REVISION OF ELEODITNI BLAISDELL. 223 



Convexa by its elongate form. Elytra with siibconvex and rugose 

 intervals. 



Lcevis by its robust convex form; integuments black and aluta- 

 ceous ; large prothorax and somewhat eroded sculpturing. 



Composita Casey has evidently the elytral sculpturing of forma 

 sculptilis and the general structure of hispilabris^ except that it has 

 an aberrant prothorax. But here the difference is no proof that it is 

 specifically distinct. Analogous aberrations are observed in dentipes 

 in particular, and hispilahris is fully as variable as that species. 



The unique described by me as interrupta in the subgenus Melane- 

 leodes was simply an example of symmetrical fortuitous variation of 

 sculpturing, and was an anomalous omissa. I must hold that the 

 present form, which is a unique and undoubtedly related to a very 

 variable species, is an aberration, and the collection of others like it 

 must give it a greater claim to more than an incipient race. 



The mentum is moderate in size and quite constant in form, and 

 more or less trapezoidal ; the sides are quite straight and converging 

 to the apex, the latter distinct^ truncate, or slightly arcuate; the 

 sides are not noticeably curved. In fact, I have not yet seen an ex- 

 ample with the middle lobe evenly rounded anteriorly. 



The prosternum is variable. Usually moderate in width behind the 

 equator of the coxa% evenly convex, or precipitously so behind; fre- 

 quently submucronate, vertically truncate, and feebly compressed 

 behind in nupta. 



Mesosternum variable; oblique to arcuately declivous and more or 

 less concave. 



The metasternum laterally between the coxie is about equal in 

 length to the width of a mesofemur at base. 



The abdominal process is subquadrate, slightly transverse, and in 

 width about equal to the length of the post-coxal portion of the same 

 segment; second segment slightl}^ longer than the post-coxal part of 

 the first and about twice as long as the fourth; the third is about 

 one-third of its length shorter than the second. 



The abdominal salient is about one-fourth of its width wider than 

 the metasternal process. 



It is to be observed that the elytral apices have a tendency to be 

 slightly produced, and especially in forma scidptilis, and that the 

 epipleura^ dilate at tip to form the inferior surface of this feeble but 

 evidently produced elytral apex. This character becomes of impor- 

 tance when taken in relation with the caudal characters of caudifera 

 and longipilosa. 



The tibial grooves of the femora are not usually quite entire and 

 rather narrow. Those of the profemora may have their margins 

 feeble or strongly defined; the floors are glabrous and rather flat or 



