206 MALACODERMATA. 
Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Oaxaca (Sallé); British Honpuras, river Sarstoon (Blan- 
caneauaz); GUATEMALA, Calderas, Duefias, Zapote, Purula (Champion); Costa Rica, 
Cache (fogers). 
This singular-looking insect is of a dull uniform dark-brown colour, without striation 
or punctures, with the exception of the short stria close to the margin near the apex, 
and in some examples very faint indications of two or three striz just above the pleural 
sinuation of the elytra. Its contractile power is very great, the appendages being all 
neatly packed away in repose, so that the insect when laid on its back resembles a 
pupa. The mesosternum is visible only as a small round point in the bifurcate 
projection of the metasternum. ‘The species appears very common; a specimen from 
Capetillo is figured. 
2. Thaptor throscoides. (Tab. X. fig. 12.) 
T. pupato summa affinitate at minor, brunneus vel nigro-brunneus; elytris ad apicem plerumque stria duplici 
abbreviata. Long. 3-3} millim. 
Hab. British Honpuras, river Sarstoon (Blancaneaua); GuaTEMALA, near the city 
(Salvin), Aceytuno, Capetillo, Duefias, Zapote, Purula (Champion). 
This is perhaps only a small form of the preceding species, which I take for the type 
of the genus; but the two series of specimens are tolerably constant in size among 
themselves, so that connecting links are wanting to confirm the idea that they form 
but one species. 
A Capetillo specimen is figured. 
8. Thaptor oblongus. 
T’. pupato iterum aftinis, oblongus, lateribus subparallelis; thorace antice angustato; elytris stria submarginali 
antice obsoleta, infra humerum duplicata. Long. 4-5 millim. 
Hab. Mzxico, Cordova (Sallé), Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé), Saltillo, Coahuila 
(Dr. Palmer). 
Very obsoletely pubescent, only the very shortest silky hairs being visible; the elytra 
and whole upper surface are free from punctuation, and only very faint indications of 
strie are to be observed. ‘The lateral stria, however, is continued nearly the whole 
length of the side, but becomes very faint near the sinuate edge of the widened part of 
the margin; above this part and near the base one or two other obsolete striz may be 
seen. ‘This insect has very much the appearance of a true Anobium; the reduction 
of the mesosternum and the structure of the antenne prove it to belong to the present 
genus. ‘There are four specimens of this species in Sallé’s collection; and I have seen 
four taken by Dr. Palmer which agree with them. Its more parallel form and the 
difference in the marginal striz will prevent its being confused with 7. pupatus, which 
it at first sight very closely resembles. 
