THOinAS JLWCOLN
CA5ET

LIBRARY
1925

/

TEANSACTIONS

OF THE

SOUTH AFRICAN PHILOSOPHICAL

SOCIETY.

/. . c -

VOLUME X.— PAET 1

1897.

CAPE TOWN
PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY

1897.

J

TRANSACTIONS

OF THE

SOUTH AFRICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

DESCEIPTIVE CATALOGUE OP THE COLEOPTEEA
OF SOUTH AFEICA,— Part III.

By L. Peringuey, P.E.S., F.Z.S., &c.,
Assistaiit Director South African Museum.

(Bead November, 1896.)

Family PAUSSID.^.

Buccal aperture opening downward, labrum not much developed,
labial palpi three-jointed, maxillary palpi four or five-jointed,
maxillae with one inner lobe or not, short, hooked at tip, falciform or
bifid, ligula horny, concave inwardly, convex outwardly, without
paraglossae, edged with bristles or setae, both palpi and ligula hiding
the mouth or not ; mentum with tw^o sharp lateral, nearly parallel
lobes, median part slightly aculeate ; head large and with a distinct
neck [Hylotorus excepted) ; antennae varying in number of joints
from ten to two ; eyes large, lateral ; prothorax either entire on the
upper side or nearly divided in two ; elytra long, covering the abdo-
men ; pygidium large, declivous, all the coxae contiguous and provided
with trochanters ; legs short, robust, nearly always more or less
compressed, sometimes broadly dilated ; tarsi five-jointed ; pro-,
meso-, and metasternum simple ; abdomen with five segments, four
only of which are visible.

The habits of the singular insects included in this family are now
sufficiently known.

They are myrmecophilous, and although occasionally met with in
the open, the place where they should be looked for is in ants' nests

3

4 Descriptive Cataloijuc [1897.

in the vicinity of the heaps of larvae brought to the surface of the
formicarium for warmth. In the neighbourhood of Cape Town,
where four species occur, their formicarium is generally covered with
a large stone. Eaffray (' Mat^riaux pour servir a I'etude des Paus-
sides ') says that almost all the Abyssinian species live with a very
small black ant with red thorax, and that only Paussus Curtisi and
HylotorusBlanchardi are met with a small yellowish Atta. In South
Africa I know of three kinds of ants, among which Paussidcs are
found, and the range of two of them is very wide.

Plagiolepis fallax harbours Pcntaplatarthrus ixmssoicles. The
formicarium of this species is occasionally very large, and the number
of P. paitssoidcs found in one nest has been known to exceed eighty.
Three more beetles are found with this ant — Thorictus capensis, Per.,
Cossyphodes BeivicM, WolL, and Eupsalis vulsellata.

Mr. C. N. Barker, of D'Urban, Natal, has sent me an example of
Cerapterus concolor y^hichheiom-i^ dead, but still limp, being dragged
to the nest by workers of this ant.

Herr Guienzius, who collected for a number of years round
D'Urban, says, as quoted by Westwood (' Thesaurus Entomologicus
Oxoniensis,' p. 73), that with few exceptions " all the specimens which
he had taken were found in ants' nests, living with species which
are carnivorous : Cerapterus, Pleuropterus and Pentaplatarthrus,
with different larger species, but the true Paussi seem to live only
with small species of ants ; he had found, indeed, as many as seven
distinct species of Paussi living with one and the same species of
ants."

I am not aware that Cerapterus has been found, except by
Guienzius in ants' nests in South Africa, and the fact of the dead
specimen above mentioned being dragged to the nest does not
necessarily imply that it was being brought back to its former abode,
although I have related the occurrence of a somewhat similar case,
but the Paussus {P. Burmeisteri) was alive. (" Notes on three
Paussi," Trans. Entom. Soc. Lond., 1883, p. 138.)

Pheidole capensis, or Pheidole piinctulata, harbours Paussus cul-
tratus, P. cucullatus, P. Schuckardi P. Burmeisteri, P. Linnei, and
P. Khuji. I do not know of any other myrmecophilous beetle
harboured by this or (?) these ants.

Acantholepis capensis harbours Paussus lineatus, and also two
other beetles — one of the few South African Clavigeridce, Fustigerodes
majusculus, P6r. ; and a Ptinus spec. nov.

The Paussidce are occasionally found flying at the hottest time of
the day, but they may be said to be crepuscular or nocturnal. The
numerous examples of Cerapterus (two kinds) submitted to me or

1897.] of the, Goleoptera of South Africa. 5

received at the Museum have always been caught coming to the hghts
in houses or at the camp fire. This is also the case with Pleuropterus
(two kinds) and other Paussus ; and the specimens thus caught are
mostly males.

However, because these insects are found in ants' nests, it does
not follow that they are of use to the ants in the way that AphidcB
are, and Clavigeridce are said to be. I have kept in captivity for a
lengthy period a good many examples of three Paussi {P. Burmeisteri,
P. Linnei, and P. lineatus) as well as Pentaplatarthrus paussoides,
and I never saw the ants attending to them at all. The Paussi are
carnivorous and are feeding on the young larvae, but rather than
drag them away by force, the nurses prefer removing the heap of
larvae and eggs from their reach.

I have suggested (Proc. Entom. Soc, Lond., 1886, p. xxxvi) that
either the crepitating power of the beetle is so well known to the
ants that they make a virtue of necessity, or that they are so much
accustomed to the presence of Paussi in their colonies through
hereditary consciousness of that crepitating power that they no
longer struggle against the intruders. This latter view, if correct,
seems to go far in explaining why so many species of Paussi are
found in the nests of ants belonging to the genus Pheidole/'^

It might be objected that Paussi kept under unusual conditions in
an artificial formicarium might adapt themselves to the conditions
obtaining therein and devour the larvae for want of the ordinary
staple food, but the appetite of the examples under my observation
was as keen when introduced into the formicarium as later on. I
have in two instances caught Paussus munching away ants' larvae
in ants' nests.

The anatomy of the buccal organs shows, I think, unmistakably that
the diet of the Paussi must consist of something soft ; the mandibles
are, it is true, long, sharp, and more or less falcate at tip, but this is
not so much for the purpose of seizing the prey as of use for mating.
It is by means of these organs that the male catches hold of the
discoidal cavity in the prothorax of the female, and the small pads
of flavescent hairs which, I believe, are ahvays present in fresh
examples of the genus Paussus, are also probably connected with
copulating purposes. The jaws (maxillcB) are decidedly feeble, the
internal lobe is seldom set with rigid spines, and they are, as a rule,
deeply incised, or bifid, and eminently adapted for slow manducation
accompanied by suction, such as I found to be the case with the

* Paussus Favieri, one of the two European species, and occurring in Southern
France, Spain, and Algeria, is also found in the nests of a Pheidole, P. megace-
])}iala ; and the other, P. turcicus, with Pheidole pallidula.

6 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

three kinds of Paussus which I kept in captivity. While in the act
of taking food the labial palpi hang at right angles with the
mouth, and no movement of the jaws is visible ; in fact it was only
by using a very shallow formicarium that I was able to watch the
Paussi taking food.

It is difficult to detect the sexes of Paussidce from external
characters, and, with a few exceptions, dissection is the only means
available. I have already stated that the males seize hold of the
prothoracic cavity of the female with their jaws for mating, but this
prothoracic cavity is common to both sexes in Paussus, and there are
other genera where this prothoracic cavity is wanting, but in those
all the tarsi are dilated and covered underneath with dense, short
papillae. It is well known that many male Carabidce and Hydropliilidai
have the front, and sometimes the intermediate, tarsi provided with
such cusp-like development in order to maintain the female for
mating purpose, but in Ccrapterus these papillae occur in both sexes ;
of that there can be no doubt — I have proved it by dissection. It
is, however, possible to recognise the female by means of the slight
acumination of the median part of the apex of the pygidium. I
have not yet met with the female of Arthroptcrus, but Eaffray states
that in this sex the tarsi are ciliate underneath, and it yet remains
to be seen if in Pleuropterus, the other South African genus having
no excavated prothorax, the tarsi of the female are papillose under-
neath. In Paussus Curtisi the antennal club is a little longer in the
male than in the female, but in P. pilanicollis, an Abyssinian
species, it is longer in the female than in the male.

When touched either by the hand or with a straw the Paussidce
crepitate, and the detonation is accompanied by the discharge of a
caustic fluid which not only stains the finger as iodine or lunar
caustic would, but the whole body of the insect as well as its
immediate neighbourhood is covered with a bright yellow^ fluid,
which becomes pulverulent almost immediately, and slowly dis-
appears. Free iodine is reported to have been found in the discharge
of a Javanese species, Ccrapterus quadrimaculatus.

I am rather inclined to think that the detonation is produced by
the contact of the fluid with the air, because, although expelled from
behind, the anterior part of the animal is immediately covered by the
yellow pulverulence, and is, therefore, in the centre of the explosion.

Baftray, in his ' Recherches anatomiques sur le Pcntaplatarthrus
paussoides,' has given a masterly account of the secreting and
detonating organs of this Paussid. He finds that the organ for the
secretion of the caustic fluid is really a duplicate one, one on each
side of the body, independent from one another, and situated far

1897.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 7

from the rectum and anus and not connected ; it opens in the upper
part of the lateral angle of the pygidium, and consists of a sub-
pyriform vesicle partly adhering to the tergite of the copulating
clasper, and opens in a pore situated near the last stigmata, but
underneath it ; the sides are inflated near the opening, and have two
apophyses provided with a powerful fascicle of muscles ; on the top
of this vesicle is a compressed, membranaceous, short tube trans-
versely fibrous, acting as vas deferens, and ending in a large trilobate
bladder of thick texture supporting a coiled vessel of moderately
large diameter and consisting of two concentric tubes. This vessel,
which is the secreting one, is not connected with any gland, but free
and immerged in the adipose tissues.

The position of the Paussidce in the systematic arrangement of the
Coleoptera has been much discussed. Burmeister gave as his opinion
that they were true Adephaga. It is known that among the CarahidcB
the genus Ozaeiia has the same crepitating power as the PamsidicB,
and as Lacordaire says : " Not only Ozaeiia has on each elytron the
peculiar lateral, posterior tubercle, but it has also another character
in common, i.e., the trochanters project from the internal edge of the
posterior coxae." The crepitating power of Brachinides is well
known, and most of the Truncatipennes exude from the anal segment
a fluid, the emission of which, however, is seldom accompanied by a
detonation ; Harpalides do the same, and under certain circumstances
some of them crepitate also. Two South African species, Stenolophus
capensis d,ndL Acupalpus tcrminalis, do occasionally detonate, and send
a small column of whitish smoke when seized. I am not aware of
any other Coleopterous insect included in other families that possess
this detonating power, and this in itself might be an inducement to
bring the Paussida in the vicinity of the Garahidce, had not Eaffray
shown that whereas the digestive system as well as the male genital
armature are like that of the Carabidous beetles, the nervous system
is very dissimilar, the CarabidcB having twelve ganglia, of which six
are abdominal, while the Paussida have seven ganglia, of which
one only is abdominal.

Paussidce can thus be considered as a very distinct family, greatly
modified by the diet and habits acquired through parasitism or mess-
mating, but having more afiinities with the Garahida than with any
of the other families of the order Coleoptera.

They occur in Europe, South America (Brazil), Asia, Ceylon,
Java, Australia, Madagascar, and Africa, and now number 223
species included in 16 genera. They are represented in Africa by
7 genera, 2 of which are peculiar to this part of the world,
and 92 species, while of these 6 genera and 46 species are now

8 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

known to occur in South Africa. The discovery of no less than 15
new species from 1885 to date leads me to believe that this number
will be much increased ultimately.

Synopsis of Genera.

Labial and maxillary palpi free, not hiding the buccal
cavity.

Antennae ten-jointed, joints not fused.

Ligula ovate, large ; maxillae with a distinct outer lobe ;
all tarsi with the four basal joints papillose underneath in
both sexes Cerapterus.

Ligula very small, triangular ; maxillae without outer lobe Arthroptems.

AntenuEe ten-jointed, all joints but the basal one fused ;
maxillae bilobate Pleuropterus.

Antennae six-jointed, all joints but the basal one fused ;
maxillae without outer lobe Pentaplatartlirus.

Labial and maxillary palpi hiding the buccal cavity.

Antennae two-jointed.

Head with a neck, no groove in front for the reception of
the antennal club Paussns.

Head without neck, a groove in front for the recej)tion of
the antennae Hylotorus.

Gen. CEEAPTEEUS, Sweder.,
Vetensk. Ac. HandL, ix., 1788, p. 203.

Orthopterus, Westw.

Euthysoma, Jas. Thorns.

Head short, subelongato-quadrate, dilated behind the eyes, which
are very large and prominent, narrowed into a very distinct neck ;
mandibles moderately long, falciform ; mentum with the latei-al
lobes not much developed ; ligula large, ovate, spatuliform, convex,
finely grooved longitudinally in the centre, upper edge set with
bristles ; basal joint of labial palpi annuliform, second subconical,
short, third much inflated, bell-shaped, truncate and hollow at tip ;
maxillary palpi four- jointed, apical joint as long as the two preceding
ones together and subacuminate ; maxillae with an elongato-ovate
membranaceous lobe, short, hooked at tip and pectixiate along the
inner edge ; antennae ten-jointed, basal joint subquadrangular, the
others compressed, set transversely, joined in the centre only, and
nearly four times as broad as long ; prothorax transverse, slightly
rounded laterally and nearly twice as broad as long ; elytra elongato-
quadrate, slightly tuberculate laterally at the apex ; legs short,
massive, much compressed ; apical part of tibiae hollowed so as to
partly receive the tarsi ; tarsi dilated, the two basal joints fused, all

1897.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 9

four thickly papillose underneath in both sexes, the fifth long, very
slender, claws also long, slender and simple.

The genus is also represented in the West Coast of Africa (Sierra
Leone, Guinea, Eio Grande), and in India (Pondichery), Ceylon,
and Java.

Synopsis of Species.

AnteniiEe elongate, curving slightly outwards, transverse joints
closely set together Smithi.

Antennae not curved and shorter, transverse joints not closely set
together concolor.

Cbbapterus smithi, MacLeay,
Smith's Illustr. Afric. Annul., p. 74, pi. iv., fig. 1; Westvi^., Arcana
Entom., vol. ii., p. 7, pi. xlix., fig. 4; Eafiray, Mater. Etud.
Pauss., pi. xvii., 7-10.

Var. Concolor, Schaum., Wiegm. Archiv., 1850, vol. ii., p. 169.

Chestnut brown, shining ; elytra with a U-shaped flavescent band
on each side of the apical part ; head plane on the vertex, frontal
part punctured, each puncture bearing a long seta, no impression on
the vertex ; basal joint of antennae deeply punctured, densely pubes-
cent, transverse joints pilose on both sides but more densely on the
upper ; prothorax twice as broad as long, a little rounded laterally,
with the edges densely ciliate all round, smooth on the upper part,
finely grooved longitudinally in the middle, the groove interrupted
at an equal distance from base and apex, and rather plane than
convex ; elytra elongato-quadi*ate, smooth with a few short, seriated
flavescent hairs on the discoidal part, denser and longer laterally ;
pygidium not very declivous, moderately punctured and very briefly
pubescent ; legs with moderately dense punctures bearing a long
flavescent bristle. Length 13-15^ mm. ; width 6|— 7 mm.

Hab. Transvaal (Potchefstroom, Eustenburg), Damaraland,
Ovampoland, Zambezia (Buluwayo).

Cerapterus concolor, Westw.,
Proc. Linn. Soc, ii., 1849, p. 55.

Closely allied to the preceding species, but differentiated by the
shape of the antennte, which are not quite so long, not curved out-
wardly at all, and the transverse joints of which are more separated
from one another than in G. Smithi ; the head and prothorax are
alike, and the elytra also, but the U-shaped apical patch is sometimes
hardly distinguishable or entirely absent.

G. concolor, Sch., given in the Munich Catalogue, as well as in
Eaffray's list, as a variety of G. Smithi, might prove to be identical

10 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

with the present species, but this I have not been able to ascertain.
I had imagined that C. concolor, owing to the shorter antennae
and their straighter shape, was the female of C. Smithi, of which
MacLeay has given an excellent figm-e, but on dissection I have
found that these specific characters hold good in both sexes. Length
11^14 mm. ; width 5-6 mm.

Hah. Natal (D'Urban), Zambezia (Zambeze Falls, Salisbury),
Zululand (Eshowe), Swazieland.

Cerapterus laceratus, Dohrn,
Stett. Ent. Zeit., 1891, p. 388.

" Not very well preserved, but yet so far recognisable that it can
be plainly described, is another Paussid, the habitat of which, nearer
than South Africa, I am not aware of. The half of the right posterior
elytron and several tarsi are wanting. However, as I have waited
eight years in vain for a second specimen, I describe mine as follows :
Paussus [Cerapterus) laceratus; brownish red; elytra moderately
shining and having a fulvous lunule towards the apex ; eyes black ;
prothorax shining ; elytra slightly wider than the prothorax and
elongate. Length 15 mm. ; width 4 mm.

" Through the shape of the well-preserved antennge the animal is
connected with C. Smithi, Lafertei ; this confirms its African origin.
It differs from these two species in having a somewhat more slender
facies ; the fulvous lunule at the end of the elytra, as well as the
characteristic antennae and tarsi, show the animal to be unmistakably
a Cerapterus. The species of that genus in my collection [C. Smithi,
concolor, Lafertei) are all dark brown, nearly black, but C. laceratus
is light reddish brown ; this and a somewhat narrower prothorax
give it a more slender appearance. I have no doubt that it is
specifically different."

Gen. AETHEOPTEEUS, MacLeay,
Smith's Illustr. Afric. Annul., 1838, p. 75.

Head and antennte as in Cerapterus ; maxillae without outer lobe,
not hooked at tip but with six sharp teeth along the iimer edge ;
ligula very small, triangular ; legs compressed, anterior tarsi of
male not much dilated, papillose underneath, posterior and inter-
mediate slightly less papillose underneath and more villose laterally,
those of the female ciliate underneath ; prothorax somewhat cordi-
form ; head with two round depressions on the vertex.

This genus has several representatives in Australia, and another
species is recorded from Abyssinia.

1897.] of the Goleoptera of South Africa. 11

Aethropterus Kiebyi, Westw.,

Proc. Ent. Soc, 1864, p. 189 ; Thesaur. Entom. Oxon., p. 79,
pi. xvi., fig. 1.

Chestnut brown, glabrous, shining ; antennge long, the transverse
joints of equal width, except the second one, closely set, and hardly-
pubescent ; head with two deep impressions on the vertex close to
the eyes ; prothorax subelongato-quadrate, marginate, slightly
sinuate above the basal angle and with a lateral impression on each
side, smooth, not fringed with hairs, and with a narrow median
longitudinal groove reaching neither base nor apex ; elytra straight
laterally and not much broader at the base than the prothorax, but
gradually ampliated till the apex, where they are not truncate, but
gradually rounded off, quite smooth and hairless, with an elongated
flavescent lateral patch above the subtuberculated fold, the posterior
margin is also narrowly flavescent, and the suture has a very narrow
line of the same colour ascending from the apex to a little past the
median part ; the tibiae are moderately broad and compressed, and
the anterior ones a little arcuate inwardly.

The only specimen that I have seen (male) differs a little from
the figure given by Westwood. The two impressions on the vertex
are not in front of the eyes, but at about the median part and close
to them ; the prothorax is of the same colour as the head and elytra,
and not flavescent, and has no trace of two discoidal round impres-
sions, and the elytra are not truncate behind, but sloping and
gradually rounded from the posterior subtuberculated ^jart of the
fold. There is little doubt however that the two specimens belong
to one species. Length 7 mm. ; width 3 mm.

Hah. Natal (D'Urban).

Gen. PLEUEOPTERUS, Westw.,
Trans. Linn. Soc, xviii., 1841, p. 585.

Heteropaussus, Jas. Thoms.

Head elongato-quadrate, not dilated behind the eyes, but slightly
constricted there and prolonged into a neck not much narrower than
the head ; maxillary palpi quadri-articulate, second joint as long as
the two following, apical one subacuminate ; maxillge with a very
short, subrudimentary outer lobe, inner lobe hooked at tip and pluri-
dentate along the inner edge ; ligula convex, broad, ovate, convex
outwardly and carinate in the centre ; labial palpi triarticulate, last
joint swollen, subelongato-ovate and subacuminate ; labrum sharply
triangular ; antennae compressed, ten-jointed, basal joint subelon-
gato-quadrate, the other joints transverse, partly or completely fused

12 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

together ; prothorax transverse with the sides recurved ; elytra
elongate, parallel, costate or partly costate, and projecting a little
beyond the pygidium ; legs slender, the tibiae especially ; inter-
mediate coxae irregular in shape and femora compressed ; tarsi
long ; in the male the four basal joints of every tarsi are thickly
papillose underneath, the first basal joint is small, the second is
dilated, elongato-quadrate, and longer than the following two
together; posterior tibiae of male slightly sinuate. I have not seen
any female example as yet.

