Madras Journal of Literature and Science/New Series 1/Volume 2/Entomological Papers, being descriptions of New Ceylon Coleoptera, with observations on their habits, &c.
No. IV.
Trib. Bembidiidæ.
Ochthephilus. n. g. N.
Corpus oblongum, subparallelum, valde depressum. Caput magnum antice trigonum; oculis magnis, ovatis, prominulis; cello forti. Mentum subquadrate emarginatum, lobis extus fortiter rotundatis, apice abrupte acuminatis, dente parvo acuminate. Ligula parva apice quadrate truncata, libera, paraglossia setiformibus marginem anteriorem longe superantibus. Palpi robusti art. 4° elongate, tenui, acuminate; maxillares art. 3° interne—, 2° externe incrassato; labiales art. 3° robusto externe incrassate, 2° parvo, cylindrico. Labrum parvum subtrigonum, antice emarginatum. Mandibulæ elongatæ, rectæ, trigonæ, apice arcuatæ, infra medium pluries dentatæ. Antennæ rebustæ corporis med. fere attingentes, art. 1° et 11° mediocribus, subæqualibus, 2-4 et 5-10 inter se subæqualibus illis subcylindricis, his ovatis, Thorax subcordatus basi quadratus. Pedunculus brevis. Elytra apice rotundata. Pedes omnes simplices, subæquales, anteriores tibiis prefunde excavatis, tarsis leviter centractis, art. 1-4 gradatim mineribus, art. 1° subcylindrico 2-4 subtrigonis, 5° sat magno, unguibus simplicibus.
43 Ochthephilus Ceylanicus N.
O. brunneo-testaceus, pedibus palpisque testaceis tenuiter pubescens; fronte prefunde 2-sulcata; elytris obsolete striatis, in striis punctatis; long. corp. 113 lin.
In fluminum ripis Bembidiorum more victitat.
This interesting little beetle might at first sight be mistaken for a Lœmophlœus, the size, depressed form and color of which it has, APRIL — JUNE, 1857.] Descriptions of new Ceylon Coleoptera. 51
however, the prominent eyes, cordate thorax — to say nothing of its habitat — remind one very soon of its real connexions, I do not tliink there can be any doubt that this insect forms a new and interesting addition to the Bembidiid^. In fact the question, whether it belongs to this tribe or not depends, in my opinion, mainly upon the inferences drawn feom the structure of the terminal joint of the palpi. It is true that this joint attains in C^hthephilns a degree of development unequalled amongst the Bejibidiid^ ; as, however, this development is not confined to the one particular joint alluded to, but affects the entire organ of which it forms a part, it can hardly be said to be a variation of much importance ; and as, more-over, the general shape (independently of the elongation) and mode of insertion are the same as in the iypical Bembidiid^ I have not hesitated to refer my n. g. to this tribe.
The head is as broad as the thorax and altogether of about the same size, it is strongly triangular from the eyes to the tip of the mandibles, the forehead is impressed with 2 deep longitudinal furrows, the eyes are large, rather oval and prominent, behind them the head is abruptly contracted into a thick neck. The antennae are long and thick reaching nearly to the middle of the body, joints 1 and 11, 2 4 5-10 are subequal amongst themselves, 5-11 oval, 1-4 subcylindric. The labrum is small, rather triangular be- ing narrowed at its base, it is emarginated in front with a slight angle in the middle emargination. The mandibles are long, straight triangular, bent at the tip only, dentated below the middle the one more so than the other. The maxillae are thin and slender gently bent outwards at the base and inwards at the apex the outer lobe corresponding with the inner one in shape and strength. The palpi are robust, both the maxillary and labial ones have joint 4 elongated, thin and acuminated, in fact needle-shaped, firmly implanted in the preceding one not loosely hinged to it. The maxillary ones have joints 3 and 2 robust, the former si^ollen on the inner, the latter on the outer side. In the labial ones, joint 3 is still plumper than in the others, but differs in shape by being incrassated on the outer instead of the inner side, the 2nd joint being at the same time quite small and cylindric. The mentum is large 52 Descriptions of new Ceylon Cohoptera. [no. 3, new series,
and simple as above described. The ligula is small, oblong, very slightly narrowed and transversely cut away at the apex, the paraglossse separate from its sides a little below the anterior corners ; they are setiform and reach much beyond it. The whole organ is of membranaceous texture having, however, a more substantial centre or back. The thorax and elytra aw? simple and sufficiently described above, i. may add that the former is divided by a longitudinal furrow and that both are furnished with a narrow margin at the sides. The scutellum is very small and the abdomen furnished with a short peduncle. The legs are weak, simple and nearly equal, the anterior tibise are deeply notched, the lower margin of the fourth tarsal joint of the same pair is furnished with along thin spine, the apex of which fite in between the claws. I have been unable to discover any footbrushes or other sexual distinctions in the specimens before me, but it is not improbable that the tarsal spine just mentioned occurs only in one sex.
