NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 135 



defined, while in lithophilus the base is much wider than the apex and 

 the hind angles obtuse or rounded. The latter species has entirely pale 

 legs. 



One specimen % , kindly given me by Prof. Wni. Duenkel, which was 

 collected by him near Yreka. Gala. 



^ STAPHYLINID^. 



OXYPOHUS Grav. 



O. aiistriiiUS n. sp.— Black, shining, elytra testaceous with the suture and 

 outer apical angle black. Legs pale yellow, the knees and tips of tibise narrowly 

 piceous. Antennse piceous, but somewhat paler at base. Thorax broader than 

 long, narrower at base, widest in front of middle, sides arcuate. Elytra longer 

 than the thorax, conjointly wider than long, slightly wider behind, with a sub- 

 sutural and two discal punctured striae, all very regular with but few irregular 

 punctures between them, surface smooth, the outer apical angles finely rugose. 

 Abdomen smooth, with the usual two dorsal punctures on each segment, beneath 

 shining with fine scattered punctures. Length .26-.30 inch; 6. 5-7. .5 mm. 



This species resembles vittatus, but should be placed near femoralia 

 from tlie finely rugose apical angles of the elytra ; it differs from the 

 latter, however, by the smaller size and entirely pale legs. 



I have seen five specimens collected near Savannah, Gra., by Mr. Geo. 

 Noble. 



O. occipitalis Fauvel. 



This species is mentioned to note its occurrence in Washington Terri- 

 tory. 



O. fasciatus Mels. Proc. Acad, ii, p. 40. — Head variable in color, sometimes 

 entirely black, usually rufo-testaceous witli the front and sides black. Thorax 

 transverse, narrower behind, sides arcuate, broadest at or behind the middle, color 

 rufo-testaceous, apical and basal margins black. Elytra wider than the thorax, 

 conjointly wider than long, slightly broader behind, very shining, rufo-testaceous, 

 suture and outer apical angles black, subsutural series of punctures regular, the 

 two discal rows somewhat irregular. Abdomen shining, terminal segment pale, 

 fourth and fifth above and beneath entirely piceous, the second and third pale but 

 brownish at base. Abdomen beneath rufo-testaceous except the fourth and fifth 

 segments. Legs testaceous. Length .28-. 34 inch; 7-8.5 mm. 



This species has been quoted in all the books as a variety of vittatus, 

 even by Melsheimer, but I am convinced that it is fully entitled to be 

 retained as distinct, from the great uniformity of the color of the speci- 

 mens before me, as well as in the shorter and broader thorax. If it 

 must be admitted as a variety then vittatus, bicolor and occipitalis must 

 also • be considered varieties of one, and the entire aggregate of four 

 called vittatus. 



Abundant in the District of Columbia, taken by Mr. Ulke. 



