American Caraboidea 271 



feebly impressed though evident, the dorsal punctures nearly as in 

 the preceding; apical truncation just visibly sinuate, rounded 

 toward the suture. Length 2.6-3.0 mm.; width 0.9-2.2 mm. New 

 Hampshire, Ontario, Lake Superior, Colorado, Arizona, Idaho and 

 Washington State (Spokane). Abundant americanus Uej. 



There can be little or no doubt that linearis Lee, is a species 

 different from nigrinus, with which it was united too hastily, as 

 shown by ample series. I am quite unable to place the species 

 described b}' Zimmermann as Metabletus borealis, from Lake Super- 

 ior; it is said to be very similar to americanus, but with the pro- 

 thorax transversely quadrate, only slightly narrowed behind and 

 having broadly reflexed hind angles; these characters will not 

 answer at all to americanus, for there the prothorax is rather 

 strongly narrowed behind and with a very narrow deplaniture at 

 the hind angles. The name angustus is only preoccupied apparently 

 in Dromius, in which genus it was placed by LeConte, so that it 

 would be available in Blechrus, but as linearis, by the same author, 

 is equally suitable, I leave the synonymy as above given. 



There is very little development or diversification of color or 

 sculpture throughout this genus, so that an unusual degree of 

 monotony prevails among the species. The name Microlestes 

 Sch.-Gob., is used in place of Blechrus in the recent European 

 catalogue, but I have no opportunity at present to confirm the 

 correctness of the course indicated. 



Apristus Chd. 



The general habitus of the small elongate species composing this 

 genus is very much as in the preceding, but the elytra are more 

 deeply sculptured and the colors more metallic as a rule;^ the 

 chief distinction, however, among the Lebiinae, resides in the 

 small slender tarsal claws, which are devoid of all vestige of serru- 

 lation beneath. The sides of the thoracic base are more or less 

 oblique and the mentum is denticulate. The anterior tarsi of the 

 male are barely thicker than those of the female, but are always 

 notably shorter. Our species are widely diffused over the entire 

 country, as well as Mexico, and are rather numerous, especially near 

 the Pacific coast; those now represented in the material so far 

 accumulated are as follows: 



