OT 



74 [June, 



Erichson, Bericht, &c, in Wiegm. Arch. 1845. 

 Hydrophilus extriatus Say, Bost. Jour. Nat. Hist. 1, 171. 

 Cyclonoium globulosum Mulsant, Ann. Sc. Phys. Nat. Lyon, 7, 167. 

 Louisiana, Messrs. Sane & Wapler. The prosternum is very short, and 

 vanishes between the coxae of the anterior feet. 



Cercyon Leach. 



On account of the difference in form of the pro- and mesosternum, Mr. Mul- 

 sant has separated from this genus three which he names Pelosoma, Megaster- 

 num (properly Megalosternum) and Cryptopleurum. Erichson has expressed 

 as his opinion that the characters upon which they were separated are insuffi- 

 cient, while Lacordaire, in the second volume of his most excellent work on 

 Genera of Coleoptera, has recombined Pelosoma with Cercyon, but leaves Me- 

 gasternum and Cryptopleurum distinct. 



Having found in America representatives of all these groups, I am inclined to 

 agree with the views expressed by Lacordaire. 



My series of the common species of Cercyon is not sufficiently large to enable 

 me to investigate the genus in a satisfactory manner ; I will therefore postpone 

 the description of new species, and the synonymy of those previously described ; 

 merely making known two species which are remarkable and easily recognized. 



I may add as a contribution to future synonymy, that C. mundum Mels. is 

 C. centrimaculatum, and that C. maculatum Mels. is C. a n a 1 e , both 

 European species mentioned by Erichson (Kafer Mark Brand.) as found in 

 America. C. fimbriatum Maniih. described from Sitka, was found by me in 

 California. 



1. C. pubescens, rufo-testaceum, ovale, postice subattenuatum, punctu- 

 latum, subtiliter pubescens, capite obscuro, elytris striis 9 profundis integris 

 subtiliter punctatis, interstitiis laevibus, alternatim postice altioribus ; mesos 

 terno lineari, prosterno modice carinato. Long. 04. 



Maryland, Dr. Zimmermann. 



2. C. capil latum, ovale, convexum, nigrum nitidnm, subtiliter parce 

 cinereo-pubescens, capite thoraceque modice, elytris paulo parcius punctatis, 

 his punctis paulo maioribus vix obsoletissime striatis, margine apicali, palpis 

 pedibusque piceo-testaceis ; prosterno alte carinato, mesosterno pentagono cum 

 metasterno arete connate Long. *08 *10. 



San Diego, in putrid cactus, and also in the valley of the Gila. The lines of 

 of punctures of the elytra can hardly be seen, but near the margin and behind 

 the middle are more or less faint traces of striae. The mesosternum is not 

 wider than long, and the anterior angle is quite sharp. This species belongs to 

 Pelosoma Muls. 



Megalosternum Muls. 



1. M. costatum, latius ovale, postice subacutum, modice convexum, 

 piceum opacum, parce flavo-pubescens, capite thoraceque punctatissimis, hoc 

 canaliculato, ulrinque obsolete tricostato, marginato, elytris profunde crenato- 

 sulcatis, interstitiis costatis, 2, 4, 6, et 8vo postice altioribus, pygidio triangu- 

 lari devexo nudo, confertim punctato. Long. >07. 



One specimen found in York county, Pennsylvania, was given me by Dr. 

 Melsh^imer. The palpi are precisely as in Cercyon ; the sternum exactly 

 like the figure given by Mulsant of M. boletophagum : the naked deflexed py- 

 gidium is an anomaly which 1 have not seen in any species of this family, and 

 with the pectdiar sculpture seems to indicate an approach to Histeroid genera 

 like Ontbophilus. Other specimens, when procured, will enable a more full 

 examination to be made, and will perhaps render necessary the establishment 

 of a new jienus. The anterior tibiae (as far as I can examine them) do not 

 appear to be emarginate, as in M. boletophagum. The elevated lines of the 

 thorax are quite indistinct, except the one nearest the margin, which is entire 

 and quite obvious. 



An allied but much smaller species, without elevated lines on the thorax and 



