included in the genus Tropisternus. 97 



2. Hijdrophilus collaris, Fab. 



Fab., Ent. Syst., i., p. 184. 



Tropisternus collaris, Cast., Hist. Nat., ii., p. 54. 



South America, from Caracas to Entre Eios ; Panama ; 

 Mexico ? ; St. Domingo ?. Panama ; Caracas, Cumana ; 

 Colombia ; Ega, Tapajos ; Bahia ; Rio de Janeiro ; Santa 

 Cruz. 



In this species the yellow elytra are marked with 

 longitudinal stripes of a metallic-green lustre. These 

 stripes are four in number, in addition to the suture, 

 which also is green ; they are not quite straight, and are 

 usually broader than the spaces of the yellow ground 

 colour by which they are separated ; behind the middle 

 two or more of them frequently unite ; the 2nd and 3rd 

 of these green stripes are longer behind than the other 

 two, and when carefully examined it is seen that their 

 hinder parts are portions grafted (as it were) on to the 

 anterior portions, there being left a more or less distinct 

 irregularity at the point of juncture, which is an over- 

 lapping one ; the lateral portion of the wing-cases is 

 always broadly pale. 



The species is apparently a very abundant one in 

 South America, and varies a little in colour, but not 

 very much ; the metallic mark on the middle of the 

 thorax varies a little in width, and is sometimes a mere 

 line, and is never quite half as broad as it is long, but 

 its width and definiteness are frequently rendered in- 

 distinct by its being surrounded by a cloud of fuscous or 

 dark colour, probably the result of decomposition of the 

 prothoracic muscular tissue. The epipleural margin is 

 very fine behind the middle, so that the punctures on it 

 are not easily detected, and cannot be traced at all in 

 front of the hind border of the posterior coxae. 



St. Domingo was given as the locality for an individual 

 in Doue's collection ; and in that of the late W. W. 

 Saunders there were several individuals labelled Mexico. 



3. Tropisternus proximus, n. s. 

 Superne testaceus, vertice, linea mediali prothoracis, 

 scutello, lineis quatuor elytrorum aliisque fractis inter- 

 jectis viridi-metallicis. Long. 9 — 10 mm. 



Cuba. 



