CNEMEPLATIA.—CRYPTICUS. 137 
the base than in front, anterior angles obtuse, hind angles subrectangular, the base with a shallow rounded 
impression in the middle before the scutellum, closely and finely punctured, covered with smooth silky 
scale-like pubescence (paler towards the sides and base, the disc darker anteriorly) ; elytra about as wide as 
the thorax, broadly but feebly emarginate at the base, somewhat coarsely, closely, and regularly punctate- 
striate, the interstices flat, densely clothed with scale-like pubescence, in fresh examples the base and the 
alternate interstices paler; spurs of the anterior tibix long and subequal; winged. 
Length 3 millim. 
Hab. Panama, San Feliz, Bugaba (Champion). 
Three examples, all of which were captured on the wing towards sunset. 
C. laticollis may be known from the described species of the genus by the compara- 
tively shorter and broader head and thorax, the small eyes, and the flat interstices of 
the elytra, &c.; the spurs of the anterior tibize long and subequal. This is one of the 
smallest known species of the group. | 
Group CRYPTICIDES. 
This group will contain one genus (Cryptieus) only. 
CRYPTICUS. 
Crypticus, Latreille, Régne Anim. Ist edit. ii. p. 298 (1817); Lacord. Gen. Col. v. p. 223; Horn, 
Rey. Ten. of Am. north of Mexico, p. 362; Lec. & Horn, Class. Col. N. A. 1883, p. 380. 
A very widely distributed genus; species are found in Europe (including England), 
the Canary Islands, South Africa, the Atlantic region of North America, South 
America, &c.; we now add four, all of small size, from Central America. The 
different species are found in hot, dry, arid places at the roots of grass, &c., both 
inland and on the coast. 
1. Crypticus ovatus. 
Ovate, convex, black, with a slight ewneous tinge, shining, glabrous. Head closely and very finely punctured ; 
prothorax finely and more sparingly punctured; elytra the width of the prothorax at the base, similarly 
punctured, and with traces of fine obsolete striae; antennee (the two basal joints excepted) black; legs 
reddish brown ; prosternum narrow, horizontal, the apex produced. 
Length 3-33 millim. (¢ 9.) 
Had. Guatemaua, Champerico (Champion). 
Common at roots of grass &c. on the sea-coast at Champerico. A small, shining, 
black species of regularly elliptic outline; the thorax equally rounded and narrowed 
with the elytra; shorter and more convex than the North-American C. odsoletus, 
Say. 
2. Crypticus mexicanus. 
Ovate, rather broad, black, shining. Head closely and very finely punctured ; prothorax exceedingly finely 
BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. IV. Pt. 1, April 1886. ry 
