NORTH OF MEXICO. 29"> 



E. pro duel us, Lee, Journ. Acad., 2d ser., 1. 20. Conipinus productus, Lee, I lass. Col. N. A.. 



From Arizona and Lower California. The specimens from the latter region have 

 elytra sculptured, as in reticulaiua. 

 Length .54 inch. 



COMONTIS, Esch. 

 Coniontis, Escli., Zool. Atl. [II, p. T. 



Species of this genus are found rather abundantly in California and Oregon, under 

 >tones or running over the surface of the ground. Two species extend eastward and are 

 found on the plains at the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains. There are very slight 

 differences to be observed even between the most widely differing species, the form vary- 

 ing at times from true semi-cylindrical to that of conic-cylindrical, in which the thorax 

 will be found wider than the elytra. Some species are pubescent, or rather with punc- 

 tures bearing verj short scale-like hairs, while others are almost entirely smooth. This 

 character alone appears thus far to have hut little value in separating species, as these 

 hairs are lost after the insect has passed its maturity, or at least, at the end of the season. 

 However, as specimens affording an actual illustration of this fact are not in our cabinets. 

 1 allow the species to stand as already enumerated, separating them from each ether by 

 the characters assigned. 



In order to facilitate the study of them, the following table has been prepared. 

 Eyes reniform, entire. 



Elongate oval, sides of elytra parallel, or converging toward apex. 



Abdomen rugose, very coarsely and densely punctured. abdominalis. 



Abdomen smooth, very finely and sparsely punctured. 



Elytra usually finely punctured, never coarsely punc- 

 tured and rugose together, and never pubescent. 

 Species of robust facies, length never greater than 

 twice the width. 

 Large species, robust a. 



Small species, o p a C a . 



Species elongate, length always notably greater than 

 twice the width. 

 Large species. \ iatica. 



Small species. punctico His. 



Elytra coarsely punctured or rugose, or irregular and 



pubescent. 



\ cry convex species, larger. 



Thoracic and elytral punctures not setigerous. eschscholtzii. 



