NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 283 



was that of PhKiionotum. This might be considered sufficient 

 groundwork for a new generic name, but from my study of the va- 

 riation among the species of Cercyon and the other genera, it is quite 

 likely that intermediate forms of mesosternum will be found. 

 The species known to me are the following : 



Mesosternal elevation forming a pentagonal or arrow-head-shaped area, convex 



transversely. PI. ix, fig. 11. 

 Prosternum with a slight trace of carination ; elytra with distinctly punctured 



^*''''* abdoiniiiale. 



Prosternum with a well marked carina, more elevated in front; elytra with 



rows of punctures cacti 



Mesosternal elevation continuous with that of the metasternum and gradually 



narrowed to its apex. PI. ix, fig. 12. 

 Prosternum with a well elevated carina, higher in front; elytra with rows of 



punctures aclvecHim. 



D. abdoiuinale Fab.— Oval, slightly oblong, moderately convex, piceous 

 black, shining. Mouth parts rufo-testaceous, the palpi rather paler. Antennffi 

 testaceous, club slightly darker. Head clearly punctate, more finely and densely 

 on the clypeus. Thorax closely punctate, a little more coarsely than the head. 

 Elytra teu-striate, .striae not deeply impressed on the disc, more deeply at the 

 sides and apex, punctures of strise coarse, nearly distant their own diameters on 

 the disc, closer and coarser at the sides, intervals flat on the disc, slightly convex 

 at sides and apex, closely punctate, the punctures a little coarser than those of 

 the thorax. Body beneath piceous or brownish opaque. Legs piceo-rufous. 

 Length .18— .20 inch. ; 4.5—5 mm. 



This insect was recognized by me some years ago as an inhabitant 

 of our fauna by the description given by Wollaston. There does not 

 seem to be an agreement between recent students as to which species 

 Fabricius had before him, and Dr. Sharp (Biol. Cent. Am. i, 2, p. 

 769), while using the Fabrician name, quoted it in doubt, as well as 

 insulare Cast, which, I infer, Bedel considers distinct. While the 

 settlement of such a doubtful point is impossible at this time, I use 

 the name adopted by Dr. Sharp, having used a specimen for com- 

 parison with our own sent me by Bedel as imulare, which Dr. Sharp 

 considers synonymous with abdominale. 



The facies of the species is not unlike several of our striate Cvm- 

 biodyta, as dorsalis. It may be at once known from any other 

 in our fauna by the well impressed and rather coarsely punc- 

 tured elytral stride. The prosternum is not carinate in the sense in 

 which it is observed in cacti or advectum, but is merely obtusely ele- 

 vated along the middle. The mesosternal elevation seen directly 

 from below is in the form of a broad arrow-head, convex transversely. 



The species seems to be native to Brazil, whence it has been spread 



