THOMAS ILWCOLN

CASEY

LIBRARY

1925

COLEOPTEROLOG ICAL N OTICES.

II.

BY

THOS. L. CASEY.

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

^7

VII. — Coleopterological Notices.

II.

BY THOMAS L. CASEY.

,/'

Read October 6, 1S90.

The greater part of the present paper is devoted to the Tenebri-

onidas, in an attempt to elucidate the more obscure portions of the

family as represented in the United States. The foundation for

this somewhat laborious work rests upon a large amount of mate-

rial, brought together by the writer during several years' residence

in California, supplemented and greatly increased in value by the

collections of the National Museum, which were placed in my

hands for study and identification through the liberality of Prof.

C. V. Riley.

It gives me pleasure also to acknowledge my indebtedness to many

other friends for specimens which have still further augmented the

material, and consecpiently enhanced the utility of the systematic

revisions. Prominent among these are Messrs. H. F. Wickham,

E. A. Schwarz, and Wilhelm Jiilich.

New York, August 11, 1890.

Note.

As generic and specific words are mere symbols for the designation of a

species, it seems desirable that they should be withdrawn as far as possible

from exceptions to general rules of grammar, and, that in this respect at least,

they should be treated in the abstract as mere aggregations of letters. The

rules of gender should be made uniform, so that generic symbols ending in a

certain manner shall demand a certain definite and invariable gender in the

specific symbol.

Let us take, for instance, the word Adonis. To apply this word to a genus

of beetles with any idea of its absolute meaning, would of course be absurd,

and, if this be granted, there can be no tenable reason for regarding its gender

as masculine and consequently exceptional to the general rule for words

Annals N. Y. Acad. Sci., V, Nov. 1890.— 21

308 Coleopterological Notices.

ending in is. In fact, in the present state of the science, it is impossible to

convey any usefully discriminating meaning by a generic word, for it is evident

that such combinations as Platysoma, Megacephalus, Brachycerus and hundreds

of others, could each be applied with equal force of meaning to a great number

of widely diverse genera.

The only course left, therefore, is to consider the generic name as a simple

harmonious combination of letters, having a Latin form, constructed without

absolutely essential reference to rigidly correct orthography in the language

from which it may have been derived, whether Greek, Latin, or aboriginal

American, and subject to constant rules of gender which shall be independent

of linguistic caprice. The word may or may not have a meaning in the original

language from which it is taken, although in any event, the meaning is of

but little material importance. In regard to gender some such rule as the

following might be suggested : —

Masculine. — All words ending in as, es, os, ws, r or o.

Feminise. — All words ending in a, is or s preceded by a consonant, includ-

ing y, and, in addition, words ending in e or x.

Nedter. — All words ending in m or n.

An attempt at uniformity involving a suppression of the rules of orthogra-

phy, and made in a spirit similar to that which has prompted the above

remarks, has recently come into quite general use — I allude to the growing

custom of writing all specific names, whether proper or common, with a small

initial letter. All such rules as this, which have for their object the attain-

ment of simplicity and uniformity in scientific nomenclature, are undoubtedly

very desirable.

In conclusion I cannot forbear alluding to the unspeakable confusion, into

which the gratuitous meddling of mere linguistic purists, has thrown a great

deal of what should be rigid and unchangeable symbolization. If we can by

any means avoid the unnecessary alteration of original spelling of generic

words in the future, it is all that can be hoped for.

COLYDIID^E.

The Colydiidse comprise an extremely heterogeneous assemblage

of species, in treating which we must either greatly amplify and

generalize our conception of the value of generic characters as

derived from experience in the order at large, or must create a

relatively great number of genera each very limited in extent.

There can be but little question of the propriety of the latter course,

if we wish to make the value of generic characters — somewhat

indefinite at best — as nearly uniform as possible throughout the

order, although it necessitates at the same time a greater complexity

of nomenclature. A similar condition is of constant recurrence

throughout the order. In the Carabidte it occurs anions* the

Coleopterological Notices. 309

Lebiini, in the Pselaphidae among the Ctenistini, and in the Sta-

phylinidse among the Omalini ; it is even more pronounced in many

parts of the Cerambycidae, Tenebrionidae, and Otiorhynchidas.

In regard to the genus Murmidius and its allies, it is quite clear

that their affinities are wholly with Cerylon and Philothermus, and

not at all with the Histeridae, although a few modifications of struc-

ture which are characteristic of that family reappear in them.

These resemblances are limited to the prosternal lobe and elevated

lines alone, for the antennas are received in deep prosternal excava-

tions in true Colydiides, as, for example, in Megataphrus, and the

retractibility of the legs is of very variable extent and consequently

of subordinate value as will appear below. The prosternal lobe,

even, is fully developed only in one of the four genera. On the

other hand the antennae, in general form and position, the trophi,

and the structure of the abdomen, are entirely similar to those of

the Cerylonini.

MEGATAPHRUS n. gen. (Megataphrini).

Head porrect ; sides far overreaching the base of the antennae, the eyes very

rudimentary, consisting of four or five very large circular facets arcuately

bordering the anterior basal margin of a small tubercle situated at the sides

of the extreme base. Antennae inserted far in advance of the eye, very slen-

der, 11-jointed, the club abrupt, consisting of two separate but rather approxi-

mate joints, one to eight very slender, nearly nude and very sparsely setose,

cylindrical, one to five longer than wide, three longer than two and nearly as

long as four and five together, six to eight gradually shorter but equal in

width, nine slightly transverse, ten abruptly much wider, transverse, eleventh

much wider than long, longer than and fully as wide as the tenth, apical

joints more densely pubescent. Antennal grooves at the sides of the head

very wide and deep, continued directly on to the hypomera, where they are

extremely large and deeply excavated, the excavation nearly straight, parallel

to the lateral edges, continuing through anterior three-fifths of the prothoracic

length and extremely disproportionate to the size of the antennae, being fully

ten times as voluminous and of very great depth. Mentum transverse, with a

very strong angulate carina extending from the basal angles to the middle of

the apex ; interior of the angulate portion concave, not carinate. Ligula short,

with a rounded discal tubercle. Palpi moderate ; last joint of the maxillary

rather large, slightly longer than wide, much longer and wider than the third,

ovoidal, obliquely and broadly truncate at apex. Mandibles obtusely notched

at apex. Labrum short and transverse, the basal half feebly declivous ; the

apical vertical. Coxae moderately widely separated throughout, the anterior

as widely so as the intermediate, small, globular, very deeply inserted, the

process wide, truncate, scarcely extending beyond the coxae, the cavities open

310 Coleopterological Notices.

behind, the posterior oval, rapidly attenuate laterally and scarcely attaining

the metasternal episterna which are rather wide. Abdomen composed of five

segments which are free or very nearly so, separated by very coarse, deeply

impressed and straight sutures ; basal segment nearly as long as the next

three together. Legs short, moderately robust; tibiae slender, the spurs not

distinct ; tarsi slender, tetramerous ; joints of the posterior all elongate, the

fourth much shorter than the first three combined.

On comparing these characters with the corresponding ones of

Rhagodera and Anchonima, it is readily seen that the antenna?

differ radically, for, besides being of a usual type and not in the

least perfoliate, they have the last joint wide, while in the genera

mentioned the last joint is small, exactly as in the Asidini of the

Tenebrionidse ; in this connection attention is called to the small

terminal joint in Xarthecius. Megataphrus further differs from the

Ehagoderini in having antennal fossae at the sides of the head and

prosternum not only present, but developed to an extraordinary

degree, and in the elongate basal segment of the abdomen ; it how-

ever resembles the tribe mentioned in having the antennae inserted

at a great distance from the eyes, which in the present instance are

all but obsolete, and in the structure of the anterior coxae, acetabula

and prosternal process, also in its roughly scabrous appearance.

There seems to be no course left, therefore, but to consider it the

representative of a distinct synthetic tribe.1

M. teilllicoi'llis n. sp. — Oblong, rather robust, parallel, strongly, un-

evenly convex, piceous-black, dull and roughly scabrous. Head moderate,

wider than long, very coarsely punctato-tuberculose, the sides tumid over the

antenna?, the occiput with a small median fovea. Prothorax anteriorly some-

what as in Coxelus, about one-fourth wider than long ; base and apex equal,

the latter truncate between the large and greatly advanced apical angles,

which are rather acute and not rounded ; base pedunculate, the peduncle

short, three-fifths as wide as the disk, transversely truncate ; sides parallel,

evenly and distinctly arcuate, minutely but strongly serrate, the teeth tri-

1 The European genus Tarphius, which appears to approach Megataphrus

in some respects, differs in its broader form of body with non-pedunculated

pronotum, in its well-developed eyes which are more approximate to the point

of antennal insertion, and in the very short basal joint of the tarsi ; in Mega-

taphrus the hind tarsi are slender, the basal joint being subequal in length

to the next two together. In Tarphius, which is considered a member of the

Synchitini, the antennal grooves are, according to Wollaston, not really exca-

vations, but more feeble impressions. It cannot be denied, however, that the

tribe Megataphrini is also closely allied to the Synchitini, of which it might

perhaps with almost equal plausibility form a group.

CoJeopterological Notices. 311

angular and erect, strongly emarginate posteriorly just before the basal angles

of the peduncle ; disk strongly elevated in middle third, with a large fovea at

each side in the middle, very coarsely tuberculose and dull. Scutellum ex-

ceedingly minute, angulate and attenuate at apex. Elytra scarcely as wide as

the prothorax and about three-fourths longer; sides nearly straight; apex

evenly rounded ; base truncate between the humeri which are rounded but

anteriorly prominent, each elytron with three moderately elevated discal costse

the two outer, as well as the lateral edge — viewed laterally — broadly sinuous

in the middle ; intervals each with a double series of extremely coarse approxi-

mate punctures, the sutural interval with a single series. Under surface dull

and roughly scabrous. Length 2.4 mm.

California (Humboldt Co.).

- A single representative only was taken by the author near the

bay, probably under loose and greatly decayed bark. The integu-

ments throughout, including the femora and tibiae, are clothed with

very short and sparse, robust, but not squamiform seta?, the tarsi

very finely, sparsely pubescent beneath and nearly glabrous above.

L.YCOPTIS n. gen. (Lycoptini).

The very aberrant genus which I have been forced to regard as

the representative of a distinct tribe of the Colydiidae, may be essen-

tially defined in few words as follows : —

Sides of the head anteriorly not at all extended and but feebly developed

horizontally, the basal joint of the antennae almost entirely exposed from

above, although inserted under the sides. Antennae slender, rather short,

7-jointed, joints three to six slender, seventh forming an abrupt, elongate-

oval, solid club, which is apparently composed of three fused joints with a

feeble terminal process possibly representing a tenth joint ; antennal grooves

not well developed. Eyes rather large and prominent, coarsely faceted. Palpi

with the last joint elongate-oval, gradually and obtusely pointed at apex and

much longer but not thicker than the penultimate. Mandibles finely notched

at apex. Coxae all narrowly separated, the anterior small, transversely oval,

gradually pointed externally, the cavities narrowly open behind ; posterior

strongly transverse, attaining the margin of the epipleurae. Metasternum

large, with a short coarse ante-coxal transverse groove ; episterna not very

narrow, gradually diminishing in width posteriorly throughout the length,

attaining the coxae, the epimera obsolete. Legs rather slender but short, free ;

tarsi tetramerous, the basal joint extremely small, the fourth about twice as

long as the first three together ; tibial spurs extremely short.

The prosternal process is rather narrow and extends behind the

coxa?, the apex abruptly expanded and received in a small moder-

ately deeply impressed excavation of the mesosternum ; its surface

312 Coleopterological Notices.

is transversely tumid, and the lateral angles acute. The rueta-

sternal process is short, angulate and transversely tumid or sub-

carinate. The epipleurae are horizontal and nearly equal in width

throughout, except near the base, where they become a little wider

and almost vertical.

The tribe Lycoptini is related in some of its characters to the

Synchitini, but differs in the structure of the anterior coxae which

are transversely oval and pointed externally, a character which is

extremely rare if not unique in the family. The ? -jointed antenna?

also constitute a peculiar character, and there are only the feeblest

indications of division in the club visible under special conditions

of illumination, the amalgamation being complete ; the third joint

is slender and much longer than the fourth. Lycoptis appears to

be one of those connective forms which, with increasing discovery,

will in all probability ultimately unite many of the small families

of Clavicorns.

L.. V i Ilosil n. sp. — Oblong, parallel, rather depressed, rufo-ferruginous

throughout, feebly shining, the elytra more strongly so ; entire upper surface

herissate with very long, erect, somewhat sparse but conspicuous hairs. Head

wider than long, the eyes prominent and convex, the sides before them short

and strongly convergent anteriorly from their inner margin ; apex broadly

truncate ; epistoma short, the suture transverse and distinct ; sides of the

front at each side of the epistoma very slightly tumid ; labrum very short and

transverse ; upper surface feebly, evenly convex, coarsely and densely punc-

tate. Prothorax four-fifths wider than long, two-thirds wider than the head,

united to the hind body by a short peduncle less than one-half as wide as the

base ; apex slightly narrower than the base, truncate between the slightly

advanced and narrowly rounded apical angles ; base transversely truncate

throughout the width, the basal angles distinctly and rather broadly rounded ;

sides extremely feebly, evenly arcuate ; disk very feebly convex but strongly

declivous laterally, the margins narrowly reflexo-explanate, the lateral edges

minutely crenulate, coarsely, very densely punctate throughout, without trace

of impressions. Scutellum transversely oval. Elytra rather more than three

times as long as the prothorax and exactly equal to it in width ; sides parallel

and straight ; apex evenly, semi-circularly rounded ; base truncate ; humeri

right, not rounded ; disk nearly flat above, strongly declivous laterally from

the sublateral carina ; on each elytron there is at lateral third a strongly

elevated carina, the surface thence to the suture marked with five feebly

elevated lines, interrupted by distant punctures, the intervals each with a

single series of rather coarse punctures, the surface thence to the sides having

a single feebly elevated but uninterrupted line, the two intervals each with

three even series of punctures. Under surface moderately shining, feebly

Coleopterological Notices. 313

granulato-reticulate, very minutely and sparsely punctate. Abdomen composed

of five nearly equal segments, the sutures strong and perfectly straight

throughout. Length 2.1 mm.

South Carolina. Mr. Morrison.

A single specimen of this species was kindly presented by Mr.

Schwarz.

LASCOXOTUS Erich.

This is without doubt one of the largest genera of Colydiidse,

and is particularly well represented in the Californian coast regions;

it is withal a clearly limited and but slightly composite genus,

although its species differ considerably in habit. The species be-

longing to the linearis group, for instance, are not found under

bark, but inhabit the leafy branches of trees, particularly pines,

and it will be observed that the general form of these species is

more cylindrically convex than those of subcortical habits.

Although the structural characters of the under surface are com-

paratively constant, there is very great variety in the sculpture of

the upper surface, which sometimes becomes very complex.

li. pertenuis n. sp. — Very slender, parallel, rather convex, dull and

scabrous, pale brownish-ferruginous throughout ; pubescence short, robust,

rather sparse but more conspicuous in single narrow lines along the crests of

the elytral costse. Head rather large, a little wider than long, slightly con-

stricted at base, fiat above, coarsely, densely and indistinctly punctate, the

epistoma surrounded posteriorly by a deeply impressed, arcuate groove ; eyes

rather large, moderately convex, the tempora about one-half as long ; antennae

short and robust, the club oval, strong, the ninth joint much shorter and

narrower than the tenth. Prothorax a little longer than wide ; base equal in

width to the head ; apex a little wider, broadly arcuate ; sides just visibly

and broadly sinuate ; basal angles not at all rounded in the male, rounded in

the female ; disk very coarsely, rather densely but indistinctly punctate, the

interspaces very dull ; pubescence forming an intricate and feebly marked

tracery ; surface broadly, feebly impressed along the middle, the impression

becoming narrower and vanishing toward base, where, on each side of it, there

is a narrow elongate feeble impression. Elytra about two and one-half times

as long as the prothorax and just visibly wider, very distinctly wider than the

base of the latter ; humeri narrowly rounded ; apex evenly rounded in circular

arc ; disk cylindrically convex, each with four fine, feebly elevated, entire

ridges, the intervals each with two approximate series of coarse, very close-set,

non-setigerous punctures, the setna borne by very minute punctures at the

sides of the interval separating the series, one for every coarse puncture, the

setse subrecumbent and directed obliquely toward the ridges. Abdomen rather

coarsely but sparsely and indistinctly punctate. Length 2.4-2. t> mm.

314 Coleopterological Notices.

California (Monterey).

The most slender species known to me, belonging near linearis

Cr., but smaller, pale throughout and with finer, sparser punctua-

tion, especially of the abdomen. As in the species mentioned the

real punctures of the pronotum are very fine, each situated on the

summit of a relatively coarse tubercle.

Structurally, this species differs from linearis in the antenna3 and

maxillary palpi, the antennal club being parallel and with joints

nine and ten almost equal in linearis. In pertenuis the terminal

joint of the maxillary palpi is shorter, more parallel and more

broadly truncate at apex ; these differences are quite conspicuous

in degree.

L,. Illicleatus n. sp. — Rather slender, parallel, convex, piceous-bro\\ n,

dull ; pubescence coarse, short and recumbent but not squamiform. Head a

little narrower than the base of the prothorax, parallel, broadly truncate,

very slightly wider than long, feebly constricted at base ; upper surface rather

Hat, coarsely, densely punctate and scabrous ; eyes small, a little shorter than

the tempora, slightly prominent ; antennae rather long and slender, very

sparsely clothed with long herissate setae which are very conspicuous on the

club, the latter elongate, subparallel and loose, joints one to six or seven

longer than wide. Prothorax fully as wide as long, strongly narrowed from

apex to base, the sides broadly but rather strongly sinuate throughout ; apex

much wider than the base, broadly, feebly arcuate ; basal angles rather acute,

not rounded ; disk with complex tracery and very feeble impressions nearly

as in pertenuis, coarsely granulato-punctate. Elytra nearly three times as long

as the prothorax and a very little wider than the disk of the latter ; sides

parallel and almost straight ; humeri narrowly rounded ; apex very slightly

conjointly produced in the middle as a squarely truncate lobe ; disk without

trace of longitudinal costa?, but in their place having slightly broader flattened

nude and impunctate intervals, which are interrupted at long distances by

small tumid elevations, bearing a dense tuft of whitish seta? ; spaces between

the flat tumuliferous intervals occupied by a double line of coarse, non-seti-

gerous punctures, the two series very approximate, the interval separating

them bearing a very closely-spaced double line of coarse yellowish seta?, which

are pointed longitudinally backward. Abdomen very dull and scabrous, the

punctures rather sparse and indistinct. Length 2.7-3.4 mm.

California (Monterey).

I obtained a small series of this species from the blossoming

branches of the Monterey pine. Although belonging to the line-

aris division of the genus, it is at once distinguishable from any

other described form, by the densely pubescent nuclei of the elytra

and the absence of costal lines. It is more robust than linearis.

Coleopterolocjical Notices. 315

Li. apiCcllis n. sp. — Parallel, moderately slender, rather depressed, flat

above, the elytra vertical at the sides, dark rufo-ferruginous throughout, very

slightly shining ; pubescence very short and sparse, moderately coarse. //< ad

moderate, nearly as long as wide, quite distinctly narrower before than behind

the eyes, the latter moderate, very slightly convex and about two- thirds longer

than the tempora ; occiput slightly constricted at base ; upper surface feebly

impressed at the sides of the epistoma, finely, sparsely punctate, the punctures

becoming denser and coarsely tuberculous toward the sides ; antennae well

developed, rather stout, the pubescence rather dense, moderate in length, club

wide, nearly parallel, rather loose, the ninth joint distinctly shorter although

but little narrower than the tenth, third scarcely one-half longer than wide.

Prothorax scarcely visibly longer than wide; sides extremely feebly convergent

from apex to base, straight in direction although slightly undulated ; base

with a very short wide truncate median lobe ; basal angles slightly obtuse but

not rounded ; apex nearly transverse but feebly bilobed, the margin of the

lobes tumid ; disk finely, rather sparsely punctate, each puncture at the

summit of a small elevated tubercle ; the tubercles dense ; surface broadly,

feebly impressed in the middle in anterior two-thirds, also with three feeble

impressions near the base forming a posteriorly pointed triangle, otherwise

even. Elytra about two and one-half times as long as the prothorax and

nearly two-fifths wider ; apex semi-circularly rounded ; humeri very narrowly

rounded ; sides parallel andnearly straight ; disk with broadly elevated suture

and four rather strong straight costae on each elytron, the summit of the costae

distinctly, densely punctate, not very conspicuously setose, the intervals each

with two very approximate series of coarse close-set punctures, the small sub-

recumbent setae arranged as in pertenuis; scntellar series long and distinct;

first discal costa abruptly obsolete at apical fifth, the surface between the

thence feebly elevated suture and the second costa nearly flat, polished and

extremely sparsely, finely punctate thence to the apex. Under surface

throughout very coarsely, densely, deeply and distinctly punctate, the punc-

tures slightly transverse and feebly reniform, the small inconspicuous seta?

arising from their anterior margins. Legs moderate ; tarsi slender. Length

3.4-3.7 mm.

California (Santa Cruz Co.).

In some characters this remarkably distinct species is interme-

diate between the ordinary forms with all the elytral costa? entire,

and the pusillus group in which the first discal costa is abbreviated ;

this abbreviation is most extreme in concavus.

I... ConcaTUS n. sp. — Rather robust, depressed, subparallel, black ; legs

and antennae rufo-testaceous ; upper surface alutaceous, the pubescence not

very coarse, extremely short, very dense throughout. Head slightly wider

than long, the sides arcuate and convergent before the eyes which are well

developed but not at all prominent, the tempora very short ; base rather

strongly, abruptly constricted ; surface nearly flat, with two very large feeble

impressions separated by a longitudinal and feeble elevation ; punctures sim-

316 Coleopterological Notices.

pie throughout, fine hut deep and rather dense ; antennae rather short, the

club broad and almost parallel, third joint short, scarcely as long as wide,

very slightly longer and wider than the fourth. Prothorax very slightly wider

than long ; sides rounded anteriorly, thence feebly convergent and nearly

straight to the broadly rounded basal angles ; basal pedunculiform lobe ex-

tremely short and broad, truncate ; apex transverse ; disk abruptly and very

deeply excavated throughout the length, the excavation but slightly longer

than wide, and three-fifths as wide as the entire prothorax ; punctures rather

fine but deep and very dense throughout, simple and not in the least tubercu-

lous. Elytra about two and one-half times as long as the prothorax and very

slightly wider ; sides subparallel, nearly straight, feebly arcuate near the

humeri which are narrowly rounded; apex gradually, evenly rounded; base

broadly, rather strongly emarginate ; disk very broadly, strongly concave

between the second discal costae throughout the length, the first costa feeble

and extending from the base for one-seventh or one-eighth the length, totally

obsolete elsewhere ; costae two to four well developed ; surface finely, very

densely punctate, the concavity having extremely indistinct unimpressed

series of very slightly larger punctures, the intervals between the lateral

ridges biseriately and rather finely punctate. Abdomen and metasternum

polished, rather coarsely, moderately densely and very distinctly punctate.

Legs moderate, the femora very robust. Length 2.8 mm.

>'ew Mexico (Las Yegas). Mr. H. Meeske.

This small species belongs to the pusillus group and represents

an extreme development of its structural peculiarities ; it is very

much broader than laqueatus Lee.

The three species of the jJusillus group may be distinguished as

follows : —

First elytral costa feeble but traceable behind the middle.

Elytra gradually, rather strongly concave toward apex ; base strongly

emarginate ; pronotal punctuation simple throughout, without trace of

elevated tubercles pusillus

Elytra not distinctly concave, just visibly sinuate at base; pronotal punc-

tures fine, situated on the summits of coarse feebly elevated tubercles.

laqueatus

First elytral costa only visible near" the base ; pronotal punctures simple.

concavus

Besides the more elongate and narrower form of pusillus, there

are many other characters distinguishing it from laqueatus.

CERYLON Latr.

C. califoruicum n. sp. — Elongate, subparallel, feebly convex, piceous,

polished, the upper surface with erect and rather long but extremely sparse

and inconspicuous hairs, growing from the punctures. Head transverse, feebly

Coleo-pterological Notices. 317

convex, rather coarsely but very sparsely punctate ; antenna? very robust,

basal joint large, angulate bebind, joints two to eight equal in width and

almost equal in length, subquadrate, compactly joined, ninth a little wider,

slightly wider than long, the posterior side longer than the anterior, club

abrupt, one-half longer than wide, distinctly composed of two fused joints.

Prothorax quadrate, just visibly wider at apical fourth than at base ; sides

thence nearly straight to the base, rounded and convergent anteriorly ; apex

very feebly incurvate ; base transverse, the median lobe very feeble ; disk

feebly convex, abruptly nearly perpendicular at the very shallow flanks, the

marginal bead extremely fine ; punctures very coarse, perforate, sparse but

rather dense toward the sides, except near the base. Scutellum moderate,

transversely oval. Elytra nearly twice as long as the prothorax and, in the

middle, nearly one-fourth wider than the latter ; sides parallel and very dis-

tinctly arcuate ; apex evenly rounded ; disk with extremely feebly-impressed

series of rather fine, somewhat distant punctures ; intervals nearly flat, each

with a single series of very minute widely distant punctures. Under surface

throughout coarsely but rather sparsely punctate. Length 3.0 mm.

California (Lake Tahoe and Siskiyou).

A conspicuously distinct species, distinguished from unicolor by

its much larger size, piceous color, coarse punctuation, erect hairs

of the upper surface and many other characters.

LAPETHUS n. gen. (Murmidiini).

Body oval, compact ; head deflexed, the trophi in part concealed in repose

by the short prosternal lobe. Antennas inserted in deep foveas on the front,

just before and between the eyes the condyle of the basal joint exposed when

the organ is reflexed, rather slender, straight, cylindrical, 10-jointed, the last

three joints fused into a robust, compact, oval and very abrupt club. Maxillary

palpi with the first two joints rather slender, the third abruptly very large,

oval, compressed, the fourth slender, subulate, obliquely inserted in the apex

of the third. Labial palpi with the first joint very small, second very large,

oval, compressed, the third subulate and oblique. Meutum small, angulate

at apex, finely and strongly carinate along the middle. Labrum as long as

wide, the sides straight and strongly convergent from base to apex, the latter

narrow and with a deep angulate notch ; between its upper surface and the

epistoma there is a short transversely truncate basal piece which is corneous ;

both this and the labrum proper are retractile. Eyes rather small, coarsely

faceted. Pronotum widely separating the small globular coxa?, the cavities

apparently open behind, the process wide, extending far behind the coxa?, the

apex broadly rounded and closely fitted in a corresponding emargination of

the mesosternum, its surface continuous with that of the mesosternum ;

hypomera wide, excavated throughout the width in anterior half for the

reception of the anteunal club, the anterior portion of the excavation separated

from the median lobe by a deep elongate cleft for the reception of the funicle ;

318 Coleopterological Notices.

lateral angles of the median lobe rather acute and prominent, the apex trun-

cate. Middle and hind coxse very widely distant, the latter small, transverse

and attaining the metasternal episterna, the latter extremely narrow and

linear but dilated behind, the suture fine bat distinct. Anterior and middle

legs retractile, the posterior free ; tibiae compressed, slender toward base,

swollen and obliquely truncate externally toward apex, the truncate surface

smooth and polished and bordered on each side by a fringe of short setae, the

external edge carinate from base to the truncation just mentioned ; tarsi

slender, the first three joints small, subequal and, in the posterior, together

about one-half as long as the fourth ; claws slender, normal.

The last vestige of the posterior crural excavation is visible as a

fine straight line, extending obliquely from the inner side of the

coxa and vanishing near apical third of the first segment.

In the structure of the palpi, maxillary lobes, insertion of the

antennae and carination of the mentum this genus is an analogue

of Cerylon, but in the retractile legs and antennal excavations it is

allied to Murmidius; in fact it constitutes an almost conclusive

proof that the Murmidiini are merely a group of the Colydiidae and

closely related to the Cerylonini, the principal distinctive features

being the 10-jointed antennae received in excavations. In Cerylon

the antennae are 11-jointed, the club being composed of two amal-

gamated joints as in Murmidius. In Lapethus the club is composed

of three fused joints.

The three genera Cerylon, Lapethus and Murmidius differ how-

ever in sternal structure to an astonishing degree, for in Cerylon

the prosternal process extends over the surface of the'mesosternum

and in Lapethus is received in an emargination of the latter, while

in Murmidius the mesosternum extends over the surface of the

presternum, advancing considerably upon it and partially conceal-

ing the anterior coxae.

L.. discretus n. sp. — Rather broadly oval, moderately convex, dark rufo-

testaceons throughout, highly polished, the upper surface with rather long,

fine, erect and stiff setse which are very sparsely distributed. Head feebly

convex, extremely finely and sparsely punctate but coarsely and more densely

so toward base ; epistomal sutui-e completely obliterated. Prothorax nearly

one-half wider than long, at base nearly three times as wide as the head, very

strongly narrowed from base to apex, the latter broadly, feebly emarginate,

nearly one-half as wide as the base, the latter transverse, broadly, arcuately

lobed in the middle, closely fitted to the base of the elytra throughout the

width ; sides rather strongly arcuate, nearly parallel in basal third ; disk

very vaguely, transverseljr impressed almost throughout the width near the

base, very sparsely, moderately finely punctate, the sides margined with a

Coleopterological Notices. 319

thick acute bead. Scutellum moderate, very distinct, almost circular. Elytra

subequal in width to the prothorax and twice as long, gradually rather

strongly rounded at apex, the sides anteriorly very feebly arcuate ; base

equal in width to that of the prothorax ; disk with rows of very coarse punc-

tures which become feeble near the sides and almost completely obliterated in

apical third or fourth. Under surface extremely sparsely and inconspicuously

punctate, polished. Legs short, the femora rather robust. Length 1.8-2.0 mm.

California (Humboldt Co.).

I obtained two specimens of this extremely interesting species

under old bark near Humboldt Bay.

BOTRODUS n. gen. (Murmidiini).

Body oblong-oval, rather strongly convex. Head deflexed, the tropin parti-

ally concealed in repose by the moderately developed prosternum. Eyes rather

large, rounded, coarsely faceted. Antennae inserted at the sides of the front

in very small foveas adjacent to anterior margin of the eye, 10-jointed, the club

moderate in size, abrupt, oval, solid and consisting of two amalgamated joints ;

basal joint rather large, broadly angulate anteriorly ; second much smaller,

conical ; three to eight slender, very compactly joined, affixed obliquely to the

apex of the second joint ; antennal grooves wanting, the club received in a,

small deep excavation in the apical angles of the prothorax, visible anteriorly

but not from above. Palpi not very robust, the last joint slender, acuminate,

conical and slightly oblique, in the maxillary nearly equal in length to the

penultimate and a little more 6lender. Mentum extremely small. Mandibles

finely notched at apex. Labrum very short and transverse. Epistoma ex-

tremely large, fully one-half as long as the entire head and continuous with it

in convexity, the suture very fine and extending between the antennal fovea?.

Anterior coxae very small, globular, very distant, the cavities apparently open

behind, the prosternum with two very fine widely distant lines, diverging from

the coxae, the process very wide, extending under the mesosternum. Meso-

steruum between the coxae very broad, advancing anteriorly beyond the coxae

as a broadly rounded, heavily beaded lobe, which extends partially over the

prosternum, the metasternal suture very feeble. Metasternum very large, the

episterna narrow, inflexed behind to meet the coxae ; suture very feeble ;

posterior coxae small, transversely oval, widely separated. Abdomen consist-

ing of five segments with straight, rather feeble sutures, the basal segment

not quite as long as the remainder together. Legs rather short, not received

in excavations, the femora robust, extending laterally beyond the sides of the

elytra; crural cavities perfectly obsolete but represented by feebly elevated

lines, extending obliquely on the metasternum and first ventral segment, from

the inner limits of the coxa?.

This genus has several characters in common with Mychocerus,

such for instance as the position and extent of the antennal excava-

320 Coleopterological Notices.

tion, but as the legs are entirely free I do not think that it can

properly be considered identical, especially as the general habitus

is quite different.

The structure of the mesosternum anteriorly reminds us some-

what of Phalacrus, but is perfectly similar to the same part in

Murmidius ovalis; in both, the fine sutural line separating the

sterna is posteriorly angulate, unimpressed and is situated at the

middle of the coxal cavities as in Cerylon; it is very feebly marked

in the present genus. In Cerylon the mesosternum is very much

longer and the prosternal process extends over its surface for a short

distance, as before remarked.

The absence of crural excavations and the imperfectly retractile

legs in this genus, together with the corresponding structure as

described in Lapethus, seem to prove that the retractibility of the

legs is not a character of even tribal importance. In fact the

10-jointed antennae and presence of antennal excavations are the

only characters of value which separate the Murmidiini from the

Cerylonini, and these two intimately related tribes are separated

from the majority of Colydiidse by the frontal insertion of the

antennas. In this connection it should be stated that in the Both-

riderini the palpi are of similar structure, except that the last joint

has become larger, but it is still finely attenuate and conical ; this,

together with the exposed insertion of the antenna^, indicates a close

relationship.

B. estriatllS n. sp. — Oblong-oval, rather convex, strongly shining, pice-

ous ; pubescence consisting of excessively minute, sparse, fine and recumbent

hairs growing from the punctures. Head much wider than long, feebly, evenly

convex, feebly and coarsely reticulate, very finely, sparsely punctate. Pro-

thorax a little more than twice as wide as the median length, slightly narrowed

from base to apex, the latter broadly, feebly sinuate, the bottom of the sinus

broadly arcuate ; apical angles rather broadly rounded ; base broadly angu-

larly lobed in the middle, closely fitted to the base of the elytra throughout

the width ; sides nearly straight, arcuate anteriorly ; disk evenly, broadly

convex, feebly reticulate, very finely, sparsely punctate, the sides margined

with a thick convex bead which extends along the apex as a very fine bead ;

base not margined. Scutellum very small, elongate, finely acuminate. Elytra

fully three and one-half times as long as the prothorax ; base a very little

wider than the base of the latter, the humeri just visibly exposed ; sides

parallel and very feebly arcuate ; apex broadly, evenly rounded ; disk evenly,

transversely convex, minutely and very sparsely punctate, the punctures

evenly distributed but without the slightest trace of serial arrangement.

Under surface extremely minutely and sparsely punctate throughout, polished.

Length 1.3 mm.

Coleopterological Xotices. 321

Texas (Columbus).

The tibia? and tarsi are slender, the tarsi tetramerous, the fourth

joint of the posterior a little longer than the first three together,

the basal joint about as long as the next two, slightly dilated and

with a brush of long hair beneath, the remaining joints slender and

almost glabrous throughout. The tibial spurs are not distinct.

I am indebted to Mr. Schwarz, whose generous gifts of specimens

have often been referred to, for a representative of this very interest-

ing species.

The genera of Murmidiini may be distinguished as follows: —

Antennal cavity dorsal ; legs retractile MurniidillS

Antennal cavity apical.

Legs retractile; elytra with series of coarse punctures Mychocerus

Legs free, the femora extending beyond the body ; elytral punctures without

trace of serial arrangement Itot rod IIS

Antennal cavity inferior; anterior and intermediate legs retractile, posterior

free; elytra with rows of coarse punctures LapetllllS

CUCUJID.E.

As organized at present this family is perhaps the most compo-

site of the Clavicorns, several of the subfamilies exhibiting such

strong transitional affinities toward other families that there is

really very little reason for considering the latter distinct. The

Passandrinse, for example, exhibit a very close relationship with

the Colydiidas, and two of the four genera composing it in our

fauna have the tarsi tetramerous ; as further proof of this relation-

ship it should be stated that some genera of Colydiidas, as for

instance Sosylus, have a rudimentary process corresponding to the

jugular plates of the Passandrinse.

NARTHECIUS Lee.

This very isolated genus should be removed from the Cucujime

and placed in the Passandrinae, with the characters of which it is

in stricter harmony. The jugular plates in Narthecius, although

feebly developed, are distinct. The tarsi are perfectly tetramerous

throughout,1 with the basal joint small and the fourth long. The

1 In my revision of the Cucujidae the tarsus of this genus is drawn with

five joints ; the drawing is however incorrect, the division between the third

and fourth joints being an optical illusion in the somewhat imperfect specimen

322 Coleopterological Notices.

elytra have each five fine ridges, the intervals being finely, sparsely

and sublinearly punctate. The epipleura? are extremely narrow and

do not occupy the entire inflexed sides except at the humeri where

they become rapidly dilated as in many Tenebrionides. The meta-

sternmn is extremely long, the side-pieces rather wide anteriorly,

but rapidly narrowing thence to the apex, where they are generally

more or less covered by the elytra. The lateral margins of the

prothorax are marked by an extremely feeble fold which is generally

completely obsolete near the apex. In the presence of a fine longi-

tudinal line near the sides of the pronotum Narthecius exhibits a

line of consanguinity with the true Cucujinre, and the synthetic

nature of the genus is proved in addition by several other structural

characters.

Thy sexual modifications of the Passandrinse are not very con-

spicuous and are generally extremely feeble, in marked contrast to

the Cucujinae where these differences become extreme. I have but

little doubt therefore, that the characters which are employed in the

following table will be found practically independent of sex. The

three species before me may be thus distinguished: —

Median apical process of epistoma broader, bifid at apex.

Head very long ; occiput with a distinct broadly impressed median groove

toward base ; antennae scarcely as long as the head ; nuchal constric-

tion distant from the eye by nearly twice the length of the latter ;

supra-orbital carinas extending behind the eye a distance far exceeding

its length. Prothorax much shorter than the head : pronotum un-

evenly punctate, more coarsely near the middle, finely so elsewhere.

Elytra shorter than the head and prothorax together. Length 2.8 mm.

Pennsylvania grandiceps Lee.

Head scarcely longer than wide ; occiput without median groove ; nuchal

constriction distant from the eye by scarcely more than the length of

the latter ; supra-orbital ridge arcuate, obsolete at less than the length

of the eye behind its posterior margin ; antennas nearly one-half longer

than the head, the basal joint much longer than wide, convex, last

joint oval, longer than wide, much narrower than the tenth. Prothorax

longer than the head, longer than wide, nearly as in grandiaps, but

evenly and very densely punctate throughout. Elytra distinctly longer

than the head and prothorax together. Length 2.6 mm. California

(Santa Cruz Co.) simulator n. sp.

figured. In this connection it may be said that any statements made at the

present time, which are in conflict with the language or delineations of the

revision referred to, must be considered as abrogating the latter.

Goleopterological Notices. 323

Median process of the epistoma narrower and more acuminate, absolutely simple

and obtusely subtruncate at apex. Head not longer than wide, the occiput

without median groove ; eyes larger, more convex ; nuchal constriction

more feeble, situated at scarcely more than the length of the eye behind

the latter ; supra-orbital ridge arcuate, obsolete at less than the length of

the eye behind its posterior margin ; antennae robust, about one-half longer

than the head, the basal joint short and wide, flattened. Prothorax much

longer than the head, longer than wide, moderately densely punctate,

more coarsely so toward the middle. Elytra equal in length to the head

and prothorax together. Length 1.7 mm. Florida (Haw Creek).

lireviceps n. sp.

The basal joint of the antenna is very different in simulator and

breviceps and, in the former, somewhat resembles that of grandi-

ceps.

PTINIDJE.

PTIi\OI>ES Lee.

The following species is referred to Ptinodes with some doubt ;

it however belongs to the group Anobia, and the abdomen and

metasternum are unexcavated, the antenna? simple with elongate

club and received in repose between the widely separated anterior

coxae, the femora clavate and the tarsi dilated.

P. cristattis n. sp. — Very robust, compact, subcylindrical, densely

pubescent and clothed in addition with long, erect hairs and fasciculate tufts

of seta?, of which four on the pronotum are very approximate and prominent ;

integuments piceous-black, the vestiture confusedly variegated with white,

brown and black, the sides of the pronotum, humeral regions and two sutural

spots white and more prominent ; pubescence of the under surface short, fine,

extremely dense, cinereous in color. Head moderate, feebly convex ; eyes

large, prominent, coarsely faceted ; antenna? somewhat robust, the three outer

joints together much longer than the entire remainder, basal joint robust.

Prothorax about three-fourths wider than long ; sides rounded at anterior

third, thence rather strongly convergent and nearly straight to the base, the

latter broadly, evenly arcuate, about as wide as the apex, in close contact with

the elytra throughout ; apex very feebly emarginate ; apical angles right, not

rounded; disk strongly gibbous in the middle, impressed near each apical

angle, not canaliculate, having small, unevenly scattered tubercles, each

bearing a long hair, the short matted pubescence growing from the inter-

spaces. Scutellum as long as wide, parabolic. Elytra scarcely one-half longer

than wide, fully one-third wider than the prothorax, broadly rounded behind ;

sides parallel and nearly straight ; base broadly emarginate for the prothorax :

humeri broadly exposed, rounded ; disk with small widely scattered tube]

tufts of setae, erect hairs and fine densely matted pubescence. Abdomen exces-

Annals N. Y. Acad. Sci., V, Nov. 1890.— 22

324 Coleopterological Notices.

sively finely, densely punctate, also sparsely and more coarsely punctate, these

punctures becoming tubercles toward the sides. Legs robust ; tibiae with long

coarse hairs and an extremely dense fringe of shorter ones externally ; spurs

very minute, slender, subequal ; tarsi very robust. Length 5.0—6.0 mm. ;

width 2.7-3.2 mm.

California (Santa Cruz Co.).

An ample series of this well-marked species has recently been

sent to me by Mr. Harford ; the vestiture is singularly complex.

I/VCTUS Fab.

The exterior apical angles of the anterior tibiae are acute and

slightly produced in Trogoxylon as well as Lyctus, the difference

between the two genera being so slight in this respect, that it will

not serve as a distinguishing character ; they may be separated as

follows : —

Anterior coxa? contiguous or very narrowly separated Lyctus

Anterior coxa? very widely separated Tl'OgOXylon

The species of Lyctus within our territories may be easily iden-

tified as follows: —

Elytra with even series of rather large, very shallow, rounded punctures, the

intervals each with a single uneven line of fine, coarsely setigerous punc-

tures striatum Melsh.

Elytra with series of very minute, setigerous punctures, the punctures of the

intervals coarse, deep, perforate, elongate and either confusedly arranged

or disposed in two uneven lines.

Prothorax with the sides nearly straight, very feebly narrowed behind from

apex to base.

Anterior coxa? separated by scarcely one-fourth their width ; antenna?

long and slender, with joints one to nine longer than wide, the tenth

not wider than long ; prothorax quadrate slightly narrower than the

elytra, with a rather pronounced elongate-oval discal impression.

cavicollis Lee.

Anterior coxa? separated by about one-third their width ; antenna? short

and robust, outer joints of funicle subqnadrate, not longer than wide,

tenth distinctly wider than long ; prothorax longer than wide, very

much narrower than the elytra, dull and densely punctate, the median

line very obsoletely impressed opaculllS Lee.

Anterior coxa? distant by about one-half their width ; antenna? moderate,

the tenth joint very distinctly wider than long ; prothorax but very

slightly narrower than the elytra, distinctly wider than long, shining,

rather sparsely punctate, feebly, longitudinally impressed in the middle.

planicollis Lee.

Coleopterological Notices. :;i2f>

Prothorax with the sides broadly rounded anteriorly, thence very strongly

convergent behind to the base, the disk anteriorly not narrower than the

elytra, distinctly wider than long, convex, not impressed in the middle,

very dull and extremely densely punctato-scabrous ; antennae long and

slender, the ninth joint much longer than wide, the tenth about as long

as wide; anterior coxae separated by rather less than one-third their

width par villus Cas.

The individuals of all the species vary remarkably in size. The

type of the species described by me as parvulus was labeled

"Arizona," but as I have subsequently received an ample series

from the vicinity of Monterey, California, there may possibly be

some error in the former locality. This species is very isolated in

many of its characters, and is more widely separated from opaculus,

with which it has been considered synonymous, than any other

known species except striatus ; its length is 2.4-4.7 mm.

It is almost superfluous to add that cavicollis Lee. is in no way

allied to striatus, the punctuation of the elytra being of a totally

different kind.

TENEBRIONID.E.

This large and interesting family is probably comparatively

modern in geological development, and may possibly be contem-

poraneous with the Scarabaeidse. The investigations made known

in the following pages are intended to exhibit — in an imperfect

and fragmentary way — the correlative affinities of the old and new

world fauna?, as far as it has been possible to procure representa-

tives of the foreign genera, and especially in that obscure portion

involving the first few tribes of the subfamily Tenebrioninae ; also

to classify the species pertaining to the more neglected of the

North American genera, such as the Thinobates, Cotiiontis and the

Blapstini.

In comparing the Tenebrionidae of the palsearctic fauna with those

of North America, it seems that as far as structural variety and

singularity of form are concerned, the nearctic species are con-

siderably less highly evolutionized. Such specialized types as

Araaoschizus and Usechus, for instance, are represented with us by

two small genera, while in Europe there are several, exhibiting

great variety, such as Adelostoma, Eutagenia, Stenosis, Oogaster,

Pichillus and the curious Leptodes. The very diversified and con-

spicuous Pimeliini, the isolated Pedinus and very aberrant Cossy-

326 Coleopterological Notices.

phus, are peculiar to Europe and without any immediate allies in

North America, while the interesting- genera Arthrodeis, Erodius

and Adesmia are represented by a few species of Edrotes, of very

much smaller size and much less conspicuous variety.

The European Asida and Blaps are almost exactly equaled in

extent and variety by the American Asida and Eleodes, but while

there are very few other palaearctic genera exhibiting much persist-

ence of type, a considerable part of the remainder of the nearctic

fauna is made up of large genera, composed of small, less striking

and more monotonous forms, such as Eurymetopon, Emmenastus,

Coniontis, and Blapstinus. Even Opatrum, which appears to

replace our Blapstinus to a great extent, is composed of very much

larger and more varied species. On the other hand, however, such

peculiar forms as Sepidium, Elenophorus and Cephalostenus may

fairly said to be offset by our much more numerous Zopherini and

Embaphion.

A greater diversity of climatic and other physical conditions

prevailing in Europe is, in all probability, the direct cause of the

condition referred to, and the Tenebrionidas are not the only family

which exhibits this superior elaboration, if such an expression be

allowable, for the same is observable to some extent in the Carab-

idae ; but, as a partial compensation, the American Staphylinidae

exceed the European in abundance and in diversity of type, to a

corresponding degree.

This may possibly be a collateral proof that the Staphylinidae are

older geologically than the Tenebrionidae (see Ann. N. Y. Acad. V,

p. 195), especially if we assume that early and comprehensive types

are more readily modified by environment than the later and more

specialized, for during the epochs immediately succeeding the Carbo-

niferous, North America probably possessed conditions far more

varied than those which then prevailed in Europe; consequently

the primitive and synthetic types of any family which may happen

to have existed at that time, would be more diversified, and would

transmit to the present a still more numerous and varied set of

typical forms. As the conditions which now make Europe superior

to America in evolutionizing power, were not brought about until

the Tertiary, it follows that any family which had its origin near

this epoch would be at present the more differentiated in Europe.

Coleopterological Notices. 327

TRIOROPHUS Lee.

The males of Triorophus are distinguished from the females by

a small, abruptly limited, slightly elongate-oval spot in the middle

of the basal segment of the abdomen; which is extremely finely,

densely punctate and excessively finely, velvety-pubescent. In this

connection attention is called to the fact that in a great many species

of Blapstinus, the ordinary punctures become slightly more densely

aggregated in the same region and probably for a similar reason.

The sexual differences in the present genus are otherwise very

feeble, the male being but just visibly less robust than the female.

The following species, represented by a male and female, belongs to

the Isevis group : —

T. lecoiltei n. sp. — Robust, very convex, elytra strongly inflated, intense

black througbout; integuments strongly sinning. Head very slightly nar-

rower tban the prothorax, finely, sparsely punctate throughout, nearly smooth,

the frontal umbo large, very strongly elevated and subangulate when viewed

laterally, the median lobe of the epistoma long, angulate at apex ; mandibles

extremely densely punctate ; eyes rather small, less prominent than the lateral

lobes in front of them, the supra-orbital ridge strong and straight, with one

or two very short inner folds near the base only ; antenna? very long, the tenth

joint triangular, longer than wide, shorter than the eleventh which is elongate-

oval. Prothorax nearly one-third wider than long ; apex one-third wider than

the base, truncate, the apical angles small but acute, anteriorly prominent

and dentiform, bearing a cluster of long slender setre which extend partly

over the eye ; base transversely truncate, the basal angles slightly obtuse but

not rounded and a little prominent ; sides moderately arcuate, more convergent

in basal half; disk very convex, coarsely, very deeply punctate, the punc-

tures distinctly separated throughout, finer toward the middle; base margined

with an extremely thick convex bead. Elytra oval, two and one-half times as

long as the prothorax and, in the middle, rather more than one-half wider ;

base truncate and equal to that of the prothorax ; disk with nine unimpressed

series of very coarse deep punctures, the series obsolete at apical fourth ;

intervals from four to five times as wide as the serial punctures and excessively

minutely, sparsely and feebly punctate. Legs long and slender. Length

8.0-8.5 mm. ; width 3.7-4.0 mm.

Texas (El Paso). Mr. Dunn.

The vibrissa? near the apical thoracic angles are similar to those

of many Otiorhynchides ; they appear to be generic and have not

been referred to in any published descriptions which I have seen.

This species differs from Isevis in its much more robust and

inflated elytra, coarser punctuation, more prominent apical angles

328 Coleopterological Notices.

of the prothorax, and more angulate frontal umbo; in Isevis the

elytral series become obsolete slightly behind the middle and are

composed of much finer punctures than in lecontei. In the very

large series of Isevis from various localities which I have before me,

there are indications of several more or less distinct varieties.

Epitragini.

There seems to be a certain bond of affinity uniting the genera

Euvymetopon, Emmenastus, Auchmobius, Cnemodus, Epitragus,

Schcenicus, Chilometopon and Trimytis, which is expressed not

only by a general similarity of habitus, but also by important

structural peculiarities. The abdominal process for example is

acute or acutely rounded in all, the posterior coxse, in a transverse

sense, are long, subparallel and linear, being also generally more or

less oblique, and the metasternum has a broadly interrupted trans-

verse groove,1 parallel and very near to the posterior margin ; this

groove becomes subobsolete only in a few aberrant species of

Emmenastus and in Trimytis, — both of which must be considered

as degradational types, — where it is represented by a series of finer

punctures which is generally more or less broadly impressed. The

wings are very exceptionally absent and are usually well developed.

In the opinion of the writer these genera should constitute, there-

fore, but a single tribe as named above, which may readily be sub-

divided into groups. The Epitragini are peculiarly American.

The Gnathosiini, comprising the genera Gnathosia, Stibia, Tri-

orophus, Triphalus, Pachychila, Anatolica, Tent}Tria, Microdera,

1 This groove, although possibly corresponding to the transverse metasternal

line of the Carabidfe, is not at all similar to it. In the case of the Carabidse,

the line is perfectly continuous, and completely separates from the main body

of the metasternum a transversely triangular " ante-coxal piece ;" here, how-

ever, there are really two independent grooves, which generally — though not

always — begin at the posterior margin near the inner side of the acetabulum,

and extend outward, parallel in curvature with its anterior edge, abrnptly

terminating before attaining the episternum. The exact taxonomic value of

these grooves I have not ventured to determine, but they constitute a very

constant character throughout the greater part of the Tenebrioninpe, and the

Epitragini, in which they are also well developed, seem to approach that sub-

family in abdominal structure more closely than any other tribe not included

within its limits, for in some specimens, especially of Chilometopon, there

appears to be a rudimentary coriaceous margin at the middle of the third and

fourth ventral segments.

Coleopterological Notices. 329

Colposcelis, Calyptopsis, Captiisa and others, is distinguished by

the narrow but truncate abdominal process, the short broadly oval

and outwardly pointed posterior coxae, a complete obliteration of

the metasternal groove, the entire and universal absence of wings,

and the thicker and denser integuments. In the genus Capnisa,

however, there is a feeble indication of the groove as a very fine

short impressed line opposite the inner part of the coxae ; this simply

denotes that Capnisa may have a remote line of affinity with some

other tribe, and is a matter of but little consequence when developed

to such a rudimentary degree. It will require but a short study

of the European genera, in conjunction with that of the single

genus Eurymetopon, to show that the nature of the front is of

quite uncertain value in a tribal sense.

Edrotes must be placed in a distinct tribe on account of its very

peculiar mesosternal structure, but I can perceive no great necessity

for separating Craniotus from the Gnathosiini, except it be the more

widely separated posterior coxae.1 Usecnus should be united with

the Zopherini.

Thinobates.

