82 



the anterior tubercles of the thorax do not seem to be a denti- 

 form continuation of the angles, as in (J. Ilentzii^ but appear 

 rather like tubercles implanted within emarginations. So also 

 the posterior tubercles are placed rather below the plane of 

 the disk of the thorax in the Carolinian insect, and are separ- 

 ated from it by a conspicuous furrow, which is not so apparent 

 in C. Hcntzi't, in which the tubercles are more nearly in the 

 same plane as the disk. I would call the Carolinian insect 

 C. Jfnochii, in honor of the founder of the genus, and because 

 it approaches considerably to the C castanece of that author. 



From what you say respecting Lehia j^liiticoUis Say, and the 

 variety, I can have no doubt respecting the insects to which 

 you refer, and believe them to be those described by Prof. Say. 

 I am not equally certain that he was correct in considering the 

 variety as referable to his jylaticoUis ; it appears to me, on a 

 carefid examination, to be entitled to consideration as a distinct 

 species. Both belong to the genus Cymmdis, as defined by 

 Dejean, and the platicollis which I last sent you is certainly C. 

 complanata Dejean. Since seeing his description I have la- 

 belled the variety in my cabinet with this name, C. comma. It 

 differs, as you say, in being uniformly larger, the thorax pro- 

 portionally smaller, tlie margin more dilated, and in having 

 a wider ochreous elytral margin, with a humeral lunule of the 

 same color. I have never found it associated with jAaticol- 

 lis. It is true that Dejean has been accused of multiplying 

 species too much, but this is rather a convenience to the stu- 

 dent. However, his work will prove to you that Ave have 

 several species of Braehinus distinct from the crepitans and 

 fumans. Nothing universally decisive is to be inferred respect- 

 ing identity of species from seeing them stib copula. Different 

 species of Coccinella are known to mix in this way ; and I once 

 captured a male Elater ap)pressifrons united to a female E. hre- 

 vicornis, and have the sexes of each of these species. I once 

 captured numerous specimens of a small Tricliius (supposed to 

 be the canaliculatus of Fabr.) in a decayed apple-tree stump. 



