500 TERTIARY INSECTS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



PROMETOPIA Erichson. 



Prometopia depilis. 

 PI. 2, Fig:. 29. 



Prometopia depilis Sciidd., Rep. Progr. Geol. Siirv. Can., 1875-1876, 278-279 (French ed., 308-309) (1877). 



This beetle appears to belong to the Nitidulid.t?, but where it should 

 be generically located is a matter of some doubt. It resembles most among 

 our American forms the genus in which I have provisionally placed it, but 

 so few really generic features remain that one can judge by little other 

 than accessory characters. The head is wanting and the thorax is broken, 

 and though exhibiting the under surface, the markings of the elytra can 

 be readily seen, as is frequently the case in fossil beetles. The form of 

 the elytra and scutellum is precisely that of Prometobia sexmaculata, 

 excepting that the base oftlie elytra is more distinctly angulate ; beneath, 

 the elytra are expanded just as there, and punctured in much the same 

 irregular and minute manner, but equally so at the extreme border 

 beneath, instead of being furnished at this point with transverse riigas ; the 

 punctures are 0.028""" in diameter, and do not give origin to hairs; the 

 elytra are dark castaneous, and have a dull ridge along the sutural margin. 

 The thorax is black and proportionally shorter than in Prometopia, but 

 otherwise it appears to have the same form, although the characteristic lat- 

 eral j^rojections of the front border are broken off, only the slightest indica- 

 tion of that on the left side appearing in a portion of the curve of the front 

 border. The thorax is more minutely punctate than the elytra, and the 

 punctse are connected by the slightest possible impressed lines, giving it 

 somewhat of a corrugated appearance ; a few of the abdominal segments 

 may be seen, the pygidium extending just beyond the elytra ; all these 

 joints are black, smooth, and shining, without trace of hairs or punctures. 



Length of fragment, 5.5""" ; length of middle of thorax, 1.25""' ; breadth 

 of same, 3.2""^; length of elytra, 3.75"'™; breadth of united elytra, 3.35'"'". 



Quesnel, British Columbia. One specimen, No. 24 (Dr. G. M. Dawson). 



