1873.] 411 [Horn. 



surface sparsely punctured at the sides ; one-fourth longer than wide, 

 apex moderately constricted, base feebly arcuate, sides in front gradually 

 arcuate to middle, and then nearly parallel to base. Scutellum not sul- 

 cate. Elytra at base as wide as thorax, at humeral protuberance broader, 

 thence gradually narrower, apices rounded, surface striate, stripe punc- 

 tured, intervals flat, impunctured. Pygidium at base finely punctured, 

 surface sericeous, sparsely pubescent, at apex opaque, sparsely punctured, 

 each puncture bearing a spiniform yellowish hair, and on each side of the 

 tip a tuft of yellowish hairs. Body beneath shining, sparsely and finely 

 punctured, red variegated with black. Legs red, knees tipped with 

 black. Length .44 inch ; 11 mm. 



The elytra are in great part black, the base being occupied by a broad 

 red space, broader at middle ; the sutural interspace is black. The apical 

 black space may also become spotted with red. 



The description of this species by Gyllenhal is very characteristic, and 

 corresponds exactly with a specimen in my cabinet from California ; an- 

 other in the cabinet of Dr. Leconte, from an unknown locality, repro- 

 duces the figure of Olivier, and, although differing in details of color, is 

 undoubtedly identical. 



One specimen from the Southern Coast Range of California, collected 

 by Mr. Wm. M. Gabb. 



Sphenophorus Scbonh. 



This genus contains many species in our fauna whicli have been un- 

 necessarily multiplied by the failure of the older authors to recognize the 

 extent of specific variation. The characters given in the generic table 

 are sufficient to make the genus readily known. The tibiae vary in form, 

 and the tarsi in form and vestiture, and afford the readiest as well as 

 most natural method of dividing the genus into groups. Many of the 

 species have their surface coated so that the sculpture is partially con- 

 cealed. The coating appears to be of two kinds ; first a natural coat, 

 equally distributed above and beneath, of dense structure, and of smooth 

 shining surface, always allowing the punctures, even the most minute to 

 be visible ; second, an accidental coat, which covers, usually, only the 

 upper surface of the body and the legs, composed of argillaceous material 

 hardened, probably, by mixture with some exudation from the surface, 

 and which almost entirely obliterates all sculpture excepting prominent 

 elevations. The following are the groups into which it is proposed to 

 divide the genus : 

 Anterior tibiae with the outer apical angle prolonged, middle 



and hind tibiae truncate. Tarsi slender Group I. 



Tibiae all broadly rounded at outer apical angle. 



Third joint of all the tarsi broadly dilated, 



Spongy pubescent over its entire surface beneath. Group II. 



Broadly glabrous at middle Gkoup III. 



Third joint of hind tarsi conical. (In some species slightly 

 dilated, but then simply fimbriate at the sides, and 

 not spongy pubescent.) 



