CRIOCERIS.—MEGASCELIS. 49 
Of this well-known species, which has been recorded not only from Europe but 
from India and Brazil, two specimens have been received from Mr. Forrer: thus the 
geographical range of C. merdigera seems to be one of the most extended amongst the 
Coleoptera. It is impossible to say, however, whether the species is indigenous in all 
these different parts of the World, or has been introduced accidentally. The com- 
plicated synonymy of C. merdigera is given in full in Lacordaire’s monograph, as well 
as in Gemminger and Harold’s catalogue. It is probable that the species will eventually 
be found in North America. 
MEGASCELIS (p. 17). 
It has already been remarked by Lacordaire in his excellent monograph, and’ by 
myself in speaking of the genus, that the determination of the numerous species of 
Megascelis is extremely difficult; and that the best descriptions cannot always convey 
a correct idea of the minute specific differences which separate so many variable and 
closely allied forms. A comparison with the types can only settle the many doubts 
which arise in the determination of these insects. I have fortunately been enabled to 
examine many of Lacordaire’s types, those of Baly, Bates, and Clark, contained in the 
British Museum, but only a few of the species from Central America have I been able 
to identify with these. In many cases I have been obliged to found species upon 
single specimens, often females, and it is therefore quite possible that eventually some 
of those described here may prove to be synonymous with others of Lacordaire. There 
is scarcely a single structural character to be pointed out which can be relied upon in 
the separation of the species; the elytra are very similarly sculptured in all, their 
colour variable, and the same is the case with the underside; and the differences in the 
shape and sculpture of the thorax, which seem to be of a more constant kind, are often 
so slight that it is impossible to convey a proper description by words. Under these 
circumstances it will always be more satisfactory to treat the different species according 
to their localities, or, in other words, to monograph those of a certain region. 
When the earlier part of this work was published I had not a single representative 
of the genus from either Mexico or the State of Panama before me, and the additional 
species are in consequence very numerous. 
Megascelis dilecta (p. 17). 
This species seems only to differ from the following in the more narrow and regularly- 
shaped sutural stripe, and in the darker green upper surface. Had Clark read 
Lacordaire’s description of VM. suturalis the very close affinity of M. dilecta with it 
could not have escaped him; instead of that he compares M. dilecta with M. amabilis 
(of which a type specimen is contained in the British Museum), with which it has no 
affinity whatever, and the type, which Clark could never have seen. 
BIOL, CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, Suppl., October 1888. h 
