NORTH AMICKK'AN CoLEOPTERA. 75 



surface. Elytra as wide at base as the thorax, humeri acutely dentate, sides 

 arcuate, striie moderately deep, the punctures rather coarse, not closely placed 

 indistinct, intervals flat, the third, fifth and seventh a little more elevated mar 

 the apex, each with a row of fine punctures bearing a small scale like yellow 

 hair. Mesosternum opa(iue, rather coarsely punctate, cariuate between the coxaj. 

 Metasternum densely punctate. Abdomen coarsely punctate and rujiulose, the 

 segments as usual, crenate in front. Anterior tibite acutely tridentate externally, 

 subcrenate above, the first tarsal joint nearly as long as the next three. Poste- 

 rior femur coarsely sparsely punctate, the posterior marginal line deep and entire, 

 the posterior tibia without accessory spinule, the first tarsal joint one-fourtli 

 longer than the long spur. Length .16-.18 inch ; 4-4.5 mm. 



Tlie surface of this species being concealed in great part by the 

 argillaceous coating, the sculpture is often so concealed as to be with 

 difficulty observed. The legs are often reddish brown, but usually 

 piceous. There will be no difficulty in recognizing this species and 

 alternat'us in the genus, by their surface coating, the absence of mar- 

 ginal line at the base of the thorax and the deep and entire marginal 

 line of the posterior femur. 



In distribution this species seems to be nearly equal with abditus, 

 as specimens have been collected in Mexico, Cuba, Honduras and 

 Brazil. On specimens from these regions Harold described his wr- 

 didws, which is simply a synonym, as has been determined ])y a 

 typical specimen sent to Dr. LeConte by Salle. 



In our fauna it extends from Massachusetts to Texas. 



A. alternatus Mels. — Very like imbricutiis in form and color. Head densely 

 punctured, the punctures equal, at sides more rugose. Clypeus and gena; as in 

 imbricatiis. Thorax also similar in form, but with the base undulate, not regu- 

 larly arcuate, the marginal line absent. Elytra also similar in form, finely striate, 

 strife with rather distant, inconspicuous punctures, the intervals slightly convex, 

 the alternate ones 1-3-5-7 more acutely elevated along the middle and carini- 

 form. Mesosternum opaque rugulose, carinate between the coxa;. Jletasternum 

 closely punctate. Abdomen sparsely imnctate from side to side, the punctures as 

 well as the crenations often obscured by the surface coating. Anterior tibia; tri- 

 dentate externally, crenate above. Posterior femur spar.sely punctate, the mar- 

 ginal line feeble near the knee, gradually evanescent internally, the posterior 

 tibia without accessory spinule, the first tarsal joint nearly a third longer than 

 the long spur. Length .14-.18 inch ; :}.5-4.5 mm. 



This species seems to be much rarci- than than Itnbricufiis. In tlie 

 description in my Syno])sis it is stated that the stria' are not punctate, 

 and in many specimens this will, api)arently, be true, as the coating 

 of the surface so often hides smaller points of sculpture. From alter- 

 natus this species differs in the carinate intervals, the feeble marginal 

 line of posterior fenuir and rather longer first hind tarsal joint. 



Occurs from Pennsvlvania to Tcxus. 