The two genera at present composing this group of the Epitragini,

as represented in the United States and Mexico, are both extremely

heterogeneous and are resolvable into some eight or nine distinctly

limited sections, which are at least of subgeneric value. All of the

species are more or less local and most of them extremely so ; indeed

the entire genus Eurymetopon is very circumscribed in habitat,

being confined to the country bordering the Mexican boundary of

the United States to the westward of San Antonio in Texas, and

with its principal focus in southern Arizona. Emmenastus, how-

ever, is more widely diffused, extending from the southwestern parts

of the United States through Mexico and Central America and

1 The acute and prominent lateral lobes of the front, urged by Horn (Trans.

Am. Ent. Soc, 1874, p. 29) as an important tribal character, is apparently not

entitled to such rank ; the same difference can be observed between the front

of Epitragus submetallicus and E. pruinosus ; the form of the metasternal epis-

terna also seems to have been given too great value in this connection. The

genus is quite abnormal, however, and should certainly constitute an isolated

group of the tribe Gnathosiini.

330 Coleopterological Notices.

northward along the Pacific coast to Alaska. The two genera may

be distinguished essentially as follows : —

Anterior tibiae acutely produced and prominent externally at apex.

Eurymetopoii

Anterior tibiae normal, truncate at apex Emmeiiastlis

EITRYMETOPON Esch.

In this genus the transverse metasternal groove is always deep

and strongly developed, but becomes a little finer in section III.

In this connection it should be stated that the relative length of

the inetasternum and first ventral segment, which is of considerable

importance in separating the species, sometimes varies slightly with

sex, the first segment being a little shorter in the female ; this dif-

ference is however very insignificant, and does not affect the com-

parative measures as given in the table.

The antennae are remarkably uniform in structure throughout,

but have a slightly more abrupt and broader club in the subgenus

Cryptadius. The elytra are often much wider at base than the

contiguous base of the prothorax, a character unknown in Emmen-

astus.

The subgeneric sections may be defined as follows : —

Apical margin of the head entire ; pronotal punctures coarse, deep and perfo-

rate, not at all scabrous or asperate ■ I

Apical margin of the head with two small, widely distant emarginations.

Emarginations angulate and narrow, receiving the upper ridge of the man-

dibles ; metastemum long ; wings always well developed ; pronotal punc-

tures fine, shallow and slightly scabrous II

Emarginations broadly sinuate, not receiving the mandibles, the upper ridge

of the latter finer, more external, less prominent dorsally and on a much

lower plane than the margin of the epistoma ; metasternum very short ;

hind wings completely obsolete ; pronotal punctures slightly coarser, each

puncture bounded externally by a fine acutely elevated longitudinal

carina Ill

It will be noticed that these three subgenera differ not only in

abruptly limited structural characters of unquestionable value, but

also in general habitus, the punctuation, for example, especially of

the pronotum, being of a distinctly different kind in each. The

species are rather numerous and may be distinguished as follows: —

Coleopterological Notices. 331

Section I.

ElJRYMETOPON Escll .

Metasternum between coxa and groove longer than the post-coxal portion of

the first ventral segment ; wings well developed.

Metasternuni very much longer than the first segment.

Elytra not more than three times as long as the prothorax.

Form elongate ; sides of the prothorax feebly arcuate ; elytra fully two-

thirds longer than wide rniipes

Form broad and oblong ; prothorax more transverse, the sides strongly

arcuate ; elytra not more than one-half longer than wide

congener

Elytra nearly four times as long as the prothorax ; form slender and

elongate nil bill 111

Metasternuni but slightly longer than the first segment, especially in the

male.

Pronotum extremely coarsely, deeply perforate toward the sides, the

punctures moderately coalescent ; form very strongly convex.

Larger species ; sides of the prothorax feebly arcuate. ..perforatum

Smaller, more slender and cylindrical ; sides of the prothorax strongly

arcuate eniarginatuin

Pronotum more finely punctate and more distinctly rugulose laterally ;

form more depressed, the pronotum more explanate laterally ; size

small fllSCllllim

Metasternuni generally just visibly shorter than, sometimes subequal to, the

first ventral segment ; form very convex, generally more oval ; wings

more or less rudimentary.

Bicolored, ferruginous, the elytra black ; lustre rather dull bicolor

Unicolorous ; lustre generally much more shining.

Pronotum densely punctate, the punctures but slightly finer and sparser

in the middle COnvexicolle

Pronotum finely, very sparsely punctate in the middle, very coarsely aud

more densely so laterally.

Elytra at base equal in width to the base of the prothorax.

cylindricum

Elytra at base distinctly wider than the base of the prothorax. the

humeri exposed politlllll

Section II.

Telabis n. subgen.

Metasternum nearly twice as long as the first segment; elytra five times as

long as the prothorax longipemie

Metasternum about one-half longer than the first segment.

Pronotum very densely punctate throughout the disk ; male with the fourth

ventral segment lobed in the middle piinctlllatlllU

332 Coleoptcrological Notices.

Pronotum sparsely punctate in the middle ; male apparently without abdo-

minal modification.

Elytra at base scarcely perceptibly wider than the contiguous base of the

prothorax ; disk of the pronotum without distinct impurictate line and

otherwise unmodified llistricillll

Elytra at base much wider than the base of the prothorax, the humeri

broadly exposed.

Pronotum with a narrow but entire median impunctate line, which is

neither impressed nor elevated miiricatllllllll

Pronotum with a fine feebly impressed median line, which is not im-

punctate discors

Metasternum but very slightly longer than the first segment ; small species.

Sides of the prothorax not distinctly serrulate.

Elytra at base very much wider than the base of the prothorax. the

humeri broadly exposed ; surface moderately convex de1>ile

Elytral and thoracic bases equal in width ; form very strongly convex.

Form oblong-oval, the elytra in the middle very much wider than the

prothorax, the anterior angles of the latter very obtuse, not at all

prominent SOdalis

Form narrower and more cylindrical, the elytra in the middle but

slightly wider than the prothorax, the anterior angles of the latter

acute and prominent crasstlllim

Sides of the prothorax finely but rather strongly serrulate seiralllill

Section III.

Cryptadius Lee.

Form broadly, evenly elliptical, strongly convex iuliaf mil

The species published under the name brevicolle by Champion,

apparently" belongs to Telabis; it is the only described form not

found within our faunal limits.

Ell. rufipes Esch. — Zool. Atl. IV, p. 8 ; abnorme Lee. : Ann. Lye. N. Y.

V, p. 138. — Oblong-elongate, parallel, moderately convex, piceous to black,

the legs and antennae rufous and slightly paler; integuments polished, the

elytra dull toward apex. Head short, very strongly transverse, broadly trun-

cate at apex, coarsely, deeply, very densely and subconfiuently punctate,

usually with a small impunctate spot near the base of the occiput ; eyes

moderate, just visibly more prominent than the sides before them ; antennae

long, moderately slender, third joint rather more than three times as long as

wide, second about equal to the fifth, eighth longer than wide. Prothorax two-

thirds wider than long, the apex slightly narrower than the base, very feebly

emarginate in circular arc, the angles right and not at all rounded ; base trun-

cate, with a rather narrow and feeble rounded median lobe, on either side of

which the edge is narrowly, feebly sinuate ; basal angles slightly obtuse, not

Cdleopterological Notices. 333

at all rounded, not prominent ; sides parallel and feebly arcuate, more conver-

gent near the apex ; disk coarsely, very deeply punctate, the punctures sepa-

rated by about twice their diameters, rather abruptly extremely dense and

longitudinally confluent in lateral fourth ; edges margined with a very thin

reflexed bead. Elytra equal in width to the prothorax and three times as

long ; sides parallel and nearly straight ; apex obtusely ogival ; disk coarsely

punctate, more coarsely, very densely and slightly muricately so toward the

sides, forming unimpressed series throughout the width, the punctures of the

intervals as large as those of the series, confused toward the suture unise-

riate laterally, the lateral series almost attaining the apex. Abdomen finely,

sparsely punctate ; metasternum rather finely and vnry sparsely punctate,

more coarsely, densely so laterally, fully one-half longer than the first ventral

segment, the transverse interrupted groove deeply impressed. Legs slender.

Length 7.2-8.5 mm. ; width 3.0-3.5 mm.

California (San Bernardino and The Needles).

This is the form which has been regarded as rufipes and agrees

with the description of Eschscholtz, but I have never taken it near

San Francisco, which is the locality assigned it in the original

diagnosis, and do not think that it occurs there. In all probability

it belongs exclusively to the fauna of southern California.

Ell. congener n. sp. — Form oblong, parallel, very broad, rather strongly

convex, piceous-black ; legs and antennae dark rufous ; integuments polished,

the elytra alutaceous toward apex. Head moderate, strongly transverse,

broadly truncate at apex, rather coarsely, moderately densely punctate, the

punctures circular and rather widely separated, not in the least coalescent ;

eyes moderate, not prominent, the upper folds acute and strongly cariniform ;

antenna? as in rufipes but relatively longer. Prothorax from three-fourths to

five-sixths wider than long, nearly as in rufipes but with the sides more

strongly arcuate and the punctuation coarser, sparse toward the middle,

densely crowded, tending to coalesce and very coarse near the sides. Elytra

one-half longer than wide, nearly three times as long as the prothorax, very

abruptly and broadly ogival at apex ; sides parallel and nearly straight ; disk

slightly wider than the pronotum, punctured nearly as in rufipes but more

coarsely. ' Abdomen rather coarsely, deeply, moderately densely punctate

throughout ; metasternum fully one-half longer than the first ventral seg-

ment, rather coarsely, deeply punctate, sparsely so toward the middle, very

densely laterally. Legs slender. Length 7.0-7.5 mm. ; width 3.2-3.4 mm.

Texas (El Paso). Mr. Dunn.

Kesembles rufipes in general characters, but differs in its very

distinctly shorter and broader form, shorter and more strongly

rounded prothorax and coarser punctuation. It very, closely resem-

bles convexicolle, but differs in its well-developed wings which are

334 Coleopterological Notices.

as long as the elytra, the longer metasternum and free elytra. The

three specimens do not indicate any great variation.

Ell. <!ia (tin in Casey. — Cont. Descr. Col. N. A., I, p. 44; carbonatum Cas. ;

1. c, p. 43. — Elongate, parallel, convex, polished, the elytra dull toward apex,

intense black ; legs and antenna? dark rufous. Head nearly as in rufipes, the

punctures not quite so dense ; antennae slender, the third joint three times as

long as wide, second distinctly shorter and more robust than the fifth. Pro-

thorax nearly as in rufipes, the punctures toward the sides not quite so coales-

cent and also distinctly sparser toward the middle, the disk more transverse,

fully three-fourths wider than long. Elytra usually distinctly wider than the

prothorax and nearly four times as long ; sides parallel and nearly straight,

punctured nearly as in rufipes. Leng'h 7.6—8.5 mm. ; width 2.8-3.4 mm.

Arizona. Mr. Morrison.

This species, while allied to rufipes, differs in its slightly narrower

form, and especially in the relatively smaller, more transverse pro-

thorax and longer elytra. The prothorax varies considerably in

size and convexity.

Ell. perforatum n. sp. — Oblong-elongate, parallel, strongly convex,

shining, intense black throughout ; legs p'iceous ; antenna? dark rufous. Head

short, rather strongly transverse, very coarsely, densely cribrate, the punc-

tures circular and generally narrowly separated, not longitudinally confluent ;

apex transversely truncate, entire ; eyes moderate ; antennre slender, the third

joint about two and one-half times as long as wide, generally but very slightly

longer than the fourth. Prothorax from three-fifths to two-thirds wider than

long ; apex about five-sixths as wide as the base, evenly, feebly but distinctly

emarginate in circular arc, the angles right, not at all rounded and generally

slightly prominent, the sides behind them being very broadly, feebly sinuate ;

base transverse, very distinctly sinuate for a short distance at each side of the

narrow feeble median lobe; basal angles right, not rounded and just visibly

prominent ; sides very feebly arcuate, straight in basal half, convergent ante-

riorly ; disk very slightly wider in the middle than at base, very coarsely,

deeply perforate, the punctures well separated near the middle but gradually

extremely dense and more or less longitudinally coalescent laterally. Elytra

just visibly wider than the prothorax and three times as long ; sides parallel

and nearly straight, broadly ogival at apex ; disk very coarsely, deeply

punctate in very approximate series near the sides, more sparseJy, finely and

irregularly near the suture. Abdomen rather finely, sparsely punctate, the

last segment densely cribrate as in rufipes; metasternum moderately long,

coarsely, sparsely punctate. Legs long, the posterior tarsi distinctly shorter

than the tibiae-. Length 6.5-7.7 mm. ; width 2.G-3.2 mm.

Arizona.

Allied to rufipes and replacing that species in the mountainous

regions of southern Arizona ; the series of fourteen specimens is

Coleopterological Notices. 335

quite homogeneous. Perforatum is almost similar in outline to

rufipes but differs in its smaller size, greater convexity, very much

coarser and more cribrate punctuation, more prominent thoracic

angles and shorter third antennal joint. The elytral series arc very

slightly impressed especially toward the suture, this feature being

feebly apparent also in several other species.

Ell. (-marginatum Casey. — Cont. Descr. Col. N. A., I, p. 41 ; piceum,

papagonum and sculptile Cas. : 1. c, pp. 40-45. — Elongate, parallel, very convex

and subcylindrical, polished except near the apex, black, sometimes pale

ferruginous from immaturity ; legs and antennae dark rufous. Read relatively

large, nearly three-fourths as wide as the prothorax, somewhat coarsely,

densely punctate ; antennae rather robust, shorter than usual. Prothorax

about two-thirds wider than long, strongly convex, evenly and strongly arcuate

at the sides, very coarsely, deeply punctate, the punctures sparse toward the

middle, very densely crowded and longitudinally coalescent laterally. Elytra

subequal in width to the prothorax and about three times as long, rather

obtusely to acutely ogival at apex; sides parallel and nearly straight . ; disk

coarsely, deeply punctate, the punctures forming approximate series toward

the sides. Abdomen very feebly alutaceous, more or less finely, sparsely but

distinctly punctate ; nietasternum rather short, a little longer than the first

ventral segment. Legs rather short and robust, the posterior tarsi very dis-

tinctly shorter than the tibiae. Length 5.9-6.2 mm. ; width 2.2-2.5 mm.

Arizona. Mr. Morrison.

A small subcylindrical species, allied in structural characters to

perforatum, but differing greatly in appearance. The types of

sculptile and papagonum are distinctly narrower, more slender and

more depressed than those of emarginatum and piceum, the differ-

ence being sexual. In sculptile the surface is very dull throughout,

the type being apparently an abnormal specimen.

Ell. flisculuill n. sp. — Oblong-elongate, parallel, rather strongly con-

vex, polished, dark rufo-castaneous throughout. Head moderate, transverse,

broadly, evenly truncate at apex, moderately coarsely, deeply, densely,

somewhat unevenly punctate and subrugulose ; eyes and superior folds well

developed ; antenna? moderate, the third joint nearly three times as long as

wide. Prothorax nearly four-fifths wider than long, the apex slightly uarrower

than the base, broadly, very feebly emarginate in circular arc, the angles very

slightly obtuse but not in the least blunt ; base transverse, very feebly sinuate

at each side of the middle, the angles distinctly obtuse but not at all rounded ;

sides evenly and rather strongly arcuate throughout ; disk very convex, deeply

punctate, the punctures not very coarse, rather sparse except near the sides

where they are but slightly coarser, very densely crowded and longitudinally

coalescent. Elytra subequal in width to the prothorax and rather more than

336 Coleopterolocjical Notices.

three times as long, punctured nearly as in rufipes, all the punctures very fine

and sparse toward the suture where the striae are extremely feebly subim-

pressed, the punctures much coarser, denser and strongly asperate laterally.

Abdomen finely, sparsely punctate. Legs long and slender, the posterior tarsi

slightly shorter than the tibia?. Length 6.0-6.7 mm. ; width 2.5-2.8 mm.

Arizona.

Although belonging to the rufipes section of the genus, this

species is not allied very closely to any other, and in some charac-

ters is intermediate between that group and convexicolle. The

metasternum is much shorter than in dubium or rufipes, but longer

than in convexicolle, the distance from the posterior margin of the

coxa to the transverse groove being but slightly greater than the

length of the first ventral segment, while in the species mentioned

it is fully one-half longer than the segment. The pronotal punc-

tuation is finer than usual in this section of the genus, and the size

is much smaller.

Ell. "bicolor Horn.— Trans. Am. Phil. Soc, XIV, p. 268.— Oblong-oval,

strongly convex, rather feebly shining and alutaceous, piceous-black ; head,

pronotum, sterna, legs and antenn'se paler, rufo-ferruginous. Head very short

and transverse, strongly narrowed from base to apex, the latter more than

usually narrowly truncate or extremely feebly sinuate ; surface coarsely, very

densely punctate, a spot near the base of the occiput usually impunctate ;

antennae rather short and robust. Prothorax about four-fifths wider than long,

the apex scarcely more than four-fifths as wide as the base, feebly emarginate

in circular arc, the angles slightly obtuse but not at all rounded ; base trun-

cate, feebly sinuate for a short distance at each side of the middle ; basal angles

slightly acute, not in the least rounded and just visibly prominent; sides

parallel and very feebly arcuate, then strongly convergent and more strongly

arcuate in apical third ; disk rather coarsely, deeply, somewhat sparsely punc-

tate toward the middle, much more coarsely, extremely densely but not very

conttuently so laterally. Elytra scarcely three times as long as the prothorax

and, behind the middle, nearly one-fifth wider ; sides rather strongly arcuate ;

apex broadly, very obtusely ogival ; disk not very coarsely, rather feebly

punctate, somewhat confusedly near the suture, in approximate and more

asperate series laterally. Abdomen finely, feebly, sparsely punctate, more

coarsely, densely so laterally ; metasternum just visibly longer than the first

ventral segment. Legs moderate, the posterior tarsi unusually short, scarcely

two-thirds as long as the tibiae. Length 6.5 mm. ; width 3.2 mm.

Arizona.

The elytra are unusually inflated and the species may be readily

distinguished from any other by its convex form, alutaceous lustre

and peculiar coloration.

Coleopterological Notices. 33 7

Ell. COllvexicolle Lee. — Ann. Lye. N. Y., V, p. 139.— Oblong-oval,

strongly convex, piceous-black, sometimes paler, shining. Head moderately

transverse, coarsely, deeply, perforately punctate, the punctures rather dense

hut not contiguous ; apex truncate, entire ; eyes moderate, very slightly more

prominent than the sides before them, the superior folds advancing well beyond

them and strongly arcuate ; antennae rather slender, the third joint fully

three times as long as wide and much longer than the fourth. Prothorax from

four, to nearly five-fifths wider than long, the apex about five-sixths as wide

as the base, very feebly emarginate, the angles right and not blunt ; base

transversely truncate, broadly, very feebly sinuate at each side of the middle,

the basal angles broadly obtuse but not at all rounded ; sides distinctly arcuate,

more convergent and straighter toward apex ; disk coarsely, deeply punctured

throughout, the punctures toward the sides gradually very closely crowded

and longitudinally confluent, but not much larger than those toward the

middle where they are usually separated by from once to twice their own

diameters. Elytra usually very slightly wider than the prothorax and rather

more than three times as long, generally about one-half longer than wide ;

sides very feebly arcuate ; apex obtusely ogival ; disk rather finely, sparsely

and irregularly punctate toward the suture, but much more coarsely and

asperately so laterally where the punctures are arranged in approximate

series, especially coarse and dense toward the humeri. Abdomen finely,

sparsely punctured; metasternum from coxa to impressed groove just visibly

shorter than the first ventral segment. Legs moderate, rather robust, the

posterior tarsi much shorter than the tibiae. Length 6.4-7.5 mm. ; width

2.8-3.3 mm.

California (Barstow, San Bernardino and the Colorado Desert).

The series of eleven specimens exhibits considerable variation, not

only in color but in general form, but is not sufficiently extensive

to enable me to define any distinct varieties; the species may be

readily known by its robust, convex form, strongly transverse and

densely, very coarsely punctured pronotum. The hind wings are by

no means obsolete, although rudimentary ; they are broad, hyaline

and about two-thirds as long as the elytra, the latter subconnate.

Ell. cy lilldricuill n. sp. — Elongate, parallel, very strongly, cylindri-

cally convex, shining, the head very dull, black to piceous throughout. Head

transverse, truncate, generally finely and decidedly sparsely punctate, the

punctures sometimes rather coarse but always distant ; eyes moderate, the

fold very acute, long and feebly arcuate ; antennae rather slender, the third

joint but slightly more than twice as long as wide and only slightly longer

than the third. Prothorax from two-thirds to four-fifths wider than long, the

apex very feebly incurvate, the angles right and not at all blunt, the base

transverse, the two median sinuations very feeble ; basal angles slightly

obtuse, not at all rounded and frequently very slightly prominent ; sides

parallel aud very feebly arcuate, more convergent and straighter in apical

338 Coleoplerological Notices.

half ; disk very finely, feebly and sparsely punctate, except very abruptly in

lateral fourth, where the punctures become extremely coarse and deep, elon-

gate-oval and not very coalescent. Elytra equal in width to the prothorax

and about three times as long ; sides parallel and nearly straight ; apex

obtusely ogival ; disk punctured nearly as in convexicolle but more coarsely,

less densely and less asperately so laterally, and still more finely and sparsely

so toward the suture. Abdomen finely, sparsely punctate, the metasternum

from coxa to transverse groove distinctly shorter than the first ventral segment.

Legs slender. Length 6.5-7.5 mm. ; width 2.7—3.4 mm.

California (Kern Co.).

This species is represented by a large series and cannot fail to be

easily recognized by the very peculiar punctuation of the pronotum,

subcylindrical form and more than usually elongate prothorax.

The punctures toward the sides of the pronotum are very abruptly

five or six times as large as those of the broad median portion, the

latter being very sparse as well as fine.

Ell. politum n. sp. — Elongate-oval, strongly convex, castaneous, highly

polished, feebly alutaceous toward the apex of the elytra. Head moderately

transverse, shining, entire and broadly truncate at apex, rather finely and

densely punctate, the punctures distinctly separated ; eyes moderate, the

superior fold distinct, strongly arcuate in front of the eye ; antenna? slender,

third joint fully three times as long as wide, much longer than the fourth,

second elongate. Prothorax fully three-fourths wider than long, the apex

distinctly narrower than the base, just visibly emarginate, the angles slightly

obtuse but not in the least rounded ; base transverse, with the usual feeble

median sinuations ; basal angles obtuse, the apex rather acute, not in the

least rounded and just perceptibly prominent ; sides evenly and strongly

arcuate throughout ; disk much wider in the middle than at base, convex,

rather finely and sparsely punctate, the punctures gradually becoming coarser,

about twice as large and dense but not coalescent toward the sides. Elytra

slightly wider than the prothorax and a little more than three times as iong,

gradually rather acutely rounded behind ; sides parallel and feebly arcuate ;

width across the humeri, which are narrowly rounded and not prominent,

quite distinctly greater than the base of the prothorax ; disk convex, finely,

rather irregularly and sparsely punctured toward the suture, the punctures

very coarse and forming approximate series laterally where they are not per-

ceptibly asperate, except feebly so toward apex. Abdomen rather finely but

strongly, sparsely punctate, the metasternum between coxa and groove equal

in length to the first ventral segment. Legs slender, the femora rather robust,

polished, very minutely and extremely sparsely punctate ; posterior tarsi long

and slender, slightly shorter than the tibise. Length 6.5 mm. ; width 2.8 mm.

Texas (El Paso).

The single specimen which I took in loose sand, at the roots of

Coleopterological Notices. 339

some slender perennial plants growing near the banks of the Rio

Grande, represents a species which cannot well be compared with

any other here described. It is narrower and much more sparsely

punctate than convexicolle, and moreover differs from both that

species and cylindricum in the much broader elytral base, with

exposed- humeri, and in its shining head; in the two species -men-

tioned the head is more transverse, and is rendered very dull by a

peculiar system of excessively minute but strong granuliform reti-

culations; in politum the reticulations are flat and much larger.

The metasternum in politum is slightly longer than in convexicolle.

■£•£

Ell. longipeiine n. sp. — Oblong-elongate, parallel, moderately convex,

piceous-black ; under surface anteriorly, legs and antennae dark rufous ;

integuments subalutaceous. Head short and very transverse, broadly, arcu-

ately impressed anteriorly, the sides before the eyes rounded and broadly,

feebly reflexed, the epistoma transversely, feebly tumid and very broadly

arcuate between the emarginations which are broadly angulate and feeble ;

surface finely, densely punctate, the punctures'shallow, annular and scabrous ;

eyes rather large, feebly prominent, the upper fold very short ; antennae

slender, the third joint very elongate. Prothorax fully twice as wide as long,

the apex slightly narrower than the base, evenly, rather strongly emarginate

in circular arc, the angles acute and distinctly prominent ; base transverse,

with the usual two feeble approximate sinuations ; basal angles right, slightly

everted and distinctly prominent ; sides very distinctly, rather evenly arcuate ;

disk distinctly wider behind the middle than at base, rather finely but dis-

tinctly, very densely punctate, without trace of median line, the punctures

scabrous, extremely dense and crowded laterally, the marginal bead very

acute and strongly elevated. Ehjtra about one-fourth wider than the protho-

rax and about five times as long, wider across the humeri than any portion of

the prothorax, the humeri narrowly rounded ; apex obtusely rounded ; sides

straight and parallel ; disk with distant and indistinct series of small feeble

punctures, the series broadly, feebly and unevenly impressed ; intervals very

minutely, sparsely punctate. Abdomen feebly, the metasternum very finely

and sparsely punctate, the latter polished and nearly twice as long as the first

ventral segment. Legs long and slender. Length 9.2 mm. ; width 3.8 mm.

New Mexico.

This well-marked species is the largest of the genus yet described,

and is very distinct in its long elytra, short prothorax, long meta-

sternum and several other characters. The anterior tibiae are

strongly, unevenly serrato-crenulate along the outer edge, and the

disk of the pronotum is very feebly impressed and more sparsely

punctate just before the scutellum.

Annals N. Y. Acad. Sci., V, Nov. 1890.— 23

340 Coleopterological Notices.

Ell. pillictlllatum Lee— New Spec. Col., 18G6, p. 105.— Oblong-oval,

rather depressed, dark rufo-ferruginous throughout ; integuments thin, rather

smooth but very dull ; wings well developed. Head strongly transverse, nar-

rowed from base to apex, finely, very densely punctate, truncate at apex and

with two .small distant emarginations ; eyes rather large and distinctly more

prominent tbau the sides before them ; antennas slender, slightly longer in the

male, the second joint elongate, scarcely more than one-half as long as the

third and much shorter than the fourth, second joint in the female fully three-

fourths as long as the third and very nearly as long as the fourth. Protharax

from four to five-fifths wider than long, the apex distinctly narrower than the

base, feebly but distinctly emarginate in circular arc, the angles obtuse but

not rounded and subprominent ; base transverse, very feebly bisinuate in the

middle ; basal angles very obtuse but not distinctly blunt ; sides strongly

arcuate in the middle, feebly convergent and very feebly arcuate thence to the

base, more strongly convergent and straight or very broadly sinuate in apical

third ; disk distinctly wider in the middle than at base, finely, rather feebly,

submuricately and very densely punctate throughout, with a very narrow and

imperfect median impunctate line, the punctures slightly coarser laterally.

Elytra from one-fifth to one-third wider than the prothorax and four times as

long, distinctly wider at base than the thoracic base, the humeri exposed,

narrowly rounded ; sides parallel and nearly straight ; disk very finely, feebly,

submuricately punctate, the punctures with extremely feebly defined serial

arrangement. Abdomen excessively minutely, sparsely punctate ; metaster-

num more coarsely punctate, between coxa and groove nearly one-half longer

than the first ventral segment. Legs long and slender. Length 6.4-7.5 mm. ;

width 3.0-3.2 mm.

Lower California (Cape San Lucas). Cab. LeConte.

In its distinct male sexual characters this species, so far as known,

stands alone ; the male is larger than the female, more parallel, with

longer antenna?, and has the apex of the fourth ventral segment

produced in the middle in a small feebly reflexed strongly rounded

lobe, extending slightly over the fifth. Although the elytra have

but slight traces of serial punctuation, the series are often indicated

as broad dark streaks, due to the interference of light and the coarse

cellular structure of the inferior surface. Superficially, punctnlatum

may be readily known by its very dull lustre and extremely dense,

almost even, pronotal punctuation.

Ell. la isli'ic inn n. sp. — Oblong, parallel, rather strongly convex, piceo-

castaneous, slightly paler and more rufous beneath ; integuments distinctly

alutaceous. Head short and very transverse, narrowed from base to apex.

finely, not very densely punctate, extremely densely so on the epistoma ;

apex truncate, the lateral emarginations very feeble, the lateral oblique

sutures however distinctly impressed ; eyes moderate, rather prominent, the

superior fold very strongly arcuate and almost attaining the lateral margin ;

Coleopterological Notices. 341

antennae slender, the third joint very elongate. Prothorax three-fourths to

four-fifths wider than long, the apex slightly narrower than the hase, evenly

hut feebly emarginate, the angles rather acute and prominent; hase trans-

verse, feebly bisinuate in the middle, the basal angles slightly obtuse, not in

the least rounded ; sides rather strongly, evenly arcuate, more convergent and

straighter near the apex ; disk feebly, transversely impressed just before the

base, rather longitudinally convex, somewhat finely but strongly, sparsely

punctate, the punctures becoming gradually coarser, scabrous and extremely

densely crowded laterally. Elytra slightly but distinctly wider than the pro-

thorax and about three and one-half times as long, at base but just visibly

wider than the contiguous base of the latter, the humeri very slightly exposed,

obtusely subangulate ; apex broadly, obtusely rounded ; sides parallel and

straight, feebly convergent and arcuate toward the humeri ; disk with distant

and somewhat uneven unimpressed series of punctures, the latter very fine

and not very close-set near the suture, but becoming coarse, rather scabrous,

extremely approximate and more irregularly placed toward the sides and

especially toward the humeri ; intervals more finely, sparsely and very feebly

punctate. Abdomen finely punctate ; metasternum very densely punctate later-

ally, fully one-half longer than the first ventral segment. Legs slender.

Length 7.3-7.7 mm. ; width 3.2 mm.

Arizona.

This species is to be placed near muricatulum, but differs greatly

in its more robust and convex form, alutaceous lustre and very

much denser, coarser and more coalescent punctuation toward the

sides of the body. The lateral emarginations of the epistoma are

very feeble ; they are normally developed in muricatulum.

Ell. muricatulum n. sp. — Oblong, elongate, subparallel, moderately

convex, shining, piceous-black ; under surface, legs and antennae dark rufous.

Head short and transverse, narrowed from base to apex, the latter truncate

and with two very feeble distant emarginations ; surface finely, rather feebly,

somewhat densely and submuricately punctate ; eyes moderate, rather dis-

tinctly prominent ; antennae long and slender, the third joint very elongate,

the fourth shorter. Prothorax three-fourths to four-fifths wider than long ;

apex slightly narrower than the base, feebly, evenly but distinctly emargi-

nate, the angles not at all rounded, slightly obtuse when viewed laterally but

acute and prominent vertically ; base transverse, with the two approximate

median sinuations rather pronounced ; basal angles obtuse, not rounded ;

sides moderately arcuate, more convergent anteriorly ; disk a little wider

slightly behind the middle than at base, very finely, sparsely punctate, with

a narrow impunctate line, the punctures becoming gradually coarser and

muricate but still small and rather well separated laterally. Elytra somewhat

distinctly wider than the prothorax and four times as long or slightly less ;

humeri exposed, obtuse but not rounded ; sides parallel and feebly arcuate,

rather obtusely rounded at apex ; disk with distant series of small, approxi-

342 Coleopterological Notices.

mate, submuricate punctures, the series sometimes very feebly impressed ;

intervals very finely, sparsely punctate throughout the width. Abdomen ex-

cessively minutely, feebly punctate; metasternum a little more coarsely so,

nearly one-half longer than the first ventral segment. Legs long and slender,

the posterior tarsi distinctly shorter than the tibise. Length 6.6-7.2 mm. ;

width 2.7-3.2 mm.

Arizona (Benson). Mr. Dunn.

This species, which is represented by a good series, is allied only

to histricum, but is more slender and much more polished. A

portion of the series was communicated by Mr. Dunn as having

been taken at El Paso, Texas, but I am inclined to think that they

were all taken at the locality indicated. The sexual characters are

not distinctly pronounced.

Ell. tllSCOl'S n. sp. — Oblong-elongate, parallel, moderately convex, rather

shining, castaneous throughout ; integuments thin ; wings well developed.

Head nearly as in longipenne, but less impressed and with the broad, indefi-

nite, transverse tumidity of the epistoma more acute and cariniform. Protho-

rax just visibly less than twice as wide as long, the apex much narrower than

the base, moderately emarginate, the angles right, not rounded and slightly

prominent ; base truncate, feebly bisinuate in the middle, the basal angles

very broadly obtuse but with the extreme apex right and slightly prominent,

the sides before them broadly and very feebly sinuate ; sides very strongly

arcuate and strongly convergent toward base and apex ; disk much wider at or

a little behind the middle than at base, very obsoletely impressed just before

the scutellum and with a feeble impressed median line ; punctures scabrous,

rather fine and decidedly sparse toward the middle, coarser, much denser but

still not very crowded laterally ; marginal bead moderate in elevation, very

thin, the outer edge very finely and feebly serrulate especially anteriorly.

Elytra but very slightly wider than the prothorax and between four and five

times as long, across the humeri about equal to it in width, and much wider

than its base, the humeri narrowly rounded ; apex broadly, obtusely rounded ;

sides parallel and subrectilinear ; disk with series of broad, very feeble, im-

pressed sulcations and equally wide intervals, very finely, not very densely,

subasrjerately punctate throughout, with vaguely defined series along the

middle of the sulci. Abdomen extremely minutely, the metasternum finely

but distinctly, rather sparsely, punctate, the latter between coxa and groove

scarcely one-half longer than the first ventral segment ; ventral segments long.

Length 6.7-7.8 mm. ; width 2.8-3.2 mm.

Texas (El Paso).

The peculiar feeble sulcation of the elytra is similar to that of

longipenne, but more pronounced ; on the other hand, however,

the series of punctures are much less definite than in that species.

Discors is related to longipenne, but differs in the much more

Coleopterological Notices. 343

arcuate sides of the prothorax, sparser punctuation, smaller size,

relatively narrower and shorter elytra, much shorter metasternum,

and in the presence of an impressed median line on the pronotum ;

this line is very feeble and may sometimes be scarcely traceable.

There is no trace of an impunctate median line in either discors or

longipenne.

Ell. debile n. sp. — Oblong-oval, moderately convex, piceous-black, the

legs and antenna? dark rufous ; integuments rather dull, the elytra more

shining. Head moderately narrowed from base to apex, the sides before the

eyes feebly arcuate ; median lobe at apex very slightly produced, broadly

truncate, the emarginations very small but distinct ; eyes moderate ; surface

finely, extremely densely punctate throughout ; antenna? slender. Prothorax

about three-fourths wider than long ; apex slightly narrower than the base,

evenly and strongly emarginate in circular arc, the angles right, not at all

rounded and anteriorly prominent ; base transverse, extremely feebly sinuate

at each side of the middle ; basal angles rather obtuse but not at all rounded ;

sides nearly evenly and moderately arcuate ; disk rather convex longitudi-

nally, with the feeblest trace of a fine, elevated, median line, finely, densely

punctate, the punctures scabrous and extremely densely crowded toward the

sides, very dense but distinctly separated toward the middle, not at all im-

pressed although very sparsely punctate in a small area opposite the scutellum.

Elytra nearly one-fourth wider than the prothorax and rather more than three

times as long, across the humeri a little wider than any portion of the disk

of the latter, the humeri broadly exposed and very narrowly rounded ; apex

obtusely rounded ; sides parallel and nearly straight ; disk with extremely

confused, approximate, unimpressed rows of somewhat coarse, subscabrous

and rather approximate punctures. Abdomen very finely and sparsely punc-

tate ; metasternum between coxa and groove nearly one-fourth longer than

the first ventral segment. Legs slender, the posterior tarsi much shorter than

the corresponding tibia?. Length 5.6 mm. ; width 2.5 mm.

Arizona (Peach Springs). Mr. Wickham.

This distinct species is allied to punctulatum and longipenne,

but is very much smaller ; from crassulum and sodalis it may be

readily known by its widely exposed humeri and more depressed

form. It is a connecting link between the larger species of this

section, with very long metasternum, and the small very convex

species with shorter metasternum.

Ell. sodalis Horn.— Trans. Am. Phil. Soc, XIV, p. 268.— Oblong-oval,

robust, very convex, subalutaceous, the elytra polished, pale brownish-testa-

ceous throughout. Head rather small, moderately transverse, narrowed from

base to apex, the latter truncate, the median lobe extremely broad, very

slightly advanced, broadly rounded toward the emarginations which are dis-

344 Coleopterological Notices.

tinct ; lateral lobes narrow, very narrowly rounded at apex, the sides nearly

straight thence to the eyes, the latter moderate, scarcely visibly prominent ;

surface rather finely, extremely densely punctate and scabrous, not trans-

versely 1 11 1 11 id anteriorly, the sides not reflexed ; antenna? moderate, the third

joint elongate. Prolhorax nearly twice as wide as the head, very nearly twice

as wide as long, the apex slightly narrower than the base, extremely feebly,

evenly emarginate in circular arc, the angles obtuse, not rounded but not in

the least prominent ; base transverse, the two median sinuations almost obso-

lete ; basal angles very broadly obtuse and narrowly rounded; sides rather

strongly and evenly arcuate ; disk slightly behind the middle distinctly wider

than at base, rather finely and feebly punctate, the punctures scabrous,

extremely densely crowded laterally, slightly separated toward the middle,

without trace of median line ; along the basal margin there is a rather thick

bead. Elytra about one-fourth wider than the prothorax and nearly four

times as long, at base equal in width to the base of the latter, the humeri not

exposed; apex broadly, obtusely rounded; sides subparallel and feebly arcu-

ate ; disk very convex, with ill-defined rows of small but deep punctures ;

intervals finely, confusedly punctate ; punctures much smaller and feebler

toward the suture, not distinctly asperate laterally. Abdomen very finely

rather sparsely punctate ; metasternura between coxa and groove just visibly

longer than the first ventral segment. Leys slender, moderate in length.

Length 5.4 mm. ; width 2.7 mm.

California (Owen's Yalley). Cab. Horn and LeConte.

A rather small species, remarkable for its somewhat robust, com-

pact, very convex form and broadly obtuse thoracic angles.

Ell. crassilltllll n. sp. — Oblong-oval, very convex, subalutaceous ;

castaneous to piceous-black ; legs and antenna? dark rufous. Head rather

large, moderately transverse; sides nearly straight and strongly convergent

from base to apex, the eyes moderately prominent ; median lobe of apex trun-

cate, very slightly produced, moderate in width, the lateral lobes moderate in

width and not reflexed at the sides ; surface even, rather finely, very densely

punctate and scabrous ; antenna? rather short but slender, the third joint

elongate. Prothorax scarcely two-thirds wider than the head, rather less than

twice as wide as long, the apex much narrower than the base, evenly and very

distinctly emarginate, the angles right, not at all rounded and distinctly

prominent anteriorly; base transverse, with two feeble median sinuations;

basal angles obtuse but not in the least rounded ; sides rather strongly arcu-

ate ; disk much wider behind the middle than at base, finely but distinctly

punctate, the punctures scabrous, very densely crowded laterally, slightly

separated toward the middle ; transverse basal bead distinct. Elytra but very

slightly wider than the prothorax and slightly more than three times as long,

at base equal in width to the base of the latter ; apex broadly rounded ; sides

very feebly arcuate, parallel ; disk very densely punctate, the punctures

rather distinctly asperate, arranged in approximate, moderately defined series

Coleopterological Notices. 345

toward the sides. Metastcrnum between coxa and groove slightly longer than

the first ventral segment; wings well developed. Length 4. 7-"). 3 mm.;

width 2.1-2.3 mm.

Texas (El Paso); Arizona.

This species, which is represented before me by an ample series,

is one of the smallest of the genus and is remarkable for its verv

convex, sin (cylindrical form and dense punctuation. It differs from

sodalis, to which it is allied, in its much smaller size and narrower

form, larger head which is more strongly narrowed from base to

apex, in its denser duller and darker integuments, and prominent

thoracic angles. The median lobe of the front is narrower and the

lateral lobes much broader than in sodalis.

In these small species the basal bead of the pronotum and its

corresponding line groove are more pronounced than in the others.

Ell. serratlim Lee. — New Spec. Col., 1866, p. 106. — Elongate-oval, very

strongly convex, pale brownish-testaceous throughout, polished. Head moder-

ately narrowed from base to apex ; sides straight ; median lobe of apex slightly

produced, truncate ; lateral eniarginations distinct ; eyes large and slightly

prominent ; antennae long and very slender ; surface finely and rather sparsely

punctate. Prothorax about two-thirds wider than the head and twice as wide

as long; apex considerably narrower than the base, evenly and distinctly

emarginate in circular arc, the angles obtuse, not at all rounded but not very

prominent ; base transverse, very feebly lobed in the middle, the basal angles

extremely obtuse and rather blunt; sides strongly arcuate, straighter and

more convergent toward apex ; disk much wider behind the middle than at

base, with obsolete traces of a fine elevated median line and a small foveiform

impression just before the scutellum, rather coarsely but feebly and roughly

punctate laterally, the punctures slightly separated, finer and decidedly

sparse toward the middle ; lateral edges finely but distinctly serrulate and

with short erect seta?. Elytra slightly wider than the prothorax and rather

less than four times as long ; humeri but slightly exposed, rounded ; apex

parabolically rounded; sides feebly arcuate; disk with rather well defined,

unimpressed, approximate rows of punctures, the latter becoming finer, sparser

and more diffused toward the suture; punctures distant throughout in the

rows. Metasternum between coxa and groove about one-fourth longer than

the first ventral segment. Legs very slender throughout, the posterior tarsi

subequal in length to the tibia?. Length 4.4-5.0 mm.; width 2.0-2.2 mm.

Arizona (Gila Valley); Texas (El Paso).

As usual throughout this section of the genus the anterior tibiae

are finely serrato-crenulate externally. One specimen in the cabinet

of Dr. LeConte, marked "Atlanta, Idaho," and probably collected

by Mr. L. Allgewahr, indicates a very exceptional range for this

346 Coleopterological Notices.

genus. Other specimens from Holbrook and Albuquerque, New

Mexico, appear to represent a distinct variety with denser piceous

integuments, denser punctuation and slightly larger size, with

shorter posterior tarsi, the metasternum being equal in length to

the first ventral segment.

Eu. iiiflatlim Lee. — Cryptadius injiat.: Ann. Lye. N. Y., V, p. 140. —

Broadly, evenly elliptical, strongly convex, rather shining, piceous-black,

sometimes pale from immaturity ; under surface, legs and antenna? dark

rufous. Head moderately transverse, coarsely, somewhat sparsely punctate,

the punctures carinate outwardly ; eyes moderate, very slightly prominent,

the fold strongly cariniform, strongly arcuate before them ; apex broadly

transverse, remotely bisinuate, middle lobe broadly arcuate ; antennae long

but somewhat robust, rather strongly clavate, the tenth joint distinctly wider

than long. Prothorax nearly two and one-half times wider than long, the apex

scarcely more than two-thirds as wide as the base, evenly, strongly emarginate

in circular arc, the angles slightly obtuse, a little blunt but very pronounced ;

base transverse, feebly and anteriorly oblique and slightly arcuate toward the

basal angles, which are obtuse and distinctly rounded ; sides very strongly

convergent from base to apex, evenly and moderately arcuate ; disk rather

coarsely punctate, the punctures simple and slightly separated toward the

middle, denser, coarser and externally cariniferous laterally, widest slightly

before the base. Elytra about one-fifth wider than the prothorax and three

times as long, at base truncate and fully as wide as the disk of the latter,

rather acutely angulate at apex ; sides parallel and feebly arcuate in basal

two-thirds ; disk evenly and almost equally punctate throughout without

trace of series, the punctures moderate in size, rather dense and distinctly

granuliform. Abdomen very finely, sparsely punctate ; metasternum very

short, between coxa and groove but slightly more than one-half as long as

the first ventral segment ; epipleurse dilated at base, very wide. Legs long

and slender, the posterior tarsi slightly shorter than the corresponding tibise

which are very slender and feebly arcuate throughout the length. Length

6.5-7.0 mm. ; width 3.6-4.0 mm.

California (San Diego).

A most interesting and aberrant species which is very certainly

entitled to subgeneric distinction, the characters relating to the

front as given in the table differing from those of Tela bis to a

remarkable degree.

In two of the specimens before me, which are perfectly black,

there are no traces whatever of serial arrangement of the elytral

punctures, but in three others, which are uniformly pale ferrugi-

nous, there are very feebly defined lateral series in which the punc-

tures are more densely but irregularly aggregated. Although there

Coleopterological Notices. 347

are, practically speaking, no distinct series, the elytra bear distinct

traces of the very feeble longitudinal impressed lines, so often

noticeable throughout the Epitragini.

Undetermined Species.

Eu. ochraceum Esch.

The description of Mannerheim is as follows : —

"Oblongum, pallide ochraceum, capite paulo obscuriore, thorace subcylin-

drico, elytris medio gibbosis posterius declivibus, subtiliter striato-punctatis,

punctis basi et apice evanesceutibus, interstitiis remote punctulatis, punctis

subseriatis.

" Longit. 1^ lin.

" Habitat in California ad St. Franzisco, sub lapidibus."

If this description is correct it cannot refer to any known species

of Eurymetopon. The length as given indicates a very small

species, smaller than the smallest known specimen of Emmenastus,

and in the latter genus the elytral punctures, although frequently

feebler or evanescent near the apex, are never so to the least degree

toward base ; they are on the contrary almost invariably stronger

toward base especially near the humeri.

EIHUIEIVASTUS Mots.

The genus Emmenastus, in its present scope, is one of the most

composite of the Tenebrionidaa. The sections may be thus denned : —

Antennas long and slender, the eighth joint always distinctly longer than

wide ; eyes large or moderate, sometimes prominent.

Tarsi sparsely clothed beneath with short spinose setae.

Wings well developed I

Wings completely obsolete II

Tarsi densely clothed with long, coarse, yellow pubescence ; wings want-

ing Ill

Antennae short and robust, much more compact, the eighth joint never longer

than wide ; wings present but extremely rudimentary ; eyes' much smaller,

never at all prominent IV

It will be readily observed that these sections are of more than

usual importance, and if not generic are at least entitled to full

subgeneric recognition. I have not given them distinctive names,

however, as the very extensive Mexican contingent will probably

add several others, and the mutual relationship and limitation of

348 Coleopterological Notices.

the various subgenera can be adequately appreciated only in a

general monograph.

The metasternum1 is usually longer in those species having well-

developed wings, but this difference is not always very pronounced.

The metasternal groove is as usual widely interrupted opposite the

abdominal process and becomes obliterated before attaining the

episterna. This groove has but little definite systematic value in

Emmenastus other than specific. In section I it is always very

strong and well developed, also in the single representative of

section III, while in section II it is well marked in some species

and more or less rudimentary in others, and, although in section IV

it is generally almost obsolete, its tendency to appear is frequently

indicated by a feebly impressed line of close irregularly placed

punctures.

The sections as defined above are quite homogeneous with the

exception of II, which is still rather composite although in charac-

ters of minor value, the individual species being in every instance

widely isolated ; they are much more persistent in type in sections

I and IY. In section IV the hind Avings appear to be constantly

present but are always very rudimentary ; in obesus, for example,

they consist of an extremely small semi-membranous plate, scarcely

more than one-fourth as long as the prothorax, and in ater of a very

slender fillet of similar structure about as long as the prothorax.

In this section the apical margin of the head is not truncate but

broadly, more or less evenly arcuate and entire. In piceus and

pinguis there are two small distant feebly developed emarginations,

somewhat similar to those of Eurymetopon, but here they have no

systematic value whatever, and are not approached by or connected

in any way with the mandibles; the margin is almost invariably

entire, and these exceptions appear to be rather in the nature of

accidental and meaningless aberrations.

The known species occurring within the limits of the United

States, including Lower California where they appear to be especi-

ally abundant, may be distinguished as follows : —

1 In estimating the length of the metasternum and first ventral segment, the

distances are measured on a longitudinal line passing through the coxae, thus

representing the minimum length of each, and include the entire metasternum,

as the groove frequently hecomes obsolete in this genus.

Coleopferological Notices. 349

Section I.

Elytral striae rather distinctly impressed ; integuments pale and thin.

Epistoma subangularly and feebly lobed in the middle texailUS

Epistoma rather narrowly and feebly sinuate at apex, without trace of

median lobe ; pronotum narrowly and feebly subexplanate at the sides.

marginatus

Elytral striae not at all impressed.

Pronotum abruptly rugulose near the sides, the rugae long, nearly even and

strongly elevated ; color rufo-piceous to piceous-black ; integuments thick

and dense longulus

Pronotum with merely semi-coalescent and shallower punctures or short

confused rugae toward the sides.

Prothorax widest near the base, the sides convergent and feebly arcuate

thence to the apex ; color pale ; integuments thin ; form narrow and

very elongate angustlis

Prothorax much shorter, with more strongly arcuate sides ; integuments

thick and dense, piceous-black ; form short and robust piceilS

Section II.

Base of the prothorax broadly distinctly bisinuate.

Oval, dark rufo- testaceous ; elytra distinctly wider than the prothorax;

sides of the latter broadly, evenly arcuate throughout discretlis

Elongate, parallel, black ; sides of the prothorax convergent and nearly

straight from behind the middle to the apex COIlicicollis

Base of the prothorax transversely truncate.

Elytra with well-marked unimpressed series of approximate punctures.

Integuments highly polished COliVCXIIS

Integuments very dull suljopacus

Elytra without trace of series, evenly but irregularly punctured throughout ;

lustre strongly alutaceous ; color pale ferruginous ; form very broadly

oval pinguis

Section III.

Eyes large, very prominent laterally, the tempora completely obsolete behind

them punctatus

Section IV.

Basal angles of the prothorax obtuse, never prominent, sometimes very nar-

rowly rounded.

Sides of the prothorax moderately arcuate.

Elytral striae very distinctly impressed ol>esilS

Elytral striae not at all impressed.

Color black ; upper surface moderately convex.

Larger species ; lustre alutaceous ol)tllSUS

Smaller, polished ; punctures toward the middle of the pronotum

very much sparser ater

350 Coleopterological Notices.

Color dark castaneous ; body very convex ; punctures of the pronotum

rather coarse and very dense fallax

Sides of the prothorax very strongly, evenly rounded in a circular arc

having its centre near lateral third of the pronotum.

Castaneous, dull and alutaceous, the pronotum finely and extremely

densely punctate throughout thoracicus

Black, highly polished ; pronotum rather coarsely punctate and distinctly

more sparsely so toward the middle llitidllS

Basal angles of the prothorax acute and prominent, the sides before them

being distinctly sinuate for a short distance.

Elytral series distinct throughout the width.

Head large ; integuments very dull crassicorilis

Head small ; prothorax very short ; integuments polished.

coarcticollis

Elytral series confused on the upper portion of the disk and with scarcely

a trace of serial arrangement aciltlis

E. texauus Lee. — New Spec. Col., 1866, p. 108. — Oblong-oval, moderately

robust, somewhat depressed, pale brownish-testaceous throughout ; integu-

ments rather thin, polished. Head rather small and transverse, not over one-

half as wide as the prothorax, somewhat coarsely and densely punctate ; eyes

large and slightly more prominent than the sides ; epistoma truncate, obtusely

and angularly lobed in the middle, the lobe distinct and slightly deflexed ;

antennae long and slender. Prothorax fully three-fourths wider than long, the

apex scarcely more than two-thirds as wide as the base, broadly subtruncate

between the acute and strongly, anteriorly prominent angles ; base transverse,

broadly, strongly bisinuate, the basal angles right, not at all rounded but not

prominent, sides very evenly and rather strongly arcuate throughout ; disk

about as wide at base as behind the middle, rather coarsely and sparsely punc-

tate, the punctures unevenly distributed and distant by from once to twice their

own diameters, but rapidly becoming very dense though scarcely confluent

near the sides, the latter finely, acutely beaded. Elytra just visibly wider

than the prothorax and more than three times as long, parallel, the apex

ogival ; disk with distant, distinctly impressed striae which continue to the

apex and are coarsely, rather strongly and approximately punctate, the punc-

tures variolate as usual ; intervals flat, each with a more or less regular single

line of much smaller punctures which are confused toward the suture. Trans-

verse metasternal groove very deep. Legs very slender, the posterior tarsi

slightly but distinctly shorter than the tibiae. Length 6.6 mm. ; width 2.9 mm.

Texas. Cab. LeConte.

The epistoma is evenly rounded laterally at the sutures, and not

in the least emarginate ; the hind wings are very well developed.

This species is quite distinct and cannot easily be confounded

with any other, the feebly produced angulate lobe of the epistoma

Coleopterological Notices. 351

and rather distinctly impressed and entire elytral striae giving it a

peculiar appearance. Although the eyes are distinctly more promi-

nent than the sides before them, they are much less so than in

marginatum.

In common with all the winged species except longulus, the pre-

sent appears to be quite rare and I have seen only the unique type.

