, as the term hypomera has

been employed by me in many descriptions for the inflexed sides of either the

pronotum or elytra, by prefixing the proper adjective, it may be objected that

epipleurcB would serve the same purpose, and that the new word is therefore

unnecessary. I have consequently determined to restrict the meaning of hypo-

mera, so as to denote simply the inflexed sides of the pronotum, reserving the

word epi/)leime to denote the inflexed sides of the elytra, and the word hi/po-

40 Goleopterological Notices.

pleurce to designate the lower beaded margin of tlie epifileurse, which, although

generally small and sometimes obsolete, occasionally becomes larger and rather

conspicuously modified. It is hoped that this will tend to promote conciseness,

and that the consequent reduction of words will warrant the proposed nomen-

clature.

CARABID.E.

PSEUDOMORPHA Kirby.

By referring to the table of species published by Dr. Horn (Trans.

Am. Ent. Soe., X, p. 273), it will be seen that the following form is

not closely allied to any hitherto known. It is extremely slender,

parallel and convex, and is distinguished by the nine series of ely-

tral punctures being very distinctly traceable.

P, cylindrica n. sp. — Parallel, very convex, rather more than three

times as long as wide, uniformly blackish-piceous above ; under surface and

legs bright rufous ; integuments highly polished ; margins fimbriate. Head

short and broad, feebly convex, nearly four-fifths as wide as the prothorax,

very finely, sparsely and unevenly punctate, the punctures in the form of

minute strongly emlwssed rings ; eyes large, finely faceted ; antennae sleuder,

compressed, cylindrical ; joints four to eleven very compactly joined, second

three-fifths as long as the third, the latter longer than the fourth, five to ten

subequal, nearly as long as the third, the eleventh longer. Prothorax scarcely

more than one-third wider than long ; sides very feebly convergent from base

to apex and just visibly arcuate ; basal angles — viewed laterally — broadly

rounded, apical narrowly rounded ; base and apex transversely truncate, the

former with a fringe of short pointed closely placed setae ; disk transversely,

very strongly convex, very narrowly explanate along the sides, margined at

the sides and apex with a wide elevated bead which is completely obsolete

throughout the basal margin, very minutely, sparsely punctate ; punctures

rather unevenly distributed, annulate ; median impressed line completely

obsolete. Scutellum very minute, transversely triangular. Elytra folly as

wide as the base of the prothorax, twice as long as wide, three and two-thirds

times as long as the prothorax ; sides parallel and straight ; together abruptly

siibtruncate at apex, the truncation broadly arcuate ; disk cylindrically and

strongly convex, with nine distinct and almost even series of fine distant sub-

asperate punctures, the punctures of the second series fi'om the suture much

larger and with longer setae, those of the fourth series also more distinct but

much smaller than those of the second ; intervals impunctate. Length 7.0 mm. ;

width (base of prothorax) 2.1 mm.

Texas (El Paso). Mr. G. W. Dunn.

The single specimen is a male, and the sexual characters are

remarkably distinct. The third and fourth segments of the abdomen

have, each, a large transversely-elliptical impression, or more appa-

Coleopterological Notices. 41

rently shallow perforation, which is situated in the middle near the

base, and about as wide as the length of the fifth tarsal joint ; they

are similar in form and position ; the bottom is flat and densely

spongiose, and the anterior margin bears a fringe of long closely-

placed subrecumbent setae, which extend over and partially protect

the sensitive spongiose area. The long second segment is more

densely pubescent than the remainder of the abdomen.

STAPHYLINID^E.

BLEDIIJS Leach.

A partial revision of the North American species of this extensive

and interesting genus has been published by Dr. LeConte (Trans.

Am. Ent. Soc.YI, p. 21*7 ef f<eq.), and, although apparently somewhat

hastily drawn up, the descriptions there given will serve in most

cases for purposes of identification. The species as a rule are much

larger in size and more open in their habits than those of Trogo-

phloeus, and it is almost certain that the proportion of known to

unknown forms is much greater than in that genus, but in spite of

this the number of species existing in America north of Mexico will

probably be found to be in the neighborhood of one hundred and

fifty. While, therefore, the time is not yet ripe for a useful mono-

graph of our species, it is highly desirable that the large number of

species discovered in recent years should be assimilated, and the

revision above alluded to forms a convenient guide for the distribu-

tion of them with regard to their systematic relationship.

The groups adopted by LeConte rest in several cases upon char-

acters which have been inaccurately stated, and therefore have not

the value which apparently belongs to them. The armatus group,

for instance, is quite composite, the coxal fissures being open in

some and shorter and closed in others. When open, however, as in

sfr'enuus, they are not of the same form as in the annularis group,

where they are longer, acutely triangular and gradually more widely

open toward the coxse. The antennae in cribricollis and monstra-

tus, with their three-jointed club, are quite different in structure

from those of armatus and strenuus.

The definition, also, of the cordatus group by the form of the

basal angles of the prothorax is unfortunate, for the form of these

angles varies from the broadly rounded and completely obsolete as

42 Goleopierological Notices.

iu basalis, to the distinct and even slightly prominent as exhibited

in cordaius. There is an undoubted bond of affiliation between the

species associated by the author in the group, but it cannot be the

form of the basal angles. It would be better to separate them as

a group on the longer second antennal joint, which is invariably

longer than the next two combined, and the convex head, with

small and extremely feeble antennal prominences, or by the small

unemarginate labrum, with the apical edge finely and strongly

reflexed, or even by the peculiar system of coloration.

The very decided character separating the mandibularis group is

not entirely constant, for in several, if not all the species assigned to

it, the acute lateral edge is present near the apex, and in some species

not assignable to it, as monticola and dimidiatus, the acute margin

becomes obsolete before reaching the base, and in the latter is totally

absent, almost throughout the basal sinuation.

These are matters, however, which must be reserved for a more

complete study, and the new species here brought to notice are dis-

tributed in the groups as limited by LeConte, a list showing their

relative positions being given under each heading.

It should be said in conclusion that the tarsi are not three-jointed

as stated in the books, but more properly four-jointed. In the

species allied to armatus, all four joints are perfectly free and dis-

tinct, but the basal joint becomes subanchylosed to the second in

several species, notably in the semiferrugineus group, and in the

annularis group the anchylosis is generally complete, the tarsus

appearing to be three-jointed ; even here, however, the suture can

often be plainly seen.

Group 1. — niandibularis.

No additional species assignable to this group have been reported,

and it is highly probable that hrevidens Lee. will prove to be a

synonym of mandihularis Er., the specimens before me showing all

degrees of developmeot of the mandibular tooth.

The magnitude of the triangular incision of the eighth segment in

the males of this genus appears to be variable at will, the segment

being composed of two overlapping parts, the edge of one forming

an oblique line from one side of the apex to the opposite side of the

base. When the two parts are pushed apart laterally, the notch at

the apex becomes deeper, and as they are closed together it becomes

smaller, preserving however the same relative form.

Coleopterological Notices. 43

Group 2. — armatus.

The succession of species, of which a vei-y large proportion are

described below, may be stated as follows : —

armatus Say. agonus n. sp.

strenuus n. sp. ineptus n. sp.

furtivus n. sp. politus Er.

cribricollis Lee. flavipennis Lee.

monstratus n. sp. lectus n. sp.

eximius n. sp. tenuis n. sp.

cuspidatus Lee.

B. armatus ^&y.— Oxyt. arm. Say, Journ. Ac. Pliila. Ill, p. 155. — Rather

robust and convex, black ; elytra dark rufo-piceous, blackish toward suture

and base ; abdomen slightly paler at the apex ; legs and antennae dark piceo-

rufous, the latter piceous toward apex ; head and prothorax moderately shin-

ing, rather coarsely and very strongly reticulato-granulose ; abdomen polished,

finely reticulate. Head distinctly narrower than the prothorax, very feebly

convex, with a few very small, feeble and indistinct punctures in the lateral

depressions, having, on a line through the middle of the eyes, two large,

approximate, distinct, but not very strongly elevated tubercles, the surface

behind them very feebly impressed; epistomal suture fine, impressed, very

distinct ; antennal prominences very large and strongly elevated ; each apical

angle of the epistoma with a strong erect process, the apex of which is reflexed;

antennae long and rather slender ; second and third joints equal in length, the

latter as long as the fifth and sixth together, outer joints graduallj- more robust,

the tenth scarcely perceptibly wider than long. Prothorax as wide as the base

of the elytra, scarcely more than one-sixth wider than long ; sides in apical

three-fifths parallel and nearly straight, then broadly rounded to and through

the base, the latter less strongly areuate, the basal and lateral angles entirely

obsolete ; apical right, rather narrowly but distinctly rounded ; apex nearly

transversely truncate ; disk sparsely and very unevenly punctate, the punc-

tures impressed, very distinct but not very coarse ; median groove deep, im-

pressed, conspicuous. Elytra quadrate, toward apex scarcely perceptibly wider

than the prothorax, about one-fourth longer than the latter, rather strongly

impressed near the suture toward base, not veiy densely or coarsely punctate,

the punctures deep and very distinct, separated by about twice their own

diameters ; pubescence rather sparse, moderate in length, coarse. Abdomen

slightly narrower than the elytra, rather sparsely, finely punctate, the im-

pressed areas impunctate ; under surface finely, more densely punctate, with

long coarse conspicuous pubescence. Length 5.5-6.0 mm.

New Mexico (Albuquerque). Mr. H. F. Wickham.

The above rather full diagnosis is given, as there has been more

or less indecision in the identification of this species. The descrip-

tion is taken from the male, the female differing very slightly, the

44 Coleopterological Notices.

tubercles of the front and epistoma being rudimentary. The hvpo-

mera are very feebly impressed along the outer margin ; they are

wide, and the apical width is equal to the length of the short, almost

completely closed coxal fissures, and two-thirds as wide as the

width at the fissures ; the suture is obsolete, but traceable from

differences in the form of reticulation. The mentum is distinctly

but moderately impressed throughout the width toward base, the

short coriaceous hypoglottis being separated by a fine deep suture.

In the two following species only those characters are mentioned

which differ from the corresponding ones of armatus ; in other re-

spects they are similar.

B. streilims n. sp. — Robust, moderately convex, black, the elytra some-

times dark piceo-riifous as in armatus. Head much narrower than the protho-

rax ; epistomal suture very coarse, dee^) and distinct ; antennae piceous-black

throughout, nearly as in annatus. Prothorax slightly wider than the base of

the elytra, one-third wider than long ; sides in slightly more than apical two-

thirds nearly straight and very feebly but distinctly divergent from the apex,

then strongly convergent, at first nearly straight then broadly rounded into

the base, without trace of basal angles, the base more feebly arcuate ; lateral

angles obtuse but very narrowly rounded and distinct, apical very slightly

obtuse, rather narrowly but distinctly rounded ; apex transversely truncate ;

punctures rather more densely and evenly distributed than in armatus. Elytra

very slightly wider than long, at apex scarcely perceptibly wider than the

prothorax, the sides slightly divergent and nearly straight, between one-fourth

and one-third longer than the prothorax. Abdomen very slightly narrower

than the elytra. Length 6.0 mm.

California.

The description is taken from the male, of which I found a single

specimen in the brackish marsh behind the ocean beach at San

Francisco. There is an entirely similar specimen from the same

locality in the cabinet of Dr. LeConte. With these I have asso-

ciated a large number of specimens taken at Los Angeles, which

differ only in the sides of the prothorax being parallel and not diver-

gent from the apex as in the San Francisco specimens — they, how-

ever, probably represent a variety, as the coxal fissures are distinctly

shorter and more nearly closed. The species differs from armatus

in its much more transverse prothorax, rather more robust form,

and distinct lateral prothoracic angles.

The hypomera are wide, very feebly impressed laterally, the apical

width being slightly more than one-half that at the coxal fissures ;

the latter are 1-onger than in armatus, being nearly as long as the

Coleopterological Notices. 45

width of the hypomera at their apex, and are distinctly open, the

sides however being parallel, and not angulate and more open

toward the cox^e, as in the annularis group. The sutures are

entirely obsolete, and the mentum is nearly as in armatus.

B. furtivus n. sp. — General form and sculpture nearly as in armatus, the

tubercles of the vertex being smaller and more a2:)proximate, and the epistomal

processes shorter ; outer joints of antennae very slightly more transverse. Pi-o-

thorax scarcely perceptibly narrower than the base of the elytra, rather strongly

transverse, two-fifths wider than long ; sides parallel and straight, strongly

convergent in basal third and nearly straight, the basal angles very obtuse

and very broadly rounded, but more distinct than in stremius; lateral angles

obtuse but very narrowly rounded and distinct, apical right and very broadly

rounded, the apex broadly and very distinctly arcuate throughout the width,

otherwise nearly as in stremius. Elytra scarcely as long as wide, about two-

fifths longer and, near the apex, fully one-fourth wider than the prothorax,

the sides distinctly divergent. Ahdome.n entirely impunctate along a broad

and distinct median line, finely and rather densely punctate beneath. Length

5.0 mm.

Oregon (The Dalles). Mr. H. F. Wickham.

Although the abdominal punctures are sparser along the middle

in ar^natu.s, there is no well-defined line in which they are entirely

absent, as in furtivus; this line is, however, broad and almost

entirely free from punctures in strenuus.

This species, the description of which is taken from the male,

differs greatly from armatus in its much shorter and more trans-

verse prothorax, with distinct lateral angles, and from strenuus in

the broadly rounded apex and apical angles of the same part. The

prosternal sutures are more distinct than in either of the preceding

species, and because of the greater depression of the apical angles

of the pronotum, the hypomera ai'e, at apex, distinctly less than

one-half as wide as at the coxal fissure; the latter is slightly shorter

than the hypomera! width in continuation of it, and is narrowly

open, being intermediate between the same part in armatus and

strenuus. The hypomera are not distinctly impressed externally.

The mentum is nearly as in the two preceding species.

The three species armatus, strenuus and furtivus, although

closely allied, are almost undoubtedly distinct; if however this

should prove not to be the case, the structure of the prosternum

and hypomera must be considered of very little value, even in the

separation of species.

46 Coleopterological Notices.

B. moiistratlis n. sp. — Rather slender and convex, parallel, dark testa-

ceous ; abdomen dark, piceous-brown ; elytra paler, flavate throughout ; legs

and antennae flavate ; head strongly shining, reticulato-granulose, the median

tubercles, antennal prominences and apical part of the epistoma highly polished

and not reticialate ; pronotnm polished, very feebly reticulate near the punc-

tures ; abdomen moderately shining, very strongly reticulate. Head very small,

much narrower and shorter than the prothorax ; eyes moderately prominent ;

on a line through their apical third there are two very api^roximate prominent

tubercles, behind and between which there is a short feeble canaliculation ;

between them and the large prominent antennal tuberculations there are a few

small, rather distinct punctures ; suture short, transverse, feeble, not impressed,

situated immediately before the tubercles of the vertex ; apical angles of the

epistoma tuberculate, the tubercles gradually obsolete posteriorly, and slightly

more approximate than the angles ; antennie rather short and slender, the

three last joints abruptly wider forming a club ; second distinctly longer than

the third, four to seven moniliform and subglobular, eighth slightly wider,

transversely oval, ninth and tenth strongly transverse, eleventh short, ovoidal,

slightly narrower than the tenth, longer than wide. Prothorax large, about

one-fourth wider than long ; sides from near the apex to basal fifth parallel

and straight, then abruptly, broadly rounded into the base, without trace of

basal or lateral angles, the base broadly distinctly arcuate, the apex trans-

versely truncate ; apical angles right and distinctly rounded ; disk extremely

coarsely piinotate, the punctures very strongly and broadly impressed, deep,

distant by rather less than their own diameters anteriorly, becoming much

finer and sparse toward base ; median groove wide, entire, very broadly and

deeply impressed, conspicuous. Elytra scarcely as long as the prothorax and

very distinctly narrower, scarcely as long as wide, very broadly and just visibly

impressed on the suture at the base ; sides very feebly divergent ; surface very

finely and densely punctate, the punctures distant by nearly twice their own

diameters ; pubescence dense, moderate in length. Abdomen }VL&i visibly wider

from base to apex, at which point it is fully as wide as the elytra ; sides

straight ; surface very finely, feebly, indistinctly and rather sparsely punc-

tate, rather finely, more distinctly and densely so beneath. Length 3.8^.3 mm.

California (San Francisco).

The type of this interesting and very distinct species is a male,

but possesses no decided sexual modification at the apex of the

abdomen. It is closely related to cribricoUis Lee, but is immedi-

ately distinguishable by its very large prothorax and small elytra.

It should form, together with cribricoUis, a group distinct from the

armafus group of LeConte, because of its very short completely

closed coxal fissures, and three-jointed antennal club.

The apical angles of the pronotum are abrupt!}' and strongly

deflexed, the hypomera wide, very deeply and broadly concave

throughout, the coxal fissures extremely short, closed and directed

Coleopterological Notices. 47

strong-]}^ and obliqueh^ forward. The sutures are obsolete. The

mentum is ahiiost flat, shining and reticulate. The color occasion-

ally becomes very pale flavate-brown throughout.

B. exiltlillS n. sp. — Rather narrow and depressed, subparallel, black ;

prothorax pale, red-brown ; elytra same, slightly clouded with piceous toward

base ; abdomen paler at apex, black beneath ; legs and antennse testaceous,

the latter infuscate toward apex ; head very slightly shining, finely, rather

strongly granulosa ; pronotum distinctly shining, finely and rather strongly

granulato-reticulate ; abdomen polished, finely reticulate, more strongly so

toward apex. Head distinctly narrower than the prothorax, very feebly con-

vex, with a few small scattered punctures laterally ; vertex with an elongate

feeble impressed fovea, on either side of which the surface is very feebly

swollen ; epistomal suture strong, arcuate, broadly impressed ; anterior angles

of the epistoma strongly tuberculate ; antennal prominences large and very

strong, their apices externally finely and strongly margined with an elevated

bead ; antennse moderate in length, rather strongly, gradually incrassate ;

third joint rather longer than the second and as long as the fourth and fifth

combined, tenth fully three-fourths wider than long. Prothorax just visibly

narrower than the base of the elytra, one-fourth wider than long ; sides in

rather more than apical two-thirds parallel and straight, then convergent and

straight for a short distance, then broadly rounded into the base without trace

of basal angles; base transverse; apex just visibly arcuate; apical angles

right and extremely narrowly rounded, lateral very obtuse, broadly rounded

and not distinct ; disk rather coarsely, sparsely and very xmevenly punctate ;

median groove wide, very deeply impressed, entire and conspicuous. Elytra

fully as long as wide, one-fifth wider and one-half longer than the prothorax ;

sides nearly straight, slightly divergent ; surface very feebly impressed on

each side of the suture at base, rather coarsely, moderately densely and deejjly

punctate, the punctures generally separated by nearly twice their own widths ;

pubescence rather long, distinct but not very dense. Abdomen at apex nearly

as wide as the elytra, at base much narrower ; sides straight and distinctly

divergent ; surface finely, rather sparsely punctate, finely and densely so

beneath, with the surface finely granulato-rugulose and somewhat dull.

Length 5.5 mm.

California (San Diego).

The hypomera are flat, but strongly depressed below the lateral

edges, the latter being very prominent and acute throughout; at

apex the width is fully three-fourths that at the fissures, Avhich are

but slightly shorter than the adjacent bypomeral width, and nar-

rowly but very distinctly open ; the prosternal sutures are almost

completely obliterated but rather distinctly traceable. The mentum

is shining, coarsely and very strongly reticulate, and broadly im-

48 Coleopterological Notices.

pressed throuffhout the width, the terminal membrcanous hypoglottis

almost one-third as long.

The description of this very distinct species is taken from the

male, the eighth ventral segment being very deeply incised, the

seventh broadly cusped. It should be placed near cuspidatus.

It. agOllllS n. sp. — Slender, moderately depressed ; sides parallel ; pice-

ous, elytra rufo-testaceous, broadly and indefinitely clouded with darker casta-

neous toward the suture and base ; abdomen black ; legs throughout and coxje

pale flavate ; antennae brownish-rufous. Head very slightly narrower than the

prothorax, feebly shining, densely, coarsely granulato-reticulate, not distinctly

punctate ; eyes rather large and prominent, the setae very short and sparse ;

antennal prominences strong, the epistomal sutiire slightly impressed ; vertex

not tuberculate, but having a large rounded rather deeply-impressed puncture ;

antennae moderate, second joint one-third longer and more robust than the

third, four to six much shorter, submoniliform, six to eight rapidly wider ;

outer joints strongly transverse, eleventh ovoidal, scarcely as long as the two

preceding together. Prothorax as wide as the base of the elytra, about one-third

wider than long ; sides in anterior two-thirds parallel and almost straight, then

convergent and arcuate to the base which is transverse ; basal angles very

obtuse and rounded, lateral rounded and entirely obliterated, apical right and

narrowly rounded ; apex transverse ; disk feebly shining, densely, coarsely

granulato-reticulate, rather finely but distinctly, very sparsely and somewhat

unevenly punctate, the pubescence very sparse but rather long ; median groove

very fine and feebly impressed. Elytra very slightly longer than wide, about

two-thirds longer than the prothorax, very finely, feebly and sparsely punc-

tate, the punctures separated by about three times their own diameters, but

much closer than those of the pronotum ; sides nearly parallel ; pubescence

very sparse and short. Abdomen as wide as the prothorax, shining, rather

finely, densely and strongly reticulate throughout, finely and very sparsely

punctate, the under surface more densely so and distinctly reticulato-rugulose.

Length 4.5 mm.

rtah.

The mentum is broadly and deeply impressed especially toward

base, and the anterior angles of the epistoma are distinctly tuber-

culate in the male.

A very distinct species which should be associated with cuspi-

datus.

B. ineptus n. sp. — Rather slender and convex, pieeous ; elytra pale

flavate, the suture narrowly dusky, more broadly so toward base ; legs and

antennae flavate, the latter infuscate toward apex ; head finely, strongly granu-

lato-reticulate, feebly shining ; pronotum feebly reticulate throughout, except

along the median line where the surface is polished and the reticulation obso-

lete, rather strongly shining ; abdomen polished but distinctly, evenly reticu-

Coleopterological Notices. 49

late tlirougliont. Head very distinctly narrower than the prothorax, very feebly

convex, with a few fine scattered and indistinct punctures ; median fovea small,

the surface before it slightly tumid ; suture transverse, rather broadly im-

pressed, distinct ; antennal tuberculations rather small, widely distant, rather

strongly elevated ; antennte moderate, gradually, rather feebly incrassate ;

second joint more robust and very much longer than the third, ninth and

tenth not much longer than the eighth, distinctly wider than long. Prothorax

scarcely perceptibly narrower than the base of tlie elytra, one-fourth wider

than long ; sides except in basal fotu'th and apical sixth, parallel and straight,

strongly convergent and feebly arcuate to the basal angles, which are very

obtuse and broadly rounded, although slightly definable ; lateral angles broadly

rounded and not very distinct, apical right, broadly and distinctly rounded ;

apex transversely truncate ; base just visibly arcuate ; disk rather abruptly

and very strongly convex near the apical, basal and lateral margins, finely,

feebly, very sparsely and someM'hat unevenly punctate, the median line rather

bi'oadly impunctate, the median groove almost completely obsolete, only im-

perfectly visible under certain angles of illumination. Elijtra very slightly

wider and about two-fifths longer than the prothorax, fully as long as wide ;

sides nearly straight, scarcely visibly divergent ; disk very feebly impressed

near the suture toward base, somewhat finely and sparsely but distinctly punc-

tate, the punctures separated by rather more than twice their own diameters ;

pubescence very sparse, moderate in length. Abdomen parallel, slightly nar-

rower than the elytra, verj' finely and sparsely punctate, beneath more coarsely

unevenly and rather sparsely punctate. Length 4.2-4.7 mm.

New Mexico (Albuquerque), Mr. Wickbam ; Texas (El Paso),

Mr. Dunn.

The hypomera are wide, rather flat but very feebly impressed

near the lateral edges, the coxal fissures short, about two-thirds as

long as the adjacent hypomeral width and narrowly but distinctly

open ; the prosternal sutures are almost completely obsolete. The

mentum is flat, scarcely perceptibly and indefinitely concave, coarsely

but very feebly reticulate, polished, the terminal membranous hypo-

glottis strongly developed, nearly one-third as long as the chitinous

portion. The anterior angles of the epistoma are finely and very

strongly tuberculate in the male.

This species should be placed near politus. It is rather closely

allied to agonus, but differs in its distinctly narrower head, more

broadly rounded apical angles of the prothorax, the latter being

distinctly less transverse, and in its shorter, more coarsely deeply

and denseh' punctate elytra.

B. lectlis n. sp. — Rather slender, subparallel, black ; pronotum paler,

piceo-rufons ; elytra bright rufous, very broadly clouded with piceous-black

toward suture and base ; legs and antennje pale testaceous, tlae latter slightly

Annals N. Y. Acad. Sci., Dec. 1889.— 4

50 Coleopterological Notices.

infuscate ; head rather finely and strongly, pronotum more coarsely and /eebly

reticulate, the latter rather strongly shining ; abdomen polished, rather coarsely

evenly and feebly . reticulate. Head slightly narrower than the prothorax,

feebly convex ; eyes rather large, moderately and evenly convex ; median

puncture very small and feeble ; vertex not tuberculate ; antennal promi-

nences rather large and strong ; suture distinct ; apical angles of the epistoraa

slightly tumid ; antennje rather long and slender, gradually and moderately

incrassate ; second joint more robust and distinctly longer than the third, fifth

longer than wide, tenth very slightly wider than long, the eleventh one-half

longer than wide, rather acutely and gradually pointed. P)-othorax scarcely

perceptibly narrower than the base of the elytra, just visibly wider than long ;

sides except in basal fourth parallel and nearly straight, then convergent

and perfectly straight to the basal angles, which are very obtuse but rather

narrowly rounded and definable although not distinct ; lateral angles obtuse,

narrowly rounded and distinct, apical nearly right, very narrowly rounded :

apex broadly and very distinctly arcuate ; base very feebly so ; disk rather

convex, very finely and sparsely punctate, the punctures veiy feebly impressed

although distinct, very unevenly distributed ; median groove very fine, feebly

impressed, entire ; pubescence very easily abraded and inconspicuous. Elijtra

as long as wide, one-fourth wider and scarcely more than one-third longer than

the prothorax ; sides distinctly divergent and feebly arcuate, distinctly so

toward apex ; surface feebly impressed near the suture almost throughout the

length, somewhat deeply and densely punctate, the punctures rather larger

and much more distinct than those of the pronotum, separated by slightly

more than their own diameters ; pubescence short, fine, sparse and iniionspicu-

ous. Abdomen parallel, distinctly narrower than the elytra, finely, sparsely

punctate, finely and densely so beneath. Length 4.2 mm.

California (Sonoma Co.).

The hypomera are narrowly and strongly impressed along the

outer edge, the width at the apex being fully two-thirds as great as

at the fissures ; the latter are very short, scarcely two-thirds as long

as the adjacent hypomeral width, and are distinctly and rather

widely open ; the prosternal sutures are almost completely obsolete,

although traceable. The mentuni is shining, coarsely and strongly

reticulate and very feebly concave, the hypoglottis very short.

Belongs near fiavipennis Lee, from which it is at once distin-

guishable by its narrower form, less distinct prosternal impressions

in front of the coxal fissures, less widely open fissures, different

coloration and very different sexual characters. It is described

from the male, the eighth segment of the abdomen being deeply and

narrowly incised.

B. temiis n. sp. — Slender, black ; pronotum brown ; elytra paler, brown-

ish-fiavate, very feebly clouded toward the suture near the base ; legs through-

Coleopterological Notices. 51

out and coxse pale flavate ; autennje brownish-testaceous, paler toward base ;

head and pronotum moderately shining, densely and strongly grannlose and

granulato-reticulate respectively ; abdomen polished, reticulate. Head almost

as wide as the prothorax ; eyes moderate, setae very short ; antennal promi-

nences verj' strong ; suture feebly impressed ; surface very sjjarsely and not

distinctly punctate, vertex not tuberculate, having a somewhat elongate im-

pressed median fovea ; antenna rather slender and elongate ; second joint

longer and slightly more robust than the third, four to six subequal and sub-

moniliform, six to nine very gradually more robust and transverse, nine and

ten equal, about one-third wider than long, eleventh ovoidal, distinctly shorter

than the two preceding together. Prothorax slightly narrower than the base

of the elytra, one-fourth wider than long ; sides in anterior two-thirds parallel

and straight, then strongly arcuate and moderately convergent to the basal

angles, which are obtuse, not rounded, and minutely prominent ; lateral angles

entirely obsolete, broadly rounded, apical right, very narrowly rounded ; base

and apex just visibly arcuate ; disk somewhat coarsely feebly very sparsely

and somewhat unevenly punctate, the pubescence rather long and stout ;

median groove extremely fine and feebly impressed. Elytra slightly shorter

than wide, about one-half longer than the prothorax, and, toward apex, nearly

one-third wider ; sides slightly divergent, broadly feebly arcuate, very feebly

emarginate at apex, the inner angles slightly rounded ; disk impressed on the

suture behind the scutellum, somewhat coarsely but feebly and sparsely punc-

tate, the punctures distant by from two to three times their own diameters,

closer and smaller than those of the pronotum ; pubescence fine, sparse and

moderate in length. Abdomen mucli narrower than the elytra, slightly wider

than the prothorax, finely, very sparsely punctate, much more densely so and

densely pubescent beneath toward the sides. Length 4.5 mm.

Nevada.

The bypomera are distinctly narrowly impressed near the margin,

and are rather wider than the distance thence to the coxse, the coxal

fissures being narrowly open and short. The mentum is broadly

feebly impressed. The anterior angles of the epistoma, at least in

the male, are finely and feebly tuberculate. It is closely allied to

lectus, but differs in its more slender form and smaller more trans-

verse prothorax.

The prosternal sutures are obliterated and the mentum is mar-

gined at apex with a very thick convex bead — hypoglottis — sepa-

rated by a fine deep groove.

52 Coleopterological Notices.

Group 3. — semiferriigineus.

But few new species are to be assigned to this group, as may be

seen from the following complete list: —

turgidus n. sp. opacifrons Lee.

semitVn-ugiueus Lee. rubigiiiosus Er.

rotuiulicollis Lee. gravidiis n. sp.

fumatus Lee. analis Lee.

foramiiiosus ii. sp. iiitidicollis Lee.

nitidieeps Lee. assimilis n. sp.

B. turgifllis n. sp. — Rather robust, parallel, somewhat convex, black ;

elytra bright rufous, the base piceous-black, the same color extending along

the srrture, very narrowly so toward apex ; legs and antennae testaceous, the

latter infuscate toward apex ; head and pronotum rather strongly shining, but

densely and rather strongly granulato-reticulate ; abdomen polished, finely,

feebly reticulate throughout. Head much narrower than the prothorax, not

very convex ; eyes rather small ; surface with a few widely scattered, mode-

rately distinct punctures ; basal transverse line very strongly impressed, the

median fovea small but distinct, being an angular break in the continuity of

the groove ; tuberculations wanting ; antennal prominences rather strong ;

suture fine but distinct ; antennae rather slender, gradually and moderately

incrassate from the sixth joint, moderately compressed ; outer joints slightly

transverse, second distinctly shorter than the next two together. Protliorux

slightly wider than the base of the elytra, one-third wider than long ; sides in

anterior three-fourths parallel and very feebly arcuate, then convergent and

very feebly arcuate, distinctly sinuate for a short distance before the basal

angles, which are slightly obtuse, not distinctly rounded and somewhat promi-

nent ; lateral angles broadly rounded, not very distinct, apical slightly obtuse

and narrowly rounded ; apex fully two-fifths wider than the base, both trans-

versely truncate ; disk somewhat coarsely, very sparsely and distinctly punc-

tate, the punctures unevenly distributed and deeply impressed ; pubescence

very short, sparse and inconspicuous ; median groove very fine, feebly im-

pressed, obsolete in apical two-lifths. Elytra distinctly wider than long,

scarcely one-fourth longer than the prothorax, and, at apex, not visibly wider ;

sides rather strongly divergent, feebly arcuate ; apex rather strongly, con-

jointly emarginate in the middle ; surface with a small elongate impression on

each side of the suture at the base, not very coarsely, somewhat sparsely and

unevenly punctate ; punctures rather deep and distinct, impressed, separated

by from two to three times their own diameters ; pubescence moderate in length,

fine, rather sparse. Abdomen nearly as wide as the elytra, finely, very sparsely

punctate, finely, rather sparsely so beneath. Length 4.5 mm.

Colorado (Ft. Garland). Mr. E. A. Schwarz.'

The hypomera are wide, about as wide as the length of the coxal

Coleopterological Notices. 53

fissures ; they are nearly flat anteriorly but strongly impressed

near the lateral edge posteriorly, the sutures distinct, the fissures

moderate in length and not entirely closed, the posterior edge below

the anterior appearing closed when viewed vertically, but widely

open near the coxae. The mentum is moderate, shining, coarsely

reticulate and nearly flat.

This very distinct and beautiful species belongs, because of its

distinct sutures and half-closed coxal fissures, in the semiferrugi-

neus group of LeConte, but differs from every described species in

its prominent basal angles of the prothorax.

B. foraininosus n. sp. — Rather robust and convex, black ; elytra

rufous, clouded with piceous-black toward base ; legs and antennae dark

testaceous, the latter blackish toward apex ; head finely reticulato-granulose,

moderately shining ; pronotum polished, not reticulate ; abdomen polished,

finely feebly reticulate. Head slightly narrower than the prothorax, slightly

convex ; eyes rather small ; surface distinctly and rather densely punctate ;

median fovea deep, distinct and slightly elongate, the surface immediately

about it polished and impunctate ; suture fine, feebly arcuate, distinct but not

impressed ; antennal prominences rather large but short and not very strongly

elevated ; antennse rather robust and compact, moderate in length, very evenly

and distinctly incrassate ; second joint but slightly longer than the third, sixth

distinctly wider than long, six to eight subequal in length, increasing in width,

nine and ten abruptly much longer but not wider, the latter rather longer tlian

wide, eleventh long, gradually pointed. Prothorax slightly narrower than the

base of the elytra, one-fourth wider than long ; sides in apical three-fifths

parallel and straight, then convergent and just visibly arcuate, and then

broadly rounded into the base, the basal angles being very obtuse, broadly

rounded and not distinct ; lateral angles very obtuse but rather narrowly

rounded and quite distinct, apical right and distinctly rounded ; apex broadly,

very feebly arcuate, the base very distinctly arcuate ; disk rather coarsely,

very deeply and densely punctate, the punctures almost contiguous laterally

but a little more dispersed toward the median groove, which is very coarse,

deep and conspicuous. Elytra scarcely as long as wide, one-fifth wider and

one-third longer than the prothorax, not very coarsely but very deeply and

rather densely punctate, the punctures sejmrated by slightly more than their

own widths ; pubescence moderate in length, not very dense. Abdomen par-

allel, almost as wide as the elytra, feebly, finely and not very densely punctate,

beneath polished and more densely punctate. Length 5.5 mm.

California (Lake Co.). Mr. Fuchs.

This species is allied to fumatus Lee, but differs greatly in its

smaller eyes, straight and not broadly rounded sides of the pro-

thorax, deeper and more distinct punctuation of the head, and,

especially, in the structure of the antennae which in fumatus are

54 Coleoi^tei'ological Notices.

more slender, and much more feebly inerassate, with joints six and

seven distinctly longer than wide, and eight fully as long as wide,

nine and ten much less abruptly longer than eight ; in the present

species the eighth joint is nearly one-half wider than long. The

description is taken from the only specimen which I have seen, and

this is unfortunately the female, but the above comparison has been

made with the same sex oi fumatus.

The hypomera are flat, rather wide, the apical width fully one-

half that at the fissures, the latter rather long but slightly shorter

than the hypomeral width in continuation of them, and are almost

completely closed ; the prosternal sutures are very distinct, being

defined by a fine elevated line. The mentum is shining, coarsely

reticulate, finely, deeply impressed along the base and unusually

coarsely, deeply but very sparsely punctate.

B. gravidus n. sp. — Moderately robust, rather convex, piceous ; elytra

liright rufous, feebly clouded with piceous toward base, and slightly along the

suture ; abdomen above and beneath dark rufo-testaceous, the apices of the

segments clouded with piceous ; head finely reticulate, feebly shining ; pro-

notum distinctly reticulate, rather strongly shining, the reticulation obsolete

posteriorly toward the sides, the surface becoming polished ; abdomen polished,

finely, very feebly and subobsoletely reticulate. Head rather distinctly nar-

rower than the prothorax, feebly convex, finely, sparsely and not very dis-

tinctly punctate, not tumid in the middle, the median puncture small, rounded,

feebly impressed, not surrounded by a polished area ; antennal tuberculations

large, short, moderately prominent, polished toward apex ; suture fine, feebly

arcuate, not impressed ; apical angles of the epistoma distinctly tuberculate ;

eyes large, more convex behind ; antenna rather long, the last five joints

gradually, evenly and moderately inerassate ; second joint scarcely perceptibly

longer, although distinctly more robust than the third, sixth slightly wider

than long, eighth about one-third wider than long, ninth and tenth longer, the

latter slightly wider than long, eleventh one-half longer than wide. Prothorax

rather distinctly narrower than the base of the elytra, nearly one-third wider

than long ; sides from apical fourth to just behind the middle parallel and

straight, then convergent and just visibly arcuate to the basal angles, which

are very obtuse, rather broadly rounded although somewhat definable ; lateral

angles obtuse, very broadly rounded and not distinct ; sides in apical fourth

convergent and strongly arcuate, the angles at the apex being slightly obtuse

and scarcely at all rounded; apex transversely truncate; base just visibly

arcuate ; disk convex, finely, sparsely and unevenly punctate, the punctures

distinct but not very deep, the n;edian groove rather fine but deeply impressed

and distinct. Elytra not quite as long as wide, together broadly, angularly

emarginate at apex, one-fourth wider and one-third longer than the profcliorax ;

sides feebly divergent ; disk flattened but not distinctly impressed on the

Coleoplerological Notices. 55

suture at the base, rather finely but distinctly and densely punctate, the

fiunctiires separated by but very slightly more than their own diameters ;

pubescence moderate in length. Abdomen parallel, distinctly narrower than

the elytra, rather finely but not very densely punctate toward the apices of

the segments, polished and moderately densely punctate beneath. Length

5.0-5.7 mm.

New Mexico (Albuquerque). Mr. H. F. Wickham ; Utah.

The hj'pomera are broadly, very feebly impressed along the outer

edge, the apex about three-fifths as wide as the width at the fissures,

the latter rather long, fully as long as the adjacent hypomeral width,

and almost completely closed, the prosternal sutures distinct. The

mentum is not visibly punctate, shining, coarsely reticulate and

distinctly impressed along the base.

The description of this distinct species is taken from the male,

the sixth segment being evenly emarginate in circular arc, the

emargination simple, not margined with membrane, and about five

times as wide as deep ; the surface at the sides of the emargination

bears several very long, erect, interlacing sette. It should be placed

near rubiginosus Er.

The punctures of the pronotum vary in size, and in some speci-

mens are slightly coarser.

B. assimilis n. sp. (Fauvel MS.). — Rather slender and convex, black ;

elytra piceous ; legs and antenufe jjale flavate, the latter infuscate except

toward base ; head and prothorax finely, densely granulate, feebly shining ;

abdomen polished, finely, feebly reticulate. Head scarcely perceptibly nar-

rower than the prothorax, rather convex, finely, very obsoletely punctate, not

tuberculate ; median fovea small, feebly impressed ; antennal prominences

small, feeble ; suture fine, distinct, not impressed, arcuate ; ei^istoma simple ;

antennae rather long, moderately and gradually incrassate ; second joint dis-

tinctly longer than the third, four to six decreasing in length, the latter dis-

tinctly wider than long, seventh longer, slightly wider than long, eight to ten

increasing in length, the latter longer than wide, eleventli nearly twice as long

as wide, shorter than the two preceding together ; last three joints together as

long as the preceding six. Prothorax slightly but distinctly narrower than the

base of the elytra, about one-fourth wider tlian long ; sides in anterior two-

thirds parallel and straight, then convergent and nearly straight to the basal

angles, which are obtuse, narrowly rounded, rather distinct but not at all

prominent ; lateral angles obtuse, narrowly rounded and rather distinct, apical

right and distinctly rounded ; apex almost transversely truncate ; disk very

densely and somewhat deeply punctate, the punctures moderate in size, sepa-

rated by scarcely their own diameters but slightly sparser toward the median

impunctate line, which is entire and moderate in width, the median groove

being completely obsolete. Elytra nearly as long as wide, two-fifths longer,

56 Coleopterological Notices.

and rather more than one-third wider than the prothorax, feebly impressed

near the suture toward base, rather finely punctate, the punctures ^listinut,

rather smaller than those of the prothorax, and separated by nearly twice their

own diameters. Abdomen slightly narrower than the elytra, gradually wider

from base to apex, finely, somewhat densely punctate, beneath polished, finely,

somewhat densely punctate. Length 3.3 mm.

Illinois; Iowa.

The description is taken from the male, and the sexual characters

at the apex of the abdomen are, as usual in tlie semiferrucjineus

group, very strongly marked, in this case more remarkable than in

any other species which I have seen, and reminding us somewhat

of the male modification in Apocellus.

The sixth segment is broadly, strongly emarginate in circular arc

nearly throughout the width, the emargination bordered with a

wide and thin, very slightly inflexed membrane ; at each side of the

emargination there is a small, acute, pointed tooth ; the seventh

segment is slightly produced and rounded in the middle, the eighth

as usual obliquely divided, the two overlapping portions having an

acute apical incisure, which can apparently be varied at will.

The hypomera are wide, flat, the suture distinct; the coxal fissures

very short, almost completely closed ; the mentum shining, reticu-

late, ver}' feebly, transversely impressed near the base. The species

should be placed immediately after nitidicoUis Lee.

Group 4. — annularis.

This group is by far the most extensive of the genus ; the species

may be provisionally arranged in the following order: —

punctatissimns Leo. ruficornis Leo.

villosus n. sp. languidus n. sp.

laticollis Lee. bicolor n. sp.

nebulosus n. sp. divisus Lee.

longipennis Miikl. pleuralis Lee.

luteipennis Lee. diagonalis Lee.

monticola n. sp. Ijarvicollis n. sp.

sinuatus Lee. tau Lee.

gentilis n. sp. ornatus Lee.

gracilis n. sp. suturalis Lee.

annularis Lee. phytosinus Lee.

stabilis n. sp. cognatus Lee.

confusus Lee. emarginatus Say.

adustus n. sp. troglodytes Er.

honestus n. sp.

Coleopterological Notices. 5*7

B. TilloSllS n. sp. — Moderately robust, piceous-black, paler beneath ;

elytra pale brownish, the suture and base slightly and indefinitely darker ;

legs and antennae pale liavo-testaceous, the latter infuscate ; head and pronotum

strongly shining, finely and very -feebly reticulate; abdomen polished, very

minutely, feebly reticulate, the basal impressions very much more coarsely and

strongly so. Head distinctly narrower than the prothorax, not distinctly con-

vex, with a few scattered, well-defined punctures, not tuberculate ; basal trans-

verse groove broadly impressed, strong ; median fovea rather badly defined ;

antennal tuberculations small but distinct ; suture fine and feeble, almost

completely obliterated in the middle ; antennre rather long, gradually and

moderately incrassate ; outer joints slightly transverse ; second much shorter

than the next two together, fourth and fifth longer than wide. Prothorax dis-

tinctly narrower than the base of the elytra, one-fourth wider than long ; sides

in anterior three-fifths just visibly divergent from the apex, and very feebly

arcuate, then convergent and feebly arcuate, broadly and very feebly sinuate

before the basal angles, which are very obtuse, rounded and not at all promi-

nent although definable ; lateral angles broadly rounded, not very distinct,

apical obtuse, distinctly rounded ; apex nearly two-fifths wider than the base,

both broadly, feebly arcuate ; disk very feebly convex, rather finely, densely

punctate, the punctures deep and well defined, sparser near the apex and

median groove, the latter very deep, widely impressed and conspicuous through-

out ; pubescence very long. Elytra subquadrate, distinctly wider at apex than

at base, one-third wider and one-half longer than the prothorax ; sides feebly

arcuate toward apex ; surface feebly impressed along the suture in basal half,

coarsely, very deeply and densely punctate ; punctures separated by from less

than to slightly more than their own diameters, very deep and perforate and

distinctly larger than those of the pronotum ; pubescence very long, rather

dense, cinereo-flavate and conspicuous. Abdomen slightly narrower than the

elytra, rather coarsely and densely punctate upon the convex portions, the

basal impressions impunctate, beneath densely punctate, the pubescence very

long. Length 5.0 mm.

California.

A very well-marked species in its extremely long conspicuous

pubescence, almost twice as long as in any other known to me. The

hypomera are about one-half as wide as the distance thence to the

coxiB, nearly flat anteriorly, strongly impressed along the middle,

the sutures almost completely effaced, the coxal fissures very long

and widel}^ open. The mentuni is very deeply impressed in the

middle toward base, almost excavated, highly polished ancl quite

devoid of reticulation, except near the lateral edges and sometimes

near the apex.

For the present villosus may be associated with laticollis.

B. Iieliulosus n. sp. — Rather robust, nearly parallel, black ; elytra i)ale

rufo-ferruginous, indefinitely clouded with piceous-black toward the suture,

58 Coleopterological Notices.

especially toward the base ; abdomen piceous-black, rufo-piceoiis beneath ;

metastei'num black ; legs and antennse pale testaceous, the latter infiiscate

toward apex ; head and pronotum feebly shining, rather coarsely and strongly

grannlato-reticulate ; abdomen finelj', evenly and feebly reticulate throughout,

polished. Head slightly narrower than the prothorax ; eyes large ; surface

rather depressed, finely, very sparsely and indistinctly punctate, not tubercu-

late ; median fovea rounded, distinct ; transverse impressed line distinct ; '

antennal tuberculations small, feeble ; suture fine, feebly defined ; antenn*

rather strongly incrassate ; second joint more robust and nearly as long as the

next two, five to seven increasing gradually in width, eight to ten wider, two-

thirds wider than long, eleventh not as long as the two preceding combined.

Prothorax just visibly narrower than the base of the elytra, nearly one-half

wider than long ; sides in anterior two-thirds parallel and broadly but dis-

tinctly arcuate, then convergent and straight to the basal angles, which are

obtuse, slightly rounded, rather distinct but not at all prominent ; lateral

angles broadly rounded, not distinct, apical slightly obtuse and very narrowly

rounded ; apex truncate, less than one-third wider than the base, which is

broad and feebly arcuate ; disk rather finely and sparsely punctate, the punc-

tures deep and distinctly defined, sliglitly closer toward base ; pubescence

moderate in length, sparse, pale fiavate ; median groove rather fine but very

deeply impressed and conspicuous. Elytra nearly as long as wide, one-half

longer and nearly one-fourth wider than the prothorax ; sides straight, slightly

divergent ; surface distinctly impressed near the suture at base, densely, rather

finely punctate, the punctures very deep and distinct and separated by slightly

more than their own diameters ; jiubescence fine, moderate in length. Abdomen

nearly as wide as the elytra, very finely, sparsely punctate ; under surface

finely and rather sparsely so. Length 3.9 mm.

Iowa.

The hypomera are moderate in width, deeply concave throughout,

the lateral edges being very prominent; sutures distinct; coxal

fissures moderate in length, widely open. The mentum is large

and extremely feebly concave throughout its extent; it is rather

shining and coarsel}'" reticulate, the membranous hypoglottis very

short, inflexed and inconspicuous.

Belongs near laticollis, but is well distinguished by its more

shining head and pronotum, the punctures of the latter being better

defined and the basal angles rather more distinct, by its relatively

larger and more finely punctate elytra, less concave mentum, much

wider pronotal hypomera, shorter coxal fissures, and larger but less

prominent eyes.

B. lllOiiticola n. sp. — Rather slender, black ; elytra and antenna pice-

ous-black, tlie latter very slightly paler toward base; legs rufous; head and

prothorax dull, densely granulose ; elytra and abdomen polished, the latter

Goleopterological Notices. 59

reticulate, mucli more strongly so toward base. Head very neai'ly as wide as

the prothorax ; eyes rather small, very prominent ; antennal prominences

rather large, moderately conspicuous ; suture fine but distinct ; surface behind

the suture dull and densely granulate, finely, rather densely but very indis-

tinctly punctate ; vertex neither tuberculate nor foveate, rather convex ; epis-

toma shining, coarsely reticulate ; antennje rather robust ; second joint nearly

as long as the next two, third but slightly shorter than the fourth and fifth

together, four to six short, the latter transverse, seven to ten rather abruptly

wider and gradually longer, the tenth nearly two-thirds wider than long,

eleventh short, much shorter than the two preceding combined. Prothorax dis-

tinctly narrower than the base of the elytra, scarcely one-fifth wider than long ;

sides in anterior two-thirds parallel and very slightly arcuate, then convergent

and feebly sinuate to the basal angles, which are obtuse and very narrowly

rounded, not at all prominent, the acute lateral edge entirely disappearing

just before a.ttaining them ; lateral angles very obtuse and rounded but some-

what distinct, apical distinctly rounded ; apex about one-third wider than the

base, both truncate ; disk rather convex, very densely but somewhat indis-

tinctly punctate, densely but not distinctly pubescent, the median groove

rather fine but deep and distinct. Elytra quadrate, scarcely one-fourth wider

and two-fifths longer than the prothorax, rather convex, broadly impressed

toward base near the suture ; sides parallel ; disk rather coarsely, very densely

and deeply punctate, the punctures separated by scarcely more than one-half

their own diameters, the intervals polished although feebly rugulose ; pubes-

cence moderate in length, rather coarse and dense, flavo-cinereous and con-

spicuous. Abdomen very slightly narrower than the elytra, finely, sparsely

punctate, rather coarsely and densely so beneath. Length 2.8 mm.

California (Lake Tahoe, 6200 feet).

A small species, quite distinct in its very dense punctuation ; the

absence of an acute lateral margin near the basal angles of the pro-

thorax will distinguish it from its nearest allies ; it should be placed

near sinuatus Lee.

