142 [August, 



Rypobius Lee. 



Caput thorace non obtectum, clypeo prolongate ; antennae longiusculae, inter 

 oculos insertae, 9-articulatae, articulo l^o magno conico, 2"do oblongo sesqui 

 breviore et angustiore, 3 at 4 parvis tenuissimis ; 5to iterum elongato, crassiore 

 conico, 6to minuto, ultimis tribus interne dilatatis latitudine non brevioribus, 

 clavam oblongam formantibus ; tarsi 4-articulati, articulo Qndo dilatato, lobato, 

 3o recepto, unguiculari elongato, unguibus simplicibus. 



This genus agrees closely in characters with the next, but differs by ita 

 broad tarsi, which are similar to those of the genuine Coccinellidae. The thorax 

 is rounded in front, extending slightly over the head, but not concealing it. The 

 posterior angles are rectangular, not produced ; the elytra are subtruncate at 

 the apex. The body is elliptical, a little narrowed behind, moderately convex and 

 glabrous. The prosternum is very narrow and acute, the mesosternum extremely 

 small and rounded in front ; the tibiae are a little dilated towards the extremity. 



1. R. marinus, nigro-piceus, nitidus, subtilissime alutaceus, thoracis 

 angulis posticis, epipleuris, tibiis tarsisque rufescentibus. Long. -04. 



Two specimens found at Coney Island under a dead Limulus Polyphemus. 

 Shining piceous black, very finely rugous, moderately convex. Antennae testa- 

 ceous at base. Thorax twice as wide as long, almost semicircular, very slightly 

 sinuous at the apex, finely margined on the sides, base straight, posterior angles 

 subrectangular, somewhat rufous. Scutellum distinct. Elytra one-half longer 

 than wide, a little narrowed behind, conjointly broadly rounded at the apex, 

 very indistinctly punctulate; epipleurae rufo-piceous ; feet piceous, tibiae and 

 tarsi paler. 



MiCRosPHiERA Redt. 



Caput liberum. Antennae breviusculae, 9-articulataB, inter oculos insertae, 

 articulo 1 magno, conico, 2ndo vix breviore at sesqui tenuiore, 3io et 4to 

 minutis, 5^^ conico crassiore et longiore, 6to iterum minuto, tribus ultimis intus 

 dilatatis crassitie subbrevioribus ; tarsi non dilatati, articulo 2ntio paulo breviore, 

 310 fere obsoleto, unguiculari elongato, unguibus integris. 



I have a little hesitation in referring the species here described to Redten- 

 bacher's Microsphcera, as the mandibles are not entire, as described by him, but 

 armed with three very minute teeth. The palpi agree in form, but the third 

 joint of the tarsi is not cordiform, and indeed is scarcely visible. Redtenbacher's 

 insect is pubescent, while ours is glabrous, and this character is one of great 

 constancy in this family. The genus Orthoperus (Stephens) also agrees nearly 

 with our insect, but is described as having the club of the antennae two jointed ; 

 the inaccuracy of the English authors in the description of minute species is 

 however so well known, that no great stress should be laid upon that character, 

 especially as according to all analogy it must be impossible in this tribe for a 

 genus to have but two joints in the antennal club. Pithephilus (Heer) is con- 

 sidered by Erichson as identical with Microsphcera (Redt.), although it is 

 described as having pentamerous tarsi. This mistake might readily occur, as 

 the joints are very closely united. There can be no doubt about the proper 

 place of the genus in this tribe, as the wings are strongly ciliated just as in 

 Corylophus. 



1. M. glabra, nigro-picea, ovata, nitida, elytris obsoletissime punctu- 

 latis. Long. -OQ. 



Middle and Southern States ; on leaves. Ovate, a little narrowed behind, 

 moderately convex, entirely piceous black, shining. Head deflexed, thorax 

 more than twice as wide as long, narrowed in front, emarginate at apex, 

 scarcely margined on the sides ; base obsoletely sinuate, posterior angles rec- 

 tangular. Scutellum minute. Elytra narrowed a little posteriorly, rounded at the 

 apex, and a little shorter than the abdomen, very sparsely and obsoletely punc- 

 tured ; feet slender, black. 



