AMERICAN COLEOPTKRA. 281 



punctures, which, however, does not seem to depend on locality. 

 Flavipennis Casey is evidently based on one of the extreme forms of 

 this species with pale elytra. The variation from uniformly colored 

 specimens is so gradual in a good series that tins name cannot be 

 given even varietal standing. 



In the short review of the species of this genus given by Casey 

 (Jour. N. Y. Ent. Soc. , June, 1898) basalis is disposed of with the 

 following brief characterization, winch applies to the female: "Pro- 

 thorax arcuately oblique subapically, the apex angulate and slightly 

 prominent; elytra distinctly punctured only toward the base, the 

 punctuation nearly obsolete toward the tip ; thoracic lobe feebly 

 and evenly crenulate." The principal character here given is the 

 elytral punctuation. The description by LeConte does not hint at 

 anything of the kind, nor do the types bear out the statement. 

 Specimens of the species here regarded as basalis were sent to Mr. 

 Blanchard, who, after comparing with the types at Cambridge, ex- 

 pressed himself as satisfied that they were identical. What Casey 

 may have had in hand I cannot guess, as acuminatus Casey is the 

 only species known to me having anything approaching the style of 

 punctuation mentioned. 



3. P. acuminatum Csy. — Male. Piceous, legs and antennae paler ; pubes- 

 cence yellowish, rather dense on the elytra. Head evenly convex, miuutely 

 granulose; eyes prominent, separated by about twice their vertical diameter. 

 Antennal rami moderate in length, that of the third joint snbequal in length to 

 the joint itself, the ramus of the fourth joint more than four times the length of 

 the joint. Prothorax a little wider than long and equal in width to the elytra, 

 widest just before the base, lateral margin very narrow but well defined and not 

 at all serrulate or irregular; apical margin broadly rounded each side, the apex 

 slightly angulate and minutely rerlexed, without serrules; disk granulate and 

 asperate as usual, mediau line scarcely visibly impressed. Elytra about three- 

 fourths longer than wide, rather coarsely but sparsely nearly evenly punctate 

 throughout, the punctures showing a tendency toward a serial arrangement. 

 Last ventral with distinct subapical ridge. 



Female. — Finely densely punctulate, surface scarcely rugose and more shining 

 than in the male; apical margin of prothorax more distinctly ogival, acutely 

 rerlexed at middle, sides before the apex nearly straight and not at all serrulate: 

 punctuation of elytra very fine, distinct only near the base. Subapical ventral 

 carina long and acute. Length 2.5-4 mm. 



California, Santa Cruz Mountains and vicinity of San Francisco. 



Two males and six females are before me. The male described 

 above was taken by myself in Marion County; it represents the 

 smallest measurement given. 



TKANS. AM. ENT. SOC. XXXI. (36) JULY, 1905. 