E. mai'ginatus n. sp. — Oblong, parallel, somewhat depressed, dark

rufo-testaceous, the legs and antennae paler and more flavate ; integuments

highly polished throughout. Head short and broad, rather coarsely, densely

punctate ; sides rapidly convergent from base to apex, the eyes large, very

convex and very much more prominent than the sides of the head ; epistoma

narrow at apex, rather feebly but distinctly sinuate ; supra-orbital ridges fine

but distinct, extending well beyond the eyes, obsolete at the middle of their

upper margin ; antennae slender, with a loose elongate club. Prothorax fully

four-fifths wider than long, the apex rather distinctly narrower than the base,

distinctly emarginate in circular arc, the apical angles rather acute and not

at all rounded ; base transverse, very feebly sinuate at each side of the middle,

the angles slightly obtuse but not at all rounded ; sides evenly and moderately

arcuate ; disk very slightly wider just behind the middle than at base, coarsely,

rather densely punctate, the punctures becoming gradually longitudinally

confluent toward the sides, the latter very narrowly but distinctly explanate.

Elytra about three and one-half times longer than the prothorax and subequal

to it in width, very slightly wider behind ; apex ogival ; sides subparallel,

very slightly more arcuate behind ; disk with feebly but distinctly impressed

strise, which extend unbroken almost to the apex, the stria? rather coarsely

and very approximately punctured, the intervals flat, each with a moderately

even series of distinct but smaller punctures, those of the sutural interval

confused. Abdomen finely very sparsely punctate, the surface slightly scabious

and the punctures larger and closer near the sides. Legs long and slender.

the posterior tarsi almost as long as the tibiae. Length 6.5 mm. ; width 2.S mm.

Lower California.

A very distinct species, peculiar in its very prominent eyes ; in its

impressed elytral striae it somewhat resembles texanus, but differs

greatly in the structure of the epistoma.

E. longulus Lee. — Ann. Lye. N. Y., V, p. 139 (Eurymetopon). — Elongate-

oval, sometimes feebly inflated behind, rather strongly convex, highly polished

throughout, blackish to rufo-piceous in color, the elytral setae extremely

minute, not attaining the external limit of the punctures. Head scarcely

one-fourth wider than long, rather finely but deeply and densely punctate ;

epistoma transversely truncate or extremely broadly, feebly sinuate ; eyes

moderate, the ridges extremely fine and feeble, not extending much beyond

the eye ; antenna? long and slender, the club slender and loose. Prothorax

about two-thirds wider than long, the apex slightly narrower than the base,

352 Coleopterological Notices.

extremely feebly sinuate in circular arc, the apical angles right, not rounded ;

base transverse, broadly, feebly Insinuate, the basal angles slightly obtuse, not

at all rounded ; sides rather strongly arcuate, straight and feebly convergent

in basal half; disk wider at the middle than at base, finely, sparsely punctate

in the middle for a space equal to one-half the total width, then abruptly very

deeply, longitudinally rugulose thence to the sides, the latter margined with

a very fine cariniform bead. Scutellum minute, transverse. Elytra about

three and one-half times longer than the prothorax and very slightly wider,

the two bases equal in width ; apex ogival ; disk with unimpressed rows of

shallow, rounded approximate punctures, generally moderate in size but be-

coming rapidly coarse toward base and especially near the humeri, the series

extending to the apex ; intervals flat, each with a single quite regular line of

very fine feeble punctures, those of the sutural interval generally more irregu-

larly disposed. Abdomen very finely, feebly and sparsely punctate. Legs

slender, the posterior tarsi but just visibly shorter than the tibise. Length

5.5-6.7 mm. ; width 2.3-2.7 mm.

California (Los Angeles, Pomona and San Diego); Arizona.

The metasternum is scarcely perceptibly longer than the first

ventral segment, and is feebly, very sparsely but rather coarsely

punctate, the episternum similarly punctate. The transverse meta-

sternal groove is strongly impressed.

A very common species, readily known by its slender parallel and

rather convex form, very shining surface, and evenly and abruptly

rugulose lateral portions of the pronotal disk. The hind wings are

very well developed, being rather longer than the elytra.

E. aiiglistlis n. sp. — Very elongate-oval, moderately convex, very pale

castaneous, strongly shining but not polished, the elytra distinctly alutaceous

toward apex ; elytral setae very small but projecting distinctly beyond the

confines of the punctures. Head nearly one-half wider than long, the punc-

tures moderately fine and dense, the epistoma very broad, the apex truncate

or extremely feebly sinuate ; eyes large, the ridges fine but strong, advancing

distinctly beyond the eye ; antenna? slender. Prothorax scarcely three-fifths

wider than long, the apex much narrower than the base, very feebly sinuate

in circular arc ; apical angles right, not at all rounded ; the basal slightly

obtuse, scarcely at all rounded ; base transverse, broadly, feebly bisinuate ;

sides evenly convergent from base to apex, rather feebly and very evenly

arcuate throughout ; disk widest very near the base, finely, sparsely punctate,

the punctures becoming rather abruptly much larger, coarse but shallow,

extremely dense and partially coalescent in lateral fourth. Elytra nearly

three and one-half times as long as the prothorax and, near the middle, very

distinctly wider, the two bases equal in width ; sides evenly, distinctly but

feebly arcuate ; apex ogival ; disk with distant unimpressed rows of small

shallow approximate punctures, which become but very slightly more distinct

toward the humeri, the series becoming rather confused toward the apex ;

Coleopterological Notices. 353

intervals unevenly, finely, feebly and sparsely punctate, the punctures funn-

ing moderately even single series only in the lateral intervals. Abdomen finely,

feebly punctate, the punctures sparse but much denser and more rugulose

near the sides. Legs very slender, the posterior tarsi much shorter than the

tibia?. Length 6.8 mm. ; width 2.6 mm.

Arizona.

The metasternum is quite perceptibly longer than the first ventral

segment and is rather densely but not very coarsely punctate, the

episternum densely punctured. This species is allied to longulus,

but differs considerably in the longer prothorax, widest at or near

the base and with the sides feebly arcuate, in the duller, more scab-

rous and more finely punctate elytra, with confusedly punctate

intervals, in its shorter, broader head, with distinctly larger eyes,

and in its paler, apparently thinner and more coriaceous integu-

ments, being allied in this character more nearly to texanus.

Although the punctuation toward the sides of the pronotum is

very confluent and scabrous, it does not form the long, even and

unbroken rugae which are so characteristic of longulus.

E. piceilS n. sp. — Oblong, rather robust and convex, parallel, piceous-

black ; legs and under surface paler, rufo-piceous ; integuments feebly aluta-

ceons. Head moderately transverse, rather finely, not very densely, rugulosely

punctate, the punctures of the epistoma much denser, deeper, rounded and

not rugulose ; apex broadly, feebly, angularly emarginate at the extremities

of the epistomal suture ; apex subtruncate ; eyes rather large, but just per-

ceptibly more prominent than the sides of the head ; antennae rather long,

moderately slender, the eighth joint much longer than wide. Prothorax short,

nearly twice as wide as long, the apex very feeble emarginate and but slightly

more than three-fourths as wide as the base, the latter transverse, broadly

and very distinctly sinuate at «ach side of the median lobe ; basal angles

slightly obtuse, the apical right, both without trace of rounding ; sides evenly

and rather strongly arcuate, the disk widest at about basal third, rather finely

and sparsely punctate, the punctures gradually dense and semi-confluent

toward the sides, the latter with a very fine acute marginal bead. Elytra

three and three-fourths times as long as the prothorax and very slightly

wider, the sides very feebly, evenly arcuate throughout, broadly ogival at

apex ; disk with unimpressed rows of rather small, rounded, shallow punc-

tures which are separated by about twice their own diameters, not much larger

toward the humeri, the series disappearing in confused punctures before attain-

ing the apex ; intervals with moderately even single rows of extremely small,

widely distant punctures. Abdomen extremely finely, sparsely punctate, the

punctures becoming quite coarse and denser near the sides. Legs moderate in

length, the posterior tarsi distinctly shorter than the tibiae. Length 5.7 mm. ;

width 2.4 mm.

354 Coleopterological Notices.

California (San Bernardino Co.).

This species is quite distinct, differing from longulus in the feeble

emarginations at the sides of the epistoma, in the much less rugu-

lose sides of the pronotum, in the finer and more abbreviated elytral

series, in its feebly alutaceous lustre and in its shorter, broader

prothorax, as well as its generally shorter and more robust form.

The anterior tibia? are perfectly simple and without trace of out-

ward extension at apex.

E. discretlis n. sp. — Elongate oval, very convex, highly polished, dark

blackish-castaneous ; under surface, legs and antennae dark rufo-testaceous.

Head transverse, rather finely and not very densely punctate, the punctures

very dense toward the apical margin ; eyes moderate, the ridges fine but

strong ; antenna? very slender, the club feeble and elongate, all the joints

much longer than wide, the eleventh widely fusiform, a little narrower and

longer than the tenth. Prothorax scarcely two-thirds wider than the head,

two-thirds to three-fourths wider than long, the apex about four-fifths as wide

as the base, feebly emarginate in circular arc, the angles varying from right to

very slightly acute, not rounded ; base broadly, distinctly bisinuate, the basal

angles right, not at all rounded and extending posteriorly distinctly further

than the median lobe ; sides feebly arcuate, straighter toward base and apex ;

disk transversely strongly convex, extremely feebly so longitudinally, rather

strongly, deeply, irregularly and sparsely punctate, the punctures somewhat

abruptly rather coarser and longitudinally coalescent near the sides, forming

prominent interlacing rugse. Elytra evenly oval, in the middle about one-

fourth wider than the prothorax, not more than three times as long, the two

bases equal in width but not completely coarctate ; disk with distant, unim-

pressed series of punctures which do not quite attain the apex and which are

not traceable toward the suture, the punctures rather approximate, much

larger and closer toward the humeral regions, very fine toward the suture ;

intervals flat, rather sparsely, confusedly punctate, the punctures closer and

larger toward the sides near the base. Abdomen minutely, rather sparsely

punctate, abruptly coarsely scabrous and duller near the sides. Legs decidedly

short but very slender throughout, the posterior tarsi a little shorter than the

tibiae. Length 5.9-6.2 mm. ; width 2.8-3.0 mm.

Arizona (Benson). Mr. Dunn.

The metasternum is very coarsely and deeply but somewhat

sparsely punctate, the transverse groove not at all well developed,

defined simply by a feebly impressed line of confused punctures,

scarcely three-fourths as long as the first ventral segment.

This species is quite isolated and does not resemble any other

Coleopterological Notices. 355

here described, but should be associated with conicicollis because

of its strongly bisinuate base of the prothorax. -

E. COllicicollis n. sp. — Elongate-oval, strongly convex, polished, black,

the under surface, legs and antenna? dark rufo-piceous. Head moderate, rather

finely, deeply and densely punctate, the punctures much more crowded ante-

riorly ; eyes moderate, scarcely perceptibly more prominent than the sides

before them ; epistoma broadly subtruncate ; antenna? long and slender. Pro-

thorax about three-fourths wider than long, trapezoidal in form, the apex but

slightly more than two-thirds as wide as the base, very feebly emarginate in

circular arc, the apical angles right, not in the least rounded ; base transverse,

broadly and very distinctly bisinuate, the basal angles right and very narrowly

rounded, not at all prominent posteriorly ; sides evenly convergent from near

the base to the apex and almost straight, feebly arcuate near the base ; disk

widest a very little before the base, finely, very sparsely but distinctly punc-

tate, the punctures becoming much coarser, very dense and semi-coalescent

near the sides, the marginal bead very fine, not very strongly elevated or

acute, becoming a very little more prominent near the base. Elytra parallel,

equal in width throughout to the prothorax and barely three times as long,

rather abruptly broadly angulato-parabolic at apex ; disk with unimpressed

series of small, rather feeble but very approximate punctures which become

rather confused near the apex, the intervals fiat, very minutely, sparsely and

irregularly punctured. Abdomen extremely minutely and very sparsely punc-

tate, the punctures becoming coarse but not very dense near the sides. Legs

slender, the femora not robust ; posterior tarsi not quite as long as the tibiae.

Length 6.2-7.0 mm. ; width 2.7-3.1 mm.

Arizona.

The metasternum is, if anything, a little longer than the first

ventral segment, coarsely, rather densely punctate in the anterior

half, extremely minutely and sparsely so thence posteriorly to the

transverse groove, which is well developed although obsolete as

usual in the middle and not attaining the episterna.

This species is not closely allied to any other ; subopacus which

has a somewhat similarly shaped prothorax, has more inflated elytra,

a straight transverse pronotal base and very dull lustre.

E. convexus Lee. — New Spec. Col., 1866, p. 107. — Elongate-oval, very

strongly convex, polished throughout, piceous-black, often paler from imma-

turity ; legs and antenna? dark piceo-testaceous. Head much wider than long,

moderately convex, rather finely, very densely punctate, more densely so

anteriorly ; eyes moderate, barely more prominent than the broadly rounded

sides before them ; epistoma subtruncate or very feebly sinuate ; antenna? long

and very slender, the club elongate, loose and feeble, eighth joint much longer

than wide. Prothorax from three-fifths to three-fourths wider than long, the

apex about three fourths as wide as the base, feebly, evenly emarginate in

Annals N. Y. Acad. Sci., V, Nov. 1890.— 24

356 Coleopterological Notices.

circular arc, the angles right and not prominent ; base transverse, without

trace of lateral sinuations ; basal angles strongly obtuse, extremely narrowly

rounded ; sides strongly arcuate, usually a little straighter and more conver-

gent toward apex ; disk very slightly wider behind the middle than at base,

very finely, densely punctate, the punctures denser but not coarser laterally

where they are usually distinctly and longitudinally rugulose or coalescent ;

surface strongly convex longitudinally as well as transversely. Elytra sub-

equal in width to the prothorax, sometimes just visibly wider, not quite three

times as long ; sides parallel and very feebly arcuate ; apex parabolic, very

strongly rounded at the immediate apex ; disk with distant, unimpressed

series of small, rather feeble and approximate punctures which are less dis-

tinct toward the suture and confused toward apex, the intervals flat, more

finely, rather sparsely and confusedly punctate. Abdomen shining, finely,

rather sparsely punctate, generally finely, feebly, longitudinally rugulose ;

punctures rather coarse toward the sides. Legs moderate in length, the

femora somewhat robust ; posterior tarsi rather distinctly shorter than the

tibiae. Length 5.4-7.0 mm. ; width 2.4-3.2 mm.

Texas ; New Mexico ; Arizona.

The metasternum is exactly equal in length to the first ventral

segment, the transverse groove very well developed and the body

totally apterous.

This species is very abundantly diffused through the regions

indicated, but does not seem to extend to the westward of the

Colorado River. The series before me is very extensive, consist-

ing of forty-two specimens and indicates but slight variability ; in

one abnormal specimen, however, the sides of the prothorax are

very broadly and feebly sinuate anteriorly.

For some unaccountable reason convexus has been heretofore

confounded with the Californiau obesus, a species distinct in all of

its characters and belonging to a different section of the genus.

My comparisons have been made from the original types of both.

E. subopacus Horn. — Trans. Am. Phil. Soc, XIV, p. 269. — Suboval,

wider behind, very convex, smooth but very dull, piceous-black ; under s\ir-

face, legs and antennae piceo-rufous. Head rather more than one-half as wide

as the base of the prothorax, rather short and transverse ; sides parallel and

nearly straight in basal two-thirds, the eyes moderate, not at all prominent;

apex broadly, very feebly sinuate, not emarginate laterally ; surface rather

finely but strongly, very densely punctate ; antennae long, slender, the eighth

joint nearly one-half longer than wide. Prothorax trapezoidal, three-fifths wider

than long ; apex about three-fourths as wide as the base, broadly, extremely

feebly sinuate, the angles right, narrowly but very distinctly rounded ; base

truncate and perfectly straight, the basal angles right and distinctly rounded ;

sides evenly convergent from base to apex and almost straight ; disk very

Coleopterological Notices. 357

narrowly subexplanate near the basal angles, very finely but distinctly and

rather sparsely punctate, the punctures becoming more than three times as

large, densely crowded and subcoalescent near the sides, the latter margined

with a very fine acute bead. Elytra about three times as long as the prothorax

and, in the middle, fully one-fifth wider ; sides parallel and broadly but dis-

tinctly arcuate, almost continuous in direction with those of the prothorax ;

apex broadly ogival ; disk with distant, unimpressed rows of rather small but

very distinct, rounded and approximate punctures which continue to the apex

but become very indistinct; intervals fiat, extremely minutely, sparsely and

irregularly punctate. Abdomen very finely, feebly rugulose, minutely but not

very sparsely punctate. Legs slender, the posterior tarsi much shorter than

the tibia?. Length 7.5 mm. ; width 3.3 mm.

Arizona.

The metasternum is very coarsely, strongly and rather densely

punctate, the punctures distinctly separated and variolate, with the

transverse groove apparently well developed ; it is distinctly shorter

than the first ventral segment.

The trapezoidal form of the prothorax, the form of the body

which is gradually narrowed in front from the middle of the elytra,

the rounded prothoracic angles, dull lustre and very minute punc-

tures of the strial intervals, will at once distinguish this species

from any other of our fauna.

E. pinguis Lee. — N. Spec. Col., 1866, p. 107. — Broadly elliptical, rather

strongly convex, dark rufo-ferruginous throughout, decidedly alutaceous in

lustre. Head short and transverse, rather finely, very densely punctate ; apex

transversely truncate, with a small feeble angulate emargination on each side

at the suture ; eyes moderate, the external outline oblique but nearly straight,

posteriorly divergent, the base coincident and equally prominent with the

short tempus visible behind, but more prominent than the sides before them

which are strongly rounded for a short distance, the fine fold or ridge short

bat distinct ; antennae long and very slender. Prothorax two and one-fourth

times as wide as long, the apex scarcely two-thirds as wide as the base,

very distinctly emarginate in circular arc, the angles slightly obtuse but not

rounded ; base transverse and truncate throughout, with excessively feeble

traces of the broad lateral sinuations ; basal angles obtuse and very distinctly,

rather broadly rounded ; sides strongly arcuate toward base, nearly straight

and convergent anteriorly ; disk scarcely perceptibly wider a little before the

base, rather finely but strongly and very densely, uniformly punctate through-

out, the punctures more crowded but not distinctly tending to coalesce laterally,

the surface very feebly subexplanate near the sides which are very minutely

and rather feebly beaded. Elytra just visibly wider than the prothorax and

between three and four times as long, the sides very feebly arcuate, the apex

broadly parabolic ; disk finely, somewhat sparsely punctate and without trace

of series, the punctures finer and much more feeble than those of the prono-

358 Goleopterological Notices.

turn, evenly distributed. Abdomen smooth but subalutaceous, finely, sparsely

punctate, the punctures just visibly larger laterally. Legs long but somewhat

robust, the posterior tarsi much shorter than the corresponding tibia? which

are distinctly thickened toward apex, with the external edge broadly sinuous.

Length 7.0 mm. ; width 3.4 mm.

Lower California (Cape San Lucas). Cab. LeConte.

The metasternum is rather coarsely deeply and somewhat densely

punctate throughout, about three-fourths as long as the first ventral

segment and with the transverse groove apparently obsolete.

A very peculiar and isolated species in its short broad densely

punctate prothorax and total absence of series of punctures on the

elytra. The eyes in pinguis are very different in structure from

those of punctatus, for in the latter they stand out from the head

in bold relief, the tempora behind them being totally obsolete.

£.. punctatllS Lee. — New Spec. Col., 1S66, p. 106. — Oblong-elongate,

moderately and evenly convex, rather pale rufo-castaneous throughout,

strongly shining. Bead very short and strongly transverse, somewhat

coarsely and very densely punctate ; epistoma broadly, transversely trun-

cate ; eyes large, strongly arcuate externally and very prominent, extending

far beyond the sides, the ridges fine but distinct ; antenna? very slender,

nearly as long as the head and prothorax, the eighth joint almost twice as

long as wide. Prothorax about four-fifths wider than long, the apex scarcely

more than two-thirds as wide as the base, just visibly emarginate in circular

arc, the angles slightly acute, not in the least rounded and slightly prominent

anteriorly ; base transverse, broadly, very distinctly bisinuate, the angles

rather .more posteriorly prominent than the median lobe, right and slightly

blunt ; sides evenly and moderately arcuate throughout ; disk widest at or

very near the base, rather coarsely and strongly punctate, the punctures

somewhat sparse but densely crowded and semi-coalescent near the sides, the

latter margined with a thin, acute and strongly reflexed bead which is equal

throughout the length, the surface very feebly, broadly flattened, especially

toward base. Elytra just visibly wider than the prothorax and fully three

times as long, parallel, rather broadly rounded behind, the apex slightly and

obtusely ogival, the sides nearly straight ; disk with rather uneven, unim-

pressed, distant rows of small, rounded, approximate punctures traceable

almost to the apex, the intervals sparsely, irregularly and slightly more finely

punctate. Abdomen finely, sparsely punctate, the punctures but slightly

coarser and not denser near the sides. Legs long, the femora slightly robust

and coarsely, rather densely punctate ; posterior tarsi slender, although much

shorter than the tibiae, clothed beneath with coarse, dense yellow hair. Length

9.0 mm. ; width 3.7 mm.

Coleopterological Notices. 359

Lower California (Cape San Lucas). Cab. LeConte.

The metasternum is about three-fourths as long as the first ven-

tral segment, and is uniformly very coarsely but sparsely and feebly

punctate, the transverse groove very deeply excavated.

Pvnctatus is a very distinct form, of larger size than usual, and

remarkable in the coarse densely hairy vestiture of the tarsi, very

prominent eyes, as well as the bisinuate base of the prothorax ; the

last of these peculiarities it however possesses in common with

covicicollis and discretus. In both the latter species the tarsi are

sparsely clothed beneath with short spinose setaj as usual. The

elytral stria? become very feebly impressed toward apex.

E. obesiis Lee. — Eurymetopon obes. : Ann. Lye. N. Y., V, p. 139 ; nanulus

Casey: Descr. Not. N. A. Col., I, p. 45. — Oblong-oval, moderately robust,

very convex, shining, the elytra sometimes slightly dull, piceous-black, the

head and prothorax occasionally dark ferruginous from immaturity. Head

moderately transverse, the sides nearly straight, finely but strongly, very

densely punctate, the epistoma broadly truncate ; eyes small, not prominent ;

antennae short, robust, submoniliform, the eighth joint subquadrate, scarcely

as long as wide. Prothorax about two-thirds wider than long, the apex nearly

four-fifths as wide as the base, extremely feebly sinuate in circular arc. the

angles right and very slightly blunt ; base transversely truncate, sometimes

very feebly, gradually sinuate toward the basal angles which in that case are

just visibly prominent posteriorly, the angles right, narrowly rounded : sides

evenly convergent from base to apex, evenly and very feebly arcuate through-

out ; disk widest at or very near the base, somewhat coarsely, densely and

very strongly punctate, the punctures denser and longitudinally subcoales-

cent laterally, but not much larger, the sides very minutely, acutely beaded.

Elytra just visibly wider than the prothorax and about two and one-half times

as long, parallel, the sides feebly arcuate, the apex obtusely ogival ; disk with

distinctly impressed striae of small, approximate, rather feebly impressed

punctures, the striae evanescent just before the apex; intervals broadly, very

feebly convex, extremely minutely, sparsely and irregularly punctured.

Abdomen finely but distinctly, not very sparsely punctate, the punctures be-

coming very large near the sides. Legs rather short, moderately slender, the

posterior tarsi with sparse spinose setae beneath, slightly shorter than the

tibia?. Length 4.5-5.5 mm. : width 1.8-2.4 mm.

California (San Diego).

The metasternum is deeply, coarsely punctate, fully three-fourths

as long as the first ventral segment, and the transverse groove is

only suggested by a broadly and very feebly impressed line of un-

evenly placed punctures. The series before me consists of ten

360 Coleopterological Notices.

specimens, the greatest variation being in the lustre; the species

may be known at once by the very broadly and distinctly, although

moderately, impressed strias.

E. o"btusus Lee. — N. Spec. Col., 1866, p. 107. — Oblong-oval, convex,

moderately dull and alutaceous, smooth, black, the legs and antennae dark

rufous. Head moderately transverse, rather convex, finely, deeply punctate,

the punctures well separated but becoming very densely crowded on the epis-

toma, the latter very broadly arcuate or subangulate at apex ; eyes very small,

not at all prominent ; antenna? short and robust. Prothorax about two-thirds

wider than long, the apex about four-fifths as wide as the base, quite distinctly

emarginate in circular arc, the angles narrowly but distinctly rounded ; base

truncate, just visibly and broadly oblique laterally, the basal angles very

obtuse, not rounded, not in the least prominent ; sides evenly and rather

strongly arcuate ; disk a little wider just behind the middle than at base,

finely but deeply and distinctly punctate, the punctures generally separated

by from two to three times their width, but becoming somewhat abruptly

dense, a little larger but not confluent, in lateral fourth ; sides very minutely

and feebly beaded. Elytra perceptibly less than three times as long as the

prothorax and, in the female, subequal in width, but in the male distinctly

wider in the middle ; sides parallel, feebly arcuate, the apex rather strongly

but broadly parabolic ; disk with widely distant, slightly uneven, unimpressed

rows of small approximate punctures, the series confused near the apex, the

intervals very finely, somewhat sparsely, unevenly and confusedly punctate.

Abdomen very minutely, sparsely punctate, the punctures coarse but sparse

and feeble laterally. Legs moderate, the posterior tarsi rather distinctly

shorter than the tibiae. Length 5.8-6.8 mm. ; width 2.4-2.8 mm.

California (Napa and Sonoma Cos.).

One of the larger of the species having short robust antennas, and

readily distinguishable by the very distinctly arcuate sides of the

prothorax, convergent toward base, and the broadly obtuse but not

rounded basal angles. It is rather local and not abundant.

The metasternum is scarcely three- fourths as long as the first

ventral segment; the basal groove is widely interrupted in the

middle, disappearing in a row of punctures at lateral fourth.

E. ater Lee— Ann. Lye. N. Y., V, p. 139 (Eurymetopon).— Oblong-oval,

strongly, cylindrically convex, polished, black, the legs and antennae dark

rufous. Head moderate, nearly two-thirds as wide as the prothorax, rather

transverse, broadly, distinctly arcuate at apex, rather finely but deeply and

very densely punctate, the punctures usually sparser toward the occiput ; eyes

small, the fold short and fine but distinct ; antennae short, very robust. Pro-

thorax short and transverse, nearly twice as wide as long, the apex fully four-

fifths as wide as the base, evenly and rather distinctly emarginate in circular

arc, the angles right and narrowly rounded ; base truncate, the angles obtuse,

Coleopterological Notices. 361

not rounded and not prominent; sides evenly, not very strongly arcuate,

feebly convergent and nearly straight toward base; disk just perceptibly

wider at the middle than at base, finely and sparsely punctate in middle two-

fifths, the punctures gradually larger and very dense but not coalescent later-

ally. Elytra distinctly more than three times as long as the prothorax and

subequal in width to the latter, occasionally just visibly wider ; apex rather

acutely rounded ; sides parallel and extremely feebly arcuate ; disk with dis-

tant, unimpressed series of moderately large and approximate punctures, which

are distinctly traceable throughout the width, but confused near the apex,

where the punctures generally become finer and the surface lustre a little

duller ; intervals more or less evenly, uniseriately and more finely punctate.

Length 4.5-5.3 mm. ; width 2.0-2.3 mm.

California (San Francisco).

This is a plentiful species near the coastline of middle California,

and the description refers to the typical form. The specimen marked

" ? S. D." in the Cabinet of LeConte, which is referred to in the

original description, differs only in having the punctures of the

principal series a little larger, deeper and less approximate ; it is

not specifically distinct and the locality is probably erroneous. I

have, however, a single specimen which was taken by me in the

Sierras at Truckee, which seems to indicate an extremely closely

allied species, having a slightly less transverse prothorax, with the

basal angles very small and slightly prominent, also another single

specimen taken at San Francisco, which is distinctly larger than

any other of the fifteen examples, with a distinctly longer, much

more sparsely punctured prothorax ; the length of this specimen is

5.8 mm. ; both those last referred to are probably specifically distinct.

E. fallax n. sp. — Oblong-oval, very strongly convex, rather distinctly

shining but not strongly polished, very slightly alutaceous near the elytral

apex ; color dark castaneous-brown, the under surface, legs and antennae

paler, rufo-ferruginous. Head moderate, broadly rounded at apex, finely,

deeply and very densely punctate, the eyes and antennae as usual. Prothorax

rather more than three-fourths wider than long, the apex very distinctly nar-

rower than the base, feebly, evenly sinuate in circular arc, the angles right

and very narrowly rounded ; base truncate, the angles obtuse but not rounded ;

sides moderately arcuate, more convergent and rather straighter toward apex ;

disk slightly wider just behind the middle than at base, not very finely, very

deeply, perforately and densely punctate, the punctures very slightly less

dense toward the middle. Elytra nearly three times as long as the prothorax

and, in the middle, quite distinctly wider ; sides parallel and feebly arcuate ;

apex acutely ogival ; disk rather coarsely and strongly but moderately densely

punctate, the punctures fine and feeble near the apex as usual, the unim-

pressed series not distinctly traceable except toward the sides, the punctures

362 Coleopterological Notices.

of the intervals being but slightly smaller and equally widely separated.

Abdomen rather strongly and deeply but not very densely punctate throughout.

Legs normal. Length 6.4 mm. ; width 2.8 mm.

New Mexico (Santa Fe). Miss M. W. Greene.

A robust and very convex species, bearing a deceptive external

resemblance to convexus, but easily distinguishable by the charac-

ters given in the table.

E. thoracicus n. sp. — Oblong, rather strongly convex, dull and aluta-

ceous, dark piceo-castaneous throughout, smooth. Head moderate, transverse,

broadly, rather strongly arcuate at apex, finely, deeply, very densely punc-

tate, the eyes small and antennse robust. Prothorax about four-fifths wider

than long, the apex slightly narrower than the base, almost transversely

truncate, being just perceptibly incurvate. the angles very slightly obtuse

and rather broadly rounded; base truncate, the basal angles very obtuse but

not rounded and not in the least prominent ; sides parallel, very strongly,

evenly rounded in circular arc from base to apex ; disk much wider in the

middle than at base, finely, deeply and very densely punctate, the punctures

equally dense throughout the width, the lateral bead extremely fine. Elytra

equal in width to the prothorax and three times as long, the sides parallel

and just perceptibly arcuate, the apex rather obtuse; disk with very feebly

impressed strife of small but, deep and very approximate punctures, the series

not attaining the extreme apex ; intervals flat, very finely, rather sparsely

and irregularly punctate. Abdomen rather coarsely and densely punctate

throughout the width. Legs moderate, the posterior tarsi much shorter than

the tibiae. Length 6.6 mm. ; width 2.6 mm.

California (San Gorgonio Pass?)

The metastemum is just visibly shorter than the first ventral

segment, rather coarsely, deeply, very densely and conspicuously

punctate, the usual transverse groove indicated by a very broadly,

feebly impressed series of smaller and unevenly placed punctures.

This is one of the most distinct species of this section of the

genus, distinguishable at once by the very strongly arcuate sides

and obtuse basal angles of the prothorax and finely, evenly punc-

tured disk ; the very feeble impression of the elytral series may

possibly be an accidental characteristic of the unique example, but at

all events the series themselves are much more distinct than usual.

E. llitidllS n. sp. — Elongate-ovoidal, rather strongly convex, highly

polished, black, the antenna? black ; legs very dark rufo-piceous. Head

nearly two-thirds as wide as the prothorax, rather transverse, broadly arcuate

throughout at apex, rather convex, finely, deeply and densely punctate; eyes

small, the folds short but very distinct ; antennse short and robust. Prothorax

short, five-sixths wider than long, the apex slightly narrower than the base,

Coleopterological Notices. 363

very feebly, evenly sinuate in circular arc, the angles just visibly obtuse and

quite distinctly rounded ; base truncate, the angles extremely obtuse and just

visibly rounded or blunt ; sides evenly, very strongly rounded in circular arc

from base to apex ; disk very much wider in the middle than at base, very

strongly convex longitudinally as well as transversely, rather coarsely, very

deeply and densely punctate, the punctures distinctly separated toward the

middle, the marginal bead extremely fine and feeble. Elytra oval, fully three

times as long as the prothorax and, in the middle, not very distinctly wider ;

sides parallel, broadly and distinctly arcuate ; apex broadly parabolic ; disk

with unimpressed and distant series of somewhat approximate and ratber

deeply impressed punctures, confused near the apex where the punctures are

finer and the surface dull ; intervals finely, sparsely but distinctly punctate,

the punctures irregularly disposed but tending to a uniserate arrangement

laterally. Abdomen finely, sparsely but very distinctly punctured. Legs

moderate. Length 5.6-6.0 mm. ; width 2.2-2.4 mm.

Arizona (Seligraan and Canon Cosnino). Mr. Wickham.

This species is quite distinct in its very obtuse basal angles of

the prothorax and strongly arcuate sides of the latter.

E. crassicornis n. sp. — Oblong-elongate, broadly convex, parallel,

smooth but very dull, black, the legs and antenna? dark rufous. Head nearly

as in obtusus. Prothorax fully three-fourths wider than long, the apex nearly

five- sixths as wide as the base, broadly and extremely feebly sinuate, the

angles right and very narrowly rounded ; base transversely truncate ; basal

angles acute, prominent and not at all rounded ; sides feebly arcuate and

convergent anteriorly, nearly straight and parallel posteriorly and distinctly

sinuate very near the base ; disk not very finely but deeply and very densely

punctate, the punctures generally separated by from once to twice their own

diameters, but becoming gradually extremely dense and crowded although not

exactly in contact in lateral third ; marginal bead very fine but distinct.

Elytra subequal in width to the prothorax and about three times as long ;

sides parallel and scarcely visibly arcuate posteriorly ; apex narrowly rounded ;

disk punctured as in obtusus. Abdomen very finely and sparsely punctate, the

punctures becoming larger but not very coarse laterally. Legs nearly as in

obtusus. Length 6.0 mm. ; width 2.7 mm.

California (Hoopa Valley, Humboldt Co.).

This species in general appearance somewhat resembles obtusus,

but differs in its still duller and very opaque integuments, more

parallel and less arcuate sides and less strongly emarginate apex of

the prothorax, the latter being more transverse, rather more coarsely

and densely punctate and with the basal angles acute and slightly

everted ; the pronotum is less longitudinally convex, and the entire

body is more parallel.

364 Coleopterological Notices.

E. coarcticollis n. sp. — Oblong-oval, black, strongly convex, highly

polished throughout. Head small, about one-half as wide as the prothorax,

wider than long, rather convex, finely, deeply and densely punctate ; epistoma

broadly, very distinctly and evenly arcuate at apex ; eyes small, the upper

fold extremely short and feeble ; antennas short, very robust. Prothorax twice

as wide as long, the apex five-sixths as wide as the base, evenly, feebly but

distinctly emarginate in circular arc ; base truncate, the basal angles slightly

obtuse, small, not at all rounded and distinctly prominent; sides rather

strongly arcuate, more convergent and straighter anteriorly, distinctly but

broadly sinuate before the base ; disk much wider at basal third than at

base, finely, rather sparsely punctate near the middle, the punctures becom-

ing slightly larger and very dense but not coalescent laterally. Elytra nearly

three and one-half times longer than the prothorax and, in the middle, very

distinctly wider, ovoidal, acutely rounded at apex ; sides parallel and very

distinctly arcuate ; disk very convex, with distant, unimpressed rows of small,

moderately close-set punctures which are distincly traceable throughout the

width and continuing nearly to the apex ; intervals sparsely and more finely

punctate, the punctures confused near the suture but tending to a uniseriate

arrangement thence to the sides. Abdomen polished, finely, sparsely punctate,

coarsely so near the sides. Length 4.8 mm. ; width 2.1 mm.

New Mexico (Fort Wingate). Dr. Shufeldt.

This small species is allied to acutus, but differs in its much

shorter more transverse prothorax and distinct elytral series, also

in its smaller head and slighter coarser punctuation.

E. acuttlS Horn. — Trans. Am. Phil. Soc, XIV, p. 270. — Oblong-oval,

more or less inflated behind, strongly convex, polished, the elytra becoming

gradually dull toward apex, black, the legs dark rufous. Head moderate,

rather convex, finely, very densely punctate ; apex broadly but distinctly

arcuate ; eyes very small ; antennae robust and short. Prothorax about three-

fourths wider than long, the apex fully four-fifths as wide as the base, just

visibly incurvate in circular arc, almost truncate, the angles right and slightly

blunt ; base truncate, the angles small, right, not at all rounded and distinctly

prominent ; sides almost evenly and rather strongly arcuate, abruptly and

distinctly sinuate for a short distance before the base ; disk finely but deeply

and distinctly punctate, the punctures generally separated by fully twice their

own widths but becoming gradually very dense, almost contiguous, although

not confluent, toward the sides. Elytra a little less than three times as long

as the prothorax and, behind the middle, quite distinctly wider, broadly ogival

at apex ; sides distinctly arcuate ; disk finely, rather sparsely and irregularly

punctate, with very imperfectly defined, distant, unimpressed series of slightly

larger punctures only toward the sides and especially near the base. Abdomen

finely, sparsely punctate, as usual much more coarsely and generally more

densely so near the sides. Legs moderate, the posterior tarsi very distinctly

shorter than the tibise. Length 4.2-4.8 mm. ; width 2.0-2.2 mm.

Coleopterological Notices. 365

Nebraska — Cab. LeConte ; Colorado.

The series of punctures on the elytra are less distinct than in any

other species of this group, and on the inner half are only traceable

under careful observation and with the exercise of a considerable,

amount of imagination. The prothorax is slightly wider just be-

hind the middle than at base.

. EPITRAGUS Latr.

The species of Epitragus are, in general, strongly isolated among

themselves, in fact more conspicuously so than in any other Tene-

brionide genus which I can recall to mind at present; the trans-

verse prosternal groove is well developed in all the representatives

which I have seen. The following species is not closely related to

any other : —

E. fusiform is n. sp. — Elongate, fusiform, rather slender, moderately

convex, piceous-black with an aeneous tinge, polished between the extremely

dense punctures. Head fully as long as wide, finely, deeply, very densely

punctate ; supra-orbital fold completely obsolete above the eye, feebly evident

for a short distance before it ; antennas rather long, but strongly and gradually

clavate, the third joint long, tenth a little wider than long. Prothorax about

one-fifth wider than long, the apex three-fourths as wide as the base, trans-

versely trunoate between the strongly advanced and acute apical angles ; base

broadly, strongly lobed in the middle ; basal angles right, not at all rounded,

sometimes feebly prominent ; sides extremely feebly, nearly evenly arcuate ;

disk finely but deeply and very densely punctate, the punctures finer and in

close contact near the sides, distinctly separated toward the middle where there

is a narrow impunctate median line. Elytra at base not distinctly wider than

the prothorax, rather less than three times as long as the latter and, near the

middle, two-fifths wider, finely, irregularly, evenly and extremely densely

punctate throughout, the punctures shallow, each bearing an excessively

minute robust acuminate seta which does not project much beyond the limit

of the puncture ; apex acutely ogival. Abdomen finely, very densely punctate,

and with short fine inconspicuous pubescence. Length 10.5-11.2 mm. ; width

4.7 mm.

Arizona.

The mesosternum is deeply and acutely excavated as usual. In

tomeiitosus, however, the mesosternum is not even distinctly im-

pressed and that species will therefore have to be placed in another

genus for which I would suggest the name Epitragodes.

The only species with which fusiformis can be compared is

plumbeus, but it differs very greatly from that species in its promi-

366 Coleopterological Notices.

nent and acute apical angles of the protborax, and in the very

minute vestiture.1

CHIEOMETOPOIV Horn.

This genus is composed of two distinct sectional groups; the

metasternal groove is very distinctly impressed throughout and

the wings well developed. The species may be distinguished as

follows : —

Last joint of the antennae about as long as the two preceding together I

Thoracic angles acute and prominent ; metasternum between coxa and groove

about one-half longer than the first ventral segment pallidum

Thoracic angles not prominent ; metasternum subequal in length to the first

ventral segment atoliorilie

Last antennal joint shorter II

Castaneous, shining; form oblong-oval helopioides

I have before me two specimens of a species which is almost

undoubtedly distinct from helopioides, the apical angles of the

1 The following is not described among the numerous Mexican species pub-

lished by Mr. Champion ; it belongs to the section having the middle lobe of

the epistoma produced and rounded, and the pronotum similar in the sexes.

E. gracilis n. sp. — Fusiform, slender and elongate, moderately, evenly

convex, bright seneous, polished ; pubescence very short and coarse, sparse

and very inconspicuous. Head rather finely, deeply, not very densely punc-

tate, very sparsely so in the middle ; supra-orbital fold obsolete above the eye,

but feeble and slightly arcuate before it ; antenna? long. Prothorax but slightly

more than one-fourth wider than long, the apex distinctly narrower than the

base, subtruncate between the very acute and greatly advanced and prominent

angles ; base strongly lobed in the middle, the basal angles acute and promi-

nent ; -sides very feebly arcuate, sinuate near the basal and apical angles ;

disk with an elongate-oval, foveolate impression just before the scutellum,

also impressed laterally along the basal margin, finely, very sparsely punc-

tate, the punctures extremely fine and rather feeble toward the middle, with-

out trace of an impunctate median line. Elytra at base but very slightly wider

than the prothorax, less than three times as long as the latter and, in the

middle, about one-third wider ; apex gradually very acute ; humeri rounded ;

disk finely, irregularly punctxired, the punctures rather dense laterally, sparser

and with indefinite distant series of very fine punctures toward the suture.

Mesosternum deeply excavated. Length 10.0 mm. ; width 4.0-4.3 mm.

Mexico — State of Guerrero. Mr. Baron.

The elytra have very broadly and feebly impressed longitudinal sulci, which

are more pronounced toward the suture, the intervals there becoming very

feebly convex and equal to them in width ; this structure is very similar to

that previously described in Eurymetopon discors and other allied species.

Coleopterological Notices. 36 "7

prothorax being right, not rounded, not everted and not prominent,

but in the absence of a typical representative of the latter species I

am unable to describe it ; the specimens were collected at El Paso,

Texas.

C. pallidum n. sp. — Moderately convex, pale luteo-testaceons through-

out, rather shining, subglabrous, the widely scattered seta? slightly evident

behind. Head finely, rather feebly but densely punctate ; eyes large, supra-

orbital fold fine, short ; antennas long and slender. Prothorax not more than

one-third wider than the head, two-fifths wider than long ; apex about as wide

as the base, very feebly arcuate between the advanced, acute and prominent

angles ; base transverse, broadly bisinuate, the basal angles slightly acute and

prominent ; sides strongly, subangularly arcuate at or just before the middle,

thence convergent and straight or broadly, extremely feebly sinuate to base

and apex ; disk rather coarsely but variolately punctate, the punctures very

densely crowded laterally, very slightly separated toward the middle, with a

broad, subimpunctste and irregular median line. Elytra across the humeri

almost one-fourth wider than the pronotal disk, behind the middle from one-

third to one-half wider than the latter, nearly four times as long ; disk rather

finely, subserially punctate ; humeri rounded. Length 6.4-7.0 mm. ; width

2.6-3.0 mm.

Texas (El Paso).

In addition to the characters given in the table, this species

differs from abnorme in its larger size, more robust form, paler

color and shorter, almost squarely truncate middle lobe of the

epistoma ; in abnorme the middle lobe is evenly, almost semi-circu-

larly rounded and is much longer. The series consists of live

specimens and does not indicate any notable variation either in

color or size.

ZOPI1ERUS Lap.

Z. illdliratllS n. sp. — Robust and convex, deep black throughout, the

pronotum dull and with a strong alutaceo-sericeous lustre ; elytra more shin-

ing. Head moderate, sparsely, not very coarsely punctate ; antenna; very

short and robust. Prothorax fully as long as wide, widest and with the sides

very broadly subangulate at two-fifths the length from the apex, the latter

broadly emarginate, subtruncate between the advanced and narrowly rounded

angles ; base equally wide, very feebly arcuate ; sides convergent from anterior

two-fifths to the base and broadly obtusely subangulate at basal third ; disk

convex, coarsely but sparsely punctate, the punctures strongly muricate.

Elytra about two-thirds longer than the prothorax and, in the middle, nearly

one-fourth wider, evenly oval, convex, feebly emarginate at base; disk strongly

but rather finely, densely and confusedly tuberculate, the two apical tuber-

cles very strong, the channels very deep but rather short. Abdomen coarsely,

sparsely, punctate. Length 16.5 mm. ; width 7.0 mm.

368 Coleopterological Notices.

California (Julian). Mr. Dunn.

This species is somewhat allied to granicollis, but differs in its

shorter, less slender form relatively wider, more finely and densely

tuberculose elytra and very much finer and more asperate punctures

of the pronotum ; the elytral tubercles are strongly shining.

In granicollis the elytra are but just perceptibly wider than the

prothorax and are much more elongate-oval. In induratus the

space separating the antennal cavities from the lateral thoracic

margin is scarcely two-thirds as wide as in granicollis, and the

transverse cavity of the fifth abdominal segment is bounded poste-

riorly by an evenly sinuous wall, while in granicollis the posterior

wall of the cavity is abruptly and strongly toothed in the middle ;

this is a very important difference, for on examining a series of

seven specimens of tristis, composed of males and females, I can-

not perceive the slightest variation in the form of this curious ex-

cavation sexual or otherwise ; in tristis the posterior wall of the

cavity has a small rounded lobe in the middle, not by any means

as prominent and dentiform as in granicollis. Four specimens of

concolor show no variation in the form of the cavity which is nearly

as in granicollis ; it is also very similar in opacus and gracilis.

The sculpture of the pronotum in induratus is very nearly as in

opacus, but the elytra are entirely different.

ARiEOSCHIZUS Lee.

The species of this singular genus are remarkably uniform in size,

and at the same time strongly isolated and specialized ; those before

me may be easily known by the following characters : —

Anterior and intermediate tibiae unarmed.

Vestiture of the elytral costae erect and fimbriate ; intervals each with a single

line of similar but much more widely spaced setae.

Elytral setae finely spinose costipennis

Elytral setae extremely coarse, truncate or subclavate at apex ; prono-

tum with two fine even lines of setiform scales filllbriatllS

Vestiture of the elytral costas broadly squamiform and subrecumbent.

Elytral intervals each with a median line of scales reglllaris

Elytral intervals without a median series.

Prothorax very much shorter and narrower than the head, broadly,

strongly, impressed in the middle throughout the length.

sulcicollis

Coleopterological Notices. 369

Prothorax but slightly shorter and narrower than the head, evenly

convex, without median impressed groove, having a feeble sub-

foveolate impression near the base simplex

Anterior and intermediate femora dentate arniatus

The characters of armatus are taken from the original description.

A. filllbriatllS n. sp. — Rather robust and convex, moderately shining,

dark piceous-brown, the elytra much paler, rufo-ferruginous ; vestiture pale

flavate. Head slightly longer than wide, the apex with a feebly rounded

emargination which is finely denticulate throughout its width ; sides nearly

straight and very feebly convergent behind from apical third, the basal angles

rounded ; surface somewhat coarsely and densely punctate, longitudinally

impressed near the eyes, clothed with erect arcuate strongly clavate setae ;

antennae robust, nearly as long as the head and prothorax, densely clothed

with robust erect scales, outer joints strongly transverse. Prothorax as wide

' as long, slightly narrower and very much shorter than the head ; base and

apex subequal and subtruncate ; sides rounded anteriorly, strongly conver-

gent and sinuate toward base ; disk surrounded throughout with dense fimbriae

of extremely coarse erect hairs, those of the sides longer than those of the

bases ; surface rather finely, extremely densely punctate and dull, with two

even parallel lines of closely placed suberect scales which are separated by

about one-third tbe width, the interval scarcely perceptibly impressed except

near the base and totally devoid of pubescence ; surface thence to the sides

witli a few widely scattered and smaller scales. Elytra oval, three-fourths

longer than wide, in the middle about twice as wide as the prothorax, the

costae very strong, each bearing a dense series of unusually long erect ex

tremly robust hairs, the intervals each with two series of very coarse deep

punctures and a single line of similar setae which are much more widely

spaced. Abdomen coarsely and densely punctate throughout. Legs moderate.

Length 4.0 mm.

Arizona (Tucson). Mr. Wickham.

This species is not at all closely allied to any other, and may be

easily distinguished by its more robust form and very prominent

lateral and costal fimbriae ; also by the two even setose lines of the

pronotal disk.

A. simplex n. sp. — Rather slender, very dark piceous-brown, alutaceous

in lustre. Head slightly longer than wide ; sides behind the eyes just visibly

convergent for a short distance, then very gradually, broadly rounded to the

neck, the hind angles entirely obsolete ; antennae very robust, cylindrical, the

tenth joint wider, eleventh very small. Prothorax slightly but distinctly nar-

rower and shorter than the head, slightly longer than wide ; base and apex

equal, truncate, densely fimbriate with long, porrect and very robust sets ;

sides strongly rounded anteriorly, rather distinctly convergent and very

broadly, feebly sinuate thence to the base, the basal angles rather prominent ;

370 Coleopterological Notices.

disk widest at less than one-third the length from the apex, moderately densely

fimbriate at the sides with very coarse erect bristles, which are shorter than

those of the apices, rather coarsely and sparsely punctate. Elytra evenly

elliptical, twice as long as wide, rather more than twice as wide as the pro-

thorax, the costse very strongly elevated ; intervals each with two rows of

extremely coarse, perforate punctures. Abdomen rather finely, sparsely punc-

tured. Length 3.8-4.4 mm.

Texas (El Paso) ; Arizona (Tucson).

Allied to sulcicollis but differing' in the vestiture of the antenna?

which, in that species, is much longer, more slender and conspicu-

ous, also in the characters given in the table. The prothorax is

much larger than in sulcicollis, although still distinctly smaller

than the head, and the absence of a median groove will readily

distinguish it.

A SID A Latr.

A. anglistllla n. sp. — Slender, convex, dark castaneous throughout ;

sides subparallel ; upper surface very sparsely covered with short, very fine,

erect hairs ; legs densely clothed with short, stiffer and less erect hairs which

are more conspicuous on the tibiae and tarsi ; anterior tibiae with the exterior

angle acute and prominent. Head moderate, coarsely and rather densely

punctate ; antennae short but very slender, not longer than the prothorax, not

incrassate but with the tenth joint triangular and abruptly much wider than

the ninth, fully as long as wide, eleventh as usual very small. Prothorax

about two-fifths wider than long ; sides parallel and rather strongly arcuate,

very feebly sinuate near the basal angles which are acute and slightly promi-

nent posteriorly, the base transversely truncate between them ; apex broadly,

rather strongly emarginate in circular arc ; disk widest at the middle, more

longitudinally convex in basal half thence declivous and transversely convex

in middle two-thirds to the apex, transversely feebly impressed near the base ;

sides rather feebly and not very widely refiexed throughout ; surface rather

coarsely, deeply and densely punctate, the punctures rounded, perforate and

not at all muricate. Elytra more than three times as long as the prothorax

and, in the middle, scarcely one-third wider ; sides parallel and feebly arcuate ;

humeri obtuse and not prominent ; apex rather abruptly declivous ; lateral

margins fine but distinct, terminating abruptly near the apex ; disk strongly,

evenly, transversely convex throughout, finely, very sparsely and irregularly

punctate, each puncture having immediately before it a fine but very strong,

perfectly erect, obtusely-pointed tubercle ; discal costae completely wanting.

Legs short but slender, the pubescence pale ferruginous yellow and conspicu-

ous. Length 14.C-15.0 mm. ; width 6.0-6.5 mm.

California (exact locality unknown). Mr. G. W. Dunn.

This species can be compared only with muricatula Lee, but

differs in its much more slender form, in the shorter and sparser

Coleopterological Notices. 371

hairs of the dorsal surface, and in its densely pubescent legs. The

four specimens before me do not indicate any variation.

COXIOXTIS Esch.

A somewhat extensive genus, restricted in habitat to the true

Pacific coast fauna. In the latitude of Puget's Sound the species

extend into the mountains of western Montana, where specimens

of ovalis have been taken in the Bitter Root valley. Proceeding

southward, the eastern limit of range seems to approach the coast,

the area becoming gradually narrower, and finally vanishing with

a few peculiar species in the neighborhood of San Diego. It has

been stated that one species extends its range to the eastern slopes

of the Rocky mountains, but this is doubtful, there having been in

all probability some confusion of localities. Beyond the southern

limit, as here defined, the genus is replaced by the closely allied

Ccelotaxis, which is confined in habitat as far as known to the

single small island of Guadalupe. The geological conditions exist-

ing long ago in the Tertiary, which have given rise to this isolated

group of species, will be further discussed under the head of Coni-

ontis lata.

There are several circumstances which render the identification of

the species a very difficult and uncertain task, even for the present

family, and among these should be mentioned the almost total

absence of any structural differences, also the marked persistence

and uniformity of type, and, at the same time, a considerable amount

of individual variation. It is almost absolutely essential therefore

to study large series of specimens, at least of several species, in

order that the peculiar laws of variation may be adequately appre-

ciated. The on\y noticeable structural variable, if such it can be

called, refers to the prosternal process, which is sometimes sur-

rounded by a fine convex bead and at other times simple, but I find

that this character is of but little value.

