BIOLOGIA 4 “te CENTRALI-AMERICANA. INSECTA COLEOPTERA. Vot. II. Part 1. BY DAVID SHARP, M.A., M.B., F.R.S., &c.; Tor Rev. ANDREW MATTHEWS ; AND GEORGE LEWIS, F.L.S. 1887-1905. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION . 2. . 6 ew we ww ee et ke List or Puates . . . . ew ee ee Errata ET CORRIGENDA . . 2. 2. ew we ee PseLaAPHIDZ. . “| By D. Swamp... SCYDMENIDE . . SILPHIDZ 2) CoRYLOPHIDE . | TricHoprTeryGipz. ~ By the Rev. A. Matruews . . . . . SPHERIIDE . . | ScaPHIDIIDE . ./) Histeripa . . . ByG.Lews.......... PHALACRIDE «wy NITIDULIDZ. . TroGosiTIDE . . SYNTELIIDE. . ADIMERIDA . CoLyDIIpDz RuyYsoDIDE. . Cucuspm . . .% By D.Smanrp . . . ........ MonotoMIDE . CRYPTOPHAGIDE LatHRiDIIDz MyYcEToPHAGIDE DERMESTIDE ByRRHIDE . . RaIPIDANDRI . J List OF SPECIES DESCRIBED SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF THE PRECEDING PAGES . InpExX . ..... PLATES. INTRODUCTION. Twenty-two families of beetles are dealt with in this Volume: the Silphide, Cory- lophide, Trichopterygide, Spheeriide, and Scaphidiide by the Rev. A. Matthews, the Histeride by Mr. Lewis, and the remainder by Dr. Sharp. ‘The Heteroceride, Parnide, Georisside, and Cyathoceride were placed with the other aquatic and subaquatic beetles in Vol. I. part 2, and the Erotylide and Endomychide in Vol. VIL., of the Coleoptera, these families being sometimes included amongst those here enumerated. We have delayed closing the present volume in the hope of being able to add descriptions of the various ‘‘Genera incerte sedis” still remaining in our collection, but this has proved to be impracticable. Dr. Sharp, however, has described the Rhipidandri, Lec. (=Eutomides, Lacord.), a group that has been variously referred by different authors to the Tenebrionide, Scolytide, Cioide, and Trogide. A certain amount of supple- mentary material has come to hand, and the numerous missing Hapalips from Guatemala and Panama (to which attention was called in Vol. VII. p. 250) have now been found, but too late to be included here. For the families Pselaphide to Byrrhide, inclusive, and the Rhipidandri, 1532 species are altogether enumerated, of which 996 are described as new, with 83 new genera. The number for each family is as follows:—Pselaphide, 100 (69 new); Scydmenide, 67 (49 new); Silphide, 33 (20 new); Corylophide, 29 (25 new); Trichopterygide, 54; Spheriide, 1 (new); Scaphidiide, 35 (27 new); Histeride, 247 (86 new); Phalacride, 49 (41 new); Nitidulide, 286 (196 new); Trogositide, 107 (65 new) ; Synteliidee, 2; Adimeride (new family), 3 (all new) ; Colydiide, 96 (75 new) ; Rhysodide, 2 (1 new); Cucujide, 140 (98 new); Monotomide, 31 (29 new); Crypto- phagide, 103 (94 new); Lathridiide, 23 (17 new); Mycetophagide, 9 (6 new) ; Dermestide, 71 (54 new) ; Byrrhide, 37 (84 new); and Rhipidandri, 3 (2 new). During the progress of the work, 97 species (27 of which were obtained amongst the refuse of Mexican tobacco stored in Paris) have been described by various authors vi INTRODUCTION. in other publications, bringing the total to 1629. Of these additional species, 50 belong to Pselaphide, 34 to Histeride, 3 to Phalacride, 3 to Nitidulide, 2 to Trogo- sitide, and 1 each to Scydmenide, Silphide, Trichopterygide, Rhysodide, and Lathridiide. A list of them is given on pp. 692-696. These totals show that the Nitidulide, Histeride, Cucujide, Pselaphide, Trogositide, Cryptephagide, and Colydiide are particularly well represented in Central America, whereas the Silphide (so numerous in temperate regions) are very limited in number, this family having fewer species than the Scaphidiide, Byrrhide, Phalacride, or Trichopterygide. Of the nineteen uncoloured Plates issued with this Volume, seventeen have been printed by Messrs. Bannwarth, of Vienna, and two by Mr. E. Wilson, of Cambridge. The original drawings for Plates 1—XV. were made by the eminent artist Baron Max Schlereth, some of these being amongst the finest delineations of insects we have as yet seen, though the delicacy of his work has, of course, been to a certain extent lost in copying on the stone. The drawings for Plates XVI.-XIX. were made by Mr. E. Wilson or Miss M. A. Sharp. It had been intended to give yet another Plate (XX.), to be partly devoted to figures of the various species of doubtful position; but as this part of the work has now been abandoned, the references to Plate XX. in the text of the Byrrhide, pp. 677-686, must be erased. Ep. March 1905. LIST OF PLATES. PsELaAPHID™®. Desimia dispar, ¢ .. Ephimia crassicornis .............. Hamotus setipes..............00.. grandipalpis ...............-. Metopias elegans Batrisus simplicicornis, g .......... hamaticollis, G........ 000 eee crassipes Batoctenus puncticollis, ¢ Euphalepsus reitteri, d..........-- Caccoplectus celatus .............. Decarthron fallaciosum ............ Bryaxis sallei diversa —— vulnerata trimioides .............-000. Pselaptus batrisoides .............- Pselaphus longiceps Apothinus obscurus ........-...-. Trimiopsis minuta .............0.- Dalmodes brevicollis .............. Rhexius optatus...... 0.00... ee Eurhexius vestitus................ Duciola scydmeenilla .............. Endytocera vestita.........0.0005. coer ee eee eee ee se ee ee eo ee ee oe Cr ee eee eo yr eee ee ee ow oe oe ee ee ee ewe oe oe ScyDM NID. Euconnus gravidus................ subclavatus oscillans ........ cece eee ee Indutus ........ ccc eee ee eee calvus gracilicornis ............006- giraffa ExcavatusS ...,.. cece ee eee eee mutandus ........ cece eee eee guatemalenus .............. subtilis ........ ccc eee eee chiriquensis germManus ........ cee eee eee incultus.......... 0.0 eee eee pubifer .... 0... .... ee ee eee vividus eo ert eer wm ee os eoeae Cr eee eee eer eee eee oe TET TTT oc ee ere ee ee ee ee oe owes Plate. ee ee ee a ee ee eee ee a ee ee Fig. = CONUIGOfWNH Page. Euconnus medialis ...........0.. fustiger oo... ee eee Scydmeenus brevipes Homoconnus spinipes Eumicrus brunn: us commilitonis ............... brevipes concretus Hecotus agilis.... 2... ee ee eee Cr Cr CY SILPHIDZ. Agathidium cognatum Aglyptus horni Scotocryptus inquilinus ............ Creagrophorus bihamatus, g........ Ce oe ee et we ee we ee Anisotoma podagrica, ¢ .......... Dietta sharpi ...............000.. Pteroloma sallei Choleva fimbriata Ptomaphagus forticornis .......... Colon clavatum ..............004. CoRYLOPHID &. Afnigmaticum ptilioides .......... Kctinocephalus tropicus............ Conodes conicus..............008 Sacium oberthiiri * fenestratum fT Arthrolips hirsutus Corylophodes championi Cr ey TRICHOPTERYGIDZ. Ptinella championana incerta Championella nubigena ............ Trichopteryx godmani Ptilium tropicum Throscidium invisibile eee eee ee ee oe ee Cr Cr Fig. Plate. Page IT. 17 | 59 Il. 18 | 60 IL. 19 63 It. 20 | 64 If. 21 65 Il. 22 G7 If. 23 68 Il. 24 | 68 Il. 25) 71 IIT. 2) 77 II. 3] 7 IIT. 4) 81 Il. 1 8+ Ill, 6 | 84 Itt. 3) 85 II. 7 | 88 Il. 8 | 89 Il. 11 | 97 IIl. 10 98 II. 9 | 100 IIT. 12 | 101 Il. 13 | 105 Ii. 16 | 106 III. 17 | 108 Il. 15 | 19 IIT, 14} lil IIl. 18 | 116 Ill. 19 | 120 Kil. 22 | 128 It. 21 | 129 iil. 24 | 130 III. 20 | 184 IIL. 23 | 147 Hi. 25 | 154 * §. leconte? on the Plate. + S. oceliatum on the Plate. * S. rubicundum on the Plate. V1il LIST OF PLATES. Plate. Fig. | Page. | Plate Fig. | Page. g | Paromalus notabilis .............. VI. 1} 215 CAPHIDITD 3- TOgaliS ... cee eee ee ee eee VI. 2} 215 Scaphidinm marginatum .......... IV. 1 | 160 Similis .... cece ee eee eee Vi. 3) 216 mexicanum *............000. IV. 2) 161 inflatus .. 6... ee ee ee eee eee VI. 4 | 218 variabile, So... . ce eee eee IV. 3 | 162 divaricatuS .........eceeeee VI. 5 | 219 —— , Var, Q cece cece ee eeee IV. 4; 162 sagillatus ........ cee eee eee VI. 6 219 lineaticolle ...........0000. IV. 5} 163 sulcatus ...... ee cee eee eee VI. 7 219 transversale ........ 4000 eee IV. 6 | 164 | Reninus (Renia) salvini............ VIL. 6,7; 220 atrum, Gow... eee eee eee ee IV. 7 | 164 | Euclasea godmani ..............-. VI. 8,9} 221 i an IV. 8 | 164 | Saprinus solitarius................ VI. 10 | 222 Cyparium sall@i.......... cece eee IV. 10 | 166 QuesitUS 26... eee eee e ee ee VI. 11 | 225 terminale ...........00 0 aes IV. 9 167 QEMMENUS.. ee eee ee ee ee VI. 12 225 championi...............6.. IV. 11 | 167 | Trypaneus torpedo, 9 .......... ae VI. 13 227 Scaphisoma balteatum ............ IV. 12) 172 | —— montivagus, d .............. VI. 14, 228 lunatum vo... eee ee eee ee IV. 13) 173 ampullaceus, Q ........000. VI. 15 229 Toxidium bifasciatum ............ lV. 14) 179 tuberculifrons, 9 ............ VI. 17 | 229 gammaroides .............. IV. 15-180 bifidus, Q ........ cc ce eee eee VI. 16 | 229 columellaris, d..... 2... eee VI. 18 | 230 Hisreripx vulcanius, Si... .. eee eee ee VI. 19 230 ° aculeatus, J... . ce eee eee eee VI. 20 | 230 Phylloma plagigerum ............ IV. 16 | 183 parallelus, ¢ ....-....200. VI. 21) 2381 ——- facetum ...... 0.0... 0c ee eee IV. 17 | 183 || —— » DQ cece cccccccccccecs VI. 22) 2381 ILololepta canalicollis, § .......... IV. 18 185 angustatus, ¢ .....eeeceeeee VI. 23 231 Vulpes 2... eee eee ee eee IV. 19} 185 | ————,9 ..............000. VI. 24) 2381 Lioderma dorcoides t.............. IV. 20 | 187 | Teretriosoma impressisternum ...... VI. 25 | 233 Apobletes connectens.............% IV. 21} 190 immarginatum ..........00-. VII. 1 2838 -Platysoma columellare ........ ++. IV. oa } 190 cavivone tr 5 oot Phelister godmani ................ Vv. 1} 191 paradoxum .......... 0.000. VIL. 4 | 234 ——— OXIMIUS ...... eee eee eee V. 3 | 191 | Terapus mniszechi................ VII. 5 | 235 crenatuS 1.6... eee ee ee ee ee V. 6 | 192 | Homalopygus equatus ............ VII. 8 | 2386 UNCistriUS 6... Lee eee V. 5 | 192 || Cachexia puberula............22.. VII. 9 | 236 . 24 > || Bacanius scalptus ............-6.. VIL. 10 | 237 CUMANENSIS vee eevee eee ees TY. 25 } 192 ignobilis 6.00.00. .00s sees VIL 11) 238 carinatus ............ ee eee V. 4) 194 hamatus ...... cece eee eee VIl. 12) 238 panamensls .......... eee V. 2 194 | Acritus quadristriatus ............ VI. 13) 240 Homalodes clavulus .............. Vv. 7 | 197 | - liliputianus ...........0008. VIL. 14) 241 Hister ciliatus ......... 0.0 cece Vv. 8 | 199 || Idolia antennata...............050. VIL. 15 | 242 50) V. 9} 201 scltula .. ee. eee cece ce ee ee VIL. 16) 242 truncatisternum ............ Vv. 14, 201 | Murmidius irregularis ............ VIII 1 | 243 patagiatus ...... 0... 0... e eee V. 13) 202 rectistriatuS ........ee eee eee VIII 2) 2438 y T pas sees eeesees cores Y 1) | 308 | Mychocerus pilifer...... cee. seeeu. vi. {| 4% } 244 MONtIVAQUS ....... eee ee eee Vv. 12 203 Pp _Epierus frontalis ................ V. 15 204 HALACRID Zi, patruelis ..........0...005. V. 16 | 205 || Phalacrus scutellaris .............. VII. 19 | 247 | SCHUS..... ee eee eee ee ee eee Vv. 17 | 207 | Eustilbus mollis.................. VII. 20 | 254 —— rufulus .....-...........00. V. 18 | 208 | Liophalacrus bicolor .............. VIl. 21 | 256 _Carcinops multistriata ............ | V. 19 | 209 | Acylomus aciculatus .............. VIL. 22 | 257 garbigliettii .............04. Vv. 24 | 209 || Eulitrus estriatus ............0... VIl. 23 | 258 punctinotum ................ Vv. 25 | 209 || Litolibrus obesus ................ VIl. 24 | 259 —-fumosa .............. 00.04. V. 20 | 211 quadratus ..............000. VII. 25 | 260 cavisternuM ............ 000. Vv. 21 212 signatuS .......... cece eee VIII 3 | 260 atrata .. ek cece ee cee ee eee V. 22 | 212 | Litochrus globulus................ VIII 4 | 263 |— CXIMIA Lee eee eee V. 23 | 213 || Ochrolitus optatus ................ VIII Do | 264 | + Inodema dorcoides on the Plate. LIST OF PLATES. ix | Plate. Fig. | Page. | Plate. Fig. | Page. Prometopia equalis ...........0.- X. 9] 316 NiqrpuLipm. soronioides ice ce eee e dees X. 10} 317 Mystrops rotundulus, ¢ .......... VII 9 266 || Platychora lebasi, ¢ .............. X. 11 | 317 teapemsis ........... cee eee VIII 10 | 267 | Psilotus atratus, ¢ ... ce. eee. X. 12] 318 mexicanus, S ......ee ceca ee VIII 7 | 267 mimetes, Q ........ ccc eee X. 13 | 318 Se i Ge ee VIII 8 | 267 | Perilopa punctigera .............. X. 14} 319 heterocerus, g ...... ee eee ee VIII 6 | 268 placida 2... .. ee eee ee X. 15 | 320 Cychropiestus corvinus, 9 .......... Vil 11 | 268 || Lobiopa retusa ..............0... X. 16} 321 Colastus posticus, Q ............5. VIII 12 | 269 simulatrix, dow... eee eee, X. 17 | 322 mimetes, G .... ce lee eee ee VIII 13 270 discedens, G .......-eeeeeeee X. 18 323 inflatipennis, ¢ ............ VIII 18 | 272 || Cacconia obscura ................ X, 19 | 324 setiger, Soo... ce cece eee eee VIII 14 | 274 || Camptodes formosus, ¢............ X. 20 | 328 chiriquensis ...........0-00- VIII 16 | 275 gaumeril, Q .......... cee X. 21 | 330 simplex, 1... .. see eee eee Vill 15 | 275 nigriclava, Q ww... eee X. 22 | 333 punctiventris, Q ............ VIII 17 | 275 aberrans, 2 ....... cee ee ee ee X. 23 | 334 aberrans, So .... eee ee ee eee VII 19 | 277 || —— solitarius, 9 ........0...0... X. 24 | 335 Brachypeplus vicinus, ¢ .......... Vil 20 | 278 || —— cognatus, Sd ........ 02.0.0. X. 25 | 338 costatuS ....... eee ee ee ee eee VIII 22 | 278 | ——biformis, ¢ .............00e XI. 1 | 3839 staphylinoides, g .........-.. Vill 21 | 279 | —— 9 Qe eee ee eee eee eens XI. la} 3839 conoteloides ............-4-. VIll 24 | 279 furcatus, J we... eee ee eee eee XI. 2) 345 lispinoides, ¢ ..........205- Vill 25 | 280 | —— > Qc eee cee eee neces XI. 2a\ 345 NigripeNNiIS ...........0 ee. VIII. 23 | 280 latipes, Dw... ee eee eee eee XI. 3 | 347 Halepopeplus politus, ¢ .......... IX. 4} 280 chiriquensis, J ........ cee eee XI. 4 | 347 optatus, Sw. eee eee eee eee IX. 5} 281 i XI. 46 | 347 Cilleeus prolixus, Q .............. IX, 3 281 || Amphicrossus horni, ¢ ............ XI. 5 349 prolongatus, 9 .............. IX. 1 | 282 | Atthina concolor.................. XI. 6 | 350 gunilensis, Q ..........000- IX. 2) 282 quadrata, So... eee cece eee es XI. 7| 351 Conotelus stenoides .............. IX. 7 | 283 || Pocadius helvolus ................ XI. 8 | 351 nigricornis, Q ...........0.. IX. 8 | 284 || Hebascus bugabensis .............. XI. 9 | 352 chiriquensis .............--- IX. 9 | 284 aurantiacus ............000. XI. 10 | 3538 Macrostola picea .........-..--. IX. 6 | 286 CTINACOEUS ...... eee eee eee XI. 11 | 3538 Carpophilus funebris, ¢ .......... IX. 10 | 288 || Teichostethus vinosus ............ XI. 12} 354 lugubris, ¢ oo... ee eee eee ee IX. 11 | 289 guatemalenus .............. XI. 13 | 355 lacertosus ...... 2... eee eee IX, 12 | 291 | Strongylus unicolor .............. XI. | 14 |} 355 comatus...... eee eee eee IX. 14 292 . 15, epurmoides, 9 .........+..-. Ix. 16 | 993 lateralis... 0.0... . ee eee eee XI. | 16 355 lignes .........- ee eee eee ee IX. 13 | 294 mimeteS........ 0. cece eee eee XI. 17 | 357 erichsoni .........0. 2 cee ee IX. 18 | 295 || Mecyllodes clavicornis ............ XI. 18 | 358 elaterinUS ...........-.0000. IX, 15 | 296 | Meoncerus salvini ................ XI. 19 | 359 palmatus, d ...... 2... eee. IX. 17 | 296 | Somatoxus sallei, ¢ ..........000. XI. 20 360 —— mexicanus, d ...........05. IX. 20 | 298 hydroporoides ............4. XI. 21 | 360 longiventris ...........0000. IX. 19 | 301 | Oxycnemus rostrosus, 3 a XI. 22 | 362 senilis, Qo... eee eee ee ee eee IX. 21 | 3802 | Pycnocnemus anisotomoides ........ XI. 23 | 363 _ deceptor, S ........ eee eee IX. 22 303 | Pallodes reversus, Q ...........5. XI. 24 365 Eumystrops centralis.............. IX. . 23 | 304 strongyliformis, ¢ .......... XI. 25 | 366 Haptoncus luteolus*, ¢ .......... IX. 24 | 805 smithi .......... 0. eee ee, XII. 1] 368 Epureea integra, Q ........ eee X, 1 | 3806 | —— pictus...................048- XIT. 2 | 370 torticollis, 9... .... eee eee eee IX. 25 | 307 guttatus....... eee ee eee. XII. 3 | 370 prolixa, J... cece eee eee ees X. 2 | 309 ObscuruS ........ cee eee eee XII. 4 | 371 Stelidota pallens, Q .............. X. 3 | 311 || Euspherius godmani.............. XII. 5 | 3872 OVAIS Loe eee eee ee eee X. 4 | 312 | Pyenocephalus metallicus .......... XIT, 6 | 373 bugabensis, Q ...........2.. X. 5 | 3818 || Cryptarcha longidens, ¢ .......... XII. 7 | 3874 ——championi, ..........2-.. X. 6} 315 TQTA occ eee cee ee ee eee XII. 8} 375 extranea, Q ...... ee ee ee eee X. 7 | 315 ineequalis ......... ee ee eee XIT 9 | 377 Prometopia porcina .............. X. 8 | 316 brevidens .......... 0.0.00 05 XII 10 | 377 * Haptoncus floreolus on the Plate. BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. IL. Pt. 1, March 1905, x LIST OF PLATES. Plate. Fig. | Page. Plate. Fig. | Page. Cryptarcha subtilis .............. XII. 11 | 378 C regularis oo... ccc. ee eee e es XII. 12 | 379 OLXDITDZ. plena.... cece ee eee XII. 13 | 879 || Labrotrichus aberrans ............ XIV. 5 | 447 puncticeps.... 6... ee eee eee XII. 14 | 880 || Distaphyla gibbiceps.............. XIV. 6 | 447 discedens ...... 0. cee ee eee XI. 15 | 881 || Asynchita granosa ......-- 0... .06- XIV. 7 | 449 —atomaria ..... eee ee eee XII. 16 | 883 || Synchita mimetes ................ XIV. 8 | 449 elongata... ... ce eee eee ees XII. 17 | 884 | Endeitoma mexicana.............. XIV. 9 | 450 Lepiarcha omositoides, g ........-- XII. 18 | 385 panamensis ..........0000 ee XIV. 10 | 450 Liarcha placida, d.......-.. 00000 XII. 19 385 || Phloeconemus adherens ............ XIV. 11 451 Pityophagus insignis .............. XI. 20 | 386 || Acolobicus obscurus ...........4-. XIV. 12} 452 Ips ultimus 1... ee ee eee eee eee XII. 21 | 887 | Eucicones perfectus ............-- XIV. 13 | 453 Hystricones armatus .............- XIV. 14; 453 Ditaphrus championi.............. XIV. 15 | 454 Aneumesa costata ........ 6.2 eee. XIV. 16 | 456 Trocosrt1p x. Microsicus setosus .........0 2.0000 XIV. 17 | 456 Nemosoma signatum.............. XII. 22 | 3g Catolemus minutus ............-, XIV. 18 | +457 Cylidrella mollis.........0....005. XII. 23 | 389 | Bitoma exarata .........-.. 0200s. XIV. 19 | 458 Corticotomus basalis .............. XIL. 777 So 0 XIV. 20 | 460 Airora yucatanica .... 06.00.0000 0 XIII. 1| 391 PASCOCL © oes eee eee XIV. =| 21) 461 centralis .......eccecccceeee XL. 9 892 Xuthia brevipes a ea a a XIV. 22 462 Temnochila digitata .............. XIII. 3 | 393 | Lado clegans ...... 11... 5.0 see e es XIV. 23} 463 leveillai.... 0. cc eee ee eee XIII. 4 394 funestuS ...... cee ee ee eee XIV. 24 464 quadricollis ..........0.0-0- XIII. 5 | 396 | Lasconotus sulcifer ......+...05.. XIV. 25 | 464 salvini oe. cece cece eee eee XII, 6 | 399 | Colydium godmani, ¢ ......++.++. XIV. | 26 | 465 ——— miranda... co cc cccccccccus XIII. 7 | 404 championi..........02..006- XIV. 27 | 467 —— sulcifrons .........0.. cee XII. 8 | 406 clavigerum .....-..-++++++- XV. 1) 468 ——_ smithi .... ee cece cc eee eee XIII. g | 4oy7 | Aulonium frontale.............-65 XV. 2) 469 ——championi..............66.. XII. | 10! 410 belti 6... sees cere eee eee es XV. 3 | 469 chiriquensis ............000. XIII. 11 | 419 || Anarmostes argutus .............. XV. 4; 471 Eupyenus lentus .............64. XIII. 12 | 416 | Endestes sculpturatus .......... XY. 5) 472 Tenebroides celatus .............. XIII. 13 | 418 || Cacotarphius compressus .......... XV. 6 | 473 sonorensis, 2 .... sess eee ee XIIL. 14 | 418 || Pyenomerus breviceps ..........-. XV. 7 | 474 —_ undulatus ......-.5-.cceeee. XIII. 15 | 494 | Acropis championi ..............-- XV. 8 | 476 —_— marginicollis..........2.0.0. XI. | 16/ 427 POCA seve eee ee eee etree XV. 9) 476 —— godmani ..........0. 0. ee. XII. 17 | 431 || Ethelema decorata..............-. XV. 10 | 47 helophorus ..... 0.0... eee. X11. 18 | 432 | Nematidium fryanum ............ XV. 11 | 478 pollens ........ee cece eee ee XII. 19 | 439 | Sosylus terminalis .............--. XV, 12 | 480 explanatus ............005. XIII. 20 | 483 simplex... 6+... seers eee eee XV. 13) 481 eracilipes .. 0.0.05 cece eee XIII. 21) 433 SalviINl 2... Lee ee ee eee XV. 14 484 bimaculatus .........eeeeee. XIII. 92 | 494 || Prolyctus sculpticollis ............ XV. 15 | 485 complicatus .........e.0 00s XIII. 98 435 Signatus...... 0... ee eee eee ee XV. 16 | 486 fulgens cece cee nent eeeeus XIII. 9A 436 ; annectens .......... cee eee XV. 17 486 zapotensis 0.00.00. eee e cee, XI. | 25 | 436 |j Lithophorus gemmifer ..........-. XV. | 18 | 487 Colydobius divisus ............0.5. XIL. 95 | 437 || Bothrideres setiger.........-.-..-- XY. 19 | 488 parvulus ........ 0c eee eee XV. 20) 489 Taphrideres alternans ......-....- XV. 21 | 491 Lapethus discretus........0.e5 00> XV. 22 | 494 SYNTELIIDA. Lytopeplus compactus ............ XV. 23 | 495 . . Discoloma humerale .....-.....+-. XY. 24 | 497 Sy ntclia westwood bonne e ener e es pene ‘ ie Holophygus celatus .........--4- XV. 25 | 498 Cucusipm. ADIMERID &. Catogenus germanus .........+0005 XVI. 1} 501 ; ; collaris 1... 0... cece ee eee XVI. 2; 6502 Adimerus crispatus .............. XIV. 3) 442 puncticollis ......... eee eee XVI. 3 | 504 BetOSUS .. 6... eee eee eee ee XIV. 4 | 442 | Palestes abruptus .....2.......0-- XVI. 9) 506 LIST OF PLATES. Xl Pediacus major ............--008. Paraphleeus crassiceps longicollis .............-...0. Inopeplus bifossulatus jugularis ............0.000., Lemophleus distinguendus suturalis, 3 ,2 germaini, Jd brevicepS ........ 2... eee eee DOOPS. ....eee ee eee ee eee es ee ee ee ee he we re ) ee ee ee ee me wo ew oe eee Gee» ee ee se se eoe oe ee ee ew we we we ww ee ee re ee ee ee woe clavicornis, 9 immersus amule, 5 Celatus .... cece ee eee eee insolitus, 9 corporalis distans re rr Pr eevee eevee vse eevee oo ee eo ee eo ee oe wwe Oe ee oo ere ee ee oe ee ww Oe eoesce ee se eee oe eevee dives, Swe eee eee eee eee Rhabdophleeus chiriquensis, g.....- Rhinophloeus nasutus ..........-- Rhinomalus signatus .............- anthracinus Parandrita stipes .......... 02.06. Silvanophleeus infimus of ee ere ee ee te oO we wo eee er ee ee ee we Deinophloeus ducalis, ¢ «1... eee. sinuatus...... 0.2.5... e eee Syssitos rostratus addendus ..............008- Thione championi ............0065 Platamus dispar, 3 or eee eee eee eee Ce longicornigs ..........--e0 ee Telephanus simplicicollis gracilicornis dromioides ........ 0020 eee prontoides .........2 eee eee setulosus ...... cece ee eee eee Nausibius brevicornis ............ silvanoides........00ee cere ee Synobius lobicollis ...........-..5- Cathartus cassie, J ..... cee eee ee Silvanus CONSOYS...... 2. eee eee eens perforatus ee ee ee oe we Ce Monotomip 2. Hesperobeenus stipes, 5 Kurops oxytelus, d longulus, d er ee fraudator, G.... ee eee eee eee | | Plate. Fig. | Page. | Plate. Fig XVI. 10 | 507 | Aneurops championi, ¢ .......... XVIII. 4 XVI. 7 | 510 | Bactridium rude........ 0.0.0. eee XVIIL. 9) XVI. 8 | 510 eumorphum ..........00 005% XVIII. 6 XVI. 11 | 511 | Tisiphone chontalenus ............ XVIII. 7 XVI. 12 512 XVII 1 O13 XVIL. 2,2a 514 CryPproPHAGID&. XVII. 26 Ol4 | melmatoscius claviger ........ 000. XVIII. 8 XVI. 13 | 515 oe ~,.. | Loberus brevicollis................ XVIII. 9 XVI. 14 O16 : - | Platoberus latus................-. XVIII. 10 XVI. 15 | 517 tt <V Tomarus debilis..........--...04 XVIII. 11 XVI. 16 o18 heterocerus .........0.0.00- XVIII. 12 XVI. 17 | 820 |» . . ~ mpocryptus ovalis ............0. XVIII. 13 XVI. 18 | 920 . / 5, || Coelocryptus discedens ............ XVIII. 14 XVI. 19 521 : : : : Pseudhenoticus parallelus .......... XVIII. 16 XVI. 20 523 : : 3, || Henoticus loberinus .............. XVIII. 16 XVI. 21 524 . : ~5, | Othniocryptus variegatus .......... XVIII. 17 XVI | 22 | 526 ‘yptus varleg tv = | Holosternus distans .............- XVIIL. 18 XVI. 23) 527 ‘A : - : nepsicus brunneus .............. XVIII. 19 XVI. 25 | 528 | | er . issocryptus insolitus.............. XVIII. 20 XVI. 26 528 T . oa ‘ rogocryptus nigripectus .......... XVIII. 21 XVI. | 24) 529 nigri] a _— Gonicoelus unicornis, Gd... . eee ee XVIII. 22 xvi, | 3) 530 a ir | 23 XVII 4 532 —— parnoides, Swen e eee enes . - Diploccelus parvus ........ 0.00 cee XVIII. 24 XVIt 5) 934 ‘ ~5- | Euderopus cheetophorus .......... XVIIL. 25 XVII 6 | 535 | 4 nobocalus championi XVIII 26 XVI >| 535 pioni ............ . XVII 8 536 XVII 9 538 XVII 10} 539 LavrHripitp &. AVI iI O40 | Holoparamecus brosciformis ........ XIX. 1 XVII. 12 540 0 A an (o | Evolocera championi ..........+6.- XIX. 2 XVI. 5 | 542 | a4. . . ~ 9 | Fallia synthetica ....... 0... ee eee XIX. 3 XVI. 4 | 643 . , | Cartodere falliana .... 02.00.00. 0 XIX. 4 XVL. 6 | 546 | Cattoder Adistenia watsonl ............000- XIX. ) XVII 13 549 : . Belonia unicostata .......... 0. ee ee XIX. 6 XVII 14 | 549 Lo. - - Corticaria humilis .............65- XIX. 7 XVII 15 549 : = | Melanophthalma centralis.......... XIX. 8 XVII 16 | 550 Tri ~ riphyllus perfectus .............. XIX. 9 XVII 17 | 551 . . - Tilargus tetraspilotus.........+..4. XIX. 10 XVII 18 504 7 : > - complicatus ........ eee eee XIX. 11 XVI, | 19) 554 | Catopius irregularis XIX. |W XVII 99 | 555 | Catopius irregularis ........+..+-- . XVII 21 509 XVII 22 557 XVII 93! 557 DERMESTIDZ. XV 24) 558 . 13, XVII 25 | 5g Genattus equalis, ¢ ...... ee eee XIX. | 134 XVII 26 561 » Qe eee eee eee ees XIX. 136 XVII 27 | 562 | Trogoderma celatum, 2 ........-- XIX. 14 Eucnocerus dispar, ¢ ...+ee eens XIX. | ro OD eveceeeeenaeeees XIX. | 155 Caccoleptus rotundus...........+.. XIX. 16 XVIII 1 | 566 || Hemirhopalum buprestoide ........ XIX. 17 XVIII 2) 569 hadrotomoide ...........46. XIX. 18 XVIII 3) 571 | Cryptorhopalum septemsignatum .... XIX. 19 Xii LIST OF PLATES. Plate. Fig. | Page. Plate. Fig.| Page. Cryptorhopalum germanum, ¢...... XIX. 20, ) | 655 Cryptorhopalum pedestre, 2 ........ XIX. 25) 667 20a 3 XIX. (25a 66 : eee cece eee cece XIX. 206) 655 2 Re ess , —— subfasciatum................ XIX. 21 | 657 —— appendiculatum, d .......... XIX. 22 | 658 —— equisolee .......... Lees XIX. . 23; 665 BrREEIDE. —— discedens .................. XIX. 24, 666 | Nosodendron championi............ XIX. (26 671 ERRATA ET CORRIGENDA. Page Line 2-71 102 28 111 28 132 9 161 48 201 1 226 10 226 11 227 4 255 27 256 27 818 16 347 22 847 23 357 14 364 2 384 1 443 6 460 8 460 7 464 1 497 1 5382 14 587 6 647 37 665 6 669 14 677 36 677-686, Add the words “ gen. nov.’ > and “sp. n.” after the names of the various new genera and species described on these pages. for complicity read complexity. after mexicanum add sp. for latiorie read latiore. n. for Chinantla read Chinautla. for sexstriatis read sexstriatus. for conspectus read consputus. for conspectus read consputus. before Mexico insert Nortu Jor setosum read setoso. for armatum read armato. after mimetes add sp. n. 2 for 9 read 3. after elytra add Q. for Mecyllodes seriatus read America ! 2, Meoncerus seriatus. for Psiloypga read Psilopyga. erase sp. N. after dubius add sp. n. after gracilis add sp. n. Jor Sonoro read Sonora. after funestus add sp. n. after humerale add sp. nu. for L. read FR. for P. rotundatus read P. rotundus. for 7. simulaus read T. simulans. for C. mardelloide read C. mordelloide. for C. read A. for Pelobates read Pelochares. Erase the references to Tab. XX. BIOLOGIA CENTRALI-AMERICANA. ZOOLOGIA. Class INSECTA. Order COLEOPTERA. Fam. PSELAPHIDA *. This family consists of minute Beetles, many of which are found in ants’ nests. The majority of the species are rare and difficult to find even by experienced collectors. Mr. Champion procured a fair series of species in Guatemala and the State of Panama, but from the other divisions of our region we have received but little. Sallé’s Mexican collection was very deficient in Pselaphide ; from Nicaragua we have received only two or three species, and from Costa Rica none. The arrangement followed is that given by Reitter in his paper entitled “ Versuch einer systematischen Eintheilung der Clavigerinen und Pselaphiden” [Verh. Ver. Briinn, xx. pp. 177-211 (1882) ]. In the ‘Etudes entomologiques’ (1855, pp. 8-25) there is a letter written by Victor de Motschulsky on board ship, giving an account of an entomological collecting expedition just made by him on the isthmus of Panama. He had established himself there at Obispo for two or three weeks, and succeeded in finding in that brief time about thirty species of Pselaphide. Most of these were new, scarcely anything being then known of the Panama Coleopterous fauna; and in the letter I am alluding to Motschulsky mentions these novelties seriatim, giving them names and occasionally adding a word or two of explanation. These names have no claim to be adopted, and I mention them only because they have been given as “ published” in the list of Motschulsky’s genera and species issued by the Entomological Society of Russia in 1868. In the case of three or four genera rude outline figures were given, and as these enable us to form an imperfect idea of what Motschulsky intended, their names have been adopted by Reitter and are also included in our list. It is certainly unfortunate that this letter * By D. Smarp. BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, February 1887. B* 2 PSELAPHIDZ. of Motschulsky’s should never have been followed by any proper description of the objects mentioned and named therein. It is quite clear that he could not have made a proper study of these minute creatures on board ship between Colon and New Orleans, where his letter was written ; and, so far as we know, he never returned to their study except to sketch the rude outline figures I have alluded to. Although some of these insects have become disseminated to a small extent under Motschulsky’s | names, but little value can be attached to these “typical” examples. In the case of two of these names Reitter has had an opportunity of testing them, and finds they were incorrectly applied by Motschulsky ; in short, Motschulsky not only failed to describe the species he gave names to, but actually did not even discriminate them. For these reasons I think the authors of the Munich Catalogue did right in refusing to recognize these names, and certainly Reitter has done all that courtesy and consider- ation demand when he treated those that were accompanied by figures as entitled to validity. Subfam. CTE NISTINAL. Group CTENISTINA. DESIMIA. Tetracis, Sharp, Ent. Monthly Mag. xi. p. 79 (1874) (nom. przeoc.). Desimia, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xx. p. 184 (1882). This genus has hitherto consisted of four or five African species; but in addition to the insect now added to it from our fauna I have still another in my collection from the Amazon valley, so that the genus is probably well represented in the New World. 1. Desimia dispar. (Tab. I. fig. 1,2.) Rufescens, elytris sanguineis ; antennis articulis ultimis elongatis ; prothorace subtransverso, basi in medio pubescente-foveolata, utrinque dense pallide pubescente; elytris apice dense pallide pubescentibus, stria suturali aliaque discoidali integris. Long. 14 millim. Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé) ; GuateMALA, Paraiso 300 feet (Champion). Antenne dissimilar in the sexes: in the male, joints 4—7 very small, the eighth joint very elongate and as long as the five or six preceding it, the ninth considerably shorter than the eighth, the tenth nearly as long as the eighth, the terminal joint stouter and rather longer than the eighth; in the female, joints 4-7 not quite so small, the eighth joint similar to the seventh, the ninth as long as the preceding two together, the tenth rather broader and longer than the ninth, the terminal joint stouter and a good deal longer than the tenth, the three terminal joints together equal in length to the six or seven preceding. Head with the antennal tubercles quite connate, prominent ; indistinctly EPHIMIA.—HAMOTUS. 3 bifoveolate between the eyes; bearing much sugary-white pubescence behind the eyes. Thorax rather broader than long, a little narrowed in front; with a large fovea filled with white pubescence near the base in the middle, and a conspicuous patch of white sugary pubescence on each side of the base. Elytra shining, brighter red than the rest of the surface, narrowed at the shoulders, the latter scarcely elevated ; with a curved, rather deep, discoidal stria and a deep sutural stria; the apex covered with a dense pallid, sugary, or glandular pubescence. Hind body rather short, strongly margined, with a depressed fine squamose pubescence. EPHIMIA. Ephimia, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xx. p. 185 (1882) ; Deutsche ent. Zeit. xxvii. p. 34. This genus has recently been established by Reitter for a West-Indian insect. I have now to add a species from our region. 1. Ephimia crassicornis. (Tab. I. fig. 2.) Rufo-castanea, elytris sanguineis, pube depressa flavescente irregulariter vestita; antennis articulis 3° ad 7™ brevissimis, tribus ultimis elongatis ; prothorace parvo, basi in medio foveolata; elytris quam prothorax longioribus. Long. 2 millim. Hab. Panama, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion). Antenne thick; pubescent, so that the articulations are not very distinct; the terminal three joints elongate, quite as long as the other eight together; the terminal joint rather longer than the preceding two joints united. Head narrow, with convex coarsely faceted eyes; the antennal tubercles quite connate; the front placed quite at right angles with the vertex. Thorax only about half as broad as the elytra; finely pubescent, with a large pubescent basal fovea. Elytra rather elongate, narrow at the shoulders, the latter not raised; the surface within the shoulders broadly depressed ; with a fine sutural stria, but no discoidal one; the hind margin very densely covered with yellow pubescence. This insect is rather larger than L£. simoni, Reitter, and also has a longer terminal joint to the antenne, much larger eyes, broader thorax, and longer elytra. The sex of the unique example discovered by Mr. Champion is doubtful. Group TYRINA. HAMOTUS. Hamotus, Aubé, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1844, p. 92. This is a genus peculiar to Tropical America; it comprises about twenty very closely allied species. An examination of the maxillary palpi is essential for the discrimination B* 2 4 PSELAPHIDA, of the species, these organs being very variable in structure in this genus and often differing in species otherwise exceedingly similar. Hamotus is numerously represented in our region. § 1. Thorax with a transverse sulcus in front of the base. 1. Hamotus pubiventris. Major, parum latus, rufus, densius fulvo-pubescens; antennis crassis, clava triarticulata, maxima ; palpis maxillaribus articulo ultimo elongato, apice intus curvato, acuminato; elytrorum stria discoidali elongata. Long. 33 millim. Hab. Nicaracva, Chontales (Janson). Antenne thick ; joints 2-8 subequal, the second joint, however, rather longer than the others; the club extremely large; the ninth joint rather longer than broad, the tenth slightly longer, though scarcely so long as broad, the terminal joint very large, broader than the preceding one, subrotundate, but still longer than broad. Terminal joint of the maxillary palpus of peculiar form, and with its appendage larger than in the other known species. Head with thick antennary tubercles, which are strongly elevated and separated by a deep depression; the two fovee on the vertex large, approximate, and but little distant from the frontal depression. Thorax subglobose ; the basal fovea extending back to the basal margin, and connected to the lateral fovea by a very fine sulcus. Elytra flat, ferruginous in colour, with a remarkably distinct discoidal stria extending three fourths of their length. Hind body elongate, very broadly margined, very densely covered with a depressed fulvous pubescence. Only one example was received of this very distinct species. I suppose it to be a female, from the absence of any peculiar structure, and from the form of the hind body. 2. Hamotus commodus. Hamotus commodus, Schauf. Sechzig neue Pselaph. p. 33 (Dresden-Oberblasewitz, 1880)’. Hab. Mexico, Teapa}. 8. Hamotus tritomus. Hamotus tritomus, Reitt. Deutsch. ent. Zeit. xxvi. p. 182°. Hab. Mexico (Reitter); Guarema.a, El Reposo, Zapote, San Isidro, Cahabon, San Juan in Vera Paz, Teleman, Panzos, La Tinta (Champion); NICARAGUA, Granada (Sailé), Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, David (Champion).— SoutH America, Colombia !. Though we have a good series of this species from Zapote and El Reposo, I have not been able to detect any sexual distinction ; from most of the other localities only one or HAMOTUS. 5 two examples were obtained. The only Mexican exponent I have seen was sent to me by Herr Reitter, who obtained it from Hamburg. Judging from this fact and the way in which the specimen was mounted, I conclude that it was probably found by Herr Hoge at Jalapa. This species, though exceedingly similar to those following, is distinguished by the fact that the curvate sulcus in front of the base of the thorax has no definite fovea on the middle ; the sulcus, however, may be described as subfoveate, as it is deeper in the middle and in this part slightly expanded in front, this expansion being somewhat concealed by a gibbosity or convexity of the surface of the thorax in front of it. 4, Hamotus vicinus. Rufus, elytris dilute sanguineis, pube depressa minus dense vestitus ; antennarum clava triarticulata, elongata ; elytris plica intra-humerali abbreviata; abdomine segmento secundo dorsali quam segmentum basale paullo majore. Long. 23 millim. Hab. GuatEMALA, Capetillo (Champion). Antenne with joints 4-8 quite similar to one another, small and transverse; joints 9-11 forming an elongate club; the ninth joint quadrate, the tenth a little broader and slightly transverse, the termina] joint a good deal broader and quite as long as the preceding two together. Head rather broad and short, with a moderate fovea on each side near the eye. ‘Thorax subglobose; with a large fovea in front of the base in the middle connected by a fine sulcus with the lateral fovea. Elytra with a very abbreviate intrahumeral depression. Although extremely similar to ZH. tritomus, this insect is readily distinguished by the definite basal thoracic fovea, and the more abbreviate basal dorsal segment of the hind body. The last joint of the maxillary palpus is similar in form to that of H. tritomus, but is distinctly broader and shorter. Only two examples were obtained; they are quite similar to one another and of uncertain sex. 5. Hamotus difficilis. Rufus, elytris dilute sanguineis, pube depressa minus dense vestitus; antennarum clava triarticulata, elongata ; elytris plica intrahumerali abbreviata; abdomine minus late marginato, segmentis dorsalibus primo et secundo eequalibus. Long. 24 millim. Hab. GuateMata, Zapote (Champion). Although only one example of this insect was obtained, and it is very similar to H. vicinus, yet, as 1 have failed to reconcile it therewith, and it will not agree with any of the other species, I treat it as distinct. It differs from H. vicinus in possessing a narrower hind body with less broad lateral margins, a more slender terminal joint to 6 . PSELAPHIDA. the maxillary palpus (resembling in this respect H. tritomus), and a rather more slender club to the antenna. The example has no mark which would lead me to believe it to be a male. 6. Hamotus monachus. Hamotus monachus, Reitter, Deutsch. ent. Zeit. xxvi. p. 181°. Rufus, elytris dilute sanguineis, pube depressa minus dense vestitus ; antennarum clava triarticulata, elongata ; elytris plica intrahumerali sat abbreviata; abdomine segmento secundo dorsali quam segmentum basale paullo minore. Long. 24 millim. Hab. Mexico, Yucatan!; Guaremata, El Reposo, Zapote (Champion). This insect presents the closest resemblance to H. vicinus and H. tritomus; from the latter it is readily distinguished by the definite thoracic fovea; from the former it presents the following distinctions:—The terminal joint of the maxillary palpus is rather more elongate, the intrahumeral depression on the elytra is prolonged to form a short but definite plica, and the first dorsal segment is more elongate and evidently longer than the second. The unique example transmitted to me by Herr Reitter is a female, and is remark- able from the elongation of the apical segments of the hind body. ‘This was the only sex known to Reitter. Mr. Champion met with only two examples, both males, the whole of the ventral plates being rather broadly and deeply impressed along the middle. The typical example received from Herr Reitter and the individual found at El Reposo by Mr. Champion are both darker in colour than I have described above; but this, I believe, is chiefly due to their imperfect preservation. 7. Hamotus latipalpis. Rufus, elytris dilute sanguineis, pube subtili depressa vestitus; antennarum clava triarticulata, elongata ; elytris plica intrahumerali abbreviata; abdominis segmento basali dorsali quam segmentum secundum minore. Long. 24 millim. Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion). Extremely similar to H. vicinus, but with very important distinctions :—The pubes- cence of the surface much finer and shorter; the eyes larger, and placed quite at the hinder part of the head; the terminal joint of the maxillary palpus remarkable on account of its very short broad form, being in fact nearly as broad as long, so that its extremity is not acuminate; and the basal dorsal segment is abbreviate. Only one example, of uncertain sex, was found. 8. Hamotus curtipalpis. Rufo-brunneus, elytris sanguineis, pube subdepressa vestitus ; antennarum clava triarticulata, elongata; elytris HAMOTUS. 7 plica intrahumerali abbreviata ; abdominis segmentis dorsalibus primo et secundo equalibus; palporum articulo ultimo parvo, brevi, lato. Long. 21 millim. Hab. Panama, Bugaba, David (Champion). This species is extremely similar to H. vicinus and the allied species, but differs from all of them in the shape of the last joint of the maxillary palpus. This latter is com- paratively small, its inner margin nearly straight though minutely prolonged internally at the apex, while the outer margin is very convex; the length of this joint is about the same as that of the tenth joint of the antenne. Only two examples are extant; they are in a very decayed condition, and are, I believe, both of the male sex, though this is indicated only by a minute flattening of the basal ventral segments. 9. Hamotus suturalis. Hamotus suturalis, Schauf. Sechzig neue Pselaph. p. 82° (1880). Hab. Mextco, Teapa !. 10. Hamotus nodicollis. Hamotus nodicollis, Raffray, Rev. d’Ent. i. p. 240°. Hab. Mexico }. § 2. Thorax without transverse sulcus. 11. Hamotus singularis. Hamotus singularis, Reitt. Deutsch. ent. Zeit. xxvi. p. 183, note’. Hab. Muxico (Bilimek!), Cordova (Sallé); Guatemata, San Isidro 1600 feet, near the city, Aceytuno, Capetillo, San Juan in Vera Paz, Senahu (Champion); Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet, David (Champion). I am not able to point with certainty to any external sexual distinctions of this insect; the condition of the pencil of hairs at the extremity of the hind tibia varies according to the state of the individual, and, moreover, can be flexed outwards under the apex of the tibia and tarsus so as to be concealed, though actually present. 12. Hamotus setipes. (Tab. I. fig. 3.) Rufo-castaneus, elytris sanguineis, pube erecta elongata sat dense vestitus ; capite latiore, tuberculis antennariis sat distantibus; tiblis omnibus extus perspicue longius setosellis. Long. 3 millim, Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion). Head broad, with two moderately large foveze on the posterior portion; the antennal tubercles clearly separated, so that a third fovea just behind the space separating them 8 PSELAPHID A. remains quite distinct. The ninth and tenth joints of the antenne are transverse, but not excessively short; the terminal joint very thick and large. The fovea near the middle of the base of the thorax is large and distinct. The elytra have a well-marked sutural stria which is extremely deeply impressed at the base; and external to this stria, and separated therefrom by a raised space, another deep rather long impression which is not continued backwards as a stria. Though very similar to H. singularis this is a larger insect, readily distinguished by the broader head, the more widely separated antennary tubercles, and the long setosity of the tibie. The sexual distinctions are slight, and almost confined to a difference in the shape of the hind body, this latter being rather longer, with the under surface more curvate, and the middle of the ventral rings flattened, in the male. In each sex there is a fine pencil of hairs at the extremity of the hind tibia, and an extremely slight incurvation of the tibia itself near the apex. 13. Hamotus parvipalpis. Rufo-niger, pedibus rufis; palpis testaceis, his articulo ultimo parum magno et graciliter subovali; elytris intra humeros breviter impressis. Long. 24 millim. Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion). This species is closely allied to H. singularis, having a similar structure of the antenne and of the thoracic fover; it is, however, well distinguished by a number of characters, the most important of which is the smaller and more slender terminal joint of the maxillary palpi. The pubescence of the surface is darker than in the allied species ; the antenne are extremely thick, with the joints 4-10 strongly transverse, and the terminal joint very broad; the head is not broad, and the antennary tubercles, though not very broad, are well separated, so that the small fovea between them is quite definite. The thorax is smaller and more globose than in H. singularis. I have seen only two examples; unfortunately both are in a very decayed condition. 14. Hamotus rostratus. | Piceus, elytris sanguineis, palpis pedibusque rufis, pube elongata minus dense vestitus ; antennis longioribus, articulis intermediis haud transversis ; capite gracili rostrato, vertice foveolis grandibus impresso ; palpis majoribus. Long. 3 millim. Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion). Antenne with the ninth and tenth joints elongate, intermediate in breadth between those preceding it and the terminal joint, this latter elongate, rather stout, not quite twice as long as broad. Palpi very large. Antennary tubercles convex, separated by a deep depression in which the frontal fovea is lost; the two fovee on the vertex large. Thorax subglobose, rather large ; the basal fovea only moderately large, filled with fine pubescence. Elytra red, with very elongate erect pubescence, the intrahumeral plica HAMOTUS.—CERCOCERUS. 9 elongate, densely pubescent at their hind margin. Tibi pubescent externally ; those of the hind legs quite straight and slender, and without definite tuft of hairs at the extremity. Only one example was met with of this fine species; it forms a natural transition to the following. 15. Hamotus grandipalpis. (Tab. I. fig. 4.) Piceo-sanguineus, pube elongata erecta dense vestitus; antennis, palpis pedibusque rufo-obscuris, illis elongatis gracilibus ; palpis maxillaribus maximis; capite gracili rostrato, vertice trifoveolato; abdomine segmentis dorsalibus quatuor conspicuis, longitudini subequalibus. Long. 33 millim. Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion). Antenne with very long basal joint; the second, third, and fourth joints subequal, the fifth and sixth rather elongate, the seventh and eighth a little shorter, but each a good deal longer than broad, the ninth and tenth elongate but scarcely at all thicker than the preceding two, the tenth very long and slender and with its inner margin curvate. Palpi with very elongate second joint and very large terminal joint. Head with the strongly elevated antennary tubercles separated by a deep depression; with two fovew near the vertex, and a third depression behind these in the middle. Thorax rather large, subglobose; the basal fovea distinct, quite isolated. Elytra with deep but short intrahumeral depression. Hind body with the margins of the first and second segments very largely developed. Hind tibia without apical pencil. Only one example was met with of this species; it may be a male, as the depression on the metasternum is remarkably deep. Although the maxillary palpi are so strongly developed, I cannot treat this as a generic character at present, as there is very great variety in the size and form of these organs amongst the species of this genus inhabiting our region. CERCOCERUS. Circocerus, Motschulsky, Etudes ent. 1855, p. 16, and 1856, tab. f. 4; Leconte, New Sp. N. Am. Coll. p. 27 (1863). Cercocerus, Leconte, Class. Coi. N. Am. p. 57 (1861) ; Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xx. p. 186 (1882). The characters given of this genus show nothing to distinguish it from Hamotus, of which I have little doubt it is merely a synonym. As, however, I do not actually know either of the species ascribed to it, I give it a distinct place in deference to Reitter, who treats it as a valid genus. 1. Cercocerus batrisoides. ? Circocerus perplexus, Motsch. Etudes ent. 1855, p. 16°. Circocerus batrisioides, Motsch. Etudes ent. 1856, tab. f. 4. ? Circocerus batrisoides, Lec. New sp. N. Am. Col. p. 27 (1863) *. Hab. Norta America, New Orleans 2,—Panama, Obispo }. BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, February 1887. C* 10 PSELAPHIDZ. Motschulsky (Etudes ent. 1855, p. 16) speaks of what we may presume to be the same insect under the name of C. perplerus; C. batrisioides, Motsch., is said by Reitter to be the same as the North-American C. batrisoides, Lec. Subfam. BATRISINA. METOPIAS. | Metopias, Gory, in Guérin’s Mag. Zool. 1832, Ins. t. 42, text p. 1; Aubé, 1. c. 1833, Mon. Pselaph. p- 18, t. 78. f.1; Reitter, Deutsche ent. Zeit. xxix. p. 834 (1885). This genus is purely tropical American, and comprises five species; Reitter having recently separated another five species under the generic name of Metopiorys. 1. Metopias elegans. (Tab. I. fig. 10.) Pallide castaneus, elytris rufo-testaceis, antennis pedibusque testaceis, pube erecta subtili vestitus ; prothorace elongato, ante basin transversim sulcato; antennis valde elongatis, articulo tertio graciliter ovali et sequentibus tribus simul sumptis majore. Long. 23 millim. Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion). Antenne pale yellow, longer than the insect itself; the first joint as long as the following seven or eight joints together, the second longer than broad, the third broader and very much longer than the second, the five following joints subequal to one another, simple, the ninth scarcely thicker but much more elongate, the tenth small, the eleventh rather longer than the ninth and quite acuminate at the apex. Palpi rather short. Head elongate, the vertex with a deep impression; the antennal tubercles divided bya | groove, and the posterior part of their prolongation projecting backwards in an angular manner into the depression on the vertex. ‘Thorax slender, unarmed ; very obsoletely longitudinally canaliculate along the middle ; with a deep fine transverse sulcus in front of the base, and without lateral channels. Elytra elongate, narrowed at the shoulders, the latter only slightly prominent, with a very deep depression along the suture, and a ‘short basal depression external to this. The solitary example discovered is no doubt a male, the extremity of the hind body beneath being deeply excavate, while in front of the excavation there are two erect subcurvate spinous processes. The species is not closely allied to any yet described, but perhaps is nearest to M. hirtus, Reitt., from Brazil. BATRISUS. Batrisus, Aubé, in Guérin’s Mag. Zool. 1833, Mon. Pselaph. p. 45. This is now avery large genus comprising upwards of two hundred described species, and is found in most parts of the world. It contains a very great variety of forms, and is especially remarkable on account of the extraordinary sexual characters, scarcely any part of the body being exempt from being the seat of peculiar structures in the male BATRISUS. ll sex. The larger number of the Tropical-American forms belong to the subgenus Arthmius; this subgenus has not been correctly treated up till now: the females of the species belonging to it are different in shape and usually in colour from the males, and have been regarded as specifically distinct ; the “table” recently given by Reitter of the South- and Central-American species known to him (Verh. Ver. Briinn, 1883, pp. 377 and 378) requires emendation on this account, the insects enumerated by this author under Section B of Arthmius being females. § 1. Thorax without any longitudinal channel, but with a transverse sulcus in front of the base; elytra without discoidal stria ; form different in the sexes. (Subgen. Arthmius.) 1. Batrisus geniculatus. Rufo-testaceus, nitidus ; antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis parum elongatis ; capite plano, levigato, utrinque foveolato. Long. 2 millim. Mas antennis medio curvatis ; tibiis anterioribus ultra medium valde dilatatis, apice abrupte angustato. Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hage). The head is short and small; without sculpture, but with a distinct fovea on each side behind; the eyes small. The thorax is quite small, slender ; and without channels, except the delicate transverse sulcus in front of the base. The sexual differences are very considerable: the male is of a pallid rufescent colour and has longer elytra than the female, the female being of a more castaneous tint; the fifth joint of the antenne is considerably enlarged behind and with the two following joints forms a curve, the tenth joint is scarcely transverse; the front tibiz are greatly | dilated, and then below the middle suddenly narrowed ; the middle tibize are furnished with a minute internal uncus at the extremity; the apical half of the hind body is occupied beneath by a depression, and at the base of the latter is an elevated short carina from which a pubescent wing diverges on either side. Five examples were obtained by Herr Hoge, and I believe I have identified the sexes with certainty. 