124 MALACODERMATA. 
in the following genus by not having the front of the thorax finely raised and 
margined. 
About thirty species are recorded, all occurring in America north of Mexico. 
1. Pristoscelis nigro-cneus. 
Oblongus, postice paulo ampliatus, nigro-eneus, nitidus, dense sat fortiter punctatus; capite prothoraceque 
nigro-pilosellis ; elytris breviter:cinereo-pubescentibus. Long. 4~5 millim. 
Hab. Mexico (Sallé), Jalapa, Oaxaca (Hoge). 
This and the next species are very nearly allied ; independently of size, however, they 
are differently punctured. In the present species the thorax is smooth and shining, 
covered with separate punctures, leaving room between each for another puncture. 
The elytra are more closely punctured; and the punctures are sometimes confluent, 
especially towards the base of the suture. 
Five specimens were in Hoge’s collection from Jalapa, and two from Oaxaca, agreeing 
closely in size. Eight in Sallé’s collection are smaller, but are otherwise similar. 
2. Pristoscelis salvini. 
Oblongus, subparallelus, nigro-sneus, nitidus; capite prothoraceque crebre, subtiliter, elytris minus dense sat 
fortiter punctatis. Long. 3 millim. 
Hab. Guatemaa, Volcan de Fuego (Salvin). 
I have pointed out above the close puncturing of this species and its smaller size as 
compared with P. nigro-eneus; the colour is very similar, viz. nearly black, with a 
faint brassy reflection. The thorax has the small punctures so close as to be confluent 
in places; and a very fine raised line can be traced in its centre from near the base to 
the front. 
Eight specimens of this species were captured by Mr. Salvin on flowers of Arenaria 
bryoides, var. guatemalensis (cf. Botany, i. p. 70, t. 4), growing at the summit of the 
Volcan de Fuego, 13,100 feet above the sea. 
3. Pristoscelis pubescens. (Tab. VII. fig. 10.) 
Oblongus, subparallelus, plumbeo-niger, nigro pilosellus, cinereo-pubescens ; capite prothoraceque subtiliter, 
elytris parcius et fortius punctatis. Long. 53-6 millim. 
Hab. Muxico, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé). 
The three specimens of this belong to a very distinct species, being considerably 
larger than P. nigro-wneus, and with the thorax very much more finely and closely 
punctured. The antenne are short, and have the five joints before the apical one 
strongly transverse. 
I have examined the membranous lobes of the claws of this species, and find they are 
rounded at their apices, and are not quite so long as the claw itself. 
