1873.] 41J [Horn. 



rather coarsely punctured, near apex sparsely clothed with -short bristly 

 hairs forming a tuft on each side of apex. Body beneath coarsely but 

 sparsely punctate at the sides, at middle comparatively smooth. Legs 

 black, finely punctulate. Length .48-.oG inch ; 12-14 mm. 



Var. interstitial/* Say. Form more robust. Thoracic vittae scarcely 

 elevated, the median gradually broader to middle, then gradually taper- 

 ing to base, forming an elongate fusiform space, the intervals between 

 the vittae more densely punctured. Stria) of elytra distinctly punctured, 

 intervals feebly alternating in width but scarcely in convexity, the 

 broader biseriately, the narrower uniseriately punctured. Body beneath 

 very coarsely punctured, the middle as coarsely punctured as the sides. 

 Length ,48-.56 inch ; 12-14 mm. 



The punctures of the elytral stria? being more evident in this variety 

 than in any other, together with the slight alternation of the intervals, 

 gives the aspect of a double series of punctures of which Say speaks. 



Occurs in the Southern States, and is injurious to the corn. 



Var. pertinax Oliv. ; truneaius Say, is the form described as typical. 



Occurs from the Middle States noith and west. 



Var. — ; pertinax \ Say. Thoracic vittae less prominent than in 



p&rtinax Oliv. Elytral intervals sub-equal in width and convexity, and 

 very minutely obsoletely punctulate ; striae scarcely punctured. 



Var. ; the narrower intervals of the elytra are slightly irregular 



or eroded, so that an aspect of catenulation is produced. 



Occurs in California. 



Many other varieties might be enumerated, but these are deemed 

 sufficient to cover the entire ground, so that any form differing from the 

 typical descriptions may not be considered specifically distinct. 



Occurs from Canada to Louisiana and from the Atlantic to the Pacific, 

 and, unfortunately for farmers, not rare. 



S. robusttfs n. sp. 



Closely allied to pertinax, and differs as follows : 



Median thoracic vitta feebly dilated at middle, posterior portion broad 

 and attaining the base, lateral vitta) slightly sinuous internally, graduallv 

 wider from apex to base, lateral branch feeble. Elytra finely striate, 

 outer three striae distinctly, inner obsoletely and distantly punctured, 

 intervals flat, sub- equal, alternately bi- and uni-seriately finely punctulate; 

 surface evenly clothed with ochreous or plumbeous sub-sericeous exuda- 

 tion. Length .48-.o6 inch ; 12-14 mm. 



After the numerous variations of the preceding species which have 

 been mentioned, it is with considerable diffidence that I venture to name 

 the present form, but the aspect of the species is so distinct from that 

 seen in any of the varieties >f bhc preceding, ana moreover I find no 

 intermediate forms. 



Occurs as widely as the preceding, but less common. A variety of this 



