CHOASPES. 119 
This genus will include two species from Central America, and one or two others, 
undescribed as yet, from Brazil. Choaspes may be known from its allies by the strongly 
transverse and distinctly margined and angled thorax, the comparatively short and 
broad and distinctly margined elytra, the short legs, the tibie grooved on the outer 
edge (the spurs obsolete), the posterior femora armed in both sexes, the shining surface, 
and submetallic colour. The rows of impressions on the elytra extend only to the 
transverse basal depression, and do not reach the base. 
1. Choaspes purpureus. (Tab. VI. fig. 4.) 
Choaspes purpureus, F. Bates, in litt. 
Oblong ovate, broad, subparallel, dull metallic purple, sometimes with an sneous tinge, rarely purplish- 
black, slightly shining. Head distinctly, rather finely, and sparingly punctured; prothorax strongly 
transverse, scarcely wider at base than at apex, not very convex, the sides very slightly rounded, 
sinuate before the base, anterior angles produced and rounded, hind angles subacute, the disc slightly 
raised in front, aud with a longitudinal fovea in the middle and another smaller impression (often obso- 
lete) at the base, the base with a short oblique fovea on each side near the middle and just within the 
margin, finely and sparingly punctured ; elytra with regular rows of coarse or moderately coarse longish 
impressions placed upon indistinct strie, interstices flat and very finely punctured. 
Length 7-9 millim. (¢ @.) 
Hab. British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaur); GuateMata, Cubilguitz, Panima, 
San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt, Janson); Panama, 
Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). 
The specimens from the different localities differ somewhat in size, colour, and in the 
punctuation of the elytra; but they are, I think, all referable to one variable species. 
The antenne in the female are a little shorter, and the penultimate joints more trans- 
verse than in the male. 
The single individual from the State of Panama is blacker, and the impressions on 
the elytra are deeper aad stronger than in the specimens from the other localities. 
Found under loose bark or in the curled-up withered leaves of fallen forest- 
trees. 
9. Choaspes angulicollis. (Tab. VI. fig. 5.) 
Allied to C. purpureus, and differing as follows :—More shining, colour bright black with a bluish-green tint ; 
the eyes more transverse, and the intraocular space narrower ; the sides of the thorax straighter, the 
anterior angles longer and still more prominent, the longitudinal fovea on the disc deeper, on each 
side midway between this fovea and the margin is another oblique longish deep impression, the basal 
fovese deeper ; elytra slightly longer, rather less parallel, slightly narrowing from the middle to the base, 
and widest beyond the middle. 
Length 9 millim. 
Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt). ‘Two examples. 