Besides the two South African species, two more are recorded
from Africa (Senegal, Congo), and one from Ceylon.

I Synopsis of Species.

Elytra with four rounded costee on each side, testaceous with two
discoidal longitudinal bands on each side alternans.

Elytra with a short basal costa, black, with the suture, a short
basal band, a post-median sinuate patch and the posterior margin
light testaceous hastatiis.

Pleuropterus alternans, Westw.,
Proc. Linn. Soc, ii., 1849, p. 56 ; Thesaur. Entom. Oxon., p. 74,

pi. xvi., fig. 2.

Head, antennge, prothorax, and legs reddish brown ; elytra tes-
taceous and having on each side two broad, longitudinal dorsal black
bands uniting above the apex ; head deeply punctured and densely
bristly ; antennae with short, squamiform hairs, very closely set to-
gether and united by a broad node, basal joint and also the long outer
spur of the second joint slightly pilose ; prothorax nearly twice as broad
as long, almost straight in front, sinuate laterally with the posterior
angle penicillate, depressed on the lateral part of the disk, subgibbose
in the middle, finely grooved longitudinally and with the posterior
median part excavate, with the sides of the excavation produced in
a triangular projection rounded at tip ; elytra with the shoulders
rounded, elongate, parallel, and having on each side six distinct
costffi, the two dorsal ones of which are more raised than the
other two, the second dorsal costa is the only one that reaches the
base ; lateral and posterior margins with a few rigid setae ; pygidium
glabrous with a fringe of very short bristles ; femora nearly glabrous ;
tibiae setulose. Length 9-10 mm.; width 4-4^ mm.

Hab. Natal (D' Urban, Eshowe). Is said to have been captured
in Mozambique and at Lake N 'Garni.

1897.] of the Goleoptera of South Africa. 13

P. HASTATUS, Westw.,

Proc. Linn. Soc, 1849, p. 57; Thesaur. Entom. Oxon., p. 74,
pi. xvi., fig. 3.

Palpi, antenna, and legs dark chestnut brown ; head and prothorax
varying from dark brown to piceous red ; elytra black with a basal
dorsal elongated flavescent patch, and a diagonal post-median trans-
verse one reaching from one median part of the disk to the other,
and much narrowed on each side of the suture, the posterior margin
has also a moderately broad band, which narrows and ascends along
the suture as far as the transverse dorsal band ; head very rugose,
pilose, and with two round tubercles at the apical part of the vertex ;
antennae briefly pilose, with the hairs longer on the basal joint and
on the inner and outer angles of the second one, joints very closely
set, and seemingly fused altogether ; prothorax twice as broad as
long, slightly sinuate in front with the sides rounded, recurved,
sinuate in the posterior part, with the basal angle slightly sloping
and penicillate, discoidal part moderately plane, and with a narrow
longitudinal groove ; sides depressed ; posterior part very broadly
excavate for nearly two-thirds of the width, and with a small tuber-
cular projection at each end ; elytra with the shoulders a little
rounded, thickly but briefly pubescent, very faintly striate, but with
a very well-developed basal, round costa, reaching only one-sixth of
the length ; pygidium punctulate, briefly pubescent, and with a thick
fringe of short hairs on the margins. Length 10^-lOf mm. ; width
4i^ mm.

Hah. Natal (D'Ur-ban, Upper Districts). Female unknown.

Gen. PENTAPLATAETHEUS, Westw.,

Trans. Linn. Soc, xvi., 1833, p. 616; Eaffray, Mater. Etud.

Pauss., pi. xvii., figs. 17, 18, 21.

Head elongato-quadrate, surrounding the eyes behind ; neck very

short ; maxillary palpi quadri-articulate, basal one conical, shorter

than the other three, second as long, thicker than the apical one,

which is subacuminate ; maxillae broad, short, not hooked at tip, but

fringed with bristles in the inner and outer edges, and without any

trace of outer lobe ; labial palpi triarticulate, apical joint as long as

the two preceding ones, swollen truncate and hollowed at tip ;

labrum in the shape of a broad triangle ; mandibles straight at the

base as far as the median part, and diagonal from there to the apex,

which is very sharp ; antennae six-jointed, basal joint irregular, a

little incurved, the other five joints flat, transverse, fused together,

second joint one-fourth the length of the third ; prothorax spinose

14 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

laterally, tuberculate in the anterior part, excavate behind ; elytra
elongato-qnadrate, with the shoulders not rounded, truncate behind;
pygidium perpendicular, triangular, deeply excavate on the dorsal
part, and with the declivity convex, the upper margin incised
in the middle, with the incision filled with a yellow pubescence ;
femora and tibiae compressed, dilated ; tarsi neither dilated nor
papillose.

Two species of this genus have been lately described, from the
East Coast of Africa (Dar-es-Salaam and Somaliland), which,
judging from the description, are very closely allied to the two South
African species. I have also seen a very large example from the
Zanzibar mainland, in the collection of Mr. E. Oberthur.

SytiojJsis of Species.

Elytra totally chestnut brown . . . . . . . . . . imussoidcs.

Elytra with a broad median transverse infuscate band, and a
narrower supra-apical one . . . . . . . . . . . . natalcnsis.

Pentaplataethrus paussoides, Westw.,

Trans. Linn. Soc, xvi., 1833, p. 619, pi. xxxiii., figs. 1-14; Arcana

Entom., ii., p. 88, pi. Iviii., fig. 2.

Chestnut brown, shining ; antennae squamose ; head deeply punc-
tured, with the punctures squamose, elongato-quadrate and with a
broad, deep impression on the vertex, neck not narrower than the
head, and more closely punctured ; prothorax subcordate, with the
anterior part ridged, the ridge high, broadly incised in the centre,
with the lobes divaricating, and also on each side where the incised
part is developed in a lateral l^lunt spine ; the anterior part of the
ridge has two deep impressions ; the median part has a deep
excavation edged on each side by a narrow, rounded ridge, and pro-
duced up to the base in a deep, broad groove ; it is nearly glabrous ;
elytra elongato-quadrate, slightly rounded at the humeral angle,
truncate behind, roughly and irregularly punctured, and very briefly
pubescent ; in the outer and posterior margins there is a series of
short setffi, and two at the tip of the posterior declivity ; legs briefly
setulose. Length 6-7^ mm. ; width 2|— 3^ mm.

Hab. Cape Colony (Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Carnarvon, Beau-
fort West).

Pentaplatarthrus natalensis, Westw.,
Proc. Linn. Soc, ii., 1849, p. 57.
In shape and sculpture P. natalensis can hardly be distinguished
from P. jyaiissoides, but it is always larger, and the elytra, instead of

1897.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 15

being of a uniform colour all over, are distinctly redder, and have a
broad median transverse dark band, sometimes piceous black, as
well as a narrower one edging the apex ; owing to the larger size,
the punctures on the elytra are also deeper and coarser, and so far
as I know P. natalensis does not occur in the Cape Colony proper,
whereas I have not recorded P. paussoides from anywhere else.
Length 8|— 9^ mm. ; width 31^-4 mm.

Hah. Free State (Vaal Eiver), Transvaal (Potchefstroom),
Ovampoland (Okovango River).

Gen. PAUSSUS, Linn.,
Bigae Insect., Upsal, 1775, p. 7.

Maxillary palpi four-jointed, the second longer and wider than the
others, labial palpi three-jointed, the apical joint longer than the
others and more or less acuminate at tip ; maxillae without internal
lobe, short and bifid ; ligula transverse, sometimes slightly sinuate,
always setose at tip, concave inwardly, convex outwardly, and
covering, with the palpi, the buccal cavity ; head declivous in front,
more or less elongato-quadrate, dilated behind the eyes, and
narrowed into a distinct neck ; vertex with either a conical, some-
times penicillated, spine, ridges, depressions, or prominences bearing
two small fossae ; eyes reniform or oval, with the posterior part of
the head edging the eye, projecting often and sometimes aculeate ;
antennae two-jointed, the basal joint thick, more or less quadrate, the
second one varying much in shape ; prothorax either transverse or
cordiform, in which case it is incised laterally and impressed trans-
versely, or made bipartite by a deep, transverse, sinuous groove, but
having always on each side a small patch of dense, short, flavescent
hairs ; elytra elongato-quadrate, parallel or subparallel, not much
convex, covering the whole abdomen except the pygidium, and
having on each side of the apical angle a small but very distinct
ridged tubercle ; they are more or less deeply punctulate and
pubescent, the pubescence being sometimes reduced to squamiform
scattered hairs, but are not striate ; legs short, compressed, bristly,
setulose or squamose ; femora claviform, subclaviform or com-
pressed ; tibiae either subcylindrical, moderately compressed or
dilated ; tarsi five-jointed, joints of anterior pair bristly underneath
in both sexes.

From the diversity of characteristics given in this diagnosis, it is
seen how difficult of arrangement the species of Paussus will prove
to be. The extraordinary shape of the second joint, or antennal
club, is probably the means of identifying the species. No antennal

16 Descriiitive Catalogue [1897.

clubs are exactly alike, and they vary in shape from a more or less
regularly lenticular, round, oval, oblong, laminiform to cylindrical ;
the outer margin is often ampliate, excavate, or grooved, in which
case the edges of the hollowed margin are more or less setigerous,
and they have also on either the upper declivity, or on both sides,
transverse striae, which might perhaps imply that the articulations
have become fused together.

Pew South African Paussus can be said to have a close ally,
excepting P. lineatus and P. Afzelii, which are however very
distinct ; P. Sdiaumi and P. Germari, which will probably prove to
be identical ; and P. cucullatus and P. ruber. If the shape of the
maxillary palpi were taken into consideration, the South African
species could be divided in eight groups : —

1. Second joint of maxillary palpi about equal to or a little shorter
than the two following, subcylindrical, curving a little outwardly,
and tapering slightly from base to apex : P. Humholdti, damarinus,
mwms, sinnicoxis,2wopinquus, rusticus, vianicanus, fallax, Bohemani.

2. Second joint longer than the other two following : P. signati-
pennis.

3. Second joint shorter than the two following; apical joint of
maxillse long, and nearly tapering from base to apex : P. cidtratus.

4. Second joint as long as the other two, but twice as wide ; last
joint of maxillary palpi short, elongato-ovate : P. lineatus, Afzelii.

5. Second joint elongato-quadrate, or curved outwardly from base
to middle, and diagonal from there to apex, truncate at tip, where it
is broader than the two following : P. cylindricornis , ScJuickardi,
Curtisi.

6. Second joint nearly straight inwardly, much swollen and
rounded outwardly, the two joints following small, narrow : P.
Klugi, cucidlatus, Burchellianus, ruber, cochlearius , viator, Linnei
Burmeisteri, Marshalli. ■■'■

7. Second joint broadly inflated, nearly hexagonal, irregularly
rounded outwardly and deeply incised at base, inwardly : P. granu-
latus.

8. Second joint broadly quadrate : P. Schauvii, Germari.
"Where the second joint is inflated it is slightly convex outwardly

and concave inwardly.

To the first group belong all species with a conical spine on the
vertex of the head, whether with bipartite prothorax or not. The
second contains only one species, as does the third ; but these species
are strikingly distinct, as is also the case in groups seven and eight ;

* In P. Marshalli the second joint is broader and more quadrate inwardly,
and the two joints following are longer.

1897.] of the Colcoptera of South Africa. 17

in group five are three species with cyhndrical antennal club, but
there is a Httle difference between Curtisi and cylindricornis , but
they agree in having the second joint broader at tip than the third,
and truncate, while the sixth group includes all species with bipar-
tite prothorax, the anterior part of which is ridged, lenticular, or in
the shape of a broadly truncate one.

This arrangement is, however, somewhat artificial, but in order to
make the identification easier I have adopted another one which is
more artificial still, but which, I hope, will facilitate the identification.

Synopsis of Species.

I.

Head with a conical spine ou vertex.

a.

Club of antennae more or less ovate, but always sinuate in the
posterior margin, thickened in the centre, and a little longer
than broad.

b.
Prothorax impressed transversely and constricted laterally in
the centre, but with the anterior part not much more raised than
the posterior.

c.

Posterior tibite compressed but slender, femora moderately
clavate.

Club of antennae very thiclv, hardly marginate behind, and
with four longitudinal, shallow strias on the upper part of the
outer declivity ; prothorax quadrate, divided in two parts of
nearly equal size by a deej), transverse impression Jiumholdti.

Club much thickened in the posterior part, bisinuate out-
wardly and having four longitudinal striae on the upper and
under parts of the outer declivity and indenting the edges of the
outer margin, which is slightly scooped ; prothorax rounded
laterally, constricted behind and deeply impressed in the middle damarinns.

Club subelongate, not very thick and of nearly equal thick-
ness, anterior margin nearly straight inimxis.

Club subelongate, with five deep strise on the outer declivity,
outer margin deeply grooved, both edges with five impressions . . dolirni.

Club subelongate, acutely marginate all round and having on
both sides of the outer declivity four longitudinal strise not
indenting the outer margin ; prothorax with the anterior angles
rounded, the sides nearly straight, and with a deep median
cavity spinicoxis.

Club subelongate, not much convex, sharply carinate all round
and without any striation in the outer declivity ; median part of
prothorax deeply impressed projnnquus.

Club lenticular, carinate all round, outer margin with three
very small indentations in the middle ; prothorax with a shallow
median impression, and very deeply constricted laterally . . . . rusticus.

2

18

Descriptive Catalogue

[1897.

Club of antennae globose, carinate all round, and without any
striation on the outer declivity ; prothorax nearly parallel and
with a deep, transverse impression arduus.

Femora very slender at base and strongly clavate at apex;
tibise incurved.

b b.

Prothorax bipartite, anterior part perpendicular and much
higher than the posterior.

Club thick, rounded, sharply marginate inwardly, produced
in a sharp, recurved spine at the tip, posterior margin nearly
straight, slightly grooved, upper and under parts of the outer
declivity with four shallow stride, the intervals of which dent
slightly both edges bohemani.

Club thick, rounded, sharply marginate inwardl)', sinuate at
tip, outer part sinuate at apex and base with the basal angle
long and sharp, margin slightly grooved, and with two faint
impressions in the groove, no strise on the outer declivity . . . . fallax.

II.

Head without a vertical, conical spine ; p3'gidium not bristly.

a.
Club of antennte thickened, longer than broad, outer margin
neither grooved nor scooped.

b.
Prothorax impressed transversely, anterior part not much
more raised than the posterior.

c.

Posterior tibiae compressed but slender.

Club oblong, outer margin not sinuate ; prothorax constricted
laterally past the middle, and with a deep, median, transverse
impression manicanus.

Club elongato-ovate, outer margin bisinuate and incised at
the base above the basal outer spur ; prothorax constricted
laterally, and with only a very slight transverse median im- \inerviis.
pression ( aristoteli.

Club long, more or less laminate and ensiform.

bb.
Prothorax bipartite, the anterior part much more raised than
the posterior.

c.
Posterior tibiae slender.

(Elytra ferruginous red.)
Club long, not much curved outwardly, apex rounded and
slightly narrower than the base ; elytra with a black diagonal
band, a post-median patch and an apical spot of the same colour dgnntipennis.
(Elytra blue black, edged with ferruginous.)
Club long, broad, slightly curved, outer margin broadly
grooved, groove alveolate, upper edge with six serrations, inter-
vals of serration sctulose concimms.

1897.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 19

Club a little thicker in the outer than in the inner part, a
little curved, not narrower at apex than at base and having a
narrow groove in the outer margin reaching from the base to
two-thirds of the length schaumi.

Club similar to the preceding one, but a little shorter and a
little narrower at apex germari.

c c.
Posterior tibiae broadly dilated.

(Elytra piceous black, edged with ferruginous.)
Club subensiform, very long, outer margin with a moderately
wide groove reaching from the base to near the apex, edges of
the groove faintly notched raffrayia.

a a a.
Club long, narrow, recurved, outer margin deeply scooped from
base to past the median part or near the apex, upper edge sub-
denticulate.

c.
Posterior tibise slender.

(Elytra blue black, edged with ferruginous.)
Club with four impressions on the upper posterior declivity
crenating the upper edge of the outer margin, outer basal angle

long and sharp lineatus.

Club with six impressions crenating the upper edge of the
outer margin, lower edge of posterior groove sinuate, outer basal
short, sharp afzelii.

a a a a.

Club scythe-shaped.

Club compressed, outer margin not grooved, basal angle long
and sharp; prothorax with a deep, round impression on each
side, anterior part not much raised cultrahis.

Club rounded, not compressed, more lanceolate than falciform
but curved, swollen at base and narrowed in a very sharp point,
no outer basal spur ; prothorax nearly cleft in two in the
median part ; elytra with a deep supra-lateral groove on each
side granulatus.

a a a a a.
Club straight, narrow, sublaminiform.

c c.

Posterior tibite broadly dilated.

Club sharp in the inner part and thicker in the outer, the
margin of which is broadly grooved from base to apex with six
impressions in the groove, and six denticulations in the upper
edge klugi.

a a a a a a.
Club of antennse broad, dilated, and broadly excavated out-
wardly.

c c.
Posterior tibise broadly dilated.

Head with a raised elevation on the vertex and two small pits,
inner margin of club lamelliform and with four striae, outer

20 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

margin broadly excavate for nearlj' all the length and striate on
the upper declivity as well as in the excavation, outer basal angle
broad; anterior part of prothorax lenticular, incised in the
middle, but not aculeate laterally cucullatus.

Head plane and with two small tubercles on vertex ; club as
in the preceding species but with the apical part a little more
acuminate and with the outer basal angle sharper and longer ;
anterior part of prothorax with a sharp lateral spine ruber.

Club compressed and laininate for half the length, the outer
margin broadly scooped out at the apex, the upper edge with
five slightly projecting ridges ; anterior part of prothorax sub-
aculeate laterally cochlearms.

Club with the inner margin sharp, quadri-impressed, a little
sinuate, outer margin scooped from base to apex, and with five
striae denting slightly the edges ; anterior part of prothorax not
aculeate viator.

c.

Posterior tibiae slender.

Club with two basal striae in the inner margin, outer margin
broad, excavate and with five ridges in the excavation projecting
as a rounded denticulation beyond the edges, basal outer angle
as long as the whole base, narrow and cylindrical ; anterior part
of prothorax with a sharp spine on each side burchcUianus.

Club laminate in the inner and basal margins, with the outer
margin enlarged and broadly excavate from the basal angle to
the apex, lower edge of the excavation broader than the upper,
the latter sinuate near the apex, both edges slightly striate in-
wardly ; head with four rounded tubercles on vertex ; posterior
tibiae a little dilated in the median part rugiccps.

Club curving outwardly, convex in the anterior part, broadly
scooped in the posterior one, the lower edge of which is slightly
sinuate, while the upper one is briefly subdentate ; hind tibiae
slender degeeri.

a a a a a a a.
Antennae thick, deeply and broadly grooved across the upper
part.

c.

Posterior tibiae not dilated.

Club with two small, closely set sinuations on the inner
margin, basal part nearly straight, apical part of upper surface
broadly grooved diagonally linnei.

c c.

Posterior tibiae broadly dilated.

Club with the inner margin slightly bi-impressed, the outer
one strongly bisinuate, upper surface with a broad but not deep
excavation near the apex and a deep impression about the
median part burmcistcri.

a a a a a a a a.
Antennae long, slender, cylindrical.

1897.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 21

c.

Posterior tibiae slender.

Club a little bent outwardly in the median part, slightly
thickened at tip and with two very small teeth at the apex of
the outer margin, basal part deeply incised ciirtisi.

Club very long, straight, slightly thickened at tip, outer basal
angle sharp, moderately long cylindricornis.

Club moderately long, apical part of outer margin very slightly
grooved, outer basal angle not projecting schuckardi.

Head without a vertical spine.

Pygidium with thick, stiff bristles.

Club massive, broadly excavate in the posterior part, and
with a thick tuft of hairs at the apical part of the excavation . . viarshalli.

P. HUMBOLDTI, Westw.,

Plate XIII., fig. 11.

Trans. Entom. Soc. Lond., 1852, p. 90; Thesaur. Entom. Oxon.,

1871, p. 83, pi. xix., fig. 11.

