COLEOPTERA OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. 243 



but not the suture, and frequently join the basal spots. In one example 

 the elytra are entirely dark except the middle of the lateral margin. Legs 

 black except the front trochanters and the tips of the front coxee. Abdo- 

 men black, at times rufous at the middle toward the base. 

 Length, 4.3-5 mm. 



Many specimens have been seen from various locali- 

 ties in the State from San Diego to Sonoma County. 



The coloration of the legs and antennae is very con- 

 stant in the series studied, and will probably prove a 

 reliable means of separating the species from C. 4- 

 maculatus, and others which are similarly colored above. 

 The prothorax is here wider than in C. 4-inaculatus , but 

 less transverse than in C. laticollis, which has moreover 

 a different style of elytral punctuation, and front legs 

 and abdomen entirely pale. 



C. argutus is one of a small number of species having 

 the first antennal joint in the male elongate and dis- 

 tinctly excavate or sinuate on its inner face, as seen 

 from above; and furthermore the claw-like appendage 

 of the second joint in the male is here much longer 

 than usual. 



56. Malachius inornatus, sp. nov. 



Rather robust, dark blue-green throughout; thorax somewhat shining, 

 elytra dull; clothed sparsely with very short, recumbent pale pubescence. 

 Head very finely punctulate, moderately shining, a longitudinal impression 

 within the antennae, and a more or less evident transverse impression, 

 which is at times reduced to a shallow median fovea. Antennae of the 

 male moderately strongly serrate, reaching the middle of the elytra; those 

 of the female feebly serrate and a little shorter. Prothorax transversely 

 oval, broadly transversely impressed at base, finely, sparsely punctate, 

 feebly alutaceous. Elytra subparallel (male), wider posteriorly (female), 

 finely scabrous and punctulate, tip appendiculate in the male, broadly 

 rounded in the female. Under surface and legs slightly darker in tint; 

 last ventral of male deeply incised. 



Length, 4-5 mm. 



Four examples from Pomona. 