2. Batrisus curvicornis. Batrisus curvicornis, Schauf. Nungq. Otios. ii. p. 2861; Reitt. Verh. z.-b. Ges. Wien, 1882, p. 378. Hab. Mexico (Bilimek ?, in coll. Reitter), Yucatan 1, Cordova (Sallé). Schaufuss’s description is a very poor one, and contains no characters that would enable his species to be discriminated from those allied to it, and I give therefore the male characters drawn from a Mexican example communicated by Herr Reitter. The unique exponent from Sallé’s collection which I take to be this species is in bad pre- servation. In the male the front tibie are slightly swollen from the base to below the middle, the apical third being again slender (this apical constriction is, however, not abrupt, so that the prominent angle terminating the swelling is very obtuse and not at C* 2 12 PSELAPHID&. all spinose) ; the middle tibize are mucronate at the extremity; and the antenne havea curve extending from the fourth joint to the seventh, and the fourth joint is slightly enlarged beneath. The female is not known, but I think it likely that B. quadri- punctatus, which Schaufuss received from the same source as his B. curvicornis, may be the other sex of this species. Reitter’s tabulation 2 unfortunately also needs emendation, as the form of the elytra (which has led him to place B. guadripunctatus in a different group from B. curvicornis) is in these insects a sexual character. 3. Batrisus quadripunctatus. Batrisus quadripunctatus, Schauf. Nunq. Otios. ii. p. 273°; Reitt. Verh. z.-b. Ges. Wien, 1882, p- 378 ”. Hab. Mexico (Bilimek ?, in coll. Reitter), Yucatan 1, Jalapa (Hoge). As mentioned above, under B. curvicornis, I believe this may prove to be the female of that species; but as I cannot state this with certainty, I do not venture to sink the name at present. B. quadripunctatus is scarcely distinguishable from the females of B. geniculatus and B. simplicicornis, except that the antenne are decidedly shorter than those of the latter, slightly shorter than those of the former, species, and have the sixth and eighth joints more distinctly smaller than those contiguous to them. Although Schaufuss in his description of B. curvicornis + expresses himself as having both sexes of the species before him, yet it is more likely that his supposed female was a male of some other species having simple antenne, such as B. simplicicornis ; for the differ- ence in form of the sexes in this subgenus has not before been correctly dealt with— the females, in fact, having been treated as a section of the genus distinct from that of their consorts. 4. Batrisus simplicicornis. (Tab. I. fig. 6, ¢.) Rufo-testaceus, nitidus, parce pubescens; antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis parum elongatis; capite plano, levigato, utrinque foveolato. . Long. vix 2 millim. Mas tibiis anterioribus gracilibus, ultra medium paullo latioribus, apice constricto. Hab. Guatema.a, near the city (Champion). Extremely similar to 2. curvicornis and B. geniculatus, but with strongly marked differences in the male characters. In this sex the antenne are quite straight; the front tibie only slightly broader from the base to below the middle, but there suddenly though only slightly contracted; the middle tibie armed with a mucro at the terminal inner angle; and the hind body beneath has a large transverse depression at the extre- mity. The female is of a more castaneous colour, and has shorter elytra, and slightly shorter antenne, than the male; I can only distinguish this sex from the female of B. geniculatus by the antenne being slightly longer and stouter, and the thorax just perceptibly more elongate. BATRISUS, 13 5. Batrisus 2 Hab. Guatemaa, Totonicapam between 8500 and 10,000 feet (Champion). Only a single female was found of this insect, and it is therefore not advisable to attempt to found a species on it; I have little doubt, however, that it is quite distinct, as it has a much more elongate hind body than any of its allies. 6. Batrisus truncaticeps. Gracilis, rufo-testaceus, nitidus, parce pubescens; antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis gracilibus ; capite plano, levigato, utrinque foveolato. Long. 13 millim. Mas capite posterius recte truncato, tibiis anterioribus inflatis, antennis basi curvatis. Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city (Champion). Although quite similar to B. simplicicornis and B. curvicornis the male characters are very different:—The head is quite straight behind, not rounded, with well-marked rectangular angles; the antenne are slender, and the third, fourth, and fifth joints form a curve, the fifth being prolonged and projecting downwards, the sixth, seventh, and eighth joints are slender and straight, the three terminal joints forming an elongate slender club; the front tibie are much inflated, and when viewed in one direction appear to have the lower half abruptly more slender, and the swollen upper part is, I think, occupied by a cavity or fovea opening below on the front face of the tibia; the middle tibize are mucronate at the extremity; and the terminal ventral segment is flattened but not foveate. Only one example of this curious insect was obtained; mounted on the same card with it by Mr. Champion is a female which I am unable to distinguish by any character from that sex of B. simplicicornis, still so close are the females of this group of species that it is just possible it may be the female of B. truncaticeps; under these circum- stances it is doubtful whether the peculiar truncate vertex be a specific or a sexual character. 7. Batrisus castaneus. Gracilis, nitidus, castaneus; antennarum apice pedibusque testaceis ; capite plano, utrinque foveolato. Long. 1? millim. Mas tibiis anterioribus ultra medium rotundato-subdilatatis. Hab. Guatemata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion). This is a very peculiar species of which the male only has been discovered, and of that sex only a single example. The colour and the shape of the elytra are more like those of the female sex of the preceding species ; the elytra, however, though rounded at the sides and shoulders, are much longer than in the females of B. simplicicornis ; the head also differs but little from that of the female of B. simplicicornis, being destitute of peculiarities of structure or punctuation. The antenne are slender and 14 PSELAPHID®. rather elongate ; castaneous in colour, with the apical two or three joints paler; they are simple, and without peculiarity in the shape of the joints, though the eighth joint is much shorter than the seventh. The thorax is elongate and slender, with its trans- verse line placed far in front of the base. The elytra are rather elongate, without humeral angle or tuberculation, and the six punctures at the base are minute and indistinct. The dorsal segments bear, in addition to the scanty pubescence, a few fine long erect sete; the apical ventral segment is feebly depressed and bituberculate at the extremity. The front tibie, though slender, are peculiarly distorted and appear very different in shape according to the point from which they are viewed ; the middle tibize finely mucronate at the apex. 8. Batrisus scaphiger. Nigro-piceus, nitidus, parce pubescens; antennis castaneis, apice pedibusque testaceis ; capite plano, utrinque foveolato. Long. 13 millim. Mas antennis medio curvato, tibiis anterioribus medio subinflatis, trochanteribus posterioribus majoribus, scaphiformibus, dense pubescentibus. Hab. * Mexico (Saldé). This insect also is only known by one male example. The head is without structural peculiarities, flat and shining, and with a very evident fovea on each side. ‘The antennee are rather long, and are curved from the fifth to the ninth joints (although there is no very striking alteration in the shape of these joints); the fourth joint is slightly larger than the third, the fifth is much longer than either the one preceding or the one following it, the eighth joint has the lower inner face a little cut away, the tenth Joint is not quite so large as the ninth, and the terminal joint is elongate and slender. The front tibie are only slightly inflated, the greatest width being about the middle ; the middle tibize finely mucronate at the extremity. The hind trochanters are of a most extraordinary form, being enlarged, and with a concave face behind, the concavity densely set with pubescence. The hind body is also peculiar in form: on the ventral aspect the intermediate rings are not exposed, so that it there appears to be composed of only two segments, of which the apical one is broad and flat and its hind margin quite broad and gently emarginate—thus allowing a considerable portion of a supplementary segment to be perceived. Although the locality is not exactly known, there can be no difficulty in identifying this insect, the structure of the posterior trochanters being unique; in the much rounded shoulders, as well as in the structure of the head, it resembles B. castaneus. 9. Batrisus monoceros. Nitidus, parce pubescens ; capite abdomineque nigris ; prothorace elytrisque lete rufis ; antennis pedibusque testaceis ; corpore subtus rufo-obseuro ; vertice subconvexo, utrinque foveolato. Long. 13 millim. BATRISUS. 15 Mas capite anterius in spinam elongatam acutissimam, anterius prominulam, producto; antennis medio parum curvatis ; tibiis anterioribus apicem versus sat inflatis. Hab. GuatTEMALA, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion). This species also I must describe from a single male. The antenne are unicolorous yellow, slightly curved from the sixth to the eighth joints, this latter being prolonged and acuminate beneath; the ninth and tenth joints not very much larger than the others, each not longer than broad; the terminal joint large, as long as the preceding three together. Head black; produced in the middle in a forward and upward direction so as to form a spine or horn with extremely acute point. The elytra are rather elongate, and contrast strongly in colour with the black hind body, the shoulders slightly plicate-elevate. The front tibie are distinctly inflated before the extremity ; the middle tibiz finely mucronate at the apex. The apical ventral segment is slightly impressed. 10. Batrisus armatellus. Nitidus, parce pubescens; antennis pedibusque rufis ; capite haud plano; elytris basi sexpunctatis. Long. 2 millim. Mas sanguineo-castaneus, capite inter antennas spina obliqua suberecta armato. fem. castanea, capite mutico, elytris lateribus et humeris rotundatis. Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet, David (Champion). The male of this species differs from the same sex of B. curvicornis and its allies in having the front tibie and the antenne normal in structure, while the head exhibits remarkable sexual peculiarities. In this sex, just between the insertion of the antenne, there arises a spine or short horn, broad at the base but acuminate at its free extremity ; this spine or horn is directed obliquely backwards and upwards, and behind it is a transverse depression, the depression almost divided into two parts by the spine, but in the middle behind the apex of the spine with a prolongation backwards; there is an indistinct fovea near each eye; the middle tibize are armed at the apex with a very evident mucro, and the trochanters of the same pair of legs provided behind with a patch of short pubescence ; the last ventral segment is largely but not at all deeply impressed ; and the antenne are slightly larger than those of the female. The sexual characters are quite sufficient for the identification of the male; the female, however, is very different, it being less rufescent in colour, and with the elytra shorter and completely rounded at the sides and shoulders. ‘The female may be distinguished from the corresponding sex of B. simplicicornis and its allies by its larger and longer antenne, the sixth and seventh joints especially being larger; and still more decisively by the structure of the head, which is but little shining, and is minutely punctate and pubescent on each side near the eye, the vertex behind being a little convex in the middle and rather indistinctly foveolate on either side. 16 PSELAPHIDZ. 11. Batrisus coronifer. Batrisus coronifer, Reitt. Verh. z.-b. Ges. Wien, 1882, p. 875" Hab. Panama 1, According to a type communicated by Herr Reitter, this insect is allied to B. arma- tellus, but is of more dilute colour, with elongate slender antenne, the spine on the front of the head indistinct, and the vertex in the middle behind somewhat raised and emarginate; the depressions behind the clypeal spine slight compared with those of B. armatellus. 12. Batrisus plicicollis. Batrisus plicicollis, Reitt. Verh. z.-b. Ges. Wien, 1882, p. 376°. Hab. Mexico, Orizaba (Bilimek *). Reitter supposed he had both sexes of this species, but the five individuals I have received from him are all females; and as he has not indicated any of the characters. usually distinctive of the male in this group, I imagine this sex is most probably still unknown, and anticipate it will prove to have the head ornamented by some structures analogous to those seen in B. armatellus and B. coronifer. The species is readily recognized, at any rate in the female sex, by the peculiar form of the thorax, the latter being compressed laterally so as to appear longitudinally raised along the middle. 13. Batrisus vividus. Batrisus vividus, Schauf. Nungq. Otios. ii. p. 282* (nec Motsch.). Hab. CentraL AMERICA }. This insect also was described from a single female, and cannot be identified at present ; it is stated to differ from Schaufuss’s supposed female of B. curvicornis in the structure of the labrum. ‘The name was originally proposed by Motschulsky ; and Reitter’s remarks (Verh. z.-b. Ges. Wien, 1883, pp. 375, 376) as to the confusion with regard to specimens existing in collections under this name should be referred to. ‘It is quite possible that Schaufuss’s insect may be the female of B. coronifer, Reitt. § 2. Thorax without longitudinal or transverse channels, but denticulate at the sides. (Subgen. Oxarthrius). 14. Batrisus hamaticollis. (Tab. I. fig. 5, ¢.) Sanguineus, parce pubescens, nitidus; antennis pedibusque rufis; capite utrinque pone oculos barbato ; pro- thorace posterius fortiter bispinoso; elytris impunctatis, humeris sat prominulis. Long. 23 millim. Hab. Guatemaua, Las Mercedes 3000 feet (Champion). BATRISUS. 17 A single male only has been obtained of this species, and the description therefore is of that sex only. Antenne elongate, the basal joint largely exposed; with a very elongate club, - formed by the four terminal joints—these joints somewhat asymmetric in form, the eighth being slightly more incrassate on one side than on the other, the ninth trans- verse and with one of its angles evidently acuminate, the tenth also transverse, and with one of its faces shining and somewhat impressed, the terminal joint large and quite as long as the preceding two joints together. Head broad between the eyes, the latter placed quite as near to the antenne as to the neck ; narrowed behind the eyes, and bearing on this part an erect pubescence ; its surface uneven, the vertex convex and obscurely foveolate on either side of the convexity; depressed between the antennal elevations and the vertex, and with a very indistinct carina on either side near the eye. Thorax convex, with a minute lateral spine on either side in front of the middle; much narrowed behind the denticles, and with two large acute prominences in front of the base. Elytra depressed at the base, so that the basal foveation cannot be distin- guished. First segment of the hind body rather broadly margined. Hind tibie with a distinct mucro at the extremity; middle tibie more feebly mucronate; middle femora with a large straight tooth placed almost in the middle. ‘Terminal ventral plate small, and only feebly impressed. 15. Batrisus rivularis. Batrisus rivularis, Schauf. Nunq. Otios. ii. p. 285 °. Hab. Panama }. § 3. Thorax without longitudinal or transverse channels, unarmed. The species I refer to this section represent a new subgenus, which I should have treated as generically distinct from the other New-World Batrisi had it not been that it shows considerable analogy with the European B. formicarius. 16. Batrisus crassipes. (Tab. I. fig. 7.) Major, elongatus, castaneus, nitidus, crebrius pubescens; elytris intra humeros impressis, basi quadrifoveata, plica discoidali abbreviata. Long. 3 millim. Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1800 feet, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion). Antenne thick ; ninth joint but little different from the eighth, the tenth joint also only slightly differing from the ninth and scarcely so long as broad, the terminal joint very stout. Head narrow, with convex, rather large, finely faceted eyes, the latter placed much in front of the hind margin; thickened over the insertion of each antenna, so that the front part consists of an elevated transverse portion behind which there is BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, March 1887. D* 18 PSELAPHIDA. an angular depression, the vertex being convex. Thorax narrow, longer than broad ; bearing a fine erect pubescence, quite impunctate. Elytra subquadrate, the shoulders elevated, and with a short discoidal plica; from behind appearing only quadrifoveate at the extreme base; distinctly pubescent, but almost impunctate. Hind body with an extremely large basal dorsal plate, the latter very deeply transversely depressed in front. Legs stout. The two examples obtained are quite similar in structure, and I suspect are of the male sex, the metasternum being rather deeply impressed. The latter also exhibits an angular prominence on each side close to the outer termination of the coxa, while behind the coxa the trochanter is compressed so as to form a somewhat similar promi- nence, the articulation being included between the two prominences: in order to see these characters properly the insect must be viewed in profile. The ventral rings are of rather peculiar form; the basal one very short in the middle and scarcely longer there than the following two together, and the fourth longer than those preceding it ; the terminal plate is not impressed. The under surface is much less pubescent than the upper. 17. Batrisus lamellipes. Major, elongatus, castaneus, nitidus, breviter parce pubescens; elytris intra humeros impressis, basi quadri- foveata, plica discoidali abbreviata. Long. 3 millim. Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion). This species bears a great general resemblance to B. crassipes, but exhibits some very important differences: the pubescence of the surface, especially on the anterior parts, is quite minute; the eyes are smaller and but little prominent; the anterior elevation of the head is separated from the vertex by a deep depression, the depression scarcely angular in form; the ninth and tenth joints of the antenne are scarcely at all broader than the others, the terminal joint being very large ; the legs are considerably broader, with the tarsi shorter and thicker, and the femora more compressed and lamellate; the terminal joint of the maxillary palpi is of a different and more peculiar form, being more slender, with its inner margin concave. The unique example is probably a female, the metasternum being but little impressed and having only an excessively minute angular prominence on each side of the impres- sion. The ventral rings are rather elongate, except the basal one, the latter in the middle being scarcely so long as the fourth. BATOCTENUS. Corpus sat elongatum ; caput muticum, absque tuberculis antennariis ; antenne inter se parum distantes, cras- siuscule ; oculi magni; prothorax parum elongatus, absque sulculis, ad latus utrinque foveatus; elytra striis discoidalibus subtilibus duabus ; abdomen haud marginatum, segmento dorsali primo quam secundum paullo longiore, segmentis ventralibus primis et secundis subsequalibus. BATOCTENUS. 19 Although closely allied to the polymorphous Batrisus, and without any one very salient point of difference, yet the insects I include in Batoctenus exhibit so many minor distinctions as to constitute the genus a very distinct one. The palpi are shorter than in Batrisus, and with the terminal joint ovate, acuminate; the head is simple, without depressions or any distinct elevation over the antennal insertion; the space separating the antenne is narrower ; the eyes are large and coarsely faceted ; on the under surface of the body there is but little difference between the length of the first and the other ventral rings. ‘The rest of the characters very nearly agree with Batrisus. 1. Batoctenus simplex. Rufescens, elytris sanguineis ; crebrius subtiliter pubescens, parum nitidus; capite opaco, dense subtiliter rugoso- punctato ; prothorace fere impunctato. Long. 23 millim. Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion). The antenne are dissimilar in the sexes, though joints 2-7 differ but little from one another: in the female the eighth joint differs from the seventh only in being a little longer, the ninth is rather broader, and the tenth still somewhat broader, the terminal joint being elongate, stout, and obtusely acuminate; in the male the eighth joint is oblong and much larger than the seventh, the ninth joint a little larger than the eighth, the tenth shorter than the ninth, the terminal joint very stout. The opaque densely sculptured head has no elevations or depressions except the two indistinct fover on the vertex. The thorax is nearly as long as broad; much narrowed behind and still more so in front. The elytra are elongate, and of a brighter red than the rest of the surface ; with the shoulders slightly elevated, and a sutural and two fine equidistant dorsal striz extending the whole length. In addition to the peculiar antenne, the male is distinguished from the female by the possession of a mucro at the extremity of the middle tibia ; and it also has the terminal ventral plate more distinctly impressed. Four examples. 2. Batoctenus puncticollis. (Tab. I. fig. 9, 3.) Rufescens, elytris sanguineis, crebrius subtiliter pubescens, parum nitidus; capite opaco, dense subtiliter rugoso-punctato; prothorace disco dense punctato. Long. 2 millim. Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion). Though very similar to 8. simplex, this insect is readily distinguished by the punctate thoracic disc. The sexual distinctions are similar, except that the male of B. puncticollis has an additional character in the shape of the front tibiz, these latter, though slender, becoming slightly broader on the inner face to just below the middle, where they again become narrow. One pair only was found. D* 2 20° PSELAPHIDA. EUPHALEPSUS. Euphalepsus, Reitter, Verh. z.-b. Ges. Wien, xx. p. 378 (1882). This genus, though allied in many respects to Batrisus, is essentially distinct by the structure of the palpi. It comprises as yet only three Brazilian species in addition to those found in our region ; one, recently described by Reitter as L. longicornis, has had no locality indicated, but it is not, I believe, from our region. 1. Euphalepsus globipennis. Euphalepsus globipennis, Reitt. 1. c. p. 379°. Hab. Mexico, San Marcos (Bilimek 1, mus. Vindob.). We have not received this species. 2. Euphalepsus centralis. Brevis, convexus, sanguineo-castaneus, nitidus, pube erecta vestitus; elytrorum basi et humeris marginato- elevatis; antennis sat elongatis, articulis nono et decimo in latitudine et longitudine subzqualibus. Long. 2 millim. Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion). Antenne with joints 3-8 differing little from one another; the ninth joint consider- ably larger and about as long as broad, the tenth similar to the ninth, the terminal joint rather longer than the preceding two together. Head small; with two short thick antennal tubercles, and behind each of these obscurely foveolate. Thorax small, convex, with a deep transverse sulcus in front of the base, the extremity of the sulcus con- nected with a short deep longitudinal impression on each side. Elytra broad, convex, the base margined, the shoulders elevated; the humeral elevation not continued backwards along the sides, the basal margin crenulate owing to the three or four punc- tures or minute fovez which exist on each side; without discoidal stria, the sutural stria fine; the pubescence very distinct, but the punctuation extremely feeble. Hind body very short, convex, forming in profile a curve almost continuous with the elytra. Legs rather slender. Only one example was found in each locality; they are apparently male and female, though the differences are but slight: each has the metasternum foveolate at the extremity. The male, from San Gerénimo, has a very minute patch of pubescence on the hind margin of the intermediate femur near the base, the middle tibia slightly denticulate inwardly just below the middle, and the hind tibia with a very minute inflation of its superior face below the middle. The female is remarkable on account of the existence of a conical projection of the dorsal surface of the hind body at the extremity. EUPHALEPSUS.—LISTRIOPHORUS. 21 3. Kuphalepsus reitteri. (Tab. I. fig. 8, 3.) Brevis, convexus, sanguineo-castaneus, nitidus, pube longa erecta dense vestitus; elytrorum basi et humeris marginato-elevatis; antennis sat elongatis,.crassis, clava elongata, articulorum noni et decimi longitudine latitudinem superante. Long. 23 millim. Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion). A single male example only has been obtained. It is closely allied to L. centralis, but is larger, with a more dense pubescence, much more largely developed club to the antenne, and a more elongate head; the sexual characters are also different, the hind legs being longer and thicker and with their tibie dilated externally below the middle, the middle femora without a patch of pubescence, and the denticle near the extremity of the middle tibize scarcely to be detected. I have named this elegant species of Pselaphide in honour of Herr Reitter, of Vienna, who has contributed more than any other entomologist to our knowledge of this family of minute but extremely curious Coleoptera. Subfam. BRY AXINA. Group GONIACERINA. GONIACERUS. Goniacerus, Motschulsky, Etudes ent. 1855, p. 17, tab. fig. 8; Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xx. pp. 188, 206 (1882). Goniastes, Westwood, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1870, p. 125. This genus comprises only a single Amazonian species in addition to the one from our region. 1. Goniacerus gibbus. Goniacerus gibbus, Motsch. 1. c.* Hab. Panama, Obispo 1. LISTRIOPHORUS. Listriophorus, Schaufuss, Nunq. Otios. ii. p. 245; Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xx. p. 189 (1882). This genus has not been characterized; it was merely tabulated by Schaufuss. Listriophorus comprises only one species, which probably may not belong to our region. 1. Listriophorus felix. Listriophorus feliz, Schauf. 1. c. p. 289°. Hab. * Mexico (“ wahrscheinlich ”) !, 22 PSELAPHIDZ. Group BRYAXINA. CACCOPLECTUS. Corpus sat elongatum, subdepressum, subparallelum, pube subtili depressa vestitum. Antenne 11-articulate, simplices, vix clavate, ad basin inter sese tantum modice distantes. Os subtus situm. Palpi maxillares minuti, articulo ultimo breviter ovali. Caput valde convexum; oculis sat magnis. Prothorax brevis, ante basin transversim impressus. Elytra elongata, striis suturalibus et discoidalibus geminatis impressis. Abdomen late marginatum. This genus is proposed for an insect that appears anomalous in several respects ; it has at first sight the aspect of the “ Euplectina,” though apparently possessing but little relationship with that group. I am inclined to think Caccoplectus would be most naturally located near Batoctenus; but, as I cannot discover any trace of a second claw to the tarsus, I am obliged in following Reitter’s arrangement to place it in the ‘ Bryaxina,’ to no member of which group has it, so far as I know, any resemblance. Though the mouth is placed on the underside of the head (as in the ‘ Ctenistina’), yet the latter is quite short, and not at all rostrate, the antenne being inserted close to the labrum. The maxillary palpi are unusually minute, so that I can only with difficulty obtain a sight of the terminal joint. The hind coxe are widely separated; the two basal joints of the tarsi very distinct, and setose beneath. The second, third, and fourth ventral rings are similar to one another, and rather elongate, the basal ring being very short. 1. Caccoplectus celatus. (Tab. I. fig. 11.) Testaceo-castaneus, elytris magis sanguineis, pube depressa flavescente vestitus ; antennis crassiusculis, articulo 2° parvo, articulis 3°-10™ subeequalibus. Long. 2 millim. Hab. GuatemMaa, Zapote (Champion). Antenne stout, the second joint smaller than either of the others, joints 3-10 differing very little from one another, the terminal joint as long as the preceding two together. Head very convex in the middle ; antennal tubercles flat, elongate, separated in front only; eyes large, coarsely faceted. Thorax with a transverse impression near the base and behind this, in the middle, a short longitudinal depression in front of the scutellum ; a longitudinal impression also on each side. Elytra elongate, narrowed, though not in the least raised, at the shoulders; the discoidal stria consisting of two very fine, rather widely separated lines, and the sutural stria also having the appearance of being limited on each side by a very fine line. The hind body is densely pubescent. The unique example found is presumed to be a male, the middle femora being dilated so that their base is very much wider than the trochanter and exhibits a slight obtuse angle. DECARTHRON. Decarthron, Brendel, Proc. Ent. Soc. Phil. vi. p. 35 (May 1866); Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xx. p- 189 (1882). This genus is peculiar to the New Werld; only a few species have been described DECARTHRON. 23 as yet, though Decarthron ranges from the United States of North America to the tropics. §1. Thorax with a lateral fovea on each side. 1. Decarthron suturale. Bryaxis suturalis, Schauf. Sechzig neue Pselaph. p. 17’. Hab. Mexico}. 2. Decarthron cochlearifer. Bryaxis cochlearifer, Schauf. Sechzig neue Pselaph. p. 9'. Hab. Muxico1, Cordova (Sailé), Jalapa (Hége); Guaremana, Calderas, Dueiias, Torola (Champion). §2. Thorax without lateral fovee. 3. Decarthron fallaciosum. (Tab. I. fig. 12.) Lete rufo-testaceum, nitidum ; pedibus testaceis ; antennis palpisque gracilibus. Long. 12 millim. Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Sallé); Guatemata, Cahabon (Champion). Antenne slender and long; none of the joints transverse—4-7 very similar to one another, the eighth stouter and about as long as broad, the ninth still broader and about as long as wide, the tenth broader than the ninth, as long as the preceding two together, and emarginate on one side near the tip. Head with two very large fovee between the eyes. Thorax subglobose, with a small distinct fovea in front of the scutellum. Elytra with the sutural stria very deeply excavated at the base, and with the discoidal stria extending one half the length; with a moderately large intra- humeral impression. First dorsal segment with a very distinct plica on each side, extending more than half the length of the segment. The unique Mexican example is, I presume, a male, as there is a very slight angular swelling of the front upper margin of the middle femur. From Guatemala also only a single example has been received; though much mutilated it apparently agrees exactly with the Mexican type. The elongate antenne and comparatively large size of this species give it an extreme resemblance to Bryaais. 4. Decarthron restitutum. Lete rufo-testaceum, nitidum, subtiliter pubescens; antennis parum elongatis. Long. 14 millim. Hab. * Muxico, Cordova (Sallé); Guaremata, Rio Naranjo, near the city, Rio Maria Linda, Torola, San Gerénimo (Champion) ; tNicaraaua (Sallé).—? AMAzoNSs. This species at first sight resembles D. cochlearifer exactly, but besides wanting the lateral fovea on the thorax, is distinguished as follows :—it is slightly smaller, and 24 PSELAPHIDA. with less swollen maxillary palpi, and has a narrower head, the two fovee on the vertex being consequently less distant. It also possesses well-marked male characters; in this sex the middle femur is angularly swollen to beyond the middle and beyond this emarginate-foveolate ; and the front tibia also is a little angularly dilated above. The Mexican habitat of this species, as well as the Nicaraguan one, rests in each case on a single female; both require confirmation. I have also a female found by Prof. Trail in the Amazons valley that apparently belongs to this species. 5. Decarthron similare. Lete rufo-testaceum, nitidum, subtiliter pubescens ; antennis parum elongatis. Long. 14 millim. Hab. Guatemata, Champerico (Champion). This species is distinguished from D. restitutwm apparently only by the sexual cha- racters, these being very different. The male has the middle femur inflated to beyond the middle, and with the extremity subconstricted; the middle tibia has a thick mucro at its internal apical angle ; and the metasternum has a broad depression in the middle behind, the depression densely covered with an extremely fine, pallid, silky pubescence. The unique example was found upon the sea-coast. 6. Decarthron curticorne. Bryaxis curticornis, Schauf. Nunq. Otios. i. p. 263°. Hab. Mexico, Yucatan !. 7. Decarthron denticorne. Bryazxis denticornis, Schauf. Sechzig neue Pselaph. p. 15°. Hab. Mexico, Yucatan t. The condition of the thorax is not described, and I therefore can only guess at the position of the species. D. denticorne has apparently a peculiar structure of the head. BRYAXIS. Bryaxis, Leach, Zool. Misc. ii. p. 85 (1817) ; Leconte, Tr. Am. Ent. Soe. viii. p. 181 (1880) ; Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xx. p. 190 (1882). This is a very extensive genus of which more than two hundred species have already been described; it has a very wide distribution. Reitter (/. ¢.) does not admit in Bryaxis any form that has not a dorsal stria as well as a sutural stria on each elytron ; but in the species of our region we have the passages from a delicate dorsal stria to its complete absence ; I have therefore been obliged to abandon the use of this character as being of generic importance. The species I have placed in the second section are most probably not really congeneric with those of the first section; but as they are BRYAXIS. 25 far from agreeing énter se, except in the negative character of wanting the lateral thoracic fovee, and as no sufficient material has been obtained for the investigation of these minute forms, I am obliged to leave them in Bryaxis at present. §1. Thorax with a well-marked lateral fovea on each side; elytra usually with a dorsal stria. 1. Bryaxis celata. Rufo-testacea, nitida, subtiliter pubescens; antennis tenuibus; prothorace basi in media foveola punctiformi, utrinque foveola multo majore; abdominis segmento basali haud elongato, quam secundum dimidio longiore, Long. 13 millim. Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége); GuatTeMaLa, near the city (Champion); Nicaragua, Managua (Sa//é). Antenne quite slender ; joints 3-8 similar to one another, small, the fifth joint only slightly longer than those adjoining it, the ninth small, though slightly larger than the preceding one, the tenth larger than the ninth, as long as broad, the terminal joint still larger. Head without fovea in front, but slightly depressed between the antenne, the vertex with two large fovee. Thorax broader than long. Elytra with an entire sutural stria, and with a fine discoidal stria extending more than half the length. First abdo- minal segment with a short plica on each side. The male is distinguished by the existence of a long depression at the apex of the hind body beneath. This species is extremely similar to the female of B. reichei, but the tenth joint of the antenne is smaller; the head is more elongate, and somewhat depressed between the insertion of the antenne, and has no fovea there; the lateral fovea of the thorax is larger, and the pubescence though very fine is not so extremely minute. Only one example has been received from Mexico; Mr. Champion, however, met with a small series in Guatemala, and M. Sallé a single specimen in Nicaragua. 2. Bryaxis parviceps. Rufo-testacea, nitida, subtiliter pubescens; antennis tenuibus, modice elongatis; capite brevi trifoveolato, foveola frontali magna; prothorace basi in media foveola punctiformi, utrinque foveola majore ; elytris stria discoidali valde abbreviata; abdominis segmento basali sat elongato, quam secundum duplo longiore. Long. vix 13 millim. Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); Guaremata, Paso Antonio (Champion); Panama, near the city (Champion). Though very similar to B. celata, this species is distinguished by the smaller head, with large frontal fovea; the smaller lateral fovea of the thorax; the more abbreviated discoidal stria of the elytra; the longer basal segment of the hind body; and the hind margin of the wing-cases pubescent in the middle. This latter character is wanting in the female of B. reichei, which also has only a minute fovea on the front of the head. BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, March 1887. E* 26 PSELAPHID A. B. parviceps still more closely resembles Decarthron cochlearifer, but has the antenne more slender, and with eleven joints instead of ten, and a less elongate first segment to the hind body. The male is distinguished by an elongation of the fifth and sixth joints of the antenne, and a slight asymmetry of the seventh and eighth joints. I have seen four examples from Mexico, these being mixed in Sallé’s collection with Decarthron cochlearifer, two from Guatemala, and one from the State of Panama. 3. Bryaxis crassipalpis. Piceo-rufa, nitida, elytris sanguineis, antennis pedibusque rufis, subtiliter pubescens; capite angusto, utrinque supra antennas fortiter elevato, vertice bifoveolato ; prothorace transverso, basi in media foveola parva, utrinque foveola multo majore; elytris stria discoidali ultra medium abbreviata; abdominis segmento basali elongato, quam secundum plus duplo longiore. Long. 2 millim. Hab. GUATEMALA, Zapote (Champion). This species is readily distinguished by the strong elevation over each antenna, and the surface being foveolate between the excavations ; it also has the palpi thicker than ordinary, and more like what exists in Decarthron, from which genus-it is in fact solely distinguished by the eleven-jointed antenne. These last-named organs are slender, with quite short basal joint, the fourth joint slightly, the fifth distinctly, elongate, the three following joints small, and the three terminal joints forming a slender club. The unique example is probably a female. The pubescence in B. crassipalpis is fine but somewhat elongate, and not so extremely minute as in B. sall@i and its allies. 4. Bryaxis pubescens. | Bryaxis pubescens, Schauf. Sechzig neue Pselaph. p. 16°. Hab. Mexico }. This insect is stated to have the head trifoveolate, the foveee adorned with white sete, and to be 12 millim. long; these characters would bring the species near 2. rubecula, but the sixth joint of the antenne is stated to be as long as the preceding two together, whereas in B. rubecula this joint is shorter than the fifth alone. 5. Bryaxis nominata. Fem. Rufo-testacea, nitida, convexa, subtilissime pubescens; antennarum articulo quinto precedentibus duobus quali; capite elongato, nitido, impunctato, anterius plano, vertice bifoveolato ; prothorace basi in media minute foveolato, utrinque foveola majore ; elytris stria suturali aliaque discoidali ante apicem abbreviata impressis ; abdominis segmento basali sat elongato, quam secundum haud duplo longiore. Long. 2 millim. Hab. GuateMALA, Duefias (Champion). We have received only females of this species, but it is clearly quite different from any other noticed here; in its bright colour it resembles B. celata and B. parviceps, but the head is quite flat in front, and the eyes are not placed so near to the vertex; the BRYAXIS. 27 antenne have the fifth joint strongly, the sixth slightly, elongate, the club rather stout; the thorax is subglobose, about as long as broad. From the corresponding sex of B. reichet the present insect is distinguished by its larger size; the more elongate head, without fovea in front ; and by the fifth joint of the antennz longer than the sixth. 6. Bryaxis reichei. Bryazis reichet, Schauf. Nunq. Otios. ii. p. 264°. Hab. Guatemata! (Sallé), near the city, San Gerénimo (Champion).—SoutH AMERICA, Colombia 1. Schaufuss’s description applies to the male only ; the female has the antenne slender and simple, and with the fifth and sixth joints equal and a little elongate. The species is readily distinguished by the head being flat, and having a minute but quite definite fovea in front between the insertion of the antenne. 7. Bryaxis sallwi. (Tab. I. fig. 13.) Piceo-rufa, elytris rufo-sanguineis, convexa, subtilissime pubescens; antennis maris articulis quinto sextoque incrassatis ; capite brevi trifoveolato, foveola frontali magna ; prothorace basi in media foveola punctiformi, utrinque foveola majore ; elytris stria discoidali abbreviata ; abdominis segmento basali sat elongato, quam secundum vix duplo longiore. Long. 2 millim. Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé) ; Guatemaa, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet, Senahu (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion). I have what I suppose to be the sexes of this species before me. The male has the third and fourth joints of the antenne small, the fifth large, swollen, and with its front margin polished and foveolate, the sixth joint also is enlarged though much smaller than the fifth, the seventh and eighth joints are of normal form, while the three terminal joints form an elongate club, gradually thicker from the base to near the apex. The front of the head is strongly elevated so as to give the appearance of a large fovea between the antenne ; the very fine elytral stria extends about half the length ; the hind margin of the wing-cases is only exceedingly minutely pubescent in the middle ; and scarcely any plica can be detected on the first dorsal segment. Beneath the meta- sternum is hollow in the middle, tuberculate-prominent on either side. Of this species we have unfortunately not received males and females from the same locality. ‘The former sex exhibits some slight variation in the structure of the antenne, possibly of a local character, but sufficient evidence has not been obtained as to this. ‘The female sex is represented by a good series from Senahu; these examples agree Closely with what I take to be the male of the same species, except in colour, and in the fifth and sixth joints of the antenne not being swollen though they are a little elongate, the fifth being the longer of the two. K* 2 28 PSELAPHID. 8. Bryaxis intacta. Picea, elytris piceo-rufis, convexa, subtilissime pubescens ; antennis maris articulo quinto valde inflato; capite nitido, trifoveolato, foveola frontali magna; prothorace basi in media foveola punctiformi, utrinque foveola majore ; elytris stria discoidali apicem haud attingente, stria suturali integra ; abdominis segmento basali sat elongato, quam secundum fere duplo longiore. Long. 2 millim. Hab. GuateMata, Cahabon 1000 feet (Champion). The male of this species has the fifth joint of the antenne greatly enlarged and foveolate-impressed in front, all the other joints being normal, the sixth, seventh, and eighth small, slender, and subequal, the terminal three joints forming an elongate very slender club; it also has a conspicuous mucro directed inwards on the middle tibia just above the apex. The male of B. tntacta is readily distinguished from the same sex of B. salla@i by the structure of the antenne ; the female is unknown. Unique. 9. Bryaxis diversicornis. Picea, elytris piceo-rufis, convexa, subtilissime pubescens; antennis maris articulis quinto sextoque incrassatis ; capite brevi trifoveolato, foveola frontali magna; prothorace basi in media foveola punctiformi, utrinque foveola multo majore ; elytris stria discoidali omnino obsoleta ; abdominis segmento basali sat elongato, quam secundum haud duplo longiore. Long. 2-23 millim. Hab. GuateMaa, Sabo in Vera Paz (Champion). This insect is very closely allied to B. sall@i, but has the discoidal stria of the elytra quite obsolete, and the antenne of the male more peculiarly formed; in this sex the fifth antennal joint forms an irregular triangle, and is curvate and hollow in front, and the sixth joint is transverse; in the female the fifth and sixth joints are not dilated, but the fifth is as long as the preceding two together, and the sixth intermediate in length between the fifth and seventh; the male has the metasternum angularly promi- nent on either side, subexcavate between the prominences. There is a very slight intrahumeral depression on the wing-case, but no discoidal stria, the sutural stria being present as usual. Only three examples were obtained. 10. Bryaxis rubecula. Fem. Rufo-testacea, convexa, nitida, subtiliter pubescens; antennis tenuibus, articulo quinto vix elongato, tertio equali; capite argute trifoveolato, foveolis omnibus pubescentibus ; prothorace subgloboso, basi in media foveola punctiformi, utrinque foveola majore; elytris stria discoidali omnino obsoleta; abdominis segmento basali sat elongato, quam secundum vix duplo longiore. Long. 2 millim. Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet, Los Remedios (Champion). Although we have received only females this is clearly a distinct species, and the absence of a definite discoidal stria induces me to place it next B. diversicornis ; it is BRYAXIS, . 29 distinguished by the large definite fovea on the front of the head being similar to the two fovez on the vertex, and like them finely pubescent; the slender intermediate joints of the antenne and the different proportions of these joints are also important diagnostic characters. The three examples obtained are unfortunately in a bad state of preservation. 11. Bryaxis designata. Piceo-rufa, elytris rufo-sanguineis, antennis pedibusque rufis, convexa, subtilissime pubescens; antennis maris articulis quinto sextoque elongatis, leviter incrassatis ; capite punctulato, bifoveolato, vertice inter foveolas convexo ; prothorace basi in media minutissime foveolato, utrinque foveola majore ; elytris stria suturali aliaque discoidali impressis; abdominis segmento basali sat elongato, quam secundum vix duplo longiore, Long. 12 millim. Hab. Guatemata, Las Mercedes (Champion). Head not foveolate in front, but with the vertex convex in the middle, the convexity extending forwards but not reaching the front, on either side of the convexity a small and shallow fovea. Thorax rather slender, as long as broad; with a very minute fovea at the base in the middle, and also a large distinct one on each side. The discoidal stria of the elytra is curvate, very fine, and extends more than half the length, though not reaching the hind margin. In the male the antenne have the fifth and sixth joints about equal in length, each about as long as 2-4 together, and a little thicker than those near them, and joints 9-11 form a long slender club ; in the female joints 5 and 6 are elongate, but not thicker than the contiguous joints, each as long as the seventh and eighth together. The male has the metasternum distinctly impressed, while in the female it is flat behind. Mr. Champion secured seven examples of this insect. 12. Bryaxis diversa. (Tab. I. fig. 14.) Rufo-testacea, elytris rufis, convexa, nitida, subtilissime pubescens; antennis maris articulis quinto sextoque elongatis, leviter dilatatis ; capite plano, trifoveolato, foveola frontali in clypei margine anteriore sita ; prothorace subgloboso, utrinque foveola parva, basi in media haud foveolata; elytris stria suturali aliaque discoidali ante apicem abbreviata, impressis; abdominis segmento basali sat elongato, quam secundum haud duplo longiore. Long. 13 millim. Hab. Panama, San Feliz, Tolé (Champion). Allied to B. reichet, but distinguished by the absence of a fovea on the base of the thorax, by a slight difference in the front of the head, and very different male antenne. On careful examination a very minute puncture can be detected in the position usually occupied by the median thoracic fovea. The front of the head is flat and shining, and appears slightly emarginate at the edge in front; on the deflexed anterior part there is a small fovea. In the male the fifth joint of the antenne is distinctly enlarged, and the sixth joint is still larger. At the extreme base of the elytron there is a puncture 30 PSELAPHIDA. between the sutural and discoidal striz, as well as a puncture at the base of each of these strie. Seven examples; these were found on the sandy banks of streams. § 2. Thorax without lateral fovee ; elytra without dorsal stria. 13. Bryaxis pusilla. Bryazis pusilla, Schauf. Sechzig neue Pselaph. p. 15°. Hab. Mexico}. This species is said to be nearly or quite without lateral foveze on the thorax, and to be scarcely 1 millim. long. i4. Bryaxis cristata. Bryazis cristata, Schauf. Sechzig neue Pselaph. p. 14’. Hab. Mexico }, The thorax of this insect is stated to have a very fine crest in front of the scutellum ; the lateral fovese absent, or rather replaced by a fine linear impression composed of confluent punctures ; the head to be only depressed between the antenne (as in B. celata) ; the length 14 millim. 15. Bryaxis bythinoides. Castanea, subtiliter pubescens ; antennis tenuibus, distantibus ; capite brevi, lato, bifoveolato; prothorace trans- verso, basi in media minutissime foveolata, lateribus haud foveolatis ; elytris intra humeros foveolatis, stria suturali integra, stria discoidali nulla; abdominis segmento basali parum elongato, lateribus haud alte marginatis. Long. vix 13 millim. Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet, Pefia Blanca 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion). Antenne with small third joint which, however, is longer than the fourth, joints 4-8 each quite small and slender, the ninth slightly larger, the tenth transverse, the terminal joint acuminate and longer than the preceding two together. Head broad and short, the vertex with two large but indefinite fovee, the front depressed but not foveolate. Thorax short, strongly narrowed behind. Elytra of a rather darker castaneous colour than the head and thorax; with a rather large fovea at the shoulders, and a very deep sutural stria. Legs slender and rather short. In the male the intermediate ventral rings are so abbreviated as to be almost invisible, and the apex is occupied by a deep transverse fissure. One example from each locality. 16. Bryaxis impressicollis. Nigro-picea, convexa, parce subtiliter pubescens, nitida; antennis, palpis pedibusque sordide testaceis, illis. BRYAXIS. 31 brevibus ; capite brevi, fronte transversim lineariter depresso, vertice bifoveolato; prothorace anterius profundissime transversim depresso, basi in media minutissime foveolata ; elytris intra humeros depressis, stria suturali integra, discoidali nulla ; abdomine subtiliter marginato, segmento basali haud elongato. Long. 1} millim. Hab. Guatemata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion). Antenne short, with a stout club; joints 3-8 minute, the eighth being exceedingly short, the ninth joint small, transverse, the tenth much broader and also transverse, the terminal joint stout, acuminate. Palpi rather long, with slender terminal joint. Head small, with two large fovez on the vertex, the extreme summit slightly notched in the middle, the front margin thickened and with a linear depression behind the incrassation. Thorax small, much narrowed in front and behind ; with an extremely deep transverse depression extending all across it in front, and an exceedingly minute punctiform fovea in front of the base. Elytra elongate, convex; the extreme base internal to the shoulder depressed. First dorsal ring not much longer than the second. Of this Bythinoid insect only a single example was secured. 17. Bryaxis vulnerata. (Tab. I. fig. 15.) Castanea, subtiliter pubescens; antennis brevibus; prothorace transverso, medio profunde irregulariterque depresso, basi in media minutissime foveolata; elytris intra humeros depressis, stria suturali integra, discoidali nulla; abdomine subtiliter marginato, segmento basali haud elongato. Long. 13 millim. Hab. Panama, Tolé (Champion). Antenne short and slender, with rather large club; joints 4-8 minute, subequal, the terminal three gradually forming a club. Head short, moderately broad, the front of the clypeus a little raised and with a slight antennary tubercle; bifoveolate between the eyes, the extreme vertex in the middle slightly notched or depressed. Thorax broad and short, much narrowed behind ; with a very large and deep depression formed as it were of three depressions united, the larger on the disc, the smaller one a little nearer the front on each side. Elytra with a distinct sutural stria and a well-marked intra- humeral depression. Allied to B. impressicollis, though with a differently formed thorax ; also unique. 