P. ayresi, Per., Trans. S. Afric. Phil. Soc, vol. ill., 1885, p. 83,
pi. i., fig. 5.

Head, antennae, legs, and prothorax piceous red. elytra and
pygidium ferruginous red ; head with a very long and sharp conical
tubercle ; antennal club thick, somewhat oval, carinate all round,
inner margin slightly sinuate, outer angle produced in a moderately
long, sharp, stout, slightly curving spine ; it is thicker in the middle,
and has four shallow striae extending on the upper part of the outer
declivity from about the median part towards the apex ; the club is
smooth in the basal part only, the rest is very briefly pubescent ;
prothorax divided in two by a broad transverse grooved impression ;
the anterior part is a little emarginate in the centre and truncate
behind, the posterior is as broad as the anterior, but a little less
abruptly truncate, and somewhat angulate laterally ; elytra sub-
parallel, shining, and with regular series of very short, slightly
flavescent, moderately closely set hairs ; tibia3 compressed, broad,
but not dilated. Length 11-11^ mm. ; width 4|— 4f mm.

Hah. Natal (D'Urban), Transvaal (Rustenburg) .

P. DAMARINUS, Westw.,

Thesaur. Entom. Oxon., 1874, p. 84, pi. vii., fig. 9.
Piceous red, with the posterior part of the elytra from the median
part castaneous ; head with a sharp, long, conical spine ; antennal
club thick, but a little compressed in the basal part of the inner
declivity, marginate all along the inner apical part and slightly
sinuate near the apex, slightly incurved near the apical part,
which thus appears as if it were a little curved, posterior margin

22 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

grooved for two-thirds of the length, with the edges dented shghtly
by the intervals of four shallow striae occurring on both upper and
under sides of the outer declivity ; prothorax with the transverse
median impression reaching from side to side, and with a lateral
flavescent pubescence ; anterior part rounded laterally, narrowing
from base to apex and slightly emarginate in the centre, posterior
part bi-impressed in the centre and constricted laterally at base ;
elytra parallel, covered with closely set, briefly pubescent punctures ;
tibiae slender. Length lOf mm. ; width 4^ mm.
Hab. Transvaal (Eustenburg), Bechuanaland.

P. MIMUS.

The colour and shape of head and prothorax are as in P. damarinus,
but the shape of the antennal club is different ; it is not so thick in
the posterior part, the inner margin is sharper, nearly straight, the
emargination of the posterior part is not so pronounced, the grooved
part is deeper, and the striae better defined and indent more the
edges of the groove ; instead of being smooth and shining they are
very finely granulose, opaque, and glabrous ; the spur of the outer
angle is a little longer and less curved.

The shape of the club is intermediate between that of P. damarinus
and P. dohrni, but it is not setose as in the latter, nor is the posterior
margin grooved from base to apex. Length 10^ mm. ; width 4 mm.

Hab. Transvaal (Eustenburg).

P. DOHRNI, Westw.,

Trans. Entom. Soc. Lond., 1852, p. 93; Thesaur. Entom. Oxon.,
p. 92, pi. xvii., fig. 12.

Dark chestnut ; elytra covered with a very brief, closely set
pubescence ; head as in the two preceding species ; antennal club
longer than broad, thick, setulose, carinate in the anterior and apical
margins, the former very slightly sinuate above the base, posterior
part broadly grooved from end to end, and with a lateral yellow
pubescence ; posterior declivity with four broad striae on both sides,
the intervals of which indent the edges of the groove ; prothorax
shaped as in P. damarinus and P. mimus, but the anterior part is
more regularly rounded laterally.

I have not seen this species, and the diagnosis here given is made
from the excellent figure given by Westwood in the ' ' Thesaurus
Entomologicus Oxoniensis." The characters distinguishing this
species from P. damarinus and P. mimus are the broader and longer
groove in the posterior part of the club, and also the striae on both

1897.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 23

sides of the posterior declivity, which are broader and deeper.
Length 8 mm.

Hab. Natal, teste Westwood.

P. sPiNicoxis, Westw.,

Proc. Linn. Soc, ii., 1849, p. 59 ; Thesaur. Entom. Oxon.,

p. 84, pi. xviii., fig. 7.

Ferruginous red ; head with a sharp, conical spine on the vertex ;
antennal club very briefly pubescent, moderately thick, subelongato-
ovate, carinate from the base of the anterior margin to the posterior
one, the latter with a faint groove, posterior part of the declivity
with four longitudinal, shallow striae on each side, reaching but not
indenting the rounded posterior margin ; prothorax transversely
impressed in the middle from side to side, and with a lateral yellow
pubescence, anterior part rounded, attenuate laterally towards the
neck and not emarginate in the centre of the basal part, posterior
part deeply scooped in the middle almost up to the base ; elytra
elongate, nearly parallel, closely punctured, and glabrous ; pygidium
closely punctured ; anterior femora subclavate ; intermediate coxae
with a very small spinous process at the base. Length 7-S^ mm. ;
width 2^ mm.

Hab. Natal (D'Urban, Maritzburg), Transvaal (Eustenburg),
Zambezia (Buluwayo), Mozambique (Eikatla).

P. PROPiNQUUS, Per.,

Plate XIL, fig. 7 ; Plate XIIL, fig. 7.

Trans. S. Afric. Phil. Soc, iv., 1886, p. 83.

Chestnut colour, subopaque ; head briefly pubescent, and with a
sharp, conical spine on the vertex ; antennal club subelongato-ovate,
moderately thick, and sharply carinate from the angle of the inner
margin to the posterior basal angle, which is produced in a short,
subtruncate tooth ; it is finely granulose, and has a series of very
short bristles on each side of the posterior margin ; prothorax
with a median subdiagonal transverse impression ; anterior part
convex, a little more raised than the posterior one, rounded laterally,
punctulate, and covered with moderately long bristles, posterior part
briefly pubescent, a little narrower than the anterior, and with a
shallow median depression ; elytra a little lighter in colour than the
head and prothorax, and covered with a closely set and dense reddish
pubescence ; legs densely bristly. Length 8-9 mm. ; width 3-3^ mm.

Hab. Transvaal (Bloemhof, Potchefstroom, Heildeberg, Pretoria),
Bechuanaland.

24 Descrijjtive Catalogue [1897.

P. EUSTICUS, P6r.,

Plate XIII., fig. 10.

Trans. S. Afric. Phil. Soc, iii., 1885, p. 82.

Beddish, shining ; head with a very conspicuous conical spine on
the vertex ; antennal club subelongato-ovate, moderately thick, inner
and apical margins carinate, the former nearly straight, outer margin
slightly emarginate near the apex, also carinate, but with three very
small and hardly noticeable dents in the median part of the carina ;
posterior basal angle not longer than the anterior ; prothorax with
a very shallow transverse median impression reaching from side to
side, and much constricted laterally in the middle, anterior part
convex, subcordiform, briefly pubescent, posterior part narrower
than the anterior, subcylindrical, and without any median im-
pression ; elytra parallel, very finely and closely punctured, each
puncture bearing a very short hair ; posterior tibiae slightly dilate.
Length 8^ mm. ; width 3 mm.

Hab. Transvaal (Rustenburg).

P. AKDUUS, P6r.,

Plate XII., fig. 8 ; Plate XIII. , fig. 6.

Trans. Entom. Soc. Lond., 1896, p. 149.

Red, shining ; head with a long conical tubercle on the vertex ;
smooth, but slightly punctured behind ; antennal club short, thick,
convex on both sides, carinate all round, depressed at the base with
the basal outer angle produced in a long, sharp, slightly recurving
spine, no longitudinal impression in the posterior declivity ; pro-
thorax smooth, with a deep transverse impression reaching from side
to side and having a yellow pubescent patch at each end, anterior
and posterior part equally broad, the anterior a little more raised
than the posterior, the sides nearly parallel ; elytra elongate, sub-
parallel, smooth, and very closely punctured, the punctures in the
anterior part being deeper and broader than those behind ; tibiae
slender. Length 8 mm. ; width 2^ mm.

Hab. Zambezia (Manica).

P. FALLAX, Per.,

Trans. S. Afric. Phil. Soc, vi., 1892, p. 108.

Head, antennae, and prothorax chestnut brown ; elytra lighter red ;

head pubescent, and with a short, conical tubercle on the vertex ;

antennal club shining, slightly pubescent, subovate, carinate all

along the inner and apical margins, but emarginate at the apical

1897.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 25

part of the outer margin, which is grooved, although neither deeply
nor broadly, from the emargination to the outer angle, which is
produced in a long, triangular spur ; prothorax cleft in two by a very
deep groove, having a small flavescent patch on each side ; anterior
part setose, much raised, thick, sloping towards the neck, and con-
stricted laterally ; posterior part deeply excavated in the central part,
and bituberculate on each side ; elytra subparallel, punctured,
punctures deep and setigerous ; tibiae slender, arcuate ; femora
strongly clavate, and very slender at base. Length 5 mm. ; width
li mm.

Hah. Transvaal (Potchefstroom).

Paussus bohemani, Westw.,
Trans. Entom. Soc. Lond., 1855, p. 83 ; Thesaur. Entom. Oxon.,

p. 93, pi. xviii., fig. 9.
Light brick-red, turning to flavescent in the elytra ; head pubescent,
and with the whole posterior part raised in a sharp, conical spine ;
antennal club shining, briefly pubescent, thick, semicircular in the
inner part, which is not carinate and ends in a sharp point at the
apex, outer margin narrowly but deeply grooved from the apical
recurved spine to a short distance from the basal angle, which is
produced in a long, slightly recurved spine ; prothorax cleft in two
by a very deep transverse groove, having a small flavescent patch on
each side, anterior part much raised, compressed, thin, nearly
perpendicular, carinate at tip, and has a very long pubescence,
posterior part deeply excavate in the central part, and bituberculate
on each side (Westwood, loc. cit., has given a good side-view figure
of the prothorax of this species, but the prothorax of the insect
(fig. 9) is not at all correct) ; elytra punctulate, each puncture bearing
a very long hair ; pygidium with a long pubescence ; tibiae arcuate,
femora strongly clavate, and very slender at base. Length 5^ mm. ;
width 2 mm.

Hab. Cape Colony (Kimberley).

Paussus manicanus, Per.,
Plate XII., fig. 2 ; Plate XIIL, fig. 4.
Trans. Entom. Soc. Lond., 1896, p. 149.
Eeddish brown, shining : head quite flat and smooth on the
vertex ; antennal club glabrous, shining, long as the head and pro-
thorax, nearly oblong, a little narrower at apex and base than in the
middle, compressed but thick in the median part, carinate all round
and with the posterior angle produced in a sharp, moderately recurved

26 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

spine ; prothorax constricted laterally past the median part and
with a shallow median transverse impression, having a very small
flavescent patch on each side but not incising the lateral parts, the
anterior part is depressed, hardly more raised than the posterior, and
has a median longitudinal shallow impression, the posterior part is
nearly plane, and not impressed in the centre ; elytra parallel deeply
and closely punctured, each puncture bearing a very short, flavescent
seta ; femora a little swollen ; tibiae slender. Length 8^-9 mm. ;
width 3 mm.

Hah. Zambezia (Manica, Buluwayo).

P. iNERMis, Gerstack,
Monatsb. Berl. Acad., 1855, p. 268; Peter's Eeis. n. Mossamb., 1862,
p. 268, pi. XV., fig. 12 ; Westw., Thesaur. Entom. Oxon., p. 95,
pi. xix., fig. 5.

Beddish brown, moderately shining ; head plane ; antennal club
subovate, but deeply emarginate in the posterior margin near the
apex, carinate all round, not grooved behind, basal part nearly
straight, but with a narrow transverse incision in the outer apical
angle, the external part of which is produced in a moderately long
recurved spine ; prothorax elongato-cordate, faintly impressed trans-
versely at about the median part, anterior part convex, posterior
part not depressed ; elytra subparallel, very closely and finely
punctured and briefly pubescent ; tibiae slender. Length 8 mm.

Hah. Mozambique (Tette).

This description is made from the figure in Westwood's
' Thesaurus Entomologicus Oxoniensis.' I am not aware that this
Paussus has been met with since its capture by Dr. Peters, 1842-
1848. The type is in the Berlin Museum.

Paussus aristoteli, Jas. Thoms.,
Archiv. Entom., i., 1856, p. 403, pi. xxi., fig. 2.
" Light chestnut brown ; head projecting, strongly and suddenly
depressed behind ; eyes large, rounded ; basal joint of antennae
elongate, second very large, dilate, subconical, or claviform, wider
at the base which has a curved spine in the outer angle ; prothorax
subcordiform, wider in the middle with the anterior angles rounded,
divided in the middle by a transverse line, median longitudinal line
not much noticeable ; elytra at least three times as long as the pro-
thorax and broader at the base, rounded at the humeral angle, nearly
truncate at the apex, and with two slight projections on the suture
after about the fourth part of the length, dorsal part slightly punc-

1897.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 27

tured ; legs strong ; abdomen punctured, the other parts of the body
smooth." Length 8 mm.

This species, which I have not seen, is evidently a close ally to
P. inermis ; but judging from the figure, the club is more compressed,
the spur is longer, but apparently also incised, the elytra are more
thickly pubescent than in both the figures of inermis, and the anterior
part of the prothorax is more dilated.

Hab. Natal, teste Thomson, and Port Natal and Abyssinia, teste
Kaffray.

Paussus signatipennis. Per.,

Plate XIIL, fig. 2.

Trans. S. Afric. Phil. Soc, iil, 1885, p. 83, pi. i., fig. 4.

Brownish red, moderately shining ; head, prothorax, elytra, and
legs densely pubescent ; head hexagonal, plane, a little scooped at
apex ; penultimate joint thick, flattened, very pilose ; antennal club
compressed, sublamelliform, as long as the head and anterior part
of prothorax put together, nearly as broad as the anterior part of
the head, curving outwardly, carinate in the inner margin, slightly
emarginate at about the median part in the posterior margin, which
is not grooved thickly but briefly pubescent, outer angle produced in
a more or less rounded spur ; prothorax bipartite, anterior part much
raised, almost perpendicular behind, broadest in the middle, sides
narrow and ridge shape, posterior part with three longitudinal
impressions separated by two median ridges, lateral walls raised
and tuberculated at apex above the small flavescent patch ; elytra
subparallel, somewhat roughly punctured and having a dense, long,
greyish pubescence ; they are of the same colour as the prothorax
and more shining than the head and prothorax, and have on each
side a narrow black band running diagonally from under the humeral
angle to a short distance of the median part of the suture, a sub-
quadrate patch of the same colour in the posterior part, and the
apical part of the suture is also edged with black ; tibiae compressed,
slightly dilated. Length 8 mm. ; width 2^ mm.

Hab. Transvaal (Potchefstroom).

Paussus concinnus, Per.,

Plate XII., fig. 6 ; Plate XIIL, tig. 12.

Trans. Entom. Soc. Lond., 1896, p. 150.

Head, prothorax, and legs brick-red; elytra black, edged with

red at the base and apex ; head and prothorax glabrous, the former

edged in front on the vertex with a high semicircular ridge which

is broadly emarginate in the middle and reaches from eye to eye,

28 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

posterior part raised above the neck into a ridge higher than the
anterior one, and with a median and two lateral sinuations ; median
part of head plane, and with a broad depression above each eye
partly edged by a very narrow groove which extends also along the
posterior raised part ; antennal club long, broad, compressed, as long
as the base of the prothorax, slightly curving in the inner edge,
which is distinctly marginate and has besides a distinct raised line
running parallel to it, outer margin broadly grooved from base to
apex, and having seven round alveolae as well as six obtuse serra-
tions on the upper edge, the intervals of which bear each a short
yellowish seta, outer basal angle of the club long and sharp ; pro-
thorax bipartite, the anterior part much raised, short, abruptly trun-
cate, deeply incised in the centre and on each side, and with a deep
transverse impression, the posterior part is narrower than the
anterior, and has the shape of a truncate cone, broadly scooped
out in the anterior median part, with each side of the incision
produced in a sharp, short tubercle ; elytra closely set with very
short, greyish hairs, but very indistinctly punctured ; femora not
clavate; tibiae straight, not thickened. Length 6 mm.; width
^h mm.

Hab. Zambezia (Salisbury).

Paussus schaumi, Westw.,
Trans. Entom. Soc. Lond., 1852, p. 94; Thesaur. Entom. Oxou.,

p. 94, pi. xix., fig. 6.
P. novaculatus, Per., Trans. S. Afric. Phil. Soc, vol. iii., 1885,
p. 84, pi. i.,fig. 6.

Head, antenna3, prothorax, and legs brownish red ; elytra dark
blue, with a broad basal band and a narrow apical line brownish
red ; head with two high longitudinal ridges running from the neck
to the apex, finely aciculate, briefly pubescent ; antennal club com-
pressed, curving outwardly, distinctly pedunculate at base, as long
as the head and anterior part of prothorax put together, carinate in
the inner margin, curving outwardly, posterior part a little thicker
than the anterior, with the outer margin grooved from one-third of
the length to the basal part, the outer angle of which is short and
sharp, basal joint elongato-quadrate ; prothorax with the anterior
part in the shape of a short, broadly truncate cone, scooped on each
side, produced in the centre of the transverse impression in two
narrow ridges nearly connected across the impression with two
similar ones in the posterior part, which divide it into three shallow
cavities, the external walls of the posterior part end in a round,
blackish tubercle surrounded by the yellow pubescent patch, the

1897.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 29

surface of the whole prothorax is distinctly though very briefly
pubescent ; elytra subparallel very finely aciculate and with a few
scattered very short hairs ; legs moderately slender ; pygidium
not incised in the posterior margin. Length 8 mm. ; width
3|— 3|^ mm.

Hab. Cape Colony (Vaal Eiver).

Paussus germari, Westw.,

Plate XIII., fig. 14.

Trans. Entom. Soc. Lond., 1852, p. 94 ; Thesaur. Entom. Oxon.,

p. 94, pi. xix., fig. 2.

The only difference between P. schaumi and P. germari seems to
consist in the shape of the antennal club, which is a little shorter, a
little narrowed towards the apical part and slightly less curved
outwardly owing to the outer margin being slightly straighter, the
base of the club is much less conspicuously pedunculate, and the
space between the two occipital ridges has a faint triangular im-
pression, a trace of w^hich is found in P. scJiaumi ; the sculpture
and shape and colour of prothorax and elytra are the same as in
schaumi. Length 6^ mm. ; width 2^ mm.

Hab. Natal, teste Westwood.

This species occurs also in Abyssinia ; a specimen from that
locality agrees very well with Westwood's figure, except that the
clava is entirely reddish brown.

Paussus lineatus, Thunb.,

Plate XIIL, fig. 5.

Act. Holm., 1781, p. 171, pi. iii., figs. 4-5.

P. parrianus, Westw., Trans. Entom. Soc. Lond., 1847, p. 29,
pi. ii., fig. 3 ; Thesaur. Entom. Oxon., p. 91, pi. xvii., fig. 7.

Dark red, moderately shining ; elytra blue black, broadly edged
all round with dark red ; head fiat on the vertex, but with the
margins raised all round, slightly aciculate and very briefly
pubescent, neck very distinct ; antennal club much recurved, as
long as the head and the anterior part of the prothorax together
anterior margin sharp and carinate, posterior part thicker, outer
margin carinate from the apex to one-fourth of the length, deeply
scooped from there to the base, the outer angle of which ends in a
sharp, long spur, the upper edge of the scooped margin has four
striations with raised intervals serrating the edge, the lower edge
is not dented, and between the end of the groove and the apex there
is a small rounded marginal semicircular projection ; the first joint

30 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

is elongato-quadrate, nearly twice as long as broad, and like the club
hardly pubescent ; pi'othorax bipartite, lenticular, with the edges not
very sharp, incised in the centre and laterally so as to look quadri-
tuberculate, and raised higher than the posterior, which has two
median longitudinal impressions separated by a double ridge, with
the lateral walls hardly raised, sloping towards the median transverse
impression, which has a small, black tubercle on each side next to
the small flavescent patch ; elytra subparallel, finely shagreened and
very briefly pubescent ; legs slender. Length 5-6 mm ; width
2-2^ mm.

Hab. Cape Colony (Cape Town and environs).

Paussus afzelii,

Trans. Entom. Soc. Lond., 1855, p. 82; Thesaur. Entom. Oxon.,

p. 96, pi. vii., fig. 6.

P. laetus, Gerstack, Stett. Zeit., 1867, p. 430.

Very similar to P. lineatus in shape, sculpture, and colouring, but
the shape of the antennal club and of the prothorax is different ; the
former has the same shape, but is longer and curves more backward,
and the posterior declivity on the upper part has six longer striae
instead of four, with the intervals rounded and denting the upper
edge ; basal spur sharp but not long ; the latter is also bipartite, but
the anterior raised part is not so lenticular, it is deeply incised in
the middle, but not laterally, and the walls of the posterior part are
a little more raised and there is only one broad median impression.
Length 6-6| mm. ; width 2^-2^ mm.

