LACTICA. 275 



depressed below the base, the shoulders prominent, longitudinally depressed within, surface entirely 

 impunetate, dark violaceous blue ; underside and legs fulvous ; tarsi obscure piceous or black. 



Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge), Haltengo (Salle) ; Guatemala, San Geronimo (Cham- 

 pion). 



The nearest allied species to the present one seems to be L. dives, Har. In this 

 species, however, the underside and the posterior femora are piceous, and the three 

 basal joints of the antennae rufous. 



Three specimens were obtained by Herr Hoge ; one, in the collection of M. Salle, is 

 rather larger and brighter rufous, but agrees in other respects. In the Guatemalan 

 specimen the tarsi are black ; but I see no other differences to separate it from the 

 rest. L. mexicana is further distinguished by the rather deep depression below the 

 base of the elytra. 



12. Lactica hbgei. (Tab. XVI. fig. 8.) 



Oblong-ovate, fulvous ; antennae (the first joint excepted), apex of the tibia?, and the tarsi piceous ; elytra 

 violaceous blue ; abdomen bluish black. 



Length 2| lines. 



Head flat, extremely finely punctured when seen under a strong lens, with a small fovea between the eyes ; 

 frontal tubercles obsolete ; antennae more than two thirds the length of the body, black, first joint more 

 or less rufous, the third joint slightly longer than the second, the fourth as long as the two preceding 

 together ; thorax transversely convex, the posterior angles somewhat obliquely cut, basal sulcation deep, 

 but of usual shape ; scutellum large, piceous ; elytra slightly widened posteriorly, narrowed below the 

 base, where they are distinctly transversely depressed ; upper surface entirely impunetate, dark violaceous 

 blue ; abdomen dark bluish black ; rest of the underside fulvous ; the tibiae partly and the tarsi entirely 

 piceous. 



Hob. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge), Toxpam (Salle). 



From L. mexicana the present species is principally distinguished by the different 

 comparative length of the joints of the antennae, the less parallel shape, and the bluish 

 abdomen. The thoracic groove is also of less transverse extent than in the allied 

 species. Three specimens are before me. 



13. Lactica lecontei. 



Oblong-ovate, fulvous ; antennae black, the first joint fulvous; elytra metallic green, very finely punctured; 

 abdomen greenish black. 



Length 2 lines. 



Head impunetate, with a small fovea in front of the eyes ; frontal tubercles scarcely raised, the carina strongly 

 elevated, elongate, and widened in front ; antennae long, rather robust, the third joint double the length 

 of the second, fourth joint twice as long as the third, following joints elongate (the three terminal ones 

 broken off) ; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides evenly rounded, surface impunetate, the basal groove 

 not deeply impressed, sinuate ; scutellum black ; elytra regularly ovate, with a shallow depression below 

 the base, bright metallic green with a slight bluish tint, very finely punctured, only visible under a strong 

 lens ; legs fulvous ; abdomen dark greenish. 



Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). 



2 11 2 



