POLIORCETES.—BRANCHUS. 71 
concave, and the anterior margin raised; epipleure broad, with a short distinct ridge at the apex; inter- 
mediate coxal cavities open, trochantin prominent; scutellum transversely triangular, impunctate; anterior 
tibie with sharp tooth at outer apical angle; meso- and metasternum broad, prosternum comparatively 
narrow and slightly thickened and produced behind; scutellum broad, triangular. 
I have founded this genus upon a single Mexican species. Closely allied to Asida. 
The elytra are much swollen behind and flattened, giving the insect very much the 
appearance of a Platesthes, from which, however, it differs in several important points; 
it is also allied to Ologlyptus, but differs in the structure of the palpi and coxal cavities. 
1. Poliorcetes platesthoides. (Tab. II. fig. 25.) 
Ovate, rather broad, depressed, dull, dark reddish brown. Head transversely impressed in front, with some 
scattered punctures, and a shallow indistinct groove between the eyes; prothorax transverse, the lateral 
margins rounded and crenulate, slightly expanded and reflexed, narrowed in front and behind, the anterior 
angles prominent, triangular, hind angles obtuse, the base almost truncate, the disc finely and sparingly 
punctured, the sides transversely rugulose, with a shallow indistinct central groove; elytra flattened, 
swollen behind, rounded at the sides, narrower than the thorax at the base, widened from the base to 
beyond the middle, then narrowed and the apex a little produced, base sinuate and emarginate on each 
side of the scutellum, humeral angles obsolete and rounded, with three finely denticulated prominent 
ridges—a dorsal (distant from the suture, curved, and almost parallel with the margin), and a marginal 
ridge, confluent before the apex, and enclosing a shorter ridge, the surface with fine widely scattered 
impressions. Beneath with the thorax and mesosternum coarsely punctured, the ventral segments and 
metasternum with fine widely scattered punctures, the mentum with some very coarse rounded 
impressions. 
Length 14-18 millim. 
Hab. Mexico, Ticomavaca (Hége). 
Taken in plenty by Hoge. 
Group NYCTELIIDES. 
This group will include Psectrascelis (a genus allied to Nyctelia), recorded from 
Mexico; the tribe Branchini of Horn and Leconte; and a genus of somewhat doubtful 
position. 
PSECTRASCELIS. 
Psectrascelis, Solier, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1836, p. 311, t. 6. f. 9-16; Lacord. Gen. Col. v. p. 170. 
This is a South-American genus, found in Chili, Peru, and Bolivia; one species has 
been recorded from Mexico, but, as Lacordaire says, probably erroneously. 
1. Psectrascelis subdepressus. 
Psectrascelis subdepressus, Sol. loc. cit. p. 318". 
Hab. Mexico!? 
BRANCHUS. 
Branchus, Leconte, Class. Col. N. America, part 1. p. 222 (1862); Horn, Rev. Ten. N. A. p. 291; 
(1870); Lec. & Horn, Class. Col. N. A. 1883, p. 371. 
Three species are recorded of this genus—one from Florida, one from the island of 