Each puncture of the elytra bears a seta, sometimes erect, but

generally recumbent, occasionally extremely short, not projecting

notably beyond the puncture, but sometimes much longer; after

careful study of extensive material, it seems probable to me that

this scanty vestiture may afford the best means of arbitrarily

grouping the species. It must be noted, however, that as these

seta? are brittle and sometimes easily removable, care must be

An.nals N. Y. Acad. Sci., V, Nov. 1890.— 25

312 Coleopterological Notices.

taken in the case of old specimens, to examine them under sufficient

power to reveal their condition ; if broken and consequently abnor-

mally short, which can be readily determined, it is very rare that

one or two occasional setae will not remain to indicate the nature

of the normal vestiture. When perfect the setae are finely pointed

and quite constant in size throughout the individuals of a species.

The Coniontini constitute a very isolated tribe, but as we are

compelled under the present classification to retain it in the Asid-

inae, on account of the presence of a distinct trochantin, it would

undoubtedly be more consistent to place it at the beginning of that

subfamily than at the end, because of the extent and obliquity of

the posterior coxa?, in which it finds many parallels among the

Tentyriinse, but stands absolutely alone in the Asidinae.1

The known species of Coniontis may be identified as follows: —

Vestiture consisting of extremely minute robust setae, generally silvery in color.

Elytra coarsely, deeply punctate.

Abdomen coarsely punctate, generally more or less rugulose ; body very

large and robust abdoniinalis

Abdomen finely punctate, not rugulose ; body less robust.

Pronotal punctures rapidly very coarse and rather dense toward the

sides OTalis,

Pronotal punctures extremely sparse and minute throughout the disk.

inaequalis

'.Elytra very finely punctate.

iForm robust, scarcely ever distinctly more than twice as long as wide.

Pronotum very minutely and sparsely punctate ; larger species.

Elytral margin forming a strongly arcuate line when viewed laterally.

rolmsta

Elytral margin forming a straight line when viewed laterally.

elliptica

Pronotum densely punctate.

Base of the prothorax strongly bisinuate lata

Base very feebly bisinuate opaca

Eorm slender, always distinctly more than twice as long as wide.

Sides of the head more prominent than the posterior canthus of the eye.

Very dull and finely alutaceous ; prothorax short and transverse, ex-

tremely coarsely punctured toward the sides ; femora very coarsely

punctate |»umt ipes

Highly polished; prothorax very long and strongly developed ; femora

very minutely and sparsely punctate eloilgata

1 As a general rule in this subfamily the hind coxse are small, transverse,

and ovoidal, or pointed outwardly, coming very far from attaining the sides

of the body.

Coleopterological Notices. 373

Sides of the head less prominent than the posterior canthus of the eye ;

sides of the prothorax more strongly convergent from base to apex ;

body more longitudinally convex viatica

Vestiture consisting of long and distinctly visible hairs or setse, which are

usually fulvo-ferruginons in color.

Elytral punctures very coarse and deep, the surface more or less strongly

rugulose.

Larger species ; head relatively slightly larger and more finely punctate.

eschscholtzi

Smaller and very slightly less convex ; prothorax distinctly shorter and

more transverse Iiemoialis

Elytral punctures fine or moderate in size ; surface generally more or less

obsoletely rugulose.

Pronotal punctures very dense ; elytral punctures extremely fine and un-

evenly distributed, being aggregated in undefined longitudinal masses :

size very small ; form slender puiicticollis

Pronotal punctures but moderately dense toward the sides ; elytral punc-

tuation even or very nearly so.

Elytral pubescence toward apex moderately dense, fine and recumbent.

Head moderate in size, never much less than one-half as wide as the

base of the prothorax.

Form broadly evenly oval, strongly convex, and not more than

twice as long as wide ; very dull allltacea

Form more or less oblong-elongate, with the sides nearly straight ;

body more depressed.

Prosternum very coarsely, deeply punctate ; pubescence of the

upper surface long and conspicuous stlbpubesceiis

Prosternum more finely and sparsely punctate ; pubescence of

the upper surface much less conspicuous.

Elytral punctures very fine, distinctly smaller than those toward

the sides of the pronotum.

Larger species (10.8-13.0 mm.) molilalia

Small species (8.2-9.0 mm.) pallidicornis

Elytral punctures distinct, larger than those of the pronotum.

Pronotal punctures fine geilitiva

Pronotal punctures very coarse parallela

Head very small ; prothorax strongly narrowed from base to apex, the

pronotum very coarsely punctured ; pubescence throughout dens*,

long, persistent and very conspicuous ; form elliptical, convex ;

size small parviceps

Elytral pubescence toward apex extremely dense, short, erect, coarse

and hispid ; body oval, very convex setostis

The genus, as here considered, is confined to those species which

have the eyes entire and simply emarginate anteriorly, those with

completely divided eyes being treated below as a distinct genus.

374 Coleopterological Notices.

In the material before me there are some other doubtful forms

represented in each case by one or two specimens. Some of these

will quite probably prove to be valid species, but I have preferred

not to name them at present.

C, audomilialis Lee. — Proc. Ac. Phila., 1859, p. 77. — Robust, strongly

convex, parallel, but slightly more than twice as long as wide, shining, llxnl

rather small and coarsely punctate ; antenna? black, rather robust. Prathorax

nearly two-thirds wider than long, generally widest at about the middle, the

sides thence parallel and nearly straight to the base, broadly rounded ante-

riorly ; base transverse, the angles very feebly produced posteriorly; disk

very finely and sparsely punctate, a little more coarsely and densely so later-

ally, the lateral edges narrowly but strongly reflexed. Elytra from one-third

to two-fifths longer than wide, rather coarsely deeply and sparsely punctate,

and distinctly rugulose, especially toward the apex. Abdomen coarsely but not

very densely punctate, more or less rugulose. Length 14.0-17.0 mm. ; width

7.0-8.3 mm.

California (Monterey; Santa Barbara; Los Angeles).

The edges of the elytra, when viewed laterally, are generally very

feebly arcuate, sometimes nearly straight. The punctuation of the

upper surface is rather constant, but the sculpture of the abdomen

varies considerably, a specimen from Santa Barbara before me

having the surface smooth, polished, almost devoid of rugulosity.

and finely and very sparsely punctate. The elytra are a little more

than twice as long as the prothorax in the female, relatively shorter

in the male.

C. oralis Lee. — Ann. Lye. N. Y., V, p. 131.— Oblong-oval, strongly con-

vex and shining; sides nearly straight in the middle. Head very nearly one-

half as wide as the base of the prothorax, rather coarsely and densely punctate ;

antennae blackish, pale at apex, moderate. Prothorax rather short, from three-

fourths wider than, to nearly twice as wide as long; sides feebly arcuate,

generally convergent from base to apex, very feebly so and sometimes nearly

parallel in basal half; base truncate, very feebly sinuate near the angles

which are slightly produced posteriorly; disk sparsely but rather strongly

punctate toward the middle, densely and very coarsely so laterally, the sides

not narrowly reflexed but strongly finely beaded. Elytra always distinctly

more than twice as long as the prothorax, sometimes feebly inflated behind

the middle, unevenly, very coarsely and deeply punctate, the punctures often

irregularly coalescent, especially toward apex. Abdomen finely, rather sparsely

punctate, the punctures subtransverse, very feebly asperate, especially toward

the sides. Length 10.0-11.5 mm. ; width 5.2-5.7 mm.

Oregon: State of Washington; Vancouver Island; Montana

(Bitter Boot valley).

CoJeopterological Notices. 375

Although allied to abdominalis this species is very much smaller,

and is exclusively northern in habitat. In both, the elytra are

strongly rugulose toward apex, but this uneven effect is produced

by actual inequality of the surface, the punctures being smaller

and scattered over the surface of the wrinkles in abdominal/'*,

while in ovalis it is the result of actual coalescence of the larger,

deeper and more broadly impressed punctures. The elytral punc-

tures are distinctly smaller in the Montana specimens.

C. iliaequalis n..sp. — Rather elongate, strongly convex, with the sides

parallel and nearly straight, the apex of the elytra very unusually prolonged

and acutely rounded ; surface strongly shining. Head distinctly less than

one-half as wide as the base of the prothorax, rather sparsely and finely

punctate, more coarsely so anteriorly ; antennae piceous-black almost through-

out, rather robust but scarcely at all incrassate toward tip. Prothorax about

three-fourths wider than long ; sides almost parallel and feebly arcuate in

basal two-thirds, rounded anteriorly ; base truncate, very feebly sinuate later-

ally, the angles slightly produced and narrowly rounded ; disk very minutely

and extremely sparsely punctate throughout, the punctures but slightly more

evident toward the sides which are very narrowly but strongly refiexed.

Elytra distinctly more than twice as long as the prothorax, sparsely but very

deeply and coarsely punctate, the punctures very widely impressed, producing

a very unevenly rugulose appearance toward apex where they are imperfectly

coalescent in twos or threes. Abdomen polished, excessively minutely feebly

and sparsely punctate. Length 13.5 mm. ; width C.2 mm.

California (exact locality unknown).

Although represented by a single specimen, there can be no

reasonable doubt that this species is comparatively isolated. Iu

general habitus it resembles eschscholtzi, but can at once be dis-

tinguished by its very sparse punctuation and radically different

elytral setae, as well as its polished and exceediugly minutely punc-

tate pronotum.

C. robust a Horn.— Trans. Am. Phil. Soc, XIV, p. 296.— Robust, strongly

convex, about t^ice as long as wide ; pronotum finely alutaceous ; elytra more

strongly shining and more piceous-brown in color. Head rather small, less

than one-half as wide as the prothorax, finely punctate ; antennae very robust,

slightly incrassate toward apex ; eleventh joint as usual much narrower.

Prothorax about two-thirds wider than long ; the sides parallel and almost

straight in basal two-thirds, strongly rounded and convergent anteriorly ;

base transverse, rather strongly sinuate laterally, the angles being very dis-

tinctly produced posteriorly and scarcely at all rounded ; disk sparsely and

very minutely punctate throughout ; side margins narrowly but strongly re-

flexed. Elytra scarcely more than twice as long as the prothorax, very decliv-

376 Coleopterological Notices.

ous behind, the apex rather acutely rounded ; surface rugulose throughout,

especially toward apex, and with three imperfectly defined and very feeble

eroded grooves ; punctures very minute and sparse throughout. Abdomen finely

and sparsely punctate, with slight traces of rugulosity. Length 14.0 mm. ;

width 7.0 mm.

California (Santa Barbara Co.).

The original description of this species was drawn from a series

comprising several distinct forms. The specimen designated by Dr.

Horn as " 1," judging from the coarseness of the dorsal punctua-

tion, is probably a specimen of abdominalis in which the ventral

punctuation and rugulosity has become rudimentary. The descrip-

tion here given is taken from a specimen in the cabinet of LeConte,

and is distinguished from abdominalis by its very fine punctuation

of the upper surface. From elliptica which has also been confounded

with robusta, the latter is at once distinguishable not only by its

rugulose, but at the same time more convex elytra, with strongly

arcuate lateral edges.

C elliptica Casey. — Cont. Col. N. A., I, p. 46. — Robust in the female,

the male very slightly more than twice as long as wide, moderately convex,

smooth, strongly shining, the pronotum feebly alutaceous, intense black

throughout. Head small, very distinctly less than one-half as wide as the

prothorax, very finely and somewhat densely punctate ; antenna? slender, the

outer joints scarcely perceptibly incrassate. Prothorax from two-thirds to

nearly four-fifths wider than long ; sides subparallel or very feebly conver-

gent from the base to slightly beyond the middle, broadly rounded anteriorly ;

base transverse, the angles feebly prolonged posteriorly ; disk excessively

finely, very sparsely punctate, the punctures but slightly closer and stronger

toward the sides, the lateral edges extremely narrowly and finely reflexed.

Elytra always much more than twice as long as the prothorax, generally slightly

inflated behind the middle, gradually and rather feebly declivous behind ;

apex acutely rounded ; disk nearly smooth, very minutely and sparsely punc-

tate. Abdomen smooth, polished, extremely minutely and sparsely punctate.

Length 12.5-14.5 mm. ; width o'. 0-7. 4 mm.

California (Kern and San Diego Cos.). •

Most of the specimens have the elytra smooth, but in several

there is a distinct indication of the three eroded grooves noted

under robusta, and the same is the case in ovalis and abdominalis,

the erosions constituting a feature which may at some time have

characterized a considerable part of the genus. The variation in

form is very remarkable, one female having the prothorax distinctly

inflated before the middle ; the nine representatives agree rigorously,

Coleopterological Notices. 377

however, in the nature of the line forming- the edges of the elytra,

which is invariably straight from a lateral point of view.

C lata Lee. — New Species Col., 1866, p. 113. — Broadly oval, moderately

convex, smooth, subalutaceous. Head small, rather coarsely and sparsely

punctate ; antenna rather slender, but distinctly incrassate toward apex, the

tenth joint slightly longer than wide. Prothorax strongly transverse, nearly

twice as wide as long, very strongly narrowed from base to apex, the latter

not quite one-half as wide as the base which is very strongly Insinuate, the

angles acute, not at all rounded and not projecting posteriorly beyond the

median lobe ; sides strongly, evenly arcuate ; disk densely and rather strongly

punctured ; side margins not reflexed although very finely and acutely beaded.

Scutellum very small. Elytra scarcely one-third longer than wide, two and

one-half times as long as the prothorax, the surface smooth, rather dull and

just visibly undulated toward apex, somewhat densely and very finely punc-

tate, the punctures not quite, as large as those of the prothorax. Abdomen

shining, sparsely, finely punctate, the punctures denser and rather asperate

toward the sides. Length 10.8-11.7 mm. ; width 5.3-5.7 mm.

California (Island of San Clemente).

This species represents a very peculiar type, completely isolated

from any of those at present known as inhabiting the neighboring

continent, and peculiar to the Santa Barbara group of islands. It

is immediately distinguishable by its broad evenly oval form, pecu-

liar punctuation and strongly Insinuate base of the prothorax.

Var. insularis. — Similar to too but much narrower, more shining, the head

relatively larger and more finely punctate, the prothorax only one-half wider

than long, the apex fully one-half as wide as the base, the sides less strongly

arcuate. Length 10.0-11.5 mm. ; width 4.7-5.1 mm.

California (Island of Santa Cruz).

AVhile conforming to the peculiar typical facies of lata, the speci-

mens from Santa Cruz differ to such an extent as to require special

designation at least as a variety.

Before discussing the geological changes which the existence of

these two northern forms and the genus Coelotaxis apparently reveal

to us, it would perhaps be well to note the tendency of the species

of Coniontis, inhabiting the southern limit of the region near San

Diego, to become conspicuously pubescent, as seen in subpubesceris

and the still more aberrant and local form described below as par-

viceps, the latter being probably a degenerative type.

It is well known that a large percentage of all the productions

of the islands lying off the coast of California, although having an

essentially California!! character, are specifically distinct and strictly

378 Coleoplerological Notices.

peculiar to them ; and it is also a fact that the proportion of endemic

species and the relative divergence of type become more pronounced

as we proceed southward, until in Guadalupe the endemicity becomes

one of the most remarkable of the faunal characteristics.1

A correlation of these facts seems to indicate that the islands off

the coast at one time formed a continuous peninsula, trending

almost directly north and south, joining the continent by a broad

base between Pt. Concepcion and Cape Yincente,2 and tapering to

a point at Guadalupe. The fact that the submarine contours exhibit

;i series of salients in the 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 fathom curves,

extending in the general direction of Guadalupe, gives greater

probability to this assumption.

At that time, which was probably at least as early as the begin-

ning of the Pliocene, there was a free intermingling of the conti-

nental species characterizing this epoch. Shortly thereafter the

peninsula began to subside, interrupting this communication, and,

as the islands were successively separated, the quota of individuals

remaining upon them gradually diverged under the isolated and

special environmental conditions by which they became surrounded ;

or, in short, have become specifically distinct.

Guadalupe being the first land detached should display the most

marked divergence in its productions, although by this hypothesis

the essential features should remain as purely Californian as those

of the other islands, — facts which have long been well known. It

may be objected, however, that as the salient of the 2000-fathom

continental contour is separated from the corresponding contour of

1 Out of 296 species of plants collected by the eminent Californian botanist

Mr. E. L. Greene, on the Island of Santa Cruz, 48 are peculiar to the Santa

Barbara group, and 28 are peculiar to Santa Cruz alone. In Guadalupe out

of 145 known species of plants, 24 are strictly endemic. Except the birds,

plants, however, form perhaps the least reliable criterion for the estimation of

relative endemicity, as the strongly vitalized and often comparatively inde-

structible seeds are so apt to be successfully introduced by currents, winds

and migratory birds. The real faunistic isolation of these islands will be

much more clearly demonstrated by the wingless epigeal species of Coleoptera,

and of these there is not a single species at present known from Guadalupe

which is not strictly peculiar to the island.

2 To one passing along the coast of Santa Barbara Co. and viewing the very

bold and precipitous slopes of the Santa Inez Mountains, the desire to liken

them — in connection with the present subsidence theory, — to the escarpment

of a great fault, is almost irresistible.

Coleopterological Notices. 379

the island by an appreciable interval, the island being thus isolated,

rising rapidly like a stupendous peak from a great depth, we should

have to assume an enormous subsidence, but of course this alone

would not invalidate the theory. It may be possible also that as

the intermediate region subsided, there was a gradual and counter

elevation of the land seaward forming the apex of the peninsula.

The subsidence of the peninsula probably continued through the

Pliocene, but it was not until the early Quaternary that the islands

near the coast became isolated.1 It is only natural to assume, there-

fore, that which we know to be true, that the fauna of these islands

should be less modified than that of Guadalupe, although remaining

closely allied to it. The ancestral type of Coniontis lata has, in

Guadalupe, become the densely pubescent genus Ccelotaxis, while

upon the mainland it seems to have totally disappeared, there being

no species at present known which at all resembles G. lata or its

variety insularis.

A thorough exploration of these islands by a scientific entomo-

logist would be fruitful in many interesting results bearing upon

their geological history, especially would this be the case with the

epigeal species which are not readily transportable by winds and

ocean currents. This is perhaps the greatest desideratum in our

knowledge of the nearctic fauna.

C. opaca Horn.— Trans. Am. Phil. Soc, XIV, p. 296.— Oblong-oval,

strongly convex ; sides snbparallel ; elytra sometimes slightly inflated behind;

surface almost smooth, dull and finely alutaceous. Head finely, somewhat

densely punctate ; antennae somewhat slender. Prothorax rather short, nearly

three-fourths wider than long, the apex fully two-thirds as wide as the base,

the latter almost transverse, broadly, feebly sinuate laterally, the angles sub-

acute and scarcely projecting posteriorly beyond the median lobe ; sides broadly

rounded anteriorly, parallel and nearly straight in basal half; disk finely but

deeply, distinctly and very densely punctured toward the sides, very minutely

and more sparsely so toward the middle ; lateral margin not refiexed, finely

beaded. Elytra very distinctly more than twice as long as the prothorax,

very finely punctate, the punctures finer and much feebler and sparser than

those toward the sides of the pronotnm. Abdomen polished, very finely,

sparsely punctate. Legs slender. Length 8.3-9.8 mm. ; width 4.0—4.6 mm.

California (Owen's Valley); Nevada (Reno).

This species is peculiar to the arid eastern slopes and foot hills

of the Sierras, and those specimens from other regions, which have

1 See an interesting paper bearing upon this subject, by Prof. Joseph

LeConte, Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci., II, p. 515.

380 Coleopterological Notices.

been recorded under this name, have, in all probability, been incor-

rectly identified. It is easily recognizable by its rather small size,

smooth and strongly alutaceous lustre, extremely dense punctua-

tions of the pronotum, and fine and feeble elytral punctures each of

which bears an exceedingly minute seta not projecting beyond the

limits of the puncture.

C. pillictipes n. sp. — Oblong, moderately convex, feebly shining, smooth

or very nearly so. Head rather broad, fully one-half as wide as the prothorax,

somewhat coarsely and densely punctate ; antennae moderate, the second joint

unusually long and about three-fourths as long as the third. Prothorax rather

short, about two-thirds wider than long, the apex fully three-fourths as wide

as the base, the latter transversely truncate, very feebly sinuate near the

basal angles which are not at all rounded, and which project posteriorly

distinctly beyond the median portion ; sides evenly, rather strongly arcuate

throughout, the widest part of the disk being near the middle ; disk very finely

and sparsely punctate toward the middle, the punctures becoming rapidly

extremely coarse and somewhat dense near the sides, the lateral edges very

finely beaded. Elytra very distinctly more than twice as long as the prothorax,

finely feebly and sparsely punctate, the punctures denser and much coarser

toward base near the sides. Abdomen very minutely, sparsely punctate. Legs

rather slender, the femora very coarsely, deeply and rather densely punctured.

Length 9.5 mm. ; width 4.3 mm.

California (San Bernardino Co.).

A rather remarkable species, readily distinguishable from any

other by the extremely coarse punctuation of the lateral portions of

the pronotal disk and of the femora. In the type, the base of the

prothorax is narrower than the middle portions, but this is in all

probability an abnormal variation.

C. elongata n. sp. — Oblong-elongate with the sides straight and parallel,

moderately convex, strongly polished, the pronotum very faintly subalutace-

ous, smooth. Head very minutely and sparsely punctured behind, the punc-

tures becoming denser and much coarser on the epistoma ; antennae moderate.

Prothorax elongate and strongly developed, from less than one-third to two-

fifths wider than long, the apex about two-thirds as wide as the base, the

latter transverse, very broadly, feebly sinuate laterally, the angles subacute

but not distinctly more prominent than the median parts ; sides broadly arcu-

ate anteriorly, nearly parallel in basal two-thirds ; disk extremely minutely,

sparsely punctured toward the middle, the punctures becoming rapidly rather

coarse, deep and distinct, but still somewhat sparse, near the sides ; lateral

edges finely but strongly beaded. Elytra about twice as long as the prothorax,

sparsely, finely punctate, the punctures distinct, and generally rather larger

than those toward the sides of the pronotum. Abdomen polished, very finely

and sparsely punctured. Length 12.5-15.0 mm. ; width 5.1-6.8 mm.

Coleojoterological Notices. 381

California (Napa and Humboldt Cos.).

A well-marked species allied to viatica, but readily identified by

its larger size, much longer prothorax and coarser punctuation. I

took a large series on the low ground bordering the tule lands near

Benicia ; when living it is very strongly pruinose.

C. Tiatica Esch. — Zool. Atl. Ill, p. 7. — Elongate, parallel, strongly con-

vex, shining, the pronotum rather strongly alutaceous ; surface nearly smooth.

Head generally somewhat finely and sparsely punctured ; antennas rather

robust. Prothorax from one-half to three-fifths wider than long, the apex

about two-thirds as wide as the base, the latter subtruncate, broadly, very

feebly sinuate laterally, the basal angles subacute and generally projecting

posteriorly very slightly beyond the median portions ; sides generally strongly

convergent from base to apex, distinctly and evenly arcuate, sometimes slightly

more strongly arcuate before the middle ; disk extremely finely punctate

throughout, the punctures but moderately dense toward the sides, the lateral

edges very minutely beaded. Elytra always much more than twice as long as

the prothorax, very sparsely and minutely punctured throughout. Abdomen

very sparsely and extremely minutely punctured. Legs slender. Length

10.0-13.0 mm. ; width 4.2-5.8 mm.

California (San Francisco).

In the large series of seventeen specimens before me, there is

none which can be positively asserted to have been taken in any

other locality than that indicated; it appears to be a species peculiar

to the sandy coast region, perhaps extending down to Monterey

or Santa Barbara. Viatica is very readily known by its slender

parallel form and very minute punctuation ; from elongata it may

be separated at once by its much shorter prothorax and very much

more pronounced longitudinal convexity.

C. escllSCholtzi Mann. — Rev. Zool., 1840, p. 138; affinis Lee: Ann.

Lye, V, p. 130. — Oblong-oval, rather strongly convex, moderately shining,

the pronotum strongly alutaceous; elytra frequently slightly conical. Head

anteriorly somewhat coarsely and densely punctate ; antenna? rather robust.

Prothorax from one-half to two-thirds wider than long, the apex somewhat

feebly sinuate and rather less than two-thirds as wide as the base, the latter

transverse or very feebly arcuate, moderately sinuate laterally, the basal

angles acute and slightly prominent posteriorly ; sides generally rather

strongly arcuate anteriorly, more nearly straight toward base ; disk very

finely and rather sparsely punctate except toward the sides, where the punc-

tures become rather coarse and denser; lateral edges with a thick convex

bead bordered internally by a fine deep groove. Elytra always distinctly

more than twice as long as the prothorax, rather densely, very coarsely and

deeply punctate, the punctures unevenly subcoalescent, producing a strongly

382 Coleopterological Notices.

rugnlose appearance especially toward apex. Abdomen somewhat alutaceous,

very finely, sparsely punctured. Legs slender and rather long. Length

10.4-14.0 mm. ; width 5.0-6.5 mm.

California (San Francisco).

This species also appears to be confined to the coast regions about

San Francisco, where it is very abundant. In its normal state, the

seta? growing- from the elytral punctures are always long and dis-

tinct, and the original type of affinis does not differ in the slightest

character from the species described by Mannerheim as inhabiting

the immediate locality alluded to. The seta? are, howrever, liable to

be broken off or rubbed out of the punctures, which will account for

several errors in the books.

C nemoralis Esch. — Zool. Atl. Ill, p. 8. — Oblong-oval, moderately

convex, shining, the pronotum generally alutaceons ; elytra often subcorneal.

If, ad rather small, very coarsely, deeply, somewhat densely punctate ; antenna?

rather slender, the eleventh joint but slightly narrower than the tenth. Pro-

thorax rather short, from three-fifths to three-fourths wider than long, the apex

about two-thirds as wide as the base, the latter nearly as in eschscholtzi, but

with the basal angles generally a little more abruptly and distinctly prominent

posteriorly ; sides broadly rounded anteriorly, straighter and more nearly

parallel toward base ; disk finely but deeply, distinctly and not very sparsely

punctate toward the middle, the punctures becoming gradually quite coarse

and dense toward the sides ; lateral edges with a moderately thick convex

• bead, often abnormally sinuate near the basal angles. Elytra a little more

than twice as long as the prothorax, coarsely and not very densely punctate,

strongly rugnlose from the coalescence of the punctures toward apex, but very

feebly so toward base, the puuetures generally very unevenly distributed.

Abdomen polished, very finely, sparsely punctate, the pubescence rather long

and very fine. Length 6.8-9.8 mm. ; width 3.5—4.5 mm.

California (San Francisco).

A very small species, confined to the same regions as viatica and

eschscholtzi and also very abundant. Its resemblance to the latter

of these species is so marked, that mistakes are very liable to occur

in identifying the extremes of each; with large series, however, it

is readily seen to differ by certain constant characters, among which

may be mentioned the smaller, more coarsely punctured head, very

slightly shorter prothorax, and distinctly more finely and sparsely

punctured elytra, the setse of both the elytra and abdomen being a

little longer, more evident and more persistent; it is also constantly

much smaller in size and slightly less convex. It varies remarkably

in size.

Coleopterological Notices. 383

C pmicticollis Leo. — Ann. Lye. N. Y., V, p. 131. — Slender, parallel,

very convex and subcylindrical, pointed behind, subalutaceous, smooth. Head

moderate in size, rather finely, densely punctate ; antennae rather short, very

robust, the tenth joint distinctly transverse. Prothorax from one-half to two-

thirds wider than long, the apex two-thirds as wide as the base, the latter

almost transversely truncate, the basal angles but very slightly prominent

posteriorly; disk very finely and extremely densely punctate laterally, rather

abruptly much more sparsely so along the middle ; lateral margins very

minutely and acutely beaded. Elytra distinctly more than twice as long as

the prothorax, very minutely, feebly punctate, generally with several extremely

feeble and rudimentary longitudinal costae, which are more visible toward the

suture and rather narrowly separated, the crests of the costae almost impunc-

tate, the intervals rather densely and confusedly so. Abdomen strongly con-

vex, sparsely and extremely minutely punctate. Legs very short, slender,

generally more or less rufescent. Length 7.0-10.0 mm.; width 3.3-4.2 mm.

California (San Francisco, Benicia).

This very peculiar species is one of the smallest of the genus.

The elytral costse are generally almost completely obsolete, but

even when entirely invisible the punctures are left distributed in

very imperfectly defined longitudinal streaks or patches. The hairs

growing upon the elytra are rather short, but extend far beyond the

limits of the exceedingly small and feeble punctures. It is rather

abundant, and appears to be limited to the same region as viatica.

C altltacea n. sp. — Oval, strongly convex, dull throughout. Head

somewhat finely, moderately densely punctate ; antennae robust. Prothorax

fully three-fourths wider than long, the apex strongly sinuate and about

three-fifths as wide as the base, the latter transverse and broadly, feebly bi-

sinuate, the basal angles acute and projecting posteriorly but slightly beyond

the broadly arcuate median lobe ; sides rather strongly arcuate anteriorly,

generally a little straighter toward base ; disk rather sparsely, very finely

punctate toward the middle, the punctures becoming gradually much larger

deep, very distinct and moderately dense laterally ; side margins finely but

strongly beaded, the bead bordered internally by a coarse deep groove. Elytra

fully two and one-half times as long as the prothorax, rather abruptly and

acutely pointed behind, densely punctate, the punctures rather large and

distinct, very confusedly coalescent toward apex producing a densely rugu-

lose appearance, which becomes much less pronounced anteriorly. Abdomen

polished, very finely, sparsely punctate. Legs slender. Length 9.0-11.0 mm. ;

width 4.8-5.3 mm.

Nevada (Reno).

The series of five specimens indicates but slight variability, and

the species may readily be distinguished from opaca by its sparser

pronotal punctures, and its much more coarsely punctate and rugu-

384 Coleopterological Notices.

lose elytra. It appears to be the inland representative of the mari-

time eschscholtzi.

C. sllbpilfoesceilS Lee. — Ann. Lye. N. Y., V, p. 131. — Oblong-elongate,

parallel, somewhat depressed, feebly shining throughout. Head mud. Tate in

size, very coarsely, deeply and not very densely punctured ; antennae long

and slender, distinctly incrassate near the apex. Prothorax about two-thirds

wiiler than long, the apex moderately sinuate, nearly two thirds as wide as

the base, the latter broadly truncate and straight, the basal angles abruptly

produced and distinctly prominent posteriorly, acute ; sides arcuate, straighter

toward base; disk finely but distinctly, moderately densely punctate, the

punctures sparse and rather finer toward the middle; lateral margins strongly

but finely beaded and finely grooved within the bead. Elytra distinctly more

than twice as long as the prothorax, broadly, feebly and unevenly undulated,

the undulations becoming strong coarse rugulosities toward apex ; punctures

fine, not very dense, each with a very long fine recumbent hair. Abdomen

polished, smooth, sparsely, very finely punctured. Legs well developed, very

slender. Length 9.2-10.8 mm.; width 4.2-4.8 mm.

California (Marin, Santa Clara and San Diego Cos.).

This species, although assigned here to another section of the

genus because of its conspicuous pubescence, is in reality very

closely allied to abdominalis and robusta, and in the original type

the three eroded grooves on the elytra, characterizing- that group

of species, are clearly but of course very faintly visible; another

character allying it to abdominalis is the nature of the elytral

rugulosity, which is not caused by the coalescence of deep coarse

punctures; in subpubescens the punctures toward apex are tine and

distributed over the surface of the convexities. It is distributed

throughout the maritime districts of California but appears to be

rather rare.

C. Ilioiltana n. sp. — Oblong-elongate, rather feebly convex, sometimes

distinctly flattened above, rather feebly declivous behind and gradually,

acutely pointed ; surface strongly alutaceous throughout ; elytra frequently

conical. Head sparsely but coarsely punctate, the punctures liner posteriorly ;

antenna' moderate. Prothorax well developed, from three-fifths to three-fourths

wider than long, almost as in subpubescens but with the pubescence shorter ;

punctures excessively line toward the middle. Elytra fully two and one-half

times as long as the prothorax, feebly undulated, subrngulose toward apex,

the punctures throughout rather sparse and extremely tine, each having a

long somewhat coarse subrecumbent fulvous hair. Abdomen very feebly sub-

alutaceous, finely, sparsely punctate. Legs moderate. Length 10.8-13.0 mm. ;

width 5.0-CJ.3 mm.

Coleojrterological Notices. 385

California (Lake Tahoe — elevation 6300 feet).

A good series of right specimens shows that montana, although

allied to subjmbescens, is abundantly distinct; it differs in its much

larger size, shorter, sparser and less conspicuous pubescence, and in

the nature of the elytra! punctuation which distinguishes it at once

from that species. The punctures are generally distinct and deeply

impressed, but toward apex they gradually become smaller, and

finally extremely line and feeble, and, — although in reality sepa-

rated by about the same interval between centres — apparently much

sparser. The majority of specimens display very distinct traces of

the three eroded grooves.

C. pallidicorilis n. sp. — Oblong-elongate, parallel, moderately convex,

smooth, strongly alutaceous throughout. Head somewhat coarsely but not

very densely punctate anteriorly; antennae very slender, eighth joint much

longer than wide, tenth not quite as wide as long. Prothorax moderately

narrowed from base to apex, from one-half to three fifths wider than long, the

sides moderately and almost evenly arcuate ; base transverse, feebly sinuate at

the sides, the basal angles being right, very narrowly rounded and but very

slightly prominent posteriorly ; disk very minutely, sparsely punctate toward

the middle, the punctures gradually coarser and quite distinct, but not very

dense, laterally ; marginal bead very fine. Elytra distinctly more than twice

as long as the prothorax, almost smooth but very dull, with feeble traces of

rugulosity, somewhat sparsely and very finely punctate, the punctures becom-

ing finer toward apex, each bearing a still' subrecumbent fulvous seta which is

rather short and inconspicuous, although projecting far beyond the limits » » t

tin- puncture. Abdomen sparsely, very minutely punctured. Length 8.2-9.0

mm. ; width 3.8-4.1 nun.

Southern California.

Allied to montana in the gradual decrease in size of the punctures

toward the apex of the elytra, but quite distinct in its smaller size,

smoother surface and very much shorter and less conspicuous pubes-

cence. It is much more elongate and less convex than ojjaca, and

has the punctures toward the sides of the pronotum coarser and

very much sparser. The antenna? and tarsi are testaceous through-

out, the legs piceous.

C. genitiva n. sp. — Oblong-elongate, parallel, with the sides straight,

rather strongly convex, the elytra rather shining, the pronotum strongly

alutaceous. Head well developed, coarsely deeply and rather densely punc-

tate anteriorly, much more finely and sparsely so posteriorly ; antennae rather

long and very slender, the third joint much more than twice as long as the

second, the tenth much longer than wide and but slightly wider than tin-

386 Coleopterological Notices.

i

eighth. Prothorax rather long and well developed, scarcely one-half wider

than long; apex ahont two-thirds as wide as the base, the latter transverse,

broadly, feebly bisinuate, the basal angles acute but not very prominent

posteriorly ; sides rather strongly arcuate anteriorly, becoming parallel and

nearly straight in basal three-fifths ; disk very finely, sparsely punctate, the

punctures becoming more distinct but still fine and rather sparse toward the

sides ; lateral margins coarsely beaded. Elytra but very slightly more than

twice as long as the prothorax, not very strongly declivous and rather acutely

rounded behind, very feebly subrugulose especially toward apex, the punc-

tures sparse but rather large, deeply impressed and very distinct, each bearing

a very fine elongate recumbent seta, the vestiture not at all conspicuous.

Abdomen sparsely but unusually coarsely and distinctly punctured. Femora

coarsely but sparsely punctate. Length 13.0 mm. ; width 5.4 mm.

California (Lake Co.) Mr. Fuchs.

This species in general form can be compared only with elongata,

but is distinguished from it not only by its longer elytral setae, but

by its distinctly different antennal structure, the third joint in elon-

gata being less than twice as long as the second, and the tenth joint

a little wider than long. In the type the two inner of the three

eroded grooves are just traceable.

C. parallela n. sp. — Oblong-elongate, parallel, with the sides straight,

rather depressed, the elytra slightly shining, the pronotum very strongly

alutaceous. Head rather densely, somewhat finely punctate, the antenna?

moderate. Prothorax rather long and well developed, scarcely one-half wider

than long, the apex nearly three-fourths as wide as the base, the latter

broadly, rather strongly bisinuate, the median lobe broadly arcuate, the

basal angles acute and not rounded but not projecting posteriorly beyond the

median lobe ; sides moderately arcuate anteriorly, nearly parallel and straight

in basal two-thirds ; disk cotirsely, very conspicuously and moderately densely

punctured, more sparsely and finely but still very distinctly so toward the

middle ; marginal bead rather fine. Elytra about twice as long as the pro-

thorax, feebly rugulose, quite distinctly so toward apex, rather strongly,

unevenly and moderately densely punctate, the punctures rather coarse, each

bearing a long, subrecumbent, fulvous seta, the vestiture slightly conspicuous.

Abdomen sparsely, very finely and feebly punctate. Length 11.0 mm. ; width

5.0 mm.

California (Mendocino Co.).

There is a very feeble trace of the approximate elytral ridges

mentioned under imncticollis, but otherwise there is no resem-

blance between these species ; in fact parallela is quite an isolated

form, there being none other with which I can compare it, the

rather depressed parallel form, distinct pubescence and coarse pro-

CoJeopterological Notices. 387

Dotal punctuation readily distinguishing it from any other. Per-

haps it is most closely allied to subpubescens, but differs in its longer

prothorax and very much coarser and sparser elytral punctures.

C. parviceps n. sp. — Elongate oval, moderately convex, rather dull and

alutaceous throughout; elytra feebly undulato-rugulose, especially toward

apex. Head small, coarsely, deeply, moderately densely punctate; antennae

moderate, third joint scarcely more than one-half longer than the second,

tenth triangular, as wide as long. Prothorax one-half wider than long, strongly

narrowed from base to apex, the latter scarcely more than one-half as wide as

the former ; apex very deeply sinuate ; base very broadly emarginate through-

out the width, the basal angles being acute and posteriorly prominent ; sides

evenly and rather strongly arcuate ; disk rather sparsely punctate, the punc-

tures distinct toward the middle, rather denser and decidedly coarse laterally ;

side margins extremely minutely, acutely beaded. Elytra but slightly more

than twice as long as the prothorax, extremely finely, not very densely punc-

tate, the punctures much finer than those near the sides of the pronotum

and becoming, toward apex, excessively minute and feeble. Abdomen rather

strongly convex, very finely, sparsely punctate, each puncture bearing a long

hair. Length 7.0-8.0 mm. ; width 3.4-4.0 mm.

California (San Diego).

The punctures of the pronotum and elytra bear each a long rather

coarse fulvous seta, the vestiture being closely recumbent and very

conspicuous. This is a small and comparatively isolated species.

C. setossiS n. sp. — Oval, strongly convex, rather shining, the pronotum

slightly alutaceous ; elytra extremely feebly undulato-rugulose toward apex.

Head well developed, finely and sparsely punctured ; antenna? long and some-

what robust, third joint twice as long as the second, tenth nearly as wide as

long, strongly obtrapezoidal. Prothorax two-thirds wider than long, the apex

two-thirds as wide as the base, the latter broadly, very feebly arcuate, broadly

distinctly sinuate laterally, the basal angles right, not rounded and projecting

posteriorly slightly beyond the median portions ; sides almost evenly and

rather feebly arcuate ; disk sparsely and extremely finely punctate toward

the middle, the punctures becoming much denser, rather strong and distinct

laterally, the setae very short and inconspicuous ; side margins finely and

acutely beaded. Elytra fully two and one-half times as long as the prothorax,

evenly and unusually obtusely rounded behind, densely and rather strongly

punctate, the punctures much larger than any of those of the pronotum, and,

toward apex, becoming rather line and more feeble, each with a moderately

long, robust, erect and fulvous seta, the vestiture dense but not conspicuous.

Abdomen finely, sparsely punctate. Length 10.0 mm. ; width 5.0 mm.

Idaho (Coeur d'Alene). Lieut. Jas. A. Leyden.

This species is readily distinguishable by its oval, strongly convex

form, and peculiarities of the elytral pubescence. It is probably

Annals N. Y. Acad. Sci., V, Nov. 1S90.— 2b"

388 Coleopterological Notices.

one of the derivatives of the ancient type of ovalis, which inhabits

nearly the same region. The unique type exhibits decided traces

of a number of feeble approximate elytra! ridges similar to those

of puncticollis. The elytra become strongly alutaceous and rather

coarsely creased toward apex, and the very feeble undulating in-

equality of the surface, which could scarcely be called rugulosity. is

not caused by partial coalescence of the punctures. In ovalis the

elytra are polished throughout, very coarsely, deeply punctate, the

punctures not becoming finer toward apex, where they are con-

fusedly coalescent causing a strongly marked rugulosity.

COKIOXTELLUS n. gen. (Coniontini).

The species described by LeConte as Coniontis obesa, differs

structurally from the normal members of that genus in having the

eyes completely divided. If this were the only difference which

could be perceived, we might perhaps be warranted in considering

obesus and its allies as a mere section of Coniontis, but as this struc-

tural peculiarity is supplemented by several other characters, I have

deemed it more proper to separate the species mentioned under

another name.

Coniontellus differs from Coniontis in having the eyes completely

divided, the antenna? shorter, more slender, with a much greater

development of the second joint and a wider eleventh joint, and in

the form of the anterior tibiae, these being broader, shorter, more

strongly compressed and triangular.

The genus is peculiar to the high arid mountainous table lands

and valleys of the Rocky Mountain system, and does not extend

westward beyond the Sierras. The species are all small and are

apparently much less numerous than those of Coniontis, those

which are known to me may be distinguished as follows: —

Seta? of the elytra longer erect and distinct; pronotal punctures very coarse,

with but little tendency to longitudinal coalescence.

Elytral seta? long and conspicuous, coarse and fulvous, nearly as long as the

third joint of the posterior tarsus; body more robust, the elytra always

rather strongly inflated behind ; scutellum very small ill flat US

Elytral seta? shorter, finer and sparser, not more than one-half as long as

the third joint of the posterior tarsus ; body less robust and more

parallel ; scutellum rather large obesus

Seta? of the elytra very short, robust and pointed, recumbent and not project-

ing distinctly beyond the confines of the punctures ; pronotal punctures

finer, denser and more longitudinally coalescent Sllbglaber

Coleopterological Notices. 389

C. illflatus n. sp. — Robust, strongly convex and shining, the elytra

inflated. Head rather less than one-half as wide as the prothorax, not very

coarsely but densely punctate, the punctures usually sparser toward the

middle ; epistoma extremely densely punctured. Prothorax about twice as

wide as long, the apex nearly three-fourths as wide as the base, the latter

broadly truncate, the angles narrowly and abruptly produced posteriorly, very

acute ; sides feebly arcuate, more strongly so near the apex ; disk moderately

densely, very coarsely and deeply punctate laterally, more sparsely and much

more finely so near the middle ; side margins very finely, acutely beaded.

Elytra about three times as long as the prothorax, and, at posterior third,

distinctly wider, rather coarsely but not densely punctate, the punctures

becoming much smaller toward apex. Abdomen sparsely but rather strongly

punctate. Length 6.5-7.4 mm. ; width 3.4-3.9 mm.

Nevada (Reno).

Differs considerably from either obesus or subglaber in its much

more robust form, inflated and relatively longer elytra, and the

much more conspicuous seta? toward the apex of the latter. The

scutellum in the three specimens before me is much smaller and more

acute than in obesus, and very slightly smaller than in subglaber.

C. Obesus Lee. — Coniontis ob. : Ann. Lye. N. Y., V, p. 131 wota.-^-Robust,

subparallel, convex, rather strongly shining. Head well developed, finely,

rather densely punctate, more sparsely so near the middle. Prothorax fully

four-fifths wider than long, the apex three-fourths as wide as the base, the

latter transversely truncate, the angles very narrowly, abruptly and moder-

ately produced posteriorly, very acute ; sides feebly arcuate ; disk rather

densely and decidedly coarsely punctate, less coarsely and more sparsely so

toward the middle ; side-margin very fine and acute, extremely narrowly

rettexed. Elytra nearly two and one-half times as long as the prothorax,

abruptly narrowed in apical third which is angulate and acutely rounded at

apex ; disk rather coarsely, deeply and moderately densely punctate, the

punctures a little more sparse and feeble toward apex. Abdomen sparsely,

rather finely but very distinctly punctured, the punctures rounded. Length

6.0 mm. ; width 3.1 mm.

Colorado (Long's Peak). Cab. LeConte.

The description refers to the original type which is unique. The

elytral setae toward apex, when viewed along a line tangent to the

surface, are seen to be rather fine, erect, not dense and about one-

half as long as the third joint of the posterior tarsus. The lateral

pronotal punctures are coarse, very slightly longer than wide, and

not at all coalescent.

C. subglaber n. sp. — Form as in obesus. Head moderate, very finely,

densely punctate. Prothorax nearly as in obesits, the disk unevenly, very

390 Coleopterological Notices.

densely punctate, the punctures finer, elongate and tending to coalesce longi-

tudinally, liner, much sparser and more rounded near the middle ; side-margin

very line and acute, not distinctly reflexed. Elytra nearly as in ohesus but

more finely punctate, each puncture bearing a very minute seta. Abdomen

finely and sparsely punctate. Length 5.8-G.S mm.; width 2.9-3.4 mm.

Montana (Helena). Mr. Wickham.

The elytral seta' in this species are exceedingly minute, robust

and pointed, subrecumbent, and do not project much beyond the

external edge of the puncture. It resembles obesus very much, but

may be distinguished not only by the character of the vestiture, but

by the different punctuation.

Tenebrionin^e.

The fundamental characters upon which the various tribes of this

great subfamily are at present based, seem to be unsatisfactory to

a considerable degree, and yet the difficulties involved in striving to

present a series of genera in linear form, which can no more lend

themselves to such treatment than the stars disseminated through

the firmament, is of course insurmountable. If, however, our

own genera are difficult of taxonomical arrangement, the European

genera are still more so, and are in a condition of decided^ unstable

equilibrium.

It is evident that one source of confusion may be the tenacious

retention, as a tribal character, of the sexual modification of the

anterior tarsus. Our own genera of Blapstini prove conclusively

that this is of no value whatever, either in the separation of tribes

or of genera, as it is subject to complete extinction even in Blap-

stinus itself, as will be shown under that genus. Relegating this

very alluring but misleading character to the background therefore,

I believe it is possible, by giving greater prominence to other well

known but insufficiently appreciated characters, to bring about a

more harmonious grouping of the genera.

In examining the table on page 372 of the recent classification of

LeConte and Horn, which is essentially a repetition of that given

by LeConte in the first edition, we discover several inconsistencies,

as follows : —

1 The character relating to the dilatation of the head, in separat-

ing tribes V and VI from I-IY, is evidently of no importance, as

in tribe V the head in Opatrinus is not as prominent at the sides as

in Argoporis, and many other exceptions might be cited.

Coleopterological Notices. 391

2 It is difficult to draw any rig-id distinction between the form of

tarsal vestiture of the Amphidorini and Upes, and,

3 It does not seem proper to class together genera like Tenebrio,

with the tarsi very sparsely and coarsely spinose beneath; and the

Upes, in which they are densely and finely pubescent.

After a prolonged and careful study of the genera involved, I

have been forced to the conclusion that a purely natural tribal

classification, which shall include no exceptional cases, is a practical

impossibility, but, at the same time, the following arrangement of

the first few tribes of the subfamily seems, at least with the mate-

rial at hand, to be less objectionable in this respect than any which

I have been able to consult. The few known exceptions will be

noted below : —

Posterior coxoz transverse, other characters as stated (Class* Col. N. A. p. 372).

Fourth joint of the maxillary palpi triangular or securiform.

Epipleurse attaining the sutural angle.

Tarsi with fine, usually silken pubescence beneath Upixi

Tarsi spinose or setose beneath.

Elytra widely embracing the body Blaptixi

Elytra narrowly embracing the body.

Indexed sides of the elytra only in part composed of the epipleurse.

Middle and hind coxse equally and widely separated ; elytra

strongly inflated Pimei.iini

Middle coxa? narrowly, posterior very widely separated ; elytra

subequal in width to the prothorax, the latter generally loosely

articulated and not overlapping the elytra.

Head long, the eyes distant from the prothorax Scaurixi

Head short and transverse; eyes near the prothorax Eulabixi

Middle and hind coxa? equally and narrowly separated, the pro-

thorax and elytra in very close contact throughout, the base of

the former usually overlapping at the sides Pedimm

Inflexed sides composed entirely of the epipleurse ; posterior coxre

generally narrowly separated Tenebrioxixj

Epipleura? not attaining the sutural angle.

Head strongly dilated and prominent at the sides before the eyes.

Opatku.mixi

Head not prominent at the sides ; body pubescent Ajipiiidorixi

Fourth joint of the maxillary palpi elongate-oval, more or less finely acumi-

nate Leichexixi

The only exceptions which it is possible to cite at present, are the

genera Dendarus1 and Colpotus of the Eulabini, which have the

1 I am uncertain which of the two names Eulabis and Dendarus to apply t.>

the tribe ; they were both published in 1829.

392 Coleopterological Notices.

tarsi densely clothed beneath with long flavate pubescence, and

Heterophils of the Opatrumini,1 which does not have the head

prominent at the sides. The remaining characters in these genera

are thoroughly those of the tribes in which they are placed.

In this scheme the Upini comprise the Upes and also the Euro-

pean Menephilus.

The Blaptini remain as at present organized.

The Fimeliini constitute a very homogeneous and interesting

tribe, composed of the European genera at present assigned to it.

The epipleura? are extremely narrow throughout the length of the

elytra, but seem to be invariably entire. The fourth joint of the

maxillary palpi is unusually small. Sepidium does not belong any-

where near the Pimeliini, where it is placed in the European cata-

logues, but is a member of the Asidinse.

The Scaurini will include Scaurus, Cephalostenus,2 Cerenopus

and Argoporis, rendering necessary the formation of three distinct

groups or subtribes. Aids is in no way related to Scaurus, but

belongs to the Asidinae, as is also the case with Morica and Cypho-

genia.

The Eulabini will include Eulabis, Dendarus, Colpotus, Helio-

pates, Phylax — the resemblance of this genus to Eulabis is quite

marked — Sinorus, Isocerus, Micrositus, and Litoborus.

The Pedinini, as here considered, will consist of the two genera

Pedinus and Platyscelis only ; these are quite isolated, not only by

the structural characters already given, but also in general habitus.

In this tribe the sexual modification of the legs in the male becomes

extreme.

The Tenebrionini will comprise the genera Tenebrio, Alasphus,

Eupsophus, Opatrinus and the Blapstini — including Cabirus — as

well as the European Calcar, Scleron and Pachypterus. Doliema

Pasc. (Adelina Lee. nee Woll.) and Bius3 should be removed to the

Flomini. It will be noted in extenuation of this radical change that

the general habitus of Tenebrio is very satisfactorily reproduced in

1 This name is proposed in order to distinguish the tribe from the group

Opatrini, rendered necessary by the word Opatrinus.

2 I have not been able to study this genus in nature but infer that it is

properly placed.

3 In Bius the refiexed elytral edges and epipleurre terminate abruptly before

attaining the apex ; this and many other characters ally it to Uioma and

exclude it from the Tenebrionini. The European Dilamus is closely related.

*

Coleopterological Notices. 393

the Blapstini, and especially in Mecysmus, but Eupsophus appears

out of place in any of the tribes thus far proposed. The genera

may be grouped as follows: —

Eyes more prominent than the sides of the head, the latter prolonged in front

of them Eupsophi

Genera Eupsophus and AlcepJms

Eyes less prominent than the sides of the head.

Eyes not entirely divided.

Eyes at a considerable distance from the prothorax Texebrioxes

Genera Calcar and Tenebrio

Eyes very near the prothorax ; head much shorter, transverse. ..Opa trim

Genera Opatrinus, Scleron and Pachypterns

Eyes entirely divided Blapstini

Genera as given below

The Opatrumini will include Opatrum, Gonocephalum, Scleropa-

trum, Pseudolamus, Melambius, Heterophilus, Opatroides, Hadrus

and Ephalus. Of these genei'a, the only ones found within the

nearctic region are Gonocephalum and Ephalus. Our single repre-

sentative of Gonocephalum was described by LeConte as Blapstinus

latifrons ; it is entirely congeneric with the European forms, and

appears to be not only rare but very restricted in habitat; it occurs

in Vancouver Island. Ephalus latimanus is well known in cabi-

nets, but is somewhat rare; it is found in the Atlantic region, and

is not very closely related to any other genus.

The Amphidorini will of course remain as at present known.

The Leichenini, as here considered, consist of a few singular

genera previously distributed among, or forming several groups of,

the Opatrini of Lacordaire, but which have in common a very

strong bond of affinity ; in fact in spite of the difference in vestiture

Ammodonus and Microzoum are comparatively closely allied. It

will be noticed that the constancy and consequent taxonomic value

of the epipleurae becomes completely lost in the present tribe, — as

is also the case in the Ulomini. The genera may be defined as fol-

lows, those which are not nearctic being indicated by an asterisk : —

Anterior tibiae strongly dentate or produced externally at or near the apex.

