ClCINDELIDJE AND CARABID^E llj 



two-thirds the maximum width; surface rather convex, only finely 

 reflexed at the sides, the inner impression small, feeble, linear, a 

 fourth the total length, the surface exterior thereto as convex as 

 any other part of the sides and completely devoid of impression; 

 elytra scarcely one-half longer than wide, oval, with arcuate sides 

 and rather strongly rounded apex, scarcely visibly wider than the 

 prothorax, the striae extremely fine and feeble, impunctate, the 

 intervals flat; hind tarsi rather slender but shorter than usual. 

 Length (cf 9 ) 10.0-11.2 mm.; width 3.4-3.7 mm. California (Los 

 Angeles Co.) inermis Fall 



The three species vicinus, huntboldti and bucolicus are mutually 

 rather closely allied but abundantly distinct; they increase in size 

 and stoutness, also in the depth of the elytral striae and convexity 

 of the intervals, in the order named ; in the first and last the male is 

 notably smaller and more slender than the female as a rule, but in 

 humboldti, the only two females in twelve exponents of the species 

 are scarcely as large as the average of the males, conforming more 

 nearly to a frequently observed condition in this part of the series. 

 The large series of most of the species confirm their mutual distinct- 

 ness even at a casual glance. 



Group III menetriesi Mots. 



As the groups here proposed are based principally on habitus, it 

 seems proper to give the large and strikingly distinct menetriesi a 

 group to itself, allied closely to the preceding group but distinguished 

 from any of its species by the large size, convex and opaque upper 

 surface, almost obsolete thoracic impressions and excessively fine, 

 minutely and remotely punctulate striae, the elytra being notably 

 oval and convex. The two examples in my collection were taken 

 at Monterey and measure 18-20 by 7-8.7 mm. 



Group IV congestus Menet. 



Although really nothing more than an extension of the calif ornicus 

 group, that founded upon such species as congestus and castanipes, 

 presents an appreciably different habitus due to the more elongate 

 form, more convex surface, regularly elongate-elliptical elytra and 

 more elongate prothorax, there being but few species in which this 

 somite becomes shorter than wide. The group is on the whole more 

 southern in range and does not seem to spread beyond the confines 

 of California, the neighboring islands and perhaps the adjacent 