Hab. Transvaal (Eustenburg, Leydenburg) ; occurs also in
Abyssinia.

Paussus culteatus, Westw.,
Plate XIII. , fig. 17.

Proc. Linn. Soc, 1849, p. 52; Thesaur. Entom. Oxon., p. 86,
pi. xix., fig. 1.

? P. plinii, Thorns., Arch. Entom., i., 1857, p. 403, pi. xxi., fig. 3.

Light testaceous, shining ; head, thorax, and elytra briefly
pubescent ; head convex on vertex, elongato-quadrate ; first joint of
antennae elongato-quadrate and hollowed in the upper part, club
compressed, long, falciform, with both inner and outer margins sharp,
the inner one nearly straight for two-thirds of the length and sharply
curved, inner margin slightly sinuate past the median part, apical
part narrowed and very sharp ; prothorax with a deep impression on
each side of the median part and with a small pubescent yellow
patch on each side, anterior part not more raised than the posterior

1897.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 31

one, which is slightly narrower ; elytra parallel and covered with
densely set shallow setigerous punctures ; tibiae slender. Length
4f-5 mm. ; width 2 mm.

Eaffray is of opinion that P. cultratus and P. plinii are two
different species, which he distinguishes by the shape of the antennal
club which is nearly alike, but "in P. j^Hnii it is longer, narrower,
and more falciform, decreasing gradually from base to tip, and the
more regular curve belongs to a circle of a wider diameter, and,
therefore, the point is longer, more slender and sharper, while
in P. cultratus the club looks like an elongate square with the sides
nearly parallel as far as the tip, which is suddenly curved to form a
shorter and more obtuse point." He adds that he possessed the two
species.

It is quite true that the figure given by Westwood of the club of
P. cultratus is broader in proportion to the length than that of
P. plinii, and that I have not seen any example as yet absolutely
similar, but I think that the latter as differentiated by my excellent
friend Eaffray is the male, and that Westwood has exaggerated the
width of the club in his figure of P. cultratus.-'-

Hah. Natal (D'Urban, Maritzburg, Estcourt, Frere), Transvaal
(Potchefstroom, Pretoria).

Paussus granulatus, Westw.,

Proc. Linn. Soc, ii., 1849, p. 58 ; Thesaur. Entom. Oxon., p. 86,
pi. xvii., fig. 5.

Light, testaceous glabrous, moderately shining ; head granulose
and with two small rounded depressions, one on each side of the
ocelli ; first joint of antennae swollen at base, a little attenuate at tip,
club rounded, swollen at base and tapering gradually into a sharp
point with a seta at tip, falcate, and without any basal outer angle ;
pro thorax bipartite, anterior part nearly perpendicular, narrow,
emarginate in the middle, and also, but not so deeply, laterally,
median excavation very wide, posterior part excavate and with only
the lateral subtuberculate walls left ; eljrtra subelongato-quadrate
and with a supra-lateral, deep and broad groove running from the
humeral angle to the apex, carinate outwardly, and with a faint
silky white tinge, the discoidal part of the elytra is granulose and
darker than the general colour, and the sides are not so closely
granulose ; the inner edge of the intermediate and posterior tibiae are
sinuate inwardly, the latter inflated. Length 4 mm. ; width 2 mm.

Hah. Cape Colony (Port Elizabeth, Grahamstown), Transvaal
(Pretoria) .

* Dr. C. A. Dohrn has expressed also (Zur Literat. d. Pauss. Stett. Ent.
1887, Zeit., p. 317) an opinion similar to mine.

32 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

Paussus raffrayi, P6r.,

Plate XII., fig. 1 ; Plate XIIL, fig. 3.

Trans. Entom. Soc. Lond., 1896, p. 150.

Piceous black, with the apical part of the elytra and the tarsi
reddish brown ; head rugulose, with the anterior part deeply
impressed in the centre, and the walls of the impression raised in two
short tuberculiform processes, posterior part bi-impressed ; club of
the antennae subensiform, very long, compressed, external margin
with a moderately wide groove reaching from the base to near the
apex, both edges of the groove faintly notched ; prothorax bipartite,
the anterior part raised, smooth, the median transverse cavity wide
and deep and having two yellow pubescent patches in the centre,
posterior part depressed and with three tuberculated indentations ;
elytra subparallel, shining, moderately punctured, each puncture
with a very short, greyish hair ; anterior and intermediate tibiae
slender, posterior tibiae broadly dilated and flattened. Length
5 mm. ; width 1^ mm.

Hah. Natal (Frere).

Paussus klugi, Westw.,
Plate XIIL, fig. 15.
Trans. Entom. Soc. Lond., p. 85, pi. ix., fig. 2 ; Arcana. Entom.,
vol. ii., p. 183, pi. xci., fig. 4.
Ferruginous or piceous red, moderately shining, very briefly
pubescent ; head plane on the vertex, with a median longitudinal
groove, posterior part with two slight protuberances ; club elongate,
very little shorter than head and thorax together, laminiform,
carinate all along the inner and apical margin, posterior part thicker
than the anterior, broadly grooved from base to apex, the groove with
seven impressions on the lower part and with six sharp, short,
briefly setigerous teeth projecting beyond the edge, upper edge not
denticulate ; prothorax bipartite, anterior part lenticular, but more
convex in front than behind, slightly emarginate in the centre and
subangular laterally, median incision very deep and broad, pos-
terior part as broad as the anterior, lateral walls short and sharp,
median part with three small impressions divided by two smooth,
not much raised tubercles ; elytra subparallel and with a very brief
and scattered pubescence ; posterior tibiae much dilated, triangular,
the anterior and intermediate ones slender. Length 6 mm. ; width
2 mm.

Hah. Natal (Maritzburg, Estcourt, Frere), Transvaal (Water-
berg). In the examples from Estcourt and Frere the colour is
piceous red instead of being ferruginous.

1897.] of the Goleoptera of South Africa. 33

Paussus cucullatus, Westw.,
Proc. Linn. Soc, ii., 1849, p. 59; Thesaur. Entom. Oxon., p. 93,

pi. xviii., fig. 6.
Chestnut red, shining, nearly glabrous ; head with an elevation on
the vertex, encircled by a sharp ridge, and bearing two very small
tubercles ; club short, broad, with the anterior part compressed,
sharp, and with four deep, narrow strije, outer margin broadly and
deeply excavate for nearly the whole length, and with the internal
part of the excavation with six moderately deep transverse striae, the
intervals of which form a blunt serration on both edges ; prothorax
bipartite, the anterior part in the shape of a thin disk, slightly
angular laterally, and not incised in the median part, posterior part
with the lateral walls sloping at apex and not much raised, median
part moderately excavate and with no longitudinal impressions ;
elytra subparallel, almost glabrous ; femora and tibiae very much
compressed and inflated, the posterior tibiae more dilated than the
others. Length 4i^ mm. ; width If mm.

Hab. Cape Colony (Uitenhage, Albany, Port Elizabeth), Natal
(Estcourt, Maritzburg, Frere).

Paussus ruber, Thunb.,
Vet. Acad. Handl., 1781, t. 2, p. 170.

Eeddish brown, moderately shining ; head plane and with two
very small tubercles on the posterior part ; club somewhat similar in
shape to that of P. cucullatus, but it is not quite so much dilated,
the striae of the inner margin are not so deep, and the excavated part
of the outer margin is not so broad, the stride in the excavation are
deeper, but the intervals, although more convex, hardly dentate the
edges ; the prothorax bipartite, anterior part lenticular, incised in
the middle and distinctly spinose laterally, posterior part bituberculate
in the centre, lateral walls sharp and well defined ; elytra parallel,
nearly glabrous ; all the tibiae are dilated, but the posterior ones are
much broader than the others. Length 4|— 5 mm. ; width 2-2|- mm.

Hah. Cape Colony (Vaal Eiver, Sterkstroom), Zambezia
(Limpopo Eiver).

Paussus cochlearius, Westw.,
Trans. Entom. Soc. Lond., vol. ii., p. 88, pi. ix., fig. 6; Arcana

Entom., vol. ii., p. 189, pi. xciv., fig. 3.
Chestnut brown, briefly but thickly pubescent, subopaque ; head
plane in the centre, carinate transversely in the anterior edge and
with two diagonal ridges behind diverging from the central part

3

34 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

towards the hind part of the eyes ; basal joint of antennae broad,
subquadrate, chib laminiforui for half the length, apical part of the
outer margin dilated, scooped out, and having internally five striee
with rounded intervals serrating the lower edge, and also, but in a
lesser degree the upper one, outer basal angle moderately long and
sharp ; prothorax bipartite, the anterior one lenticular and emarginate
in the centre and laterally, posterior one depressed in the centre,
walls sharp and not tuberculate ; elytra subparallel ; tibiae of all legs
compressed and broad. Length 5^ mm. ; width 2 mm.

Hah. Transvaal (Potchefstroom), Natal (Estcourt), Cape Colony
(Uitenhage).

Paussus viator, Per.,

Plate XII., fig. 4 ; Plate XIII., fig. 19.

Trans. Entom. Soc. Lond., 1896, p. 151.

Piceous black, opaque, with the antennae and legs very dark red ;
head with three short impressions in the middle of the vertex, the
median one of which is the deepest and is bounded by two short
ridges ; inner margin of the club sharp, quadri-impressed, a little
sinuate at tip, the outer one dilated, broadly scooped out from apex to
base with the outer basal angle moderately long and sharp ; the
cavity of the outer margin has six striae, the rounded intervals of
which serrulate the two edges ; prothorax bipartite, with the anterioi"
part lenticular and incised in the centre, posterior part long, lateral
walls sloping towards the transverse incision, median part slightly
incised longitudinally ; elytra parallel, nearly glabrous ; tibiae
compressed, broad, the posterior ones much dilated. Length 5 mm. ;
width 1^ mm.

Hah. Natal (Frere, Estcourt).

Paussus burchellianus, Westw.,

Trans. Entom. Soc. Lond., 1869, p. 319; Thesaur. Entom.

Oxon., p. 92, pi. xvii. fig. 10.

Chestnut brown, moderately shining ; head pubescent, plane in
the centre, but raised in a small protuberance behind, apex raised in
a transverse lidge ; club carinate for half its length in the inner
margin and with three marginal impressions, the basal one of which
is broader and deeper than the others, outer margin broadly dilate
and scooped out, and having five deep striae extending from one edge
to the other with the intervals raised, rounded, serrating both
the edges, those on the lower one slightly penicillate at tip, outer
basal angle very long and cylindrical ; prothorax briefly pubescent,
bipartite, anterior part perpendicular with the median part lamini-

1897.] of the Goleoptera of South Africa. 35

form, subquadrate, broadly emarginate in the centre, lateral part
spinose, posterior part depressed in the anterior part with the lateral
walls tuberculate ; elytra parallel and covered with a long sub-
flavescent pubescence ; tibiae slender. Length 5 mm. ; width 2 mm.
Hab. Cape Colony (Albany, Sterkstroom).

Paussus rugiceps, Per.,

Plate XIII., fig. 9.

Trans. S. Afric. Phil. Soc, iv., 1886, p. 82, pi. i., fig. 4.

Elytra piceous red, antennae, head, prothorax, and legs dark red ;
head rugose, and with a high prominence divided in two by a deep
gi'oove and tuberculose at each end ; club slightly pubescent, a little
curved, inner margin sharp, not impressed, outer margin dilated,
broadly and deeply scooped out from apex to base, outer angle sharp
and moderately long, cavity smooth, but with five faint serrations
on both edges ; prothorax bipartite, anterior part laminiform, sub-
rectangular laterally and with the anterior face sloping, posterior
part only a little depressed in the central part, walls not much raised
and tuberculate ; elytra parallel, very finely aciculate and with
regular series of very short, distinct greyish hairs ; legs briefly
setulose ; anterior and intermediate tibiae moderately slender, pos-
terior ones ampliate, but not broader at the apex than at the base.
Length 5 mm. ; width 2 mm.

Hab. Transvaal (Eustenburg).

The antennal club is nearly similar to that of P. Degeeri.

Paussus degeeri, Westw.,

Trans. Entom. Soc. Lond., 1855, p. 82; Thesaur. Entom. Oxon,
p. 93, pi. xviii., fig. 12.

Fulvous, elytra finely punctured and covered with very short
yellowish setae ; head moderately wide and having two small rounded
equidistant tubercles between the eyes ; antennal club oblong,
curved, anterior margin sharp, rounded at apex, posterior one
gi"ooved, the groove elongate, subpyriform, the upper edge with five
small rounded tubercles, lower edge a little wider than the upper
and simple ; prothorax sub-bipartate, anterior part hardly broader
than the head, angular, raised, subemarginate in the middle with the
outer sides angular, posterior part narrower and with the outer sides
raised and parallel, grooved tranversely at about the median part,
but not deeply, and having in the middle two contiguous tubercles ;
elytra much larger than the prothorax, subparallel ; legs elongate,
slender. Length 6|- mm.

Hab. Caffraria.

36 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

I have not met yet with this species, and the description here
given is culled from Westwood's.

Paussus burmeisteri, Westw.,

Plate XIII., fig. 16.

Trans. Entom. Soc. Lond., ii., p. 86, pi. ix., fig. 3 ; Arcana Entom.,

vol. ii., p. 171, pi. Ixxxix., fig. 2.

Opaque and set with squamiform hairs ; head, antennae, prothorax,
and legs dark brown ; elytra deep chestnut brown ; head with an
occipital protuberance with a narrow rounded ridge enclosing a
small pit ; club thick, longer than broad, carinate all round, inner
margin slightly bi-impressed, the outer one strongly bisinuate, apical
part of the upper surface deeply and broadly scooped transversely
near the apical part, the lower edge of the cavity slightly serrulate
and very deeply impressed at about the median part, outer basal
angle short and sharp ; prothorax bipartite, anterior part in the
shape of a broadly truncate cone, incised in the middle, posterior
part with a very deep median impression and with four small
tubercles, two in the middle and one at the apex of each lateral
wall ; elytra subparallel, set with distant seriated squamiform hairs ;
all tibiae dilated, the posterior ones broader than the others.
Length 6 mm. ; width 2 mm.

Hah. Cape Colony (Cape Town).

Paussus linnei, Westw.,

Plate XIII., fig. 18.

Trans. Linn, Soc, xvi., p. 634, pi. xxxiii., fig. 22; x\rcana Entom., ii.,

p. 169, pi. ixxxviii., fig. 4.

Chestnut brown, head and prothorax a little darker, hind part of
the head raised in a small prominence containing two small pits
close to one another and with edges carinate ; basal joint of antennae
thick, elongato-quadrate ; club thick, broad at the base, which is
sinuate, with the outer angle sharp but not spinose, inner margin
compressed, outer part swollen and broadly and deeply scooped out
transversely between the apex and the median part, the excavation
is concave and the external wall thin, incurved, and slightly pubes-
cent along the edge ; prothorax bipartite, anterior part lenticular,
very slightly emarginate in the centre and subsquamose, posterior
part deeply excavate in the middle and with two small median and
one lateral subtubercuhform processes ; elytra subparallel, shining,
subsquamiform ; legs slightly pubescent ; all tibiae compressed,
somewhat broad, but not dilated. Length 4 mm. ; width 1^ mm.

Hah. Cape Colony (Cape Town, Oudtshoorn).

1897.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 37

PaUSSUS BARKER!, Pel'.,

Plate XII., fig. 5 ; Plate XIII., fig. 13.
Trans. Entom. Soc. Lond., 1896, p. 152.

Eeddish brown with very short pubescence all over ; head with
two median carinae aculeate in front and overlapping the point of
insertion of antennae, these two ridges diverge slightly from the
middle of the vertex and have a narrow groove ceasing abruptly
above the neck, which is very short and not constricted ; basal joint
of antennae quadrate, very thick ; clul) moderately long, not com-
pressed, deeply sinuate in the inner part, which, like the rounded
apical part, is acutely marginate, outer part also sinuate and having
on the margin four very distinct teeth bearing several very short
setae, while the apical angle is developed into a long, broad, blunt
spur, the inner part of which curves so as to form a short tooth
corresponding to a similar tooth situated on the opposite part of the
base ; the joints of the antennae are covered with closely set, very
short, squamiform hairs ; prothorax bipartite, the anterior part
ridged, slightly grooved in the centre, posterior part as broad as
the anterior with a broad median depression nearly reaching the
base ; elytra subparallel, covered with very short, closely set hairs,
apparently thicker than those on the prothorax and without punc-
tures ; pygidium thickly pubescent and with a fringe of long,
thickly set, yellowish hairs ; anterior and intermediate femora and
tibiae slender, posterior femora and tibiae dilated and compressed.
Length 9 mm. ; width 3^ mm.

Hab. Natal (D'Urban).

Paussus curtisi, Westw.,
Proc. Entom. Soc. Lond., 1864, p. 190; Thesaur. Entom. Oxon.,

p. 84, pi. xviii., fig. 11 ; Kaffray, Mater. Etude Pauss., p. 32

pi. viii., figs. 35, 36.
Chestnut brown, subopaque, glabrous ; head with two sharp,
median ridges in the anterior part uniting in the centre with the
apex of a bisinuate, subtriangular one which reaches from side to
side in the posterior part, and another but shorter one in the base
adjoining the neck, there is also a lateral one running above the eye,
these ridges enclose thus three deep impressions in the anterior part
and two smaller ones in the posterior ; the genae are distinctly acu-
leate; antennae densely squamiform, basal joint elongato-quadrate
club long, slender, cylindrical, curving, slightly thickened at the tip,
which is carinate, outer margin with a very short groove and two
^mall teeth at the apex only, base deeply incised, outer angle blunt ;
prothorax bipartite, anterior part in the shape of a broadly truncate

38 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

cone, broadly emarginate in the middle, posterior part divided by a
deep, narrow, transverse groove, deeply impressed up to the base,
lateral walls not tuberculate ; elytra elongate, glabrous ; tibiae very
little compressed, nearly cylindrical ; legs densely squamiform.
Length 8 mm. ; width 2| mm.

Hah. Transvaal (Potchefstroom), Natal (Estcourt), Cape Colony
(Port Elizabeth) ; occurs also in Abyssinia.

Paussus cylindricornis, P6r.,

Plate XIII., fig. 1.

Trans. S. Afric. Phil. Soc, iii., 1885, p. 81, pi. i., fig. 2.

Eeddish brown, subopaque ; head slightly squamose with two
median ridges reaching from the apex to the posterior part, which
is slightly raised and has two contigvxous pits on each side of the
head, and running above the eye is a shorter ridge running from the
neck to some distance from the apex ; eyes prominent and not
bordered by the gense ; antennae densely squamose, basal joint short,
quadrate, club long, nearly cylindrical, a little compressed at the tip,
which is very slightly ampliate and carinate in the rounded part,
base not incised, outer angle moderately long and sharp ; prothorax
bipartite, anterior part in the shape of a broadly truncate cone,
widely emarginate in the middle and shorter than the posterior one,
which is broadly grooved longitudinally in the centre, both parts are
slightly squamose; elytra elongate, parallel and covered with densely
set, squamiform, subflavescent hairs ; legs bristly ; tibiae linear.
Length 8^ mm. ; width 2^ mm.

Hah. Transvaal (Kustenburg), Bechuanaland.

Paussus schuckardi, Westw.,
Proc. Entom. Soc. Lond., ii., p. 87, pi. ix., fig. 4; Arcana Entom.,
vol. ii., p. 187, pi. xcii., fig. 5; Eaffray, Mat^r. Etud. Pauss.,
p. 32, pi. viii., figs. 30, 31.

Eeddish brown, subopaque ; head grooved in the central parts with
the edges of the groove rounded, raised and reaching the posterior
part, above the eye there is also a small ridge on each side, and the
space between this supra-ocular ridge and the median one is de-
pressed, genae projecting a little ; antennte densely squamiform,
basal joint thick, elongato-quadrate, club quite cylindrical, not quite
truncate at tip, the apical margin carinulate ; prothorax deeply im-
pressed tranversely in the middle but not exactly bipartite, anterior
part nearly rounded but still slightly more raised than the posterior,
which has a moderately broad, not very deep longitudinal impression ;
elytra elongate, subparallel with squamiform hairs not densely set ;

1897.] of the Golcoptera of South Africa. 39

legs very briefly pubescent ; tibiae linear. Length 6f-7 mm. ; width
2-J^-2f mm.

Hah. Cape Colony (Grahamstown, Vaal Eiver, Queenstown),
Transvaal (Bloemhof, Eustenbm-g).

In the female the antennae are a little shorter than in the male.

Paussus MARSHALL!, Per.,

Plate XII., fig. 3 ; Plate XIIL, fig. 11.

