NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. '!■) 



feeble, tliscal fovese represented by vague, flat impressions, more or less distinctly 

 limited on the outer side by au impressed line, the two posterior fovese vague, 

 contiueutat the median line, lateral impressions broad and shallow. Elyira a 

 little broader at base than the thorax, the strife slightly impressed, punctures 

 not large, closely placed, intervals slightly convex, as wide as the striae at mid- 

 dle, or wider at the sides, distinctly wrinkled transversely. Length .06— .08 

 inch. ; 1.5 — 2 mm. 



Ill tlie specimens from Canada the thoracic sculpture is extremely 

 vague, while in those from California there i.s quite a distinct line 

 defining the position of the foveae in the same position as in lineatus 

 or sculptus. 



Occurs from southern California to Nevada, Colorado, Canada and 

 iVlaska. 



The species of Ochthebius do not seem to have received much at- 

 tention on the part of the general collector. Whether this will ac- 

 count for the great inequality of distribution remains to be seen. In 

 looking over the localities given for the species it will be observed 

 that the very large majority of them are either from the Pacific coast 

 region, or from the extreme southwest, as Texas or Arizona. Al- 

 though collectors of great skill have explored these regions, it is 

 hardly likely that the numerous collectors of our Atlantic region 

 would have allowed them to escape notice. It may, therefore, be 

 j)ossible that but few S2:)ecies remain to be discovered in the eastern 

 regions. 



In my own experience Ochthebius prefers clear running, shallow 

 water, in which localities they may be found adhering to the undei'- 

 side of stones, preferably those partly out of water, as they must at 

 times come to the surface for a fresh supply of air. Frequently they 

 are found in small colonies like the smaller Elmidpe, which they 

 much resemble in their habits. They are not so easily detected as 

 Elmidte, from the fact that their flatter form enables them to lie more 

 closely in contact with the surface of the stone, or hide themselves in 

 small crevices. They are beautifully sculptured insects when seen 

 with moderate magnifying power, and will well repay the trouble of 

 their collection. 



From the fact that a certain number are known to have wide dis- 

 tribution, it is probable that careful collection will extend the distri- 

 bution of others. 0. discretus, for example, extends the entire length 

 of our west coast and eastward from Oregon to Canada; 0. foveicolUs 

 is known from New Mexico, Florida and Pennsylvania; 0. inter- 



TRANS. AM. ENT. SOC. XVII. (4) .TANUAKY, 1890. 



