DIALEX1A. 147 



This name is proposed for some small species, which at first sight bear a very striking 

 resemblance to the European genus Alexia. In reality they are not very closely allied. 

 The structure of the antennae is very different; e.g. in Alexia the sixth joint is 

 widened and forms part of the club, and its apex furnishes a base for the seventh, 

 whereas in the species of Dialexia it is of the same form as, and not wider than, those 

 preceding it. The tarsi are formed on quite a different plan : in Alexia they are 

 robust, the two basal joints are produced beneath, and the third is a very short and 

 small joint easily distinguished from the somewhat thickened fourth or claw-joint ; in 

 Dialexia they are thin and long, and it is the basal joint only that is produced, 

 while the third joint is with difficulty to be distinguished from the claw-joint. The 

 shape of the thorax is also very different, the base in Alexia being straight. 



I have not seen an example of any of the species from the United States referred by 

 Dr. Horn and the late Mr. Crotch to Alexia, although one species described by myself 

 as Bhymbus minutus is said by the former gentleman to be the same as Alexia minor, 

 Crotch ; this identification, however, requires corroboration, and under the circumstances 

 there is no evidence that Alexia exists in the New World. 



l. Dialexia setulosa. (Tab. viii. fig. 16.) 



Rotundata, fere hemisphserica, ferruginea, breviter pilosa, crebre subtiliter punctata, nitida ; antennis brevibus, 

 clava magna, nigra, laxe articulata, articulis prsecedentibus superante. Long. 2 millim. 



Hah. Guatemala, Zapote (Champion). 



Head rather broad ; eyes moderate and round, somewhat prominent. Antennae in- 

 serted close to the eyes; their basal joint very stout, longer than wide ; the second stout 

 but shorter, internally setulose ; the third elongate subcylindrical, thickened a little 

 towards the apex ; the fourth, fifth, and sixth short and equal in width to the third at 

 its apex; the two basal club-joints obconic, about as wide as long, the apical joint 

 compressed and rather longer. Thorax convex, the sides much rounded, the shape 

 nearly semicircular, pilose, and rather sparsely punctured ; the sides margined, and the 

 edge a little thickened and flattened. Scutellum distinct, triangular, faintly rugose. 

 Elytra obsoletely punctured, the punctures not being deeply impressed, thickly pilose, 

 the pile golden and shining ; the margin not expanded, only just visible from above. 

 Legs moderately long; their tarsi long, the hind pair three quarters the length of the 

 tibiae. 



A single specimen. 



The position of the following genera is uncertain. They agree in having the tarsi 

 apparently four-jointed ; but the structure of these joints varies in the different genera, 

 and it is often very difficult to say whether a small additional joint at the base of, and 

 connate with, the claw-joint does or does not exist. Such a joint is present in the 

 Erotylidae generally, and in the Endomychidae it forms a true third joint. 



Further remarks on the peculiarities of these genera will be found under each. 



U*2 



