COLEOPTERA. 101 middle; interocnlar surface impiuictate and highly polished, witli an elongatedmedian puncture at the base, and two small, circular, spongy-pubescentfoveae at more than one-third the length from the base, and but slightly more widely separated than either from the corresponding eye; intermediate surface rather strongly convex ; from each fovea proceeds a narrow impressed channel, the two being at first i:>arallel and then convergent, coalescing anteriorly by a very wide channel behind the frontal ridge ; supra-antennal tuberculations very strong, angulate externally, joined by a transverse and very strong ridge ; antennae one-third longer than the head, moderately slender, club somewhat robust, ninth joint no longer than the eighth, twice as wide as long, tenth one-half longer and wider than the ninth, eleventh very slightly wider than the tenth, scarcely wider than long, nearly globular, abruptly acuminate at tip. Prothorax widest at one-third its length from the apex, where it is slightly naiTower than the head, and as broad as long, contiguous sides parallel for a short distance, thence convergent and broadly reentrant behind ; apex one-half as long as the greatest width, and twothirds as long as the base, both feebly arcuate ; disk rather strongly convex, polished, minutely and sparsely punctulate ; having a deep, elongated, medial puncture slightly before the middle, also a large, deeply imjiressed, medial fovea at a little more than one-fourth the length from the base, and two lateral, circular, spongy-pubescent foveae behind the middle, connected with the medial one by an extremely narrow and feeble groove, which is scarcely visible. Elytra at base very slightly wider than the pronotum, and about as wide as the head ; sides nearly parallel and rather strongly arcuate ; disk distinctly longer than wide, and somewhat shorter than the head and prothorax together, extremely minutely and sparsely punctulate, rather feebly convex ; sutural striae strong, feebly arcuate, very close, lateral short, broadly impressed ; humeri rather jirominent. Abdomen at base slightly wider than the elytra ; sides feebly divergent posteriorly and straight ; first two with two rather long and well-marked divergent carinae proceeding from the extremities of transverse si^ongy-pubescent patches ; border strong, nearly flat ; surface polished, feebly convex, scarcely punctulate. Legs well developed ; middle femora slightly swollen. Length 1.2 mm. Georgia, 1.
Described from the unique type in Dr. LeConte's collection. 6. E. congener n. sp. — Form rather slender. Pubescence somewhat short, coarse, and dense, semi-erect, pale, and rather conspicuous ; color of body rather dark reddish-testaceous throughout, legs slightly paler and more flavate. Head rather large, slightly broader than long ; eyes large, prominent ; genae not prominent, slightly longer than the eye, very convergent ; base broadly sinuate, with a slight medial puncture ; interocnlar surface slightly punctulate toward the eyes ; having, at slightly more than onethird the length from the base, two minute, round, spongy-pubescent foveae which are mutually scarcely more distant than either from the adjacent eye, connected by an anteriorly arcuate parabolic channel, which also extends divergently behind them toward the genae ; intermediate surface strongly and narrowly convex, impunctate, and polished ; supra-antennal tubercula-
102 NORTH AMEUICAN tions very large and prominent, strongly angulate externally; connecting ridge feelily arcuate anteriorly and somewhat strongly depressed in the middle ; antennae two-fifths longer than the head, somewhat slender, club short and rather robust, joints three to eight moniliform, eighth very slightly shorter than the seventh, and very slightly transverse, ninth as long as the eighth, nearly twice as wide as long, tenth one-half longer and two-thirds wider than the ninth, eleventh as wide as long, very slightly wider than the tenth, abruptly truncate anteriorly, and acutely produced at the immediate vertex. Prothorax widest just in advance of the middle, where it is as wide as the head, and scarcely as wide as long ; sides thence very slightly convergent and feebly arcuate for a short distance, and then abruptly very strongly convergent and feebly sinuate anteriorly, convergent, straight, and feebly undulated posteriorly ; apex very slightly less than one-half as long as the pronotal width, and two-thirds as long as the base ; disk rather strongly convex, polished, very minutely and sparsely punctulate; having a small, elongated puncture just before the middle, and a broadly dilated foveate impression at about one-fourth the length from the base, which is connected with the deep, circular, spongy-pubescent lateral foveae just behind the middle by narrow, arcuate, well-markeil grooves. Elytra at base as wide as the head ; sides moderately divergent posteriorly and rather strongly arcuate ; disk just visibly longer than wide, rather strongly convex, shining, not punctate ; sutural striae strong, close, nearly straight, lateral obsolete, except in the basal third, where they are broadly and feebly impressed;humeriratherprominent.Abdomenatbaseveryslightlynarrower than the elytra ; sides slightly divergent posteriorly and straight ; border strong, slightly inclined; surface broadly convex, polished, very minutely and sparsely punctulate ; first three dorsals exactly equal in length; first two witli two rather close, strongly divergent basal carinae, those of the first longer and stronger than those of the second. Legs long, rather slender ; middle femora of male swollen. Length 1.5 mm.