18. Bryaxis simulatrix. Castanea, nitida, levigata ; antennis tenuibus, clava uni-articulata; capite utrinque foveolato, tuberculis anten- nariis discretis; prothorace basi in media minute foveolato; elytris stria suturali integra; abdomine brevissimo, segmento basali parum elongato, ceteris deflexis. Long. 1} millim. Hab. Guatemata, Paraiso (Champion). Antenne slender; joints 3-10 minute, similar ; the terminal joint forming a rather large club, acuminate. Head small. Thorax rather elongate, the base produced in front of the scutellum ; with a very minute fovea in the middle close to the base. 32 PSELAPHID A. Of this very distinct insect one immature example was found. It is no doubt a male, and has the front legs much incrassate, the femora being much swollen and the tibiz less so; the middle femora are also incrassate to a less extent; the metasternum is broadly depressed on the middle ; and the actual apex of the hind body is occupied by a deep depression. Leconte established a genus Eutrichites for a minute Bryagzis-like insect with uni- articulate club, and a condition of the elytral strie similar to that existing here; but his genus is stated in addition to have the antenne approximate, and therefore I cannot place B. simulatria in it. The difficulty of examining so minute an insect is increased in the present case by the immature condition of the solitary exponent, and by its wings being protruded. 19. Bryaxis trimioides. (Tab. I. fig. 16.) Angustula, nitida, levigata, rufo-castanea, elytris sanguineis ; antennis brevibus, clava majore; capite levigato, plano, vertice tantum minute obsoleteque bifoveolato; prothorace angustulo, inimpresso; elytris stria suturali integra, intra humeros ad summam basin foveolatis ; abdomine subtiliter marginato, segmento basali quam secundum paullo longiore. Long. 14 millim. Hab. Guatemata, Zapote, Senahu, Tamahu (Champion). Antenne short, with the intermediate joints minute; the terminal three joints gradually forming a club, the last joint being stout. Head smooth, flat and shining, the clypeus slightly incrassate on each side; near each eye is a small very obscure fovea. Thorax small, a little narrowed behind, its greatest width in front of the middle ; polished and shining. Elytra without sutural stria, with a small fovea at the extreme base within the shoulder. Three examples. 20. Bryaxis impubis. Subnitida, rufo-castanea ; antennis brevibus, clava majore; capite margine anteriore incrassato, utrinque inter oculos vage impresso; prothorace brevi, inimpresso; elytris haud foveolatis, stria suturali impressa ; abdomine brevi, segmento basali haud elongato, quam secundum paullo longiore. Long. 1 millim. Hab. GuatEMALA, Tamahu (Champion). Antenne short, with joints 3-8 small, the ninth and tenth joints also small, broader than the preceding, and strongly transverse, the terminal joint very large and acuminate. Head small, with the clypeus elevated ; a depression on each side near the eye. Thorax small, short, a good deal narrowed behind, with a single minute puncture in the middle in front of the base. Elytra obsoletely punctulate, without basal impressions, but with a moderately deep sutural stria. This species at first sight closely resembles B. trimioides, but is really very distinct ; the antenne have the ninth and tenth joints smaller, so that it is difficult to decide whether BRYAXIS.—PSELAPTUS. 33 the club should be called uni-articulate or three-jointed ; the head is differently formed, the thorax shorter, and the elytra exhibit a slight sculpture. It is unique. 21. Bryaxis edipus. Rufo-castanea, elytris sanguineis, omnino minutissime pubescens, sat nitida; antennis brevibus, clava magna ; capite anterius impresso, utrinque inter oculos minute foveolato, vertice subconvexo ; prothorace brevi; elytris stria suturali subtiliter impressis, intra humeros obsoletissime depressis ; abdominis segmento basali quam secundum duplo longiore; tarsis anterioribus (? maris) articulo basali crassiore. Long. vix 13 millim. Hab. Guatemata (Sallé). Antenne with joints 3-8 small, the ninth and tenth joints also small, but transverse, the terminal joint very large, acuminate. Head transversely depressed in front, the clypeus being angulate in the middle and depressed; on each side near the eye is an obscure fovea, which is only indistinctly separated from the frontal depression. Thorax short and broad, much narrowed behind, without fovee, the base slightly transversely depressed. Elytra with only a fine sutural stria, and a very feeble impression at the shoulder. This insect also is unique ; it is allied to B. impudis, though abundantly distinct. The example is probably a male, the metasternum being broadly impressed, and it is very probable that the peculiar swelling of the front tarsus may be peculiar to this sex. PSELAPTUS. Pselaptus, Leconte, Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. viii. p. 184 (1880). This genus was established for a Texan insect, and distinguished from Bryawis by the absence of strize from the elytra. The single species from our region agrees with Pselaptus in this respect, but whether it be really congeneric with P. belfragei, Lec., must remain doubtful at present. 1. Pselaptus batrisoides. (Tab. I. fig 17.) Convexa, laevigata, polita, rufa, elytris dilute sanguineis; antennis gracilibus, clava valde elongata; capite anterius subimpresso, utrinque inter oculos foveola minuta; prothorace inimpresso; abdominis segmento basali quam secundum vix duplo longiore. Long. vix 14 millim. Hab. Guatemaa, El Reposo (Champion). Antenne rather slender, joints 3-8 small, the ninth joint slightly broader, as long as wide, the tenth joint a little larger but similar, the terminal joint very long. Head rather broad and short, rather vaguely impressed in front, and with a small obscure fovea on each side. Thorax nearly as long as broad, smooth, and shining. Elytra convex, polished, without fovez or strie. Legs elongate. Unique. BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, March 1887. ;* 34 PSELAPHIDA. Subfam. PSELAPHIN ZA. | PSELAPHUS. Pselaphus, Herbst, Natursyst. bek. ausl. Ins. Kaf. iv. p. 106 (1792). This distinct genus is widely distributed over the world, and comprises at present about seventy described species. 1: Pselaphus longiceps. (Tab. I. fig. 18.) Latus, castaneus, elytris sanguineis; capite antennarumque articulo basali elongatis. Long. 24 millim. Hab. Guatemata, Paso Antonio (Champion). Head elongate, dull, depressed between the eyes. Antenne with the first joint as long as the following four joints together; the terminal joint elongate, nearly equal in length to the preceding four united. Palpi very elongate; second joint very long and slender, rather tortuous, and with a slender apex; third joint small; fourth joint with delicate basal stalk, about equal in length to the slender apical dilatation. Thorax slender, much rounded at the sides, without impressions. Elytra gradually narrowed from the apex to the base, shining red, with well-marked sutural stria. Prosternum in front of the cox densely covered with glandular pubescence; its hind margin and the base of the hind body each with a band of similar pubescence. _ The unique example of this very distinct species is probably a female. PSELAPHOMORPHUS. Pselaphomorphus, Motschulsky, Etudes ent. 1855, p. 15, tab. f. 7. Nothing I believe is known as to this genus beyond Motschulsky’s imperfect figure and few words of description ; but the insect is apparently very different from Pselaphus by its palpi. Possibly these organs have been mutilated. 1. Pselaphomorphus sculpturatus. Pselaphomorphus sculpturatus, Motsch. 1. c.* Hab. Panama, Obispo}. Subfam. HUPLECTINA. Group EUPLECTINA. CANTHODERUS. Canthoderus, Motschulsky, Etudes ent. 1855, p. 15, tab. f. 6; Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xx. p. 194 (1882). Stratus, Schaufuss, Nunq. Otios. ii. p. 246 (1872). CANTHODERUS.—APOTHINUS. 35 I accept on Reitter’s authority these two names as representing one genus. Reitter has not, however, informed us that the species of Schaufuss is the same as that of Motschulsky, and as the localities whence they were respectively obtained are so distant, the two insects are possibly distinct. Motschulsky’s figure is very defective, and there is no specific description, so that his species can only be identified by comparison with the type. 1. Canthoderus villosus. Canthoderus villosus, Motsch. Etudes ent. 1855, p. 15. tab. f. 67. Hab. Panama, Obispo 1. 2. Canthoderus ursinus. Stratus ursinus, Schauf. Nunq. Otios. 11. p. 246°. Hab. Mexico, “ Yucatan au Teapa ”}. APOTHINUS. Caput parvum, anterius utrinque maxime elevatum, elevationibus in medio conjunctis. Antenne sat approxi- mate, undecim-articulate ; clava elongata, bi-articulata. Palpi maxillares articulo ultimo ovali, gracili. Prothorax inzqualis, posterius angustatus. Abdomen segmentibus basalibus sequalibus. This genus is proposed for an insect of Huplectus-like appearance, but with a different form of head and antenne, these latter being less widely separated. The head is narrow in front; and has on each side of the front margin a distinct elevation which meets its fellow of the opposite side in the middle, so as to form a single prominence, the surface behind this appearing greatly depressed. The antenne have a stout basal joint; they become gradually broader from the fifth joint to the ninth, these joints being transverse; the tenth joint is quadrate, the terminal joint elongate. The eyes are small. The thorax is much contracted behind; and has a deep irregular transverse depression in front of the base, as well as a longitudinal impression on each side, and another impression near the front. ‘The elytra possess a sutural stria, a very abbreviate dorsal stria, and a well-marked stria within the epipleural margin. The hind coxe are contiguous. The tarsi are quite short, and possess a single claw. 1. Apothinus impressifrons. Rufo-obscurus, elytris castaneis ; capite anterius profundissime depresso; prothorace punctulato. Long. 13 millim. Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion). Antenne with the second joint much longer than the third, the latter very small. Head with a fovea on the middle of the vertex, the fovea connecting in front with the very deep frontal impression. Thorax complexly and irregularly impressed at the base ; with a short longitudinal impression on each side, and another depression on the disc in front of the middle. Elytra with strong humeral elevations; margined at the base, F* 2 36 PSELAPHIDA. and with a short plica between the deep sutural stria and the shoulder extending back- wards from the basal margin. The basal dorsal segment of the hind body is very deeply impressed on the middle, close behind the stria. The unique example is no doubt a male, as it has a transverse depression on the second, third, and fourth ventral rings; the fifth ring is extremely short in the middle. 2. Apothinus obscurus. (Tab. I. fig. 19.) Castaneus, antennis pedibusque testaceis; antennis minus crassis, articulo nono fortiter transverso et preece- dentibus evidenter latiore; prothorace parce punctato. Long. 1 millim. Hab. Guatema.a, San Gerdénimo, Capetillo (Champion). Antenne with joints 3-8 small; the ninth joint extremely short, but evidently broader ; the tenth joint considerably broader and much longer than those preceding, the latter transverse; the eleventh joint large, obtusely acuminate. Head very small, the surface deeply depressed behind the front; eyes small. Thorax small, contracted behind; with an impression behind the middle, another in front of the middle, and another on each side, the lateral margin finely crenate. Elytra with a deep sutural stria, a short humeral fold, and a short fold between these. The male has the meta- sternum impressed, and a longitudinal impression at the extremity of the hind body. The punctures on the thorax of the female are very few and distant. One example from each locality. This species is very much smaller than A. impressi- frons, and has the antenne with a shorter club, which, moreover, is almost tri-articulate. EUPLECTUS. Euplectus, Leach, Zool. Miscell. iii. p. 80 (1817). This is a very widely distributed genus containing a large number of described species. 1. Kuplectus guatemalenus. Subparallelus, depressus, dilute castaneus, elytris testaceo-castaneis ; capite quadrato, maxime impresso; pro- thorace elongato, basin versus fortiter angustato, profunde impresso. Long. vix 14 millim. Hab. GUATEMALA, Duefias (Champion). Antenne short, with the ninth and tenth joints transverse; the terminal joint short, obtusely pointed. Head broad; with a large, deep, quadrate depression on the front, the depression entire anteriorly, but divided behind by a prolongation from the vertex. Thorax elongate ; with a deep lateral impression on each side just behind the broadest part, and a large deep longitudinal impression on the middle, this latter being connected on either side with the lateral impression. Elytra with a deep impression within the shoulder, and a well-marked sutural stria. EUPLECTUS.—TRIMIUM. 37 This insect is allied to the European £. signatus, but has a larger and more quadrate head, and more elongate thorax. The unique exponent is probably a female. 2. Kuplectus solitarius. Rufo-castaneus, antennis pedibusque testaceis; antennis tenuibus, clava fere uni-articulata, articulis nono decimoque parvis; capite minore, subquadrato, utrinque impresso, impressionibus tantum anterius ad clypei marginem ipsum conjunctis. Long. 13 millim. Hab. GuaTEMALA, Cerro Zunil (Champion). This species is readily distinguished by the structure of its antenne, these organs differing but little from those of the genus Trimium, except that the terminal joint is not so large. The clypeal margin is raised in front, and the lateral depressions are connected by a transverse depression immediately behind the raised margin. The thorax is small, much contracted behind; with a sinuous transverse depression in front of the base, and an obscure depression on the disc just in front of the middle. The elytra possess a sutural stria, but are not foveolate at the base. Unique. TRIMIUM. Trimium, Aubé, in Guérin’s Mag. Zool. 1833, Mon. Pselaph. p. 44, t. 88. f. 2. This genus comprises about twenty species of European and North-American insects, all of very minute stature. MReitter states that most, if not all, of the New World species should be referred to Zrimiopsis; but I find in our region one that should, I think, clearly be retained in 7rimium if the two genera are accepted as distinct. 1. Trimium concolor. Castaneum, nitidum, angustulum; capite utrinque anterius profundissime depresso; prothorace posterius impresso ; elytris basi quadrifoveatis. Long. 1} millim. Hab. GuateMata, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,000 feet (Champion). Antenne slender, with the intermediate joints very minute, the penultimate joints extremely short and very strongly transverse ; the terminal joint very large, elongate and stout, acuminate. Head subquadrate, as broad as or slightly broader than the thorax, the eyes anteriorly placed, with a very deep depression on each side extending far forwards. Thorax small, strongly narrowed behind; with a very deep transverse depression extending across the basal portion. TElytra rounded at the shoulders; with a deep elongate fovea just inside the shoulder, and a second rather smaller fovea at the base just outside the sutural stria. Basal segment of the hind body considerably longer than the following segment. The male is a little broader than the female, and has the penultimate ventral ring extremely abbreviate, the terminal ring with a deep definite impression. 38 PSELAPHIDA. TRIMIOPSIS. Trimiopsis, Reitter, Deutsch. ent. Zeit. xxvi. p. 149 (1882). This genus is scarcely sufficiently distinct from Trimium, the character on which it is founded—viz. the comparative lengths of the segments of the hind body—being liable to considerable variation in Zrimium as well as in Bryazis, Batrisus, and other genera of this family. Most of the species have, however, a more Huplectus-like build than the species of Trimiwm, and the genus may be retained at present. It is as yet peculiar to the New World, where it is probably widely distributed. 1. Trimiopsis mimula. Testacea, minus lata, convexa; capite haud lato, anterius angustato, utrinque sat profunde impresso. Long. 1 millim. . Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city, Capetillo (Champion). Antenne short, the first joint very short, the second large; joints 3-8 similar, each small, scarcely transverse, the ninth and tenth very short, transverse ; the terminal joint very large, three or four times as broad as the joints preceding it, and quite as long as five or six of them united. Head small, elongate, with a moderately deep impression on each side. ‘Thorax small, about as broad as the head, longer than wide, much narrowed behind, with a deep impression in front of the base. Elytra narrowed at the shoulders ; with a deep sutural stria, which is still deeper at the base, and a deep intra-humeral depression. First dorsal segment of the hind body scarcely longer than the following one. | This species is extremely similar to Zrimiuwm concolor, but is readily distinguished by the shorter basal segment of the hind body; moreover, it has the head smaller and with the impressions smaller and shallower. Two examples were met with at Capetillo and one near the city of Guatemala. From the absence of any conspicuous marks I conclude they may be all females. T. mimula is closely allied to 7. clypeata, Reitter, but is rather larger, and with the thorax longer and less constricted behind. | 2. Trimiopsis minuta. (Tab. I. fig. 20.) Brevis, testaceo-castanea ; capite transversim subquadrato, utrinque anterius sat profunde impresso. Long. 3 millim. Hab. GuatTemata, El Reposo (Champion). Antenne very short; the terminal joint very broad, extremely short oval, and only slightly acuminate. Head transverse-quadrate, the hind angles very definite, with a rather shallow and indefinite fovea on each side in front. Thorax short and broad, but narrower than the head, much contracted behind, and with a short transverse impression in front of the base. Elytra short and broad, quadrifoveate at the base. Eight examples. I do not detect any sexual distinction. TRIMIOPSIS.—DALMODES. 39 8. Trimiopsis clavicornis. Rufo-castanea, subtiliter pubescens; antennis articulo decimo magno, undecimo acuminato; capite transversim subquadrato, anterius profunde depresso, clypeo elevato. Long. 12 millim. Hab. Guatemata, Senahu (Champion). Antenne very short, the ninth joint very strongly transverse, the tenth joint large, much larger than the preceding one, very strongly transverse, as broad as the base of the large terminal joint; this latter strongly acuminate, and slightly irregular in form, one side being rather more curvate than the other. Head short and broad, largely and deeply impressed in front, the more elevated vertex projecting as an angle into the depression, the clypeal margin largely raised. Thorax rather slender, narrower than the head, much narrowed behind, with a deep sinuate impression in front of the base. Elytra short and broad, the shoulders elevated, the depression within these latter short, the sutural stria scarcely foveolate at the base. Two examples. 4. Trimiopsis femoralis. Rufo-castanea, subtiliter pubescens ; antennis articulo decimo magno, inequali, undecimo acuminato ; capite subquadrato, vertice convexo, fronte profundius irregulariter depresso. Long. 1} millim. Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador (Champion). Head scarcely broader than the thorax, the vertex very convex; the clypeal margin strongly raised and connected on either side bya small process to the anterior acuminate part of the convex vertex, so that the depressed space is rather less indistinctly divided into a lateral portion on each side and a median portion placed more anteriorly. This insect is closely allied to 7. clavicornis, but differs somewhat in the structure of the head; and the tenth joint of the antennz seems to be more unequal, that is, it has one of its sides more conspicuously longer than the other; the terminal joint is similar in the two species. The head of 7. femoralis is not quite so broad as in 7. clavicornis, and the middle femur is evidently inflated. This latter character may probably be peculiar to the male. Unique. DALMODES. Dalmodes, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xx. p. 197 (1882). This genus has been recently established for two species, one Brazilian, the other Mexican. It closely resembles Batrisus, and I think its place will probably prove to be nearer to that genus than to Huplectus. 1. Dalmodes brevicollis. (Tab. I. fig. 21.) Rufus, fulvo-pubescens, sat conyexus ; capite transverso ex parte majore depresso ; prothorace transyerso, ante basin transversim sulcato; elytris stria suturali impressis. Long. 13 millim. 40 PSELAPHIDA. Hab. GuatEMALA, Coatepeque 1300 feet (Champion). Antenne short, the second joint not very large, joints 3-8 small, almost similar to one another, the ninth joint broader, transverse, the tenth a good deal broader, strongly transverse, the terminal joint large, acuminate. Head short and broad, with quite small eyes, the clypeal margin and the vertex elevated, the greater part of the surface depressed. Thorax very short, strongly narrowed behind, with a deep transverse sulcus extending across it near the base. Elytra without basal impressions or discoidal stria. Hind body almost unmargined. In the male the head is rather broader and the frontal depression more distinctly punctate than in the female; the hind tibie strongly dentate internally above the middle and much curved below the tooth. The hind body terminates in a small conical prominence which is minute in the male, but a good deal larger in the female. Two examples, one of each sex. 2. Dalmodes rybaxides. Dalmodes rybawides, Reitt. Verh. Ver. Briinn, 1882, p.383*; Deutsche ent. Zeit. 1885, p. 337, t. 3. f, 292. Hab. Mexico (Bilimek } 2). The figure indicates an insect similar to the female of D. brevicollis, but apparently with differently shaped head and hind body. Group TRICHONYCINA. TRICHONYX. Trichonyx, Chaudoir, Bull. Mose. iii. p. 164 (1845). This is a genus of about twenty species, but it is doubtful whether it is correctly enumerated amongst those of our region. Indeed the only evidence I have of its existence in Tropical America is the fact that Schaufuss has ascribed four species to that province. 1. Trichonyx (?) venustulus. Trichonyx venustulus, Schauf. Nungq. Otios. i. p. 288’. Hab. Mexico, Teapa ! (coll. Reiche). This is possibly an insect near Hurhexius, but I do not think it will prove to belong to any genus I am acquainted with. The elytra are said to be “ estriate.” RHEXIUS. Rhexius, Leconte, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist. vi. p. 102 (1848). This very distinct genus is apparently peculiar to the warmer regions of the New World. The structure of the prothorax is most remarkable, its anterior part being RHEXIUS.—EURHEXIUS. 4] constricted so as to form a short tube in which the head is inserted by a very short neck ; this thoracic tube has the appearance of being only a development, rather greater than usual, of the neck of the head, but it is not so. 1. Rhexius optatus. (Tab. I. fig. 23.) Testaceo-castaneus, subtiliter pubescens ; capite fortiter impresso, vertice emarginato ; prothorace anterius abruptissime constricto, parte anteriore sat elongato ; abdomine parum elongato. Long. vix 11 millim. Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet ( Champion). Antenne strongly elbowed; the ninth joint rather large, not strongly transverse. Head very short, the vertex conspicuously concave-curvate behind. Thorax with the anterior constriction very abrupt and rather elongate, so as to be as long as broad. This is extremely closely allied to the typical species, £. insculptus, Lec., from Louisiana, so that at first I thought they were identical. R. optatus is, however, a little smaller, has the ninth joint of the antennz larger, the head shorter, the peculiar peduncle of the front of the thorax longer, and the hind body less elongate. Only one example was obtained. EURHEXIUS. Corpus subdepressum. Antenne rect; ad basin distantes, clava tri-articulata. Caput breve transversum, collo abrupto, subtus pubescens. Palpi maxillares parvi, articulo ultimo ovali. Coxe anteriores elongate, prominulx, lineares. Coxe posteriores contigue. Tarsi breviusculi, unguiculis duobus inequalibus prediti. Abdomen marginatum. This genus differs from Rhewius, to which it is closely allied, by the ungeniculate antenne, and the comparatively normal condition of the prothorax ; this latter, though with the anterior part more or less narrowed and prolonged according to the species, never exhibiting the peculiar structure seen in Rhexius. The basal joint of the antenne varies in length according to the species, but though it is sometimes unusually long the antenne are not geniculate. Hurhewius is probably peculiar to Tropical America, and no doubt Lhexius simonis and R. procerus, Reitter, belong to it. 1. Kurhexius vestitus. (Tab. I. fig. 22.) Rufo-brunneus, densius pubescens, haud nitidus; capite brevi, anterius curvatim depresso, vertice longitudin- aliter impresso ; prothorace minus elongato, canaliculato, ante basin sulcato ; elytris humeris subelevatis, basi sex-foveolata. Long. 23 millim. Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion). Antenne rather stout; the basal joint moderately long, but not reaching so far out- wards as the convexity of the eye ; the second joint rather small ; joints 3-8 still smaller, similar to one another, the ninth and tenth larger, transversely subquadrate; the ter- minal joint as long as the preceding two together, very pubescent, Head very broad, BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, April 1887. G* 42 PSELAPHIDA. with the clypeal margin raised, and the surface behind it depressed, the convex vertex rather deeply divided in the middle by a depression. Thorax not so long as broad, canaliculate along the middle, and with a transverse groove in front of the base, an angular depression existing just behind the spot where the two channels intersect one another. Elytra with a well-marked sutural stria, this latter foveolate at the base, a depression (deep at the base) within the shoulders, and a third fovea between these two. First dorsal segment only slightly longer than the second. The unique example is no doubt a male, the penultimate ventral ring being extremely abbreviate in the middle, and the large terminal segment foveolate behind. 2. Kurhexius parviceps. Rufus, sat pubescens, abdomine nigricante; capite perbreve, quam prothorax angustiore, utrinque foveolato, anterius minus discrete impresso, vertice summo posterius impresso ; prothorace sat elongato, canaliculato, ante basin transversim impresso, sub-bigibboso ; elytris basi sex-foveolata. Long. 24 millim. Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 8000 feet (Champion). First joint of the antenne not twice as long as the second; joints 3-8 small, similar except that the last two of them are just perceptibly broader and shorter, the ninth much larger, transverse, the tenth still larger, but also transverse, the terminal joint about as long as the preceding two together. Head unusually small, but with the eyes comparatively large; with a rather indefinite impression on the middle in front, and a fovea on each side only slightly separated from the frontal depression, the convex vertex foveolate behind. Thorax nearly as long as broad, much narrowed in front as well as behind, so that the front margin is not quite so broad as the basal margin; with a fine channel along the middle, not reaching quite to the front margin, and a transverse depression in front of the base, the depression foveolate at each end and in the middle so as to give rise to the appearance of two elevations behind it. Elytra with a broad depression within the shoulder, the sutural stria foveolate in front, and another fovea near it at the base. First ventral segment not longer than the next. The unique individual is of doubtful sex ; it is probably a male, though it has_ no conspicuous mark except the great abbreviation of the penultimate ventral ring in the middle. 3. Eurhexius ventralis. Rufescens, minus subtiliter pubescens; capite perbreve, lato, anterius curvatim impresso, vertice summo pos- terius foveolato ; prothorace sat elongato, profunde canaliculato, ante basin transversim sulcato; elytris basi sex-foveolata ; abdomine segmento primo dorsali quam secundum duplo longiore. Long. 2} millim. Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion). Antenne with the basal joint about twice as long as the second; joints 3-8 small, almost similar to one another, the ninth and tenth broader, scarcely transverse, the EURHEXIUS.—JUBUS. 43 terminal joint scarcely so long as the preceding two together; the club very loosely articulated. Head broad and remarkably short, so as to be very strongly transverse ; the clypeal margin elevated, a linear curved impression behind it; the vertex behind distinctly impressed in the middle. Thorax much constricted at the side behind the middle, with a very deep median channel, and a transverse sulcus before the base con- necting three impressions. Elytra with the sutural stria foveolate at the base, a second fovea near this, and external to this latter a broader depression. This insect also is unique; the individual being probably a male, as the apex of the hind body is curvate and the extremity concave. The elongate first dorsal plate of the hind body renders the species very distinct. 4. Kurhexius trimiodes. Minor, angustulus, subtiliter pubescens, nitidus ; antennis tenuibus, clava tri-articulata ; capite minore, ante- rius impresso, utrinque foveolato; prothorace elongato, canaliculato, ante basin transversim sulcato; elytris basi sex-foveolata. Long. 13 millim. Hab. GUATEMALA, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 (Champion). This is very distinct from the other species on account of its narrower form and slender antenne ; these latter have the basal joint not elongate, but little longer than the second, the second joint bead-like and considerably larger than the following one, the joints 3-8 small, similar to one another, the ninth and tenth markedly larger, trans- verse, the terminal joint rather elongate. ‘The head is short, but almost triangular in form, the vertex impressed in the middle behind. The thorax is elongate, much narrowed behind, the greatest width rather in front of the middle. The elytra have three impressions on each at the base, the median impression extending backwards as a short fold. The first dorsal segment of the hind body is scarcely longer than the second. Only two examples were met with; they are no doubt male and female, the penulti- mate ventral ring being much abbreviated in the middle in the specimen I take to be the former sex. _JUBUS. Jubus, Schaufuss, Nunq. Otios. ii. p. 454 (1876) ; Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xx. pp. 199 & 211 (1882). Schaufuss includes in this genus three species from Colombia, in addition to the one from Mexico which is apparently the type. This author assigns two unequal claws to Jubus, but Reitter surmises it may prove to have two equal claws; I follow the latter in the position I give the genus. 1. Jubus denticollis. Jubus denticollis, Schauf. Nunq. Otios. i. p. 454°. Hab. Mexico 1. G* 2 44 PSELAPHID&. Group FARONINA. DUCIOLA. Duciola, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xx. p. 199 (1882). This genus has not been formally enunciated, but the more important points of its structure may be gathered from Reitter’s table: a single Venezuelan insect was included in it. Judging from recent remarks of Raffray and Reitter (Wien. ent. Zeit. ii. p. 32) it appears probable that the name Jubus, Schauf., may have to be used for this genus; but the evidence in favour of the name given by Herr Schaufuss does not appear quite satisfactory at present. 1. Duciola scydmeenilla, (Tab. I. fig. 24.) Rufescens, sat pubescens, anterius attenuata ; antennis pedibusque testaceis, illarum clava laxa, elongata, mani- feste quadri-articulata; capite anterius bi-impresso; prothorace lateribus ante basin constrictis, dorso pone medium profunde transversim suleato. Long. 14 millim. Hab. Guatemata, Senahu (Champion). Antenne with small basal joint, the second joint equal to the basal one; joints 3-7 quite small, 8-10 larger, similar, transverse, the terminal joint longer, but not broader than the tenth. Head attenuate in front, with two deep parallel depressions. Thorax short, broader from the front to behind the middle, where it is so suddenly constricted as to leave a prominent angle; with a deep transverse sulcus in front of the base extending across the entire width. Elytra very elongate; with a sutural stria foveolate at the base, and with another fovea between it and the shoulder, these fovez connected at the extreme base by a sort of flattened margin. Hind body short. Metasternum rather elongate. The unique individual is in a bad state of preservation; it may be a female, though the penultimate ventral ring is excessively abbreviate. 2. Duciola aberrans. Flavescens, pubescens, anterius attenuata; antennis brevibus, extrorsum crassioribus; capite anterius bi- impresso ; prothorace lateribus ante basin constrictis, dorso ante basin transversim sulcato; elytris haud elongatis, basi marginata; abdomine segmento basali quam secundum duplo longiore. Long. 14 millim. Hab. Guatemata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion). This species is exceedingly similar to D. scydmenilla, though differing in very important characters—the elytra being comparatively short; the metasternum so short that the middle coxe almost touch the hind coxe; the first dorsal segment much longer; and antenne differently formed, being gradually thicker from the seventh joint to the apex. Only one example was met with ; its flavescent colour is probably due to immaturity. DUCIOLA.—ENDYTOCERA. 45 8. Duciola punctata. Rufo-ferruginea, antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis, pubescens ; elytris crebre evidenter punctatis. Long. 23 millim. Hab. Mexico, Acapulco (Hége). Antenne slender, with joints 8-10 subequal, each considerably longer than broad, the eighth twice as long as the seventh, the terminal joint conspicuously longer than the tenth, acuminate. Head elongate, deeply longitudinally bi-impressed ; eyes not prominent. Thorax nearly as long as broad, with two very minute tubercles in the middle on the front margin of the very deep transverse channel. Elytra rather longer than the thorax, somewhat closely and distinctly punctured, pubescent. Basal dorsal segment of the hind body much longer than the second. This insect also is unique, and I do not know the sex of the example; it has a large impression on the apical ventral plate. D. punctata is readily distinguished from D. scydmenilla by the punctate wing-cases, and from D. aberrans by the structure of the antenne. ENDYTOCERA. Antenne undecim-articulate, pubescentes, articulis inter se parum discretis; clava maxime elongata, ex articulis sex vel septem composita, Cox anteriores valde elongate, parallel. Corpus dense pubescens. This genus should be placed near Duciola, Reitter, from which it differs remarkably in the structure of its antenne. These organs are of a peculiar nature: the joints fit closely to one another, and are covered with a dense pubescence so that the articula- tions, especially those of the extremely elongate club, are difficult to count and distin- guish ; the first joint is rather large, and pubescent like the head, then follow three comparatively small joints, and then apparently six stouter elongate joints complete the organ ; the first of the outer six joints has, however, at its base a small joint which can only be detected by greatly bending the antenna, and thus there are really eleven joints. The palpi are small, the terminal joint slender, fusiform. The head is without depressions ; the points of insertion of the antenne are without tubercles, though placed on the front of a short prolongation so as to be extremely exposed; the under surface is densely pubescent, the pubescence divided by a glabrous suture furcate in front, the sides not at all distinct. The prosternum is rather large, densely pubescent; the front coxe are very long, parallel; the middle coxe rather prominent; the hind coxe contiguous; the metasternum rather long. The ventral rings are apparently only five in number, the basal ring being concealed by the coxa; on the dorsal surface five rings are visible, and the sides are strongly margined. The epipleure are marked off by a very sharp ridge. There are two quite small, very nearly equal, claws on the tarsi. These characters are taken from £E. vestita; the second species, E. cognata, appears to be really congeneric, though it exhibits a slight difference in the structure of the front of the head. 46 PSELAPHID&.—SCYDMENIDZA. 1. Endytocera vestita. (Tab. I. fig. 25.) Brunnea, elytris rufescentibus, omnino densissime flavo-pubescens ; prothorace lateribus pone medium subito constrictis, prominulis, dorso pone medium depressione magna glabra. Long. 34 millim. flab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion). Antenne rather long, densely pubescent, the apex not thicker than the middle. Head elongate, a little constricted in front of the eyes, evenly convex, without depressions, exceedingly densely pubescent. Thorax transverse, the sides abruptly constricted so as to leave a prominent angle a little behind the middle; the surface very densely punctate and pubescent, except ona large transverse depression behind the middle ; on each side, scarcely connected with the median depression, is a smaller depression. The elytra are large, with a deep sutural stria, and obscure traces at the base of the false basal margin seen in many Pselaphide. The legs are slender, the hind tarsi elongate and slender. One example. 2. Endytocera cognata. Piceo-brunnea, elytris piceo-rufis, densissime subtiliter pubescens, subopaca ; prothorace brevi, lateribus pone medium constrictis, minus acute angulatis, ante basin transversim depresso. Long. 3} millim. Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion). Head with an obscure depression on either side much concealed by pubescence ; vertex foveolate. Thorax strongly transverse, very finely and minutely punctate, shining though closely and finely pubescent; with a curved transverse impression in front of the base, and near it on either side a very large foveiform depression. Elytra elongate, with a sutural stria, and between it and the shoulder a very fine but elongate plica. First dorsal segment not at all longer than the second. This insect also is unique; though similar at first sight to HZ. vestita it is abundantly distinct. The individual is probably a female. Fam. SCYDMANIDA*. We have received only very few individuals of this family from Mexico, our material in fact being almost exclusively the results of Mr. Champion’s collecting in Guatemala and the State of Panama. As no Scydmenide have hitherto been described from any part of our region, except Mexico, it is not a matter of surprise that so large a propor- tion of our acquisitions in this family are new. As the genera are so few in number, it is unnecessary for the purposes of this work to make use of any subdivision of the family. * By D. Smarr. EUCONNUS. 47 EUCONNUS. Euconnus, Thomson, Skand. Col. iv. p. 88 (1862); Reitter, Ins. Deutsch. iii. pt. 2, p. 178. Scydmenus, Gemminger & Harold, Cat. Col. ii. p. 706 (pars). Although Euconnus is not recognized by the authors of the Munich Catalogue as distinct from Scydmenus, it appears nevertheless to be a valid genus, distinguished by the head being more or less narrowed behind, with the eyes placed near the front, and the anterior part abruptly deflexed at a right angle with the vertex, and the antenne inserted immediately behind the labrum. The genus is very rich in species, and is almost cosmopolitan. As our representatives are numerous, and do not fall satisfactorily under the subgenera formed for the European species, I have, to facilitate reference, adopted a division that unfortunately is not a good one, as there are a few intermediate or doubtful forms; but I have not been able to make a more useful one. § 1. Thorax at the base either bifoveolate or transversely impressed. This group comprises a considerable variety of forms: where the thorax is bifoveolate the two foveze are usually connected by a nearly obsolete channel; sometimes this channel is more developed, and the fovee are merely deeper impressions at its extremity; this transverse channel also is frequently more obsolete in the middle, and may become almost completely divided into two transverse depressions as in Li. difficilis. A. Thorax without lateral carinule at the base. In many species of this group the sides of the thorax are more sharply deflexed at the base, giving rise to a faint appearance of a carinule, but there is really no raised line on the angle. 1. Euconnus bifoveolatus. Scydmenus bifoveolatus, Schaut. Mon. (in Nov. Act. Leop.-Carol. Nat. Curios. xxxiii.) p. 65 (1866)'. Hab. Muxtco, Teapa 1. 2. Huconnus chevrolati. Scydmenus chevrolati, Schauf. Mon. p. 69, t. 2. f. 8*. Hab. Mexico, Yucatan }. Some doubt must be expressed as to whether the insects supposed to be the sexes of E. chevrolati are really one and the same species. 3. Euconnus trigeminus. Scydmenus trigeminus, Schauf. Mon. p. 37, t. 1. ff. 1, a, 6+. Hab. Mexico, Teapa }. Possibly allied to L. hirsutus and EL. alticola. 48 SCYDMANID A. 4, Kuconnus gravidus. (Tab. II. fig. 1.) Rufus, capite, prothorace antennisque nigricantibus, pube elongata erecta laxe vestitus; antennis elongatis, hirsutis, apicem versus crassis, haud abrupte clavatis; prothorace subconico, basi utrinque foveolato; elytrorum humeris elevatis. Long. 22 millim. Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, Caldera in Chiriqui (Champion). Antenne thickly covered with hair, nearly black, the basal portion usually very dark infuscate-red, and the apical joint sordid red; the seventh joint rather larger than the sixth, as long as broad, the three following joints transverse; the terminal joint still stouter, elongate, acuminate, in the male bearing at the base on one side a large fovea. Head elongate, much narrowed behind, the vertex very densely pubescent, the pubes- cence dark in colour. Thorax elongate, longer than broad, broader from the front to behind the middle, bearing much erect pubescence, with a round fovea on each side near the base. Elytra with fine, elongate, erect, scanty pubescence. We have received over twenty examples of this species. ‘The fovea of the male antenna seems to vary somewhat in size and form, and is occasionally accompanied by a plication or elevation of the surface beyond it. ‘The specimens are much decayed, and possibly the head, thorax, and antenne may be naturally of a lighter tint, as in some examples the thorax agrees in colour with the elytra. 5. Kuconnus torquatus. Rufus, capite, prothorace antennisque nigricantibus, his articulo ultimo rufescente, pube elongata erecta laxe vestitus ; antennis crassiusculis, hirsutis, apicem versus paullo crassioribus, haud discrete clavatis ; pro- thorace sat elongato, lateribus rotundatis. Long. 24-22 millim. Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador, Las Mercedes, San Isidro, Zapote, Panima (Cham- pion). This species is very closely allied to L. gravidus, but is slightly smaller, and has the antenne less elongate and less thickened externally ; and the sides of the thorax appear to be more rounded, so that the shape of this part is less conical. I conclude I have both sexes before me; if so, the male has longer antenne and a more conical thorax than the female, and is consequently very similar to the female of E. gravidus; the female of H. torquatus is, however, readily distinguished from that species. These insects may possibly be distinct species and not the sexes, and my description is drawn from the form having the shorter antenne. Ten examples. 6. EKuconnus subclavatus. (Tab. II. fig. 2.) Rufus, capite prothoraceque piceis, pube erecta laxe vestitus; antennis sat elongatis, crassiusculis, clava vix discreta quadri-articulata ; prothorace haud magno, suboblongo. Long. 24 millim. Hab. Guatemata, La Tinta, Senahu (Champion). EUCONNUS. 49 Antenne dark red, moderately pubescent; the four terminal joints all of about one width, only slightly broader than the others, and very loosely articulated, so that they scarcely form a club; joints 8-10 subquadrate, the terminal joint considerably longer than broad. Head with the sides and vertex very densely pubescent. Thorax, espe- cially at the sides, densely pubescent, and between oblong and conical in form. Elytra short, impressed at the base, with elevated shoulders, and bearing a fine, moderately long, not dense, pubescence. Only three examples have been received; but I presume I have both sexes before me, as one of the two individuals from La Tinta is probably the male, it having the four terminal joints of the antenne a little longer than the others. Closely allied to £. gravidus and EL. torquatus, but readily distinguished by the structure and pubescence of the antenne. 7. Kuconnus segnis. Rufo-brunneus, capite prothoraceque magis obscuris, pube suberecta minus tenuiter vestitus ; antennis pedi- busque brevibus, illis crassis, articulis 8°-10™ fortiter transversis ; prothorace minus gracili. Long. 2 millim. Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui between 2500 and 4000 feet, David (Champion). Antenne piceous; joints 3-6 subequal, nearly quadrate, joint 7 broader, transverse, joints 8-10 again broader, strongly transverse, the terminal joint short, but little longer than broad. Head rather small, very densely pubescent, the neck deeply constricted, the vertex much prolonged over the front of the thorax. Thorax also densely pubes- cent, and owing to this and the concealment of its anterior margin its exact shape is not easily seen ; it is apparently not longer than broad, and has a subobsolete transverse impression in front of the base, the impression indefinite in the middle (varying according to the point from which it is viewed), and deeper on each side externally so as to form a slight lateral fovea. Elytra with only a very short humeral elevation; rather closely pubescent. Legs short. Three examples. 8. Euconnus auritus. Rufo-brunneus, capite prothoraceque piceis, pube suberecta sat dense vestitus ; antennis pedibusque parum elongatis, illis vix clavatis, crassiusculis ; prothorace conico-oblongo, basi evidenter bifoveolato. Long. 27 millim. Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion). Antenne stout, rather short, with an indistinct club, which is 5- rather than 4-jointed, joints 7-10 being subequal, each scarcely transverse, the terminal joint rather long, the sixth joint scarcely differing from the fifth. Head rather narrow, with much pro- longed densely pubescent vertex. ‘Thorax broader towards the base, longer than wide, very distinctly bifoveolate, densely pubescent at the sides. Humeral elevation of the elytra slight. BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, Aprid 1887. H* 50 SCYDMANIDZ. Closely allied to E. segnis, but rather larger, with longer thorax, antenne, and legs. Only one mutilated example has been preserved. 9. Euconnus difficilis. Rufo-castaneus, dense pubescens; antennis parum elongatis, clava laxe articulata; capite parvo; prothorace subconico, ante basin transversim impresso; elytrorum humeris minus breviter elevatis. Long. 12 millim. Hab. GuatEMALA, Duefias (Champion). Antenne with the basal portion rather slender, and with an ill-defined 5-jointed club, the seventh joint differing more from the sixth than it does from the eighth; joints 8-10 rather small, transverse; the terminal joint small, scarcely longer than broad. Head small and narrow, very densely pubescent, the vertex prolonged. Thorax densely pubescent, rather slender, deeply transversely impressed in front of the base, the impression slightly interrupted in the middle, and deeper at its external termination. Elytra depressed at the base so that the shoulders are rather strongly elevated; finely, rather closely, pubescent. Legs moderately short. Unique. This species is readily distinguished from E. segnis by the more slender legs and antenne and the deeper thoracic impression. 10. Kuconnus oscillans. (Tab. II. fig. 3.) Rufo-castaneus, capite prothoraceque piceis, pube suberecta subelongata vestitus; antennis parum elongatis, clava brevi, quadri-articulata; prothorace utrinque profunde foveolato; elytrorum humeris evidenter plicatis. Long. 12 millim. Hab. Guatemata, San Isidro, Zapote (Champion). Antenne with joints 3-7 subequal, the seventh being scarcely different from the sixth; joints 8-10 rather short, transverse; the terminal joint rather short. Head much narrowed behind, rather densely pubescent, the vertex much elevated. Thorax longer than broad, not much narrowed in front, evidently foveate on either side in front of the base, the depression between the fovez obsolete. Elytra moderately broad, with rather long, slender, humeral elevation, and scanty, rather long, pubescence. Legs slender, moderately short. One example only from each locality. 11. Kuconnus obesus. Robustus, brevior, latus, rufus, capite prothoraceque piceis, elytris pube elongata sparsa vestitis, capite pro- thoraceque densius pubescentibus; antennis haud abrupte clavatis, extrorsum crassioribus, articulis 8°-10™ transversis ; prothorace oblongo-subquadrato, basi evidenter bifoveolato; elytrorum humeris longius plicato-elevatis. Long. 1§ millim. Hab. GuatEMaLa, Zapote (Champion). Antenne moderately stout ; joints 3-6 similar to one another, the seventh joint only EUCONNUS. 51 slightly larger, the four others forming an ill-defined club gradually increasing in breadth outwards, the terminal joint moderately long. Head rather broad, the sides scarcely narrowed behind, rather densely pubescent. Thorax longer than broad, not much narrowed in front. Shoulders of the elytra abruptly elevated so as to form an elongate plica. Legs short. This species is closely allied to £. oscillans, but I think distinct; the elytra are broader, of a bright red colour, and with more scanty pubescence; the head is more quadrate in form; and the antenne rather longer and less abruptly clavate. Unique. 12. Euconnus indutus. (Tab. II. fig. 4.) Brunneus, pube elongata erecta omnino densissime vestitus; antennis crassis, vix clavatis; prothorace basi utrinque ad latus carinula elevata, medio longitudinaliter subconvexo, ante basin prope medium utrinque minute obsoleteque foveolato. Long. 3 millim. Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui between 2500 and 4000 feet (Champion). A very distinct species, distinguished at first sight by the very dense pubescence, but possessing also numerous other peculiarities. Antenne with joints 3-7 subequal, the eighth and ninth joints rather broader, subquadrate, the tenth joint a little broader, transverse, the terminal joint rather short, obtuse. Palpi elongate. Head very densely pubescent ; eyes rather convex. Thorax uniformly covered with a very dense pubes- cence, obscurely longitudinally elevated along the middle; with a fine short carina on each side at the base, and between this and the middle only obscurely foveolate. Elytra densely pubescent, the pubescence more flavescent than that of the anterior parts, the shoulders elevated. Unique. 13. Huconnus calvus. (Tab. II. fig. 5.) Rufus, nitidus, fere glaber; antennis gracilibus, clava elongata, gracili, laxe articulata; capite subtransverso ; prothorace ad angulos posteriores utrinque foveola majore; elytris sanguineis, humeris elevatis. Long. 17 millim. Hab. Guatema.a, San Isidro, Pantaleon (Champion); Panama, Caldera in Chiriqui 1200 feet (Champion). | Antenne rather slender, with distinct fine exserted pubescence ; joints 3-6 subequal, the seventh joint longer but not broader ; the joints 8-10 each longer than broad, the eighth longer than the tenth, the terminal joint about equal to the eighth. Head short, broad in front, abruptly narrowed behind. Thorax much narrowed in front, its greatest width in front of the middle, the sides nearly straight behind. Elytra convex, strongly curvate at the sides, the humeral elevation quite short; without punctuation or pubescence. Legs slender. Under surface finely pubescent. Only one example was obtained in each locality; the specimen from the State of Panama is in a very bad state of preservation, and only doubtfully assigned to E. calvus. H* 2 52 SCYDM ANID A. 14. Kuconnus solitarius. Rufus, nitidus, tantum in prothorace et in elytrorum basi setulis perpaucis munitus; antennis gracilibus, clava sat elongata, gracili, laxe articulata ; prothorace ad angulos posteriores utrinque foveolato; elytris sangui- neis, humeris breviter elevatis. Long. 2 millim. Hab. Guatemaa, San Geronimo (Champion). Although very close to E. calvus I think this insect is probably distinct, the club of the antenne being considerably shorter, so that the eighth joint is scarcely longer than the seventh, and the penultimate joint only about as long as broad, the terminal joint also being short. The thorax, moreover, is rather shorter and broader, and the basal foveee not quite so large. Unique. 15. Euconnus gracilicornis. (Tab. II. fig. 6.) Rufus, capite prothoraceque piceis, antennarum clava obscura, prothorace hirtello, capite elytrisque calvis pernitidis ; prothorace oblongo; antennis gracilibus, clava tri-articulata. Long. 14 millim. Hab. Panama, Los Remedios (Champion). Antenne unusually slender, rather long; eighth joint slender, but slightly broader than the seventh, elongate, much longer than broad; three terminal joints broader, but slender, forming a loosely articulated club. Head rather small, much narrowed behind. Thorax oblong, a little narrowed in front, with an irregular pubescence; the basal foveee of moderate size. Elytra with small deep basal impressions, the shoulders not raised. Legs slender, the femora delicately clavate. ‘I'wo examples. Similar to Z. calvus, but smaller, and very distinct by the structure of the antenne. 