AMERICAN COLEOPTERA 323 



distinct in many points. The elytral punctures are larger and deeper 

 than in any other species in our fauna. The pubescence is of such a 

 nature as to be easily removed from the upper surface. The thorax 

 shows but slight traces of pubescence. The punctures of the thorax, 

 although coarse and dense are yet very distinct and the surface less 

 rugous than in many species with much less dense punctulation. The 

 figure given by Olivier is unusually characteristic. Schonherr appears 

 to have lost sight of Olivier's description and figure and credits Fab- 

 ricius with the species, although several years later in publication. 



One male specimen in the cabinet of Mr. H. Ulke, from Texas. 

 B. impiger, n. sp. — Robust, oblong-quadrate, black, sparsely einereo-pu- 

 bescent, abdomen pieeous, legs rufous, hind femora pieeous mutic. Elytra dark 

 rufous, humeri and apices darker, sparsely einereo-pubescent, forming designs. 

 Head black, densely punctulate, front feebly sub-carinate. Antennae as long 

 as half the body, sub-serrate 9 > outer joints almost black, four basal joints 

 dark rufous or pieeous. Thorax pieeous, or rufo-pieeous, twice as broad at base 

 as long, sides slightly arcuate, base trisinuate, median lobe feebly emarginate; 

 surface moderately convex, densely punctured, opaque, very sparsely einereo- 

 pubescent, at anterior margin and two spots on each side of middle slightly 

 more dense and evident. Scutellum sub-quadrate, black, sparsely cinereo- 

 tomentose. Elytra slightly longer than wide, at base slightly wider than 

 thorax, sides very feebly arcuate, surface moderately convex, suture not de- 

 pressed, striate, strise punctured, intervals flat, densely punctulato-rugose ; 

 color dark rufous or pale brown, humeri and outer apical angle pieeous or 

 black; sparsely clothed with cinereons pubescence arranged as follows: — A 

 transverse sinuous band composed of short lines on the intervals, beginning on 

 each side behind the humeral dark spot, at apical three-fourths an arcuate 

 band on each elytra composed of short lines on the alternate intervals begin- 

 ning behind the sinuous band on each side and arching to the apex of suture. 

 Body beneath black, punctulate densely einereo-pubescent, abdomen pieeous 

 similarly invested. Legs rufous, hind femora pieeous, mutic. Length .08— .12 

 inch ; 2—3 mm. 



Smaller than the preceding two species and without the sutural de- 

 pression of the elytra. 



Collected in Owen's Valley, California. 



Group V. 

 Hind femur armed on the inner margin near the apex with an 

 acute tooth without denticles. The species of this group are less 

 robust than those of the three preceding groups, and are more robust 

 than any which follow. Their form is oblong oval, the sides of the 

 thorax being arcuate and the elytra at base scarcely broader and fol- 

 lowing nearly the curve of the sides of the thorax. The humeri are 

 scarcely prominent. 



