184 AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 



B. fraterciilus Horn. 



Typical specimens of this and aureolus are distinguished 

 as indicated in the table ; there is, however, in my collec- 

 tion, every imaginable intermediate form, and I do not think 

 it possible to satisfactorily separate the two. The name 

 aureolus takes precedence. 



Mr. Schaeffer has recently written aureolus as a variety of 

 paupercuhis Lee. This is incorrect, and is probably due to 

 an erroneous determination of the latter, which may always 

 be separated from aureolus by its relatively long posterior 

 tibial spur, and its obscurely mottled pubescence. 



Group VIII. 

 The four species here tabulated agree in having typically 

 a tooth and three denticles on the inner margin of the hind 

 femur. Aside from this the group has no other claim to 

 integrity, and even in this respect exiguus often fails. This 

 latter species is indeed closely allied to the aureolus series of 

 the preceding group. The form is the same, the fifth and 

 sixth elytral striae are shortest, and the first ventral of the 

 male is similarly modified. In musculus and placidus striae 3 

 and 4 are shortest, as is the rule in the groups preceding the 

 last. Musculus is in several respects peculiar and not very 

 closely allied to any other species. Rufescens is unknown to 

 me except by description. Our species thus far referred to 

 the present group may be distinguished fes follows : 



Color more or less rufous, legs rufous, apical spur of hind tibia of mod- 

 erate length. 



Smaller and less robust, the head, prothorax and more or less of the 

 underside blackish ; elytra reddish-brown with marginal 

 dark markings ; pubescence condensed in short longitudinal 

 lines. (Florida to California.) exiguus Horn. 



Black, elytra with margin, apex, and longitudinal vitta reddish. 

 (Brownsville, Texas.) rufesceus Schf. 



Larger and more robust, entirely rufous, elytra with two trans- 

 verse series of small brown spots on the alternate intervals. 



(Texas, Arizona.) placidus Horn. 



Black, hind femora and tibiae black, front and middle legs and hind 

 tarsi pale yellow ; inner apical spur of hind tibia very short. 

 (Massachusetts to Georgia and Michigan.)... musculus Say. 