Trans. Entom. Soc. Lond., 1896, p. 153.

Eeddish brown, shining, elytra thickly pubescent ; vertex of the
head nearly plane, posterior part ridged above the neck and along
the outer sides ; basal joint of antennse quadrate, nearly as large as
the head, club broad, massive, inner margin carinate with a short,
round basal spur not projecting much, outer margin broadly hollowed
with the edges bisinuate, acute at the apical part of the cavity, and
bearing on each side a dense tuft of long, yellowish hairs, basal outer
spur very broad and subquadrate ; prothorax bipartite, the anterior
part compressed in a sharp ridge, slightly emarginate in the centre
and subaculeate laterally, the posterior part hollowed anteriorly and
with a triangular longitudinal groove, and the outer sides produced
in a carina sinuate in the middle, sharp in the anterior part, and
with the posterior part forming a long tooth standing at an angle
with the base, both the points of the lateral carina having a distinct
tuft of liairs ; elytra short, subparallel ; pygidium with short pubes-
cence and having in the middle three transverse rows of long and
very thick bristles ; legs slender, anterior femora not tliickened.
Length 6^ mm. ; width 1^ mm.

Hah. Natal (Frere, Estcourt).

Mr. A. E. Haviland writes that he found this species drowned in
a trough in company with two kinds of ants.

Paussus braunsi.
Chestnut brown, moderately shining ; head hardly pubescent, not
depressed in the centre, and having two small ocelli-like cavities in
the posterior part ; antennae very slightly and very briefly pubescent,
inner margin of the club sinuate in the middle, sharply carinate, and
without any transverse impression, outer margin broadly dilate, and
scooped out from apex to base, cavity with four striae, the intervals
of which are raised but hardly indenting the edges, basal angle
produced in a long spur, subquadrate at base and cylindrical from
the middle to the apex ; prothorax bipartite, and similar in shape
to that of P. hurchcllianus and P. cucullatus ; posterior part of the
disk l^riefly pubescent ; elytra parallel, shining, and having regular
series of very short, pallid hairs, outer and posterior margins fringed

40 Descriptive Catalogue of the Coleo'ptera of South Africa. [1897.

with a series of long, thick bristles, curving backwards on the outer
margin ; pygidium with a few short bristles on the lower edge ; legs
slender, briefly pubescent, anterior and intermediate femora very
slender at base, but not clavate, almost cylindrical like the tibiae,
posterior ones compressed and only slightly dilated, posterior tibiae
also slightly dilated and compressed. Length 3^ mm. ; width li- mm.

In shape the posterior margin of the club is nearly similar to
that of P. hurchellianus and P. cucullatus, but it is less broadly
scooped than in both these species, and the basal spur is shorter
than in the first-named species and not entirely cylindrical, the
shape of the anterior margin is however very different, being
sublinear owing to a median sinuation, and not impressed trans-
versely ; the disposition along the outer and posterior margins of
thick, recurved, stiff bristles is unique among the South African
Paussi, of which it is also the smallest.

Discovered in the nest of Pheidole capensis by Dr. Brauns at
Port Elizabeth, Cape Colony.

Gen. HYLOTOEUS, Dalman,
Analect. Entom., 1823, p. 103.

Head round, with two large fossae on the vertex excavated in front
for the reception of the antennae, the latter are two-jointed, the first
joint is very small, the other lanceolate ; maxillary palpi four-jointed,
second joint very broad, rounded outwardly, sinuate inwardly,
maxillge without outer lobe, bifid at tip ; last joint of maxillary palpi
long, attenuate and rounded at tip ; prothorax subcylindrical, attenuate
behind; elytra subparallel; first abdominal segment very wide, second
and third very small, third wider than the preceding and emarginate;
legs short, broad, compressed, the femora grooved so as to allow the
insertion of the laminated inner part of the tibiae when retracted ;
tarsi short, equal.

Two species other than the South African one are known — one
from Sierra Leone, and the other from Abyssinia.

Hylotojrus hottentotus, Westw.,
Thesaur. Entom. Oxon., p. 81, pi. xvii., fig. 1.

Chestnut red, glabrous, moderately shining; head rugulose and
with two impressions on the vertex containing a round tubercle
perforated at tip ; eyes not projecting, reniform ; no neck ; prothorax
cylindrical, posterior part narrowed from the middle to the base,
discoidal part with a linear, transverse, shallow impression ; elytra a
little rounded at the shoulder, straight laterally and a little ampliate
from the shoulder to the apex, smooth and glabrous. Length 6 mm. ;
width 3 mm.

Hah. Natal (Maritzburg).

40a

POSTCRIPT.

[The species described below belongs to the genus Paussus, Linu.
See page 15.]

Paussus Elizabeths.

Ferruginous red, moderately shining ; head foveate, the fovere
shallow and bearing a short greyish seta, vertex with a slightly conical
protuberance in the posterior part and two parallel elongate, ocelli-
like, deep pits, with smooth raised edges in front of the conical
protuberance, and in the centre of the vertex ; basal joint of antennae
very rugose and bristly, club swollen, anterior margin compressed,
narrow, the anterior edge with a series of yellowish distant sette on
each side, upper part with three deep transverse impressions situated
between the base and the median part, posterior margin broadly
dilated and deeply scooped, with the basal angle sharp but moderately
long, both the upper and lower edges of excavation are symmetrical,
but the upper edge has six serrations and the lower one five only, and
less conspicuous, the concave part has six broad grooves on each side ;
thorax rugose, setulose, anterior part in the shape of a disk, very
narrowly incised in the centre, and angular laterally, posterior part
with the lateral walls sloping, and the median part raised in the centre
and grooved longitudinally ; elytra rugulose, and with closely set series
of moderately long flavescent hairs, outer margins of pygidium clothed
with long decumbent pale flavescent hairs ; tibi^ of all legs compressed
and dilated. Length 4J mm. ; width If mm.

Allied to P. atndlatus, and distinguished at once by the shape of the
ocelli and the subconical protuberance on the vertex of the head ; the
antennal club is of nearly the same shape, but not so broad outwardly,
and the anterior margin is narrower, and has three transverse im-
pressions instead of four, and the edge of the lower margin of the
excavation does not project beyond the upper edge as it does in
P. cucuUatus; it differs also by the setulose elytra, and the fringe of
decumbent hairs on the outer margins of the pygidium.

Hub. Cape Colony (Port Elizabeth). Captured by Dr. Brauus.

INDEX TO FAMILY PAUSSID^E.

Artlirojiterus 8, 10

kirbyi 11

Cerapterus 8

smithi 9

concolor 9

laceiatus 10

Hylotorus 8, 40

liottentotus 40

Panssus 8, 15

afzelii 19, 30

ai-duus 18, 24

aristoteli 18, 26

barker! 37

boheuiani 18, 25

brauiisi 39

burchellianus 20, 34

burmeisteri 20, 36

cochlearius 20, 33

concinnvTs 18, 27

cucullatus 20, 33

cultratus 19, 30

cui-tisi 21, 37

cylindricornis 21, 38

damarinus 17, 21

degeeri 20, 35

dohrni 17, 22

fallax 18, 24

germari 19, 29

granulatus 19, 31

humboldti 17, 21

inermis 18, 26

klugi 19, 32

lineatus 19, 29

linnei 20, 36

inanicanus 18, 25

marshalli 21, 39

mimus 17, 22

propinquus 17, 23

raffrayi 19, 32

ruber 20, 33

rugiceps 20, 35

rusticus 17, 24

schaumi 19, 28

schuckardi 21, 38

signatipennis 18, 27

spinicoxis 17, 23

viator 20, 34

Pentaplatarthrus 8, 13

paussoides 14

natalensis 14

Plenropterus 8, 11

alternans 12

hastatus 12, 13

BIBLIOGRAPHY TO FAMILY PAUSSID^.*

Dalman, J. W.

Analecta Entomologica. Holniise, 4to, 1823.

DoHRN, Dr. C. a.

Zur Literatur der Paussiden. Entom. Zeit. Stett., vol. xlviii., 1887, 2^P-
316-318. Loc. cit., 1890 ; he. cit., 1891, ^j. 888.

CrYLLENHAL, L.

Schonherr's Synonymia Insectormn. Appendix, 2 vols., Skara, 1817.

LiNNE, C. VON

Bigse Insectorum (Diopsis, Paussus). Resj]. Andr. Dahl. Decbr. 1775.
Upsalise, Edman. 4, pp. 7, c. tab.

Peringuey, L.

Notes on three Paussi. Trans. Entom. Soc. Lond., 188S, pp. 133-138.
Notes on some Coleopterous Insects of the Family Paussidse. Proceedings
Entom. Soc. Lond., lP,S&,pp. xxxiv.-xxxvii.

* First Contribution to the South African Coleopterous Fauna. Trans. S-

Afric. Philos. Soc, vol. iii., 1885.

* Second Contribution to the South African Coleopterous Fauna. Loc. cit,

vol. iv., 1888.

* Fourth Contribution to the South African Coleopterous Fauna. Loc. cit.,

vol. vi., 1892, p. 108.

Rappray, a.

Mat^riaux pour servir a I'^tude des Col^opteres de la famille des Paussides.
Extr. d. Archiv. d. Museum, 1887, 2)p. 808-359 and 1-52.

Thomson, Jas.

Catalogue des Paussides de la Collection de Mr. James Thomson. Musee
Scientifique, pp. 67-72. Paris, 8vo, 1860.

* Archives Entomologiques, 2 vols., 1858. Paris, 8vo.

Thunberg, C. p.

Beskrifning pa tvanne nya insecter (Paussus ruber, lineatus). ^'etensk. Acad.
Handl., 1775, vol. xxxvi., jjjj. 254-260; ibid., 1781, t. '2, pp. 168-171.

Westwood, 0.

Description of some now or but imperfectly known species belonging to the

Coleopterous Family Paussidse. Trans. Entom. Soc. Lond., vol. ii.,

1837-1840, pp. 84-98.
Arcana Entomologica, vol. ii. London, 1848-1845.
Description of a new species of Paussus from Southern Africa. Trans.

Entom. Soc. Lond., lQin,pp. 29-32.
Description of seventeen new species of the Family Paussida;. Proceedings

Linnean Society, ii., 184:9, pp. 55-60, 1850; ii.,^jp. 100-101.
Description of three new species of Paussus. Proceedings Entom. Soc. Lond.,

1864, pp. 189-190.
Description of new Exotic Coleoptera. Trans. Entom. Soc. Lond., 1869,

pp. 315-320.
Thesaurus Entomologicus Oxoniensis. Oxford, 1874, 4to, 20b pp., 40 pi.

* The works already quoted in the Bibliography of the other families are
prefaced by an asterisk.

4-2

DESCEIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF THE COLEOPTEEA
OF SOUTH AFEICA.— Part IV.

By A. R AFFRAY, Memb. Ent. Soc. of France, &c.

Family PSELAPHID.^.

The Psdaphidce have in South Africa a very singular faunistic
distribution. They appear to be divided in two farinas : one wliich
I call the Cape faima proper, the other is a general African one :
the first seems to be merely restricted to the Cape Peninsula, the
second one extends from Mashunaland to Natal.

Unfortunately many parts of South Africa may be considered as
unexplored so far as the collection of these minute insects is con-
cerned, and the neighbourhood of Cape Town is the only place
where the PselaphidcB have been thoroughly searched for by Mr.
Peringuey and myself. They have also been collected in Mashuna-
land by Mr. G. A. K. Marshall, in Natal by Messrs. Marshall and
A. E. Haviland, and in Bechuanaland and the Transvaal b}' Mons.
E. Simon.

Thirty-one genera and seventy-six species are now known to occur
in South Africa, and of these fifteen genera and sixty-nine species
are not met with anywhere else, so far as our knowledge of these
insects goes.

The distribution of these 31 genera and 76 species in South Africa
and other parts of the world may prove of interest.

6 genera are found in every part of the world, Europe included,

i.e. : —

1 Bryaxis. It is very doubtful if this genus occurs in South

Africa ; the locality of the unique specimen recorded is

unknown.

3 Etiplectus, llyxahis, and Pselaphus occur in Mashunaland

and Natal, but not at the Cape.
1 Heichembachia is found in Mashunaland, Natal, and the

Cape.
1 Cteiiistes occurs in Natal and at the Cape.

44 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

1 genus is found in every part of the world, Europe excepted,

i.e. : —

TmesipJioriis at Natal.
1 genus is found in Northern and Eastern Africa, i.e. : —

Marellus ; it has been met also in Natal.
1 genus occurring in Eastern and Western Africa, i.e. :—

Ognocerus occurs also in the Transvaal.
3 genera, Zetliopsus, Batrisodes, and Odontalgus, represented in

East Africa and Asia, are found respectively in Mashuna-

land and Natal, in Natal only, and in Natal and at the

Cape.
3 genera, Asymoplectus, Baffrayia, and Trabisus, which are East

African, are represented, the first in Mashunaland and the

Cape Colony, the second at the Cape and in Natal, and

the locality of the third, although not recorded exactly, is

a South African one.
1 genus, Syrbatus, a distinctly American one, is represented in

Mashunaland.
15 genera are found exclusively in South Africa, of which —
1, Batoxyla, is peculiar to Mashunaland.

1, Novoclaviger, is peculiar to Mozambique.

2, Fustigevopsis and Commatocerodes, are peculiar to the
Transvaal.

1, Dalmina, is peculiar to the Cape and Natal.
10, Faronidiiis, Prodalma, Trimyodites, Anoplectus, Xenogyna,
Pselaphocerus, Pselaphischnus, Laphidioderus, Pseudo-
tyrus, Fustigerodes, are peculiar to the Cape Colony.

Out of 16 genera occurring at the Cape {Beichembachia, Ctenistes,
Odontalgus, Asymoplectus, Baffrayia, Dalmina, Faronidius, Prodalma,
Trimyodites, Anoplectus, Xenogyna, Pselaphischmcs, Laphidioderus,
Pselaphocerus, Pseudotyrus, Fustigerodes), and of which 10 are
peculiar to the Cape, 2 are found in every part of the world, 3 are
found in other parts of Africa, and 1 occurs also in Natal.

It is worthy of note that the genus Baffrayia, which seems to be
a very distinct feature of the Pselaphid fauna of the Cape, where it
is represented by 17 species, has only one representative in Abyssinia
and another one in Natal; and the genus Odontalgus is represented
at the Cape by a very aberrant form.

Out of the 12 genera occurring in Natal {Euplectus, Beichem-
bachia, Ctenistes, Tmesiphorus, Marellus, Zetliopsus, Batrisodes,
Odontalgus, Baffrayia, Dalmina, Novoclaviger, Pselaphus), 5 occur
in every part of the world, 3 in different parts of Africa, 2 in other
parts of Africa and Asia, 1 in the Cape, and 1 only is peculiar.

1897.] of tJie Coleoptera of South Africa. 45

Out of the 6 genera occurring in Mashunaland {Euplectus,
Beichembachia, Zethopsus, Asyvwplectus, Syrhatus, Batoxyla), 2
occur in every part of the world, 1 in other parts of Africa and Asia,
1 in America, 1 at the Cape, and 1 is not recorded from anywhere
else.

Thus out of 16 genera in the Cape Colony, 10 are special ; out of
12 genera in Natal, 1 is special ; out of 6 genera in Mashunaland,
1 is special ; and 5 of the 12 genera occurring in Natal are also found
at the Cape ; 2 out of the 5 found in Mashunaland occur also at the
Cape.

If we now examine the species, we notice that the isolation of
the Cape fauna from that of other parts is still more clearly
marked.

Out of the 76 species known to occur in South Africa, 7 of which
only are found in other parts of Africa, 2 are from Abyssinia, 2 from
the "West Coast of Africa, and 3 from Zanzibar. Of the 2 Abyssinian
species, 1, Rciclicmhachia circuniflexa, occurs also in Mashunaland
and Natal ; the other, Odontalgus vcspertinus, is also met with in
Natal. Out of the 2 species from the West Coast, 1, ReicliemhacJiia
picticornis, is met in Mashunaland and Natal, and the other,
Ctenistes imitator, in Natal ; the 3 Zanzibar species, Zethopsus
sulcicollis, Tmesiphorus ritgicollis, Pselaphiis longiceps, are also met
with in Natal.

The Cape Colony species number 45, all special ; Natal 14, 7 of
which are peculiar to that country ; and Mashunaland 14, 12 of
which are not as yet recorded from elsewhere.

Shape of body variable ; elytra short ; abdomen free and consist-
ing of six tough segments ; maxillary palpi oftener big and quadri-
articulate, occasionally inconspicuous and with only one joint, but
always provided with a small apical appendage ; labial palpi small,
biarticulate ; coxae and trochanters variable in shape ; tarsi always
trijointed, with the first joint extremely small, and having one or
two claws either equal or unequal.

The family PselaphidcB is very closely allied to the Staphylinidce,
and is seemingly a degenerate form of the latter. It is, however,
differentiated from the Staphylinido} by the following characters :
the abdomen consists of six segments (except in the male of some
species, which have a seventh segment), fused together and there-
fore immovable ; the labial palpi have never more than two joints,
and the last joint is provided with at least one small appendage ; the

46

Descriptive Catalogue

[1897.

last joint of the maxillary palpi is always provided with an apical
appendage.

So far as is now known few species are recorded from South
Africa. This scarcity is caused by the dryness of the climate. In
tropical climes, where damp heat and moisture prevail, the Psela-
'pliidoi are very numerous. But although not numerous, they are
peculiar to that part of the world, and the South African fauna is a
very isolated one, except for the eastern part, where an affinity with
the Zanzibar fauna does undoubtedly exist.

PselaphidcB are found under stones, more especially where the
ground is clayey and schistaceous, under the bark of trees, dead
leaves, those of oaks especially, in moss, flying at sunset in marshy
places, and in ants' nests.

The family is divided into two sub - families, PsELAPHiD.aE
Genuine and Clavigekid^, divided by the following distinctive
characters : —

Maxillee and paraglossse spiculose; elytra simple at apex Pselaphid^.
Maxillae and paraglossse with a long ])ubescence ; elytra
and abdomen plicate at base and fasciculate Clavigerid^.

PSELAPHIDiE.

All the trochanters short, insertion of the femur on the
trochanter lateral, base of femur touching, or nearly so, the
coxae

Median trochanters (sometimes the anterior and pos-
terior ones also) long, insertion of the femur on the
trochanter apical, and consequently always at a great
distance from the coxae

PSELAPHID.E

BRACHYSCELID^.

PSELAPHID.E

MACEOSCELID^.

Synopsis of Tribes.

PSELAPHID^ BBACHYSCELID^.

A 2. Hind coxae prominent and conical ; body more or less elon-
gate and depressed.

B 2. Middle coxae prominent and conical ; tarsi with two claws

of generally the same size Faronini.

B 1. Middle coxae globular, not prominent.

C 2. Tarsi with a single claw Euplectini.

C 1. Tarsi with two claws of very unequal size, the internal one

very small, and sometimes hardly apparent Trichonyni.

A 1. Hind and middle coxae globular, not prominent, the hind
coxae sometimes a little triangular and depressed.

B 2. First ventral segment very short, always more or less
hidden under the hind coxae or the metasternum.

C 2. Tarsi with two very unequal claws ; hind coxae somewhat
triangular and depressed (but neither prominent nor
conical) Batrisini.

1897.] of the Cohoptera of South Africa. 47

CI. Tarsi with a single claw ; hind coxse decidedly globular .. Bryaxini.
B 1. First ventral segment large, always longer than the hind

coxse ; antennse geniculate, the first joint very long . . . . Goniacerini.

PSELAPHID^ MaCEOSCELID^.

A 2. First ventral segment large, longer than the hind coxse ;

tarsi with a single claw Pselaphini.

A 1. First ventral segment short, more or less hidden under the
hind coxse or the metasternum.

B 2. Epistoma more or less notched, prominent laterally ; pu-
bescence short and squaniose Ctenistini.

B 1. Epistoma simple and not prominent laterally ; pubescence
generally long and hairlike, and when short never
squamose Tyrini.

So far as is now known the following tribes have no representa-
tives in South Africa : Bijtliinini, Cyathigerini, Hijhocephalini,
Schistodactylini, Arhytodini .

Tmbe FAEONINI.

Eaffray, Eev. Entom., 1890, pp. 82 and 84.

Body linear and depressed ; antennae hardly clubbed at tip ;
middle and hind coxse conical and prominent ; first ventral segment
conspicuous ; tarsi with two equal claws.

In general facies the insects included in this tribe are very much
like some Stapliylinidce of the group Homalini. They are some-
what rare, but numerous in New Zealand ; they have a few repre-
sentatives in the South of Europe, in Algeria, and in North America,
and only one species is known from South Africa.

