98 [October, 1844. 



Apex a little anterior to the centre and very much elevated and 

 rounded ; ambulacra rather short. 



Beneath slightly concave, with five compressed lines correspond- 

 ing with the ambulacra, dividing at about half their length into two, 

 and then running on, becoming less distinct, to the margin. Dia- 

 meter three inches. 



This fossil is found abundantly in a mass of limestone on the 

 estate of Dr. Philip G. Prioleau, in St. John's Parish, S. Carolina, 

 about six miles south of Black Oak Lock of Santee Canal. 



The limestone is excavated for agricultural purposes, and in 

 spreading it upon the fields, numerous very perfect specimens are 

 thrown out. 



The elevation of the apex is very remarkable, and at once dis- 

 tinguishes this species from any other with which' I am ac- 

 quainted. 



( To be continued.) 



The Committee on Dr. Melsheimer's papers, read August 

 6th, and September 26th, 1841, describing new species of N. 

 American Coleoptera, reported in favor of publication. 



Descriptions of New Species of Coleoptera of the United States. 

 • By F. E. Melsheimer, M. D.* 



Heteroceridse, MacLeay. 

 Heterocerus, Bosc, Fabr. 



1. H. ventralis. Fuscous ; elytra with two common angulated fulvous fascia. — 

 2£ 1. long, 1 1. wide. Pennsylvania. 



Oblong-ovate, brown, yellowish pubescent, densely and finely punctured ; 

 head densely clothed with an ochraceous pubescence ; the clypeus prominent, 

 rounded and testaceous at tip ; eyes black ; antennae testaceous ; mandibles 

 slightly arcuated, fringed with hairs at base ; thorax moderately convex, immar- 

 ginate, narrowed anteriorly, subrectilinear at base, with the sides slightly 

 rounded ; posterior angles abruptly rounded ; surface invested with a dense 

 ochraceous pubescence ; elytra obtusely striate, with two common zigzag fulvous 

 fasciae, and a third, similarly colored interrupted one at apex ; beneath fuscous, 

 with the feet, ventral margins and tip, testaceous ; anterior tibiae dusky, with 

 nine prominent spines at the exterior edge. 



2. H. undatus. Fuscous ; margins of thorax testaceous ; elytra with obso- 

 lete undulated fascise. — If 1. long, £ 1. wide. Pennsylvania. 



* Communicated by the Entomological Society of Pennsylvania. 