The hypomera are very broadh', feebly concave and rather more

than one-half as wide as the distance thence to coxae, the sutures

distinct, the coxal fissures moderate in length and widely open. The

mentum is shining, coarsely reticulate and broadly, rather strongly

impressed in the middle throughout its length, the coriaceous hypo-

glottis very short and not distinct.

B. geiltilis n. sp. — Rather slender and convex, black throughout ; legs

rufo-testaceous ; anteunoe black, the two basal and eleventh joints paler, piceo-

testaceous ; head and pronotum feebly shining, the former finely granulose,

transversely reticulate near the base, the latter more coarsely granulato-reticu-

late and shining ; elytra and abdomen polished, the latter coarsely reticulate

throughout, the lines very fine. Head very slightly narrower than the pro-

60 Coleopterological Notices.

thorax, rather strongly convex, completely devoid of fovea or tnberculations ;

antennal prominences small and feeble ; epistomal suture fine, feeble, not im-

Ijressed ; eyes moderate ; antenn?e rather short and strongly incrassate, com-

pressed ; second joint nearly as long as the next two, three to six gradually

shorter, the latter slightly transverse, seven to ten gradually wider, strongly

transverse, tenth on the compressed side nearly twice as wide as long, the

eleventh ovoidal, obtusely pointed, longer than wide and as long as the pre-

ceding two. Prothorux distinctly narrower than the base of the elytra, sides in

apical three-fifths parallel and rather distinctly arcuate, convergent and evenly,

very feebly sinuate thence to the basal angles, which are obtuse, narrowly

rounded and not at all prominent ; lateral angles very broadly obtuse, rounded

but rather distinct, apical nearly right, narrowly rounded ; apex nearly one-

half wider than the base, both subtruncate ; disk scarcely one-fourth wider

tlian long, rather finely, somewhat densely and distinctly punctate ; pubes-

cence rather long, pale fulvous ; median groove rather deeply impressed and

very distinct. EJi/tra quadrate, two-fifths wider and nearly one-half longer

than the prothorax ; sides nearly straight and almost parallel ; surface densely

and somewhat coarsely punctate, the punctures rather deeply impressed, sepa-

rated by about their own diameters ; pubescence fine, moderate in length, cine-

reous, rather dense and distinct. Ahdomen slightly narrower than the elytra

and much wider than the prothorax, finely, sparsely punctate, finely and more

densely so beneath. Length 3.U mm.

California (Sonoma Co.).

The unique example represents a very distinct species differing-

from any other which I have seen ; it may, however, be placed

next after sinuatus in the catalogue.

The hypomera are very narrow, scarcely more than one-third as

wide as the distance thence to the coxae, very feebly concave, the

sutures distinct ; the coxal fissm-es are long and very widely open.

The mentum has a large, moderately deep median impression ; it is

shining and coarsely reticulate, the hypoglottis thin, polished, flat,

not reticulate and rather long, being about one-fifth as long as the

entire mentum, the dividing suture very feeble.

B. gracilis n. sp. — Slender and somewhat convex, black throughout ;

antennfe piceous, paler toward base and apex ; legs testaceous ; head feebly

shining, rather coarsely, feebly granulose ; pronotum strongly shining, coarsely,

strongly reticulate ; elytra and abdomen polished, the latter coarsely reticu-

late, the lines fine. Hecul rather distinctly narrower than the prothorax, rather

strongly convex, not tuberculate ; median fovea nearly obsolete ; surface finely,

sparsely and not distinctly punctate ; neck transversely reticulate ; antennal

tnberculations small, not strong, polished at the apices ; suture very feeble,

not impressed ; antennae moderate, strongly incraf sate ; second joint much

longer than the next two together, gradually, strongly incrassate from the

fourth joint, tenth strongly transverse, eleventh shorter than the two preced-

Coleopterological Notices. 61

ing together. Prothorax about one-fifth wider than long, scarcely narrower

than the base of the elytra ; sides in anterior two-thirds parallel and feebly

arcuate, then convergent and feebly sinuate to the basal angles, which are

obtuse, extremely narrowly rounded but not prominent ; lateral angles very

obtuse but narrowly rounded and rather distinct when viewed sublaterally,

less distinct vertically, apical nearly right, slightly but distinctly rounded ;

apex two-fifths wider than the base, botli subtruncate ; disk ratlier strongly

convex, rather finely but deeply, distinctly and not very densely punctate ;

pubescence sparse, moderate in length ; median groove very wide, deeply ex-

cavated and extremely conspicuous. Elytra quadrate, one-third longer and

wider than the prothorax ; sides feebly arcuate toward apex ; disk sparsely

punctate, the punctures feebly impressed, distant by twice their own diameters

and about as sparse as those of the pronotum ; pubescence fine, rather long

and sparse. Abdomen very slightly narrower than the elytra and very much

wider than the prothorax, finely, sparsely punctate, somewhat coarsely and

sparsely so beneath. Length 2.5-3.0 mm.

California (Mendocino, Sonoma, and Santa Cruz Cos.).

This species is allied only to gentilis, which it somewhat strongly

resembles in external form, color and lustre. It is, however, a

rather smaller species, with much sparser elytral punctuation, and

much deeper and wider median groove of the pronotum. The men-

turn is not impressed in the middle as in gentilis.

The hypomera are nearly one-half as wide as the distance thence

to the coxae and are flat, except externally and posteriorly near the

lateral margin, where they are narrowly impressed ; the sutures are

distinct, and the coxal fissures long and widely open.

B. stabilis n. sp. — Rather robust and depressed, widest at tlie elytra,

black ; elytra dark rufo-piceous to piceous-black ; legs, and antennae toward

base pale flavo-testaoeous, the latter infuseate toward apex ; head and pronotum

feebly shining, densely and somewhat coarsely granulose ; abdomen polished,

finely and evenly reticulate. Head very distinctly narrower than the protho-

rax ; eyes large ; surface feebly convex, not tuberculate, the median fovea

rather large and feeble but distinct ; antennal prominences feeble ; suture

very fine and nearly obsolete ; antennaj moderate, gradually incrassate ; second

joint rather shorter than the next two combined, tenth fully one-half wider

than long. ProthoTax nearly as wide as the base of the elytra, fully one-third

wider than long ; sides in anterior two-thirds parallel and very feebly arcuate,

then convergent, arcuate, feebly sinuate near the basal angles, which are

obtuse, not rounded and distinct, lateral broadly rounded and not very distinct,

apical right and narrowly rounded ; apex one-third wider than the base, both

just visibly arcuate ; disk finely, sparsely punctate, the punctures rather deep

and distinct ; median groove fine but distinct. Elytra large, toward apex, one-

fourth wider than the prothorax, nearly two-thirds longer ; sides feebly diver-

gent and nearly straight ; surface impressed on the suture at the base, deeply,

62 Coleopterologinal Notices.

distinctly and densely punctate, the punctures rather fine, about twice as

dense as those of the pronotum, and separated by slightly more than their

own diameters ; pubescence fine, very short, rather dense, pale brownish-

cinereous and somewhat conspicuous. Abdomen distinctly narrower than the

elytra and wider than the prothorax, very finely and extremely sparsely punc-

tate, somewhat coarsely and moderately densely so beneath. Length 3.5 mm.

Pennsylvania (Allegheny Co.). Dr. Hamilton.

The hypomera ai-e about one-half as wide as the distance thence

to the coxfe and are broadly, rather feebly concave, the sutures fine

and distinct, the coxal fissures rather long and extremely widely

open. The mentum is rather shining, broadly, feebly concave, the

apex being broadly feebly emarginate.

This species belongs near annularis, but differs in its more shin-

ing, more sparsely and distinctly punctate, and decidedly wider and

more transverse prothorax, the hind angles being more prominent,

and in its larger, longer and wider elytra.

B. adiistus n. sp. (Fauvel MS.) — Slender, subparallel, black ; elytra

piceous-black, slightly paler and testaceous along the apices ; legs and antennae

dark rufo-testaceous, the femora slightly clouded toward base ; head and pro-

notum alutaceous, finely, densely grauulose ; elytra and abdomen polislied,

the latter coarsely reticulate, the lines very fine, the reticulations not finer

toward apex. Head very slightly narrower than the prothorax ; eyes mode-

rate ; surface feebly convex, not tuberculate, the vertex with a small median

impressed fovea; epistoma flat, more coarsely grauulose; suture fine, not

impressed ; antennal prominences feeble ; antenufe rather short and robust,

but feebly compressed ; second joint more robust and fully one-half longer

than the third, four to six decreasing in length, seven to.teu rather abruptly

wider, transverse, the latter two-thirds wider than long, eleventh ovoidal,

slightly longer than wide. Prothorax very slightly narrower than the base of

the elytra, scarcely one-fourth wider than long ; sides in anterior three-fifths

parallel and distinctly arcuate, thence convergent and j ust visibly sinuate to

the basal angles, which are obtuse but not rounded, and not prominent ; lateral

angles rounded, apical slightly obtuse, scarcely percej^tibly rounded; apex

feebly arcuate, two-fifths wider than the base, the latter subtruncate ; disk

rather convex, not very coarsely but rather sparsely and very indistinctly

punctate, the punctures feebly impressed ; median groove impressed, distinct.

Elytra quadrate, one-third wider and nearly one-half longer than the protho-

rax, scarcely perceptibly wider toward apex; sides very feebly arcuate; disk

rather convex, not impressed in the middle at base, rather coarsely, feebly and

not very densely punctate, the pubescfnce fine, moderate in length. Abdomen

slightly narrower than the elytra and wider than the prothorax, very finely,

sparsely punctate, more densely so beneath. Length 3.0 mm.

C oleopterological Notices. 63

Colorado (Garland). Mr. E. A. Schwarz.

A small species, closely allied to rvficornis Lee, but differing- in

its sparser punctuation and rather shorter, more robust antenna}.

The hypomera are feebly concave, two-fifths as wide as the distance

thence to the coxse, the sutures fine but distinct. The coxal fissures

are long and very widely open.

B. laiigllidllS n. sp. — Slender, subparallel, black ; elytra piceous black ;

legs throughout testaceous ; antennae black, two basal joints paler ; head and

pronotum feebly shining, rather coarsely granulose ; elytra and abdomen

polished, the latter rather coarsely reticulate, more strongly so toward base,

not more finely toward apex. Htad quite distinctly narrower than the pro-

thorax ; eyes moderate ; surface scarcely perceptibly convex, neither tubercu-

late nor foveate ; antennal prominences feeble ; epistomal suture very fine,

not impressed ; antennse rather short ; second joint more robust, nearly as

long as the next two together, three to six subeqiial in width, decreasing in

length, the latter transverse and about one-half as long as the former, seven

to ten strongly transverse, the former not very abruptly wider than the sixth,

the latter nearly twice as wide as long. Prothorax very slightly narrower than

the base of the elytra, one-third wider than long ; sides in apical three-fifths

parallel and feebly arcuate, thence broadly rounded, convergent and feebly

arcuate to the basal angles, which are obtuse, not appreciably rounded and

very feebly prominent ; lateral angles obsolete, apical nearly right and ex-

tremely narrowly rounded ; apex very feebly arcuate, one-third wider than the

base, the latter truncate ; disk rather finely and sparsely punctate ; median

groove very fine but deep and distinct ; pubescence long, sparse and flavate.

Elytra nearly as long as wide, one-fourth wider and one-half longer than the

prothorax ; sides feebly arcuate toward apex ; disk not impressed at base,

somewhat coarsely and feebly punctate ; punctures impressed, distant by

rather more than their own widths ; pubescence cinereous, rather short, fine

and sparse. Abdomen slightly narrower than the elytra, finely, very sparsely

punctate, veiy finely sparsely punctate beneath. Length 3.8 mm.

Oregon (Huntington). Mr. H. F. Wickham.

This is a rather slender species, allied to rtificornis Lee, but

distinguished by its very much sparser pronotal punctuation, black

antennae, and less ojiaque lustre.

The hypomera are very narrow, distinctly less than one-half as

wide as the distance thence to the coxge, and rather deeply concave,

the sutures being feeble and not very distinct. The coxal fissures

are very long and widely open. The mentum is broadly, feebly

concave, coarsely reticulate, polished and furnished along the apical

margin with a short flat polished non-reticulate hypoglottis, sepa-

rated by a fine suture.

Li ruficorniff Lee. the abdomen beneath is much more densely

04 Coleopterological Notices.

and coarse]}' punctate, and the h^^pomera are wider and almost

perfectly Hat, the sutures more distinct.

B. bicoloi* 11. sp. — Black ; protliorax, elytra and antennse brown ; legs

flavate ; head and proiiotum very finely, densely granulate and opaque ; elytra

and abdomen polished, the latter reticulate. Head just visibly iiarrov?er than

the prothorax ; eyes rather large but moderately prominent, the setae rather

long ; surface rather convex, finely and not distinctly punctate, not tubercu-

late, the median fovea very small and feeble ; antennal prominences feeble ;

epistomal suture fine, not impressed ; antennae but feebly compressed, rather

strongly incrassate ; second joint much longer and more robust than the third,

but not as long as the next two, three to six subequal in width, decreasing

rapidly in length, the latter but slightly transverse, seven to ten gradually

Mitler, tlie former not very abruptly so, the latter one-half wider than long.

Protliorax very slightly narrower llian the base of the elytra, scarcely one-third

wider than long ; sides in apical three-fifths parallel and nearly straight, tlien

convergent and broadly, feebly sinuate to the basal angles, which are obtuse

but not rounded and not prominent ; lateral angles obtuse and rounded but

rather distinct, apical nearly right and narrowly rounded ; apex one-third

wider than the base, both subtruncate ; disk finely and rather densely punc-

tate, the punctures being very indistinct and scarcely at all impressed, the

pubescence fine, rather dense but dark and scarcely visible ; the median groove

very fine but distinct. Elytra nearly quadrate, one-third wider and one-half

longer than the prothorax, very slightly wider toward apex ; sides nearly

straight ; disk not impressed at base, densely and distinctly, but somewhat

coarsely punctate, the punctures separated by distinctly less than their own

diameters ; pubescence fine, moderate in length and density, cinereous and

distinct. Abdomen broad, but slightly narrower than the elytra and much

wider than the prothorax, finely, not densely punctate, more strongly and

somewhat densely so beneath. Length 3.3 mm.

California (Napa Co.).

A rather small inconspicuous species, allied to ruficorms, but

well distinguished by its peculiar coloration, which is very constant

throughout a series of eight specimens. It is further distinguished

l)y its sexual characters, the anterior margin of the epistoma being

perfectly devoid of tuberculation in the male. In the corresponding

sex of rvficornis there are two remote and very small tubercula-

tions which, however, are not at the apical angles as in armafus,

but distinctly nearer the middle.

The hypomera are flat, except near the apex of the coxal fissures

where they are feebly impressed ; they are scarcely one-half as wide

as the distance thence to the coxae, the sutures being distinct. The

coxal fissures are very widely open. The nientum is exceedingly

feebly concave, the hypoglottis apparently obsolete.

Coleopterological Notices. 05

B. parTicoIlis n. sp.. — Very robust; head and protliorax much nar-

rower ; black througliout, legs pale flavate, the coxre and femora toward base

picesoent ; antennse fuscous, paler toward base ; head and pronotum opaque,

extremely minutely and densely granulose ; elytra and abdomen polished, the

latter reticulate, the lines very fine, the reticulations strongly transverse and

nmch smaller toward apex. Head rather distinctly narrower than the jiro-

thorax, very finely, not distinctly punctate ; antennal prominences feeble, the

epistomal suture scarcely visible, not at all impressed ; vertex rather convex,

not tuberculate ; median fovea obsolete ; antennse rather long ; second joint

nearly one-half longer than the third, three to eight gradually decreasing in

length and increasing in width, the latter obtrapezoidal, one half wider than

long, ninth and tenth similar, slightly wider, but not shorter than the ninth,

the eleventh orbicular, scarcely longer than wide, the antennae viewed upon

the compressed side. Prothorax nearly one-third wider than long ; sides par-

allel and strongly arcuate, slightly convergent and straighter in basal third,

the basal angles very obtuse, not at all rounded and minutely though notice-

ably prominent, lateral entirely obliterated, apical obtuse but not perceptibly

rounded ; apex transverse ; base ftjcbly arcuate ; basal and lateral beaded

margins distinct ; disk finely, densely and somewhat indistinctly i)unctate, the

median groove fine, impressed, obliterated near base and apex ; pubescence

rather dense, moderate in length and coarse but dark brownish in color and

scarcely visible. Elytra large, qiiadrate, slightly dilated behind, where they

are nearly one-half wider than the prothorax, fully three-fourths longer than

the latter ; sides feebly arcuate toward apex ; humeri right, narrowly rounded ;

disk finely, rather deeply and very densely punctate, the punctures separated

by from one and one-half to two times their own diameters ; pubescence fine,

sliort, dense, silvery and rather consjjicuous. Abdomen slightly narrower than

the elytra, fully one-third wider than the prothorax, finely, sparsely punctate ;

punctures denser along the apices of the segments ; under surface densely,

strongly punctate, densely pul)escent. Length 4.5 mm.

California (Mendocino Co.).

Tlic hyponiera are not impressed along the lateral edges; they

are one-half as wide as the distance thence to the co.\a3 ; the coxal

fissures are very long and widely open. The mentinn is large and

perfectly flat, finely, densely granulose and dull, the hyi)oglottis

apparently rudimentary. The prosternal sutures are distinct.

The el3'tra are sometimes pale, indefinitely clouded toward the

suture. Two specimens are decidedly more slender. This is a very

distinct species, to be placed near diayonalis ; the latter rescmhles

it greatly in form, but has the surface of the head and pronotum

much more shining, and the basal angles of the prothorax obtuse,

narrowly but distinctly rounded, and not at all prominent. From

longipennis it differs in its denser pronotal punctuation ;• this part

in that species is, according to Mannerheim, "parce punctato."

Annals N. Y. Acad. Sci., Dec. 1889.— 5

66 Coleopterological Notices.

B. Iionestus n. sp. — Slightly robust, subparallel, black ; elytra, legs

and antenna? thronghout testaceous, the first very broadly and indefinitely

clouded toward the suture ; head and pronotum strongly shining, rather

coarsely and strongly reticulate ; abdomen reticiilate, polished, the retal lines

fine throughout. Head rather convex, slightly narrower than the prothorax,

not tuberculate ; median fovea very small and feeble, shining, with a few

rather large and distinct widely-dispersed punctures ; antennal tuberculations

moderate, smooth ; suture very fine but distinct ; antennjB rather slender ;

second joint quite robust, nearly as long as the next two, third scarcely one-

half longer than the fourth, fourth and fifth subequal, sixth slightly shorter,

feebly transverse, six to ten very evenly but rapidly wider, the tenth nearly

one-half wider than long, eleventh slightly shorter than the two preceding.

Prothorax as wide as the base of the elytra, one-third wider than long ; sides

in anterior two-thirds parallel and nearly straight, then convergent and feebly

arcuate, feebly sinuate for a short distance before the basal angles, which are

very obtuse, slightly rounded and not distinctly prominent ; lateral angles

very broadly rounded and not distinct, apical right, very narrowly rounded ;

apex two-fifths wider than the base, just visibly arcuate, the latter truncate ;

disk not very coarsely punctate, the punctures very deep and distinctly defined,

sparsely and somewhat unevenly distributed ; pubescence fine, sparse and

inconspicuous, the median groove rather coarse, deep and distinct. Elytra

scarcely as long as wide, just visibly wider and about two-fifths longer than

the prothorax ; sides feebly divergent, nearly straight ; surface feebly im-

pressed near the base and suture, rather finely and not very densely punctate,

the punctures separated by about twice their own diameters ; pubescence

moderate in length, fine, rather s^jarse. Abdomen just visibly narrower than

the elytra, rather more coarsely and densely punctate than usual, beneath

rufo-piceous, slightly more densely but rather finely punctate. Length 3.3 mm.

New York (Catskill Mts.). Mr. H. H. Smith.

The hypomera are narrow, distinctly less than one-half as wide

as the intervening- coxal distance, and are strongly and narrowly

concave throughout the length, the sutures almost completely obso-

lete, the coxal fissures rather long, widely open, the prosternal sur-

face immediately before them transverseh^ impressed. The mentum

is shining, coarsely reticulate and broadly, strongly impressed in

the middle toward base, the hypoglottis membranous, and nearly

one-fourth as long as the entire mentum.

The prosternal sutures being effaced, with the coxal fissures

widely open, constitute of this very distinct species, one of the

bonds uniting the cordatus and annularis groups of LeConte.

Although the sutures are obsolete, it is easy to perceive the extent

of the hypomera, as the reticulation of the surface is longitudinal

on these parts, and without definite arrangement elsewhere.

Coleo2iterological Notices. 67

Group 5. — cordatns.

A rather limited group containing the smallest species of the

genus, polished, sometimes dull, black, with the elytra always pale,

white or yellowish-white, clouded toward suture and base with

brown, piceous or black : —

dimidiatus Lee. tiirbuleiitus n. sp.

basalis Lee. opaculus Lee.

ignavus n. sp. cordatns Say.

misellus ii. sp. forcipatus Lee.

negleetiis ii. sp.

B. igliaTlIS n. sp. — Slender, rather convex, parallel, black ; elytra very

pale, wliitish, translucent, indefinitely clouded with piceous toward suture

and at the base ; legs piceous, tibi?e and tarsi flavate ; antennae flavate, pice-

ous toward apex ; integuments polished throughout, head and prothoras very

finely reticulate, the reticulations on tlie latter tending to a transverse arrange-

ment ; abdomen more coarsely reticulate, the lines very fine. Head distinctly

narrower than the prothorax, very convex, neither tuberculate nor foveate,

rather finely, distinctly and sparsely punctate ; antennal tuberculations ex-

tremely siuall and feeble ; epistomal siiture very fine, feeble, not impressed ;

anterior angles of the epistoma very minutely but acutely and distinctly tuber-

culate ; antennae rather short, gradually and very strongly incrassate; second

joint robust, longer than the next two together ; three to six small, sixth

strongly transverse, eighth twice as wide as long, shorter than the ninth and

tenth which are rather strongly transverse, eleventh ovate, scarcely longer

than wide. Prothorax as wide as the elytra, nearly one-half wider than long ;

sides in apical two-thirds parallel and very nearly straight, then very broadly

rounded into the base, without lateral or basal angles ; base subtransverse in

the middle ; apex broadly evenly and just visibly arcuate ; apical angles right

and narrowly but distinctly rounded ; disk rather stronglj', evenly, trans-

versely convex, very finely, evenly and sparsely punctate ; median groove very

fine but distinct, not quite attaining the apex. Elytra quadrate, about two-

thirds longer than the prothorax ; sides nearly parallel and straight ; outer

angles very broadly rounded, inner narrowly but distinctly so ; surface not

distinctly impressed near the base, rather coarsely, very feebly and somewhat

densely punctate, the punctures separated by their own widths. AInlomen

slightly narrower than the elytra ; sides parallel and feebly arcuate ; surface

finely, sparsely punctate, beneath very minutely and sparsely punctate.

Length 1.9 mm.

■ Rhode Island.

The hypomera are flat but depressed below the lateral edges

which are, therefore, finely prominent ; the coxal fissures are very

short and narrowly open, the sutures obsolete The meatuni is

68 Coleopterological Notices.

very short, twice as wide as long, shining but coarsely confusedly

reticulate, broadly, feebly emarginate throughout the width at apex,

with a narrow impressed transverse groove just behind and along

the apical margin, and a small deep abrupt impression in the middle

at the base, elsewhere convex and slightly tumid.

The description is taken from the male, the eighth segment having

the usual acute incisure; it is very closely allied to basalis Lee , but

differs in its smaller size, more transverse and more sparsely punc-

tate prothorax, in which the anterior angles are less prominent, and

its shorter, more coarsely and much more feebly punctate elytra, in

which the exterior apical angles are more broadly rounded. In

basalis the mentuni is truncate at apex, feebly impressed in the

centre, the surface on each side of the impression forming a rounded

tumid elevation. It is totally devoid of the small round fovea near

the base, Avhich is so marked in ignavus.

B. IllisellllS 11. t-p. — Rather slender, black ; elytra very pale, ■wliitisli,

the basal third piceous-brown, the same tint extending broadly along the

middle nearly to the apex ; legs and antennpe very pale, the latter infuscate ;

femora darker ; integuments polished, except the elytra reticulate, the abdo-

men coarsely so, the lines very fine, the pronotnm more finely so, with the

reticulations tending to a transverse arrangement. Head rather distinctly

narrower than the prothorax, strongly convex, neither tuberculate nor foveate,

rather finely but distinctly and sparsely punctate ; antennal prominences very

small and extremely feeble ; suture tine, not impressed ; eyes moderate, very

coarsely faceted, not very prominent ; antennae short, robust, gradually and

strongly incrassate, rather strongly compressed ; scape as long as the next six

joints combined ; second joint much longer than the next two, all the joints

after the third transverse, successively more strongly so, compactly placed, the

eleventh short, very broad, not as long as wide, very obtuse. Prothorax nearly

as wide as the base of the elytra, ntarly two-fifths wider than long ; sides in

apical three-fourths parallel and nearly straight, then abruptly, broadly

roiinded into the base without lateral or basal angles ; base transverse ; apex

truncate, the apical angles acute and slightly anteriorly prominent, feebly

rounded externally ; disk transversely, rather strongly convex, very finely

though distinctly, sparsely punctate, the median groove very fine, rather feebly

impressed and not quite attaining the apex. Elytra slightly longer than wide,

two-fifths wider and fully four-fifths longer than the prothorax ; sides just

visibly divergent, nearly straight ; exterior apical angles very broadly rounded,

interior extremely narrowly so ; surface feebly impressed near the suture

toward base, very finely, feebly, not very distinctly punctate, the punctures

generally separated by between two and three times their own diameters ;

pubescence extremely short, sparse and inconspicuous. Abdomen distinctly

narrower and scarcely longer than the elytra ; sides very feebly convergent

Coleopterological Notices. 69

from base to apox and veiy ft^ebly arcuate, very minutely and sparsely punc-

tate, beneath minutely, very sparsely punctate, the pubescence longer and

more distinct. Length 1.8 mm.

Texas (Galveston).

The hypomera are feebly impressed along the sides and are rather

wide, the sutures obliterated, the coxal fissures short, almost com-

pletely closed. The mentum is short, fully twice as wide as long,

broadly, feebly emarginate at apex throughout the width, deeply

and coarsely foveate in the middle near the base, the surface dis-

tinctl}' tumid on either side of the fovea, and having a few coarse

setigerous punctures.

Although to be classed with bamlis, this little species, one of the

smallest known in our fauna, is not very closely allied to it. The

elytra are relatively larger and longer, and are much more finely

punctate. The sides of the prothorax are straight in apical three-

fourths, while in basalis the parallel portion of the sides is much

shorter. The series before me exhibits great variation in the extent

of the brownish-piceous tint, this being confined in one specimen to

the basal margin.

B. Iieglectus n. sp. — Slender, black ; elytra very thin and translucent,

whitish, the suture and base blackish ; legs and antennae testaceous, the latter

infuscate, the femora darker ; head and pronotum very finely, densely and

evenly granulato-reticulate, rather feebly shining ; abdomen polished, coarsely

reticulate, the lines fine. Head much narrower than the prothorax, convex,

neither foveate nor tuberculate, finely, rather feebly and sparsely jjunctate,

the median portions impunctate ; antennal prominences very small and feeble ;

eyes moderate ; epistomal suture fine ; epistoma with a fine distinct tubercle

on the apical edge near each anterior angle ; antennae moderate, rather strongly

compressed, gradually and strongly incrassate ; second joint slightly longer

than the next two together, fifth quadrate, rather longer than either the fourth

or sixth, six to ten wider than long, the latter by three-fourths its length,

eleventh very slightly wider than long, very obtuse ; joints throughout not very

compactly joined. Prothorax iKiarly as wide as the base of the elytra, two-fifths

wider than long ; sides in anterior three-fourths parallel and straight, then

very strongly convergent and broadly, feebly but distinctly sinuate to the

basal angles, which are obtuse and rounded but rather distinct, lateral more

broadly rounded and less distinct, apical right, very narrowly rounded, not at

all prominent ; base and apex transversely truncate ; disk transversely, mode-

rately convex, rather finely, feebly and densely punctate ; punctures separated

by nearly twice their own widths ; median groove very fine but distinct. Elytra

quadrate, two-thirds longer and one-third wider than the prothorax ; sides

nearly straight, feebly divergent ; surface distinctly impressed near the suture

at base, finely, rather feebly and densely punctate ; pubescence extremely

70 Coleo2:)terological Notices.

short. Abdomen distinctly narrower tlian the elytra ; sides parallel and nearly

straight, a little more convergent toward apex ; surface very finely, sparsely

punctate, beneath minutely and sparsely so. Length 2.5 mm.

Rhode Island.

The hypomera are very wide, with the sides parallel, flat but

depressed far below the lateral edges, so that the latter are very

acute and prominent ; the coxal fissures are extremely short and

appear to be very narrowly open, the hypomeral edge being be-

neath the prosternal or anterior edge. The mentum is nearly flat,

the subbasal median impression being somewhat feeble.

This species belongs in the neighborhood of basalis, but difi"ers in

the form of the prothorax and sinuation of the convergent portion

of the sides, and in its rather distinct basal angles ; the elytra are

more finely and densely punctate and the size considerably larger.

B. turlbllleiltlis n. sp. — Rather slender, black ; elytra very pale, yel-

lowish-white, the basal margin piceous-black ; legs and antennse testaceous,

the femora darker ; integuments polished, head and prothorax finely, evenly

and rather strongly reticulate ; abdomen coarsely reticulate, with the retal

lines very fine. Head distinctly narrower than the prothorax, convex ; eyes

rather large and prominent ; surface finely, rather feebly and sparsely punc-

tate, neither foveate nor tuberculate ; antennal prominences small and very

feeble ; suture fine, not impressed ; epistoma with a fine apical tubercle near

each anterior angle ; anteon?e rather slender, evenly incrassate ; second joint

not very robust, cylindrical, slightly longer than the next two together, fifth

distinctly longer than wide, eighth and ninth similar in form, the latter the

larger, just visibly wider than long, tenth slightly shorter than the ninth, less

than one-half wider than long, eleventh not quite as wide as the tenth, dis-

tinctly elongate, gradually pointed, as long as the seventh and eighth together.

Prothorax nearly as wide as the base of the elytra, two-fifths wider than long ;

sides in anterior two-thirds parallel and straight, then convergent and very

feebly arcuate to the basal angles, which are very obtuse and broadly rounded

and not distinct ; lateral angles very obtuse and broadly rounded, ajMcal right,

not visibly rounded and just perceptibly anteriorly prominent ; apex trans-

versely truncate; base very feebly .arcuate ; disk trans vei'sely, moderately

convex, finely punctate, the punctures rather feebly impressed and somewhat

dense, being separated by scarcely more than twice their own diameters ;

median groove very fine, feebly impressed, not attaining the apex. Elijtra

quadrate, two-thirds longer and one-fourth wider than the prothorax ; sides

nearly straight, just visibly divergent ; outer angles rather broadly, inner

very narrowly rounded; sirrface feebly impressed near the suture at base,

finely, feebly and densely punctate. Abdomen distinctly narrower than the

elytra, as wide as the prothorax : sides parallel and nearly straight, the sixth

Coleopterological Notices. Yl

segment distinctly narrower from base to apex ; surface finely, sparsely and

unevenly punctate, beneath rather densely so, especially toward base. Length

3.0 mm.

Flovida. Mr. E. A. Schwarz.

This species was confounded by LeConte with basalts, from which

it differs in many conspicuous characters, and chiefly in its much

longer, more slender antenna?, these in basalts being very short, the

outer joints very strongly transverse and more compactly connected,

the eleventh very short, obtuse and much wider than long, the fifth

wider than long; it also differs in its much more finely and densely

punctate elytra, and in its decidedly greater size. Basalts is quite

uniform in size, the series of six specimens before me offering l)ut

slight variation in this respect, the length being 2.0-2.2 mm., and

not as great even as the minimum length (2.5 mm.) given by Dr.

LeConte in the original description. The present description is

taken from the male, and it has been compared with the same sex

of basalts.

The structure of the under surface of the prothorax is nearl}' as

in basalis, the coxal fissures being very short and entirely closed.

The mentum is flat, with a large deep impression in the middle near

the base.

Note.

In the list of Staphylinidse published since the date of the Munich Catalogue,

recently compiled by M. Arit. Duvivier, appears the name Bledius LeContei

Duviv., for B. phi/tosinus Lee, under the supposition that the latter name was

pre-occupied, but as LeConte's name was published in 1877, and plajtosiiius

Fauvel not until 1878 (1. c. p. 101), it is evidently the latter which should

fall and not pht/tosinus Lee. The name Bledius LeContei has recently been given

by Dr. Sharp to a Mexican species (Biol. Cent.-Amer., Coleop. I, Pt. 2, p. 6S5).

The Fauvelian species must be considered therefore as still unnamed.

APLODEIillS Steph.

Haploderus Lac, Lee, etc. — PIdrtomeus Er., Lee.

The species of Aploderus^ are comparatively few in number and

1 The alteration of the original name Aploderas as published by Stephens,

to Haploderus, is unwarranted by any rule of nomenclature based upon solid

reason. To legitimize the changing of a name once given by an author, even

by the purists, is to open the way to unending confusion, and should not be

encouraged. The sense of the majority of modern authors seems to favor, or

72 Coleopterological Notices.

somewhat resemble Trog-ophloeus in external facies. They are at

once distinguishable, however, by the extremely large, externally

angLilate and open anterior coxal cavities, the open portion beyond

the coxte having- a large trochantin or plate, which probably serves

the purpose of an operculum ; they also differ by having a row

of short rather robust and distinct spinules along the outer edge of

the anterior tibige. The genus is rather closely related to Ancyro-

phorus, the latter being distinguished by the visible scutellum and

rather longer and more conical fourth joint of the maxillary palpi.

The affinity with Oxytelus is much more remote, not only in habi-

tus, but in the special modifications of structure.

The eighth ventral segment of the males, as usual in this portion

of the Oxytelini, is longitudinally divided throughout its length,

forming two distinct parts which overlap. In the present genus

the overlapping edge is parallel to the axis of the body, and the

at least tolerate, the adoption for generic names of any combination of letters

■which is moderate in "length, easily pronounceable, and which has a Latin

form or habitus so to speak, and although Aploderns may not be as good

Greek as Haploderus, it is at all events a certain definite combination of

letters, having a Latin form, and easily pronounceable, and could not be

altered even by the author himself.

Although generic names are generally taken or derived from the Greek,

they cease to be Greek and become Latin as. soon as publislied over a descrip-

tion, and Aploderns is as good a Latin word as Haploderus, or Bledius, or

Hamletia. The only reason for altering a name once published is because of a

t.vpographical error which may either delatinize it, or render it unpronounce-

able.

If generic names be not considered as Latin simply and solely, we are

continually guilty of a " barbarism" of the worst kind — the modification of a

Greek word by a Latin adjective. It being granted therefore that generic

■words are Laiin and not Greek, it follows tiiat the gender of specific names

should depend upon the ending of the generic name in its Latin sense, i. e.,

■words ending in a, is, and e are feminine, e. g. Ti/loderma lerea and not cereiim.

Unfortunately there are many words used for genera ■which are perfectly

Greek in form and not Latin ; in these cases the only course to pursue is to

give to the specific names genders which coincide with the Latin equivalent,

e. (/., Medon fuscidum and noi fuscidus.

The reason given by LeConte for the suppression of Aploderns and the sub-

stitution therefor of Phloeonseus Erichs., is not, in the opinion of the writer,

a valid one. As long as a certain definite described species is stated by an

author to be the type of a genus, the genus must be considered established,

even though not described.

CoJeojUeroIogical Notices. 73

apex is therefore never deeply angularly incised, as would be the

case when the two edges are oblique, as in Bledius.

In the table and descriptions given below, the specific characters

throughout are drawn from the male only.

The species belonging to our fauna, although as far as known

only five in number, are easily divisible into two distinct groups as

follows : —

Anterior coxal cavities extremely large, angulate, extending to within a short

distance of the lateral edges of the prothorax, this distance being not

greater than the distance separating them from the anterior margin of

the prosternum I

Head and prothorax narrower than the elytra; eyes moderate, the tempora

behind them equally prominent and but slightly longer linearis

Head and prothorax as wide as the elytra ; form parallel ; eyes very small,

the tempora behind them nearly three times as long, strongly arcuate and

much more prominent ceplialotes

Anterior coxal cavities smaller and shorter, broadly triangular, the hypomera

wide, the distance separating the cavities from the lateral margin of the

prothorax much greater than their distance from the anterior margin of

the prosternum 1|

Head equal in width to the prothorax or extremely nearly so ; basal joint

of the antennse subeqaal in length to the next three together ; elytra

distinctly less than twice as long as the prothorax.

Antennse much longer than the head and prothorax together ; sides of the

abdomen straight and feebly divergent from base to apex pi'iiiceps

Antennfe about equal in length to the head and prothorax, the joints more

compactly joined and more transverse; sides of the abdomen parallel

and evenly, distinctly arcuate throughout flaTipeiinis

Head slightly, although distinctly, narrower than the prothorax ; basal joint

of the antennje shorter, subequal in length to the next two together ;

elytra about twice as long as the prothorax.; sides of the abdomen ]»arallel

and straight , aiinecteilS

A. linearis Lee. — Haplodcms Un. Lee, Smith. 8vo., n. sp. Col., p. 54. —

Slender, black ; elytra and sometimes prothorax paler, dark piceous-brown ;

polished ; pubescence very sliort, extremely sparse. Head equal in width to

the prothorax ; eyes moderate, nearly equal in length to, and rather more

convex than the tempora behind them, the latter as prominent as the eye ;

antennse rather slender, geniculate, the basal joint as long as the next three,

second scarcely visibly longer than the third, oval, the latter strongly obconi-

cal, tenth joint very slightly wider than long. Prothorax nearly three-fourths

wider than long ; sides strongly arcuate anteriorly, feebly convergent and

straight toward base, the base and apex broadly arcuate ; basal angles

rounded ; disk very sparsely, deeply punctate, with a broad median iinpunc-

tate line, on either side of which there is a narrow, feeble and rather indefinite

14 CoJeopterological Notices.

longitudinal impression. Elytra quadrate, one-third wider and about tliree-

fourtlis longer than the protliorax, densely, very deeply and somewhat coarsely

punctate. Abdomen narrow, much narrower than the elytra ; sides straight

and parallel ; surface extremely minutely and sparsely punctate.

Male. — Sixth ventral segment with a very large median area, which is

flattened and finely densely pubescent ; seventh broadly, feebly eniarginate

throughout the widtli at apsx, the middle of the emargination feebly produced

in a short rounded process.

Female. — Sixth segment not densely pubescent ; seventli not eniarginate,

longer, the middle of the aj^ex produced in a ratlier long process — about twice

as wide as long — which is strongly arcuate.

Length 2.7-3.0 mm.

California ; Oregon ; British Columbia.

An extremely common species, easily separated from the next by

its relatively longer and wider elytra and many other characters.

A. ceplialotes n. sp. — Rather slender, parallel, piceous-black ; pronotum

rufous ; elytra paler, flavescent ; legs pale flavate ; antennje piceous-black

throughout ; integuments polished ; pubescence very short and sparse. Head

large, orbicular, slightly wider than long, as wide as the protliorax, feebly

convex; transverse basal line finely, feebly impressed ; surface finely, feebly,

very sparsely punctate, with a sliort fine very feeble canaliculation in the

middle nearly attaining the transverse groove ; antennal prominences short,

rather wide and rather strongly elevated ; eyes very small, feebly convex, the

sides behind them almost three times as long, strongly arcuate and much more

prominent ; antennse fully as long as the head and protliorax together, feebly

incrassate, second and third joints subequal, tenth rather distinctly transverse.

Protliorax nearly twice as wide as long ; sides more strongly arcuate anteriorly,

strongly convergent and feebly arcuate toward base, the latter broadly, dis-

tinctly arcuate, the basal angles very broadly rounded, ajiical acute, not at all

rounded, and slightly anteriorly prominent ; apex truncate ; disk not distinctly

impressed, not very coarsely or* deeply, very sparsely and unevenly punctate, a

broad median line impunctate. Elytra quadrate with the sides parallel, equal

in width to the protliorax and one-half longer, coarsely, very deeply and densely

punctate, a narrow line on each, near the suture rather deeply impressed.

Abdomen nearly as wide as the elytra ; sides parallel and very slightly arcuate ;

surface very minutely, sparsely punctate.

Male. — Sixth ventral segment with a very large median area which is dis-

tinctly flattened, and covered very densely with fine erect pubescence ; seventh

broadly, feebly emarginate throughout its width, the middle of the emargina-

tion not in the least produced ; eiglith with a narrow elongate impression.

Female. — Unknown.

Length 3.0 mm.

California (San Francisco).

This is a remarkable species, its slightly transverse orbicular

Coleopterological Notices. T5

head, with very small eyes, and long strongly arcuate tempora, its

parallel fonu and relatively smaller, very coarsely punctate elytra,

at once distinguishing it from any other.

A. princeps n. sp. — Rather convex, parallel, pale flavate tlirongliont ;

head slightly darker, fuscescent ; antennae feebly infuscate toward apex ; in-

teguments polished ; pubescence sparse but rather long and distinct. Head

fully as wide as the prothorax, rather strongly and densely punctate except

in the middle and anteriorly ; punctures moderate ; median post-vertical

impression feeble ; nuchal constriction very strong ; eyes moderate, slightly

jjrominent, the tempora nearly twice as long, strongly arcuate and a little more

prominent ; antenn;e rather slender, feebly incrassate, distinctly longer than

the head and prothorax ; basal joint subequal in length to the next three,

second very slightly longer than the third, sixth fully as long as wide, tenth

ratlier longer than wide and wider than long on the uncompressed and com-

pressed sides respectively. Prothorax three-fifths wider than long ; sides

broadly, obtusely subangulate at anterior third, thence distinctly convergent

and nearly straight to the broadly rounded basal angles ; base broadly sub-

transverse : apex very broadly, feebly arcuate ; apical angles slightly obtuse

and scarcely perceptibly rounded, not at all prominent ; disk strongly, arcu-

ately impressed on each side of the median impunctate area, the impressions

abruptly reflexed and continuing anteriorly nearer the sides, inclosing an

impunctate callus ; elsewhere rather strongly and densely punctate. Elijtra

about two-fifths wider and two-thirds longer than the prothorax, not qviite as

long as wide, strongly impressed along the suture toward base ; disk rather

depressed, rather coarsely, deeply and densely punctate, the punctures gener-

ally separated by a little less than their own diameters. Abdomen just visibly

increasing in width from base to apex, slightly narrower than the elytra ; sides

straight ; surface very finely, sparsely punctate, just perceptibly clouded with

fuscous toward apex, the latter again paler.

Male. — Sixth segment very broadly arciiately emarginate throughout its

wiiltli, the edge in middle third fimbriate with a line of excessively short and

minute pointed membranous hairs, the surface with two diverging tufts of long

setfe, the intermediate broadly triangular apical portion scarcely impressed but

devoid of pubescence. Seventh segment broadly, angularly emarginate, the

surface having in middle two-fifths a transverse strongly and posteriorly angn-

late line of densely placed obliquely inclined spinose setse, the anterior inclosed

surface feebly imjjressed and devoid of pubescence ; surface laterally, beyond

the line of set*, having numerous very long stiff bristles. Eighth segment

nearly normal, not impressed.

Female . — U nk now n .

Length 4.4 mm.

Nevada.

In its wonderfully distinct sexual characters, large size, pale

coloration and longer pubescence, especially of the pronotum, this

16 Coleopterological Notices.

is by far the most remai'kable species of this section of the genus.

There are but two specimens known, and the male above described

I owe to the kindness of Mr. C. H. Roberts, of New York.

A. flavipeilliis n. sp. — Somewhat robiTst, but moderately depressed ;

head black ; pronotu;u dark riifo-piceous ; elytra pale flavate ; abdomt^n pice-

ous throughout ; legs pale flavate ; antennfe piceous-black, the basal joint very

dark rufo-testaceous ; integuments polished, very finely and extremely sparsely

pubescent. Head as wide as the prothorax ; eyes rather small, somewhat con-

vex, the tempora about three-fourths longer, less strongly arcuate but rather

more prominent ; transverse basal impression distinct ; surface feebly convex,

finely but distinctly and rather densely punctate, a wide median area impunc-

tate ; antennal prominences strong but small and very short ; antennpe rather

slender, very feebly incrassate, as long as the head and prothorax, basal joint

about equal in length to the next three together, second scarcely visibly longer

than the third, tenth very slightly longer than wide. Prothorax fully three-

fourths wider than long ; sides near the apex broadly subangulate, the angle

narrowly rounded, thence feebly convergent and nearly straight to the apex,

slightly more strongly so and very feebly arcuate to the basal angles which

are rounded ; base subtruncate towai'd the middle ; ajjex broadly and distinctly

arcuate, very feebly sinuate near each angle, the latter very slightly obtuse,

very narrowly rounded, not prominent ; disk strongly impressed in the middle

at each side of the impunctate median line, tlie impression reflexed posteriorly

and extending thence anteriorly nearer the sides, becoming broader and feebler

and not attaining the apex ; intermediate callus smooth, imj^unctate ; impressed

areas finely, rather densely punctate. Eli/ti-a slightly wider than long, one-

third wider and nearly three-fourths longer than the prothorax ; sides nearly

parallel and straight ; surface with a strong elongate impression at each side

of the suture at base, rather finely deeply and densely punctate. Abdomen

rather distinctly narrower than the elytra ; sides parallel and very distinctly

arcuate ; surface very minutely and extremely sparsely punctate ; under surface

more densely so and with rather long cinereous and conspicuous pubescence.

Male. — Sixth ventral segment with a very small narrow elongate-oval area,

not attaining the ajjex, which is more densely and finely pubescent ; seventh

very broadly, feebly emarginate throughout its apical width, the middle of the

emargination transverse ; eighth flattened but not impressed.

Female. — Seventh segment very broadly arcuate, the median portion with a

fringe of very fine porrected membranous hairs ; eighth broadly impressed.

Length 3.'4 mm.

California (Mendocino, Santa Clara and Monterey Cos.).

The specimens before me consist of a single representative from

each of the above localities — one male and two females. The

species differs from annectens, not only in the characters given in

the table, but in its shorter and rather more coarsely punctate elytra,

and in the sexual characters of the female.

ColeojjteroJogical Notices. 77

In the male type above described, there is a stout spinose seta at

the posterior extremity of the pubescent area of the sixth segment ;

I cannot determine Avhether this is accidental or not.'

A. ailliecteilS Lee. — Aiiri/roiJwnis annect. Lee, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc, VI,

p. 242. — Slightly robust, strongly depressed, piceous-black ; elytra paler,

rufo-piceous ; legs pale flavate ; antennae piceous-black, fuscous toward base ;

pubescence extremely fine and sparse, much less sparse on the elytra ; integu-

ments polished. Head rather distinctly narrower than the prothorax, feebly

convex, feebly and sparsely punctate, a wide median area impunctate ; eyes

moderate, rather convex, the tempora one-half longer and a little less convex

than the eye, although equally prominent ; transverse basal impression strong ;

vertex not impressed in the middle ; antennae long, evenly and rather distinctly

incrassate, a little longer than the head and prothorax together, strongly

geniculate, basal joint about as long as the next two together, the latter sub-

equal, tenth nearly as long as wide. Prothorax three-fourths wider than long,

transversely truncate at base and apex ; sides obtusely angulate near the apex,

convergent and nearly straight to the apex and base ; basal angles distinctly

rounded, apical nearly right and just visibly rounded, not anteriorly promi-

nent ; disk broadly, rather feebly, somewhat indefinitely and arcuately im-

pressed on each side of the rather narrow median impunctate line, the latter

wider near the apex ; punctures moderate, somewhat dense in the impressed

areas. Elytra one-third wider than, and nearly twice as long as the prothorax,

quadrate, depressed, broadly impressed in the middle at base, rather finely

distinctly and densely punctate. Abdomen distinctly narrower than the elytra ;

sides straight and parallel.

3/o/e.— Sixth segment normal, without trace of denser pubescence in the

middle ; seventh extremely broadly and feebly emarginate at apex, the middle

of tlie emargination just visibly produced and arcuate; eighth not imj)ressed.

Female. — Seventh segment longer, broadly rounded at apex, the middle of

the apex with a very feeble sinuation, the margin of the sinuation lined with

a fringe of short, porrected, semi-membranous or gelatinous hairs ; eighth

impressed.

Length 3.5 mm.

California (Sonoma Co.).

A wider, more depressed species than the preceding, and appa-

rently somewhat rare. The series before me consists of five speci-

mens, all taken at Fisk's Mill on the seacoast.

1 Since writing this paragraph I have received one other male example from

Alameda Co. The spine is very distinct and in the same position, but instead

of a single spine, there is here a closely condensed clump of five or six stiff

setfe. The appearance of a single stiff spine in the original type is probably

due to the complete agglutination of these setae. The head in the Alameda

male is, however, quite distinctly narrower, and this particular specimen may

possibly be less fully developed.

78 * Coleopterological Notices.

THIIVOBILS Kies.

This genus, although allied somewhat to Trogophloeus, differs in

three very important structural characters, viz : the visible scutel-

lum, broadl}^ rounded inner apical angles of the elytra, and antennal

structure, the fourth and sixth joints of the latter being invariably

smaller than the fifth and seventh. These differential characters are

very constant throughout our species, and there are no others which

I have observed of sufficient importance to warrant the creation of

a new genus. There are, however, certain characters possibly of

subgeneric value, which should at least be noted.

In group I, the pubescence of the elytra is of dual composition.

The very densely placed punctures bear, each, a very minute recum-

bent and scarcelv visible seta, sometimes quite robust, and Mhich

constitutes the principal part of the vestiture, but, in addition, there

is a system of longer erect and much more sparsely distributed hairs.

In the other two groups here indicated, there is no sign of this

complexity, and the pubescence is uniform throughout, consisting

of fine erect or suberect hairs, all of equal length. It should also

be stated that in groups I and II, the sixth abdominal segment is

equal in length to the fifth, while in group III it is very much longer.

