OF PniLADELPniA. 107 



MELASIS Oliv. 



1. M. NIGRICORNIS. — Black, cylindrical, punctured; thorax 

 with indented transverse and longitudinal lines. 



Inhabits Missouri Territory. 



Body deep black, opaque, immaculate, scabrous : [166] head 

 with an impressed longitudinal line : clypeus with a very pro- 

 found sinus over the insertion of the antennae, before which it is 

 triangular : antenn«, first and second joints simple ; remaining 

 ones dilated cordate, the inner lobe more prominent; terminal 

 joint simple, oval, acute : palpi, terminal joint, oval : thorax con- 

 vex, transversely quadrate, not narrowed before ; a longitudinal 

 indented line ; two abbreviated somewhat oblique ones at base, 

 and a transverse one on each side of the middle ; anterior margin 

 obsoletely tinged with reddish ; an impressed point each side of 

 the middle of the posterior margin : elytra striate, stria) acute ; 

 interstitial lines convex, densely punctured : tibia piceous : tarsi 

 rufous ; the penultimate one a little dilated, hairy beneath, and 

 extended beneath the base of the terminal one, but not bilobate. 



Length more than one-fifth of an inch. 



Of this species I found but a single specimen. It seems to 

 approach nearest to Fabricius's description of Elatcr lacunosus, 

 but it cannot be referred to that genus, as it is totally destitute 

 of the pectoral spine and recipient cavity. The position of the 

 head with respect to the thorax, is precisely as in Bitprcstia. 



[A species of IL/lochares. — Lec] 



2. M. RUFICORNIS. — Black; antcnnre, feet, and base of the 

 elytra rufous. 



Inhabits Arkansa. 



Body cylindrical, deep brownish-black, with very short hairs ; 

 punctures very dense, appearing granulated : antenna) robust, 

 subfusiform; joints cordate, rufous; inserted into a very profound 

 sinus of the [167] clypeus, which is somewhat dilated before: 

 palpi yellowish : thorax with an impressed longitudinal line : 

 lateral edges rectilinear from the middle to the tip of the poste- 

 rior angles : scutel black : elytra striate punctured ; basal half 

 rufous : feet rufous : thighs dark piceous : tarsi, penultimate joint 

 a little dilated, and extended beneath the base of the terminal 

 one, but not bilobate. 

 1823.] 