Washington, District of Columbia, 3.
The description is taken from a male in order to better compare it with difflcilis to which it is extremely closely allied. It ditiers in the shorter and much more robust terminal joint of the maxillary pali)i, in its sligiilly more robust form of body, especially behind, and in its distinctly shorter and broader abdomen, sides of the elytra more divergent and arcuate, and in the sexual characters. The apical edge of the third ventral segment in (lijfrrih's is comi)letely entire without any trace of irregularity, while in congener it is produced for a short distance in the midiUe ; the fourth segment is relatively shorter and has a distinct median tubercle; the sixth segment is broader and shorter and nion.' broadly rounded anteriorly than in difficills. "NVe have here an instance of cases which frequently arise in systematic investigations of this nature, and which are extremely puzzling. After cai'eful scrutiny of tiie general form of the insect we are almost morally convinced of the identity of two si)ecimens, but upon more
COLKOPTERA. 103 minute study certain modifications of special organs are seen wliicli are quite positive, but the nature and importance of wliicli we cannot from our very limited knowledge interpret with any degree of certainty. Probably the best course to pursue in such a dilemma is to describe the aberrant form and let the truth be discovered in the future, when more material shall have been accumulated. In tliis case it is very desirable to obtain a series of d/'JJlcilis, in order to see what variations occur in its male sexual characters.
7. E. sexiialis n. sp. — Form robust. Color throughout uniformly rather dark reddish-ferruginous, legs just visibly paler ; pubescence sparse, very long, bristling and coarse, somewhat conspicuoiis, especially on the elytra and abdomen ; integuments very highly polished, very remotely, minutely, and feebly punctulate. Head rather large, a little broader than long ; eyes moderate, very convex, and prominent ; genae not prominent, strongly convergent,aslongastheeye;basetransverselyandratherstronglysinuate; interocular surface having two round, feebly impressed, spongy-pubescent foveae at one-third the length from the base, three-fourths more widely separated than either from the eye, connected by an anteriorly arcuate parabolicimpressedchannel,slightlylongerthanthedistancebetweenthefoveae, and becoming more longitudinally dilated and deeply impressed at the apex just behind the frontal ridge ; the impressed channel does not terminate posteriorly in the foveae, but extends behind them toward the genae ; intermediate surface very strongly and prominently convex, very gradually declivoiTS anteriorly nearly throughout its length ; supra-antennal tuberculations very large and strongly developed, swollen and angulate externally, connected by the nearly straight, transverse, and very strong frontal ridge, which, however, becomes lower and very narrow in the middle, where it is feebly notched ; labrum very strongly constricted at base, anterior margin transverse, lateral angles very acute ; antennae nearly as long as the head and prothorax together, very robust, coarsely setose, joints three to eight very slightly transverse, just visibly increasing in width, eighth scarcely narrower than the second, ninth transversely oval, scarcely one-third wider than long, tenth somewhat longer, nearly twice as wide as long, eleventh distinctly wider than the tenth, ovular, finely, abruptly, and strongly produced at the tip. Prothorax widest just before the middle, where it is distinctly wider than long and very slightly narrower than the head ; sides arcuate anteriorly, straight posteriorly ; ajpex less than one-half as long as the pronotal width and two-thirds as long as the base ; disk broadly convex, having a very narrow elongated fusiform impression in front of the middle, and, at one-third the length from the base, a nearly transverse deeply impressed channel, broadly dilated and deepened into a very prominent impressed puncture in the middle and terminating laterally in two circular deeply impressed spongy-pubescent foveae ; the basal margin also has an indentation just within each basal angle. Elytra at base slightly wider than the pronotum ; sides rather strongly divergent and strongly arcuate ; disk rather strongly convex, nearly quadrate ; sutural striae very strong, close,
104 NORTH AMERICAN feebly arcuate, lateral broadly impressed, rather long ; humeri and basal foveae strong. Abdomen scarcely narrower than the elytra ; sides parallel and straight ; border strong and flat ; surface broadly convex, first three dorsal segments equal ; first two having two nearly parallel narrow and rather distant carinae through nearly their entire length which are very strong and prominent, also very slightly incurvate at tips. Legs long and slender. Length 1.(5 mm.
