AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 269 



inaxillae, secondarily the form of the antennal club and the absence 

 of grooves beneath the head. 



In all the genera I find the males have a very distinct additional 

 terminal dorsal segment, varying in size in each genus, being most 

 distinct in Antlwnxus and least so in Amartus. 



Two of our genera are composed of small species, in which the 

 elytra have a distinct marginal line and the epipleurae consequently 

 well marked, the other two have larger species, equalling in size any 

 of our Carpophilus, in which there is scarcely any trace of marginal 

 line and no very evident epipleurae. 



Brachi/pterus has the tarsal claws distinctly toothed at base, in 

 the other genera they are absolutely simple or with merely a very 

 slight dilatation. 



The differences between the genera may be expressed in tabular 

 form as follows : 



Claws distinctly toothed at base. 



Elytra margined, epipleurse distinct Brachypteras. 



Claws simple or very nearly so. 



Elytra margined, epipleurae distinct Ce^rcus. 



Elytra not or extremely feebly margined, epipleurae indistinct. 



Form convex; terminal % segment visible beneath only Atuartus. 



Form depressed; terminal % segment rather large, visible above. 



Authonteus. 

 BRACHYPTERIIS Kug. 

 Claws toothed near the base. Antennae with a loose three-jointed 

 club. Legs rather slender. Elytra much longer than the exposed 

 portion of the abdomen. (PI. Ill, fig. 2). 



As recognized by Mr. Murray this genus is composed of very dis- 

 similar material. The claws as figured, by no means represent the idea 

 of a tooth as required by the generic description and the typical species, 

 although the figure fairly resembles the claw of Amartus tinctus, in 

 which the usual basal dilatation is present without any trace of tooth. 



B. tinctus (Mann.) Murr., has been removed from the present genus 

 and placed with another species in Amartus Lee, (^ Brachyleptus 

 Motsch., to which Murray assigned merely subgeneric value). 



Three species occur in our fauna, all of small size and moderately 

 robust facies, distinguished in the following manner : 



Sides of thorax sinuate in front of posterior angles. 



Elytra truncate, sutural angle rectangular urticse. 



Sides of thorax arcuate, hind angles obtusely rounded. 



Elytra truncate, sutural angle rectangular troglodytes. 



Elytra separately rounded at tip, sutural angle slightly rounded. 



slobularius. 



