BYTURID.E 177 



far as can be discovered. The length of the type of minutus is 

 about 0.68 mm., and not 0.78 mm. as originally stated, and it is 

 apparently not over 0.4 mm. in width, but not having an eye-piece 

 micrometer, I am forced to estimate dimensions by a scale and 

 reading-glass, and the apparent length and width of these very 

 small objects depends very much upon the relative distances of the 

 beetle, scale and eye. 



BYTURIM: 



The genus Byturus is one of those singularly annectent genera 

 that are difficult to place satisfactorily. By LeConte and Horn 

 it was thought to be a part of the Dermestidse; by the latest Euro- 

 pean authorities it is given family rank, in the vicinity of Nitidulidse, 

 connecting that group with the Melyridae and Cleridse; perhaps this 

 is correct, but, at the same time, there are some suggestions of 

 relationship with Mycetophagidae. However, in a miscellaneous 

 paper of this sort, no attempt is made to place the succession of 

 family groups any more than roughly in accordance with natural 

 affinities, and a very extended study would be necessary, having 

 any other object in view. There is as yet but a single genus. 



Byturus Latr. 



The indications are that this genus is much more extensively 

 represented in America than in Europe, where only two species are 

 recorded, fumatus Fabr., and tomentosus Fabr. To the two species 

 hitherto known from within our territories, I would here add several 

 others, which seem at least to be specific. Unicolor Say, is widely 

 distributed from Pennsylvania to Washington State and Arizona; 

 it varies greatly in the color of the integuments, from pale ferru- 

 gineo-flavate to blackish-piceous, as is frequently observed in most 

 of the species; grisescens Lee., has a definite design in the arrange- 

 ment of the pubescence; it is confined to California and adjacent 

 regions. The following species may be regarded as allied to 

 grisescens : 



Byturus inflatulus n. sp. Form moderately short and stout, convex, 

 shining, blackish-piceous in color, the legs dull rufous; pronotum palles- 

 cent at the sides; pubescence rather long and coarse, though not at all 

 dense or much variegated, whitish; head barely more than half as wide as 

 the prothorax, nearly as long as wide, the eyes not quite basal, well 



T. L. Casey, Mem. Col. VII, Nov. 1916. 