Eyes nude, completely divided or extremely nearly so ; epipleura entire.

Anterior tibia? very short and robust ; eyes rather finely faceted.

*IMicrozoum

Anterior tibia? slender ; eyes much larger, coarsely faceted.

Ammodonus

391 Coleopterological Notices.

Eyes emarginate anteriorly, coarsely faceted, the facets separated by coarse,

and very strongly elevated carina? ; epipleurre imperfect, wide near the

base, very narrow near the apex and completely obsolete in the middle.

"Leichenum

Anterior tibia? very short, broadly triangular, not dentate and devoid of denti-

form process.

Eyes well developed, not emarginate, the lenses separated by narrow, acute

and very strongly elevated carina? ; epipleura? completely obsolete through-

out Ciiemepflatia

Ey.'S obsolete, represented by a small deep fovea on the subacute lateral

margin near the base, the bottom of the fovea apparently sensitive; epi-

pleurje very faintly defined near the base only Alaildes

By this arrangement the Pimeliini and Pedinini are entirely, and

the Eulabini and Opatrumini chiefly, characteristic of the eastern

hemisphere, while the XJpini and Tenebrionini are most numerous

in the western world. The Amphidorini are peculiar to western

]STorth and South America, while the Blaptini, Scaurini and Leich-

enini are almost equally represented in the eastern and western

continents.

ELEODES Esch.

The genera of Blaptini are closely allied and, in general, mutually

distinguishable only by some single structural difference; even this

is not always of definite and unequivocal value. The European

Prosodes, for example, is extremely close to Eleodes and differs, as

far as can be clearly perceived, only in the strong compression of

the four posterior tarsi. Guaptor differs only in the complete ex-

tinction of one of the spurs of the anterior tibia? and the abnormal .

development of the remaining one, a character which the casual

study of our species of Eleodes will tend to prove of doubtful im-

portance. I think, also/that it will be found difficult to state any

absolutely constant difference between the females of Blaps and

Eleodes. It is true that the mentum varies, but in this respect the

difference in the form of this organ among the various species of

Eleodes, is vastly greater than that between Blaps mortisaga and

Eleodes suluralis. The form of the mentum is in fact of very little

value in this tribe, or indeed in many others of the Tenebrionidae,

as an examination of the species of Eulabis or the sexes of TJloma

will amply demonstrate.

Before describing several distinct forms of Eleodes which have

Coleopterological Notices. 395

come into my possession during the past five or six years, it is

desirable to make a few observations:

1 The description of E. quadricollis given by Mannerheim reads

thus, in regard to the arrangement of the elvtral punctures : " Mas :

elytris . . . dense striato-punctatis, punctis granuliferis. Femina:

elytris . . . obsolete striato-punctatis."

1 have a specimen taken by myself near San Francisco, the

locality assigned by Mannerheim to quadricollis, which coincides

exactly with the above-described male .of that species, and I there-

fore regard it as an authentic type; its length is 15 mm. while that

of Mannerheim's type is 7 lin.

The description of quadricollis given by Horn (Fvev. Ten., p. 309)

reads as follows, in regard to the elytra: " Sculpture consisting of

punctures sometimes fine, at others rather coarse, rather densely but

irregularly placed and never muricate, never arranged in rows."

The introduced italics indicate that the author quoted has mistaken

some other species — probably that described below as estriatus —

for the true quadricollis.

It should also be stated that a very large series of gentilis which

I took at San Diego, shows quite clearly that this species should be

associated with quadricollis and vicinus, and is out of place in the

present arrangement.

Finally the species named vicinus by LeConte is distinct from

quadricollis in having much finer punctures, which are sparser and

much less asperate toward the sides, and also in several other char-

acters, among which may be mentioned the form of the prothorax, —

widest at anterior third in quadricollis and just before the middle

in vicinus, — the much longer posterior tarsi in the male of vicinus,

and the form of the penis which is very much more slender and

attenuate in quadricollis. Vicinus is peculiar to the Gila Valley of

Arizona, a region zoologically quite distinct from that inhabited by

(jiimlricolhs.

2 The species described by me as arcuatus (Cont. Col. N. A.,

p. 41) belongs near carbonarius, and is not at all similar to extri-

catus. It will be observed that in extricatus the elvtral punctures

are arranged in closely approximate and equally pronounced series,

giving a peculiar appearance to this species. Cognatus Hald. is

simply a specimen in which the punctures are finer, but the disposi-

tion of them is precisely the same and cognatus is truly a synonym.

In carbonarius the elytral punctures are arranged in widely (lis-

396 Coleopterological Notices.

tant and strongly pronounced rows, with a very few fine punctures

scattered along the intervals, — a radically different arrangement

which is reproduced in arcuatus. Debilis and arcuatus while

allied to carbonarius are easily distinguishable from it and from

each other ; they are, in fact, specificalty valid in every sense and

should be restored to the list.

3 The species longicollis and giganteus when normal have the

elytra smooth, polished and very minutely, sparsely punctate, the

punctures being distributed without order, but occasionally the elytra

have closely approximate series of large very shallow dents, which

are not true punctures, for on close examination the true punctures

are still seen to be distributed irregularly over the surface, some-

times accidentally coinciding with the shallow fovese, but generally

not. This is a remarkable character, probably affecting also the

allied estriatus described below, although in the specimens at hand

there is no indication of it.

E. porcatlis n. sp.— Body somewhat slender in the male, robust in the

female, shining, the pronotum very feebly alutaceous, black throughout,

moderately convex above, strongly so at the sides. Head moderate, somewhat

densely punctate, very coarsely so on the epistoma ; antennae long and rather

robust, the third joint about four times as long as wide and fully as long as

the next two together, fourth nearly twice as long as wide. Prothorax about

one-fourth wider than long, the apex just visibly narrower than the base, very

feebly emarginate in circular arc, the angles slightly obtuse, very narrowly

rounded ; base feebly, evenly arcuate ; sides more strongly arcuate before the

middle, thence moderately convergent and gradually feebly sinuate to the

basal angles, which are very obtuse but not distinctly rounded ; disk evenly

convex, finely, sparsely punctate, the punctures becoming rather coarse later-

ally but not very dense. Elytra about two and three-fourths times longer than

the prothorax and, in the middle, very slightly wider in the male and nearly

three-fourths wider in the female ; base broadly, feebly emarginate, as wide

as the contiguous base of the prothorax in the male but distinctly wider in

the female, the apex very strongly declivous, not at all produced, narrowly

rounded — viewed posteriorly — disk very deeply sulcate, the sulci finely, rather

sparsely and muricately punctate, the intervals equal in width to the sulci,

very convex, finely, sparsely punctate. Spurs of anterior tibiae slender and

pointed, unequal but more strongly so in the male. Length 18.0-19.0 mm. ;

width G.0-S.8 mm.

Arizona (Fort Apache).

The three specimens before me indicate a species belonging near

obsoletus, but not very closely allied to it. The size is very much

larger, the elytra more deeply sulcate, the sulci finely punctate and

Coleopterological Notices. 307

the intervals narrow and extremely convex ; in obsoletus the sulci

are always very coarsely punctate and the intervals wide and flatter.

Porcatus further differs in its prolonged and prominent prosternal

process, in its longer antennae and in its very much longer and more

robust tarsi.

E. Clineaticollis n. sp. — Rather slender in the male, robust in the

female, moderately convex, rather shining, the pronotum feebly alutaceous :

elytra coarsely rugulose. Head rather large, more than one-half as wide as

the prothorax, very coarsely, deeply and rather densely punctured ; antennae

short and robust, distinctly shorter than the head and prothorax, third joint

two and one-half times as long as wide, fully as long as the next two, fourth

but very slightly longer than the fifth. Prothorax from one-third to two-fifths

wider than long, the «apex nearly as wide as the base, broadly, very feebly

emarginate in circular arc, the apical angles slightly obtuse, very narrowly

rounded and not in the least prominent ; base subtruncate, the angles slightly

obtuse, not distinctly rounded but not noticeably prominent; sides strongly

arcuate anteriorly, conspicuously convergent and almost perfectly straight in

basal two-thirds ; disk widest at apical third, broadly convex above, strongly

convex and declivous at the sides, rather sparsely, coarsely and deeply punc-

tate, the punctures about twice as large and distant as those of humeralis.

Elytra distinctly less than twice as long as the prothorax and from one-fourth

to two-fifths wider than the latter, at base equal in width to the contiguous

base of the same, rather abruptly declivous and pointed at apex ; humeri

obtuse, not rounded, not in the least prominent ; disk rather depressed above,

gradually strongly convex and declivous toward the sides, very coarsely,

deeply and densely punctate, the punctures irregularly arranged without

trace of impressed stripe, not muricate but producing a strongly rugulose

appearance by mutual semi-coalescence. Legs short and somewhat robust :

spurs of anterior tibiae rather slender but extremely unequal, the anterior

more than twice as long as the posterior in the male, less unequal, the ante-

rior about one-third longer than the posterior, although much more robust and

obtusely pointed in the female. Length 14.0-15.0 mm. ; width 5.2-6.9 mm.

California (exact locality unknown).

This species belongs near humeralis but differs in four important

characters, viz : the much shorter and more robust antenna? and

legs, the unexposed humeri, the very much coarser and deeper

elvtral sculpture and coarser, sparser pronotal punctures,-and finally

the smaller and much less unequal spurs of the anterior tibiae in the

male, the larger spur in humeralis being nearly four times as long

as the smaller one. In considering this enormous disparity in size

of the spurs, attention is redirected to the conditions existing in

Gnaptor, alluded to in the introductory remarks to the present genus.

:•>'.

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I 'oh opterologioal Noil 890

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400 Coleopterological Notices.

line of still finer and extremely widely spaced punctures, which are generally

simple, hut which laterally toward apex become very coarse sparse asperities.

Total length 30.5 mm.; width 10.0 mm.

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

The single type is a male and represents a very distinct species,

combining' the characters of gracilis and lucse. The legs are long

and extremely slender, the anterior femur with a strong spiniform

tooth. The prothorax is almost as in gracilis, but is longer, while

in the male the elytra are prolonged by a caudal appendage which

is nearly one-fourth as long as* the elytra. From lucse it differs iu

its small dentiform and everted apical angles of the prothorax, and

more feeble apical emargiilation.

As a very singular character, it will be noted that it is the very

inconspicuous punctures of the intervals which become, toward the

sides of the apical portions,, the large strong and very conspicuous

asperities, the fine punctures of the regular series remaining almost

unmodified, but becoming slightly asperate very near the apex and

on the caudal prolongation.

E. slllJCylilldricUS n. sp.- — Form cylindrically convex, rather slender,

finely very strongly alutaceous and smooth throughout, black ; elytra casta-

neous. Head moderate, sparsely and rather finely punctate ; antennae rather

long and slender, about as long as the head and prothorax, third joint nearly

four times as long as wide. Prothorax subcylindrical, about one-fifth wider

than long, transversely moderately but very evenly convex throughout, longi-

tudinally very feebly convex ; apex very nearly as wide as the base, subtrun-

cate between the acute, very strongly advanced but not at all everted apical

angles ; base broadly, very feebly arcuate, the angles obtuse, not in the least

rounded, not at all prominent ; sides evenly and feebly arcuate throughout ;

disk very sparsely and extremely minutely punctate throughout. Elytra more

than three times as long as the prothorax and rather less than one-third wider ;

base very feebly emarginate, exactly equal in width to the contiguous base

of the pronotum ; apex narrowed rather gradually in apical third, acutely

rounded at tip ; sides feebly convergent and arcuate near the humeri, parallel

and almost perfectly straight thence to posterior third ; humeri very obtuse,

not rounded, not at all prominent ; disk with unimpressed distant rows of very

small, nearly simple punctures, the intervals with single rows of extremely

widely distant but almost similar punctures, the punctuation not denser

toward the sides. Legs long and very slender ; anterior femora with a small

but acute tooth slightly beyond apical third, the remaining femora simple but

with the groove of the lower edge fine, very deep and conspicuous, extending

almost to the base, with the cariniform edges finely, unevenly serrate ; tibiae

strongly arcuate, spurs of the anterior short, nearly equal and slender.

Length 21.0-23.0 mm. ; width 7.5-7.8 mm.

Coleopterological Notices. 401

Arizona (exact locality unknown). Mr. G. W. Dunn.

The two examples before me are almost perfectly similar in every

respect, but the peculiar coloration may nevertheless be clue to im-

maturity.

This species is totally distinct in general habitus from any other

which is known to inhabit the United States, and is not described

in the Biologia Centrali-Americana ; although far removed from

gracilis, it may be placed near it for the present.

E. pi'Oininens n. sp. — Form somewjiat as in dentipes, convex, smooth

and alutaceous throughout. Head moderate, finely, sparsely punctate, more

densely so toward the sides of the epistoma ; antennae short and very robust,

much shorter than the head and prothorax, third joint about twice as long as

wide and equal in length to the next two. Prothorax about one-sixth wider*

than long; apex and base subequal, the former broadly arcuate, sinuate later-

ally, the apical angles being acute, very prominent anteriorly and distinctly

everted ; base broadly, evenly, very feebly arcuate ; sides broadly arcuate

anteriorly, rather strongly convergent in basal half and strongly sinuate near

the basal angles, which are acute and prominent ; disk rather strongly convex

throughout, finely and sparsely punctate, strongly alutaceous, the side mar-

gins very minutely beaded. Scutellum strongly transverse, broadly rounded

behind, highly polished and impunctate. • Elytra at base broadly, feebly

emarginate and about as wide as the contiguous base of the prothorax, gradu-

ally narrowed and acute at apex ; sides evenly arcuate ; humeri obtuse but

not rounded, not prominent ; disk widest at the middle, where it is rather

more than one-third wider than the prothorax, feebly alutaceous, finely,

sparsely punctate, the punctures nearly simple, arranged in widely distant,

rather feebly defined, unimpressed rows, the intervals with a few widely dis-

tant and nearly similar punctures. Legs rather short and slender, the anterior

femora with a short obtuse tooth near outer third ; middle and hind femora

simple ; spurs of anterior tibiae moderate in length, slender, similar and very

nearly equal. Length 19.0 mm. ; width 7.8 mm.

California (San Luis Obispo Co.).

I obtained a single specimen of this very distinct form at Port

Harford. It belongs near dentipes but is more robust, the elytra

being shorter, the prothorax is, however, much narrower, the sides

being convergent and nearly straight from the middle. One of the

chief differences lies in the antennal structure, the third joint being

very much shorter ; in dentipes the antenna? are very nearly as long

as the entire head and prothorax and are much more slender.

E. elegans n. sp. — Moderately robust, strongly convex, strongly alutace-

ous, the elytra moderately shining ; integuments nearly smooth. Head mode-

rate, somewhat finely, sparsely punctate ; antennae rather short but slender,

402 Goleopterological Notices.

mil quite as long as the head and prothorax, third joint about two and one-half

times as long as wide, scarcely as long as the next two, fourth much longer

than the fifth. Prothorax nearly one-third wider than long, the apex a very

little narrower than the base, transversely truncate, the apical angles small

but acute, anteriorly prominent, dentiform and feebly everted; base very

feebly, evenly arcuate ; sides strongly, almost evenly arcuate throughout, the

basal angles very obtuse, not rounded but not in the least prominent ; disk

rather strongly convex throughout, widest just before the middle, somewhat

sparsely but deeply and rather coarsely punctate ; side margins very minutely

beaded. Elytra about tbree times as long as the prothorax, and at base, just

visibly wider than the base of the latter, gradually acute at apex, inflated,

widest in the middle where they are about three-fourths wider than the

prothorax ; sides evenly arcuate ; humeri obtuse but not rounded, not at all

prominent ; disk confusedly, finely creased, rather coarsely and distinctly

granulato-reticulate, very finely and sparsely punctate, the punctures nearly

simple throughout and not denser laterally, arranged in very feebly defined

unimpressed rows, approximate toward the suture, then widely distant, with

an uneven and sparser row along the middle of the intervals. Legs moderate

in length and very slender ; anterior femora not dentate but with a very broad

and obtttse rounded salient near the apex ; spurs of the anterior tibise very

slender and almost exactly equal. Length 13.0 mm. ; width ti.O mm.

California (Hoopa Valley, Humboldt Co.).

The unique type of this species is one of the most symmetrically

proportioned insects of the family. There is no described species

with which it can be compared, but for the present it may be placed

near dentipes.

E. l>riliiliil>es n. sp. — Rather robust, moderately convex, coarsely,

densely sculptured and dull, black ; legs dark brown throughout. Head

large, fully two-thirds as wide as the prothorax, coarsely, extremely densely

punctate and scabrous ; antennae longer than the head and prothorax, rather

slender, third joint about four times as long as wide. Prothorax scarcely one-

third wider than long; base and apex very nearly equal in width, subtrun-

cate ; apical angles obtuse, not distinctly rounded, not at all prominent ; basal

right, not rounded ; sides strongly angulate at the middle, thence very feebly

arcuate to the apex and broadly sinuate to the base ; disk moderately, evenly

convex throughout, very coarsely, deeply and confiuently punctate. Elytra

at base nearly one-third wider than the contiguous base of the prothorax,

very slightly more than twice as long as the latter, abruptby and obtusely

rounded behind when viewed vertically ; sides strongly arcuate behind, gradu-

ally convergent and straighter thence to the humeri, which are slightly obtuse

but scarcely at all rounded ; disk widest behind the middle, where it is from

one-third to two-fifths wider than the prothorax, feebly convex above, strongly

so laterally, coarsely, densely, asperately punctate, the asperities arranged

without trace or order. Legs moderate in length, somewhat slender. Length

9. '2-9. 5 mm. ; width 4.3-1.6 mm.

Coleopteroloyical Notices. 403

Idaho ; Wyoming.

One of the smallest species of the genus and quite isolated ; it is

somewhat allied to pimelioides although very much smaller. In

pimelioides the sides of the prothorax are arcuate, and only sinuate

for a short distance before the basal angles, and the sculpture of the

elytra consists of rounded flattened tubercles which are generally

arranged in very distinctly traceable approximate rows; the legs

are black and the head very much smaller when compared with the

prothorax, which is much more transverse; the humeri are broadly

rounded. The species described by LeConte as viator does not

differ from pimelioides, the type being perfectly identical with the

ordinary males of that species.

EMBAPHIOX Say.

E. lamiliatum n. sp. — Moderately robust, the male more slender, black

and dull throughout. Head small, very finely, sparsely and subasperately

punctate ; antennae slender, third joint from four to nearly five times as long

as wide, eighth one-half longer than wide. Prothorax about one-half wider

than long, the median portion very feebly convex, fully as long as wide, and

having two feeble, subparallel and sinuous impressions near the middle of the

disk ; side margins very widely and strongly reflexed, the outer edges parallel,

strongly and evenly arcuate throughout, the basal angles broadly rounded and

projecting beyond the transverse median portion of the base ; apex strongly

emarginate, the emargination not quite three times as wide as deep ; surface

throughout finely, extremely sparsely and subasperately punctate. Elytra

from one-half to four-fifths longer than wide, at base transversely truncate,

the sides very thin and broadly but not abruptly reflexed, the acute lateral

edges parallel and feebly arcuate in basal two-thirds, then rounded to the

apex and slightly prolonged, uniting in a prolongation of the suture ; humeri

rounded ; disk distinctly wider than the prothorax, each elytron broadly con-

cave, the suture elevated ; surface with approximate, imperfectly defined and

feebly impressed rows of rather coarse, impressed punctures, also finely and

sparsely asperate. Inflexed sides of the elytra nearly flat, somewhat coarsely

and sparsely but unevenly punctate, the epipleurre very imperfectly defined

except near the apex. Legs very slender. Length 14.0-15.0 mm. ; width

(j.8-7.5 mm.

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

The elytral punctures referred to in the description are merely

impressed fovea?, and do not appear to be in the least setigerous;

the finer but strong and sparse asperities are distributed over the

surface without regard to the punctures, and each bears a strong

thick semi-erect seta — see third remark under Eleodes.

Annals N. Y. Acad. Sci., V, Nov. 1890.— 27

404 Coleopterological Notices.

This species is related only to contusum Lee, but differs greatly

in the upper surface of the elytra. In contusum the elytra are

nearly flat, sometimes feebly and transversely convex, the side

margins being very narrowly but abruptly reflexed, while in lami-

nation the upper surface is broadly, strongly concave throughout,

the concavity of the general surface extending unbroken to the

extreme edges; the etytral suture is however distinctly elevated, so

that it might be more proper to say that each elytron is concave ;

the humeral portion of the side margins is as usual a little more

strongly reflexed. The prothorax and the conformation of the

posterior angles are almost exactly as in contusum, except that the

sides are more widely reflexed. In contu&um the pronotum is fully

twice as densely asperate.

EULABIS Esch.

The species of this genus are not closely allied among themselves

and may be easily identified from the original descriptions; the

following species is, however, somewhat similar in appearance to

rujipes although twice as large.

E. ci'itssicoruis n. sp. — Oblong-elongate, not pubescent, moderately

convex, dull, very dark rufo-piceous throughout, the legs just visibly paler.

Head moderate, about one-half as wide as the prothorax ; upper surface flat,

rather finely, extremely densely, confluently punctate throughout and dull ;

sides not perceptibly reflexed, the eyes rather depressed ; antennae not quite

as long as the bead and prothorax, very robust, strongly compressed and

incrassate toward apex, second joint much shorter and narrower than tbe

fifth, Prothorax about one-third wider than long ; apex but very slightly

narrower than the base, subtruncate, tbe apical angles narrowly rounded and

slightly prominent anteriorly; base truncate, very broadly, feebly sinuate

toward t lie basal angles which are not at all rounded and generally minutely

prominent, the sides being sinuate for a short distance before them; sides

strongly, evenly arcuate; disk feebly convex, rather depressed toward the

very finely reflexed side margins, somewhat coarsely, very deeply and densely

punctate, the punctures longitudinally coalescent. Scutellum not entering

the elytral disk. Elytra scarcely more than twice as long as the prothorax

and but just visibly wider than the latter, otherwise very nearly as in rujipes.

Abdomen densely very coarsely and deeply punctate, the setae rather long and

distinct. Length 7.0-7.8 mm. ; width 3.1-3.3 mm.

California (southern).

The lnentum is wider than long, trilobed at apex, the lateral

lobes acute and anteriorly prominent ; the surface is deeply biim-

Coleopterological Notices. 405

pressed, the two fovea; separated by a strong thick and tumid carina

which becomes much less prominent toward base ; this is also very

nearly the form in rxtfipes.

This species differs from rvfipes in antennal structure and in its

larger size, more robust and depressed form, more transverse pro-

thorax, much longer and more conspicuous abdominal seta; and in

the structure of the penis; the latter in rufipes is very slender,

perfectly flat throughout and gradually acuminate, while in crassi-

cornis it is more robust and has a transverse tumid elevation on

the upper side at the apex. The second antennal joint in rufipes

is as long as the fifth and very nearly as wide in both sexes

AIK.OI'OIMS Horn.

The species found within the limits of the United States may be

separated as follows : —

Elytra sulcate ; posterior femora of the male with a large acute tooth, the

edges of which are finely denticulate COStipenilis

Elytra not sulcate, having very feebly impressed rows of deep perforate punc-

tures.

Upper surface finely, strongly alutaceous ; posterior femora of the male with

a large bifid tooth, the edges of which are finely denticulate.

altitacea

Upper surface polished.

Head sparsely punctate, the epistoma strongly, transversely convex or

tumid; hind femora of the male with two small, acute and exactly

equal teeth which are widely separated, the intervening edge straight.

tricolor

Head densely punctate; epistoma flat; hind femora of the male with

three equidistant teeth, the one nearest the base long, slender, very

abrupt, the other two equal and very small llitida.

The species here described under the name alutacea, has been

confounded by Horn (Rev. Ten., p. 325) and Champion (Biol.

Cent.-Amer., Col., IV, i, p. 94) with bicolor Lee. On the plate

figures are given of the posterior femur of all the species included

in the table, and that of bicolor has been drawn directly from the

original type in the cabinet of LeConte; this type corresponds

exactly with a large series in my own cabinet, collected near the

Mojave Desert, and I have never seen a specimen of bicolor which

was taken beyond the confines of California.

40G Coleopterological Notices.

A. allltacea n. sp. — Body black throughout, smooth, dull, parallel,

lately convex; elytra rather depressed toward the suture; legs dark

rufous ; antennae piteous. Head nearly as long as wide, flattened above, the

sides before the eyes convergent and broadly reflexed ; surface finely, rather

sparsely punctate, the punctures coarser toward the eyes ; epistoma very

feebly, longitudinally convex ; antenna? slightly longer than the prothorax,

moderately robust but strongly incrassate toward tip. Prothorax always fully

as long as, and sometimes slightly longer than wide ; apex and base subequal,

the former truncate, the latter broadly, feebly emarginate, the basal angles

acute and prominent posteriorly ; sides distinctly convergent behind in basal

two-thirds and feebly arcuate ; disk extremely minutely but rather densely

punctate. Elytra about twice as long as the prothorax and, near the middle,

just perceptibly wider ; humeri finely but acutely dentate, the basal margin

being strongly tumid throughout, sides feebly arcuate, disk with almost com-

pletely unimpressed rows of coarse perforate punctures, the latter generally

separated by fully twice their own diameters ; "intervals flat, the first and third

slightly elevated near the apex, extremely minutely and rather sparsely punc-

tate. Legs very robust. Length 12.5-15.0 mm. ; width 4.0-5.0 mm.

Arizona. Mr. Morrison.

The first ventral segment is strongly and transversely tuberculate

in the middle in the male. This species is larger, blacker, duller

and more densely punctate than bicolor.

A. llitida n. sp. — Subparallel, moderately convex, polished, dark rufo-

castaneous, the legs and antennae nearly concolorous. Head finely, very

densely punctate throughout, the sides broadly reflexed ; epistoma extremely

feebly, transversely convex ; antenna? short, scarcely longer than the protho-

rax, moderately robust, incrassate toward apex. Prothorax as wide as long :

apex truncate ; base feebly emarginate, the basal angles slightly prominent

posteriorly ; sides broadly arcuate, more convergent and gradually very feebly

sinuate toward the basal angles ; disk very minutely, rather sparsely punctate,

the punctures a little larger and denser toward the sides. Elytra elongate-

oval, gradually narrowed behind and rather strongly rounded at apex, dis-

tinctly more than twice as long as the prothorax and scarcely perceptibly wider ;

sides very distinctly arcuate; humeri finely denticulate; disk with feebly

impressed rows of very coarse, deep, perforate punctures; intervals flat, the

first and third strongly elevated near the apex, extremely minutely, rather

sparsely punctate throughout. Legs rather slender. Middle of the first ven-

tral segment tuberculate in the male. Length 11.5 mm. ; width 3.7 mm.

Texas (probably near El Paso). Mr. Gr. W. Dunn.

The single specimen represents a species resembling bicolor' some-

what in general habitus, but differing in its longer and much more

densely punctate head, more convex elytra! intervals near the apex

and several other characters.

Coleopterological Notices. 407

CRATIDUS Lee.

The three species of this genus may be distinguished as follows : —

Posterior angles of the prothorax acute and prominent.

Pubescence pale tawny yellow oscula ns

Pubescence piceous-black f tiscipilosus

Posterior angles rounded rotlllldicollis

C. fliscipilosus n. sp. — Form robust, convex, shining, very densely

clothed throughout with fine, long, erect, brown-black hairs. Head moderate,

densely and rather coarsely punctate ; antennas rather long and robust, but

very feebly incrassate toward apex, third joint fully three times as long as

wide. Prothorax from two-fifths to one-half wider than long, convex, strongly

rounded at the sides, which are very strongly convergent near the base and

sinuate for a very short distance before the basal angles the latter being very

small but acute and prominent ; apical angles prominent acute dentiform and

everted ; surface coarsely, very deeply and densely punctate. Elytra about

two and one-half times as long as the prothorax, oval, obtusely rounded at

apex from above, convex, somewhat finely but densely and very deeply punc-

tate, with imperfectly defined, unimpressed rows of similar but coarser punc-

tures. Legs short and robust, clothed with similar long, dark pubescence.

Length 14.0-16.0 mm.; width 7.2-8.3 mm.

Southern California.

The pubescence is nearly similar in color to that of Amphidora

nigropilosa, but while in G. f tiscipilosus the hairs are all alike, the

pubescence is dual in composition in the species referred to, there

being a system of long blackish hairs which are erect, and another

system of shorter, more appressed and paler ones.

This species belongs near osculans, but differs not onty in the

color of the pubescence, which is quite constant throughout the

series of four specimens before me, but in its greater density, also

in the much more robust and compact form of the body, the pro-

thorax being shorter, more transverse and more nearly equal in

width to the elytra.

The hind tibia? of the male have a strongly developed acute

oblique tooth near apical third as in osculans.

IPHTHIMUS Truqui.

Our western forms, allied to serratus, may be distinguished as

follows : —

Punctures of the elytral intervals coarse and deep.

Pronotum coarsely, very densely punctate throughout, the punctures gener-

ally subcontinent toward the sides, general surface lustre opaque.

serratus

408 Coleopterological Notices.

Pronotum finely, sparsely punctate toward the middle, more coarsely and

densely so laterally; surface somewhat shining; prothorax larger and

longer; form of body more elongate SUlilaevis

Punctures of the pronotum and elytral intervals exceedingly minute, sparse.

Elytra normal, coarsely, deeply striate, the strife with very coarse, impressed

and uneven punctures; intervals convex lewisi

Elytra abruptly declivous near the base, without impressed strije, but with

series of very fine, widely but unevenly spaced punctures, the intervals

flat laevissimus

These four forms are specifically distinct, there being no known

intergrad.es; lewisi in fact differs more radically from sublsevis

than the latter does from the European croaticus.

I. laevissimilS n. sp. — Robust, subparallel, rather strongly convex^

smooth and finely alutaceous, the pronotum rather more shining than the

elytra. Head rather longer than wide, somewhat coarsely but sparsely punc-

tate ; antenna? very robust. Prothorax about one-half wider than long, the

apex truncate and very distinctly narrower than the base, the latter trans-

verse and broadly, feebly bisinuate ; basal angles acute and prominent ; sides

parallel and strongly arcuate in apical two-thirds, then strongly convergent

and sinuate to the base, very coarsely and unevenly crenulate ; disk rather

strongly convex, declivous toward the sides which are very narrowly reflexed,

very sparsely and minutely punctate, more coarsely but scarcely more densely

so very near the sides. Elytra just visibly wider behind, two thirds longer

than wide, gradually narrowed and pointed through apical third, about three

and one-half times longer and nearly one-third wider than the prothorax ;

humeri rounded ; disk abruptly declivous from a short distance behind the

base to the basal margin, very smooth but alutaceous, the stria? feebly indica-

ted by very fine and nearly obsolete longitudinal creases. Length 23.5 mm. ;

width 9.3 mm.

California (Sierras). Mr. W. G. W. Harford.

This is one of the largest species known to me, and is very dis-

tinct from lewisi in its much more robust form, more transverse

prothorax, declivous base of the elytra and unimpressed stria?.

The two species Isevissimus and leivisi are further distinguished

from serratns and sublsevis by the somewhat longer head, less

widely flattened and explanate sides of the pronotum and truncate

apex, the apex of the prothorax being relatively wider and broadly,

feebly sinuate in the latter of the two groups.

Blapstini.

The characters originally employed by LeConte and subsequently

followed by Horn in the classification of our genera of Blapstini,

do not seem to be sufficiently concise or decisive to distinguish the

Coleopterological Notices. 409

genera in a satisfactory manner. The form of the intercoxal pro-

jection of the abdomen, for example, varies so little throughout the

group that mistakes are absolutely unavoidable in attempting an

identification from the form of this process. The characters bor-

rowed from the general form of the antennae are also unsatisfactory.

The group is essentially American, there being to my knowledge

but a single pakearctic genus which can be included ; this genus —

Cabirus Muls., — comprises a very few small species, apparently

confined to Asiatic Turkey and the neighboring regions.

The following study has been carefully made with the hope that

these obscure and neglected little insects may be thereby some-

what better understood. They are in no wise difficult to identify,

except in certain parts of the very large genus Blapstinus, the

species being unusually clearly defined and constant for the Tene-

brionidae, where the great specific variation in outward form is so

familiar to us in Eleodes.

The genera are very readily separable into two distinct sections

as follows : —

I. — Body always winged, the wings sometimes very rudimentary ; scutellum

normal, triangular, distinctly separating the elytra at base, and having a wide

polished impunctate and generally semi-coriaceous border ; anterior tarsi of

the male usually dilated.

Anterior tibiae bent, more strongly so in the male ; pubescence dual in

structure Tricliotoii

Anterior tibia? straight ; pubescence simple.

Base of the prothorax Insinuate and as wide as the base of the elytra.

Anterior tibia? externally produced at apex in a dentiform process :

prothorax and elytra fimbriate at the sides Ulus

Anterior tibiae not externally produced at apex ; sides not fimbriate.

Blapstinus

Base of the prothorax straight, narrower than the base of the elytra.

Mecysmus

II. — Body completely apterous ; scutellum very short and broad, usually

not entering the disk of the elytra ; anterior tarsi never dilated in the male.

Maxillary palpi normal, the fourth joint strongly securiform.

Prothorax not fimbriate at the sides Conibilis

Prothorax fimbriate at the sides with robust posteriorly recumbent and

contiguous seta?, forming a narrow dense border.

Anterior tibia? narrow, normal Con ibiosoma

Anterior tibia? broadly triangular and compressed Yotibilis

Maxillary palpi with the fourth joint very broadly oval, broadly truncate

and having an unusual development of spongy white membrane in the

apical cavity ; base of the pronotum straight ; scutellum nearly as in

Blapstinus Cybotns

410 Coleopte?'ological Notices.

TRICIIOTOX Hope.

On reading- the description given by Champion of the species T.

lapidicola and T. curvipes, there is very little reason for doubting

that our Blapstinus sordidus should also be referred to the same

genus. In T. sordidum the eyes are completely divided ; the genus

therefore belongs to the Blapstini and in no wise to the Opatrini,

where it was placed by Lacordaire.

Trichoton is very closely allied to Blapstinus, resembling it in

nearly all details of structure, but departs widely therefrom in the

form of the anterior tibiae and in the nature of the vestiture. The

latter is of dual structure, consisting of finer, but still rather short

coarse and recumbent hairs, and longer erect and very robust bris-

tles, irregularly scattered in clusters on the elytra; these bristles

are very peculiar, as will appear below. The eleventh joint of the

antennas also differs in form.

T. so I'd id ll ill Lee. — Blapstinus sord. : Ann. Lye. N. Y., V, p. 146. —

Oblong-oval, moderately convex ; integuments somewhat shining, piceous,

hut almost completely concealed hy the very dense ochreous-yellow vestiture,

which on the elytra is finely and confusedly mottled with patches of dark

brown bristles ; legs and antennae rufo-piceous. Head strongly transverse,

strongly rounded throughout anteriorly, the epistoma deeply sinuate in the

middle, somewhat finely but very deeply and densely punctate ; upper lobe

of eyes rather large, rounded ; antenna? robust, a little shorter than the head

and prothorax, somewhat feebly incrassate toward apex, third joint more than

twice as long as wide but distinctly shorter than the next two together,

eleventh fully as wide as the tenth, rather longer than wide, ovate, obliquely

pointed at apex. Prothorax fully twice as wide as the head and about twice

as wide as long ; apex very much narrower than the base, very deeply emar-

ginate, the angles right, not at all rounded and anteriorly prominent ; hase

transverse, the lateral sinuations wide and very deep ; basal angles nearly

similar to the apical, very slightly acute ; sides strongly and evenly arcuate

throughout ; disk widest a little before the base, very broadly and abruptly

explanate at the sides throughout the length, rather finely but very deeply

and densely punctate throughout, the coarse bristles and coarse recumbent

hairs almost evenly intermingled, the latter condensed in two small discal

spots. Scutellum triangular, distinct, densely pubescent, the smooth border

very narrow. Elytra behind the middle very slightly wider than the protho-

rax, nearly three times as long ; sides almost straight toward base, arcuate

behind; apex rather narrowly rounded; disk with rather fine, moderately

impressed strise which are closely and not very coarsely punctate ; intervals

wide, alternately more strongly although moderately convex beginning with

the third interval, very obscurely but rather densely punctate, each puncture

Coleopterological Notices. 411

tilled by the hair. Abdomen densely pubescent, with a denser patch at the side

of each segment.

Male. — Anterior tibise strongly, inwardly bent near apical third, the inner

outline being obtusely and angularly emarginate, the outer strongly, evenly

arcuate toward apex ; intermediate tibise with a small internal notch near the

apex; anterior tarsi just visibly wider; abdomen broadly, very feebly im-

pressed in the middle toward base.

Length 6.6-7.7 mm. ; width 3.5-4.2 mm.

Arizona.

The anterior and middle tarsi in both male and female are densely

clothed beneath with long fine hair, which however is a little coarser

in the female; in both sexes the hind tarsi are coarsely spinose

beneath. In the female the anterior tibise are feebly bent in apical

third, the inner line being- broadly sinuate; the entire tibia, how-

ever, is rather more robust than in the male.

The coarse bristles of the dorsal surface, to which allusion has

been made, are of extraordinaiw form, being triangular in trans-

verse section; they are equal in thickness throughout the length,

and the apex is transversely truncate.

The punctures of the elytral striae are very obscure unless the

specimen be rubbed, as in nature the integuments are covered with

a dull exudation.

This species is not at all rare but appears to be rather local, being

confined to the Gila Valley and the higher regions to the eastward

in southern Arizona.

ULIIS Horn.

In this genus the form is more robust and elliptical than in

Trichoton, and the presence of well-marked fimbriae at the sides of

the pronotum and elytra, together with the very dense, coarse and

conspicuous pubescence, gives the species a peculiar habitus. The

fimbriae are but rudimentarily developed in Trichoton and completely

wanting in Blapstinus.

The sexual characters are very feeble, the anterior tarsi being the

only part which is noticeably modified in the male, and even here

the dilatation is so excessively slight as to almost elude detection.

The males are much less abundant than the females and are gener-

ally a very little less robust.

The species burrowr in loose sand or mud, the enlarged apex of

the anterior tibiae being well suited for this purpose. They are

412 Coleoplerological Notices.

probably more abundant than hitherto supposed, their secluded

habits and, in many cases at least, rather restricted habitat, render-

ing it probable that several additional ones will be discovered by

future collectors. The five species before me may be thus distin-

guished : —

Elytral intervals equal in convexity throughout.

Lateral fimbria? of the prothorax rather long and very dense, conspicuous ;

eyes smaller, the upper lobes separated by from six to seven times their

own width.

Elytral stria? rather strongly impressed, the intervals distinctly convex.

obliqmis

Elytral striae scarcely at all impressed, the intervals Hut... fimbria tils

Lateral fimbriae very inconspicuous, composed of very short and not very

close-set setae ; eyes larger, separated by from four to five times their

own width.

Strongly convex, moderately elongate and more broadly, evenly elliptical.

maritimus

Moderately convex, elongate and oblong-oval ; size larger.

elongatulus

Alternate intervals of the elytra wider, more convex and more densely pubes-

cent ; intervals throughout much more densely rugulose and punctate ; form

more oblong and parallel crasstlS

U. obliqilUS Lee. — Blapstinus o!>!iq. : New Species Col., 186(5, p. 117. —

Elliptical, strongly convex, piceous throughout ; legs and antennae concolorous :

integuments shining, the pubescence rather short and coarse, moderately

dense, evenly distributed, pale flavate and conspicuous. Head moderately

transverse, very densely, deeply punctate ; sides very feebly convergent ante-

riorly from the narrowly rounded basal angles ; epistoma strongly sinuate ;

upper lobe of eyes moderate, longer than wide ; antennae in length subequal

to the prothorax, rather slender, last three joints very slightly wider, third

more than twice as long as wide, much shorter than the next two, eleventh

wider than long, narrowly truncate at apex, fully as wide as the tenth. Pro-

thorax twice as wide as the head and very nearly twice as wide as long; apex

scarcely three-fourths as wide as the base, rather strongly emarginate in

circular arc, the angles not notably rounded ; base transverse, broadly, feebly

sinuate in lateral third ; basal angles right, not rounded ; sides evenly and

very feebly arcuate throughout ; disk widest at base, rather finely, deeply ami

densely punctate throughout, the punctures generally separated by from once

to twice their own diameters. Scutellmn polished. Elytra in the middle

distinctly wider than the prothorax, about three times as long ; sides evenly

arcuate, continuous with those of the prothorax ; disk rather coarsely striate,

the striae distinctly and rather strongly impressed, approximately and some-

what coarsely punctured ; intervals feebly evenly and equally convex through-

out the width, equally punctate and pubescent, the punctures rather coarse

Coleopterological Notices. 413

and sparse, the interspaces shining. Abdomen rather coarsely and sparsely

punctate, the pubescence fine, rather long, pale and distinct. Legs lung.

Male. — Unknown.

Length 7.7 ram. ; width 4.1 mm.

Lower California (Cape San Lucas). Cab. LeConte.

The type is unique and is probably a female. It is the largest

species of the genus which I have been able to study.

U. fimbria tus n. sp. — Elliptical, strongly convex and shining, piceous

throughout ; pubescence short and very robust, moderately dense, pale luteous

and conspicuous. Head strongly transverse, feebly convex, somewhat coarsely

and not very densely punctate ; epistoma very deeply sinuate ; upper lobe of

eyes moderate ; antennae slender, nearly as in obliquus but much longer than

the prothorax. Proihorax more than twice as wide as long ; apex three-fourths

as wide as the base, rather strongly emarginate in circular arc ; base broadly,

feebly arcuate in the middle, very slightly sinuate laterally, the basal angles

not projecting as far behind as the median lobe ; sides evenly and distinctly

arcuate ; disk rather coarsely and deeply, somewhat unevenly and sparsely

punctate, the punctures denser toward the sides, but not contiguous. Scutel-

lum broadly triangular, polished, almost completely impunctate and glabrous.

Elytra in the middle slightly wider than the prothorax, rather more than three

times as long ; sides evenly arcuate ; disk with unimpressed rows of rather

small but deep, perforate and very distinct punctures which are circular and

closely placed ; intervals wide, flat, equally punctate and pubescent through-

out the width, the punctures very fine and sparse, the interspaces strongly

shining, not distinctly rngulose. Abdomen somewhat coarsely and sparsely

punctate, the pubescence moderate in length, coarse, pale and distinct. Leys

long.

Male. — Anterior tarsi extremely feebly but noticeably dilated, and having

beneath a narrow line of coarse fiavate squamules ; intermediate robust, the

second and third joints each with an extremely narrow tuft of squamules

beneath ; abdomen with a very small area near the base which is just visibly

flattened.

Length 5.7—6.5 mm. ; width 2.9-3.4 mm.

Texas (El Paso).

I took a single representative of this species at the indicated

locality, and subsequently received a large series collected there by

Mr. Dunn. Fimbinatus is somewhat allied to obliquus but differs

in its smaller size, shorter and more transverse head and prothorax

with less oblique sides of the latter, rather larger eyes, shorter and

coarser vestiture, unimpressed and more finely punctured elytra!

stria? and flat intervals. The surface also seems to be more highly

polished. The elytral striae become feebly impressed toward the

sides, but the intervals remain flat.

414 Coleopterological Notices.

U. ma ri t iimis n. sp. — Elliptical, rather strongly convex, piceous

throughout, polished ; pubescence short, very coarse, recumbent, rather

sparse but pale flavate and conspicuous. Head much wider than long, feebly

convex, rather finely and sparsely punctate; epistoma strongly sinuate;

upper lobes of eye large, separated by scarcely four times their own width,

circular ; antennae slender but strongly compressed and dilated toward apex,

distinctly shorter than the head and prothorax, third joint slender, nearly

twice as long as wide and but slightly longer than the fourth, eleventh fully

as wide as the tenth and much longer, slightly wider than long, the apex

obtusely and rather obliquely rounded. Prothorax twice as wide as long ;

apex about four-fifths as wide as the base, broadly, deeply emarginate ; base

broadly, rather strongly arcuate in the middle, the lobe extending posteriorly

distinctly beyond the basal angles, broadly sinuate laterally ; basal angles

slightly acute, not at all rounded ; sides evenly, strongly arcuate throughout,

very feebly convergent anteriorly in basal half; disk somewhat coarsely and

sparsely punctate. Scutellum polished, with a few minute widely scattered

punctures toward base. Elytra in the middle slightly wider than the protho-

rax, more than three times as long ; sides evenly arcuate ; apex acute ; disk

with extremely feebly impressed series of coarse deep perforate punctures,

which are generally separated by nearly twice their own diameters ; intervals

flat, smooth, polished, minutely and sparsely punctate, equally pubescent

throughout. Abdomen, sparsely punctate, the punctures deep, gradually very

coarse and denser toward base ; pubescence short, sparse, pale and very stout.

Male. — Anterior tarsi robust but not distinctly dilated, with very small

narrow tufts of fine yellow pubescence beneath, the basal joint very obsoletely

tutted ; intermediate tarsi and abdomen not modified.

Length 4.9-5.7 mm. ; width 2.5-2.9 mm.

Texas ; Florida.

This species is similar in form to fimbriatus, but differs in its

smaller size, coarser and more distant strial punctures, larger eyes,

shorter pronotal fimbria? and many other characters ; it is peculiar

to the sand dunes which line the ocean beaches, and I have taken it

in considerable abundance at Galveston. The sexual modifications

of the male are extremely feeble.

U. elongatulUS n. sp.— Elongate-elliptical, very moderately convex,

piceous-black throughout, rather shining ; pubescence short, robust, moder-

ately dense, pale ochreous-rlavate and conspicuous. Head strongly transverse,

rather coarsely deeply and densely punctate, the punctures distinctly sepa-

rated ; epistoma deeply sinuate ; upper lobes of eye moderately large, separated

by fully five times their width ; antenna? slender toward base, strongly dilated

toward apex, third joint slender, more than twice as long as wide, joints three

to five uniformly and somewhat rapidly decreasing in length, eleventh fully

as wide as the tenth, nearly as long as wide, narrowly and squarely truncate

at apex. Prothorax a little more than twice as wide as long; apex rather

Coleopterological Notices. 415

deeply emarginate, three-fourths as wide as the base, the latter broadly lobed.

in the middle, feebly sinuate laterally, the basal angles not as prominent as

the median lobe ; sides rather strongly, evenly arcuate ; disk rather coarsely

and densely punctate throughout. Scutellum highly polished. Elytra but

very slightly wider than the prothorax and much more than three times as

long ; sides very feebly arcuate ; apex acutely rounded ; disk with coarse

shallowly excavated grooves, which are coarsely deeply and perforately punc-

tured, the punctures generally separated by less than their own diameters ;

intervals equal, very feebly convex, rather linely, not very sparsely punctate.

Abdomen sparsely but rather coarsely punctate, especially toward base, the

pubescence rather fine, short and sparse.

Male. — Anterior tarsi robust but scarcely at all dilated, the first joint not

tufted beneath, second with a single small tuft of fine yellowish pubescence,

third with two similar tufts arranged transversely ; intermediate tarsi not

modified.

Length 5.6-6.3 mm. ; width 2.7-3.1 mm.

Texas.

A considerable series of this distinct species is before me, collected

at various points in Texas, and among them are several examples

taken at Columbus by Mr. Schwarz. Most of the specimens are

covered more or less thoroughly with a dense indurated mass of

argillaceous material, which from its appearance is undoubtedly the

all-pervading adobe mud, so characteristic of the southwest. Its

habits are therefore somewhat different from those of the majority

of species, which seem to prefer clean loose sand.

Elongatulus cannot readily be confounded with any other species

here described.

IT. CI'asSMS Lee. — Blapsthius eras. : Ann. Lye. N. Y., V, p. 146. — Oblong-

oval, moderately convex, dark brown to piceous, feebly shining; pubescence

short, robust and dense, conspicuous. Head moderately transverse, densely

punctate ; epistoma broadly, deeply sinuate ; upper lobe of eyes rather small ;

antennae slender toward base, very moderately robust toward the apex, third

joint slender but shorter than the next two, tenth scarcely more than one-

third wider than long, eleventh fully as wide as the tenth, as long as wide,

narrowly truncate. Prothorax a little more than twice as wide as long ; apex

broadly, moderately emarginate in circular arc; base broadly, feebly lobed

and more produced in the middle than at the basal angles, broadly, very feebly

sinuate laterally ; sides rather strongly arcuate anteriorly, nearly parallel in

basal two-thirds ; disk rather finely and very densely punctate throughout,

the punctures generally distinctly crowded and in mutual contact. Scutellum

polished. Elytra just visibly wider than the prothorax and not more than

three times as long ; apex rather acute ; disk with moderate, rather distinctly

impressed strise, which are not very coarsely but very closely punctate ;

intervals alternately narrower and fiat, and wider and feebly but distinctly

416 Coleopterological Notices.

convex, finely, densely rugulose and punctate throughout, the punctures and

pubescence denser on the more convex intervals. Abdomen somewhat densely

punctate, the punctures not greatly coarser toward base, the pubescence un-

usually long, dense and conspicuous.

Malt:. — Sexual characters nearly as in elongatulus.

Length G.0-G.5 rum. ; width 2.8-3.3 ram.

California; Arizona.

It is stated by Horn (Rev. Ten., p. 358) that this species occurs

near San Francisco ; LeConte gives San Diego as the locality in

his original description. I have never seen it from the former

locality, but have specimens from Arizona. I think, therefore, that

the species probably belongs exclusively to the San Diego fauna.

The species is quite distinct from any other here described in its

more oblong form, more parallel sides of the prothorax, and more

densely punctate, pubescent and rugulose elytral intervals, which

are alternately wider and more convex.

BLAPSTIUFITS Latr.

This is a rather large and somewhat composite genus, the chief

characters, subject to variations which in their several stages may

be regarded as of specific value, being the following, omitting for

the present any discussion of the minor characters, such as general

sculpture, punctuation, outline, magnitude of the eyes or structure

of the antenna, which can be well understood by inspecting the

table of species given below.

1 — In regard to the hind wings it should be stated that the usual

idea, probably originating with Lacordaire, that some of the species

are apterous, is erroneous, all of our species being winged. The

wings are, however, extremely varied in development, sometimes

consisting of a mere slender cellular or membranous plate, less than

one-half as long as the prothorax, and in other cases being fully as

long as the elytra, with every intermediate form. In no case do

they seem to be large enough, however, to give more than a labored

and feeble flight.

In the investigation of a genus such as Blapstinus, which becomes

in some parts very monotonous in the uniformity of specific type,

it is fortunate that we have so diversified an auxiliary character as

that afforded by the wings, and, as the individuals are generally

numerous, one at least can be spared for dissection in many doubt-

ful cases. In employing this character, however, it is undoubtedly

Coleopterological Notices. 417

necessary to allow a more or less extended latitude for variation

in the size of the wing, especially in the more rudimentary forms,

where complete inutility probably prevents the operation of any of

the laws of natural selection, which act so powerfully to maintain or

perfect the standard in those organs which, by reason of constant

utility, are continually brought under their influence. The present,

however, is perhaps not the best occasion to discuss the propriety

of using differential characters relating to rudimentary organs ; it is

a subject requiring far wider study than I have been able to give it,

and it can only be said that any truth which the preceding hypo-

thesis may involve, has been guarded against by giving more weight

to the general shape of the wing than to size, unless the latter should

exhibit very decided divergence.

2 — The vestiture varies conspicuously, but is always uniform in

structure. It may consist of suberect scales as in sulcatus, or of

hairs, more or less coarse or fine and generally subrecumbent, as in

the majority of species; I have allowed considerable weight as an

auxiliary character to decided differences in size, color and length

of the hairs. ,

The vestiture of insects is too often confounded with, or con-

sidered analogous to the hairy covering of vertebrate animals, and

knowing to how great an extent the latter may vary, depending

upon climatic conditions of environment, we are sometimes too

hasty in concluding that the former must vary in the same way;

this is, however, not the case, as a little thought will at once

demonstrate.

The hairy coat of the vertebrates, growing from a soft and sensi-

tive skin, is designed primarily as a protection from the vicissitudes

of the weather, or to retain the heat which would otherwise be

dissipated, to regulate the rapidity of evaporation, and to perform

other analogous functions depending upon the fact that vertebrates

are warm-blooded, internal-skeletoned animals.

In the articulates, — cold-blooded, external-skeletoned animals, —

the conditions are altogether different, and the vestiture, which in a

large proportion, for example of the Coleoptera, constitutes one of

the most diversified and wonderful characteristics of the organism,1

1 The vestiture is often extremely complicated. In Sitona, for example, it

is quadruplex, each of the four separate constituents probably having its own

sphere of utility. First there is a ground covering of wide rounded strigose

scales, generally densely placed, secondly a system of short robust piceous

418 Coleopterological Notices.

subserves a different purpose and is not apparently subject to change

from any of those conditions which affect the hirsute covering of

the warm-blooded animals. This is true at any rate of those hairs

which are termed tactile and which are very plainly of functional

value, but may possibly not apply so rigidly to other forms of

vestiture which, for want of any other name, we call ornamental ;

the degree of structural variation even in these hairs or scales is,

however, comparatively slight as far as my experience has led me.