Gen. PAEONIDIUS, Casey,
Trans. Entom. Soc. Lond., 1887, p. 381; Eaffray, Eev. Entom.,

1893, p. 3.
Elongate, somewhat depressed; head transverse, without temporal
prominences ; antennal tubercle large ; eyes large, set backward ;
maxillary palpi middling, second joint clavate, third a little shorter
than the preceding one, fourth more than twice as large, ovate, not
particularly acuminate at tip, very briefly pilose and with a hardly
noticeable apical appendage ; antennae moderately long, moniliform,
hardly thickened at tip ; prothorax subhexagonal, more attenuate
in front than behind, and impressed ; elytra much longer than the
prothorax and depressed ; abdomen strongly marginate and having
on the dorsal side five clearly defined segments and on the under side
six in the female and seven in the male ; metasternum large, sub-

48 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

quadrate and convex ; legs hardly long ; intermediate and posterior
coxae approximate ; both claws of tarsi of equal length.

The genus is allied to both Sagola and Faronus, and differs mostly
from them by the eyes, which are very large and situated near the
posterior angle of the head. It includes only one species.

Faronidius afkicanus, Casey,

Trans. Entom. Soc, Lond., 1887, p. 382, c fig. (male) ; Eaffray,
Eev. Entom., 1893, p. 4, pi. 1, fig. 15 (female).

Moderately elongate, depressed, testaceous red, with the antennae,
palpi, and legs testaceous, covered with a modei'ately dense flavous
pubescence ; head much transverse and without any posterior
angles ; eyes large ; antennal tubercle prominent, narrow, de-
pressed, and slightly canaliculate ; vertex little raised transversely ;
antennae half the length of the body, not distant from one another at
base, stout, first joint elongate, subcylindrical, second ovate, third
smaller, subquadrate, fourth to eighth briefly oblong and slightly
decreasing in length, ninth to tenth subquadrate, eleventh oblong
and acuminate at tip ; prothorax as long as broad, a little wider than
the head and eyes, much attenuate in front, rounded laterally in the
median part and sinuate from there towards the base, lateral foveas
large, the median one small, and joined by a strong, transverse and
arcuate sulcus to two minute, oblong, basal foveas ; elytra more than
twice the length of the prothorax and a little longer, sutural stria
pluripunctate at base, dorsal stria extending as far as the median
part and pluripunctate at base, between the striae are four punctures
disposed in a line ; abdomen nearly equal in length to the elytra, the
three basal segments gradually increasing in length. The male is
distinct from the female ; the antennae are half the length of the
body, the joints from the fourth to the tenth inclusive are slightly
decreasing in length, and from the fifth to the ninth, a little angular
internally, and obliquely subemarginate externally at apex ; seventh
ventral segment small and with a quadrate median impression.
Length 1-30-1 -60 mm.

This insect is rather variable, especially in size ; it is in the
large-size males that the intermediate joints of the antennae are more
or less angular internally ; in the females of small size the joints are
slightly thicker towards the tip. The median impression of the pro-
thorax is somewhat quadrate with the lateral offshoots very short.

Hab. Cape Colony (Wellington, Stellenbosch, Newlands, Cape
Town).

1897.] of the Goleoptera of South Africa. 49

Teibe EUPLECTINI.
Eaffray, Eev. d'Entom., 1890, pp. 82 and 91.

Body elongate, more or less depressed ; antennae distant at base
or approximate ; maxillary palpi variable, sometimes recumbent in
an upper fovea ; prothorax more or less cordate ; elytra variable ;
abdomen with five conspicuous segments on the upper part and six
underneath, sometimes even seven in the male ; intermediate coxae
globose, not prominent ; posterior ones conical ; first ventral segment
more or less conspicuous ; tarsi triarticulate, with the basal joint
very small ; one single claw.

This tribe includes a large number of minute insects found in
marshy places throughout the world.

The characters of the genera are subject to a gi-eat deal of modifi-
cation, and therefore very inconsistent.

Gen. ZETHOPSUS, Eeitter,

Ent. Monatsbl. 1880, p. 85; Eaffr., Eev. Entom., 1887, p. 50.

Zethus, Schauf. Nunq. Otios. 11, p. 249. — iiom prevec.

Linear, depressed ; head transverse behind, with a large antennal
tabercle in front and a large, superior fovea for the reception of the
palpi on each side ; eyes placed laterally and backward ; maxillary
palpi quadriarticulate, first joint inconspicuous, second large, slender
at base and strongly clavate, third inserted on the side of the
second, smaller and irregular, fourth transverse, irregularly ovate and
inserted in the middle of the preceding one ; antennae ten-jointed,
first joint large, second much bigger than the following, third to ninth
inclusive moniliform, transverse, tenth largest of all, globose or
briefly ovate; prothorax more or less cordate, impressed ; elytra sub-
quadrate ; abdomen elongate, marginate ; legs short ; intermediate
coxae close to the posterior ones ; first joint of the tarsi subconical,
second hardly noticeable, third large and with a single claw.

This genus is a most peculiar one ; the joints of the palpi fold on
each other into a deep fovea situated on the upper surface of the
head on each side of the frontal tubercle ; the abdominal sexual
indices are wanting, but sometimes the frontal tubercles of the
male show some difference from those of the female .

It is more largely represented in the Indo-Malayan region than in
Africa. I have, however, captured several species in Zanzibar, and
one occurs in Mashunaland.

4

50 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

Zethopsus laticeps.

Ferruginous, entirely smooth and shining, and covered with a
brief, palhd pubescence ; head large, transverse, with the antennal
tubercle three times as wide as the vertex, slightly rounded at apex
and impressed in the middle ; first joint of antennae simple, second
quadrate, third to ninth inclusive smaller, transverse and compact,
tenth largest of all, subglobose, hardly acuminate ; prothorax
narrower than the head, cordate, with a large double median trans-
verse fovea, lateral fovete transverse, the discoidal fovea well distinct
and rounded; elytra subquadrate and convex, bifoveate at base and
with the external fovea sulciform ; abdomen longer than the elytra
and a little narrower, first three dorsal segments broadly and deeply
impressed at base with the impression filled with an ochreous
squamose pubescence ; fourth joint a little larger than the preceding
ones. Length 1-10 mm.

Owing to the very large frontal tubercle, this species is closely
allied to Z. latifrons, Eaffr., from Zanzibar, but in this last-named
species the prothorax is punctured and the antennge are longer
and the two first joints as well as the last one longer and broader.

Hah. Zambezia (Salisbury).

Zethopsus sulcicollis.

Chestnut brown, with a slight flavous pubescence ; antennae and
legs red ; head and prothorax with scattered punctures ; head not
much transverse ; antennal tubercle broad, deeply sulcate, dentate
inwardly and faintly sulcate on the vertex ; the two basal joints of
the antennae quadrate, the first one larger than the others, the third
to the ninth inclusive moniliform, transverse, the tenth large, ovate ;
prothorax subcordate, longer than broad, and having a wide, gemi-
nate, median fovea, somewhat shallow, the sides are robust and
and there is a deep discoidal sulcus in the anterior part ; elytra
hardly longer than broad, wider than the prothorax, slightly convex,
rounded laterally, and having at the base two large oblong foveae ;
sutural stria entire, dorsal one wanting ; first three dorsal segments
broadly impressed ; tibiae, especially the intermediate ones, slightly
thickened in the middle outwardly and arcuate inwardly ; female
unknown. Length 1-20 mm.

Hah. Natal, also Zanzibar.

Z. sulcicoUis differs from the preceding one by the less broad
frontal tubercle and the deep groove in the anterior part of the
disk.

1897.] of the Coleoptcra of South Africa. 51

Gen. PEODALMA.

Body oblong, subconvex ; head large ; antennae distant from one
another, eleven-jointed, club little swollen, last joint larger than the
others ; palpi moderately large, first joint hardly noticeable, second
slender and clavate at tip, third ovate, minute, fourth large, slightly
securiform and acuminate at tip ; prothorax cordate, sulcate trans-
vei'sely and bifoveate ; elytra short, attenuate at shoulders, but
dentate, lateral margin sulcate, sutural stria entire, dorsal one
abbreviate ; first dorsal segment of abdomen larger than the others,
female with six ventral ones, male with seven, seventh segment of
the male very minute and tuberculate ; intermediate and posterior
coxge approximate ; metasternum convex and slightly transverse ;
tarsi thick, first joint very minute, second large, thickened at tip,
third smaller, cylindrical, one claw.

In general facies this genus is very different from Eicplectus, and
nevertheless the generic characters are much the same ; the last
joint of the maxillary palpi is much larger and a little oblique
inwardly. One species only is included in this genus.

Prodalma capensis,
Plate XVI., fig. 19.

Entirely rufous ; antennse and legs testaceous, covered with a long
pilosity not closely set ; head large, convex, and a little broader than
long, rounded behind, slightly attenuate in front, with the frontal
part truncate, and having two foveas situated between the eyes as
well as two oblique sulci connected with a well-marked, transverse
frontal sulcus ; vertex carinate ; antennae moderately elongate, the
two basal joints larger than the others, the second one briefly ovate,
third somewhat conical, fourth to eighth inclusive moniliform,
seventh and eighth transverse, tenth larger, transverse, eleventh
large, briefly ovate, acuminate ; prothorax a little broader than the
head and especially longer, very cordate, and having two lateral
foveas and a transverse sulcus slightly narrowed ; elytra not longer
than the prothorax and a little broader at apex, slightly rounded
laterally and attenuate at base, without shoulders but minutely
dentate at the humeral angle, bifoveate at base and with the dorsal
stria shortened before the median part ; abdomen slightly more
attenuate at base than the elytra, slightly arcuate laterally ; first
dorsal segment much larger than the others, impressed transversely
at base ; anterior femora thicker than the others.

Male : Antennge much thicker ; elytra bisinuate at apex ; third to
fifth ventral segment short, equal, sixth large, incised at apex,
seventh minute, tuberculose ; eyes larger.

52 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

Female : Antennae slender ; eyes minute ; elytra truncate, straight
at apex ; third to fifth ventral segment decreasing in size, sixth
large, transversely triangular. Length 1 mm.

The seventh ventral ring in the male seems to be reduced to a
strong tubercle situated in the centre of a depression at the apex of
the preceding segment, but it is, I think, without doubt a true
segment.

I have found two examples only : one, a female, in the Platklip
Stream at the foot of Table Mountain, and one male at Newlands,
also at the foot of Table Mountain.

Gen. TEIMIODYTES.

Subelongate and hardly convex ; head large ; antennae distant at
base, moniliform, and with an inconspicuous club ; palpi moderately
elongate, the two basal joints slightly thickened at apex, third
minute, fourth large, fusiform, subelongate and acuminate ; pro-
thorax cordate, transversely sulcate and trifoveate ; elytra little
elongate, without shoulders and not dentate, marginal sulcus deficient,
sutural stria entire, dorsal one short ; abdominal segments equal,
the second ventral one larger than the others ; intermediate and
posterior coxae approximate ; tarsi large, first joint very small, second
conical, third cylindrical; a single strong claw.

This genus is very closely allied to Prodalma, from which it diifers
by the more elongate body, the elytra having neither humeral tooth
nor subepipleural groove, the first dorsal segment equal in size to
the following, and the longer tarsi.

Teimiodytes palustris,
Plate XVI., fig. 18.
Totally chestnut red ; the legs, antennae, and palpi red, with
scattered yellowish hairs ; elytra darker than the rest of the body ;
head large, shghtly attenuate in the anterior part, frontal part little
oblique on each side, vertex slightly convex, briefly and indistinctly
carinate, and having two small distant fovete placed nearly before
the eyes, merging into one another and joined in the anterior part
by two round sulci ; eyes small, median ; antennae elongate, stout,
with the first joint bigger than the others, the second ovate and
larger than the others, the third suboblong, slightly obconical, fourth
to eighth inclusive moniliform, ninth a little bigger and shghtly
transverse, tenth larger than the preceding, eleventh ovate, truncate
at base, acuminate at apex ; prothorax a little narrower than the
head, strongly cordate, slightly sinuate behind the median part and
having deep but not broad lateral foveas, median one large, shallow,

1897.] of the Colco])tera of South Africa. 53

subtriangular, transverse sulcus narrow, and base itself impressed
transversely ; elytra a little broader and longer than the prothorax,
attenuate at base, sides very little rounded, deeply bifoveate at base,
dorsal stria not reaching the median part ; abdomen almost equal in
length to the elytra and attenuate behind ; metasternum convex ;
legs sufficiently long, femora little thickened ; tibiae not quite
straight, slightly thickened at apex. Male unknown. Length
1"10 mm.

Hab. Cape Colony (Muizenberg).

Gen. EUPLECTUS, Leach,
Zool. Miscell., iii., 1817, p. 80.

Elongate, sublinear ; head large ; maxillary palpi moderately
long, first joint not conspicuous, second slightly clavate at tip,
third minute, fourth ovate, acuminate ; club of antennae triarticulate ;
prothorax coi'date and having three fovese joined by a transverse
sulcus, discoidal fovea unconnected with the others ; elytra mode-
rately elongate, bifoveate at base, dorsal stria conspicuous, short ;
abdomen elongate, first three dorsal segments of same size as the
first, fourth much larger, male with seven segments on the under
side, female with six ; first ventral segment depressed at apex
between the coxse, second to fourth subequal, fifth smaller, sixth
much larger than the preceding one, arcuate and hardly ampliate
laterally, seventh large, rhomboid, and more or less sulcate or sub-
carinate longitudinally ; posterior and intermediate coxse approxi-
mate ; tarsi moderately slender, first joint minute, second elongate,
slightly arcuate and hardly thickened, third cylindrical ; a single
claw.

The distinguishing characters of this genus are : fourth dorsal
segments very wide, basal one in the abdominal part flattened in the
apical part, sixth larger than the second, arcuately concave and not
ampliate laterally, seventh one without operculum in the male.

The genus is largely represented in Europe and North America,
and has few representatives in Africa. These insects live, as a rule,
in marshy places.

EUPLECTUS DISCOIDALIS.

Elongate, m^oderately convex, rufous, with the antennae and legs
paler, briefly and sparsely pubescent ; head large, attenuate for a
short space, frontal sulcus transverse, strong, entire ; eyes large,
two large foveas and two straight sulci ; vertex briefly sulcate next
to the neck ; antennae short, slightly thickened, the two basal joints
quadrate, third to eighth inclusive moniliform, ninth slightly, tenth

54 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

much transverse, eleventh briefly ovate and obtusely acuminate ;
prothorax of nearly the same width as the head, subcordate, more
atteiiuate behind than in front, obtusely dentate laterally, beyond
the median part and alongside a large lateral fovea, median fovea
small, transverse sulcus angular, discoidal fovea free, deep, rounded,
base bifoveate ; elytra elongate v^ith the shoulders quadrate, not
attenuate at base, sides slightly rounded towards the median part,
basal part with two large fovese, dorsal stria more or less abbreviated
and situated at about one-third of the width ; first three dorsal seg-
ments of abdomen short, the two basal ones impressed transversely
in the middle of the basal part, fourth twice as long ; metasternum
sulcate ; tibiae slightly thickened externally beyond the median
pai't.

Male : Fourth, fifth, and sixth ventral segments impressed trans-
versely, seventh large, strongly triangular at apex, and having a
longitudinal, entire, and slightly arcuate carinule.

Female : Sixth and last ventral segment large, acuininate at tip,
last dorsal one very small and acutely dentate at tip. Length
1-40 mm.

This species is closely allied to E. africanus, Eaffr., from Zanzibar
and Abyssinia, and is to be distinguished by sexual characters only ;
in E. africanus male the ventral segments have no impression, the
seventh is smaller and more rounded ; in the female the last ventral
segment is rounded and the last dorsal one not dentate.

Hab. Rhodesia (Salisbury).

EUPLECTUS QUADEICEPS.

Very similar to the preceding species ; differs in the shape of
the head, which is not at all narrowed in the anterior part, and is
thus nearly square ; the antennae are thicker, the tenth joint not so
transverse, and the last one is more elongate, nearly straight laterally
and is rounded at tip.

The sexual differences are very marked in the male, the fourth
ventral segment of which is obtusely angular and projects a little
over the following one, which is deeply and transversely impressed
under the apical angular edge of the fourth, the sixth is impressed
in the centre, and the seventh bears only at tip a small elongate
tubercle ; in the female the last dorsal segment has no tooth, and
the last joint of the antennae is quadrate.

Hah. Ehodesia (Salisbury).

E. africanus from Zanzibar and Abyssinia, E. discoidalis and E.
quadriceps from South Africa, are so closely allied to one another
that they might be taken for one and the same species but for the

.1897.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 55

sexual characters, which differ greatly in the male as well as in two
of the females.

Gen. ASYMOPLECTUS.

Elongate, depressed, parallel ; head large ; antennal club tri-
articulate ; prothorax more or less trapezoid with all the angles
rounded, three foveas connected by a transverse sulcus, the discoidal
fovea frequently wanting ; elytra subelongate, bifoveate at base and
without dorsal stria ; abdomen more or less elongate, first two dorsal
segments equal, third and fourth larger, principally in the male,
which has seven ventral segments, and the female six, the first one
between the coxae is carinate, the second to fourth inclusive sub-
equal, fifth smaller in male, sixth nearly invisible in the middle but
conspicuous and irregular laterally, seventh large, carinate ; in the
female the fifth joint is a little smaller, and the sixth large, sub-
triangular ; the other characters are as in Euplectus.

This genus is closely allied to Euplectus and Bihloplcctus ; it
differs from both by the first ventral segment being strongly carinate
from base to apex ; in the male the sixth segment is almost entirely
liidden in the median part, but wide and more or less irregular
laterally ; the third and fourth dorsal segments are much larger than
the others, while the fourth one is larger in Euplectus, and in Bihlo-
plectus they are all of about the same size. Owing to the shape of
the prothorax and the absence of dorsal stria on the elytra it
resembles much more Bihloplectus than Euplectus.

The genus occurs only in Africa ; it includes Euplectus antennatus,
Raffr., from Abyssinia, and six South African species.

AsYMOPLECTUs DiscicoLLis, Eaffr.,
Plate XVI., fig. 21.

Biblopilectus discicollis. Rev. Entom., vi., 1887, p. 53.

Elongate, piceous black or brown ; elytra more or less reddish
l)rown ; antennae and legs testaceous or red, covered with a pale
pubescence ; head of a moderate size, attenuate in front, and broad
l)etween the eyes, bifoveate, and having two not particularly obhque
sulci joined with a transverse anterior one, vertex minutely impressed
near the neck ; antennae moderately robust, the first two joints
larger than the others and the second ovato-quadrate, third to eighth
moniliform, ninth to tenth a little larger, increasing in length and
transverse, eleventh moderately ovate and obtusely acuminate ; pro-
thorax a Httle larger than the head, suborbicular, conspicuously
foveate on each side and having a transverse sulcus angular in the
middle and produced behind in a subelongate, small fovea ; elytra

56 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

broader than the prothorax and much longer, parallel laterally, quad-
rate at the shoulders and subdentate, and having three foveae at the
base, the external one of which is much smaller than the others and
now and then more or less sulciform ; abdomen longer than the
elytra ; metasternum convex, sometimes obsoletely impressed ; tibiae
slightly thickened externally behind the middle.

Male : Third dorsal abdominal segment nearly twice as large as the
preceding one, fourth a little smaller than the third, fourth ventral
one obtusely angular in the middle, totally and deeply impressed,
fifth much smaller, very angular in the middle, median part of the
sixth inconspicuous, but with an arcuate sulcus on the right side,
dentate at apex, left side wider, much dentate and incised, seventh
with an arcuate longitudinal ridge ; intermediate and posterior tro-
chanters slightly angular.

Female : Third and fourth dorsal segments only a little longer
than the preceding ones, the fifth ventral one one-quarter shorter,
sixth large, triangular, and sometimes slightly impressed. Length
1-10-1 -30 mm.

In my original description I mistook the female for the male.

Hah. Cape Colony (Stellenbosch).

ASYMOPLECTUS IRREGULARIS,

Plate XVI., fig. 23.

Eather convex, chestnut brown, with a moderately soft grey
pubescence ; head small and short ; antennse thicker, club larger
and the eleventh joint with a longer point ; prothorax longer than
broad, more attenuate in the anterior than in the posterior part,
and having a nearly straight transverse sulcus much extended
behind in the median part ; elytra having the sides much rounded
and an external fovea briefly sulciform ; first dorsal abdominal seg-
ment impressed in the middle at base ; tibiae little thickened.

Male : Third dorsal segment nearly three times the size of the pre-
ceding one, fourth smaller ; fourth ventral one slightly sinuate in
the middle and minutely impressed at apex, fifth nearly straight,
sixth very small in the median part and with a round incision, right
side wide, truncate at apex and strongly bidentate, left side deeply
incised at apex, seventh much rounded at apex and having a slightly
arcuate longitudinal carina, and near it a slight depression ; meta-
sternum hardly impressed.