16. Euconnus mirandille. Rufescens, capite prothoraceque obscurioribus, pube subtili omnino sparsim vestitus; antennis vix elongatis, elava quadri-articulata; prothorace oblongo ad angulos posteriores utrinque foveola majore impresso ; elytrorum humeris parum elevatis. Long. 13 millim. Hab. Guatemata, Mirandilla (Champion). This species is closely allied to E. guatemalenus, but the antenne are rather shorter, each of the joints 8-10 being scarcely so long as broad; the thorax is less elongate and slender, and possesses a rather large fovea on each side at the base, the fovea, however, rendered rather obscure by being placed quite at the outside. Although so similar to HZ. guatemalenus I have placed this insect in a different group of the genus, as there is apparently no thoracic carinule. 17. Euconnus giraffa. (Tab. II. fig. 7.) Castarfeus, nitidus, minus dense pubescens; antennarum clava longissima, fere quinque-articulata; capite elongato, postice fortiter angustato. Long. 24 millim. EUCONNUS. Cr Os Hab. Guatemata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion). Antenne elongate; second joint very long, the third joint small, only about half the size of the fourth; joints 4-6 subequal; the seventh joint a little broader, much longer than wide; the eighth rather broader, but scarcely so long, its apical portion a little attenuate; the ninth similar in form but slightly broader ; the tenth larger, longer, and broader; the terminal joint elongate, acuminate. Head very long, regularly narrowed behind, only very sparingly pubescent. ‘Thorax more globose than usual in the genus, longer than broad; rather densely pubescent at the sides, bare on the disc, and with a fine transverse channel close to the base. Elytra convex, sparsely pubescent, almost destitute of intrahumeral depression. Pectoral lamina very long and slender. This remarkable little insect is unique. Although the thoracic channel is placed very near the hind margin it undoubtedly exists. 18. Huconnus excavatus. (Tab. II. fig. 8.) Rufus, capite prothoraceque rufo-obscuris, pube minus elongata suberecta sat dense vestitus ; antennis crassi- usculis, clava quinque-articulata, articulo ultimo brevi; prothorace ante basin utrinque foveolato, ad basin externe breviter plicato ; elytrorum humeris brevissime elevatis. Long. 2 millim. Hab. Nicaragua, Chinandega (Sa//é). This species is readily distinguished by the structure of the antenne, and by the fact that each flank of the thorax is marked by a depression concealed from above by a small but sharp prominence. The sixth joint of the antenne is a little larger than the fifth, and the seventh is about equal to the eighth, joints 8-10 being each transverse, and the terminal joint unusually short. The head is densely pubescent, with much elevated vertex. The thorax is subquadrate and is distinctly foveate on each side, and its peculiar construction is distinctly visible on each side at the base. The elytra are rather elongate and narrow, with rather short distinct pubescence. Two examples. I do not think there is any thoracic carinule, although the side at the base is very sharply deflexed. 19. Euconnus distans. Minimus, rufo-castaneus ; antennis parvis, clava tri-articulata; prothorace conico-oblongo, basi transversim impresso. 1 wii Long. 1;/; millim. Hab. GuateMata, Torola (Champion). Antenne with joints 3-7 minute and slender, the eighth joint a little broader, the ninth and tenth much broader, transverse, the terminal joint short. Head rather long and narrow, with but little pubescence. Thorax slender, hirsute ; with a deep transverse impression in front of the base, the impression only slightly interrupted in the middle. 54 SCYDMANID&. Elytra rather slender, sparingly pubescent, with a short but distinct humeral elevation. Front tibie rather strongly incurved at the apex. This distinct little insect is unique. 20. Huconnus mutandus. (Tab. II. fig. 9.) Gracilis, castaneus, elytris rufo-castaneis, pube sat elongata suberecta sat dense vestitus; antennis basi gracili, clava magna; capite angusto, elongato, oculis subprominulis; prothorace conico-oblongo, ante basin tenuiter transversim sulcato. Long. 2 millim. Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui between 2500 and 4000 feet (Champion). Antenne with the basal joint short, the second joint rather long, the third joint small, the fourth, fifth, and sixth joints each slightly longer; the seventh much longer, but scarcely broader ; the eighth not longer than the seventh, but much broader, subquadrate ; the ninth a little broader, evidently transverse; the tenth larger, subquadrate; the terminal joint short, a little longer than the tenth. Head slender, much narrowed behind, with elevated pubescent vertex; the eyes more convex and more convexly faceted than usual in this genus. Thorax rather long and slender, the transverse impression near the base delicate. Hlytra with rather scanty pubescence, and a slight humeral plica. Legs slender. | B. Thorax with a minute carinule at the base on each side. 21. Euconnus guatemalenus. (Tab. II. fig. 10.) Rufescens, capite prothoraceque picescentibus, pube elongata sparsim vestitus; antennis sat elongatis, clava laxissime articulata ; capite subtransverso; prothorace suboblongo, basi utrinque tantum minute foveolato ; elytrorum humeris parum elevatis. Long. 1? millim. Hab. GuateMatA, El Tumbador 2500 feet, Capetillo (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). Antenne red; joints 3-6 small, equal, the seventh joint distinctly longer but only very slightly broader; club not broader towards the extremity, very loosely articuiated, the eighth joint rather longer than broad, the tenth hardly so long. Head short, rather abruptly narrowed behind, with only scanty pubescence. Thorax slender, oblong, only a little narrowed in front, bearing a scanty long pubescence, and with the basal fovea minute and close to the side. Elytra rather broad, much curvate at the sides; with moderately long, rather scanty, pubescence. Legs rather long and slender. Four examples. The Panama exponent is very mutilated and decayed, and has entirely lost its antenne, and may not be really conspecific. EUCONNUS. 55 22. Kuconnus championi. Castaneus, elytris dilutioribus, nitidus, fere glaber ; antennis clava elongata, gracili, laxe articulata ; prothorace suboblongo, basi utrinque evidenter foveolata; elytrorum humeris vix elevatis. Long. 13 millim. Hab. Guaremata, El Tumbador, Capetillo, Tamahu, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion). This species is closely allied to EZ. calvus, but is rather smaller and more delicate ; the club of the antenne is much less elongate, each of its four joints being shorter though the proportions are similar; there are some scanty hairs on the sides of the thorax ; the thoracic fovez are not so large, but are connected by a subobsolete channel ; there are a very few hairs on the humeral portion of the elytra, and the shoulders are but little elevated owing to the basal depressions extending only a very short distance backwards. E. championi is almost equally close to E. guatemalenus; but the latter has a more slender thorax with obsolete fovee, and a distinct though scanty pubescence on the elytra. 23. Euconnus subtilis. (Tab. II. fig. 11.) Rufus, capite, prothorace antennisque nigricantibus, perparum pubescens; antennis subgracilibus, clava quadri-articulata ; prothorace oblongo, externe foveolato. Long. 15 millim. Hab. Guatemata, Duefias, Capetillo (Champion). Antenne black; joints 3-6 but little different from one another, the seventh joint longer ; joints 8-10 subequal, slender, longer than broad; the terminal joint not at all stouter, evidently longer than the tenth. Head rather broad and short, much narrowed behind, almost: destitute of pubescence. Thorax slender, suboblong, being but little narrowed in front; with a moderately large fovea near the hind angle, and very little pubescence. Elytra rather slender, bright red, shining, without pubescence, the shoulders scarcely elevated. Legs slender, red. Six examples. Although very similar to Z. calvus and E. solitarius, a very minute thoracic carinule exists in this species. 24. Kuconnus frontalis. Subrobustus, rufus, capite prothoraceque piceis, parcissime pubescens, pernitidus ; antennis sat elongatis, clava elongata et laxe articulata; prothorace robusto, utrinque foveola majore impresso ; elytris intra humeros depressis. Long. 27 millim. Hab. Guatemaa, Capetillo (Champion). Antenne moderately long and stout, entirely red; joints 3-5 similar, the sixth joint a little longer, the seventh much longer; joints 8-11 forming an elongate loosely 56 SCYDMANIDA, articulated club, each of them longer than broad, the eighth and eleventh joints about equal in length, the other two a little shorter. Head very broad in front, short, abruptly narrowed behind. Thorax much narrowed in front, its greatest width in front of the middle, thence nearly straight, being only very slightly narrowed behind ; the basal fovez deep, and there is a third, though obsolete, depression between them. FElytra rather broad, with a distinct depression near the shoulders; glabrous, except for a few hairs on the humeral portion. Legs rather slender. Closely allied to E. calvus, but readily distinguished by the broad thorax, as well as by the minute thoracic carinule. Unique. 25. Euconnus chiriquensis. (Tab. II. fig. 12.) Brunneus, elytris rufo-brunneis, pube brevi depressa sat dense vestitus, minus nitidus; antennis clava magna, elongata; prothorace subconico, ante basin haud profunde transversim impresso, ad latera utrinque breviter subtiliter carinulato. Long. 23 millim. Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui between 2500 and 4000 feet (Champion). Antenne with joints 3-7 subequal, small; the eighth joint much larger, a good deal longer than broad; the ninth and tenth joints each a little shorter and each rather longer than broad; the terminal joint acuminate, slightly longer than the eighth. Head transverse, but subcircular, the erect pubescence of the vertex very slight; eyes rather large, but not convex. Thorax rather large, broader towards the base, its pubescence fine and depressed; with a transverse depression, deeper at its termination on each side, in front of the base, and external to this a very fine minute carina. Elytra depressed at the base, with the shoulders plicate, but the plica very short; their pubescence short and depressed. Pectoral lamina remarkably broad, sulcate; middle of the metasternum prominent but deplanate. 26. Kuconnus germanus. (Tab. II. fig. 13.) Brunneus, elytris rufo-brunneis, pube brevi depressa vestitus, elytris subopacis; antennis clava magna, elon- gata; prothorace subconico, ante basin transversim impresso; elytrorum humeris vix elevatis. Long. 2 millim. Hab. GuateMALa, Duefias, Capetillo (Champion). Allied by the structure of the antenne and the remarkably broad lamina between the middle coxe to £. chiriquensis, but smaller and quite distinct by the extremely obsolete lateral carinule on the thorax. The head is not all transverse, the thoracic depression is scarcely deeper at the sides, and the shoulders of the elytra are almost without plication. One example from each locality. The thoracic carinule is excessively minute, and can only be seen in a quite clean example. EUCONNUS. oT 27. Kuconnus terminatus. Scydmenus terminatus, Schauf. Mon. p. 56°. Hab. Mexico, Teapa!. § 2. Thorax at the base without impressions or channel. In this group the thorax is usually conical in form, but there are a few species in which it is almost oblong in shape, and in these a very careful examination will reveal a trace of an exceedingly small obsolete fovea on either side. These few species would perhaps find their true allies in group § 1. 28. Euconnus incultus. (Tab. II. fig. 14.) Elongatus, angustulus, castaneus, pube elongata erecta sat dense vestitus; antennis elongatis, hirtellis, extrorsum crassioribus, haud clavatis, articulo ultimo majore; prothorace elongato, oblongo, ante basin obsolete transversim impresso. Long. 22 millim. Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui between 2500 and 4000 feet (Champion). Antenne with the first joint elongate ; joints 2 and 3 subequal; 4-7 slightly longer, subequal, each slightly broader than its predecessor; the eighth joint a little shorter and broader, scarcely longer than wide, the ninth quadrate, the tenth slightly shorter, feebly transverse; the terminal joint large, obtuse. Head short, the vertex simple and not elevated, and without dense pubescence. Thorax very elongate, only feebly narrowed in front, scarcely narrowed behind; the basal sulcus indistinct, but prolonged on to the flanks. Elytra elongate, with a dense, fine, long pubescence; shoulders feebly elevated. Legs elongate; tibie feebly bisinuate internally, the anterior pair with a slight mucro at the apex. | Unique. A very distinct and remarkable species. Although possessing a constriction of a very indistinct nature in front of the base of the thorax, E. incultus is better placed here than in group 9 1. 29. Huconnus pubifer. (Tab. II. fig. 15.) Elongatus, angustulus, convexus, rufo-brunneus, pube elongata subflavescente jdense vestitus ; antennis crassi- usculis, clava quadri-articulata et minus gracili; prothorace oblongo; elytrorum humeris perparum elevatis. Long. 23 millim. Hab. Nicaragua, Granada (Sallé). Antenne rather stout; third joint small, scarcely half so large as the second; the fourth, fifth, and sixth joints similar, each a little larger than the third; the seventh joint slightly broader than the sixth, slightly transverse ; the eighth considerably larger, transverse; the ninth and tenth similar, rather larger than the eighth, transverse quadrate ; the terminal joint acuminate, rather long. Head rather long and narrow, BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, May 1887. I* 58 . SCYDMANID A. bearing much pubescence. Thorax oblong, evenly covered with pubescence. Llytra rather long and narrow, with dense erect pubescence. 30. Euconnus hirculus. Angustulus, convexus, castaneus, elytris rufis, pube sat elongata dense vestitus; antennis crassiusculis, clava quadri-articulata et nec lata neque elongata; prothorace elongato, oblongo; elytrorum humeris brevissime | prominulis. Long. vix 2 millim. Hab. Guatemata, El Reposo (Champion). Antenne rather stout; joints 3-7 similar to one another, except that the third is rather smaller, each scarcely so long as broad; 8—10 also similar to one another, rather strongly transverse; the terminal joint acuminate, quite as long as the preceding two together. Head densely pubescent. ‘Thorax elongate, oblong, densely pubescent, with traces of an obsolete fovea on each side in front of the base. LElytra narrow, convex. Femora strongly clavate. This species bears considerable resemblance to £. medialis and its allies; but the thorax in the latter is conic, and the femora are much less clavate. 4. hirculus is very closely allied to E. pubifer, though considerably smaller and possessing shorter antennz. Unique. 31. Euconnus puncticollis. Picescens, antennis, pedibus elytrisque rufis; antennis brevibus, crassis; capite angusto, vertice densissime flavo-pubescente ; prothorace suboblongo, punctulato; elytris subtilius punctulatis. Long. 2 millim. Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion). Antenne with joints 3-6 subequal, small; the seventh joint a little larger, bead-like ; joints 8-10 similar to one another, rather strongly transverse ; the terminal joint short, obtuse. Head long and narrow, its posterior part densely pubescent. Thorax some- what sparingly but distinctly punctate, and with a very feeble appearance of carination on the disc; rather densely pubescent at the sides. TElytra with short, rather sharply defined, humeral elevation; sparingly punctulate; their pubescence erect, rather firmer than usual. Pectoral lamina only moderately elevated. This distinct species is unique. It is more distinctly punctulate than any other of the known Euconni of our region. 32. Euconnus vividus. (Tab. II. fig. 16.) Latior, rufus, capite prothoraceque piceo-rufis, nitidior, parum pubescens, in elytris fere glaber; capite lato, subtransverso; antennis modice elongatis, crassiusculis, clava elongata et laxissime articulata. Long. 23-23 millim. Hab. Guatemaa, Pantaleon 1700 feet, Mirandilla (Champion). Antenne dark red, moderately pubescent ; third joint much shorter than the second, EUCONNUS. 59 slightly longer than the fourth ; the seventh joint longer than those preceding it, longer than broad; the four terminal joints forming a very elongate, loosely articulated club, becoming a little broader outwardly; the eighth and ninth joints each about as long as broad ; the terminal joint longer than broad. Head broad, very shining, with only a few long fine hairs. Thorax robust, widest slightly in front of the middle, almost even, with an obsolete transverse impression in front of the base; very shining, with only a few long delicate hairs. Elytra short and broad, bright red, with only a,feeble elevation of the shoulders; and without pubescence, except that there are a few hairs on the humeral portion. Anterior tibiee with the lower half flattened, and furnished on the inner face with a dense glandular pubescence. The five examples obtained do not show any distinctions of sex. 33. Euconnus galericulatus. Scydmenus galericulatus, Schauf. Mon. p. 51’. Hab. Mexico, Teapa!. 34. Euconnus armatipes. Elongatus, rufo-castaneus, pubescens ; antennis elongatis, apicem versus crassioribus, vix clavatis; prothorace conico-elongato; tibiis anterioribus intus supra medium processu tenui, elongato, descendente, armatis. Long. 12 millim. Hab. GuateMata, Paso Antonio (Champion). Antenne with the second joint nearly twice as long as the small third joint; joints 4—6 each a little longer than its predecessor ; the seventh joint similar to the sixth, longer than broad, the eighth a little longer than the seventh, scarcely broader, the ninth and tenth each a little shorter, only slightly broader; the terminal joint rather long. Head densely pubescent. Thorax elongate, conic-oblong, rather densely pubescent, quite unimpressed. Elytra rather slender, the shoulders very slightly elevated, the pubes- cence moderately close. Front tibie armed inwardly with a peculiar slender twig-like process. Only a single example of this distinct species was obtained. 35. Euconnus medialis. (Tab. II. fig. 17.) Sat gracilis, castaneus, elytris rufo- castaneis; antennis parum elongatis, haud crassis, clava laxe articulata et haud lata; prothorace conico; elytrorum humeris perparum elevatis. Long. 2 millim. Hab. Guatemata, near the city, Capetillo, Tamahu (Champion). Antenne with the second joint elongate; the third and fourth joints quite small, similar, the fifth and sixth a little longer, equal, the seventh just perceptibly broader than the sixth, similar to it in length; joints 8-10 a little broader, subequal, feebly transverse; the terminal joint short. Head rather narrow, densely pubescent, with I* 2 60 SCYDMANIDA. much elevated vertex. Thorax rather long, becoming almost gradually broader from the front to the base, rather densely pubescent. Elytra rather long and narrow, forming with the thorax an almost continuous outline; the basal depression scarcely present, so that there is scarcely any humeral elevation; their pubescence rather long, fine, and moderately dense. Legs rather short. The pectoral lamina strongly elevated in front. Five examples. 36. Euconnus fustiger. (Tab. II. fig. 18.) Castaneus, dense pubescens; antennis parum elongatis, crassiusculis, clava magna, lata; prothorace conico ; elytris ad basin utrinque brevissime depressis. Long. vix 2 millim. Hab. GuatEMALA, Capetillo (Champion). Antenne stout; joints 3-7 small, similar to one another; the four terminal joints. forming a stout, elongate, loosely articulated club, scarcely broader towards fhe extremity; the terminal joint moderately long. Head rather short, very densely pubescent. Thorax small, conical, narrow in front, becoming regularly broader to the base, densely pubescent. Elytra short and broad; with a short fovea at the extreme base of each, causing the shoulder to appear slightly elevated. Closely allied to EZ. medialis, but readily distinguished by the shorter and broader form and the stouter abruptly clavate antenne. Unique. 37. Euconnus hoplites. Latiusculus, piceo-castaneus, antennis pedibusque dilutioribus, dense pubescens; antennis crassiusculis, clava quadri-articulata, abrupta; prothorace conico; pectore processu elongato armato. Long. vix 2 millim. Hab. (GUATEMALA, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion). Antenne with the second joint as long as the third and fourth joints together; the fifth and sixth joints only slightly longer than the third and fourth, the seventh evidently longer but not broader ; joints 8-10 longer and broader, subequal, each quite as long as broad; the terminal joint a little longer than the tenth. Head very densely pubescent. Thorax regularly conic, rather longer than broad at the base, the latter transversely convex and quite unimpressed; densely pubescent. Elytra with a moderately close, rather long, pubescence; almost unimpressed at the base, so that the shoulders are only very slightly prominent. Breast armed in the middle with a rather long promi- nence, the front margin of which is directed obliquely backwards, the hind margin being perpendicular, though slightly curvate. Unique. EUCONNUS. 61 38. Euconnus obtusus. Castaneus, elytris rufo-castaneis, dense pubescens ; antennis clavatis, clava quadri-articulata ; prothorace conico; elytrorum humeris minus breviter plicatis. Long. vix 14 millim. Hab. Guatemata, Senahu (Champion). Antenne with the second joint quite twice as long as the third; joints 3-6 minute, subequal, the seventh just perceptibly larger ; 8-10 considerably broader, subtransverse ; the terminal joint short, obtuse. Head rather broad and short, very densely pubescent. Thorax rather slender, elongate, conic, densely pubescent. Elytra rather broad, deplanate towards the base; the humeral elevation internally sharply defined, so as to have the appearance on that side of an elevated plica. The individual described is no doubt a male: the hind tibie are remarkably slender, and a little thicker about the middle, so as to have a slightly sinuate appearance; and are armed at the apex with a very short process, which, not being longer than the width of the tibia, is difficult to perceive. Unique. ' 39. Euconnus celatus. -Rufo-castaneus, evidenter pubescens, nitidus; antennis clavatis, clava quadri-articulata ; prothorace conico- elongato; elytrorum humeris brevissime plicatis. Long. vix 13 millim. Hab. Guatemata, Quezaltenango 7300 feet, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet, Cerro Zunil, Zapote, Capetillo, Duefias (Champion).' Extremely closely allied to £. ob¢usus, but rather smaller, and distinguishable by the less plicate shoulders; and by the fact that the hind tibia in the male is armed with a very slender elongate process or spine, which is about half the length of the tarsus. £. celatus is apparently a rather smaller and more slender insect, with slightly shorter antenne, the proportions of the joints of these organs being, however, similar in the two species. Apparently rare, single examples only having been met in each locality. The specimens show some variation in size and in the elongation of the antenne, and it may prove that they consist of more than one species. ms 40. Euconnus hirsutus. Scydmenus hirsutus, Schauf. Mon. p. 41°. Hab. Mexico, Teapa1, ? Cordova (Saldé). I refer with much doubt to £. hirsutus a single mutilated example from Sallé’s collection ; this specimen is closely allied to #. celatus, but with the hind tibiw armed only with a short, extremely delicate spine. Schaufuss describes a variety under the name of bacchus, which no doubt is a distinct species belonging to our group @ 1. 62 SCYDMANIDA. 41, Kuconnus mirandus. | Castaneus, minus dense pubescens, nitidus; antennis clavatis, clava quadri-articulata; prothorace conico ; elytrorum humeris brevissime plicatis. Long. 13 millim. Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil 4000 feet, Senahu (Champion). In the male of this insect the hind tibia is armed at the apex with an elongate, slightly curved, spine, but little shorter than the tarsus. This character and the smaller size are almost all I can point out as of importance to distinguish the species from EF. celatus. 42. Euconnus alticola. Minor, angustulus, rufo-castaneus, sat dense pubescens; antennis extrorsum crassioribus, minus abrupte clavatis; prothorace ante basin obsoletius transversim impresso; elytrorum humeris breviter argute elevatis. Long. 13 millim. Hab. Guatemana, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion). Antenne with joints 3-6 very small, each scarcely so long as broad; the seventh joint broader, transverse, but small ; joints 8-10 larger, subequal, rather strongly transverse ; the terminal joint nearly as long as the preceding two together. Head not very densely pubescent. Thorax slender, moderately densely pubescent. Elytra with the humeral elevation short, but when viewed from the inner side sharply defined. Hind tibia armed at the extremity with a spine, this, spine being rather elongate, but so slender that it looks like a seta. Of this little insect, distinct by its antennal structure from £. celatus, only two examples were found. The transverse depression at the base of the thorax is so slight that it can only be seen by looking at the insect from behind in a certain light, and does not therefore necessitate my removing the species from amongst its allies to place it in group 41. 43, Huconnus gibbiodes. Castaneus, glaber; antennarum-clava gracili, longissima. Long. 13 millim. Hab. Guatemaua, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion). Antenne with the first joint very short, almost entirely concealed ; the second joint only moderately long; joints 3-6 small, similar, the seventh longer than broad, slightly broader than, and twice as long as, the sixth ; joints 8-10 similar to one another, elongate, only slightly broader than the seventh, but much longer, each much longer than broad ; the terminal joint longer, slender. Head rather long and narrow, greatly narrowed behind. Thorax elongate, regularly conic. Elytra forming with the thorax one almost continuous outline, quite destitute of basal depression. Pectoral lamina large. This remarkable and very distinct species is represented by a single example. EUCONNUS.—SCYDM ANUS. 63 44, Kuconnus palpalis. Rufo-castaneus, dense pubescens ; antennis gracilibus, tantum subclavatis ; capite dense pubescens; prothorace conico-elongato ; elytris humeris omnino brevissime elevatis. Long. 24 millim. Hab. GuatEMALA, Cubilguitz in Vera Paz (Champion). Palpi elongate. Antenne with the first joint exposed, the second joint elongate ; joints 3-6 slender, gradually increasing in length, the third longer than broad, the sixth more than twice as long as broad; the seventh joint rather shorter than the sixth, and not perceptibly broader, the eighth to the tenth each becoming a little shorter, but only very slightly broader ; the terminal joint about as long as the sixth. Head declivous in front. Thorax elongate, regularly conic, rather densely pubescent. lytra with extremely short basal depression, so that the humeral elevation is correspondingly short. Front tibiz with the pubescence on the inner face of their lower part remark- ably developed. This distinct species is unique. The pubescence on the inner face of the front tibie, conspicuous in many of our species of this group, here attains its maximum development. 45. Kuconnus simplicitus. Scydmenus simplicitus, Schauf. Mon. p. 57°. Hab. Mrxtico, Teapa}. SCYDMANUS. Scydmenus, Latreille, Gen. Crust. et Ins. i. p. 281 (1802); Reitter, Ins. Deutsch. iii. pt. 2, p. 172. Cyrtoscydmus (Motsch.), Reitter, Wien. ent. Zeit. iv. p. 58. ~ This name has until quite recently been used to include the majority of the species of the family; most of the extra-European forms are now recognized as belonging to Euconnus, and it is probable that Scydmenus will prove characteristic of the north temperate region. The Guatemalan species that I ascribe to it is somewhat aberrant, the pseudo-terminal joint of the maxillary palpus being more securiform than usual. Reitter has lately proposed to sink the name Scydmenus, hitherto used by himself and all other entomologists, as a mere synonym of Humicrus, and to adopt in its place the more recent (and unrecognized) Cyrtoscydmus; but as this course has no practical advantage, other than conformity with a theory as to the treatment of generic names that may or may not receive general assent, I am not yet inclined to follow him. 1. Scydmeenus brevipes. (Tab. II. fig. 19.) Subdepressus, hirsutus, pallide brunneus, antennis pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace oblongo, postice in medio profunde bifoveolato. Long. 14 millim. Hab. Guaremata, El Tumbador 2500 feet, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet, Capetillo, Duefias (Champion). -_ 64 SCYDM ZENIDA. Antenne rather short and stout; the third and fourth joints minute, bead-like; the fifth and sixth slightly larger but otherwise similar; the seventh and eighth slightly broader, so as to be very feebly transverse; the ninth a little broader, not large, very evidently transverse ; the tenth similar though slightly larger; the terminal joint short. Head small, truncate behind, rather feebly pubescent. Thorax longer than broad, the sides but little narrowed in front, so that it is almost oblong in shape; very hirsute, and with two deep closely approximate fovee a little distance in front of the base. Elytra subdepressed, slender, rather densely pubescent, and with strongly elevated humeral prominences. Legs rather stout, the femora scarcely clavate, the tarsi very short. Apparently rare, only seven examples having been procured. 2. Scydmenus(?) plicatulus. Scydmenus plicatulus, Schauf. Mon. p. 42°. Hab. Mexico, Teapa .—Cotompta }. Possibly this species may not belong to our region at all, as the author cited appears to have entertained some doubts whether the Mexican example he had before him was conspecific with his Colombian type. In any case the genus is quite doubtful, as the structure of the maxillary palpus is said to be aberrant, approximating that of Eumicrus. HOMOCONNUS. Caput anterius subproductum sed haud deflexum; palpi maxillares articulo ultimo minuto acuminato; coxe intermedia maxime, prominule, haud contiguee, mesosterno inter eas subperpendiculare haud carinato ; coxee posteriores magne, globose, processibus posterioribus inter sese fere contiguis; metasternum elongatum, apice summo in medio profunde foveolato, inter coxas spinoso-producto ; femora posteriora dente magno triangulari instructa. This genus will comprise Scydmanus dentipes, S. batesi, S. spinipes, and S. bonvou- loiri, of Schaufuss. The above-mentioned characters render it extremely distinct. The species as yet known are all from Tropical America and the Antilles, and the genus will probably prove to be peculiar to these regions. 1. Homoconnus spinipes. (Tab. II. fig. 20.) Scydmenus spinipes, Schauf. Mon. p. 78, t. 2. ff. 12 a, 6°. Hab. Mexico, Teapa!; Guatemata (Sal/é), Teleman and San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion) ; Panama, Bugaba (Champion). Apparently rare, only six examples being extant. EUMICRUS. Eumicrus, Castelnau, Hist. Nat. Ins. Col. i. p. 209 (1840) ; Reitter, Ins. Deutsch. iu. pt. 2, p. 194. Although treated until recently by most authors as a section of Scydmenus, this is EUMICRUS. 66 undoubtedly a valid genus, the peculiar structure of the maxillary palpus and of the trochanters being associated with a perpendicular, exposed, rather large pygidium. The genus is a very widely-distributed one, and is no doubt present in all the temperate and warm continental regions of the globe. §1. Thorax bifoveolate (or quadrifoveolate) at the base, the fovee frequently minute. 1. Eumicrus brunneus. (Tab. II. fig. 21.) Scydmenus brunneus, Schaum, Analecta ent. p. 28°. Eumicrus brunneus, Schauf. Mon. Scydm. in Nov. Act. Leop.-Carol. Nat. Curios. xxxiii. p. 89’. Hab. Mexico, Teapa 2, Yautepec (Llohr, Hoge), near the city, Tehuantepec, Acapulco (Hoge); Guatemata (Sai/é), near the city, San Gerénimo, San Joaquin, Senahu, Cahabon, Chacoj (Champion); Nicaragua (Sal/é); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, David, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).—Soutn America, Colombia! ?. The male of this species has the front tarsi rather broadly dilated, but otherwise very closely resembles the female. . drunneus was met with in abundance near the city of Guatemala and also in the Pearl Islands; the individuals from the latter locality are rather smaller and darker, but I can find no evidence of any distinction of a specific character. Schaufuss has pointed out? that Schaum was deceived! in supposing the thorax to have only a single fovea on each side. Found on the sandy banks of small streams beneath decaying leaves, &c. (Champion). 2. Kumicrus cognatus. Scydmenus cognatus, Schaum, Analecta ent. p. 29°. Eumicrus cognatus, Schauf. Mon. Scydm. p. 88’. Hab. Nicaracua, Managua ?.—SoutH America, Colombia ! 2. Schaum having been mistaken in regarding the thorax of E. brunneus to be only bifoveolate, I fail to detect in the description any character by which the two could otherwise be distinguished, though Schaufuss retains them as distinct. 3. Eumicrus vestalis. Eumicrus vestalis, Casey, Contr. Col. N. Amer. p. 85°. Hab. Nortu America, Arizona !.—Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison), La Noria in Sinaloa (Hége). This species is excessively near to H#. brunneus, but is certainly distinct, as the front tarsi of the male are only feebly dilated; it is also rather more elongate in form. I can detect no sexual difference except that of the front feet. BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, October 1887. K* 66 SCYDMENIDZ. 4. Kumicrus pectoralis. Brunneus, nitidus, longius sat crebro pubescens; capite posterius subtruncato ; elytris sat elongatis. Long. 27 millim. Mas tarsis anterioribus leviter dilatatis; tibiis intermediis apice intus valde bimucronato; pectore in medio tuberculo magno, apice truncato et minute pubescente. Fem. tarsis anterioribus fere simplicibus ; tibiis intermediis apice intus minus valide mucronato ; pectore mutico. Hab. Guatemaa (Sallé), near the city (Champion) ; Nicaracua, Managua (Sal/é). This species has the antenne formed similarly to those of E. brunneus ; and, though readily distinguished from that species by the sexual characters, the two are in other respects extremely similar; E. pectoralis has, however, the hind body a little longer and narrower in proportion, approximating thus to ZL. vestalis, from which it is well distinguished by the sexual marks. 5. Eumicrus laminatus. Elongatus, angustulus, brunneus, nitidus, pubescens ; capite angustulo, collo minus abrupto. Long. 23 millim. Mas tarsis anterioribus leviter dilatatis ; tibiis intermediis apice bimucronato; pectore in medio lamina longi- tudinali subhamata. Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sal/é). I have before me only one example, in extremely bad condition, of this insect. Though certainly closely allied to ZH. pectoralis, the pectoral structure of the male decidedly indicates a different species, and it is probable that HL. daminatus is a rather smaller and narrower insect ; I detect no difference in the antenne of the two. 6. Eumicrus centralis. Brunneus, nitidus, longius sat crebre pubescens ; antennis longioribus, clava elongata gracili. Long. 24 millim. Mas tarsis anterioribus fortiter dilatatis; pectore in medio leviter prominulo, densius minus subtiliter pubescente. Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge); Guatemaua, San Gerdnimo, Capetillo (Champion). This species, at least in the male sex, is readily distinguished from LE. brunneus by the pectoral structure and by the more elongate antenne; these last-named organs having the fifth joint more elongate, and the seventh and eighth joints less reduced in size than they are in ZL. drunneus, the club also being longer and more slender. In other respects the two species are extremely similar. We have only received one example from each locality, and perhaps they may not all represent one and the same species, as they differ a little in the pectoral pubescence. The female I do not think we have received at all. It is possible that this sex may not have the more elongate antenne of the male, and in that case is indistinguishable, in the present state of know- ledge, from the corresponding sex of EL. brunneus. EUMICRUS. 67 7. Humicrus sallei, Major, robustus, convexus, brunneus, pubescentia parum elongata dense vestitus; antennis elongatis, articulo quinto valde elongato, clava elongata haud gracili ; elytris convexis, rotundulis ; tarsis majoribus. Long. 21 millim. Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sailé). This is very closely allied to Z. brunneus, though a much larger insect; it is also much broader, and the pubescence of the elytra is denser and shorter. The head is broad, rounded behind. The antenne are elongate and stout, the club being especially long, with elongate terminal joint, and its first joint a little longer than broad; the fifth joint is also very long, and the third joint a little longer than the second or fourth, these latter being about equal in length. The tarsi in either sex are considerably longer and broader than they are in EL. brunneus. I have seen only three examples. 8. Eumicrus bisphericus. Eumicrus bisphericus, Schauf. Mon. Scydm. p. 82'. Hab. Mexico, Teapa?. This species is perhaps allied to E. sallei; but, according to the description}, is larger, viz. 23 lin. long, and has the fifth joint of the antenna dilated in front. 9. Humicrus commilitonis. (Tab. Il. fig. 22.) ? Humicrus commilitonis, Schauf. Mon. Scydm. i. p. 84. Breviusculus, convexus, rufo-brunneus, pubescentia parum elongata minus dense vestitus, nitidus ; antennis abrupte clavatis, clava tri-articulata, articulo quinto parum, sexto haud, elongato ; capite fere circulari ; prothorace subgloboso, basi minus minute quadri-foveolata. Long. 13-12 millim. Hab. Mexico, Teapa!, Cordova (Sallé); Guatema.a, Cubilguitz, Pantaleon (Cham- pion); Nicaraaua, Chontales (Janson), Granada (Sallé); Panama, David, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion). Compared with the common £. brunneus this species is not only much smaller, but has a more robust thorax (broader near the front), with rather more conspicuous basal fover ; the joints of the antenne are all shorter, the club being more abruptly defined and with its first joint transverse; the pubescence is shorter and less erect; and the legs much shorter, the tarsi being quite short. The sexes are very difficult to distin- guish, the front feet of the male being scarcely dilated. E. commilitonis is apparently not common though widely distributed in our region, and apparently varies somewhat in accordance with its locality. Whether the species before me be really Schaufuss’s E. commilitonis is open to doubt; the brief description, however, of that writer contains nothing that disagrees with our insect. K* 2 68 SCYDMENIDE. 10. Eumicrus ——? Hab. Guatemata (Sallé). This insect is represented by a single female, which I fail to reduce to either E. brunneus or E. commilitonis, though in many respects it appears intermediate. 11. Eumicrus brevipes. (Tab. II. fig. 23.) Latiusculus, rufo-brunneus, pube minus elongata dense vestitus; antennis articulo quinto mediocriter, sexto nullo modo, elongato, clava abrupta, sat elongata ; prothorace minus gracili ; elytris rotundulis. Long. 2 millim. Mas tarsis anterioribus fortiter dilatatis. Hab. Guatemata, Las Mercedes, Capetillo (Champion). This species is rather smaller than E. drunneus; and has short antenne, the fifth joint being, however, very elongate, while the sixth is quite small and transverse, and scarcely larger than the very small seventh and eighth joints, the third and fourth joints are each smaller than the second, and the first joint of the club is slightly longer than broad. | | Although we have received only a single male of E. brevipes it is evidently a distinct species from E£. brunneus and E. commilitonis. The single female comes from Las Mercedes, and though it has the front tarsi a little dilated is, I feel sure, that sex of E. brevipes, and not the male of a different species. § 2. Thorax completely destitute of basal fovee. 12. Eumicrus concretus. (Tab. II. fig. 24.) Elongatus, angustulus, convexus, rufescens, antennis pedibusque testaceis, pube depressa sat elongata tenuiter vestitus ; capite truncato, subtransverso; antennis gracilibus, clava elongata, tri-articulata, sat abrupta, articulo nono gracili, fere quadrato. Long. 14 millim. Hab. Guatema.a, El Reposo, Cerro Zunil, San Isidro, Pantaleon, Zapote, San Gerd- nimo, El Jicaro, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion); PANAMA, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion). Antenne rather slender and small, with elongate club ; second joint twice as long as the third, fourth and fifth joints about equal, the latter a little the longer, though not so long as the second, the sixth small, the seventh and eighth very small, the ninth considerably smaller than the tenth, not transverse, the tenth also about as long as broad. Head rather short and broad, truncate behind. Thorax with its greatest width near the front, much narrowed behind. Elytra narrow, without any depression at the shoulders. I do not detect any sexual characters. This insect I expect will prove to be allied to E. annulicornis, Schauf. ; but as that species is from the Amazon valley, and is described as having somewhat different pubescence, no doubt the two are distinct. EUMICRUS. 69 E. concretus is apparently rare, most of the localities cited having yielded only a single example. 13. Kumicrus palmatus. Rufescens, convexus, pube suberecta sat dense vestitus ; capite haud transverso; antennis clava fere bi-articulata, articulo nono sequente plus duplo majore, articulo quinto elongato. Long. 13-1 millim. Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion). Antenne with the fifth joint elongate, nearly twice as long as the fourth, the seventh and eighth joints small, acuminate inwardly, the ninth transverse, not half so long as the tenth, the latter about as long as the acuminate eleventh joint. Head large, sub- quadrate, quite as long as broad. Thorax moderately narrowed behind. Elytra rather narrow, and without any humeral impression. ‘Tarsi unusually elongate. The male has the metasternum depressed along the middle, and the base of the front tarsi strongly dilated. Similar to E. concretus, but abundantly distinct by the structure of the antenne, the larger head, and the male characters. One pair only was procured. 14. Eumicrus subnudus. Piceus, nitidus, parce breviterque pubescens ; antennis articulo quinto elongato, clava laxe tri-articulata ; capite nullo modo transverso, lateribus postice angustatis, vertice truncato. Long. 12 millim. Hab. Guatemaa, Senahu in Vera Paz (Champion). Antenne with the second and third joints subequal, the fourth joint slightly smaller, the fifth elongate, nearly twice as long as the sixth, the seventh and eighth joints minute, the ninth quadrate, the tenth rather larger, also quadrate, the terminal joint not elongate. Head considerably narrowed towards the vertex, the latter truncate. Thorax elongate, not much narrowed behind. Elytra rather broad, much broader from the shoulders towards the middle. Legs rather short and stout. We have received only one mutilated example of this very distinct species ; the posterior femora are remarkable on account of their very feeble clavation. 15. Eumicrus speculator. Eumicrus speculator, Schauf. Mon. Scydm. p. 79’. Hab. Mexico, 'Teapa!. 16. Humicrus mexicanus. Eumicrus mexicanus, Schauf. Mon. Scydm. p. 78’. Hab. Mexico, Teapa!. 70 SCYDM ANID. 17. Eumicrus minutissimus. Eumicrus minutissimus, Schauf. Mon. Scydm. p. 77, t. 8. f. 16°. Hab. tGuatemaLa, Champerico (Champion).—Amazons !. We have received only one example of this minute creature from Guatemala, and though it does not differ from Schaufuss’s description it is quite possible it may prove distinct. HECOTUS. Antenne geniculate, articulo basali longissimo; palpi maxillares perelongati, quadri-articulati, articulo basali minutissimo, secundo valde elongato, anterius ante medium processum brevem emittente, articulo tertio gracili, elongato, apicem versus crassiore, quarto iterum elongato, praecedenti quali. The very curious insects for which this generic name is proposed are extremely distinct from all previously described forms, and can only be compared with the Oriental genus Clidicus, from which they differ by the very peculiar structure of the maxillary palpi, the two genera being, however, nearly allied. As the characters of Clidicus have never been fully investigated, it will be desirable to give in detail those of its ally in our region. The head is subtransverse, constricted behind so as to form an abrupt comparatively narrow neck ; the eyes are small and placed near the anterior part. ‘The antenne are widely separated, inserted on the front of the head close to the eyes, and not clavate; they have eleven joints, and are strongly geniculate, the geniculation permitting the joints beyond it to be turned outwards and backwards, the basal joint being very elongate. The labrum is broad and short, emarginate, with prominent lateral angles, and bidentate in the middle. The mandibles are short, with slender curvate extremity and a long sharp tooth before this. ‘The upper lobe of the maxilla is rather large, oblong, but rather broader at the extremity, the latter bearing long dense pubescence. The first joint of the maxillary palpus is small, and closely con- nected with its support; the second joint is extremely elongate, its basal portion curvate, and beyond the curve there projects forwards a rather long process slightly furcate at its extremity, the latter bearing two long sete; the third joint is slender and elongate ; the fourth joint also slender and long. ‘The labium is exposed; the ligula becoming broader towards the extremity and here emarginate; the labial palpi are very small, widely separated, the first and second joints short and stout, the terminal joint excessively minute, subulate. The prosternum is large; the front cox cylindric, exserted, perpendicular, rather long, contiguous, the prosternal epimera not at all prolonged behind them. The middle coxe are subglobular, moderately large, with an external prolongation exposing the trochantin; they are nearly contiguous, and the mesosternum in front of them bears a moderately elevated carina. The metasternum is moderately long. The hind coxe are globular, rather widely separated, the space separating them being rather wider than the interval between each coxa and the edge HECOTUS, 71 of the elytra. The ventral segments are five in number, the second, third, and fourth subequal, the first longer, the terminal much longer. There are no epipleure. The femora are strongly clavate; the tibie are without spurs; the tarsi are 5-jointed, slender, the basal joint of the posterior pair rather longer than the second and scarcely longer than the terminal joint. 1. Hecotus agilis. (Tab. II. fig. 25.) Fulvo-rufus, pubescens; capite transverso; antennis palpisque maxillaribus geniculatis; elytris ad basin seriatim punctatis. Long. 3-33 millim. Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui below 6000 feet (Champion). Antenne with each joint longer than broad. Head canaliculate in the middle behind, the temples hirsute. Thorax elongate, its greatest width in front of the middle, con- siderably narrowed behind, transversely canaliculate at the hind margin, hirsute at the sides. Elytra elongate, not much curved at the sides, densely pubescent, with short series of punctures at the base which speedily become evanescent, the shoulders much raised. Legs elongate; front tibie strongly curvate; front coxe very mobile, their trochanter prominent and armed with a seta at its most prominent part, the slender portion of the femur bearing three elongate erect sete. We have received a series of twelve examples of this interesting insect, most of which are unfortunately in a very fragile and mutilated condition. 2. Hecotus mexicanus. Fulvus, dense pubescens; capite transverso; antennis palpisque maxillaribus geniculatis; prothorace parce punctulato; elytris ad basin seriatim punctatis, dense pubescentibus. Long. 23 millim. Hab. Mexico, Soledad in Vera Cruz (Sal/é). We have received only a single example of this insect, and though very closely allied to H. agilis it appears to me to be probably distinct. The antenne are less elongate, the basal joint being shorter and thicker. The thorax is considerably less elongate, its basal canaliculation more obscure, and the surface bears a distinct though feeble and distant punctuation. ‘The elytra are less elongate, more curvate at the sides, with a denser pubescence and a more definite basal punctuation. The legs also are less elongate. 72 SILPHID A. Fam. SILPHIDZ *. The Silphide of Central America, to judge from the present collection, appear to be remarkable for the rarity of forms usually the most abundant, such as the tribes ‘Cholevina’ and ‘Silphina’; and for the peculiar type of the ‘ Anisotomina,’ which exhibit a great prevalence of species anatomically allied to Agathidium. The most abundant of these latter belong to the genus Aglyptus, first characterized by Dr. Leconte from a species of rare occurrence in the United States. In Central America Aglyptus seems to be the representative genus of its tribe, and numerically furnishes the majority of specimens contained in this collection. In this Family I have not given any Synoptic Tables, because the genera, with but few exceptions, are already well known, and for the most part contain respectively but few species, which may easily be discriminated from each other. The descriptions, especially of the new genera and species, will be found more diffusive than was perhaps positively required in a work which does not in any way assume the character of a monograph ; but it is always better in describing to say too much than too little, for among closely-allied species a minute and apparently unimportant character will often lead to a correct determination. The plan of devoting a separate sentence to each main division of the body renders recognition very much easier than the chaotic descriptions often met with, in which the various parts are so mixed up, that it becomes difficult to discover to which of them the words under consideration refer ; in many such descriptions characters of the head or thorax, omitted in their proper place, are often found noticed after a long description of the elytra, or some other part. In the anatomy I have always designated the extreme organ of the lower part of the mouth the “lingua”; the term “ligula,” often applied to this part having been used so indiscriminately for this organ, or for the labium, or for them both in connection, that it has lost all definitive value, and has, in fact, become a source of perplexity. That the lingua is a distinct organ of the mouth may be clearly seen in any of the larger species of Silpha, in all of which it is largely developed ; it arises from the inner side of the labium near to its base, and may easily be dissected from that organ. Indeed the parts often supposed to be paraglossal appendages of the labium are, at least in the genus Silpha, integral parts of the lingua, and are probably so in many other genera. The substance of the lingua is generally soft and contractile, and therefore liable, when dried, to lose its natural shape; but in St/pha the lingua is more than usually chitinous, and may always be seen behind the labial palpi as a somewhat fan-shaped organ extending far beyond the anterior extremity and the sides of the labium. * By A. Marruews. 1 09 CLAMBUS. CLAMBINA. CLAMBUS. Clambus, Fischer, Ent. Russ. Gen. i. p. 52 (1820). Body perfectly contractile. Head very large and flat, with deep antennal grooves on the underside. Thorax small, transverse. Elytra large, entire, exceedingly convex. Antenne 9-jointed, 1 rather short and robust, 2 very long and slender, 3-7 gradually shorter, 8 and 9 forming a much incrassated club. Prosternum short; ¢pisterna very small; epimera small, but distinct, not enclosing the coxal cavities; coxal cavities moderate, suboblong, with a foramen at the outer extremity, partly closed posteriorly by a dilated process of the prosternum. Mesosternum moderate, very deeply excised in front; episterna humeral, long, and narrow ; epimera rather large, extending to the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities very large and very oblique, elongate-oval, moderately distant. Metasternum rather large, scarcely reaching the sides of the body ; episterna long and very narrow, produced anteriorly below the coxal cavities, and almost reaching the posterior cox ; epimera very narrow, with their extremities only visible. Venter composed of five nearly equal segments. Legs very long and very slender ; tarsi 4-jointed, with the first joint the longest. Coxe: anterior large, contingent, and very prominent ; intermediate very long and large, not contingent, promi- nent; posterior contingent, very large, extending to the sides of the body, and furnished for their whole extent with broad, circularly rounded lamine. Numerous species of this genus have been described from Europe, North America, the Canary Islands, Ceylon, &c. ; I have to record two from Central America. 