It is highly probable that this ordinary or ornamental pubescence

in insects is simply a degenerative modification of hairs, which in

their original state were tactile and sensory, but which have become

functionless through disuse and at the same time more or less changed

in structure.

3 — Another variable function is the degree of dilatation of the

anterior and intermediate tarsi of the male and the vestiture of their

under surface, these organs being, — in partial contradiction of all

generic diagnoses which have been heretofore published, — occasion-

ally completely undilated and spinose beneath, as for example in

brevicollis. In the more widely dilated tarsus the under surface is

always very densely spongy-pubescent. The two groups into which

I have divided the majority of our species, depending upon the

amount of dilatation, are of course unnatural, and it may occasion-

ally be difficult to distinguish the dividing line between them, the

more strongly dilated tarsi of the second group as in arenarius,

being approached by the more feebly dilated members of the first

group as in longulus. The only definite criterion which can be

n-iven, is that in the feebly dilated tarsus the second and third joints

are never more than very slightly wider than the apex of the fifth.

The impression of the fifth segment is not strictly sexual, being

often visible in the female and is always variable; the impression

of the abdomen toward base is, however, peculiar to the male and

generally quite constant.

pointed or truncate spicules, usually aggregated in clusters, third a system of

very sparsely placed long white erect setae, and finally, each puncture of the

strise has a peculiar minute seta which is unlike any other part of the vesti-

ture. In addition to this the scales of the first system are, on the under

surface, often most beautifully and minutely fimbriate or plumose around the

circumference. To fathom the mysterious processes of nature which have

resulted in such complexity, or to explain how these four systems act in

mutual relationship, will most undoubtedly forever be beyond the pale of our

feeble understanding — we can only wonder.

Coleopterological Notices. 419

It is hoped that. the following table which is founded upon very

extensive material,1 may enable the reader to recognize most of our

species, but I am only too well aware, because of the considerable

number of forms which from lack of material I have left undescribed,

that there may be some doubt regarding absolute identifications in

some parts of the series. It is to be understood of course that in a

genus containing many species, and especially where each species is

abundant in individuals as is generally the case in Blapstinus, that

its members cannot all be equally pronounced or isolated, some of the

forms having more nearly the nature of varieties or incipient species

than others ; but as it is quite impossible to conceive of any definite

criterion for distinguishing varieties from true species, — if indeed

there is any clearly limited line of demarcation, — I have preferred

at present to describe each form separately. It may be stated, how-

ever, that the two strongly marked forms pulverulentus of the true

Pacific fauna and rufipes of the San Diego fauna, are each the

centre of several closely allied but apparently distinct species, pro-

bably developed in comparatively recent times, the first group con-

sisting of sequalis, funebris, pulverulentus, parallelus and inquisi-

tus, and the second of crassicornis, rufipes and elorigalvs; a vast

amount of study must be expended upon these and other derivative

forms before anything definite can be known about their true rela-

tionships. Interruptus also seems to be a species in process of

disruption into geographical races, but in this case the various

forms are not distinctly limited : —

Color uniform throughout or with the anterior portions rarely just perceptihly

darker 2

Color ferruginous, the elytra black 23

2. — Anterior tarsi strongly dilated in the male 3

Anterior tarsi of the male feebly dilated, sometimes undilated 1(5

3. — Form elliptical, convex ; surface smooth but very dull and evenly aluta-

ceous ; pubescence completely wanting, represented by excessively minute

setae only clearly definable under rather high power and extremely sparse ;

hind wings very rudimentary, the elytra almost completely connate 4

Form more or less oblong, variable in convexity ; surface dull or polished ;

pubescence always represented by distinct elongate hairs 5

4. — Punctures of the elytral striae extremely feeble, fine and sublinear, the

striae not distinctly impressed 1 allltaceilS

Punctures coarse, rounded, very deeply impressed; stria? strongly impressed,

coarse 2 dispar

1 The material before me comprises more than four hundred specimens.

Ansal3 N. Y. Acad. Sci., V, Nov. 1890.— 2S

420 Coleopterological Notices.

5. — Elytra! strise more or less interrupted ; pubescence ratlier easily remova-

ble but distinct in the normal state U

Elytral strise not interrupted ; pubescence generally quite persistent 7

6. — Surface lustre strongly aeneous ; elytral striae generally coarsely punc-

tured and very widely and frequently interrupted ; pronotal punctures

sparser 3 metallicus

Surface lustre rarely seneous ; color generally piceous-black, with the elytra

very slightly paler ; pubescence denser ; elytral strise generally more

finely punctured and less widely and repeatedly interrupted, sometimes

very slightly interrupted ; pronotal punctures denser ; size larger ; form

more robust, with the prothorax less strongly narrowed from base to apex.

4 interruptus

7. — Elytral strise coarsely punctured ; hind wings generally well developed ;

upper lobe of the eyes unusually large 8

Elytral striae strongly impressed, finely punctured toward the suture but

rapidly coarsely so laterally ; form robust, very convex ; pubescence

rather short and coarse ; wings very rudimentary, the elytra subconnate.

13 prateitsis

Elytral strise finely punctured, usually feebly impressed ; wings generally more

or less rudimentary 9

S. — Pronotum sparsely punctate, at least toward the middle.

Castaneous-brown, the anterior portions sometimes darker, piceous ; size

much smaller (4.5-5.0 mm.) 5 flisctis

Black or piceous-black throughout ; size large, never much less than 6 mm.

in length.

Rather depressed, the pubescence short, sparse and stiff; abdominal

punctures very coarse 6 loilglllllS

More convex, larger ; pubescence long.

Elytral stria? feebly impressed and distantly punctured ; body much

more elongate and parallel 7 validus

Elytral strise very strongly impressed and closely punctured... 8 fortis

Pronotum very densely punctate throughout.

Form robust, oblong ; elytral strise moderately impressed.

Pronotum rather coarsely punctate, the punctures strongly longitudinally

confluent throughout, the sides very strongly arcuate, the disk widest

at basal third ; elytral pubescence longer but finer, consisting of yellow

and piceous hairs confusedly intermingled ; intervals about five times

as wide as the strial punctures 9 dila.ta.tus

Pronotum rather finely punctate, the punctures not tending to coalesce

longitudinally ; sides much less strongly arcuate, the disk widest at

base ; elytral pubescence uniform, bright ochreous-yellow, short, dense,

very coarse and conspicuous ; intervals very wide and flat, from six to

seven times as wide as the strial punctures 10 sonoraB

Form elongate-oval, much narrower ; pubescence fine, rather long, sparse,

dark and inconspicuous.

Eyes rather smaller ; pronotal punctures coarser and generally strongly,

longitudinally rugulose toward the sides which are more strongly

arcuate ; elytral striae rather strongly impressed 11 castaiieilS

Coleopterological Notices. 421

Eyes very large, their upper lobes separated by about four times their

width ; sides of the prothorax less strongly arcuate, the pronotum

rather more finely and much less confluently punctate ; elytral striae

scarcely perceptibly impressed 12 hist liens

9. — Pronotum densely punctate throughout 10

Pronotum sparsely punctate, at least toward the middle of the disk 13

10. — Pubescence pale cinereous or yellowish-cinereous, conspicuous 11

Pubescence darker, piceous to dark fulvous, not at all conspicuous 12

11. — Size small ; pubescence very long ; elytral striae not distinctly impressed.

36 liospes

Larger ; pubescence shorter, coarser and not quite so conspicuous ; elytral

striae distinctly but not strongly impressed 14 Oregon eissis

12. — Pronotum coarsely punctate, the apex very feebly incurvate, sometimes

almost truncate, the apical angles distinctly rounded, the basal very

obtuse and generally slightly rounded, at least in the male.

Form subdepressed ; elytral striae extremely feebly impressed 15 niger

Form very convex ; elytral striae strongly impressed and more coarsely

punctured ; sides of the prothorax more strongly arcuate ; size larger ;

form more robust 16 criforicollis

Pronotum more finely punctate ; apex more deeply emarginate in circular arc ;

apical angles not distinctly rounded ; basal usually rather prominent, not

in the least rounded and not obtuse, the basal sinuations more pronounced.

Wings nearly as long as the elytra ; punctures of the elytral series widely

separated 17 fuliginosus

Wings rudimentary but not excessively so ; strial punctures very small and

closely placed.

Abdominal pubescence long, rather coarse, flavate and conspicuous.

18 rufipes

Abdominal pubescence short, dark fulvo-piceous and inconspicuous.

Third antennal joint of the male long, nearly equal to the next two

together, tenth fully two-thirds wider than long; elytral stri;e dis-

tinctly impressed 19 crassicornis

Third antennal joint in the male short, very much shorter than the

next two, tenth scarcely one-half wider than long ; elytral striae very

feebly impressed ; form of body much more elongate.

20 eloiigatus

13. — Wings but moderately rudimentary, always distinctly more than one-

half as long as the elytra 14

Wings very rudimentary, always distinctly less than one-half as long as the

elytra.1 15

14. — Elytral intervals very minutely punctate, the strial punctures much

larger and rather distant.

1 In the case of cequalis, lepidus and funebris, no dissection has been made to

determine the form of the wings, but as the elytra are subconnate, and the

other characters indicate them to be close homologues of pulverulentus, I think

that the position here assigned them will prove correct.

422 Coleopterological Notices.

Posterior angles of the prothorax somewhat prominent posteriorly ; size

larger ; strial punctures coarser, especially toward the sides ; wings

narrow and scarcely two-thirds as long as the elytra 21 mcestus

Posterior angles not at all prominent, the base transverse and the sinuations

feebler ; strial punctures finer, not much coarser laterally ; form narrower,

more parallel and more depressed ; wings broad and fully four-fifths as

long as the elytra 22 gregalis

Elytral intervals rather coarsely and more densely punctate, the strial punc-

tures finer and very closely placed, the strife scarcely visibly impressed ;

wings but slightly shorter than the elytra 23 SUbstriatllS

15. — Strial punctures very widely separated, the stria1 scarcely visibly im-

pressed ; form narrow and parallel 24 lepirius

Strial punctures approximate ; form more robust.

Lustre dull and alutaceous, the strial punctures more perforate and abrupt,

forming very regular, even series, the punctures of the intervals rather

denser 25 aeqiialis

Lustre strongly shining.

Size large, not less than G mm. at least in the female ; elytral stria ex-

tremely fine and feebly impressed 26 t iiimIm i-

Size smaller always less than 6 mm.

Wings wide, very small, shorter than the prothorax ; elytral strife dis-

tinctly impressed 27 pillveruleiltllS

Wings very slender, at least as long as the prothorax ; elytral striae

almost unimpressed.

Wings with the lower margin strongly sinuate near the apex ; size

larger; form more convex and subcylindrical ....28 para llelllS

Wings not sinuate near the apex ; size smaller ; form distinctly more

depressed 29 inquisitus

16. — Third antennal joint shorter than the next two combined, subcylindrical

or very feebly obconical 17

Third antennal joint much longer than the next two together; elytra with

coarse, deeply excavated, coarsely punctate grooves ; head dilated and

somewhat prominent before the eyes ; pubescence in the form of short,

robust, suberect scales 22

I1?. — Pubescence heterogeneous, consisting of smaller and darker, and longer

and paler hairs, confusedly intermingled 18

Pubescence homogeneous 19

IS. — Strongly convex, brown ; punctures of elytral strife small, rather dis-

tant, feeble and scarcely distinguishable from those of the intervals.

30 ami pi I is

Strongly depressed, brown ; punctures of the elytral strife distinct.

31 intermix* us

19. — Color dark castaneous to pale reddish-brown 20

Color black 21

20. — Pubescence darker, piceo-fulvous, inconspicuous ; form broad, oblong ;

prothorax very short and transverse'; eyes small 32 brevicollis

Coleopterological Notices. 423

Pubescence denser, coarser, pale yellowish-cinereous and conspicuous.

Prothorax rather long; eyes large, the upper lobes separated by about four

times their width; pubescence shorter 33 bin n lit' IIS

Prothorax about two-thirds wider than long; eyes smaller, the upper lob< -

separated by between five and six times their width ; pubescence longer.

34 liespeiius

21. — Punctures of the elytral series fine, impressed.

Pubescence coarse, short, recumbent and squamiform ; form oval, very

convex 35 vestitus

Pubescence fine, moderate in length.

Pronotum very densely punctate throughout 37 pillialis

Pronotum sparsely punctate, at least toward the middle ; punctures of the

elytral stria distant, closer in the series near the suture.

Oblong-oval, convex; punctures of the series distinct; pubescence

short, dark fulvous, rather dense but not conspicuous.

38 arena ri ns

More depressed, generally subcuneiform in the male, parallel in the

female ; punctures of the elytral series very small ; pubescence rather

long, moderately abundant, cinereous and somewhat conspicuous.

39 debilis

Pubescence excessively short and sparse, setiform, not distinctly visible

except by careful examination 40 hlimilis

Punctures of the elytral series coarse, circular, deeply perforate, very closely

placed, being separated generally by scarcely one-half their own diameters ;

pubescence rather short and coarse, abundant, pale cinereous and ex-

tremely conspicuous 41 pubescens

22. — Vestiture cinereous and conspicuous ; elytral intervals scarcely wider

than the grooves ; pronotum narrowly reflexo-explanate at the sides.

42 sulcatus

Vestiture dark piceo-fulvous, very inconspicuous ; elytral intervals much

wider than the grooves ; body more robust; pronotum more broadly ex-

planate at the sides 43 hydropicus

23. — Integuments not shining ; body apparently glabrous 44 discolor

1 B. allltaceilS Casey. — B. opacus Lee: Proc. Am. Phil. Soc, XVII,

p. 420, 1878 (nom. pruocc). — Oblong-elliptical, rather strongly convex, black ;

antennae fuscous, gradually and distinctly paler toward apex ; integuments

smooth, very minutely strongly and evenly granulato-reticulate throughout

and strongly alutaceous ; pubescence almost completely wanting, consisting

of excessively sparse and minute erect setae, only visible under high power.

Head feebly convex, very minutely, rather evenly and sparsely punctate;

upper lobe of eyes well developed ; antenna? rather slender, gradually and

somewhat feebly incrassate toward apex, joints three to five uniformly and

very rapidly decreasing in length. Prothorax rather elongate, about three-

fifths wider than long, strongly narrowed from base to apex ; sides evenly ami

feebly arcuate ; apex distinctly emarginate in circular arc ; base transverse,

the lateral sinuations strong ; disk broadly, evenly convex, very minutely and

424 Coleopterological Notices.

sparsely punctate throughout, the punctures a little larger but not distinctly

denser laterally. Scutellum relatively very small, triangular, transverse,

wijb. narrow explanate polished margin. Elytra one-half longer than wide,

slightly wider and two and one-half times longer than the prothorax ; sides

feeLly arcuate, together gradually narrowed in apical two-fifths and acutely

rounded at apex ; disk without impressed striae but having distant rows of

very fine feeble sublineate punctures, which are widely and very unevenly

spaced ; intervals very minutely sparsely and feebly punctate. Abdomen more

polished, sparsely and extremely minutely punctate, almost glabrous. Legs

rather long, the tarsi moderate.

Male. — Anterior tarsi strongly dilated, the first four joints forming an ellip-

tical patella ; intermediate feebly but distinctly dilated ; both pairs with pads

of dense spongy-pubescence beneath ; abdomen narrowly and feebly impressed

in the middle toward base.

Length 6.5-6.7 mm. ; width 3.0-3.2 mm.

Florida (Key West) ; Texas.

A remarkably aberrant species of rather large size, easily recog-

nizable by its alutaceous, almost glabrous integuments and minute

feeble punctuation. The hind wings are excessively rudimentary

and relatively smaller than in any other species which I have been

able to dissect : they consist of a very slender, nearly opaque, semi-

membranous fillet, three or four times as long as wide and not quite

one-half as long as the prothorax. The elytra are almost completely

connate.

2 B. dispar n. sp. — Elongate-elliptical, rather strongly, evenly convex,

black ; integuments smooth, very minutely evenly and strongly granulato-

reticulate, strongly alutaceous ; pubescence extremely sparse and short, cine-

reous, visible but very inconspicuous. Head feebly convex, rather finely

evenly and somewhat densely punctate, the punctures generally separated by

a little more than their own diameters ; epistoma deeply sinuate ; upper lobes

of eye moderate, separated by about five times their own width ; antenna?

nearly as in alutaceus. Prothorax rather elongate, about three-fifths wider

than long ; apex rather strongly, evenly emarginate in circular arc ; base

transverse, the sinuations distinct ; sides rather strongly convergent from

base to apex, strongly arcuate especially toward base ; disk widest before the

base, sparsely and very minutely punctate toward the middle, much more

coarsely and densely so toward the sides where the punctures are moderate in

size, deep and generally separated by their own diameters. Scutellum as in

alutaceus. Elytra from one-third to one-half longer than wide, just percepti-

bly wider, and about two and three-fourths times longer than the prothorax ;

sides broadly but distinctly arcuate, together gradually narrowed behind and

somewhat acutely rounded at apex ; disk with wide deeply impressed striae, the

stria? very coarsely punctured, the punctures circular, deeply perforate, not

much wider than the stria? and distant by from two to four times their own

Coleopterological Notices. 425

diameters ; intervals rather distinctly convex, about four times as wide as the

strial punctures, sparsely and very minutely punctate. Abdomen polished,

longitudinally rugulose toward base, sparsely, finely punctate, the pubescence

very short, sparse and inconspicuous. Legs moderate ; tarsi long.

Male. — Anterior tarsi strongly, intermediate moderately dilated, nearly as

in alutaceas; abdomen very feebly impressed or flattened in the middle toward

base, the fifth segment almost completely unmodified.

Length 6.7-7.0 mm. ; width 3.2-3.4 mm.

Florida (Biscayne Bay). Mr. Schwarz.

This species is also exceedingly distinct in all of its characters,

being readily distinguishable from alutaceus by its coarser punc-

tuation, visible although extremely short pubescence and strongly

punctured elytral striae. The female is a little more robust than

the male, with relatively shorter elytra.

3 B. metallicus Fabr. — Syst. El. I, p. 143. — Oblong-oval, rather con-

vex, strongly shining with aeneous lustre ; pubescence very fine, moderate in

length, recumbent, cinereous, rather sparse, easily removable and not con-

spicuous. Head strongly transverse, rather finely but deeply punctate, the

punctures smaller anteriorly, distinctly separated ; upper lobe of eyes mode-

rate ; antennae rather slender, moderately clavate, the second joint a little

longer than wide and fully two-thirds as long as the third, the latter but very

slightly longer than the fourth. Prothorax about three-fourths wider than

long, rather strongly narrowed from base to apex ; sides more strongly arcuate

at apical third, nearly straight toward base and apex, the latter broadly emar-

ginate, the angles anteriorly prominent ; base transverse, the lateral sinua-

tions strong ; disk very finely and sparsely punctate toward the middle, much

more coarsely and densely so toward the sides where the punctures are gener-

ally separated by scarcely more than their own widths ; basal foveas distinct.

Scutellum well developed, very slightly wider than long, minutely punctate.

Elytra fully three times as long as the prothorax and, behind the middle, just

perceptibly wider, together rather obtusely rounded behind ; disk without

distinctly impressed stria? except toward the suture, where they become very

feebly impressed, the strial punctures moderate in size, widely interrupted in

sets of one to four or five, those composing the sets rather approximate and

separated by about their own diameters ; intervals four to five times as wide

as the strial punctures, flat, sparsely and very finely punctate. Abdomen

polished, feebly, longitudinally rugose, very finely, rather sparsely punctate ;

pubescence fine, sparse, moderate in length, not conspicuous. Legs short, the

tarsi long.

Male. — Anterior tarsi strongly, the intermediate feebly dilated and densely,

finely spongiose beneath ; abdomen very narrowly, feebly flattened in the

middle toward base, the impression of the fifth segment small, round and

rather deep.

Length 4.2-4.8 mm. ; width 1.8-2.1 mm.

426 Coleopterological Notices.

Canada ; Rhode Island ; Pennsylvania; Florida.

This is an abundant species, distinguishable by its bright aeneous

lustre, rather oval form, sparse pubescence and several other char-

acters. The hind wings are well developed, being- fully as long as

the elytra.

I have before me a well-defined geographical variety of this

species from southern Florida. It is much smaller, narrower, more

parallel, rather more depressed and with shorter, more parallel-sided

and much more sparsely punctate prothorax, the punctures toward

the sides being generally separated by fully twice their own diame-

ters. To avoid an increase of names this may be considered as

seneolus Melsh (Proc. Ac. Phil., Ill, p. 66). Length 3 T-4.0 ;

width 1.4-1.6 mm.

4 B. intcg riiptus Say. — Opatrum interr.: Journ. Ac. Phil., Ill, p. 264 ;

luridus Muls. : Ann. Soc. Agr. Lyons. 1S59, p. 193. — Oblong, rather robust and

convex, black, the elytra more or less piceous, moderately shining or sub-

alutaceous ; pubescence rather long and dense, cinereous, conspicuous but

easily removable. Head transverse, feebly convex, somewhat finely and

densely punctate ; upper lobes of eye moderate, separated by about five

times their own width ; epistoma broadly, deeply sinuate ; antenna? short and

slender, gradually and distinctly clavate toward apex, third and fourth joints

subequal in length. Prothorax about three-fourths wider than long, very feebly

narrowed from base to apex, the sides for two-thirds the length from the base

almost straight and just visibly convergent, then broadly, roundly subangu-

late and more strongly convergent to the apical angles, which are rather

prominent and acute ; apex broadly emarginate, subtruncate except near the

angles ; base broadly arcuate in the middle, distinctly sinuate laterally, the

basal angles acute and extending posteriorly slightly beyond the middle lobe ;

disk very deeply and not very finely punctate, the punctures moderately

dense toward the middle, very dense laterally ; basal fovea? well marked.

Scutellum moderate, minutely punctate. Elytra about one-half longer than

wide, not distinctly wider, and rather less than three times longer than

the prothorax, rather abruptly and obtusely rounded behind ; sides almost

straight ; disk with very fine, just visibly impressed stria? which are very

finely and approximately punctured, the series more or less interrupted ;

intervals sparsely and rather coarsely punctate. Abdomen polished, finely and

rather sparsely punctured, the pubescence moderate in length, fine, rather

sparse but distinctly visible. Legs and tarsi moderate in length.

Male. — Anterior tarsi strongly, intermediate more feebly dilated and densely

spongy-pubescent beneath ; abdomen narrowly and almost imperceptibly

flattened in the middle toward base.

Len-th 4.6-5.2 mm. ; width 2.0-2.4 mm.

Coleopterological Notices. 427

New York ; Minnesota; Colorado; Wyoming.

The series before me represents a wide range of distribution and

exhibits more or less variation, chiefly in coloration and in the

extent of interruption of the elytra] series. In some specimens,

more especially the eastern, the stria1 are nearly as widely ami com-

pletely broken up as in metallicvs, while those from Colorado have

almost completely continuous series. The punctuation of the pro-

notiim is rather denser in the western representatives, being some-

times almost subconfluent toward the sides, and the pubescence is

generally a little denser. One specimen from New York is as

strongly seneous as any specimen of metollicua which I have seen,

but is more alutaceous in lustre.

This is an abundant species, distinguishable from metallicus by

its broader, more oblong form, more parallel and more densely

punctate prothorax and finer less interrupted strial punctuation.

5 B. I USCIIS 11. sp. — Elongate-oval, rather strongly convex and shining,

piceous, the elytra paler, dark red-brown ; pubescence short, Bparse, moder-

ately coarse, dark fulvous in color, not very conspicuous. //< ml feebly convex,

rather finely, moderately densely punctate ; upper lobes of eye rather large,

separated by from four and one-half to five times their own width ; antennae

somewhat robust, gradually and rather strongly incrassate toward apex, the

tlfird joint very much shorter than the next two. Prothorax about two-thirds

wider than long, the apex very distinctly narrower than the base, broadly,

feebly emarginate in circular arc, the apical angles not distinctly rounded ;

base transverse, the siimations broad and rather strong ; basal angles obtuse

but not at all rounded : sides almost evenly and feebly arcuate ; disk densely

punctured toward the sides where the punctures are scarcely in mutual con-

tact, sparsely so toward the middle, the punctuation not very coarse. Elytra

very slightly wider than the prothorax and generally rather more than three

times as long ; sides parallel and very feebly arcuate ; disk with rather coarse

and distinctly impressed striae which are very coarsely punctate, the punctures

very deep and perforate, circular and generally rather distant, being separated

by nearly twice their own diameters ; intervals very feebly convex, four to

five times as wide as the strial punctures, sparsely and somewhat coarsely

punctured. Abdomen polished, sparsely and rather coarsely punctured, the

pubescence moderate in length, very sparse, fine, pale but inconspicuous.

Legs moderate in length, rather robust.

Male. — Anterior tarsi strongly dilated, the second joint distinctly longer

and rather wider than the third ; intermediate much less strongly but dis-

tinctly dilated ; both pairs with densely but rather coarsely squamulose soles ;

abdomen rather feebly but distinctly impressed in the middle toward base, the

punctuation not very much denser toward the middle of the first segment.

Length 4.5-5.0 mm. ; width 1.8-2.1 mm.

428 Coleopterological Notices.

Texas (Austin).

This species is abundant in June in the valley of the Colorado

River of Texas, and although resembling castaneus somewhat, may

be easily distinguished by its generally more convex and polished

surface, sparser, rather finer and much less rugulose punctuation of

the pronotum and more feebly rounded sides of the latter, larger

eyes, sparser pubescence, finer and sparser abdominal punctuation

and several other characters. The hind wings are well developed.

6 B. longlllUS Lee— Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. N. Y., V, p. 147. — Oblong-

elongate, parallel, depressed, polished, piceous-black ; legs dark rufous ;

pubescence very short, stiff and sparse, pale flavo-cinereous but not at all

conspicuous. Head moderately transverse, feebly convex, not very coarsely,

densely punctate, the punctures being densely crowded at the edges ; upper

lobe of eyes rather larger than usual ; antennae rather long and slender,

gradually and feebly incrassate toward apex, third joint very much shorter

than the next two together, seventh much longer than wide, eighth scarcely

as wide as long. Prothorax nearly two-thirds wider than long, the apex but

very slightly narrower than the base ; sides very strongly arcuate, straight

near the base, the latter transverse, the lateral sinuations rather feeble but

distinct ; basal angles right, rather prominent, not in the least rounded ; apex

broadly, rather strongly emarginate in circular arc ; disk widest at about the

middle, moderately coarsely punctate, the punctures decidedly sparse toward

the middle, denser but not contiguous toward the sides ; basal impressions

rather distinct. Scutellum rather small, the polished margin slightly de-

pressed. Elytra nearly three times as long as the prothorax, equal in width

to the latter, just visibly wider in the female ; sides feebly arcuate, rather

obtusely, parabolically rounded at apex; disk coarsely and rather strongly

striate, the striae with large deep perforate punctures which are generally

separated by a little less than twice their own diameters ; intervals feebly

convex, coarsely and sparsely punctured. Abdomen sparsely and coarsely

punctate, the pubescence short, flavate, very sparse and not conspicuous.

Legs rather long.

Male — Anterior tarsi quite moderately, the intermediate very feebly dilated ;

both pairs finely, densely spongy-pubescent beneath ; abdomen rather broadly,

deeply excavated in the middle toward base, the punctures slightly finer and

denser along the middle of the first segment, fifth with an oval apical fovea.

Length 5.8-6.8 mm. ; width 2.2-2.6 mm.

California; Arizona (Yuma).

A conspicuously distinct species, easily known by its rather elon-

gate parallel depressed form, highly polished integuments, very

short and sparse pubescence, and coarse elytral and abdominal

punctures. The wings are well developed, extending almost to the

apex of the elytra.

Coleopterological Notices. 429

In this species the pronotal hypomera are not distinctly impressed,

and in several other characters it makes a closer approach to Mecys-

mus than any other.

7 It. validlis n. sp. — Elongate-oval, moderately convex, dark blackish-

castaneous ; legs piceo-rufous ; integuments rather distinctly atutaceous, the

elytra strongly but very minutely granulato-reticulate ; pubescence rather

long, especially toward the elytral apex, moderately coarse, pale flavate, very

sparse but distinct. Head transverse, feebly convex, rather coarsely, deeply

punctate, the punctures finer and denser toward the edges ; upper lobes of

eye large, separated by scarcely four times their own width ; antennae rather

slender, gradually and feebly dilated toward apex, third joint rather long,

nearly as long as the first two together and but slightly shorter than the

fourth and fifth, seventh much longer than wide. Prothorux nearly three-

fourths wider than long, the apex very much narrower than the base, the

sides evenly and very strongly arcuate throughout ; base transverse, the

lateral sinuations distinct ; disk much wider just behind the middle than at

base, the lateral basal impressions completely obsolete, the punctures rather

coarse, sparse near the middle where they are separated by about twice their

own widths, thence gradually dense toward the sides but not very coalescent.

Elytra fully three times as long as the prothorax and, at apical two-fifths, very

slightly wider than the latter ; disk with rather feebly impressed striae which

are rather coarsely punctate, the punctures deep, perforate and generally

separated by about twice their own diameters ; intervals five or six times as

wide as the strial punctures, nearly flat, finely and sparsely punctured.

Abdomen finely and very sparsely punctate, the pubescence moderate in length,

very sparse, flavate. Legs moderate.

Male. — Anterior and intermediate tarsi nearly as in longulus; abdomen rather

narrowly and feebly impressed in the middle toward base, the punctures

broadly dense and rather coarser toward the middle of the basal segment,

fifth with a rounded impressed apical fovea.

Length 7.5 mm. ; width 3.2 mm.

California (southern).

The single specimen serving as the type of this species differs

from the male of longulus in its more convex upper surface, aluta-

ceous lustre, much longer pubescence, finer, sparser punctuation of

the abdomen, larger size and several other characters. The punc-

tures of the elytral stria? are relatively not quite as coarse as in

longulus, although of the same general nature, and the intervals

are more finely punctured.

8 It. foi'tis Lee— Proc. Am. Phil. Soc, XVII, 1878, p. 420; interstitialis

Champ. : Biol. Cent.-Amer., IV, Pt. i, p. 125 ; punctulatus Duv. : Sag. Hist, de

Cuba, VII (Sp. ed.), p. 60, 1856 (nam. prceocc.) — Oblong-oval, rather feebly

convex, black ; integuments shining ; pubescence moderate in length, fine,

430 Coleopterological Notices.

subrecumbent, grayish-brown in color, easily removable, not very dense but

distinct in perfect specimens. Head rather coarsely, moderately densely

punctate, the punctures a little smaller on the epistoma, the latter broadly,

strongly sinuate at apex ; upper lobes of eye rather large, circular, separated

by scarcely more than four times their own width, almost completely sur-

rounded by a fine deep groove ; antenna? rather robust, gradually and not

very strongly incrassate near the apex, third joint much shorter than the

next two, fourth much longer than the fifth. Prothorax about three-fifths

wider than long, slightly narrowed from base to apex ; sides evenly and rather

feebly arcuate throughout ; apex rather strongly, evenly emarginate in circular

arc ; base transverse, the lateral sinuations broad and distinct ; disk densely

punctate, the punctures moderate in size, deep, generally not tending to

coalesce longitudinally. Pcutellum rather small, polished, minutely, not

densely punctate. Elytra scarcely perceptibly wider than the prothorax and

nearly three times as long ; sides parallel and very feebly arcuate, more

noticeably so posteriorly, together somewhat acutely rounded behind, coarsely

striate, the stria? deeply impressed, coarsely deeply and rather approximately

punctate, the punctures circular, perforate and separated generally by about

their own diameters ; intervals from three to four times as wide as the punc-

tures, convex, rather coarsely deeply and somewhat sparsely punctured. Abdo-

men polished, rather coarsely and sparsely punctate, the pubescence short, fine,

very sparse and inconspicuous. Legs moderate, the tarsi unusually long.

Male. — Anterior tarsi strongly dilated, the basal joint much narrower than

the second, equilatero-triangular, second and third transverse, equal in width ;

intermediate distinctly but much more feebly dilated, the first joint nearly as

wide as, and much longer than the second ; both pairs densely spongy-pubes-

cent beneath ; abdomen toward base narrowly and distinctly impressed, fifth

segment very feebly impressed.

Length 6.4-7.5 mm. ; width 2.S-3.3 mm.

Florida; Texas (Galveston and El Paso).

There can he no doubt of the synonymy here proposed. The

species resembles dilatatus but differs in its somewhat narrower

form, rather more shining surface, coarser punctuation, sparser and

not longitudinally rugulose pronotal punctuation and longer nar-

rower prothorax, with less strongly arcuate sides. The specimens

collected by myself at the points in Texas nam'ed above do not differ

in the minutest detail from the unique Florida type of LeConte.

This is a very widely diffused species, occurring over the entire

southern portion of the North American continent.

9 B. dilatatus Lee:— Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. N. Y., V, p. 146.— Oblong,

rather feebly convex, black, rather feebly shining ; pubescence moderate in

length, subrecumbent, somewhat stout, consisting of pale fiavo-cinereous and

dark piceous-brown hairs confusedly intermingled, somewhat dense and rather

conspicuous, persistent. Head rather small, feebly convex, rather coarsely,

Coleopterological Notices. 431

densely punctate, the punctures finer anteriorly ; epistonia broadly, deeply

sinuate; upper lobes of eye rather large, circular, distinctly convex, almost

surrounded by a deep groove, distant by scarcely more than four times their

own diameters ; antennae nearly as in fortis. Prothorax rather more than twice

as wide as the head, four-fifths wider than long, feebly narrowed from base to

apex; sides strongly arcuate, more distinctly so at basal third; apex rather

strongly emarginate in circular arc; base transverse, the lateral sinuations

broad and distinct ; basal angles very narrowly but distinctly rounded ; disk

very feebly convex, widest at basal third, rather finely, very deeply and ex-

tremely densely punctate throughout, the punctures forming imperfect longi-

tudinal rugae. Scutellum small, polished, minutely not densely punctate.

Elytra about three-fourths longer than wide, equal in width to the prothorax

and rather less than three times as long ; sides parallel and very feebly

arcuate, together somewhat acutely rounded behind ; disk rather finely

striate, the stria? very feebly impressed toward the suture, finely punctured,

the punctures round, moderately deep, becoming distinctly larger and deeper

laterally, generally distant by from one-half more than to twice their own

diameters ; intervals nearly flat, from five to six times as wide as the strife,

very finely, rather sparsely punctate. Abdomen polished, finely, rather sparsely

punctate, the pubescence fine, short, sparse and inconspicuous. Leys and

tarsi rather long.

Male. — Anterior tarsi strongly dilated, the basal joint distinctly narrower

than the second, a little wider than long, triangular, second and third trans-

verse, the former slightly the wider ; intermediate tarsi very feebly dilated,

first and second joints equal in width, both pairs with dense pads of coarse

spongy pubescence beneath ; abdomen narrowly and feebly impressed in the

middle toward base, the fifth segment with a feeble rounded impression.

Length 7.0-7.7 mm. ; width 3.1-3.4 mm.

Southern California ; Arizona.

A well-marked species, one of the largest of the genus, differing

from fortis, the only one to which it is allied, in addition to the

characters mentioned under that species, in its narrowly rounded

basal angles of the prothorax and slightly in the nature of the

pubescence, this being generally more uniform and homogeneous in

fortis. In the female of both of these species the anterior tarsi are

decidedly robust, but simply densely setose beneath. In fortis the

female is decidedly more robust than the male, this being more

noticeable than in ,dila.tatvs. In both, the hind wings are rather

well developed, being nearly as long as the elytra.

10 It. soilOl ae n. sp. — Oblong, robust, moderately convex, dark reddish-

brown in color, the integuments dull and finely alutaceous, being very minutely

but strongly granulato-reticulate throughout ; pubescence short, very robust,

dense, bright reddish-yellow in color and conspicuous. Head very deeply,

432 Coleopterological Notices.

densely, somewhat coarsely punctate ; upper lobes of eye moderate, separated

by about five times their width ; antennae moderate, gradually and feebly in-

crassate toward apex, the third joint much shorter than the next two. Pro-

thorax nearly four-fifths wider than long, the apex scarcely more than three-

fourths as wide as the base, the latter transverse, the sinuations strong ; basal

angles right and very distinctly, although narrowly, rounded ; sides evenly

and rather strongly arcuate ; disk widest at the base, finely and very densely

punctate throughout, the punctures not greatly coalescent. Elytra behind the

middle a very little wider than the prothorax, about two and one-half times

as long as the latter ; sides feebly arcuate, broadly, parabolically rounded

behind ; disk rather finely striate, the stria? somewhat abruptly and distinctly

impressed, the punctures moderately coarse, circular, deep, perforate and

generally very close, separated by scarcely their own widths ; intervals wide,

flat, fully seven times as wide as the strial punctures, very finely but not very

sparsely punctured. Abdomen shining, sparsely, somewhat finely punctate,

the pubescence rather long, fine, very sparse but distinct. Legs rather long

and slender.

Male. — Unknown.

Length 6.3 mm. ; width 3.0 mm.

Mexico (Sonora).

The unique specimen is a female but is quite distinct from any-

thing known to me, and apparently not described in the Biologia

Centrali-Americana. From the fact that the anterior tarsi of this

female are rather robust or subdilated, I am disposed to place it in

the section with strongly dilated male tarsi. It may be easily

known by its robust form — somewhat resembling dilatatus, — its

smooth but very dull surface, fine, dense pronotal punctuation,

evenly, closely punctured elytral stria?, very wide flat intervals and

the coarse short ochreous-yellow and abundant pubescence.

11 B. castaneilS n. sp. — Elongate-oval, somewhat depressed, moderately

shining, dark blackish-brown ; legs dark rufo-piceous ; pubescence moderate

in length and density, rather fine, dark fulvo-piceous and not conspicuous.

Head densely deeply punctate, moderately convex ; epistoma very broadly,

rather feebly sinuate ; upper lobes of eye moderate or rather large, separated

by nearly five times their width ; antenna? rather slender toward base, gradu-

ally and moderately incrassate toward apex, the third joint very much shorter

than the next two, eighth nearly as large as the ninth. Prothorax not very

strongly transverse, about one-half wider than long, the apex much narrower

than the base, broadly rather strongly emarginate in circular arc ; base trans-

verse, the sinuations strong ; sides almost evenly and strongly arcuate ; basal

angles obtuse and generally very narrowly rounded ; disk very deeply, rather

coarsely and extremely densely punctate, the punctures strongly, longitudi-

nally coalescent, forming short rugae toward the sides, generally not noticeably

sparser in the middle. Scutellum moderate, the polished margin distinct.

Coleopterological Notices. 433

Elytra subequal in width to the prothorax and about three times as long ;

sides parallel and jnst visibly arcuate ; apex parabolically rounded ; disk

with coarse but rather feebly impressed striae which are coarsely and deeply

punctate, the punctures circular, perforate, generally separated by rather less

than twice their own diameters ; intervals nearly flat, finely and sparsely

punctured. Abdomen moderately densely and not very finely punctured, the

pubescence moderately dense, distinct but not conspicuous. Legs robust.

Male. — Anterior tarsi strongly dilated, the second joint much longer than

the third ; intermediate more feebly but distinctly dilated ; abdomen narrowly

and very feebly flattened in the middle toward base.

Length 4.7-5.8 mm. ; width 1.9-2.5 mm.

Texas (El Paso) ; Arizona (Tucson) ; Colorado.

The typical forms of this species are from El Paso ; those from

Tucson differ, and apparently form two varieties, in one of which

the strial punctures are more approximate, and in the other much

coarser with more deeply impressed striae. The two from Colorado

are black, and have the striae finer and more feebly impressed, the

strial punctures, being very much smaller. I am quite certain that

these variations indicate several distinct species, but the material

before me is not sufficiently extensive to enable me to define them

exactly.

The wings are well developed and as long as the elytra.

12 B. IlistricilS n. sp. — Elongate-oval, widest behind the middle of the

elytra, very dark brownish-piceous, moderately convex, rather strongly shin-

ing ; pubescence moderate in length and density, somewhat coarse, dark

fulvous, not conspicuous. Head feebly convex, rather finely punctured, not

very densely so toward the middle ; upper lobes of eye very large and con-

spicuous, separated by scarcely four times their width ; antennae rather

robust, gradually but unusually feebly incrassate toward apex, third joint

much shorter than the next two. Prothorax fully two-thirds wider than long,

the apex broadly, distinctly emarginate and noticeably narrower than the

base, the latter transverse, the lateral sinuations very wide, feeble but dis-

tinct ; basal angles very slightly obtuse but not in the least rounded ; sides

almost evenly but feebly arcuate throughout ; disk rather finely, very densely

punctate, the punctures decidedly sparser toward the middle and crowded but

not very coalescent laterally. Scutellum moderate. Elytra fully three times

as long as the prothorax and somewhat distinctly wider ; sides feebly arcuate ;

apex somewhat strongly, parabolically rounded ; disk with rather coarse but

extremely feebly impressed striae which are somewhat coarsely punctate, the

punctures circular, deep and perforate, generally separated by from one-half

more than to twice their own diameters ; intervals flat, sparsely, rather finely

punctured. Abdomen polished, finely and sparsely punctate, the pubescence

rather long, pale and somewhat conspicuous. Legs not very robust.

434 Coleopterological Notices.

Mule. — Anterior tarsi moderately strongly dilated, the second joint not

greatly exceeding the third in length, the latter strongly emarginate ; inter-

mediate somewhat feebly hut distinctly dilated ; abdomen narrowly and very

distinctly impressed in the middle toward base.

Length 4.8-5.8 mm. ; width 2.0-2.4 mm.

California (Newhall) ; Lower California.

The two representatives of this species do not indicate any great

variability other than that due to sex. The species may be dis-

tinguished from castaneus by its greater convexity, still larger and

very conspicuous eyes, finer, less coalescent punctuation of the

pronotum, more feebly arcuate sides of the latter and several other

less important characters. The hind wings protrude slightly beyond

the elytra in the type.

13 It. prateiisis Lee. — Col. of Kans., 1859, p. 15. — Oval, very convex,

black ; legs piceous ; lustre rather dull and alutaceous ; pubescence somewhat

dense, short and very robust, pale fulvo-cinereous and conspicuous. Head

finely, deeply, very densely and somewhat confusedly punctate, the punctures

becoming very minute anteriorly and at the sides ; epistoma broadly, moder-

ately sinuate ; upper lobe of eyes small ; antennae rather slender, outer joints

gradually incrassate, third shorter than the next two together. Prothorax but

slightly more than one-half wider than long, rather strongly narrowed from

base to apex ; sides evenly and strongly arcuate ; base transverse, moderately

bisinuate ; basal angles not rounded ; apex very feebly emarginate in circular

arc ; disk very densely, not very coarsely punctate, the punctures tending to

coalesce longitudinally toward the sides, distinctly separated in the middle.

Scutellum rather small. Elytra scarcely more than two and one-half times as

long as the prothorax and, behind the middle, a little wider than the latter,

rather coarsely striate, the striae strongly impressed especially toward the

sides, rather coarsely and very closely punctate, more finely so toward the

suture ; intervals finely and rather densely punctured. Abdomen polished,

somewhat coarsely and not very sparsely punctured ; pubescence very short,

sparse and inconspicuous. Legs rather slender.

Male. — Anterior tarsi strongly, middle more feebly, dilated ; abdomen rather

narrowly and feebly impressed in the middle toward base.

Leng h 4.8-6.0 mm. ; width 2.2-2.8 mm.

Kansas; Colorado; Nebraska; Texas.

The extensive series before me is rather heterogeneous and almost

undoubtedly comprises several distinct varietal forms, the descrip-

tion refers to the typical form from Kansas, which is rather smaller

than those from Colorado and very much smaller than the Texan

representatives. There is a marked divergence, also, in the close-

ness of the strial punctuation, the punctures generally being sepa-

Coleopterological Notices. 435

rated by rather less than their own diameters toward the suture,

but in one specimen from Nebraska they are separated by from two

to three times this amount. The pronotal punctuation is very fine

and dense in the Texan forms, with but little tendency to coalescence

laterally. There are apparently no stable characters, however, upon

which to base recognizable species and I therefore leave this subject

for future investigation.

The wings are extremely rudimentary, consisting of a very small

parallel subopaque cellular fillet, devoid of venation, but slightly

more than one-half as long as the prothorax, one-fifth as long as

the elytra, and rather more than twice as long as wide. The elytra

are subconnate.

14 B. oregoneiisis n. sp. — Oblong-oval, rather strongly convex, aluta-

ceous in lustre, grayish-black ; legs dark rufous ; pubescence moderate in

length, rather sparse but coarse, pale yellowish-cinereous in color and very

distinct, easily removable. Head moderately transverse and convex, rather

finely and feebly punctate, the punctures a little coarser and longitudinally

subcoalescent toward the middle of the vertex ; upper lobe of eyes moderate,

surrounded except posteriorly by a very deep impressed groove ; antenna*

moderate, gradually and feebly incrassate toward tip, third joint short, not

twice as long as the second and very much shorter than the next two, joints

three to five uniformly and very rapidly decreasing in length. Prothorax rather

transverse, about three-fourths wider than long, very feebly narrowed from

base to apex ; sides almost evenly and rather strongly arcuate in the male,

straighter or even very broadly sinuate toward base, the latter transverse, the

lateral sinuations strong, the basal angles right, not at all rounded and rather

prominent ; disk finely, very densely and rather feebly punctured, a little

more sparsely so toward the middle, tending to coalesce longitudinally toward

the sides. Scutellum moderate, ogival. Elytra, behind the middle, quite

distinctly wider than the prothorax, scarcely three times as long as the latter ;

sides distinctly arcuate posteriorly ; disk very finely striate, the striae exceed-

ingly feebly impressed and not much more strongly so externally in the female,

but rather strongly impressed throughout in the male, very finely and closely

punctured throughout ; intervals usually slightly convex in the male and flat

in the female, very finely and rather sparsely punctate. Abdomen polished,

finely, not densely punctate, the pubescence short and fine, pale and distinct

but not conspicuous. Legs rather slender.

Mule. — Anterior tarsi strongly dilated, the second joint decidedly longer

than the third ; intermediate very feebly dilated ; both pairs rather coarsely

and not very densely squamulose beneath ; abdomen rather broadly and

feebly but distinctly impressed in the middle toward base, fifth segment

strongly impressed.

Length 5.0-5.5 mm. ; width 2.1-2.4 mm.

Annals N. Y. Acad. Sci., V, Nov. 1890.— 29

436 Coleopterological Notices.

Ore «'(mi.

With the typical representatives from Oregon I have associated

two females which, however, probably represent distinct but closely

allied species. One of these from Benicia, California, is much larger

and wider, with rather deeper more even pronotal punctuation, very

dense throughout but not coalescent, the other from southern Idaho,

having the pronotal punctuation quite sparse toward the middle and

rapidly much denser toward the sides; this specimen is also larger

and very convex, with the abdomen dull. In the absence of males

I think it better to leave these species undescribed, and the above

description and measurements apply only to the Oregon specimens.

This species is not closely related to any other, but resembles

substriatus in some of its characters. The wings are rather well

developed, being but slightly shorter than the elytra.

15 B. liiger n. sp. — Oblong-elongate, parallel, rather depressed, black ;

legs dark rnt'o-piceous ; integuments somewhat shining ; pubescence short,

fine, dark piceo-fulvous, rather abundant but very inconspicuous. Head

strongly transverse, feebly convex, broadly, distinctly sinuate at apex, deeply,

moderately coarsely and very densely punctate ; upper lobe of eyes rather

small ; antenna? somewhat slender, gradually and moderately incrassate

toward apex, third joint much shorter than the next two, seventh longer than

wide, eighth triangular, as wide as long, tenth slightly wider than long.

Prothorax about two-thirds wider than long, the apex distinctly narrower than

the base ; sides evenly and rather strongly arcuate throughout ; base trans-

verse, the sinuations feeble but distinct, the basal angles rather broadly

obtuse but generally not appreciably rounded ; apex extremely feebly incur-

vate, the apical angles distinctly and rather broadly rounded ; disk rather

coarsely deeply and very densely punctate throughout, the punctures very

coalescent longitudinally toward the sides. Scutellum small. Elytra about

three times as long as the prothorax and equal in width to the latter ; sides

parallel, scarcely visibly arcuate, parabolically and not very acutely rounded

behind ; disk very finely striate, the strise feebly impressed and very finely,

rather feebly punctate, the punctures generally separated by about one-half

more than their own diameters ; intervals flat, very finely, sparsely punctured.

Abdomen coarsely and not very sparsely punctate, the pubescence moderate

in length, very fine, sparse, dark in color and not at all conspicuous. Legs

somewhat short and robust.

Male. — Anterior tarsi strongly dilated, the second and third joints sub-

equal ; intermediate much more feebly but distinctly dilated ; abdomen with

an elongate-oval feeble impression before the middle, in which the punctuation

is not distinctly denser.

Length 4.8-5.(3 mm. : width 1.8-2.2 mm.

Goleopterological Notices. 437

Arizona (Peach Springs).

The wings are moderately developed, rather distinctly hyaline

and iridescent, slender, a little more than three times as long as

wide, distinctly veined, about one-half longer than the prothorax

and nearly three-fourths as long as the elytra.

This species is not closely allied to any other here described and

may be easily recognized by its parallel depressed form, very fine

elytral and coarse abdominal punctuation, and structure of the hind

wings. From rufipes, which it most nearly resembles in size of

the wings, it may be at once separated by its more depressed form,

shorter prothorax, feebler, finer elytral strise and darker legs.

16 It. cribricollis n. sp. — Oblong, rather strongly convex, moderately

shining, black ; legs rufous ; pubescence rather long, fine, somewhat sparse,

dark piceo-fulvous and not conspicuous. Head strongly transverse, feebly

convex, very deeply, rather coarsely and densely punctate; upper lobe of eye

moderate ; antennae rather robust, gradually but very moderately incrassate

through the four outer joints, third rather less than twice as long as the

second and very much shorter than the next two together. Prothorax moder-

ately transverse, scarcely two-thirds wider than long, feebly narrowed from

base to apex, the sides evenly and strongly arcuate throughout ; base trans-

verse, the sinuations rather feeble ; basal angles distinctly obtuse and very

narrowly rounded ; apex very feebly emarginate in circular arc, the apical

angles narrowly although quite distinctly rounded ; disk evenly convex,

coarsely, very deeply and extremely densely punctate throughout, the punc-

tures but slightly coalescent toward the sides. Scutellum moderate, rather

transverse. Elytra scarcely three times as long as the prothorax and, behind

the middle, very slightly wider, broadly, parabolically rounded behind ; sides

feebly arcuate ; disk finely striate, the stria? rather broadly but moderately

impressed, much more strongly so toward the sides and apex, somewhat finely

but deeply and very distinctly punctured, the punctures generally separated

by a little less than twice their own diameters ; intervals very feebly convex,

much more strongly so laterally, very finely and rather sparsely punctate.

Abdomen polished, rather coarsely and moderately sparsely punctate, the

pubescence rather short and sparse but pale liavo-cinereous and distinct.

Legs robust.

Male. — Anterior tarsi moderately dilated, the second and third joints sub-

equal, the latter with the apical emargination rather broad and feeble ; inter-

mediate very feebly dilated ; both pairs rather coarsely but densely squamu-

lose beneath ; abdomen broadly and very feebly impressed in the middle

toward base.

Length 5.8 mm. ; width 2.5 mm.

Arizona.

This species is quite distinct from any other known to me in its

coarse deep and very dense, but at the same time not greatly coales-

438 Coieopterological Notices.

cent, pronotal punctuation, by the unusually coarse abdominal punc-

tures and, for the present group, unusually feebly dilated anterior

tarsi of the male, the latter character allying it with longidus and

validns. I have not been able to examine the wings as the type is

unique.

17 It. ftlliginosus n. sp. — Oblong-elongate, parallel, strongly convex,

rather dull, piceous-black ; legs dark rufo-ferruginous ; pubescence short,

fine, dark subpiceous, inconspicuous. Head feebly convex, rather finely

punctate, densely so laterally but rather more coarsely and decidedly more

sparsely along the middle throughout the length ; upper lobe of eyes moder-

ate, rounded ; antennae moderate, gradually and distinctly incrassate through

the last four joints, third much shorter than the next two. Prothorax rather

less than one-half wider than long, slightly narrower at apex than at base,

the sides very evenly and moderately arcuate throughout ; base transverse,

the sinuations rather strong ; basal angles right, not at all rounded ; apex

feebly, evenly emarginate in circular arc ; disk evenly convex, very densely,

rather finely punctured, a little more sparsely so toward the middle, the

punctures toward the sides having but slight tendency to coalesce, although

extremely dense. Scutellum moderate, densely punctate, a longitudinal line

and the apex broadly polished and impunctate. Elytra scarcely wider, and

fully two and one-half times longer than the prothorax, evenly rounded at

apex ; sides feebly arcuate ; disk very finely striate, the striae very feebly

impressed but a little more distinctly so laterally, very finely but deeply

punctured, the punctures very unevenly but in general remotely spaced,

separated by from two to four times their own diameters ; intervals nearly

flat, finely and rather sparsely punctate. Abdomen somewhat dull, finely and

not very sparsely punctate, the pubescence very short, rather fine, somewhat

abundant, pale flavo-cinereous and distinct. L-gs moderate in length, rather

robust.

