s 
The Bulletin 
S. callosus Oliv. was therefore considered a synonym of S. cariosus 
Oliv. until 1906, when Chittenden (1906) cleared up the situation by 
pointing out that callosus must be considered as distinct from cariosus. 
That portion of his paper which refers to callosus is as follows: 
Sphenopiiorus callosus Olivier. 
Calandra callosa Oliver, Hist. Nat. des Ins., Vol. V., p. 92, PI, XXVIII. Fig. 
416, (1807). 
Sphenopiiorus sculptilis Horn (nec Uhler). Proc. Am. Phil, Soc., p. 424 
(1873). 
This species was united by Le Conte and Horn with cariosus, but wrongly 
so, as I shall attempt to prove. Olivier’s description reads in substance as 
follows: 
“Body black with dark cinereous coating. Antennas brownish black, shin¬ 
ing, cinereous at apex. Rostrum black, dark cinereous at base. Thorax un¬ 
even, and one sees on the superior portion an elevation in the form of a cross, 
feebly marked.” Elytra uneven, feebly variolate, marked toward the apex 
with a callous point, nearly spinose, blackish, shining. 
“Olivier’s illustration is imperfect in that it is very crude, showing neither 
punctuation nor sculpture, and the general impression is that of a shining 
species, which was certainly not intended. The thorax is a little short, other¬ 
wise the form coincides with the species which is figured herewith. 
“The cinereous base of the rostrum is an important character, as it signifies 
that a considerable portion of the base is coated, while in cariosus it is not. 
The cross-like elevation of the thoracic disk is aptly described as feebly indi¬ 
cated; in fact, it requires little imagination to discern it in many individuals; 
moreover, it is not shown in Olivier’s figure. In the true cariosus the cross is 
black, shining, and well marked, and the cariniform base of the third elytral 
interval which is always present is so prominent as to attract the attention of 
the veriest tyro. 
“The type locality ‘Carolina’ will answer for either species. North Carolina 
appears to be the metropolis of callosus .” 
Blatchley and Leng (1916) described Splienophorus callosus Oliv., as 
follows: 
“Oval robust. Black, densely clothed with a brownish or olivaceous clayey 
coating; antennae and tarsi reddish-brown. Beak two-thirds the length of 
thorax, compressed and sparsely punctate except near base, where it is 
swollen, coarsely punctate, and shallowly grooved above. Thorax slightly 
longer than wide, sides parallel from base for three-fourths their length, then 
strongly rounded to the constricted apex; disc very coarsely and irregularly 
punctate, the median vitta usually broadly dilated at middle, its apical por : 
tion very narrow; lateral vittae broad at base and with a short oblique 
branch, their front portion often replaced by coarse punctures. Elytral oval, 
their surface uneven, sides gradually narrowed from humeri to apex; striae 
fine, coarsely and distinctly punctate; intervals flat, their punctures hidden, 
the third sometimes feebly base. Humeral umbone and sub-apical callus 
somewhat prominent, often shining. Under surface coarsely and sparsely 
punctate. Length, 8-12 mm.” 
