Memoirs on the coleoptera

262 MEMOIRS ON THE COLEOPTERA
in antennal and scutellar characters, as well as in other directions,
but is an Asemum without doubt, although the anterior coxae are
separated slightly.
The ;
ture
of the last dorsal segment of the abdomen, which is
frequently exposed to view, is important in the differentiation of the
species of Asemum, as there is surprising diversity in its conforma-
tion, thus affording very convenient characters.
Liasemum n. gen.
The species named Asemum nitidum by LeConte, has large and
coarsely faceted eyes as in Criocephalus and it is therefore not an
Asemum; it differs also in its basally very stout antennae, which
are formed as in Asemum asperum Lee., though more coarsely and
not so closely pubescent. Its facies will not admit it to either of
the genera mentioned and I therefore separate it generically under
the above name, together with a second species recently discovered.
It may be distinguished from Criocephalus by its very much shorter
tarsi, which somewhat resemble those of Asemum. The anterior
coxae are separated as in Criocephalus, while in Asemum they are
contiguous or with the process posteriorly very acute; in the aber-
rant Asemum brevicorne however, they become evidently though
very narrowly separated.
Liasemum mokelumne n. sp. Much smaller and narrower than
nitidum but similarly shining, not deep black as in that species but black-
ish-piceous, still more rufescent beneath; head three-fourths as wide as
the prothorax, finely, rather closely punctate, the median line not or
only very feebly and finely impressed; antennae (9 ) short, extending to
basal fifth or sixth of the elytra, formed as in nitidum but shorter and not
quite so stout; prothorax as in nitidum but less transverse, scarcely a
third wider than long, shining, finely and deeply punctate, loosely so
medially, closely toward the sides, the median line faintly impressed
for a short extent at the centre and more broadly near the base; scutellum
subquadrate, broadly rounded behind, closely punctate but shining;
elytra parallel, evidently \vider than the prothorax, more than twice as
long as wide, evenly and subcircularly rounded conjointly at apex, very
finely, closely punctate, the two median raised lines feeble but evident,
the inner very distinct, especially toward base, the intermediate ridges
obsolete, except those between the raised lines and near the suture which
are barely traceable; anterior coxae evidently though not widely separated;
hind tarsi short but slender. Length (9 ) 12.5-14.5 mm.; width 3.5-4.0
mm. California (Mokelumne Hill, Calaveras Co.), Blaisdell.
Differs from nitidum not only in its paler color and other char-