276 [NOVKMBKK 



and erect at the base and very short and prostrate towards the tip. Ab- 

 domen brownish-black, densely hairy; femora reddish-brown, posterior pair 

 very large and strongly clavate ; tibiae brown, with long whitish hairs ; 

 tarsi brown. Length 5 lines. 



This insect has been for some time considered a variety of (J. varians, 

 but the markings of the elytra are so peculiar, that I have been prompted 

 to describe it as distinct. The posterior thighs are larger than in any 

 specimen of a large series of varians now before me, and I cannot detect 

 in any of them an inclination to vary as in the specimen I have just des- 

 cribed. For this beautiful insect the Society is indebted to Mr. George 

 Newman, who collected it in the vicinity of Philadelphia. 



PURPURICENUS HUMERALIS (Oliv.). 



In the collection of the Society there are two beautiful varieties of this 

 fine insect, both captured in the neighborhood of Philadelphia and pre- 

 sented by Mr. George Newman. 



A large male specimen, measuring nearly an inch in length, has almost 

 the anterior half of the elytra, except the scutellum, covered with the 

 bright red color. The tubercles on the disk of the thorax, the humeri 

 and the elevated lines on the elytra are more prominent than in any speci- 

 men of humeralia that I have seen. The mark of the elytra is the same 

 as in axillaris^ but the color is bright red, the punctation is closer, deeper 

 and more distinct, the suture is obtusely armed, and the size is much great- 

 er. However, this being an intermediate variety between humeralis and 

 axillaris, it is probable that varieties will yet occur which will prove that 

 they all belong to the same species. 



In a female specimen the variation is beautiful. The humeral marks 

 of the elytra are shaped as usual, but are of a brilliant vermillion color; 

 on the disk and on each side of the thorax there is a blotch of the same 

 color, covering the tubercles which are, however, somewhat blackish at 

 their tips ; the mark on the disk is triangular, and the tubercles are prom- 

 inent and acute. 



In some specimens the humeral marks of the elytra do not reach the 

 scutellum which is always black, and the color varies from a bright orange 

 to a briiiht vermillion. 



