HETEROMERA. 507 
BRANCHUS (p. 71). 
Branchus obscurus (p. 72). 
To the localities given, add:—Mexico, Acapulco (Flohr, Hége), Dos Arroyos in 
Guerrero (H. H. Smith). 
In the single specimen from Guatemala the thorax is broader behind, and without 
median carina. B. obscurus closely resembles various Aside, from which it may be 
easily known by the broader apical joint of the antenne, the exposed ligula, and the 
much smaller mentum, the latter not covering the base of the maxille. The type is 
contained in Mr. F. Bates’s collection. 
2. Branchus opatroides. (Tab. XXII. fig. 24.) 
Broad oval, convex, dull black, somewhat thickly clothed with short, subclavate, erect, brownish hairs. 
Head deeply sunk into the prothorax, very coarsely, densely punctate, the lateral lobes of the front 
impinging upon the eyes and partly dividing them; antennz short, the apical three joints widened, very 
strongly transverse ; prothorax strongly transverse, much broader at the base than at the apex, convex, 
widest at the middle, considerably narrowed in front and slightly narrowed behind, the apex rather 
deeply emarginate, the anterior angles prominent, the hind angles rectangular, the base broadly truncate 
at the middle and very feebly sinuate on either side, the surface very coarsely, confluently punctate, the 
disc with a smooth, fine, raised median line and one or two irregular smooth elevations on either side ; 
scutellum not visible; elytra the width of the prothorax at the base, slightly rounded at the sides, 
convex, rather short, with an irregular marginal carina extending from the somewhat prominent humeri 
nearly to the apex, a similar carina adjacent to it, and two shorter carine on the dise—the one nearest 
the suture indistinct, and each formed by rows of rounded elevations,—the interspaces with scattered 
muricate punctures and rounded elevations, the latter becoming coarser towards the sides and there 
confused with those forming the carine ; beneath shining, coarsely punctate, the ventral segments (the 
fifth excepted) smoother in the middle, each puncture with a decumbent coarse hair; prosternum 
subhorizontally produced, abruptly declivous behind; middle coxal cavities widely open externally, and 
with large trochantin; legs rather short, roughly punctured and setose; anterior tibise with a short 
tooth at the apex. 
Length 7-8, breadth 34-43 millim. 
Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz (Sallé, Hoge), Paso de San Juan in Vera Cruz (Hége), 
Chapala in Jalisco (Flohr). 
Sent in plenty from Vera Cruz. This species has the chief structural characters of 
Branchus, and I therefore include it in that genus. In facies it resembles an Opatrum. 
B. floridanus, Lec., seems to be an allied but very much larger form. In most of the 
specimens the upper surface is covered with an earthy incrustation. ‘The thorax and 
elytra are almost truncate at the base. 
OXINTHAS (p. 72). 
Oxinthas praocioides (p. 72). 
Sent in considerable numbers by Herr Hoge from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec; also 
by Mr. Richardson from Santo Domingo, Tehuantepec. 