1. Clambus gibbulus. Clambus gibbulus, Lec. in Agassiz’s Lake Sup. p. 222; Proc. Ac. Phil. 1853, p. 2861; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soe. viil. p. 312’. Ovatus, validissime convexus, nigro-piceus, pronoti marginibus late dilutioribus, glaber, nitidissimus; capite rufo-piceo, permagno, lato, clypeo valde dilatato, antice rotundato, lateraliter producto; oculis magnis, prominentibus; pronoto transverso, quam caput parum longiore et latiore, nigro, lateribus atque basi rufo- piceis, glabro, nitidissimo, lateribus valde rotundatis, margine basali rotundata angulis fere obsoletis ; elytris semiovatis, quam caput atque pronotum nec longioribus neque latioribus, prope media latissimis, glabris, nitidissimis, lateribus leviter marginatis, angulis subhumeralibus sat prominentibus, apice acuminato ; pedibus atque antennis longis, gracilibus, late flavis. Long. corp. ~ lin.=1:12 millim. Body ovate, exceedingly convex, nigro-piceous, with the sides and base of the thorax broadly pale, not pubes- cent, smooth, and very shining. Head rufo-piceous, very large and broad ; clypeus much dilated, rounded in front, and much produced at the sides; eyes large and prominent; antenne rather long and slender, bright yellow. Thorax transverse, rather longer and broader than the head, smooth and very shining ; sides much rounded; basal margin rounded, with the angles almost obsolete. Scutellum moderate, triangular. lytra semiovate, not longer nor broader than the head and thorax, widest near the middle, smooth and very shining; sides slightly margined, with the subhumeral angles rather prominent; apex acuminate. Legs long and slender, bright yellow. Hab. Norta America, Canada to Texas?, Michigan !.—Guatema.a, near the city (Champion). Differs from the following species in its ovate form, longer and broader head and thorax, greater dilatation of the clypeus, and paler sides of the thorax. One specimen. BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, November 1887. L* 74 SILPHID., 2. Clambus exiguus, sp. n. Ovalis, validissime convexus, niger, angulis posterioribus pronoti sat late dilutioribus, glaber, nitidissimus ; capite magno, sat longo, clypeo antice valde rotundato, lateraliter haud dilatato ; oculis sat parvis ; pronoto parvo, brevi, quam caput parum breviore et latiore, ad basin latissimo, lateribus rotundatis, margine basali fere recta angulis sat obtusis ; elytris semiovalibus, quam caput atque pronotum parum longioribus, haud latioribus, ante media latissimis, leviter et indistinctissime punctatis, angulis subhumeralibus sat pro- minentibus, apice obtuso; pedibus atque antennis modicis, gracilibus, lete flavis, harum clavis parum obscurioribus. Long. corp. 8 lin.=1-:0 millim. Body oval, exceedingly convex, black, with the hinder angles of the thorax broadly pale, smooth and very shining. Head large and rather long, with the clypeus much rounded in front, but not dilated laterally ; eyes rather small ; antenne moderate, slender, bright yellow, with the club rather darker. Thorax small and very short, rather shorter and broader than the head, widest at the base; sides rounded; basal margin nearly straight, with the angles rather obtuse. Scutellwm rather small, triangular. Llytra semioval, rather longer but not broader than the head and thorax, widest before the middle, slightly and very in- distinctly punctured, very shining; subhumeral angles distinct; apex obtuse. Legs moderate, slender, bright yellow. Underparts piceous, with the mouth yellow. Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion). One example. Differs from C. gibbulus in its smaller size, longer head, much shorter and smaller thorax, and obtuse apex of the elytra. ANISOTOMINA. AGATHIDIUM. Ayathidium, Uliger, Kugel. Verz. Kaf. Preuss. p. 81 (1798). Body either wholly or partially contractile. Head large and flat, with deep antennal grooves on the under- side. Thorax generally large, transverse, and very convex, often much dilated and rounded at the sides, the base much rounded and incumbent on the shoulders of the elytra. lytra entire, exceedingly convex. Antenne arising beneath the frontal plate, 11-jointed, 1 and 2 large, 8-11 forming a much incrassated club. Prosternum very small and short ; episterna small, triangular ; epimera moderate, not enclosing the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities large and contingent, open both in front and behind, with a large foramen at the outer extremities. Mesosternum moderate, very deeply excised anteriorly ; episterna humeral, long, and narrow ; epimera rather large, reaching to the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities oblique, very large and very long, moderately distant. Metasternum short, nearly extending to the sides of body ; episterna long and narrow, not reaching to the coxe ; epimera long and narrow, extending to the coxe ; coxe very long and large, nearly reaching to the sides, almost contingent. Venter composed of six segments, with the apical segment very small. Cove: anterior contingent, large, and prominent ; intermedzate not contingent, very large and prominent; posterior almost contingent, very large and long. TYarsi in the male 5-, 4-, 4-jointed, in the female 4-, 4-, 4-jointed. This well-known genus contains a large number of described species, nearly all of which are from Europe and temperate North America; five species are now recorded from Mexico or Guatemala. 1. Agathidium oniscoides. Agutiidium oniscoides, Beauv. Ins. Afr. et Amér. p. 160, t. 6. f.2'; Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1853, p- 285”. Agathidium piceum, Melsh. Proce. Ac. Phil. ii. p. 108 (1844) * (nec Erichs.). AGATHIDIUM. 75 Omnino contractibile, orbiculare, nigrum, nitidissimum, glaberrimum; capite magno, antice lato, punctis exiguis, remotis, indistincte notato, epistoma integra, una cum ore flavescente; oculis modicis, vix promi- nentibus ; pronoto quam caput multo longiore, validissime convexo, duplo latiore quam longo, translucide piceo, lateribus una cum basi continuo rotundatis et leviter marginatis, angulis anterioribus rotundatis et valde prominentibus ; elytris semiorbicularibus, angulis inferioribus humeralibus obsoletis, superficie im- punctata sed inequali, capite atque pronoto fere pariter longis et latis, ad media latissimis, stria suturali brevissima ad apices impressis, apicibus haud acuminatis, lateribus sat late marginatis, margine ipsa rufo-picea; pedibus sat longis, rufo-piceis ; antennis sat longis, rufescentibus, clavis obscurioribus. Long. corp. 153" lin, =3-25-3'50 millim. Body perfectly contractile, orbicular, black, very smooth and shining. Head large, broad in front, indistinctly marked with minute, remote punctures; epistoma not emarginate, and, together with the mouth, flavescent ; eyes moderate, slightly prominent ; antenne rather long, rufescent, with the club dusky. Thorax exceed- ingly convex, much longer than the head, and twice as broad as long, transparently piceous; sides and base continuously rounded and slightly margined; anterior angles rounded and very prominent. Llytra semiorbicular, with the inferior humeral angles obsolete, impunctate but uneven on the surface, as long and as broad as the head and thorax, widest at the middle, with a very short sutural stria at the apex: sides rather broadly margined, with the margin rufo-piceous ; apex not acuminate. Legs rather long, rufo- piceous. Underparts rufo-castaneous ; mesosternum faintly carinated ; metasternum dusky and alutaceous. Hab. Nortu America !?, Pennsylvania *.—MeExico, Jacale (Sallé). 2. Agathidium californicum. Agathidium californicum, Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. viii. p. 303. Omnino contractibile, fere orbiculare, nigrum, nitidissimum, punctis remotis obsoletissimis impressum ; capite magno, indistincte alutaceo, antice lato; epistomate ad medium sinuato, reflexo, flavescente; oculis sat magnis prominentibus; ore flayo; pronoto quam caput vix longiore, fere duplo latiore quam longo, valde convexo, indistincte alutiaceo, basi atque lateribus continuo rotundatis et leviter marginatis, angulis ante- rioribus rotundatis et valde prominentibus; elytris subovatis, quam caput atque pronotum parum longi- oribus, haud latioribus, ante media latissimis, indistincte alutaceis, stria suturali profunda ab apice usque ad medium impressis, lateribus marginatis, margine dilutiore, apicibus sat acuminatis ; pedibus modicis, rufo- ferrugineis ; antennis modicis, articulis sex basalibus rufis, ceteris obscurioribus. Long. corp. 1,% lin.= 2°25 millim. Body perfectly contractile, almost orbicular, black and very shining, marked with remote, very obsolete punc- tures. Head rather large, indistinctly alutaceous, broad in front, epistoma flavescent and sinuated in the middle; mouth yellow; eyes rather large, prominent ; antennz moderate, with the basal six joints rufous, and the remainder dusky. TZ'horaa scarcely longer than the head, nearly twice as broad as long, very convex, indistinctly alutaceous ; the sides and base continuously rounded and slightly margined ; anterior angles very much produced and rounded. Slytrarather ovate, somewhat longer but not broader than the head and thorax, widest before the middle, indistinctly alutaceous, with a deeply impressed sutural stria extending from the middle to the apex; sides margined, the margin pale; apex rather acuminate. Legs moderate, rufo-ferruginous. Underparts rufo-castaneous ; mesosternum carimnated; metasternum aluta- ceous. Hab. Nort America, California, Nevada, and Washington territory }.—GUATEMALA, Quiche Mountains, 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion). 3. Agathidium exiguum. Agathidium exiguum, Melsh. Proc. Ac. Phil. ii. p. 103 (1844)'; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. viii. p- 303”. Omnino contractibile, orbiculare, nigrum, glaberrimum, uitidissimum, punctis exiguis, remotis, indistinctissimis impressum ; capite magno, lato, clypeo lato, rotundato, margine reflexa, antice emarginato, epistomate sat L* 2 76 SILPHIDA. magno, integro, flavo, ore testaceo; oculis modicis, vix prominentibus ; pronoto sat magno, validissime convexo, quam caput longiore, vix duplo latiore quam longo, nigro, lateribus atque basi continuo rotundatis; leviter marginatis, angulis anterioribus rotundatis, parum prominentibus; elytris brevibus, semiorbicula- ribus, quam caput atque pronotum multum brevioribus, mediis latissimis, stria suturali ab apice fere ad media extensa, lateribus marginatis, angulis subhumeralibus obsoletis, apice circulariter rotundato ; pedibus robustis, rufo-piceis; antennis brevibus, articulis quinque basalibus rufis, ceteris obscurioribus. Long. corp. 154 lin. =2°12 millim. Body perfectly contractile, orbicular, black, very smooth and shining, indistinctly marked with minute remote punctures. Head large and broad, rather more distinctly punctured; clypeus broad, with the margin rounded and reflexed, emarginate in front, the epistoma rather large, entire, and yellow; mouth testaceous ; eyes moderate, scarcely prominent; antennae short, with the basal five joints rufous and the remainder dusky. Thoraw rather large, exceedingly convex, longer than the head, scarcely twice as broad as long, black ; sides and base continuously rounded, slightly margined ; anterior angles rounded, moderately prominent. lytra short, semiorbicular, much shorter than the head and thorax, widest at the middle; sutural stria reaching from the apex nearly to the middle sides; margined, with the subhumeral angles obsolete ; apex circularly rounded. Legs robust, rufo-piceous. Underparts rufo-testaceous ; mesosternum carinated anteriorly ; metasternum alutaceous. Hab. Nortu America, Pennsylvania !, Colorado 2,—GuvaTEMALA, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet, Capetillo (Champion). This species may be known by its more evidently punctured head, and very short and circularly rounded elytra; it is distinguished from A. difficile by its much larger head and thorax. 4. Agathidium difficile, sp. n. Omnino contractibile, fere orbiculare, nigrum, nitidissimum, punctis minutis, remotis, vix conspicuis impressum ; capite sat parvo, clypeo antice lato, haud emarginato, epistomate fere rudimentario ; oculis modicis, promi- nentibus ; pronoto validissime convexo, brevissimo, punctis exiguis remotis indistinctis impresso, inter- stitiis levissime alutaceis, quam caput parum longiore, duplo latiore quam longo, nigro, lateribus atque basi continuo rotundatis, leviter marginatis, angulis anterioribus rotundatis, valde prominentibus ; elytris semi- orbicularibus, quam caput atque pronotum nec longioribus neque latioribus, mediis latissimis, nitidissimis, in- distincte alutaceis, linea tenui suturali per tota extensa atque alia magis profunda ab apice usque ad media impressis, lateribus marginatis, angulis subhumeralibus obsoletis, apice haud acuminato ; pedibus modicis, rufo-piceis ; antennis sat gracilibus, rufescentibus, clavis obscurioribus. Long. corp. 1, lin.=2-12 millim. Body perfectly contractile, almost orbicular, black, very shining, marked with minute, remote, indistinct punc- tures. Head rather small; clypeus broad and not emarginate in front; epistoma almost rudimentary ; eyes moderate, rather prominent ; antenne rather slender, rufescent, with the club dusky. Z'horax very short and very convex, indistinctly marked with very minute remote punctures, with the interstices faintly alutaceous, a little longer than the head and twice as broad as long, black; sides and base continuously rounded and lightly margined ; anterior angles rounded and very prominent. Scutellum large, triangular, smooth, and shining. lytra semiorbicular, not longer nor broader than the head and thorax, widest at the middle, very shining, indistinctly alutaceous, with a fine line on each side of the suture, extending from the base to the apex, and a shorter and more deeply impressed line from the apex to the middle; sides margined, with the subhumeral angles obsolete; apex circularly rounded. Legs moderate, rufo- piceous. Underparts rufo-piceous. Hab. Mexico, Cerro de Plumas (/ége). This species differs from the others here described in its small size, comparatively smaller head, and shorter thorax; and also by the circularly rounded elytra, and the line on each side of the suture, in addition to the usual sutural stria. AGATHIDIUM.—AGLYPTUS. 77 5. Agathidium cognatum, sp.n. (Tab. III. fig. 2.) Late ovatum, haud contractibile, validissime convexum, castaneum, fortiter et irregulariter punctatum, nitidis- simum; capite sat parvo, prominente, sat profunde et remote punctato, clypeo antice sat profunde exca- vato, epistomate magno, convexo, corneo, margine anteriore rotundata, integra et leviter reflexa, ore valde prominente; oculis magnis, prominentibus ; pronoto brevissimo, quam caput haud longiore, triplo latiore quam longo, ad basin latissimo, minutissime et indistincte punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidissimis, lateribus marginatis et leviter rotundatis, angulis anterioribus vix prominentibus, margine basali fere recta angulis fere rectis ; elytris permagnis, validissime convexis, quam caput atque pronotum latioribus et plus quam duplo longioribus, prope humeros latissimis, fortiter et irregulariter punctatis, interstitiis glabris, niti- dissimis, stria suturali leviter impressa, ab apice usque ad media extensa, lateribus rotundatis et marginatis, angulis subhumeralibus prominentibus, apice acuminato ; pedibus elongatis, gracilibus, tarsis gracilibus ; antennis articulis sex basalibus rufis, ceteris obscuris, tertio elongato, septimo atque octavo brevissimis, dilatatis, tribus ultimis valde incrassatis clava subfoliata formantibus. Long. corp. 1,4 lin. = 2°50 millim. Body broadly ovate, not contractile, exceedingly convex, strongly and irregularly punctured, castaneous, and very shining. Head rather small, prominent, rather deeply and remotely punctured, clypeus somewhat deeply hollowed in front, with the epistoma corneous, large, and convex, with its anterior margin entire, rounded, and slightly reflexed ; mouth very prominent; antenne with the third joint elongate, the seventh and eighth joints very short and much dilated internally, the last three very much incrassated, forming a subfoliate club, the basal six joints rufous, the remainder dusky. Thoraa very short, not longer than the head, three times broader than long, widest at the base, minutely and indistinctly punctured, with the interstices smooth and very shining; sides margined and faintly rounded ; anterior angles slightly prominent ; basal margin almost straight, with the angles subrectangular. Scutellum moderate, triangular, alutaceous. Elytra very large and broad, exceedingly convex, broader and more than twice as long as the head and thorax, widest near the shoulders, strongly and irregularly punctured, with the interstices smooth and very shining; sutural stria moderate, extending from the apex to the middle, sides rounded and margined, with the subhumeral angles prominent; apex acuminate. Legs long and slender ; tarsi slender, 5-,4-,4-jointed. Underparts pale castaneous. Hab. Guatemata, Totonicapam 10,500 feet (Champion). One specimen. ‘This remarkable species appears to belong to Dr. Horn’s division “ B ” of the genus Agathidium (ef. “Synopsis of the North-American Silphide,” Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. viii. pp. 219-321), and to be allied to A. estriatum. A. cognatwm may possibly be identical with A. estriatum; but I hesitate to identify it with that species on account of the non- contractile form of the body, the length of the legs, the peculiar proportions of the joints of the antennz, and the convexity and sculptural difference of the head. AGLYPTUS. Aglyptus, Leconte, Proc. Ac. Phil. 1866, p. 369; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. viii. p. 307 (1880). Body hemispheric, not perfectly contractile. Head sessile, flat; clypeus faintly marked; antennal grooves distinct. Thoraw very short, transverse ; front deeply excised at the anterior angles, and rounded between them. Scutellum triangular. Elytra large, entire ; epipleural folds very broad. Wingsample. Antenne slender, 11-jointed, 1 and 2 moderately large, 3 very slender, longer than 2, 4—6 each shorter than 3, nearly equal to each other, 7 very large, much incrassated, 8 very small, 9 and 10 rather larger than 7, pedunculated, 11 much longer than 10, suboval. Palpt: mavillary long and slender, 4-jointed, 1 very small, 2 much longer and broader, pyriform, with the apex hollowed, 3 longer than 2, cylindrical, 4 long and slender, sharply pointed ; labial short and robust, 3-jointed, 1 and 2 subquadrate, nearly equal, 3 rather longer, obtusely oval. Zabrwm large and broad, emarginate in front, with each extremity circularly rounded and broadly translucent, with a very long seta on each side, and several shorter sete towards the 78 SILPHIDZ. middle. Mundibles diverse in shape, one being sharply hooked, and armed with a sharp tooth below the hooked apex, the other shorter and almost simple. Mawille short and stout, bilobed, with the outer lobe short and broad, furnished with very long incurved sete at the extremity ; inner lobe large and broad, ciliated on the inner edge; stipes short and robust. Mentwm short and very broad, hollowed in the middle, and much rounded at the anterior angles. Labiwm rather small, suboblong, and produced anteriorly between the palpi. Lingua small, apparently subquadrate. Prosternwm small ; episterna small, triangular ; epimera rather large, partly enclosing the coxal cavities; coxal cavities large, contingent, open both in front and behind, with a large foramen at the outer extremity. Mesosternwm moderate, not much excised in front; episterna moderate, rather narrow; epimera long and oblique, reaching to the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities exceedingly large, suboval, with a large foramen at the outer extremities, nearly contingent. Metasternum large, transversely oblong, nearly reaching to the sides of the body, and produced posteriorly into two short, but very acute denticulations between the coxe; episterna long and very narrow, not so long as the metasternum ; epimera very long, extending beyond the coxe. Venter composed of five segments; the basal segment twice as long as either of the others and slightly but broadly elevated in a curved line at its base, enclosing the whole length of the coxa; the other segments nearly equal to each other in length. Legs very slender: anterior rather short, with the femora laminated on the inside ; tibiee not dilated, armed with short apical spurs; tarsi 3-jointed in the female, indistinctly 4-jointed in the male; claws very slender, simple; intermediate rather longer, with the femora robust, broadly laminated on the inside ; tibiee setose, armed with apical spurs ; tarsi 3-jointed in both sexes, the basal joint long, and furnished with short setse on the sides; posterior similar to the inter- mediate, but longer. Cove: anterior large, subconical, contingent and very prominent; intermediate very large, not contingent, prominent; posterior large, nearly reaching the sides of the body, separated by the bitid process of the metasternum. Aglyptus, first characterized as a genus by Dr. Leconte, from a species of rare occurrence in the United States, appears to be the prevailing form of the “ Anisoto- mina” in Central America, where at least two species seem to be abundant. In the whole of the external skeleton the genus much resembles Scotocryptus and Creagro- phorus: all are alike in the shape of the prosternum, with its doubly open coxal cavities, and in this respect also resemble Agathidium ; but they differ from that genus in many particulars, and especially in the elevated portion of the first ventral segment, and in the transverse strigation of the posterior femora, these characters separating them from other genera of this tribe. From Scotocryptus and Creagrophorus, Aglyptus may be known by its long and diversely formed antenne and slender legs. 1. Aglyptus horni, sp.n. (Tab. III. fig, 3.) Late ovalis, validissime convexus, castaneus, glaber, nitidissimus, punctis minutis totus indistincte notatus ; capite modico, epistomate semiovali, flavo, ore flavo, prominente; oculis magnis, valde prominentibus ; pronoto quam caput latiore, vix longiore, ad basin latissimo, margine anteriore atque lateribus flavescentibus, marginatis et reflexis, angulis anterioribus parum productis, margine basali fere recta angulis fere rectis ; elytris semiovalibus, quam caput atque pronotum longioribus, vix latioribus, ad humeros latissimis, stria suturali indistincta impressis, lateribus rotundatis, late marginatis, apice obtuso; pedibus modicis, gracilibus, rufo-testaceis, tarsis triarticulatis; antennis longis, gracilibus, rufo-testaceis, articulis quinque apicalibus obscuris. Long. corp. 1;%, lin.=2°25 millim. Body broadly oval, exceedingly convex, castaneous, smooth and very shining, marked throughout with minute and very indistinct punctures. Head moderate; epistoma semioval, yellow ; mouth prominent, yellow ; eyes large and very prominent; antenne long and slender, rufo-testaceous, with the apical five joints dusky. Thorax broader, but scarcely longer, than the head, widest at the base; anterior margin and sides flavescent, margined and reflexed; anterior angles slightly produced; basal margin nearly straight, AGLYPTUS. 79 with the angles subrectangular. Scutellum rather long, triangular. lytra semioval, longer but scarcely broader than the head and thorax, widest at the shoulders, with a faint stria on each side of the suture; sides rounded and broadly margined; apex obtuse. Legs moderate, slender, rufo-testaceous ; tarsi long. Underparts rufo-castaneous. Hab. GuatTEMALA, Quiche Mountains, Cerro Zunil, Capetillo, Guatemala city, Balheu (Champion). Differs from A. levis in its larger size, obtusely rounded elytra, evident punctuation, and castaneous colour. An example from Capetillo is figured. 2. Aglyptus levis. Colenis (?) levis, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1853, p. 284". Aglyptus levis, Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. vill. p. 308’. Ovatus, validissime convexus, piceus, glaber, nitidissimus ; capite magno, lato, ore flavo; oculis magnis, haud prominentibus ; pronoto quam caput longiore et latiore, ad basin latissimo, lateribus sat late flavis, marginatis et reflexis, margine basali fere recta angulis obtusis; elytris semiovatis, quam caput atque pronotum longioribus, haud latioribus, ante media latissimis, postice sat attenuatis, stria suturali indistincta impressis, lateribus marginatis ; pedibus modicis, rufo-testaceis, tarsis 3-articulatis ; antennis modicis, flavescentibus, articulis 7, 9, 10, 11 obscuris. Long. corp. +3 lin.=1-63 millim. Body ovate, rather attenuated posteriorly, exceedingly convex, piceous, smooth and very shining. Head large and broad ; mouth yellow; eyes large, not prominent ; antenne moderate, rufo-testaceous, with joints 7-9, 10, 11dusky. Thorax longer and broader than the head, widest at the base ; sides rather broadly yellow, margined and reflexed; basal margin nearly straight, with the angles obtuse. Scutellwm moderate, triangular. Hlytra semiovate, longer but not broader than the head and thorax, widest before the middle, rather attenuated posteriorly ; sutural stria very indistinct ; sides rounded and margined. Legs moderate, rufo-testaceous ; tarsi 3-, 3-, 3-jointed. Underparts rufo-testaceous. Hab. Norra America, Canada ?, Illinois *, Georgia! 7, Louisiana ?.—Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). Differs from A. hornt in its narrower and more ovate form, smaller size, broader head, longer thorax, more robust antenne, piceous colour, and more glabrous surface. This species, which appears to be abundant in Chiriqui, may be known by its exceedingly convex form, smooth, very shining, and apparently impunctate surface, slender legs and antenne, slightly ovate elytra, and piceous colour. 3. Aglyptus(?) minor, <p. n. Subhemisphericus, niger, glaberrimus, nitidissimus ; capite magno, lato, ore concolore ; oculis sat parvis, haud prominentibus ; pronoto quam caput parum longiore, multo latiore, ad basin latissimo, lateribus marginatis et anguste pallidis, margine basali dilutiore, fere recta, angulis fere rectis ; elytris fere semicircularibus, quam caput atque pronotum sat longioribus atque latioribus, prope media latissimis, indistinctissime punctulatis, lateribus valde rotundatis, levissime marginatis ; pedibus sat brevibus, rufo-testaceis, tarso unico relicto 3-articulato ; antennis gracilibus, longis, flavis, clavis obscurioribus. Long. corp. 38 lin.=1 millim. Body subhemispheric, black, very smooth and very shining. Head large and broad ; mouth concolorous; eyes rather small, not prominent; antenne, apparently, long and slender, yellow, with the club dusky. Thorax rather longer and much broader than the head, widest at the base; sides margined and narrowly pale ; eal 80 SILPHIDA. basal margin nearly straight, with the edge pale and the angles nearly right angles. Scutellwm small, triangular, obtuse, and smooth. lytra almost semicircular, rather longer and rather broader than the head and thorax, widest near the middle, microscopically punctulate, the sides much rounded and slightly margined, Legs rather short, rufo-testaceous ; tibia spinose externally and armed with strong spurs ; tarsi 3-jointed. (Obs. This is the description of a posterior leg; all the rest are missing.) Underparts wholly black. Hab. GuateMALa, Senahu (Champion). One specimen. I have been induced to place this insect in the present genus from the similarity which it bears to the preceding species in its general external appearance; and from the facts that the only leg it possesses has a three-jointed tarsus, and that the seven remaining joints of its one antenna correspond to those of Aglyptus more closely than to those of any other genus of this tribe. But with such imperfect material it is diffi- cult to determine its generic affinities with any accuracy. SCOTOCRYPTUS. Scotocryptus, Girard, Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. (5) iv. p. ev, and Ann. p. 574 (1874); Sharp, Compt. Rend. ent. Soc. Belg. 1885, pp. xxi & xxii (1885) ; Horn, Entom. Amer. i. p. 51 (1885). Body entirely hemispheric. Head sessile, short and broad; clypeus distinctly marked, corneous; antennal grooves very distinct. Z'horax very short, transverse, with the sides and front continuously rounded. Scutellum triangular. LElytra large, entire; epipleural fold broad. Antenne arising beneath the frontal plate, 11-jointed, joint 1 long and robust, 2 smaller than 1, 3 slender, longer than 2, 4 shorter than 3, 5 and 6 of the same shape as 4, 7 very large, 8 smaller than 7, 9-11 forming a slightly incrassated club, 11 the largest, obtusely pointed. Palpi: mawillary short and very robust, 4-jointed, 1 very small, 2 much larger, trsnsverse, 3 twice as long as 2, but not broader, 4 nearly as long as 3, obtusely pointed ; labial short and robust, 3-jointed, 1 rather short, 2 longer, 3 obtusely conical. Labrwm very short and broad, with the basal angles produced ; sides rounded, slightly hollowed in front, and furnished with a few very short sete. Mandibles large, short and stout, very sharp at the point, armed immediately below the point with a large and very sharp tooth; base very broad and much incrassated. Mawille short and robust, bilobed : ewtertor lobe short and broad, 2-jointed; basal joint short and rounded ; terminal joint setose at the extremity ; inner lobe large and broad, with the apex obliquely truncate and furnished with long sete ; stipes very robust. Mentum very short, transverse, subquadrate, widest at the base; submentum of the same shape inversed, armed at its base with two very long, straight, and very sharp spines, rather more distant from each other than from the sides of the submentum. Jabiwm short and broad, produced between the palpi into a broad triangular point. Inngua large, quadrate, furnished in the middle of its anterior margin with short sete. Prosternwm rather short, elevated between the coxe into a very thin carina ; episterna very small and narrow ; epimera moderate, not extending behind the cavities; coxal cavities very large, open in front and behind. Mesosternum very short, elevated between the coxe into a small lanciform plate; episterna rather large, humeral ; epimera moderate, much elongated anteriorly, reaching to the coxal cavities; coxal cavities very large, oval, extending far into the metasternum, with a large foramen at the outer extremity. Metasternwm very short, extending to the sides of the body, and produced between the posterior cox into a small quadrate plate, the plate pointed at each of its extremities and divided from the metasternum proper by a distinct suture ; episterna and epimera small and narrow, concealed by the elytra, with the incurved apex of the latter alone visible ; coxe very large, pyriform and oblique, not extending to the sides of the body. Venter composed of five segments; the basal segment the longest, and elevated on each side into a very large triangular smooth plate. Zegs short and robust: anterior femora laminated on the inner side ; tibie slightly dilated towards the apex, armed with a single strong spur on the outside near the apex; tarsi rather short, 3-jointed, 1 twice as long as 2, and SCOTOCRYPTUS. 81 furnished on the underside with pilose, laminated processes, 3 long and slender; claws simple ; intermediate femora very short, broadly laminated on the inner side; tibie short, moderately dilated towards the apex, slightly recurved, armed with two apical spurs on the outside ; tarsi 3-jointed, 1 very large and long, pectinated on the sides with short spurs, and furnished on the underside with pilose laminated processes, 2 small and bifid, 3 long and slender; claws simple ; posterior femora rather longer ; tibie slightly recurved, dilated on the inner side near the middle, and strongly corrugated on the inner surface in transverse lines, armed with apical spurs on both sides; tarsi 3-jointed, much longer than the intermediate pair, but simple. Coxe: anterior almost contingent, large, and very prominent ; intermediate not contingent, very large and prominent ; posterior separated by the metasternal process, very large, oblique, and pyriform. The basal articulation of the anterior tarsus in some positions indistinctly appears to be composed of two joints, of which the posterior is very short. This very distinct and interesting genus in some respects resembles Creagrophorus, especially in the shape of the prosternum with its doubly open coxal cavities, and in the broad smooth triangular space on each side of the first ventral segment, and also in the number and relative proportions of the joints of its antenne and five ventral segments ; but differs from that genus in its laminated and peculiarly formed anterior and intermediate tarsi, in the rounded front of the pronotum, and notably in the anatomy of its mouth. Like Creagrophorus, it seems to approach nearer to Cyrtusa than to any other genus of “ Anisotomina;” and from the general shape of its body and form of its antenne Scotocryptus should be placed in the vicinity of Cyrtusa. | The pclished and elevated plates on each side of the first ventral segment and the corrugated condition of the inner side of the posterior tibia might suggest the idea that Scotocryptus possesses the power of stridulation. It has been supposed that the well-known stridulation of Acherontia atropos assists that insect in plundering the hives of the Honey-Bee; and if this be true, it may reasonably be inferred that a similar faculty would be equally serviceable to Scotocryptus. The figure and description of Scotocryptus melipone given by Girard (Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1874, pp. 574, 576, & 577, figs. 1-9) differ considerably from S. inguilinus. If Girard’s figure faithfully represents Scotocryptus, which is doubtful, it is not surprising that, as he there mentions, M. Ch. Brisout should have thought that it belonged to the “ Cholevina;” but such an idea could never have been suggested by the appearance of 8. inguilinus, whose affinity to Cyrtusa is strongly marked in every part of its body, and especially in the antenne and legs. Three species of Scotocryptus have been described, all from Brazil; a fourth is now recorded from Guatemala. These insects appear to live entirely in the nests of honey- making Bees of the genus Melipona. 1. Scotocryptus inquilinus, sp.n. (Tab. IIL. fig. 4.) Omnino hemisphericus, pilis perbrevibus aureis remotissime indutus, rufus vel rufo-castaneus, vix nitidus ; capite permagno, lato, minute, sat confertim punctato, interstitiis alutaceis, ore haud prominenti, oculis nullis ; pronoto parvo, brevi, quam caput latiore haud longiore, ad basin latissimo, minute et confertim punc- tato, interstitiis sat profunde alutaccis, lateribus rotundatis et leviter marginatis, margine basali leviter BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I]. Pt. 1, Movember 1887. M* 82 SILPHIDZ. arcuata, angulis omnibus obtusis; elytris semicircularibus, quam caput atque pronotum nec longioribus, neque latioribus, ad humeros latissimis, profunde, transverse strigosis, aut asperatis, lateribus rotundatis et marginatis ; pedibus modicis, rufo-testaceis, femoribus simplicibus, tibiis ad apices parum dilatatis, externe vel utrinque calcari brevi instructis, tibiis posterioribus leviter recurvatis, atque intus tenuiter spinosis, tarsis omnibus triarticulatis, articulis basalibus processibus coriaceis subtus instructis ; antennis sat graci- libus, rufo-testaceis, clavis levissime incrassatis. Long. corp. 1 lin.=2 millim. Body perfectly hemispheric, furnished with very short golden hairs at wide intervals, rufous or rufo-castaneous, slightly shining. Head very large and broad, minutely and rather closely punctured, with the interstices alutaceous ; mouth not prominent; eyes wanting; antennw moderate, rather slender, with the club but slightly incrassated, placed below the frontal plate immediately in front of the eyes. Thoraa small and short, broader but not longer than the head, widest at the base, minutely and rather closely punc- tured, with the interstices strongly alutaceous ; sides rounded and slightly margined; basal margin faintly arcuate ; all the angles obtuse. Scutellum short and broad, triangular, alutaceous. Elytra semicircular, not longer or broader than the head and thorax, widest at the shoulders, transversely and deeply strigose orasperated ; sides rounded and margined. Legs moderate, rufo-testaceous; femora simple; tibie slightly dilated towards the apex, and there armed on the outside or on both sides with a short spur; posterior tibie slightly recurved, and finely spinose on the inner side, all the tarsi 3-jointed; with the basal two joints furnished on the underside with flat coriaceous processes. Underparts rufo-testaceous, more or less alutaceous, furnished. with very short golden hairs at wide intervals ; femora longitudinally strigose. Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil (Champion). Two specimens of this curious insect were found by Mr. Champion in a hollow tree, in the nest of a Honey-Bee belonging to the genus Melipona. The present species is certainly distinct from S. melipone, Girard. It is only half as large, hemispheric in form, and without any trace of longitudinal strize on the elytra. The elytra are deeply and strigosely asperate, after the manner of Cyrtusa; and in colour rufo-castaneous, instead of “ pitchy or blue-black ” as in S. melipone. CREAGROPHORUS, gen. nov.* Body subhemispheric. Head large and broad; clypeus distinctly marked, corneous; antennal grooves very distinct. Thorax very short, transverse, deeply excavated in front. Scutellum triangular. Elyira large, entire, with the epipleural fold very broad. Wings ample. Antenne 11-jointed, 1 and 2 large, cylindrical, 3 nearly as long as 2, slender, 4-6 short, nearly equal, 7 very large, 8 very small, patelliform, 9, 10, 11 each larger than 7, 11 obtusely conic; club much incrassated. Palpi: macillary moderate, rather slender ; 4-jointed, 1 very small, 2 longer and broader than 1,3 and 4 more than twice as long as 2, nearly equal, 4 slightly incurved, obtusely pointed; labial very large, strongly recurved, and furnished at the apex with a very strong and very long seta or setiform process, exceeding in length the entire palpus; 3-jointed, 1 short, pyriform, and recurved, 2 longer than 1, incrassated anteriorly, 3 longer and broader than 1 and 2 united, strongly incurved, and obtusely pointed. Labrum very small, coriaceous, strongly rounded on each side, and deeply hollowed in the middle. Mandibles short and very broad, very convex at the back, and deeply emarginate at the base, acutely pointed and armed below the point with a very large and very sharp tooth. Mawillw large, bilobed: exterior lobe small and slender, with incurved sete at the apex ; inner lobe very large, fringed for its whole length on the inner side with long incurved sete ; stipes moderate. Mentum short, transverse, widest at the base, the sides straight and strengthened with broad costa; suwbmentum similar, but inverse in shape, and strongly constricted near the base. Labium short, widest anteriorly, extending between the palpi in a long, slender process with the apex truncate ; sides of the labium recurved and acutely pointed below the palpi. Lingua short, scarcely visible beyond the labium. Prosternwm very short, elevated between the coxe into a very thin carina ; * Kpéaypa, a hook; gépw, to bear. CREAGROPHORUS. 83 episterna very small, triangular ; epimera moderate, not enclosing the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities very large, open in front and behind. Mesosternum large, deeply excavated in front; episterna large, humeral; epimeru moderate, very oblique, extending to the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities very large, extending far into the metasternum. Metasternum large, not reaching the sides of the body, produced into a small point between the posterior coxe ; episterna small and very short ; epimera long, reaching to the coxe. All the side-pieces of the mesosternum and metasternum are covered by the very broad epipleural fold of the elytra. Venter composed of five segments; the basal segment the longest, and elevated on each side into a long, subtriangular, smooth plate. Legs: anterior very short; tibie slightly dilated towards the apex, armed with a strong apical spur on the inner side, and a smaller one on the outside; tarsi very short, robust, and compressed, 4-jointed, 1, 2,3 deeply bifid, 4 longer, robust, the claws small and simple; intermediate very short and very robust; femora slightly hooked on the inner side of the apex; tibia very broad, subtriangular, excavated at the extremity, and produced. externally into a broad articulated tooth ; tarsi similar to the anterior ; posterior rather longer ; femora long, armed on the inner side at the apex, and sometimes towards the middle also, with long and very strong hooks in the males only; tibia moderate, armed with short spurs on each side of the apex; tarsi 3-jointed, longer than the preceding, but similar in form. Coww: anterior very prominent and contingent ; intermediate not contingent, very large and prominent ; posterior not contingent, very large. This genus is allied to Cyrtusa and Isop/astus; from the latter it differs in its 11-jointed antenne with their 5-jointed club, and from both in its 4-, 4-, 3-jointed tarsi, anterior coxal cavities open in front and behind, and in having only five ventral segments. It is much more closely allied to Scotocryptus, from which it differs only in the normal position of its eyes, its more simply formed 4-, 4-, 3-jointed tarsi, the deeply excised front of the pronotum, and in the anatomy of its mouth. The most striking characters of Creagrophorus are the extraordinary dilatation of the interme- diate tibie and the armature of the posterior femora; both of these characters do, indeed, exist in some other species of ‘ Anisotomina,’ but in none except Scotocryptus can be found the curious ventral plates which I have already described ; and since these two genera are in many ways so intimately connected with each other, it is not impossible that their life-habits may also be similar. 1. Creagrophorus hamatus, sp. n. Suborbicularis, subcontractilis, piceus, nitidissimus ; capite sat magno, subtilissime alutaceo, ore atque clypeo dilutioribus ; oculis magnis, sat prominentibus ; pronoto parvo et brevi, quam caput latiore vix longiore, ad basin latissimo, subtilissime punctulato, lateribus flavescentibus, valde rotundatis et marginatis, margine basali leviter rotundata angulis obtusis ; elytris quam caput atque pronotum latioribus et longioribus, ultra media latissimis, distincte et irregulariter punctatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, stria suturali nulla, angulis subhumeralibus obtusis, lateribus valde rotundatis et late marginatis ; pedibus longis, robustis, rufo-piceis, intermediorum femoribus hamo valido, acutissimo, intus ad apices armatis; tibiis leviter incurvatis, ad apices valde dilatatis, externe spinosis, atque in dentem permagnum, latum, acutissimum ad apices pro- ductis, tibiarum apicibus oblique truncatis ; posteriorum femoribus hamo valido, longo, incurvato, acutis- simo intus ad apices armatis; tibiis leviter incurvatis, externe spinulosis, et caleari singulo, brevi intus ad apices armatis; tarsis brevibus, robustis; antennis sat parvis, sat brevibus, rufo-piceis, clavis obscuri- oribus. Long. corp. 14-1 lin.=1-75-2 millim. Body suborbicular, imperfectly contractile, piceous, very shining. Head rather large, microscopically alutaceous, the mouth and the whole of the clypeus pale; eyes large and rather prominent ; antenne rather short and small, rufo-piceous, with club moderate, dusky. Thorax short and small, broader but scarcely longer than the head, widest at the base, microscopically punctured ; sides flavescent, margined and much rounded ; basal margin slightly rounded, with the angles obtuse. Scutellum rather large, obtusely triangular ; M* 2 84, SILPHID2. impunetate. Elytra longer and broader than the head and thorax, widest beyond the middle, distinctly and irregularly punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining, without a sutural stria; subhumeral angles obtuse; sides much rounded and broadly margined. Legs long and robust, rufo-piceous : inter- mediate with the femora armed at the apex on the inner side with a strong and very sharp incurved hook ; the tibie slightly incurved and broadly dilated towards the apex, spinose on the outer side, and produced at the apex into a very large, broad, and very sharp tooth, the apex itself obliquely truncate; posterior with the femora armed at the apex on the inner side with a long, strong, faintly incurved, and very sharp hook; tibi incurved at the base, slightly spinose on the outer side, and furnished on the inner side of the apex with a single short spur; tarsi short, robust, and compressed. Underparts ferruginous. Hab. Mexico, Puebla (Sallé); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). This remarkable insect will be known by its almost orbicular form, very shining surface, broadly dilated intermediate tibia, and hamate femora of the posterior and intermediate legs. From ©. bihamatus it is distinguished by its larger size, more rounded form, very distinctly punctured elytra, and paler colour, and also by the shape of the large hook on the posterior femora, which in this species is only faintly incurved towards its extremity. 2. Creagrophorus bihamatus, sp. n. (Tab. III. fige. 13,69 .) Obtuse ovatus, rufo-piceus, superficie inwquali, nitida ; capite magno, lato, nec distincte punctato, neque alutaceo, sed insequali, ore atque clypeo rufo-testaceis; oculis magnis, sat prominentibus; pronoto brevi, parvo, quam caput latiore, sed parum breviore, ad basin latissimo, nec distincte punctato, neque alutaceo, sed inequali, marginibus omnibus rufescentibus, lateribus valde rotundatis et marginatis, margine basali sat rotundata et leviter sinuata angulis rotundatis ; elytris semiovatis, postice parum attenuatis, quam caput atque pronotum longioribus haud latioribus, prope media latissimis, vix perspicue punctatis, fere glabris, nitidis, stria suturali sat indistincta ab apicibus usque ad media impressis, lateribus rotundatis et margi- natis ; pedibus modicis, rufo-piceis, anteriorum tibiis ad apices parum dilatatis, tenuiter spinosis, calcari brevi apicali utrinque armatis ; intermediorum femoribus ad apices plus minusve interne hamatis; tibiis externe spinosis, ad apices validissime dilatatis, calcari singulo apicali armatis, externe in dentem validum, latum, aciculatum, productis, posteriorum femoribus in maribus hamo longo, valido, fortiter incurvato, ad apices, atque hamo minore vel dente acuto, ante media intus armatis, in feminis hamis hisce omnibus multo dimi- nutis ; tibiis modicis, vix curvatis, externe spinosis, et calcari parvo intus ad apices armatis; tarsis brevibus, robustis et compressis; antennis sat brevibus, rufo-testaceis, clavis sat magnis, obscurioribus. Long. corp. as lin. = 1-50-1'75 millim. Body obtusely ovate, rufo-piceous, shining, with the surface uneven. Head large and broad, uneven but not distinctly punctate or alutaceous; clypeus and mouth rufo-testaceous ; eyes large and rather prominent ; antenne rather short, rufo-testaceous, with the club rather large and dusky. Thorax short and small, broader but rather shorter than the head, widest at the base, not distinctly punctate or alutaceous, but uneven, all the margins rufescent ; sides much rounded and margined ; basal margin slightly rounded and faintly sinuate, with the angles rounded. Scutellum rather large, triangular, impunctate. Elytra semi- ovate, slightly narrowed towards the apex, longer but not broader than the head and thorax, widest near the middle, scarcely perceptibly punctured, almost smooth and shining, with an indistinct sutural stria extending from the apex to the middle; sides rounded and margined ; apex slightly acuminate. Legs moderate, rufo-piceous ; anterior with the tibie slightly dilated towards the apex ; finely spinose on the outside, and furnished with a short spur on each side at the apex ; ¢ntermediate with the femora more or less hooked on the inner side of the apex ; tibie very broadly dilated towards the apex, spinose on the outside and produced at the apex into a large and broad tooth aciculated, or subulated, at its extremity, with a short spur on the inner side ; posterior with the femora armed on the inner side of the apex in the male with a long, strongly incurved, and very sharp hook, and towards the middle with a shorter hook or sharp tooth, CREAGROPHORUS.—CYRTUSA. 85 all these hooks being more or less rudimentary in the female ; tibise moderate, scarcely incurved, spinose on the outside, and furnished with a short spur on the inner side of the apex; tarsi short, robust, and compressed. Underparts rufo-testaceous. Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). This species differs from the preceding in its smaller size, more ovate and less convex form of its body, uneven surface of the head and thorax, almost impunctate elytra, and doubly-hooked posterior femora. ‘The last-mentioned character is nevertheless variable, and in some examples, especially those which I suppose to be females, evanescent; but in all the four specimens now before me this armature is more or less apparent. CYRTUSA. Cyrtusa, Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iii. p. 77 (1845). Body more or less hemispheric, not contractile. Head rather large, with antennal grooves beneath. Thorax transverse, widest at the base. lytra large, entire. Antenne generally short, 11-jointed, 8 often very minute, 7-11 forming a rather abruptly incrassated club. Prosternum small, produced and dilated behind the coxal cavities; episterna small; epimera rather large, partly enclosing the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities large, enclosed behind. Mesosternwm rather large, deeply excised in front; episterna long and narrow, humeral; epimera long and very narrow, reaching to the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities long and large, not contingent. Metasternum short, not extending to the sides of the body, slightly produced between the cox ; episterna rather small, not reaching the coxe ; epimera long and narrow, extending to the coxw. Venter composed of six segments, 1-5 nearly equal, 6 very small. Legs generally short and robust ; intermediate and posterior tibize spinose, often much dilated; posterior femora often incrassated and truncate at the apex; tarsi 5-, 5-, 4-jointed. Eight species of this genus have been described, all from Europe or North America. One species, apparently identical with the North-American C. dlandissima, inhabits Guatemala. 1. Cyrtusa blandissima. (Tab III. fig. 5.) Cyrtusa blandissima (Zimm.), Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soe. vii. p. 294, t.7. figg. 8, 84 - Obtuse ovata, validissime convexa, rufo-castanea, nitidissima ; capite sat magno, distincte punctato, ore promi- nente ; oculis magnis, valde prominentibus ; pronoto quam caput longiore et multo latiore et magis Jeviter punctato, interstitiis glabris, prope medium latissimo, lateribus marginatis, antice valde rotundatis, margine basali leviter sinuata angulis obtusis; elytris semiovalibus, quam caput atque pronotum parum longi- oribus, haud latioribus, ad humeros latissimis, striis octo punctorum impressis, interstitiis minute et remote punctatis, lateribus late marginatis, apice valde obtuso ; pedidus valde robustis, tibiis dilatatis et spinosis, calcaribus robustis ad apices armatis, tibiis intermediis curvatis, tarsis 5-, 5-, 4-articulatis, articulis basalibus parum dilatatis; antennis 11-articulatis, articulis 7, 9, 10, 11 clavam formantibus, octavo exiguo, patelliformi. Long. corp. 1 lin.=1°87 millim. Body obtusely ovate, exceedingly convex, rufo-castaneous, very shining. Head rather large, distinctly punc- tured; mouth prominent; eyes large and very prominent; antenne moderate, 11-jointed, the funiculus rather slender, joints 7, 9, 10, 11 forming a much incrassated club, 8, very small, patelliform, the club dusky. Thorax rather longer, much broader, and more lightly punctured than the head, with the interstices smooth, widest near the middle; sides margined and much rounded anteriorly; basal margin slightly sinuated, with the angles obtuse. Scutellum large, triangular. moderately punctured. Elytra semioval, 86 SILPHID. rather longer but not broader than the head and thorax, widest at the shoulders, with eight rows of punc- tures, and the interstices minutely and remotely punctured ; sides broadly margined ; apex very obtuse. Legs very robust ; tibize dilated and spinose, armed with strong apical spurs, the intermediate pair shghtly incurved; tarsi 5-, 5-, 4-jointed, with the basal joints slightly dilated. Underparts rufo-castancous. Hab. Norru America, North Carolina and district of Columbia !.