COLEOPTERA OF BAJA CALIFORNIA. 43I 



distinctly longer than the first. Front flat or slightly con- 

 cave, moderately coarsely and closely punctate. Thorax 

 nearly twice as wide as long, widest at middle, apex 

 truncate, angles not prominent, sides arcuate, the margin 

 acute, base truncate with obtuse angles, disc moderately 

 convex, a crescentic depression near the base, moder- 

 ately coarsely and closely punctate. Elytra oval, slightly 

 prolonged at apex, convex, moderately deeply striate, 

 striae coarsely not closely punctate near base, gradually 

 more finely toward apex where the punctures disappear, 

 intervals convex, smooth. Prothorax beneath at middle 

 and sides more coarseh' punctured than above. Meso- 

 and metasternum less coarsely punctured. Abdomen 

 more sparsely and gradually more finel}^ punctate toward 

 the apex. Body apterous. Length, .26 inch; 6.5 mm. 



The form of this species is more nearly that of cvrciis, 

 although more robust, while the rather deeply striate 

 elytra suggest_/(?r<:///5. 



The name Helops is used in the sense intended by 

 Lacordaire. The numerous genera into which it has 

 been divided are not only difficult of appreciation, but so 

 indefinite that disagreement with the position of species 

 is expressed by about every one who has followed Allard. 



One specimen. Coral de Piedra, Sierra El Taste. 



Phedius opaculus n. sp. 



Dull black, opaque, form very like carbonarius. An- 

 tennas black or brownish. Head punctate, not coarsely, 

 somewhat more closely in the male. Thorax one-fourth 

 wider than long, slightly narrower at apex than base, 

 sides feebly arcuate, base feeblv arcuate, hind angles 

 obtuse, disc convex, sparsely punctate. El3'tra oval, 

 convex, slightly wider at base than the thorax, disc with 

 stride of faint punctures sometimes nearly obliterated, in- 