The habits of the insect are those of the Bemhidia in whose society it lives upon the banks of rivers, taking like them readily to its wings. I have found it occasionally in considerable numbers upon the sandy banks of the Maha Oya in the neighbourhood of Negombo close to the edge of the water.
Trib, Lebiidce vel Pericalidge. Creagris. n. g, N.
Corpus oblongum valde depressum. Caput magnum robustum ; oculis mediocribus, ovatis, sat prominulis ; collo brevi. Mentum forma ferri equini vel trifurcatum (hinc n. g. Creagris) lobis angustis, subparallelis, apice oblique truncatis, dente lobis parum breviore, tenui, acutissimo. Ligula magna, cornea, angulis anticis rotundatis, paraglossis connatis, marginem anteriorem non attin- gentibus. Palpi maxill. art. 4° claviformi, apice fortiter truncate ; labiales art. 4 subelliptico, truncato. Labium maximum, subor- biculatum, gonvexum. Mandibulse parvee, basi obsolete uniden-tatse, labro obtectse. Antennae robustse humeros attingentes, art. 1, 3 et 11 longitudine fere subasquali, mediocribus, 2° parvo, rotundato, 4-10 subsequalibus, cum 11° ovatis. Thorax parvus capite sesqui minor, transversus longitudine duplo fere latior, APRIL— JUNE, 1857.] Descriptio7is of new Ceylon Coleoptera. 53
infra med. fortius angustatus, basi parum prolongatus. Pedunculus brevis. Elytra apicem versus leviter dilatata, apice fortiter subqua- drate truncata. Pedes robusti, simplices, subaequales, ant. tibiis profunda excavatis, omnes tarsis brevibus art. 1° sequentium 2 fere longitudine, subcylindrico, 2 3 gradatim minoribus, magis minusve triangularibus, 4° magn^, profunde bilobo, 5° mediocri, unguibus siraplicibus, art. 4° subtus dense penicillato. ,
44. Creagris lahrosa N.
C. picea, ore antennisque, coxis, trochanteribus femorum tibia- rumque apice r,t tarsis brunneis ; dense punctata obsoleteque pu- bescens ; elytris striatis ; long. corp. 4 J lin.
Specimen singulum prope Colombo nocte ad lumen cepi.
