34 AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 



same as defined by LeConte and Horn in the " Classification of the 

 Coleoptera of North America." No detailed description of the 

 genus has therefore been given, as it is sufficiently well defined in 

 the work just referred to, which is easily accessible to all. 



In separating our species into groups I have followed very closely 

 the system proposed by Dr. LeCoute in 1857, in the paper above 

 cited, with such modific itions as seemed necessary on account of the 

 larger number of species now known. I have also carefully studied 

 Duval's work, previously referred to, on the European species of the 

 genus, but have found his method of grouping entirely inapplicable 

 to those of our fauna. 



The only character known to me for the separation of the sexes is 

 to be found in the anterior tarsi, the first two joints of which are 

 dilated in the males, the first being slightly elongate and nearly 

 quadrate, the second more or less triangular with the inner angle 

 usually slightly prolonged. 



I am entirely unacquainted w'ith the early stages of any of our 

 North American species. The larvae of several European ones have, 

 however, been described,* and it is natural to infer that those of our 

 species are not very different. 



As regards distribution, Bembidiam is much more largely repre- 

 sented in boreal or temperate countries or in mountainous regions. 

 Very few species extend into the Southern States. Quite a number, 

 however, occur in Mexico and the Peninsula of California, some of 

 which are found also in the United States, especially in Arizona and 

 California. Several species are also common to North America and 

 the old world, and it is highly probable that the number of such 

 will be materially increased when more collecting shall have been 

 done in the more Northern portions of this continent. It is also not 

 unlikely that some of those now regarded as distinct may be found 

 to be identical with European or Asiatic species when more com- 

 parative work shall have been done between those of the two con- 

 tinents. 



* Descriptions of the larvje of the following species have been published : — 

 B. bipunctntum Linn. (Schioedte, Nat. Tedsschr., 1867, 4, pp. 518-521, tab. 20, figs. 

 17-22).— B. paUidipenne 111. (Schioedte, ibid. p. 521, tab. 20, fig. 23).— -B. nanum 

 Gyll. (Pen-is. Hist. pin. Mar. (1862), 1863. i, pp. 459-461, figs. 510 516.— Bericht, 

 1862. 75).— B. laterale Curtis (Fairmaire. Ann. Soe. Ent. Fr., 1852, ii. 10, p. 673, 

 tab. 11, No. 4, fig. 2.— Bericht. 1852. p. 53).— VS. lunatum Duft. (Schaum, Berlin 

 Ent. Zeitschr., 1859, 3, pp. 38 39. tab. 4. fig. 2: also Nat. Ins. Deutschl. 1860, i, 

 pp. 666-667.- Perris, Hist. pin. Mar. (1862). 186.3, i, p. 462). The pupa of B. nanum 

 Gyll. is also descril>ed and figured (loc. cit.). 