The European species are divided by Rey into sections which are

considered of generic value. The species here noted under group I,

seem to be entirely congeneric with the true Thinobius of Rey

(Hist. Nat. Col. Fr., Oxyt.), but the Thinophilus of that author is

almost certainly not represented in our fauna, at least there is no

species known to us at present, which possesses the cephalic structure

indicated as a prominent character of that genus (I.e. Plate YI),

and should our groups be considered of subgeneric value, as they

might Avith possible propriety in a general monograph, they must

receive new names.

The species are probably numerous, but owing to their very

minute size they have been almost totally neglected by our collec-

tors. Those at present known to me may be identified by the fol-

lowing characters: —

Antemije moderate in length, scarcely ever miicli longer than the head and

prothorax, with the outer joints robust, the last ovoidal ; integuments

very minutely and densely punctate, or punctato-rugulose and dull I

Antennae flavate.

Coleopterological Notices. • *79

Elytra twice as long as the prothorax, or very nearly so.

Pronotum distinctly, broadly impressed laterally OxytelillllS

Pronotiim not impressed laterally pallidicoi'llis

Elytra not more than one-half longer than the prothorax.

Castaneous ; elytra together distinctly wider than long...flavicoi"llis

Black, elytra quadrate grossillllS

Antennae black or piceons-black.

Pronotum not perceptibly impressed.

Integuments more coarsely and strongly granulose, the short appressed

pubescence bright fulvous in color inacropterus

Integuments much smoother, not granulose but excessively minutely

and densely punctate, the punctures all distinct, the pubescence

dark cinereous and not at all conspicuous SOllOlliae

Pronotum with two small, feeble but distinct impressions near the basal

margin.

Castaneous or piceous, the punctures granulose and subcontinent.

Form I'ather robust fiiu1)l'iatlis

Form slender Iiespei'ilis

Black, the punctures not quite so dense, and the lustre more shining.

pygniaeus

Antennae very long and slender, outer joints elongate, the eleventh elongate,

and subcylindrical ; integuments very minutely, densely punctate ; lustre

alutaceous II

Size large, 1.7 mm. ; elytra very sliort, one-fourth longer than the pro-

thorax anteunai-ius

Size smaller, not exceeding 1.5 mm.

Pale brown ; antennae pale flavate pallidum

Black ; antennae piceous-black gracilicoi'Ilis

Antennae very short and robust ; integviments shining, coarsely and more

sparsely jjunctate Ill

Pale *brownish-flavate, very slender ; piinctures finer ; pronotum strongly

impressed along the lateral edges ; antennal joints very strongly trans-

verse crassicoi'iiis

Black, more robust ; punctures much coarser and relatively denser ; pro-

notum not impressed along the sides ; antennal joints very feebly trans-

verse.. validiis

T. oxytelinilS Lee. — Trans. Am. Ent. Soc, VI, p. 240. — Rather robust

and depressed, castaneous ; abdomen piceous ; legs and antennae pale tlavate ;

integuments dull. Head almost as long as wide, feebly convex, very minutely

and densely punctate, the punctures distinct and just visibly separated, the

interspaces slightly shining ; tiiberculations moderate in size, feeble ; eyes

moderate, rather convex and prominent, very coarsely faceted, the sides behind

them distinctly convergent to the neck, and very short ; antennae a little

longer than the head and prothorax, rather slender, distinctly clavate, second

joint cylindrical, more than twice as long as wide and fully as long as the next

two, third distinctly longer than wide, fourth just visibly longer than wide,

80 . Coleopterohxjical Notices.

sliglitly longer than the sixtli .and distinctly shorter than the fifth, the latter

scarcely more robust, outer joints scarcely wider than long, the eleventh robust,

ovoidal, rather abruptly pointed, one-half longer than wide. Prothorax nearly

one-fifth wider than the head, three-fifths wider than long ; sides parallel,

evenly and distinctly arcuate ; base broadly, feebly arcuate, angles broadly

rounded ; apex truncate, angles obtuse and narrowly rounded ; disk feebly

convex, broadly, distinctly impressed laterally and anteriorly, also with very

faint traces of two small basal impressions which trisect the width ; surface

punctured like the head. Elytra nearly one-fourtli wider than the prothorax

and about twice as long, very depressed ; sides just visibly divergent from base

to apex and very slightly arcuate; surface excessively minutely and densely

granulate, the recumbent pubescence not distinctly visible, the longer erect

hairs rather distinct, not dense. Abdomen very slightly narrower than the

elytra, short ; sides nearly parallel ; border narrow, deep ; surface more

coarsely, sparsely punctate and slightly shining. Length 1.0 mm.

California (Oak Grove 1). Mr. G. R. Crotch. Cab. LoConte.

In tiio typo-si)ecinien there is not tiio slightest trace of an im-

pressed dorsal channel on the ])r()notuni, and the record of one by

LeConte is an inadvertence. The elytra are distinctly paler, vufes-

cent, and practically uniform throughout the surface, the duskiness

of the base and margins spoken of in the original description being

not clearly evident. This is a very distinct species.

T. palli<licoriiis n. sp. — Rather slender, piceous-black ; femora dark

piceous-bruwn, tibiie, tarsi and antenn.e throughout paler, brownisTl-flavate ;

integuments dull. Ihiid fully as long as wide, very minutely, strongly and

densely granulose, the punctiires not distinct ; tuberculations very small and

feeble ; suture very fine, shining ; eyes moderate, feebly convex, the tempera

about as prominent, parallel, feebly arcuate and more than one-half as long ;

antennre about as long as the head and prothorax, slightly robust, rather

feebly clavate, second joint about as long as the next two together, fourth

and sixth subequal, smaller than the fifth and very slightly wider than long,

outer joints slightly transverse, eleventh ovoidal, abruj)tly pointed, scarcely

more than one-thii'd longer than wide. Piotlionix slightly wider than the

head, three-fourths wider than long ; sides parallel and distinctly arcuate ;

basal angles obsolete, very broadly rounded into the base, the latter in the

middle more feebly arcuate ; ajtex truncate ; apical angles slightly obtuse

and not distinctly rounded ; disk with very faint traces of two parallel im-

pressions, feebly convex, obsoletely tumid along the middle toward base, ex-

tremely minutely and densely punctate. Elytra parallel, one-fourth wider

and four-lifths longer than the prothorax, excessively minutely and densely,

and rather strongly punctato-grannlose, the longer suberect hairs very minute

and I'ather sparse. Abdomen slightly narrower than the elytra, decidedly

narrowed toward apex ; border rather thin, moderate in depth ; surface feebly

Coleopterological Notices. 81

convex, very finely and ratlier more sparsely i)unctate and less dull, the sixth

segment shining and with a transverse row of erect discal settc. Legs mode-

rate. Length 0.8 mm.

Texas (Austin ]).

Very easily distinguishable by its small size, piceous-black color,

with pale antennog, and more strongly granulose integuments.

T. flaTiCorilis L(!C. — Trans. Am. Ent. Soc, VI, p. 240. — Rather slender,

somewhat pale, castaneous ; abdomen ])iceous-black ; legs and antennte

throughout pale flavate ; integuments alutaceous. Head nearly as long as

wide, very feebly convex, excessively minutely arid very densely punctate ;

tuberculations very small, rather feeble, widely distant; suture distinct;

antennae as long as the head and prOthorax, rather robust, very feebly incras-

sate, second joint scarcely twice' as long as wide and barely as long as the next

two together, third decidedly longer than wide, fourth and sixth quadrate and

but slightly smaller than the fifth, outer joints just visibly transverse, eleventh

ovoidal, gradually jwinted, three-fourtlis longer than wide ; eyes moderate,

feebly convex. Prothorax very sliglitly wider than the head, slightly less

than one-half wider than long ; sides parallel and very feebly arcuate ; base

transversely, strongly arcuate, angles very broadly rounded ; apex very feebly,

broadly sinuate, angles not distinctly rounded ; disk very feebly, evenly con-

vex, punctured like the head and without trace of impressions. Elytra parallel,

a little wider than long, just visibly wider and one-third longer than the

prothorax, depressed, excessively denscdy punctato-granulose, the sculpture

being decidedly liner and denser than that of the prothorax, the recumbent

pubescence excessively fine and not distinct, the erect sparser hairs distinct.

Abdomen short, fully as wide as the elytra ; sides parallel, straight ; border

narrow, moderate in depth ; surface more coarsely punctato-reticulate, the sixtl'

dorsal broadly, feebly sinuate in the middle. Leys robust. Length 0.9 mm.

New York (Coney Island). Cab. LeConte.

The paler color, larger, relatively longer prothorax, and decidedly

shorter elytra, will serve to separate this species from any other of

the present section of the genus. The antenme are just perceptibly

darker toward tip, and the abdominal punctuation is quite coarse,

somewhat dense and very distinct.

T. grossilllIS n. sp. — Rather slender, parallel, piceous-black, the ante-

rior portions with a very feeble castaneous tinge ; legs and antenna flavate ;

integuments dull. lle.dd fully as long as wide, very feebly convex, very

minutely and densely punctate, the punctures not absolutely in contact ;

tuberculations very feeble ; eyes moderate, feebly convex, the sides behind

them feebly convergent to the neck ; antennse as long as the head and pro-

thorax, rather feebly incrassate, second joint fully as long as the next two,

more than twice as long as wide, third distinctly longer than wide, fourth

and sixth subequal, very slightly transverse, fifth more robust, slightly longer

Annals N. Y. Acad. Sci., V, Dec. 1889.-6

82 Coleopterological Notices.

than wide, seventh slightly longer and thicker than the eighth, outer joints

rather longer tlian wide, the eleventh ovoidal, gradually pointed, twice as

long as wide. Prothorax slightly but distinctly wider than the head, one-half

■wider than long ; sides parallel, evenly and rather strongly arcuate ; base

broadly, more feebly arcuate, angles very broadly rounded ; apex very feebly

emarginate, angles not at all rounded ; disk feebly, evenly convex, punctured

like the head and without distinct trace of impressions. Eii/tra quadrate,

parallel ; sides nearly straight ; disk just perceptibly wider and scarcely two-

fifths longer than the prothorax, excessively minutely and densely granulose,

the recumbent pubescence excessively short, silvery, the erect hairs distinct.

Abiiomen long and linear, very slightly narrower than the elytra ; sides straight

and parallel ; border moderate ; surface more coarsely and sparsely punctato-

reticulate ; punctures strong ; the apex of the sixth segment broadly feebly

sinuate in the middle, with the edge fringed with a close series of jiale porrected

membranous hairs, ie^s somewhat slender. Length 1.4 mm..

New York (near the city 1). Mr. W. Jiilich.

This species' the largest of this section of the genus, approaches

very near to fiavicornis in general form, especially in its compara-

tively short elytra and large unimpressed prothorax ; it differs in

its much larger size, in its longer abdominal segments, in color, and

in its much more coarsely granulose and less abbreviated elytra.

In fiavicornis the elytra together are very distinctly wider than

long, while in the present species they are quadrate.

T. Iliaci'OpterilS Lee. — Trans. Am. Ent. Soc.,VI, p. 241. — Rather robust,

piceous-black throughout the body, legs and antennas ; integuments very dull,

the minute recumbent pubescence of the anterior portions fulvous, the sparser

suberect hairs cinereous. Head as long as wide, rather small, feebly convex,

minutely, very densely punctate, the punctures not completely coalescent and

rather distinctly definable ; eyes rather large, the tempora not as prominent

and less than one-half as long ; tuberculations feeble ; antennae distinctly

longer than the head and prothorax, moderately robust, distinctly clavate,

second joint rather more than twice as long as wide and nearly as long as the

next two together, third much less robust, elongate, nearly twice as long as

wide, fourth very slightly longer than wide, slightly longer and less robust

than the sixth, the latter very slightly transverse, fifth more robust, distinctly

longer than wide, outer joints very slightly transverse, eleventh more robust,

ovoidal, abruptly pointed, one-half longer than wide. Prothorax nearly one-

third wider than the head, two-thirds wider than long, almost semicircularly

rounded behind from the middle of the sides, the middle of the base less

strongly arcuate ; sides before the middle slightly convergent ; apex strongly,

evenly sinuate throughout the width, angles not at all rounded and very dis-

tinct ; disk rather more finely sculptured than the head, granulose, evenly,

feebly convex, without trace of impressions. Elytra one-third wider and four-

fifths longer than the prothorax ; sides parallel and distinctly arcuate ; surface

Coleopterological Notices. 83

strongly, densely granulose. Abdomen very short, strongly convergent toward

apex, slightly narrower than the elytra ; border rather wide and shallow ; sur-

face more coarsely and sparsely punctato-reticulate, the sixth segment appa-

rently with a fine coriaceous margin throughout the width. Length 0.9 mm.

California,, Cab. LcConte.

A very distinct species, easily distinguishable from any other of

this section by its more robust form, unimpressed jjronotum, broadly

emarginate apex of the prothorax, the head, i)rothorax and elytra

increasing in width in an almost uniform ratio, by the distinctly

arcuate sides of the elytra, the longer, more aberrant antennce, and

many other characters. The measurements of length given by

LeConte in his descriptions of the species of this genus are

decidedl}'^ too small.

T. soiioiuae n. sp. — Rather slender, moderately depressed, piceous-Uack

throughout the body, legs and antennae, the elyti-a with a feeble castaneous

tinge ; integuments rather' dull. Ilmd fully as long as wide, feebly, evenly

convex, very finely, feebly and densely punctate ; antenna! tuberculations very

feeble ; eyes rather large, feebly convex, very coarsely faceted, the tempera

scarcely as prominent and about two-thirds as long, broadly rounded ; antennae

rather robust, distinctly clavate, scarcely longer than the head and prothorax,

second joint rather more than twice as long as wide and very slightly shorter

than the next two combined, third distinctly longer than the fourth, the latter

fully as long as wide, shorter than the fifth and subequal to the sixth, eleventh

ovoidal, pointed, two-thirds longer than wide. Protliorax slightly but distinctly

wider than the head, nearly three-fourths wider than long ; sides parallel,

feebly arcuate, the basal angles obsolete, very broadly rounded into the base

which is broadly feebly arcuate ; apex broadly, very feebly emarginate, the

apical angles slightly advanced and very narrowly rounded ; disk not at all

imx)ressed, feebly convex, very minutely and densely punctate tjiroughout.

Scutellum very small, equilatero- triangular. Elytra parallel, one-third wider

and four-fifths longer than the prothorax ; disk nearly flat, strongly imjjressed

at the scntellum, extremely minutely, densely punctate ; pubescence exces-

sively fine, short and dense, the longer erect hairs sparsely distributed over

the surface. Abdomen very slightly narrower than the elytra, rather short,

slightly narrowed toward apex ; border narrow and deep ; surface more coarsely

and sparsely punctate, also coarsely reticulate, and a little more shining than

the otlier portions, the sixth segment distinctly shining. Legs rather short

and robust. Length 1.2 mm.

California (Duncan's Mills, Sonoma Co. 2).

May be distinguished from pygmaeus by its larger size, longer,

relatively narrower prothorax, with the apical angles more advanced,

and by the entire absence of any distinct pronotal impressions.

The punctuation is slightly finer and denser than in that species.

84 Coleopferological Notices.

T. i]ni1)riatlis Lee. — Trans. Am. Ent. Soc, VI, p. 240. — Somewhat

robust, dark piceo-castaneous ; anteiinfe same ; legs slightly paler ; integu-

ments dull. Head fully as long as wide, very feebly and evenly convex, very

minutely and densely punctate ; tuberculations small and feeble ; transverse

suture fine, arcuate, distinct ; eyes moderate, feebly convex ; tempora feebly

arcuate, about as prominent and more than two-thirds as long as the eye ;

antenn£e as long as the head and prothorax, not very robust, feebly clavate,

second joint about twice as long as wide and scarcely as long as the next two

together, third slightly longer than wide, fourth and sixth very little wider

than long and but slightly smaller than the fifth, outer joints very slightly

transverse, the eleventh ovoidal, gradually pointed, two-thirds longer than

wide. Prothorax very slightly wider than the head, five-sixths wider than

long ; sides parallel, strongly, evenly arcuate ; base feebly arcuate, angles

very broadly rounded ; apex truncate or very feebly sinuate, the angles

slightly obtuse and not perceptibly rounded ; disk feebly convex, punctured

like the head, with two feeble, distant, basal impressions. Elytra not wider

and four-fifths longer than the prothorax, parallel, depressed, punctured like

the prothorax but rather more finely, the fine dense recumbent hairs so small

as to be not distinctly visible, the longer erect ones rather sparse and very

distinct. Abdomen nearly as wide as the elytra, more coarsely punctato-reti-

culate ; sides nearly parallel and straight ; border narrow and deep. Length

0.7 mm.

Michigan (Detroit 1). Cab. LeConte.

This species bears considerable resemblance to hesperius, but

may be distinguished by its more robust form, larger, wider pro-

thorax, and relatively shorter elytra. In the t^-pe, the abdomen is

drawn up so as to be very short, and the length given is therefore

less than the normal one for the species; the length given by

LeConte (0 5 mm.) is not correct.

T. liesperillS u. spt — Slender, piceo-castaneous ; legs and antennje

throughout same ; integuments dull and dense. Head fully as long as wide,

rather feebly, evenly convex, very densely grannlato-punctate ; prominences

moderate in size, feeble; eyes large, feebly convex, very coarsely faceted, the

tempora not quite as prominent, feebly arcuate and scarcely more than one-

half as long ; antennse equal in length to the head and prothorax, moderately

robust, distinctly clavate, second joint oval, twice as long as wide, as long as

the next two together, third as wide as long, fourth and sixth equal, smallest,

distinctly transverse, fifth subequal to the third, outer joints feebly transverse,

eleventh ovoidal, pointed, two-fifths longer than wide. Prothorax very slightly

wider than the head, five-sixths wider than long ; sides parallel anteriorly and

distinctly arcuate ; base bi'oadly arcuate, coarctate with the sides through the

very broadly rounded basal angles ; apex broadly, feebly arcuate ; apical angles

slightly obtuse, not distinctly rounded ; disk feebly, evenly convex, punctate

like the head, with two small feeble impressions at the base, trisecting the

Coleopterological Notices. 85

width. Elytra parallel, scarcely one-fifth wider than the prothorax and fully

twice as long; humeri right and very narrowly rounded; surface feehly

convex, extremely densely and finely punctato-granulose, the short appressed

pubescence correspondingly dense, and the longer erect hairs somewhat dense,

very small and not easily seen. Abdomen very slightly narrower than the

elytra and subequal in length, feehly narrowed toward tip ; border moderate

in width and depth ; surface feebly convex, more coarsely punctato-reticulate

and rather more shining, the pubescence coarser, as usual. Length 0.8 mm.

California (Fort Yuma 3).

This species may be distinguished by its slender form, piceous-

black antennas, short prothorax, and long elytra.

T. pygmaeus n. sp. — Rather slender and depressed, black throughout;

legs and antennae same ; integuments rather dull. Head fully as long as wide

and distinctly longer than the prothorax, very feebly, evenly convex, very

minutely, densely punctate ; tuberculations very feeble ; transverse epistomal

suture very distinct ; eyes large, feebly convex, the tempora nearly as promi-

nent, very feebly arcuate and nearly two-thirds as long as the eye ; antennje

just visibly longer than the head and prothorax, feebly clavate, second joint

slightly less than twice as long as wide, nearly as long as the next two

together, the third very much longer than the fourth which is slightly trans-

verse, subequal to the sixth, the fifth larger and very slightly wider than

long, eleventh one-half longer than wide, ovoidal, abruptly pointed. Pro-

thorax slightly wider than the head, very slightly less than twice as wide as

long ; sides parallel and strongly arcuate ; basal angles very broadly rounded,

the base feebly arcuate ; apex truncate, the apical angles slightly obtuse and

scarcely at all rounded, scarcely perceptibly advanced ; disk broadly, feebly

convex, extremely minutely and densely punctate throughout, and broadly

strongly impressed on each side at the base, the Impressions trisecting the

widtli. Ehjtra slightly wider than the prothorax, and about twice as long,

parallel, very minutely, densely punctate and pubescent, the longer suberect

hairs very short, somewhat dense and not very distinct. Abdomen slightly

narrower than the elytra, slightly narrowed toward tip, sliort; border rather

thick, flat and shallow, the surface transversely convex, more coarsely,

sparsely punctate, and slightly shining, especially the sixth segment. Leys

moderate. Length 1.0 mm.

Nevada (Reno 1).

The abdomen with its somewhat convex surface, and very shallow

and rather wide border, contrasts greatly with the same part as

seen in sonomx, but the structure of this part seems to vary con-

siderably within specific limits, even in the mature state.

The three species last described are more closely allied than usual,

and, although easily distinguishable in nature by peculiarities of

8G Coleopterological Notices.

form, size and sculpture, are not so satisfactoril}' differentiated by

description.

The following group of three species is very distinct in the long

slender antennae, with all the joints elongate, and may be further

identified by the abdomen rather strongly narrowed from base to

apex, by the laj'ge subrectangular prothorax, with the disk perfectly

even and free from impressions, by the slightly sparser, finer punc-

tures, with the surface correspondingly more shining, and by the

decidedly larger size.

T. aiiteiinariiis Fauv. — Bull. Soc. Linn. Norm., Ser. 3, Vol. II, p. 97.

I have not been able to examine this species in nature, and the

characters given in the table were taken from the original descrip-

tion of M. Fauvel.

T. pallidum n. sp. — Rather slender and fusiform, feebly convex, pale

brown ; abdomen piceous ; legs and antennae pale flavate ; integuments slightly-

sinning. Head about as long as wide, rapidly narrowed and triangular in

front of the eyes ; sides in basal half parallel ; surface subdepressed, very

minutely punctato-reticulate, finely pubescent ; eyes moderate, rather convex,

very coarsely faceted ; antennae much longer than the head and prothorax,

very slender, scarcely visibly incrassate, all the joints much longer than

wide, second shorter than the next two, fourth and sixth Slightly shorter than

the third and fifth, and very slightly more slender, tenth nearly one-half

longer than wide, eleventh slender, cylindrical, abruptly pointed at apex,

nearly three times as long as wide. Prothorax slightly though distinctly wider

than the head, about one-sixth wider than long ; base and apex subequal, very

feebly arcuate ; sides parallel, feebly arcuate ; apical angles narrowly, basal

more broadly rounded ; disk broadly, feebly convex, more strongly so near the

margins, even, without trace of impressions, more strongly shining, subaluta-

ceous, very minutely and excessively feebly punctate. Elytra about one-fourth

wider and two-fifths longer than the prothorax, parallel, subquadrate ; sides

nearly straight ; surface very feebly convex, alutaceous, excessively minutely

punctate, the piinctures smaller but stronger than those of the j^i-othorax, not

in mutual contact. Abdomen narrowed toward apex, very slightly narrower

than the elytra ; segments rather long ; border strong, not very deep ; surface

strongly alutaceous, reticulate in broken transverse wavy lines, the interspaces

dull. Length 1.2 mm.

Texas (Austin 2).

The pubescence of the anterior portion is very fine and dense ;

it is suberect, and is not intermingled with longer hairs as in the

preceding section. It belongs near anfennarius of Fauvel, but is a

much smaller species.

Coleopterological Notices. 8T

T. gracilicorilis n. sp. — Moderately slender and fusiform, feebly con-

vex, black ; legs and antennse throughout piceous-black ; integuments alutace-

ous. Head small, nearly as long as wide ; sides parallel in basal half; surface

very feebly convex, finely, densely punctate ; tuberculations moderate, rather

distinctly elevated ; eyes rather large and convex, very coarsely faceted ; sides

behind them very short, about one-third as long and obtusely, narrowly

rounded ; antennae very slender, much longer than the head and prothorax,

extremely feebly incrassate, all the joints longer than wide, second shorter

than the next two, fourth and fifth subequal, longer than the sixth and shorter

than the third, ninth longer than the tenth, the latter but slightly longer than

wide, eleventh cylindrical, abruptly pointed, two and one-half times as long as

wide. Prothorax rather more than one-fourth wider than the head, one-sixth

wider than long ; base scarcely perceptibly narrower than the apex, both feebly

arcuate ; sides nearly parallel, feebly arcuate ; apical angles narrowly but

distinctly, basal broadly, rounded ; disk evenly and rather distinctly convex,

without trace of impressions, very minutely, feebly punctate ; punctures not

distinctly definable. Elytra one-third wider and nearly one-half longer than

the prothorax, quadrate, depressed ; sides parallel and nearly straight ; sur-

face extremely minutely, densely punctate and pubescent. Abdomen gradually

narrowed from base to aj^ex, slightly narrower than the elytra ; segments

rather long ; border moderate, not very deep ; surface dull, finely and strongly

punctato-reticulate, the reticulations small and slightly transverse. Length

1.5 mm.

California (Sonoma, San Mateo and Santa Clara Cos. 8).

This species seems to vary slightly in the relative proportion of

its parts, but I can perceive no well-defined limits of a specific

nature. It is very distinct from jMllidiis in its larger size, black

color, smaller head, finer, stronger abdominal sculpture, and several

other characters.

T. crassicornis n. sp. — Extremely slender, linear, subdepressed, pale

brownish-rtavate ; legs and antennae very pale fiavate ; integuments shining,

the pubescence moderate in length altliough somewhat dense. Head nearly

as long as wide, feebly, evenly convex above, rather coarsely and sparsely

punctate, the interspaces fully twice as wide as the punctures, polished, the

epistoma on a slightly lower j^lane than the front, the suture short, strongly

arcuate and very distinct ; tuberculations small but rather prominent ; eyes

moderate ; tempora parallel, abruptly rectangular behind, the head being

transversely truncate at base ; antennae fully as long as the head and pro-

thorax, robust, distinctly incrassate, the second joint very short, scarcely one-

third longer than wide and slightly shorter than the next two together, third

transversely oval, fourth and sixth rather wider than the third, very strongly

transverse, about equal in width to the fifth but rather shorter, the latter

nearly twice as wide as long, outer joints very strongly transverse, twice as

wide as long, the eleventh ovoidal, pointed, one-third longer than wide. Pro-

thorax equal in width to the head and very slightly shorter, two-fifths wider

88 Coleopterological Notices.

than long; sides parallel, just visibly arcuate; apex and baSe equally and

feebly arcuate ; apical angles very narrowly, basal more broadly, rounded ;

disk feebly convex, somewhat coarsely and sparsely punctate, with two strong

parallel impressions in the middle, also strongly impressed at the lateral edges

in the basal half, and more narrowly so in the anterior half, the edge being

explanate or very feebly reflexed. El.ijfra slightly longer than wide, one-sixth

wider and four-fifths longer than the prothorax ; sides parallel and straight ;

disk rather coarsely and sparsely punctate, the punctures separated by from

once to twice their own widths, and rather closer than those of the head and

prothorax. Abdomen long, linear, slightly narrower than the elytra ; sides

nearly straight, parallel ; border rather wide, very shallow ; surface finely

reticulate, finely, not densely, and subasperately punctate, the punctures not

sparser but much finer than those of the head ; apical margin of the sixth

segment narrowly free from punctures, smooth and jaolished. Le(/s short.

Length 1.1 mm.

Texas (Austin 1).

A remarkably distinct species, deeicleclly aberrant in the strong and

complex impressions of the pronotum, and unusually robust anlennsfi.

The punctuation is very much sparser than in any other species

known to me.

T. validllS n. sp. — Slender, depressed, linear, black throughout ; elytra

slightly piceous ; tibiie slightly paler, flavo-piceous ; integuments rather

shining. Head scarcely as long as wide, flattened above, vertex in the middle

just behind the line of antennal insertion more strongly convex; tubercula-

tions rather large, not very strong; surface coarsely, deeply and rather

densely punctate ; eyes rather small, feebly convex ; tempora parallel, feebly

arcuate, as prominent as the eye and nearly as long ; antennse slightly longer

than the head and prothoi-ax, robust, distinctly incrassate, second joint fully

as long as the next two, third obconical, very slightly longer than wide, fourth

and sixth smaller, distinctly transverse, fifth larger, very slightly wider than

long, outer joints rather distinctly transverse, eleventh robust, ovoiilal, not

one-half longer than wide, rather abruptly pointed. Prothorax equal in width

to the head and distinctly shorter, fully one-half wider than long ; sides

feebly convergent from near the apex to the base, and scarcely visibly

arcuate ; apical angles rather broadly rounded ; apex very feebly arcuate ;

base strongly arcuate throughout the width, the angles obtuse and distinctly

rounded ; disk feebly convex, rather coarsely, deeply and densely punctate,

with two large wide very feeble longitudinal impressions in the middle, with-

out lateral impressions. Elytra one-third wider than the prothorax, distinctly

longer than wide, more than twice as long as the prothorax and slightly longer

than the head and prothorax together ; sides parallel and almost perfectly

straight ; disk depressed, rather coarsely, deeply and densely punctate, the

punctures rather smaller than those of the pronotum and separated by nearly

one-half their own widths. Abdomen rather distinctly narrower than the

elytra ; sides parallel and straight ; border narrow, moderate in depth ; seg-

Coleopterological Notices. 89

ments moderate in length ; the sixth very much longer than the fifth, with

the apex for one-flfth the length perfectly smooth and polished ; surface feebly

reticulate, very minutely and rather sparsely punctate, more strongly shining.

Length 1.6 mm.

California (Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin Cos. 11).

The pubescence in this well-marked species is not very dense, and

is somewhat longer than usual. The anterior legs throughout,

together with the coxae, are pale flavate, the posterior piceous, the

posterior tibia) having, at the middle of the exterior edge, a long

erect seta, which seems to be a constant generic character, but

becoming here more than usually pronounced. It is gregarious on

the under surface of chips and stones near running water, and its

motions are extremely slow, differing greatly from the normal forms,

as for instance hesperius, which are never gregarious, and which

move much more rapidly over the sand and adobe mud of the river

bank. Similar differences of habit are well known in the genus

Trogophloeus.

PHALACRID^.

"With the exception of a few more or less isolated descriptions,

the representatives of this family have of late years been greatly

neglected by systematists. The study of the European species has,

however, been recently resumed by Tournier and Flach, and the

description of several interesting new genera by Dr. Sharp in the

Biologia Centrali-Americana, has served to revive a still more

general interest. In the following pages I have attempted to per-

form a corresponding service for the North American species.^

The family seems to be more especially characteristic of the

American, than of the European "fauna, for it is here that it reaches

its greatest development, not only in the number and variety of its

species, but more noticeably in the unexpected number of distinct

and highly specialized generic groups. Although to a superficial

view presenting a very monotonous and little varied appearance,

I have found the study of the American species a highly interesting

one, the various genera being quite abruptly limited, and charac-

terized by an unusual paucity of iutergrading forms.

1 Olihrus picem Boh., mentioned by Gemm. and Harold (Cat. Col. p. 801) as

described from California, cannot be identified, and, as the name is pre-occu-

pied, should be dropped from our lists. Phalacrus difformis Lee. (Agass. L.

Sup. 222) is an Agathidium. Litochrus hnmnipennis Mann, is a Choleva.

90 Coleopterological Notices.

In the creneral classification of the g-cncra I have departed from

the original Erichsonian system, based upon the relative length of

the anterior and posterior tarsi and visibility of the terminal spurs,

and have taken as the most important characters in the primary

grouping, the structure of the eye and tibial spurs, the mode of

antennal insertion, and the size of the scutellum. In the Olibri

the point of antennal insertion is exposed from above, the large

irregular pit or fovea in front of the under part of the eye being

very shallow, because of the deep sinuation of the sides of the

epistoma. In all the genera of this group there is visible, just

above the point of insertion and immediately under the extreme

upper edge of the epistoma, a round flattened chitinous tubercle,

apparently entirely filling a deep fovea ; this is very constant in all

the genera, but its significance cannot be determined.

The variation in the form of the trophi in passing from one genus

to another, appears to be of so little importance in comparison to

the sternal and tarsal structure, that but slight use has been made

of these parts, and they have been totally disregarded in the scheme

of arrangement here proposed. They are, however, of somewhat

greater moment in the Litochride genera, as will appear below.

In the following table I have included all the described genera,

indicating those which do not occur within the faunal limits of the

United States by an asterisk.^ The genus Augasmus Mots, is

said by Tournier to be identical with Phalacrus, and the recently

described Olibrosoma of Tournier, seems to be so aberrant in its

five-jointed antennal club, that I think it would be better to exclude

it from the family as at present organized ; it may possibly find a

more fitting place in the Silphidos. With these exceptions, there-

fore, the family is found to consist of three groups of genera which

may be defined as follows : —

Eyes of dual structure, the upper portion finely faceted, the lower coarsely

so ; spurs of posterior tibiae strongly dilated.

Antenuffi exposed at base, the epistoma projecting and trapezoidal ; scutel-

lum small or moderate ; elytra striate throughout the width Tolyphi

Eyes normal, coarsely faceted throughout ; spurs of posterior tibiae not at all

dilated.

Antenna inserted under the sides of the front, the base entirely concealed

1 Through the generosity of Dr. Sharp, I have been able to study all of the

Central American genera recognized by this distinguished author, and recently

published in the Biologia Centrali-Americana.

Coleopterological Notices. 91

from above, and the margin of the epistoma evenly coarctate ; scutellum

large Piialacri

Antennpe inserted at the sides of the front, the base visible from above, the

margin of the epistoma above the point of insertion being more or less

sinuate ; scutellum small or moderate Olibki

The genera composing the groups may be defined as follows: —

TOLYPHI.

Sides of the prothorax not coarctate with those of the elytra.. ..*TolyplllIS

Phalacri.

Spnrs of posterior tibise very short, not projecting beyond the terminal fringe

of spinnles ; elytra with a discal stria PlialacrilS

Sijurs of posterior tibi^ long and distinct ; elytra entirely dt'void of strire.

Plialaci'opsis

Olibri.

Basal joint of the posterior tarsi shorter than the second.

Apex of the prosternal process inflexed, without an acute and free edge,

and devoid of spinose set.-e ; metasternal process greatly developed, the

mesosternum before it reduced to a fine bead.

Elytra with one or two discal striie, the suture beaded ; second joint of the

posterior tarsi moderate in length, free Olilirus

Elytra with a single discal stria, tlie suture not beaded ; second joint of

the posterior tarsi moderate in length, rigidly articulated with the basal

joint Oliliroporiis

Elytra entirely devoid of discal striae ; second joint of tlie posterior tarsi

greatly elongate, subanchylosed to the first *Eulitrus

Apex of the prosternal process with an acute free edge bearing a transverse

series of spinose aetve ; mesosternum more developed in front of the meta-

sternal process ; elytra constantly with a single discal stria, the suture

not beaded.

Mesosternum not prolonged behind the middle acetabula ; second joint

of the posterior tarsi very long, subanchylosed to the first.

Litolibriis

Mesosternum prolonged and sometimes greatly developed behind tlie

middle acetabula.

Second joint of the posterior tarsi very long, spongy-pubescent beneath

in the male, the articulation with the first joint rigid ; posterior

tibial spurs long, very unequal ; sexual differences in the posterior

tibiae, terminal spurs and tarsi strongly marked AcyloillUS

Second joint moderate in length, anchylosed rigidly to the basal joint,

clothed throughout with small subrecumbent spinose setse ; tibial

spurs moderate ^JLioplialacrilS

Second joint moderate in length, finely pubescent beneatli in both

sexes ; articulation with the basal" joint free ; tibial spurs small and

inconspicuous ; sexual dilTerences in the posterior legs not observa-

92 Coleopterological Notices.

ble, the male sexual characters, when visible, affecting the abdominal

segments only Stil1)US

Basal joint of the posterior tarsi longer than the second ; elytra with two

discal striae.

Prosternal process inflexed at apex, devoid of terminal setae.

Basal joint of the posterior tarsi extremely elongate, much longer than

the entire remainder ; mesosternura not extending behind the middle

acetabula except as a fine marginal bead ; sexual differences in the

posterior legs not observable LiitoclirilS

Basal joint elongate but distinctly shorter than the remaining joints com-

bined ; mesosternum extending behind the middle acetabula, where it

is moderately developed ; sexual differences in the posterior legs con-

spicuous Liitochropus

Prosternal process not inflexed, having a free acute edge OclirolitltS

TOLYPHUS Erichs.

The antennae in this genus are unusually short and robust, the

two basal joints of the club strongly transverse. The prosternal

process is rather wide, gradually inflexed at apex, and margined

throughout the sides and apex with a fine strong convex bead ; it

is not in the least setose, and, in repose, rests against the vertical

portion of the mesosternum. The metasternal process is rather

narrower than in Phalacrus, but similar in form and extent, the

mesosternum forming a fine apical and lateral bead. The mesoster-

num behind the middle acetabula forms a fine bead as in Phalacrus.

The terminal spurs of the posterior tibiae are short, although

projecting well beyond the terminal fringe of spinules; they are

very sti'ongly dilated toward base and pointed at apex.

The singular structure of the eyes mentioned in the table, together

with the structure of the tibial spurs, isolates Tolyphus widely from

the entire remainder of the family, and constitutes of it a group

equivalent to either the Phalacri or Olibri. The first of these

characters, neither of which has apparently been before noticed, is

of exceedingly rare occurrence in the Coleoptera ; the second is

often seen as a modification of the anterior spurs in the Harpalini.

The observations above noted were made upon T. granulatus

Guer. from Spain. No species has yet occurred outside of the

Mediterranean province of the paliearctic fauna.

Coleopterological Notices. » 93

PHALACRIJS Payk.

The general characters distinguishing this genus from the others

are fully laid down in systematic works, and are stated in a less

extended form in the preceding table.

The species do not appear to be very numerous, and among the

sixty-seven specimens before me, I am unable to distinguish more

than eight, which is considerably less than the eighteen described

by Tournier (L'Ent. Gen. 1889, pp. 7-10), as belonging to the

European fauna. The species are more closely allied and indefinite

than in any other genus of the family. I have not noticed any

distinct sexual modification in the male ; the middle of the anterior

mai'giu of the epistoma is, however, in some forms broadly arcuate

and coarctate with the sides and in others more or less truncate,

and these differences are said by both Tournier and Flach to be

sexual in origin. I have not attempted to verify this, and have

simply mentioned the form of the apical margin when noticed

during description.

The punctures of the head mentioned by Tournier, are present in

all our species, but I have not been able to employ them in separat-

ing or characterizing the species, as they appear to vary in relative

position in different individuals. These little fovea to the number

of four, are situated along the inner margin of the eye, and there is

also another near the anterior margin of the epistoma, and remote

from the eye ; they are not setigerous as far as can be observed with

the highest working powers.

The sculpture of the elytra is moderately constant, but the im-

pressed lines lying parallel to and near, but not including the series

of punctures, are more or less variable in distinctness, and do not

seem to form a specific character of very great importance.

On each elytron in some if not all the species there are certain

short stiff and erect set«, which do not appear to have been previ-

ously noticed, and which in simplex are disposed as follows : —

A row of very closely-placed excessively minute setse along the

under surface of the acute lateral edge, projecting downward.

A row of more distant, longer and coarser sets, very close to the

minute bead forming the lateral edge, or just within its outer limit.

Finally, on the disk of each elytron, five rows of excessively

minute stiff setae which are extremely widely spaced, and more

evident toward apex. The fifth row from the suture contains six

94 Coleoptei'ological Notices.

or seven setas and extends nearly to the base, the fourth row four

setas, extending to about one-fourth the length from the base, the

third row about three setae, extending slightly beyond the middle,

the second row two, extending nearly to the middle, the first row

being between the sutural and diseal striae and containing two to

four setse.

The setJB are more widely spaced in the rows toward the suture,

except in the first row where they become slightly less distant.

The setigerous punctures may or may not coincide with the punc-

tures of the series, and do not differ greatly from them in form,

being merely a little more pronounced. In some species they are

not visible at all, but as far as I have been able to observe the

margnial line of larger, more closely placed seta3 never becomes

obsolete. These are entirely distinct from the excessively minute

fine recumbent hairs, borne by the ordinary punctures, and no

doubt serve quite a different purpose.

In the following table only those characters are employed which

appear to be of decided importance ; they relate to the sternal, tarsal

and antennal structure, and elytral sculpture, and weight should

perhaps be assigned to them in the order named : —

Metastenial process not extending beyond the middle coxae, truncate at apex.

ovalis

Metasternal process projecting beyond the middle coxse, more or less strongly

rounded at apex.

Third antennal joint equal in length to the two following united.

Elytra entirely polished, or with but slight trace of reticulation toward

apex.

Punctures of series very fine, nut becoming decidedly coarser at the

sides.

Form robust, suboblong ; size large penicillatus

Form less robust, evenly elliptical; smaller in size Sayi

Punctures of series very fine, becoming abruptly much larger and

broadly lunate at the sides ; form narrowly oval and slightly nar-

rowed behind Simplex

Elytra finely and more or less feebly reticulate over the entire surface.

Punctures of elytral series extremely feeble and rather indistinct.

Antennae pale ; sternal processes very wide, the metasternal scarcely

more than twice as wide as the prosternal ; form very broadly

oval politus

Antenuie black ; metasternal process narrower, more strongly rounded

at apex and about three times as wide as the jirosternal ; form more

narrowly oval ; reticulation of upper surface much more feeble.

consuncttis

Coleopterological Notices. 95

Punctures of series very strong, the series equal, approximate and

very distinct, extending almost to the base sei'iatllS

Third joint of antennae distinctly shorter than the two following united;

upper surface finely, feebly reticulate pillllilio

P. ovalis Lee. — Proc. Ac. Phil., 1856, p. 15. — Evenly elliptical, one-half

longer than wide, intense black throughout ; legs, trophi and antennse same ;

highly polished. Head and antennae nearly as in penicillatus. Prothorux at

base twice as wide as the head, a little more than twice as wide as long, very

minutely, feebly and rather sparsely punctate, otherwise as in penicillatus.

Scutellum large, two-thirds wider than long ; triangular ; sides arcuate ; apex

narrowly rounded ; surface very minutely and almost imperceptibly punctate.

Elytra two and one-half times as long as the prothorax, gradually, evenly,

semi-circularly rounded behind, polished but having very indistinct traces of

coarse reticulation toward apex, punctured in approximate rows of small rather

closely-placed rounded and distinct punctures, which become nearly obsolete

toward base, the alternate rows being decidedly more distinct and even, the

intermediate rows composed of much smaller and feebler punctures, quite

\inevenly arranged ; sutural bead fine and distinct, the stria continuous along

the scutellum and with the basal stria ; discal stria strong, vanishing at from

one-fifth to one-sixth tlie length from the base. Abdomen clothed rather densely

in the middle, and very sparsely toward the sides, with coarse hairs. Legs

robust ; posterior tarsi slender, two-thirds as long as the tibia, with the first

joint scarcely one-half as long as the second. Length 1.8-2.5 mm.

California (Sonoma and Monterey Cos.).

The metasternum projects between the middle coxse to the ante-

rior limit of the latter; it is broad and sabtruncate at apex, between

three and four times as wide as the narrowest part of the prosternal

process, and the mesosternum forms a fine bead in the middle por-

tions of the apex, which becomes much more evident at the sides.

The species resembles penicillatus very closely in sculpture and

coloration, but is smaller, the largest specimens being equal in size

to the smallest of that species; its form is more narrowly and evenly

elliptical, and the structure of the meso-intercoxal parts quite dif-

ferent. In penicillatus the metasternal process extending beyond

the anterior limit of the middle coxae, the mesosternum is excavated

under the overreaching visible portions, while in the present species

the mesosternum, excepting the portion forming the very fine ter-

minal bead of the metasternum, forms a very feebly concave per-

pendicular surface.

P. penicillatus Say. — ,Tourn. Ac. Phil., IV, p. 91. — Robust, some-

what oblong ; sides feebly arcuate in the middle, subtruncate behind ; highly

polished, intense black througliout the body, legs, trophi and antennae, the

96 Coleopterological Notices.

latter sometimes slightly piceous. Head twice as wide as long, feebly, evenly

convex ; eyes moderate, their surface perfectly continuous in convexity with

the front, and their lateral margin coarctate with the anterior margin of the

head, the latter perfectly evenly arcuate throughout in circular segment ; sur-

face finely and somewhat sparsely punctate ; antennae moderate, funicle very

slender, third joint as long as the next two, club as long as the five preceding

joints combined, the last joint one-third longer than the ninth and tenth com-

bined. Prothorax twice as wide as the head, and two and one-half times as

wide as long ; base transverse, very feebly broadly sinuate at each side of the

scutellum ; bead very feeble and entirely obsolete in lateral third ; sides evenly

arcuate ; disk very finely and rather sparsely punctate. Scutellum large,

nearly twice as wide as long ; sides feebly arcuate ; apex narrowly rounded ;

surface very finely, feebly punctate except toward the margins. Elytra about

three times as long as the prothorax, abruptly rounded behind ; sutural stria

very fine, forming a narrow sutural bead, continuous along the scutellum with

the transverse basal stria, the single discal stria fine but distinct, joining the

sutural at the apex, and becoming obsolete at one-fifth the length from the

base ; disk highly polished, without reticulation, having equidistant approxi-

mate rows of fine rounded feeble punctures, the alternate rows being slightly

better defined, the punctures becoming obsolete toward base, and scarcely per-

ceptibly larger near the sides and apex. Abdomen clothed rather sparsely with

stiff semi-erect hairs. Legs robust ; middle and hind femora with a row of

stiff hairs along the posterior lower edge, which become longer near the apex ;

anterior femora without trace of such hairs, posterior clothed on the lower

surface with coarse yellowish hair ; terminal spinules of posterior tibise short,

even, concealing the spurs, the corresponding tarsi short, with the first joint

about one-lialf as long as the second. Length 2.3-3.0 mm.

Southern California ; Arizona ; New Mexico.

In the type, which is one of the larger specimens from Southern

California, the metasternal process projects well beyond the middle

coxae, the apex being broadly arcuate or subtruncate, the mesoster-

num forming a thickened and very strong apical bead ; the width

of the portion between the middle coxai is three times as great as

the narrowest part of the prosternal process ; the latter is impressed.

In other specimens the metasternal process is nearly four times as

wide as the prosternal, more strongly arcuate, and more finely

beaded at apex.

P. Sayi n. sp.-^Evenly elliptical, convex, highly polished, about one-half

longer than wide, intense black throughout above and beneath, the antenna

just visibly piceous toward base. Head very minutely, rather sparsely punc-

tate ; eyes small ; antennre moderate, third joint as long as the next two

together, club very slender, the eleventh joint distinctly longer than the two

preceding together. Prothorax very minutely sparsely and feebly punctate,

extremely broadly feebly lobed at base ; beaded margin evident iu the middle.

Coleopterological Notices. 97

Scutellum triangular, one-half wider than long ; sides feebly arcnate. Elytra

having series of minute, feeble and rather distant punctures, which are but

slightly more distinct and but slightly closer at the sides, not in the least reti-

culate ; discal stria fine and distinct, obsolete at basal fourth. Posterior tarsi

very slender, the third joint elongate, not dilated and not wider than the second.

Length 1.7 mm.

Ai'izoua (Coolidge).

The nietasternal process, as usual, projects beyond the coxa? and

IS strong-ly rounded at apex, with a fine apical bead ; it is about three

times as wide as the prosternal process, the latter moderate in width.

This species very greatly resembles simplex, but differs in its

finer, feebler, sparser and less dilated punctures at the sides of the

elytra, in its still more slender posterior tarsi, and in its decidedly

smaller size. It is represented by two specimens, collected by Mr.

H. F. Wickham.

P. simplex Lee. — Proc. Ac. Phil., 1856, p. 16. — Ovoidal, more pointed

behind, black ; legs and antennze piceo-testaceous ; upper surface highly

polished. Head feebly siibtruucate in the middle at apex, feebly convex, very

minutely feebly and sparsely punctate ; antenna rather short, the club about

as long as the six preceding joints together, not very robust, the eleventh joint

one-half wider than the ninth and nearly one-half longer than the two preced-

ing together. Prothorax slightly more than twice as wide as long, two-thirds

wider at base than at apex ; basal bead almost completely obsolete ; disk very

minutely, sparsely and feebly punctate. Scutellum large, two-thirds wider

th9,n long, triangular, the sides very feebly arcuate, and the apex just visibly

rounded, the surface extremely finely sparsely and obsoletely punctate. Elytra

about two and one-third times as long as the prothorax, gradually narrowed

behind and acutely rounded at apex, the sutural stria very fine and as usual

continuous along the scutellum, the discal stria fine but distinct, terminating

at one-fifth the length from the base ; disk polished, not at all reticulate or

subgranulose, except very obsoletely so near the apex, and in the very vaguely

impressed strise adjacent to the ill-defined rows of punctures, the latter very

fine and feeble except near the sides and apex, where they become abruptly

unusually large, strong and broadly lunate ; the vaguely defined impressed

lines are, however, more or less definable nearly to the base. Abdomen covered

sparsely with very coarse hairs, denser toward the middle. Leys moderate ;

posterior tarsi slender, nearly three-fourths as long as the tibia, the basal

joint not quite one-half as long as the second. Length 1.9-2.5 mm.

New Mexico ; Texas ; Iowa.

The nietasternal process is broad, distinctly prolonged beyond the

middle coxae, broadly and distinctly rounded and subtruncate in the

middle at apex, with the mesosternal bead rather fine. The vague

impressed lines of the elytra, which are distinctly visible in some

Annals N. Y. Acad. Sci., V, Feb. 1890.— 7

98 Coleopterological Notices.

specimens of which the original type is one, occasionally entirely

disappear.

There are before me two specimens collected at Luna, New

Mexico, by Mr. Wickham, which appear to belong to this species;

they are nearly as small as Sayi, and notably smaller than any other

specimens of simplex which I have seen. I prefer to attach them

provisionally to simplex, because the punctures at the sides of the

elytra are wide and deeply impressed, as in that species, but they

are not included in the above measurement of length.

