H. C. FALL. 153 



of variation within specific limits to enable us to speak with 

 much assurance. In the case of ignita this variation is as- 

 sumed to be very great, but I think it probable that this 

 complex will ultimately be broken up. The opening wedge 

 is here inserted by giving names to three forms from Cali- 

 fornia and Florida, which by the latest paper on the genus 

 would pass as ignita. Some further investigation of this and 

 other species of Haltica is contemplated, but cannot be prose- 

 cuted at this time. 



H. probata n. sp. 



Green bronze, entire upper surface polished and strongly shin- 

 ing, sculpture throughout nearly as in ignita. Antennas piceous, 

 slightly more than half the length of the body ; joints 2-3-4 gradually 

 increasing in length, the fourth very nearly three times as long as 

 wide, the tenth about two and one-half times as long as wide. Eyes 

 rather small and not very prominent, their width as seen from the 

 front distinctly less than half the interocular distance. Prothorax two- 

 thirds wider than long, sides parallel in basal half, convergent anteri- 

 orly. Elytra fully two-thirds as wide as long, and nearly three-fourths 

 wider than the prothorax. Body beneath piceous; abdomen alutace- 

 ous, rather coarsely punctate and transversely rugulose. Length 3.7-4 

 mm. 



California (Belmont and Santa Rosa). 



This species is closely allied to ignita, and if this latter be 

 really as variable as the material referred to it in collec- 

 tions would indicate, then the present form is no more than 

 a variety of this protean species. It is far more likely how- 

 ever — as indicated above — that more critical study and a 

 better acquaintance with life habits, will resolve this hetero- 

 geneous mass into a number of sufficiently well defined 

 species. Probata is at the upper limit in size of ignita, the 

 color invariable so far as seen, the antennae more slender 

 than in ignita, the prothorax a little more narrowed in front, 

 and the abdominal sculpture coarser ; comparison being made 

 with the brilliant coppery golden form of the Middle Atlantic 

 States, which I assume to be typical ignita. The punctua- 

 tion of the elytra is to some extent dual, consisting of larger 

 and smaller punctures intermixed (the latter quite minute) 

 as is the case in the true ignita. Dr. Horn speaks of the 



TRANS. AM. ENT. SOC, XXXVI. (20) JUNE, 1910. 



