EPICZERUS. 105 
Group 1.—Thorax broad, narrowed and contracted behind, its dorsal surface very coarsely sculp- 
tured, usually with a broad irregular groove along the middle. Sculpture of the elytra very 
coarse. Rostrum broad at the tip. Species 1-11. 
Group 2.—Thorax subconical or subcylindric in form, with only a vague channel on the middle. 
Rostrum usually a little more slender towards the tip and the pterygia but little visible. 
Species 12-38. 
Grovr 3.—Thorax without the peculiar form and sculpture of Group 1. The rostrum usually a 
little broader towards the tip, with the pterygia exposed. Species 39-52. 
Group 1.—Thorax broad, constricted behind, very coarsely sculptured, with a broad 
groove along the middle. (Diorynotus, Jekel, in litt.) (Species 1-11.) 
1. Epicerus vilis, sp.n. (Tab. IV. fig. 18, 2.) 
Minus elongatus, niger, obsolete squamosus, inzequalis, grosse sed vage et parum profunde sculpturatus ; elytris 
interstitiis 3°, 5°, 7° latis, posterius obsoletescentibus ; rostro medio sulcato. 
Long. 11-13 millim. 
Hab. Mexico, Salazar, Morelia in Michoacan, Esperanza, Mexico city (Hége), Toluca, 
Parada (Sallé). | 
One of the smallest and most squalid species of this group, the sculpture being very 
coarse, vague, and indefinite, while the surface appears almost destitute of squamosity ; 
on examining under a strong lens the surface looks as if the scales were present, but 
partially dissolved away, as though by the action of some corrosive agent. The thorax 
is not elongate; the median groove on it is indefinite, and in the female is usually quite 
interrupted in the middle. ‘The surface between the ribs of the elytra is irregularly 
impressed, the sculpture consisting of two series of large punctures that are more or 
less confluent, and usually more definite in the male than in the female. 
We have received about twenty examples that I assign to this species; they exhibit 
considerable variation in size, shape, and sculpture. 
2. Epiczrus cognatus, sp. n. 
Niger, obsolete sqamosus, grosse sculpturatus; rostro medio canaliculato, utrmque canalicula breviore minus 
arguta munito; elytris interstitiis 3°, 5°, 7° sat alte elevatis, 
Long. 11-15 millim. 
Hab. Mexico, Esperanza, Mexico city (Hége). 
This insect may be distinguished from LE. vilis by the presence, on each side of the 
rostrum near the front, of an additional, though vague, groove ; the sculpture is better 
defined, the alternate interstices of the elytra form more definite coste, and the general 
form is on the average more elongate. The channel on the middle of the thorax is 
BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. IV. Pt. 8, October 1891. PP 