I consider this scarce and interesting insect to form a passage between the Lebiid^ and Pericalid^, but am doubtful to which of these two tribes to refer it as, although it partakes of the characterristics of either, it is at the same time distinct from both. Distinguished in several respects, its most extraordinary character lies in the curious shape of the mentum. This is, however, easily described as large, of the shape of a horseshoe with a long, thin, very pointed tooth in the middle, the apical half of the sides (lobes) being at the same time gently dilated, the apex itself being obliquely cut away from the outer towards the inner side (the inner angle being the most advanced) and slightly dentated at the edge thus formed. Or it may also be described as a fork with the outer teeth some- what enlarged, truncated at the apex and so forth. As far as I know, this variation from the usual form of the mentum is re- peated in no other Carahideous insect. The other parts of the mouth have not much to distinguish them with the exception, however of the labrura which attains a very extraordinary degree of de- velopment occupying rather more than one-third of the ivhole head^ although the latter itself is large and heavy. It is of a suborbicular shape, very slightly produced in front into an obtuse p^igle, is vaulted, covers the mandibles, has two longitudinal impressions at the sides of the base and is highly polished. The head has two impressions in front of the eyes, is densely punctured and thinly pubescent, it is strongly but gradually contracted behind the eyes and formed into a short neck. The antennæ are strong, and reach to the shoulders, joints 1 3 and 11 are of about equal length, middling, the former two subcylindric, joint 2 is small, rounded, 4-10 subequal and with the 11th oval. The thorax is small, only half as large as the head, rather narrowed, strongly transverse, twice as broad as long, slightly emarginated in front, the anterior angles rounded, contracted below the middle, subquadratic and prolonged at the base, posterior angles depressed, longitudinally divided by a deep furrow. The elytra are striated and, as well as the thorax, densely punctured and thinly pubescent. The legs are strong, simple and subequal, the anterior tibiæ are deeply notched, the first joint of the tarsi is as long as the two succeeding ones together, subcylindric, the 2nd triangular, the 3rd of a similar but more transverse form, smaller—all three have the apical angles acuminated, the 4th is large and deeply bilobed, the 5th middling, thin, the claws simple. The tarsi are altogether short and strong, the first joint is furnished with longer, the 2nd and 3rd with shorter stiff hair, whilst the 4th is strongly penicillated below. The anterior tibiæ are slightly spinose, the others more so.
I believe the only specimen of this insect which has hitherto come into my possession, and which has served as the type for the above description, to be a female.
Trib. Galeritidæ.
Heteroglossa. n. g. N.
Corpus oblongum, subparallelum, depressum tenuiter hirsutum. Caput mediocre oculis semiglobosis, sat prominulis; collo brevi. Mentum sat profunde subquadrate emarginatum, lobis magnis extus fortiter rotundatis, apice abrupte acuminatis, dente magno excavato, apice inflecto obtuso, magis minusve profunde sinuato. Ligula subcornea apice libera, truncata, vel quadrata vel obconica vel leviter bi-sinuata, paraglossis cylindricis, marginem anteriorem longissime superantibus, magis minusve arcuatis. Palpi hirsuti, art. ultimo sat elongato, subcylindrico, apice truncato vel subtrigono. Labrum transversum antice emarginatum. Mandibul validæ, trigonæ, apice arcuatæ, basi pluries dentatæ. Antennæ Tobustæ, corporis med. attingentes, art. 1° incrassato sequentibus 2 longiore, 2° parvo, 3-11 subæqualibus. Thorax subcordatus, basi transversim truncatus leviterque prolongatus. Pedunculus brevis. Elytra apice fortiter subquadrate truncata, costata, costis 16 majoribus, in interstitiis subtilissime bicostulata, in sulcis (sulco e tribus inter costas binas majores medio excepto) tenuiter pilosa, in omnibus transversim regulosa. Pedes anteriores tibiis sat fortiter emarginatis, tarsis maris art. 1-3 leviter dilatatis, subtus squamularum seriebus 2 munitis, art. 1 elongato-trigono, 2-3 rotundato-trigonis, 3° præcedente parum minore, 4° parvo cordato 3° plus sesqui minore, his omnibus angulis acuminatis, 5° magno, unguibus simplicibus.
This diagnosis may appear somewhat vague, still I have been unable to express the characteristics of the insects from which it is drawn in more precise terms, although they have features quite peculiar to themselves by which they are easily recognised when once seen.
