Memoirs on the coleoptera

TENEBRIONID/E 203
short sparse spinules beneath, as in the preceding genus. The
assumed type of the genus may be described as follows:
Body rather stout, moderately inflated posteriorly, convex, shining,
glabrous, deep black throughout; head and prothorax alutaceous,
the former feebly impressed transversely, rather coarsely but
sparsely punctate throughout, the antennae (cf ) as long as the prothorax
or shorter (9), rufo-piceous apically, with the rather long
but sparse bristling seta? dark fulvous; prothorax one-half wider
than long, the apex distinctly narrower than the base, deeply,
circularly sinuate, with the angles acute and not blunt at apex, the
sides rather strongly rounded medially, thence moderately con-
verging and straighter anteriorly and less converging and broadly,
feebly sinuate basally, the base transverse, posteriorly and obliquely
sinuate at the sides, the angles acute and obliquely, moderately
prominent; surface broadly, rather feebly convex, very finely and
remotely punctulate, rather abruptly but not very widely though
strongly reflexed at the sides, the sparse punctures there only a little
stronger but with the surface transversely rugose toward the edge,
which is rather thin and subeven; scutellum broadly triangular;
elytra three-fifths longer than wide, widest slightly behind the
middle, two-fifths (cf) to nearly three-fifths (9) wider than the
prothorax, at base very slightly wider than the thoracic base, the
sides arcuate, rapidly rounding in behind, the apical lobe large and
distinct, obtusely rounded; surface strongly convex, even, shining,
with rather coarse and remotely scattered punctures, the side margins
somewhat angulate in section and distinct but not carinate to
apical fourth, becoming cariniform and reflexed only at the humeri;
under surface with rather coarse, sparse punctures throughout,
becoming closer on the last segments of the abdomen; legs a little
longer and stouter in the male than in the female. Length (cf , 9
21.0-22.0 mm.; width 10.8-11.9 mm. Texas (El Paso). [Asida
obliterata Champ.] obliterata Champ.
The original description given by Mr. Champion extends to
only two or three lines and was founded upon specimens taken at
Paso del Norte, Mexico, just across the Rio Grande from El Paso;
so I infer that the form described above, taken by Mr. Dunn, is
the true obliterata. Besides this species, those described in the
"Biologia" under the names Asida rufipes, moricoides, fceda, tarda
and latissima by Mr. Champion, will also form part of the genus
Megasida.
Stethasida n. gen.
This genus differs from any of the preceding, except the Micro-
schatia section and Astrotus, in having the prosternum between the
coxae prominent at tip and not deflexed to the apical margin of the
)