NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 247 



ginal line very feebly indicated. Elytra punctured similarly to the thorax, the 

 pu!ictures more distant and a little coarser near the apex, the usual series of 

 larger punctures extremely indistinct. Body lieneath piceous opaque. Femora 

 piceous, tibise and tai'si rufo-testaceous. Length .14 — .16 inch.; 3.5 — 4 mm. Pi. 

 iii, fig. 14. 



The raesosternal cariya is very feebly prominent, the anterior edge arcuate, 

 without distinct angle. 



The claws iu both sexes are so nearly like those of nebv/osus that 

 it is unnecessary to describe them. 



This species varies in color, and probably from the same causes as 

 have already been referred to in nebulosas. No specimen has been 

 seen of truly piceous color in the manner illustrated by cindus or 

 perplexus. 



Occurs from Canada to Illinois and Florida. Dr. Sharp notes its 

 occurrence in Mexico. 



P. i»er|»lexus Lee. — Oblong oval, fully twice as long as wide, piceous black, 

 shining, the sides of the thorax and elytra with paler border, a paler spot usually 

 in front of the eyes. Thorax closely punctate, the punctures finer at the middle 

 than at the sides, the arcuate and transverse rows of coarser punctures distinct 

 but not deeply impressed. 'Elytral punctuation coarser than the thorax, closer 

 toward the base, sparser and coarser toward apex, the usual series of larger punc- 

 tures feebly indicated. Body beneath and legs piceous, tarsi paler. Length .16-- 

 .22 inch. ; 4 — 5.5 mm. PI. iii, fig. 6. 



The mesosternal lamina is prominent, the lower edge slightly oblique, the an- 

 terior edge slightly sinuous and oblique, the free angle more or less mucronate. 



The claws of the male are merely slightly broader at base and do 

 not differ from those of the female except in being a very little stouter. 

 Canada and New England States to Florida and Texas. 



1'. ciiictus Say. — Oval, slightly oblong, very convex transversely, sides of 

 elytra nearly vertical, piceous black shining, the sides of thorax and elytra with 

 paler border. Thorax closely punctate, the oblique and transverse rows of coarser 

 punctures distinct, but feebly^impressed, basal marginal line, at best, feebly de- 

 veloped and never entire. Elytra a very little more coarsely, but less closely 

 punctured than the thorax, the usual rows of coarser punctures distinct, but 

 feebly impressed. Body beneath and legs black, the tarsi pale. Length .26 — .28 

 inch. ; 6.5 — 7 mm. PI. iii, fig. 5. 



The raesosternal lamina is moderately thick, the lower edge horizontal, the 

 front edge nearly vertical, the free angle slightly mucronate. In the female the 

 anterior edge is more oblique. 



The anterior claws of male have each an irregular basal dilatation, but not 

 forming a distinct tooth, the middle claws are less angulate and the posterior are 

 nearly simple. The anterior and middle claws of the female have a very feeble 

 l)asal dilatation, tiie posterior claws nearly simple. 



