:i()'J REVISION OF THE TKXEHKIUXI1M-: OF AMERICA, 



iii our fauna. The wide distribution of many of the specie- has given rise to local varie- 

 ties, on which specific nam"- have been fixed, as each new region furnished an unique 

 specimen. Specie- of Eleodes are found distributed over a wide extent of our western 

 territories, the Mississippi River being the extreme eastern limit. From thi- point not 

 only species but individuals become more and more numerous, until on some of the arid 

 regions of California they can be found in immense numbers. Specie- are found to the 

 extreme northwest, inhabiting the rather warm belt of country westward of the Rock) 

 Mountains and between them and the coast. Their southern limit i- indefinite. In South 

 America, Nycterinus replaces Eleodes. 1 must confess my inability to detect any impor- 

 tant differences between these genera, and most authors seem to assume that any species 

 north of the isthmus of Panama is Eleodes, and south of it Nycteriuus. It is probable 

 that the latter genus should constitute a division of the former, equivalent in value to the 

 groups into which I am about to sub-divide it. With Apocrypha and Amphidora on both 

 continents, I see no reason why we should not find Eleodes also. 



In the following synoptic table it will be found that no use whatever has been made 

 of the form of presternum, in the definition either of groups or species. The character is 

 actually of no value, as specimens undistinguishable by any other characters may have a 

 different form of presternum, and on this and similar characters species might he indefi- 

 nitely multiplied. 



For convenience of study. Eleodes may be divided into three sub-genera : 



Anterior tarsi of both sexes entirely spinous beneath. (ELEODES). 



Anterior tarsi of males with the first two or three joints either with 

 silken hairs or spongy pubescence beneath. 

 Anterior tarsi of males not dilated. (BLAPYLIS.) 



Anterior tarsi of males with at least the basal joint dilated. (PROMUS.) 



Eleodes. 

 Spm- of anterior tibiae unequal, and dissimilar in the s™-. Sroop i. 



Spurs of anterior tibiae equal, and similar in the -cxr-. Gboup o 



(tUOUP i. 

 Section A. 

 Hind spur of anterior tibia broader and thicker in 9- 

 Thoiax convex, smooth. 

 Elj i ral margin rounded. 

 Elytra! margin acute at humerus. 



I borax 8a1 "i- c lave. 



SMrs of elytra rounded. 

 Sides of elytra parallel. 



Section B. 



Anterior spur of anterior tibia broader, thicker and more strongly curved in 9 . 



