NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTEKA. 311 



Ismail, outer edge feebly spinulose. Anterior tibiae not eniarginate ; 

 maxillary palpi with the pseudo-basal joint slender at base, inflated 

 at apex, last two joints slender, the terminal slightly longer than the 

 preceding. 



On viewing the body from below it will be observed that the thorax 

 has angulate sides, but the angle is reflected inferiorly and not at all 

 visible from above. The metasternal oblique line illustrates here in 

 its full development what is scarcely more than indicated in several 

 of the species of Cercyon. 



But two species are known to me, one of which has been intro- 

 duced from Europe. 



Elytral striae not conspicuously coarsely punctured ; intervals punctate in tbeir 

 entire extent; metasternuni densely punctate mi 1111(11111. 



Elytra strise conspicuously coarsely punctured at base ; intervals at sides and 

 apex nearly smooth ; metasternum not deuselj' punctate, siiiiericaiiuiii. 



C minutiiin Fab. — Bather broadly oval, more narrowed behind than in 

 front, convex, piceous black, feebly shining, elytra with pale tip. Antennse and 

 palpi piceous. Head finely and closely punctate. Thorax, as seen from above, 

 narrowed from base to apex, the sides feebly arcuate, basal marginal line want- 

 ing, a faint impression opposite the fourth stria, surface rather closely punctate. 

 Elytra moderately deeply striate, strise punctate, intervals slightly convex, rather 

 closely punctulate and sparsely pubescent. Body beneath piceous, moderately 

 shining. Metasternal area sharply limited by a well-elevated, sinuous, oblique 

 line, which extends from the anterior outer angles to the coxal articulation, the 

 entire surface of the metasternum very coarsely and rather closely i)unctate. 

 Mesosternal area opaque, moderately densely punctate. Legs piceo-rufous, femora 

 darker. Length .06 — .08 inch. ; 1.5 — 2 mm. 



I'he pale region at the apex of the elytra is very indefinite, and 

 may extend so as to leave only a triangular scutellar space black, as 

 in many Cercyon pygmxeus, or the elytra may be entirely pale. There 

 is often a pale spot on the umbone. The |)ubescence of the surface 

 is very easily removable, so that but few specimens show it, and 

 then only when recently captured. 



Occurs in the New England States, ('anada, and as far south as 

 Maryland. In Eurojie it is widely distributed, extending to Siberia, 

 the Amur region and Japan. From the latter distribution it should 

 be found on the Pacific coast. 



C aiiiei'icaiiuiii n. sp.— Rather broadly oval, convex, piceous black, shin- 

 ing, elytra at apex paler. Anteuupe and maxillary palpi pale rufo-testaceous. 

 Head finely and closely punctate. Thorax arcuatcly narrowed from base to apex, 

 the sides angularly iuflexed, surface more coarsely punctate than the head, espe- 

 cially at base and sides, more finely at apex. Elytra rather deeply striate, stria- 



