124 AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 



This appears to be a tolerably abundant species throughout the 

 arid and semi-arid regions, both east and west of the Rocky Moun- 

 tains. It has not yet occurred in the true Pacific fiiuna. Well- 

 preserved specimens are more noticeably pubescent than any other 

 species of the group. 



24. A. Iiesperiiin n. sp. — The preceding description apjilies so perfectly to 

 this species, that it is only necessary to note the points of divergence. The 

 humeri are hero almost entirely wanting, whereas in occidentale they are 

 unusually prominent for this section. Hespenim is almost perfectly apterous, the 

 wing being reduced to a slender, parallel fillet, less than half as long as the 

 elytra, and about one-fifth as wide as long. The legs are black in all the speci- 

 mens I have seen. (PI. II, fig. 23). 



Sixteen examples are before me, all taken in Southern California 

 (Los Angeles Co.), by Mr. Coquillet. 



II. 



The species here aggregated include all those which, with simple 

 or nearly simple claws, lack the peculiar .sexual modifications of the 

 anterior femora, which characterize the previous series. Taken as a 

 whole they form a far less homogeneous group than the preceding, 

 certain species indeed exhibiting affinities so divergent as to awaken 

 doubts as to the taxonomic value of ungual formation as a primary 

 point of departure. 



There will be found in this section a gradual change from the 

 absoluely simple to the feebly angulate or subdental claw. Thus in 

 rechosum, p'unctinasum, ciirticorne and sordidum the claws are almost 

 perfectly simple; in perniinutum, tenuiforme and acrophilmn they 

 become subangulate at base, while in antennatum, and oedorhynclmm 

 there is present an evident, though usually very inconspicuous tooth ; 

 these last two leading naturally to the next section. See PI. Ill, 

 fig.s. 13, 14 and 15. 



Aside from the usual, more or less evident disparity in the rostrum, 

 sexual differences are generally pronounced ; two species only — rec/u- 

 sum and acrophilam — having the male tibise mucronate. 



Permiiiutum is, on the whole, decidedly aberrant ; it may be at 

 once known from any other species in our fauna by the depres.sed 

 form, peculiar coloration and antennte inserted close to the eyes. 

 Were it not for the form of the claws teaulfonne would certainly be 

 placed in Section IV, which contains all the other species having the 

 tarsi spined in the male. 



The species easily separate, as follows : 



