MOPHIS. 169 
extending laterally a little beyond the antennary orbits; prothorax transverse, narrowing anteriorly, the 
sides distinctly margined (in one species, M. marginicollis, thin and slightly expanded), the base bisinuate, 
narrowly margined, and with an oblique fovea on each side ; scutellum scutiform ; elytra distinctly wider 
than and fully three times as long as the prothorax, somewhat broadly margined, slightly rounded at the 
sides, regularly punctate-striate, with a short scutellar stria; legs long, slender, smooth; tibial spurs 
small; tarsi long and slender, the first joint of the hind pair much longer than the two following joints 
united ; prosternum narrow, the apex slightly deflexed and produced ; mesosternum feebly concave in front ; 
metasternum longitudinally impressed ; intercoxal process triangular ; anterior coxe subtransverse ; middle 
cox with an indistinct trochantin, the cavities slightly open externally ; epipleure abruptly ending a little 
beyond the last ventral suture. 
This genus includes three species from Central America. Mophis might perhaps 
be almost equally well placed in the group “ Diaperides;” the eyes, however, though 
large, are only feebly convex, and the trochantin of the middle cox is scarcely visible. 
The species are found under bark. 
1. Mophis marginicollis. (Tab. VIII. fig. 3.) 
Oblong ovate, depressed, dark reddish brown or black, slightly shining. Head closely and coarsely punctured, 
the epistoma broad and slightly convex and defined laterally by a longitudinal impression; prothorax 
strongly transverse, rounded at the sides, broadest a little before the base, the sides thin and slightly 
expanded, the lateral margins broadly impressed within and very prominent, the anterior angles prominent 
but obtuse, the hind angles subrectangular, the base with an oblique fovea on each side (often connected 
by a shallow transverse sinuous impression), the surface rather coarsely and somewhat closely punctured, 
the margins often paler; elytra regularly and rather coarsely punctate-striate, the interstices very feebly 
convex and very evidently and somewhat closely punctured, the suture and shoulders often paler ; beneath 
reddish, shining, finely and not very closely punctured ; legs reddish. 
Length 53-63 millim. (¢ 9.) 
Hab. Guatema.a, Capetillo, Calderas 6000 feet, Quiche mountains 7000 to 9000 feet 
(Champion). 
Many examples. This somewhat immature-looking species may be known by the 
thin and slightly expanded lateral margins of its thorax; I met with it rather 
commonly under bark of various trees. in the forests at elevations of from 5000 to 
9000 feet. 
2. Mophis affinis. 
Closely allied to J. marginicollis, and differing as follows:—Head more finely, not so closely, and more equally 
punctured, the epistoma not so well defined posteriorly ; prothorax more finely, more closely, and not 
so deeply punctured, the sides not expanded; elytra more shallowly punctate-striate, the interstices flat 
and punctured as in M. marginicollis; beneath almost black, shining, sparingly and finely punctured ; 
legs reddish. 
Length 6 millim. 
Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Oaxaca, Las Vigas (Hoge). 
Four examples. 
3. Mophis aterrimus. 
Form of UM. affinis, and differing as follows :—Deep black; the prothorax distinctly narrower, longer, and less 
transverse, the basal fovese shorter and more abruptly defined anteriorly, the surface (and also that of the 
BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. IV. Pt. 1, June 1886. ZZ, 
