130 KNTOMOL01-1ICAL SOCIETY Sphenophorus distichlidis, n. sp. Similar to mormon with which it agrees in the structure of the rostrum and, nearly, in the sculpture of the elytra. It averages a little smaller, with the entire surface subopaque, and with the legs and less frequently the elytra and thorax rufous or piceous. The punctua'ion is feeble, not so strong on the thorax, metasternum or abdominal segments as in sim plex. The tibiae are less angulate and more finely fimbriate, and the ante rior tibiae are normally without inside serration. Male. First and second abdominal segments moderately distinct ; pos terior tibias more strongly angulate and fimbriate. Female. First and second abdominal segments connate or nearly so at the middle; posterior tibiae feebly angulate and finely and sparsely fim briate. Length 8.5-11 5 mm; width 3.2-4.0 mm. Amedee, Cal., 4,200 ft, July 11-28, 1903. Collected by Mr. H. F. Wickham who has kindly presented a good series to the National Museum on Distichlidis spicata, a maritime grass which grows in salt marshes and saline spots. Type. No. 7878, U. S. National Museum. Sphenophorus simplex LeConte. In this species the normal shining jet black color is varied by individuals with more or less rufous legs, and the elytra are frequently piceous in evidently fully developed specimens. One otherwise deep black individual with velvety elytra has the base of the elytra and the legs bright rufous. In the smallest individ uals there are fewer rows of punctulations in the elytral intervals than in the larger. ones, and in the specimen last mentioned they are so minute as to be almost indistinguishable. The following is added to the recorded locality list : In California : Palm Springs, February 2, 17 (H. G. Hubbard), Los Angeles (D. W. Coquillett), Panamint Valley, April 19 (A. Koebele), Harold, March 31 (A. B. Eells), San Diego (G. H. Field). In Utah : Salt Lake City (H. Soltau), Salt Lake, June 14 (Hubbard and Schwarz). ON THE SPECIES OF SPHENOPHORUS HITHERTO CON SIDERED AS PLACIDUS SAY. By F. H. CHITTENDEN. When Thomas Say in his " Descriptions of North American Curculionides," etc.,* described Rhynchophorus placidus with * Complete Writings, Thomas Say, etc., Lee. Ed., 1859, i, p. 290
BioStor
