552 Coleopterological Notices, IV. 



PSEVDOBARIS. 



LeConte— Proc. Am. Pliil. Soc, XV, p. 297. 



In geographical distribution this distinct genus coincides with 

 Baris and is well represented in Brazil. The species within our 

 territories are much less numerous than those of Baris, and are 

 usually of a narrower and more cylindrically convex form. Some, 

 however, are robust, but are then more oval and ellipsoidal and less 

 oblong than in the genus referred to. The generic characters have 

 been given in the table and need not be repeated at the present time. 



One of the most striking peculiarities of the genus is the deep, 

 abrupt, parallel-sided and subimpunctate prosternal sulcus. The 

 fact that the sulcus should be so well developed and abruptly defined 

 at the sides in most of the species, when it can fulfill no function as 

 a shelter for the beak, because of the robust form and much greater 

 lateral dimensions of the latter, might be regarded as a proof that 

 the Barini are simply cryptorhynchs which have become modified 

 through changed habits or some other altered environment, and, 

 that under their influence, the beak and mesosternal epimera have 

 become modified with comparative rapidity. The prosternal sulcus, 

 being a long established and extremely permanent structure, would 

 survive in an essentially unaltered state for a long period after all 

 need of it had disappeared. 



The species known to me may be distinguished by the following 

 characters : — 



Elytral vestiture uniform, generally short and sparse. 



Elytra with a small condensed pubescent spot at the base of the third 

 interval. 

 Pronotal punctures sparse, the impunctate line obsolete. 



Large species, robust, piceo-testaceous in color 1 farcta 



Moderate in size, rather robust, black throughout, polished, without 

 trace of aeneous lustre, the pronotal punctures and elytral striae 

 coarse and deep ; intervals not carinate toward apex.. .2 llictliosa 

 Pronotal punctures much closer. 



Body elongate-oval, rather alutaceous in lustre, median impunctate 

 line of the pronotum narrow and distinct but not quite entire. 



3 discreta 

 Body broadly oblong-oval, highly polished, the median line obsolete. 



4 fausta 

 Elytra without basal condensed spot on the third interval. 



Form more broadly oval ; interstitial punctures large, deep, rounded and 

 conspicuous, esi^ecially toward base. 