South Carolina, 1 % • A clear description of the very wonderful sexual characters in the male of this species is very difficult. Tiie third ventral segment is broadly and feebly emarginate in its middle third at apex, with the lateral angles of the emargination swollen and feebly and roundly produced, the surface bordering the same impressed ; from under the third segment two strong widely divergent distant spines protrude, extending along the surface of tlie fourth and almost contiguous with it ; they are slightly incurvate' at the lips and very acute. Tiie fourth segment is very strongly and acutely sinuate anteriorly in the middle, broadly roundly and very strongly emarginate througliout its width posteriorly; having in the middle and dividing it equallji in width two small strong tubercles. Fifth segment also strongly emarginate throughout posterioj-ly and having its surface very broadly impressed, the impression having a small impressed puncture at each lateral extremity ; the sixth segment is abruptly very strongly convex, feebly and roundly produced posteriorly, obtusely angulate anteriorly, slightly wider than long, rather strongly carinate througliout its length in the middle.
The species is one of the largest and finest of the genus and is very distinct in all its characters.
S. E. spiiiifer n. sp. — Form somewhat robust. Pubescence fine, close, rather si)arse and inconspicuous. Color throughout rather dark reddishferruginous, legs slightly paler ; integuments highly polisheil and impunctate. Head rather large, slightly wider than long ; eyes rather large and moderately prominent; genae prominent, almost parallel, longer than the eye; base broadly and very feebly sinuate ; inteiocular surface having two rather small circular spongy-pubescent foveae at more than two-fifths the length from the base opposite the anterior third of the eyes, mutually twothirds more distant than either from the eye, connected by an anteriorly arcuate parabolic impressed channel, rather acute and longitudinally expandedanteriorly and slightly longer than the width at the foveae; intermediate surface strongly convex, bearing at the base of the occiput an elongated canalicular puncture ; supra-antennal tuberculations very large and prominent, roundly angulate externally and Joiued by a rather prominentslightly arcuate ridge, much depressed in the middle; antennae about one-half longer than the head, rather slender, club somewhat short and robust, ninth joint slightly longer tlian the eighth, twice as wide as long.
COLEOPTERA. 105 two-thirds as long and wide as tlie tenth, both transversely elliptical, eleventh very slightly wider than the tenth, slightly longer than wide, abruptly produced in the middle at tip ; last joint of the maxillary palpi very short and robust, conoidal, scarcely one-half longer than wide. Prothorax widest at one-third its length from the apex where it is about as wide as the head and about one-sixth wider than long; sides rather strongly arcuate anteriorly, somewhat feebly and evenly so posteriorly ; apex scarcely one-half as long as the pronotal width and nearly three-fourths as long as the base, both feebly arcuate ; posterior angles rounded ; disk rather feebly convex, having a rather deep slightly elongated oval puncture just before the middle, and, at one-third tlie length from the base, a transverse somewhat slender but deeply impressed posteriorly cusped groove, expanded at the cusp point into a large naked pnnctiform impression and terminating at the sides iu large rounded rather shallow spongy-pubescent foveae. Elytra at base very slightly wider than the pronotum ; sides very feebly divergent posteriorly and somewhat feebly arcuate ; disk very slightly longer than wide, moderately convex ; sutural striae close, nearly straight, strong, lateral nearly one-half as long as the elytra, rather well marked, originating in rather large spongy-jiubescent foveae : humeri moderately prominent. Abdomen very slightly shorter than the elytra, and very slightly narrower; sides parallel and straight ; border inclined ; surface moderately convex ; first tliree dorsal segments sub-equal in lengtli ; first two having two strongly divergent strongly marked carinae through slightly more than the basal lialf. Legs rather short and robust ; prosternal foveae large ; under surface of the head without erect sensitive setae ; terminal claw of tarsi very long and strong. Length 1.2—1.3 mm.
Columbus, Texas, 2; Georgia? 1.
