H. C. FALL 
273 
The chitinoiis parts of tlie male o-onitalia consist of two 
broad, flattened, truncate lateral processes called “valves” by 
Resimbart, and the intermediate oedeagns. Sharp and INInir 
designate as “lateral lobes” the so-called valves of Regimbart, 
and the intermediate piece is called the “median lobe,” tlu' 
term oedeagns being used (less aceurat(dy perhaps) for tin' 
coml)ination. The valyes are fimbriate at tip and very similar 
in all species, and seem to offer no tangible specihe characters. 
The oedeagns on the other hand varies much, and its foi'in, and 
width as comiiaretl with that of the lateral lobes or valves, 
combined with the most marked superficial features of color, 
form and sculpture, make it jmssilde to tabulate the species in 
a fairly satisfactory manner. Females are often very difficult 
to place except through association with males. The chitinoiis 
portion of the female genitalia consists of two elongated plates 
strikingly similar to the male valves, and like the latter seem 
to be substantially alike in all species. (Males of course may 
always be known by the dilated and squamose front tarsi. 
Among superficial characters, the color of the underbody is 
perhaps of the first importance, but must be used with some 
caution. In species having normally a pale ventral surface, 
the color may be much darkened by the method of preservation. 
An even greater degree of discretion is needed with respect to 
the color of the epipleura. LeCffinte long ago grouped the spe- 
cies according as the under side margin of the prothorax and 
the epipleura are testaceous or metallic black. It frequcntli' 
happens, however, that in species having normally black pi'o- 
and epipleura, these parts are more or less obscurely testaceous 
in certain lights, and are sometimes so distinctly so as to be 
(piite misleading. Both LeConte and Regimbart Iiavi' laid 
considerable stress on the distinctness of the outer apical angle 
of the elytra. The character is, however, a very elusive' one, 
and can hardly be depended on in any single instance to separ- 
ate closely allied species. In a few of our species (notably 
aencolus, confmis and analis) the entire upper surface is more or 
less distinctly aeneous, but in the great majority the mai'gins 
only are lironzed. Occasional specimens occur that are eidiri'Iy 
destitute of aeneous luster, and such ari' liki'ly to Ix' lound in 
a sufficiently long series of any species. 
TU.VNS. AM. ENT. SOC'., XLVII. 
