30 OTIORHYN^CHID^. 



OPHRYASTES Schonh. 



[Horn. 



Ophryastes Schonherr, Curcul., i, p. 508. 



The species of this genus as restricted by the preceding table, are not 

 numerous, and have a facies at once distinguishing them from the follow- 

 ing genus. They are all of robust form, elytra rather broadly oval and 

 the surface densely scaly, either cinereous or whitish, ornamented with 

 stripes or spots of a much darker color. Considerable variation within 

 specific limits is found, not only in color but also in form. All the species 

 with but one exception, have at the base of the rostrum a distinctly marked 

 transverse impression and the vertex thus appears convex. The tenth 

 elytral stria in the larger species is very distinct at its basal third, antl as 

 distant from the ninth as the latter is from the eighth, at middle the stria 

 is not evident, and at its apical third very close to the ninth. In the smaller 

 species, in which also the thoracic tuberosities are very feeble, the tenth 

 stria is entirely obliterated. The deciduous mandibular piece is moderately 

 long, acute at tip, slightly arcuate. This piece when cast leaves merely a 

 a scar without any process. 



In accordance with the characters our species may be tabulated in the 

 following manner: 

 Tenth elytral stria distinct at basal third. Thoracic 



tuberosities large I 



Tenth elytral stria almost entirely obliterated. 



Thoracic tuberosities feeble 2 



1-Rostrum without transverse impression. Median 



groove attaining the occiput vittatus. 



Rostrum with feeble transverse impression. Me- 

 dian groove attaining the front tuberosus. 



Rostrum with very distinct impression. Median 



groove rostral only latirostris. 



2-Elytra produced at base, humeri very oblique sulcirostris. 



Elytra truncate at base, humeri feebly jjrominent porosus. 



O. vittatus Say, (Liparus) Journ. Acad, iii, p. 316 ; Germ. Sch. Gen. 

 Cure, i, p. 509 ; Lee. Proc. Acad, vi, p. 443 ; Lee, Col. Kansas, 1859, 

 p. 18, pi. 1, fig. 13. 



Rostrum trisulcate, lateral sulci extending from opposite the insertion of 

 the antennfe to a point opposite the eye, deep, slightly arcuate above ; 

 median sulcus extending from the tip nearly to the occiput. Thorax 

 nearly twice as wide as long, sides strongly divergent from apex and near 

 base suddenly narrowed, median line distinctly impressed, surface deeply 

 punctured and irregular. Elytra regularly or oblong oval, vaguely striate 

 and with rows of moderate punctures, interspaces slightly convex, surface 

 densely CvOvered with cinereous scales, the sutural and alternate interspaces 

 black. Body beneath and legs densely covered with whitish scales. 

 Length .34-. 53 inch ; 9—13 mm. 



This species may be at once distinguished by the sculpture of the head 



