XORTII AMERICAN COLEOPTEUA. 6o 



at base as thorax, humeri slightly dentate; disc moderately convex, the sutural 

 aud nine discal intervals elevated in acute costaj, the sutural, first, second, fourth 

 and sixth and eighth are entire, the others abbreviated, the strife are replaced by 

 the broad grooves between the costiB and are coarsely closely punctate. Mesos- 

 teruum alutaceous, sparsely, coarsely punctate, finely carinate between the coxje. 

 Metasternum and abdomen sj)arsely coarsely punctured. Anterior tibiaj triden- 

 tate externally, not crenate, the first tarsal joint very little longer than the sec- 

 ond. Posterior femora sparsely punctate, alutaceous, the tibise slender, the ob- 

 lique cariuiB feeble, the apex fimbriate with unequal spinules, the first tarsal 

 joint longer than the next three. Length .10-.12 inch ; 2.5-3 mm. 



The male has the metasternum longitudinally impressed. 



This insect is one of the smallest Aphodides in our fauna. The 

 acutely costate elj^tra will readily separate it from any Aphodius, and 

 the structure of the legs from either Atsenius or Dialytes. It has 

 evidently been introduced from Europe, where it is common, but in 

 our country has been found near the cities of New York and Phila- 

 delphia. 



»IAL,YTES Harold. 



The essential difference between this genus and Aphodius is in the 

 form of the anterior tibi?e. The outer teeth, excepting the external 

 apical are obsolete, existing only in the faintest trace, and in addition 

 there is a tooth in front near the insertion of the tarsi. 



The structure of the mouth parts is the same as in Aphodius. 

 The head, although deflexed, allows the eyes to be partly visible. 

 Other characters given by Harold as the dentate humeri and the 

 feeble oblique carinee of the posterior tibia? are found in various 

 members of the genus Aphodius. 



The species are three in number, and are thus defined : 



Intervals of elytra flat; clypeus not toothed truiK-afus. 



Intervals finely carinate, stria; cateiiulate; clypeus with an acute tooth each 



side rikei. 



Intervals strongly elevated; clypeus not toothed, thorax with a deep median 



impression striatulus. 



All these species belong to the eastern portion of tlio Atltuitii' 

 region. 



D. trtincatns Mels. — Oblong, broader liehiud, convex, piceous black, shin- 

 ing, legs brownish. Antennaj ferruginous. Head moderately convex, rather 

 coarsely sparsely punctate. Clypeus heniiliexagonal, broadly feebly emarginate 

 in front, the angles obtuse, sides oblique, gena2 obtuse. Thorax one-fourth wider 

 than long, narrower in front, anterior angles rectangular, sides slightly sinuous, 

 hind angles well defined, but obtuse; base arcuate, on each side near the bind 

 angles oblique and sinuous, the marginal line distinct, disc convex. i)unctures 

 moderately coarse, sparse at middle, closer at sides aiul base. Elytra as wide at 



TliANS. AMER. ENT. SOC. XIV. (9) MAKCII, IS67. 



