

DKAPETES.— THROSCUS. 207 



small size, and darker antennae. The prosternal carina? are of equal length, and extend 

 two-thirds the length of the prosternum. 



26. Drapetes niger. (Tab. X. fig. 1.) 



Drapetes niger, de Bonv. Mon. p. 78, t. 3. fig. 5 \ 



Hah. Mexico 1 , Teapa (H. H. Smith) ; British Honduras, Belize (Blancaneaux) ; 

 Guatemala, Chacoj and Panzos in Vera Paz, El Tumbador, Zapote (Champion) ; 

 Panama, Bugaba, Taboga I. (Champion). 



A moderately elongate, entirely black species, sparsely clothed with silvery-white 

 pubescence, which forms a denser transverse band across the elytra behind the middle, 

 widest at the suture and narrowed outwardly. The unique example described by 

 de Bonvouloir was evidently a badly preserved specimen. 



THROSCUS. 



Throscus, Latreille, Gen. Crust, et Ins. ii. p. 37 (1807) ; de Bonvouloir, Mon. des Throscides, p. 1 



(pars) . 

 Trixagus, Kugelann, Schneid. Mag. v. p. 535 (1794) . 

 Trixacus, Redtenbacher, Fauna Austriaca, ed. 2, p. 402. 



There does not yet seem to be accord regarding the name to be accepted for this 

 genus, and more than necessary seems to have been published in favour of the one or 

 the other. 



It is proposed to restrict the genus to those species which have no abruptly defined 

 groove on the metasternum for the reception of the middle tarsi. As thus defined, 

 probably all the European species remain here, together with T. alienus, T. chevrolati, 

 T. parvulits, T. mendax, T. sejunctus, T. sericeus, and T. dehilis of the North- American 

 fauna and the two described below. 



On examining the metasternum of Throscus as thus restricted there will be observed 

 a faint oblique depression directed towards the side, in some cases limited by a finely 

 elevated line for the reception of the middle tarsi in repose. 



1. Throscus auctus. 



Piceous, moderately shining, finely pubescent ; legs rufous : eyes entire, not invaded by a canthus ; head 

 distinctly punctate, without trace of carinas ; thorax not quite twice as wide at the base as long, sides 

 regularly arcuate to the apex, disc feebly convex, sparsely but distinctly punctate, more closely at the hind 

 angles, which have a fine carina close to the margin ; elytra distinctly striate, striae finely, not closely, 

 punctate, a little more distinctly toward the apex, intervals flat, irregularly uniseriately punctate; 

 abdomen sparsely punctate, finely pubescent ; prosternal stria? entire ; prosternum smooth. 



Length 1-5 millim. 



Hab. Panama, Tole (Champion). 



