LSS2.] ^5o [Jayne. 



hairs and a transverse row of three black spots at the basal third. Length 

 .24.-30 inch ; 6-15 mm. (Figs. 14, 15.) 



The most common of all the species ; to be recognized by its more elon- 

 gate form, basal band of cinereous pubescence on elytra, and the uniform 

 color of the hair on the under surface. A rubbed specimen bears some 

 resemblance to mucoreus, but the important characters on the thorax and 

 under surface of the latter, already given, would separate it at once. 



Dcrmestes signatus Lee. is a variety in which the thorax is covered with 

 denser cinereous pubescence, marked by three small black spots on disc, 

 and the elytra almost entirely piceous, the cinereous pubescence extending 

 nearly to the apex. A well furnished cabinet exhibits a complete series 

 of gradations from the typical lardarius down to the variety under con- 

 sideration. 



Occurs everywhere. 



D. elongatus Lee. Elongate, cylindrical, black or piceous, covered 

 with moderately long, dark brown, recumbent pubescence. Elytra uni- 

 form in color, arcuate, marked by striae. Antennae, legs and under surface 

 piceous. Head moderately coarsely punctate. Thorax only moderately 

 convex, sides gently arcuate, slightly margined, finely and densely punc- 

 tate, two not very distinct basal foveas. Elytra black, finely and densely 

 punctate, eight or ten distincfstriae from base to apex, under surface and 

 legs covered with uniform dark cinereous pubescence. Length .36 inch ; 

 9 mm. (Fig. 17.) 



The most elongated of all the forms under consideration, with the striae 

 on the elytra more apparent. The uniform pubescence and absence of 

 markings on legs and abdomen are important additional characters. This 

 species may be identical with bicolor, but from the description the form 

 seems less elongated and the striae deeper in the latter. A comparison of 

 types would alone settle the matter. I have preferred to keep them, tem- 

 porarily, at least, separate. 



Occurs in the Southern and Western States. 



D. cadaverinus Fabr. Elongate, moderately convex, black or piceous, 

 clothed with sparse, short, recumbent, cinereous pubescence. Elytra 

 black. Under side, legs and antennae piceous. Head black, densely and 

 moderately coarsely punctate. Thorax black, lateral margins arcuate, 

 entirely visible from above ; base lobed, with two very distinct basal foveae, 

 densely, moderately coarsely punctate, with faint strife on apical portion. 

 Body beneath more densely pubescent. Abdomen without black spots at 

 sides ; legs not annulated. Length .27 inch ; 6.7 mm. 



This species is to be distinguished by the uniform color of thorax and 

 elytra and of their pubescence, by the deep thoracic foveae and only faint 

 apical striae on elytra. 



Occurs in Florida. 



D. vulpinus. Elongate, black, convex, clothed with sparse cinereous 

 pubescence. Elytra uniform in color. Head densely, moderately coarse- 