—Guatema.a, Cerro Zunil (Champion). One specimen. COLENIS. Colenis, Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iii. p. 82 (1845). Body generally ovate, not contractile. Head rather large, without antennal grooves beneath. Thorax rather small, transverse, generally widest at the base. lytra rather large, entire. Antenne rather short, 11- jointed, with the eighth joint nearly as large as the seventh; joints 9-11 forming a moderately incrassated club. Palpi with the basal joints of all robust, and the apical joint cylindrical and obtuse. Prosternum very small; episterna indistinct ; epimera small, not enclosing the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities large, contingent, open in front and behind. Mesosternum moderate, carinated ; episterna rather large, humeral ; epimera long and very narrow, extending to the coxal cavities; coxal cavities large, oblong, moderately distant. Metasternum very short, not extending to the sides of the body; episterna short and narrow ; epimera large, extending beyond the coxe; coxe not contingent. Venter composed of five segments. Legs moderate ; tibiee spinose ; tarsi 5-, 4-, 4-jointed. Five species of this genus have been described—four from Europe and one from North America. Colenis is now known to extend as far south as the State of Panama ; two species are here enumerated. 1. Colenis punctulata, sp. n. Ovalis, valde convexa, nitida, piceo-castanea; capite sat lato, minute punctato, interstitiis alutaceis, ore flavo; oculis modicis, sat prominentibus; pronoto quam caput longiore et multo latiore, ad basin latissimo, minute et confertim punctato, interstitiis alutaceis, superficie transverse undulata, lateribus marginatis et leviter rotundatis, margine basali leviter rotundata angulis obtusis, marginibus omnibus dilu- tioribus ; elytris semiovalibus, prope humeros latissimis, quam caput atque pronotum longioribus, haud latio- ribus, transverse strigosis, punctis distinctis striatim dispositis atque stria suturali ab apice usque ad media extensa impressis, lateribus marginatis, apice valde obtuso; pedibus modicis, flavis, tibiis haud spinosis, tarsis sat robustis, 5-, 4-, 4-articulatis; antennis sat longis, flavescentibus, clavis elongatis, obscuris. Long. corp. +2 lin.=1:25 millim. Body oval, very convex, shining, pitchy-castanesus. Head rather broad, minutely punctate, with the interstices alutaceous; mouth yellow; eyes moderate, rather prominent; antennw rather long, flavescent, with the club elongate and dusky. Thorax longer and much broader than the head, widest at the base, minutely and closely punctured, with the interstices alutaceous; surface trans- versely undulated ; sides margined and slightly rounded; basal margin slightly rounded, with the angles obtuse; all the margins more or less flavescent. Scutellum rather broad, triangular and impunctate. Elytra semioval, widest near the shoulders, longer but not broader than the head and thorax, transversely strigose, marked with distinct punctures disposed in strive, and an impressed sutural stria extending from the apex to the middle; sides margined; apex very obtuse. Legs moderate, yellow ; tibie not spinose ; tarsi rather robust, 5-, 4-, 4-jointed. Underparts testaceous. Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion). One specimen. This insect differs from Dr. Horn’s description and figure of C. impunctata (Trans. COLENIS.—ANISOTOMA. 87 Am. Ent. Soc. viii. p. 293, t. 6. f. 23) in the punctured surface of its whole body, and in the larger size of the seventh joint of its antenne. 2. Colenis crassicornis, sp. n. Ovalis, valde convexa, nitida, castanea; capite modico, levissime transverse strigoso; ore atque clypeo flavis; oculis sat magnis, sat prominentibus; pronoto quam caput sat longiore, multo latiore, prope basin latissimo, levissime transverse strigoso, impressionibus duabus foveolatis prope basin, inter sese atque latera pronoti equidistantibus, atque etiam punctis remotis indistinctis in disco impresso, lateribus marginatis et leviter rotundatis, margine basali fere recta angulis obtusis; elytris semiovalibus, quam caput atque pronotum multo longioribus, haud latioribus, prope humeros latissimis, sat profunde transverse strigosis, punctis distinctis irregulariter striatim dispositis, atque stria suturali profunda ab apice fere ad scutellum extensa impressis, lateribus marginatis et leviter rotundatis, apice obtuso ; pedibus robustis, rufo-testaceis, tibiis plus minusve dilatatis, intermediis externe spinosis, tarsis robustis, 5-, 4-, 4-articu- latis ; antennis brevibus, robustis, rufo-testaceis, clavis valde incrassatis. Long. corp. 19 lin. = 1-25 millim. Body oval, very convex, shining, castaneous. Head moderate, very faintly transversely strigose ; mouth and entire clypeus yellow; eyes rather large and rather prominent; antenne short and robust, rufo- testaceous, with the club much incrassated. Thorax rather longer and much broader than the head, widest near the base, very faintly transversely strigose, with two foveolate impressions near the base equidistant from each other and from the sides, and minute remote punctures on the disc; sides margined and faintly rounded; basal margin almost straight, with the angles obtuse. Scutellum moderate, triangular, and smooth. lytra semioval, much longer but not broader than the head and thorax, widest near the shoulders, deeply transversely strigose, with distinct punctures irregularly disposed in longitudinal striw, and a deep sutural stria extending from the apex nearly to the scutellum ; sides margined and slightly rounded; apex obtuse. Legs robust, rufo-testaceous ; tibize more or less dilated, the intermediate pair spinose on the outer side; tarsi robust, 5-, 4-, 4-jointed. Underparis rufo-testaceous. Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion). One example. Differs from C. punctulata in its narrower form, fainter and diverse sculpture of its head and thorax, more deeply strigose elytra with a long and deep sutural stria, shorter and much more robust antenne, and in its paler colour. ANISOTOMA. Anisotoma, Illiger, Kugel. Verz. Kaf. Preuss. p. 69 (1798). Body more or less ovate, not contractile, very convex. Head rather large, without antennal grooves beneath. Thorax generally large, and widest towards the base. Hlytra entire. Antenne 11-jointed, sometimes short; club 5-jointed, with the eighth joint much smaller than the seventh. Palpi sometimes rather long, with the terminal joint in all cylindrical and obtusely pointed. Prosternum short ; episterna very small; epimera very small, almost rudimentary ; coxal cavities very large, pyriform, with a large foramen at the outer extremities, contingent, partly closed behind by the inflexed portion of the pronotum. Meso- sternum large, anteriorly produced into a point; episterna very large, each nearly equal to the sternum ; epimera moderate, extending to the coxal cavities; coxal cavities very large, pyriform, contingent. Metasternum rather short, not extending to the sides of the body ; episterna rather small, not reaching to the cox ; epimera narrow, reaching to the coxee: cox very large, almost contingent. Venter composed of six segments. Legs moderate, sometimes long; tibie generally spinose ; tarsi moderate, 5-, 5-, 4- jointed. This genus contains a large number of described species, the majority of which 88 SILPHID~. inhabit Europe and temperate North America. One species has been found at a high altitude in Guatemala. 1. Anisotoma podagrica, sp.n. (Tab. III. fig. 7, 3.) Late ovata, validissime convexa, piceo-castanea, nitida; capite sat parvo, modice et distincte punctato, inter- stitiis glabris, ore rufo, mandibulis prominentibus, nigro terminatis; oculis modicis, haud prominentibus ; pronoto sat brevi, quam caput parum longiore, multo latiore, ad basin latissimo, distincte sed modice punc- tato, interstitiis glabris, lateribus marginatis, antice valde rotundatis, margine basali leviter sinuata angulis obtusis ; elytris semiovatis, quam caput atque pronotum vix latioribus plus quam sesqui-longioribus, pone humeros latissimis, postice parum attenuatis, punctorum striis octo integris impressis, interstitiis leviter sed distincte punctatis, lateribus marginatis; pedibus robustis, tibiis ad apices dilatatis, fortiter spinosis, quatuor posterioribus calcaribus longis robustis armatis, tarsis 5-, 5-, 4-articulatis, posterioribus valde incrassatis ; antennis sat brevibus, rufis, clavis piceis. Long. corp. 1,% lin.=3:12 millim. Body broadly ovate, exceedingly convex, pitchy-castaneous, shining. Head rather small, somewhat strongly and distinctly punctured, with the interstices smooth; mouth rufous, with the mandibles prominent, tipped with black ; eyes moderate, not prominent; antenne rather short, rufous, with the club piceous. Thorax rather short, a little longer and much broader than the head, widest at the base, distinctly but moderately punctured, with the interstices smooth ; sides margined and much rounded anteriorly ; basal margin faintly sinuated, with the angles obtuse. Scutellum large, triangular, distinctly punctured. Llytra semiovate, scarcely broader but more than one half longer than the head and thorax, widest behind the shoulders, slightly attenuated posteriorly ; marked with eight perfect rows of punctures on each elytron, with the interstices broad, lightly but distinctly punctured; sides margined. Legs robust; tibie dilated towards the apex and strongly spinose, with a long and very strong spur on the inner side of the intermediate and posterior pairs; tarsi 5-, 5-, 4-jointed, the posterior pair very much incrassated ; posterior femora strongly laminated on the hinder side, terminating at the apical extremity in a strong curved hook. Underparis castaneous. Hab. GuateMaLa, Totonicapam 10,500 feet (Champion). One example, found in moss in a pine-wood. DIETTA. Dietia, Sharp, Ent. Monthly Mag. xiii. p. 78 (1876). Body rather elongate; head and thorax narrow; elytra inflated ;. beneath very convex, with the sides flattened. Head very prominent, contracted posteriorly ; frontal plate reflexed at the margin ; clypeus distinct, deeply emarginate, furnished with four strong setw. Thorax more or less oval, with the front margin entire, and the base incumbent on the elytra. Scutellum triangular. Elytra entire, inflated, posteriorly very obtuse. Antenne inserted beneath the frontal plate, 11-jointed, 1 much longer than 2, 2-6 gradually shorter, 7 very large, cyathiform, 8 very small, 9 very large, cyathiform, 10 cyathiform but smaller, 11 obtusely conic, 1-6 furnished with short sete; joints 7, 9, 10, 11 pubescent, forming a much incrassated and remotely articulated club. Palpi: mawillary long and slender, 4-jointed, the basal joint very small, the remainder nearly equal in length and breadth, the apical joint pointed ; labial long and slender, 3-jointed, the basal joint very small, 2 and 3 equal in length and breadth, the apical joint pointed. Labrum small and very prominent, deeply bifid in front, with the extremities rounded; sides and extremities broadly membranaceous and translucent, and furnished with a broad membranaceous appendage in front. Mandibles very large and strongly hooked, armed with several small teeth near the base. Masille bilobed: exterior lobe very small, slender, and incurved, furnished at the apex with short sete; inner lobe very large, fringed on the inner edge with very long sete. Mentum large and corneous, very broad at the base, and narrowed anteriorly ; submentum of the same DIETTA. 89 shape inversed. Labiwm coriaceous, elongate, narrow, constricted at the middle, anteriorly deeply bifid, with the extremities truncate. Lingua membranaceous, broadly bifid anteriorly. Prosternum rather small, carinated, with the carina produced behind the coxe into a subtriangular point depressed in the middle; episterna small and very narrow ; epimera moderate, enclosing the coxal cavities behind ; coxal cavities pyriform, with a trochantin at the outer extremities. Mesosternum rather large, very deeply excavated in front, with four oval impressions on the margin of the excavation ; episterna humeral, very large ; epimera rather large, extending to the coxal cavities; coxal cavities very oblique, pyriform, extending far into the metasternum, with a trochantin at the outer extremity. Metasternum very short, not extending to the sides, produced posteriorly into a point between the coxe; episterna rather short ; epimera extending beyond the episterna as far as the cox; cox very large and broad, not extending to the sides of the body. Venter composed of six segments, with the basal segment the longest, and the apical one very small. Leys rather long and slender, the intermediate pair the longest: anterior shorter than the others; tibie dilated towards the apex, and armed with two long spurs at the inner angle ; tarsi long, 5-jointed, 1 very small, 2-4 equal, the claws long, obtusely dentate at the base; intermediate femora very long; tibis slightly incurved, dilated towards the apex, densely setose, armed with spines on the outer side and two long, incurved, aciculated apical spurs on the inner side; tarsi similar to the anterior ; posterior femora obtusely dentate on the inner side of the apex ; tibie rather long, densely setose, armed with several long spurs at the apex; tarsi like the foregoing. Coxe: anterior small, prominent, obliquely pyriform, nearly contingent ; intermediate widely separated, prominent, pyriform, very oblique ; posterior contingent, very large, and very broad, nearly extending to the sides of the body. Dietta is the most abnormal of all the “ Anisotomina”; in the shape of its head and thorax it bears much resemblance to the Staphylinide, while the unusual development of its pectoral region and the position and shape of the intermediate coxal cavities reminds one of the Necrophort. Its proper position in the Anisotomina, to which it undoubtedly belongs, appears to be at the end of the tribe, leading to the true “ Silphina.” Dr. Sharp has described the anterior tarsus of Dietta as possessing but four joints, while in the present example there are evidently five ; but I do not think this a matter of much importance, because the basal joint is so small and is so completely concealed by the spurs of the tibia that it is undiscernible without dissection ; and moreover, since throughout the whole tribe the number of the tarsal joints is subject to such endless variation in the sexes as well as the species, the difference, if it should exist, may possibly be merely sexual. This genus has hitherto contained but a single species from N.W. Australia; a second from the State of Panama is now added. 1. Dietta sharpi, sp. n. (Tab. III. fig. 8.) Forsan subcontractilis, elongata, capite atque pronoto angustioribus, elytris sat inflatis, rufa, nitidissima; capite valde prominente, magno, lato, convexo, remote punctato; oculis permagnis, valde prominentibus ; ore magno, prominente, labro setoso, profunde emarginato; pronoto obcordato, quam caput longiore, vix latiore, ante medium latissimo, valde convexo, glabro, nitidissimo, lateribus marginatis et’ rotundatis, margine basali leviter rotundata basi elytrorum incumbente, angulis rotundatis ; elytris quam caput atque pronotum brevioribus, sed multo latioribus, prope media latissimis, sat inflatis, profunde punctato-striatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, valde elevatis, humeris externe abrupte elevatis et levigatis, atque lateraliter angulatis, seta longa flava, erecta ad humeros, atque setis nonnullis minoribus ad latera instructis, stria suturali profunda impressis, lateribus sat late marginatis, angulis subhumeralibus obsoletis ; pedibus longis sat robustis, rufis, BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, December 1887. N* 90 SILPHID. tibiis sat dense setosis, atque externe fortiter spinosis, calcaribus binis, longis, robustis, leviter incurvatis, intus armatis ; tarsis longis, sat gracilibus, omnibus 5-articulatis, articulo basali brevi, parvo; antennis longis, robustis, rufis, clavis elongatis, valde incrassatis, obscurioribus. Long. corp. 112 lin.=3 millim. Body probably subcontractile, elongate, with the head and thorax rather narrow and the elytra inflated; rufous, very shining. Head very prominent, large and broad, convex ; mouth large and prominent, with the labrum setose and deeply emarginate; eyes very large and very prominent; antenne long and robust, rufous, with the club elongate, much incrassated, and dusky. TZhorax obcordate, longer but scarcely broader than the head, widest before the middle, very convex, smooth, and very shining ; sides margined and rounded; basal margin slightly rounded and overlapping the shoulders of the elytra; basal angles rounded. Scutellum small, triangular, pale. Elytra shorter but much broader than the head and thorax, widest near the middle, somewhat inflated, deeply punctate-striate, with the interstices much elevated, smooth, and shining, the shoulders abruptly elevated and polished, and slightly angulated at the outer side; furnished with a long yellow erect seta below the shoulders and several shorter sets on the sides ; sutural stria deeply impressed ; sides rather broadly margined, with the subhumeral angles obsolete. Legs long and rather robust, rufous; tibis densely setose and strongly spinose on the outer side, armed with two long, strong, and slightly incurved spurs on the inner side of the apex; tarsi long and rather slender, all 5-jointed, with the basal joint short and small. Underparts rufous, setose ; mesosternum very deeply punctured ; metasternum ornamented with deep punctures arranged in a medial line, with a semicircular row at its anterior extremity, the sides densely clothed with silvery hair. Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion). One specimen only: this was captured on the wing in the dense forest. I have separated this species from D. sperata, Sharp, on account of their great disparity in size (D. sperata being twice as large as the present specimen); and from some discrepancies in their respective descriptions—such as the sculpture of the thorax and scutellum, and the comparative size of the eighth joint of the antenne, which in this species is very distinctly evident, although Dr. Sharp merely suggests its possible existence. SILPHINA. NECROPHORUS. Necrophorus, Fabricius, Syst. Ent. p. 71 (1775). Body elongate ; abdomen much exposed. Head rather small, much narrowed in front; epistoma corneous. Thorax small, the pronotum often deeply sculptured. lytra truncate; epipleural folds very broad. Abdomen much exposed, often clothed with hair. Antenne very short, 10-jointed, geniculate, and abruptly capitate. Palpi small; apical joint of all cylindrical and obtusely pointed. Zingua small, not broader than the labium, deeply hollowed in front. Mawille bilobed ; inner lobe not hooked as in Silpha, but in other respects similar. Prosternwm very short ; episterna and epimera rudimentary ; coxal cavities very large, contingent, open behind, with a large trochantin. Mesosternum very small ; episterna very large, each being larger than the sternum; epimera long and large, reaching to the coxal cavities; coxal cavities distant, large, and very oblique. Metasternum rather large, slightly mucronated between the posterior coxe, extending to the sides of the body ; episterna long and rather broad, reaching to the coxe ; epimera rather large, much dilated towards the apex, and extending beyond the coxe; coxe contingent. Venter composed of six segments. Legs large; tibixe strongly spinose; tarsi long, 5-jointed, the anterior pair dilated in the male. , This well-known genus is numerously represented in the Palearctic and Nearctic NECROPHORUS. 91 regions; one species has been described from Bolivia. Five species inhabit Central America. 1. Necrophorus mexicanus, sp. n. Necrophorus mexicanus, Chevr. in litt. Sat latus, sat convexus, haud pubescens, sat nitidus, impressionibus solitis omnibus profundissimis, niger, fasciis atque epipleuris elytrorum aut late rufis, aut aurantiacis, his macula nigra antice notatis ; capite modico, fere impunctato, glabro, nitido, epistomate antice lete flavo, vel rufo, postice nigro ; oculis permagnis, valde prominentibus; pronoto subquadrato, antice latissimo, parum latiore quam longo, disco minute et indi- stincte punctato, lateribus atque basi valde depressis et profunde punctatis, impressionibus omnibus valde profundis, lateribus sinuatis et marginatis, basi sinuata, levissime rotundata; elytris magnis, quam pronotum multo latioribus et plus quam duplo longioribus, ad extrema latissimis, postice convexis, minu- tissime punctatis, ordine suturali et tribus aliis equidistantibus punctorum majorum elytro utroque notatis, fasciis solitis vel rufis vel lete flavis, plerumque angustis, posterioribus ab apicibus remotis, epipleuris flavis vel rufis, macula nigra antice notatis, extremis marginatis et sinuatis; abdomine nigro, pilis nigris sat dense vestito, segmentis omnibus pilis validis erectis fimbriatis; pedibus magnis, robustis, tibiis posterioribus rectis, dilatatis; antennis gracilibus, nigris, clavis rufescentibus articulo primo nigro. Long. ad extr. elytrorum 6-10 lin. =12-20 millim. Lat. elytrorum 3-44 lin.=6-9 millim. Body rather broad and convex, not pubescent, rather shining, with the usual impressions very deep; black, with the fascize and epipleural folds of the elytra either red or orange, the latter marked with a black spot near the shoulder. Head moderate, almost impunctate, smooth and shining ; epistoma black at the base and red or yellow in front; eyes very large and prominent; antenne slender, black, club rufescent, with the first joint black. Thoraw subquadrate, rather widest in front, very little broader than long ; disc very shining, minutely and indistinctly punctured ; sides and base much depressed and more deeply punctured, all the impressions very deep, the sides sinuated and margined, the base sinuated and very slightly rounded. Scutellum very large, obtusely pointed, rather deeply punctured, with an impressed longitudinal line. lytra large, much broader and more than twice longer than the thorax, widest at the extremities, convex posteriorly, very minutely punctured, with a sutural and three equidistant rows of larger shallower punctures on each, the usual fascive variable in breadth, generally narrow, either red or bright orange, the posterior fascia not extending to the extremities; epipleural folds red or orange, with a black spot near the shoulder ; apical extremities sinuated and margined. Abdomen rather pointed, minutely punc- tured, clothed with black hair, the edge of the penultimate segment white; each segment fringed with long erect black hairs. Legs robust; posterior tibi straight, and dilated towards the apex. Underparts black, minutely and closely punctured, covered with black hair, each ventral segment furnished with a fringe of erect black hairs. Hab. Muxico, Ciudad in Durango (Forrer), Yolotepec, Parada (Sallé), Mexico city (Hoge). Differs from any of the following species in its larger size, subquadrate and deeply sculptured thorax, narrow fascie, and spotted epipleural folds of the elytra, and erectly fringed segments of the abdomen. This fine species is allied to the European W. ruspator and N. interruptus, but differs from them both in the remote and much finer punctuation of the whole body and in the smaller size of its thorax. It is subject to great variation in size, and in the colour of the fascie and epipleural folds of the elytra—some examples being little more than halt the size of others, and some having red, and others orange-coloured markings. N* 2 92 SILPHIDZ. 2. Necrophorus montezuma@, sp. n. Sat angustus, modice convexus, nitidissimus, haud pubescens, impressionibus solitis levissimis, fere obsoletis, niger, elytrorum fasciis atque epipleuris rufis ; capite sat longo, modice punctato, epistomate lete rufo ; oculis modicis, prominentibus ; pronoto sat parvo, subcordiformi, vix latiore quam longo, antice latissimo, valde convexo, nitido, impressionibus omnibus levissimis, lateribus atque basi marginatis, valde depressis, et sat profunde punctatis, basi valde rotundata ; elytris sat longis, quam pronotum multum latioribus, duplo longi- oribus, ad extrema latissimis, modice et remote punctatis, lineis tribus elevatis, indistinctis, longitudinalibus, atque ordine punctorum majorum ad lineam mediam notatis, fascia subhumerali lata, ad suturam extensa, postice profunde angulata, fascia apicali angusta, nec ad suturam, neque ad extrema elytrorum extensa, fasciis atque epipleuris rufis, extremis marginatis et leviter bisinuatis ; abdomine nigro, modice punctato ; pedibus sat longis, robustis, tibiis posterioribus dilatatis, leviter incurvatis ; antennis sat brevibus, nigris, elavis late rufis. Long. ad extr. elytrorum 7-71 lin. =14—-15 millim. Lat. elytrorum 3}—4 lin.=7-8 millim. Body rather narrow, moderately convex, very shining, not pubescent, all the usual impressions very faint, almost obliterated ; black, with the fascia and epipleural folds of the elytra red. Head rather long, mode- rately punctured, the epistoma bright red; eyes moderate, prominent ; antenne rather short, black, with the club bright red. Thorax rather small, subcordiform, scarcely broader than long, widest in front, very convex and shining, with all the impressions very faint, almost obliterated ; sides and base margined, very much depressed and deeply punctured, the base much rounded. Scutellum large and long, obtusely pointed, and deeply punctured. lytra rather long, much broader and twice longer than the thorax, widest at the extremities, moderately and distantly punctured, indistinctly marked with three elevated longitudinal lines, with arow of larger punctures near the middle line ;.subhumeral fascia broad and deeply angulated at the hinder margin, reaching to the suture; apical fascia narrow, not reaching the suture or the extremities of the elytra; fascia and epipleural folds red; extremities margined and faintly bisinuated. Abdomen black, long, and shining, moderately punctured, with all the segments except the apical deeply margined. Legs rather long and robust; posterior tibiee considerably dilated and slightly incurved. Underparts black, finely punctured, and very shining, the breast covered with golden hair. Hab. Mexico, Villa Lerdo in Durango, Cholula, Jalapa, Mexico city, Esperanza (H6ge). This appears to be a very distinct species, and may be distinguished by its narrow and rather elongate form, small thorax, much widest in front, with all the usual impressions very faintly marked, the deeply angulated posterior margin of the sub- humeral fascia, and the wholly red club of the antenne. 3. Necrophorus olidus, sp. n. Necrophorus olidus, Chevr. in litt. (teste Sallé). Depressus, pube brevi aurea vestitus, impressionibus solitis valde profundis, niger, fasciis subhumeralibus latis- simis, atque apicalibus rufis, epipleuris totis rufis; capite modico, vertice convexo, nitidissimo, minute punctato, epistomate nigro-piceo ; oculis modicis, prominentibus ; pronoto parvo, rotundato, vix latiore quam longo, prope medium latissimo, linea mediali atque impressionibus omnibus profundis, disco glabro, fere impunctato, ad margines omnes profundius punctato, lateribus una cum basi rotundatis, depressis, et late marginatis; elytris quam pronotum multum latioribus et duplo longioribus, ad extrema latissimis, confertim et sat profunde punctatis, fasciis subhumeralibus latis, apicalibus angustis, rufis, ad suturam ‘extensis, epipleuris rufis, extremis bisinuatis, angulis suturalibus productis, nigris ; abdomine sat profunde punctato, pilis nigris densius vestito ; pedibus sat longis, nigris, tibiis intermediis leviter incurvatis; antennis sat brevibus, nigris, clavis rufis articulis basalibus nigris. Long. ad extr. elytrorum 7-8 lin.=14-16 millim. Lat. elytrorum 3-3} lin. = 6-7 millim. Body depressed, clothed with short golden pubescence, all the impressions very deep ; black, with the broad sub- humeral, and narrow apical fascie, and the epipleural folds, red. Head moderate, with the vertex elevated, very shining, and minutely punctured, the epistoma pitchy-black ; eyes moderate, prominent; antennz NECROPHORWUS. 93 rather short, black, the club red, with the basal joint black ; neck rather deeply punctured. Thorax small, rounded, scarcely broader than long, widest near the middle, the medial line and all the impressions very deep, the disc almost impunctate, and very shining; front, sides, and base depressed, and more deeply punctured, the sides and base continuously rounded and deeply margined. Scutellum triangular, obtusely pointed, and closely punctured. Hlytra twice longer and much broader than the thorax, widest at the extremities, rather deeply and very closely punctured; subhumeral fascia very broad, the apical fascia rather narrow, both reaching the suture, the epipleural fold and fascie red; the extremities bisinuated, with the sutural angles produced and black. Abdomen rather deeply punctured, and clothed with black hair. Legs rather long, with the intermediate tibiw slightly incurved. Underparts black, rather closely punctured, the breast not pubescent. Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Tuxtla, Juquila (Sallé), Zapotlan in Colima (Hége). Differs from the other allied species in its small rounded and deeply sculptured thorax, piceous epistoma, closely-punctured elytra, and breast devoid of pubescence. 4. Necrophorus marginatus. Necrophorus marginatus, Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 384; Lec. Proc. Ac, Phil. 1853, p. 275°; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soe. viii. p. 231”. Depressus, nitidus, impressionibus solitis sat levibus, niger, fasciis rufis elytrorum ambabus latis et ad suturam extensis, epipleuris totis rufis; capite modico, distincte punctato, epistomate rufo; oculis magnis, promi- nentibus ; pronoto subcordato, longiore quam lato, antice latissimo, ad medium contracto, basi rotundata, una cum lateribus marginata et depressa, margine confertim punctata, disco nitidissimo, remote et minute punctato, interstitiis minutissime punctatis, linea mediali atque impressionibus omnibus leviter impressis ; elytris quam pronotum sesqui-longioribus, parum latioribus, ad extrema latissimis, modice punctatis, fasciis duabus rufis, latissimis, ad suturam extensis notatis, epipleuris totis rufis; abdomine sat profunde punctato ; pedibus sat brevibus, robustis, nigris, tibiis posterioribus rectis; antennis nigris, clavis totis rufis. Long. ad extr. elytrorum 7 lin.=14 millim. Lat. elytrorum 3} lin.=7 millim. Body depressed, shining, with the usual impressions faintly marked; black, with the fascie of the elytra red, very broad, and reaching to the suture, the epipleural folds red. Head moderate, distinctly punctured, the epistoma rufous; eyes large, very prominent; antenna black, with the whole club red. T'horaw sub- cordate, longer than broad, widest in front, contracted near the middle; basal margin rounded ; sides and base depressed and margined, the margin closely punctured ; disc very shining, minutely and remotely punc- tured, with the interstices more minutely punctured, the medial line and all the impressions rather shallow. Scutellum large, triangular, and deeply punctured. lytra one half longer, and rather broader than the thorax, widest at the extremities, moderately punctured, with two indistinctly elevated coste on the disc ; with very broad subhumeral and apical red fasciw, both reaching to the suture, the epipleural folds entirely red; extremities bisinuated, with the sutural angles acute. Abdomen rather deeply punctured, not pube- scent. Legs rather short, robust ; posterior tibie straight. Underparts black, rather deeply punctured, the breast covered with golden hair. Hab. Norra America?, New York, Georgia, Nebraska, Texas, and California 1.— Mexico, Parras in Coahuila (Dr. Palmer). So far as it is possible to judge from the two Mexican examples before me, this species appears to be distinguished from its congeners by its depressed form, faint sculpture and general shape of the thorax, the broad fascie of the elytra, and wholly red club of the antenne. 5. Necrophorus quadrimaculatus, sp. n. Sat angustus, nitidissimus, impressionibus solitis omnibus profundis, aterrimus, maculis humeralibus atque 94 SILPHIDA. apicalibus elytrorum lete flavo-rufis; capite modico, minute et indistincte punctato, epistomate nigro- piceo; oculis magnis, valde prominentibus ; pronoto sat parvo, haud latiore quam longo, prope medium latissimo, lateribus una cum basi rotundatis et fortiter depressis, linea mediali atque impressionibus omnibus valde profundis, ad latera atque basin modice punctato, disco nitidissimo, fere glabro; elytris quam pronotum multum latioribus et duplo longioribus, ad extrema latissimis, sat profunde et distincte punctatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, sutura parum elevata, macula, sive fascia abbreviata, ad basin antice producta, prope humeros, atque alia rotundata ad angulum apicalem exteriorem, omnibus lete flavo-rufis, notatis, epipleuris latis, nigris, apicibus truncatis sinuatis; abdomine sat longo, acuminato, pilis nigris vestito, sat profunde punctato; pedibus sat longis, nigris; antennis nigris, clavis rufis articulo basali nigro. Long. ad extr. elytrorum 51-7 lin.=11-14 millim. Lat. elytrorum 23-3 lin.=5—6 millim. Body rather narrow, very shining, with all the usual impressions very deeply marked ; deep black, with apical and subhumeral bright orange spots on the elytra. Head moderate, minutely and indistinctly punctured, the epistoma pitchy-black ; eyes large and very prominent; antenne black, the club bright red with the basal joint black. Thoraw rather small, not broader than long, widest at the middle, the sides and base much depressed and continuously rounded, the medial line and all the impressions very deep; sides and base moderately punctured, the disc nearly smooth and very shining. Scutellum large, obtuse, rather deeply punctured. Zlytra twice longer, and much broader than the thorax, widest at the extremities, rather deeply and distinctly punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining, the suture rather elevated ; with a subhumeral bright orange spot or abbreviated fascia, produced in a narrow line towards the shoulder, and a rounded bright orange spot near the exterior apical angle, not extending to the apex; epipleural fold broad and entirely black; apex truncate and rather deeply bisinuated. Abdomen rather long and pointed, clothed with black hair, rather deeply punctured, with a deep impression on each side of the base of the penultimate segment. Legs rather long, black, with the intermediate and posterior tibic faintly incurved. Underparts black and shining. Hab. Guatemata, San Gerdénimo, Cerro Zunil (Champion). This very distinct species may be known by its rounded thorax and smoother surface, and by the small size of the orange-coloured markings of the elytra, which are mere spots and not fascie as in most of the other members of the genus. In shape JV. qguadri- maculatus resembles the European WV. mortuorwm, but differs from that species in the characters already mentioned, and also in the red club of its antenne, and in the black epipleural folds of its elytra. SILPHA. Silpha, Linnzeus, Syst. Nat. ii. p. 569 (1758). Body oblong or elongate; often much depressed. Head small and often elongate. Thoraa generally large and broad. lytra usually more or less truncate, often deeply sinuated at the extremities. Abdomen often elongate and much exposed. Antenne 11-jointed, often long and slender, with the club but faintly incrassated. Palpi short; apical joint in all almost cylindrical, with the apex obtuse. Lingua often very large and broad, somewhat fan-shaped, hollowed in front and largely dilated at the extremities. Maaille large, bilobed; exterior lobe variable in length, ciliated at the apex; inner lobe large, strongly hooked at the apex, and densely ciliated in front. Prosternum small; episterna small and indistinct ; epimera either wanting, or (as they appear to be in S. analis) very large, subtriangular, partly enclosing the coxal cavities. Mesosternum rather short; episterna large; epimera long, humeral, reaching to the coxal cavities. Meta- sternum moderate, not extending to the sides of the body ; episterna large and broad, reaching to the coxal cavities; epimera long and narrow, covered by the epipleural folds of the elytra. Venter composed of six segments. Legs generally long; tarsi 5-jointed, often dilated in the males. Cowe: anterior large and very prominent; intermediate broad, rather flattened, more or less prominent; posterior very large and long. This widely-distributed genus is represented in Central America by four species. SILPHA. 95 1. Silpha truncata. Silpha truncata, Say, Journ. Ac. Phil. iii. p. 193’; Complete Writings, ii. p. 123; Lec. Col. Kans. p. 6, t. 1. £.3°; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soe. viii. p. 237°. Elongate, rather depressed, deep black, rather shining, the elytra abruptly truncate, the abdomen long. Head small, finely and closely punctured; eyes large and rather prominent. Thorax rather small, not twice broader than long, widest at the base, very closely and finely punctured, with a deep impression near each posterior angle, and sometimes on the disc also; sides moderately rounded and margined ; basal margin trisinuate, with the angles obtuse. Scutellum large, finely and closely punctured, with the apex acuminate. Elytra short, abruptly truncate, much broader and more than twice longer than the thorax, widest at the extremities, very finely and closely punctured; sides nearly straight, and broadly margined. Abdomen often much exposed, very closely and finely punctured, all the segments except the last deeply margined. Legs and antenne moderate, black, with the club of the latter considerably incrassated. Underparts very closely and finely punctured. Long. ad extr. elytrorum 6-7 lin.=12-14 millim. Lat. elytrorum 33-4 lin.=7-8 millim, Hab. Norta America !, Nebraska ?, Kansas°, New Mexico 3, Arizona 3.—MExIco, Pinos Altos in Chihuahua, Rio Mescales (Buchan-Hepburn), Ciudad in Durango (Forrer), Santa Clara in Chihuahua, Durango city, Chilpancingo, Jalapa, Mexico city (Hége), Puebla (Sadié). S. truncata may be readily known by its smooth upper surface and abruptly truncate elytra. It is a common insect in Northern Mexico. 2. Silpha ramosa. Silpha ramosa, Say, Journ. Ac. Phil. ii. p. 193*; Complete Writings, ii. p. 128; Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1858, p. 279°; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soe. viii. p. 241°. Perfectly oval, convex, deep black, not shining, finely and very closely punctured ; with three elevated angu- lated lines on each elytron, from which short angulated lines branch off transversely on each side. Head moderate, rather short, closely punctured ; eyes moderate, with two short sete arising from the lower margin of the orbit. T’horaa one half broader than long, widest at the base, very closely and very finely punctured, with a faint dorsal line on the disc only, and three faint impressions near the base; sides margined and faintly rounded; base produced towards the scutellum and sinuated at the sides; all the angles obtuse. Scwtellum broad, acuminate at the apex, deeply and closely punctured. lytra entire, nearly three times longer, and slightly broader than the thorax, widest beyond the middle, marked with three elevated and angulated longitudinal lines, branching on each side into short transverse angulated lines ; interstices very finely and very closely punctured ; sides scarcely rounded, and broadly margined ; apex entire and obtuse. Legs and antenne moderate, black, with the club of the latter very slightly incrassated. Underparts black. Long. corp. 7-8 lin.=14-16 millim. Hab. Nortna America, United States ! 2,X—Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison). One example. This well-named species may be recognized by the sculpture of its elytra, which much resembles the branches of a fruit-tree trained against a wall. S. ramosa is a very widely-distributed species in the United States, and extends south- ward to Sonora. 3. Silpha analis. Necrodes analis, Chevr. Mag. Zool. 1843, Col. Mex. p. 26°. Ovate, depressed, rather shining, black, with the thorax red, the elytra entire with three strongly elevated longi- 96 SILPHIDZ. tudinal costs, the head and thorax small, the elytra long and broad. Head very small, faintly punctured, with a deep reniform impression on each side, and both transversely and longitudinally impressed on the vertex. Thorax small, red, with a dark blotch on the disc, twice broader than long, widest before the base, very shining and minutely punctured, with a deep longitudinal impression on each side at the base, termi- nating near the middle in a deep lateral fovea ; disc very uneven, depressed towards the base; sides much rounded and flattened, faintly margined ; base trisinuate, with the angles obtuse. Scutellwm large, rather deeply punctured, much acuminated at the apex. lytra entire, very large, much broader, and more than three times longer than the thorax, widest near the middle, very minutely and very closely punctured, with the suture and three longitudinal coste much elevated ; outer costa short, terminating at the callosity, both inner coste reaching to the apex, the middle costa less elevated than the others; sides ovally rounded and margined ; apex slightly sinuated at the sides in the females, and very sharply pointed in both sexes. Legs and antenne rather long and slender, black, with the club of the latter much incrassated. Underparts black and shining, with the sides of the thorax and the apical segment of the venter bright red. Long. corp. 7-11 lin.=14—22 millim. Lat. 3-5 lin.=6-10 millim. . Hab. Mexico, Ciudad in Durango (forrer), Cordova, Orizaba1 (Sallé), Tacambaro, Jalapa, Cholula in Puebla (Hoge); Guatemata, Purula (Champion); Nicaragua, Chon- tales (Belt, Janson); Costa Rica, Irazu (Rogers) ; Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 feet (Champion).—? Braziu}. This conspicuous species may be known by its small red thorax with a central dark mark, and by its very large, peculiarly sculptured, and very sharply pointed elytra. It varies to a great extent in size, some specimens being two thirds less than others. 8. analis is a common species throughout Central America. 4. Silpha lapponica. Silpha lapponica, Herbst, Kafer, v. p. 209, t. 52. f. 4°; Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1853, p. 2787; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. viii. p. 238°. Silpha caudata, Say, Journ. Ac. Phil. i. p. 192*; Complete Writings, ii. p. 122. Silpha tuberculata, Germ. Ins. Spec. Nov. p. 81°. Silpha californica, Mannerh. Bull. Mosc. 1848, 11. p. 253 °. Oiceoptoma (Thanatophilus) lapponicum, Kirby, Faun. Bor.-Am. iv. p. 100’. Oiceoptoma (Silpha) granigera, Chevr. Col. Mex. Cent. i. fase. 1. no. 1°. Depressed, dull black, sparingly covered with fulvous hairs, rugosely tuberculate. Head small, the eyes rather prominent. Thorax twice broader than long, widest at the base, closely punctured, and covered with large tubercles in rather regular rows; sides rounded and strongly margined ; basal margin trisinuate and produced towards the scutellum. Scutellum large, closely punctured, the apex acuminate. Llytra broader and more than twice longer than the thorax, widest beyond the middle, closely punctured; with three elevated longitudinal costee, of which the outer one is shorter and more elevated than the others, and the inner longer than the intermediate, and reaching nearly to the apex ; the interstices ornamented with large tubercles at rather regular intervals ; sides depressed and deeply margined, very faintly rounded; sutural angles produced in the females. Legs and antenne black, with the club of the latter short and oval. Long. corp. 7-8 lin.=14-16 millim. Hab. Norra America, Alaska ?, Canada?’, United States 234° 6—M_exico 238, San Andres Chalchicomula (Sallé), Las Vigas, Mexico city, Sayula, Jalapa (Hége).— BorEaL EvuRopPE }. A very widely distributed species throughout the whole of North America, and extending southwards to Mexico. PTEROLOMA. 97 PTEROLOMA. Pteroloma, Gyllenhal, Ins. Suee. iv. p. 418 (1827). Body elongate, in form somewhat resembling many species of Carabide. Head sessile, elongate in front. Thorax either subcordiform, or dilated towards the base. Scuéellum triangular. Llytra entire, generally long and striated. Antenne long and slender, rather moniliform, and slightly inerassated towards the apex; inserted beneath a small frontal plate; 11-jointed, with the third joint rather the longest, and the apical joint obliquely truncate. Palpi: maaillary long and slender, 4-jointed, 1 very small and short, 2 very long, slightly incrassated towards the apex, 3 of a similar form, but shorter, 4 elongate-oval, pointed at the apex; labial rather short and robust, widely divergent, with the apical joint incurved, 3-jointed, 1 short and slender, 2 large and pyriform, with the apex truncate and furnished with a short seta at the outer angle, 3 shorter, obtusely oval. Zabrum very short and broad, obtusely bilobed, furnished with four long equidistant sete onthe anterior margin. Mandzébles rather long, robust, acutely pointed and armed with two strong sharp teeth below the apex. Maxille moderate, bilobed ; exterior lobe rather small, furnished with a long brush of setae at the apex; inner lobe sharply hooked at the apex, and furnished with long setw for more than halfway down its inner edge; stipes rather small, attenuated towards the base. Mentwm short, transverse, widest. at the base and rounded at the sides; submentum large, subquadrate, dilated at the base. Labiwm short, falcate at the apex, with the extremities acutely pointed, and furnished with very large and broad paraglossal plates. Lengua long and narrow, with its trifid extremity alone visible beyond the paraglossal plates. Prosternwin moderate; episterna rather large, triangular; epimera very small and indistinct; coxal cavities open behind, pyriform and contingent. Mesosternum rather large ; episterna moderate, not humeral ; epimera humeral, long, and oblique, extending to the coxal cavities; coxal cavities rather large, pyriform, not contingent. Metasternum moderate, not extending to the sides of the body ; episterna broad and short; epimera large, reaching beyond the coxe ; coxee large, pyriform, moderately distant, extending to the epimera. Venter long, composed of six segments of nearly equal length, each segment separately convex; apical segment in the male divided for its whole length in the middle, with each side separately rounded, and an arcuated suture extending from the middle of each side tothe base of the segment; the extremity of the last abdominal segment extending considerably beyond the emargination of the corresponding ventral segment. Legs long and slender ; tibie rather spinose, armed with many spurs at the apex ; tarsi 5-jointed, the anterior and intermediate pairs dilated in the males; claws simple. Cove: anterior contingent and prominent; intermediate narrowly separated, prominent ; posterior more widely separated. This genus contains a few species inhabiting the northern parts of Europe and America; one species is found at a high elevation in Mexico. 1. Pteroloma sallzi, sp.n. (Tab. III. fig. 11.) ‘Angustam, elongatum, nitidissimum, piceo-castaneum ; capite modico, antice elongato, deflexo, distincte et leviter punctato, impressionibus quatuor foveolatis inter oculos notato ; oculis modicis, sat prominentibus ; pronoto subcordato, quam caput haud longiore, vix latiore, antice latissimo, disco impunctato, glabro, depres- sionibus quatuor foveolatis impresso, postiee sat profunde punctato, lateribus sat late marginatis, margine ipsa sat profunde punctata, basi marginata, fere recta, angulis sat obtusis; elytris pronoto plus quam duplo longioribus, sat latioribus, pone media latissimis, profunde punctato-striatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, lateribus late marginatis, apice obtuso; pedibus atque antennis longis, gracilibus, castaneis. Long. corp. 2} lin.=4°50 millim. Body narrow, elongate, dark castaneous, and very shining. Head moderate, elongate in front, deflexed, lightly but distinctly punctured, with four foveolate impressions between the eyes; eyes moderate, slightly prominent; antenne slender and very long. Thorax subcordate, broader but not longer than the head, widest anteriorly, disc smooth and impunctate, with four deep depressions in the middle, rather deeply punctured towards the base; sides rather broadly margined, with the margin itself punctured; base margined, nearly straight, with the angles rather obtuse. Seutellum moderate, triangular, impunctate. Elytra rather broader, and more than twiee longer than the thorax, widest behind the middle, deeply BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, January 1888. O* 98 SILPHID. punctate-striate, the interstices smooth and shining, with a few larger punctures on the fifth and seventh, the sides broadly margined, the apex obtuse. (In this specimen there are irregular depressions on the elytra, which appear to have been caused by immaturity.) Legs very long and slender, castaneous; the four anterior tarsi dilated at the base. Underparts pitchy-castaneous, rather strongly alutaceous, with remote setigerous punctures on the ventral segments; apical segment very deeply bilobed (probably a sexual distinction), exposing the extremity of the last abdominal segment. Hab. Mxxico, Volcan de Orizaba (Sadlé). This interesting species differs from any which have been previously described in its narrow and more elongate form, smaller size, differently shaped thorax, and general sculpture. As this is the only specimen of the genus I have ever seen, I cannot specify its peculiarities more distinctly; but in P. sal/wi I can find no vestige of the frontal ocelli mentioned by some authors: the deep impressions between the eyes are certainly present, but they contain nothing in the form of ocelli. In this matter I do not intend to follow the example of some naturalists, who, from the examination of a single indi- vidual, boldly assert that certain characters do not exist in specimens which they have never seen ; but merely to say that in the Pteroloma now before me I can find no trace of the ocelli in question. CHOLEVINA. CHOLEVA. Choleva, Latreille, Précis Caract. Gén. Ins. p. 14 (1796). Body more or less ovate, generally convex and pubescent. Head subtriangular, not retractile, fitted by an abrupt ridge to the front of the pronotum. Thorax moderate, sometimes small, generally widest at or near the base. lyira entire, often large. Antenne often long and slender, 11-jointed, very slightly thickened towards the apex, the 8th joint smaller than the 7th or 9th. Prosternum rather large, broadly enclosing the coxal cavities ; episterna moderate ; epimera large and broad; coxal cavities moderate, contingent, enclosed behind. Mesosternum rather large, not separating the coxal cavities ; episterna large, humeral ; epimera very large and broad, extending to the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities large, contingent. Metasternum very short, not extending to the sides of the body ; episterna long, reaching to the coxe ; epimera very long, extending beyond the coxe ; coxe very large, pyriform, not contingent. Venter composed of six segments. Legs generally long. A genus of almost universal distribution, though apparently very rare in tropical regions ; two species only have been received as yet from Central America. 1. Choleva fimbriata, sp. n. (Tab. III. fig. 10.) Ovata, sat lata, castanea, pilis densis ad margines longioribus vestita ; capite parvo, postice abrupte truncato, profunde et confertim punctato, interstitiis alutaceis; oculis sat magnis, valde prominentibus ; pronoto brevi, quam caput vix longiore, sed latiore, basin versus latissimo, profunde et confertim punctato, inter- stitiis profunde alutaceis, antice et lateraliter rotundato, margine basali leviter sinuata angulis rotundatis ; elytris quam caput atque pronotum sesqui-longioribus, parum latioribus, ante media latissimis, ordinibus transversis fere rectis, profunde et confertissime punctatis, lateribus marginatis, apice obtuso ; pedibus modicis, castaneis, tibiis spinosis et calcaribus ad apices armatis, tarsis anticis valde dilatatis ; antennis modicis, castaneis, articulo septimo cwteris majore, octavo exiguo, apicali acutissimo. Long. corp. 23 lin. =4°25 millim.; lat. 1 lin. =2 millim. Body ovate, rather broad, castaneous, densely pilose, fringed with longer hair on the margins. Head small, abruptly truncate posteriorly, deeply and closely punctured, with the interstices alutaceous; mouth CHOLEVA.— PTOMAPHAGUS. 99 prominent ; eyes rather large and very prominent; antenne moderate, castaneous, with the seventh joint the largest of all, the eighth joint very minute, and the apical joint much acuminated. Thoraa short, shorter but broader than the head, widest near the base, deeply and closely punctured, with the interstices strongly alutaceous ; sides and front continuously rounded ; basal margin faintly sinuated, with the angles rounded. Scutellum rather small, triangular, deeply punctured. ilytra broader and one half longer than the head and thorax, widest before the middle, deeply and very closely punctured in almost straight transverse rows, the sides margined, the apex obtuse. Legs moderate, castaneous; tibize spinose, armed with spurs at the apex; anterior tarsi strongly dilated ( ¢?). Hab. Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu 6000 to 7000 feet (Rogers). One specimen. 