The points on which the three spec, which form this g. more or less disagree are the following: 1, the labrum: this is more transverse in H. elegans and less deeply emarginated in H. ruficollis than in the other two spec, respectively—still in all three it is emarginated and has moreover the peculiarity of being furnished with bristles at the two anterior corners: 2, the mentum: this is sub-quadratically emarginated, the lobes being strongly rounded on the outer side, and abruptly acuminated at the apex, at the base of the emargination it is furnished with a broad, excavated tooth which is inflected and obtuse at the apex—so far all three species agree—however, whilst in H. elegans and ruficollis this tooth is slightly emarginated, at the apex, it is sharply notched in H. bimaculata, in fact bilobed, the lobes being large and rounded at the apex. I look upon this notch, which is sharp but not deep, as a mere variation from the emargination existing at the apex of the tooth of the former two species. 3, the palpi: these, labial as well as maxillary ones, have their terminal joint truncated at the apex—and so far again all three species agree—however, whilst this joint is of elliptic form in the palpi of H. ruficollis, it is in H. elegans only so in the labial ones that of the maxillary ones being cylindric at the base. In H. bimaculata finally, this joint is rather clubshaped or subtriangular and stronger truncated than in the former two species. 4, the ligula: this organ is of subcoriaceous texture, middling size, the shape of an oblong square, free and transversely truncated at the apex—these characters are common to all three spec. and in H. ruficollis I have nothing to add to it, however, the anterior margin, which is straight in this species, is slightly bisinuated in H. elegans the outer angles being acute and the central one obtuse. The ligula of H. bimaculata differs from both the former in as far as it is narrowed towards the apex and depressed towards the sides and the front, the anterior margin is otherwise cut away straight, without any sinuosities, but it is rather strongly armed with bristles. The paraglossæ agree in all three spec. in as far as they are highly developed, reach much beyond the anterior margin of the ligula and are more or less bent inwards. They assume their greatest development in H. elegans in which they nearly touch each other in front of the anterior margin, being cylindric and slender at the same time. In H. ruficollis the paraglossæ are somewhat shorter and straighter and in H. bimaculata still more so.
On all other points the three spec. perfectly agree; in saying which I lay particular weight upon the unusual sculpture of the elytra and the rather peculiar hairy vesture of the insects, bearing also in mind their general appearance, proportions, system of coloration, mode of living, etc. As to the hairy vesture of certain parts of the body and the sculpture of the elytra, it is true that these are not generally looked upon as of much importance, however, they appear to me to be so in this instance, as they present certain unusual variations repeated in all three species. The hairy vesture consists in thin yellowish or reddish hairs thinly sprinkled over the back and still more thinly over the whole of the lower surface of the insects, being at the same time longer at the latter place. This vesture acquires its greatest density on the legs, especially the tibiæ and tarsi, whilst their uniform presence at the palpi forms almost a generic character. The elytra are exquisitely sculptured into about 8 larger costæ on either of them and into 2 smaller ones between every 2 of these, the furrows thus formed are finely and transversely rugose and (with APRIL — JUNE, 1857.] Descriptions ofneioCeylon Coleoptera. 57
the exception of the central furrow between every 2 larger costae) tliinly pubescent.
It just strikes me that this sculpture of the elytra may occur in other Galeeitid^e. If so, the insufficiency of my means to ascer- tain this fact with certainty, must plead my excuse for attaching un- due importance to it. ^However, I should in this event, consider my books of reference, none of which say anj thing to that effect, greatly (and indeed more than myself) in fault, for not alluding to it, as in my opinion it is sufficiently peculiar to be mentioned.
After this lengthy preamble I shall have but a few words to say in finishing the description of the species.
45. Heteroglossa elegans. N,
H. supra rufo-castanea, capite obscuriore, maculis 2 humerali- bus obsoletissimis ferrugineis ; subtus dilutior, pedibus antennis oreque subtestaceis, elytris ad angulos apical, extern, testaceis ; long, corp, 3J lin.
In lacus Colombensis ripis, sub vegetab. putrescent, non infre- quenter cepi.
An agile, pretty little insect of chocolate color, and with the ge- neral features of the family. Head smooth, polished, above and below slightly punctured, with 2 impressions in front of the eyes, anterior angles of labrum rather acuminated. Thorax deeper and more densely punctured than the head and with the elytra thinly hirsute, rather strongly emarginated in front, less so behind; sides, especially at the basal angles, depressed, divided longitudinally by a deep furrow. Scutellum, like thorax punctured and hairy. Elytra with the inner apical angle right and the outer rounded off, large- ly punctured within the margin especially near the apex. Tibiae with a row of larger spines down the outer and a row of smaller ones down the inner side, 4-calcarate at the apex, the 2 inner spurs larger. ^
46. Heteroglossa rujicollis. N,
H. colore praecedentis sed obscurior, thorace pectoreque rufo-tes- taceis, antennis art. 3 primis nigrescentibus ; long. corp. 4 J lin. Cum præcedente sed rarius et per occasionem nocte ad lumen cepi.
