128 SEEEICOENIA. 



five lines of strong, large punctures which extend to about the middle (the lines are, 

 however, rather vague and irregular), and between the fifth line and the lateral costa 

 (which is strongly marked) there are two more lines of smaller punctures ; there is a little 

 white pubescence near the scutellum, two indistinct spots at a short distance from the 

 base, three more evident ones placed in a triangle at the middle, and a rather broad 

 white fascia before the apex ; the margin has two white spots. 



2. Taphrocerus fasciatus. 



iEneus, nitidus ; elytris dimidio basali striato-punctatis, ante apicem fascia alba ornatis, lateribus cosfcatis. 

 Long. 1| lin. 



Hab. Panama, Caldera in Chiriqui 1200 feet (Champion). 



This species differs from T. costatus in being much smaller, and in having fewer 

 punctures on the thorax. The elytra have the punctures in the basal region more dis- 

 tinctly arranged in lines ; there are a few white hairs across the middle, which in a 

 fresh specimen might form spots or a band, and the lateral costa, instead of being 

 sinuous and following the curves of the side of the elytron, is almost straight for half 

 its length and parallel to the suture. 



3. Taphrocerus nigritulus. 



Niger, nitidus; elytris dimidio basali striato-punctatis, medio guttis duabus fasciaque ante apicem albis 



ornatis, lateribus costatis. 

 Long. 1| lin. 



Hab. Panama, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion). 



This is a more convex and cylindrical species than either of the foregoing. The 

 head is relatively larger and more prominent. The thorax has a few punctures in the 

 basal impressions. The elytra are less sinuate below the shoulders, so that they are 

 not so angulated at the middle ; the basal region is punctured in lines, the apical half 

 nearly smooth ; the lateral carina is slightly flexuous and follows the curves of the 

 margin. 



4. Taphrocerus mexicanus. 



Sat latus, a3neus, nitidus ; elytris purpurascentibus, striato-punctatis, ad apicem lasvibus, medio maculis tribus 



fasciaque ante apicem albis ornatis. 

 Long, lf-lg lin. 



Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Salle), Tepetlapa 3000 feet, and Xucumanatlan 7000 

 feet, in Guerrero, Atoyac in Vera Cruz, Teapa in Tabasco (H. H. Smith) ; Guatemala, 

 Chiacam, Tamahu, and Purula in Vera Paz, Duerlas (Champion). 



The head and thorax are shiny brassy, the latter with large shallow punctures placed 

 rather close together in the basal impressions. The elytra are not very convex, sub- 

 parallel for half their length (gently sinuate below the shoulders), and then obliquely 



