256 H. C. FALL. 



CRYPTOR4MA new genus. 



This genus contains a few small species which differ from Cato- 

 rama primarily in the 11-jointed antennae, absence of the intercoxal 

 hook, and in the very narrowly exposed met-episterna. The head 

 is deeply excavated beneath for the antennse; the eyes are not at 

 all compressed ; the terminal joint of palpi narrow and elongate, 

 very little dilated apically ; the scutellum transverse and broadly 

 rounded or subtruncate behind, instead of acute as in Catorama. 

 The middle coxa? are widely separated, the mesosternum horizontal 

 in front, becoming vertical and deeply recessed behind under the 

 overhanging metasternum, the front margin of which is truncate 

 and feebly sinuate. The outer face of the front tibia is concave 

 beyond the middle, without marginal or submarginal striae; the hind 

 coxal plates are more distinctly widened externally ; the first tarsal 

 joint fully equal to the next three, and more evidently compressed 

 than in Catorama. The elytra are without submarginal strise. In 

 two of our species the hairs of the upper surface are so directed as 

 to form more or less obvious whirls or vortices. In other points of 

 structure the genus does not differ materially from Catorama. 



Four species are known to me, two of which were described by 

 LeConte, and assigned by him to Catorama. 



Form more oblong and elongate, twice as long as wide. 



Side margin of prothorax explanate posteriorly; surface dull, minutely aluta- 

 ceous between the punctures; pubescence normal in arrangement. 



1. oblonguni. 

 Side margin of prothorax not explanate; surface shining; not at all alutaceous, 



pubescence vortical 2. vorticale. 



Form more oval, less than twice as long as wide. 



Pubescence normal in arrangement 3. mi mil mil, 



Pubescence vortical 4. liolosericeum. 



1. C. oblongum n. sp. — Oblong-oval, twice as long as wide; brown, surface 

 dull, finely alutaceous; evenly moderately closely finely puuctulate throughout ; 

 clothed with very short luteous appressed pubescence, which is not vortical in 

 arrangement. Eyes moderate in size, their vertical diameter subequal to half 

 the width of the front. Sides of prothorax flattened at the hind angles. Length 

 2.5 mm. 



Hab. — Santa Rosa, Lower California. 

 One example sent by Mr. Beyer. 



This species at long range bears a deceptive resemblance to cer- 

 tain elongate Catoramas, notably punctulatum. In shape and size 



