AMERICAN COLEOrXERA. 109 



as the limit observed iu our fauna is entirely within the usually 

 expected or at least allowable extent, but the smaller forms are 

 generally less distinctly sculptured and the sutural ridge of the 

 elytra less marked. 



In color the variation is from piceous to testaceous through all 

 intermediate shades, the larger and better developed specimens are 

 as a rule the darker colored. In the form known as iiehidosus in our 

 fauna, the sides of the elytra as well as the suture are darker than the 

 disc, so that a coloration is seen resembling the well known varieties 

 of padi. From the latter the punctuation of the sides of the thorax 

 will always distinguish any of the forms of variabilis. 



The punctuation of the entire surface is also somewhat variable as 

 mentioned above regarding the smaller specimens. Independently of 

 this the punctuation of the head and thorax vary in degree, so that 

 the front and the side of the thorax from an ordinarily dense punc- 

 tuation come to have a rugose and even granular aspect. 



There do not appear to be any clearly dividing lines between any 

 of the forms above observed, the one merging so gradually into the 

 other as to leave no doubt as to the specific identity of all. No sexual 

 differences have been observed. 



In determining the specific identity of our species with that of 

 Europe, comparison has been made with carefully named specimens 

 sent by my friend Mr. A. Salle of Paris, while the synonymy as far 

 as our fauna is concerned, is the result of a study of a far greater 

 mass of material than that used in our latest synopsis twenty-six 

 years ago. 



Closely allied to variahilis is coarctata also European, but said by 

 Guerin to occur in our fauna. 1 have never seen any specimens 

 at all resembling those sent me by Mr. Salle. It is possible that 

 the species may yet be found here, when it will be known by its 

 general resemblance to variabilis with the elytra sub-tricostate as 

 in obsciirvs. 



The distribution of this species in our fauna is very wide, extend- 

 ing from the Hudson's Bay region to Florida and Texas, and in the 

 west to Vancouver. 



C padi Linn. — Ovate, moderately convex, finely pubescent, piceous or 

 black, elytra with the tip pale yellow, the spot sometimes well defined, often 

 extending forward in an irregular vitta. Head densely punctate. Antennae 

 half the length of the body, piceous, the basal joints pale. Thorax more than 

 twice as wide as long, slightly narrowed in front, sides feebly arcuate, surface 

 very sparsely and finely punctulate even at the sides. Elytra wider than the 