The description is drawn from a male. The sexual characters of this species are, in the male, very singular nearly equalling in this respect those of sexualis. The third ventral segment is feebly and narrowly sinuate in the middle and slightly swollen at each side of the sinuation ; beyond these swellings laterally two long stout spines protrude from beneath the segment, which are nearly parallel, externally arcuate, and feebly hooked internally at tip; they pass over and touch the surface of the fourth and a part of the fifth segments ; the anterior portion of the fourth segment is emarginate in the middle ; the fifth is transversely lunate and partly encloses the terminal segment ; it is transversely impressed in the middle ; the terminal segment is slightly wider than long, angularly and feebly produced anteriorly, and more roundly and equally feebly so posteriorly, surface convex, sparsely punctate and feebly carinate along the middle. In the female these striking characters entirely disappear, and the terminal §egment is simply very abruptly strongly and acutely produced in the middle ; this sex also has the terminal joint of the maxillary palpus less robust.
lOG NORTH AMERICAN 9. E. linearis Lee. — Bost. Journ. VI. p. 104. — Form somewhat slender. Pubescence coaine, rather long and abundant, evenly distributed, pale fulvocinereous with long widely scattered setae on the abdomen ; color of entire body and antennae ferruginous, legs paler and more flavate. Head large, wider tlian long; eyes large, moderately prominent ; genae not prominent, shorter tliantheeye; interocular surface polished and impunctate, having at the middle of the base a small puncture, and above two small spongypubescent foveae at one-third the length from the base, rather widely separated ; intermediate surface strongly convex ; foveae connected by an anteriorly curvate elongate parabolic channel, which is strongly impressed ; supra-antennal tuberculations elongated and very strong, each crossed by a narrow channel, connected by a straight transverse ridge which is prominent and slightly less elevated in the middle ; antennae nearly as long as the head and prothorax together, robust, second joint much smaller than the first, club elongated, ninth joint more than twice as wide as long, slightly narrower and scarcely more than one-half as long as the tenth, eleventh scarcely wider than the tenth, as long as the three preceding joints together, elongated, conoidal, rather finely acuminate. Prothorax widest slightly in advance of the middle where it is distinctly wider than long and about as wide as the head ; sides arcuate anteriorly, nearly straight posteriorly ; apex transverse, much less than one-half as long as the pronotal width and twothirds as long as the base which is rather strongly arcuate; disk polished, rather broadly convex, strongly evenly finely and rather sparsely jMinctate; median canaliculation strong, long and narrow, fusiform ; at one-third the length from the base there is a transverse posteriorly cusped channel expandedatthecusppointandattheendsintorounddeeplyimpressedfoveae, tiie lateral ones the stronger. Elytra at base just visibly wider than the pronotum ; sides very slightly divergent posteriorly, slightly arcuate, more strongly so toward the tips ; together transversely truncate behind ; disk slightly longer than wide, moderately convex, rather depressed at the base, polished, very minutely and sparsely punctulate ; sutural striae very strong, nearly straight, close, lateral well marked, one-half as long as the elytra ; humeri prominent. Abdomen very slightly narrower than the elytra; sides parallel and straight ; border very wide but Hat ; surface very feebly convex, polished, finely and very distantly punctulate ; first three segments equal in length ; first and second dorsals with two rather short slightly divergent carinae at base ; under surface of alnlomen more coarsely strongly and closely punctate than the upper ; last ventral segment angularly produced and rounded behind, with a very fine medial carina. Under surface of the head lacking the long erect sensitive setae, these being replaced by a fine close pubescence; punctures large deep and close. Length 1.3-1.6 mm. Georgia, i) ; Florida, 7; Detroit, Micliigan, 1, A very common .species and apparently much more abundant at the South. The description is taken from Dr. LeConte'.s type, which is a male; the last ventral segment appears to be more produced at tij) in the female, and is not carinate.
COLEOPTERA. 107 10. E. illterriiptus Lee. — Bost. Joum. VI. p. lOJ. — Form ratlier robust. Pubescence coarse, rather long, abundant, pale Havo-ciuereous. Color throughout ferruginous ; legs very slightly paler. Head rather large, as wide as long ; eyes moderate, prominent ; gejiae not prominent, as long as the eyes ; iuterocular surface roughly punctate at the sides, polished and impunctate in the middle, having two very small widely separated spongypubescent foveae at one-third the length from the base, connected by an anteriorly curvate parabolic deeply impressed groove, longer than wide ; intermediate surface very strongly convex ; supra-antennal tuberculations very sti-ong, angulate externally, connected by an almost transverse acute and prominent carina ; antennae nearly as long as the head and prothorax together, robust, club relatively slender, basal joint much more robust and elongated than the second, joints three to eight moniliform, equal in width, the latter shorter than the seventh and distinctly transverse, ninth longer than the eighth, not twice as wide as long, trapezoidal, tenth longer and wider than the ninth, two-thirds wider than long, trapezoidal, eleventh slightly wider than the tenth, slightly wider than long, abruptly and acutely produced in Ihe middle at apex ; last joint of maxillary palpi very robust, conoidal. Prothorax widest at the middle wliere it is much wider than long and very slightly wider than the head ; sides very strongly arcuate anteriorly and slightly sinuate posteriorly ; base nearly twice as wide as the apex ; disk strongly convex, polished, sparsely and very minutely punctu- ■ late ; medial puncture very small, at the centre, elongated, posterior imjiression very wide, transverse, cusped, groove at one-fourth the length from the base, lateral foveae small, very deep, spongy-pubescent. Elytra at base slightly M'ider than the pronotum ; sides very feebly divergent, rather strongly arcuate ; disk quadrate, moderately convex, polished, very minutely punctulate ; sutural striae well marked, lateral also distinct through the basal half; humeri prominent. Abdominal segments very slightly narrower than the elytra ; sides parallel and straight border very wide and flat ; surfacefeebly convex, polished, very minutely punctulate ; first three segments equal ; first two dorsals with two strongly divergent well-marked carinae, nearly two-thirds as long as the segment. Legs rather slender ; femora very moderately robust. Length 1.4—1.6 mm.