Female : Third dorsal segment not twice as large as the pre-
ceding one, fifth ventral segment shorter by one-half than the fourth,
sixth large, subtriangular, rounded at apex and slightly impressed.
Length 1-20 mm.

1897.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 57

Larger and more convex than A. discicoUis, and of a much hghter
colour.

Hab. Rhodesia (Sahsbury).

ASYMOPLECTUS CAVIVENTBIS,

Plate XVI., fig. 22.

Moderately depressed, black or piceous black, sometimes with the
discoidal part of the elytra brown ; antennae and legs red ; head
smaller than in A. discicoUis, more elongate than in A. irregulari ;
antennae as in A. discicoUis, the last joint is, however, a little longer;
prothorax briefly subovate, longer than broad, more attenuate in the
anterior than in the posterior part, the transverse sulcus angulate in
the middle and extended behind ; disk with a sulciform fovea or an
abbreviated sulcus more or less obsolete ; elytra not much broader
than the prothorax, rounded for a short space laterally and having a
briefly sulciform, external fovea.

Male : Third dorsal segment of abdomen thrice as broad as the
preceding one, fourth a little smaller than the third ; fourth ventral
segment slightly sinuate at apex and transversely impressed in the
middle, fifth incised in the middle in such a way as to form an angle,
sixth with the right side sinuate, left side obtusely and widely
incised and also obtusely dentate ; seventh elongate, carinate,
obtusely acuminate at apex ; metasternum at times obsoletely
impressed ; anterior femora much thickened.

Female : Third dorsal segment merely a little larger than the
preceding one, the fifth ventral one shorter than the others by one-
half, sixth large, triangular, much acuminate at tip. Length 1'20-
1-30 mm.

The distinctive character of this species is the discoidal impres-
sions of the prothorax which are never entirely obliterated.

Hab. Cape Colony (Cape Town, Newlands, Stellenbosch).

AsYMOPLECTUS LUCTUOSUS,

Plate XVL, fig. 26.
Elongate, somewhat narrow and depressed ; piceous black ; elytra
sometimes with the disk dark brown ; antennae and legs brown,
covered with a short, sparse, decumbent pubescence ; head large,
longer than broad, slightly attenuate in the anterior part ; antennae
similar to those of A. discicoUis, but with a larger club ; prothorax
not broader than the head, a little longer than broad, nearly straight
laterally and with all the angles rounded, nearly evenly attenuate in
both the anterior and posterior part ; lateral foveae small, the

58 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

transverse sulcus not deep, little angular and briefly produced
behind.

Elytra a little broader than the prothorax, moderately elongate,
parallel laterally with the shoulders quadrate ; external fovea large
but hardly sulciform ; abdomen a little l^roader behind than at base.

Male: Third dorsal segment not twice as long as the preceding
one, fourth nearly equal to the third ; of the ventral ones the fourth
is hardly sinuate at apex, the fifth deeply foveate in the middle, the
sixth is impressed in a circular manner and slightly asymmetrical
and obsoletely sinuate laterally, seventh large, triangular, obtusely
carinate at apex ; metasternum at times inconspicuously impressed.

Female : Third and fourth dorsal segments merely a little larger
than the preceding one, fifth ventral one shorter than the fourth by
one-half, sixth large, transversely triangular and acuminate at tip.
Length 1-1 • 10 mm.

This species is smaller, more slender and more parallel than the
others, and the ultimate ventral segment in the male is less irregular
in shape.

Hab. Cape Colony (Cape Town, Stellenbosch).

ASYMOPLECTUS ATERRIMUS,

Plate XVI., fig. 25.

Shorter and broader than the other species, black or piceous black,
now and then paler on the disk for a short distance ; head large,
more attenuate in front than behind, temporal prominences rounded,
the foveae between the eyes larger than the others, the sulci incon-
spicuous ; antennee shorter and much thicker than in the other
species, club less conspicuous ; prothorax similar in shape to that of
A. discicollis, but ratlier narrower than the head; elytra a little
broader than the prothorax, slightly elongate and rounded for a short
space ; abdomen convex, declivous and much rounded at apex.

Male : Third dorsal segment nearly twice as large as the preceding
one, fourth ventral one hardly sinuate at apex and with a minute
median tubercle, fifth with the median part broadly depressed
transversely and deeply incised circularly, seventh brief, obtuse at
tip and with a straight longitudinal carina ; metasternum slightly
impressed ; intermediate and posterior trochanters slightly angular.

Female : Abdomen less convex, third dorsal segment only a little
larger than the preceding one, fifth ventral not quite half the size
of the preceding sixth transverse, and with the apex obtuse and
nearly rounded. Length 1-10-1-30 mm.

This species is shorter and broader than the others, and the ventral
segments are symmetrical.

Hab. Cape Colony (Cape Town, Newlands).

1897.] of the Goleoptera of South Africa. 59

ASYMOPLECTUS ATRATUS,

Plate XVI., fig. 24.

Moderately elongate, parallel, depressed, piceous ; antennae and
legs testaceous red ; head large, attenuate in front ; foveas large and
sulci slightly arcuate ; antennae moderately short, joints increasing
perceptibly from the third to the apical one and much thickened
at apex, while the club, however, is little conspicuous; prothorax
slightly cordate and subequal in width to the head ; elytra hardly
rounded laterally, external fovea sulciform ; abdomen moderately
short, convex and declivous, obtusely triangular at apex.

Male : Third dorsal segment hardly double the length of the
preceding one, fourth much deflexed, the fourth ventral one with a
longitudinal carina from end to end, sixth symmetrical, tuberculate in
the middle and with the sides simple and oblique, seventh rhomboidal,
obsoletely carinate ; metasternum convex.

Female, perhaps of this species : Eufous brown (immature) ;
head large ; third dorsal segment of abdomen hardly larger than
the preceding one, fifth ventral one shorter by more than one-half
than the fourth, sixth transverse and rounded at apex. Length
1 mm.

This species is different from the others by its smallei' size ; the
antennae are shorter, and gradually thickening from the third joint
to the tip, so that the club, although of good size, is not so con-
spicuous. I am not sure, although I believe it, that the female here
described belongs to the same species ; the head is somewhat larger
than in the male.

Hab. Cape Colony (Newlands. I have seen one example only of
each sex).

Gen. ANOPLECTUS.

Short, broad, depressed ; head large, antennal club hardly con-
spicuous, triarticulate ; prothorax cordate, trifoveate, and having
a strong transverse sulcus, longitudinal sulcus not conspicuous ;
elytra subquadrate, bifoveate at base and without dorsal stria; first
to fourth abdominal dorsal segments subequal, first ventral one cari-
nate between the coxae, second to fourth subequal, fifth minute, sixth
small in the middle and ampliate laterally ; male with a seventh
rhomboidal one, depressed and with a slightly oblique raised line.

This genus has great affinities with Eitplectus, Asijmoplectus, and
Bibloplectics. It differs from Eitplectiis in having the dorsal seg-
ments of the abdomen very nearly equal, the basal ventral one
strongly carinate, the sixth not wider in the middle than the fifth
and no dorsal stria on the elytra ; the shape of the dorsal part of

60 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

the abdominal segments and the much shorter body differentiate it
from Asymoplectus, and the distinctive characters which separate it
from Bibloplectus, which has also the dorsal part of the abdominal
segment subequal, are the much smaller sixth ventral segment, and
in the male the seventh one which has no operculcum, a strong
characteristic of Bihloplectus, the basal joint strongly carinate, the
much shorter body, and the decidedly cordate prothorax.

AnOPLECTUS NIGER.

Black, or piceous black ; antennae, palpi, and legs brown (now and
again the coxae, the mouth, and the under part of the abdomen are
more or less rufous brown) ; body covered with a very short, sparse,
moderately soft pubescence ; head short, attenuate in front with the
sides oblique, frontal part with a large, transverse sulcus between
the eyes, two strong fovese and some short sulci ; it is slightly
sinuate behind near the neck, and impressed in the middle in the
shape of an incision ; antennae moderately slender, the two basal
joints much larger than the others, the second one ovato-quadrate,
third to eighth monilifoi'm, ninth to tenth a little larger than the
others and slightly transverse, eleventh briefly ovate and obtusely
acuminate ; prothorax hardly broader than the head, briefly cordate,
lateral foveae large, median one small, transverse sulcus strong,
angular, longitudinal one nearly entire but slender and nearly
obsolete ; elytra longer than broad and a little broader than the
prothorax, subparallel laterally, bifoveate at base, humeral fovea
strong, dorsal sulcus wanting, posterior margin fringed with a
whitish squamose pubescence ; abdomen a little longer than the
elytra and somewhat abruptly attenuate at apex ; legs moderately
robust.

Male : Fifth ventral segment short, sixth subequal in the centre,
emarginate triangularly, faintly tuberculate on each side and slightly
sinuate, seventh large, depressed, and having a longitudinal, slightly
raised oblique line ; intermediate tibicB with a minute apical spur ;
metasternum more or less depressed.

Female : Metasternum convex, fifth abdominal ventral segment
hardly smaller than the preceding one, sixth large, triangular.
Length 1-1 '20 mm.

Hab. Cape Colony (Stellenbosch).

Gen. XENOGYNA.

Elongate, subparallel, subconvex ; head moderately elongate,
slightly attenuate in front ; eyes moderately large ; maxillary palpi
moderately long, second joint small, clavate at tip, third small,

1897.] of tJie Colcoptcra of South Africa. 61

globose, fourth fusiform, moderately acuminate ; antennae short,
thick, intermediate and penultimate joints transverse ; prothorax
subcordate and with three foveas, transverse sulci connected with
one another, base with several punctures ; elytra moderately elongate,
subparallel, dorsal stria short ; first four abdominal ventral segments
subequal, both sexes with six ventral segments, the first one with a
triangular depression between the coxae, the second to the fifth
gradually decreasing ; prosternum carinate, posterior coxae near one
another.

The facies is that of Eicplectus, but the prosternum is carinate.
Its nearest ally is the North American genus Eutyphlus.

Xenogyna heteroceea,
Plate XVI., fig. 17.

Pale ferruginous, and with a brief, pallid pubescence ; head longer
than broad, slightly attenuate in front, and having two foveae as well
as strong, nearly straight sulci joined with a frontal transverse sul-
cus, placed behind the eyes, vertex slightly convex, sinuate behind
and incised in the middle ; antennae short, thick, first joint sub-
elongate, subcylindrical, second briefly ovate, third globose, slightly
transverse, intermediate ones different in each sex, eleventh short,
truncate at base, acuminate at apex ; prothorax a little broader than
the head, subcordate, and having the sides crenulate, lateral fovese
distant from the margin and much larger than the median one,
transverse sulcus hardly deep, slightly angulate in the middle, base
with several small foveae ; elytra a little broader than the prothorax,
much longer than broad, subparallel laterally with the shoulders
rounded, bifoveate at base, sutural stria entire, the dorsal one
attenuate l^efore the middle ; abdomen nearly equal in length to the
elytra, first dorsal segment impressed transversely at base, last dorsal
one quadrate at apex.

Male : Third joint of antennae transverse, fourth to fifth twice as
broad as the preceding ones, produced inwardly, very transverse,
the fifth one thicker than the fourth, sixth to eighth transverse,
nearly equal in size to the third one, ninth a little larger, transverse,
tenth broader and thicker than the ninth ; apical margin of the third
ventral segment minutely but acutely bituberculate, sixth trans-
versely depressed at base ; metasternum depressed ; elytra not
attenuate at base and witli the shoulders quadrate. Length
1-40 mm.

Female : Fourth to ninth joints of antennae decreasing in length
but increasing in width, tentli a little thicker than the others, club

62 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

almost inconspicuous ; elytra slightly attenuate at base and without
any humeral angle ; eyes smaller than in male. Length 1-30 mm.

The female is smaller and less robust than the male — an unusual
case. Found in mosses.

Hab. Cape Colony (Cape Town).

Gen. EAFFEAYIA, Eeitter,
Verb. Naturf. Ver. Brunn, xx. p. 198.

Body subelongate, more or less parallel ; head variable ; antennae
short and thick, joints pluridentate, intermediate ones sometimes
compressed, club hardly distinct ; maxillary palpi strong, first joint
inconspicuous, second elongate, a little incurved, strongly clavate at
apex, third subtriangular, minute, fourth fusiform, large, attenuate at
tip and provided with a minute, short, and obtuse appendage ; pro-
thorax more or less cordate, foveate and sulcate ; elytra with a
humeral angle which is most often attenuate, but nevertheless more
or less dentate and having a sulcate lateral margin ; abdomen broadly
marginate, both sexes with six ventral abdominal segments, the first
dorsal one larger than the others or equal ; posterior coxae approxi-
mate ; tarsi triarticulate, the first joint small, the second thicker and
subobconic, third subcylindrical and more slender than the others,
two claws differing much in size.

This genus was established by Eeitter for Trichonyx antcnnatus,
Eaffr., from Abyssinia. It is a very distinct one, but allied to the
European genus Trichonyx. Its distinctive feature is the presence
of one or two rings of minute tubercles on each antennal joint.

The sexual characters vary in each species, and the eyes, the under
part of the head, the epistoma, the elytra, and the inferior segments
of the abdomen are subject to modification. These sexual characters
vary even in the same species, and there are cases of dimorphism in
the male, the more developed ones having the normal characters of
their sex, while others less well developed are similar to the female
except for the last ventral segment, which displays the usual sexual
marks of the male sex ; in other cases certain females have the
characteristics of the male.

Owing to the antennae being very often compressed, a very careful
examination is needed for ascertaining their true shape.

With the exception of Raffrayia antcnnata, which occurs in
Abyssinia, all the other species inhabit South Africa, and are par-
ticularly abundant both in number of species and examples in the
neighbourhood of Cape Town. They are found under bark and
stones, but more especially in sifting the dead leaves of the oak-tree.

1897.] of the Colcoptera of South Africa. 63

Synopsis of Species.

A 2. First dorsal segment of the abdomen much larger than the
others.

B 2. Antennse slightly clavate, the penultimate joint (more

especially the ninth) larger than the intermediate ones . . cavicepa.

B 1. Antennae without chib, the two penultimate joints (espe-
cially the ninth) smaller than the intermediate ones.

C 2. Third joint of the antennae strongly transverse deplanata.

C 1. Third joint of the antennae at least as long as or longer than
broad, triangular or globose, never transverse.

D 2. Prothorax entirely without longitudinal sulcus.

E 2. Head big and thick, rounded, the sulci shallow, arcuate, the

carinate on the vertex obsolete and very short inccvta.

E 1. Head smaller, sides oblique, sulci deep, large and oblique,
the carinula of the vertex long and strong.

F 2. Antennae more slender, ninth joint globose, tenth scarcely

transverse, both much smaller than the intermediate ones variabilis.

F 1. Antennffi much shorter and thicker, ninth joints slightly
and tenth strongly transverse, very little larger than the
intermediate ones calcarata

D 1. Prothorax with a longitudinal sulcus more or less complete,
but ne^'er totally wanting even in the least developed
specimens.

E 2. Prothorax strongly cordiform, as long or nearly as long as
broad, longitudinal sulcus more or less obsolete, transverse
or angulate in the middle ; shoulders generally attenuated
in both sexes.

F 2. Antennte more slender, ninth joint globose, colour generally

darker, piceous brown armata.

F 1. Antennae much thicker, ninth joint transverse, colour
ferruginous, sometimes the shoulders are quadrate in
both sexes nasufa.

E 1. Prothorax very little cordate, broader than long, longi-
tudinal sulcus complete and well marked, transverse one
straight, shoulders very quadrate in both sexes cniciata.

A 1. First dorsal segment of abdomen not larger than the
following ones.

B 2. Antennae with the joints (at least the intermediate ones)
transverse.

C 2. Prothorax with a longitudinal sulcus more or less obsolete,
and sometimes reduced to an oblong fovea in the anterior
part of the base.

D 2. Prothorax transversely ovate, not cordiform laticoUis.

D 1. Prothorax cordiform, at least as long as broad.

E 2. Longitudinal sulcus deep and well defined rngosida.

E 1. Longitudinal sulcus more or less interrupted or obsolete.

F 2. Broad; antennae with intermediate joints slightly transverse,
ninth and tenth nearly quadrate ; prothorax ampliated on
the sides ; elytra slightly longer than wide, ferruginous or
testaceous major ina.

F 1. More slender ; antenna with the intermediate joints and
also the ninth and tenth very transverse ; prothorax
longer, not ampliated on the sides ; elytra longer than
broad ; colour generally dark with the feet rufous . . . . hicolor.

64 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

0 1. Prothorax without any longitudinal channel, the antebasal

fovea wanting or round.
D 2. Head without any frontal transverse sulcus.
E 2. Broad and convex ; prothorax slightly cordate, broader than

long ; elytra not much longer than wide natalenfiis.

E 1. Narrow, depressed ; prothorax much cordate, longer than

broad ; elytra much longer than broad.
F 1. Larger ; head scarcely narrowed in front, sulci deep and

very oblique ; prothorax sinuose on the sides close to the

transverse sulcus pilosella.

F 2. Smaller ; head strongly narrowed in front, svilci fine, little

arcuated and less distant from each other; prothorax

regularly cordate without sinuosity on the sides . . . . abdominalis.
D 1. Head with a deep transverse sulcus on the frontal part,

dividing in two the tubercules bearing the antennae.
F 2. Head large, quadrate ; antennae little compact, ninth joint

quadrate, tenth very little transverse nodosa.

E 1. Head smaller, longer than wide.

F 2. Ferruginous or rufous ; antennae compact and rather short,

tenth joint very transverse microcephala.

F 1. Black ; antennae longer and slender, joints third to seventh

only slightly transverse, eighth to tenth quadrate . . . . ohscitra.
B 1. Antennae elongate, joints quadrate or even longer than wide lonrjula.

Eapfrayia caviceps,
Plate XVI., fig. 1.
Elongate, rufous or rufo-ferruginous, with the antennae and legs
paler, covered with a pale pubescence ; head slightly attenuate in
front, sides oblique, two large foveas between the eyes and two strong
oblique sulci connected in the anterior part, vertex slightly raised
and carinate lengthways from apex to base ; antennae rather elon-
gate, club triarticulate, first joint cylindrical, second ovate, third
obconic, fourth to tenth transverse, the fifth a little larger than the
following ones, while the joints are decreasing from the fifth to the
eighth inclusive, ninth and tenth larger than the preceding ones,
eleventh briefly ovate, truncate at base, strongly acuminate at apex ;
prothorax neither longer nor broader than the head, equal in length
and breadth, oblongo-cordate, more attenuate in front than behind,
lateral foveae large, longitudinal sulcus obsolete, the transverse one
strong, not quite straight ; elytra as long as broad, base not attenuate,
shoulders well defined, dentate, oblique, sides hardly rounded, dorsal
sulcus short ; first dorsal segment of abdomen larger than the others,
and having two slightly diverging carinulae reaching to and enclosing
one-third of the width of the discoidal part ; legs rather elongate and
slender ; metasternum convex and having a median, minute fovea
close to the coxae.

Male : Under side of the head near the mouth deeply excavated in
a quadrate form, posterior part of the upper part having a raised

1897.] of the Coleojytera of South Africa. 65

area transverse, trisinuate in the anterior part and carinated longi-
tudinally in the middle ; last ventral segment slightly impressed ;
posterior tibiae with an extremely minute inner spur. Length
1"60 mm.

Female unknown.

Found under the bark of dead trees.

Hab. Cape Colony (Cape Town, Stellenbosch).

Eaffrayia deplanata,
Plate XVI., fig. 5.

Oblong, depressed, rusty red, with the legs testaceous, covered
with a rather dense pubescence ; head much attenuate in front,
somewhat retuse and sinuate close to the neck, median part slightly
incised, two minute foveae placed between the eyes, which are also
small, sulci shallow ; antennae short and rather thick, first joint
large, subcylindrical, second large, obconic, third to tenth transverse,
fifth somewhat larger than the others, ninth and tenth less trans-
verse, eleventh larger than the preceding ones, briefly ovate, truncate
at base, nearly cone-shaped, and strongly acuminate ; prothorax
strongly cordate, broader than the head and with the sides slightly
sinuate, lateral foveae very large, longitudinal sulcus strong, abbre-
viated in the anterior part, the transverse one also strong and
sinuate ; elytra little elongate, hardly attenuate at base, rounded but
still quadrate, bluntly and minutely dentate, sides slightly rounded,
dorsal sulcus broad, deep but short ; first dorsal abdominal segment
larger than the others and transversely impressed at base ; legs
moderately short ; metasternum convex, simple.