P. politlis Melsh. — Proc. Ac. Phil., II, p. 102. — Broadly oval, from one-

third to tvvo-lifths longer than wide, black above and beneath ; legs and

antennae paler, dark rufo-testaceous ; moderately shining. Head feebly sub-

truncate at apex, very minutely, feebly reticulate in broken wavy lines, finely,

rather sparsely and distinctly punctate ; antennae rather slender, club much

shorter than the six preceding joints combined, the last joint about one-third

longer than the two preceding together. Prothorax twice as wide at base as at

apex, and slightly more than twice as wide as long, the basal bead fine and

distinct in middle third ; disk excessively minutely and feebly reticulate in

wavy lines, extremely minutely, feebly and rather sparsely punctate. Scutel-

lum acutely ogival, one-half wider than long. Elytra about twice as long as the

prothorax, not narrowed toward apex which is very broadly, evenly rounded ;

sutural stria continuous, very fine ; discal fine, distinct, terminating at basal

sixth ; disk without distinct impressed lines, having approximate and nearly

equal rows of fine feeble punctures, which do not become entirely obsolete at

base, and rather abruptly much larger, stronger, partly confused and broadly

lunate at tlie sides and apex ; surface finely and distinctly reticulate, the reti-

culations extremely minute, and forming imperfectly defined transverse wavy

rows toward base, coarse and more rounded toward sides and apex. Abdomen

finely reticulate, rather coarsely, subasperately punctate, coarsely pubescent.

■ Tarsi moderately slender, with unusually coarse and prominent tufts of yel-

lowish hair beneath, the posterior two-thirds as long as the tibiae, with the first

joint scarcely one-half as long as the second. Length 1.5-2.2 mm.

Pennsylvania ; North Carolina ; Missouri ; Texas.

The metasternal process projects far in advance of the middle

coxae, and is strongly rounded at apex, the apical bead rather fine

and not at all dilated laterally, the prosternal process unusually

wide, being at its narrowest part but slightly less than one-half as

wide as the metasternal.

This species is very common and widely diffused ; it does not

appear to vary much except, as usual in this genus, in point of size.

It is the least shining of any of our species except pumilio.

Coleopierological Notices. 99

P. COlljunctlls n. sp. — Evenly elliptical, one-half longer than wide,

black ; legs and aiitennje piceous-black ; strongly shining. Head twice as

wide as long, finely, rather sparsely but distinctly punctate ; anterior margin

subtruncate in the middle ; antennae rather robust, last joint of club moderately

densely and rather coarsely pubescent, but slightly longer than the two pre-

ceding together. Prothorax rather distinctly more than twice as wide as long ;

base three-fourths wider than the apex, the former transverse, very feebly

sinuate at each side of the scutellum ; basal bead very feebly defined in the

middle, obsolete laterally ; disk very minutely sparsely and indistinctly punc-

tate. Scutellum three-fourths wider than long, ogival, very minutely, feebly

punctate except toward the edges. Elytra about two and one-half times as

long as the prothorax, gradually, evenly and not obtusely rounded behind ;

sutural striae very fine, entire, very closely bordering the scutellum; discal

fine but distinct, vanishing at one-fifth the length from the base ; disk very

finely but distinctly reticulate throughout, punctured in approximate rows of

small distinct feebly impressed punctures, the alternate rows not apparently

more well marked or even, the punctures being sensibly dilated and crescenti-

form, each with the usual minute recumbent hair, the reticulations and punc-

tures stronger toward apex and the sides, and almost obsolete near the base.

Abdomen sparsely clothed with coarse hair. Legs moderately robust ; terminal

spurs of posterior tibiae small, short but distinct and not concealed by the

even and closely-placed row of terminal spinules ; corresponding tarsi rather

slender, nearly three-fourths as long as the tibiae, the basal joint two-thirds as

long as the second. Length 1.8-2.3 mm.

California (San Diego); Arizona.

The nietasternal process is of the usual width ; it projects slightly

beyond the middle coxae, and is strongly rounded at the apex, the

apical bead very fine and not much dilated laterally.

This species is not very closely related to any other, resembling

penicillatus in sternal structure, but differing greatly in size, shape

and sculpture.

P. seriatus Lee. — Proc. Ac. Phil., 185G, p. 15. — Broadly, evenly ellipti-

cal, less than one-half longer than wide, black ; antennae black ; legs piceous-

black, the tarsi dark piceo-testaceous ; upper surface polished. Head finely

but distinctly punctate, feebly subtruncate in the middle at apex ; antennae

moderate, club rather robust, the last joint distinctly longer than the two

preceding together. Prothorax fully twice as wide at base as at apex, and

nearly two and one-half times as wide as long, the basal bead extremely fine

and feeble ; disk minutely and sparsely, but rather distinctly punctate, the

surface not visibly reticulate. Scutellum nearly twice as wide as long, ogival ;

sides distinctly arcuate ; surface very minutely punctate. Elytra nearly two

and one-half times as long as the prothorax, very broadly, evenly rounded

behind, the sutural and discal striae as usual, the surface excessively finely,

feebly and indistinctly reticulate, more visibly so near sides and apex ; disk

100 Coleopterological Notices.

with approximate and equal rows of very distinct punctures, which do not

become larger at the sides, and which disappear only within a very short

distance of the base. Abdomen reticulate in wavy lines, especially near the

sides, coarsely pubescent. Legs robust, posterior tarsi somewhat robust, very

densely, coarsely pubescent beneath, about one-third as long as the tibise.

Length 2.0 mm.

Kansas — Dr. LeConte; Colorado — Mr. Schwarz.

The description is taken from one of the Colorado specimens, as

the original type cannot be found.

The metasternal process is rather narrower than usual, projects

far beyond the middle coxae, and is strongly rounded throughout at

apex; it is scarcely three times as wide as the narrowest part of the

prosternal process, and the apical bead is rather fine and not dilated

laterally. It is a very distinct species in its strongly marked, ap-

proximate, equal rows of elytral punctui*es. The type exhibits no

trace of impressed elytral lines.

P. piimilio Lee. — Proc. Ac. Phil., 1856, p. 16. — Evenly, rather broadly

oval, scarcely one-half longer than wide, black above, piceous beneath ; legs

and antennje pale yellowish-testaceous ; rather strongly shining. Head as

usual ; antennae rather robust, the club moderate, the eleventh joint but

slightly longer than the two preceding combined, the third joint notably

shorter than the fourth and fifth together. Prothorax very nearly as in

politus. Scutellum ogival, nearly two-thirds wider than long. Elijtra a little

more than twice as long as the prothorax, not at all narrowed toward apex,

broadly, evenly rounded behind, with reticulation and discal striae nearly

as in politus; having approximate and nearly equal rows of rather small and

distant, and extremely feeble punctures which are, at the sides, much larger,

more confused and broadly lunate ; surface with very fine vague impressed

lines, which are continuous nearly to the base. Legs moderately robust, short.

Length 1.4 mm.

Middle Atlantic States.

The condition of the type, which is the only specimen which I

have seen, prevents a description of the abdomen and posterior

tarsi. The metasternal process is very wide, and projects far

beyond the middle coxae, the apex strongly rounded, the apical bead

very strong and rather flat, not dilated laterally.

Pumilio greatly resembles a very small specimen of politus,

almost exactly so in sculpture ; it is, however, very distinct in

several important points of structure, and notably in the antennae,

in which the third joint in politus is fully as long as the next two

together, also in sternal structure, the prosternal process here being

Goleopterological Notices. 101

much narrower and not over a third as wide as the metasternal.

The punctures of the elytral series are, on the upper parts of the

disk, rather more distant and decidedly more feeble than in politus.

It appears to be very rare.

PHAI.ACROPSIS n. gen.

Mentum trapezoidal, truncate at apex. Maxillary palpi with the last joint

slender, subcylindrical, minutely truncate at apex, slightly narrower than the

third, and nearly twice as long. Antennae slender ; third joint as long as the

next two together ; club slender, the ninth joint fully as wide as the tenth and

slightly longer, eleventh narrower, elongate-oval, and slightly shorter than the

two preceding. Prosternal process moderate in width, very feebly concave,

inflexed, not ciliate at apex ; metasternal pi-ocess broad, fully three times as

wide as the prosternal, projecting to the anterior limits of the coxal cavities,

where it is transversely truncate, the truncation very feebly arcuate, the apical

bead very fine in the middle, thickened at the lateral angles, and again fine

along the coxal cavities. Legs short and very robust ; spurs of the posterior

tibiae slender, equal, nearly parallel, projecting distinctly beyond the spinose

fimbria ; the corresponding tarsi but very slightly longer than the anterior,

nearly as in Phalacrus, with the basal joint less than one-half as long as the

second. Pronotum without trace of basal bead in the middle. Scutellum

large. Elytra not at all striate, having a very fine sutural bead, the fine stria

being continuous with the basal stria along, and almost touching, the scutel-

lum ; discal stria entirely obsolete.

The single species forming the type of Phalaeropsis, is quite

peculiar in form, being decidedly more elongate-oval and just per-

ceptibly more depressed than in the various forms of Phalacrus.

Although remote, it is the nearest ally of Tolyphus in our fauna,

P. dispar Lee. — Bull. U. S. Geol, Survey, V, No. 3, p. 513. — Castane-

ous, evenly elongate-elliptical, fully three-fourths longer than wide, convex,

polished. Head rather small, evenly rounded at apex throughout its width,

very minutely sparsely and obsoletely punctate. ProtJiorax at base more than

twice as wide as the head, polished, without trace of reticulation, very minutely,

rather sparsely but distinctly punctate ; base transverse, feebly sinuate at each

side of the scutellum. Scutellum large, about twice as wide as long, ogival,

very obsoletely finely and sparsely punctate. Eli/tra nearly three times as long

as the prothorax, not narrowed behind, broadly, evenly rounded at apex,

polished but having very indistinct traces of minute wavy reticulation, which

becomes more evident and confused near the sides and apex ; punctures lunate,

arranged in rather poorly-defined distant series, the intervals with more con-

fused punctures which are nearly equal to them in size, rather large but feeble,

much larger, denser and more confused at the sides, where they are very

broadly crescentic. Legs and under surface pale testaceous, sparsely, coarsely

pubescent. Length 3.0 mm.

102 Coleopterological Notices.

Colorado (Yeta Pass). Mr. Schwarz.

I have only seen one specimen of this remarkable species.

OLIBRUS Erichs.

The genus Olibrus differs from Phalacrus in only two very im-

portant particulars, but in a large number of characters which must

be considered of more or less subsidiary value. The two most

marked differences are found in the mode of antennal insertion, and

in the size of the scutellum. In Phalacrus and its allies with large

scutellum, the antennae are inserted far under the epistoma in very

deeply excavated cavities in front of the eyes, the anterior margin

of the head being arcuate continuously with the eye throughout the

width, while in the genera with small scutellum, the epistomal edge

is deeply sinuate laterally, and the points of antennal insertion more

visible from above. In the structure of the sterna the two genera

are identical. The posterior tarsi and tibial spurs are, however,

slightly longer than in Phalacrus, but I cannot regard this as of

such decisive importance as the two characters mentioned. The

small foveas near the eyes, visible in the genera with large scutellum,

are generally obsolete in the others. From Stilbus this genus differs

much more radically than it does from Phalacrus, in the very im-

portant structure of the mesosternum behind the middle coxae.

In two characters Olibrus stands almost alone in the family,

the one relating to the form of the terminal joint of the antennae,

the very strongly constricted terminal process so perfectly developed

here being merely indicated in Phalacrus, and almost entirely obso-

lete in Stilbus, the other relating to the punctures of the elytral

series, which are never transversely crescentiform, but if modified

at all from fine simple points, distinctly attenuate posteriorly ; this

form of elytral punctuation I have not found to exist elsewhere,

except in Olibroporus.^ It is true there are many species of Stilbus

which are perfectly devoid of the peculiar crescentiform punctures,

but in this case the punctures simply disappear and never assume

the elongate form here alluded to.

In the absence of the terminal line of robust setiform spinules at

1 There is an undescribed South African species before me, in whicli the

punctures at the sides become slightly dilated, but although it is apparently

assignable to Olibrus, I am not entirely certain that it really belongs to that

genus.

Goleopterological Notices. 103

the apex of the prosternal process, Olibrus again resembles Phala-

crus and differs correspondingly from Stilbus. In fact the resem-

blances of Olibrus to the latter genus must be regarded as in great

part superficial.

Our species are very much less numerous than those of the Euro-

pean fauna, but the very limited number which we possess are more

heterogeneous, and this opinion is strengthened by the characters

assigned to the Central American forms b}' Dr. Sharp. Our species

are in fact divisible into two groups of subgeneric importance, only

one of which appears to be represented in the European fauna.

I.

Elijtra with two discal strice.

Elytra maculate, vittate or differing in color from the pronotum.

Black, elytra with two oval rufous spots near the apex LieCoiltei

Elytra paler, castaneous, each with a broad ill-defined flavate vitta ; jiro-

thorax concolorous TlttatUS

Elytra pale, a suffused lateral, and a more distinct sutural, vitta blackish ;

head and pronotum piceous-black Iligl'icollis

Elytra unicolorous.

Elytra without impressed lines accompanying the series of punctures ;

surface without trace of reticulation, perfectly polished throughout.

pallipes

Elytra with very finely, feebly impressed lines.

Impressed lines stronger and more evident ; elytra polished, finely granu-

lato-reticulate only at the immediate apex semistriatus

Impressed lines very feeble ; elytral reticulation finer, more longitudinally

aciculate, present at the sides and toward apex.

Form evenly elliptical, more convex, not attenuate behind ; impressed

lines almost obsolete neglectus

Form more narrowly oval, attenuate behind, less convex ; impressed

lines fine but somewhat distinct I'llfipes

II.

Elytra loith a single discal stria.^

Narrow, densely aciculato-reticulate Wickliaiui

, O. L.eContei n. sp.— Rather broadly oval, just perceptibly attenuate

behind the middle, strongly convex, highly polished, black above, with a very

clearly-defined elongate-oval spot of bright rufo-testaceous from the middle of

each elytron nearly to the apex, approaching but not attaining the suture ;

1 Olibrus hisignatus Boh., of the Cape of Good Hope, also belongs in this

group ; it almost perfectly resembles LeContei in form and coloration, but is

very densely reticulato-granulose throughout.

104 Coleopterological Notices.

under surface, legs and antennae pale rufo-testaceous. Head extremely finely

and feebly punctate ; antennae moderately slender, third joint about as long

as the next two together, club nearly as long as the six preceding joints com-

bined, rather compact, nearly symmetrical, the eleventh joint as long as the

two preceding together. Prothorax of the usual form, more than twice as wide

as long, feebly lobed in the middle at base ; basal bead apparently entirely

obsolete ; surface very minutely, sparsely and extremely feebly punctate.

Scutellum ogival, one-half wider than long. Elytra about two and one-half

times as long as the prothorax, very strongly rounded at apex, highly polished,

without reticulation except the feeblest possible trace at the immediate apex,

the sutural bead continuous nearly to the base, very fine ; two discal striae

distinct, neai'ly equal in length, vanishing at between one-third and one-fourth

the lengtli from the base, the first coincident with the suture at the extreme

apex, the second approaching but not uniting with the first at posterior fourth

or fifth ; disk with rows of excessively fine feeble punctures, which become

slightly more distinct at the sides, the series not accompanied by impressed

lines. Abdomen minutely reticulate, coarsely pubescent. Legs moderate ;

posterior tibise slender, subcylindrical toward apex ; spurs distinct, the tarsi

slender, fully three-fourths as long as the tibise, with the first joint less than

one-half as long as the second. Length 2.3 mm.

Atlantic States.

The nietasternum is polished, not reticulate and not perceptibly

punctate, the process rather short, strongly rounded at apex, the

mesosternum widely visible at the sides of the apex, but reduced to

a fine acutely elevated bead in the middle.

This species has heretofore been considered identical with the

European bicolor, but specimens of the latter sent me by Reitter

and confirmed as to their identity by the tables of Flach, show con-

clusively that it is very distinct. In the true bicolor, the elytra are

reticulate at least as far as the middle, the metasternum is coarsel}^

and deeply punctate, the form is much more elongate, the size is

larger and the elytral spots more difi'used. LeContei seems to

coincide much more closely with the lepidus of M. Tournier's

recently published table (L'Ent. Gen. I, p. 89), but is probably

distinct, as the European species of this group seem to be uniformly

more slender and attenuate behind, and have a large part of the

elytra distinctly reticulate.

O. Vittatlis Lee. — Trans. Am. Ent. Soc, 1868, p. 50. — Evenly elliptical,

or very feebly attenuate behind, about two-thirds longer than wide, strongly

convex, highly polished, pale castaneous above, each elytron with a broad,

veiy diflused median vitta of paler flavo-testaceous, more distinct toward base

and not quite attaining the apex ; under surface, legs and antennae pale flavo-

Coleopterological Notices, 105

testaceous. Head excessively finely, feebly and rather sparsely i^unctate ;

antennre moderate, third joint not quite as long as the next two, club robust,

compact, very strongly compressed, ninth joint slightly wider than long, ninth

and tenth slightly more developed on the anterior side, nine to eleven increas-

ing gradually in width, the latter fully as long as the two preceding, with the

apical process well developed. Prothorax feebly lobed in the middle of the

base ; basal bead distinct in the middle ; surface extremely sparsely minutely

and feebly punctate. Scutellum wider than long, ogival. Elytra nearly three

times as long as the prothorax ; sutural bead very fine, disappearing at basal

third ; discal striae fine but distinct, almost exactly as in LeContei; surface not

reticulate, having rows of very fine punctures accompanied by the feeblest trace

of fine impressed lines ; alternate series more distinct, the intermediate series

of finer punctures almost completely obsolete toward suture. Abdomen minutely

and rather strongly reticulate and alutaceous except as usual along the apices

of the segments, where it is polislied, coarsely and rather sparsely pubescent,

and subasperately punctate. Legs nearly as in LeContei. Length 2.2 mm.

New York.

The metasternura is polished, not perceptibly punctate, the few

sparse hairs entirely filling the punctures, the process is broader

than usual, broadly, evenly rounded at apex, projecting but slightly

beyond the middle coxas, the mesosternum being reduced to a very

fine apical bead which is only slightly wider at the extreme sides

of the apex.

The vittiB of the elytra are extremely diffused, and in some lights

become almost invisible ; the punctures of the elytra are rather

more distinct than in LeContei, and the form is slightly more elon-

gate-oval and less attenuate behind than in that species.

O. Iligl'icollis Lee. — Trans. Am. Ent. Soc, 1868, p. 50. — Evenly, rather

broadly elliptical, strongly convex, polished ; head and pi"onotum blackish-

piceous ; elytra rufo-testaceous, the lateral margins narrowly, more feebly and

indefinitely, and a broad, more definite and darker sutural, vitta piceous, the

latter gradually attenuate from base to apex ; under surface piceous-brown,

the legs and antennae flavate. Head strongly, sparsely punctate ; eyes small.

Prothorax more than twice as wide as long ; basal lobe very broadly, feebly

arcuate ; basal bead fine, flat, strongly marked, obsolete at lateral fourth ;

disk very minutely, sparsely punctate, the punctures rather denser and more

distinct laterally ; marginal bead very fine ; apical angles right, very narrowly

rounded. Scutellum two-thirds wider than long ; apex rounded ; sides arcuate.

Elytra about three times as long as the prothorax, not narrowed behind ; apex

very broadly rounded ; sides coarctate with those of the prothorax ; basal

stria very fine, reflexed along the scutellum and obsolete opposite the apex of

the latter ; sutural bead very fine, attaining the apex of the scutellum ; two

discal striae very fine but distinct, the first continuous from the suture at the

apex and obsolete at basal fourth, the second approaching very near the first

106 Goleopterological Notices.

at apical sixth or seventh, obsolete at basal third, sometimes also with traces

of an incomplete third discal stria ; disk polished, not reticulate except

coarsely and confusedly so at the apex and thence slightly along the sides,

having even distant rows of very minute punctures, the rows not attaining

the base, the punctures coarser and confused near the sides and apex ; inter-

vals with uneven single rows of excessively minute feeble punctures. Meta-

sternum polished, with scarcely perceptible sparse feeble punctures. Length

2.3-2.6 mm.

New Mexico (Las Yegas); Dakota (Bismarck).

Although the elytra are unmistakably vittate in this species, it

cannot be considered a variety of vittatus ; its large size, dark head

and prothorax, much broader and more definite pale vitta5, coarser,

denser and more rugose punctuation at the sides and apices of the

elytra, and especially the more coarsely punctate head, preclude any

such association.

The original unique type is immature, as there is no trace of the

dark sutural stripe. The measurement given in the original descrip-

tion is too great.

O. pallipes Say. — .Journ. Ac. Phil., IV, p. 90. — Evenly elliptical, very

convex, highly polished, dark piceous-brown above ; under surface, legs and

antennae pale, flavo-testaceous. Head sparsely and very obsoletely punctate;

eyes rather small ; antennae rather robust, third joint almost as long as the

next two combined, club rather robust, scarcely as long as the first three joints

combined, ninth triangular, a little wider than long, tenth trapezoidal, twice

as wide as long and distinctly wider and shorter than the ninth, eleventh as

wide as the tenth, as long as the two preceding, but slightly wider than long,

rather abruptly constricted at apical third forming a very distinct narrowly

rounded apical process. Prothorax at base twice as wide as the head, a little

more than twice as wide as long, slightly lobed and feebly beaded at the middle

of the base, very obsoletely and finely punctate. Scutellum small, a little

wider than long. Elytra two and one-half times as long as the prothorax, not

narrowed behind, polished, not reticulata, with a fine transverse basal stria,

reflexed sliglitly along the scutellum where it becomes obsolete ; sutural bead

wanting near the base, very fine thence to the apex ; discal striae two in num-

ber, the first extending to basal fourth, the second a little beyond the middle,

the first iiniting with the suture at the extreme apex, the second vanishing

without attaining the suture at apical fourth or fifth ; disk with distant rather

regular rows of excessively fine feeble punctures, which become slightly more

visible but still in regular series at the sides, almost obsolete at base, the rows

not accompanied by impressed lines, the intervals excessively minutely feebly

and obsoletely punctate in single irregular lines. Abdomen rather distinctly

and subasperately punctate, plentifully but not densely pubescent. Legs

moderate ; posterior tibial spurs slender, rather long, the correspondiiag tarsi

rather slender, densely pubescent beneath, two-thirds as long as the tibiae, the

Goleopterological Notices. 107

first joint less than one-third as long as the second, apparently suhanchyloscd,

second as long as the fifth exclusive of the basal node, which is unusually

robust and well marked. Length 2.G mm.

Kansas ; Texas ; Pennsj^lvania ; New York.

The punctures of the elytral series are minute points, apparently

absolutely non-setigerous. The metasternal process extends beyond

the coxae, and rests upon the indexed prosternal process ; it is

strongly rounded at apex, very finely beaded throughout, and

around the edges of the middle acetabula ; its surface is polished,

with a few excessively minute feeble and widely scattered setigerous

punctures ; the sides are slightly divergent from apex to base, at

which latter point it is about three times as wide as the prosternal

.process, and as wide as the length of the last antennal joint. There

is sometimes a very short isolated third elytral stria.

The species de.scribed by LeConte as striatulus, 1 believe to be

the same as this, and the above description is taken from the origi-

nal type of Htriatulus.

O. semistriatus Lee. — Proc. Ac. Phil., 1856, p. 16. — Rather narrowly

and very evenly elliptical, strongly convex, highly polished, castaneous above,

pale rufo-testaceous beneath ; legs, tropin and antennje concolorous. Head

rather coarsely but not densely punctate ; eyes moderate ; antennfe moderate,

third joint fully as long as the next two together, club rather robust, nearly

as in paUi'pes. Prothorax twice as wide at base as at apex, distinctly lobed in

the middle at base, the edge sightly sinuate opposite the scutellum ; basal

bead distinct, becoming obsolete at one-fourth the width from the sides ; sur-

face very sparsely, unevenly, feebly punctate, the punctures subelongate.

Scutellum moderate, wider than long, rounded at the sides. Elytra three

times as long as the prothorax, strongly, evenly rounded at apex, polished,

without reticulation except very near the apex, not perceptibly so at the

sides ; sutural bead very fine, continuous to within a very short distance of

the scutellum ; first discal stria joining the suture at the apex, vanishing at

less than one-third the length from the base ; second distinct, obsolete at one-

third the length from the base and one-fifth or one-sixth the length from the

apex, approaching but not uniting with the first ; basal stria continuous along

the scutellum ; disk with series of very fine feeble evidently elongate punc-

tures, distinctly stronger at the sides, and accompanied by distinctly impressed

lines which are continuous to the base. yl6(i?o;«eM moderately pubescent. Legs

rather robust ; posterior tibial spurs distinct, the corresponding tarsi three-

fourths as long as the tibiae, with the first joint one-half as long as the second.

Length 1.9-2.4 mm.

Kansas ; Atlantic States.

The metasternum is polished, with very sparse fine pubescence,

the punctures excessively minute and entirely filled by the hairs,

l08 Coleopterological Notices.

the process extending beyond the coxge, strongly and narrowly

rounded at apex, the niesosternum forming an apical border which

is very fine in the middle but dilated at the sides and rather feebly

declivous, so that it is readily visible in a perpendicular direction

from below ; it is moderate in width.

The description is taken from an eastern specimen which is much

larger than the Kansas type, as the latter is in very bad condition.

The species greatly resembles pa llipes, but seems to be distinct.

O. neglectllS n. sp. — Evenly and not very broadly elliptical, strongly

convex, highly polished, black ; under surface piceous-brown ; legs, trophi

and antennae pale testaceous. Head finely but somewhat deeply densely and

distinctly punctate ; antennae rather robust, third joint slightly shorter than

the next two combined, club rather short, compact and robust, ninth joint

triangular, wider than long, more pointed at the anterior side, tenth slightly

shorter and wider than the ninth, much more than twice as wide as long, more

pointed on the anterior side toward the apical angle, eleventh pyriform, slightly

wider than the tenth, as long as the two preceding together. Prothorax of the

usual form, feebly lobed in the middle at base, the lobe evenly, feebly arcuate ;

basal bead distinct, becoming obsolete at one-fourth the width from the sides ;

disk extremely minutely, feebly, sparsely punctate. Scutellum moderate, two-

thirds wider than long, ogival ; sides feebly arcuate ; apex not rounded. Elytra

two and one-half times as long as the prothorax, rather strongly rounded at

apex, the sutural bead obsolete at nearly one-fourth the length from the base,

excessively fine ; discal striae very fine, the first continuing to within one-eighth

the length of the base and joining the suture just before the apex, the second

obsolete at two-fifths the length from the base and one-fourth from the apex,

at this point approaching very close to, but not joining the first ; surface with

traces of very fine impressed lines, polished, but with feeble traces of minute

reticulation, which becomes very evident at the apex and also along the sides ;

punctures of the series excessively fine and feeble, becoming but slightly more

visible at the sides, rather distant in the rows, the intervals punctured in

single series which are almost as regular as the principal series, but composed

of smaller punctures ; punctures not elongate and each with a very minute

fine recumbent hair. Abdomen with coarse sparse pubescence. Legs rather

slender ; posterior tibiae slender, spurs distinct, the corresponding tarsi three-

fourths as long as the tibiae, with the basal joint scarcely one-half as long as

the second, the latter subequal to the fifth. Length 1.8 mm.

Yermont; New York.

The metasternum is polished and not distinctly punctate, having

fine, very sparse pubescence, the process advancing but slightly

beyond the coxae, evenly rounded at apex, with the mesosternum as

in semistriahis, but less exposed at the sides of the apex.

Coleopterological Notices. 109

The basal stria of the elytra is very fine and is reflexed along- the

scutellum, rather distant from the latter and not extending- beyond it.

O. rnfipes Lee. — Proc. Ac. Phil., 1856, p. 16. — Rather narrowly oval,

fully three-fourths longer than wide, rather distinctly attenuate behind from

basal fourth of the elytra, polished, piceous-black above, testaceous beneath,

the metasternum and abdomen clouded with piceous ; legs and antenn;e pale

flavo-testaceous. Head finely but rather strongly and distinctly punctate ;

antennae nearly as in ritlalus. Prothorax more than twice as wide as long, with

a broad distinct median lobe at base ; basal bead distinct except toward the

sides ; surface finely but rather distinctly, sparsely and somewhat unevenly

punctate, the punctures attenuate posteriorly. Scutellum ogival, one-half

wider than long. Elytra three times as long as the prothorax ; sutural bead

very fine, becoming obsolete near the base ; discal stride fine but distinct, both

becoming obsolete at basal third, the first coincident with the suture at the

extreme apex, the second approaching but not joining the first at apical fourth

or fifth ; having also series of exceedingly minute simple punctures which are

scarcely more distinct at the sides, the series accompanied by fine, feebly im-

pressed lines which almost attain tlie basal stria ; surface with very feeble,

densely crowded, longitudinally aciculate reticulations, which are extremely

jtiinute, more distinct at the sides and especially at the apex, where they

become more rounded and less aciculate. Abdomen sparsely pubescent, alutace-

ous. Legs moderate ; posterior tarsi slender, three-fourths as long as the tibiiB,

with the first joint about one-third as long as the second. Length 2.0 mm.

Oregon. Cab. LeConte.

The metasternum is polished, although finely reticulate, very

sparsely, finely punctate and pubescent; the process is rather wide,

projecting beyond the coxae, with the apex broadly rounded, ahiiost

subtruncate in the middle, the mesosternum not distinct at the sides.

This species differs from the preceding in its broader, more

obtusely rounded metasternal process, which is here about as wide

as the anterior femur; in neglectus it is not much more than two-

thirds as wide,

O. Wickliami n. sp. — Elongate-oval, nearly twice as long as wide,

more or less attenuate from anterior third, black above, piceous beneath;

trophi, antenna;, tibife and tarsi paler, rufo-testaceous ; shining. Head very

finely, sparsely punctate ; antennse moderate in length, rather slender, third

joint as long as the next two together, club of nearly normal form but sliglitly

less strongly compressed, slightly more parallel and less robust. Prothorax

but slightly more than twice as wide as long ; sides less arcuate than usual ;

basal lobe broadly arcuate ; basal bead very feeble ; surface polished, not at

all reticulate, extremely minutely, feebly and sparsely punctate. Scutellum

moderate, ogival, nearly twice as wide as long. Elytra three times as long as

the prothorax ; sutural bead very fine, not becoming entirely obsolete at the

110 Coleo})terological Notices.

base, the single discal stria very close to the sutnre, distinct, extending to

basal third, coincident with the suture just before the apex : having rows of

excessively minute, feeble, posteriorly attenuated punctures, attended by

finely impressed lines which are continuous to the basal stria ; entire surface

covered with a dense system of short, closely crowded, longitudinally aciculate

reticulations, which are strongly marked toward apex and the sides but some-

times very feeble or obsolete on the upper portions. Abdomen polished, with-

out the usual minute reticulation, rather coarsely, asperately punctate, very

coarsely pubescent. Legs normal, not very robust ; posterior tarsi slender,

three-fourths as long as the tibise, with the basal joint about one-third as

long as the second. Length 1.7-2.4 mm.

Southern California ; Arizona ; New Mexico.

The metasternum is excessively minutely, sparsely punctate,

reticulate in wavy lines laterally ; the process is rather wide, ex-

tending very slightly beyond the coxsb, broadly rounded aud finely

beaded at apex, the mesosternum very narrowly visible and decliv-

ous at the sides in front of the coxiB as usual. The third joint of

the maxillary palpi is distinctly longer than wide, the fourth scarcely

wider, elongate fusiform and nearly twice as long as the third.

In one specimen the discal stria does not quite attain the middle

of the elytra, and in several other respects this species seems to be

very variable. In the five typical representatives obtained by Mr.

G. W. Dunn, in Southern California, or the northern part of Lower

California, the form is generally very slightly narrower than the

majority of a large series taken by Mr. H. F. Wickham, at various

localities in Arizona and New Mexico, and the type has a distinctly

longer development of the metasternal process than can be observed

in the others, this process gradually shortening by insensible degrees,

until in one of the broader forms from New Mexico, the mesosternum

instead of being deeply excavated under the apex of the process, is

simply strongly declivous. There is also marked variation in the

width of the process and its degree of obtuseness, in some specimens

being very broadly rounded and in others very narrowly so, in the

latter case leaving much more of the declivous mesosternum visible

at the sides of the apex.

The dense aciculato-reticulate sculpture, which is unique, and the

single discal stria, taken in connection with the sternal and tarsal

characters of Olibrus, show that this species is an isolated and highly

specialized form, without any near congeners — although in rufipes

there is a feeble indication of the sculpture here so highly developed ; —

and for this reason, as well as the fact that there appears to be no

Goleopterological Notices. Ill

stability in the variations observed, it is impossible to specifically

divide the larffe amount of material before me.

OLIBROPORUS n. gen.

Base of the antennae entirely exposed in deej) frontal eniarginations just

before the eyes. Scutellum small. Elytra with a single discal stria, the

sutural bead completely wanting. Prosternal process rather narrow, abruptly

inflexed at apex, the latter not setose. Mesosternum forming a minute bead

along the apex of the very broad, transversely truncate metasternal process,

the latter not advancing beyond the coxae, the mesosternum not developed

behind the middle acetabula, forming merely a beaded margin. Legs short

and robust ; terminal spurs of posterior tibiae small, slender, slightly unequal ;

posterior tarsi moderate, cylindrical ; basal joint obliquely truncate and pro-

longed beneath the second, the articulation rigid ; second joint moderate in

length, scarcely twice as long as the first.

These few words will serve to characterize a genus intermediate'

in some characters between Stilbus and Olibrus, and combining also

several of the structural features of other genera. The apex of the

prosternal process is more abruptly inflexed than is usual in Olibrus,

but the edge is not as free and acute as in Stilbus.

O. punctatllS n. sp. — Rather broadly, evenly elliptical, convex, strongly

shining, black above, rufo-testaceous throughout beneath ; antenna; same.

Head short, very minutely, rather feebly punctate ; eyes large, not margined

internally ; antennae moderate, third joint nearly as long as the next two, club

large, longer than the funicle, elongate-elliptical, strongly compressed, the

eleventh joint but slightly longer than wide, one-half longer than the tenth,

the tei'minal process not well defined and obtusely rounded. Prothorax very

short, almost three times as wide as long, strongly narrowed from base to apex ;

sides arcuate and continuous in curvature with those of the elytra ; basal lobe

almost obsolete ; basal bead fine, very strong and continuing to within a very

short distance of the basal angles, the posterior margin of the basal bead finely

granulato-aciculate ; disk very minutely, feebly and not very densely punc-

tate, the punctures rather larger and denser near the lateral edges ; the latter

margined with a broad flattened bead which becomes very wide around the

apical angles. Scutellum very small, slightly wider than long, pointed ; sides

broadly arcuate. Elytra more than three times as long as the prothorax, not

narrowed toward apex, the latter very broadly, evenly rounded ; transverse

basal stria fine, deeply impressed, abruptly ending at the base of the scutellum,

which it attains, but at which point it is not in the least reflexed ; anterior half

of the basal bead — formed by the basal stria — longitudinally granulato-acicu-

late ; discal stria very deeply impressed, coincident with the suture at the

apex, and very gradually evanescent at basal fourth, becoming an unimpressed

row of punctures ; disk rather coarsely reticulate in transverse wavy lines,

112 Coleopterological Notices.

having nine very even rows of large, rather closely placed, deeply impressed

and slightly elongate punctures, which are equal in size throughout the width,

and not in the least dilated laterally, the rows almost attaining the base and

not accompanied by impressed lines ; intervals flat, witli uneven single rows

of line punctures. Metasternum shining, very finely, siaarsely, subasperately

punctate, coarsely and sparsely pubescent. Length 1.9 mm.

Florida.

The widely spaced, perfectly even rows of deeply impressed punc-

tures, distinguish this species from any other of the family, but

recall to a considerable degree the punctuation of Phalacmis seria-

tiis; in the latter, however, the series of the .intervals are as distinct

as the others, so that the regular rows are twice as numerous as in

the species here described. The general character of these punc-

tures is perfectly similar to the prevailing type in Olibrus.

EULITRrS Sharp.

Head extremely minutely but distinctly and not very sparsely punctate,

with several larger, widely dispersed punctures toward the sides of the front.

Epistoma transversely, feebly arcuate ; sides widely divergent posteriorly,

the antennal sinuations feeble, a very small portion of the basal joint con-

cealed. Antennae rather long ; basal joint large, much longer and more robust

than the second ; third scarcely as long as the next two combined ; outer

joints of funicle slightly more robust, the eighth wider than long; club long,

loose ; ninth and tenth joints triangular, subequal in length, ninth to eleventh

much more developed on their anterior sides, the last much shorter than the

two preceding together. Ligula short and very broad, the paraglossse corne-

ous, connate, pointed at the sides, extending laterally beyond the subquad-

rate mentum. Palpi robust ; last joint of the labial slightly swollen, as long

as the two preceding ; fourtli joint of the maxillary subcylindrical, obtusely

pointed, as long as the two preceding together. Prosternal process inflexed

at apex, not at all setose, moderate in width. Metasternal process very wide

and long, extending beyond the coxae and resting in repose upon the prosternal

process which is feebly impressed, strongly evenly rounded at apex. Meso-

sternum fornung a fine beaded margin along the apex and coxal cavities, and

expanded behind the latter, becoming here about three times as wide. Legs

moderately robust; tibial spurs long, strong, unequal; posterior tarsi rather

long, cylindrical ; basal joint short, almost rigidly anchylosed to tiie second,

and not extending beneath it ; second joint extl-emely long, nearly four times

as long as the first and about one-half longer than the entire remainder, not

very densely clothed throughout with short robust closely recumbent spinose

setffi ; fourth joint very distinct as a basal node of the last ; third not in the

least dilated, obliquely lobed beneath.

In addition to the above characters, it should be mentioned that

the elytra are entirely destitute of any trace of discal striae, although

Coleopterological Notices. 113

the suture is very finely beaded, the bead becoming' obsolete before

attaining- the base. The scutellum is small, and the elytra are

rendered feebly opalescent by an excessively minute transverse

strigilation, which is just resolvable under a power of 80. The

punctures are small, feebly crescentiform and disposed in rather

approximate but not very regular rows, becoming wider and more

confused near the sides.

The description is taken from the typical Central American E.

estriatus Sharp, one of the largest and finest species of the family.

The affinities of Eulitrus are evidently strongly toward Olibrus,

and it bears very much the same relation to that genus that Acylo-

mus bears to Stilbus. ' The feeble dilatation of the mesosternum

behind the middle acetabula, shows also that it should form one of

a series joining Olibrus and Acylomus or Stilbus. No species has

yet been discovered within the United States.

LITOLIBRUS Sharp.

The nearest ally to this genus is probably Acylomus, from which

it difl'ers primarily in four important characters as follows : —

1. The mesosternum is not produced at all behind the middle

acetabula, being reduced to a simple fine bead forming the margin

of the cavity, as in Olibrus.

2. The metasternal process is very narrow and much shorter.

3. The sexual modification of the posterior tibise, tibial spurs, and

tarsi does not apparently exist, and the second joint in the male is

not spongiose beneath.

4. The basal joint of the posterior tarsi is extremely obliquely

truncate at apex, and extends more or less beneath the second joint,

this being more noticeable in the northern forms than in the typical

obesiis where, however, it is also very marked. In Acylomus the

apex of the first joint is only slightly oblique, and its lower surface

does not extend at all beneath the second. In both genera the

connection between these joints is rigid, apparently admitting of

but little, if any motion, but the line of demarcation is rather

stronger in Litolibrus than in Acylomus.

Both of the genera here compared differ greatly from Stilbus in

the very elongate second joint, and Litolibrus differs from Acylomus

as well as Stilbus in its extremely robust legs, especially the middle

and posterior femora and tibiae.

This genus is one of the most distinct of the family, ranking-, in

Annals N. Y. Acad. Sci., V, Feb. 1890.— 8

114 Coleopterological Notices.

the radical nature of its peculiarities of structure, with either Olibrus

or Stilbus ; it is essentially tropical, but extends into the southern

limits of the United States, where it is represented by two species

characterized as follows : —

Pale testaceous ; elytra black, with the margins and two oval approximate

spots just before the middle pale priliceps

Pale ochreous-flavate throughout IHlifoi'luis

L,. princeps Schwarz. — Proc. Am. Phil. Soc, XVII, p. 361. — Rather

broadly, evenly elliptical, moderately convex, polished ; head, pronotum, a

large oblique oval spot on each elytron before the middle, attaining the suture,

the lateral margin and apex narrowly, entire under surface, legs and antennae

pale rufo-testaceous ; remainder of the elytra black. Head polished, some-

what coarsely, sparsely and feebly punctate ; eyes large, their inner margin

slightly elevated above the general surface of the vertex ; epistoma without a

beaded margin, except laterally along the antennal sinuations ; antennae rather

long and robust, joints three to five decreasing uniformly and very slightly in

length, outer joints of funicle slightly more robust, seventh and eighth equal

in length, the latter just visibly wider than long, club rather robust, strongly

asymmetric, the anterior sides much more strongly angulate, and the eleventh

joint slightly lobed on this side near the base, longer than the two preceding

together. Prothorax much more than twice as wide as long, not reticulate,

very minutely and obsoletely, but somewhat densely punctate ; basal lobe

moderate, broadly, evenly arcuate, the basal bead fine, very strong, extending

laterally to within one-fourth the width of the sides, with its posterior margin

finely and verj' strongly granulose. Scutellura equilatero-triangular, small,

the sides very feebly arcuate. Elytra polished, the transverse strigilation so

minute as to be merely suggested by a very feeble opalescence under high

power, having rows of very small, rounded punctures which are larger, deeper

and more distinct at the sides, always crescentiform, the intervals with an

obscurely double line of nearly similar punctures ; discal stria obsolete at

basal third. Abdomen coarsely, sparsely pubescent. Legs short and very

stout, the posterior tibiae short, obliquely truncate at apex, the truncation

sinuate ; spurs very long, stout, and distinctly unequal, the corresponding

tarsi nearly as long as the tibiae, the first joint short above, very strongly pro-

duced beneath the second ; second joint arcuate above near the base, more

than four times as long as the upper or shorter side of the basal joint, and

very much longer than the entire remainder. Length 2.6 mm.

Florida. Mr. Schwarz.

The metasternal process is narrow and very short, flat, inipunc-

tate, truncate at apex, the mesosternum in front of it abruptly

declivous, and extending laterally so as to slightly envelop the

middle coxae, having one or two robust setae at the sides near the

coxae and metasternum, not at all prominent ; prosternal process

moderate, with two or three very fine feebly developed setae.

Coleopterological Notices. 115

This is an extremely distinct species in many characters, especi-

ally those of the antennae, mesosternum and posterior tarsi, but it

does not differ generically from L. obesus. The species described as

varians by Dr. Sharp (Biol. Cent.-Amer. Col., II, i, p. 260), does

not appear to differ specifically, and, in accordance with the theory

of distribution by ocean currents from Central America to Florida,

formerly held by Dr. LeConte (Proc. Am. Phil. Soc, XVII, p. 471),

and more recently demonstrated by Mr. Schwarz (Proc. Ent. Soc.

Wash., I, p. 145), the proposed synonymy is rendered highly pro-

bable.

Li. tiniformis n. sp. — Somewhat broadly, evenly oval, very strongly

convex, pale ochreous-flavate tliroughoiit, strongly shining. Head not reticu-

late, extremely minutely, obsoletely and sparsely punctate, with a few scattered

punctures of larger size near tlie eyes ; the latter moderate, the inner margin

and beaded edge of the epistoma as in princeps; antennae moderate, funicle

slender, third joint much shorter than the next two combined, fourth slightly

shorter than the fifth, eighth very slightly shorter than the seventh, a little

wider than long, club robust, fusiform, nearly symmetrical, eleventh joint fully

as long as the two preceding combined. Proihorax distinctly more than twice

as wide as long ; basal lobe very broad and extremely feeble, the bead fine but

strong, continuing laterally to within one-fifth the width of the sides, with

the posterior margin finely and strongly granulose ; surface polished and

almost completely devoid of punctuation. Scutellum equilatero-triangular,

the sides feebly arcuate. Elytra distinctly opalescent, having widely distant

rows of moderate punctures, whicli are more deeply impressed and very dis-

tinct toward the suture, and more broadly crescentiform but rather more feebly

impressed near the sides and apex, obsolete toward base ; intervals with a few

widely dispersed, excessively minute punctures ; sutural stria distinct, obsolete

at basal third or fourth, the transverse strigilation excessively minute and

dense, not resolvable under high power. Abdomen reticulate, sparsely pubes-

cent, the rows of robust setje at the apices of the segments especially promi-

nent. Legs short and very stout ; obliquity of truncation of the posterior

tibiae rather slight, the spurs long and strong, the tarsi rather slender, more

symmetrical than in princeps, the basal joint less stfongly produced beneath

the second, the latter seven or eight times as long as the first on the lapper

side, and slightly more than twice as long on the lower side, sparsely clothed

with very short recumbent setae, and much longer than the entire remainder.

Length 2.4 mm.

Texas.

The metasternal process is very narrow, short, truncate at apex,

the mesosternum before it moderately declivous, not at all promi-

nent, and not much dilated over the coxa3 at the sides ; prosternal

process narrow, very strongly dilated at apex, where it is between

116 Coleopterological Notices.

two and three times as wide as at the narrowest part, the apical

margin bearing two short stiff setae.

This species appears to be distinct from any of those recently

described by Dr. Sharp; minor, which undoubtedly resembles it in

color and size, has the club of the antennae short and broad, and

"developed on one side only of the mesial line."

ACYLOMIJS Sharp.

Although bearing a certain general resemblance to Stilbus, this

genus possesses two characters which render it one of the most

remai'kable of the entire family.

The first character is not entirely peculiar, as it reappears to a

less marked degree in Litochropus ; it relates to sexual modifica-

tions affecting the posterior tibiae. In the males these increase

strongly in width from base to apex ; they are obliquely truncate,

and have the terminal spurs extremely unequal, the smaller being

longer than usual in Stilbus, and the other greatly developed, being

sometimes between one-third and one-fourth as long as the entire

tibia, and generally slightly contorted toward apex. In the female

the tibiae are normally and sometimes unusually slender, trans-

versely truncate, and have the terminal spurs of the usual form,

although much longer, stouter and more unequal than in Stilbus.

The other character relates to the vestiture of the under surface

of the second joint of the posterior tarsi, which, in the males, is of

a densely spongiose nature, similar to the under surface of the

anterior tarsi in the males of Anisodactylus. This character seems

to be absolutely peculiar to Acylomus, and is most highly developed

in the typical A. aciculatus Sharp.

In the genus Acylomus the second joint of the posterior tarsi is

very much more elongate than in Stilbus, and the basal joint corre-

spondingly abbreviated, the connection between the two being more

rigid. The structure of the mesosternum is nearly similar, but its

extension behind the middle coxae generally less, being intermediate

in this respect between Stilbus and Litolibrus ; it is also a connect-

ing link between these two genera in the sculpture of the elytra,

the reticulation of the surface when present in Stilbus being coarser

and tending less to a transverse arrangement in wavy lines, while

in Litolibrus it is very much finer, taking the form of a more regu-

lar transverse strigilation, of such excessive minuteness and close-

Coleopterological Notices. IH

ness that it cannot be distinctly resolved by the highest ordinary

working powers of the microscope; it is to this natural optical

diffraction-grating, that the opalescence observable in most of the

species is due ; the same effect from a similar cause is more familiar

to us, and even more strongly developed, in Selenophorus of the

Harpalini.

The elytral punctures prevailing in the genus are very strongly

transversely crescentiform, being much more highly developed than

even the most extreme cases which I have observed in Stilbus ; this

character is also very marked in the Litochride genera. The setae

at the apex of the prosternal process are less highly developed than

in Stilbus, being generally shorter and sometimes reduced in num-

ber to two, situated at the apical angles. The metasternal process

is generally rather longer than in Stilbus, somewhat variable in

width, and is usually slightly dilated at the immediate apex, the

tumid mesosternum before it being almost invariabl}'" shorter.

The species are probably moderately numerous in the United

States ; the five which I have before me may be separated as

follows : —

Color throughout the upper surface piceous or black.

Form eveuly elliptical or suboblong, not at all attenuate behind.

Piceous, the crescentiform punctures of the series toward the suture wide

and strongly developed ; transverse strigilation somewhat coarser ;

form more feebly convex.

Setae at the apex of the prosternal process uniformly two in number.

calcaratiis

Setse more robust, four or five in number ; form of body much more

elongate extricatus

Intense black, the punctures of the series toward the suture very fine

and feeble ; transverse strigilation very much finer ; form more convex.

ergoti

Form broadly oval, distinctly attenuate behind from the base of the elytra,

pale piceous, the elytra very minutely strigilate piceus

Color castaneoas, the head, pronotum, apex of the elytra, and two discal spots

near the base of the latter pale rufo-testaceous Iieblllosus

A. calcaratlis n. sp. — Almost evenly oval, more broadly so and less

convex in the male ; piceous above, under surface, legs and antennse pale

flavo-testaceous ; lustre subalutaceous. Head extremely minutely, rather

sparsely punctate, polished, not distinctly reticulate ; eyes large ; antennse

moderate in length, rather slender, third joint slightly shorter than the next

two together, fourth much shorter than the fifth, outer joints of funicle just

visibly stouter, seventh a little longer than the eighth, the latter rather longer

118 Coleopterological Notices.

than wide, club rather slender, symtnetrical, ninth joint longer than wide,

longer than the tenth, the latter slightly transverse, eleventh nearly as long

as the two preceding together. Prothorax more than twice as wide as long,

distinctly, broadly lobed at the middle of the base, and finely but distinctly

beaded ; surface excessively minutely, sparsely punctate, polished toward

apex, very minutely strigilate in wavy transverse lines which are distinct

toward base and obsolete toward apex. Scutellum ogival, nearly as long as

wide. Elytra finely and very distinctly strigilate in transverse wavy lines

throughout, having rows of broadly crescentiform, feebly impressed punctures,

which are but s.lightly wider at the sides, where they are more approximate

laterally, and becoming obsolete near the base ; discal stria distinct, obsolete

at basal two-fifths. Abdomen coarsely, sparsely pubescent, shining, coarsely

reticulate. Legs moderate, the posterior femora not unusually robust ; tibiae

feebly dilated from base to apex, the apical truncation slightly oblique, very

sparsely setose, having an internal and external line of fine erect setiform

spines, the terminal spurs extremely unequal, the larger feebly contorted, as

long as the apical width of the tibia ; corresponding tarsi very slender, cylin-

drical, with the second joint nearly four times as long as the first, and longer

than the entire remainder, the under surface spongy-pubescent only in the

apical half. Length 1.4-1.7 mm.