Male. — Anterior tarsi very strongly dilated, the second joint not much longer

than the third, the latter deeply emarginate above at apex : intermediate dis-

tinctly dilated, more elongate, but scarcely more than two-thirds as wide as

the anterior ; both pairs densely spongiose beneath ; abdomen very broadly,

feebly impressed in the middle toward base, with the punctures slightly but

indefinitely denser.

Length 6.0 mm. ; width 2.5 mm.

California (Sacramento).

The singular and unusual median impunctate line of the scutellum

may possibly be accidental in the only known specimen.

This species is quite distinct and may be distinguished by its dull

lustre, very feebly impressed striae which are very remotely punc-

tured, by the short pubescence especially of the abdomen, and other

Coleopterological Notices. 439

character?. The anterior tax-si of the male are rather more strongly

dilated than in any other species.

The wings are well developed, being nearly as long as the elytra.

18 St. rilfipes n. sp. — Elongate-oval, strongly convex, rather dull, pice-

ous-black ; legs rufo-ferruginous ; under surface piceous to rufo-ferruginous ;

pubescence fine, rather long, moderately dense, dark piceous in color and very

inconspicuous. Head wider than long, feebly convex, strongly and densely

punctate; epistoma rather narrowly and deeply sinuate ; upper lobe of eye

rather small ; antennae rather long and slender, the last three joints forming

a somewhat abrupt loose club, third joint twice as long as the second, much

longer than the fourth, eighth subtriangular, nearly as long as wide, eleventh

somewhat longer than wide and slightly narrower than the tenth. Prothorax

somewhat elongate, scarcely one-half wider than long, the sides very feebly

convergent from base to apex, evenly and rather strongly arcuate ; base trans-

verse, the sinuations distinct ; basal angles very slightly obtuse, not distinctly

rounded; apex very feebly emarginate in circular arc; disk evenly convex,

rather strongly, deeply, very densely punctate, the punctures a little sparser

near the middle but not separated by more than their own diameters, very

dense, sometimes contiguous but not distinctly coalescent toward the sides.

Scutellum broadly parabolic. Elytra, behind the middle, a little wider than

the prothorax, nearly three times as long as the latter ; sides rather distinctly

arcuate ; apex parabolic ; disk finely striate, the striae rather distinctly im-

pressed, more strongly so toward the suture but not noticeably toward the

■sides, finely and very approximately punctured in the female, more coarsely

and distantly so in the male ; intervals very feebly convex, very finely and

sparsely punctate. Abdomen finely and rather sparsely punctate, rather

coarsely but sparsely pubescent, the hairs very long, pale flavate and con-

spicuous. Leys rather short, the femora robust.

Male. — Anterior tarsi strongly dilated, the basal joint triangular and but

slightly more than one-half as wide as the second, the latter about equal in

length and width to the third, the latter broadly emarginate ; intermediate

rather strongly dilated ; both pairs densely spongiose beneath ; abdomen

rather narrowly and feebly impressed in the middle toward base.

Length % 5.0 mm., $ 5.0-6.0 mm.; width £ 1.9-2.1 mm., $ 2.2-2.G mm.

California (San Diego); Arizona; Texas?

This species belongs to the San Diego fauna, perhaps extending

through to Western Texas; it is represented in the middle coast

regions of California by elongatus, in the high Sierras by inquisitus,

and in the desert regions of the Humboldt Basin by crassicornis.

It is remarkable, in common with pulve?*ulentus, for the unusual

difference in form and size between the male and female, the former

being much the more slender ; it is further distinguishable from its

allies by its usually bright rufo-ferruginous legs, duller lustre and

longer, paler and more conspicuous abdominal pubescence.

440 Coleopterological Notices.

The wings are not so rudimentary as in its allies or pulverulentus ,

being' rather wide, subhyaline, with two strong discal veins; they

arc fully one-half longer than the prothorax and two-thirds as long

as the elytra.

1!) B. crassicorilis n. sp. — Oblong, the sides nearly parallel, rather

robust, moderately convex, somewhat dull in lustre, black ; legs dark rufous ;

pubescence short, rather abundant but dark fulvo-cinereous in color and not

at all conspicuous. Head strongly transverse, feebly convex, deeply punctate,

the punctures very dense, somewhat sparser and coarser toward the middle ;

upper lobe of eyes small ; epistoma distinctly but moderately sinuate ; antennae

unusually robust, the three last joints much wider and forming a strong loose

club, third joint rather long, nearly as long as the next two combined, eighth

distinctly wider than the seventh and wider than long, tenth rather wider

than either the ninth or eleventh. Prothorax rather elongate, scarcely one-

half wider than long, the apex but slightly narrower than the base; sides

feebly arcuate, rather more strongly so in the middle and nearly straight

toward base, the latter transverse, the sinuations moderate ; basal angles not

at all rounded : disk deeply, moderately coarsely and very densely punctate

throughout, the punctures not decidedly coalescent laterally. Scutellum

moderate, almost confluently punctured. Elytra subequal in width to the

prothorax and two and one-half times as long, the sides very feebly areiiate,

rather broadly, parabolically rounded behind ; disk finely striate, the striae

rather widely feebly impressed, a little more strongly so externally and near

the suture, very finely, approximately punctate ; intervals very slightly

convex, minutely, sparsely punctate. Abdomen shining, finely but not very

sparsely punctate, the pubescence short, very fine, dark brownish in color and

not at all conspicuous. Legs moderately robust.

Mule. — Anterior tarsi strongly, the intermediate moderately, dilated, the

second joint of the former longer and also somewhat wider than the third

which is deeply emarginate ; both pairs densely spongiose beneath ; abdomen

rather broadly, feebly impressed in the middle toward base, with the punc-

tures narrowly denser along the middle of the first segment.

Length 5.(j mm. ; width 2.3-2.4 mm.

Nevada (Reno).

Moderately abundant near the Truckee River. I was at first

inclined to regard this as identical with rvfipes, but more careful

study convinced me that they cannot be associated together. The

present species differs in its much finer, shorter abdominal pubes-

cence, rather longer legs, in the fact that the male and female are

nearly similar in form and size, and in the form of the wings which

are nearly as in inquisitus, very slender and elongate, although

decidedly less than one-half as long as the elytra.

The antennae are distinctly more robust and, especially, with a

Coleopterologieal Notices. 441

much broader club than in any of the allied species and the third

joint is more elongate.

20 B. elongattlS n. sp. — Elongate-oval, strongly convex, black ; legs

piceous-black ; integuments dull ; pubescence rather short, sparse, dark

fnlvo-ciiiereous and inconspicuous. Head transverse, feebly convex, rather

finely, deeply, nearly evenly and very densely punctate; epistoma broadly

and unusually feebly sinuate; upper lobe of eyes small; antenme rather

robust, very evenly, gradually but moderately incrassate from the seventh

joint, third short, scarcely twice as long as the second and much shorter than

the next two together, eleventh rather longer than wide, narrowly truncate at

apex and scarcely visibly narrower than the tenth. Prothorax rather elongate,

about two-fifths wider than long, very feebly narrowed from base to apex, the

sides almost evenly and rather feebly arcuate ; base transverse, the sinuations

moderate ; basal angles rather more than right, not at all rounded ; apex

feebly emarginate in circular arc ; disk evenly convex, very densely punctate,

the punctures fine toward the middle where they are generally separated by

scarcely their own diameters, a little coarser, very dense and with a slight

tendency to longitudinal coalescence laterally. Scutellum moderate, densely

punctate. Elytra, just behind the middle, slightly wider than the prothorax,

about two and two-thirds times as long as the latter, parabolically and some-

what broadly rounded behind ; sides distinctly but broadly arcuate ; disk

very finely, feebly striate, the sutural and outer striae very slightly more

distinct, very finely feebly and approximately punctate ; intervals nearly

fiat, finely and sparsely punctate. Abdomen shining, rather rugulose, finely,

sparsely punctate, the pubescence short, fine, sparse, rather dark and not

conspicuous. Legs rather long and slender.

Male. — Anterior tarsi very strongly dilated, the second joint much longer

than the third ; intermediate less strongly dilated ; abdomen broadly and

feebly impressed in the middle toward base ; the punctures crowded and dense

only in a small oval area in the anterior half of the basal segment.

Length 5.6 mm. ; width 2.2 mm.

California (Lake Co.).

The two specimens before me are males, and from their narrow-

slender form it is probable that the female will prove to be robust

as in rvfipea; they indicate a species rather closely allied to rufipes,

but differing conspicuously in the nature of the abdominal pubes-

cence, also in the somewhat larger size and longer piceous-black

legs. The antennae are nearly as in rufipes, but are more gradually

incrassate, the three outer joints not being at all abruptly wider as

is the case in that species.

I have not been able to inspect the wings, but they are undoubt-

edly rudimentary.

442 Coleopteroloyical Notices.

21 B. moestUS Melsh. — Proc. Ac. Phila., Ill, p. 65. — Oval, slightly in-

flated behind, rather strongly convex, black, strongly shining; pubescence

fine, short, pale yellowish-cinereous in color, not dense. Head transverse,

feebly convex, very deeply, moderately coarsely and densely punctate, the

punctures abruptly finer along the broadly sinuate epistonial apex ; upper

lobe of eyes moderate, rounded ; antenna? black, robust, gradually incrassate

toward apex, third joint scarcely twice as long as the second, much shorter

than the next two, eleventh wider than long, fully as wide as the tenth.

Prothorax nearly two-thirds wider than long, widest at two-fiftbs the length

from the base ; sides feebly convergent from base to apex, strongly, almost

evenly arcuate, straighter or even feebly subsinuate toward base, the latter

transverse, the lateral sinuations very strong, the basal angles slightly acute,

not in the least rounded and rather prominent ; apex broadly emarginate in

circular arc, the angles not at all prominent and very narrowly rounded ; disk

very deeply and perforately punctate, the punctures finer and sparse toward

the middle, coarser and denser but not at all contiguous or confluent toward

the sides, usually abruptly very fine and sparse along the acute marginal

bead, especially toward the base. Scutellum moderate, very finely punctate.

Elytra with the sides very distinctly arcuate, especially behind the middle

where they are distinctly wider than the prothorax, parabolically rounded at

apex and about two and one-half times as long as the prothorax ; disk with

very fine feebly impressed striae toward the suture, which become rapidly

much coarser and more deeply impressed laterally ; stria? finely punctate,

more coarsely so laterally ; punctures elongate and posteriorly evanescent,

generally separated by twice their own widths ; intervals very finely, some-

what sparsely punctured. Abdomen polished, finely, rather sparsely punctate,

very sparsely clothed with short inconspicuous pubescence. Legs rather short,

the tarsi long.

Mule. — Anterior tarsi strongly dilated, the basal joint much wider than long

and distinctly narrower than the second and third, the latter short, subequal,

transversely cresoentiform ; middle tarsi very distinctly dilated, compact,

the three basal joints equal in width ; both pairs densely spongy-pubescent

beneath ; abdomen not distinctly modified.

Length 4.7-5.4 mm. ; width 2.1—2.4 mm.

New Hampshire ; Rhode Island ; Virginia.

This, the only eastern species of the ordinary type, may be easily

identified by its intense black color, shining, rather sparsely punc-

tate integuments and prominent basal angles of the prothorax, as

well as several other characters. The wings are not well developed,

consisting of a long slender hyaline fillet, nearly one-half longer

than the prothorax and three-fifths as long as the elytra.

22 B. gregalis n. sp. — Oblong-oval, moderately convex, black ; antennae

piceous-black ; legs dark rufo-piceous ; integuments polished ; pubescence fine,

rather short and sparse, pale fulvo-ciuereous and not conspicuous. Head

Coleopterological Notices. 443

about two-fifths wider than long, not very coarsely but deeply punctate, the

punctures rather elongate, distinctly separated transversely, but tending to

coalesce longitudinally ; epi stoma broadly sinuate ; upper lobe of eyes mode-

rate or rather small, rounded ; antenna? moderate, gradually incrassate toward

apex, third joint about three-fourths longer than the second, much shorter

than the next two together, eleventh as long as wide, truncate, rather dis-

tinctly wider than the ninth. Prothorax about three-fourths wider than long ;

sides feebly convergent from base to apex, moderately and very evenly arcuate

throughout ; base transverse, the lateral sinuations moderately distinct, the

basal angles very slightly obtuse, not rounded but not prominent ; apex

broadly, evenly emarginate in circular arc ; disk rather densely punctate, the

punctures deep, moderate in size, somewhat elongate, not much sparser toward

the middle, tending slightly to coalesce longitudinally throughout the disk,

but distinctly separated transversely. Scutellum moderate. Elytra rather

less than three times as long as, and, behind the middle, a little wider than,

the prothorax ; sides distinctly arcuate posteriorly, together evenly rounded

at apex ; disk finely striate, the striae feebly impressed, not appreciably more

deeply so toward the sides, finely punctured, the punctures feeble and gener-

ally separated by from one-half more than to twice their own diameters ;

intervals nearly flat, from four to five times as wide as the strial punctures,

very finely and sparsely punctured. Abdomen polished, very finely and some-

what sparsely punctate, the pubescence rather long, moderately dense and

distinct. Legs and tarsi moderate.

Male: — Anterior tarsi strongly dilated, the basal joint slightly wider than

long, narrower than the second and third, the latter equal in width, trans-

verse, the apex broadly sinuate toward the middle ; intermediate rather feebly

dilated ; both pairs densely spongy-pubescent beneath ; abdomen broadly and

more or less feebly impressed in the middle toward, base.

Length 3.8-4.6 mm. ; width 1.6-2.0 mm.

Washington State; California (Placer Co. and Lake Tahoe);

Wyoming1 (Laramie); Colorado (Veta Pass).

The specimens from Lake Tahoe are rather smaller and narrower

than the others, with the punctuation of the pronotum tending- to

become finer and sparser toward the middle, while those from

Wyoming have the entire surface of this part almost longitudinally

rugulose; the typical forms are from Washington State. The series

before me is very extensive, and the extreme forms do not present

any tangible specific characters.

This species somewhat resembles pulverulentus, but may be

distinguished at once by its smaller size, more depressed form and

more developed wings. The latter in the present species are rela-

tively a little longer than in moeslus, and broader, hyaline, about

four-fifths longer than the prothorax and nearly five-sixths as long

as the elvtra.

444 Coleopterological Notices.

23 B. SllbstriatllS Champ.— Biol. Cent.-Amer. Col., IV, Pt. 2, p. 128;

anthracinus Sturm, i. litt.

I have applied this name to a series which, in general, very rea-

sonably satisfies the description above cited. The specimens are

from Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico, being con-

fined to the more elevated regions of the Rocky Mountains. The

species is black throughout, rather robust, oblong, moderately con-

vex, distinctly shining and with the sides nearly parallel. The

stria? of the elytra are exceedingly feebly impressed, very finely,

rather closety punctured and, in some of the specimens, almost con-

fused toward base with the somewhat unusually coarse punctures

of the flat intervals. The anterior tarsi of the male are strongly

dilated, the intermediate very distinctly, although less strongly so,

and the wings are well developed, being fully as long as the elytra.

The punctures of the pronotum are rather coarse, decidedly elon-

gate, closely crowded but not greatly coaleseent laterally, and

usually very slightly sparser toward the middle in the female, and

more decidedly so in the male. The latter sex resembles the female in

form but is rather smaller. Length 5.0-5.5 mm. ; width 2.1-2.G mm.

24 B. lepidus n. sp. — Narrow, elongate-oval, moderately convex, gradu-

ally narrowed behind from near the middle of the elytra, black, moderately

shining or subalutaceons ; pubescence moderate in length, fine, rather sparse,

dark piceo-cinereous and not conspicuous. Head fully one-half wider than

long, finely, rather densely punctate ; upper lobe of eyes moderate, rounded ;

antennae rather slender, the last tbree joints somewhat abruptly wider, third

one-half longer than the second and a little longer than the fourth, eleventh

somewhat pointed and a little narrower than the tenth. Prothorax about two-

thirds wider than long, the sides very feebly convergent from base to apex,

feebly arcuate ant riorly, broadly and extremely feebly sinuate in the basal

half; base transverse, the lateral sinuations strong; basal angles right, not

in the least rounded ; apex broadly emarginate in circular arc ; disk finely

punctate, the punctures equal in size throughout, separated by about twice

their diameters toward the middle and rather denser laterally, but without

any marked tendency to coalesce. Scutellum moderate, ogival, rather dis-

tinctly wider than long. Elytra about two and one-half times as long as the

prothorax, subequal in width to the latter, the sides parallel toward base and

scarcely visibly arcuate ; disk very finely striate, the strise feebly impressed,

not becoming stronger laterally, very finely punctate throughout the width,

the punctures generally separated by two or three times their own diameters ;

intervals nearly flat, very finely, rather sparsely and unusually feebly punc-

tate. Abdomen polished, very finely and sj>arsely punctate, the pubescence

short, cinereous, distinct but not conspicuous. Leys well developed ; tarsi

slender.

Coleopterological Notices. 445

Mule. — Anterior tarsi moderately strongly dilated, second and third joints

subequal, the latter strongly angularly emarginate in the middle of its dorsal

apex ; intermediate slender, scarcely perceptibly dilated ; both pairs spongiose

beneath ; abdomen narrowly and feebly flattened in the middle toward base,

the punctures rather abruptly very dense in a large median area of the basal

segment, and less conspicuously so on the second segment, fifth with a deep

rounded, impressed fovea.

Length 3.9-4.2 mm.; width 1.6-1.8 mm.

Texas.

A small narrow species, allied by the formation of the sides of

the prothorax in the neighborhood of the basal angles, to mcestus,

but abundantly distinct in its narrower form, less convexity, finer

pronotal punctures and, especially, by the finer punctures of the

elytra] stria?, these not becoming' more strong-ly impressed laterally.

It is still more widely separated because of the notably more feeble

dilatation of the anterior tarsi of the male and its more slender

antennae.

25 B. acq II ill is n. sp. — Elongate-oval, narrow, strongly convex, alutaceous

in lustre, black ; pubescence fine, rather sparse, moderate in length, dark fulvo-

cinereous in color and not very conspicuous. Head moderately transverse and

convex, somewhat finely and densely punctate, the punctures tending to coal-

esce longitudinally; upper lobe of eyes moderate, rounded ; epistoma broadly,

distinctly sinuate ; antenna? rather slender, gradually incrassate through the

last four joints, third not quite twice as long as the second and much shorter

than the next two, eleventh scarcely as wide as the tenth, the sensitive ter-

minal pubescence unusually fine. Prothorax about three-fifths wider than

long ; sides feebly convergent from base to apex, rather feebly and very evenly

arcuate throughout; base transverse, the lateral sinuations distinct; basal

angles very slightly obtuse, not prominent but not distinctly rounded ; apex

broadly emarginate in circular arc ; disk moderately coarsely, densely punc-

tate, the punctures tending slightly to coalesce longitudinally, rather sparser

toward the middle and decidedly finer, but denser toward the sides. Scutellum

moderate, ogival. Elytra about equal in width to the prothorax and between

two and one-half and three times longer, rather acutely and parabolically

rounded at apex ; sides parallel and just visibly arcuate ; disk finely striate,

the strise rather feebly impressed throughout the width but distinct, finely,

evenly and approximately punctured, the punctures distant generally by

about their own diameters ; intervals nearly fiat, very much more finely but

not very densely punctate. Abdomen rather finely and densely punctate, more

shining, the pubescence rather distinct. Leys well developed.

Male. — Anterior tarsi strongly dilated, the second and third joints subequal

in length and width ; intermediate feebly but very distinctly dilated, with the

second joint rather wider than either the first or third ; both pairs with dense

spongiose pads beneath ; abdomen rather narrowly and strongly impressed in

446 Coleopterological Notices.

the middle toward base, the punctures very dense toward the middle of the

basal segment, fifth segment with a small strong rounded impression.

Length 4.5 mm. ; width l.y mm.

California (San Bernardino).

This species resembles gregalis but differs in its more convex

form, duller lustre, much more approximately punctate elytral

stria?, notably denser abdominal punctuation, stronger basal im-

pression of the abdomen in the male and, especially, in the structure

of the anterior tarsi of that sex. In gregalis the third joint is dis-

tinctly shorter than the second, while in sequalis the second joint is

not only longer than in gregalis, but is not conspicuously longer

than the third.

In sequalis, contrary to the general rule, the pronotal punctures

become rather finer laterally.

The type is unique. There are two specimens before me from

Utah which indicate a closely allied but distinct species.

26 B. i Uliebris n. sp. — Oblong-oval, moderately convex, black ; legs

dark rufo-piceous ; integuments rather strongly shining ; pubescence short,

coarse, very sparse, easily removable, pale fulvous in color and distinct.

Head, transverse, feebly convex, rather finely and densely punctate ; upper

lobe of eyes small ; antenna? not very robust, the three outer joints somewhat

abruptly but not greatly dilated, third joint much shorter than the next two,

eleventh much narrower than the tenth. Prothorax about one-half wider than

long, feebly narrowed from base to apex ; sides feebly arcuate, straight or very

feebly, broadly sinuate toward base, the latter transverse, with moderate sinua-

tions ; basal angles right, not at all rounded ; apex feebly emarginate in

circular arc ; disk evenly convex, rather finely, moderately densely punctate

toward the middle where the punctures are generally separated by distinctly

more than their own diameters, distinctly larger and very dense near the sides

but with slight tendency to longitudinal coalescence. Scutellum rather large,

transversely ogival, finely, rather densely punctate. Elytra scarcely wider

than the prothorax and nearly three times as long, rather broadly, paraboli-

cally rounded behind ; sides feebly arcuate, rather more distinctly so behind ;

disk with very fine striae which are extremely feebly impressed and very finely,

rather approximately punctured, rather more strongly impressed and very

slightly more coarsely punctate externally ; intervals flat toward the suture,

more convex laterally, finely, sparsely punctate. Abdomen shining, finely,

sparsely punctured and with coarse, sparse, pale flavo-cinereous pubescence,

moderate in length and quite conspicuous. Leys rather long.

Male. — Unk no w n .

Length 6.0-7.0 mm. ; width 2.7-2.9 mm.

Southern California.

The only two examples are unfortunately females, but the species

Coleoj^terological Notices. 4 47

could only be confounded with rujipes, from which it differs in its

much more shining- surface, more oblong and less convex form,

greater size, much more feebly impressed elytral striae, and especi-

ally in its much sparser and less persistent, shorter, coarser and

paler elytral pubescence. The abdominal pubescence is nearly as

in rufipes, but is a little shorter.

27 B. pu ! \ ei ii leu 1 us Mann. — Bull. Mosc, 1843, II, p. 276. — Elongate-

oval, strongly convex, black throughout, polished ; pubescence dark fusco-

cinereous in color, rather long but sparse and inconspicuous. Head much

wider than long, feebly convex, somewhat strongly and densely punctate, the

punctures sometimes a little sparser along the middle, not confluent ; upper

lobe of eyes moderate, rounded ; antennae rather robust, gradually and moder-

ately incrassate through the last four joints, third scarcely twice as long as

the second but distinctly longer than the third, eleventh fully as long as wide,

narrowly truncate at apex, as wide as the tenth. Prothorax rather elongate,

scarcely more than one-half wider than long ; sides very feebly convergent

from base to apex, feebly arcuate, straight or extremely feebly sinuate toward

base, the latter transverse, the lateral sinuations distinct ; basal angles very

slightly obtuse, not in the least rounded ; apex feebly emarginate in circular

arc ; disk sometimes slightly flattened or subexplanate toward the basal angles,

somewhat coarsely and densely punctate, the punctures rather unevenly dis-

tributed but usually separated by nearly twice their diameters toward the

middle, denser but not distinctly coalescent toward the sides. Scutellum

small, ogival. Elytra about two and one-half times as long as the prothorax,

scarcely perceptibly wider than the latter, rather acutely parabolic at apex ;

sides parallel and rather distinctly arcuate ; disk with rather fine striae which

are somewhat distinctly and broadly impressed, not much more strongly so

externally but usually more distinctly so near the suture, the striae with fine

but deep punctures, generally separated by one-half more than their own

diameters ; intervals very feebly convex, somewhat coarsely and very sparsely

punctate. Abdomen finely, sparsely punctate, the pubescence distinct but

short and sparse, dark fusco-cinereous and not conspicuous. Legs moderate.

Male. — Anterior tarsi very strongly dilated, the third joint distinctly shorter

than the second and strongly, angularly emarginate ; intermediate rather

strongly dilated, the second joint notably wider than the first and a little

wider than the third ; both pairs densely spongiose beneath ; abdomen rather

narrowly and distinctly impressed in the middle toward base, the punctures

not distinctly denser in the middle of the basal segment, fifth segment with a

feeble oval impression ; body notably more slender than in the female.

Length % 4.5-4.8 mm., $> 4.7-5.5 mm. ; width % 1.8-2.0 mm., J 2.1-2.3 mm.

California (Mendocino, San Francisco, and Monterey).

This is the commonest species about San Francisco, and in fact

is the only one which exists in that locality to any great extent;

it is usually confounded in our cabinets with several other species

448 Coleopterological Notices.

here described, and especially rufipes, which is more southern in

habitat. It may be easily distinguished from those to which it is

mure closely allied by its polished surface — pruinose when living, —

the rather coarser and more distinct punctures of the intervals,

and by the form and size of the wings which consist of a slender

subopaque cellulo-membranous fillet, without noticeable venation,

slightly wider in apical half, about four-fifths as long as the pro-

thorax and less than one-third as long as the elytra. The male is

decidedly smaller and, especially, more slender than the female.

Pulverulent us is distinctly smaller than rufipes and as these

species are both abundant, the differences maj^ be rendered very

obvious if the large series possessed by almost every cabinet of note

be properly separated.

28 It. parallelUS n. sp. — Elongate-oval, subparallel, strongly convex,

rather strongly shining, black ; legs piceo-rufous ; pubescence fine, moderate

in length, sparse, dark piceo-t'ulvous and very inconspicuous. Head moder-

ately transverse, feebly convex, densely and deeply punctate ; upper lobe of

eyes small ; antennae rather robust, the last three joints rather abruptly but

slightly wider, third joint much shorter than the next two together. Prothorax

but slightly more than one-half wider than long, very feebly narrowed from

base to apex, the sides evenly and rather strongly arcuate ; basal sinuations

moderate ; basal angles right, not in the least rounded ; disk evenly convex,

very densely but not very confiuently punctate toward the sides, much more

sparsely so toward the middle especially near the base ; punctures moderate

in size. Scutellum ogival, rather finely and densely punctate, with the usual

impunctate polished margin. Elytra nearly three times as long as the protho-

rax, rather shorter in the male, subequal in width throughout to the latter,

narrowly, parabolically rounded at apex ; disk with rows of very fine punc-

tures, the stria? extremely feebly impressed, more visibly so toward the suture

but scarcely toward the sides, the punctures separated by from two to three

times their own diameters ; intervals fiat, finely and very sparsely punctured.

Abdomen finely, sparsely punctate, with short sparse inconspicuous pubescence;

surface generally more or less longitudinally rugulose. Legs moderate.

Male. — Anterior tarsi very strongly dilated, the second joint much longer

than the third ; intermediate rather strongly dilated but much less so than

the anterior ; abdomen broadly, moderately impressed in the middle toward

base, the fifth segment with a small transversely-oval and rather strongly

impressed apical fovea.

Length 5.0-5.5 mm. ; width 2.0-2 2 mm.

California (Mountains of Santa Cruz Co.). Mr. Harford.

This species is closely allied to pulverulenlus, but differs in

several points to such a degree that I can see no other correct

course to pursue than to separate it. The form is rather narrower

Coleopterological Notices. 449

and more parallel, and the elytral stria? more finely punctured and

more feebly impressed. The males and females are of similar form

and nearly equal in size, and the wings consist of an exceedingly

slender elongate parallel fillet, rather membranous in texture, devoid

of distinct venation, more than four times as long as wide, about

one-fourth longer than the prothorax and nearly one-half as long as

the elytra, with a deep sinuation on the lower edge near the apex.

This singular form is constant in the only two specimens dissected.

It will be seen, therefore, that the wings are very different from

those of pulverulentus, but approach those of inqixisitus, from which

parallelus differs in its longer prothorax, finer punctures of the

elytral striae and decidedly greater convexity.

29 It. inquisitus n. sp. — Oblong-oval, moderately convex, strongly

shining, black above and beneath ; legs dark piceo-rnfous ; pubescence fine,

short, very sparse, dark piceo-cinereous and inconspicuous. Head moderate,

fully one-half wider than long, feebly convex, deeply, not very coarsely,

densely punctate, the punctures decidedly sparser along the middle ; epistoma

moderately sinuate ; upper lobe of eyes small, rounded; antennae somewhat

robust, the last three joints rather abruptly but slightly wider, third joint

twice as long as the second, the latter shorter than the fifth, three to five

uniformly and rapidly decreasing in length, eighth a little wider, as long as

wide, eleventh very slightly narrower than the tenth. Prothorax onedialf

wider than long, sides very feebly convergent from base to apex, evenly and

rather feebly arcuate ; base transverse, the sinuations moderately distinct ;

basal angles right, not at all rounded ; apex broadly, feebly emarginate in

circular arc ; disk somewhat finely, densely punctate, more sparsely so toward

the middle where the punctures are generally separated by one-half more than

their own diameters, not coalescent laterally. Scutellum moderate, densely,

finely punctate, the posterior edge broadly polished and impunctate. Elytra

subequal in width to the prothorax and about two and one-half times as long ;

sides very feebly arcuate, parabolically rounded at apex ; disk distinctly flat-

tened toward the suture, finely striate, the stria? feebly but rather abruptly

impressed, very slightly deeper and more coarsely punctate laterally ; strial

punctures generally fine and very approximate, usually separated by between

once and twice their own diameters ; intervals fiat, finely and sparsely punc-

tured. Abdomen polished, finely, sparsely punctate, the pubescence very sparse,

rather short, fine, dark fulvo-cinereous and not conspicuous. Legs moderately

robust.

Male. — Anterior tarsi very strongly dilated, the second joint decidedly

longer than the third ; intermediate distinctly but not strongly dilated, the

second joint a little wider than the first and third ; abdomen narrowly and

rather strongly impressed in the middle toward base, the punctuation not

distinctly denser in the middle of the first segment.

Length 5.0 mm. ; width 2.0 mm.

450 Coleopterological Notices.

California (Truckee, Nevada Co.).

The three specimens before me indicate a species allied to pul-

verulentus, but quite distinct in its more depressed parallel form,

similarity in size and form of the male and female, and more

decidedly in the form of the hind wings. The wings are about one-

fourth louger than the prothorax and one-half as long as the elytra,

consisting of a long parallel very slender fillet, subhyaline in struc-

ture, about four times as long as wide, with the two veins very

feebly developed, not extending quite to the middle and equally tri-

secting the width throughout their extent.

30 B. auripilis Horn.— Trans. Am. Phil. Boc, XIV, p. 353.— Oblong-

oval, very convex ; sides parallel ; integuments dull, dark brown in color ;

pubescence moderate in length, recumbent, rather robust and dense, bright

golden-yellow and blackish-piceous confusedly intermingled, the two kinds

subequal in size and abundance. Head moderate, strongly transverse ; sides

strongly convergent anteriorly from before the eyes, the apex strongly sinuate ;

surface feebly convex, very densely punctate, the punctures coarse posteriorly,

finer anteriorly ; interspaces rather shining, convex, very minutely, evenly

reticulate ; eyes moderate ; antenna? rather short and slender, gradually and

not very strongly incrassate toward apex, second joint not one-half as long as

the third, the latter rather elongate although distinctly shorter than the next

two combined. Prothorax feebly narrowed from base to apex, three-fourths

wider than long ; sides slightly more strongly arcuate before the middle ; apex

broadly emarginate ; base transverse, the lateral sinuations broad and distinct ;

disk very strongly convex, not very coarsely but deeply evenly and very

densely punctate throughout, the punctures nearly in mutual contact laterally,

but not coalescent ; interspaces convex, alutaceous, very minutely, evenly

granulato-reticulate. Scutellum punctate, alutaceous, strongly granulato-

reticulate throughout. Elytra but slightly more than one-half longer than

wide, equal in width to and nearly three times as long as the prothorax ; sides

parallel and nearly straight ; apex rather obtusely rounded ; disk not very

finely but feebly and indistinctly striate, the stria? very finely feebly and not

very approximately punctate, the punctures distant by from three to four

times their own diameters toward the suture, not much exceeding in size those

of the intervals and not at all distinct; intervals feebly convex, strongly

granulato reticulate, rather coarsely and densely punctate. Abdomen rather

dull, finely, rather densely punctate and somewhat densely covered with

rather long, dense, robust, bright yellow hairs which are very conspicuous.

Length 6.2 mm. ; width 2.S mm.

Arizona.

This species is related to intermixtus in the dual character of the

vestiture of the upper surface, but not otherwise to any extent ; it

is rather larger and decidedly more convex, with smaller eyes, the

Coleopterological Notices. 451

surface, especially of the abdomen, duller, and the punctuation of

the elytral striae and intervals very different. I have only seen

the female.

It is interesting to note that the hairs growing from the punc-

tures of the elytral stria1, which are usually extremely minute, here

become quite long and distinct; this may possibly be dependent in

some way upon the slight difference between these punctures and

those of the intervals observable in this species.

3] It. iiitenilixtlis n. sp. — Oblong-oval, rather depressed, dark reddish-

brown throughout, but very feebly shining, somewhat densely clothed with

moderately long robust stiff and subrecumbent pubescence, which is pale

golden-yellow and dark piceous-brown confusedly intermingled, the pale hairs

slightly the longer and broader. Head moderate, about one-half wider than

long, feebly convex, somewhat coarsely and rather densely punctate, the inter-

spaces completely dull but not definitely sculptured ; upper lobe of the eyes

large, nearly circular ; antennae rather robust, nearly as long as the head and

prothorax, gradually, strongly incrassate toward apex, second joint about one-

half as long as the third, three to five uniformly and very rapidly decreasing

in length. Prothorax about three-fourths wider than long ; sides in basal

two-thirds parallel, strongly arcuate, thence more strongly convergent and

straighter to the rather prominent apical angles ; apex broadly emarginate in

circular arc ; base transverse, the lateral sinuations strong ; disk broadly,

evenly, moderately convex, somewhat coarsely, deeply, evenly and very

densely punctate, the interspaces strongly reticulate and slightly shining

toward the middle, absolutely dull laterally. Scutellum punctate, the margin

broadly impunctate and polished. Elytra about three-fourths longer than

wide, three times as long as the prothorax and subequal to it in width ; sides

parallel, very feebly arcuate posteriorly ; disk not very finely striate, the

striae somewhat abruptly but moderately impressed, rather finely and closely

punctate, the punctures separated by scarcely more than their own diameters

throughout the width, the striae more strongly impressed externally ; intervals

flat, not densely, very minutely punctate, slightly shining. Abdomen strongly

shining, finely, evenly and not very sparsely punctate ; pubescence tine,

moderate in length, not dense but pale fulvous-yellow and quite distinct.

Legs moderate.

Male. — Anterior tarsi very feebly dilated, the middle slightly robust ; both

coarsely, rather sparsely squamulose beneath ; abdomen slightly and narrowly

flattened in the middle toward base.

Length 5.0-6.0 mm. ; width 2.0-2.6 mm.

Arizona (Winslow). Mr. Wickham.

The anterior tarsi of the female are robust or subdilatecl, not

differing appreciably from the male, but are devoid of squamules

beneath; in both sexes all the tarsi are clothed with very short

Annals N. Y. Acad. Sci., V, Nov. 1890.— 30

452 Coleopterological Notices.

robust recumbent spinulose setas. The hind wings are well devel-

oped, being fully as long as the elytra.

This is a very distinct species in vestiture and was taken in con-

siderable abundance.

32 B. lirevicollis Lee— Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. N. Y., V, 1851, p. 147.—

Oblong-oval, rather robust, moderately convex, blackish-castaneous, rather

dull and alutaceous ; pubescence moderate in length, fine, recumbent, not

dense, dark piceo-fulvous in color and not at all conspicuous. Head rather

small, about one-half as wide as the prothorax, feebly convex, very densely

and deeply punctate throughout, the interspaces much narrower than the

punctures and very minutely granulato-reticulate ; epistoma large, slightly

paler in color, broadly sinuate at apex, the suture well-marked laterally but

obsolete in the middle ; eyes well-developed, the upper lobe rounded or feebly

subtriangular, surrounded by a rather deep and distinct impressed groove ;

antennae rather slender, gradually incrassate toward apex, second joint rather

longer than wide, third slightly shorter than the next two, fourth distinctly

longer than the fifth. Prothorax very nearly twice as wide as long ; sides

rather strongly convergent from base to apex, very evenly and distinctly

arcuate; base transverse, the lateral sin nations broad and very distinct, the

median lobe slightly more posteriorly prominent than the angles ; apex broadly

emarginate in circular arc ; disk very densely and deeply punctate, the punc-

tures rather small and slightly elongate, the pubescence exceedingly indistinct.

Scutellum unusually small. Elytra about two-thirds longer than wide and

three times as long as the prothorax, subequal in width to the latter, the sides

parallel and scarcely perceptibly arcuate in basal two-thirds ; disk with very

fine feebly impressed stria?, which are very finely and feebly punctate toward

the suture, but more coarsely and deeply so externally, the punctures sepa-

rated by from one-half more than to twice their own diameters ; intervals

nearly flat toward the suture, six or seven times as wide as the striae, even,

finely, strongly granulato-reticulate, minutely and rather densely punctate.

Abdomen shining, finely and rather densely punctate, the pubescence fine and

not at all conspicuous, shorter toward the middle. Legs rather slender, dark

rufo-ferruginous.

Male. — Anterior tarsi not in the least dilated ; abdomen toward base rather

narrowly and extremely feebly impressed.

Length 5.3-6.0 mm. ; width 2.6-2.8 mm.

California; Washington State.

The sexual characters in this distinct species are more nearly

obsolete than in any other which I have seen. It ma}?" be readily

known by its dark blackish-rufous color, fine sculpture, inconspicu-

ous pubescence and broad, somewhat depressed form. The sides of

the pronotum are narrowly and very obsoletely subexplanate, this

character being more obvious in some specimens than others, occa-

Coleopterological Notices. 453

sionally disappearing completely ; the elytral striae are also more

deeply impressed in some instances.

33 IE. brtllllieus n. sp. — Oblong-elongate, rather strongly, subcylindri-

cally convex, pale reddish-brown in color throughout; integuments rather

shining, subalutaceous ; pubescence rather short and stiff, subrecumbent,

uniform, rather abundant, pale yellowish-cinereous and conspicuous. Head

transverse, rather broadly truncate, the truncation rather wider than the

distance between the eyes and broadly sinuate ; surface feebly convex, rather

coarsely, densely and confusedly punctate, the interspaces very narrow,

shining ; upper lobes of the eye large and very well developed, separated by

scarcely more than four times their own width ; antennae rather long, distinctly

clavate, second joint a little longer than wide, fully one-half as long as the

third, the latter distinctly shorter than the next two. Prothorax rather long,

scarcely more than one-half wider than long ; sides very feebly convergent

from base to apex, very feebly arcuate, becoming nearly parallel in basal two-

thirds ; apex rather strongly emarginate in circular arc ; base transverse ;

lateral sinuations rather feeble' but distinct ; disk somewhat coarsely, deeply

and very densely punctate, the punctures not coarser and, although extremely

dense and nearly in mutual contact laterally, having scarcely any tendency

to longitudinal coalescence, a very little sparser toward the middle where they

are slightly uneven in distribution, but generally separated by less than their

own diameters. Scutellum small, transverse, finely, rather densely punctate.

Elytra parallel, equal in width to the prothorax and about three times as long,

finely striate, the striae feebly impressed and rather finely but deeply and

approximately punctate, the punctures generally separated by their own

diameters or less ; intervals flat, minutely, strongly reticulate, very finely,

not densely punctate. Abdomen strongly shining, finely, not very densely

punctate ; pubescence moderate in length, fine, not dense, pale and distinct.

Hind wings long and well developed.

Length 5.7 mm. ; width 2.4 mm.

Texas.

This is a very distinct species in its elongate subcylindrical,

although but moderately convex form and pale coloration. It

differs from hesperius in its much shorter pubescence, longer pro-

thorax, much more shining and more sparsely punctate abdomen

and very much larger eyes. From inter mixtus, with which it may

also be confused, it differs in its less transverse prothorax, more

shining integuments, and finer and feebler elytral striae, as well as

in the uniform pubescence.

Although represented by the female only, I have placed the present

species as well as hesperius and auripilis in the group with feebly

dilated anterior male tarsi, because of their analogy to intermixtus

in general habitus.

454 Coleopferological Notices.

34 B. ItesperillS n. sp. — Oblong-oval, moderately convex, smooth, rather

shining, reddish-brown in color ; pubescence rather long and robust, sub-

recumbent, pale yellowish-cinereous throughout and distinct, although not

very dense. Head transversely oval, feebly convex, rather coarsely, deeply,

moderately densely punctate ; epistoma distinctly sinuate ; upper lobe of the

eyes moderately large, slightly oblique and oval ; antennas rather short, outer

joints not very large, second subquadrate, not quite one- half as long as the

third, the latter slender, very slightly shorter than the next two combined.

Prothorax about two-thirds wider than long, widest slightly behind the middle,

the sides being distinctly convergent from base to apex, evenly and rather

strongly arcuate throughout ; apex evenly, distinctly emarginate in circular

arc ; base transverse, the lateral sinuations strong ; disk rather coarsely,

deeply and very densely punctate, the punctures longitudinally subcontinent

toward the sides, slightly smaller and rather unevenly distributed, although

generally almost in mutual contact, toward the middle. Scutellum finely

punctate, reticulate throughout. Elytra nearly parallel, but just visibly

wider than the prothorax and nearly three times as long ; sides very feebly

arcuate; disk with series of rather small, circular, rather deep and subper-

forate punctures which are in general distant by about their own widths, the

striae extremely feebly impressed, rather more distinctly so laterally ; intervals

nearly Hat, extremely minutely but distinctly and rather sparsely punctate,

the surface rather shining, minutely creased and somewhat coarsely granulato-

reticnlate. Abdomen rather shining, minutely, distinctly granulato-reticulate,

finely and somewhat densely punctate, the pubescence rather long, moderately

dense, bright yellowish-cinereous and distinct. Tarsi slender.

Length 4.7 mm. ; width 1.9 mm.

Oregon.

The single specimen serving as the type of the above diagnosis is

a female, and indicates a species somewhat resembling intermixtus

in general habitus, but differing in its smaller size, rather more

slender form, longer and uniform pubescence, more shining sur-

face, feebler, finer elytral stria? and slightly smaller eyes.

35 B. vestitus Lee. — Col. of Kans., 1859, p. 15. — Elongate-elliptical,

very convex, black ; integuments rather dull ; pubescence rather abundant,

moderate in length, very robust and squamiform, arcuate and subrecumbent,

pale yellowish-cinereous and conspicuous. Head rather small and short, much

wider than long and three-fifths as wide as the prothorax, densely, deeply but

not very coarsely punctate, slightly scabrous ; upper lobe of eyes rather small ;

epistoma short, broadly sinuate at apex, the suture not visible ; antennae

slender toward base, strongly dilated toward apex, second joint slightly longer

than wide, third much shorter than the next two, tenth strongly transverse,

eleventh slightly narrower, nearly circular, the apical two-fifths spongiose.

Prothorax rather long, scarcely two-thirds wider than long, the sides distinctly

convergent from base to apex, vaguely subangulate just before the middle,

Coleopterological Notices. 455

nearly straight and feebly divergent thence to the base, and more strongly

convergent to the acute and very slightly prominent apical angles ; apex

broadly, feebly emarginate ; base transverse, broadly and vety distinctly

sinuate laterally ; disk transversely, very strongly convex, rather coarsely,

very deeply and extremely densely punctate. Scutellum moderate, punctate.

Elytra about three times as long as, and very slightly wider than, the protho-

rax ; sides parallel and slightly arcuate ; apex rather narrowly rounded ; disk

with rather fine, very feebly impressed striae which are finely, feebly and

approximately punctate; intervals nearly flat, four or five times as wide as

the striae, finely granulose, rugulose and very minutely, rather densely punc-

tate. Abdomen shining, finely and not very densely punctate, uniformly clothed

throughout with rather short, fine, recumbent, pale but sparse and inconspicu-

ous pubescence. Leys and tarsi rather short and robust.

Male.- — -Anterior tarsi feebly dilated and squamulose beneath, the interme-

diate not dilated but with a few squamules beneath ; abdomen toward base

narrowly and scarcely perceptibly flattened.

Length 4.2-4.9 mm. ; width 1.8-2.1 mm.

Kansas ; Colorado.

One of the most aberrant species of the genus, easily recognizable

by its strongly convex elongate-oval form, feeble elytral stria? and

coarse squamiform pale and conspicuous vestiture.

36 B. liospes n. sp. — Oval, very convex, somewhat dull, grayish-black ;

pubescence rather long and abundant, rather coarse, pale cinereous and con-

spicuous, recumbent. Head feebly convex, very densely punctate ; upper lobe

of eyes moderate ; antennas rather robust, outer joints gradually and rather

strongly dilated, third short, scarcely two-thirds longer than the second, much

shorter than the next two together, seventh distinctly wider than long. Pro-

thorax about three-fourths wider than long, the apex a little narrower than

the base; sides almost evenly and very feebly arcuate ; base transverse, the

sinuations broad and distinct ; basal angles right, rather prominent, not at all

rounded ; apex very feebly emarginate in circular arc ; disk somewhat coarsely

and very densely punctate, the punctures usually a little sparser toward the

middle, and more or less longitudinally coalescent toward the sides but never

forming long ruga?. Scutellum small, not very densely punctate. Elytra

about two and one-half times as long as theprothorax and, behind the middle,

just visibly wider, somewhat acutely rounded behind; disk with fine stria?

which are excessively feebly impressed and extremely finely, feebly punctured,

the punctures generally separated by about twice their own diameters ; inter-

vals nearly flat, sparsely and very minutely punctate. Abdomen strongly

shining, very finely, rather sparsely punctate, the pubescence moderate in

length, sparse, cinereous but not very conspicuous. Leys short.

Male. — Anterior tarsi rather strongly dilated, the second and third joints

equal in length, the latter slightly the wider ; intermediate more feebly but

distinctly dilated ; both pairs densely and rather coarsely spongy-pubescent

456 Coleopterological Notices.

beneath ; abdomen narrowly and more or less distinctly flattened in the middle

toward base, the fifth segment not modified.

Length 3.^-4.4 mm. ; width 1.5-2.0 mm.

Wyoming (Cheyenne), Mr. Wickham ; Colorado (Garland), Mr.

Schwarz.

This form is closely allied to vestitus, and in a purely natural

sequence of the species the two must be associated together. It

differs from vestitus in its much longer, finer pubescence and more

strongly dilated anterior tarsi of the male, although even here the

peculiar structure of the tarsus, — the second joint being distinctly

narrower than the third, — is common to them both.

The punctuation of the pronotum varies considerably, and in the

female from Garland is finer, not so dense toward the sides and

without any marked tendency to coalescence. The punctures of the

elytral striae are finer than in any other species known to me, being

decidedly smaller and more feeble than in vestitus.

37 B. pimalis Casey. — Cont. Descr. and Syst. Col. N. A., II, Jan. 1885,

p. 185. — Oblong-oval, convex, black ; integuments feebly shining ; pubescence

rather long and fine, subrecnmbent, rather dense but dark piceous-brown in

color and not at all conspicuous. Head moderate, wider than long, two-thirds

as wide as the prothorax, deeply and very densely but not coarsely punctate,

the basal portion of the occiput abruptly very minutely punctato-scabrous ;

upper lobe of eyes moderate, slightly oval ; antenna? moderate, rather slender,

the last three joints wider, parallel, forming a loose club, third joint much

shorter than the next two. Prothorax about one-half wider than long ; sides

feebly convergent from base to apex, distinctly and almost evenly arcuate ;

apex broadly, feebly emarginate ; base transverse, broadly and feebly but

distinctly sinuate laterally ; basal angles slightly rounded ; disk rather finely,

very deeply and densely punctate throughout. Scutellum small, punctate.

Elytra about two-thirds longer than wide, fully two and one-half times longer

and very slightly wider than the prothorax ; sides parallel and distinctly

arcuate, straighter toward base ; disk with fine, feehly impressed stria? of

small, rather feeble but distinct punctures, the punctures generally separated

by nearly twice their own diameters ; intervals very feebly convex, about five

times as wide as the stria?, finely and confusedly granulato-rugulose, minutely

and not densely punctate. Abdomen shining, finely and sparsely punctate,

the pubescence fine, sparse, pale fulvous and not at all conspicuous. Legs

and tarsi moderate.

Male. — Anterior tarsi very feebly but distinctly dilated, sqnamulose beneath,

the intermediate not dilated but with small rounded patches of squamules ;

abdomen narrowly and very feebly impressed toward base, the basal segment

abruptly very densely punctate in the middle.

Length 4.6-5.1 mm. ; width l.S-2.2 mm.

Coleoplerological Notices. 457

Arizona — Mr. Morrison.

This species somewhat resembles rufipes in its dull, densely and

finely punctate integuments and dark pubescence, but differs in its

shorter form and smaller size, and, more radically, in the very feeble

dilatation of the male tarsi and more rudimentary hind wings, the

latter in the present species consisting of a slender cellulo-mem bra-

nous plate, about three and one-half times as long as wide, and

about as long as the prothorax.

The umbrosus of Champion (Biol. Cent.-Amer. Col., IV, i, Oct.

1885, p. 127) is possibly the same as pimalis, although the length

given for umbrosus is substantially greater than in any of the seven

representatives of pimalis which I have before me, and the punc-

tures of the elytral stria? in the latter do not exhibit the slightest

trace of transversal ity.

38 B. areiiarillS n. sp. — Elongate-oval, strongly convex, black, strongly

shining : pubescence line, rather short and sparse, fulvous in color and very

inconspicuous. Head moderate, wider than long, slightly convex, deeply and

somewhat coarsely perforato-punctate, the punctures dense laterally, sparser

along the middle, abruptly much finer on the occiput and slightly sparser

anteriorly; epistoma broadly, feebly sinuate, the suture completely obsolete

laterally; upper lobe of eyes rather well developed, oval; antennae slender,

the last three joints robust, second joint a little longer than wide and two-

thirds as long as the third, the latter but one-fourth longer than the fourth,

three to five decreasing uniformly in length. Prothorax somewhat elongate,

not quite one-half wider than long and two-thirds wider than the head ; sides

feebly convergent from base to apex, evenly and rather strongly arcuate ; apex

broadly, feebly einarginate in circular arc ; base transverse, the lateral sinua-

tions moderate in width and strongly marked ; disk very finely and rather

sparsely punctate toward the middle where the punctures are separated by

two or three times their own diameters, rapidly larger, deeper and much

denser in lateral fourth but not coalescent to any great extent; interspaces

flat, polished, minutely reticulate. Scutellum small, minutely, rather sparsely

punctate. Elytra fully two-thirds longer than wide, two and one-half times

as long as the prothorax and, near the middle, very slightly wider than the

latter ; sides parallel and distinctly arcuate ; apex somewhat narrowly rounded ;

disk with very feebly impressed striae, which become very fine toward the

suture and much coarser externally, the strife with deep, circular, perforate

punctures, very fine internally, much coarser externally, generally separated

by about twice their own diameters ; intervals nearly fiat toward the suture,

distinctly convex laterally, finely, not densely punctate, coarsely reticulate,

minutely feebly creased, polished. Abdomen shining, very finely, sparsely

punctate ; pubescence tine, short, recumbent, sparse and inconspicuous. Legs

piceous, shining, rather robust.

458 Coleopterological Notices.

Male. — Anterior tarsi feebly but distinctly dilated, finely, densely spongy-

pubescent beneath ; intermediate just visibly dilated, spongy-pubescent like

the anterior ; abdomen narrowly and feebly impressed, the basal segment not

abruptly more densely punctate in the middle.

Length 4.3-5.0 mm. ; width 1.8-2.1 mm.

Texas (Galveston).

A rather small species, resembling moestus and pulverulentvs,

differing from both in the much more feebly dilated male tarsi, and

from mcestus, in addition, in the development of the wings, In

arenarius the hind wings are extremely rudimentary, consisting of

a slender parallel fillet of semi-opaque cellular membrane, which is

but slightly more than one-half as long as the pronotum.

39 B. debilis n. sp. — Narrow, moderately convex, very slightly cuneate

in the male, black, rather strongly shining ; pubescence fine, moderate in

length, recumbent, rather sparse but cinereous and distinct. Head moderate,

transverse, feebly convex, rather finely, evenly and sparsely punctate through-

out, the punctures a little elongate and separated by nearly twice their own

widths ; upper lobe of eyes rather large and nearly circular ; antenna? slender,

rather short, club feeble, second joint longer than wide, equal to the sixth and

shorter than the fifth, third subequal to the fourth, the fifth a little shorter.

