Coleopterological Notices, V. 515 



BJE:0CERA EricliS. 



In this genus the species are generally very small, but appear to 

 be more constant and more isolated among themselves than in 

 Scaphisoma. The most important structural features distinguish- 

 ing these genera reside in the antennae and scutellum, and there are 

 but few if any others which are absolutely characteristic of either. 

 The antennae have the outer three joints enlarged, forming a slender 

 loose club, generally almost bilaterally S3^mmetric, but occasionally 

 more developed on the inner side, thus reverting to Scaphisoma ; 

 this reversion is further recalled by the frequent, though moderate, 

 enlargement of the seventh and eighth joints. The third joint is 

 always slender and cylindrical, and is generally a little shorter than 

 the fourth ; in this form of the third joint really lies the most im- 

 portant antennal difference between the two genera. 



The scutellum is usually completely wanting, and, when present, 

 affects a form quite foreign to Scaphisoma, being broadly trian- 

 gular. The post-coxal plate of the first ventral segment is never 

 at all developed in Baeocera, and the series of coarse punctures 

 along the posterior margin of the intermediate and posterior ace- 

 tabula are much better marked than in Scaphisoma. The sexual 

 characters seem to be very obscure except in the larger species 

 allied to concolor. 



The species known to me may be readily identified as follows: — 



Scutellum wanting, the mesonotum completely covered by the prothorax. 

 Larger species, not less than 2 mm. in length. 



Sides of the prothorax feebly and evenly arcuate when viewed laterally ; 

 basal stria of the elytra entire. 

 Third antennal joint very long, slender, subequal to the fourth. 



concolor 

 Third joint much shorter and thicker ; size smaller, less bi'oadly oval. 



congener 



Sides of the prothorax strongly bent downward posteriorly ; ba'^al stria of 



the elytra broadly interrupted ; third antennal joint long and slender. 



deflexa 

 Smaller species, never much exceeding 1|^ mm. in length. 



Narrowly oval, the third antennal joint not longer than the fourth ; 

 epistomal suture distinct. 

 Larger species ; mes-epimera extending two-thirds to the coxae. 



speciilifer 



Minute in size, the mes-epimera longer and narrower apicalis 



Broadly oval, minute ; third antennal joint a little longer than the fourth ; 

 epistomal suture obsolete roblistula 



