NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 3 



from its position in relation to the line of motion of the middle leg. 

 In the following pages this line is designated as the post-mesoeoxal 

 line. 



In two of our species, gemviatiis and auromicans, there will be ob- 

 served near the base of the epipleuron an elevated oblique line, be- 

 ginning at the inner epipleural edge posterior to the anterior end of 

 the met-episternum and directed obliquely forward and outward to 

 the humeral angle. Although this character is possessed by but two 

 species, it enables us to separate one of them from another so closely 

 allied as to be almost inseparable without its use. 



C. G. Thomson has made a certain use of the number of spinous 

 hairs on the lower edge of the front femur, but without useful result. 



While the characters drawn from the markings have, on the whole, 

 but little value, there is one point of considerable utility. In a num- 

 ber of species there exists a pale spot at the middje of the base of 

 each elytron more or less prolonged backward. This is very constant 

 in the species to which it is known to belong, and has as much value 

 here as a similar white spot at the middle of the base of the elytra 

 in certain groups of Cicindela. In fact, the fully developed mark- 

 ings of Heterocerus are decidedly Cicindeloid in type. 



In sculpture of the elytra the species vary greatly within specific 

 limits. While in a few species the elytra are not at all, or very 

 rarely, substriate, the larger number of species are distinctly sub- 

 striate in about half the specimens, the remaining half being either 

 without trace of stripe, or having them but feebly distinct. When 

 the stride are distinct the fifth is gradually deeper toward the base 

 and forms a basal marginal depression which extends to the middle. 

 The punctuation varies similarly; the large majority of specimens 

 have a close and fine punctuation, scarcely perceptible under the 

 pubescence, but individuals occur with a coarse and conspicuous 

 punctuation. In these latter the elytral markings are usually ob- 

 literated. In one species (Schwarei) all the specimens are rather 

 coarsely punctate and the markings remain well defined. 



The vestiture of the species consists of a moderately dense, but 

 short, semi-erect pubescence of dark brown color, but paler on the 

 bands or on the spaces where the bands should be. The entire mar- 

 gin is fimbriate with longer hair, more conspicuous on the thorax. 

 In auromicaus, however, the hairs are short, scale-like and not erect, 

 and the mararin is not fimbriate. 



