Z ;>4 New American Species of the Genera 



in a particular light have a somewhat sericeous appearance : 

 serratures of the antenna and palpi dull rufous : thorax 

 considerably convex, at the base abruptly curved down- 

 wards, the lateral spines are, however, horizontal : scutel 

 convex, ova), making a considerable angle with the longi- 

 tudinal diameter of the body : elytra with obsolete impunc- 

 tured striae, more distinct towards the margin and tip ; 

 base rather abruptly, very much decurved, so that, in con- 

 junction with the form of the thoracic base, it exhibits a 

 wide and deep excavation between the two parts of the 

 body. 



Length four-fifths of an inch. 



Next in size to the morio and Icevigatus, Fabr. of all the 

 North American species i have yet seen. The latter species 

 I believe to be only a variety of the former ; it is equal in size, 

 with the same form, impressed front, &tc. the only difference 

 is, that one has the elytra obviously striated, and the other has 

 these striae so far obsolete, that the elytra appear smooth to 

 the eye. 



2. E. hemipodus. Black ; thorax convex, rather gibbous ; 

 thighs rufous. 



Elaterfuscipes, Melsh. Catal. 



Description. Body black, with short hairs : head with an 

 obsolete, impressed, arcuated line on the front : antennae 

 not serrated, black ; basal joints dark piceous : thorax very 

 convex, rather broadest in the middle, equally narrowed 

 before and behind ; lateral edge regularly arcuated, a little 

 contracted near the posterior angles ; no appearance of an 

 impressed line ; the interval between the thorax and elytra 

 deeply indented : scutel oval, truncated at base : elytra 

 striated, minutely punctured, slightly tinged with brassy : 

 thighs dark rufous. 