Texas (Galveston and Austin).

The description is taken from the male ; the female has the poste-

rior tibiae nearly equal in width throu<;hout, and rather slender, the

terminal spurs smaller and more slender, but decidedly unequal, the

longer one being still as long as the apical width ; the tarsi are

more slender, with the second joint rather shorter and not spongiose

beneath.

The metasternum is very minutely, sparsely punctate, very

sparsely pubescent, the process very wide, rather long, slightly and

abruptly dilated at the immediate apex, the mesosternum in front

of it transverse and very short, not distinctly tumid, the prosternal

process rather wide, the free apex very feebly, broadly arcuate, and

having but two short spinose setae — one at each angle.

A. extricatlis n. sp. — Elongate, evenly elliptical, nearly twice as long

as wide, piceous above, dark rufo-testaceous throughout beneath ; elytra sub-

alutaceous. Head very strongly retractile ; antennae moderate, outer joints of

funicle slightly robust, club very distinctly increasing in width from base to

apex, ninth joint scarcely longer than the tenth, the eleventh as long as the

two preceding together. Prothorax but sliglitly more than twice as wide as long,

very broadly, strongly lobed in the middle of the base, the beaded margin dis-

tinct; surface polished, very minutely, transversely strigilate in wavy lines

which are very distinct toward base and nearly obsolete toward apex. Scu-

tellum very small, ogival, slightly wider than long, the sides strongly arcuate.

Coleopterological Notices. 119

Elytra more than three times as long as the prothorax, having rows of moderate

crescentiform punctures which, at the sides, become very strongly transverse,

sometimes confluent, and more or less confused in arrangement ; intervals

toward the suture each with a row of similar punctures, but about one-half as

wide ; discal stria distinct, obsolete at basal third ; surface rather coarsely

strigilate in wavy transverse rows throughout. Abdomen nearly as in culca-

ratus. Legs moderate. Length 1.8 mm.

Texas.

This species is closely related to calcaratus, but differs in its

much more elongate, slightly less convex form. It is described

from the female, and the posterior tibial spurs are rather less de-

veloped and less unequal than in the corresponding sex of calca-

ratus; the tarsi are nearly similar in structure. In calcaratus the

apex of the prosternal process has, without exception, only two

terminal setae, while in the present species there is a row of four or

five which are longer, and nearly twice as stout ; this constitutes

one of the most decisive points of difference between these species.

The head is so far retracted within the prothorax in the type as to

be invisible from above.

A. ergoti n. sp. (Walsh MS.) — Strongly convex, almost evenly elliptical,

one-half to two-thirds longer than wide, the male slightly the shorter, black

above, pale flavo-testaceous throughout beneath ; lustre strongly shining. Head

very minutely, sparsely punctate, polished, not reticulate ; eyes rather large ;

antennae nearly as in calcaratus, but with the outer joints rather more robust,

and the club more strongly narrowed from apex to base. Prothorax polished

throughout, toward base excessively obsoletely transversely strigilate in wavy

lines, the punctures extremely minute and sparse ; basal lobe and beaded

margin distinct, the latter not extending laterally further than the lobe. Scu-

tellum equilatero-triangular, with the sides very feebly arcuate. Elytra sub-

alutaceous, very minutely, transversely strigilate in wavy lines, having rows

of punctures which, toward the suture, are very minute and feeble, and toward

the sides slightly larger, always transversely crescentiform ; discal stria dis-

tinct, obsolete at basal two-fifths. Abdomen coarsely reticulate, moderately

shining, coarsely, sparsely pubescent. Legs moderate ; posterior tibiae increas-

ing very rapidly in width from base to apex, very obliquely truncate ; spurs

nearly as in calcaratus; tarsi very long and slender, three-fourths as long as

the tibise, with the second joint between three and four times as long as the

basal, and spongiose throughout beneath, except at the immediate base.

Length 1.8-2.2 mm.

Pennsylvania ; Delaware ; Iowa ; Texas.

The description is drawn from one of the lowan males ; the

female is larger, rather more convex, and has the posterior tibiae

120 Coleopterological Notices.

more slender, the spurs being smaller and less unequal than in the

female of calcay^atus, the longer one much shorter than the apical

width of the tibia.

The sternal structure is nearly the same as in calcaratus, but the

metasternal process is rather less broad, and the mesosternum is

more developed behind the middle acetabula. The terminal setae of

the prosternal process are about three in number, extremely short,

being much shorter than in calcaj-atus.

This species is widely distributed, and difTers from the preceding

in its larger size, black color, more convex form, finer elytral sculp-

ture and punctuation, more especially in the rows toward the suture,

and, more decidedly, in the greater dilatation and obliquity of trun-

cation of the posterior tibige in the male. It varies considerabh' in

size.

A. piceus n. sp. — Broadly oval, rather pale fusco-piceous above, very pale

browiiish-flavate throughout beneath, polished, the elytra feebly alutaceous,

moderately convex ; sides feebly convergent behind from the base of the elytra.

Head not reticulate, extremely finely and feebly punctate ; eyes moderate ;

apical margin of the front witli two minute fovese on each side just above the

insertion of the antennae, the latter rather slender, the third joint distinctly

shorter than the next two together ; club elongate, very slender, symmetrical,

parallel and rather loose ; ninth joint slightly longer than wide and a little

longer than the tenth, the latter nearly as long as wide and not wider than

the ninth, the eleventh elongate, nearly as long as the two preceding, obtusely

rounded at the apex, without trace of terminal process. Prothorax between

two and three times as wide as long, very strongly narrowed from base to

apex ; basal lobe very feeble,, the bead strong but very short, not extending

laterally beyond the lobe ; disk with feeble traces of transverse reticulation

toward base ; punctures almost obsolete. Scutellum scarcely wider than long,

ogival, with the sides slightly arcuate. Elytra rather short, about two and

one-half times as long as the prothorax, evenly and not very broadly rounded

at apex ; surface very minutely and rather strongly transversely strigilate in

wavy lines throughout, except near the base, where the sculpture becomes very

feeble, having series of small transversely crescentiform punctures, which are

feebly impressed and which are not much wider or more distinct toward the

sides, the series accompanied by fine feebly impressed lines, the intervals with

uneven series of excessively minute feeble punctures of the same nature ; all

the punctures becoming gradually obsolete in basal third ; discal stria fine but

distinct, obsolete at basal third. Length 1.9 mm.

District of Columbia. Mr. Ulke.

The description is drawn from the male, the posterior tibiae being

gradually strongly dilated from base to apex and very obliquely

truncate, the spurs long and very unequal, the posterior tarsi long

Goleopterological Notices. 121

and extremely slender. The metasternal process is rather narrower

than usual in this genus.

A. lieblllosiIS 11. sp. — Ver^-^ broadly oval and moderately convex, about

one bait' longer tlian wide ; elytra feebly attenuate from base to near tbe apex,

then conjointly evenly rounded, subalutaceous, castaneous ; head, pronotum,

each elytron obliquely at apex, and a small indefinite spot at the base of each

elytron, nearer the humerus than the scutellum, paler, rufo-testaceous ; under

surface, legs and antennae very pale testaceous. Head extremely minutely,

sparsely punctate, not reticulate ; eyes moderate ; antennae slender, joints one

to eight elongate, club moderate, the eleventh joint about as long as the two

preceding together. Prothorax distinctly more than twice as wide as long ;

basal lobe very broad, feeble, transverse opposite the scutellum ; bead fine

but rather distinct, not extending laterally beyond the lobe ; surface polished,

extremely minutely and obsoletely punctate, very feebly strigilate in wavy

transverse lines which become almost obsolete toward apex. Scutellum ogival,

slightly wider than long. Elytra strongly and distinctly, but very minutely

strigilato-reticulate in broken transverse wavy lines throughout, alutaceous

in lustre, having series of very small feeble crescentiform punctures which

become larger laterally, and rather confused near the sides ; intervals each

with a very irregular line of similar though extremely fine punctures ; discal

stria fine but distinct, obsolete at basal fourth. Abdomen reticulate, very

sparsely pubescent. Legs moderate, the posterior femora not unusually

robust. Length 2.2 mm.

California (Fort Yuma).

The posterior tibiae are but slightly more robust and dilated in

the male, the terminal spurs in that sex being extremely unequal,

the longer nearly three times as long as the shorter, and rather

longer than the apical width, the corresponding tarsi being rather

robust, the second joint nearly four times as long as the first, and

slightly longer than the entire remainder, spongiose along the mid-

dle beneath throughout the length, the spongiose area being limited

laterally, as usual, by two lines of long, very closely-placed and

slender setae ; first joint not at all produced beneath the second, the

attachment apparently rigid. In the female the spurs are smaller

and more nearly equal, the larger but twice as long as the smaller,

the tarsi more slender, especially the second joint which is not

spongiose beneath.

The metasternal process is very broad, and the sternal structure

in general very similar to that of the typical forms.

The setae at the apex of the prosternal process appear to be nor-

mally three in number, but the middle one is occasionally absent, and

there may sometimes be one which is superfluous and sporadic. In

122 Coleopterological Notices,

the female they are more than twice as long and stout as in the

male, being extremely minute in the latter sex.

The discovery of this peculiar secondary sexual character proves

that these terminal setae play a more important part in the economy

of the insect than has been hitherto supposed, and that the gap

separating those genera possessing them from those in which they

are wanting, as for instance Stilbus and Olibrus, is even correspond-

ingly greater. It also indicates that any classification of the species

in genera possessing these setae, based in any way upon them, must

be used with more or less caution. It is only fair to state, however,

that I have not been able to discover similar sexual variation in

Stilbus, where I have separated several species because of the abnor-

nal shortness of these setae, and in this particular case it is of very

little consequence, as the four species constituting the second group

are so distinct in other characters that they can be easily identified,

and after all this is the main object of taxonomical tables in such

preliminary and superficial studies as the present is necessarily

forced to be.

The terminal setae in A. calcaratus also differ sexually, but only

to a slight degree, being a little longer in the female ; they are, in

that species, very persistently two in number.

Besides being aberrant in this way, the present species differs

greatly in coloration from the others, reminding us somewhat, but

in facies only, of Stilbus vidnus. It also appears to resemble the

Central American Olibrus submaculatus Sharp, especially in colora-

tion, but the sculpture and punctuation seem to be much more pro-

nounced and evident than in that species.

LIOPHALACRUS Sharp.

The single specimen of the typical L. bicolor before me is in a

very imperfect state, so that I cannot examine the mouth-parts or

antennae ; otherwise it is extremely closely allied to Stilbus, and

differs only in the structure of the posterior tarsi, which are com-

paratively short and slender, cylindrical, with the proportional

length of the joints as in Stilbus, but with the first joint rigidly

anchylosed to the second. The second joint is not remarkably long,

and not quite twice as long as the first, the third being slightly

dilated and deeply emarginate above. In Stilbus the articulation

Goleopterological Notices. 123

between the first and second joints is much less rig-id and the motion

apparently perfectly free.

In L. bicolor the raetasternal process is wide, strongly rounded

throughout at apex, and does not extend to the anterior limits of

the coxae ; the mesosternum in front of it forms a perfectly flat

transverse piece, rather long, projecting beyond the coxae, with the

apex transversely truncate, and the surface bearing a transversely

arcuate row of robust recumbent spinose setae, projecting posteriorly,

the line of demarcation between it and the mesosternum extremely

fine. Behind the middle acetabula the mesosternum is very strongly

developed, the piece being posteriorly produced in a slender cusp,

extending almost to within one-third the length of the metasternum

of the posterior margin of the latter. The prosternal process is rather

wide, the posterior edge being free, acute, transversely truncate, and

bearing a series of four or five erect robust and prominent spinose

setae.

On the upper surface the sutural bead is entirely obsolete, and

the single discal stria fine, close to the suture, and rather short.

The sculpture consists of very fine transverse strigilation which,

however, is not suflBciently fine and close to produce an opalescent

lustre. The punctures throughout are extremely minute and feeble,

not transversely crescentiform, and not more distinct at the sides,

in this respect being exactly similar to many species of Stilbus.

No species of this Central American genus has yet occurred

within the United States.

STILBUS Seid.

OUstherus^ Seid. ; — Eustilbti^ Sharp.

Some of the structural characters distinguishing this genus have

been before indicated, and it is only necessary to state in general

that it differs from Olibrus in its short metasternal process, promi-

nent and tumid mesosternum, extension of the latter behind the

middle acetabula, in the form of the prosternal process which is here

furnished with a distinct free edge posteriorly, and armed with a

transverse series of stout setiform spinules, in the absence of a bead

along the elytral suture, in the form of the eleventh joint of the

1 This is not, properly speaking, a pre-occupied name, Olistherus being to

some extent different from Olisthaerus.

2 Biol. Ceut.-Amer., II, Pt. 1, p. 253.

124 Coleopterological Notices.

antennae which is not constricted in apical third, and in the form of

the fourth joint of the maxillary palpi which is distinctly more

robust and securiform.

It resembles Olibrus in the mode of antennal insertion, but differs

radically in this respect from Phalacrus. Its relationship with

Acylomus and Litolibrus has been mentioned under those genera.

The posterior tibial spurs are generally very small, slender and

subequal. and in some species become quite as insignificant as in

Phalacrus. The basal joints of the posterior tarsi are simply densely

setose beneath, the second joint being but moderately elongate,

generally nearly twice as long as the first, but in nitidus relatively

shorter and but slightly longer than the first. The sculpture varies

from the completely polished, as seen in apicalis, to a rather coarse

and very strong reticulation throughout the upper surface, as seen

in subalutaceus. The punctures are generally very minute and

obscure, sometimes almost completely obsolete, the broadly crescen-

tiform type being rare and exceptional. In jjusillus, modestus,

atteniiatus, and elongatulus, the punctures become deeper and more

distinct on certain limited portions of the el\^tral disk.

Our species are moderately abundant, usually widely distributed,

and are somewhat diversified in structure. The four species as-

signed to group II, differ each very greatly from those of group I,

in several peculiarities of structure or sculpture, but at the same

time differ from each other to quite as great a degree. In general,

the reticulation of the elytral surface, when present, is relatively

somewhat coarse, and does not exhibit the transversely wavy lines

so perfectly as in Acylomus ; in convergens and atlenuatus it is

replaced by a very minute wavy strigilation which, however, is

not sufficiently fine to produce an opalescent effect as in Litolibrus.

The following table will probably enable the student to recognize

those species which I have been able to study : —

Spinules at the apex of the prosternal process long and conspicuous I

Punctures of the second and third elytral series not more distinct in the

middle.

Elytra either entirely pale or very distinctly paler at the apex.

Elytra highly polished, not reticulate except sometimes very feebly

toward apex ; punctures excessively minute and scarcely visible.

Elytra paler at apex.

Form narrowly oval, piceous, each elytron abruptly and obliquely

paler at apex apicalis

Coleopterological Notices. 125

Form broadly oval, color pale castaneous ; pale area at apex not

well defined TidUlIS

Elytra entirely pale pallidUS

Elytra reticulate throughout.

Very small, strongly convex, the elytra acutely rounded behind ;

punctures obsolete; color pale throughout nitidtis

Larger, more depressed.

Pale reddish-flavate throughout ; punctures of the elytral series

distinct, at least toward the suture ..aqURtilis

Dark piceous-brown, the apex abruptly paler ; punctures obsolete.

floridaiius

Elytra piceous or piceous-black throughout.

Elytra finely reticulate throughout, larger species, moderate in size.

Eighth joint of antennae elongate ....olbsCUI'lIS

Eighth joint slightly transverse, and much shorter than the seventh.

obtusiis

Elytra higlily polished, not reticulate ; very minute species.

nanulus

Punctures of the second and third series from the discal stria composed of

punctures which are large, deep and distinct in the middle third, but

obsolete toward base and apex.

Lateral series composed of very minute, nearly obsolete punctures.

pusilliis

Lateral series composed of widely dilated, crescentiform punctures.

modestiis

Spinules at the apex of the prosternal process short II

Discal stria very short and feeble, not extending beyond the middle : body

evenly elliptical, piceous-black, strongly reticulate ....SllliallltaceilS

Discal stria normal, obsolete at basal third ; body attenuate behind from

the base of the elytra.

Elytra very minutely, transversely strigilate ; color pale testaceous

throughout.

Punctures very feeble ; metasternal process very wide, the mesosternum

in front of it short, transverse and tumid COllTergens

Punctures distinct and rather distant ; metasternal process narrow,

• shorter, the mesosternum before it long, rather narrow and flat.

atteniiatus

Elytra more coarsely reticulate in transverse wavy lines ; color intense

black above ; punctures of the series rather close and very deeply im-

pressed throughout the width elongatlllus

S. apicalis Melsh. — Proc. Ac. Phil., II, p. 102. — Oval, strongly convex,

very feebly attenuate behind the middle, about two-thirds longer than wide,

highly polished, piceous-black ; apex rather abruptly pale testaceous, the

general blackish tint being prolonged along the suture nearer the apex ;

under surface rufo-testaceous ; legs, antennje and trophi paler and more

flavate. Head polished, excessively minutely, feebly and very sparsely punc-

126 Coleopterological Notices.

tate ; antennae slender, third joint not as long as the next two combined,

seventh longer than wide, eighth sliorter, slightly wider, slightly trapezoidal,

a little longer than wide, club elongate, slender, compact and parallel ; ninth

joint obconical, slightly longer than wide, longer than the tenth, and two-

thirds as long as the eleventh, the latter oval, three-fourths longer than wide,

not constricted, narrowly rounded at apex. Prothorax slightly more than

twice as wide as long, length equal to apical width ; basal lobe very feeble ;

basal bead obsolete ; punctures almost obsolete. Scutellum ogival, two-thirds

wider tlian long. Elytra distinctly longer than wide, ratlier narrowly rounded

at apex ; sutural bead entirely wanting ; discal stria very deep and strongly

impressed, coincident with the suture at the apex, disappearing at basal

fourth ; surface smooth, highly polished, without reticulation, the punctures

of the series simple, very minute, distant and excessively feeble, not becoming

more distinct at the sides. Abdomen feebly reticulate in wavy broken lines,

sparsely, asperately punctate, a transverse row of punctures along the apex

of each segment more evident, coarsely pubescent. Legs moderate ; posterior

tibial spurs very small, slender, not very unequal ; corresponding tarsi

slender, nearly three-fourths as long as the tibiae, basal joint scarcely one-

half as long as the second, the articulation perfectly free and mobile. Length

1.9-2.4 mm.

New York; Iowa; Texas; California.

The metasternal process is rather narrow, extending about two-

thircls the length of the coxse,. the mesosternum being strongly

developed in front of it, and slightly tumid. The post-coxal plates

are narrowly and very feebly prolonged behind.

This common species, which seems to vary considerably in dis-

tinctness of coloration, is quite different from the European consi-

milis, in form, size, coloration, and especially sculpture. The entire

surface of the European insect is minutely, but distinctly strigilato-

reticulate.

S. Tiduus n. sp. — Broadly oval, feebly attenuate behind from anterior

third, one-half longer than wide, obtusely rounded at apex, highly jwlished,

rufo-piceous, each elytron obliquely paler at apex ; under surface, legs and

antennae paler and more flavate. Head almost completely impunctate ; antennae

rather long and slender, third joint slightly shorter than the next two togetlier,

fourth a little shorter than the fifth and equal to the sixth, club rather elon-

gate, becoming broader from base to apex, the eleventh joint robust, the com-

pressed apex rather transversely truncate and subangulate at the sides, very

much wider than the ninth. Prothorax not definitely punctate ; basal lobe and

its beaded edge almost obsolete. Scutellum small, ogival, scarcely one-half

wider than long. Elytral punctures and discal stria nearly as in apicalis, the

punctures more nearly obsolete, and more decidedly visible in the lateral

series. Abdomen rather sparsely, coarsely pubescent, asperately punctate.

Legs rather short and slightly robust ; posterior tibial spurs short, subequal.

Coleopterological Notices. 127

robust ; posterior tarsi nearly three-fourths as long as the tibia;, somewhat

robust, the basal joint one-half as long as the second. Length 2.;5 mm.

North Carolina ; Texas ; Arizona.

Tiiis species resembles apicalis in sculpture, but is decidedly

moi-e robust, paler in color, with the apical pale area less defined

than in the mature specimens of apicalis; the sternal characters are

nearly as in that species, but the antennal club is more robust

toward apex, and the tibial spurs are also more robust.

The type is a male and exhibits the strongest sexual characters

which I have observed in the genus. The third segment of the

abdomen has, just before the apex, a short broad porrected tooth in

the middle, which does not extend beyond the apical margin, and

bears along its apex seven or eight very short robust porrected

spinules. The fourth segment has a feeble median impression, and

the fifth has the usual very feebly defined transverse impression

near the apex.

S. pallidUS n. sp. — Evenly elliptical, about two-fifths longer than wide,

polished, pale flavo-testaceous throughout. Head very finely, feebly punc-

tate ; antennae slender, club slender, compact, third joint scarcely as long as

the next two combined, fourth shorter than the fifth. Prothorax very distinctly

more than twice as wide as long ; punctuation obsolete ; basal lobe extremely

feeble, the bead obsolete. Scutellum ogival, wider than long. Elytra nearly

as in apicalis, except that they are less attenuate and rather more broadly

rounded behind, uniform testaceous in color, and with a very feeble obsolete

reticulation near the apex. Abdomen very feebly reticulate, the reticulation

very fine, dense and strong toward the base of the basal segment. Legs

moderate or rather short ; spurs of posterior tibiae very small, slender ; poste-

rior tarsi three-fourths as long as the tibiae ; basal joint two-thirds as long as

the second and more robust ; first and second sparsely, finely spinose beneath ;

third slightly dilated, bilobed, with a tuft of whitish hair beneath. Length

1.9 mm.

Rhode Island.

The sternal characters are nearly as in apicalis, from which this

species differs in its smaller size, pale uniform color, relatively

slightly longer basal joint of the hind tarsi, and finer, stronger and

denser reticulation along the base of the abdomen. The reticulation

at the apices of the elytra, although very feeble, is more distinct

than in apicalis, where it is all but totally obsolete ; in jjallidus it

is distinctly traceable over most of the apical half of the elytra,

being especially noticeable in lines accompanying the series of

punctures.

128 Coleopterological Notices.

The species is represented by two specimens which do not indi-

cate any variation.

S. iiifidlis Melsh. — Proc. Ac, Phil., II, p. 102.-r-Pale reddish-fljivate

throughout, very convex, strongly shining, totally impunctate, the fine re-

cumbent hairs rather long. Head very feebly reticulate in transverse wavy

lines ; antennae rather robust, third joint shorter than the next two together,

distinctly clavate, fourth shorter than the fifth, outer joints of funicle more

robust, club moderate, slightly more robust toward apex, ninth scarcely

longer and a little narrower than the tenth, eleventh two-thirds longer than

the tenth. Prothorax rather more than twice as wide as long, very obsoletely

reticulate ; basal lobe and bead almost completely obsolete. Scutellum ogival,

wider than long. Elytra slightly attenuate and narrowly rounded at apex,

the discal stria very narrowly separated from the suture at apex, obsolete at

basal third ; surface minutely and distinctly reticulate in transverse wavy

lines throughout, the minute recumbent hairs arranged in regular series, the

punctures not evident, each being entirely filled by the hair. Abdomen feebly,

coarsely reticulate, distinctly asperately punctate, coarsely pubescent. Legs

rather short and robust ; tibise short and broad, coarsely spinose ; terminal

spurs of the posterior very minute, subequal, not longer than some of the

spinules of the terminal fimbria; corresponding tarsi short, very slightly

longer than the anterior, the basal joint relatively long, about three-fourths

as long as the second which is shorter than usual. Length 1.3 mm.

New York; Iowa; Texas.

The metasternum is reticulate at the sides, the process moderate

in width, coarsely sparsely setose, the mesosternum in front of it

much broader and distinctly prominent.

This minute species is very distinct and, as far as 1 have seen,

has no very close allies; it is the only species in which the punc-

tures of the elytral series become completely invisible, and confused

with the fine reticulation of the surface. In very pale specimens

the chitinous cells of the elytra surrounding the base of the hairs

become darker, giving the appearance of series of coarse areolae or

punctures by transmitted light and under low magnifying power.

The form' of the body is extremely convex, resembling some of the

small convex species of Cercyon.

The minute setigerous punctures of the elytra, described under

Phalacrus, are observable here to a very limited extent.

S. aquatilis Lee. — Proc. Ac. Phil., 1856, p. 17. — Almost evenly elliptical,

about two-thirds longer than wide, ochreous-flavate throughout, shining.

Head excessively finely, sparsely punctate and very finely, feebly reticulate ;

antennae nearly as in iiitidus. Prothorax rather short, much more than twice

as wide as long ; basal lobe very broad and extremely feeble, bead almost

Coleopterological Notices. 129

(-■ompletely obsolete ; surface very minutely but distinctly reticulate in broken

transverse wavy lines, tbe punctures very sparse and just visible. Scutellum

feebly reticulate, ogival, with the sides strongly arcuate, one-half wider than

long. Elytra very feebly attenuate from before the middle, evenly rounded at

apex ; discal stria as in obiusus ; surface finely but strongly and distinctly

reticulate in wavy lines, subalutaceous in lustre ; punctures of series very

evident, coarser and distinctly crescentiform in the rows toward tiie suture

and the sides, smaller and feebler but still distinctly crescentiform in the

median rows. Abdomen coarsely pubescent, distinctly reticulate, rather sti'ongly,

asi^erately punctate, especially as ixsual toward the middle and apex. Legs

moderate ; posterior tibiae rather slender, sparsely and coarsely setose ; spurs

small and rather distinctly unequal, not longer than the outer spinules, the

same tarsi setose beneath, moderate in length, with the basal joint one-half as

long as the second. Length 1.8 mm.

California.

The metasternum is reticulate but not distinctly punctate, very

sparsely and rather coarsely pubescent ; the sternum and sternal

processes throughout are nearly as in obfusus, from which this

species differs in its pale color, more distinct reticulation, and very

notably in the character and strength of the elytral punctures. It

is rare, and although fortunate enough to secure a single specimen

m^'self, I am not certain of the exact locality ; it is, however, pro-

bably southern.

S. floridaniis n. sp. — Rather broadly oval, convex, widest a little before

the middle, dark piceousbrown above, with the apex conjointly and rather

abruptly paler, the anterior margin of the apical pale area posteriorly angulate

in the middle, paler, liavo-testaceous throughout beneath, polished. Head

extremely feebly, finely reticulate, the punctures very sparse and excessively

minute ; eyes moderate ; antennae slender, the club abrupt, rather small and

slender and scarcely as long as the five preceding joints combined, ninth and

tenth joints subequal, slightly transverse, eleventh oval, longer than wide,

obtusely rounded at apex and rather shorter than the two preceding. Protho-

rax short, nearly three times as wide as long, with the feeblest possible trace

of transverse reticulation toward the base and sides, the punctures very

sparse and excessively minute ; base transverse, with a small feeble sinuation

at each side of, and at some distance from, the scutellum; basal bead very

fine, the stria disappearing at lateral third. Scutellum small, triangular,

one-half wider than long, the sides and apex rounded. Elytra fully three

times as long as the prothorax ; sides more strongly arcuate at basal fourth

or fifth, thence feebly convergent behind and very feebly arcuate, the apex

rather abruptly and somewhat narrowly rounded ; basal stria very fine,

reflexed along the scutellum ; surface very finely reticulate throughout, the

sculpture becoming very feeble toward base, the reticulations not forming very

well-defined transverse wavy lines ; single discal stria fine but distinct, dis-

An.nals N. Y. Acad. Sci., V, Feb. 1890.— 9

130 Coleopterological Notices.

appearing at basal third or fourth ; disk without impressed lines, the punc-

tures of the distant series obsolete throughout the width, and only indicated

by the extremely minute recumbent hairs growing from slightly more marked

retal lines at their points of origin. Under surface and legs normal, the

second joint of the posterior tarsi short, about one-half longer than the first ;

tibial spurs very small and slender. Length 1.5 mm.

Florida (Lake Poinsett). Mr. Schwarz.

A small species allied to apicaJis and consimilis, but distinguished

from the former by its smaller size, more broadly oval, less convex

and more posteriorly attenuate form, and elytra! reticulation, and

from the latter by its shorter prothora.x, more abruptly marked

apical pale area, less convex form and other characters.

S. olJSClirus n. siJ. — Rather broadly oval, piceous above; antennae, legs

and under surface pale testaceous ; upper surface polished. Head extremely

feebly and sparsely punctate ; antennje rather slender, third joint shorter tlian

the next two together, fourth much shorter than the fifth, club rather slender,

sides nearly parallel, ninth joint much longer than the tenth and slightly

shorter than the eleventh. Prothorax scarcely visibly and very sparsely

punctate, not reticulate ; basal lobe very broad and feeble, the marginal bead

almost obsolete. Scutellum one-half wider than long. Elytra more strongly

narrowed behind in apical half, rather strongly rounded at apex, unicolorous

or sometimes very feebly paler toward apex ; discal stria strong, obsolete at

basal third or fourth, punctured as in apicalis; surface finely, feebly but dis.

tinctly reticulate, the reticulations visible over the entire surface except in the

vicinity of the base, where they become obsolete, generally in very broken wavy -

lines on the upper portions of the disk. Abdomen very strongly reticulate, the

portions very near the base, and also the metasternum toward the sides, almost

granulose. Le<js moderate ; posterior tarsi rather short and robust, scarcely

two-thirds as long as the tibiae, setose beneath, the first joint two-thirds as long

as the second ; tibial spurs small. Length 1.8-2.0 mm.

Iowa. Mr. Wickham.

The metasternal process is rather wider than in apicalis, and the

mesosternum in front of it is very strongly tumid and prominent.

The sexual characters are nearly as in viduus, except that the tooth

of the third segment is more deflexed, with the spinules excessively

short. This species is very easily distinguishable from apicalis and

viduus by its small size, more rounded form, dark piceous color,

which does not become noticeably paler at apex except from the

transparency of the elytra, and by the reticulation of the upper

surface ; it is represented by a good series of specimens, and does

not vary appreciably.

Coleopterological Notices. 131

S. obttlSUS Lee— Proc. Ac. Phil., IS.'iG, p. 17.— Almost evenly elliptical,

moderately convex, blackish-piceous throughout the body, legs and antennae ;

tarsi slightly paler ; upper surface shining. Head very feebly and sparsely

punctate ; antennse nearly as in nitidus, but with the ninth joint rather longer.

Protfiorax extremely minutely, feebly and sparsely punctate, extremely obso-

letely reticulate in broken wavy lines ; basal lobe very broad and feeble, the

bead very fine but somewhat distinct. Scutellum one-half wider than long.

Elytra rather obtusely rounded behind, finely but rather distinctly reticulate

in transverse wavy lines over the entire disk ; discal stria very strong, coinci-

dent with the suture at the apex, becoming obsolete at basal third or fourth ;

punctures of the series very fine and feeble but visible, not more distinct but

rather wider at the sides, where, however, they do not become crescentiform,

but simply a slight deepening of the lines forming the reticulation at the

points of attachment of the hairs. Abdomen reticulate, sparsely, coarsely

pubescent. Legs moderate ; spurs of posterior tibiae very small, subequal, and

about as long as the exterior spinules of the terminal fimbria ; the correspond-

ing tarsi rather slender, nearly three-fourths as long as the tibiae, with the

basal joint one-half as long as the second. Length 1.5 mm.

California (Santa Cruz Co.).

The metasternal process in this species is rather broad, reticulate

but not distinctly punctate, the niesosternum transversely, moder-

ately prominent in front of it, the prosternal process strongly

dilated and broadly rounded at apex, the spinules rather close and

very stout, distinctly shorter than in apicalis, but rather longer

than in attenuatus, in this respect approaching the second of the

arbitrary groups into which I have divided the genus.

The type of LeConte seems to be an unusually robust specimen,

and I have several v^ hich are distinctly narrower. The under sur-

face and antennae are sometimes paler from immaturity.

S. nanillus n. sp. — Narrowly and evenly elliptical, strongly convex,

highly polished, piceous-black throughout above ; legs, antennae and under

surface testaceous. Head without trace of punctuation or reticulation ;

antennae rather short, the funicle very slender, the outer joints more robust,

club rather large and compact, the ninth joint but very slightly longer than

the tenth, the eleventh almost as long as the two preceding together, although

moderate in length. Prothorax impunctate and not at all reticulate, the median

basal lobe broadly arcuate and rather well developed, the marginal bead obso-

lete. Scutellum small, ogival, about two-thirds wider than long. Elytra highly

polished, without trace of reticulation except near the apex and narrowly along

the sides, where it is very feeble and not at all distinct ; discal stria strongly

impressed, totally impunctate, obsolete at basal third ; punctures of the discal

series completely obsolete and only represented by the minute hairs, except

abruptly, very near the sides, where they become dilated, distinct and cres-

132 Coleopterological Notices.

centiform, although not at all deeply impressed. Abdomen somewhat coarsely

and densely, asperately punctate, and very coarsely pubescent. Legs very

short and somewhat robust ; the posterior tibiae more strongly arcuate within,

strongly setose, nearly spinulose externally ; spurs very small, slender, un-

equal; the corresponding tarsi four-fifths as long as the tibiae, one-half longer

than the anterior, with the first joint about two-thirds as long as the second.

Length 1.0-1.2 mm.

New Mexico (Albuquerque). Mr. H. F. Wickham.

The metasternal process is short and very broad, coarsely reticu-

late, but with the lines very feeble, truncate at apex, very sparsely

pubescent, the mesosternum before it moderate in length, not very

tumid, pubescent at the sides only. The prosternal process is

broad, the terminal setose spines long and conspicuous.

This is the most minute species known to me within our faunal

limits, and is so distinct in all its characters that it cannot be mis-

taken for any other.

S. piisilllis Lee. — Proc. Ac. Phil., 18.56, p. 17. — Oval, slightly attenuate

behind from anterior third, strongly convex, piceous-black throughout above,

pale testaceous beneath, strongly shining. Head very minutely, feebly punc-

tate, not reticulate; eyes rather large ; antennae moderate, third joint clavate,

nearly as long as the next two together, outer joints of funicle but slightly

more robust, seventh much longer than the eighth, the latter strongly trans-

verse, club rather long and slender, the ninth joint longer than wide, longer

than the tenth and much shorter than the eleventh. Prothorax excessively

minutely and feebly punctate, not at all reticulate ; basal lobe extremely feeble,

broad, the marginal bead almost obsolete. Scutellum one-half wider than

long. Elytra finely and distinctly reticulate in wavy broken transverse lines ;

discal stria obsolete at basal third, rather deeply impressed, punctate ante-

riorly ; siarface with rows of punctures of which the two nearest the suture are

very distinct, but obsolete in basal and apical third, rather deeply impressed

and very narrowly but strongly crescentiform ; the rows thence to the sides

composed of more minute and very feeble punctures, which are not larger or

more distinct, and rather more confused near the sides, except a regular

series just within the extreme lateral bead which is composed of slightly

larger, more closely placed and feebly dilated punctures. Abdomen very

sparsely, feebly punctate and pubescent. Legs slender ; posterior tibiae

slightly wider at apical third than at apex, spinose, especially externally ;

terminal spurs minute, the tarsi slender, with the basal joint rather more

than one-half as long as the second Length 1.1-1.3 mm.

Florida; Texas (Galveston).

The post-coxal portion of the mesosternum is indefinitely limited

and angulate behind ; the metasternum is very strongly reticulate,

and rather densely and distinctly punctate and pubescent in the

Coleopterological Notices. 133

middle posteriorly; the process is wide, short, much smoother, very

sparsely pubescent and not distinctly punctate; the mesosternum in

front of it very short and feebly tumid, not at all conspicuous. The

prosternal process is very strongly dilated at apex, the setose spines

unusually long.

This minute species is abundant and widely distributed through-

out the Gulf States.

S. modes tlis n. sp. — Somewhat broadly oval, very feebly narrowed be-

hind the prothorax, polished, rather dark brownish-testaceous above, the legs,

antennae and nnder surface pale flavo-testaceons. Head extremely obsoletely

and sparsely punctate, not at all reticulate ; eyes moderate ; antennae rather

slender, third joint nearly as long as the next two together, the fourth shorter

than the fifth, seventh longer than the eighth, the latter slightly transverse,

club rather slender and compact, ninth joint but slightly longer than the

tenth, and but slightly more than one-half as long as the eleventh. Prothorax

nearly as in pusillus. ScutelUim two-thirds wider than long. Elytra finely

and distinctly reticulate throughout in transversely wavy broken lines ; discal

stria strongly impressed, punctate anteriorly, obsolete at basal third, the punc-

tures of the two rows nearest the suture very strongly impressed, but obsolete

in basal and apical third, the punctures of the remaining rows thence to the

lateral margins very feeble hut broad and distinctly crescentiform, becoming

broader in the lateral rows. Abdomen shining, sparsely, coarsely pubescent,

much more densely so toward the middle and apex. Lefj^i rather slender,

moderate in length ; posterior tibise rather wider at apical third than at apex,

having series of spinose setse, more evident along the external edge ; terminal

spurs very small, slightly unequal ; the corresponding tarsi very slender, but

slightly shorter than the tibise, with the basal joint fully one-half as long as

the second. Length 1.3-1.5 mm.

Texas (Austin).

The post-coxal portion of the mesosternum is not at all defined

posteriorly ; the metasternal process is short and broad, densely

pubescent, the mesosternum in front of it rather long, feebly tumid,

scabrous and rather densely, coarsely pubescent ; the prosternal

process is very abruptly, strongly dilated at apex, the terminal

setae very long and conspicuous.

The nature of the elytral punctuation, especially in the lateral

series, the larger size, paler coloration, and more prominent meso-

sternum will readily distinguish this species from pusillus, to which

it is otherwise closel}^ allied. It was taken in considerable abun-

dance.

S. Sllballltaceus n. sp. — Almost evenly oval, fully two-thirds longer

than wide, strongly convex, moderately shining, piceous-black throughout

134 Coleopterological Notices.

above ; legs, antennae and under surface dark testaceous. Head finely and

strongly reticulate, the reticulations rounded and not tending in the least to a

linear arrangement ; antennse moderate, coarsely setose, fourth joint shorter

than the fifth, club rather robust, moderate in length, the eleventh joint but

slightly longer than the ninth. Prothorax more than twice as wide as long ;

base transverse, without a median lobe but slightly sinuate for a short distance

each side of the scutellum ; bead very minute ; surface not visibly punctate,

finely reticulate, the reticulations tending to a transverse arrangement. Scu-

tellum ogival, nearly twice as wide as long, transversely reticulate. . Elytra

finely and very strongly reticulate over the entire surface, the reticulations

tending to form very broken transverse wavy lines ; punctures of the series

almost completely obsolete although perceptible, scarcely more visible at the

sides, where they become slightly wider but not at all crescentiform ; discal

stria feeble, coincident with the suture at the apex, very short, disax>pearing

in a row of feeble punctures at about the middle. Abdomen strongly reticulate,

sparsely, finely punctate, very sparsely pubescent. Legs moderate, tibiae

slender ; posterior spurs small, subequal, the corresponding tarsi about two-

thirds as long as the tibise, with the basal joint more than one-half as long as

the second. Length 1.4 mm.

New Jersey (Cape May).

The nietasternal process is very wide, broadly rounded at apex,

the mesosternum in front of it rather short, transverse and but very

slightly tumid ; the prosternal process is wide, and the spinules

along- its apical margin very short and widely distant. The surface

of the metasternum in the middle anteriorly is extremely sparsely

pubescent, and not visibly punctate.

The dark color and sternal structure will at once distinguish this

small species from vitidus, which it somewhat resembles in elytral

sculpture and punctuation, and the short very feeble discal stria

separates it from every other species of the genus known to me.

It appears, however, to resemble the Mexican Olibrus porrectus

Sharp, which is almost certainly not an Olibrus.

S. COIlTergens n. sp. — Somewhat narrowly oval, very convex, polished,

dark rufo-testaceous throughout, distinctly attenuate behind from the base of

the elytra, the apex narrowly subtruncate and about one-half as wide as the

base. Head finely but rather distinctly punctate, more densely so toward the

eyes and base, not at all reticulate ; antennse moderate in length, third joint

rather shorter than the next two together, fourtli shorter than the fifth, seventh

and eighth siibequal in length, more robust, club very long and strongly de-

veloped, ninth and tenth joints equal in length, more acutely angular on the

anterior side which is more densely pubescent, eleventh nearly as long as the

two preceding. Prothorax rather long, not more than twice as wide as long,

highly polished, not reticulate, very minutely and rather sparsely punctate;

Coleopterological Notices. 135

basal lobe very feeble, the marginal bead obsolete. Scntellnm very short and

broad, more than twice as wide as long. Elytra excessively minutely and feebly

strigilate, having series of very minute simple punctures which, abruptly, near

the sides, become strongly transverse, confused and feebly crescentiform, the

sculpture also becoming more granulato-reticulate ; discal stria deeply im-

pressed, obsolete at basal third. Abdomen sparsely, coarsely pubescent, the

transverse rows near the apices of the segments almost spinose. Legs moderate

in length, rather robust ; spi;rs of posterior tibiae slightly robust, moderate in "

length, and very slightly unequal ; posterior tarsi rather robust, the third

joint rather strongly dilated and bilobed, first joint about two-thirds as long

as the second, the latter spinose beneath and longer than the fifth which is

very slender. Length 2.0 mm.

Florida. Mr. Schwarz.

The iiietasternal process is very broad and rather long, advancing

almost to the anterior limits of the coxae, subtruncate at apex with

the lateral beaded margin very wide, the surface polished, and almost

completely impunctate and glabrous, the mesosternum before it very

short, slightly tumid, glabrous in the middle but scabrous and setose

at the latei-al angles. The prosternal process is broad, dilated at apex,

having a fine strong beaded margin throughout the sides and apex,

the setfB of the transverse apical series very short but numerous.

This is a decidedly aberrant species, especially in tarsal structure.

It is also peculiar in having the small fovese at the sides of the head

near the eyes quite as well developed as in Phalacrus.

S. atteniiatUS n. sp. — Narrowly ovoidal, convex ; sides of the elytra

gradually convergent from base to apex, the latter narrowly rounded ; dark

rufo-testaceous throughout, polished. Head very strongly retractile, polished,

not reticulate, very minutely and sparsely punctate ; antennse nearly as in

convergens, the club rather more slender and more symmetrical. Prothorax not

more than twice as wide as long, the sides rather feebly arcuate ; basal lobe

almost completely wanting, the marginal bead nearly obsolete ; surface not

reticulate, excessively finely, feebly and very sparsely punctate. Scutellum

very short, twice as wide as long. Elytra excessively minutely strigilate in

transverse wavy lines which are obsolete toward suture and base ; discal stria

distinct, obsolete at basal third ; punctures of the series equal throughout the

width from the suture to the sides, deeply impressed, narrowly atid strongly

crescentiform and distinct, except near the base and toward apex where they

become nearly obsolete ; intervals each with a single more irregular series of

very feeble and much smaller punctures of the same general character, the

series not confused near the sides. Abdomen finely reticulate, sparsely, coarsely

pubescent. Legs somewhat robust ; posterior tibiae more arcuate within, rapidly

narrowed toward base ; spurs very small, slightly iinequal ; tarsi slightly

robust, basal joint two-thirds as long as the second. Length 1.6 mm.

136 Coleopferological Notices.

New York ; Michigan ; Texas.

The head is strongly retracted within the prothorax in each of

the single representatives of the above localities. The nietasternal

process is rather narrow, short, strongly rounded at apex, and

strongly beaded at the sides, the mesosternum in front of it un-

usually long but almost perfectly flat and not setose, except very

sparsely at the sides. Prosternal process rather wide, extending

rather further than usual beyond the coxae, with the free edge

strongly, transversely arcuate, and very acute ; the process is very

minutely beaded at the sides, but not at all at apex, where the seti-

form spinules are short, erect and very widely spaced.

This species is quite as aberrant as conver-gens, but does not at

all resemble it in the structure of the sterna. The post-coxal portion

of the mesosternum is not as long as in some other species, but is

very clearly and abruptly limited throughout by an evenly arcuate

declivous line. The terminal setiB of the prosternal process are not

quite as short as in convergens, but are very much more widely

spaced, being only about four in number,

S. eloilgatlllus n. sp. — Subelongate, convex, polished, black above, the

elytra gradually slightly paler at apex ; under surface pale, rufo-testaceous

throughout ; sides feebly convergent behind from the base of the elytra. Head

retractile, feebly convex, rather closely but extremely finely punctate ; surface

not reticulate; eyes rather large; antennse slender, the club slender, some-

what compact, attenuate toward base, the ninth joint rather longer than wide,

longer and narrower than the tenth, eleventh about as long as the two preced-

ing. Prothorax rather elongate, scarcely twice as wide as long ; sides evenly,

distinctly arcuate ; surface polished, not at all reticulate, excessively minutely

punctate, the punctures not very sparse ; basal lobe extremely feeble, the

bead fine but distinct near the middle, obsolete laterally, Scutellum small,

nearly twice as wide as long, angulate ; sides straight, abruptly arcuate near

the base. Elytra rather distinctly more than twice as long as the prothorax ;

sides nearly straight toward base, together somewhat narrowly rounded

behind ; basal stria fine, reflexed along the scutellum, the single discal stria

very coarse and deeply impressed, becoming gradually feebler and punctate

toward base ; disk coarsely and strongly reticulate in well-defined transverse

wavy lines, the sculpture becoming abruptly almost obsolete near the base,

having rather distant rows of coarse deeply-impressed rounded punctures,

which are scarcely perceptibly stronger toward the suture, the rows not

attaining the base and becoming gradually obsolete toward the apex, the

punctures of the lateral rows distinct but not dilated, the rows not accom-

panied by impressed lines. Length 1,3 mm.

Coleopterological Notices. 137

Florida (Tampa). Mr. Schwarz.

The structure of the under surface agrees quite closely with that

of aftenuafus, to which this species is most unquestionably allied,

but from which it is abundantly distinct in size, coloration, and

punctuation, the punctures of the elytral series being much les.s

widely spaced and more numerous.

LITOCHRUS Erichs.

This genus, and the two which follow, are distinguished from all

the others of the family by an abrupt and very radical difference in

the structure of the posterior t^irsi, for here, instead of the basal

joint being very much shorter than the second, it is correspondingly

longer, and in the present genus is extremely developed.

The four species which are assigned below to Litochrus, possess

the following assemblage of characters, pulchellus being assumed

as the type : —

Ligula short, broad, with a small median tooth at apex, the paraglossse

large, dilated, semiiaembraiions, rather thick and slightly reflexed. Labial

palpi very sliort and robust, first joint minute, triangular ; second oblique,

short, slightly longer than the first, strongly transverse ; third longer than

the two preceding together, extremely robust, subquadrate, slightly longer

than wide, strongly compressed and broadly, transversely truncate at apex.

Prosternal process infiexed at apex, not setose. Mesosternum in front of the

metasternal process very short and transverse, not prominent, forming a fine

undilated bead behind the middle coxae. Metasternal process rather long and

wide. Posterior tibiae and tarsi very slender, the first joint of the latter much

longer than the entire remainder ; tibial spurs well developed, slender.

The true Litochrus of Erichson agrees with this, according to

description, in the structure of the ligula, but differs greatly in the

labial palpi, ^ and the species here assigned to it may possibly have

to be separated. The fact that widely different localities have been

assigned to the genus by its author, renders it almost certain that

several genera have been confounded, more especially as we know

now that there are several distinct genera with elongate basal joint

1 The labial palpi are described by Erichson as having the first joint long,

somewhat longer than the second, the third elongate-ovoidal, which is much

more true of either Litochropus or Ochrolitus, than it is of the American

species of Litochrus. This is, however, a matter which cannot be satisfac-

torily settled until the entire family is monographically revised.

138 Coleopferological Notices.

in North America alone. The original description probably refers to

either the Madagascan, New Holland or Tasmanian representatives.

Our four species may be easily separated as follows: —

Castaneous ; elytra each with two Large ohlique spots of pale flavate.

piilchellus

Piceous-black ; elytral suture, lateral and apical margins, and a transverse

band at basal third paler, rufo-testaceous Cl'UCigerus

Piceous above throughout, the suture sometimes very narrowly, indefinitely

and feebly rufescent illllliaculatus

Intense black throughout above aterriinus

L.. pillcliellUS Lee. — Proc. Ac. Phil., 1856, p. 17. — Evenly and not very

broadly oval, moderately convex, dark brownish-testaceous, the elytra each

with two oblique pale tiavate spots, one near the base and the other near the

apex, the latter the larger, neither attaining the suture or the lateral margin,

the anterior extending from near the humeri to anterior third, and slightly

sinuous ; under surface throughout pale tiavate. Head polished, extremely

minutely and rather sparsely punctate ; eyes large ; antennae slender, outer

joints of funicle slightly more robust and slightly transverse, third not as long

as the next two combined, club slender, as long as the seven preceding joints,

eleventh distinctly longer than the two preceding together. Prothorax short,

much more than twice as wide as long, polished, not reticulate, very finely,

moderately sparsely punctate ; basal lobe wide, abrupt, short but very distinct,

the apex transverse ; marginal bead obsolete. Scutellum angulate, slightly

wider than long; sides feebly arcuate. Elytra very minutely but distinctly

strigilate in transverse wavy lines throughout, having series of very wide

feeble and feebly crescentiform punctures, which become wider near the sides

where the series are still regular ; intervals near the sides with single regular

series of very small punctures of similar nature, which, toward the suture,

become m\ich more minute and feeble, and confusedly dispersed over the

entire interval, especially between the discal striae ; the latter fine but dis-

tinct, obsolete at basal third or fourth, the first continuous to the apex, the

second coincident with the first at apical fifth ; sutural bead obsolete, except

toward apex, where it is excessively fine, feeble and just traceable. Leys very

slender ; posterior tibial spurs slender, long and distinct, slightly unequal,

the tarsi extremely slender, cylindrical, the first joint fully one-third longer

than the entire remainder. Length 1.1-1.7 mm.