The shape of the body is quite that of the former but the insect is larger. The head is less distinctly punctured than in the former and there is an additional impression in the middle of the forehead. The thorax is also less deeply punctured, but the divisional furrow is more so than in the preceding species. The anterior tibiæ appear somewhat less deeply notched. There is nothing else to add to the description that has not been pointed out already.
47. Heteroglossa bimaculata. N.
H. subcastanea, thorace capiteque rufo-testaceis, elytris medio maculis 2 flavis pictis, pedibus abdominisque apice testaceis; long. corp. 5½ lin.
Ubi præcedentes infrequentissime legi.
Head, with the exception of the forehead, deeply punctured, with 2 impressions in front of the eyes, anterior angles of labrum rounded. Thorax densely and deeply punctured, with elytra thinly pubescent. The latter with a round yellow spot at the middle of each.
48. Chlanius princeps. N.
C. aureo-viridis, scutello cupreo, elytris nigro-viridibus ad basin et infra marginem viridibus, sutura nigra, subtus piceus, coxis trochanteribusque 4 ant. dilutioribus, femoribus trochanteribusque 2 post. testaceis, tibiis tarsisque obscurioribus, ore antennisque brunneis, labro, mandibulis limboque castaneis; capite obsolete ruguloso, punctulato; antennis art. 3° quarti prope longitudine; menti dente forti laciniis apice rotundatis; thorace ovato-quadrato, latitudine parum longiore, angulis ant. subrectis, post, rotundatis, basi forti- ter 2-impresso, punctato; scutello canaliculato; elytris striatis, in striis punctatis, ad strias, prsesertim apicem versus, tenuiter pilosis; long. corp. 8 lin., lat. 3 lin.
Specimen singulum f. prope Colombo sub-lapidibus cepi.
A very handsome species, distinguished by its size and comparatively great breath. The clypeus is impressed with 2 setigerous pits near the ant. corners. The labrum is transverse, slightly sinu ated in front, narrowed at the base and has the ant, angles strongly rounded off. The last joint of both the maxillary and labial palpi is cylindric and truncated at the apex, in the maxill. it is shorter than in the labial ones, in the latter somewhat narrowed at the base and slightly inflated at the middle, both appear slightly compress- ed at the apex. The el^'tra are strongly rounded at the apex. The insect has a very strong smell, somewhat like riusk, about it.
49. Chlccniits maleolens. N.
C. capite. thorace scutelloque obscure cupreo-viridi-glaucescen- tibus. elytris o'Jscurioribus, pubescentibus, maculis 2 subapicalibus flavis ornatis, subtus piceus, pedibus testaceis, ore antennisque brunneis, mandibulis limboque castaneis ; capite ad clypei margi- nem post, profundis 2-foveolato punctulato, occipite leviter trans- versira ruguloso ; antennis art 3° quarto subsequali vel paulo bre- viore ; menti dente apice leviter sinuato ; thorace subquadrato, la- teiibus leviter rotundatis, profundius punctulato atque levissime transversim rugoloso, ad basin 2-impresso, parce piloso ; elytris densius pubescentibus, striatis, in interstitiis 3-8 utrinque ante api- cem macula suborbiculari flava ornatis ; long. corp. 6 J lin.
Specimen singulum m. prope Colombo cepi.
Also a handsome and rare species, smelling strongly and disa- greeably of creosote. Head thorax and scutellum are of a dull bluish green color with copper reflexions on the back, the elytra are of a blackish green, pubescent and adorned with 2 yellow spots between the middle and apex, this is of an irregular, rounded out- line and stretches from the middle of the 3rd interstice across to the 8 stria. The 4th joint of the maxill palpi is subcylindric, that of the labial ones larger, plump and rather triangular. Tooth of the mentum not bifid but truncated and merely slightly sinuated at the apex. The elytra are narrowed at the apex.
