os 
SPERMOPHAGUS. 493 
on each side, the surface only minutely sculptured, the sculpture concealed by the fine 
pubescence, which is black, varied with indistinct grey patches, the most conspicuous of 
which is an angular mark in front of the scutellum. Elytra short and broad, finely 
striate, black, more or less variegate with grey pubescence ; this sometimes forms a distinct 
mark on the middle of each side. Pygidium extremely broad, more or less covered with 
grey pubescence, and with a more condensed line of such pubescence along the middle. 
Under-surface more uniformly covered with grey pubescence ; the hind coxe bare, with 
only a few obsolete punctures; the middle of the metasternum in front distinctly 
depressed, and with a greater condensation of the pubescence in the depression. 
This species is very variable in the markings of the upper surface ; specimens nearly 
evenly covered with grey pubescence were labelled “ Bruchus leucogaster, Kunze” in 
Sallé’s collection, and other individuals where the black predominates, allowing a single 
incomplete pale fascia to be seen, “ B. cingulatus, Kunze.” The majority of the exam- 
ples obtained have a number of indefinite oblong griseous marks forming two or three 
irregular transverse series on the wing-cases. S. semifasciatus, Schénh., is no doubt 
closely allied to the present species, and an example from Guatemala bearing this 
name is extant in our National collection. Schénherr’s locality for 8. semifasciatus is, 
however, Barthélemy, and his description does not agree sufficiently with our insect to 
admit of its being treated as his species. The North American species of Zabrotes, 
described by Dr. Horn, appear also to be very close to S. pectoralis, but are described 
ag possessing more or less coarse punctuation on the thorax. 
2. Spermophagus propinquus. (Tab. XXVI. fig. 20.) 
Breviter ovalis, parum convexus, nigerrimus ; elytris albido semifasciatis, prothorace pygidioque medio pallido- 
pubescentibus, corpore subtus albido-pubescente ; antennis gracilibus, articulis primo et secundo rufis. 
Long. 2 millim. 
Hab. GuatemaLa, Zapote, Duefias, Capetillo (Champion); Panama, Volcan de 
Chiriqui between 2500 and 4000 feet, Tolé (Champion). 
This species is extremely similar to the semifasciate form of S. pectoralis, but has no 
trace of the pectoral depression, and the marks on the upper surface and pygidium, 
though few in number, are very definite on the intense black ground; the form, more- 
over, is rather shorter and the antenne are not quite so elongate. 
Only six examples have been obtained. Probably the species varies somewhat in 
the markings, as two of the specimens do not possess the white mark on the wing-cases ; 
but this is possibly due to abrasion. 
§ 2. Front core more or less separated. 
3. Spermophagus gravidus. 
Piceus, pubescentia griseo-ochracea sequaliter vestitus ; antennis pedibusque rufis ; oculis convexis, distantibus, 
fortiter granulatis ; prothorace fortiter punctato ; elytris profunde striatis. 
Long. 9-11 millim. (cum capite). 
