Sprague.] 378 [January 27, 



the unknown and doubtful species, and have added some remarks 

 that may assist in throwing light upon the subject. 



Nitidula avara Rand. (Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., Vol. n, p. 18.) 



" N. corpore sub-elongato, sub-depresso, duplo longiore quam lato, marginibus 

 sub-parallelis, fusco-fulvo; margine thoracis curvato, angulis posticis sub-acutis; 

 elytris sub-planis, singulis ad apicem rotundatis, nigro-bimaculatis. 



" Body somewhat elongated, rather depressed, margins somewhat 

 parallel, and a little dilated; color entirely brownish yellow; club of 

 the antennae rather stout ; margin of the thorax curved, posterior 

 angles turning a little inwards, and very slightly acute ; elytra 

 smoothish, each with two black spots placed obliquely in relation to 

 each other ; apex rounded in each, so as to leave a notch at the 

 suture. 



"Length three-twentieths of an inch. 



" Bears a close resemblance to the genus Ips, in the shape of the 

 body. 



" Occurred in similar situations with the above." 



Body elongated, depressed, sides nearly parallel, color brownish- 

 yellow, twice longer than wide. Thorax, margin curved, posterior 

 angles turning a little inward, slightly acute. Elytra smoothish, 

 with two black spots, which are not on a line with each other; the 

 apex of each elytrum rounded. Long., .15. The margin of the thorax 

 is broadly rounded, and the base must be emarginate, in order to 

 make the angle acute. I can give no guess as to what this species is. 

 I know of no insect in any family that is near it. 1 



Nematodes subrufus Lee. (Elater suh-rufus Rand.) is now 



Nematodes simplex Lee . Although there is not much doubt of the 

 identity of this species, yet it not being known in any collection, 

 except Mr. Ulke's at Washington, I append both Randall's and Le- 

 Conte's descriptions. 



Elater (Eucnemis) sub-rufus Rand. (Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., Vol. 

 ii, page 38.) 



"E. corpore elongate, angustato, rufo; articuHs quinque ultimis antennarum 

 crassis; clypeo sub-convexo ; oculis nigris; tborace sub-quadrato, punctulato; 

 elytris indistincte striatis et punctulatis ; pedibus sub-runs. 



"Body elongated, narrow, rufous, especially the thorax, which is 

 subquadrate, punctured, with nearly straight posterior angles and 

 without the longitudinal furrow : antennae reddish brown, gradually 

 1 See remarks under Nitidula avara, on page 375. 



