LAMPEOSOMA. 99 



On account of its very broad and excavated prosternum, this species must be sepa- 

 rated from others of similar coloration ; another specimen from Mexico, in my collec- 

 tion, agrees in all respects with that from the collection of M. Salle. 



27. Lamprosoma nigritarse. 



Ovate, constricted behind, dark violaceous or greenish blue ; head impunctate, and thorax minutely punctate ; 

 elytra finely punctate-striate ; tarsi blaek ; prosternum subquadrate. 



Length 2 lines* 



Head rather convex, metallic blue, with a more or less distinct longitudinal central groove ; epistome scarcely 

 deflexed, its anterior margin concave; thorax rather long, its sides but moderately deflexed, surface 

 scarcely visibly punctured, even under a strong lens ; elytra distinctly narrowed behind, rather finely 

 punctate-striate, the lateral lobe angulate, but moderately produced ; underside dark violaceous or greenish, 

 legs of a little more brilliant colour; tarsi black; prosternum scarcely longer* than broad, slightly exca- 

 vated at its anterior border. 



Hah. Mexico, Oaxaca, Orizaba (SallS). 



A number of distinctive characters are united in the present species to separate it 

 from its allies, its small size, impunctate head, and nearly square prosternum, together 

 with the black tarsi, distinguishing it from others. The only species with which it 

 might be compared in regard to size is L. amabile, from which it differs by the smooth 

 head and the colour of the underside. There are five specimens before me which 

 show no material difference. 



28. Lamprosoma amabile. 



Lamprosoma amabile, Lacord. Mon. p. 605 \ 

 Hob. Mexico, Yucatan 1 . 



The type of this species is before me ; and I may add to Lacordaire's description that 

 the thorax of the insect is rather long, and the elytra rather deeply punctured. The 

 black underside and the fine punctuation of head and thorax distinguish the present 

 species from others. 



29. Lamprosoma phyllochroum. 



Lamprosoma phyllochroum, Lacord. Mon. p. 613 \ 



Bah. Mexico \ Playa Vicente, Puebla, Orizaba (Salle), Misantla (Edge) ; Gua- 

 temala 1 , Zapote (Champion). 



The shape of this species is proportionally narrow, oblong, and almost subcylindrical ; 

 and the punctures of the elytra approach very closely, the interstices being at the 

 same time somewhat rugose and very finely punctured. Lacordaire only knew the 

 metallic-green form. I have some specimens from Orizaba before me which are 

 entirely dark blue or violaceous, but do not differ in any other respect. A single speci- 

 men of this species was also obtained by Mr. Champion. 



o2 



