Horn] OPHRYASTINI. 57 



scrobes. I have adopted a group name in accordance with the only genus 

 known to me, as experience has already shown that groups of genera formed 

 on the Lacordairean basis are not at all times those which form from the 

 basis adopted in the present memoir which is but a modification and ampli- 

 fication of that suggested by Dr. LeConte. 

 One genus occurs in our fliuna. 



PHYXELIS Sch. 



Phyxelis Schonh. Cure, vii, 1, p. 123. 



Rostrum longer and somewhat narrower than the head, slightly arcuate, 

 parallel, sub-angular, tip slightly emarginate with small smooth space 

 limited by an elevated line. Scrobes visible from above, moderately deep 

 badly defined, arcuate and not attaining the eyes. Antennae moderate, scape 

 gradually clavate attaining the margin of the thorax ; funicle 7-jointed, 1-2 

 longer, 3-7 oval, club oval. Eyes oval, slightly oblique, coarsely granu- 

 lated. Thorax broader than long, sides moderatelj^ arcuate, ocular lobes 

 feeble, apex and base truncate. Scutellum invisible. Elytra rather broadly 

 oval, convex, not wider at base than the thorax and feebly emarginate, 

 humeri obtuse. Metasternal side pieces narrow connate without distinct 

 suture. Intercoxal process broad, truncate. Second segment of abdomen 

 longer than the two following together, first suture straight. Tibia? mucro- 

 nate, posterior corbels open. Tarsi short, stout, fourth joint deeply bilobed, 

 claws small, free. 



The presence of thoracic lobes is the only character in the way of placing 

 this genus near Gercopeus. 



P. rigidus Say {Barynotus) Cure, of N. A. p. 2 ; Schonh. Cure, ii, p. 

 312; Schonh. {Phyxelis) Cure, vii, 1, p. 124 ; glomerosus Boh. Sch. Cure, 

 vii, 1, p. 123 ; setiferus Boh. loc. cit. p. 124. 



Form ovate, piceous, surface moderately densely scaly and obscured by 

 a luteous exudation coating. Head and rostrum longer than the thorax, 

 densely scalj^ and sparsely setigerous, rostrum at base with more or less 

 distinct transverse impression. Thorax somewhat variable in form, broader 

 than long, sides modei'ately arcuate, usually narrowed in front, base feebly 

 arcuate, disc convex, median line more or less impressed, surface densely 

 scaly and sparsely setigerous. Elytra broadly oval, base truncate, humeri 

 sub-rectangular, disc moderately convex indistinctly striate, intervals feebly 

 convex, each with a single row of not closely placed sub-erect setfe. Body 

 beneath clothed as above, legs sparsely setigerous. Length .14-20 inch ; 

 3.5-5 mm. 



The color of the coating varies very greatly, usually pale ochreous some- 

 times dark brown, and it adheres so closely and so obscures the true sculp- 

 ture of the insect as to render it almost impossible to obtain an accurate 

 idea of the surface. I cannot find any reason for distinguishing three 

 species in our fauna. 



Occurs from Canada to Georgia. Not rare. 



PROC. AMKR. PHILOS. SOC. XV. 96. H 



