NORTH OF MEXICO. 305 



Tooth of femur broad in &; elytra sub-opaque and with distant series of large punctures; 



punctures distant fro ither. Ber i 



M de unknown. Elytra striate, striae approximate and with very closely placed punctures, st riolat ;i . 



Sub-Genus Eleodes, 



This division contains all the large sp ;ci< s, and the smallest is Ij below the me- 



dium size. It may be distinguished from the other divisions 1>\ having the tarsi entirely 

 -i tose beneath, never silken or spongy pubescent. The first joinl of the anterior tarsus 

 of the male is somewhat thickened in the first few species; this would never be mistaken 

 for the marked expansion and peculiar vestiture of the Promus group. The form ofmen- 

 tum is also subject to some slight variation; this will be alluded to under the species 

 themselvi s. 



Group I. is characterized by the marked inequality between the spurs of the anterior 

 tibia?, notably in the females, and in accordance with this variation we may again sub- 

 divide the group into two parts. Section I. contains the large sulcatc species. With 

 them the anterior spur of the anterior tibia is much smaller than the posterior, the latter 

 though scarcel) longer is much broader and more robust and obtuse at the tip. Here. 

 also, occurs the thickening of the first joint of the anterior tarsus of the male. 



ira, Say, Blaps .Tourn. Acad. ::. 259. Am. Ent. tab. 16. Eleodes) Esch. 



I cannot accept the feeble differences between the five sp icies described, as indie, 

 of specific distinction. With very large series it would be difficult indeed in define even 

 races. The three principal variations have been selected as centres, and ma) for conve- 

 nience be called "races," each ma) receive separate notice, and the student be thereby 

 the better enabled to determine either their validity as species, separation as races, or 

 complete union as mere varieties. 



dispersa, Lec.;d leta, Lee. Proc. Acad. 1858, p. 182. 



Variations of sculpture alone form the differences between the three races. The mid- 

 dle lobe of the mentum is large, obtuse in front, coarsely punctured and elevated more or 

 less along the median Line, the lateral lobes are small, strongly indexed, scarcely evident 

 without careful examination. The head is often coarsely punctured, and the clypeo- 

 frontal suture bj no means rarelj visible. Thorax broader than long, moderatel] convex 

 and shining, and sparsely punctured, anteriorly truncate with obtuse angles. The sides 

 are rather broadly rounded in front, slightly sinuate b •hind, margin fine, slight!) reflexed, 

 base feebly sinuate and one-fourth narrower than at the widest portion ; .the hind angles 

 are never acute, though distinct, generally rectangular. The el) tra vary in shap i even in 

 individuals of the same sex. Their form is. however, elongate oval, generall) twice longer 

 than broad, side- more or less rounded, occasionally sub-parallel in some males. The 

 margin is never acute even at humerus, always rounded. The sculpture consists of very 



A.MEBI. run —VOL. Xiv. — 77 



