288 GEO. H. HORN. 



is not represented in our fauna, the introduction of the name in our 

 lists is unnecessary, as the finding of a single specimen, and that 

 even doubtful, does not entitle it to admission. 



€ER€Y'OX Leach. 



Prosternum scarcely separating the anterior coxte, the median line 

 carinate in a variable degree. Mesosternum elevated between and 

 in fi'out of the middle coxjb, its lower edge being either linear, lan- 

 ceolate or narrowly oval, the suture between the meso- and metaster- 

 num being always well marked. Tibia? spinulose on their outer edge, 

 the front tibise entire on the outer edge, except in littoralis. 



The metasternum does not project at all between the middle coxae, 

 but forms an acute angle or broadly rounded edge, in accordance 

 with the form of the mesosternum and the width of the latter at 

 base, as will be seen on the figures (PI. ix, figs. 1 to 6). The me- 

 sosternum is entirely free from the metasternum and can readily on 

 dissection be disarticulated without fracture. 



In the other genera of the Cercyon series the mesosternum forms 

 a broad plate, its base broad and closely united with the metaster- 

 num, the suture being at most an impressed line. 



After a study of a typical species of Oosternuni, kindly sent me 

 by Dr. 8harp, and to which our pvbescens belongs, I am unable to 

 realize that there is sufficient grounds for retaining the genus apart 

 from Cercyon. It is true the body of the prosternum is a little more 

 elevated and the carina consecjuently less prominent than in the 

 majority of Cercyon, but this is merely a variation in degree and 

 not in structure. The mesosternum is not in any manner different 

 from several species of Cercyon, as will be seen by examining those 

 i>f the granarins group. 



The characters made use of in the following table are sufficiently 

 evident and easy to be detected by any one po.ssessing a moderate 

 series of the species. 



The examination of species for the basal marginal line must be 

 done with some care. When the thorax is somewhat deflexed the 

 basal marginal line of the elytra assumes a position in relation to 

 the base of the thorax that is very deceptive. 



The use of the basal punctitbrm impressions as a means of sepa- 

 rating species is of no value. These occur at the base of the median 

 line and opposite the fourth elytral interval and seem to be the last 