Prothorax two-thirds wider than long, widest before the middle where the sides

are feebly and roundly subangulate, thence very feebly convergent and nearly

straight to the base and more strongly convergent and slightly arcuate to the

apex, which is broadly, distinctly emarginate in circular arc ; base transverse,

the lateral sinuations moderately distinct; disk evenly, rather feebly convex,

finely and rather sparsely punctate, the punctures separated by nearly three

times their own widths except toward the sides, where they are distant by about

twice their diameters ; interspaces minutely and feebly reticulate. Scutelluni

small, feebly punctate. Elytra nearly twice as long as wide and almost three

times as long as the prothorax, scarcely as wide as the latter, gradually nar-

rowed behind from before the middle, the apex rather acute, finely striate, the

striae very feebly impressed, the punctures very distant in the median stria3,

where they are separated by from four to six times their own diameters, but

closer in the stria? toward the suture ; intervals nearly fiat, minutely and

sparsely punctate, finely, rather strongly reticulate and feebly undulated.

Abdomen polished, very finely, sparsely punctate, minutely, finely and very

sparsely pubescent. Legs moderate, rufo-piceous.

Male. — Anterior tarsi feebly but distinctly dilated, finely, densely spongy-

pubescent beneath ; intermediate but slightly less dilated than the anterior,

similarly clothed ; abdomen almost absolutely without trace of impression or

flattening toward base.

Length 3.6 mm. ; width 1.3 mm.

Texas (Dallas).

This very small species is decidedly aberrant not only in facies

Coleoj)terological Notices. 459

but in its unusually short third and long fourth antenna] joints,

these being virtually equal, and in the absence of any decided sexual

i lification of the basal portions of the abdomen, although the

impression of the fifth segment is well developed. The description

is taken as usual from the male, the female being parallel.

40 B. limiiilis 11. sp. — Oblong-elongate, slender, parallel, moderately

convex, black, feebly alutaceous ; pubescence extremely short and excessively

sparse, stiff, cinereous and completely inconspicuous. Head rather large,

transverse, feebly convex, somewhat sparsely and unevenly punctate, the

punctures moderate in size and decidedly denser anteriorly ; epistoma rather

deeply sinuate in the middle ; upper lobe of eyes large and well developed,

nearly circular ; antennas moderate, gradually, strongly incrassate, second

joint as long as wide, subequal to the fifth, fully two-thirds as long as the

third, three to five decreasing rather rapidly in length. Prothorax about two-

thirds wider than the head and nearly two-thirds wider than long ; sides very

feebly convergent from base to apex, very feebly subangulate before the middle,

the sides thence nearly straight to base and apex, the latter broadly, feebly

emarginate in circular arc ; base transverse, lateral sinuations distinct ; disk

transversely, evenly and very moderately convex, finely and rather sparsely

punctate toward the middle where the punctures are separated by about twice

their own diameters, thence gradually coarser and denser laterally but not

coalescent ; interspaces finely granulato-reticulate. Scutellum well developed.

Elytra long, fully four-fifths longer than wide, scarcely visibly wider and two

and one-half times longer than the prothorax ; sides parallel and just visibly

arcuate ; disk with narrow but rather deeply and abruptly impressed stria?,

which are very finely and deeply punctate, more coarsely so laterally, the

punctures generally separated by two or three times their own diameters ;

intervals nearly flat, minutely, sparsely punctate, feebly undulated. Abdo-

men very finely and sparsely punctate, longitudinally rugulose toward base,

polished, the pubescence exceedingly short, recumbent, cinereous and scarcely

at all noticeable. Legs moderate, piceous.

Male. — Anterior tarsi feebly but distinctly dilated, spongy-pubescent be-

neath ; intermediate just visibly dilated, narrowly and not very densely

spongy-pubescent beneath ; abdomen narrowly and very feebly impressed in

the middle toward base, the first segment not more densely punctate in the

middle.

Length 4.0 mm. ; width 1.7—1.8 mm.

Florida (Key West). Mr. W. Jiilich.

One of the smallest species of the genus, comparatively isolated

in its narrow form and extremely short inconspicuous pubescence.

I have seen three specimens.

41 B. pilbesceilS Lee. — Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. N. Y., V, p. 147 ; lecontei

Muls. : Ann. Soc. Agr. Lyon, 1859, p. 192. — Oblong-oval, convex, black ;

460 Coleopterological Notices.

integuments shining ; pubescence rather dense, robust but not at all squami-

form, moderate in length, recumbent, pale cinereous-white and very conspicu-

ous. Head moderate, wider than long; sides convergent in front, the apex

broadly sinuate, the angles broadly rounded ; sides before the eyes broadly

rounded, not prominent ; surface feebly convex, densely, rather coarsely and

deeply punctate, the punctures rather elongate, becoming abruptly much

smaller and sparser on the epistoma, the interspaces narrower than the punc-

tures, finely, feebly granulose, wider and more polished on the epistoma ;

upper lobe of the eyes rather well developed, slightly longer than wide ;

antenna? somewhat slender, a little shorter than the head and prothorax,

outer joints gradually more robust, second small, subglobular, third long,

slender, fully as long as the next two, tenth but slightly shorter than the

ninth, two-fifths wider than long, the eleventh rather longer than wide, nar-

rowed and spongiose in apical half, very obtusely rounded at apex and but

just visibly narrower than the tenth. Prothorax two-thirds wider than the

head and nearly two-thirds wider than long, widest at basal third ; sides very

feebly convergent from base to apex, evenly and strongly arcuate ; base trans-

verse, the lateral sinuations broad and extremely feeble; apex broadly, very

feebly sinuate, the angles slightly obtuse, not at all rounded and not promi-

nent; disk transversely convex, very densely, evenly punctate, the punctures

moderate in size, slightly elongate, the interspaces very narrow, flat, finely

reticulato-granulose. Scutellum densely punctate. Elytra about three-fourths

longer than wide, two and one-half times as long as the prothorax and, just

behind the middle, very slightly wider, having very even, feebly impressed

rows of round, deeply impressed punctures, separated by less than their own

diameters and rather coarse, the intervals nearly flat, about three times as

wide as the strife, finely, rather densely punctate and minutely reticulate.

Abdome.ii rather finely and sparsely punctate, finely and sparsely pubescent.

Legs piceous-black.

Male — Anterior tarsi not noticeably dilated ; abdomen broadly, feebly im-

pressed in the middle through the basal half.

Length 5.0-6.0 mm. ; width 2.3 mm.

California (San Bernardino and San Diego).

The description is taken from the male, the female being a little

more elongate, with the elytra slightly longer. It is a very well-

marked species, forming an easy transition from the ordinary types

of the genus to sulcatus and hydropicus, possessing the elongate

third antenna! joint of the latter, with the normal structure of the

head. The punctures of the elytra have nearly the same coarse

perforate appearance as in sulcatus, but are scarcely more than one-

half as large, the striae being much more feebly impressed and the

intervals much wider.

42 B. sulcatus Lee— Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist. N. Y., V, p. 147.— Moderately

robust, convex, oblong-oval ; integuments dull black, the pubescence in the

Coleopterological Notices. 461

form of robust, arcuate, subrecumbent, scale-like hairs, rather dense, pale

yellowish-cinereous and very conspicuous. Head slightly wider than long,

subhexagonal, the sides before the eyes prominent and angulate ; epistoma

very broadly truncate, the truncation sinuate in the middle, the anterior

angles rather narrowly rounded ; surface very feebly convex, rather coarsely,

deeply punctate, the punctures polygonally crowded, the acute interspaces

granulose; upper lobe of the eyes small, slightly elongate-oval; antennae

robust, rather distinctly shorter than the head and prothorax, gradually,

feebly inorassate, second joint very short, the third clavate, longer than the

next two together and more than three times as long as the second, tenth

transverse, shorter than the ninth and rather wider than the eleventh, the

latter ovoidal, as long as wide. Prothorax about two-thirds wider than the

head and two-thirds wider than long; sides feebly convergent from base to

apex and rather strongly arcuate, the disk being widest slightly behind the

middle ; base broadly, feebly bisinuate ; apex truncate between the slightly

advanced acute angles ; disk transversely, evenly and strongly convex,

abruptly and very narrowly explanate along the lateral edges, punctured like

the head, the interspaces a little less granulose. Scutellum granulose and

dull, rather sparsely, coarsely punctate and squamulose. Elytra four-fifths

longer than wide, three times as long as, and, just behind the middle, about

one-fifth wider than the prothorax, each with nine deeply excavated abrupt

closely and deeply punctate grooves, the intervals flat, but very slightly wider

than the grooves, granulose, asperately punctate and rather densely clothed

with the very robust squamiform hairs, each strial puncture bearing a very

minute slender hair from its anterior wall. Abdomen shining, rather sparsely,

coarsely punctate and finely, sparsely pubescent. Hind wings rather well

developed, a little shorter than the elytra.

Male. — Anterior tarsi not perceptibly dilated ; abdomen broadly, just visibly

impressed in the middle toward base.

Length 5.0-5.8 mm. ; width 2.0-2.3 mm.

California ; Texas.

A conspicuous species, distinguishable at once by its deeply-

grooved elytra, pale robust and squamiform pubescence, narrowly

subreflexo-explanate sides of the prothorax and polygonal head,

with prominent angulate sides. Together with the next it consti-

tutes a group, comparatively isolated not only by these characters,

but by the very short second and greatly developed third joint of

the antennas.

43 B. hydropic us n. sp.- — Very robust, oblong-oval, distinctly wider

behind, convex, brownish-black, dull, the pubescence in the form of very

short arcuate semierect robust scale-like hairs, which are moderately dense,

dark piceous-brown in color and not at all conspicuous. Head and antenna?

nearly as in sulcatus, the former yt-ry slightly more transverse, dull, rather

coarsely, very deeply punctate, the punctures polygonally crowded. Prothorax

462 Coleopterological Notices.

about two-thirds wider than the head and five-sixths wider than long; sides

feebly convergent from base to apex, strongly and almost evenly arcuate; base

broadly, feebly arcuate, feebly sinuate laterally; basal angles acute and a

little less posteriorly prominent than the middle ; apex truncate between the

slightly advanced acute angles ; disk widest slightly behind the middle,

transversely convex, very abruptly and conspicuously, although somewhat

narrowly explanate along the sides, punctured like the head. Scutellum

dull, granulose, sparsely punctate. Elytra scarcely three-fourths longer than

wide, rather inflated behind, three times as long as, and distinctly wider than,

the prothorax, having deep abrupt deeply punctate grooves, the punctures of

the grooves separated by nearly their own diameters ; intervals fiat, scabrous,

asperately punctate, and distinctly wider than the grooves, the erect scales

numerous, unevenly arranged. Abdomen finely granulose and but feebly shin-

ing, rather coarsely and densely punctate, somewhat densely covered with

robust recumbent yellowish-cinereous hairs which are conspicuous.

Male. — Anterior tarsi scarcely perceptibly dilated; abdominal impression

broad and nearly flat.

Length 5.1-6.0 mm. ; width 2.3-2.7 mm.

Arizona.

Although allied to sulcatus this species is very easily separated

by its much more robust form, more transverse prothorax, wider

elytral intervals, shorter darker1 more erect and much less conspicu-

ous vestiture of the upper surface and more robust denser and more

distinct pubescence of the abdomen, the latter being duller and more

densely punctate. The explanate lateral portion of the pronotum

is much wider in the present species and almost perfectly flat.

44 B. discolor Horn.— Trans. Am. Phil. Soc, XIV, p. 354.

I have not seen the unique type of this species, but from the

description it would appear as if it were not correcthT placed in

Blapstinus Its coloration is absolutely foreign to this genus,

although quite common in the apterous genera allied to Conibius;

its glabrous surface is also a very exceptional character especially

among the California!] species of Blapstinus. It is probable that

discolor is apterous, and that it will prove to be a member either

of Conibius or of an allied genus.

MECI'SMITS Horn.

The species of this genus are not very numerous and somewhat

resemble the more elongate and depressed forms of Blapstinus such

1 An immersion for three hours in pure ethylic ether does not affect the

color of the vestiture, showing that this is not due to any fatty exudation.

Coleopterological Notices. 463

as longulus, but on closer observation it is readily seen thai the

antennae are rather more slender, the base of the prothorax straight,

the humeri exposed and the hypomera not impressed near the

lateral edges.

The anterior tarsi of the male are moderately dilated and vary

considerably in the vestiture of the under surface, thus affording

excellent subordinate structural characters for the identification of

the species. The wings are well developed, and the flight is proba-

bly stronger than in Blapstinus on account of the greater lightness

of the body.

The species may be divided into two distinct groups as indicated

in the following table : —

Anterior tibiae normal ; punctuation of the elytral intervals confused ; form

strongly depressed I

Anterior and middle tarsi densely spongy-pubescent beneath in the male ;

form broader ; prothorax strongly transverse, the apex more deeply emar-

ginate ; punctures of the elytral strife finer laticollis

Anterior tarsi dilated and spongy-pubescent beneath ; intermediate simply

spinose beneath an gust us

Anterior tarsi scarcely perceptibly dilated, devoid of fine pubescence be-

neath ; intermediate not dilated, coarsely spinose tenuis

Anterior tibiae distinctly compressed and dilated from base to apex ; each

elytral interval with a single even series of setigerous punctures ; body

more convex II

Pubescence extremely short and inconspicuous ; pronotal punctuation very

sparse, throughout ; punctures of the intervals very much liner than those

of the strias parvullIS

Pubescence longer, denser and much more conspicuous ; pronotal punctua-

tion dense toward the sides ; punctures of the intervals coarser, not so

noticeably smaller than those of the strise ; size larger advena

IH. laticollis 11. sp. — Oblong-elongate, parallel, depressed, black through-

out ; legs dark rufous ; antennas testaceous ; integuments strongly shining ;

pubescence rather long and fine, sparse, pale cinereous and distinct. Head

coarsely, moderately densely punctate, the median line almost impunctate ;

epistoma extremely feebly, broadly sinuate ; upper lobes of eyes rattier large ;

antennas slender, distinctly incrassate toward tip, third joint slender but

shorter than the next two, tenth nearly as long as wide, eleventh very slightly

longer than wide and as wide as the tenth. Prothorax three-fourths wider

than the bead and fully two-thirds wider than long ; base straight and trun-

cate, equal in width to the apex, the latter strongly emarginate throughout

the width in circular arc ; basal angles distinctly obtuse but not at all rounded ;

sides strongly, evenly arcuate ; disk widest in the middle, coarsely, very

sparsely punctate toward the middle, more densely so but with the punctures

464 Coleopterological Notices.

still well separated toward the sides. Scutellura well developed, of the usual

structure. Elytra parallel, just visibly wider than the prothorax and rather

more than three times as long, at base but very slightly wider than the base

of the pronotum, the humeri rounded ; apex broadly, obtusely rounded ; sides

very feebly arcuate; disk finely striate, the striae feebly impressed, rather

finely punctate, the punctures generally separated by between once and twice

their own diameters ; intervals flat, rather coarsely, sparsely and irregularly

punctured. Abdomen coarsely, rather sparsely punctured.

Male. — Anterior tarsi rather strongly dilated, very densely clothed beneath

with long dense spongy-pubescence ; intermediate very feebly dilated and

narrowly but densely pubescent beneath ; abdomen broadly, very feebly im-

pressed in the middle toward base.

Length 6.0-6.8 mm. ; width 2.2-2.7 mm.

Texas (El Paso). Mr. Dunn.

The largest and most robust species which I have examined, quite

distinct from angustus in the broad prothorax, strongly emarginate

at apex, by the finer strial punctures and coarser punctures of the

intervals, as well as in the more strongly developed tarsal characters

of the male.

IM. angustus Lee. — Blapstinus ang. : Ann. Lye. N. Y., V, 1851, p. 147. —

Slender, depressed, subparallel, piceous-black throughout, shining ; legs rufo-

piceous ; pubescence moderate in length, fine, sparse but pale cinereous and

distinct. Head a little wider than long, feebly convex, broadly trapezoidal

before the eyes, coarsely and not very densely punctate ; epistoma broadly

sinuate ; upper lobes of eyes moderate, ovate ; antennas slender, fully as long

as the head and prothorax, very feebly incrassate toward tip, third joint

slender, nearly as long as the next two, tenth nearly as long as wide, the

eleventh a little longer than wide and but just perceptibly narrower than the

tenth. Prothorax less than one-half wider than the head and about one-third

wider than long ; base and apex equal in width, the former truncate and just

visibly arcuate, the apex more strongly and very broadly sinuate ; basal

angles obtuse, not in the least rounded ; sides strongly arcuate ; disk widest

at the middle, coarsely and deeply punctate, the punctures rather sparse

toward the middle, denser laterally but not contiguous. Scutellum triangular,

densely punctate, with a wide polished impunctate margin. Elytra parallel,

nearly one-fourth wider than the prothorax and three times as long ; sides

feebly arcuate ; apex rather obtusely rounded ; humeri rounded, not covered

by the prothorax, the base of the latter distinctly narrower than that of the

elytra ; disk coarsely striate, the stria? rather feebly impressed and coarsely

punctate, the punctures round, deeply perforate, well separated ; intervals

three to four times as wide as the strial punctures, flat or very feebly convex,

finely, very sparsely and irregularly punctured. Abdomen coarsely, sparsely

punctate. Legs rather long, the fourth joint of the posterior tarsi fully as

long as the first three together.

Coleopterological Notices. 4G5

Male. — Anterior tarsi rather feebly but distinctly dilated and somewhat

densely clothed beneath with coarse spongy-pubescence ; intermediate robust

but not appreciably dilated, simply coarsely spinose beneath without trace

of pubescence; abdomen feebly and rather narrowly impressed in the middle

toward base.

Length 5.5-5.S mm. ; width 1.9-2.1 mm.

Southern California ; Arizona (Yuma).

The female does not differ greatly from the male. I have before

me a male example which is entirely rufo-ferruginous in color and

rather more robust, in which the anterior tarsi are scarcely percep-

tibly dilated and clothed beneath with long coarse spines without

trace of squamules; the abdomen being broadly and feebly impressed

in the middle toward base, shows that there can be no mistake

regarding the sex of this specimen, which represents therefore a

closely allied species which should not be named at present, for

without additional specimens I am unable to state whether or not

the peculiar pale color is due to immaturity.

1WT. tenuis n. sp. — Slender, parallel, depressed, piceous-black ; head and

prothorax very slightly paler, rufo-piceous ; integuments shining ; pubescence

nearly as in angustus. Head feebly transverse, slightly convex, rather finely

and sparsely punctate ; epistoma broadly and very feebly sinuate ; upper lobes

of eyes moderate, rather convex ; antennae slender, feebly incrassate toward

tip. fully as long as the head and prothorax, third joint slender but very dis-

tinctly shorter than the next two combined, tenth as wide as long. Prothorax

scarcely more than one-third wider than the head, one-third wider than long ;

base distinctly narrower than the apex, the former transversely truncate, the

latter nearly so, being but just perceptibly incurvate ; basal angles obtuse,

not rounded ; sides moderately strongly arcuate ; disk widest slightly before

the middle, rather finely and very sparsely punctate, the punctures toward the

sides separated by fully twice their own widths. Scutellum well developed,

nearly as in angustus. Elytra parallel, very slightly wider than the prothorax

and about three times as long, at base wider than the base of the pronotum,

evenly rounded at apex ; humeri rounded ; sides slightly and evenly arcuate ;

disk coarsely but feebly striate, the strise coarsely, deeply and not very ap-

proximately punctured ; intervals nearly flat, from three to four times as wide

as the strial punctures, very finely, sparsely and irregularly punctate. Abdo-

men coarsely, not very sparsely punctate.

Male. — Anterior tarsi very feebly dilated, spinose beneath, without trace of

pubescence ; intermediate not dilated ; abdomen broadly, very distinctly im-

pressed in the middle toward base.

Length 4.8 mm. ; width 1.6-1.8 mm.

Southern California.

This species is allied to angustus, but differs in its smaller size,

4G6 Coleopterological Notices.

still more slender depressed form, in the shape of the prothorax, in

coloration and still more decidedly in the male sexual characters.

M. parvullis n. sp. — Oblong-elongate, parallel, moderately depressed,

highly polished, black ; legs and antennae dark rufous ; pubescence very

short, robust and setiform, extremely sparse, arranged in single lines on the

intervals, silvery-cinereous but not conspicuous. Head transverse, feebly con-

vex, finely and sparsely punctate ; epistoma narrowly and distinctly sinuate ;

upper lobes of eye small ; antennae slender, very feebly incrassate, rather

short, distinctly shorter than the head and prothorax, third joint slightly

longer than the fourth, tenth distinctly wider than long, the eleventh much

Longer than wide, as wide as the tenth. Prothorax about one-half wider than

the bead and one-half wider than long ; base and apex equal in width, the

former transversely truncate, the latter broadly, distinctly emarginate in

circular arc ; basal angles slightly obtuse, not at all rounded ; sides rather

strongly arcuate ; disk widest at about the middle, very sparsely and rather

finely punctured, a little less sparsely so toward the sides. Scntellum densely

punctate, with a very wide impunctate border. Elytra equal in width to the

prothorax and nearly three times as long ; sides very feebly arcuate ; base

but very slightly wider than that of the pronotum, the humeri very narrowly

exposed ; disk with moderately coarse and impressed striae which are finely

and rather distantly punctured ; intervals nearly flat, each with a single very

regular line of fine, widely distant, setigerous punctures. Abdomen finely, very

sparsely punctured.

Male. — Anterior tarsi moderately but very distinctly dilated, the subbasal

joints very short and transverse, densely spongy-pubescent beneath, the third

much wider than the second ; intermediate very feebly dilated, narrowly

squamulose beneath ; abdomen not appreciably modified, evenly convex

toward base.

Length 3.7-3.9 mm.; width 1.4-1.5 mm.

New Mexico (Fort Wingate). Dr. Shufeldt.

This very peculiar little species may be readily distinguished

from the next, which belongs to the same aberrant group, by its

smaller size, finer and sparser punctuation and more indistinct

pubescence.

M". atlveiia n. sp. — Oblong, moderately depressed, strongly shining,

black throughout ; legs dark piceo-rufous ; antennae testaceous ; pubescence

moderate in length, pale, rather douse and distinct on the pronotum, arranged

hi very even series on the elytra. Head rather strongly transverse, rattier

coarsely and densely punctate ; epistoma broadly and feebly sinuate ; upper

lobes of eyes moderate, nearly as broad as long ; antennae slender, feebly in-

crassate toward apex, a little shorter than the head and prothorax, third joint

much shorter than the next two. combined, tenth a little wider than long,

eleventh slightly longer than wide. Prothorax rather transverse, two-thirds

Coleopterological Notices. 461

wider than the head and about two-thirds wider than long ; base and apex

equal, the former transversely truncate, the latter feebly incurvate in circular

arc ; basal angles slightly obtuse, not rounded ; sides evenly and rather feebly

annate ; disk widest in the middle, somewhat coarsely, deeply punctate, the

punctures rather sparse toward the middle, dense but distinctly separated

toward the sides. Scutellum triangular, densely punctate, the border rather

narrow, impunctate. Elytra about equal in width to the prothorax and three

times as long in the female, somewhat shorter in the male, rather strongly

rounded at apex ; sides parallel, very feebly arcuate ; base scarcely perceptibly

wider than the base of the prothorax ; disk with rows of rather coarse, deeply

perforate punctures, the striae excessively feebly impressed, the punctures

generally separated by nearly twice their own diameters ; intervals from three

to four times as wide as the strial punctures, flat, each with a single even row

of rather coarse punctures which are not more distant than those of the striae.

Abdomen rather finely, sparsely punctured. Legs moderate ; fourth joint of the

posterior tarsi about equal in length to the first three.

Male. — Anterior tarsi moderately dilated, densely spongy-pubescent beneath,

the third joint distinctly wider than the second ; intermediate very feebly

dilated, similarly clothed ; abdomen narrowly and scarcely perceptibly flat-

tened in the middle toward base.

Length 4.1-4.8 mm. ; width 1.4-1.8 mm.

Texas (El Paso). Mr. Dunn.

Apparently abundant, and, although allied to parvulus, easily

distinguishable from that species, in addition to the characters here-

tofore noted, by the punctuation of the sutural interval which in

advena is generally confused; in parvulus there is a very regular

single row of punctures similar to those of the other intervals.

COXIBIUS Lee.

This genus is quite composite, and as here considered, embraces

five distinct typical forms, represented by seriatus, opacus, sulcatus,

gagates and granulatus, but as far as structural characters of value

are concerned, the groups may be limited to three. These groups

agree among themselves in all the characters before given in the

table of genera, but might possibly be considered of subgeneric

value ; at any rate, the difference in general habitus is quite remark-

able. As far as variety of type is concerned, Conibius ma}' be

considered the Asida of the Blapstini.

The sexual characters are generally very slight, the tarsi being

absolutely undilated in the male, but in a few species the anterior

tibia? are modified in that sex as described below. As a curious

coincidence, it should be mentioned that similar tibial modifications

Annals N. Y. Acad. Sci., V, Nov. 1890.— 31

468 Coleopterological Notices.

are described hx Champion as affecting some of the Central Ameri-

can species of Blapstinus, such as tibialis and grandis; I have not

observed this character in any of our species however.

The several groups and their component species may be readily

distinguished by the following table: —

Basal angles of the protliorax obtuse, not distinctly prominent posteriorly ;

elytral punctures never asperate.

Anterior angles of the protliorax obtuse, not prominent I

Elytra not deeply sulcate.

Surface shining ; elytra but slightly wider than the prothorax ; elytral

stria? very feebly impressed, the intervals flat ; third antennal joint

shorter than the next two combined.

Humeral angles dentiform and feebly everted.

Form slender, parallel parallelllS

Form more robust and convex.

Bicolored ; pronotum very minutely and sparsely punctate toward

the middle seriatus

Unicolorous, much larger ; pronotum more coarsely and much

more densely punctured toward the middle.

guadalupensis

Humeral angles broadly rounded uniform i-

Surface dull ; elytra very much wider than the prothorax, elliptical ;

striae distinctly impressed ; intervals feebly convex ; third antennal

joint fully as long as the next two combined opacus

Elytra deeply sulcate.

Elytra at base narrower than the base of the prothorax ; intervals

equal -in elevation silica t MS

Elytral base equal in width to that of the prothorax ; alternate inter-

vals much wider and very much more elevated alteriiatlis

Anterior angles of the prothorax acute and anteriorly prominent ; elytral

punctures very minute II

Surface smooth although very dull and alutaceous ; elytra with but faint

traces of punctured stria? gagates

Basal angles of the prothorax acute and distinctly produced posteriorly ;

punctures of the elytral intervals strongly asperate Ill

Slender ; elytral intervals rather strongly convex ; head about three-fourths

as wide as the prothorax granillatus

Robust and more depressed ; intervals very feebly convex ; head scarcely

two-thirds as wide as the prothorax crassipes

C. parallelllS Lee. — Ann. Lye. N. Y., V, p. 146. — Rather slender,

parallel, convex, black ; antenna? and legs dark rufo-testaceous ; head and

pronotum often slightly piceous ; lustre and vestiture nearly as in seriatus.

1I<, id transverse, finely, rather deeply and densely punctate ; epistoma very

feebly sinuate in the middle of the very wide apex ; upper lobe of eye quite

Coleopterological Notices. 469

small and rather broadly oval ; antenna? very robust and compact, feebly in-

crassate toward apex, shorter than the head and prothorax combined, third

joint not twice as long as wide and a little shorter than the next two, eleventh

not distinctly narrower than the tenth. Prothorax about one-third wider than

the head and one-third wider than long ; apex transversely truncate, a little

wider than the base, the latter rather distinctly arcuate, the lateral sinuations

obsolete ; basal angles obtuse but not at all rounded ; sides rather feebly

arcuate, straight toward base ; disk widest before the middle, finely, not very

densely punctate toward the middle, the punctures becoming larger, deeper

and very dense toward the sides. Elytra equal in width to the prothorax and

more than twice as long, parallel ; sides feebly arcuate ; apex rather obtusely

rounded ; humeri dentiform ; disk with excessively feebly impressed strise of

very minute punctures which, except toward base, are scarcely larger than

those of the intervals, the latter sparse. Abdomen finely, feebly and sparsely

punctured.

Male. — Without distinct sexual characters.

Length 3.2-4.0 mm. ; width 1.1-1.3 mm.

California (San Diego).

This appears to be quite a local species, and I have not seen it

from any other locality than that indicated above. It is easily

known by its slender parallel form.

j In both pa?-allelus and seriatus the sexual differences are almost

completely obsolete, the males, represented by certain slightly less

robust specimens, seem however to have the abdomen extremely

feebly flattened in the middle toward base. The anterior tibice and

tarsi are not modified in the male ; they are short and robust, the

latter very compact.

€. seriatus Lee. — Ann. Lye. N. Y., V, p. 146. — Oblong, parallel, rather

strongly convex, subalutaceous, dark rufo-testaceous ; elytra black ; pubes-

cence wanting, replaced by excessively minute, sparse and rather robust, sub-

hyaline setse arising from the punctures. Head transverse, minutely and

somewhat densely punctate ; upper lobes of eyes very small, broadly oval ;

anteniue robust, incrassate toward apex, a little shorter than the head and

prothorax, third joint very short, clavate, about one half longer than wide,

tenth strongly transverse, eleventh a little wider than long and distinctly

narrower than the tenth, joints throughout very compactly joined. Prothvrax

about one-third wider than the head and one-half wider than long ; apex

subtruncate, very slightly wider than the base which is slightly arcuate in

the middle, the lateral sinuatious just perceptible; basal angles very obtuse

and extremely narrowly rounded ; sides feebly arcuate, nearly straight toward

base ; disk widest slightly before the middle, finely punctate, the punctures

rather sparse toward the middle, dense but not quite contiguous laterally,

not muiicate. Elytra equal in width to the prothorax and about two and one-

half times as long, obtusely rounded behind ; sides feebly arcuate ; disk with

470 Coleopterological Notices.

very fine and feebly impressed stripe of fine, moderately approximate piinctures,

the intervals sparsely and still more minutely punctured. Abdomen sparsely,

very minutely and feebly punctate.

Mule. — Without distinct sexual modification.

Length 3.8-4.0 mm. ; width 1.4-1.6 mm.

California (Humboldt and San Bernardino Cos.).

Easily distinguishable from any other species by its coloration

and rather robust form ; from guadalupensis, which it approaches,

it is to be known at once by its coloration, decidedly smaller size

and different antenna! structure. It is the only species which I

have seen which extends its range from the Arizona faunal regions,

along the Californian sea-coast to the northern limits of the state.

C guadalupensis n. sp. — Oblong, parallel, rather robust, strongly

convex, piceous-black throughout, the legs and antennae dark rufo-testaceous,

rather shining; vestiture as in seriatus. Head transverse, nearly flat above,

deeply and very densely but rather finely punctate, the punctures finer toward

the apex ; epistoma distinctly sinuate ; upper lobe of eye very small ; antennae

moderately robust, much shorter than the head and prothorax, rather strongly

incrassate toward tip, third joint fully twice as long as wide and but slightly

shorter than the next two together, eleventh scarcely visibly narrower than

the tenth, the latter one-half wider than long. Prothorax two-fifths wider than

flie head and two-fifths wider than long ; base feebly arcuate except near the '

sides, fully as wide as the apex which is transversely truncate ; basal sinua-

tions almost obsolete, the angles obtuse but not distinctly rounded and not in

the least produced ; sides feebly arcuate, straight toward base ; disk widest

rather before the middle, rather finely, deeply and very densely punctate

throughout, the punctures equal in size although just perceptibly sparser

toward the middle, not at all muricate. Elytra behind the middle scarcely

perceptibly wider than the prothorax and but little more than twice as long ;

sides rather distinctly arcuate ; apex obtusely rounded ; disk with feebly im-

pressed rows »f very small, feeble and rather closely placed punctures, which

become more distinct toward base ; intervals minutely and rather sparsely

punctate. Abdomen polished, very finely and sparsely punctured.

Male. — Without distinct sexual modification.

Length 4.7-5.4 mm. ; width 1.8-2.2 mm.

Guadalupe Island.

The ample series of eleven specimens which I have before me,

enables me to state with confidence that guadalupensis is quite

distinct from seriatus, with which it has been confounded by Dr.

Horn (Trans. Am. Ent. Soc, V, 1876, p. 199). The size is con-

stantly very much greater, and it differs otherwise in its more elon-

gate and more densely and coarsely punctate pronotum, and more

Coleo'pterological Notices. 471

slender antennae with the third joint longer, as well as by its uniform

coloration.

C. liniformis u. sp. — Form oblong-oval, rather robust, convex, black ;

legs and antenna? piceo-rufous, rather strongly shining ; vestiture as in seriatus.

Head strongly transverse, rather coarsely and confluently punctured behind,

the punctures becoming very fine and dense anteriorly ; epistoma rather

strongly sinuate in the middle ; upper lobe of eye small, broadly oval ;

antennae very robust and compact, nearly as in seriatus, but with the third

joint a little longer. Prothorax moderately transverse, scarcely one-third wider

than long ; base truncate equal in width to the apex, the latter extremely

feebly emarginate ; basal angles very slightly obtuse, not at all rounded and

slightly produced posteriorly ; sides feebly arcuate anteriorly, straight toward

base ; disk widest before the middle, finely and somewhat sparsely punctate,

the punctures becoming much coarser, deeper and very dense toward the sides.

Elytra distinctly wider than the prothorax and scarcely more than twice as

long ; sides rather strongly arcuate ; humeri obtusely rounded ; apex evenly,

not very broadly rounded ; disk with rather feebly impressed striae of small

but distinct and very closely placed punctures, becoming larger toward base ;

intervals flat, sparsely and very finely punctured. Abdomen polished, finely

and sparsely but deeply and distinctly punctate.

Male. — Abdomen narrowly and distinctly impressed in the middle toward

base.

Length 3.7-4.5 mm. ; width 1.5-1.8 mm.

Arizona.

Although somewhat allied to seriatus, this species may be dis-

tinguished by its oval elytra, wider than the prothorax, by the much

larger and stronger strial punctures, and by the less transverse pro-

thorax with differently formed basal angles.

C opacilS Lee. — Notihius opac. : New Spec. Col., 1866, p. 118.-^Ovate,

strongly convex, black ; legs and antennae piceous ; lustre extremely dull

because of a fine, strong, granular reticulation ; vestiture as in seriatus. Head

transverse, flat, rather finely, very densely punctate, the punctures longitu-

dinally coalescent posteriorly, finer and muricate anteriorly ; epistoma very

deeply sinuate in the middle ; upper lobe of eye small, but larger than usual

and broadly oval ; antennae rather long and robust, as long as the head and

prothorax, last three joints forming a strong club, third long, fully as long as

the next two, tenth nearly twice as wide as long, the eleventh much narrower.

Prothorax scarcely one-third wider than the head and one-fourth wider than

long, the apex broadly emarginate, fully as wide as the base which is just

perceptibly and evenly arcuate throughout, the sinuations obsolete ; basal

angles not rounded, not prolonged posteriorly but rendered very slightly

prominent from a very feeble gradual sinuation of the sides before them ; sides

anteriorly evenly, rather feebly arcuate ; disk widest before the middle very

472 Coleopterological Notices.

feebly but somewhat broadly reflexed laterally, rather finely, extremely

densely punctate throughout, the punctures forming long longitudinal rugae,

less marked and finer toward the middle. Elytra oval and subinflated, widest

in the middle, at base feebly emarginate and coarctate throughout with the

prothorax, two-fiftbs wider than the latter and more than twice as long, rather

acutely rounded at apex ; disk very finely but evenly and distinctly striate,

the striae extremely finely punctate, the punctures rather approximate and not

larger toward base ; intervals nearly fiat toward base, strongly evenly convex

posteriorly, very minutely and somewhat densely punctate. Abdomen shining,

very finely, somewhat sparsely punctate. Legs long and rather slender.

Male. — Sexual characters not determined.

Length 4.6 mm. ; width 2.0 mm.

Lower California (Cape San Lucas). Cab. LeConte.

A very distinct species which conld not possibly be confounded

with any other, its rather inflated el_ytra, dull, densely punctate

integuments and long antenna? at once distinguishing it; the epi-

pleune are relatively very wide, resembling somewhat those of

gagates. The bases of the prothorax and elytra are exactly equal

in width, the humeri not exposed.

The unique type is probably a male, but exhibits no decided

sexual modification.

It is highly probable that the Arizona specimens, hitherto referred

to this species, have been incorrectly identified.

C. Slllcatus Lee. — Notibius sale. : Ann. Lye. N. Y., V, p. 145. — Oblong-

oval, strongly convex, moderately shining, black ; legs and antenme rufous ;

vestiture as in seriatus, but with the' seta? still more infinitesimal. Head

moderately transverse, the sides near the eyes parallel and straight ; epistoma

broadly, deeply sinuate ; surface nearly fiat, finely, very densely punctate ;

upper lobe of eye extremely small and narrow ; antennae robust, rather com-

pact, moderately incrassate toward apex and much shorter than the head and

prothorax together, third joint fully as long as the next two, eleventh narrower

than the tenth. Prothorax about two-thirds wider than the head and nearly

one-half wider than long ; base rather distinctly wider than the apex, trans-

verse, the lateral sinuations distinct ; basal angles nearly right and narrowly

rounded ; sides very feebly arcuate ; apex extremely feebly incurvate ; disk

widest at about the middle, very feebly explanate near the sides, finely and

very densely punctate throughout, the punctures neither muricate nor greatly

coalescent. Elytra at base distinctly narrower than the base of the prothorax,

at the middle a little wider than the disk of the latter, rather more than twice

as long ; sides evenly and very distinctly arcuate ; disk with very coarse,

deeply and roundly impressed striae, which are coarsely, moderately approxi-

mately and very feebly punctate ; intervals very convex, equal throughout

the width, subequal in width to the striae, minutely and sparsely punctate.

Abdomen sparsely and minutely punctured. Leys rather long.

Coleopterological Notices. 473

Male. — Anterior tibiae slender, the anterior surface polished, very finely,

sparsely punctate, strongly and obtusely toothed within at one-third the

length from the base, the portion thence to the base one-half as wide as the

remaining portion.

Length 4.8-5.3 mm. ; width 2.0-2.4 mm.

California (San Diego).

The male is more slender than the female. The base of the elytrfc

being- distinctly narrower than the base of the prothorax, together

with the deeply sulcate elytra and equally convex intervals, will

render the identification of this species at all times a very easy

matter.

C. alteriiatlis n. sp. — Oblong-oval, very convex, parallel, moderately

shining, black ; legs dark rufous ; vestiture as in sulcatus, very brittle and

easily removable. Head nearly as in sulcatus, but more coarsely and con-

tinently punctate. Prothorax four-fifths wider than the head and two-thirds

wider than long ; base much wider than the apex, broadly arcuate in the

middle, feebly sinuate laterally, the basal angles right, very narrowly rounded

and scarcely extending as far posteriorly as the median portion ; apex very

feebly emarginate ; sides evenly and rather strongly arcuate ; disk widest in

the middle, very feebly explanate posteriorly but not perceptibly so anteriorly,

somewhat finely and extremely densely punctate, the punctures tending to

coalesce in short irregular rugae toward the sides, finer and not so coalescent

toward the middle. Elytra at base as wide as the base of the prothorax,

behind the middle very slightly wider than the disk of the latter and two and

one-half times as long ; sides feebly but distinctly arcuate ; disk with deep,

widely impressed sulcations which are somewhat finely and closely but ex-

tremely feebly punctured ; intervals very convex, alternately narrow, moderate

in elevation and as wide as the sulci, and wide and very strongly elevated,

very finely and somewhat densely punctured throughout. Abdomen very finely

punctate, the punctures sparse laterally, denser toward the middle.

Male. — Unknown.

Length 6.3 mm. ; width 2.8 mm.

California.

The unique type is probably a female, as the anterior tibiae are

not modified. It is closely allied to sulcatus, but may be readily

distinguished by the alternately wider, very strongly elevated and

more densely punctate intervals, by the decidedly coarser punctures

of the head and pronotum, more strongly rounded sides of the

latter and relatively narrower apex, by its much smaller head, by

the fact that the bases of the eh-tra and prothorax are equal in

width and by its much larger size.

474 Coleopt ecological Notices.

C. gagates Horn. — Notibius gagat. : Trans. Am. Phil. Soc, XIV, p. 357. —

Robust, oblong, convex, strongly alutaceous, smooth, black ; epistoma, legs and

antennae, especially toward tip, paler, dark rufous ; vestiture as in seriatus.

Head large, transverse, strongly rounded laterally near the eyes, finely, rather

sparsely punctate ; epistoma moderately sinuate in the middle ; upper lobe

of eyes rather small, broadly oval ; antenna? robust, moderately incrassate,

compact, scarcely as long as the pronotum, third joint short not twice as long

as wide and much shorter than the next two, tenth nearly twice as wide as

long, the eleventh distinctly narrower. Prothora.c less tlian one-half wider

than the head and two-fifths wider than long ; apex much wider than the

base, truncate, slightly oblique and straight at the sides, the apical angles

being distinctly prominent and produced anteriorly, slightly acute and not at

all rounded ; base very feebly arcuate throughout, the sinuations rudimentary ;

basal angles very obtuse and narrowly rounded ; sides evenly and moderately

arcuate throughout ; disk broadly, feebly explanate at the sides, finely, densely

punctate, the punctures slightly finer and sparser toward the middle, not in

mutual contact laterally. Elytra a little wider than the prothorax and about

twice as long ; sides feebly, evenly arcuate ; humeri broadly rounded ; disk

rather sparsely and extremely finely punctate, with excessively fine and feebly

defined rows of nearly similar punctures, which are generally just perceptibly

impressed as seen under certain angles of illumination. Abdomen polished,

very finely, sparsely punctate. Epipleurse broad. Hypomera broadly expla-

nate. Legs moderate in length, very robust throughout.

Male. — Anterior tibiae probably not modified.

Length 5.8 mm. ; width 2.9 mm.

Arizona.

This species is quite aberrant, not only in the structure of the

prothorax, but in elytra! punctuation ; the latter is, however, only

an extreme form of that existing in seriatus. It is not as strongly

convex as most of the others.

C. grail Hiatus Lee— Notibius gran. : Ann. Lye. N. Y. V, p. 145. — Rather

slender, parallel, moderately convex, somewhat dull, the elytra more shining,

piceous-black, the elytra black ; legs and antennae rufous ; vestiture as in

seriatus. Head feebly transverse, very slightly convex, the edges slightly

reflexed above the antenna? ; sides very feebly emarginate at the epistomal

suture ; epistoma moderately sinuate in the middle ; surface dull, rather

finely, very densely punctate, the punctures confused posteriorly, more iso-

lated, smaller and granuliform anteriorly ; upper lobe of eyes small, broadly

oval ; antennas not very robust, the last three joints abruptly wider, slightly

shorter than the head and prothorax, third joint long, fully equal to the next

two together. Prothorax about one-third wider than the head and one-third

wider than long ; apex very feebly incurvate, the angles distinctly rounded ;

base equal to the apex, very broadly, feebly arcuate, the basal angles very

acute and prolonged posteriorly much beyond the median portions ; sides

rather strongly arcuate anteriorly, straight and convergent thence to the base ;

Coleopterological Notices. 475

disk widest at anterior third, finely and very densely punctate throughout,

the punctures shallow and slightly scabrous but not coalescent. Elytra a

little wider than the prothorax and more than twice as long ; sides feebly

arcuate; humeri rounded; base transverse; disk finely striate, the stria?

broadly and strongly impressed, very finely, moderately closely punctate;

intervals broadly convex, each with a single series of fine, closely placed,

asperate punctures, arranged unevenly in the series and generally occupying

only the median portions of the interval. Abdomen coarsely and densely punc-

tate, more finely so toward apex. Leys moderate.

Male. — Anterior tibia? very slender, strongly, inwardly bent at the apex and

obtusely swollen internally just before attaining the middle ; abdomen feebly

flattened in the middle toward base, the fifth segment with a strong, trans-

verse, parallel-sided impression.

Length 4.3-4.8 mm. ; width 1.6-1.8 mm.

California (southern); Arizona.

This species, together with ci^assipes, constitutes a peculiar

group, distinguished by the acute and prominent basal angles of

the prothorax, coarse abdominal punctuation, and scabrous and

asperate dorsal punctures.

C. crassipes n. sp. — Robust, moderately convex, oblong, subparallel,

black, rather strongly shining ; legs and antenna? rufous ; vestiture as in

granulatus but with the stiff, piceous, spiniform seta? very much longer. Head

transverse ; sides broadly rounded, feebly sinuate anteriorly at the epistomal

suture ; epistoma broadly bilobed at apex ; upper lobe of eye very small,

broadly oval ; antennae as in granulatus, the eleventh joint much narrower than

the tenth. Prothorax fully two-thirds wider than the head, nearly one-half

wider than long, the apex very feebly emarginate in circular arc, very slightly

narrower than the base, the angles obtuse and very narrowly rounded ; base

transverse and straight except toward the sides where it is gradually sinuate,

the basal angles being right, not at all rounded and posteriorly prominent,

extending but slightly behind the median portions ; sides strongly, evenly

arcuate anteriorly, thence convergent and nearly straight to the base ; disk

widest, at apical third, very finely, rather densely punctate toward the middle,

with the punctures distinctly separated, becoming coarser, very densely

crowded, shallow and scabrous but not coalescent, laterally. Elytra equal in

width to the prothorax and but slightly more than twice as long, ovate, the

sides distinctly arcuate ; humeri rounded ; apex acutely rounded, with each

apical angle slightly and obtusely produced, forming a short caudal appendage ;

disk finely striate, the stria? feebly impressed, rather finely but deeply, dis-

tinctly and very closely punctured ; intervals feebly convex, with the median

portions rather finely, closely, unevenly and asperately punctate, the punc-

tures smaller than those of the stria?. Abdomen coarsely, densely punctured

toward base, more finely toward apex. Leys rather long, the tarsi robust.

Male. — Anterior tibia? very robust, the inner apical angle produced, broadly

and obtusely toothed internally just before attaining the middle; abdomen

476 Coleopterological Notices.

narrowly and very feebly impressed in the middle toward base, the fifth seg-

ment with a very deep transverse parallel-sided impression at the apex.

Length 4.7-6.0 mm. ; width 1.9-2.7 mm.

California (southern).

Resembles granulatus, but differs in its much more robust and

rather more depressed form, larger size, sparser pronotal punctures

toward the middle, less acute and abrupt basal angles, much feebler

but more coarsely punctate elytral strife, longer dorsal seta?, much

more robust and more strongly dentate anterior tibiae of the male

and more robust tarsi.

The prolongation of the apical angles of the elytra is also notice-

able, but to a less extent, in granulatus, and in both is more char-

acteristic of the female.

Crassijyes and granulatus form the nearest approach to Conibio-

soma, and thence to Notibius.

COtflBIOSOMA n. gen.

Body elongate, parallel, setose. Head broadly sinuate at the sides ante-

riorly ; epistoma broadly, angularly sinuate ; mentum small as wide as long,

the sides very feebly reflexed, the surface fiat, densely punctate, the apex

inflexed ; labial palpi inserted at the sides of the very short corneous ligula,

their base concealed by the mentum; maxillse very wide at base, the palpi

normal. Prothorax fimbriate at the sides with very short, robust, posteriorly

recumbent, spiniform setae. Scutellum very short and wide, triangular, not

entering at all upon the disk of the elytra. Abdomen with the fifth segment

strongly inflexed in repose at least in the male. Legs moderate ; anterior

tibiae not dilated.

This genus is closely allied to Xotibius. The single species

resembles Conibius in outward form, and constitutes a transition

from Notibius, apparently having a greater affinity with the latter,

although, if it were not for the fimbriate sides of the prothorax, it °

could be quite as easity assigned to the former.

C elongata Horn. — Conibius elong. : Trans. Am. Phil. Soc, XIV, p. 351.

— Elongate, parallel, moderately convex, shining, bright rufo-testaceous, the

elytra black ; vestiture consisting of short, stiff, spiniform setse which are

distinctly visible under low power. Head transverse, the sides near the eyes

straight and parallel, the upper lobe of the latter small but broadly oval,

much larger than the lower lobe ; surface finely, rather sparsely punctate, the

punctures shallow, variolate and subscabrous ; antenna? very robust, com-

pact, much shorter than the head and prothorax together, the three last joints

moderately dilated, joints obconical, third much shorter than the next two,

Coleopterological Notices. 4Tt

eleventh but slightly narrower than the tenth. Proihorax two-fifths wider

than the head and two-fifths wider than long ; apex extremely feebly incur-

vate in circular arc, the angles narrowly but distinctly rounded ; hase a very

little wider than the apex, broadly truncate and straight, except near the

sides, where it becomes gradually sinuate, the basal angles acute, not at all

rounded and distinctly produced posteriorly ; sides rather feebly arcuate ante-

riorly, thence very slightly convergent and nearly straight to the apex of the

basal angles ; disk widest at apical third, very finely, sparsely punctate toward

the middle, the punctures dense, coarser and slightly scabrous but not coales-

cent laterally. Elytra equal in width to the prothorax and but slightly more

than twice as long ; sides nearly straight ; apex somewhat acute, each apical

angle slightly prominent behind ; disk with even rows of fine, moderately

approximate punctures, the striae extremely feebly impressed ; intervals each

with a single even row of punctures, which are of the same size and mutual

distance as those of the striae, but a little more asperate, each bearing a stiff

seta, the seta? arising from the strial punctures being excessively minute. Abdo-

men finely reticulate, finely, somewhat sparsely, subasperately punctate, the

pubescence rather fine and short but distinct. Legs rather short and slender.

Mule. — Fifth ventral segment with a very large, transversely oval impres-

sion at the bottom of which there is a feeble transverse ridge.

Length 3.6 mm. ; width 1.2-1.4 mm.

Southern California.

The two specimens before me are both males, so that I cannot

determine whether or not the remarkable internal flexure of the

fifth segment in repose is sexual in nature; it is probable, however,

that this is the case. It is also very probable that the impression

of the fifth segment, given above as a male sexual character, may

be common to both sexes, this being the usual condition in Xotibius.

NOTIBIUS Lee.

The sexual modification of the male becomes extremely feeble in

this genus, and the species are otherwise so homogeneous as to

suggest a more persistent and less plastic type than that of Conibius.

The fringe of seta at the sides of the pronotum is more strongly

developed than in Conibiosoma, and is so compact that under low

power it appears to be simply a thickened marginal bead, or other

analogous structure ; at the sides of the elytra it is replaced by a

fringe of more slender and much longer, erect ami widely distant

setaa. This is by far the most important structural character dis-

tinguishing Notibius from Conibius, and its presence in Conibius

elongatus, proves that the latter should be associated with Notibius

rather than the genus in which it was originally placed, but as the

478 Coleopterological Notices.

anterior tibice are slender I have considered it preferable to separate

it generically.

The anterior tibia? are broadly triangular, which seems to indicate

a burrowing habit, and in this connection it is at least interesting

to note that Ulus, which is also fossorial, possesses the lateral

fimbriae which are so important here. Whether this is a mere co-

incidence, or whether the lateral seta? are dependent for their evolu-

tion in any way upon the burrowing habit, I cannot state absolutely

at present, although this is rendered still more probable from the

fact that Ccelus and Coelomorpha, which are fossorial, also have the

lateral fimbriae well developed. The great minuteness of the eyes

in Notibius, as well as the complete absence of wings, should be

noticed in comparing it with Ulus, and apparently shows that while

the latter genus passes a considerable portion of the time above

ground, the former is more essentially subterranean.

In Notibius we first notice a decided change in the character of

the punctuation, especially of the pronotum, where the presence of

the transversely crescentic and asperate t}Tpe gives a certain pecu-

liarity of appearance. There is considerable variation however in

this respect, the punctures, for example in substriatus, becoming

coarse, deep, rounded and scarcely at all asperate toward the middle

of the disk ; these differences can perhaps best be made known by

the following tabular statement : —

Third antennal joint feebly obconical, about twice as long as wide and but

slightly shorter than the next two combined.

Elytral striae not at all impressed, the series of very small, widely distant

punctures exceedingly indistinct; pronotal punctures rather transverse

but dense and strongly asperate; lateral margins of the pronotum gene-

rally distinctly and somewhat broadly explanate ; color piceous-black,

the anterior portions often slightly paler puberilllis

Elytral striae very feebly impressed, finely but distinctly and approximately

punctured ; pronotal punctures but feebly asperate toward the middle,

the disk not explanate at the sides ; color black throughout.

Pronotal punctures coarse, deep, rounded and conspicuous.

substriatus

Pronotal punctures very fine, feeble, sparse and transversely crescenti-

form laticeps

Third antennal joint very short, but slightly longer than wide, strongly con-

stricted towai'd base and very much shorter than the next two combined ;

body bicolored ; pronotum strongly punctate, the punctures but slightly

wider than long puiicticollis

Coleopterological Notices. 4T9

The fifth ventral segment is always very broadly impressed, the

impression deeper at the lateral extremities, appearing- under certain

angles of reflection as if distantly bi-impressed ; this character ap-

pears to be independent of sex.