AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 273 



42. C ruficanda, Chaud. — Head bluish green, front at middle nearly 

 smooth, at sides coarsely punctured, vertex and occiput coarsely punctured, 

 a vague transverse impression behind the eyes, labrum truncate, antennpe 

 rufous, third joint longer than the fourth. Thorax broader than long, sides 

 strongly rounded and coarciate at base, hind angles rectangular slightly 

 prominent, base truncate, disc convex (pulvinate), median line with vague 

 impression, color dark blue, surface very coarsely and deeply punctured, the 

 punctures denser at the base and sides. Elytra similar in form to tricolor, 

 color black with slight tinge of blue, apical third orange red, surface sculp- 

 tured as in obftoleius ; epipleurae, except at basal third, pale. Prosternum feebly 

 or not margined at tip, in front with coarse punctures which become coarser 

 and deeper as they approach the margin. Metasternal episterna moderately 

 long, margined on the anterior end, coarsely punctured. Abdomen very sparsely 

 punctate and pubescent. Legs pale. Length .44 inch; 11 mm. 



The peculiarities of this species are so many as to render it distinct 

 from every other in our fauna. The prothoracic epipleurae here attain 

 their minimum of development, beino; very narrow in their entire 

 extent but narrower at base than apex. The basal impressions of 

 thorax are totally obliterated, the base being squarely truncate. 



In the males the anterior femora have a small spine near the 

 basal third, while the 9 femora are of normal form, and have no 

 subangulation. 



This species occurs in California, Fort Yuma, near the junction of 

 the Gila and Colorado rivers, also in Mexico. 



BRACHYLOBUS, Chaud. 



This genus has been so well characterized by Chaudoir that I can- 

 not do better than translate his words. 



"The strange conformation of the mentum, altogether exceptional in this 

 group, obliges me to separate this species from the rest of the Chlaenius ; there 

 are properly speaking no lobes ; the mentum is transversely trapezoidal, much 

 narrower anteriorly, scarcely at all emarginate in front, the sides very obliquely 

 truncate, not at all arcuate and rather slightly sinuate; on each side of the 

 middle is a deep round depression, the space between which is convex. Men- 

 tum tooth entirely absent. 



This ccn formation of mentum is so peculiar that once seen it will 

 be immediately recognized. 



B. lithophilus. (Say). 



Tliis species is so well known as to need no special comment. It 

 varies considerably in the form of the thorax as well as in color. The 

 middle tibiae of the male are as in ni<jer, etc. Length .36 — .88 inch ; 

 9—9.5 mm. 



Occurs from New York westward to Dakota and south to Texas. 



TRANS. AMER. ENT. SOC. V. (36) DECEMBER, 1876. 



