1856.] 15 



6. L. didesmus, ellipticus paulo convexus, nigro-piceus fortius dense 

 punctatus, pubescens, elytris fascia subbasali alteraque pone medium obscure 

 ruto-testaceis, baud seriatim pubescentibus ; antennispedibusquepiceo-testaceis. 

 Long. -07 -09. 



Er. Ins. Deutschl. 416. 



Mycetophagus didcsvms Saj', Journ. Acad. Nat. So. 5, 261. 



Middle and Southern States ; common. 



1. L. n e b u 1 o s u s , ellipticus paulo convexus, subtus nigro-piceus, supra 

 obscure piceo-testaceus, fortius punctatus pubescens, elytris piceo-nebulosis, 

 antennis pedibusqe piceo-testaceis. Long. -06 -08. 



Maryland ; Dr. Zimmermann and Mr. Wild. Broader, more convex and less 

 densely punctured than L. didesmus. The dark marks of the elytra are some- 

 times very indefinite ; in pale colored specimens they are more distinct, forming 

 a spot on each elytron partly surrounding the humerus, and two transverse un- 

 dulated bands, the first a little before the middle, and the second at the second 

 third of their length : these bands do not reach the sides. 



Typh^a Curtis. 



T. fumata, elongata, ovalis paulo convexa, ferruginea, luteo-pubescens, 

 elytris subtiliter punctato-striatis, punctulatis, seriatim pilosis. Long. -1 -11. 



Curtis, Brit. Ent. 15, pi. 702. Er. Ins. Deutschl. 418, (ubi synon. Europ. in- 

 venies). 



Dermestes fumatus Linn. Syst. Nat. 2, 564. 



Gryplophagus gilnellus Mels. Cat. Descr. Col. of U. S. 45. 



Cryptophagus crcnatus"^ Mels. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. 2, 114. 



Distributed by commerce over all parts of the world. The last synonyms are 

 known to me by a specimen kindly communicated by Dr. Melsheimer; they were 

 incorrectly referred by me, (Proc. 7, 217,) to Litargus. 



Synopsis of the Phalacbid/E of the United States. 



By John L. Le Conte, M. D. 



In this family are contained four genera, first separated by Erichson ; and since 

 all with the exception of Tolyphus are found in our territory, I have here trans- 

 ci'ibed the table of genera given by him. (Ins. Deutschl., 108.) 



1. Tarsi acquales ; Tibice calcaribus ( "^^"^^^J.^ Phalacrus. 



' (. distinctis Tolyphus. 



2. Tarsi postici elongati, articulo Imo | ^^f breviore Olibrus. 



' (. 2ndo longiore Litochrus. 



Phalacrus Payk. 



Palpi maxillares articulo ultimo cylindrico: tibia) compress^ spinulosae cal- 

 caribus obsoletis : tarsi sequales, articulo Imo breviusculo : femora compressa 

 inferne ciliata. 



Usually shorter and more obtuse than Olibrus; the sutural stria in the native 

 species is distinct, and the club of the antenna; elongate, with the last joint 

 obtusely rounded at the tip. 



A. Thorax ad basin distincte licet subtilissime marginatus. 



1. P. s e r i a t u s , ovalis paulo convexus, nitidus niger, elytris confertim seria- 

 tim punctulatis, versus basin fere laevibus ; antennis ad basin palpisque testaceis. 

 Long. -1. 



One specimen, Kansas. Longer and less' convex than the other species, and 

 known by the testaceous palpi. 



2. P. ovalis, ovalis convexus, nitidus niger, elytris obsoletissime substriatis, 

 prope strias seriatim subtilissime punctulatis ; antennis ad basin testaceis. 

 Long. 08. -10. 



Two specimens, San Diego, California. The body tapers a little posteriorly in 



