242 GEO. II. HORN, M. D. 



tlic direct dcscendents probably, very little changed, of those existing 

 duriug the period named. 



If these deductions be correct, the inference is, that great care 

 should be exercised in the description, or at least the naming, of 

 Coleopterous remains. We can never expect to have more than an 

 elytron or thorax, and it seems to me folly to give these names be- 

 cause they are ancient, when no one would pretend (except in rare 

 instances), to do the same with fragments of existing specits. 



At the risk of some criticism from palaeontological students, I 

 prefer to follow a conservative course, and in the following pages 

 have given names to those species which seem really to differ from 

 those of our present fauna, and for the others have merely indicated 

 the genera to which they seem to belong. 



CYCIIUILS. 



C. Wheatleyi. 



Of this species I have before me a flattened thorax, all the actual 

 substance of the upper surface being present in moderately good 

 preservation, and the large portion of a left elytron of which but a 

 small portion of the substance remains. 



The thorax although flattened bears evidence of having the disc 

 moderately convex, the median line distinct, the transverse basal im- 

 pression rather deep and the lateral margins broad, wider at base and 

 reflexed. The hind angles are obtuse and not prolonged, the base 

 being moderately emarginate. The sides are moderately arcuate and 

 gradually narrowed toward the base, the widest portion of the thorax 

 being slightly in front of the middle. A species is thus indicated 

 resembling viduus but smaller, not exceeding in size the average 

 specimens of Andrewdi. 



The elytra are finely striate, the intervals moderately convex and 

 apparently smooth, the striae with moderate punctures not as closely 

 placed as in any species on this side of the continent. The strijc are 

 as numerous as in viduus or Andreicsii. 



Thorax. — Width .24 inch; 6 mm. Length .IG inch; 4 mm. 



E///tra (restored). — Width .48 inch; 12 mm. Length .GO inch; 

 1G.5 mm. 



T think there is very little doubt of the distinctness of this species 

 from any at present existing, but it may be inferred that it is the 

 species to which our viduus must look for its ancestry. 



I have named the species in honor of Mr. Charles M. Wheatley, 



