360 M. H. Jekel on new Curculionidous Beetles. 



a large rufescent spot on each side of the pectus), and legs, 

 black, naked, shining ; the two posterior thirds and a subhumeral 

 macula of the elytra black, opake, velvet-like ; anterior part of 

 these and thorax rufous, opake, the latter having three opake 

 maculae (one at each side of the base, one above the middle) and 

 its constricted apex black. Elytra punctate- striate, interstices 

 convex. Pygidium tricarinate; base slightly, the remainder 

 rudely punctate. Thorax beneath, sides of the abdomen, and 

 ultimate segment almost entirely rudely and deeply punctate. 

 Pectus entirely and middle of the abdomen obsoletely punctate. 



Sitophilus Oryza, Linn., Fab., &c. 



Note. — M. V. de Motschulsky, in a note in his ( Etudes Ento- 

 mologiques/ 4 e Annee (1855), p. 77, speaks of a Sitophilus Zea- 

 Mais, Motsch., injurious to Maize, as follows : — " Always larger 

 than S. Oryzce, for which it is generally mistaken ; the rostrum 

 is longer, more abruptly strangulate above the eyes, punctation 

 of the thorax thicker," &c. Then he adds, — " I have not met 

 with this species in Europe, nor with the S. Oryza in America." 



M. de M.'s species is perhaps a distinct one ; but, from his 

 few words, and from the numerous variations and extended 

 habitat of S. Oryza, we might be led to believe that he has 

 caught one of the extreme varieties in size and rugosity of that 

 universal species, such as are to be found on all continents, even 

 in Europe, where, however, it is generally smaller. But, as the 

 species may turn out a good one when fully described, I will only 

 dwell on the last part of his note. Sit. Oryza, as Schonherr states, 

 inhabits the whole globe, and is found not only in every conti- 

 nent, but also in various latitudes. I have hundreds of specimens, 

 having been myself at one time anxious to ascertain whether 

 there might not be several species mixed ; but they are all one. 



I have specimens from all parts of Europe; from Algiers, 

 Senegal, Guinea, the Cape, Natal, Madagascar, Bourbon, &c, in 

 Africa ; from different parts of India, in Asia ; from the United 

 States (North and South), Texas, Yucatan, Cuba. St. Domingo, 

 Honduras, Venezuela, S ta Cruz de Orinoco, Cayenne, Brazils, &c, 

 in America. I possess American specimens as small as the 

 smallest specimens from Europe. This species is just like many 

 other widely distributed species, very variable in size, coloration, 

 depth of punctation, &c. ; and I may quote an example even in 

 several specimens from Cuba, caught together, representing the 

 three extremes. The elongation and strangulation of the rostrum 

 vary according to the sex and size, and are often only apparent. 

 — H. Jekel. 



The time is approaching when naturalists will be forced to 

 give much w r ider geographical runs for their species. Many 



