4 ItllYNCHITID^. [LeConte. 



similar tendency is evinced in the Rliynchitid* by the distinct epipleurse. 

 In the anomalous genus Pterocolus moreover, the prothorax is distinctly 

 and acutely margined at the sides, and excavated beneath, so as to form a 

 large cavity for the reception of the front and middle legs. This character 

 is seen in no other Rhynchophorous insect, and would almost warrant its 

 reception as a distinct family. For the present however, I prefer placing 

 it as a svib-family. 



Sub-family I. RHYNOHITID^. 



The distinctive characters of this sub-family have been pointed out, but 

 may be briefly resumed as follows : 



Body rather elongate, or pyriform, front and middle coxae contiguous, 

 conical, prominent. Prothorax without side margin, not excavated be- 

 neath. Mesothorax with side pieces diagonally divided, epimera not ascend- 

 ing. Metathorax with narrow parallel side pieces. 



Our genera are as follows : 

 Pygidium covered by elytra. 



Elytra punctured irregularly ATJLETES. 



Elytra striate ETJGNAMPTUS. 



Pygidium exposed, elytra with striae of punctures, RHYNCHITES. 



AULETES Sch. 

 Three species are known to me : 

 ^h'je, < \ J. Antennas inserted at the middle of the beak. 



J-,. 4'/ Black coarsely punctured, thinly pubescent 1. ater. 



^ Antennae inserted near the base of the beak. 



, Bluish black, densely punctured, thinly pubescent 3. subcoeruleus. 



' Very small, brown, irregularly pubescent 3. cassandrae. 



1. A. ater, n sp. 



Robust, black, thinly clothed with very fine gray pubescence, which is 

 easily rubbed off. Beak longer than the head and prothorax, nearly straight, 

 slightly flattened above, coarsely punctured and slightly striate towards the 

 base ; head strongly punctured, eyes small, very convex. Prothorax as 

 long as wide, slightly narrowed in front, very little rounded on the sides, 

 strongly punctured, with a faint smooth dorsal line. Elytra twice as wide 

 as the prothorax, very convex, deeply and coarsely punctui'ed. Antennae 

 inserted about the middle of the beak. Length 3.6 mm's ; .15 inch. 

 _ 2 Illinois and Maryland ; three specimens. 



rtcsaus ^■■'■- 2. A. subcoeruleus, n. sp. 

 /^- ■'{'''■ Less robust, blue black, thinly clothed with short suberect pubescence. 



Beak slender, as long as the head and prothorax, coarsel}^ punctured, chan- 

 neled towards the base ; anteruiie inserted near the base, head coarsely 

 punctured, eyes larger less prominent. Prothorax a little wider than long, 

 rounded on the sides, strongly punctured. Elytra one-half wider than the 