50. Harpalus { Ophonus J senilis, N.
H. oblongo-ovatus, subdepressus,punctato-rugosus,griseo-pubes- cens, supra seneus, subtus piceus, ore pectoreque dilutioribus, pe- dibus testaceis, antennis basi palpisque apice flavis ; capite robusto antice rotundato, postice parum angustato, thorace vix angustiore; > antennis humeros attingentibus art. 2o parvo, reliquis longitudine subsequali ; mandibulis obconicis robustis, una unidentata, altera incisa ; labro vix emarginato ; palpis art. ovato, apice abruptius angustato, leviter truncate ; thorace transverse, longitudine tertia parte latiore, elytris vix angustiore, lateribus rotundato, infra med. leviter angustato, basi subquadrato, hie vj,x, antice leviter emargi- nato, angulis apicalibus obtuse acuminatis, basalibus subrecte ro- tundatis; elytris punctato-striatis, apice fortius 2-sinuatis etangus- tatis; tarsis art. 4° cordato ; long. corp. 4| lin. lat. 1|. lin.
Prope Colombo sat copiosus. c
This as well as the succeeding two species fly very commonly into rooms at night during the rainy weather. The present spec, is a fine, comparatively large, robust insect. I may add to the above description that the emargination of the mentum is of middling size, its lobes rounded externally and its tooth just marked in the shape of a slight obtuse rising at the bottom of the emargination. The ligula is very small and narrow, the paraglossae very large adhering to it and enveloping it fully and on all sides, the whole is very slight- ly cut away at the apical angles and slightly, but abruptly and ra- ther deeply, notched at the centre of the anterior margin. I may further notice that some of the individuals before me have the apex of the maxill. palpi prolonged, cylindric and slightly bent inwards ; as this is not a sexual distinction and as the insects thus distin- guished differ in no other respect from the rest, I look upon them as curious varieties.
51. Harpalus ( OpJionus) rugosiis N.
H. prsecedenti simlllimus sed s^squi minor, magis rugosus, an- tennis robustioribus art. 5-11 ovatis leviter depressis, colore supra parum obscuriore, subtus dilutiore, pedibus albidis, coxis tarsisque brunneis, antennis totis castaneis ; long. corp. 3J lin.
The small size and, upon close inspection, the other peculiarities just pointed out, readily distinguish this species from the former in spite of their close affinity in other respects. They are both equally common about Colombo. 52. Harpalus f Selenophorus J Colomhensis. N.
H. statura prsccedentis sed gracilior, glaber, supra laete seneus, subtus subcastaneus, pedibus albidis, coxis, tarsis, antennis palpis- que testaceis, ore brunneo ; capite transversim ruguloso ; aitennis praecedente tenuioribus, palpis gracilioribus apice magis angustatis ; labro basin versus leviteV dilatato ; mandibulis infra apicem abrup- tius arcuatsD, una uni — altera bi-dentata; tboreice lateribus prccce- dente minus rotundato, basi minus angustato, hie rugoso-punctato, antice leviter longitudinaliter strigoso ; elytris striatis, parce punc- tulatis, in inter^titis 3°, 5^ et T^punctis majoribus impressis ; long, corp. 3 lin.
Prope Colombo sat copiosus. A pretty little insect, very distinct from the preceding two. I may add that it also differs somewhat in the paraglossce, the anterior angles of which are distinct.
Trib. Hakpalidce ?
Compsolepis. n. g. N.
Corpus oblongum, robustum, subconvexum. Caput ovatum, me- diocre ; oculis semiglobosis prominulis. Mentum leviter subsemi- lunariter emarginatum, lobis extus rotundatis, dente vel parvo, ob- tuso vel nullo. Ligula mediocris, cornea, oblonge quadrata, apice transversim truncata, libera, paraglossis cylindricis apice truncatis, sat robustis, marginem ant. parum superantibus. Palpi articulo ultimo elliptic©, truncato. Labrum apicem versus angustatum, apice rotundatum. Mandibulse validae, apice arcuatae, una uni — alterabi-dentata. Antennae filiformes,humeros parum superantibus, art 2° parvo, reliquis longitudine subaequali. Thorax mediocris longitudine parum latior, antice vix, postice baud emarginatus, la- teribus leviter rotundatus, basi parum angustatus, angulis omnibus rotundatis, margine elevato. Elytra ovata, infra med. parum dila- tata, apice leviter angustata et acuminata. Pedes sub8p,quales, tibiis apice bicalcaratis, calcaribus intus subtiliter serratis, ant. leviter emarginatis, tarsis 2 ant. art. 1-3 leviter dilatatis gradatim minori- bus, art. 1° cylindrico, 2° obcordato, 3^ trigono, omnes art. 4° maris bilobo, feminoo bifido, art. 5o magno, unguibus validis, simplicibus, > subtus tarsis 2 ant. art. 1-4, intermed art. 2°-4° squamularum longepedunculatarum seriebus duabus munitis.
