386 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP 



A careful comparison of this singular insect with Schizopus laet us Lee, 

 (figured in Thomson's Arcana Naturae pi. xiii. f. 4), shows that, apart from 

 the form and number of the last ventral segments, and the less strongly ser- 

 rate antennae, which are sexual characters, the two genera differ very slightly ; 

 the side margin of the thorax is indistinct, even towards the base in Schizopus, 

 and the sides themselves are somewhat curved ; the scutellum is less trans- 

 verse, the punctuation of the upper surface is coarser, and the pubescence of 

 the under surface less dense ; the membranous lobes of the first, second and 

 third tarsal joints are much less developed ; and the labrum is somewhat 

 larger, though also emarginate. On comparing D y s t a x i a with an ordinary 

 Buprestide (one of the second division of An cy lo chira for instance}, there is 

 seen to be almost no difference in the head, except that the mandibles are 

 thicker and more obtuse, as many other genera of Buprestidae ; the prosternum 

 fits less accurately to the mesosternum ; the trochantins of the front and 

 middle cox.-e are less distinct, and the hind coxae are less dilated inwards. All 

 these are characters of feeble importance, and the only really well marked 

 distinctions, of more than generic value, consist in the divided membranous 

 tarsal lobes, and the toothed ungues. The last character is seen in several 

 genera of Buprestidae, and the former is certainly insufficient for more than a 

 secondary division of the family. 



I therefore conclude that the family Scbizopodida? must be suppressed, and 

 that Schizopus and Dystaxia must be associated as a separate tribe, which 

 may be placed after Buprestini, under the name Schizopini, and characterized 

 by the lobe of the fourth tarsal joint being cleft. 



STETHON Lee. (n. g. Eucnemidae). 



S. pectorosus, cylindricus, antice paulo latior, piceus haud nitidus, 

 supra confertim punctatus, brevissime pubescens, capite magno, fronte obso- 

 lete canaliculata, thorace latitudine vix breviore utrinque obsolete bifoveato, et 

 pone medium obsolete canaliculato; elytris striatis, autennis, palpis pedibusque 

 ob?cure rufis. Long. 8 mm. 



Two specimens of this species were found by Mr. M. Schuster, in central 

 Illinois, one of which he has kindly placed in my collection. 



This genus is readily distinguished by the following characters : Head 

 large, eyes not touching the anterior margin of the prothorax; epistoma broad, 

 emarginate each side for the reception of the antennae, which are distant, 

 11 jointed ; first joint long, as usual, second very short, third twice as long as 

 wide, 4 10 quadrate, gradually shorter, more transverse, and slightly 

 narrowed inwards, eleventh rounded at tip, one-half longer than the preceding. 

 Maxillary palpi compressed, last joint securiform. Prothorax with a deep 

 channel beneath the lateral margin, for the reception of the antennae, this 

 chaunel sharply terminated under the hind angles ; side pieces excavated be- 

 hind for the reception of the anterior legs ; prosternum very broad, strongly 

 margined in front, lateral sutures much curved, convex outwards, not exca- 

 vated, posterior process broad, acuminate at tip. Metasternum with the side 

 pieces very narrow ; hind coxae broad, somewhat dilated internally, and ob- 

 tusely angulated. Last ventral segment obtusely acuminate at tip. Legs 

 short, tarsi not lobed beneath, first joint as long as the four following united," 

 claws not toothed. 



It resembles Otho (known to me only by figure and description), but 

 differs by the third joint of the antennas being longer than the fourth, by the 

 antennae being less approximate and not pectinate, and by the form of the hind 

 coxae. I infer also that the sutures of the presternum are different in direc- 

 tion, since such an important character would not have been overlooked in 

 the description of the European genus. It has also strong relations with 

 D en droc h aris, from which it differs by the non pectinate antennae, and 

 simple tarsi, as well as by the epistoma being distinctly emarginate for the 

 . insertion of the antennae, and by the eyes not touching the prothorax. 



Pec. 



