NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 107 



Studies among the IflELOID^. 



BY GEORGE H. HORN, M. D. 



With collections coming from almost every region of our western 

 country new species of this family are constantly occurring. No sooner 

 is a monographic study presented than it is made insufficient by the dis- 

 covery of new forms. As a rule new species have been allowed to ac- 

 cumulate until their number seemed to warrant the repetition of at least 

 the synoptic table and the following pages have been prepared on that 

 basis. 



Through the kindness of Sig. Eug. Duges I have been enabled to 

 study typical specimens of some species described by him from several 

 Mexican localities. Several years ago I saw in the cabinet of Mr. Salle, 

 of Paris, a few of the species, and recognized among them several familiar 

 forms, and as the species of this family have been abundantly collected 

 in Texas, Arizona and California, it seemed probable that some of them 

 might extend their habitat to Mexico, and that a comparison might re- 

 sult advantageously to science. 



Macrobasis Borrei Duges. Very distinct from any in our fauna. It is 



by the antennal structure more allied to our larger species albida, etc. 

 Caiitharis puiictuata Duges. Is the same as our Epicauta conspersa 



Lee, which is considered merely a variety of maculata Say. The last name 



should prevail. 

 Cantharis ocellata Duges. By the material in our fauna this species is 



not considered distinct from the preceding. 

 C-aiitliaris cupreola Duges. Closely related to cinerea, but with shorter 



and stouter antennse. It resembles more closely the uniformly cinereous va- 

 riety of cinerea. It occurs also in Texas. 

 Cantharis vicina Duges. Belongs to the series with filiform antennse, 



and is most closely related to our sericans Lee. 

 Canthat'i!^ iiigerriina Duges. Is Epicauta corvina Lee. 

 Canthariisi ni^ra Duges. Is very near Epicauta funebris Horn. 

 Cantliaris eiiictipennis Chev. Extremely close to Epicauta cinerea 



Fi.irst., and probably not different. 

 Cantliai'is croeeicincta Duges. Also related to E. cinerea, but more 



slender and with the anterior tibife of the male more deeply sinuate. 

 Cantliaris stigmata Duges. Is the entirely cinereous variety of cinerea 



Forst. 

 C'anthai'is variabilis Duges. Is C puberula Lee. The latter name 



should prevail. 



