262 MEMOIRS ON THE COLEOPTERA 



in antennal and scutellar characters, as well as in other directions, 

 but is an Asemum without doubt, although the anterior coxae are 

 separated slightly. 



The ; ture of the last dorsal segment of the abdomen, which is 

 frequently exposed to view, is important in the differentiation of the 

 species of Asemum, as there is surprising diversity in its conforma- 

 tion, thus affording very convenient characters. 



Liasemum n. gen. 



The species named Asemum nitidum by LeConte, has large and 

 coarsely faceted eyes as in Criocephalus and it is therefore not an 

 Asemum; it differs also in its basally very stout antennae, which 

 are formed as in Asemum asperum Lee., though more coarsely and 

 not so closely pubescent. Its facies will not admit it to either of 

 the genera mentioned and I therefore separate it generically under 

 the above name, together with a second species recently discovered. 

 It may be distinguished from Criocephalus by its very much shorter 

 tarsi, which somewhat resemble those of Asemum. The anterior 

 coxae are separated as in Criocephalus, while in Asemum they are 

 contiguous or with the process posteriorly very acute; in the aber- 

 rant Asemum brevicorne however, they become evidently though 

 very narrowly separated. 



Liasemum mokelumne n. sp. Much smaller and narrower than 

 nitidum but similarly shining, not deep black as in that species but black- 

 ish-piceous, still more rufescent beneath; head three-fourths as wide as 

 the prothorax, finely, rather closely punctate, the median line not or 

 only very feebly and finely impressed; antennae (9 ) short, extending to 

 basal fifth or sixth of the elytra, formed as in nitidum but shorter and not 

 quite so stout; prothorax as in nitidum but less transverse, scarcely a 

 third wider than long, shining, finely and deeply punctate, loosely so 

 medially, closely toward the sides, the median line faintly impressed 

 for a short extent at the centre and more broadly near the base; scutellum 

 subquadrate, broadly rounded behind, closely punctate but shining; 

 elytra parallel, evidently \vider than the prothorax, more than twice as 

 long as wide, evenly and subcircularly rounded conjointly at apex, very 

 finely, closely punctate, the two median raised lines feeble but evident, 

 the inner very distinct, especially toward base, the intermediate ridges 

 obsolete, except those between the raised lines and near the suture which 

 are barely traceable; anterior coxae evidently though not widely separated; 

 hind tarsi short but slender. Length (9 ) 12.5-14.5 mm.; width 3.5-4.0 

 mm. California (Mokelumne Hill, Calaveras Co.), Blaisdell. 



Differs from nitidum not only in its paler color and other char- 



