NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 83 



In my former synopsis the name strigatus was placed as a synonym 

 of stercorator. This was the result of what I believe to be an incor- 

 rect identification of Say's species. The description of that author 

 says " clypeus with very minute punctures and larger one at the base," 

 and had there been any anterior rugaj they would have l)een indi- 

 cated. It rasembles the true stercorator, but differs in the frontal 

 sculpture and the absence of the usual polished carina between the 

 coxte. A specimen kindly given me by Baron Harold as his idea of 

 Say's species proves to be cognatus Lee. 



Occurs from the Middle States to the Rocky Mountain region and 

 south to Georgia. 



A. stercorator Fab. — Oblong, moderately elongate and convex, piceous 

 black, shining, legs rufopiceous or brown. Antennse rufotestaceous. Head mod- 

 erately convex, not very closely punctate, punctures coarser on the occiput, grad- 

 ually finer to the front, the sides rugose and transversely wrinkled. Clypeus 

 impressed in front, broadly emarginate at middle, on each side rounded, the 

 sides feebly arcuate, gense. moderately prominent, subacute. Thorax one and a 

 quarter times as wide as long, not narrowed behind, sides feebly arcuate, hind 

 angles rounded, base arcuate, the marginal line rather deep, disc moderately con- 

 vex, the punctuation rather coarse and sparse along the base, a little closer and 

 coarser at the sides, these punctures with a few finer ones intermixed, the me- 

 dian and anterior portions of the thorax finely punctate. Elytra as wide at base 

 as thorax, parallel, humeri with small tooth, disc deeply striate, striie punctured, 

 intervals feebly convex and on each side crenate, more distinctly on inner side. 

 Mesosternum opaque, densely punctured, a moderately long intercoxal carina. 

 Metasternum smooth. Abdomen coarsely punctured at the sides, very finely and 

 sparsely at middle, the segments crenate in front. Anterior tibiaj tridentate 

 externally, crenate above. Posterior femora sparsely finely punctate, the mar- 

 ginal line deep, extending from knee half to base, the the tibia with distinct 

 accessory spinule, first tarsal joint a little shorter than the long spur. Length 

 .20-.22 inch ; 5-5.5 mm. 



The above description is taken from specimens sent me some years 

 ago by Dr. Candeze, and are from Buenos Ayres. The differences 

 between it and the preceding species have already been alluded to. 

 With the next species it seems even more closely related, and I can 

 find only the differences alluded to in the table. 



Among the numerous sj^ecimens of the group which are usually 

 acro-reo-ated as dercorator in collections I have seen but one specimen 

 in the cabinet of Dr. LeConte which can be considered a true skr- 

 corator. It seems, therefore, rare in our country. 



One specimen, Florida. 



A. cognatus Lee— Oblong, parallel, moderately elongate and convex, pice- 

 ous black, shining; legs reddish brown. Antennre rufotestaceous. Head mod- 

 erately convex, not deii.sely i)unctate, the punctures coareer across the occiput, 



