COLEOPTERA OF BAJA CALIFORNIA. 4OI 



Sphenothecus basalis n. sp. 



Piceous black, moderately shining, a very small hair 

 in each puncture of dorsal surface, the basal region of 

 the elytra and femora red. Vertex coarsely punctate at 

 the sides. Thorax oval, narrower in front, apex and 

 base truncate, sides arcuate, disc convex, a slight trans- 

 verse depression in front of the base, surface with coarse 

 transverse punctures not closely placed, the median line 

 and depressed basal region smoother. Elytra coarsely 

 irregularly punctate, the punctures becoming fewer and 

 closer near the apex, apices acutely rounded, a small 

 spine at the suture, a larger spine externally. Body be- 

 neath sparsely cinereo-pubescent. Legs black, femora 

 red, the condyles of hind femora dentiform. Length, 

 .48— .56 inch; 12—14 nim. 



This species is congeneric with S. sutiiralis — in other 

 words, is a Sphenothecus as restricted by LeConte. 

 The genus, as admitted by Mr. Bates, is certainly a com- 

 posite one. This species differs from sutnralis in color 

 and vestiture; the scutellum is nude. 



San Jose del Cabo and Sierra El Chinche. 



Ophistomis ventralis n. sp. 



Slender. Head black, closely punctate. Thorax red 

 or black, conical, longer than wide at base, apex con- 

 stricted, sides compressed behind the middle, disc verv 

 convex, very sparsely and finely punctate, hind angles not 

 explanate. Elytra wider at base than the thorax, humeri 

 prominent, sides obliquely narrowing, apex obliquely 

 emarginate-truncate, the angles acute, disc coarsel}^ and 

 deeply not regularly punctate, punctures finer toward 

 apex. Pro- and mesosternum black. Metasternum and 

 abdomen red, very sparsely finely punctate, not pubes- 

 cent. Legs black, the under side of hind femora at base 

 usually red. Length .42-. 47 inch; 11-12 mm. 