2. Choleva semipicea, sp. n. Ovalis, sat angusta, modice convexa, pallide castanea, elytris postice nigro-piceis, pilis aureis dense vestita ; capite modico, sat lato, profunde punctato, interstitiis alutaceis; oculis modicis; pronoto parvo, quam caput latiore, haud longiore, prope basin latissimo, ordinibus transversis irregularibus profunde et confertim punctato, interstitiis alutaceis, lateribus rotundatis et marginatis, margine basali leviter sinuata angulis obtusis; elytris sat longis, postice infuscatis, quam caput atque pronotum parum latioribus sesqui-longi- oribus, prope media latissimis, ordinibus rectis transversis sat profunde strigose punctatis, stria suturali impressis, lateribus sat late marginatis, apice obtuso; pedibus atque antennis modicis, rufescentibus, harum articulo apicali pallido. Long. corp. 13 lin. =2°25 millim. Body oval, rather narrow, moderately convex, pale castaneous, posteriorly piceous, densely clothed with golden pubescence. Head moderate, rather broad, deeply punctured, with the interstices alutaceous; eyes moderate ; antenne moderate, rufescent, with the apical joint pale. Zhorax small, broader but scarcely longer than the head, widest near the base, deeply and closely punctured in irregular transverse rows, with the interstices alutaceous ; sides rounded and margined ; basal margin faintly sinuated, with the angles obtuse. Scutellum moderate, triangular, deeply punctured. lytra rather long, posteriorly piceous, one half longer and rather broader than the head and thorax, widest near the middle, rather deeply and strigosely punctured in nearly straight transverse rows, the sutural stria moderate, the sides rather broadly margined, the apex obtuse. Legs moderate, rufescent ; tibi spinose. Underparts castaneous. Hab. GuatemMata, San Gerdnimo 3000 feet (Champion). This species appears to differ from C. terminans, Lec., in the rounded posterior angles of its thorax ; it is distinguished from others of the genus by its rather narrow form and semipiceous colour. PTOMAPHAGUS. Ptomaphagus, llliger, Kugel. Verz. Kif. Preuss. p. 84 (1798). Body oval or oblong, sometimes rather depressed, pubescent. Head not retractile, fitted by an abrupt ridge to the front of the pronotum, generally subtriangular. Thoraw often rather large, widest at the base, gene- rally transversely strigose. lytra more or less oblong, often partially truncate at the extremities, generally transversely strigose. Antenne moderate, sometimes rather short, gradually incrassated towards the apex ; 11-jointed, with the eighth joint much smaller than the seventh or ninth. Prosternum very short, scarcely enclosing the coxal cavities in front; episterna moderate ; epumera large, enclosing the coxal cavities behind; coxal cavities large, contingent. Mesosternuwm moderate, elevated between the coxal cavities; episterna large, humeral ; epimera short and very broad, reaching to the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities large, oval, and oblique, separated by the mesosternum. Metasternum moderate, not extending to the sides of the body ; episterna small, scarcely reaching the coxe ; epimera long, extending beyond the cox ; cox moderate, oval. Venter composed of six segments. Leys: anterior rather short, the tibie much dilated towards the apex, the tarsi dilated in the males; intermediate long, the tarsi slightly dilated in the males ; posterior long, the tarsi long and simple ; all the tarsi 5-jointed. O* 2 100 SILPHID. This genus has been, I think properly, separated from Choleva by the great compa- rative differences which exist in the external skeleton of the underside: the most conspicuous of these are the size of the prosternum, the shape of the mesosternum, which latter separates the coxal cavities by a carinal elevation, and also differs in the form of its side-pieces, and the large size of the metasternum. Ptomaphagus also differs from Choleva in the sculpture and outline of the elytra, which are seldom perfectly entire at the apex. Of these differences the most conspicuous is the elevation of the mesosternum between the intermediate coxe. 1. Ptomaphagus forticornis, sp.n. (Tab. Il. fig. 9.) Oblongo-ovatus, sat angustus, castaneus, pilis brevibus aureis vestitus, per totum confertim strigose punctatus ; capite sat magno, ore valde producto; oculis magnis, prominentibus ; pronoto subquadrato, quam caput sat longiore et latiore, ad basin latissimo, lateribus leviter marginatis, margine basali leviter sinuata -angulis rectis; elytris longis, quam caput atque pronotum fere duplo longioribus, vix latioribus, prope humeros latissimis, stria suturali sat profunda impressis, lateribus marginatis, apice valde obtuso ; pedibus longis, gracilibus, castaneis; antennis castaneis, clavis obscurioribus, sat brevibus, robustis, articulis 5° et 6° perbrevibus, transversis, clavis leviter incrassatis. Long. corp. 1¢ lin. =3°50 millim. Body oblong-ovate, rather narrow, castaneous, clothed with short golden pubescence, on all parts closely and strigosely punctate. Head rather large, the mouth much produced; eyes large and prominent; antennx rather short and robust, castaneous, with the club dusky, the fifth and sixth joints very short, transverse, the club faintly incrassated. Thorax subquadrate, rather longer and broader than the head, widest at the base; sides slightly margined; basal margin faintly sinuated, with the angles rectangular. Scutellum small, triangular. Hlytra long, scarcely broader but almost twice lenger than the head and thorax, widest near the shoulders, with a rather deep sutural stria ; sides margined ; apex very obtuse. Legs long and slender, castaneous; tibiw spinose. Underparts castaneous; mesosternum strigose, with the carina strongly elevated. Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Sallé). 2. Ptomaphagus consobrinus. Catops consobrinus, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1853, p. 281°. Ptomaphagus consobrinus, Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. vill. p. 263°. Obtuse conieus, angustus, leviter depressus, pallide castaneus, pube aurea vestitus; per totum confertim et sat profunde strigosus, strigis elytrorum obliquis; capite magno, lato, sat nitido, ore modice producto; oculis sat parvis, haud prominentibus ; pronoto modico, quam caput sat longiore atque latiore,ad basin latissimo, lateribus marginatis, margine basali fere recta angulis acutis; elytris postice attenuatis, quam caput atque pronotum vix latioribus, duplo lengioribus, ad humeros latissimis, lateribus vix rotundatis, marginatis, apicibus rotundatis, valde obtusis ; pedibus longis, gracilibus, rufo-castaneis, tibiis simplicibus, tarsis longis, anterioribus dilatatis; antennis modicis, rufo-piceis, articulis duobus basalibus flavis. Long. corp. 17 lin. = 2°50 millim. Body obtusely conical, narrow, slightly depressed, pale castaneous, clothed with golden pubescence, on all parts closely and transversely strigose, with the strige on the elytra oblique. Head large and broad, rather shining, the mouth moderately produced; eyes rather small, not prominent. Zhorax moderate, rather longer and broader than the head, widest at the base; sides margined ; basal margin almost straight, with the angles acute. Scutellum moderate, triangular. Hlytra rather attenuated posteriorly, scarcely broader but twice longer than the head and thorax, widest at the shoulders; sides scarcely rounded, margined ; PTOMAPHAGUS.—COLON. 101 extremities obtuse and rounded. Legs long and slender, rufo-castaneous ; tibie simple; tarsi long, the anterior pair dilated. Antennae moderate ; rufo-piceous, with the two basal joints yellow. Hab. Norru America, Georgia}, Michigan to Florida, Texas, Arizona, and California ?. —GUATEMALA, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion). Differs from others of the genus in its narrow, attenuated, and obliquely strigose elytra. COLON. Colon, Herbst, Kafer, vii. p. 224 (1797). Body generally ovate or oval, convex, and densely pubescent. Mead moderate, sessile, without any occipital ridge. . Thorax sometimes large, widest at or near the base. lytra rather long, entire. Antenne generally short; 11-jointed, 6-11 forming a gradually incrassated club. Palpi: mawillary with the third joint ovate, much incrassated, and the fourth joint slender, acicular. Prosternwm very small; episterna indistinct, apparentiy small ; epimera small, inflexed beneath the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities moderate, rounded, open behind. Mesosternum carinated ; episterna large, triangular, extending to the coxal cavities ; epimera humeral, large and long, extending to the coxal cavities; coxal cavities separated by the carina. Metasternum moderate, not reaching the sides of the body ; episterna large and long, extending beyond the cox; epimera very narrow, wholly covered by the epipleural folds of the elytra; coxe contingent, not reaching the sides of the body. Venter with the segments variable in number, generally four or five. Legs moderate, usually robust; tibiz spinose; femora sometimes armed with incurved teeth on the inner side; tarsi 5-jointed, the anterior pair generally dilated in the males. This is a genus containing numerous species, nearly all of which are of rare occurrence, in Europe and Temperate North America. One species is now known from Guatemala. 1. Colon clavatum, (Tab. III. fig. 12.) Colon clavatum, Mannerh. Bull. Mosc. 1853, iu. p. 178°; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. viii. p. 273’. Elongato-ovale, fuscum, convexum, rugose punctatum, pube sat longa densa vestitum ; capite sat magno, deflexo, ore sat producto; oculis magnis, sat prominentibus; pronoto magno, quam caput multo longiore atque latiore, prope basin latissimo, lateribus marginatis et rotundatis, margine basali fere recta angulis obtusis ; elytris sat longis, quam caput atque pronotum vix latioribus, sed duplo longioribus, prope humeros latis- simis, punctis ordinibus longitudinalibus irregulariter dispositis, stria suturali sat profunda, ad humeros non extensa, impressis, lateribus marginatis, apice valde rotundato ; pedibus modicis, rufo-fuscis, tibiis parum dilatatis, tenuiter spinosis, tarsis anterioribus dilatatis, calcari uno vel pluribus armatis; antennis brevibus, valde robustis, fuscescentibus, gradatim ad apices incrassatis. Long. corp, 14 lin.=2°50 millim. Body elongate-oval, convex, brown, clothed with rather long and dense pubescence, rugosely punctured. Head rather large, deflexed, the mouth slightly produced ; eyes large and rather prominent; antenne short, very robust, fuscous, gradually inerassated towards the apex. Thorax large, much longer and broader than the head, widest near the base ; sides rounded and margined: basal margin nearly straight, with the angles obtuse. Scutellum small, triangular, deeply punctured. Hlytra rather long, scarcely broader but twice longer than the head and thorax, widest near the shoulders, with the punctures irregularly arranged in longitudinal rows; sutural stria rather deeply impressed, but not reaching to the scutellum; sides mar- gined; apex much rounded. Legs moderate, rufous-brown ; tibie slightly dilated, sparingly spinose, with one or more spurs on the inner side of the apex ; anterior tarsi dilated. Underparts rufous-brown. Hab. Nortu America, Alaska !?, Vancouver 2, Nevada ?, Colorado 2, California ?.— GUATEMALA, Chiacam (Champion). One specimen. This species seems to be distinguished by its long and coarse pubescence, its rugose sculpture, and gradually clavate, short, antenne. 102 CORYLOPHIDA. Fam. CORYLOPHIDZA*. If we can judge by the distribution of the species hitherto discovered, the Corylophide seem to be especially adapted to the tropical parts of the globe. The total number of described species from all parts of the world to the date of publication of Gemminger and Harold’s Catalogue amounted to fifty-nine; from Central America alone I have now to record twenty-nine species, the majority of which are described as new. The genera already known are all represented in our region, except Peltinus, Aphanoce- phalus, Phenocephalus, and Microstagetus; but the deficiency is compensated by the addition of four new and very distinct forms described in the following pages under the names of Ainigmaticum, Conodes, Ectinocephalus, and Micréum. The study of the Corylophid is attended with much difficulty, chicfly owing to the fact that the diagnostic characters often consist, among the species as well as the genera, in the number and form of the articulations of the antenne. From the peculiar position and shape of the head it is generally a matter of some trouble to bring these limbs into sight, and the difficulty is further increased by the deep grooves, extending round the outer margin of the eye far into the prothorax, in which they are usually embedded; and, moreover, after the antenne have been extended, the exceedingly minute size of the intermediate articulations often renders it almost impossible to count them without the aid of some transparent medium. Again, the small space into which they are compressed and the excessive fragility of their structure render the dissection of the organs of the mouth a task of so much difficulty, that, if you have regard to the preservation of a type, it is unwise to hazard the attempt on any species of which only one or at the most two examples have been found. In the case of a genus represented by numerous individuals dissection is admissible, but even then may possibly require two or three trials before a full series of the various organs can be obtained. I have therefore refrained from attempting to dissect the parts of the mouth in three new genera; of all the rest I have obtained a perfect series, and have felt rewarded for the trouble it has cost by being enabled to see the unusual complicity and beauty of their anatomy. . The Corylophide not having yet been thoroughly characterized I give a full definition :— General Characters. Body generally short, more or less rounded ; in the ‘ Saciina’ alone elongate. Head usually concealed by the pronotum ; in the ‘Orthoperina’ and some aberrant genera more or less exserted. Thoraw with the anterior margin entire, or slightly excavated in Qonodes and the ‘Orthoperina.’ Elytra ovate, with the apex entire; or elongate, with the apices separately rounded (Saciina). Wings ample, oval, not pedun- culate; with a strong costal nerve extending from the base to less than half the length of the wing, and a single very fine nerve passing from the hase obliquely towards the posterior margin of the wing; posterior margin fringed with short hairs. Antenne clavate, varying much in the numbers of the joints, often * By A, Marruews. CORYLOPHIDA. 1038 geniculate ; the two basal joints large, the first generally recurved ; the intermediate joints small and short, the last but one often larger than the rest; the three terminal joints always forming a much incrassated club; when not in use these organs are received into a deep groove which passes round the outer margin of the eye and extends with an outward curve into the prothorax. Palpi: mawillary large, 4-jointed, with the second joint much larger than the rest, and the fourth generally long and conical ; labial 3-jointed, with the second joint very large and often turgidly incrassate, the apical joint either acicular or rounded, or abruptly truncate. Mawilla unilobed, the lobe long and robust and usually armed at the apex with many long and very sharp teeth; in Rhypobius alone simple. Mandibles variable in form, generally armed at the apex with many long and very sharp teeth; in Rhypobius long and very slender, deeply bifid at the apex. Mentwm quadrate or oblong. Labium oblong, sometimes much elongate. Lingua variable in form. Labrum generally small; rounded, or emarginate in front. Head below, in Sacium and Arthrolips, very small and very narrow and with very small eyes; in all other genera transverse, with the gular region convex and the organs of the mouth very prominent, and the eyes often large and very conspicuous. Prosternum usually short, much elevated between the coxe, and prolonged and dilated posteriorly ; epimera generally very large, enclosing the coxal cavities in many genera. Mesosternum usually large; episterna and epimera large, the latter, except in Micréum and Conodes, not extending to the cavities. Metasternum moderate, not extending to the sides of the body; episterna and epimera broad and very long. Venter composed of five or six segments; the basal segment very large, nearly as long as the others combined ; the apical segment simple (at least in the Central-American genera). Legs sometimes long and slender, usually simple; in Orthoperus the anterior tibis are often very long and much incurved; tarsi 4-jointed, the three basal joints short, the third joint often very small, the terminal joint elongate; the claws either long and slender, and faintly curved, sometimes convergent anteriorly, or robust, strongly hooked, and denticulate on the lower edge. The whole Family may be divided by superficial characters into the following four Tribes, viz. :— Posterior angles of the thorax produced . . . . . . Sericoderina. Posterior angles of the thorax not produced. Form elongate... .. .. . . . . . . Saciina. Form rounded. Head wholly concealed . . . . «. . . . « Corylophina.. Head partly exposed . . 2. . . . .).)SC)SOCOrthoperina. The division of Families into Tribes is purely artificial, of no real scientific importance, but useful as a help towards the harmonious arrangement of form, and as affording to the mind some idea of the general appearance of a genus previously unknown. But it appears to me that this division, if carried too far, would become perplexing and unne- cessary. The four new genera described in the following pages form a striking illus- tration of the point in question. These genera differ equally from any of the Tribes above mentioned, and from each other. In this case, if strict definition was imperative, each would demand a separate Tribe to contain itself, and itself alone. If hereafter other genera be discovered bearing close affinity to either of these, their generic characters might then assume a divisional importance, and justify the creation of a fresh Tribe. But for the present it will be more expedient to place Conodes and Ectinocephalus with the ‘Saciina’ (although in each the head is more or less exserted beyond the thorax), and Microum with the ‘ Corylophina.’ 104 CORYLOPHIDZ. SACIINA. Head more or less exposed. Thorax rounded at the sides, widest near the middle . Ainigmaticum. Front of the thorax entire . . . . . . +. + + EcrinocerHatus. Front of the thorax excised . . . . - « » ~ «+ CONODES. Head wholly concealed. Antenne ll-jomted . . . . . . . . es - Sacrum. Antenne 10-jointed . 2. . . 1. ee +) 6+) 6 ARTHROLIPS. JENIGMATICUM *, gen. nov. Body elongate-oval, with the head exserted. Head small, produced in front; eyes very large and very pro- minent. Thorax moderate, subcordiform. Scuéellum large, rounded at the apex. lytra entire, long, with the extremities separately rounded. Abdomen with the pygidium exposed. Antenne inserted near the eyes, 9-jointed—l1 very large, pyriform, slightly recurved, 2 oval, rather smaller than 1, 3 and 4 small and slender, 5 much larger than 4, 6 small, same size as 4, 7-9 large and mueh incrassated, forming a rather loose club, of which the apical joint is the largest. Palpi: mawillary rather large, 4-jomted— 1 very small, 2 very large, turgidly incrassate, oval, with the apex truncate, 3 and 4 forming a slender long point, obtuse at the apex, and furnished with short apical sets, the third joint short and transverse ; labial rather large, 3-jointed—1 very small, 2 very large, turgidly incrassate, oval, with the apex slightly truncate, 3 small and conical. Zabrum large, subquadrate, slightly rounded in front. Mandibles small and rather slender, with the apex much hooked and acute, furnished at the base with a subconical process, its front surface flat and transversely ribbed. Maille unilobed, the lobe long and rather broad, with its apex acute, faintly incurved, and minutely denticulate on the upper part of the edge. Mentum short, transverse, suboblong. Zabium short, transverse, faintly contracted at the base, with the anterior angles much rounded. Lingua very long and narrow, with its extremity nearly straight. Prosternum large, broadly produced between the coxal cavities, and much dilated behind them ; episterna Jong and narrow; epimera large, broadly enclosing the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities rather small, oval. Mesosternum rather short ; episterna moderate, humeral ; epimera short and broad, not extending to the coxal cavities; coxal cavities nearly circular, moderately distant. Metasternum large, not extending to the sides of the body, broadly produced and faintly rounded between the coxw ; episterna large and long, almost reaching to the coxe; epimera long and narrow, extending beyond the coxe; coxe small, pyriform, widely separated. Venter composed of six segments, with the first nearly as long as the other five united. Legs: anterior femora modcrate, the tibie simple, slightly dilated towards the apex, the tarsi very short, 4-jointed, with the basal joint very small, and the apical joint robust, much longer than the three basal joints united, the claws moderate, much curved ; intermediate similar in form to the anterior, but longer, with the tarsi distinctly 4-jointed ; posterior similar in form, but longer than the intermediate, - the femora longer and much more robust, the tarsi distinctly 4-jointed. Cove: anterior oval, moderately distant; intermediate rounded, moderately distant ; posterior small, pyriform, widely separated. This curious genus is an apt illustration of the importance of the external skeleton of the underside, combined with the organs of the mouth, in affording a correct clue to systematic arrangement. At first sight the upper surface presents but few of the characters usually considered to be indicative of the Corylophide, and its outward form seems more suggestive of relationship to either Péilium or Corticaria; and it is only by the anatomy of the underside of its external skeleton and of the organs of the mouth that its true affinities can be discovered. In all these points Znigmaticum is purely Corylophide, and varies but little from * Aiveyparcsoy, a puzzle. ZNIGMATICUM.—ECTINOCEPHALUS. 105 the most normal type of the family. This is especially evident in the mesosternum, the first ventral segment, the unilobed maxille, and the excessively enlarged second joint of both the maxillary and labial palpi; while on the upperside the antenne alone present a Corylophide appearance. In the first distribution of Mr. Champion’s collection this species was sent to me among the Trichopterygide, and subsequently returned with some others evidently not Trichopterygide to Dr. Sharp. Subsequently, at Dr. Sharp’s request, I undertook the revision of the Central-American Silphide and Corylophide, and he then forwarded this insect to me with the observation that ‘ unless it was a Corylophide he was ata loss to discover to what family it could belong.” Having previously noticed its peculiar appearance I had retained a mutilated specimen of the same species, and from this have fortunately been able to make the dissections, which have, as it seems to me, placed its true position beyond the possibility of doubt. The single species is from Guatemala. 1. Ainigmaticum ptilioides, sp. n. (Tab. III. figg. 13, 13 a.) Ovale, modice convexum, totum alutaceum, rufo-brunneum, parum eratum; capite parvo, prominente, antice producto; oculis magnis, prominentibus; pronoto modico, subcordato, medio latissimo, basin versus contracto, profunde alutaceo, punctis sat magnis remote et equidistanter dispositis ornato, lateribus marginatis et leviter crenulatis, margine basali fere recta angulis fere rectis; elytris sat magnis, quam pronotum parum latioribus, plus quam sesqui-longioribus, ante media latissimis, fortiter alutaceis, punctis remotis striatim dispositis impressis, stria suturali circa scutellum usque ad humeros extensa notatis, lateribus ovaliter rotundatis, leviter marginatis, apicibus latis valde rotundatis; abdominis pygidio exserto, rufescente ; pedibus rufo-piceis; antennis flavescentibus, clavis obscuris. Long. corp. 3°, lin.= 75 millim. Body oval, moderately convex, alutaceous throughout, rufous-brown, slightly brassy. Head small, exserted, the mouth produced, alutaceous, with a few remote punctures; eyes large and very prominent; antenne rather short, flavescent, with the club dusky. Thorax moderate, subcordate, widest at the middle, contracted towards the base, deeply alutaceous, ornamented with rather large punctures remotely and rather equidistantly arranged ; sides margined and slightly crenulated; basal margin almost straight, with the angles nearly rectangular. Scutellum large, obtusely triangular, alutaceous. Zlytra rather large, one half longer and a little broader than the head and thorax, widest before the middle, deeply alutaceous, marked with remote punctures in longitudinal rows, with a sutural stria prolonged round the scutellum and to the exterior humeral angle; sides ovally rounded and slightly margined; extremities broad and much rounded. Abdomen with the pygidium exposed, rufescent. Legs rather long, rufo-piceous. Under- parts pitchy-black. Hab. Guatemaua, Capetillo 4500 feet (Champion). ‘Two examples. ECTINOCEPHALUS*, gen. nov. Corpus elongatum, obconicum. Caput totum exsertum; oculis prominentibus ; antennis longe ante oculos insertis. Pronotum parvum, pone caput rectum, haud excisum. lytra elongata, postice attenuata. Abdomen modice exsertum. Antenne haud geniculate, articulis decem composite, duobus basalibus magnis, tribus ultimis clavam subfoliatam formantibus, apicali subrotundato. Prosternwm sat magnum, inter coxas elevatum, postice productum et dilatatum ; episternis minutis; epimeris sat magnis, recep- * éxreivw, to extend; xepad, the head. BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, January 1888. P* 106 CORYLOPHID. tacula coxarum late complexis. Mesosternum magnum ; episternis longis; epimeris longis, trigonalibus, ad coxas extensis. Metasternum modicum, corporis lateribus haud attingens, margine posteriore inter coxas recta; episternis latis et longis. Venter segmentis sex compositus, basali praelongo, apicali obtuso. Pedes sat longi, simplices ; tarsis brevibus, robustis, articulis quatuor compositis, apicali ceteris et longiore et tenuiore ; unguibus gracilibus, leviter curvatis. Cove: anteriores haud prominentes, per carinam divisa ; intermedi longius, distantes ; posteriores sat remotee, breviter pyriformes. Body elongate, obconical. Head wholly exserted, produced anteriorly, convex above and below, the mouth prominent ; antenne inserted considerably in front of the eyes; eyes prominent. Thorax small, with the anterior margin entire, straight, but not excavated behind the head; basal margin faintly arcuate, with the angles obtuse. Scutellwm large, short and broad, obtusely triangular. lytra elongate, attenuated posteriorly, separately rounded at the apex. Abdomen moderately exposed. Antenne not geniculated, 10-jointed—1 long, robust, recurved, 2 half as long as and much more slender than 1, 3-7 more slender than 2, transverse, gradually incrassated, 8-10 forming a much incrassate subfoliate club, with the apical joint the largest and rounded. Paris of the mouth not dissected, but apparently of a normal type. Prosternwm rather large, elevated between the coxee, and prolonged and dilated behind them ; episterna minute; epimera rather large, broadly enclosing the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities oval and oblique. Mesosternum large; episterna long and narrow; epimera long, subtriangular, extending to the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities rounded and rather distant. Metasternum moderate, not reaching to the sides of the body; posterior margin between the coxe straight; episterna broad and long; epimera narrow, concealed by the elytra ; coxal cavities remote from each other, and moderately distant from the sides of the body. Venter composed of six segments—1 very long, 2-6 equal in length to each other, the apical segment obtusely rounded, simple. Legs: anterior with the trochanters small, triangular ; femora depressed, long and broad ; tibiee rather shorter, much dilated towards the apex; tarsi short and robust, 4-jointed, with the three basal joints nearly equal, and the apical joint longer and more slender ; claws slender and faintly curved ; intermediate similar to the anterior, but rather longer ; posterior with the interior angle of the trochanter much prolonged, and the femora robust and very long ; tibize long, simple, dilated towards the apex; tarsi similar to the anterior, but rather longer. Cox@: anterior rounded, not prominent, separated by the elevated portion of the prosternum ; intermediate rounded, rather distant; posterior remote from each other, rather short, pear-shaped, not reaching to the sides of the body. Ectinocephalus would seem more properly to form a distinct ‘Tribe’; but for reasons already stated I have placed it among the ‘Saclina,’ with which it agrees in the elon- vate form of the body. The genus contains a single species from Guatemala. 1. Ectinocephalus tropicus, sp.n. (Tab. III. figg. 16, 16 a.) Obconicus, modice convexus, sat nitidus, rufo-testaceus, pilis aureis parce vestitus ; capite exserto, sat convexo, antice producto; oculis magnis, valde prominentibus ; pronoto modico, antice fere circulariter rotundato, margine anteriore integra et leviter reflexa, confertim et minute tuberculato, sive alutaceo, linea impressa ad basin notato, margine basali fere recta angulis fere rectis; elytris quam caput atque pronotum sat latioribus et fere duplo longioribus, ad humeros latissimis, postice attenuatis, profunde punctatis, interstitiis nitidis, linea suturali profunda impressis, lateribus leviter rotundatis, sat late marginatis, subtus late inflexis, apicibus rotundatis ; pygidio exserto ; pedibus atque antennis robustis, late flavis. Long. corp. 19 Jin, =1+25 millim. Head rather small, convex, produced in front; eyes very large and prominent; antenne robust, bright yellow. Thoraw moderate; almost circularly rounded in front, with the margin entire and slightly reflexed, minutely and closely tuberculate or alutaceous, with an impressed line at the base; basal margin almost straight, with the angles nearly rectangular. Scutellum small and rounded. lytra rather broader and nearly twice as long as the head and thorax, widest at the shoulders, attenuated posteriorly, deeply punc- tured, with the interstices shining, a deeply impressed line on each side of the suture ; sides slightly ECTINOCEPHALUS.—CONODES. 107 rounded and rather strongly margined, broadly inflexed beneath ; apex rounded. Abdomen with the pygidium exposed. Legs robust, bright yellow. Underparts rufo-testaceous. Hab. Guaremaa, Capetillo (Champion). ‘Two examples. The prominent and wholly exserted head, which, from its peculiar form, cannot be withdrawn, but is fitted by an elevated ridge to the anterior margin of the thorax, is alone sufficient to distinguish this species from all which have hitherto been discovered. CONODES *, gen. nov. Corpus conicum, depressum, pubescens. Caput sessile, deflexum; oculis magnis. Pronotwm antice excisum, angulis posterioribus haud productis. Hlytra longa, postice attenuata, apicibus rotundatis. Antenne haud geniculate, articulis decem composite, sexto quam septimo majore, clava valde incrassata. Prosternum permagnum, inter coxas elevatum, et postice dilatatum ; episternis parvis, angustis; epimeris magnis, receptacula coxarum late complexis. Mesosternwn longum ; episternis longis, angustis ; epimeris sat parvis, ad coxas non extensis. Metasternum modicum, ad latera corporis non extensum ; episternis longis. Venter segmentis quinque compositus, primo permagno, apicali precedente duplo longiore. Pedes modici, simplices; tarsis brevibus, robustis; unguitus longis, gracillimis, antice convergentibus. Body conical, depressed, pubescent. Head not concealed by the thorax, sessile, deflexed ; eyes large, not prominent; gular region convex; mouth prominent; antenne inserted some distance in front of the eyes. Thorax excised in front, the posterior angles not produced. Scutellwm large and broad, slightly rounded. Elytra long, attenuated posteriorly, separately rounded at the apex, broadly inflexed beneath. Abdomen with the pygidium exposed, Antenne not geniculated, 10-jointed—1 long, robust, slightly recurved, 2 smaller than 1, incrassate, 3, 4,5 very small, 6 larger than 7, 8-10 much incrassate, forming a rather close gradually incrassated club, the apical joint larger than the preceding, rounded. (Parts of the mouth not dissected.) Prosternum very large, elevated between the cox, produced and dilated posteriorly ; epesterna small and narrow; epimera large, broadly enclosing the coxal cavities, the cavities oval, oblique. Meso- sternum rather large ; episterna very long and narrow; epimera rather small, not extending to the cavities. Metasternum moderate, not extending to the sides of the bedy; episterna very long ; epimera concealed by the elytra ; hinder margin of the metasternum straight. Venter composed of five segments—l1 very long, longer than the metasternum, broadly depressed at the sides to receive the femora, 2~4 nearly equal in length, 5 nearly twice as long as 4, obtuse and simple. Legs: anterior with the trochanters small, triangular; femora robust; tibie simple, much dilated towards the apex; tarsi short, robust, 4-jointed— 1 rather longer than 2, 2 and 3 equal, 4 rather short; claws very long and slender, converging ante- riorly ; intermediate similar to the anterior, the tarsi rather longer ; posterior similar to the preceding, the trochanters with the interior angle much produced and acute. Cove: anterior moderately separated, not prominent; intermediate rather distant; posterior widely separated, pyriform, rather short, not extending to the sides of the body. This interesting genus is distinguished from the rest of its family by its depressed conical form, deflexed and sessile head, and by the excavation of the front of the thorax. Like Ectinocephalus it bears an outward resemblance to the Cryptophagide, but its anatomy is strictly Corylophide; on account of their rarity I have not ventured to dissect the organs of the mouth in this genus, or in Ectinocephalus, or Microum, and have therefore refrained from attempting to describe them, although the more prominent parts are sufficiently visible under a high power to satisfy any one that they are of the usual Corylophide type, especially in the shape of the maxillary palpi. The single species from Guatemala now described is the only one known to me. * Kavos, a CODE; Eldos, form. P* 2 108 CORYLOPHIDZ. 1. Conodes conicus, sp. n. (Tab. III. figg. 17, 17a.) Conicus, sat depressus, nitidulus, testaceus, pilis brevibus aureis vestitus; capite sat parvo, antice attenuato ; oculis nigris, sat magnis, haud prominentibus ; pronoto brevi transverso, ad basin latissimo, leviter alutaceo, lateribus circulariter rotundatis et marginatis, margine basali fere recta angulis obtusis ; elytris longis, quam caput atque pronotum haud latioribus, sed plus quam duplo longioribus, ad humeros latissimis, postice attenuatis, profunde et rugose punctatis, linea suturali profunda impressis, lateribus fere rectis, late marginatis, apicibus valde rotundatis; pygidio exserto ; pedibus atque antennis robustis, lete flavis, tibiis dilatatis. Long. corp. 38 lin.=1 millim. Head moderate, rather acuminate in front, finely punctured or alutaceous ; eyes rather large, not prominent ; antenne robust, bright yellow. Thorax short, transverse, widest at the base, finely alutaceous; sides margined and circularly rounded; basal margin nearly straight, with the angles obtuse. Scutellum large, rounded, and punctured. Elytra long, not broader than but more than twice as long as the head and thorax, widest at the shoulders, attenuated posteriorly, deeply and rather rugosely punctured, with a deeply im- pressed line on each side of the suture ; sides nearly straight and rather broadly margined ; each apex much rounded. Abdomen with the pygidium exposed. Legs robust, bright yellow, the tibiz more or less dilated. Underparts testaceous. Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion). This very distinct and pretty species, of which only two specimens were found, is probably, in life, of a bright golden-yellow. SACIUM. Sacium, Leconte, Proc. Acad. Phil. vi. p. 144 (1852). Body elongate, with the underside very convex. Head wholly concealed by the thorax. Thoraw with the front margin entire, the hinder angles not produced. Scutellwm small, generally rounded. Llytra long, with the apices separately rounded. Abdomen with the pygidium exposed. Antenne rather long, 11-jointed—1 long, incrassate, and much recurved, 2 much shorter than 1, incrassate, 3-6 short and slender, 7 often much longer than 8, 8 small, 9-11 much incrassated, forming a subfoliate club. Palpt: maxillary large, 4-jointed—1 small and slender, 2 very large, pyriform, abruptly truncate, 3 subquadrate, shorter, but scarcely narrower than 2, 4 long, robust, obtusely conical; labial large and circularly rounded, 3-jointed—l very minute, 2 cyathiform, immensely dilated, 3 very large, subquadrate, with anterior margin denticulate. Mentwm oblong, with the anterior margin deeply excavated. Labium elongate, oblong, slightly constricted near the middle, strengthened at the sides with strong coste, and armed at the anterior extremity with two long, erect, very sharp paraglossal processes on each side. Lingua large and broad, emarginate at the apex. Labrwm small, semioval, emarginate in front. Maaille unilobed, the lobe very robust, very strongly hooked at the apex, and armed with five very long and very sharp teeth. Mandibles not much curved, armed with five very sharp and strong teeth. Prosternum moderate, elevated between the coxee, produced and much dilated beyond them ; episterna minute ; epimera large, rather broadly enclosing the coxal cavities; coxal cavities large, rounded. Mesosternum short ; episterna rather small; epimera large and broad, not extending to the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities rounded, moderately distant. Metasternum large, not extending to the sides of the body, the posterior margin between the coxe straight; epzsterna very large and broad, longer than the metasternum ; epimera long, concealed by the elytra. Venter composed of six segments—l very large, as long as the metasternum, 2-6 equal to each other in length, the apical segment simple. Legs long: anterior with the trochanters long, not triangular; femora rather short, simple; tibie: moderate, widest at the apex; tarsi long, 4-jointed—1 and 2 slightly bifid, 2 smaller than 1, 3 very minute, 4 very long; claws robust, unidentate below ; intermediate similar to, but much longer than, the anterior; posterior similar to, but longer than, the intermediate. A widely distributed genus containing a large number of described species. SACIUM. 109 The Central-American species may be separated by the following characters, viz. :— Elytra variegated. Elytra with a narrow transverse fascia near the middle. Thorax attenuated infront. . . . . 2. .« . . . . « oberthiiri. Thorax not attenuated infront . . . . » ee 6s tncertum. Elytra with a broad transverse fascia near the middle » . . « latifasciatum. Elytra with a large pale spot beyond the middle . . . . . . fenestratum. Elytra with a pale longitudinal vitta. . 2. 1... 1. 1...) mexicanum. Elytra not variegated. Elytra black . 1... we eee ee ee trum, Elytra piceous or castaneous. Thorax moderate. Thorax very broadly margined. . . . «© . «©. .) 0marginatum. Thorax narrowly margined . . . . . «© . . . .~ «Collare. Thorax large and broad. . . . . . ws. . ~ CLaticolle. 1. Sacium oberthuri. (38. lecontei, Tab. IIT. figg. 15, 15 a, 3.) Arthrolips oberthiiri, Reitter, Verh. zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, xxvii. p. 193°. Sacium oberthiiri, Reitter, Mittheil. Miinch. ent. Ver. 1877, p. 126. Oblongo-ovale, modice convexum, sat nitidum, pilis aureis vestitum, vel piceum vel plus minusve rufescens, modice sed distincte punctatum, fascia recta transversa pone media elytra et plerumque humeris atque apicibus eorum rufis ornatum; pronoto plus minusve rufescente, sat parvo, antice angustato, ad basin latissimo, leviter marginato; elytris magnis, quam pronotum multo latioribus, et plus quam duplo longioribus, prope humeros latissimis, apicibus latis rotundatis; pedibus atque antennis rufis. Long. corp. “,* lin.=1-50-1°75 millim. Head small and narrow, rufous; eyes moderate; antenne moderate, with the club rather large, dusky. Thorax more or less rufous, rather small, attenuated in front, widest at the base, moderately and distinctly pune- tured, with the mterstices shining; margin slightly reflexed; basal margin strongly sinuated, with the angles acute. Scuteléwm rounded and punctured. lytra large, much wider, and twice longer than the thorax, widest near the shoulders; piceous, with a straight transverse fascia beyond the middle, and sometimes the shoulders and apex, red; apex broad and rounded. Legs rather long and slender, rufous. Underparts piceous, moderately and distinctly punctured. Hab. Mexico1, Toxpam (Sallé); Guatemata, El Tumbador, Quiche Mountains, Capetillo, Zapote, Guatemala city, Vera Paz (Champion). Differs from other species in its large size, longer and more or less rufous thorax, straight red fascia on the elytra, and in sculpture; the elytra are sometimes, but very rarely, unicolorous. From 8S. fasciatum, Lec., this species is separated by its larger size, broader form, much longer thorax, deeper sculpture, and shape of the transverse fascia on the elytra. An example from Zapote is figured. At the time our Plate was drawn I had overlooked the descriptions of the Mexican Sacia described by Reitter. I have little doubt that the species figured by me under the name of SS. /econte? is referable to S. oberthiiri ; the description is, however, too vague to be positively conclusive, ¢. g. reference to the sculpture is totally omitted, although so important. 110 CORYLOPHID&. 2. Sacium incertum, sp. n. Ovale, modice convexum, nitidulum, leviter et confertim punctatum, pilis aureis dense vestitum, fusco-castaneum, fasciis maculisque rubris variegatum ; pronoto magno, antice modice reflexo et ovaliter rotundato, haud attenuato, modice et confertim punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, linea basali sat profunda, rufescente, disco plus minusve obscurato, margine basali sinuata angulis rectis ; elytris quam pronotum vix latioribus, plus quam sesqui-longioribus, prope humeros latissimis, postice haud attenuatis, leviter et confertissime punctatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, fusco-castaneis, fascia mediali lata, transversa, recta, maculisque rufis ad humeros atque apicis variegatis, stria suturali indistincta, lateribus leviter marginatis, apicibus latis- simis, minime rotundatis ; pygidio rufo; pedibus atque antennis lete flavis, his perbrevibus. Long. corp. 1°50 millim. Body oval, moderately convex, and moderately shining, finely and closely punctured, thickly clothed with golden hair, fusco-castaneous, with a median fascia and some spots on the elytra red. Head yellow ; eyes small; antennee very short, bright yellow. Zhoraw large, moderately reflexed and ovally rounded, but not attenuated in front, rufescent, more or less clouded on the disc, finely and closely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining; basal line rather deep; basal margin sinuated, with the angles rectangular. Scutellum rather small, rounded, lytra scarcely broader but more than one half longer than the thorax, widest near the shoulders, not attenuated posteriorly ; finely and very closely punctured, the interstices smooth and shining; fusco-castaneous, with a broad, red, transverse fascia near the middle, and red markings on the shoulders and posterior extremities; sutural stria indistinct ; sides slightly margined ; extremities very broad and very little rounded. Abdomen with the pygidium exposed and rufous. Legs moderate, bright yellow. Underparts rufescent, with the metasternum dusky. Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Tolé (Champion). Differs from S. oberthiiri in its smaller size, broader and more depressed form, much broader and not attenuated thorax, and finer and closer sculpture. 3. Sacium latifasciatum, sp. x. Elongato-ovale, convexum, nitidulum, pilis aureis modice vestitum, subtiliter punctatum, nigro-piceum, pronoto, macula humerali atque fascia lata, transversa, pone media elytrorum, rufis; pronoto sat lato, antice ovate rotundato, late reflexo atque pellucido, rufo plus minusve in disco obscurato, minute et confertim punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, linea basali distincta, margine basali sinuata angulis rectis; elytris nigro-piceis, macula ad basin utriusque atque fascia lata communi pone media, rufis, quam pronotum vix latioribus, plus quam sesqui-longioribus, ad humeros latissimis, postice attenuatis, leviter eb confertim punctatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, stria suturali indistincta, lateribus leviter marginatis, apicibus angustatis, leviter rotundatis ; abdomine longius exserto, piceo; pedibus longis, lete flavis ; antennis longis, obscure flavis, articulis 5° et 7° incrassatis. Long. corp. 4 lin.=1:37 millim. Body elongate-ovate, convex, rather shining, moderately clothed with golden hair, moderately punctured, nigro-piceous, with the thorax, a spot near the shoulder, and a very broad fascia beyond the middle of the elytra, red. Head small, castaneous; eyes small; antenne long, dusky yellow, with the fifth and seventh joints incrassated. Zhoraw rather broad, ovately rounded, broadly reflexed and pellucid in front, red, with the disc more or less dusky, minutely and closely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining ; basal line distinct; basal margin sinuated, with the angles rectangular. Scutellwm moderate, obtusely triangular. Elytra nigro-piceous, with a spot at the base of each, and a very broad transverse fascia beyond the middle, red; scarcely broader but more than one half longer than the thorax, widest at the shoulders, rather attenuated posteriorly ; lightly and closely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining ; sutural stria indistinct; sides slightly margined; extremities narrow and slightly rounded. Abdomen much exposed, piceous. Legs long, bright yellow. Underparts entirely castaneous. Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (coll. Sallé). One example only. Differs from other species of the genus in its narrow thorax, attenuated elytra, fine SACIUM. lil sculpture, disposition and shape of the elytral markings, and the enlarged fifth joint of its antenne. M. Sallé has quite recently sent me an example of this species for examination. 4. Sacium fenestratum. (8. ocellatum, Tab. III. figg. 14, 14a.) Arthrolips fenestratus, Reitter, Verh. zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, xxvii. p. 193°. Sacium fenestratum, Reitter, Mittheil. Miinch. ent. Ver. 1877, p. 126. Elongato-ovale, modice convexum, nitidum, pilis brevibus aureis vestitum, rufo-piceum, pronoto plus minusve flavescente elytroque singulo pone medium macula circulari magna, atque ad apicem altera luneformi flavescente notato; pronoto parvo, antice angustato, ad basin latissimo, leviter sed distincte punctato, interstitiis nitidis, ad basin linea impressa notato; elytris sat brevibus, quam pronotum latioribus et fere duplo longioribus, prope humeros latissimis, postice attenuatis, linea longitudinali profunda ad suturam utrinque impressis, apicibus rotundatis ; abdomine exserto, flavescente ; pedibus atque antennis late flavis. Long. corp. “— lin,=1-25-1'50 millim. Head yellow; antenne moderate, bright yellow. Thorax more or less flavescent, small, rather narrowed in front, the sides faintly margined, finely and distinctly punctured, with an impressed line within the basal margin; basal margin sinuated, with the angles nearly rectangular. Scutellum testaceous, small and rounded. Slytra rather short, attenuated towards the apex, closely and rather deeply punctured, broader and nearly twice longer than the thorax, widest near the shoulders, with a deeply impressed line on each side of the suture ; rufo-piceous, with a crescent-shaped mark within the apex, and a large round spot on the disc behind the middle, yellow; apex rounded. Abdomen more or less exposed, flavescent. Legs slender, bright yellow. Underparts pale castaneous or testaceous. Hab. Mexico! (Sallé) ; GuaTeMaLa, Zapote, Chacoj in Vera Paz (Champion). Differs from S. oberthiiri and S. latifasciatum in its smaller size, more attenuated form, and also in colour and sculpture. From S. mollinum, Lec., this very pretty species is distinguished by its much larger size, longer thorax, finer and closer punc- tuation, and by the markings of the elytra. A specimen from Zapote is figured. This insect is figured under the name of S. ocel/atum on our Plate. 5. Sacium mexicanum. Sericoderus mexicanus, Chevr. in litt. Oblongum, modice convexum, nitidum, minutissime et remote punctatum, castaneum, vitta dilutiore in elytro utroque notatum; pronoto magno, antice ovaliter rotundato et reflexo, minutissime et remote punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, linea basali profunda, margine basali sinuata angulis acutis; elytris quam pronotum haud latioribus, vix duplo longioribus, prope humeros latissimis, minutissime et sat confertim punctatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, lateribus marginatis, apicibus valde rotundatis; pygidio exserto, castaneo; pedibus rufescentibus. Long. corp. 5%; lin.=1-12 millim. Body oblong, moderately convex, shining, very minutely and remotely punctured, castaneous, with a pale longitudinal vitta on each elytron. Yhoraw large, ovally rounded, and reflexed in front, very minutely and remotely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining; basal line deep; basal margin sinuated, with the angles acute. Scutellum small, subtriangular. lytra not broader, and scarcely twice longer than the thorax, widest near the shoulders, very minutely and closely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining; sides margined; extremities much rounded. Abdomen with the pygidium exposed, rufescent. Legs rufescent. Hab. Mexico (coll. des Gozis). 112 CORYLOPHIDZ. Differs from the allied forms in its minute sculpture and pale elytral vitte. In the collection of M. des Gozis there is a single example of this species, labelled * Sericoderus mexicanus, Chevr.;” but, as it is deeply imbedded in shellac, Jam not able to say whether it belongs to this genus or to Arthrolips. In colour it closely resembles A. subvittatus, but in shape appears more like a Sacium. 6. Sacium atrum. Sacium atrum, Reitter, Mittheil. Minch. ent. Ver. 1877, p. 126°. Ovate, convex, shining, clothed with pale hair, black, with the anterior margin of the thorax yellow ; head small, flavescent; thorax small, black, with the anterior margin more or less flavescent, ovally rounded, reflexed and rather produced in front, moderately and rather closely punctured, the basal margin faintly sinuated and with the angles nearly rectangular; elytra black, broader and twice longer than the thorax, widest near the shoulders, attenuated posteriorly, moderately punctured, the epipleural folds yellow; pygidium piceous; legs moderate, bright yellow; antenne short, yellow, with the club piceous. Length 1-12 millim, Hab. Mexico}. This species in colour closely resembles the black variety of S. oberthiiri, from which it can only be distinguished by its narrower form, smaller size, and much finer and closer sculpture. I am indebted to Dr. Dohrn of Stettin for the loan of the type specimen; the above description is taken from this example. 7. Sacium marginatum, sp. n. Ovale, modice convexum, nitidum, pilis flavescentibus vestitum, distincte punctatum, piceum, pronoti marginibus flavis ; pronoto lato, antice rotundato, ad basin latissimo, distincte et sat profunde punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, margine anteriore flava, late reflexa, margine basali vix sinuata, leviter reflexa, angulis rectis ; elytris quam pronotum sat latioribus et duplo longioribus, prope humeros latissimis, magis profunde punctatis, apicibus valde rotundatis, dilutioribus ; pedibus robustis, flavis; antennis obscurioribus. Long. corp. lin. =1-1:12 millim. Head ferruginous ; antenne dusky yellow, with the club darker. Thorax moderate, much rounded in front, piceous, with the margin broadly reflexed, bright yellow, widest at the base, rather deeply and distinctly punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining; basal margin slightly reflexed and faintly sinuated, with the angles rectangular. Scutellum rather large, rounded, deeply punctured. lytra moderate, piceous, rather broader and twice longer than the thorax, widest near the shoulders, rather more deeply punctured than the thorax, slightly narrowed towards the apex, the apex pale and much rounded. Abdo- men ferruginous. Legs robust, bright yellow. Underparts distinctly punctured, piceous, with the edges of the ventral segments pale. Hab. GuaTEMALa, Capetillo and Duefas (Champion). Rare. Differs from the foregoing species in its smaller size, more rounded form, broadly reflexed margin of the thorax, robust legs, and deeper sculpture. 8. Sacium collare, sp. n. Ovale, sat obtusum, modice convexum, nitidissimum, pilis flavescentibus dense vestitum, castaneum, pronoto flavescente; pronoto modico semiovali, ad basin latissimo, minute sed distincte punctato, interstitiis SACIUM.—ARTHROLIPS. 