AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 129 



After a careful examination of Phi/sea and Pachyteles I find that tlie 

 mesosternal epimera do not attain the middle coxjb, and that no better 

 evidence is required of the value of the character .than the fact that 

 these genera and their allies are thereby excluded from the Carabinae. 



The value of the character drawn from the mesosternum is certainly 

 very much overestimated, as it will be observed that while certain species 

 of Pachyteles {marginicolUs, biguttatus), have the middle coxae as dis- 

 tinctly separated as in many Platynus, others have the middle coxal 

 cavities confluent {mexicaiiua). It will be observed however that there 

 is an unusual degree of flexibility of the central region of the body and 

 that the articulation between the meso- and metathorax is rather loose. 

 The lateral process of the central piece of the mesosternum, that is, those 

 processes which partly enclose the coxae externally, are capable of a slight 

 motion under the opposite processes of the metasternum and the limit of 

 this motion is indicated by a slight ridge on the former process, which 

 ridge is exactly continuous with the suture separating the mes-episternum 

 from the mes-epimeron and has been the unfortunate cause of the de- 

 ception of all those who have heretofore studied these parts. For those 

 who desire to verify the above statements a preparation made in the 

 manner indicated for Siagoiia will remove all doubts. 



The interruption of the lateral margin of the elytra is a character 

 entirely different from that observed in the succeeding tribes. If the 

 margin is followed from the apex to the interruption it will be observed 

 that this end passes over that which is formed by the anterior portion, 

 while in the Pterostichini, etc., the posterior end passes under the anterior 

 and is continued oh the under side of the elytron in a long ridge. 



The relationships of the Ozasnini are feeble in the direction of 

 Pseudomorpha and Siogonn^ but more decided toward Nomius and 

 Pxj/drus which lead through the Morionini to the ccnti'al mass of the 

 Harpaline series. 



Alijstropomu^ placed here liy Chaudoir seen)s to me to lie a true 

 Carabine allied to Metrius. 



One genus is represented in oiir fauna, and the .species Pachi/teles 

 tesfaceus Horn, occurs in Arizona. Physea has occurred at Tampico, 

 Mexico, and may possibly be found in Texas. 



Tribe XIX.— Nomiini. 



Antennae somewhat nioniliform, arising nndei- a distinct frontal ridge, four 

 basal joints glabrous, first joint stouter not long, third nearly as long as the two 

 following, terminal oval acuminate. Head stout, oval, neck broad, front with two 

 svipra-orbital setse, clypeus slightly prolonged. Eyes round, prominent, free pos- 

 teriorly, closely approaching the buccal opening beneath. Lal)rum short, broadly 



TIIA.N'S. AM. ENT. SOC. IX. (28) SE PTEMlSlil! , 1881. 



