12 [February, 



been about three inches in length, by about six lines in breadth at its base ; and 

 it gradually tapers towards the apex. The anterior margin is convex. The 

 posterior border at the edge of the exposed surface of the fossil is furnished with 

 a row of closely set serrations, directed obliquely downward, of which eight may 

 be counted within the space of seven lines. Whether there is a second row of 

 serrations, the imbedded state of the very friable bone in a hard matrix will not 

 permit me to determine. 



The broad surface which is exposed in the specimen, so far as it is preserved, 

 is longitudinally furrowed ; and about three-fourths of an inch from the broken 

 summit it exhibits a transverse zigzag fissure, which may probably be the re- 

 sult of an original fracture, although it has very much the appearance of being 

 an articulation. 



Cylindracanthus ornatus Leidy. On several occasions fragments of appa- 

 rent fossil bones have been submitted to my inspection, the character of 

 which has exceedingly puzzled me, and although I now view them as portions 

 of ichtliyodorulites, I am not positive of the correctness of my conclusion. The 

 specimens alluded to are found in the cretaceous formations of New Jersey 

 and Alabama. The most perfect one was obtained by W. Taylor, Esq., from 

 near Pemberton, Burlington co.. New Jersey. It is over three inches in length 

 with the extremities broken off, is straight and gradually tapering, and is per- 

 fectly circular in transverse section. At the thicker end it is six and one quarter 

 lines in diameter, and at the other end five lines. The centre presents a double 

 tubular perforation of comparatively small calibre. The surface is invested with 

 a thick, enamel-like layer, which is dense, brittle, and shining, and deeply 

 fluted ; the intervening ridges being of nearly uniform diameter, with pairs oc- 

 casionally converging into single ones in their course. 



Sy7ioj)sis of the Mycetophagid^ of the United States. 



By John L. Le Conte, M. D. 



The genera of this family of Coleoptera which have been thus far discovered 

 in the country, are Mycetophagus, Litargus, Typhaea, and Diphyllus. Of the latter 

 genus two species are known to me, one found by Dr. Melsheimer in Pennsylvania, 

 and the other by me at Tucson, in the valley of the Gila. I regret that the absence 

 of the specimens prevents me from making them known on the present occasion. 

 Thus if Diplocoelus be combined with Diphyllus as recommended by Lacordaire 

 (Gen. Col. 2, 447,) the only genus left unrepresented in the United States, will 

 be Triphylius. Of the described species none are unknown to me. 

 The genera may be thus separated : 



Tarsi maris antici 3-articulati ; (thorax versus latera baud carinatus) 

 Oculi transversi ; 



Antennarum clava elongata, multiarticulata I^tycetophagus. 



f Antennarum clava triarticulata ; (elytra confuse ) 



t punctata) Triphyllus j 



Oculi rotundati ; antennarum clava triarticulata. 



Ligula membranea Litargus. 



Ligula cornea Typhiea. 



Tarsi omnes subpcntameri ; antennaj clava biarticulata ; 



(thorax utrinque bicarinulatus) Diphyllus. 



Mycetophagus Hellwig. 



A. Antennae extrorsum sensim incrassataj ; thorax lateribus baud serratus. 



1. M. p u n c t a t u s, ovalis infra rufo-testaceus,capitethoracequenigris dense 

 punctatis, elytris flavis macula scutellari, margine lateral i, macula discoidali mox 

 pone medium, fasciaque lata ante npicem nigris, ore antennisque rufcscentibus, 

 his clava nigra, ad apicem testacea ; pedibus flavo-testaceis. Long -21 -25. 



Say, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc, 5, 260. 



Middle and Southern States. 



