Brazilian Baring 35 



cally, especially when we consider the non-sexual nature of the 

 modifications at the base of the abdomen, for the ample series of 

 several species at hand demonstrate this as a decidedly remarkable 

 fact. The outward resemblances are so very pronounced that in 

 every collection many distinct species are confounded and placed 

 together, apparently indicating variability of form, while in reality 

 individuals of properly discriminated species point to a very small 

 amount of variation, except in size; the sexual differences, even, are 

 scarcely observable in most cases. The species forming the material 

 at hand are the following: 



Elytra finely and feebly, sometimes obsoletely striate 2 



Elytra coarsely and deeply grooved; prothorax evenly convex .38 



2— Body black and notably large or bicolored, though in diverse and variable 



degree 



Body deep polished black throughout, the average size very much smaller. '. '. .26 



3 — Scutellum flat or nearly so, not deeply emarginating the thoracic lobe 4 



Scutellum frequently very tumid, always deeply emarginating the thoracic lobe; 

 body pale in color above, moderate in size, with distinct elytral striation or 

 punctured series; base of the pronotum with a deep impression at each side 



of the scutellum ' 2 _ 



4— Upper surface bright brownish-rufous, the elytra black posteriorly, except in 



testaceus _ 



Upper surface dark piceous-brown, generally shaded blackish posteriorly on the 



elytra 6 



Upper surface of the prothorax more or less bright rufous to black or piceous- 



black, the entire elytra black, rufescent at the humeri in sinuatiscutis 12 



5— Body large, subrhombic, shining and smooth, pale in color, the posterior half 

 of the elytra, thoracic apex, scutellum, beak, under surface and legs black; 

 beak thick, very feebly arcuate, cylindric, smooth and very minutely, re- 

 motely punctate, as long as the convex part of the prothorax; antennal 'club 

 not very stout, cylindric and longer than the funicle; prothorax slightly 

 wider than long, strongly tubulate at tip, the evenly converging sides broadly 

 arcuate; surface perfectly smooth, obtusely somewhat prominent near each 

 side medially; basal lobe short, with rounded angles, feebly sinuate medially; 

 scutellum as long as wide, feebly trapezoidal, smooth and feebly convex; 

 elytra cuneiform, with rounded tip and large rounded humeral prominences,' 

 barely longer than wide, a fourth wider than the prothorax, the stria; obso- 

 lete. Length 10.7 mm.; width 7.4 mm. Brazil (Rio de Janeiro). 



auritus Boh. 

 Body very much smaller and relatively narrower, very smooth, rufous, the tho- 

 racic apex, head, beak, under surface and legs black; elytra black in posterior 

 three-fifths; scutellum 'piceous; beak a little shorter, feebly arcuate, not so 

 cylindric and moderately, though rather densely, punctate, confluently on 

 the flattened sides basally; antennal club elongate-oval, as long as the funicle; 

 prothorax a fourth wider than long, the sides converging and feebly arcuate,' 

 rapidly rounding anteriorly to the tubulate apex; surface scarcely more 

 prominent sublaterally but very rapidly sloping to the sides; surface very 

 smooth, the basal lobe with a very few punctures and feebly sinuate medially 

 at apex; scutellum subquadrate, feebly convex, smooth and impressed, sub- 

 sinuate at apex; elytra cuneiform, slightly longer than wide, barely a fifth 

 wider than the prothorax, the humeri rounded, less prominent laterally than 

 in auritus; striae very fine, feeble and subobsolete, with small feeble and 



