160 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



the sculpture of the thorax becomes deeper ; the h'nes of pubescence are 

 too variable to be considered, and the truncation, or emargination of the 

 base of the thorax in a large series is evanescent. 



In a systematic point of view the separation of these forms into 

 species seems inadmissible. Remove the locality labels from a mixed lot, 

 sufficiently numerical, and how all could be replaced again with certainty 

 is not evident. 



Psenocertis supernotatus, Say, and P. iristis, Casey. — This last seems 

 to be the black form oi supcrnotatus mentioned (Can. Ent., XVIII., 113) 

 as found on wild gooseberry (Ribes Cyjioshati). In comparing the only 

 example of this form left with Mr. Casey's description (1. c. 46) it seems 

 to apply very fairly ; the elytral basal tumidity is, perhaps, a little more 

 pronounced, but this can scarcely be considered essential, as this is quite 

 obsolescent occasionally in examples of supernotatus. I once supposed 

 this might be a species, but a study of the variableness of supernotatus 

 in connection with the colour changes in Clytanthus albofasciatus, 

 Cyrtophoriis verrucosus, etc., led to a different result. 



Sphcenothecus suturalis, Lee, and rubens, Casey (1. c. 34).— The 

 latter is a form which has been distributed as a variety of S. suturalis, 

 being identical in form, size and colour, and chiefly differing by the nature 

 of the thoracic and elytral punctuation. The few examples seen do not 

 connect by intermediate forms, though in a large series, judging from 

 what occurs in some other Cerambycid?e, as Leptura canade?isis, such 

 may exist. They are easily separable, the most reliable method being to 

 observe the difference of the elytral punctuation. Whether systematists 

 may regard this form as varietal, racial, or truly specific, collectors here- 

 after can give it a name. My examples are labelled " El Paso, Tex," — 

 Casey, Southern Arizona and California, Suturalis was described from 

 the Staked Plains, now probably in Lincoln Co., N. M. My examples, 

 Deming, N. yi.— Casey, Tucson, Arizona, 



Leptura serpentina, Casey (1. c, 41), greatly resembles 3-0 alt eat a, 

 Lee, but examples from Idaho exhibit it clearly a valid species, which is 

 readily separable by its rufous antennae. 



Orsodachna atra, Ahrens. — This species has always been perplexing to 

 Inexperienced collectors ; no other on the list presents more variety in 

 size, sculpture and ornamentation. It varies from .13 to ,30 inch in 

 length ; the sculpture of the thorax and elytra may be rough and with 

 coarse punctures, or smooth and finely punctate ; the colotir varies from 



