194 SEEEICOENIA. 



specimen kindly loaned me by M. Ed. Fleutiaux there does not seem to be any reason 

 for separating the species from Lissomus. 



This line in Drapetes begins at the same place, curves slightly outward, then back- 

 ward towards the posterior angle of the metasternum, and gradually disappears. 



In Throscus, as here restricted, there is a slight depression beginning at the middle 

 coxse, curving a little towards the middle of the side of the metasternum, in some 

 species limited behind by a slightly elevated line. 



Aulonothroscus has a sharply denned and rather deep groove for the reception of the 

 middle tarsi, which follows the direction of the elevated line in Drapetes. 



Pactopus has, in addition to the metasternal sulcus, a groove for the posterior tarsi 

 impressed on the first three ventral segments. 



These points serve as an illustration of the often observed fact, that what appears as 

 a line of ornament in one genus, may be the intimation of a well-defined structure in 

 an allied genus. 



The distribution of the Throscidse presents but little of interest. Lissomus, with 

 but two exceptions, is restricted to Central and Tropical South America. Drapetes 

 with more numerous species in the central and tropical regions, has only four 

 in Boreal America, and but four outside of the American continent. Of Throscus 

 it is not so easy to speak. Europe and Boreal America have about seven each, 

 Central America two. Aulonothroscus has six in Boreal and two in Central 

 America, and several in Brazil. From the fact that it has been necessary to divide 

 Throscus among the species known to de Bonvouloir, it is possible that the new genus 

 may have representatives in the Old- World fauna. 



LISSOMUS. 



Lissomus, Dalman, Ephem. Ent. p. 13 (1824) ; de Bonvouloir, Mon. des Throscides, p. 97. 

 Lissodes, Latreille, Fam. Nat. p. 248 (pars). 



The species of this genus are the largest of the family, and seem by their entire 

 organization to approach more nearly the preceding family, Buprestidae, as a whole, 

 than any of the genera which follow. Nearly all the species are more or less gibbous 

 towards the base of the elytra, with a resultant form which distinguishes them at a 

 glance, apart from size, from Drapetes. 



With the exception of one species from the Gaboon, all at present described are 

 from the Central-American region and Tropical South America. 



1. Lissomus gagatinus. 



Lissomus gag atinus, de Bonv. Mon. p. 110 \ 



Hab. Nicaeagua (Salle), Chontales (Belt) ; Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 

 (Champion). — Colombia, Cartagena 1 . 