Florida ; Texas.

The metasternal process is wide, and extends to the anterior

limits of the coxae, the mesosternum before it being very short and

transverse, and not at all prominent ; the prosternal process is rather

wide and feebly dilated at the inflexed apex.

\a, criicigerus n. sp. — Narrowly, almost evenly elliptical, strongly

convex, polished, piceous-black, the suture and lateral and apical margins

Coleopterological Notices. 139

narrowly, and a transverse line crossing the suture at basal third paler,

rufo-testaceous, the pale areas not very abruptly limited ; under surface pale

flavo-testaceous. Head and antennje nearly as in the preceding species, the

former more sparsely and unevenly punctate. Prothorax, scutellum and stri-

gilation of the elytra nearly as in immomlatus, the former slightly more sparsely

punctate. Elytra having rows of extremely wide cresceiitiform punctures,

nearly as in the preceding species, but rather more strongly impressed, the

punctures of the intervals very small but distinct toward the suture, becoming

almost obsolete laterally ; two discal striae distinct, obsolete at basal third.

Legs, tarsi and sternal structure nearly as in pulcheJlus. Length 1.5 mm.

Florida. Mr. Schwarz.

This species differs conspicuously from the others in coloration,

but the structural characters are nearly alike in all of them, the

punctures in general, and especially the very strongly transverse

crescentic punctures of the elytra, are, however, decidedly most

distinct in the present species.

Li. imniaculatus n. sp. (Zimm. MS.) — Narrowly and almost evenly

oval, strongly convex, polished ; upper surface dark piceous, the suture feebly

rufesceni ; under surface throughout pale flavo-testaceous. Head not reticu-

late, polished, finely but rather distinctly punctate, the punctures broadly,

feebly impressed ; eyes rather large ; antennae nearly as in puldiellus. Prothorax

much more than twice as wide as long, polished, not reticulate, the basal lobe

abrupt, short, distinct, truncate, the marginal bead obsolete ; punctures sparse,

very fine but somewhat distinct, broadly, very feebly impressed. Scutellum

nearly twice as wide as long ; sides strongly arcuate toward base, straight

near the apex ; angle not appreciably rounded. Elytra finely, transversely

strigilate in wavy lines ; sutural bead, discal striae and punctures of the

principal series nearly as in jmlchellus, the punctures of the intervals exces-

sively minute and feeble, and almost obsolete even toward the sides. Abdomen

shining, coarsely reticulate, the lines very fine, very sparsely pubescent. Legs

slender ; posterior tarsi extremely slender, the first joint much longer than

the entire remainder. Length 1.5 mm.

New Jersey ; South Carolina.

The metasternum is shining, coarsely reticulate, the lines very

fine ; surface very sparsely pubescent, almost impunctate except

posteriorly toward the middle, where the punctures are fine and

subasperate ; process broad, extending- to the anterior limits of the

00X86, feebly constricted near the apex, the latter broadly, feebly

arcuate, the mesosternum before it extremely short, transverse,

finely setose, not prominent ; the prosternal process is moderate in

width.

This species is more narrowly oval and convex than pulchellus,

and is very differently colored.

140 Coleopferological Notices.

L.. aterriiuus n. sp. — Oval, about two-thirds longer than wide, strongly

convex ; sides very feebly convergent behind from near the base of the elytra;

intense black throughout above, paler, piceous beneath, the legs and antennae

flavate ; shining. Head not reticulate, very minutely and rather sparsely

punctate ; eyes moderate ; antennae rather short, third joint elongate, obconi-

cal, rather longer than the next two, four to eight very short, compact ; club

small and slender, about as long as the preceding seven joints combined, ninth

just visibly longer and wider than the tenth, eleventh oval, a very little longer

than wide, shorter than the two preceding. Prothorax rather short, more than

twice as wide as long, extremely minutely and obsoletely punctate, not at all

reticulate, the basal lobe broad and rather strong, the marginal bead almost

completely obsolete. Scutellum triangular, two-thirds wider than long. Elytra

rather more than three times as long as the prothorax, evenly and somewhat

narrowly rounded at the apex ; discal stria; very fine, vanishing at basal third,

the first continuous to the apex, the second approaching very near but not

joining the first at apical fifth or sixth ; disk coarsely reticulate in very wavy

broken lines, having distant regular rows of small widely-spaced crescentiform

and very feeble punctures, which become slightly wider and stronger near the

sides, the punctures of the intervals almost completely obsolete. Legs mode-

rate ; posterior tibiae very slender, cylindrical, the terminal spurs very un-

equal and rather long, the corresponding tarsi very slender and cylindrical,

the first joint just visibly longer than the remainder. Length 1.2 mm.

Florida (Biscayne Bay). Mr. Schwarz.

Remarkably distinct in its intense black color and feeble punc-

tures. The eyes are, as usual, very coarsely faceted, the facets,

however, unusually convex, especially beneath. The nietasternal

process is wide and long, extending slightly beyond the coxae, the

apex feebly arcuate, the sides parallel, very finely beaded and not

at all incurvate ; the mesosternum forms a very thick and even

apical bead. In crucigerus and immaculatus the metasternal pro-

cess is narrower, the sides being distinctly, although feebly, incur-

vate.

riTOCHROPUS n. gen.

Mentnm slightly wider than long, transversely truncate at apex, the sides

strongly lobed just before the middle. Ligula small, narrow and rather short,

deeply and distinctly sinuate in the middle at apex, not at all dentate, the

paraglossae very small and nearly obsolete. Labial palpi moderate ; first joint

slightly longer than wide, distinct, but much shorter and narrower than the

second, the latter feebly obconical ; third not strongly compressed, but slightly

wider than the second, oblique, dilated toward base, attenuate toward apex,

as long as the two preceding combined. Maxillary palpi well developed ;

second and third joints obliquely truncate at apex, the latter shorter and not

as long as wide ; fourth slightly longer than the preceding three together, not

wider than the second, cylindrical in the basal half, feebly narrowed toward

Coleopterological Notices. 141

apex in the apical half. Antennae with the club very long and finely, aspe-

rately punctate throughout. Prosternal process moderate in width, the apex

inflexed and unarmed ; metasternal process rather wide, with the sides parallel,

rather long, extending fully to the anterior limits of the coxie, broadly, evenly

rounded at apex. Mesosternum in front of the metasternal process forming a

very thick, strongly prominent, feebly scabrous and minutely setose marginal

bead, which becomes fine along the inner side of the coxae, and is dilated

behind the middle acetabula as in Acylomus. Legs slender ; posterior tarsi

very slender, cylindrical, nearly as in Litochrus, but with the first joint

scarcely four-fifths as long as the entire remainder ; posterior tibial spurs

moderate, very slender, decidedly unequal.

In the structure of the ligula, labial palpi, and the extension of

the mesosternum behind the middle acetabula, this genus differs

very greatly from those species which we consider Litochrus and

represented hj pulchellus as a type; the basal joint of the posterior

tarsi is also distinctly shorter, and the third joint of the latter is

very obliquely truncate at apex, the fourth with its ill-defined basal

lobe being inserted at the middle of the truncation.

Li. SCalptllS n. sp. — Rather broadly oval, piceous-black throughout

above ; under surface, legs and antennae very pale flavate ; polished. Head

finely, sparsely but rather distinctly punctate ; eyes unusually small ; antennae

robust, the club almost as long as the entire remainder, third joint fully as

long as the next two together, outer joints of funicle robust and transverse,

ninth and tenth subequal in length, eleventh as long as the two preceding.

Piothorax very feebly, sparsely and obsoletely punctate, polished ; basal lobe

as in Litochrus but more feeble ; marginal bead obsolete. Scutellum ogival,

nearly twice as wide as long. Elytra entirely polished, without trace of fine

sculpture, having series of long fine transverse scratches, the punctures

entirely obsolete, although each of the fine lines has a very minute recumbent

hair in the middle, the lines feebler toward base and apex, the series so close

that the transverse lines are sometimes continuous laterally ; sutural bead

subapical, excessively fine ; discal striae obsolete at basal third, distinct, the

first continuous to the apex, the second coincident with the first at apical

fourth. Abdomen finely, feebly reticulate, sparsely, coarsely pubescent. Legs

moderate in length. Length 1.5-1.7 mm.

North Carolina ; District of Columbia.

The posterior tibiae, in the males, are slightly more robust than

in the females, but there does not seem to be any decided sexual

difference in the terminal spurs or tarsi.

The remarkable transverse scratches, which are an extreme modi-

fication of the ordinary type of transversely crescentic punctures,

are peculiar to Litochropus and Ochrolitus, and it is probable that

Litochrus globulus Sharp, should be assigned to the present genus.

142 Coleopterological Notices.

OCHROLITIJS Sharp.

This genus is well distinguished from either of those which pre-

cede by the structure of the prosternal process, which is here more

developed, projecting beyond the anterior coxae, having the apex

free, with an acute edge which is transversely arcuate.

The two species described below differ generically. I did not

receive the type of tristriatus until a time subsequent to the print-

ing of the table of genera, given on page 91, and had previously

regarded ritbens as a typical form of the genus; it is therefore

undesirable, at present, to create a new genus for the latter species,

although this must be doire when the family is monographically

revised. The species are very easily distinguishable as follows: —

Prosternal process moderate in width, feebly, longitudinally convex, extending

but slightly beyond the coxae, the apex moderately dilated, very feebly

arcuate, unarmed. Mesosternum not developed behind the middle ace-

tabula. First joint of the posterior tarsi much longer than the next two

combined. Discal striae three in number tristriatllS

Prosternal process wider and longer, jjrojecting distinctly beyond the cox<e,

flat, spatuliform, the apex very strongly rounded and bearing a series of

five or six long spinose setae. Mesosternum developed as a short arcuate

plate behind the middle acetabula. Basal joint of the posterior tarsi

shorter, subequal in length to the next two together. Discal stri<E two in

number ril1)eilS

O. tristriatus n. sp. — Oval, very convex, rather more than one-half

longer than wide, widest near the base of the elytra, the sides thence very

feebly convergent behind ; upper surface shining, dark piceo-rufous, the elytra

slightly opalescent; beneath paler, rufo-testaceous. Head not reticulate, very

finely but distinctly and rather densely punctate ; eyes moderate ; antennae

long and well developed, second joint small, much shorter than the third, the

latter equal in length to the fourth and but slightly longer than the fifth,

eighth but slightly wider than the seventh, scarcely as wide as long ; club

nearly symmetrical, rather loose, as long as the five preceding joints combined,

ninth joint very slightly longer than the tenth and fully two-thirds as long as

the eleventh, Prothorax large, but slightly more than twice as wide as long,

the base very feebly incurvate between the basal angles, the basal lobe rather

wide but excessively feeble, the bead completely obsolete ; surface not reticu-

late, extremely minutely and moderately sparsely punctate, the tine hairs

unusually long and distinct. Scutellum triangular, nearly twice as wide as

long. Elytra scarcely more than twice as long as the prothorax, tlie apex

evenly, semicircularly rounded, excessively minutely and densely strigilate,

the lines not resolvable under a power of 80, having long transverse very

distinct, and anastomosing scratches, from which arise the tine but rather

Coleopterological Notices. 143

distinct hairs, the latter not being very definitely arranged ; each elytron witli

three distinct discal striae, vanishing at about basal third, and converging

toward the apex, the outer two slightly abbreviated ; sutural bead fine, but

distinct toward the apex. Legs rather robust ; posterior tibiae cylindrical,

narrowed in basal third, almost transversely truncate, the spurs long and

very unequal, the corresponding tarsi long, cylindrical, the basal joint one-

third longer than the next two together. Metasternum coarsely and strongly

punctate toward the middle. Length 2.1 mm.

Florida (Key West). Mr. Schwarz.

The nietasternal process is narrow and rather short, the nieso-

sternum before it forming a rather long gradually declivous piece,

feebly enveloping the coxse at the sides, — almost exactl}' as in Lito-

llbrus — and not developed behind the middle acetabula, except as a

fine marginal bead. The prosternal process is finely beaded at the

sides but not at the free acute and feebly arcuate apex, the latter

being also devoid of true spinose setse.

There can be but little doubt that this species is a complete repre-

sentative of Ochrolitus, but it is also certain, on comparison with

the carefully drawn figure of 0. optatus Sharp, that it cannot be

identical with that species. In the present form the transverse

scratches are very strong and extend throughout the elytral disk,

except very near the base.

O. l"lll>eilS Lee. — Proc. Ac. Phil., 1856, p. 16. — Evenly, moderately broadly

oval, strongly convex, polished, bright rufous throughout above and beneath.

Head finely, sparsely punotate, polished ; eyes moderate ; antennse moderate,

funicle rather slender, outer joints slightly robust, the eighth decidedly wider

and rather strongly transverse, third as long as the fourth and fifth, the latter

equal, longer than wide, club robust, moderate in length, nearly symmetrical,

ninth and tenth joints nearly equal in length, the eleventh as long as the two

preceding combined. Prothorax rather long, but slightly more than twice as

wide as long, polished, almost completely impunctate ; basal lobe excessively

feeble, not abruptly limited, the marginal bead obsolete. Scutellum small,

ogival, wider than long. Ehjtra excessively minutely, transversely strigilate

in wavy lines toward apex only, covered throughout except toward base with

very deep long transverse scratches, which are sometimes broadly angulate at

the minute hairs, the punctures rather distinct near the suture ; discal striae

strong, obsolete at basal fifth or sixth, the second coincident with the first at

apical fourth. Posterior tarsi very slender, cylindrical, the basal joint three-

fourths as long as the entire remainder ; tibial spurs well developed, unequal.

Length 1.8 mm.

North Carolina ; Florida.

This is a very distinct species which appears to be rather rare ;

144 Goleopterological Notices.

I have seen three specimens. The setas of the prosternal process

are not erect as in the Stilbide j^enera, but perfectly porrected. The

metasternal process is rather long, moderate in width, projecting

almost to the anterior limits of the coxae, the apex truncate, the

mesosternum before it abruptly declivous and not in the least

prominent.

CORYLOPHIDJ^.

JENICiMATICUlW Matth.

This singular gonus was described by me from some Californian

si)eciniens, before the appearance of Mr. Matthews' description in

the Biologia Centrali-Americana, but I was somewhat at a loss

where to place it, hesitating between the Corylophidie and Latridi-

idos.

The following species occurs in great abundance near San Fran-

cisco, in moist places among the roots of grasses, and T have also

shaken it from small shrubs in the vicinity of Oakland.

]Ei» californicillll ii. sp. — Form ratlier slender, dark piceous-brovvn,

moderately shining, but without trace of metallic lustre ; pubescence cinere-

ous. Head small, subtriangular ; eyes ratlier large, at the base, convex,

coarsely faceted ; front emarginate at each side before the eyes, feebly convex,

finely, feebly granulose, very finely, feebly, sparsely punctate, each puncture

bearing a small subrecumbent hair. Protlwrax two and one-half times as wide

as the head, scarcely one-third wider than long, widest at the middle ; sides

broadly, evenly rounded in the apical half, feebly convergent, straight and

feebly, minutely serrulate thence to the basal angles, which are slightly obtuse

but not at all rounded ; apex and base broadly, evenly and feebly arcuate, the

latter distinctly the wider , disk feebly, evenly convex, finely subgranulose,

slightly alutaceous, rather coarsely, deeply, but somewhat sparsely punctate,

finely sparsely pubescent. Scutellum moderate, very strongly transverse,

smooth and polished. Eli/tra one-fifth longer than wide, widest near the

middle, one-fifth wider and two-thirds longer than the prothorax ; sides

broadly arcuate ; apex angularly emarginate, exterior angles rounded ; disk

feebly convex, shining, not distinctly alutaceous, very feebly and finely reti-

culate, finely, feebly and sparsely punctate; punctures rather obsolete, not

arranged in well-defined order ; pubescence v^ry fine and sparse. Leys,

antennae and under surface, except the abdomen, much paler, brownish-testa-

ceous, the latter piceous-black. Length 0.8-0.9 mm.

California (San Mateo and Alameda Cos.).

Ditters from the Central American pfilioides Matth. in its larger

size, more elongate prothorax, and shining elytra and scutellum.

Coleopterological Notices. 145

The fifth antcnnal joint in pfilioides is represented on the plate as

being slightly elongate; it is correspondingly transverse in the pre-

sent species, and the joint immediately before the club is strongly

transverse and not elongate as in pfilioides. The sutural stria is

feeble and continuous with the basal stria.'

BYRRHID.E.

LIMlVICHrS Latr.

The species of this genus, although but moderately numerous in

the United States, appear to be much more abundant and diversified

in structure than their European congeners. Our species have

never been fully described, and have been somewhat neglected by

systematists. The table given by LeConte (Bull. U. S. Geo!. Surv.,

Y, p. 515), bears evidence of insufficient observation, and I have

not found it of very great service in identifying the species, which

in reality are well differentiated. They may be divided as follows

into four subgeneric groups, which are perhaps of still greater value.

These groups are all distinct from the representatives of the palje-

arctic fauna, there being generally no trace whatever of the antennal

groove on the superior surface of the head which is such a singular

character of Limnichus proper. In all of our subgenera the antennae

are perfectly free in repose, although generally pressed closely against

the head, and between its surface and the projecting anterior margin

of the prothorax. In the first group (Eulimnichus), the last vestige

of the groove is visible, being indicated by a minute carina border-

ing the sides of the head above the eye, but it can be of no use as

a shelter for the antenme in repose: —

Pubescence in a single system, ratlier sparsely ilistribnted, subrecumbent,

robust and aciculate.

Head longitudinally rugulose ; basal joint of antennae in great part con-

cealed by tlie acute sides of the front, the emarglnations at the extremi-

ties of the epi.stomal suture small. Prosternum grooved ; hypomera flat,

not impressed at the inner angle, having a wide prominent polished bead

along the inner margin ; margin of the crural excavation acute and

cariniform ; acute outer edge minutely and abruptly reflexed at apex.

' Dr. Sharp, who has been kind enough to compare a specimen of this species

with the type of ptlUoides in the British Museum, writes me that, although the

light at the time was very poor, he has no doubt of the distinctness of ca/i/or-

nicum.

Annals N. Y. Acad. Sci., V, Feb. 1890.— 10

146 Coleopterological Notices.

Scutellum distinct, much longer than wide. Elytral punctures generally

distinct, always well separated I

Head coarsely, very densely punctate, without trace of longitudinal rugu-

lation : basal joint of antennae in great part exposed in the large deep

emarginations at the extremities of the epistomal suture. Prosternum

grooved ; hypomera very deeply impressed near the inner obtuse angles ;

inner polished bead well developed ; crural margin acute and cariniform ;

acute outer edge very gradually, feebly sinuate toward the apex. Scutel-

lum moderate, slightly longer than wide. Elytral punctures generally

coarse and densely placed, cribrate H

Head finely, feebly punctate, finely granulose ; basal joint of antennae in

great part exposed, the emarginations large. Prosternum not grooved;

hypomera fiat, not impressed, without trace of an inner polished bead,

the crural margin rounded, not distinctly and abruptly defined by an

acute edge, the acute outer edge deflexed at apex. Scutellum large, equi-

latero-triangular. Elytral punctures very minute, entirely filled by the

hairs. Antennse unusually long and slender Ill

Pubescence dual, consisting of very small short confusedly matted and densely-

placed hairs near the surface, with fine long erect and much more sparsely-

placed hairs interspersed. Scutellum very small, equilatero-triangular, or

very nearly so. Prosternum grooved. Crural edge of hypomera acute and

cariniform IV

The minute reticulation or granulation, especially visible at the

sides of the pronotum and on the hypomera and abdomen of

groups I, III, and lY, is totally obsolete in group II, and consti-

tutes an important differential character of this section of the genus.

As a generic character, it should be stated that the epipleur^e are,

near the apex, deeply grooved; this is more evident in the first three

groups, and becomes very feeble or nearly obsolete in group lY.

The species may be distinguished as follows ; —

Group I.

EuLiMNicHus n. subgen.

Pronotum finely reticulate or granulose and more or less alutaceous at the sides.

Elytral punctures rather coarse, deep and very distinct, separated by from

once to twice their own diameters.

Prosternal episterna almost attaining the apex aiialis

Prosternal episterna shorter.

Abdomen very minutely, sparsely and feebly punctate, not appreciably

more coarsely so near the sides ; median groove of pronotum fine but

distinct, rather long and terminating at equal distances from base

and apex OIlSClll'US

Abdomen sparsely but more coarsely punctate, very coarsely and deeply

so near the sides ; pronotal groove very short and nearer the base

californiciis

Coleopterological Notices. 147

Elytral punctures extremoly fine and sparse, separated by from three to five

times their own diameters.

Elytra and abdomen alutaceous, the latter excessively feebly, minutely

punctate, the j^unctures very sparse, scarcely visible and not appreci-

ably more distinct laterally ; elytral pubescence very minute and sparse.

montaniis

Elytra and abdomen strongly shining, the latter very minutely but rather

distinctly punctate, the punctures sparse, very slightly larger n<>ar the

apex, and less distinctly so near the sides perpolitllS

Pronotum highly polished throughout and perfectly devoid of reticulation at

the sides.

Punctuation of elytra denser, deeply impressed and very distinct ater

Punctuation sparser and vei'y feebly impressed, almost invisible near tlie

sides and sutui-e Ilitidllllis

Group II.

LniNicHiTES n. subgen.

Abdomen densely, coarsely cribrate ; punctures of the pronotum very dense.

Larger species, oval ; sides distinctly arcuate ; punctures of the elytra

slightly separated piiuctatlis

Smaller species, more oblong, with the sides nearly straight in the middle ;

pianctures of the elytra larger, polygonally crowded liell)UloSIIS

Abdomen densely, coarsely cribrate toward the sides, but sparsely and much

more finely punctate toward the middle and base ; punctures of the pronotum

fine in the middle, sparse, those of the elytra rather fine, separated by dis-

tinctly more than their own diameters OlivaceilS

Abdomen more sparsely punctate ; punctures of the pronotum toward the

middle sparse and fine ; punctures of the elytra very narrowly separated.

perfoiatiis

Group III.

LicHiiixus n. subgen.

Ovate, pointed behind ; pubescence rather fine, recumbent, moderately dense,

dark brown in color tenuicoriiis

Group IV.

LniJficHODERUs n. subgen.

Abdomen completely devoid of punctures ;i each elytron with a subapical and

two lateral submedian indefinite patches of paler pubescence.

iiaTiciilatiis

1 In this subgenus the abdomen is always rendered more or less dull by an

extremely minute rugose reticulation. The punctures here referred to are

entirely distinct from this ; they are deep and perforate, and distributed

generally somewhat unevenly over the surface.

148 Cohoptei^ological Notices.

Abdomen very finely and sparsely punctate.

Elytral punctures coarse, denser, the pubescence extremely dense and the

lustre dull liitrochinus

Elytral punctures finer, more sparse, the surface much more shining.

Elytral pubescence very short, even ; abdominal punctures visible through-

out the width, equal and very sparse throughout sei'iatllS

Elytral pubescence longer and more shaggy ; abdominal punctures com-

pletely absent toward the sides of the last three segments, very fine and

sparse but visible in the middle toward base ; abdomen rather less dull.

OTatiis

Abdomen coarsely and densely punctate, especially toward the sides, the punc-

tures rather sparser toward the middle ; black, polished ; pubescence very

easily abraded, less dense puiictiTentris

I>. aiialis Lee— Bull. U. S. Geol. Surv., 1879, V, p. 515.— Oval, strongly

rounded behind, nearly twice as long as wide, widest at the middle, black

throughout, shining ; pubescence somewhat dense, moderate in length, sub-

recumbent, evenly distributed, feebly mottled cinereous and fulvous, the

hairs robust and strongly aciculate. Head strongly and deeply punctate ;

punctures longitudinally coalescent, forming fine strong somewliat interlacing

rugffi ; lateral supraorbital ridges fine and strong. Prolhorax more than twice

as wide as long ; sides straight, strongly narrowed from base to apex, the

latter two-thirds as wide as the former ; basal lobe strong, truncate ; surface

nearly as in californkus, the punctures slightly denser. Scutellum three-

fourths longer than wide, flat, finely, sparsely punctate ; sides and base

broadly arcuate. Elytra four times as long as the prothorax and scarcely one-

fourth wider ; surface shining, very obsoletely reticulate ; punctures moderate,

deep but variolate, separated by about 02ie and one-half times their own

widths. Prosternum shining, finely and very sparsely punctate, the punc-

tures larger and nearly twice as dense anteriorly ; median impressed groove

strong, obsolete at anterior fifth ; episterna clearly limited within throughout

their length, almost absolutely attaining the apex ; hypomera flat, not per-

ceptibly impressed at the inner angle, minutely, strongly reticulate, alutace-

ous, very finely, sparsely punctate. Abdomen rather sparsely punctate, finely,

strongly granalato-reticulate laterally and toward base, the segments polished

toward apex, the fifth polished, deeply, coarsely cribrate, impressed and

densely pubescent near the apex. Length 2.3 mm.

Texas ; Arizona ; California.

The largest species of the g-enus, related somewhat to calif ornicus,

but differing in its denser pubescence and punctuation, and in the

extent of the prosternal side-pieces; the prothorax at base is rela-

tively wider, the elytra at the humeri not being rather abruptly

wider and somewhat prominent as in californicus.

Coleopterological Notices. 14i)

L,. Obsctirus Lee. — Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., VII, p. 116. — Evenly

oval, strongly I'onnded behind, widest near the middle, conv^ex, shining ;

pubescence sparse, fine, subrecumbent, short and moderately robust ; color

black throughout. Head finely, longitudinally rugulose, the rugae rather

feeble and confusedly interlacing, the intervals minutely granulose and finely

punctate ; supra-orbital carinse very feeble, depressed below the general surface

of the front. Prothorat much more than twice as wide as long ; sides very

feebly arcuate ; apex nearly three-fourths as wide as the base, the latter

broadly and moderately sinuate at each side of the median lobe, the latter

moderately prominent ; surface minutely reticulate, feebly so in the middle,

strongly so and almost granulose laterally, rather distinctly and sparsely

punctate. Scutellum of the usual form. Eljtra with the sides evenly, feebly

arcuate and perfectly coarctate with the sides of the prothorax ; sculpture

nearly as in montanus, each puncture surrounded by a series of distinct reticu-

lations, shining ; punctures small, not deeply impressed, sej^arated by more

than twice their own widths. Prosternum sparsely punctate, the median

groove wide, deep and approaching the apical margin to within one-sixth or

one-seventh the entire length ; episterna clearly limited within throughout,

approaching the apex to within one-half their own length, not visibly ijunc-

tate ; hypomera nearly fiat, finely reticulate and alutaceous throughout, very

finely and sparsely punctate. Abdomen finely reticulate, finely and sparsely

punctate, the fifth segment impressed and densely pubescent near the apex.

Length 2.1 mm.

New York. Cab. LeConte.

Greatly resembles montanus in outline and sculpture, but differ-

ing in its coarser punctuation, longer and coarser pubescence, and

very much longer and wider prosternal groove. It cannot be

classed at all with atei% with which it was united by LeConte,

differing in size, form, sculpture, punctuation and pubescence to a

very marked degree.

L.. californicus Lee— Bull. U. S. Geol. Surv., 1879, V, p. 515.— Ellip-

tical, nearly twice as long as wide, strongly rounded at apex, widest at tlie

middle, black, rather strongly shining. Head very deeply and rather coarsely

punctate, the punctures completely coalescent longitudinally, forming deep

and almost regular rugse. Prothorax nearly two and one-half times as wide as

long ; sides convergent from base to apex and nearly straight ; median basal

lobe strong, truncate ; disk finely granulato-reticulate, strongly so and aluta-

ceous near the sides, very feebly so and polished toward the middle ; punctures

fine and sparse throughout ; median impression feeble, only visible in the

basal half. Scutellum nearly two-thirds longer than wide, flat, pointed ; sides

and base feebly arcuate. Elytra nearly four times as long as the prothorax,

and, at basal third, nearly one-third wider, polished ; reticulations almost

obsolete throughout ; punctures impressed, moderate in size, distinct, sepa-

rated by fully twice their own widths. Prosternum finely, very sparsely

150 Coleopterological Notices.

punctate, having a wide deeply-impressed groove which becomes obsolete at

anterior third ; episterna not attaining the apex by nearly one-half their own

length, clearly limited within throughout ; hypomera flat, strongly reticulate,

alntaceous, finely and sparsely punctate, the inner polished marginal bead

moderate in width. Abdomen finely reticulate, shining ; punctures moderate,

sparse ; pubescence short, setose and sparse, the last segment flat, with a

densely pubescent median area. Length 1.7-1.9 mm.

California (Mendocino, Santa Clara and Los Angeles Cos.).

The pubescence is rather short, sparse, pale fulvo-cinereous in

color, robust, acutely pointed and subrecumbent. This is a very

common species throughout western California.

JL. Iliontanus Lee. — Bull. U. S. Geol. Surv., V, 1879, p. 514. — Almost

evenly oval, strongly rounded at apex, a little less than twice as long as wide,

black throughout, subalutaceous ; pubescence very short, subrecumbent, very

sparse, cinereous, apparently easily abraded, not conspicuous. Head with fine

longitudinal rugse, the concave intervals more minutely and feebly rugulose,

and with small distant punctures ; lateral carina fine but strong. Prothorax

more- than twice as wide as long ; sides very feebly arcuate ; apex about two-

thirds as wide as the base, the basal lobe strong, with the apex sinuous, fitting

the base of the scutellum ; surface finely granulose laterally, more polished

in the middle, rather finely and sparsely punctate ; median groove very fine,

short. Scutellum one-half longer than wide ; sides and base very distinctly

arcuate, the surface very minutely and sparsely punctate. Elytra rather less

than four times as long as the prothorax, and, at basal third, about one-fifth

wider ; sides very distinctly, evenly arcuate and coarctate with the sides of

the prothorax ; surface finely, sparsely punctate ; punctures round, shallow,

not impressed, separated by at least three times their own widths. Presternum

polished, very finely and sparsely punctate, slightly more coarsely and closely

so anteriorly ; median groove narrow, very deep posteriorly, becoming more

feeble anteriorly and obsolete at apical fourth ; episterna distinctly limited

within throughout, not attaining the apex by about one-third of their own

length ; hypomera flat, not impressed at the inner angle, finely, strongly

reticulate, alutaceous, minutely, sparsely and not distinctly punctate ; inner

bead strong. Abdomen very finely, densely reticulate throughout, minutely

and very sparsely punctate ; fifth segment with a very small impression just

behind the ajjical margin, the pubescence of the central area coarse, short and

not very dense. Length 2.0 mm.

Colorado (La Yeta). Mr. Schwarz. Cab. LeConte.

The sculpture of the elytra is peculiar, although merely an inten-

sification of the normal sculpture in this section of the genus. Each

puncture is surrounded by a series of six flat reticulations, the series

contiguous externalh', the outer bounding lines being hexagonal.

This is a remarkably distinct species.

Goleopterological Notices. 151

I.. perpolitllS n. sp. — Almost evenly elliptical, rather pointed behind,

almost twice as long as wide, black throughout, highly polished. Head

strongly, longitudinally rugose, the intervals finely, sparsely pubescent and

punctate ; cariniform upper margins of the eye pronounced, the small dorsal

fovea immediately before the eye very deep. Prothorax much more than twice

as wide as long ; sides nearly straight ; apex two-thirds as wide as the base,

the latter strongly sinuate at each side of the median lobe which is well

developed ; surface polished, excessively obsoletely reticulate in the middle,

strongly so and slightly alutaceous at the sides ; median groove short, feeble,

broadly impressed ; disk very minutely, sparsely punctate and pubescent.

Seutellum nearly one-half longer than wide, minutely, sparsely punctate;

sides and base arcuate. Elytra not quite four times as long as the prothorax ;

sides very evenly and distinctly arcuate and coarctate with the sides of the

prothorax, the humeri not in the least prominent ; surface very highly

polished ; punctures very minute and feebly impressed, separated by from

four to five times their own widths ; pubescence very fine, short and sparse,

silvery-cinereous throughout, not conspicuous. Prosternum finely, very

sparsely punctate ; median impressed groove nearly equal in width throughout,

obsolete at apical fifth or sixth ; episterna distinctly limited within through-

out, almost attaining tlie apex ; hypomera transversely, feebly convex, finely

reticulate, not impressed, very finely, feebly and sparsely punctate through-

out, the polished bead forming the inner margin very strong. Abdomen finely

reticulate laterally toward base, not at all reticulate and polished at apex,

finely, sparsely punctate, a small pubescent area near the apex of the fifth

segment densely and deeply punctate, not impressed but with the apical edge

reflexed. Length 1.7-1.9 mm.

Texas (Austin); New Mexico CAlbuquerque). Mr. Wickham.

A very distinct species in its extremely minute, sparse punctua-

tion and pubescence, and higlily polished upper surface.

L.. ater Lee. — Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., VII, p. 117. — Oval, about two-

thirds longer than wide, widest near the middle, rather acutely pointed behind,

black, polished ; pubescence coarse, rather long, subrecumbent, moderately

dense, in great part fulvous. Head with fine, rather feeble, longitudinal rugre ;

intervals finely punctate ; pubescence abundant, suberect. Prothorax about

two and one-half times as wide as long ; sides nearly straight ; apex two-thirds

as wide as the base, the latter deeply sinuate at each side of the moderate

median lobe ; surface highly polished throughout, without trace of granulation

or reticulation even near the sides, rather coarsely and sparsely punctate.

Seutellum one-half longer than wide. Elytra at the humeri rather abruptly

but slightly wider than the prothorax, about four times as long as the latter,

and one-fourth wider ; sides evenly arcuate ; surface rather coarsely and

deeply punctate, the punctures impressed and separated by nearly their own

widths. Prosternum somewhat coarsely and sparsely punctate, the median

groove rather feeble, vanishing at apical fourth ; episterna small, deeply,

coarsely punctate, not clearly limited within anteriorly, and coming very far

152 Coleopterological Notices.

from attaining tlie apex, the distance thence being equal to their own length ;

liypoinera nearly fiat, finely but rather feebly reticulate, polished near the

exterior margin, rather coarsely, deeply and somewhat densely punctate, the

punctures becoming much finer and sparser near tlie external margin. Abdomen

somewhat shining, very finely and sparsely punctate ; fifth segment not visibly

impressed, the pubescence fine and dense in the middle. Length 1.8 mm.

North Carolina; Florida; Louisiana.

This species very greatly resem))Ies califormcus in size and out-

line, but differs conspicuously in the pubescence, -which is much

longer and more robust; it is also more coarsely and closely punc-

tate, and the sculpture of the pronotum is very different — its strong

polish, without granulation, near the sides being a very decisive

character.

L.. nitidlllus Lee. — Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., VII, p. 117. — Evenly

oval, widest in the middle, nearly twice as long as wide, rather acutely jjointed

behind, black throughout ; pubescence long and robust, subrecumbent, some-

what sparse but conspicuous. Head with fine longitudinal rugae, rather densely

pubescent ; lateral ridges slightly prominent. Prothorux polished throughout,

not reticulate near the sides, sparsely and somewhat coarsely punctate ; punc-

tures in the middle separated by from two to three times their own widths ;

median groove very short and feeble. Scutellum small, about one-third longer

than wide, highly polished and very minutely, feebly and sparsely punctate.

Ehjtra not quite four times as long as the prothorax, about one-third wider ;

sides strongly arcuate, coarctate with the sides of tlie prothorax ; surface

polished : punctures rather large but feeble, separated by about twice their

own widths. Prosternum rather sparsely punctate, coarsely so anteriorly,

finely posteriorly ; median groove strongly impressed, obsolete at anterior

fourth ; ei)isterna abruptly limited within throughout, approaching the apical

margin to within one-half their own length ; hypomera flat, not impressed,

finely, strongly reticulate, with a few coarse punctures near the inner marginal

bead, elsewhere finely, sparsely punctate. Abdomen finely reticulate, finely,

sparsely pubescent ; jjunctures moderate in size, rather deeply impressed,

somewhat sparse, dense on the last segment which is not impressed, and with

the pubescent area not well marked. Length 1.6 mm.

Georgia. Cab. LeConte.

A small species, remarkable for its relatively long, very coarse

pubescence, and polished surface. The punctures of the fifth ventral

segment are, as usual, very deep and perforate.

Li. pillictatus Lee. — Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Pliila., VII, p. 116. — Oval,

strongly rounded beliind, about three-fourths longer than wide, widest in tlie

middle ; sides distinctly arcuate ; black, densely pubescent in feeble mottling

Coleopterological Notices. 153

of cinereous and fulvons ; integuments polished. Head coarsely, very densely,

evenly cribrate ; supra-oi"bital carinse almost completely obsolete. Prothorux

iniicli more than twice as wide as long ; sides feebly, evenly arcuate ; apex

nearly three-fourths as wide as the base, the latter sinuate at each side of the

wide and prominent median lobe ; surface polished, not at all reticulate at the

sides, coarsely, deeply, very densely punctate ; hairs very robust, not growing

from the punctures but each attached at the margin of a puncture ; median

groove fine, distinct, slightly nearer the base than the apex. Scutellum

moderate, very slightly longer than wide, pointed, densely punctate ; sides

and base strongly arcuate. Eli/tra about three and one-half times as long as

the prothorax and scarcely one-fifth wider ; sides coarctate with those of the

prothorax ; surface polished, very coarsely and densely punctate ; punctures

very deep, perforate and separated by less than one-half their own diameters.

Prosternum polished, coarsely punctate, the punctures separated by about

twice their own widths ; median groove long and strong ; episterna not dis-

tinctly defined anteriorly ; hypomera polished throughout, coarsely, very

densely punctate, deeply impressed near the inner obtuse angle ; inner mar-

ginal bead distinct ; inner posterior edge forming the margin of the crural exca-

vation abrupt, acute and cariniform. Abdomen polished throughout, coarsely,

very densely and deeply punctate, the punctures polygonally crowded ; fifth

segment convex, not impressed, more densely pubescent in the middle ; pubes-

cence throughout rather long, fine, and pale silvery-cinereous. Length 1.8 mm.

Pennsylvania — Cab. LeConte. Texas.

A well-raai-ked species of wide distribution, van'ing considerably

in size, but not otherwise to any noticeable extent.

L.. liebulosus Lee. — Bull. U. S. Geol. Surv., V, p. .515. — Oblong-oval,

strongly rounded behind ; sides nearly straight in the middle ; black, polished

throughout; pubescence rather long, subrecumbent, very robust, somewhat

dense, confusedly mottled cinereous and fulvous. Hmd extremely coarsely

and densely cribrate, the punctures very deep and polygonally crowded ;

supra-orbital ridges entirely obsolete. Prothorax much more than twice as

wide as long; sides distinctly although feebly arcuate; apex"" nearly three-

fourths as wide as the base, the latter sinuate on each side of the median lobe

which is moderate ; median groove very short, feeble ; surface extremely

densely, coarsely cribrate, the punctures polygonally crowded, and only two-

thirds as wide as those of the elytra. Scutellum moderate, very slightly

longer than wide, densely, coarsely cribrate, slightly convex ; sides and base

arcuate. Elytra but very slightly wider than the prothorax, extremely densely

cribrate, the punctures very coarse and deep, polygonally crowded, the lines

of separation being but one-fourth or one-fifth as wide as the punctures. Pro-

sternum coarsely but much more sparsely punctate, the median groove very

wide and deeply excavated, extending almost to the apical margin ; episterna

not at all defined toward apex internally, polished, impiinctate ; hypomera

extremely deeply impressed or excavated near the inner obtuse angle, polished,

very coarsely, deeply and densely punctate ; inner marginal bead very strong

154 Coleopterological Notices.

throughout ; outer acute edge very feebly and gradually reflexed near the

apex. Abdomen coarsely, very densely cribrate, the punctures polygonally

crowded ; pubescence very fine, not conspicuous, that of the pubescent area

of the last segment very short and fine, the same segment convex, not im-

pressed. Length 1.7 mm.

California (San Bernardino), LeConte ; Texas (Austin) Auct.

The exceedingly coarsely and densely cribrate upper surface, and

coarse mottled pubescence will at once distinguish this very inter-

esting- species.

L.. olivaceus Lee. — Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., VII, p. 116. — Oval, con-

vex, in form and color nearly as in putictatns; pvibescence confusedly mottled

cinereous and fulvous, rather sparser than in pundatus; integuments polished.

Head rather coarsely, very deeply and evenly punctate, the punctures dense

but distinctly separated. Prothorax rather more than twice as wide as long,

the basal lobe narrow but well developed, truncate ; sides feebly, evenly

arcuate ; median impressed groove distinct but not extending much in advance

of the centre ; punctures equal in size to those of the elytra and equally sparse.

Elytra nearly four times as long as the prothorax ; sides distinctly, broadly

arcuate, toward base coarctate with those of the prothorax ; apex rather acute ;

surface very evenly, rather sparsely punctate, the punctiires round, deep and

perforate, separated by one-half more than their own diameters. Prosternum

shining, deeply grooved, strongly punctate, the punctures separated by their

own widths ; femora very coarsely, deeply punctate, the metasternum much

more sparsely so. Abdomen coarsely and very densely punctate toward the

sides, much more finely so — the punctures separated by more than three times

the distance — toward the middle and base. Length 2.1 mm.

Michigan (Detroit). Mr. Schwarz.

The form described by LeConte as olivaceus has given rise to

more or less divergence of opinion. Henshaw in his list of the

species described by J. L. LeConte (p. 230), states that it is a valid

species. Dr. LeConte in his most recently published table of the

genus (Bull. U. S. Geol. Surv., Y, 1879, p. 515) unites it in

synonymy with punctatus, and Henshaw in his check-list of North

American Coleoptera, appears to coincide with this opinion. I have

personally examined the specimen in the cabinet of LeConte which

bears the type label, and find that it is absolutely identical with the

type of pundatus, the punctuation being fully as dense as in that

species. Schwarz has taken in abundance at Detroit, Mich., a

species — described above — which is allied to, but certainly distinct

from, pundatus, having the elytral punctuation decidedl}^ sparser

but not quite as coarse ; it is the opinion of Mr. Schwarz that this

is the true olivaceus.

Coleopterological Notices. 155

I leave this subject, therefore, with the opinion that the specimen

labeled oHvaceus in the cabinet of LeConte, is not the orig-inal

type, and further that the specimens from Detroit may fairly be

assumed to represent that species ; the latter seems, at least, a

better course to pursue than to frive this undoubtedly valid species

a new name, based upon an uncertainty of identification.

L.. perforatlis n. sp. — Form oblong-oval, strongly rounded behind,

rather less than twice as long as wide ; sides nearly straight in the middle ;

black : pubescence very coarse, somewhat dense, feebly mottled cinereous and

fulvous ; integuments polished throughout. Head very coarsely, deeply and

densely punctate, the punctures on the flat vertical front tending to coalesce in

a subtransverse, slightly posterior direction from the median line. Prothorax

more than twice as wide as long ; sides feebly, evenly but very distinctly

arcuate ; apex more than two-thirds as wide as the base, the basal lobe mode-

rate in width, prominent ; median gi'oove short, broadly, feebly impressed and

not very distinct ; surface rather finely, sparsely punctate, the punctures much

less than one-half as wide as those of the elytra, and separated by twice their

own widths, coarser and denser toward the sides. Scutellum moderate, slightly

convex, just visibly longer than wide ; sides very strongly arcuate ; base feebly

so ; basal angles rounded ; surface rather sparsely and finely punctate. Elytra

bi;t slightly more than three times as long as the prothorax and scarcely per-

ceptibly wider, very coarsely, deeply and densely punctate, the punctures

separated by one-half their own widths. Prosternum polished, extremely

finely and sparsely punctate throughout ; median groove narrowly but deeply

impressed, continuous almost throughout the entire length ; episterna ap-

proaching the apex within two-thirds their own length, abruptly limited

within except near the anterior angle, impuuctate ; hypomera very strongly

impressed near the inner angle, polished, rather coarsely punctate, the punc-

tures separated by about twice their own diameters ; inner bead strongly

developed. Abdomen in the middle not very coarsely punctate, the punctures

separated by twice their own widths, coarser and slightly closer near the sides,

polygonally crowded on the last segment which is not impressed and with the

pubescence dense in the middle. Length 1.7 mm.

California (Santa Clara Co.).

This species is distinguished by its remarkably sparse and fine

punctuation of the prothorax, above and beneath, for this section

of the genus, and contrasting remarkably with the very coarse

dense punctuation of the elytra. The abdomen is much more

sparsely punctate than in any of the other species of this subgenus.

\j. teiiuicorilis n. sp. — Ovoidal, pointed behind, about three-fourths

longer than wide, widest near the middle, black, moderately shining ; pubes-

156 Coleopterological Notices.

cence moderate in length and density, nniforraly dark fulvous throughout.

Head finely and strongly granulato-reticulate, feebly convex, finely, feebly,

somewhat sparsely and not distinctly punctate ; epistoma more coarsely and

densely so ; epistomal suture fine ; lateral antennal emarginations deep, ex-

posing the entire basal joint of the antennje which is large. Pr othor a x mwdh

more than twice as wide as long ; sides very feebly arcuate ; apex two-thirds '

as wide as the base, the latter sinuate at each side of tlie basal lobe which is

broad and feeble ; median groove entirely obsolete ; surface minutely reticulate,

very strongly so near the sides, excessively obsoletely so in the middle ; jjunc-

tures very fine and sparse. Scutellum large, equilatero-triangular ; sides and

base straight. Elytra scarcely four times as long as the prothorax and about

one-third wider ; sides strongly arcuate and coarctate with those of the pro-

thorax ; surface finely but rather feebly reticulate, the reticulations forming

polygonal rings about the punctures, the latter very minute, each in the centre

of a small reticulation, and entirely filled by the hair arising therefrom, rather

sparsely and evenly distributed. Prosternum transversely convex, without

trace of impressed groove, very minutely, sparsely punctate, reticulate later-

ally ; episternum small, not approaching the apex by its own length, very

abruptly and clearly lindted ; hypomera flat, reticulate, not impressed, very

minutely sparsely punctate, without trace of inner marginal bead. Abdomen

finely and strongly reticulate throughout, finely, sparsely punctate, the last

segment more densely so ; pubescence rather long, coarse and sparse, denser

in the middle of the last segment which is not at all impressed, the apex with

a broad shallow emargination. Length 1.8 mm.

California (Hoopa Yalley, Humboldt Co.).

For the present this species may be considered the type of a sub-

genus of Limnichus, but it is almost unquestionably of higher value,

the unimpressed prosternum, long antenna3, and large equilateral

scutellum distinguishing it at once from any of the others. If it

is considered generically distinct, however, the lutrochinus group

must also be separated on other, but equally decisive characters.

L,. iiaTiculatus n. sp. — Almost evenly oval, about three-fourths longer

than wide, acutely rounded but not pointed behind, convex, rufo-castaneous

above, slightly paler rufo-ferruginous beneath, feebly shining. Head rather

convex, excessively minutely, moderately densely punctate. Prothorax small,

fully two and one-half times as wide as long; sides straight; apex nearly

three-fourths as wide as the base ; basal lobe rather short and feeble ; disk

extremely minutely and moderately densely punctate, the median groove com-

pletely obsolete. Scutellum small, flat, equilatero-triangular. Elytra fully

four times as long as the prothorax and one-third wider ; sides strongly,

evenly arcuate and coarctate with those of the prothorax ; surface polished,

not reticulate, the larger punctures — bearing the longer hairs — small, perfo-

rate, separated by from four to five times their own diameters, the minute

Coleopterolofjical Notices. 157

recumbent pubescence easily I'emovable, and leaving merely a minnte sitper-

ficial scar. Prosternnm not distinctly punctate, minutely, feebly scabrous and

alutaceous, the median groove deep but narrow ; episterna transverse, short,

the inner marginal line distinct, broadly arcuate ; metasternum with the per-

forate punctures about equal in size to those of the elytra, and separated by

about three times tlieir own widths. Abdomen dull, excessively minutely,

densely pubescent, the perforate punctures completely wanting. Legs mode-

rate ; inteiniediate tarsi short, about one-half as long as the tibiae, but with

the second joint rather longer than wide. Length 1.5 mm.

Texas. U. S. National Museum.

In its entirely impunetate abdomen this species differs from any

other of the subgenus; it somewhat resembles ovatua, but differs

in its more elongate form and in its coarser elytral punctures, these

being about tAvice as large as in that species. The longer hairs of

the elytra in ovatus are longer than in navicvlatus, and the short

appressed ones much sparser. In ovatus there is no trace of macu-

lation, whereas in the present species the pubescence is paler at

three indefinite lateral spots on each elytron, giving, under extremely

low power, the appearance of three imperfect transverse fasciae ; in

the former the intermediate tarsi are nearly two-thirds as long as

the tibia?.

L.. lutrocllinilS Lee. — Bull. U. S. Geol. Surv., V. p. 515. — Ovoidal,

gradually pointed behind, nearly twice as long as wide, widest ntar the

middle, piceous-brown, very densely pubescent ; integuments shining. Head

linely and very sparsely punctate. Prothorax more than twice as wide as long ;

sides straiglit ; apex two-thirds as wide as the base; median lobe small, dis-

tinct ; median groove obsolete ; surface shining, very feebly i-eticnlate near the

sides, not very coarsely, very sparsely punctate, with the interspaces much

more minutely, densely punctate. Scutellum small, slightly longer than

wide, feebly convex, densely pubescent ; sides and base feebly arcuate. Elijtra

about three and one-half times as long as the prothorax ; sides distinctly

arcuate and nearly coarctate with those of the prothorax, the humeri alniotit

impunetate and slightly, longitudinally tumid ; surface rather coarsely,

sparsely punctate ; punctures perforate and separated by from three to four

times their own diameters ; interspaces polished, the minute recumbent hairs

not arising from definite punctures. Prosternnm shining, minutely and not

very densely punctate, much more densely punctate and alutaceons anteriorly ;

median groove fine, extending nearly to the apex ; episterna short, broadly

triangular, clearly limited within throughout, the inner margin arcuate ;

hypomera flat, not impressed, minutely, densely reticulate, dull, minutely,

densely pubescent, not visibly punctate ; inner bead wide, flat, polished ; edge

of the crural cavity acute and cariniform. Abdomen very dull, rather finely,

very sparsely punctate, the interspaces excessively minutely, densely punc-

158 Coleopterological Notices.

tate and pubescent ; last segment not impressed, having longer and more con-

spicuous pubescence. Length 1.5 mm.