113 glabris, nitidis, fronte et lateribus leviter marginatis, et levissime reflexis, margine basali leviter bisinuata angulis fere rectis; elytris sat brevibus, quam pronotum haud latioribus fere sesqui-longioribus, prope humeros latissimis, minute sed distinctissime punctatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, lateribus leviter margi- natis, apicibus latis, valde rotundatis, dilutioribus ; pedibus atque antennis sat brevibus, ferrugineis. Long. corp. 5? lin,=1-1-12 millim. Body oval, rather obtuse, moderately convex, very shining, thickly clothed with flavescent hair, castaneous, with the thorax flavescent. Head piceous ; eyes moderate; antenne rather short, ferruginous. Thorax moderate, semioval, widest at the base, minutely but distinctly punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining ; front and sides slightly margined, and very slightly reflexed ; basal margin faintly bisinuated, with the angles almost rectangular. Scutellwm moderate, obtusely triangular. Elytra rather short, one half longer but not broader than the thorax, widest near the shoulders, minutely but very distinctly punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining; sides slightly margined; extremities broad and much rounded, paler. Legs rather short, ferruginous. Underparts castaneous. Hab. Mexico, Teapa, Toxpam (Sal/é). Differs from S. marginatum in the small size and very slightly reflexed margins of its thorax, and in sculpture. In M. Sallé’s collection this species bears the MS. name of S. collare, Deyr.; but I believe that it has not yet been described. 9. Sacium laticolle, sp. n. Elongatum, modice convexum, haud nitidum, pilis flavis vestitum, sat profunde punctatum, rufo-testaceum ; pronoto magno, minute et remote punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, margine anteriore sat late reflexa, linea impressa ad basin notato, margine basali leviter sinuata angulis rectis; elytris sat longis, sat angustis, quam pronotum parum angustioribus, sesqui-longioribus, ad humeros latissimis, postice attenuatis, quam pronotum magis confertim et magis profunde punctatis, lateribus rectis, apicibus obtuse rotundatis ; pedibus atque antennis flavis. Long. corp. 7%; lin.=0°75 millim. Head testaceous ; antenne moderate, yellow. Thoraw large, minutely and distantly punctured, with the inter- stices smooth and shining; anterior margin rather broadly reflexed, marked with an impressed line at the base ; basal margin faintly sinuated, with the angles rectangular. Scutellum small, rounded. Elytra rather long and narrow, half as long again but narrower than the thorax, widest at the shoulders, attenuated posteriorly, more closely and more deeply punctured than the thorax; sides straight; apex obtusely rounded. Abdomen slightly exposed, testaceous. Legs moderate, yellow. Underparts rufo-ferruginous, rather deeply punctured. Hab. GtateMaLA, El Reposo (Champion). A single example. Differs from other species of the genus in its small size, large thorax, and narrow linear elytra. ARTHROLIPS. Arthrolips, Wollaston, Ins. Mader. p. 475 (1854). Body generally oval, pubescent, the underside convex. Head wholly concealed. Thorax with the front margin entire, the hinder angles not produced. lytra rather long, generally broad, much rounded at the extre- mities. Antenne generally short, 10-jointed, the club much incrassate. Palpr: mawillary 4-jointed— 2 very large, 4 long, robust, obtusely conical; labial very large, turgidly incrassate, 3-jointed— 1 very minute, 2 very broad and short, deeply excavated at the apex, 3 longer than 2, obtusely conical, very broad at the base. Mentum quadrate. Labium very long, oblong, with very strong lateral coste terminating in long and very acute paraglossal processes. Lingua long, deeply bifid, ciliated at the points. Labrum transversely oval, faintly emarginate. Masillw unilobed, the lobe very large, robust, very strongly BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, January 1888. Q* 114 CORYLOPHIDZ. hooked, armed with three long and very sharp teeth. Mandzbles small, armed with four robust and very sharp teeth. Prosternum very short, elevated between the cox, and broadly dilated posteriorly ; epimera very narrow, enclosing the coxal cavities. Mesosternum short; episterna large ; epimera not extending to the coxal cavities. Metasternum moderate, transverse, not extending to the sides of the body ; episterna long and broad; epimera concealed. Venter composed of six segments, the first very long. Legs pubescent: anterior with the trochanters small, triangular; femora robust; tibia simple, dilated anteriorly; tarsi rather long and robust, 4-jointed—1 long and simple, 2 and 3 very small, simple, 4 long; claws moderate, convergent, with an obtuse denticulation below near the base; intermediate similar to the anterior, but rather longer ; posterior similar to the preceding, but longer and more robust, with the inner angle of the trochanters elongate and acute, and the outer edge of the tibiz minutely denticulate near the apex. It is difficult to distinguish this genus from Sacium: the shorter and broader form of many of its species generally affords the best clue to their separation. The short 10-jointed antennz form the only conspicuous anatomical difference ; the shape of the labrum and of the labial palpi is also very diverse, but it is almost impossible to make any use of organs of such infinitesimal proportions. In my descriptions of these older genera I have given their anatomical details at greater length than may be considered absolutely necessary, but they appear to me to have hitherto been imperfectly noticed. Several species of this genus have been described from Europe, Madeira, Peru, &c. The most obvious characters of the five Central-American species are as follows:— Elytra variegated dimidiatus. Elytra not variegated. Thorax rufescent . . misellus. Thorax and elytra concolorous. Legs testaceous. .-. 2... ww Ova. Legs piceous, Pubescence golden . . . . . 1... miger. Pubescence black . . . . . . 1...) hirsutus. 1. Arthrolips dimidiatus, sp. n. Oblongus, modice convexus, nitidus, subtiliter punctatus, pilis aureis vestitus, pronoto rufo, elytris antice obscure castaneis, postice late rufis ; pronoto magno, antice circulariter rotundato et modice reflexo, leviter punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, linea basali leviter impressa, margine basali sinuata angulis acutis ; elytris quam pronotum vix latioribus, plus quam sesqui-longioribus, prope humeros latissimis, leviter et remote punctatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, dimidio basali obscure castaneo, posteriore lete rufo, lateribus marginatis, apicibus latis, leviter rotundatis ; pedibus robustis, sat brevibus, late flavis; antennis flavis, clavis obscurioribus. Long. corp. 1:12-1:25 millim. Body oblong, moderately convex, shining, rather finely punctured, clothed with golden hair, the thorax red, the elytra with their basal half dark castaneous and their apical half bright red, sometimes dusky near the middle of the apical half. Head large, yellow ; eyes large, very prominent; antenne yellow, with the club dusky. Thorax large, circularly rounded and moderately reflexed in front, lightly punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining; basal line faint; basal margin sinuated, with the angles acute. Scutellum large, rounded. lytra scarcely broader but more than one half longer than the thorax, widest near the shoulders ; lightly and remotely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining; the basal half dark castaneous, the apical half light red, sometimes with an indistinct dusky mark across the middle of ARTHROLIPS. 115 the red half; sides margined; extremities broad, very slightly rounded. Abdomen with the pygidium exposed and flavescent. Legs rather short, robust, bright yellow. Underparts yellow; metasternum finely punctured. Hab. Paxama, Tolé (Champion). Differs from others in its ornamental colour and finer sculpture. This species has the form and general appearance of a Saciwm, and can only be distinguished from that genus by its 10-jointed antenne. 2. Arthrolips misellus. Sacium misellum, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. vi. p. 145}. Oblongo-ovalis, modice convexus, confertim punctatus, nitidus, pilis brevissimis parce vestitus, piceus, pro- noto plus minusve rufescente ; pronoto parvo, sat confertim punctato, interstitiis nitidis, margine anteriore reflexa, pallida, margine basali fere recta angulis rectis; elytris quam pronotum multo latioribus et fere duplo longioribus, ante media latissimis, quam pronotum magis confertim et magis profunde punctatis, apicibus latissimis et anguste dilutioribus; pedibus atque antennis robustis, flavis. Long. corp. 7; lin.= 1 millim. Head flavescent ; antenne large, yellow. horas small, rather closely punctured, with the interstices shining ; anterior margin reflexed, pale; basal margin nearly straight, with the angles rectangular. Scutellum rather large, rounded, and punctured. lytra much broader and nearly twice longer than the thorax, widest before the middle, more closely and more deeply punctured than the thorax, the apex very broad and narrowly pale. Abdomen ferruginous. Legs robust, yellow. Underparts ferruginous, with the edges of the segments paler. Hab. Nortu America, United States 1\—Guatemata, San Geronimo (Champion). Differs from others inits smaller size, broader form, small thorax, and deep and close sculpture. The two specimens found by Mr. Champion in Guatemala are rather smaller than those from the United States; but in every other respect are perfectly similar. 3. Arthrolips ovatus, sp. n. Late ovatus, modice convexus, nitidus, pilis flavescentibus dense vestitus, niger, fronte pronoti atque elytrorum apicibus translucide albidis ; pronoto sat parvo, antice rotundato et modice elongato, modice et remote punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, lateribus atque fronte modice reflexis et leviter marginatis, margine basali leviter sinuata angulis fere rectis; elytris quam pronotum parum. latioribus, duplo longioribus, et magis profunde punctatis, ante media latissimis, apicibus latis, valde rotundatis, et late dilutioribus ; pedibus atque antennis testaceis. Long. corp. 7% lin.=1 millim. Body broadly ovate, moderately convex, shining, densely clothed with flavescent hair, black, with the front of the thorax and extremities of the elytra translucent white. Thorax rather small, rounded and rather elongate in front, widest at the base ; moderately and remotely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining; sides and front moderately reflexed and slightly margined; basal margin faintly sinuated, with the angles nearly rectangular. Scutellum large, rounded, and punctured. lytra rather broader, twice longer, and more deeply punctured than the thorax, widest before the middle; extremities broad, much rounded, and broadly pale. Legs and antenne testaceous. Underparts testaceous. Hab. Mzxico, Toxpam (Sal/é). One example. Differs from A. hirsutus in its smaller thorax, with the sides and front Q* 2 116 CORYLOPHIDZ. much less broadly reflexed, more deeply punctured elytra, flavescent pubescence, and pale legs and underparts. 4. Arthrolips niger, sp. n. Ovatus, valde convexus, nitidus, pilis sat longis aureis vestitus, sat profunde sat sparse punctatus, aterrimus, pronoto antice albido translucido ; pronoto parvo, antice angustato, leviter et remote punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidissimis, margine anteriore modice reflexa, albida translucida, margine basali vix sinuata angulis fere rectis ; elytris quam pronotum latioribus et duplo longioribus, ad media latissimis, postice attenuatis, nitidis, valde convexis, quam pronotum magis confertim et magis profunde punctatis, apicibus rotundatis, dilutioribus ; abdomine longius exserto, nigro-piceo ; pedibus robustis, piceis ; antennarum articulis basa- libus pallidis, clava obscuriore. Long. corp. + lin. =0°87 millim. Head piceous ; antennz with the basal joints pale, and the club dusky and much incrassated. Thoraw small, narrowed in front, lightly and remotely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining; anterior margin moderately reflexed, transparent white ; basal margin scarcely sinuated, with the angles nearly rectangular. Scutellum very small, rounded, and punctured. lytra broader and twice longer than the thorax, widest at the middle, attenuated posteriorly, very convex and shining, more closely and more deeply punctured than the thorax, the apex rounded and pale. Abdomen much exposed, pitchy-black. Legs robust, piceous. Underparts piceous, with the edges of the segments broadly ferruginous. Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion). One specimen only. Differs from the other species of the genus in its small size, ovate and posteriorly attenuated form, very convex and shining surface, deep black colour, and dark legs. 5. Arthrolips hirsutus, sp.n. (Tab. III. fig. 18.) Ovalis, sat latus, aterrimus, convexus, nitidus, remote punctatus, pilis elongatis suberectis, nigris, sepe abrasis, parce vestitus ; pronoto sat magno, ad basin latissimo, modice et remote punctato, interstitiis glabris, niti- dissimis, margine anteriore late reflexa, dilutissime translucida, margine basali leviter sinuata angulis fere rectis; elytris latis, convexissimis, quam pronotum latioribus et plus quam sesqui-longioribus, prope media latissimis, magis leviter magisque remote punctatis, lateribus marginatis, apicibus valde rotundatis, anguste dilutioribus ; antennis atque pedibus robustis, piceis. Long. corp. ui lin. ="87—1°25 millim. Hlead ferruginous; antennee rather large, piceous. Thorax rather large, widest at the base, moderately and remotely punctured, with the interstices smooth and very shining; anterior margin broadly reflexed, very pale and transparent; basal margin slightly sinuated, with the angles nearly rectangular. Scutellum moderate, rounded, and punctured. lytra clothed with long suberect black hairs (which are often more or less rubbed off), broad, very convex, broader and more than half as long again as the thorax, widest near the middle, more faintly and more remotely punctured ; sides margined ; apex much rounded, narrowly pale. Abdomen slightly exposed, ferruginous. Legs robust, piceous. Underparts piceous, with the head, coxee, and edges of the ventral segments ferruginous. Hab. GuateMaLa, ‘Tamahu, Senahu, Zapote (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson). This insect varies much in size, but is perfectly uniform in colour and sculpture. It differs from the allied species in its short, broad form, shining surface, and deep black colour; and in some examples by the long black hair on all parts of the body, but this covering of hair is often partially, and sometimes wholly, abraded. SERICODERUS. 117 SERICODERINA. SERICODERUS. Sericoderus, Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Mand. ii. p. 188 (1829). Body oval, often attenuated posteriorly, thickly clothed with sericeous pubescence. Head small, wholly con- cealed by the thorax. Thorax rather large, the anterior margin entire ; hinder angles very much produced, embracing the shoulders of the elytra. Scutellwm large, rounded at the apex. lytra slightly truncate. Abdomen often much exposed. Antenne geniculate, 11-jointed—1 very long, much recurved, 2 about half as long as 1, incrassate, 3 and 4 very minute, 5 rather larger than 4, 6 very minute, 7 and 8 much larger, nearly equal to each other, 9-11 forming a subfoliate club. (This description, in which the relative size of the joints is taken from S. latus, will not equally apply to other species.) Palpi: mawillary large, 4-jointed—l1 very small, 2 very large, turgidly incrassate, pyriform, truncate at the apex, 3 small, oblong, 4 rather longer than 3, obtusely conical; labial moderate, 3-jointed—1 very small, 2 large, widest at the apex, the apex obliquely truncate, 3 short, transverse, with the apex rounded at the sides and faintly emarginate in the middle. Mentum large, subquadrate, widest at the base, the basal angles much rounded. Labium short and broad, rounded anteriorly, produced between the palpi, and bifid at the apex. Lingua broad, transverse, extending beyond the outer sides of the palpi. Zabrum small, transverse, faintly emarginate in front, furnished anteriorly with a few long sete. Mandibles small, rather narrow, armed at the apex with several sharp teeth. Maazlle unilobed; lobe long and slender, armed at the apex with long and very sharp teeth. Prosternwm very small, elevated between the coxe and produced and dilated beyond them; episterna very minute ; epimera moderate, enclosing the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities oval. Mesosternum rather short ; episterna large and broad; epimera large, not extending to the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities rather small, moderately distant. Metasternwm moderate, transverse, not extending to the sides of the body, the hinder margin between the coxe nearly straight; episterna as long as the meta- sternum ; epimera rather large, extending slightly beyond the metasternum ; coxal cavities long and narrow, reaching to the sides of the body, rather remote from each other. Venter composed of six segments—1 very long, as long as the metasternum, 2—6 nearly equal to each other in length, the apical segment sometimes elongate. Legs rather long and slender: anterior with the trochanters very small ; femora moderate ; tibie slender ; tarsi long and slender, 4-jointed—1-—3 almost equal, simple, 4 longer than the others; claws very slender, faintly curved; intermediate much longer than the anterior, in other respects similar ; posterior similar to the intermediate, but rather longer. Cova: anterior rather prominent, nearly con- tingent; intermediate moderately distant ; posterior rather remote, long and narrow. Sericoderus is easily known by the long and very acute posterior angles of the thorax, which, as in many of the Trichopterygide, embrace the shoulders of the elytra; and also by the silky pubescence, which usually covers the whole upper surface. But the species are difficult to distinguish from each other, as their chief diagnostic characters consist in the relative proportions of the joints of the antennee, and in the general outline and size of the body. The former of these characters can only be discovered by the tedious process of extending the antenne; and the latter is of its very nature comparative, and by no means obvious, when only a single species can be examined. Six species of this widely distributed genus have been described. 1. Sericoderus latus, sp. n. Suboblongus, valde convexus, nitidus, obscure ferrugineus, pronoto dilutiore, pilis aureis sat dense vestitus ; pronoto breyi, antice sat attenuato, haud semicirculari, ad basin latissimo, flavescente, nitido, indistincte punctato, margine anteriore leviter reflexa, margine basali profunde sinuata angulis acutis valde productis ; elytris postice sat attenuatis, quam pronotum sesqui-longioribus, haud latioribus, ad humeros latissimis, 118 CORYLOPHIDA. ordinibus transversis fere rectis modice sed confertim asperatis, linea ad suturam utrinque impressis, apicibus rotundatis; abdomine longius exserto, obtuso, dilutiore; pedibus sat longis, gracilibus, flavis ; 8- antennis modicis, flavis, clava sat magna obscuriore. Long. corp. lin.=1-1°12 millim. Head moderate, narrow ; eyes prominent ; antennx inserted rather far from the eyes. Thorax short, rather attenuated in front, not semicircular, widest at the base, flavescent and shining, indistinctly punctured ; anterior margin slightly reflexed ; basal margin deeply sinuated and much produced towards the scutellum, with the angles acute and very much produced. Scutellum moderate, rounded, and faintly asperate. Hlytra rather attenuated posteriorly, not wider than but half as long again as the thorax, widest at the shoulders, moderately but closely asperate in straight transverse rows, with an impressed line on each side of the suture, the apex rounded. Abdomen considerably exserted, obtuse and paler. Legs yellow, rather long and slender. Underparts ferruginous, with the venter paler. Hab. GuatEMata, Panajachel (Champion).—Eurors (coll. Matthews). One specimen. Differs from other species of the genus in its rather larger size, broader and more oblong form, short and anteriorly attenuated thorax, and in the form of the antenne. Obs. This insect agrees in all respects with a European species which I have. separated from S. lateralis, Gyll.; from this latter it is distinguished by its larger size and broader form, and especially by the diverse proportions of the joints of the antennae, and the anteriorly attenuated thorax. CORYLOPHINA. Hinder angles of the thorax very acute; antenne 10-jointed . . . . Micréum. Hinder angles of the thorax obtuse; antennz ll-jointed. . . . . . CoryLopnopzs. MICROUM *, gen. nov. Corpus perfecte ovatum, validissime convexum. Oaput totum obtectum; oculis magnis, prominentibus. Pronotum modicum, margine anteriore integra, margine basali fortiter sinuata angulis valde acutis. Elytra ovata, integra, subtus late inflexa. Antenne leviter geniculate, articulis decem composite, duobus basalibus magnis, tribus sequentibus minutis, sexto valde elongato, septimo minuto, tribus ultimis valde incrassatis, clavam subfoliatam formantibus. Prosternum parvum, inter coxas parum elevatum ; episternis exiguis; epimeris sat magnis; receptacula coxarum late complexis. Mesosternum breve; episternis sat parvis; epimeris longis ad coxas extensis; receptaculis coxarum sat distantibus. Metasternum modicum, transversum, ad latera corporis haud extensum, margine posteriore inter coxas recta; episternis permagnis, latis. Venter segmentis sex compositus, primo permagno, reliquis inter se paribus, Pedes robusti; tarsi articulis quatuor compositi, duobus basalibus sat magnis, longe bilobatis, et ciliatis, tertio parvo, apicali longo unguibus robustis denticulatis armato. Coxe: anteriores approximate ; intermedi sat distantes ; posteriorcs sat remote, long, angustée, ad latera corporis non extense. Body perfectly ovate, exceedingly convex. Head moderate, wholly covered by the thorax; eyes large and prominent ; mouth very prominent; antennz inserted near the eyes. horaa moderate ; anterior margin entire ; basal margin sinuated, with the angles very acute, scarcely produced. Scutellum long and rounded. Elytra entire. Antenne faintly geniculated, 10-jointed—1 very long, robust, and recurved, 2 much shorter, incrassate, 3, 4, 5 very minute, transverse, 6 as long as the preceding three united, but not wider, 7 very minute, 8-10 much incrassate, forming a subfoliate club, furnished with short hairs, 10 oval, larger than 9. (Parts of the mouth not dissected, apparently normal.) Prosternum small, slightly elevated between the * xpos, small dy, an egg. MICROUM.—CORYLOPHODES. 119 cox@; episterna very minute; epimera rather large, broadly enclosing the coxal cavities; prosternum not produced beyond the cox; coxal cavities oval. Mesosternum very short; episterna rather small; epimera large and long, extending to the coxal cavities ; coxee round, rather large. Metasternwm moderate, trans- verse, not extending to the sides of the body, the hinder margin straight between the cox ; episterna very large and broad, extending beyond the metasternum ; epimera long, concealed by the elytra; coxal cavities very long and narrow, not quite reaching to the sides of the body. Venter composed of six segments—1 very long, nearly as long as the metasternum, 2-6 nearly equal to each other in length, the apical segment rather pointed, simple. Legs: anterior with the trochanters very large, oblong, produced beyond the femora, and abruptly truncate at the apex; femora long, robust, not incrassate, strongly margined on both sides; tibise shorter than the femora, robust, much dilated towards the apex, with the outer margin finely serrate; tarsi 4-jointed—1 and 2 large, very deeply bilobed and setose, 3 very small, 4 long and slender ; claws strong, unidentate beneath ; intermediate much longer than the anterior, with the tibie sinuate, in other respects similar; posterior similar to the preceding, but with the tibie ciliate, and armed with short spurs. Cow: anterior approximate ; intermediate moderately distant; posterior rather remote, very long and narrow, nearly reaching to the sides of the body. In the shape of the hinder angles of the thorax Micréum exhibits an affinity to the ‘Sericoderina,’ but in every other respect of form and structure resembles the ‘ Corylo- phina.’ From Corylophodes it differs in having 10-jointed antennz, the sixth joint of which is very long, but scarcely incrassated ; also by the acute and slightly produced angles of the thorax, and by the epimera of the mesosternum reaching to the coxal cavities. The single species now described is from Guatemala. 1. Microum ovoforme, sp. n. Late ovatum, validissime convexum, nitidum, rufo-castaneum, pilis minutis parce vestitum; pronoto modico, antice valde rotundato, levissime alutaceo, margine anteriore rotundata et marginata, haud reflexa, margine basali scutellum versus producta angulis valde acutis; elytris sat longis, quam pronotum vix latioribus, sed plus quam duplo longioribus, ad media latissimis, punctis umbilicatis regulariter et eleganter impressis, interstitiis alutaceis, lateribus leviter marginatis; pedibus robustis, rufo-piceis, articulis basa- libus tarsorum dilatatis; antennis modicis, rufo-castaneis. Long. corp. 4% lin. = 1:25 millim. Head moderate, castaneous ; eyes moderate, prominent. Thoraw moderate, much rounded in front, widest at the base, delicately alutaceous ; anterior margin margined, but not reflexed ; basal margin produced towards the scutellum, with the angles very acute and slightly produced. Scutellwm rounded, impunctate. LHlytra rather long, scarcely broader but more than twice longer than the thorax, widest at the middle; regularly and elegantly marked with umbilicated punctures, with the interstices alutaceous ; sides slightly margined ; apex rather acute. Legs robust, rufo-piceous, with the basal joints of the tarsi dilated. Underparts castaneous, with a deeply impressed longitudinal line on the first ventral segment not extending to either margin. Hab. Guatemata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion). One specimen. This distinct species is easily recognized by its very convex and entirely ovate form, and by the elegant sculpture of the elytra. CORYLOPHODES. Corylophodes, Matthews, Ent. Monthly Mag. xxii. p. 160 (1885). Body more or less hemispheric, generally smooth and very shining. Head small, completely covered by the front of the thorax; eyes often large and prominent; antenne generally short, 11-jointed—1 very long 120 CORYLOPHID. and large, slightly recurved, 2 large, but smaller than 1, 3 slender, shorter than 2, 4-8 very small, transverse, 9-11 forming a much incrassated, subfoliate club. Thorax small, widest at the base, and circularly or ovally rounded in front; anterior margin more or less broadly reflexed; basal margin generally sinuated, with the angles not produced. Scutellum generally small and rounded. Llytra large, entire, much broader than the thorax. Legs generally short; tibia sometimes flattened ; tarsi 4-jointed —1 and 2 nearly equal, 3 very minute, 4 elongate and slender ; claws faintly incurved. Venter composed of six segments, of which the basal one is nearly equal in length to the other five. This genus contains numerous species from North and Central America and the Sandwich Islands. It is separated from Corylophus by the 11- (not 9-) jointed antenne and other characters. The five Central-American species (briefly noticed, op. cit. p. 161) may be separated from each other by the following characters :— Body hemispheric. Size large; legs piceous . . . 2... we eee ee Champion. Size small; legs yellow. . . 2. 2. 2. 1. 1 1. we ee feansoni. Body more or less ovate. Surface almost smooth. . . . . . . . . we ee torquatus. Surface rather deeply punctured. . . . . . . . . . . . ~ ecastaneus. Body almost orbicular . . . . . . . . ... Orbicularis. 1. Corylophodes championi, sp. n. (Tab. ITI. figg. 19, 19 a-c.) Hemisphericus, glaberrimus, nitidissimus, aterrimus, margine reflexa pronoti albida translucida ; pronoto parvo, vix evidenter punctato, margine anteriore modice reflexa, margine basali fortiter sinuata angulis rectis; elytris quam pronotum multo latioribus, duplo longioribus, ad media latissimis, fere impunctatis; pedibus — atque antennis piceo-ferrugineis. Long. corp. +2 lin.= 1-50 millim. Head flavescent; antenne pale yellow. Zhoraw small, scarcely perceptibly punctured ; anterior margin mode- rately reflexed, transparent white; basal margin strongly sinuated, with the angles rectangular. Scutellum moderate, short, and rounded. lytra much broader and twice longer than the thorax, widest at the middle, almost impunctate. Legs moderate, piceous. Underparts piceous, with a deep longitudinal impression on the metasternum, and a smaller impression on the first ventral segment. Hab. GuateMata, Cerro Zunil (Champion). Differs from other species of the genus in its large size, hemispherical form, smooth and almost impunctate surface, and deep black colour. J have named this fine - species, the largest of its genus yet discovered, after its captor, in recognition of the service he has rendered to entomology in the pursuit of members of this difficult and interesting Family. 2. Corylophodes jansoni, sp. n. Hemisphericus, glaberrimus, nitidissimus, modice punctatus, aterrimus, pronoti margine anteriore late trans- lucida; pronoto parvo, antice valde rotundato, modice punctato, interstitiis glaberrimis, nitidissimis, margine anteriore late reflexa, late translucida, margine basali ad scutellum longius producta angulis fere rectis ; elytris quam pronotum latioribus et plus quam sesqui-longioribus, ante media latissimis, validissime convexis, modice punctatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, lateribus marginatis; pedibus atque antennis lete flavis. Long. corp. 4 lin. = 1 millim. CORYLOPHODES. 121 Head rufo-testaceous ; antenne long, bright yellow. Thorax small, much rounded in front ; moderately punc- tured, with the interstices very smooth and shining; anterior margin broadly reflexed and broadly transparent ; basal margin much produced towards the scutellum, with the angles nearly rectangular. Scutellum small and rounded. lytra half as long again and broader than the thorax, widest before the middle, exceedingly convex ; moderately punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining ; sides margined. Legs moderate, bright yellow. Underparts rufo-testaceous. fab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson). This species is distinguished by its small size, exceedingly convex form, deep black colour, and bright yellow legs and antenne. 3. Corylophodes torquatus, sp. n. Subhemispherricus, glaberrimus, nitidissimus, leviter punctatus, aterrimus, pronoti margine anteriore late trans- lucide albida; pronoto parvo, antice valde rotundato, minute et levissime punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidissimis, margine anteriore late reflexa, albida valde translucida, margine basali modice sinuata, angulis fere rectis; elytris quam pronotum latioribus et plus quam sesqui-longioribus, ad media latissimis, sat profunde et remote punctatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidissimis, lateribus late marginatis; antennis pallide flavis, clava obscura; pedibus flavis, femoribus obscuratis. Long. corp. +9 lin.= 1-25 millim. Head pitchy-testaceous; palpi large; antenne large, pale yellow, with the club much incrassated, dusky. Thorax small, much rounded in front; minutely and faintly punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining ; anterior margin broadly reflexed, white, and very transparent; basal margin moderately sinuated, with the angles nearly rectangular. Scutellum rather large, triangular, impunctate. lytra wider than and more than half as long again as the thorax, widest at the middle ; remotely punctured, with the inter- stices smooth and very shining; sides broadly margined. Legs yellow, with the femora dusky. Under- parts black, the metasternum not depressed. Hab. Guatemata, Zapote, Senahu (Champion). Differs from C. championi in its smaller size and narrower form, and in the broader margin and deeper sculpture of the elytra, and uniform white margin of the thorax. 4. Corylophodes castaneus, sp. n. Late ovatus, postice angustatus, convexissimus, profunde et distincte punctatus, rufo-castaneus, margine anteriore pronoti dilutiore; pronoto parvo, antice rotundato, minutissime punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidissimis, margine anteriore reflexa dilutiore, margine basali ad scutellum valde producta angulis sat obtusis ; elytris quam pronotum latioribus et sesqui-longioribus, ante media latissimis, postice sat attenuatis, validissime convexis, profunde punctatis, interstitiis nitidis, et leviter alutaceis, lateribus marginatis ; pedibus atque antennis pallide flavis. Long. corp. ;®; lin.=1+12 millim. Head flavescent; antenne pale yellow. Thorax small, rounded in front; very minutely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining; anterior margin reflexed and pale; basal margin much produced towards the scutellum, with the angles rather obtuse. Scutellum obtusely triangular. Hlytra broader than and half as long again as the thorax, widest before the middle, rather attenuated posteriorly, exceedingly convex ; deeply punctured, with the interstices shining and faintly alutaceous ; sides margined. Legs pale yellow. Underparts pale testaceous. Hab. Guatemata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion). Differs from C. torquatus in its narrower and more ovate form and deeper sculpture. BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. IL. Pt. 1, January 1888. R* 122 CORYLOPHIDZ. 5. Corylophodes orbicularis, sp. n. Fere orbicularis, aterrimus, nitidissimus, impunctatus; pronoto brevi, antice circulariter rotundato, margine anteriore translucida, modice reflexa, margine basali ad scutellum valde producta, angulis fere rectis; elytris brevibus, quam pronotum sat longioribus, parum latioribus, prope humeros latissimis, lateribus late marginatis, marginibus piceis ; pedibus atque antennis testaceis, his clava obscuriore. Long. corp. ;% lin. =()'87 millim. Head rufo-castaneous; antenne testaceous, with the club dusky. Zhoraa short; circularly rounded in front, with the anterior margin moderately reflexed and transparent ; basal margin much produced towards the scutellum, with its angles almost rectangular. Scutellum broad, triangular. Hilytra short, rather longer and slightly broader than the thorax, widest near the shoulders ; sides broadly margined, with the margin piceous. Legs testaceous, with the three basal joints of the tarsi very large, and the last joint very long and slender. Underparts dark castaneous. Hab. British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaua). Differs from the other allied species in its small size, orbicular form, and glabrous impunctate surface. ORTHOPERINA. Thorax considerably excised in front. . . . . . . « « « «© + « ORTHOPERUS. Thorax not excised in front. . . . . . . . . . . =. . . +. . |RHYPOBIUS. ORTHOPERUS. Orthoperus, Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent., Mand. ii. p. 186 (1829). Body oval or ovate, usually very convex. Head partly exposed, moderate; eyes small; antenne inserted before and above the eyes. Zhorax small, transverse, faintly excavated in front, the hinder angles not produced. Scwtellwm small, more or less triangular. Zlytra entire; rounded, or semiovate. Wings very large. Antenne geniculate; 9-jointed—l and 2 very large and long, 1 recurved, 3 and 4 very small, 5 much larger than 4 or 6, 6 very small, 7-9 forming a moderately incrassated club. Palpi: maaillary large, 4-jointed—1 very small, 2 very large, ovate, 3 short, transverse, 4 large, rounded and much incras- sated at the base, pointed and slightly incurved at the apex, clothed throughout with rather long hairs ; labial large and very robust, 3-jointed—1 minute, 2 large and very robust, abruptly truncate at the apex, with several spur-like processes on the margin of the truncation, 3 minute, almost concealed within the truncate apex of 2. Mentum short, transverse, excavated anteriorly, the sides moderately rounded. Labium oblong, furnished at the apical extremity with long, erect, ovate paraglossal processes. Lingua large, apparently oblong. Zabrum large and broad, rounded anteriorly, and strongly constricted towards the base. Mandibles very large and strong, much hooked and bifid at the point, furnished at the base with a large process which is obliquely truncate in front, and serrate on each edge. Masille unilobed ; lobe rather large, armed at the apex with several long and very sharp curved teeth. Prosternum very short, elevated between the cox, and prolonged in front and behind them, pointed anteriorly and dilated posteriorly ; episterna small, but distinct ; epimera moderate, narrowly enclosing the coxal cavities; coxal cavities narrow and elongate. Mesosternum very short ; episterna large ; epimera long and narrow, almost reaching to the coxal cavities; coxal cavities moderately distant, ovate, apparently furnished with trochantins. Meta- sternum moderate, not extending to the sides of the body, its posterior margin between the coxee straight ; episterna large and very broad; epimera long, extending beyond the metasternum, and much rounded at the extremity ; coxal cavities rather large, pyriform, not extending to the sides of the body. Venter composed of six segments—1 long, 2-5 equal to each other in length, 6 longer than the preceding, simple. Legs generally long and slender: anterior with the trochanters small, triangular ; femora moderate ; tibie generally very long, and much incurved, sometimes uncinate; tarsi 4-jointed—1 rather long, 2 and 3 generally equal, 4 sometimes very long and slender; claws moderate, sometimes unidentate beneath ; ORTHOPERUS. 125 intermediate with the trochanters longer, and the tibie much shorter than the anterior; posterior with the trochanters long and fusiform, in other respects similar to the intermediate. Cove: anterior nearly contingent, long and narrow; intermediate moderately distant; posterior rather remote. This genus contains numerous species, all from Europe or North America. Ortho- perus may be known by its rounded form and minute size; the 9-jointed and strongly geniculated antenne; and by the long incurved anterior tibiee of most of its species. Owing to their close resemblance to vegetable seeds the Orthoperi are often overlooked by collectors; and this may in great measure account for their apparent rarity. The four species contained in the present collection are all represented by single indi- viduals; they are nevertheless abundantly distinct from each other, and may be separated thus :— Surface distinctly punctured. Tibie yellow. 2 2. 2 ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ovalis. Tibi pitchy black. . 2... ee ee ee ee nigricans. Surface smooth. Legs pale. 2. 2 1 ee ee ee OVENS, Legs black . 2... ee ee ee ee ee ee perpusillus. 1. Orthoperus ovalis, sp. n. Ovalis, validissime convexus, niger, nitidus, distinctissime et regulariter punctatus, pilis brevibus sparsissime indutus; pronoto sat parvo, ad basin latissimo, lateribus marginatis, marginibus dilutioribus, margine basali sinuata, linea levi intra marginem impressa, angulis fere rectis; elytris quam caput atque pronotum sesqui-longioribus sat latioribus, ad media latissimis, validissime convexis, magis profunde punctatis ; pedibus atque antennis rufo-piceis, tarsis longioribus. Long. corp. 74; lin.=0°87 millim. Head very little exposed, moderate, shining ; antenns: rufo-piceous. horas small, but rather long, widest at the base, distinctly and regularly punctured; sides margined, the margin pale, with an impressed line within the basal margin ; basal margin sinuated, with the angles nearly rectangular. Scutellum very small, triangular. lytra rather broader and half as long again as the head and thorax, widest at the middle, exceedingly convex ; distinctly, regularly, and more deeply punctured than the thorax. Legs yellow, with the femora dusky ; tarsi rather long. Underparts black, moderately and distinctly punctured. Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge). One specimen. Differs from the following three species in its larger size, purely oval form, nigro- piceous colour, and rather deeply punctured elytra. 2. Orthoperus nigricans, sp. n. Ovalis, convexus, nitidus, aterrimus, pilis brevibus remotis indutus, modice sed distincte punctatus; pronoto sat parvo, leviter marginato, margine basali vix sinuata, angulis fere rectis; elytris quam caput atque pronotum parum longioribus et latioribus atque magis profunde punctatis, prope media latissimis, apicibus rotundatis et parum dilutioribus ; pedibus atque antennis nigro-piceis, tibiis anterioribus longis incurvatis. Long. corp. 33; lin. =0°63 millim. Head small, scarcely exserted ; antenne piceous. Thoraw rather small, faintly margined ; basal margin scarcely sinuated, with the angles nearly rectangular. Scutellwm moderate, triangular. Hlytra rather longer and R* 2 124 CORYLOPHID. broader than the head and thorax, and more deeply punctured, widest near the middle, the apex rounded and rather paler. Legs moderate, pitchy-black, with the anterior tibie long and incurved. Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city (Champion). One specimen. Differs from the preceding species in its much smaller size, more rounded and less convex form, dark legs and antenne, and black colour. 3. Orthoperus ovatus, sp. n. Ovatus, validissime convexus, fere glaber, rufo-castaneus; pronoto sat longo, indistincte punctato, ad basin latissimo, margine basali leviter sinuata, angulis fere rectis; elytris quam caput atque pronotum parum latioribus et sesqui-longioribus, ante media latissimis, postice leviter attenuatis, apice sat acuto, dilutiore ; pedibus atque antennis pallide ferrugineis. Long. corp. 75; lin.=0-63 millim. Head much exserted; eyes large; antenne yellow, with the club dusky. Zhoraw rather long, indistinctly punctured, widest at the base; basal margin slightly sinuated, with the angles nearly rectangular. Scutellum very small, triangular. lytra rather broader and half as long again as the head and thorax, widest before the middle, slightly attenuated posteriorly, the apex rather acute and paler. Legs moderate, pale ferruginous. Underparts piceous, with the venter paler. Hab. GUATEMALA, San Gerdénimo (Champion). One specimen. ° Differs from all others of the genus in its very convex and narrow ovate form and rufo-castaneous colour. 4, Orthoperus perpusillus, sp. n. Late ovalis, nigro-piceus, nitidissimus, fere impunctatus; capite parvo; oculis modicis, haud prominentibus ; pronoto magno, ad basin latissimo, quam levissime alutaceo, lateribus marginatis, margine basali scutellum versus producta; elytris quam pronotum vix latioribus, duplo longioribus, ante media latissimis, quam levissime alutaceis, punctis minutissimis, remotis, striatim dispositis, impressis, lateribus marginatis, apicibus latis, valde rotundatis; pedibus longis, nigro-piceis, tarsis elongatis; antennis sat robustis, totis flavescentibus. Long. corp. 74 lin.=0°50 millim. Body broadly oval, pitchy-black, very shining, almost impunctate. Head small; eyes moderate, not prominent. Thorax large, widest at the base, very minutely alutaceous ; sides margined; base produced towards the scutellum. Scutellum very small, triangular. Llytra scarcely broader but twice longer than the thorax, widest before the middle, very minutely alutaceous, marked with very minute remote punctures in longi- tudinal striz ; sides margined ; extremities very broad, and much rounded. Legs long, pitchy-black ; tarsi very long. Antenne rather robust, entirely dusky yellow. Underparts pitchy-black. Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Sallé). One specimen. This, the most minute of all the known species of Orthoperus, may be recognized by its exceedingly small size, broadly oval form, and pitchy-black legs. RHYPOBIUS. Rypobius, Leconte, Proc. Acad. Phil. vi. p. 142 (1852). Rhypobius, Gemminger & Harold, Cat. xii. p. 3818. Body ovate, exceedingly convex. Head rather large, covered, but not concealed, by the thorax, the parts of the mouth very prominent; eyes large and very prominent; antenne inserted considerably in front of the eyes. Thorax large, its front margin entire, the extreme front sometimes straight, the hinder angles not produced. Scutellum rather large, rounded at the apex. lytra entire, semiovate. Wings wanting. Abdomen RHYPORIUS. 125 with the pygidium sometimes exposed. Antenne geniculate, 11-jointed—1 very long and robust, much recurved, 2 ovate, more than one half shorter than 1, 3 small and slender, 4 very short, transverse, 5 more than twice as large as 4, 6 very short, transverse, 7 very large and much incrassated, as long as the four preceding joints united, 8 short, transverse, subtriangular, 9-11 forming a moderately incrassated club. Palpi: masillary very large, 4-jointed—1 very small, 2 very long, and very large, subcylindrical, faintly incuryed, rather widest near the base, 2 very short, transverse, 4 semioval, clothed with short hairs ; labial large and robust, 3-jointed—-1 very small, 2 large, rather pyriform, broadly truncate at the apex, 3 moderate, truncate, and furnished with short hairs at the apex. Mentum subquadrate, short, slightly rounded at the sides. Labiwm long and broad, rounded at the sides. Lingua moderate, subtriangular. Labrum small and short, ovally rounded in front. MJandibles linear, very long and slender, deeply bifid at the apex, with the points widely divergent and terminating in a very acute strong hook. Mazille unilobed ; lobe very long and robust, very acute and simple at the apex. Prosternum very short, elevated between the coxee, and much dilated behind them; episterna minute, scarcely perceptible; epimera very narrow, narrowly enclosing the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities rather large, oval. Mesosternum very short; episterna rather small; epimera large and long, not extending to the coxal cavities; coxal cavities large, rounded, moderately distant. Metasternum rather short, not extending to the sides of the body ; episterna large and broad, longer than the metasternum; epimera long, concealed by the elytra; coxal cavities large, pyriform, not reaching to the sides of the body, the margin of the metasternum straight between the coxee. Venter composed of six segments—1 long, but scarcely as long as the metasternum, 2-6 nearly equal to each other in length, the apical segment simple. Legs long and very robust: anterior with the trochanters very small, triangular; femora robust; tibize generally more or less dilated; tarsi 4-jointed— 1 and 2 large, broadly bilobed, and pilose, 8 exceedingly minute, 4 long and robust; claws rather long, unidentate beneath ; intermediate similar to the anterior, but longer, with the tibiz dilated before the apex; posterior similar to the intermediate, but longer, with the femora much more robust. Cowe: anterior separated by the prosternum ; intermediate moderately distant; posterior more widely separated - than the intermediate. Rhypobius resembles some of the Byrrhide in appearance, and is on that account easily recognizable. The sixth joint of the antenne, and the third joint of the tarsi, can scarcely be discovered without the assistance of Canada balsam. This genus was founded by Leconte upon a single species from Coney Island, and I have recently described another from Europe; a third inhabits Guatemala. 1. Rhypobius guatemalensis, sp. n. Ovalis, validissime convexus, nitidissimus, castaneus ; capite parvo, vix conspicuo; pronoto sat magno, leviter remoteque punctato, interstitiis leviter alutaceis, antice leviter excavato, lateribus circulariter rotundatis, leviter marginatis, margine basali leviter sinuata, scutellum versus parum producta, angulis acutis, parum productis ; elytris modicis, quam caput atque pronotum longioribus vix latioribus, pone humeros latissimis, magis profunde punctatis, interstitiis alutaceis, lateribus leviter marginatis, apice obtuso; antennis longis, robustis atque pedibus flavis. Long. corp. 7% lin.=0°75 millim. Head very small, scarcely exserted; eyes small, not prominent; antenne long and robust, yellow. Thoraw rather large, faintly and distantly punctured, with the interstices faintly alutaceous, slightly excavated in front; sides circularly rounded and faintly margined; basal margin feebly sinuated, rather produced towards the scutellim, with the angles acute and slightly produced. Scutellum rather long, rounded. Elytra moderate, longer but not broader than the head and thorax, widest below the shoulders; more deeply punctured than the thorax, with the interstices more strongly alutaceous ; sides slightly margined ; apex obtuse. Legs moderate, yellow. Underparts castaneous. Hab. GuatEMALA, near the city (Champion). One specimen. Differs from R. marinus, Lec., in its much smaller size and perfectly oval form, and also in sculpture. 126 TRICHOPTERYGIDZ. Fam. TRICHOPTERYGIDA*. The Trichopterygide collected by Mr. Champion, and described in the following pages, form the most important collection of that family ever yet made by any single individual in a tropical country. It is not possible to praise too highly the perseverance and patient research expended in their pursuit, or the skill exhibited by Mr. Champion in their preservation. Throughout the whole of this numerous collection almost every specimen has been mounted in a manner which at once exhibits the characteristic differences of sculpture and outline so important in discrimination, and so difficult to display, a fact which every one who has made the attempt will readily confess. The greater part of the known genera of Trichopterygide, and two previously unknown, are represented among Mr. Champion’s captures. The species, of which twenty-seven were new to science, include many beautiful and interesting forms, and present every gradation of size from the microscopic Ptilium hornianum and Nanosella fungi up to Trichopteryx godmani, a species more than one half larger than any previ- ously discovered. That so many of Mr. Champion’s captures should belong to species then unknown cannot be at all surprising; such must ever be the case, when the Trichopterygide of an almost untried region are thus industriously hunted up, and while the study of a family so infinitely numerous and so generally distributed remains in its infancy. It is quite possible that some of those I have treated as new species may have already been described by Motschulsky, who many years ago published [ Bull. Mosc. xli. part 2, pp. 70 et seg. (1868)] an account of many Trichopterygide found by himself in Central America and elsewhere. But without types it is often impossible to recognize a species from his very short and imperfect descriptions. The death of Motschulsky was a serious loss to me, for nothing could exceed the kind liberality with which he would at all times supply types to assist a student; but since his collection has been placed in the Museum of Moscow the managers of that institution have persistently ignored my oft-repeated applications for the loan or exchange of types—a line of conduct unaccountable on the score of courtesy, and incompatible with the advancement of science. I have already [‘‘ Synopsis of North-American Trichopterygide,” Trans. Am. Ent. Soe. xi. pp. 113-156 (1884) | briefly described all the Central-American species known to me. To render, however, this work as complete as possible the descriptions are here given in full. The genera known to me may be grouped as follows :— Trichopterygina. Elytra truncate . Ptiliina. Elytra entire . * By A. Marruews. PTINELLA. 127 TRICHOPTERYGINA. Body elongate; abdomen much longer than the elytra. Thorax more or less constricted; posterior coxe slightly laminated . Loe ee PrINELLA. Thorax not constricted ; posterior coxee simple. . . . . . CHAMPIONELLA. Body more or less oblong; abdomen not much longer than the elytra. Thorax constricted near the base. . . . - + + + «+ + PTERYCODES. Thorax not constricted. Thorax with the posterior angles more or less produced . TrichoPpTeryx. Thorax with the posterior angles not produced . . . . NepHanss. | PTILIINA. Base of the thorax incumbent on the shoulders of the elytra . . ActTIDIUM. Base of the thorax fitted to the shoulders of the elytra. Body very convex and shining, not pubescent. . - - - - PrenripiuM. Body more or less pubescent. Antenne very short. NANOSELLA. Antenne long. Thorax narrower than the elytra, with the hinder angles not produced . . . «ee + + + +) Priniv. Thorax as broad as the elytra, with the hinder angles THROSCIDIUM. produced . In describing the older genera of the Trichopterygide it will be unnecessary in the present work to enter into a detailed account of their anatomy, which, for the greater part, has been fully set forth in my ‘Trichopterygia Ilustrata.’ The characters which I purpose chiefly to notice are those which subsequent investigations and a more matured knowledge of the subject have, since the publication of that work, enabled me to add to or to correct in the descriptions there given. These, it will be seen, consist wholly in the respective proportions of certain parts of the underside of the external skeleton; a subject formerly much neglected, but of late years brought prominently forward, and placed in the important position which it now holds, chiefly through the investigations of Dr. Leconte and Dr. Horn. TRICHOPTERYGINA. PTINELLA. Ptinella, Motschulsky, Bull. Mosc. 1845, iv. p. 506 ; Matthews, Trich. Ilustr. p. 164, t. 19 (1872). in life translucent. Antenne 11-jointed, generally long and slender, ornamented with long hairs; club elongate, moniliform. Head prominent, rather large; eyes moderate, in some species deficient in the male sex. Thorax generally small, and more or less constricted near the base. Scutellum large,