March, 1896.] WlCKHAM, COLEOPTERA OF N. E. AMERICA. 
33 
PRELIMINARY HANDBOOK OF THE COLEOPTERA 
OF NORTHEASTERN AMERICA. 
By H. F. Wickham. 
(Continued from Vol. Ill, p. 190.) 
Amara Bon. 
This genus includes those Pterostichini in which the terminal joint 
of the palpi is not dilated, the labial with the penultimate joint plurise- 
tose in front and longer than the last one. The elytra are without the 
dorsal puncture. The genus is of great size and offers considerable 
diversity of form, some of the species resembling Pterostichus or Har- 
palus , while the majority have a facies which is unmistakeable. The 
form of the thorax has served a good purpose in the primary separation 
into groups, after which secondary sexual characters must be largely 
relied upon. By the kind permission of Dr. Horn, his synopses and 
descriptions have been used in this paper (almost without change except 
in the way of condensation) for those portions of the genus on which 
he has written. The first part, the subgenus Lirus, has been largely 
taken from the descriptions of Dr. LeConte, who, however, had not 
tabulated the species. No attempt has been made to disturb the exist¬ 
ing status of species, the idea being simply to give a clue to the< identi¬ 
fication as they now rest. A careful revision of the forms with sub- 
cordiform thorax is a desideratum but must be left to those who have 
access to types. 
Synopsis of Species. 
I. Thorax broader in front of the base, narrowed posteriorly and usually more or 
less cordiform.2 
Thorax narrowed anteriorly, broad towards the base or sometimes slightly nar¬ 
rowed in that part.14 
2. Posterior tibiae not pilose internally in either sex.3 
Posterior tibiae of male densely pilose internally.11 
3. Middle tibiae simple in both sexes.4 
Middle tibiae of male bidentate internally.6 
4. Hind angles of prothorax not carinate .5 
Hind angles of thorax with distinct carina. similis. 
