AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 133 



rounded, surface very obsoletely striate at middle, smooth externally. Body 

 beneath smooth, shining. Length .16 inch; 4 mm. 



The two specimens I have seen seem to be females, the anal segment 

 is bisetose each side. 



The specimen in the cabinet of Dr. LeConte has a transverse dark 

 fascia the anterior border of which is in front of the middle of the 

 elytra and straight, the posterior border is concave so that the fascia 

 is twice as broad at the lateral margin as at the suture. 



Occurs in Georgia and Louisiana. Seems to be closely related to 

 D. sigma of Europe. 



APRISTUS Chaud. 



A genus composed of small black species differing from all our 

 Dromiide genera by the simple, slender claws. The mentum is toothed, 

 the ligula small, cordiform and quadrisetose in front, completely sur- 

 rounded by its paraglossae. The thorax is truncate at base. 



The species occuring in our fauna are as follows : 



Elytral striae deeply impressed, those at the sides more feebly. Thorax a little 



wider than long. 



Hind angles of thorax acute, slightly prominent, the lateral margin a little 



broader and more reflexed posteriorly. Median line of thorax deep and 



reaching the basal margin. Intervals of elytra rather strongly convex. 



Surface color nearly always black cordicollis Lee. 



Hind angles c^ thorax rectangular not prominent, the lateral margin not wider 

 behind. Median line fine, usually not attaining the basal margin. Intervals 



moderately convex. Surface bronzed subsulcatus Dej. 



Elytral strise feeble, those at the sides nearly obsolete. Thorax about one-fourth 

 wider than long. 

 Hind angles of thorax rectangular not prominent, margin not wider behind. 

 Median line deeply impressed at middle and very faintly reaching the basal 



margin. Color slightly bronzed , laticollis Lee. 



As the essential characters of the three species are rather fully 

 given in the table the following short notes will supply what is con- 

 sidered necessary. 



A. cordicollis Lee— This species is larger than subsulcatun, the elytra 

 flatter and the intervals decidedly more convex. The surface color is black with 

 a slight tinge of blue. Length .14— .16 inch; 3.5 — 4 mm. 



Male. — Three joints of anterior tarsi distinctly dilated and densely biseriately 

 squamulose beneath. Anal segment with one seta each side. 



Female. — Tarsi slender. Anal segment with one seta each side. 

 . Occurs in the Middle States and Canada. 



A. substllcatus Dej. — The surface color is piceous rather than black with 

 a tendency in the elytra to become brown. The thorax has the sides less arcuate 

 in front, less sinuate behind and is consequently less cordiform than in the pre- 

 ceding species. Length .12 — .14 inch; 3 — 3.5 mm. 

 Occurs from Canada to Texas and New Mexico. 



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