Texas. Cab. LeConte, Belfrage and Schwarz.

The dual nature of the pubescence has been referred to as a

group character, and has not been mentioned in the description.

The longitudinal groove in the elytral epipleurse near the apex is

very fine, and less developed than in group I.

I., seriatus n. sp. — Oval, convex, about three-fourths longer than wide,

rather gradually pointed behind, castaneous above, rufo-ferruginous beneath,

feebly shining. Head convex, extremely minutely and rather densely punc-

tate. Prothorax a little more than twice as wide as long ; sides nearly straight ;

apex fully three-fourths as wide as the base ; basal lobe small, rather feeble ;

disk excessively minutely, feebly, rather densely punctate, the median groove

completely obsolete. Scutellum very small, slightly longer than wide, acutely

pointed; sides straight ; surface minutely, feebly reticulate. ^/_(/^ro four times

as long as the prothorax and nearly two-fifths wider ; sides feebly arcuate

anteriorly and not coarctate with those of the prothorax, the width at the

humeri being distinctly greater than the base of the latter ; surface polished,

not reticulate, very minutely punctate, the punctures about as large as those

of ocatus, and separated by from four to five times their own diameters, some-

what unevenly distributed. Prosternum rather dull but not punctate, the

median groove fine but deep and distinct ; metasternum strongly and sparsely

punctate, the punctures decidedly larger than those of the elytra, and sepa-

rated by about three times their own widths. Abdojnen finely, sparsely punc-

tate, the punctures perforate, scarcely as large as those of the metasternum,

but rather larger than those of the elytra, separated by from four to five times

their own widths ; fifth segment entirely impunctate, except a single line of

punctures along the base. Intermediate tarsi nearly two-thirds as long as the

tibiae, the joints two to four very short, transverse and oblique, almost exactly

equal. Length 1.2 mm.

Florida. Mr. Schwarz.

The large hairs of the elytra are but slightly longer than the fine

short subappressed ones, and are entirely inconspicuous; there are,

however, on each elytron four series of long erect white setae which

are very widely spaced ; these contrast strongly with the general

vestiture, when viewed under light coming horizontally along the

axis of the body and from the front. I have not noticed these setae

in any other species, although they probably exist, and are simply

more prominent in the present case because of the extraordinary

shortness of the general pubescence. This last character will easily

distinguish sei'iatus from ovatus. The elytral pubescence is fulvous

in color and entirely devoid of maculation.

Coleopterological Notices. 159

L.. ovatlis Lee. — Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., VII, p. 117. — Evenly ovate,

rather acutely pointed behind ; sides strongly arcuate ; piceous-black above,

slightly paler, piceous, beneath ; legs and antennse dark rufo-testaceous ;

integuments polished throughout above ; pubescence very conspicuous, pale

brown. Head convex, very finely, sparsely punctate, iwlished ; epistomal

suture deep and strong ; epistoma scabrous and dull. Prothorax two and one-

half times as wide as long ; sides straight ; apex rather more than two-thirds

as wide as the base ; basal lobe small and feeble ; surface polished, slightly

scabi'ous and reticulate at the sides near the apical angles, finely, sparsely

punctate, the intervals excessively minutely and feebly punctate ; median

groove obsolete. Scutellum very small, equilatero-triangular, flat ; sides and

base straight, the former arcuate near the base. Elytra nearly four times as

long as the prothorax and one fourth wider ; sides evenly rather strongly

arcuate and coarctate with those of the prothorax ; humeri not distinctly

tumid ; surface polished, very finely, sparsely punctate ; punctures perforate,

distant by from four to six times their own diameters ; interspaces as in

lutrochinus. Prosternum shining behind, dull near the apex ; median groove

fine, distinct, attaining neither the anterior nor posterior margin ; episterna

very short and broad, polished, clearly limited, the inner margin strongly

arcuate ; hypomera flat, not impressed, dull, not visibly punctate, inner

polished bead flat, short, the margin of the crural excavation finely acute and

cariniform, and much longer than the beaded side. Abdomen strongly opaque,

minutely, sparsely punctate ; last segment with scarcely denser pubescence.

Length 1.3 mm.

Southern States. Cab. LeConte.

The systematic relationship of this small species may readily be

seen from the table; it is more convex and less oblong than seriatus,

with the sides more strongly arcuate, and the prothorax relatively

narrow^er and more strongly narrowed from base to apex.

Li. puiictiventris n. sp. — Evenly oval, two-thirds longer than wide,

convex, black above, dark rufous beneath, rather strongly shining. Head

convex, extremely minutely, somewhat densely punctate. Prothorax small,

more than twice as wide as long ; sides nearly straight ; apex three-fourths as

wide as the base, the basal lobe small, not very prominent ; surface very

minutely, feebly punctate ; pubescence rather sparse ; median groove obsolete ;

along the apical margin there is a series of minute granulations, in advance

of which the marginal surface is thin, semicoriaceous and polished. Scutellum

small, equilatero-triangular ; sides straight ; surface polished. Elytra fully

four times as long as the prothorax ; sides distinctly arcuate and almost

coarctate with those of the prothorax, the humeri being but just visibly

prominent ; disk very minutely punctate, the punctures unevenly distributed,

and separated by from three to six times their own widths, but generally about

four, becoming much coarser but not denser toward the sides ; minute pubes-

cence rather long, coarse and not extremely dense, the longer hairs sparse,

although decidedly longer. Prosternum feebly shining, more polished poste-

160 CoJeopferoIogical Notices.

riorly ; median groove very fine but distinct and almost entire ; metasternum

shining, very finely, sparsely punctate, the punctures perforate, not larger

than those of the sides of the elytra, but rather coarser and denser laterally,

separated by from three to five times their own widths. Abdomen more coarsely

and very deeply punctate, the punctures very dense laterally, where they are

separated by about their own widths, rather finer and distinctly sparser toward

the middle, the fifth segment almost completely impunctate except near the

base. Length 1.3 mm.

Florida. Mr. Schvvarz.

The rather shining surface, black color and coarser, very dense

abdominal punctuation will render the identification of this species

very easy. The series of longer coarser sette on the elytra, men-

tioned under seriatus, are represented here by the marginal series

PHYSEMUS Lee.

Regarding the relationship of the three genera Bothriopborus,

Physemus and Ditaphrus, the following observations may prove

interesting.

In the remarks appended to the original description of Ditaphrus

(Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci., II, pp. 250-25.3), the reasons were given for

the separation of the genus from Physemus ; they were based solely

upon the original description of the latter as given by Dr. LeConte.

After the publication of Ditaphrus the suspicion of its identity with

Physemus continued to grow upon me, until I determined to dis-

cover the truth if possible by actual observation. I accordingly

made a journey at considerable expense from San Francisco to

Yuma, incidentally for the purpose of collecting Coleoptera, but

especially to rediscover the species Physemus minutvs. Knowing

the haunts of Bitajjln-us sci/mnoides in Texas, I did not have to

search long before finding LeConte's species in numbers, moving

slowly over the surface of moist adobe mud, under debris of fallen

leaves. An examination at once revealed the fact — as I had antici-

pated— that the two genera are identical in every point of structure,

and that the species also are the same, although presenting very

slight differences in size and vestiture.

Wishing to carry the investigation a step further I have procured

from M. Desbrochers des Loges, a specimen of the European Both-

riopborus Muls., and find on examination that, while resembling

Physemus very closely, it differs decidedly in antennal structure.

Coleopterological Notices. IGl

If the student will have before him the figure of the antenna of

Phjsenuis (1. c. plate), he can more readily appreciate the differences

as indicated in the following description : —

First six joints somewhat similar to the same in Physemus. Seventh joint

slender, cylindrical, nearly twice as long as wide ; eighth just visibly wider

than the seventh and one-half as long, triangular, the vertex of the angle

directed anteriorly, the posterior side straight ; ninth triangular, transverse,

the angle on the anterior side, the posterior side nearly straight, scarcely

longer and one-half wider than the eighth ; tenth almost evenly obtrapezoidal,

scarcely longer than the ninth but distinctly wider, two-thirds wider than

long, closely joined to the eleventh throughout the width; eleventh ovoidal,

pointed, slightly wider than the tenth, two-thirds longer than wide, slightly

longer than the two preceding joints combined and more densely pubescent.

It will be seen, therefore, that the two genera are quite distinct

in antennal structure, the one having a two-jointed, and the other

a three-jointed club.

The species — B. atomus Muls. — is somewhat smaller and more

finely and very much more feebly punctate than Physemus minu-

tus Lee.

PARNID.E.

THROSCIIVUS Lee.

Elongate-elliptical, convex, punctate, pubescent. Head deflexed ; eyes and

labruui visible in repose ; epistomal suture fine, straight ; epistoma trans-

versely truncate at apex ; labrum large, transverse, convex, broadly, feebly

sinuate at apex ; antennae inserted at the sides of the front, base not concealed,

11-jointed ; basal joint twice as long as the second and much more robust ; last

six joints broader, forming a very elongate, slender, perfoliate club; last joint

of the maxillary palpi elongate, slender, acuminate, with a minute apical

process. Prosternum large, truncate anteriorly ; process very wide, with two

fine lateral carinas which extend diverging anteriorly for more than one-half

the distance from the coxse to the anterior margin, not grooved in the middle,

the apex broadly arcuate, received in a very broad shallow emargination of

the mesosternum ; the latter very short, widely separating the coxae ; meta-

sternum large ; episterna narrow ; posterior coxae widely separated, flat above,

sulcate beneath, triangular, prominent internally, only extending to the meta-

sternal epimera. Anterior and intermediate legs rather short, simple ; tarsi

all moderate in length, free, slender ; four basal joints short, subequal ; fifth

as long as the three preceding together. Epipleurae very narrow posteriorly,

broader, flat and sinuous toward base, not at all excavated or impressed for

the intermediate femora, the basal margin closely fitted throughout its width

to the hypomera ; the latter wide, flat, separated from the prosternal side-

Aknals N. Y. Acad. Sci., V, Feb. 1890.-11

162 Coleopterological Notices.

pieces, the coxae and trochantiu by a fine, nearly straight suture which, ante-

riorly, becomes a deep groove for the reception of the antennje, and which is

the posterior prolongation of deep grooves beneath the eyes. Prothorax fitted

to the elytra throughout the width of the latter, with the basal angles acate

and slightly produced posteriorly.

This genus was founded by LeConte upon the Californian repre-

sentative T. Crotchii, which is more slender than the present, more

finely and much more densely punctate and pubescent, the hairs

being somewhat confusedly matted as in Heterocerus. The above

diagnosis was drawn from the Texan species which seems to be

identical in generic characters.

T. politlis n. sp. — Black above ; legs and under surface rufo-piceous ;

abdomen paler ; antennse black ; integuments subalutaceous beneath, very

highly polished above, rather coarsely and sparsely pubescent ; hairs short,

erect, denser and finer on the head. Head moderate in size, deeply seated in

the prothorax ; front vertical in repose, feebly, evenly convex, very finely and

feebly punctate ; eyes large, rather prominent, entirely exposed, on the sides

just before the prothorax ; antennse slightly longer than the width of the head,

slender ; joints three to five very slender, the tliird almost as long as the fourth

and fifth together. Prothorax widest at the base, where it is two-thirds wider

than at apex ; sides evenly, feebly arcuate ; base transverse, rather abruptly

and strongly arcuate in the middle third ; posterior angles very acute, slightly

produced ; apex broadly, feebly arcuate ; disk nearly twice as wide as long,

broadly, very evenly convex, finely, sparsely punctate, the interspaces ex-

tremely minutely and feebly punctate. Scutellum very distinct, flat, polished,

impunctate, ogival, pointed, as long as wide. Elytra at base equal in width to

the prothorax ; sides parallel, feebly arcuate for two-thirds the length from

the base ; together gradually rounded behind, acute at the apex ; disk evenly

convex, nearly three times as long as the prothorax, very coarsely and strongly

punctate ; punctures impressed, evenly distributed, obsolete at base ; inter-

spaces more than twice as wide as the punctures, not at all punctate. Under

surface very finely, densely pubescent, the hairs short and closely recumbent ;

abdomen extremely minutely granulose, not punctate ; segments decreasing

very slightly in length to the fourth, fifth slightly longer ; surface convex ;

sutures feeble, straight. Length 1.7-2.0 mm.

Texas (Galveston).

A very good series of this interesting species was obtained from

the vegetable detritus, covering the interior line of sand dunes,

alonff the ocean beach.

Coleopterological Notices. 1G3

LUCANID.E.

PLATYCERUS Geoff.

A sexual character, which seems to have escaped observation,

exists in perhaps its greatest development in quercus. It will be

seen that in this species, the posterior tarsi of the female are much

shorter than in the male. In oregonensis the same condition holds,

but to a less-marked degree, and in Agassii the character completely

disappears, the tarsi in both male and female being very long and

slender, with the fourth joint twice as long as wide. The type of

californicus is a female, and, as the posterior tarsi are extremelv

short, relatively more abbreviated even than in the female of quer-

cus, with the fourth joint fully as wide as long, it is probable that

the male, also, has a shorter tarsus than Agassii, and that the

species is to be associated with quercus and oregonensis, rather

than with Agassii}

Through the kindness of Mr. J. J. Rivers of Berkeley, California,

who has made the study of this genus somewhat of a specialty, I

have been permitted to examine a larger series than has been

hitherto available to me, and find that there are several species

similar to Agassii in having the mandibles small and inconspicu-

ous in the males, and the hind tarsi nearly as long as the tibia?.

The series alluded to affords sufficient material for a tolerably com-

plete study, and consists of twelve specimens of Agassii, three of

pacificus, and two of parvicollis. These three species may be

defined as follows, the characters given referring to the male only: —

Sides of the prothorax — viewed vertically — distinctly subaiigulate.

Pronotum finely, densely punctate ; antennal club much longer than the

funicle, the last joint strongly asymmetric, the longest dimension being

in a direction oblique to the axis of the club, and very much exceeding

the width ; sixth joint of funicle strongly produced anteriorly ; fifth joint

of hind tarsi as long as the first and second combined ; elytra equal in

width to the prothorax Agassii

1 I have recently had occasion to inspect the original female type of Agassii

in the museum at Cambridge, Mass., and find that the specimens heretofore

regarded by Mr. Fuchs and myself as representing that species, were correctly

identified. The type, apart from its slightly paler color due to immaturity,

dqes not differ in the slightest degree from the average female, and the inmc-

tuation of the pronotum is equally dense.

164 Coleopterological Notices.

Pronotum much more coarsely and sparsely punctate ; antennal club equal

in length to the funicle, the last joint much less, although distinctly,

asymmetric, slightly longer than wide ; sixth joint of funicle just visibly

more prominent anteriorly; fifth joint of hind tarsi distinctly longer than

the first two combined ; elytra at apical two-fifths fully one-fourth wider

than the prothorax ; color pale, brown pai'Vicollis

Sides of protliorax — viewed vertically — broadly, evenly arcuate, subaugulate

when viewed laterally, the surface much more convex and declivous at the

sides ; pronotum finely and very sparsely punctate; antennal club slightly

but distinctly longer than the funicle, tlie last joint wider than long ; sixth

joint of funicle not at all prominent anteriorly; elytra equal in width to the

prothorax; surface highly polished ; color deep black paciflcllS

P. parvicollis n. sp, — Form slender, rather depressed ; sides parallel ;

dark reddish-brown, somewhat bronzed ; head and pronotum darker ; legs

throughout dark brown ; integuments polished. Head rather small, coarsely,

deeply and rather densely punctate ; front with several long coarse fulvous

setae ; mandibles small ; antennal club about equal in length to the funicle ;

last joint very slightly oblique, slightly longer than wide. Prothorax small,

widest very near the middle where it is nearly twice as wide as long, and where

the sides are distinctly angulate from above, the angle narrowly rounded ;

apex broadly, very feebly emarginate, slightly narrower than the base ; the

latter transversely truncate ; angles slightly prominent, acute, not at all

rounded ; sides nearly sti-aight anteriorly and posteriorly, rather strongly

convergent in botli senses, feebly sinuate near the base ; disk broadly, feebly

convex, rather broadly but not strongly reflexed at the sides, coarsely and

strongly punctate, the punctures rather sparse in the middle, with a narrow,

incomplete, impunctate median line, dense toward the sides, except in the

reflexed portion, where they are very sparse and coarser. Scutellum much

wider than long, parabolic, very sparsely, coarsely punctate at base. Elytra

at base fully as wide as the prothorax ; sides parallel, distinctly arcuate

behind, nearly straight and feebly divergent in the basal fourth ; together

evenly and rather strongly rounded behind ; disk transversely and moderately

convex, four-fifths longer than wide, three and one-third times as long as the

prothorax, widest at two-fifths the length from the apex where it is one-fourth

wider than the latter ; strife nearly equidistant, feebly impressed, rather finely,

deeply punctate, the punctures closely approximate ; intervals feebly convex,

sparsely creased, finely, unevenly and sparsely punctate. Legs slender ; poste-

rior tarsi just visibly shorter than the tibise. Length 10.3 mm. ; width 4.0 mm.

California.

Readily distinguished from Agassii and pacificus by the pale

color, small prothorax which is here much narrower than the elytra,

and by the great relative length of the latter. The type is a male ;

the antennal club being relatively very much shorter than in either

of the species mentioned. In Agassii the funicle is three-fifths as

Coleopterological Notices. 1G5

long as the club, in pacijicus three-fourths, and in jmi'vwolHs about

equal in length, the comparisons being- made from males. In the

female of Agassii the club is small and very distinctly shorter than

the funicle.

P. paciflciis n. sp. — Oblong, rather convex, polished, black ; sides

parallel and nearly straight. Head moderate in size, sparsely, coarsely

punctate ; antennal club distinctly longer than the funicle, last joint almost

symmetrical, distinctly wider than long. Prothorax widest at one-third the

length from the base, where it is two and one-half times as wide as the head,

and two-thirds wider than long ; sides — viewed vertically — broadly rounded,

sinuate near the basal angles which are acute, .not rounded, and slightly

prominent ; apex slightly narrower than the base, broadly and feebly emar-

ginate, the latter transversely truncate ; disk broadly convex, rather broadly

and strongly reliexed at the sides, very sparsely, finely punctate in the middle

with an impunctate median line ; punctures miich denser laterally ; in the

reflexed portion along the margin they are again sparser but much coarser.

Scutellum ogival, slightly wider than long, punctate at base, impunctate in

the apical half. Elytra at base about as wide as the prothorax ; sides parallel,

distinctly arcuate jjosteriorly, straight in the basal third or fourth ; together

broadly rounded behind ; disk transversely, rather strongly convex, two and

three-fourths times as long as the prothorax ; striae feeble, rather closely

punctate, equidistant ; intervals very feebly convex, creased, more finely and

very sparsely punctate. Legs black ; tarsi very slightly paler toward apex,

the posterior nearly as long as the tibise. Length 10.0 mm. ; width 4.2 mm.

California.

This species is easily distinguished from Agassii by its very

sparse punctuation and form of the prothorax, the sides of the

latter being much more broadly rounded, when viewed vertically,

than in Agassii, although when viewed obliquely they are sub-

angulate.

SCARABJEIDiE.

ACOMA n. gen. (Melolonthinse).

Clypeus rather prolonged, concave; apex with a small median notch and

feebly bidentate, strongly infiexed for a great distance beneath, the labrum

entirely connate and obsolete, not visible except as a minute reflexion of the

infraclypeal surface. Mentum minute, very narrow, elongate, nearly flat.

Maxillas large, the palpi rather large ; basal joint small ; second and third

subequal, longer than wide ; fourth as long as the pre(;eding together, wider,

elongate-oval, with a broad shallow groove on the outer face throughout the

length, the apex with a minute oval impressed area. Labial palpi very

minute. Eyes large ; inferior portion much larger than the upper, separated

166 Coleopterological Notices.

beneath by mncb less than their own width. Antennae nine-jointed ; basal

joint as long as the next three together, slender at base, strongly inflated

toward apex, the apical margin fringed with a single row of long erect setse ;

second wider than long, narrower than tlie first, strongly narrowed at base ;

third to fifth subeqiial in length, longer than wide, subcylindrical and sub-

anchylosed ; sixth very short, strongly transverse, slightly wider ; seventh to

ninth forming a very large club, twice as long as the stem — measured in a

direction perpendicular thereto — strongly arcuate toward apex, and, in shape

and relationship with the stem, exactly as in Polyphylla. Vertex with a fine

longitudinal ridge over each eye ; clypeal suture obsolete except near the sides

where it is fine and transverse. Anterior margin of the pronotum with a broad

flat bead throughout ; posterior margin witli a very much finer one, which

becomes abruptly very fine in the middle and also laterally. Scutellum rather

large, ogival. Elytra projecting well behind and partially concealing the

pygidium. Anterior coxae large, transverse, strongly conical and prominent

internally ; presternum very short before them, the anterior margin broadly

bisinuate between the strongly advanced and acute anterior angles of the

pronotum ; hypomera rather wide, nearly flat and almost horizontal ; femora

large, broad, flattened, posterior very large ; anterior tibiae with a small acute

internal spur near the apex, two external obtuse teeth, and a prolonged apical

process wliich is slightly dilated toward apex ; middle and posterior tibiae

robust, festooned in the middle with an oblique girdle of spinules, obliquely

truncate and dilated at apex, with a fringe of short robust spinules, and two

long terminal spurs ; tarsi very long and slender, twice as long as the tibiae ;

joints very long, slender and cylindrical; basal joint longest; claws very

slender, long, finely acuminate, very feebly arcuate, equal and very minutely

carinate internally at base. Metasternum very obliquely truncate at the sides

behind, in the middle longer than the abdomen ; episterna short and broad.

Abdomen extremely short in the middle, broad, consisting of five segments ;

sutures distinct throughout the width ; first segment almost completely covered

by the very large posterior coxae. Pygidium moderate, about as long as wide,

feebly convex, rounded at apex, very feebly and inwardly oblique.

The very long slender tarsi and nine-jointed antenna seem to

point at first to a relationship with Macrodactylus, but the very

large mentum, feebly inflexed clypeus and abdominal structure of

the latter prohibitVny such association. From the Sericini it differs

in its very minute elongate mentum, this organ in that group being

large and transverse. From the Dichelonychini it differs in its

minute mentum and obsolete labrum, and from all these in the form

of the labial palpi. The latter are extremely minute, scarcely visi-

ble, and closely approximate, the two basal joints very small, sub-

globular, the third longer than the first two together, elongate-oval.

In the genus Podolasia the clypeus is formed nearly as in Acoma,

but is slightly more developed above, and inflexed for a much shorter

Coleopterological Notices. 167

distance iDeneath. The labial palpi are large and very evident ; the

antennae are nine-jointed, with a small robust three-jointed club, and

with the second joint large and globular ; the anterior tibiae are

devoid of internal spine, and the long apical process is acute and

strongly excurvate. The claws are long and slender, with a small

longitudinal carina internally at base, but not properly toothed.

The first four abdominal segments are connate, the sutures exces-

sively feeble in the middle, but not entirely obliterated, the fourth

suture wide and membranous.

I think, therefore, that this interesting genus may be placed for

the present near Podolasia, but with the assumption that it consti-

tutes a connecting bond with some other group in its almost per-

fectl}^ free abdominal segments, extremely minute labial palpi, and

greatly develope^l antennal club of the male.

In Chnaunanthus the ventral sutures are absolutely obliterated in

the middle, and this genus is therefore a more highly specialized

representative of the group Oncerini, than either Podolasia or

Acoma.

A. Iiruiinea n. sp. — Form oblong, the sides nearly parallel, moderately

convex, dark reddish-brown throughout ; head and prothorax almost glabrous,

but rather densely fimbriate with long erect hairs at the sides ; elytra sparsely

clothed with rather long erect hairs, which are longer and more conspicuous

at the sides ; under surface bristling with long slender sparsely placed hairs,

especially (ionspicuous on the fimbriate femora. Head coarsely, very densely

and deeply rugoso-puuctate, the clyjjeus, which is nearly as long as the

remainder of the head, coarsely, deeply and sparsely punctate. Proihorax

four-fifths wider than long; sides strongly rounded just behind the middle,

thence convergent and feebly sinuate to the acute apical angles, broadly

rounded to the base, the basal angles being broadly rounded and obsolete ;

base broadly, very feebly arcuate, abruptly distinctly and more strongly so

opposite the scutellum ; apex broadly emarginate, bottom of emargination

broadly bisinuate ; disk moderately convex, polished, feebly impressed along

the median line excej)t near base and ajpex, finely, sparsely punctate ; punc-

tures entirely wanting in a broad median line, and also along the basal mar-

gin. Scutellum almost impunctate. Elytra widest in the middle, slightly

longer than wide, very slightly wider than the prothorax ; sides parallel,

feebly arcuate, together broadly, obtusely rounded behind ; humeri slightly

prominent ; disk feebly convex, strongly so at the sides, finely, feebly and

unevenly striate ; striae more approximate and very much confused at the

sides, where the surface is distinctly rugulose ; striae very finely and approxi-

mately punctate ; intervals each with a very uneven single line of larger, more

distant punctures. Length 5.0-5.5 mm.

168 Coleojyterological Notices.

Texas (El Paso). Mr. G W. Dunn.

This very anomalous little beetle apparently lives in flowers or

on plants; the three specimens before me are males; I have not

seen the female.

POLYPHYLLA Harris.

The American species of this genus appear to agree very well

with the European, and differ principally in their shorter, more

robust legs. The following species belongs near decemlineata, and

may be at once interpolated in the table given by Dr. Horn (Trans.

Am. Ent. Soc, IX, p. 73).

P. speciosa n. sp. — Elongate-ovivl, convex ; protliorax trivittate ; lateral

vittse interrupted.

Female. — Head much wider than long ; clypeus two and one-half times as

wide as long ; sides parallel, feebly arcuate ; apex broadly and very feebly

bisinuate, the lateral angles acute, more prominent and more strongly re-

flexed ; front coarsely and very densely punctate, rather sparsely clothed with

short erect hairs, and squamose with large pointed scales toward tlie eyes

and along the margins of the clypeus ; auteniife rather robust ; basal joint

pyriform, robust, as long as the next two together ; second and third ehjngate,

the latter much the longer, fourth obconical, slightly, produced inwardly at

apex, feebly transverse ; club feebly arcuate, six-jointed, first narrower and

more acuminate than the others, pointed, and but little more than one-half as

long, remaining joints equal in length and neai-ly as long as the entire stem

including the basal joint. Prothorux widest just behind the middle, narrowed

rather rapidly thence to the apex, the latter about two-thirds as wide as the

base, broadly emarginate and feebly bisinuate ; base broadly arcuate, more

strongly so in the middle ; sides subangulate, angle narrowly rounded, thence

just visibly arcuate to the apical angles, and extremely feebly sinuate to the

base, broadly and very feebly subcrenulate throughout ; basal angles obtuse,

not at all rounded ; disk convex, with a very small feeble impression near

each lateral edge at the middle of the length ; vittae white, very dense, the

lateral interrupted anteriorly, remainder sparsely covered with large elongate

pointed yellow scales, which are denser near the basal margin except in tlie

middle ; surface anteriorly with a very few short erect hairs ; punctures large,

shallow, round and variolate, rather densely but unevenly distributed, each

enclosing a scale. Scutellum broadly parabolic, vittate. Elytra three-fifths

longer than wide, in the middle one-third wider than the protliorax ; sides

parallel and feebly arcuate, subtruncate behind ; humeri slightly tumid ;

apical umbones large and feeble ; each elytron with three broad dense white

vitt£e, and a fourth very narrow and interrupted between the second and

third from the suture ; third vitta abruptly terminating near the apex, feebly

and evenly arcuate throughout, first and second meeting on the apical ixmbo,

the first irregular toward base ; suture narrowly vittate, the vitta continuing

ColeopteroJogical Notices. 169

to the apex ; intermediate surface finely, sparsely punctate, and covered

sparsely with moderate pointed yellow scales. Pi/gidium slightly wider than

long, triangular ; sides equally arcuate ; surface feebly convex, slightly im-

pi'essed at the sides, sparsely clothed with elongate whitish scales which are

dense along the base, and much sparser in a very narrow median line ; surface

also very sparsely and finely pubescent. Abdomen with small robust whitish

scales, much denser along the apical margins of the segments, and also with

very sparse erect pubescence. Length 36.0 mm.

Colorado (exact locality unknown — 9) ; New Mexico — %.

This fine species is easily distinguishable by its antenual structure

from any other in the genus. The last joint of the maxillary palpi

is very feebly lunate, and is pointed at apex. The anterior tibiae

are robust, the outer teeth strong, the one nearest the base very

broad, obtuse, and feebly developed.^

' I take the present opportunity to describe an interesting new species,

received a short time since from Central America. The description refers to

the female.

P. conciirreiis n. sp. — Form nearly as in decemUneata, pale brownish-

rufous. Clypeus truncate, broadly arciiate in the middle ; angles right, not

rounded, but also not prominent, its surface feebly and very narrowly reflexed

at the apical margin, having a few widely scattered, coarse, squamigerous

punctures ; front immediately behind the suture abruptly, coarsely, extremely

densely and deeply punctate, the punctures in mutual contact, the occiput

again abruptly totally impunctate ; antennae moderate, club as long as joints

two to four combined ; sixth joint rather less than one-half as long as the

remainder, which are equal. Proihorax nearly as in decemUneata, but very

much more sparsel}- punctate, the median line very deeply impressed, and the

vittPR narrow ; scales large and robust. Scutellum polished, with a narrow

median vitta. Elytra with ten very narrow, densely squamose vittae, the

second from the lateral margin long, extending to apical third, but very widely

interrupted ; intervals extremely sparsely squamose, the scales smaller and

narrower than those of the vitt?e. Length 25.0 mm, ; width 11.0 mm.

Honduras. (One specimen.)

Although resembling decemUneata, this species is smaller, less robust, and

differs greatly in the form of the pygidium, which is slightly longer than wide,

transversely convex, and extremely sparsely squamose, a narrow median line

entirely glabrous. The anterior tibiae are tridentate, the basal tooth very

broad and feebly developed. The front and vertex in this species, And also

in speciosa, are very much more densely and coarsely punctate than in decem-

Uneata, where the punctures are separated by their own widths. All compari-

sons have been drawn from the female, which is the more constant sex.

ITO Coleopterological Notices.

THYCE Lee.

The single species, which has been regarded as the t^'pe of this

genus, has hitherto been represented by a single female, and the

recent discovery of the male by Mr. Dunn at El Paso, Texas, indi-

cates the absence of generic difference between it and most of the

Californian species separated as Plectrodes.^ The structure of the

anterior coxae is identical, and the teeth of the tarsal claws are quite

plainly unequal, to fully as great a degree in fact in T. squamicoUis,

as in many of the recognized species of Plectrodes. Our species

may be separated as follows, the characters referring to the males : —

Fourth joint of tlie maxillary palpi one-third as long as the antennal club.^

Carpenter!

Fourth joint three-fifths as long as the antennal club; elytra neaiiy glabrous.

squaniicollis

Fourth joint three-fourths as long as the antennal club.

Elytra moderately densely pubescent ; last palpal joint oval, with the

groove almost evenly ellipticaF palpalis

Elytra extremely densely clothed with very minute, recumbent, squamiform

hairs ; last palpal joint robust, the groove widening toward base.

pulTerea

Fourth joint just visibly shorter than the antennal club, the apex acute and

deflexed fossiger

Fourth joint two-thirds longer than the antennal club Harforcli

In Carpenteri and also in Plectrodes jmbescens the excavated

groove in the fourth palpi joint is narrow, shallow and feeble, and

is much shorter than the joint; in the remainder it is narrow, very

deep, and extends throughout the length.

The females are much less abundant than the males, and differ

considerably. The fourth palpal joint is small and moi'e uniform

in size with reference to the antennal club, and, although impressed

externally, the groove is shallow and only partial, even in the

1 The genus Plectrodes is represented only by the original P. pubescens of

Horn. In this species the anterior coxse do not diflFer in form from the same

members in Thyce, but the abdominal segments are much shorter, and are

almost completely free, requiring but slight force to break them asunder. In

all the other species the ventral segments are long and connate, to absolutely

the same degree as in Thyce squamicoUis, being indicated only by feebly im-

pressed lines. The genus Plectrodes should therefore be placed in the Melo-

lonthini, where it will constitute one of the transitions to the Macrophyllini.

2 Horn, Trans, Am. Ent. Soc, VIII, p. 146, and PI. Ill, fig. 7. ^ Ibid.

Coleopterological Notices. lYl

females of such sti'ongly developed forms as pulverea and Hai^-

fordi. The antennal club is much shorter, more compact and oval.

The anterior tibia3 arc stouter and with more strongly developed

external teeth. The vestiturc is very much shorter, finer, and

spai'ser, so that the general color is darker.

The species of Thyce are nocturnal, being abundantly attracted

by bright lights at certain seasons of the year.

T. squamicoUis Lee. — The female of this species is much larger

than the male, but is almost precisely similar in vestiture. The

pronotum in both sexes is very sparsely clothed with small, closely

recumbent, squamiform hairs which are slightly denser along a

narrow median line, as is usual throughout the genus ; the lateral

vittae are, however, not definite. The name is therefore somewhat

inappropriate. In the male the antennal club is nearly three-fourths

as long as the stem, and in the female only one-half as long as the

latter, oval and more compact.

Although the upper surface is more than usually glabrous, the

long dense silken pubescence of the under surface is as well developed

as in any other species.

T. pulverea n. sp. — Form elongate-oval, convex ; elytra and abdomen

dark reddish-brown ; head and prothorax darker, piceous, the latter clothed

moderately densely with small robust recumbent hairs, and longer erect pubes-

cence ; elytra and abdomen very densely covered with minute, recumbent,

squamiform hairs ; remainder of the under surface with long very dense

silky pubescence ; mesosternal parapleurse, hypomera, and exposed surface of

maxillae devoid of long erect pubescence, but having whiter, dense and recum-

bent, squamiform hairs, a small indefinite spot at the sides of each abdominal

segment also whiter and denser, remaining vestiture cinereous. Head wider

than long; clypeus concave, truncate and very feebly sinuate in the middle,

the angles slightly rounded, the base very slightly narrower ; antennal club

as long as the stem ; last joint of the maxillary palpus nearly one-half longer

than the preceding together, and fully three-fourths as long as the antennal

club, rather robust, apex oblique but not defiexed and with a small circular

truncation, the groove very deep, widening toward base, entire. Prothorax

one-half wider than long ; sides broadly angulate, the angles rounded ; basal

angles obtuse and rounded, apical obtuse but not rounded ; apex very feebly

emarginate, one-half as wide as the base, the latter broadly angulate, the

angle broadly rounded ; disk convex, finely, feebly and densely punctate.

Scutellum white, more densely pubescent. Elytra nearly one-half longer than

wide, widest near the middle, nearly one-third wider than the prothorax;

sides very feebly arcuate ; apex broadly sinuate ; humeri slightly tumid ;

apical umbones very feeble ; disk with the most feeble and indefinite traces of

fine costse, very finely, feebly and densely punctate. Pyyidium one-third wider

172 Coleopterological Notices.

than long, feebly convex, very minutely and densely punctate and pubescent.

Lefjs moderate ; femora fringed with fine erect pubescence, the flat surfaces

with very small, recumbent, squamiform hairs not very densely placed ; tarsi

as long as the tibise ; claws arcuate, finely attenuate ; tooth of anterior claw

of anterior tarsi erect, near the base, slightly arcuate, stout and scarcely one-

third as long as the remainder ; tooth of the posterior claw, less than one-half

as large, projecting but slightly above the basal carina ; proportions in the

other claws nearly similar, the tooth of the posterior claw of the hind tarsi,

on its outer edge, nearly one-fifth the internal length of the remaining portion ;

corresponding ratio of the anterior claw one-third. Length 22.0 mm.

California (Los Angeles Co.).

The diagnoses here given are taken from the male ; in the female

of the present species the tarsal claws are rather smaller, the teeth

more nearly equal, the greatest difference being in those of the

anterior tarsi, the posterior being almost absolutely equal.

In Thyce the fourth palpal joint is received at base in a broad

excavation in the apex of the robust transverse third joint, and the-

latter in turn is similarly connected with the second.

The proportional length of the fourth palpal joint in pulverea is

the same as that given for paljxilis, but the two species can be dis-

tinguished by the apparently denser pubescence of pulverea, by

the more robust palpal joint in which the groove, according to the

figure given by Dr. Horn, is differently shaped, and b}^ the claws

of the posterior tarsi, in which the teeth are said to be very nearly

equal in palpalis (Trans. Am. Ent. Soc, VIII, p. 147).

T. fossiger n. sp. — Form rather broadly oval, convex, castaneous ; head

and prothorax piceoiis ; vestiture throughout nearly as in pidcerea, but

slightly coarser, and with the erect hairs of the pronotum decidedly longer.

Head small, wider than long ; clypens concave, truncate ; angles narrowly

rounded ; sides parallel, strongly arcuate ; antennal club slightly shorter than

the stem and but very slightly longer than the fourth palpal joint, the latter

elongate, rather slender, the apex distinctly deflexed, and with the usual

minute circular truncation, one-third longer than the three preceding together ;

external groove entire, very narrow and deep, slightly enlarged near the base,

and again much more feebly so near the apex. Prothorax two-thirds wider

than long ; sides laterally strongly angulate, the angle rounded ; sides very

feebly sinuate anteriorly, feebly arcuate toward base and nearly coarctate with

the latter, the basal angles being very obtuse and broadly rounded ; apical

angles right, not rounded ; apex very feebly emarginate, one-half as wide as

the base, the latter broadly, feebly angulate, the angle broadly rounded ; disk

convex, even, finely, feebly and densely punctate. Elytra two-fifths longer

than wide and two-fifths wider than the prothorax ; sides feebly arcuate ;

apex broadly angularly emarginate ; humeri very feebly tumid ; disk with

Coleopterological Notices. 173

very feeble traces of costse, very minutely, feebly and densely punctate.

Pygidium one-third wider than long, feebly convex, punctured, and very

densely pubescent like the elytra. Legs moderate ; tarsi as long as the tibiae ;

claws nearly as in pidrerea. Length 20.0 mm.

California (Los Angeles Co.).

This species is closely allied to the last, but diifers in its shorter,

more robust and flattened form, its shorter, more transverse pro-

thorax Avith more angulate sides, which are more rapidly convergent

toward base when viewed vertically, and in the structure of the

antennae and palpi. The pubescence of the elytra is more densely

placed, and the pygidium more nearly vertical.

T. Hai'foi'di n. sp. — Oval, convex, piceous-black throughout ; vestiture

yellowish-cinereous ; silky hairs of under surface very long and dense ; abdomen

moderately densely covered with small robust recumbent hairs, each segment

with a paler spot of denser pubescence at the side near the apex ; maxillje,

hypomera, mesosternal parapleurse, and metasternal epimera whiter and with

short stout recumbent pubescence ; vestiture of the elytra dense, the hairs

robust, recumbent and rather long, sparser on the pronotum, the fine erect

hairs of the latter long, dense and conspicuous. Head small, but very

slightly wider than long ; clypeus concave, broadly, feebly sinuate, the angles

narrowly rounded and the sides parallel and feebly arcuate ; antennal club

robust, oval, much shorter than the stem and scarcely more than two-thirds

as long as the fourth palpal joint ; the latter greatly developed, more than one-

half longer than tlie preceding joints together, elongate, and but moderately

robust when viewed laterally, with the lower edge straight, the upper broadly

arcuate, the apex scalpel late, the lower point of the apex not deflexed, and

with an exceedingly minute circular truncation, having externally, an entire

groove which is wide, elongate, elliptical, and extending fully one-half through

the joint. Prothorax two-thirds wider than long ; sides rather strongly angu-

late, the angle rounded ; sides near it straig]it ; basal angles obtuse and

moderately rounded ; apex very feebly emarginate, scarcely one-half as wide

as the base, the latter broadly and rather strongly angulate, the angle broadly

rounded ; disk convex, very narrowly and feebly impressed along the median

line, rather finely, feebly and densely punctate. Scutellum with a very fine

subdenuded median line. Elytra two-fifths longer than wide and nearly two-

fifths wider than the prothorax, with very feeble traces of broad costae, together

broadly, angularly emarginate at apex when viewed longitudinally ; sides

parallel and feebly arcuate ; disk minutely, feebly and densel3' punctate. Legs

moderate ; tarsi about as long as the tibiae. Length 19.0-20.0 mm.

California (Alameda Co.).

The claws are nearly as in the preceding species, but the teeth

are slightly more slender and acute. The pygidium is but one-

fourth wider than long. This species is very distinct in its strongly

174 Coleopterological Notices.

developed palpi and correspondingly smaller, more robust and oval

antennal club; it was taken very abundantly at night in the suburbs

of Alameda, Cal., and is dedicated to an enthusiastic friend of ento-

mological science — Mr. W. G. W. Harford, of Oakland, Cal.

DliVACOMA n. gen. (Melolonthini).

Clypeus concave, parallel, subtruncate. Mentum moderate, subquadrate,

concave. Maxillse moderate, the palpi well developed ; first joint very small,

narrow, obconical ; second and third longer than wide, the former the longer,

both obconical and obliquely truncate ; fourth slightly shorter than the pre-

ceding three together, pointed, deeply impressed or excavated on its outer face.

Labial palpi very small ; third joint ovoidal, obtusely acuminate, as long as

the two preceding together. Labrum short, transverse, free, impressed in the

middle. Autennre ten-jointed ; middle joints of stem subanchylosed, short ;

club three-jointed, very long and arcuate in the males. Anterior coxse trans-

verse, but slightly prominent. Metasternal episterna moderate in width.

Abdominal segments connate, the sutures fine but not entirely obliterated,

rendered distinct by the disposition of the vestiture. Metasternum well

developed. Legs rather short and slender ; tarsi short, the posterior much

sliorter than the tibiae ; claws moderate, evenly and strongly arcuate, toothed

near the base, the teeth distinctly unequal.

The above characters indicate a genus intermediate in many

characters between Polyphylla and Thyce. It is founded upon

Thyce marginata Casey (Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci., II, p. 39). The

deep excavation of the fourth palpal joint, which is present in this

genus in common with Thyce, is by no means confined to this

group of genera, as it is a common character in Diplotaxis, although

generally less developed.

The characters agreeing with Thyce, reside in the structure of

the palpi and tarsal claws, and those which ally it most directly

with Polyphylla, are found in the greatly developed male antennal

club, and the short tarsi.

TENEBRIONID.E.

EDROTES Lee.

The four species of this genus may be separated as follows: —

«

Pubescence long and erect.

Pubescence more condensed in several narrow widely distant lines on each

elytron ; surface highly polished, very minutely and sparsely punctate,

Coleopterological Notices. 115

the punctures more dense — but still confused — along the more densely-

pubescent lines, strongly convex veiltricOSUS

Pubescence denser, without trace of serial arrangement.

Lustre rather dull ; form strongly convex ; punctures dense, very large

and deeply impressed ; antennfe rather robust rotlliidatus

Polished, subdepressed above, more abruptly and strongly convex at the

sides ; punctures small, sparse and perforate ; antenn.-e longer and very

slender, less capitate llitidllS

Pubescence very short, subrecumbent, not definitely arranged glollOSUS

E. nitidllS n. sp. — Broadly-oval, black ; legs piceous ; antennae dark

rufous. Head distinctly narrower than the prothorax ; median lobe of epis-

toma strong, much wider than long, truncate, dilated at apex ; outer face of

mandibles very coarsely and densely punctate, the punctures distinctly sepa-

rated. Prothorax fully four times as wide as its median length ; apex broadly

emarginate in circular arc, the apical angles strongly, anteriorly produced and

acute ; sides very feebly convergent from base to apex, extremely feebly sinuate

toward apex ; base truncate ; lateral acute edge obsolete except at the apical

angles ; disk finely very sparsely punctate in the middle, the punctures be-

coming much larger, dense and subasperate laterally. Elytra widest just before

the middle ; sides strongly, evenly arcuate, the apex from above very broadly

rounded ; disk somewhat flattened above, nearly six times as long as the

median pronotal length, and about one-third wider than the prothorax, finely,

sparsely punctate, the punctures generally separated by from four to five times

their own diameters. Length 7.5 mm.

California (Mojave Desert, Kern Co.).

This species is quite distinct from any of the others ; the pubes-

cence is long and somewhat coarse, evenly distributed over the

elytra, a little shorter, sparser and coarser than in rotundus, and

distinctly shorter, more matted and slightly coarser than in ventri-

cosus ; the latter is larger and much more minutely punctate.

E. glollOSUS n. sp. — Very broadly oval and strongly convex, black

throughout ; legs and antennae slightly piceous ; pubescence very short,

cinereous, abundant and depressed. Head moderate ; median lobe of epistoma

wider than long, feebly constricted at base, the angles rounded and apex trun-

cate ; punctures of outer face of mandibles coarse, deep and dense, polygonally

crowded. Prothorax very strongly transverse, broadly, very feebly emarginate

in circular arc at apex ; lateral edges completely obsolete and broadly rounded,

the apical angles alone acute and prominent ; disk polished, very finely and

sparsely punctate in the middle, abruptly coarsely, deeply and very densely

so at the sides, the punctures mutually contiguous. Elytra subglobose, very

strongly convex, rather coarsely, densely and evenly punctate throughout the

disk, the punctures separated generally by rather more than their own diame-

ters. Length 5.5 mm.

176 Coleopterological Notices.

Colorado (Greeley),

A very interesting form, quite isolated by reason of its small

size, convex subglobose elytra, and very short subrecumbent pubes-

cence. It is one of the many interesting discoveries of Mr. H. F.

Wickham.

USECHUS Mots.

Two species of this genus are now known ; they may be dis-

tinguished as follows : —

Median impressed area of pronotum fusiform, entire, more or less coalescent

with the basal fovea, the latter narrow and elongate ; elytral punctures very-

large, widely separated in the rows ; pubescence very sparse ; color blackish-

piceous lacerta

Median impressed area feeble, the subcariniform sides nearly straij^ht and

parallel, entirely obsolete just beliiud the middle ; basal fovea larger,

i-ounded, always deep, distinct and isolated ; elytral punctures smaller,

more closely placed ; pubescence denser and rather longer, more densely

and conspicuously nucleated in twelve small spots on the elytra ; color

paler, brown; size smaller Illicleatus

The species above defined as lacerta, has been identified from the

somewhat unsatisfactory figure given by Motschulsky.

U. nucleatus n. sp. — Of the same form as lacerta; pubescence pale

flavate, rather sparse but denser and conspicuous on the elevated ridges, and

in twelve spots on the posterior two-thirds of the elytra, disposed on each

elytron as follows: one just before the centre, three in an oblique line at

posterior third, and two in a line nearly parallel to the suture, rather indis-

tinct, and very near the apex. Head small, rather coarsely and sparsely

punctate. Prothorax as wide as long ; posterior angles small, acute and promi-

nent ; base four-fifths as wide as the disk ; surface finely tuberculate, each

tubercle with a small lateral puncture bearing a stiff subrecumbent seta.

Scutellum extremely minute, twice as long as wide, pointed, slightly tumid.

Elytra with fine feeble costse, the intervals deeply punctate, the humeral costa

very strong toward base, the base also very strongly tumid at one-third the

width from the suture to the sides, the posterior densely pubescent spots also

slightly tumid. Length 3.0-4.2 mm.

California (Humboldt Co.).

Occurs in great abundance in the Hoopa Valley, and may be dis-

tinguished at once from lacerta, not only by the characters given

in the table, but by the form of the smooth and impunctate furrow

which extends along the lateral edges of the pronotum behind the

antennal excavations. In the present species this furrow extends

nearly in circular arc from the excavations, past the basal angles.

Coleopterological Notices. 117

and terminates at the rounded median basal fovea, while in Jacerta

it is narrower and deeper, and terminates at the basal ang-les ; this

character is comparatively constant. In lacerta the densely pubes-

cent spots referred to as a prominent character of 7nicleafus, are also

visible and in nearly the same positions, but they are always feebler;

the length of lacerta is 4.0-5.0 mm.

CIELOTAXl Horn.

The form of the body in this genus somewhat resembles that of

Coniontis, but is as a rule rather more broadly and evenly elliptical,

the prothorax being more strongly narrowed from base to apex.'

The sculpture is stronger and denser, and the seta3, which are seldom

prominent and nearly always recumbent in Coniontis, here become

much denser and more erect, in this latter respect resembling those

of the aberrant Coniontis obesa Lee. The species are entirely

confined to the small island of Guadalupe, off the coast of Lower

California.

Most of the material before me has been recently collected bv

Mr. Gr. W. Dunn; the series is very extensive, amounting to about

forty specimens, and indicates three species which may be distin-

guished as follows : —

Form broadly elliptical ; sides arcuate.

Punctuation of elytra sparse, not muricate ; surface shining ; setre fine,

easily removable piinctulata

Punctuation of the elytra distinctly muricate ; setae coarse, very persistent,

always present on the elytra mui'icata.

Form narrow, oblong ; sides parallel and nearly straiglit ; surface dull, densely,

coarsely muricate ailglistllla

C anglistllla n. sp. — Oblong, moderately robust; sides parallel and

nearly straight ; color above dark brownish-ferruginous, beneath slightly

paler and more rufous ; legs concolorous ; lustre dull. Head slightly wider

than long ; median impression very small and nearly obsolete ; punctures

rather coarse, deep, very dense, sparser on the occiput ; a small median area

at the base Impunctate. Prothorax transversely, strongly convex, fully twice

as wide as the median length ; sides feebly convergent from base to apex and

feebly, evenly arcuate ; apex broadly emarginate ; base nearly straight, except

at the sides where it becomes distinctly sinuate ; basal angles distinctly pro-

duced posteriorly, right when viewed laterally, not rounded, apical very

narrowly so ; disk very narrowly reflexed at the sides, coarsely, very deeply

and densely punctate, most densely so at one-fourth the width from the sides,

where the punctures tend to coalesce longitudinally, more sparsely so near the

edges. Elytra at base as wide as the prothorax ; sides parallel and nearly

Annals N. Y. Acad. Sci., V, Feb. 1890.— 12

178 Goleopterological Notices.

straight for two-thirds the length from the base, thence together rather acutely

rounded behind ; disk transversely, strongly convex, rather coarsely, densely

and asperately punctate ; interspaces dull ; pubescence fine, rather long and

dense. Length 7.5-9.0 mm. ; width 3.8-4.7 mm.