Washington, District of Columbia, 2; Lee County, Virginia, 1; Georgia, 2 ; Jackson, Mississippi, 1.
A very well-marked species. Tlie description is taken from a male, LeConte's type ; the sexual characters are somewhat noticeable. The apical edge of the third ventral segment has two lateral callosities, from each of which proceeds posteriorly a short obtuse tooth ; the anterior margin of the fourth is emarginate in the middle ; the last segment is obtusely produced in the middle, and has a narrow medial carina ; its surface is very convex and is strongly punctate. In the female the sixth segment is much broader, and is more strongly and abruptly produced in the middle.
108 NOUTii a:merica\ 11. E. COllflueus Lee. — Bost. Joiirn. YI. p. 105. — Form slender, depressed; sides parallel. Pubescence rather fine and dense, recumbent, very pale ; color of body pale reddish-testaceous, elytra sometimes slijjhtly paler than the head and prothorax, antennae and less scarcely paler. Head very large, Hat above, slightly wider than long; eyes rather small, moderately prominent ; genae prominent, obtusely rounded, slightly longer than the eye ; base transverse, distinctly sinuate in the middle ; interocular surface coarsely strongly* and closely punctate at the sides, impunctate along the middle, having a strong median carina at base, very flat throughout behind, having two minute naked foveae at one-third the length from the base, iiiutually as distant as either from the adjacent eye ; intermediate surface feebly convex, each fovea is continued anteriorly by a moderately deep irregular canaliculation, the two being parallel and scarcely joined anteriorly ; supra-antennal tuberculations rather prominent, joined by a very broadly arcuate and rather feeble ridge ; antennae barely one-third longer than the head, rather slender, club small, joints three to eight very small, moniliform, equal in width, eighth shortest, ninth one-half wider than long, wider than the eighth, equal in length to the tenth, tenth oue-third wider than the ninth, eleventh very slightly wider than the tenth, nearly as wide as long, sides parallel ; second joint of the maxillary palpi long, feebly clavate. Prothorax widest distinctly before the middle where it is just percepti1)ly wider than long and distinctly narrower than the head ; sides very feebly sinuate anteriorly, minutely undulated but nearly straight posteriorly, very strongly convergent; apex scarcely one-half as wide as the greatest pronotal width, three-fourths as long as the base, both very feebly arcuate; disk very feebly and coarsely punctulate, shining, having an elongate medial canaliculate puncture, also a small very deep medial fovea at one-fourth the length from the base, which is sometimes partially confluent with the medial canaliculation, also two lateral d(;eply impressed foveae not connected with the medial one by an impressed channel. Elytra at base as wide as the pronotum ; sides nearly parallel, feebly arcuate ; disk depressed, slightly longer than wide and slightly shorter than the head and pronotum together, polished, scarcely punctulate ; humeri prominent ; sutural striae very strong, arcuate toward the apices, approximate, lateral distinct, becoming obsolete at two-fifths the; length from the base. Abdominal segments nearly as wide as the elytra, very gradually increasing in width posteriorly ; first three of equal length ; first two dorsals with two short rather approximate strongly divergent and feeble carinae ; border strong, flat ; surface feebly convex, shining, scarcely punctate. Legs short and slender. Length 1. '2-1.4 mm. jMiddle States, 2 ; Cambridge, Massacliusetts, 1 ; "Wasliinnton, District of Columbia, 1 ; Lee County, Virginia, 1 ; Lake Superior, 1. The description is taken from Dr. LeConte's type, a female. The males are smaller and apart from a slightly more slender antenna, j)resent no appreciable difference, except in regard to the sexual characters proper, which are very marked. The third ventral segment is abruptly and strongly bisinuate in its middle third at apex;