STAPHYLINID/E 199 



Leptusa Kr. 



This genus in its proper sense is moderately developed in America 

 but in all probability more so than in the European fauna. The 

 genus, as here considered, is restricted to the typical Leptusa, of 

 Kraatz, and does not include either Pasilia or Pachyghda as sub- 

 genera, those groups being apparently entitled to generic rank as 

 held by Rey. Leptusa opaca Csy., seems to be a widely distributed 

 species, as there are examples in my collection not only from the 

 suburbs of Philadelphia, but from Rhode Island and Wisconsin; 

 also from the Blue Ridge of Franklin Co., Penn. 



In his recent publication on the Coleoptera of Indiana, Mr. W. S. 

 Blatchley gives descriptions of a number of new species of Aleo- 

 charinae, which, because of brevity and the omission of many of 

 the more important structural characters, are in most cases useless 

 for purposes of identification. Among them are two species as- 

 signed to Leptusa, whether properly or not cannot be determined, 

 but the few outline characters given indicate forms that are not 

 represented in my cabinet at any rate under Leptusa. 1 



Leptusa nebulosa n. sp. Form rather shorter and broader than in 

 tricolor Csy., similarly convex but a little less opaque anteriorly; color 

 piceo-rufous, the abdomen somewhat brighter testaceous, with the fourth 

 and basal part of the fifth tergite black, the legs moderately pale; anterior 

 parts finely, densely and obscurely punctate, the elytra strongly and 

 asperately, the abdomen also very strongly but less closely asperate, the 

 concave impressions strongly, simply and loosely punctate; pubescence 

 short, inconspicuous; head slightly wider than long, two-thirds as wide 

 as the prothorax, the eyes moderate, at nearly their own length from the 

 base, scarcely prominent; antennae nearly as in tricolor, blackish, pale 

 at apex and toward base, gradually and strongly incrassate distally, 

 the third joint rather longer than the second, fourth obtrapezoidal and 

 as long as wide, tenth about twice as wide as long, the last obtusely 

 ogival, rather longer than the two preceding; prothorax fully two-thirds 



1 Mr. Blatchley in the introduction to this voluminous and on the whole undoubtedly 

 useful work (p. 5, foot-note), makes some allusion to an apparent indisposition on my 

 part to help him in his identifications. If I had known that Mr. Blatchley intended 

 to publish my letters to him, in such a way as to hold me before the public in what 

 could only be considered an unfavorable light, I would certainly have elaborated my 

 replies, in such manner as to show more clearly how impossible it was for me to comply 

 with his requests at that time. In future I shall have my collections at hand in their 

 entirety, and it will give me great pleasure to identify material for correspondents, 

 provided only that, in groups of obscure forms, it be mounted with reasonable neat- 

 ness and be to some extent segregated into species, showing that the sender has tried 

 to observe and study for himself so far as practicable. 