Guadalupe Island.

The present species, which is represented by a series of eight

specimens, is immediately distinguishable from the others b}^ its

narrow subcylindrical form, parallel and much more rectilineal

sides, and generally coarser pronotal punctuation.

G. muricata Horn. — Represented by a good series showing slight

variation, especially noticeable in the size and density of the pro-

notal punctuation. The color varies from dark brownish-ferrugi-

nous to piceous-black. One specimen differs in its more broadly

oval form.

Length 8. 0-10. .5 mm.; width 4.3-5.5 mm.

C. punctulata Horn. — This species is represented by a homogene-

ous series of twelve specimens. The color varies from rather pale

rufo-ferruginous to piceous-black.

Length 9.5-12.0 mm.; width 4 8-6.0 mm.

All the species of this genus have a narrow, more or less incom-

plete, median pronotal line which is impunctate.

CffiLlIS Esch.

The genus Coelus is peculiar to the coast regions of California,

and is found in abundance in the sand dunes which line the sea-

shore. The species are somewhat closely allied, but scarcely to so

great a degree as in Coelotaxis and Coniontis. They may be recog-

nized by the characters given in the following table : —

Anterior angles of epistoma distinctly prominent; size large grossilS

Anterior angles not at all produced, broadly rounded.

Form narrowly oval ; pronotal punctuation very fine and sparse, unevenly

distributed ciliatllS

Form broadly oval ; pronotal punctuation coarse and deep.

Punctures sparse areiiai'ilis

Punctures dense, evenly distributed, sometimes semicoalescent.

globosiis

These species vary considerably in size, but the general outline

and punctuation are quite constant, so that there can be no difficulty

in identifying the forms here described.

C. grossilS n. sp. — Form rather broadly oval, very convex ; dark castaneous

to piceous-black, shining, minutely and sparsely setose above, more densely

Coleopterological Notices. 179

so near the sides, the latter clliate with long erect setfe ; under surface and

legs hut slightly paler. Head much hroader than long, coarsely and densely

punctate ; sparsely punctate near the base, very convex, strongly declivous to

the clypeal suture, which is well marked ; clypeus feebly convex, very broadly

and strongly sinuate anteriorly ; labrum large, rufous in color ; near the

clypeal suture there are several coarse flavate setse. Prothorax slightly more

than twice as wide as long, transversely, strongly and evenly convex; sides

feebly convergent from base to apex, distinctly and evenly arcuate: base

transversely truncate ; angles — viewed laterally — very slightly obtuse and

scarcely at all rounded ; apex strongly emarginate, fringed with flavate setre ;

angles evenly and rather narrowly rounded ; disk irregularly punctate ; punc-

tures rather sparse in the middle, coarser and slightly denser near the sides ;

base having a fine coriaceous or semimembranous margin. Scutellura minute.

Elytra slightly longer than wide, slightly more than twice as long as the i^ro-

thorax ; sides parallel and feebly arcuate for three-fifths the length from the

base, together thence evenly and somewhat parabolically rounded behind ;

disk very strongly convex, finely rugulose, rather (soarsely and not densely

punctate ; punctures evenly distributed, slightly coarser and sparser than

those of the pronotum, slightly asperate. Legs rather short and robust ; tarsi

slender, first joint of the anterior produced beneath the next three and the

basal portions of the fifth. Length 8.8-12.5 mm.

California (Monterey ; San Pedro).

The distinguishing- features of this species are its large size and

peculiarities of pronotal sculpture. In ciliatus the punctures of the

pronotum are fine and nearly evenly distributed over the entire

disk, while in grossus they are slightly coarser, and are almost

entirely wanting in a broad band, crossing the disk at about one-

third its length from the apex, but not attaining the lateral margins.

This character is quite constant throughout a series of ten specimens

which I have before me.

C. globosus Lee. — I obtained two specimens of this species at

San Diego, California. It may be distinguished from ciliatus and

grossus b}' the very coarse and much denser pronotal punctuation,

and the broadly oval form, being even more dilated than grossus.

From arenarius it differs in its much denser punctuation and slightly

broader form.

C. arenarius n. sp. — Form rather broadly and evenly elliptical, convex,

shining, piceous to piceo-castaneous. Head much broader than long ; clypeus

broadly and feebly sinuate at apex ; lateral angles broadly rounded ; sutui-e

deep, straight ; surface rather coarsely, densely punctate. Prothorax widest

slightly before the base, more than twice as wide as long ; sides strongly con-

vergent from base to apex, rather strongly arcuate; basal angles slightlv

rounded ; apex broadly emarginate ; disk convex, coarsely, sparsely and

180

Coleopferological Notices.

somewhat unevenly punctate ; punctures denser toward the lateral edges,

where also they are intermingled with finer punctures. Elytra as wide as the

prothorax, broadly rounded behind, but very slightly longer than wide, slightly

more than twice as long as the prothorax ; surface convex, coarsely, deeply,

rather sparsely and asperately punctate ; punctures slightly denser and more

strongly granulose toward apex. Legs short. Length 6.5-8.5 mm.

California (San Pedro, Los Angeles Co. 2).

This species somewhat resembles the smaller forms of grossus,

but may be known by the broadly rounded clypeal angles, these

being narrowly rounded and distinctly produced anteriorly in that

species.

C ciliatus Esch. — This species is very abundant about San

Francisco. The series of thirty specimens before me indicates but

slight variability except in size, the specimens ranging from 4.8 to

8.0 mm. in length.

Larva.

The following description will serve for the identification of the

larva of Coelus ciliatus. The specimens upon which the descrip-

tion is based were found in

a small sandy tract, in which

S«>:?iJ;fiSM^ • ^^^ imago was more than

usually plentiful, and un-

doubtedly represent the true

larva, ^

Bodi/ very elongate, slender,

cylindrical. Surface shining,

having a few very long fine setae,

herissate with stiff fulvous setaj

at the apex and sides of the head,

and beneath the latter and the

thoracic segments. Integuments

coriaceous, paleluteo-testaceous ;

head, prothorax and anal seg-

ment subcorneous, darker, rufo-

testaceous.

Head as wide as the prothorax,

as long as wide. Post-epistomal

region slightly wider than long ;

sides parallel, nearly straight ;

1 The figure on the left represents the entire body ; that to the right and

above, the anterior portion of the head, more liighly magnified. Of the two

Coleopterological Notices. 181

base transversely truncate; apex very broadly, feebly eraarginate in the

middle three-fifths, receiving the base of the epistoma ; surface shining, witli

a few erect dorsal setje, feebly and sparsely creased, having two oblique lines

of coarse feeble punctures in front of the middle, and three in the middle near

the epistomal margin ; side margins bristling with erect setae. Epistoma

trapezoidal, transverse, feebly declivous ; apex transversely truncate ; apical

two-fifths glabrous, shining, very feebly rugulose ; basal three-fifths densely

covered with small, robust, spiniforra tubercles. Labrum strongly transverse,

truncate at apex, having a loose fringe of short porrected setre along the apex ;

surface broadly, very feebly convex, polished, glabrous, with a double line

of small, erect, very robust spines near the apex. Mandibles not prominent,

visible laterally ; surface flat ; outer margin broadly bilobed ; anterior lobe

with an elevated margin ; posterior with a double line of coarse, erect spines

near the lateral margin ; outer face bristling with erect, coarse setre. Antennje

short, rather slender, foui--jointed ; third joint obconical, shorter than the

second; fourth small, subulate, enlarged and bulbous at base, the enlarge-

ment enclosed by the apex of the third joint. Maxillfe well developed ; base

very large and prominent. Maxillary palpi rather slender, not compressed,

with three free joints, the basal being very short, broad, and anchylosed to

the supports; first free joint slightly longer than wide, truncate at apex,

slightly obconical ; second fusiform, distinctly longer than wide, broadly

truncate at base and apex ; third small, oblique, sides nearly parallel, twice

as long as wide, two-thirds as long as the second, apex truncate. Mentum

longer than wide, rather small, transversely, strongly convex ; surface setose,

granulose, also coarsely asperate ; gular peduncle trapezoidal, well marked.

Ligula slender, projecting far beyond the mentum. Labial palpi small, ap-

parently of two joints, terminal slender, oblique, much longer than wide.

Eyes wanting.

Prothorax much longer than wide, slightly narrowed from apex to base ; sides

very feebly arcuate ; apex and base broadly, transversely truncate ; surface

cylindrical, having a double row of four small setigerous punctures near the

middle and extending fi-om base to apex ; lateral suture inferior ; under surface

behind the coxae conical, ascending upward from the base, shining, glabrous

anteriorly, Setose toward base. Legs far before the middle, short, robust, com-

pressed ; coxae approximate, short ; basal joint triangular, with a few short

robust tubercles near the apex interiorly ; second larger, triangular, with a

double row of small tuberculiform spines along the inner apex ; third as long

as the second, longer than wide, with a row of long, erect, very strong spines

along the inner edge ; terminal claw very large, acuminate at apex.

Mesothorax short, scarcely longer than wide, cylindrical, constricted at apex ;

surface with a few setigerous punctures anteriorly near the constriction, and a

more widely distant row near the base. Legs at the middle of the segment,

very small, rather robust. Surface before the coxte carinate in the middle ;

remaining the one on the left represents the anterior leg with its coxa, and

that on the right the antenna.

182 Coleopterological Notices.

that behind them convex at the sides, the convexities being separated by two

divergent, impressed grooves.

Metathorux longer than wide, nearly cylindrical. Legs slightly behind the

middle. Surface nearly as in the mesothorax.

Abdominal segments longer than wide, subcyliudrical behind, more conical

near the middle. Each segment having on the flanks a fine, impressed, very

obliquely descending groove beginning before the middle; lines of juncture

of the dorsal and ventral surfaces far inferior, straight, divergent from apex

to base, strongly impressed.

Anal seyment longer than wide, pointed, ogival, convex above, herissate with

coarse, erect, fulvous setse more sparse dorsally, with a few dorsal spines and

a row of erect spines parallel to and very near the edge extending from base

to apex. Lower surface with two large tumid processes covered with short

erect spines, arranged transversely near the middle and just before the anal

orifice ; the latter closed by a small complicated fold which is not prominent ;

surface thence to the apex on a superior plane, smooth.

Length 18.0 mm. ; diameter 1.1 mm.

CCELOMORPHA u. gen. (Coniontini).

Body oval, convex, sparsely and minutely setose above, ciliate at the sides.

Head inserted in the prothorax to the middle of the eyes, short, broad ; clypeus

rounded at the sides, broadly sinuate anteriorly ; mentum moderate, obtrape-

zoidal ; maxillae broadly exposed at the sides ; maxillary palpi well developed,

third joint small, obconical, one-half as long as the second, fourth as long as

the preceding two together, elongate, moderately dilated, cylindro-ovoidal,

obliquely truncate within at apex ; labial palpi small, third joint feebly

dilated, cylindro-ovoidal, acuminate at apex ; antennae very short, incrassate,

10-joiuted, first joint short, inserted in front of the coarsely granulated eyes

and under the overlianging sides of the clypeus. Legs rather slender, spinu-

lose ; posterior tarsi slender, basal joint elongate ; anterior tarsi scarcely as

long as the tibiae, first joint large, produced beneath the second and third

joints ; tibiae not sensibly produced exteriorly at apex, terminating in two

short spurs and several small spinules. Epipleurae broad, rapidly diminishing

in width toward the elytral apices which they attain. Scutellum minute,

triangular.

This genus is well distinguished from Coelus by its 10-jointed

antennae and broad epipleurae, also by the form of the prothorax.

The labrum is strongly retractile, and in three of the four speci-

mens examined is completely invisible, the mandibles being fully

exposed from above ; the organ is indeed so. fully retracted that

merely the apex can be seen, even by looking far under the clypeus,

which is separated from the mandibles by considerable intervening

space. The fourth specimen is paler in color, and has the labrum

protruded, showing this to be rather large and as usual broadly

Coleopterological Notices. 183

sinuate at tip. The labrum is freely retractile in a great many-

other genera of Tenehrionidte.

The genus Coelus is a highly specialized form of the group Coni-

ontini, which embraces two distinct types, distinguished primarily

by antennal and tarsal structure, and represented by Crelus and

Coniontis. The genus Ccelotaxis is the connecting bond between

the two sections, since it possesses the long slender antennae of

Coniontis, and, in a rudimentary degree, the tarsal structure of

Coelus. Eusattus is closely related to Coniontis. Coilomorpha, on

the other hand, while exhibiting a decided relationship with Coelus,

is a still more highly specialized and extreme form, and perhaps

may be considered a transition toward a group or genus now ex-

tinct or not as yet discovered. This view is principally based upon

the broad epipleurffi and the form of the basal portions of the pro-

thorax.

The prolongation of the basal joint of the anterior tarsus, which

is most highly developed in Coelus and Coeloraorpha, is very mode-

rate in Ccelotaxis and nearly obsolete in Coniontis, although in the

latter a distinct tendency to prolongation may be perceived, the

joint being very obliquely truncate at apex. In Eusattus the basal

joint is much longer and more slender, and nearly every vestige

of the prolongation is lost. If, therefore, the group be arranged

systematicall}' in accordance with this character, the genera would

stand in the following sequence: Coeloraorpha, Coelus, Ccelotaxis,

Coniontis, and Eusattus.

As a general rule in this group the basal angles of the prothorax

are prominent and produced posteriorly, and, although in Coelus

and a few species of Coniontis this character is nearly obsolete and

the base of the prothorax almost straight and transverse, we can

even in these cases clearly perceive the tendency to posterior pro-

longation. In Coeloraorpha, however, this character is completely

reversed, for the base of the prothorax becomes evenly and poste-

riorly arcuate throughout its width, the basal angles being broadly

rounded and gradually coarctate with the sides.

C. maritima n. sp. — Rather broadly oval, convex, shining, piceous to

pale ferruginous ; under surface and legs slightly paler. Head scabrous,

herissate with coarse erect setae ; antennae very short, gradually and strongly

incrassate, slightly compressed, scarcely two-thirds as long as the head ; eyes

very coarsely granulate. Prothorax distinctly more than twice as wide as long,

broadly convex, margined along the base, which is broadly and evenly arcuate,

184 Goleopterological Notices.

witli a tliin membranous border, broarlly emarginate at apex ; sides feebly

conveigeiit from base to apex, distinctly and evenly arcuate ; basal angles

broadly rounded, apical much more narrowly so ; disk with a few widely and

irregularly scattered punctures in the middle, which are coarse and excessively

feebly impressed ; near the sides the punctures are much more dense, stronger

and distinctly scabrous or subasperate. Elytra connate, very c<)nvex ; sides

parallel and distinctly arcuate for three-fourths the length from the base ;

together broadly rounded behind when viewed vertically, acute with the sides

straight when viewed longitudinally ; disk excessively minutely subgranu-

lose, finely rugulose, with fine, not dense, scabrous or subasperate punctures.

Under surface moderately shining, finely, not densely and subasperately

punctate. Epipleurae nearly flat, finely subrugulose and asperate. Length

2.9-4.0 mm.

Lower California.

The species above described is the smallest member of the group.

Several specimens were secured by Mr. Gr. W. Dunn, who informs

me that its habits are entirely similar to those of Coelus.

lJL,OPORUS n. gen. (Tenebrionida?).

Head short, broad, subdeflexed. Clypeus broadly rounded, not obliquely

elevated at the sides. Eyes convex, moderate, coarsely faceted, extending

slightly further beneath than above, neither divided nor emarginate. Antennae

inserted under the acute lateral edges of the clyi^eus, almost adjoining the

eye, moderate in length, very slender, the last three joints abruptly larger

forming a distinct oblong club ; first and second joints elongate-oval, slightly

more robust, the first slightly the longer and wider; third very slender, three

times as long as wide, rather distinctly longer than the fourth ; eighth

obconical, fully as long as wide ; ninth abruptly much wider, subtriangular,

wider than long ; tenth obtrapezoidal, twice as wide as long ; eleventh as wide

as the tenth, oval, slightly wider than long. Labrum very short, strongly

transverse, truncate, the membranous band separating it from the clypeus

fully as long as its exposed portion. Maxillse large, greatly exposed and

prominent ; palpi well developed ; second joint long and slightly clavate ;

third short ; fourth very large, strongly securiform. Ligula short, indistinct ;

palpi rather small, not very robust ; third joint rather longer than the second,

feebly conical, twice as long as wide. Mentura small, slightly elongate, dis-

tinctly narrowed from apex to base and supported on a moderate peduncle.

Prothorax short, wider from apex to base, the sides coarctate with those of

the elytra, the sides of the pronotum margined with an elevated bead, the

apex and base not margined, the latter fitted closely to the elytra. Prosternum

short in front of the coxse, rather widely separating the latter, the process

very largely developed behind the coxse, the apex angnlate and received in a

deep impression of the mesosternum ; development behind the coxse — near

their inner margins — as great as before them in the same longitudinal line.

Coleopterological Notices. 185

Mesosternum very sliort ; coxae widely separated, liaving a distinct trocliaiitin.

Metastermim moderate, the episterna moderate in width ; posterior coxfe almost

contiguous, just visibly separated. Legs short; femora modei-ately i-obust ;

tibire short, having two sets of terminal spurs, one at the inner and one at the

outer edge ; spurs short and rather slender ; tarsi moderate in length, densely

pilose beneath ; first joint elongate, penultimate very small, the basal joint

of the posterior about as long as the entire rema,inder, the second obliquely

and distinctly lobed beneath. Scutellum rather small, strongly transverse,

strongly rounded behind. Epipleurje moderate in width, entire, horizontal

behind, slightly broader and feebly inflexed toward base. Body evenly ellip-

tical, moderately and evenly convex.

The posterior margins of the second and third ventral segments

being finely coriaceous, determines the position of this rather puz-

zling genus to be in the Tenebrioninffi, and the eyes being more

prominent than the sides of the front, together with other charac-

ters above given, seems to indicate that it should be associated

with the Diaperini, where for the present it may be placed near

Platydema.

U. ovalis n. sp. — Evenly elliptical, moderately convex, somewhat strongly

shining, rather densely pubescent, the pubescence very fine and extremely

short ; piceous, legs and antennje dark brownish-rufous. Head retractile,

very feebly, evenly convex, not in the least tuberculate, very finely and densely

punctate. Prothorax nearly twice as wide as long ; apex about two-thirds as

wide as the base, the latter transverse with a broad very feebly arcuate median

lobe ; basal angles — viewed laterally — nearly right, not rounded, apical rather

broadly rounded, not at all prominent ; disk finely, very deeply and densely

punctate. Elytra rather more than twice as long as the prothorax ; sides

arcuate ; apex broadly rounded ; surface very finely, densely punctate, with

vaguely defined series of slightly larger, widely distant punctures, the series

without the slightest trace of impressed striae. Length 1.7 mm.

Texas (Columbus).

This species is widely diffused throughout the States bordering

the Gulf of Mexico. I owe the specimen serving as the type of

the above diagnosis, to the kindness of Mr. E. A. Schwarz, who

discovered it in considerable abundance in the locality indicated.

186 Coleopterological Notices.

APPENDIX.

Contributions to the American Termitopiiilous Fauna.

The species recently described in these Annals under the name

Termitogaster insolens, was the beginning of a series of discoveries

by Mr. J. Beaumont, in connection with certain studies in the life

habits of Termes and its allied genera.

The specimens of the species named above, were found incident-

ally by Mr. Beaumont in the galleries of termites, and were trans-

mitted by him, together with the neuropterous specimens serving

in part as the basis of a recent paper by Mr. P. H. Dudley, which

has just been published in the Transactions of this Academy. When

the attention of Mr. Beaumont was called to the importance of his

discovery, a more careful and systematic search was instituted,

resulting in the capture of several very small specimens which have

been placed in my hands for study by Mr. Dudley. These, as will

be seen below, are found to represent two entirely new and very

interesting genera, and, in addition, a new species of Termito-

gaster.

The coleoptera associated with the termites appear to be more

specialized and more intimately connected with the life habits of

their hosts than is the case with the more numerous m3n'mecophi-

lous species, and their taxonomy is more difficult to a corresponding-

degree.

If any generalization can be made upon the little already known

of these curious genera, it would appear that, having become so pro-

foundly modified from the more usual types, — as seen for instance

in Spirachtha, which is one of the most remarkable instances of

adaptive development at present known, — it may be legitimate to

suppose that the neuropterous termites are an older type geologi-

cally than the hymenopterous ants, whose coleopterous guests are

generally less radically modified. This is of course under the

supposition that the rapidity of evolution or adaptation has been

approximately constant in the two cases, and that the coleoptera

are either intermediate in age between the termites and the ants, or

that they are the most ancient of the three. The truth is, probably,

Coleopferological Notices. 18T

that the more highly specialized forms such as Spiraehtha, Corotoca

aud Termitogaster, are very nearly contemporaneous in origin with

the termites, while the less specialized forms such as Philotermes

and the genera here described, are intermediate in age between the

termites and true ants, since the latter genera are scarcely more

modified than the majority of myrmecophilous forms.

TERMITOGASTER Casey.

In elytral structure the following species is an anomaly, and has

scarcely a parallel in the entire order.

T. fissipennis n. sp. — Anterior parts slender, compactly joined, parallel

and subcylindrical ; abdomen strongly inflated ; color pale brownish-flavate

throughout, the exposed membranous portions white, the elytra slightly pice-

ous ; integuments slightly alutaceous, very sparsely setose.

Head scarcely as long as wide, not deflexed ; sides short and parallel ; basal

angles narrowly rounded ; base subtruncate, broadly arcuate, fitted into tlie

apex of the prothorax almost throughout its width, the neck very wide; upper

surface covered rather sparsely witli minute subasperate points, very feebly

convex, broadly, feebly impressed in the middle. £i/es rather large, almost

evenly oval, very slightly longer than wide, convex and distinctly prominent,

finely faceted, longer and slightly more prominent than the tempora. Antenme

about two-fifths as long as the body, rather slender, cylindrical, loosely articu-

lated, strongly geniculate ; basal joint subequal to the next three combined ;

two to four decreasing rapidly in length, the latter just visibly longer than

wide, obtrapezoidal, the sides but very feebly oblique ; four to ten almost

exactly similar, the ninth as long as wide, the tenth just visibly transverse;

eleventh cylindro-ovoidal, pointed, as long as the two preceding ; all the joints

sparsely setose and also finely pubescent, more densely so toward apex and

almost glabrous toward base ; basal joint inserted in a small rounded entirely

dorsal fovea, adjacent to the antero-superior margin of the eye. Front before

the antennje advanced and' strongly arcuate at apex, the surface just before

the apical margin elevated in two broad approximate cariniform tubercles,

immediately in advance of which the surface is very short and strongly decliv-

ous, the apical margin with a very minute deei) rounded emargination, having

the sides in the form of fine carinse and with the apical projections extremely

fine and acute, but not greatly advanced. Lahrinn distinct, transverse, broadly,

strongly sinuate at apex, with the surface strongly impressed opposite the

sinuation, separated from the front by a membranous sheath. Mentum large,

longer than wide, broadly impressed ; apex very slightly narrower than the

base ; sides parallel. Ligula very short, membranous, sinuate at apex — viewed

dorsally — with a short cylindrical porrect process projecting from the bottom

of the sinuation, the paraglossse apparently entirely obsolete. Labial pal/n

very small, slender, the three joints decreasing uniformly and rapidly iu width,

188 Goleopterological Notices.

cylindrical, the last two subeqiaal in length and together but slightly longer

than the first. ]\faxUl(e large, greatly exposed and prominent, especially

toward base, the basal plate not in the least spinose ; outer lobei well devel-

oped, lunate, corneous, with the apex acute, the inner edge fringed with

moderate setfe ; inner lobe not made out. Maxi/lari/ palpi very large, conspicu-

ous, sjjarsely setose and irregular ; basal joint small, rather longer than wide,

distinct ; second extremely asymmetric, slightly transverse, feebly convex on

the outer side, deeply excavated on the inner ; third longer than wide, longer

than the second, ovoidal, gradually pointed, convex on the outer side, liroadly

excavated on the inner, the fourth joint minute and spiniform, not oblique.

Mandibles moderate, not made out, closed in the type,

Prothorax slightly wider than the head and a little wider than long ; sides

nearly straight and parallel ; apex broadly strongly arcuate and rounded into

the sides, the apical angles obsolete ; base truncate throughout the width and

very feebly arcuate, the basal angles nearly right and very narrowly rounded.

Pronotum extremely feebly, evenly convex, not impressed, shining, excessively

minutely, sparsely, subasperately punctate, each point bearing an excessively

minute erect pale setiform hair ; disk with two very widely distant subbasal

set?e, and four, forming a trapezoid, in the apical half; viewed laterally the

flanks are narrow and pierpendicular, scabrous, the lower edge sinuate just

behind the detlexed apical angles, which are acute and continued in front of

the coxae by the extremely short and almost lamellate ante-coxal prosternal

piece. Prosternum extremely short, not one-third as long as the pronotum.

Anterior coxce very long, loosely attached in the large membranous cavities,

finely scabi'ous, almost glabrous ; femora long, the upper edge strongly arcu-

ate, the tibiae as long as the femora, coarsely, rather densely setose within,

with two external i-ows of long slender widely-spaced setiform spines- The

disk of the pronotum in the male is very slightly wider, and more distinctly

longer, than the head ; in the female the head is quite noticeably smaller,

with the tempora not quite so prominent.

Mesothorax moderate in length. Scutellnm rather large, transverse, ogival,

in lai-ge part covered by the pronotum. Parapleune of the mesosternum finely

scabrous, large and well developed. Cox(e very large, long, oblique, contigu-

ous ; trochanters moderate, with a short obtuse dentiform process within, the

femora rapidly narrowed near the point of attachment on the trochanters, the

tibiae similar to the anterior but less densely setose within.

Metasternum well developed. Eli/tra equal in length and basal width to the

corresponding dimensions of the pronotum ; sides sti-aight and parallel, each

elytron distinct, the two separated by an interval, which at the apex is equal

1 In insolens the outer lobe is shorter, wide, arcuate, the apex truncate inter-

nally and bearing a row of short stiff spinules ; the inner lobe is very short,

adjacent to the outer, the base obliquely corneous, the remainder semimem-

branous, the apex with a row of short spinules almost continuous with those

of the outer lobe. The disposition of the lobes is somewhat similar therefore

to that of Homalota and Euiyusa.

Coleoj)te7'oIogical Notices. 189

to their own width, the sides of the interval straight and feebly convergent

anteriorly, abruptly terminating at a point just behind the scutellum, where it

is about one-half as wide as at the apex ; surface coarsely and strongly reticu-

late, scabrous on the vertical flanks, sparsely clothed with exceedingly short

erect set£e, and each with two long setse near the inner margin, one near the

base and another behind the middle ; flanks perfectly devoid of true epipleurae.

Episterna large, triangular, very wide beliind, but covered by the elytra before

attaining tlie humeri. (?o.r<c with the inner portions large, porrect, contigu-

ous, longer than wide, truncate at apex, with the surface broadly convex ;

trochanters large, simple ; femora irregular, the upper edge broadly angulate

just beyond the middle, the edge thence broadly incurvate in circular segment

to the point of attachment ; tibiae sparsely setose within, tlie spinose setae of

the two external rows stronger. Hind wings wanting.

Abdomen with six segments, widely inflated, in the female three times as

wide as the elytra, witli the sides strongly arcuate, in the male very sliglitly

narrower, with the sides slightly straighter in the middle ; integuments in

great part chitinous, the white membranous portions but slightly exposed ;

upper surface feebly cdnvex, each segment above and beneath with two trans-

verse rows of setse ; lateral border deep and strongly reflexed ; lower surface

very convex, the setse longer.

Legs rather long and slender. Tibia parallel, truncate, without terminal

spurs. Tarsi 5-jointed, rather long, slightly compressed ; first joint as long

as the entire remainder — sliglitly shorter in the anterior ; — fourth anchylosed

to the fifth. *

Length 2.8 mm.

Colombia (Panama).

The above description is rather comprehensive, and includes

generic as well as specific characters in order that the numerous

differential characters distinguishing it from insolens may be made

more evident. The differences reside mainl}^ in the structure of the

elytra, front, convexity and prominences of the eyes, and irregu-

larities of the trochanters and femora; in iiisolens the elytra are

absolutely connate, and soldei'ed so completely together that the

suture is only indicated by a very feebly impressed line, — as great

a divergence from the corresponding structure in Jissipennis as

could well be imagined. In both, the maxillary palpi are exceed-

ingly irregular, but in the present species they differ greatly from

those of insolens. The fact that the tarsi, antennae and general

habitus are similar or parallel to those oi insolens, seems to indicate

that they should not be generically separated, but the great and

radical differences show at the same time that the genus is probably

one of great age in a geological sense.

In the male, the sixth abdominal segment is evenly emarginate

190 Coleopterological Notices.

throughout its width in broad circular arc, while in the female the

same segment is angularly produced ifi the middle for a short dis-

tance. The remarkable modification of the palpi and legs is not a

sexual peculiarity, being developed to precisely the same extent in

the male and female. The same remark applies also to T. insolens;

in this species the sixth segment is truncate in the male, and feebly,

roundly lobed in the middle in the female. In insolens the two

mandibles are similar ; they are rather slender, feebly arcuate,

having internally just behind the middle a large oblique squarely

truncate tooth; the portion beyond this is very slender and has, just

before the apex, a small oblique tooth.

ABROTEL.es n. gen. (Aleocharini).

Body rather robust, subparallel ; abdomen slightly inflated.

Head nearly twice as wide as long, porrect, feebly convex ; sides very short,

parallel, feebly arcuate ; base inserted slightly within the prothorax, not in

the least constricted ; basal angles not exposed ; apex broadly arcuate between

the eyes, the latter rather large, finely faceted, not at all prominent, rounded,

slightly angulate above. Antennre inserted in small fovese on the vertical sides

of the front adjacent to the middle of the anterior margin of the eyes, and just

above the base of the mandibles, 11-jointed, very robust ; first joint obconical,

longer than wide ; joints two to eleven forming an elongate cylindrical club,

strongly tapering near the base and more feebly so near the apex, joined by a

narrrow point of support to the truncate apex of the basal joint at a point

near its lower margin, the joints separated by transverse sutures, apparently

mobile but each inserted far within the next preceding, subequal in length,

about one-third wider than long, except the second which is obconical and but

slightly wider than long, the third which is shortest and about twice as wide

as long, and the eleventh which is pointed, slightly compressed and as long

as the two preceding. Epistoma membranous, short, broadly trapezoidal, the

apex broadly sinuate, not separated from the front by a suture, the chitinous

portion of the front abruptly terminating at a broadly incurvate line between

the bases of the antennse. Lahrum well developed, prominent, twice as wide

as long; sides and apical angles continuously rounded; apex with a small

very deep median sinuation. Mandibles very short and stout, arcuate, slender

toward the acute apex, apparently with a large obtuse internal tooth at the

middle. Mentum large, slightly longer than wide ; base and sides continuously

rounded ; sides slightly convergent in apical third and nearly straight ; apex

truncate ; surface flat, corneous in basal two-thirds, transparently membra-

nous in apical third, the line of demarcation sinuate and without visible

suture ; chitinous portion with two long erect setae near the centre, arranged

transversely and nearly trisecting the width. Ligtda moderate, membra-

nous, with a short rounded simple median process, the paraglossae small,

Coleopterological Notices. 191

rounded and advanced as far as the apex of the median lobe. Labial pa/pi

3-jointed ; basal joint slightly longer than wide, cylindrical ; second much

sliorter, very small, cylindrical ; third longer, subulate. Muxillce moderate,

not exserted ; lobes small, the outer enveloping the inner, not hooked at apex,

ciliate. Maxillary palpi nearly of the usual type, rather slender ; second and

third joints subequal ; fourth subulate. Under surface of head without trace

of lateral carinas.

Prothorax rather short. Pronotiim transverse ; apex truncate ; base just

visibly arcuate ; sides feebly arcuate and just perceptibly convergent from

base to apex ; basal angles nearly right and extremely narrowly rounded ;

flanks rather shallow, very strongly deflexed, the lower edge straight, tlie

apical angles — viewed laterally — more broadly rounded than the basal, tiypo-

mera very strongly inflexed, almost parallel to the pronotal flanks. Prosternum

extremely short before the coxse, the latter large.

Mesothorax short. Scutellum triangular, strongly transverse, the apex ex-

posed. Mesostemal parapleune small, the epimera but partially developed,

leaving a considerable extent of membrane exposed adjacent to the elytral

humeri. Coxre moderate and not greatly exserted, the cavities confluent.

Metuthorax longer. Elytra transverse, truncate at apex, as wide as, and

with the suture subequal in length to, the pronotum, not connate ; suture

not beaded ; hind wings apparently not well developed ; apical edge slightly

inflexed and membranous ; flanks without true epipleurae, not beaded.

Metasternal episterna very wide behind, their inner line tangent to the elytral

humeri. Coxce rather narrow, extending to the very wide episterna, contiguous.

Abdomen slightly wider than the elytra, the sides feebly arcuate, consisting

of six segments. Upper surface flat, each segment with a single apical series

of long stifl" setje ; border wide, but not inclined. Lower surface convex, the

setae shorter and not definitely arranged.

Legs short and robust. Femora oblong, deeply excavated along the lower

edge toward apex for the reception of the tibije, the latter nearly equal in

length to the femora, parallel, truncate or slightly rounded at apex, more

finely pubescent, entirely devoid of terminal spurs or spinules, but having

several very long stifl" setae along the external edge. 7'arsi short, rather

robust, pubescent, 4-jointed on all the legs, the first joint of the posterior as

long as the next two together and equal in length to the fifth. Ungues very

small, arcuate. Anterior tarsi with a better defined tuft of long hair beneath

each joint.

There is no described genus known to me with which the present

can be compared. The robust compact cylindrical antennae are

characteristic of a number of termitophilous and myrmecophilous

genera, but none of these appears to have the posterior tarsi foui'-

jointed, as they very clearly are in Abroteles.

A. Beauinoiiti n. sp. — Pale piceo-testaceous ; abdomen flavate ; integu-

ments polished, not 2>erceptibly punctate. Head very finely, sparsely pubes-

192 Coleopferological Notices.

cent ; antennfe slightly shorter than the head, pronotum and elytra combined.

Pfonotnm very slightly less than twice as wide as long, very feebly, transversely

convex, not distinctly impressed, with a series of wide-spaced erect setse along

the apical margin and thence along the sides to the middle, where they abruptly

terminate ; disk extremely sparsely pubescent, the hairs subrecumbent, very

minute toward the middle, longer and stiffer toward the sides, and posteriorly

to basal fifth, where they abruptly terminate in a transverse line parallel to

the base ; surface thence to the base glaln'ous, except a few minute hairs

along the fine paler semi-coriaceous posterior edge, extending anteriorly along

the sides to about the middle. Elytra polished, depressed ; sides straight,

feebly divergent from base to apex, almost exactly similar in form to the

pronotnm, and almost imperceptibly longer, at base slightly narrower, very

sparsely clothed with rather stiff subrecumbent hairs, evenly but not regularly

disposed. Abdomen distinctly longer than the anterior parts combined, and

distinctly wider than the elytra ; sides arcuate ; upper surface almost glabrous,

except the wide depressed border which is very finely and indistinctly pubes-

cent ; under surface almost completely glabrous in the middle, bat very finely

pubescent laterally. Length 1.8 mm.

Coloinlna (Panama).

In the male, which appears to be much more abundant than the

female, the sixth segment is very broadl}^ rounded behind, the

middle of the apical margin truncate or excessively feeblv incur-

vate ; in the female this segment is broadly and feebly produced in

the middle in a wide broadly rounded lobe. The elytra also appear

to be very slightly shorter in the female.

In dedicating this species to Mr. J. Beaumont, I wish to acknowl-

edge a strong appreciation of the patience and scientific zeal on his

part, which have led in so short a time to a decided advance in our

knowledge of the interesting and apparently greatly diversified ter-

mitophilous fauna of Tropical America.

PERINTHIIS n. gen. (Aleocharini).

Body nearly as in Myllsena, densely and very minutely pubescent.

Head small, strtmgly deflexed, deeply inserted in a rounded apical emargi-

uation of the prothorax ; portion behind the antennie much wider tlian long,

not in tlie least constricted at base, the latter covered by the pronotum ; sur-

face evenly, moderately convex. Eyes large, finely faceted, minutely, rather

densely setose, not prominent, rounded, occupying nearly the entire sides of

the head and, in repose, partially overlapped by the pronotum. Antenme

inserted in small fovese adjacent to the anterior margin of the eye on the

abruptly inclined and concave apical portion of the front — epistoma — which is

corneous and separated from the front proper by a transverse finely cariniform

line, which is sinuate behind each fovea, and anteriorly arcuate and more

Coleopterological Notices. 193

ailvanced in the middle, abruptly terminating at each side at the antero-

superior margin of the eye ; they are ll-jointed, moderate in length, very

strongly flattened ; when viewed on the compressed side the sides are parallel

as far as the fourth joint, thence narrowed to the base of the third ; first joint

rather slender, longer than wide; second slightly narrower, much shorter,

subcylindrical, longer than wide ; third obconioal, slightly longer than wide,

compressed ; fourth about as long as wide, obtrapezoidal ; remaining joints

subequal, truncate at base and apex, with the sides almost parallel, in close

contact throughout the width, rather more than one-half wider than long on

the compressed side, and very slender, fully one-half longer than wide on the

edge, the eleventh joint slightly shorter than the two preceding. Apical mar-

gin of the epistoma membranous, truncate, the lahrnni large, prominent, wider

than long, with the apical angles broadly rounded, the apex with a small

feeble median sinuation. Mandibles small, arcuate, acute and simple at the

immediate apex. Mentum large, equilatero-triangular, with the sides straight ;

surface flat ; apex very narrowly truncate ; basal half corneous, aj^ical mem-

branous, the dividing line feebly sinuate, not at all impressed. Ligula mode-

rate, wider than the apex of the mentum, rather long, with a prominent deeply

bifid median process, the paragloss?e not well developed. Lahial paljii robust

at base, the joints rapidly decreasing in thickness ; third subulate. MaxilUe

moderate, feebly exserted ; lobes small, ciliate. Alaxillary palpi of the usual

type, rather slender ; second joint shorter than the third ; fourth subulate.

Lower surface without trace of infra-ocular ridge, the eyes approaching within

a very short distance of the buccal cavity.

Prothorux strongly developed dorsally, very feebly so ventrally. Pronotnm

large, strongly, transversely convex, moderately narrowed from base to apex ;

basal angles evenly, somewhat obtusely rounded and slightly produced poste-

riorly, the base being incurvate and subtruncate between them. Hijpomera

very wide, extremely strongly inflexed, parallel to the strongly inclined flanks

of the pronotnm. Prosternwn very small, extremely short in front of the coxse,

the latter large, conical and convex.

Mesothorax short. Scutellum invisible, completely concealed by the greatly

overlapping free edge of the pronotum. Mesosternal side-pieces ample, entire ;

coxae large, contiguous.

Metuthonix moderate. Elytra, truncate, apparently connate, very short and

transverse, as wide as the prothorax, but slightly more than one-half as long,

transversely convex ; flanks strongly inclined, the epipleurse very strongly

inflexed and almost parallel to the flanks, deep ; suture very fine but distinct.

Metasternum wide ; episterna narrow, parallel ; coxse moderate, contiguous,

lamellate and transverse laterally.

Abdomen at base slightly narrower than the elytra, conical ; sides rapidly

convergent to the acute apex and nearly straight, consisting of six segments

which are moderate in length, each having a single transverse series of long

widely-spaced apical setse above and beneath. Upper surface moderately

convex, the border narrow, normal, moderately deep. Lower surface more

strongly convex.

Annals N. Y. Acad. Sci., V, Feb. 1890—13.

194 Coleopterological Notices.

Lerji> short. Femora stout, the flanks produced beneath slightly at apex,

forming a channel for the partial reception of the tibiae. TibioB slender, short,

cylindrical, truncate, without terminal spurs or spinules and devoid of long

external setse. Tarsi short, slender, cylindrical, densely pubescent, about

two-thirds as long as the tibiae, 4-jointed on all the legs ; first joint of the

posterior distinctly longer than the next two together and a little longer than

the fourth. Ungues small and slender.

This genus is also somewhat isolated, harmonizing but remotely

with any of the more usual forms of the great and composite group

to which it is assigned. The extraordinary compressed, almost

tape-like antennae, deep flanks of the pronotum and elytra, which

extend far below the plane of the lower surface, very short elytra,

long conspicuous tactile setiB, ancl four-jointed tarsi, form a combi-

nation of characters for which it is difficult to find a fitting place in

the series.

The sexual characters, also, are very singular. In the male the

apex of the abdomen is not modified beneath, the sixth segment

being evenly rounded behind, but dorsally, the posterior edge of the

first segment is strongly emarginate in middle fourth, the bottom

of the emargination being transverse. In the female the sixth

segment is rounded as in the male, but the basal segment is entire.

P. DudleyailltS n. sp. — Piceous ; abdomen slightly paler ; under sur-

face, legs and antennae pale brownish-flavate ; surface lustre alutaceous, the

pubescence exceedingly short, fine, dense, slightly cinereous and conspicuous,

the long tactile setae very conspicuous, these consisting of six longitudinal

series on the pronotum — counting those of the lateral edges — and a transverse

series just before the middle of the elytra, the latter being simply the terminal

setae of the pronotal series, the setae of the abdomen being a further continu-

ation of the pronotal series. Head small, only the occiput visible from above,

the anterior portions of the body appearing to be semicircularly rounded, much

less than one-half as wide as the base of the prothorax ; antennae about as

long as the head and prothorax together. Prothorax nearly one-half wider

than long, narrowed from base to apex, subconical ; sides very feebly arcuate.

Elytra about equal in width to the prothorax, strongly transverse ; sides

parallel and nearly straight ; disk scarcely perceptibly more than one-half as

long as the pronotum. Abdomen distinctly longer than the anterior parts

combined, conical, acute. Length 1.4-1.7 mm.

Colombia (Panama). '

Taken in considerable abundance by Mr. Beaumont. A good

series has been given me by my friend Mr. P. H. Dudley, to whom

it gives me great pleasure to dedicate this very interesting species.

Coleopterolofjical Notices. 195

Tn glancing through the plates of Schiodte's splendid work on

coleopterous larva3, we cannot resist drawing a few minor generali-

zations with reference to the great persistency of larval type which

prevails throughout some families, as for instance the Scarabseidse

and TenebrionidEe, and the enormous diversity of type exhibited by

others, notably the Staphylinidae, there being scarcely a correspond-

ing diversity of imaginal type in the latter, although the imago is

undoubtedly more heterogeneous than in either of the families before

mentioned. Incidentally we may perhaps be warranted in inferring

that the Scarabasidse and Tenebrionidse, being more homogeneous

and less differentiated in both larval and perfect stage, are more

recent in origin than the strongly differentiated Staphylinidse ; this

is of course under the general premise that multiplication of species

is due to differentiation from fewer and more synthetic ancestral

forms, although I am aware that Dr. Sharp holds that there is but

slight evidence of such divergence in the Dytiscidis. The truth is,

probably, that the Staphylinidye constitute one of the most ancient

types of coleoptera.

Regarding the curious object described below, it can only be said

that if it be staphylinide, as there is some reason to suppose, it will

add another notable element to the heterogeneity characterizing that

interesting family. Or, conversely, its wide departure from the

usual types of coleopterous larvae will not, of itself, be an obstacle

in the way of its assignment thereto. In this connection it is

desirable to make the following observations : —

1. The specimens were received in two small tubes which, in one

in.stance, contained besides only specimens of Termitogaster insolens,

and in another, only Perinthus Dudlexjanus. Mr. Beaumont seems

to have been careful to isolate his material, and it may -be very

safely assumed that the larvas and beetles were taken together from

the same nest.

2. As far as its general nature is concerned, I believe it to be cole-

opterous, although in antennal structure it is exceedingly exceptional

for that order, being approached in this respect, within n^y knowl-

edge, only by Cyphon. The dense squamose vestiture, enormous

development of the labial palpi and tarsal structure are also exceed-

ingly peculiar.

3. Assuming it to be coleopterous, I am quite convinced that it

cannot be related in any way to Termitogaster, but think that it

may possibly be the larva of Perinthus, the long tactile seta? of the

196 Coleopterological Notices.

upper surface, as well as the conical and attenuate form of the

abdomen, reminding us forcibly of F. Dudleyanus.

Whatever future investigation may prove it to be, the following-

short description will serve to make known its most salient charac-

ters : —

Body fusiform, obtusely rounded in front, attenuate and acute behind —

nearly as in Lepisma, but with the abdomen more strongly and evenly coni-

cal,— convex, and covered densely above and beneath with large pearly-white

closely recumbent strigose scales ; integuments soft, membranous and pure

white throughout. The head is deflexed, densely squamose, devoid of eyes

and ocelli, having the antennje inserted on the front, approximate and sepa-

rated by a narrow very feeble ridge, very perceptibly attenuate from base to

apex, rather more than one-fourth as long as the body, cylindrical, 12-jointed,

the subbasal joints short, closely approximate or subconnate, the outer more

elongate and more loosely articulated, the joints annulated with fine impressed

grooves, one to three in number. The maxillary palpi are moderate in length,

cylindrical, 4-jointed, the last joint longest. The labial palpi are large and

strongly developed, with the last joint very large, ovate, pointed at apex,

concave without and convex within. The three segments of the thorax are

distinct, the flanks thin and descending very noticeably below the plane of

the lower surface, the pronotum as long as the mesonotum and metanotum

combined, each of the dorsal segments, including those of the thorax, bearing

a transverse apical series of long widely spaced tactile seta. The six legs are

short, the coxje large, conical, the femora robust, the tibiae robust, cylindrical,

each with a large terminal spur ; tarsi cylindrical, composed of two joints, the

second twice as long as the first ; claws two in number, minute, arcuate. The

abdominal segments are ten in number, counting the small terminal segment,

which bears a small axial anal style composed of seven or eight joints ; there

are also two short lateral anal stylets, composed of a few closely connate joints ;

the sutures between the abdominal segments almost concealed by the dense

vestiture. The length of the largest specimen examined is 2.5 mm., the

greatest width being 0.8 mm.

One of the most remarkable structures distinguishing this larva

is a very large fleshy appendage projecting from the lower surface

of the abdomen, just behind the fifth segment, and nearly as large

as the entire abdominal vertex beyond it. It is mobile about its

point of attachment, elongate-oval, longitudinally and very narrowly

divided throughout the length, forming two thick elongate cylindro-

conical lobes, which are densely, finely pubescent, and provided in

addition with long sparse setae, especially at the sides. The lobes

are divided by transverse sutures into six segments, of which the

three basal are very large, together occupying four-fifths of the

length, the three last small and composing the rapidly acuminate

Coleopterological Notices. 197

portion ; at the apex of each there is a very short two-jointed styli-

form process. This organ is held in repose in a long very deep ex-

cavation extending through the last four or five abdominal segments,

so that when at rest it is not distinctly noticeable, its lower surface

being continuous with the lower surface of the abdomen. It is

apparently an auxiliary organ of locomotion, analogous to the infra-

apical process characterizing many well-known staphylinide larv^ ;

but no such development as this has to my knowledge been observed

before.

Another larva-like object, possibly of a coleopterous nature, was

inclosed in the tube containing the only specimens of Abroteles

Beaumonti which were obtained, but I am very doubtful of its

connection in any way with that species ; it seems to be too large

and wide and to contain more matter than would suffice for the

body of the insect mentioned.

The large well-developed eyes, large securiform maxillary palpi,

and elongate 5-jointed tarsi are wonderful characters, almost irre-

concilable with what we know of coleopterous larvae. The follow-

ing description will perhaps serve for its future recognition : —

Body evenly oblong-elliptical, depressed, with the ui:)per surface broadly,

feebly convex, broadly rounded before and behind. The upper surface is

strongly reticulate, alutaceous, pale brownish-piceous in color, and covered

sparsely with very short robust spinose setse. The head is deflexed very

strongly, reposing upon the under surface of the prothorax ; it is rather large,

triangular, the eyes at the sides convex, large, and composed of many coarse

convex facets. The antennae are inserted in very large widely distant fovese

on the front before the eyes, and are defective in the only specimen ; there are

four joints remaining, the outer deeply annulated, and showing that tliere has

been at least a terminal process broken therefrom. The epistoma is large and

separated by a distinct broadly sinuous suture. The labrum large, subquad-

rate. Maxillary palpi well developed, with the last joint very large and

strongly securiform. The six legs are about equal, rather long and well

developed ; coxae very long, conical, obliquely recumbent posteriori}', the

posterior large flat ; femora elongate, flattened ; tibise long, cylindrical, with

two strong well-developed distant terminal spurs ; tarsi long, very slender,

cylindrical, the posterior nearly as long as the tibiae, distinctly 5-jointed on

all the legs, the first and fifth joints elongate, the intermediate short ; claws

two in niimber, well developed, arcuate. The pronotum is much wider than

long and longer than the other two parts of the thorax combined, it is finely

canaliculate in the middle throughout the length. The abdomeu consists of

198 Col eojjterologicaJ Notices.

nine very short segments, the sutures very deep and distinct, the apex with

two pairs of very short anal stylets, but without median style. Length 2.4

rnin. ; width 1.0 mm.

It is possible that this may be an apterous larva-like female

imatj'o. The integuments are soft and membranous, the head, and

upper surface semicoraceous. The mandibles are short stout, alike,

and deeply notched and bifid at apex.

The general form of the body somewhat approaches that of the

larva of Siinlomium seyre/iim as figured l;)y Schiodte, l)ut is more

elongate and with the sides more parallel.

QL

573

Ent.

Casey, Thomas Lincoln,

1857'-1925.

Coleopterological

notices.

573

C3

Efnt.