53. Compsolepis foliolosa. N.
L. glabra, supra obscure brunnea, thoracis elytrorumque limbo testaceo, subtus brunneo-testacea; pedibus albidis; antennis art. 3 primis flavis, reliquis nigrescentibus; palpis art. ultimo testaceo, reliquis flavis; thorace ad angulos basales profundius foveolato; elytris striatis; prosterno canaliculato; long. corp. 3-4 lin.
Specimina nonnulla mens. Octob. prope Colombo nocte ad lumen cepi.
The internal vesture of the tarsi of these otherwise inconspicuous insects, constitutes their most important character and is altogether of a very interesting nature. I proceed at once to describe it at full length, premising that I believe I have both the male and female before me. The individual which I take to be the male is smaller and of a darker color than the other. The legs, with the exception of the tarsi, are the same in both sexes. They are of middling strength, the tibiæ are furnished with 2 spurs at the inner side of the apex, which spurs are finely serrated along their inner edge, the tarsi have joints 1-3 of the first pair slightly dilated, the posterior pair is elongated, subcylindric and the intermediate one forms a passage between the two. Joints 1-3 of the first pair decrease gradually in size, joint 1 being at the same time subcylindric, joint 2 rather cordiform and joint 3 rather triangular, joint 4 in all the six tarsi is bilobed in the male and bifid in the female, this character being, however, less distinctly expressed in the 2 post. tarsi than in the 4 ant. ones; joint 5 is large and the claws strong and simple, a membranaceous process of triangular form covers the base of the latter above.
The internal vesture of the 4 ant. tarsi of the male is of the following description. The inner part of joints 1-4 of the 2 ant. ones is furnished with 2 longitudinal series of peduncled squamulæ which are of a broad, triangular form and lie like tiles upon each other covering the sole of the tarsus, they are flanked by bristles which partake of the nature of the scales being dilated in the shape of a lancet. These squamulæ are without any particular color, they APRIL — JUNE 1857.] Descriptions of new Ceylon Cohopieva. 63
are unconnected amongst themselves, their edges are entire and and they attain their highest development at the apex of the 4th joint, in fact their development is gradual from the base of the 1st joint to the apex of the 4th. The intermediate tarsi, although not di- lated, are similarly provided as the anter. ones, but only at the apex of the 2nd and at the Si'd and 4th joint, the squamulae being of rather a square shape, triangularly prolonged anil peduncled at the base ; the 1st joint is naked in this pair.
The tarsi of the female are very much the same as those of the male, excepting, the 4th joint which, as above mentioned, is bifid. A further distinction exists, however, in the squamulse. In the 2 ant. tarsi of the female these are present at the apex only of the 1st and 2nd joint (hardly distinct at the former) ; however, they are well developed in the 3rd and very highly in the 4th joint, the squamulaceous bristles are less conspicuous but the peduncle at- tains extraordinary length in the 4th joint, the squamulae do not cover each other like tiles but stand more freely and loosely and are curved inward so as nearly to touch in the middle, their shape is that of an elongated triangle, they are veined and their apical edge is serrated. Being such and placed upon long, slender, pedun- cles they forcibly remind me of the leaflets of certain ferns (Adian- tum) and hence the specific name foliolosa. The intermediate tarsi are similarly provided, but, as in the male, the 1st joint is naked and the 2nd furnished at the apex only. The lower edges of the 2 posterior tarsi are very neatly fenced in with small closely set spines.
I feel doubtful as to the affinities of these insects, especially if in reality I have described both sexes and if the vesture of the inter- mediate tarsi is allowed to be of the same importance as that of the anterior ones, however, I think they must find a place amongst the Harpalid^ as restricted by Lacordaire. I must not omit to men- tion that the tooth of the mentunj appears to be variably, one of my specimens (a male) being decidedly without it, whilst another is furnished with a small, obtuse one.