Male unknown.

Hab. Cape Colony (Cape Town). I have seen one example only,
found by sifting dead oak-leaves.

Eaffrayia incerta,
Plate XVI., fig. 4.

Oblong, moderately convex, ferruginous or rufo-testaceous, and
with a rather long and dense pubescence ; antennae and legs paler
at tip ; head short, rounded laterally, rather depressed, attenuate
in the anterior part and having behind the eyes, which are
very small, two shallow foveae as well as two light, arcuate sulci,
vertex briefly carinate near the neck ; antennae little elongate, first
joint large, cylindrical, second ovate, slightly obconic, third trans-
verse, triangular, fourth to eighth compressed, strongly transverse,
fifth to eighth decreasing in size, ninth nearly globose, tenth slightly

5

66 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

larger than the preceding ones and transverse, eleventh subglobose,
nearly conical and strongly acuminate ; prothorax larger than the
head, cordate, rounded laterally and not at all sinuate behind, lateral
foveas slightly elongate, transverse sulcus strong, slightly arcuate ;
elytra broader than the prothorax, short, shoulders rounded not
angular, hardly dentate, sides rounded, dorsal sulcus short ; abdomen
longer than the elytra, slightly attenuate at base ; first dorsal segment
large, impressed transversely at base but not conspicuously ; legs
moderately strong ; metasternum obsoletely impressed near the coxae.

Male : Last ventral segment larger than the others, broadly but
not deeply impressed. Length l-30-l'40 mm.

This species will be easily distinguished by the rounded head with
the sulci thin, shallow, and arcuate, the antennge decreasing in size
from the median to the apical joints, and the intermediate ones which
are compressed.

Found by sifting dead oak-leaves.

Hah. Cape Colony (Cape Town neighbourhood).

Eaffkayia vaeiabilis,
Plate XVI., fig. 3.

Closely allied to the preceding species and very much like ; head
convex with the sides oblique, rectilinear, sulci strong, broad, deep,
rectilinear, oblique, vertex moderately raised between the sulci and
carinate lengthways ; antennae slender, intermediate joints less trans-
verse and compressed than in the preceding species ; prothorax
narrower, less rounded laterally ; elytra a little narrower and less
rounded laterally.

Female : Eyes very minute ; elytra attenuate at base, without
humeral angles and rounded laterally ; metasternum convex and
simple. Length 1-20 mm.

Male, typical form : Eyes large ; under part of head deeply
excavate transversely, bottom part of excavation finely and trans-
versely carinate in the anterior part with the posterior edge produced
in the middle and carinate ; elytra rather elongate, hardly attenuate
at base, humeral angle subquadrate and well defined ; last ventral
segment impressed. Length 1-20-1 -30 mm.

Male (var. /3) : Similar to the type form ; head also excavate under-
neath, but eyes as small as in the female ; elytra less quadrate at the
humeral angles.

Male (var. y) : Entirely similar to the female ; head not excavate
underneath, last ventral abdominal segment impressed. Length
1-20 mm.

R. variabilis is very closely allied to B. inccrta, and it is difficult

1897.] of tlie Coleoptcra of South Africa. 67

to ascertain which is the female ; the head, however, is distinctly
smaller in that sex, the sides are oblique, not rounded, the sulci are
much larger and more distinctly marked and also not arcuate ; the
antennae are not so broad, and the prothorax neither so broad nor so
rounded.

This species exhibits a very peculiar and extremely rare case of
polymorphism in the male sex, of which we know three forms, two
of which are veiy distinct from that of the female owing to the
large and deep excavation on the under side of the head, but the
third form is almost entirely similar to the female, except that the
shape of the ventral segments of the abdomen assume the concave
form peculiar to the male, and that the last segment is impressed.
Such males are hardly distinguishable from the females, unless the
penis protrudes.

V ery abundant in the neighbourhood , of Cape Town (Newlands),
together with R. incerta. Typical males are not so numerous as the
females, and of the two varieties of that sex /3 and y appear to be
very scarce.

Eaffrayia nasuta,
Plate XVI., fig. 10.

Oblong, somewhat convex, ferruginous, rufous or testaceous,
covered with a pale pubescence ; legs and last joint of antennae
lighter in colour ; head rather large, slightly rounded on the sides,
attenuate in front, sulci strong, oblique, vertex with a long carina ;
eyes minute ; antennae short, thick, first joint shorter than usual,
second quadrate, rounded, third slightly transverse, eleventh briefly
ovate, subconical, and abruptly acuminate ; prothorax cordate, a
little broader than the head, convex, slightly sinuate laterally behind,
lateral foveas elongate, median sulcus variable in length, sometimes
obsolete, the transversa one strong, angular in the middle ; elytra
longer than broad, rugosely striate transversely but in a desultory
manner, attenuate at base, shoulders absent, dorsal sulcus strong,
disappearing in the median part ; first dorsal ventral segment large,
hardly impressed transversely at base ; metasternum convex and
simple. Length 1-40 mm.

Female : Head truncate in the anterior part, sulci connected in
front.

Male : Frontal part of head slightly produced between the
antennal tubercles, anterior sulci not connected ; under side of head
with a large fovea, much transverse, geminate, and the posterior
margin of which is sinuate ; last abdominal ventral segment
obsoletely impressed.

68 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

Var. i3. Similar to the type ; elytra having in both sexes the
shoulders noticeable, a little rounded, but still quadrate ; eyes large.

The shape of the elytra vary extremely ; in the type form both
sexes are attenuated at base without prominent shoulders, and the
eyes are small ; in the variety /3 the elytra are not attenuated at the
base in both sexes, and the shoulders are very marked, and square,
and the eyes are much larger.

Whilst in B. variabilis polymorphism occurs only in the male, in
B. nasuta it is conspicuous in both sexes, but the characteristics of
the sexes do not vary, and form ft must be considered as a mere
variety.

It is easy to distinguish the male of this species by the projecting
frontal part and the excavation on the under side of the head.

B. nasuta is closely allied to B. armata, both having a longitudinal
sulcus in the prothorax, but it differs in being smaller and of a
lighter colour, the head is longer, the antennae stouter, and the
prothorax less transverse.

Common in the neighbourhood of Cape Town (Newlands, Table
Mountain). The variety ft is much rarer, and seems so far to be only
found at Newlands.

Eaffbayia calcakata,
Plate XVI., fig. 6.

Very closely allied to B. variabilis and B. incerta, and differs
merely by the sulci on the head being less oblique, the antennae
thicker and shorter and the joints more moniliform, the tenth is
slightly and the ninth very transverse ; shoulders oblique, better
defined ; the impression on the first dorsal abdominal segment is
much more conspicuous, and narrower than the third part of the
width of the disk.

Male : Metasternum depressed, last ventral segment much sinuate
at apex ; intermediate tibiae with a long, strong, oblique inner spur a
little before the apex.

Female : Metasternum convex, tibiae without spur.

Only a few examples found in the vicinity of Cape Town.

The three species B. incerta, B. variabilis, and B. calcarata are
very closely allied ; the male of variabilis is at once distinguished by
having the under part of the head impressed ; in calcarata and in
incerta the under part of the head is not impressed, but in the former
the intermediate tibiae have a very long spur, which is entireh-
wanting in the latter.

The females are not so easily distinguished. B. incerta differs
from both B. variabilis and B. calcarata in being larger, more

1897.] of the Coleoptera of Soutli Africa. 69

depressed and more pubescent ; the head is larger and flatter and
the sulci more slender and ai'cuate ; the intermediate joints of the
antennae are also more transverse and depressed than in the
other two species. B. variabilis and B. calcarata are very similar ;
both have the sides of the head linear and oblique, the sulci deep,
broad, oblique, not arcuate ; the difference between the two is found
in the antennae. In B. variabilis they are rather elongate and
slender, not compact, each joint having the appearance of being
pedunculate, the ninth one is globose, and the tenth slightly trans-
verse, whilst in B. calcarata they are shorter, stouter, and more
compact, being rather moniliform, and the ninth and tenth joints
more transverse ; in B. variabilis the transverse impression at the
base of the first dorsal segment is very feeble, but extends in width
to more than half the segment ; in B. calcarata the same impression
is narrower than a third of the width, but it is better defined, as it
consists of two foveae united by a transverse depression.

B. calcarata seems to be rare, whilst B. incerta and B. variabilis
are very abundant.

Eapprayia armata,
Plate XVI., fig. 2.

Oblong, rather convex, ferruginous, brown orpiceous ; covered with
a greyish pubescence ; antennae and legs rufous ; head broader than
long, attenuate in the anterior part, sides oblique, between the eyes,
which are not large, two foveae, sulci deep, oblique, convex in front,
antennal tubercles sulcate traversely, vertex with a long carina ;
antennae little elongate, second joint briefly ovate, third very briefly
triangular, fourth to eighth transverse, briefly decreasing, ninth sub-
globose, tenth larger, transverse, eleventh subglobose, nearly cone-
shaped and acuminate at tip ; prothorax transverso-cordate, broader
than the head, longitudinal sulcus shallow, lateral fovete slightly
elongate, transverse sulcus deep with the median part angulate ; elytra
moderately elongate, slightly attenuate at base, humeral angles
oblique, obtusely dentate, dorsal sulcus disappearing before or at the
median part ; first dorsal segment of the abdomen larger than the
others, and more or less impressed transversely at base. Legs
robust.

Male : Head with two transverse excavations underneath, the
anterior one larger and deeper than the posterior one, which is divided
by a longitudinal carina ; metasternum and also the last ventral
segment broadly impressed ; intermediate trochanters slightly
mucronate inwardly at base.

Female : Metasternum convex, head simple underneath. Length
1-30-1-50 mm.

70 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

This species is found in company with B. incerta and B. variabilis,
but both sexes are easily distinguished from them by the longitudinal
sulcus of the prothorax, which is more or less clearly defined but
never entirely wanting, and also by the larger size and darker colour.
The males are at once differentiated by the impressions on the under
side of the head.

Hab. Cape Colony (Newlands — neighbourhood of Cape Town).

Eapfbayia ckuciata,
Plate XVI., fig. 7.

Oblong, rather convex, ferruginous, clothed with a moderately
long flavous pubescence, last joint of antennae of a paler hue ; head
attenuate in front, sides oblique, between the eyes, which are
moderately large, are two foveas, the two sulci are little elongate, but
oblique, the vertex is carinate ; antennae short, thick, second joint
quadrate, third briefly triangular, fourth to eighth strongly trans-
verse and decreasing, ninth slightly transverse, smaller, tenth
slightly transverse, larger than the preceding one, eleventh sub-
quadrate at base, cone-shaped at apex and acuminate ; prothorax
broader than the head, narrower than long and slightly cordate,
lateral foveas sulciform, longitudinal sulcus deep, entire, the
transverse one straight ; elytra subquadrate, hardly attenuate at
base, shoulders nearly quadrate and dentate, vaguely and sparsely
rugose ; abdomen longer than the elytra, first dorsal segment large,
deeply impressed transversely at base, the impression covering a
third of the disk.

Male : Metasternum and last ventral segments impressed, the first
slightly, the second broadly.

Like B. armata and B. nastita, B. cruciata has a longitudinal
sulcus on the prothorax, but it is deeper, more defined, and similar
in size to the transverse one, which is straight, both sulci cutting
thus into one another at right angles. The size is larger, the
antennas stouter, the prothorax less cordiform, the elytra shorter,
with the shoulders well marked and nearly square.

This species seems rare. I have seen only one pair, which I
found under stones near Cape Town.

Eaffeayia majorina (female), Eatfr.,
Plate XVI., fig. 8.
Eev. Entom., 1887, p. 44 ; pi. 11, figs. 4, 5.
B. ])allidida (male), Eaffr., loc. cit., p. 44.

Oblong, robust, ferruginous, rubro-ferruginous or rufo-testaceous,
covered with a flavous pubescence, legs rufous ; head little attenuate,

1897.] of the Coleoptcra of South Africa. 71

moderately elongate, two large foveas behind the eyes and also two
slightly arcuate sulci connected in front, antennal tubercles foveate,
vertex sinuate and slightly impressed near the neck ; antennae thick,
second joint subquadrate, third briefly obconical, fourth to tenth
hardly decreasing in width, fourth to eighth large, and ninth to tenth
less transverse and subquadrate, eleventh not broader than the pre-
ceding one, but much longer, truncate at base, acuminate at apex ;
prothorax hardly longer than the head but broader, ampliated
laterally in a rounded shape at about the median part, constricted
and sinuate from there to the posterior part, lateral foveas strong, as
is also the transverse sulcus, which is angulate in the median part,
median fovea strong, longitudinal sulcus more or less defaced and
abbreviate, sometimes obliterated, intermediate fovea merely sulci-
form ; elytra more or less obsoletely and dispersedly rugoso-punctate,
sometimes nearly smooth, longer than broad, shoulders defined,
oblique, and dentate, sides slightly rounded, dorsal sulcus disappear-
ing towards the median part ; abdomen shorter than the elytra,
first dorsal segment not longer than the others, the two carinules
very diverging and little distant at base.

Male : Posterior trochanters with an inward, short, compressed,
incurved tooth, intermediate and anterior ones slightly angulate at
base, intermediate tibias with a short apical spur ; last ventral
abdominal segment strongly impressed, and slightly tuberculate in
the middle of the base ; metasternum impressed.

Female : Last ventral segment of abdomen compressed on each
side and having a small, horn-like process at apex, last dorsal
one obtusely tuberculate at tip ; metasternum convex. Length
1-90-2 mm.

This species varies much in colour, the longitudinal sulcus of the
prothorax is also variable, being at times entirely absent, or reduced
to an oblong, median fovea. Not having had at first a long series of
examples to examine, I was led through these variations to believe
that there were two different species, i.e., majorina a^nd pallidula ;
but I have been able since to examine more specimens, and I have
ascertained that the two are only one species.

With this species begins the group in which the first dorsal
segment of the abdomen is not larger than the following ones.

Hab. Cape Colony (environs of Cape Town — Eondebosch). Eare.
Found under bark at foot of dead pine-trees.

Eaffrayia bicolor,
Plate XVI., fig. 14.
Eather elongate and parallel, little convex, piceous or rufous

72 iJescriptive Cataloijice [1897.

brown ; elytra sometimes red, and antennae and legs rufous, covered
with a sparse, decumbent pubescence ; head rather elongate,
hardly attenuate in front, somewhat sinuate laterally, two foveas
behind the eyes, sulci slightly arcuate and joined in front, vertex
briefly carinate ; antennae strong, first joint elongate, cylindrical,
second subquadrate, third very briefly subtriangular, fourth to
eighth much transverse, compressed, ninth to tenth less transverse,
eleventh moderately short, subrotund at base, acuminate at tip ;
prothorax not longer than the head, but a little broader, cordate,
narrowed and sinuate past the middle, lateral fovege large, trans-
verse sulcus little angular, longitudinal sulcus more or less attenuate
in front and behind ; elytra rather elongate with the sides sub-
parallel, the shoulders oblique and dentate, the base with three
foveas, dorsal sulcus ending abruptly in the median part; abdomen
rather elongate, a little narrowed at base, first dorsal segment not
larger than the others, narrowly but deeply impressed at base.

Male : Third ventral segment impressed on each side and fascicu-
late, last one deeply impressed. Length 1-50 mm.

This species is easily distinguished by its elongate and parallel
form, the strong antennae, and the longitudinal sulcus of the pro-
thorax which may be reduced to a longitudinal fovea on the disk.
The colour is very variable.

Eare. I have found two specimens only, in mosses.

Hab. Cape Colony (Cape Town).

Eapfrayia kugosula, Eaffr.,
Eev. Bntom., 1887, p. 46.

Subelongate, rufous brown or ferruginous, covered with a
yellowish pubescence ; head and prothorax densely subrugose ;
elytra more or less vaguely punctate at base ; head slightly
attenuate in front, bifoveate between the eyes, with the two sulci
little oblique and strong, vertex carinate ; antennas short, thick,
first joint large, subcylindrical, second very little smaller, subquad-
rato-ovate, third to ninth moniliform, slightly transverse, ninth a
little smaller, tenth transverse, a little larger, eleventh larger, briefly
ovate and with the apex somewhat cone-shaped ; prothorax cordate,
a little longer than the head, much broader, rounded laterally before
the median part, sinuate past the middle, trifoveate, lateral foveas
large ; transverse sulcus in the shape of a comma, longitudinal sulcus
median, strong, attenuate in front, base with two foveolae ; elytra a
little longer than broad, subparallel laterally and not attenuate at
l)ase, shoulders oblique, dentate, dorsal sulcus reaching the median
part ; first dorsal segment of abdomen a little shorter than the pre-

1897.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 73

ceding ones, and with a moderately deep transverse impression at
base ; head rugoso-punctate miderneath.

Male : Anterior and intermediate trochanters briefly dentate, inter-
mediate tibiae with a short apical spur ; last ventral segment of
abdomen totally and deeply concave and trisinuate at tip. Length
1-50-1-80 mm.

Not so broad as B. laticollis, the prothorax is not transverse, and
the punctuation on the head and prothorax is very striking.

Very rare.

Hah. Cape Colony (Stellenbosch).

Eaffrayia laticollis,
Plate XVI., fig. 16.

Oblong, rather broad, rufous or rufo-ferruginous, covered with
a longer and denser yellowish pubescence ; head rather large,
attenuate in front, sides oblique, behind the eyes, which are rather
large, are two large foveas and two oblique sulci, vertex cari-
nate ; antennae short, thick, second joint ovate, third very briefly
triangular, fourth to eighth transverse, of nearly the same size,
ninth much less transverse, tenth transverse, eleventh subquadrate
at base, slightly cone-shaped at tip and acuminate ; prothorax much
broader than the head, and also much broader than long, rounded
laterally, narrowed behind the median part and slightly sinuate,
lateral foveas broad and slightly sulciform, transverse sulcus angulate
in the middle, median fovea minute, and longitudinal sulcus shortened
in the anterior part ; elytra longer than broad, not attenuate at base,
shoulders oblique and dentate, sides slightly rounded, dorsal sulcus
disappearing in the median part ; abdomen shorter than the elytra,
segments short, the first one narrowly impressed at base. Length
1'60 mm.

Male : Antennae a little longer and more slender ; intermediate
tibiae with an inner, moderately obtuse spur, posterior ones ciliate
and with a sharp apical spur ; last ventral segment totally and
strongly depressed transversely, last dorsal segment large and
convex ; metasternum impressed.

Female : Last ventral segment impressed in the middle and on
each side.

Easily distinguished by its massive shape, and the broad, nearly
transverse prothorax, the longitudinal sulcus of which is well marked,
but ends abruptly a little after the median part.

Apparently rare.

Hah. Cape Colony (neighbourhood of Cape Town, Stellenbosch).

74 Descriptive Catalogue [1897

Eaffrayia abdominalis.

Elongate, somewhat depressed, rufo-testaceous, with the antennae
and legs testaceous, briefly but densely pubescent ; head attenuate
in the anterior part, somewhat rounded laterally, and having two
sulci slightly arcuate and near to one another, ending behind in
minute foveolse, and in front in a single, large frontal fovea ; eyes
small, placed on the under part of the head ; antennae rather
elongate, first joint elongate, cylindrical, second subquadrate and
longer than broad, third to seventh strongly transverse and slightly
increasing, especially lengthways, eighth smaller and transverse,
ninth slightly transverse, tenth more transverse, eleventh cone-
shaped ; prothorax larger than the head, cordate, and having on each
side a large fovea and a minute, transverse sulcus very narrow in
the median part ; elytra much longer than broad, subparallel
laterally ; dorsal sulcus obsolete and attenuate towards the middle ;
abdomen a little shorter than the elytra, dorsal segments subequal.

Male : The second basal segment of the dorsal part of the abdo-
men is a little larger than the others, densely and briefly covered
with a subsquamose pubescence, apical margin a little angulate and
fasciculate along the median part, third segment shorter by one-half,
deeply incised in the middle, a litble excavate, the bottom of excava-
tion filled with fascicles of long hairs ; metasternum slightly de-
pressed, last ventral segment very much depressed. Length 1-10 mm.

Closely allied to 11. pilosclla, but the head is smaller and narrower
in front, the size is also smaller ; the shape of the abdomen in the
male is very peculiar.

Hab. Cape Colony (neighbourhood of Cape Town).

Eaffrayia pilosella,
Plate XVI., fig. 15.
Elongate, subparallel and depressed, rufo-ferruginous, densely but
briefly pubescent ; antennae and legs rufous; head large, subquadrate,
a little attenuate in front, and having two oblique sulci, vertex finely
carinate ; eyes large ; antennae slender and long, first joint elongate
and cylindrical, second subquadrate, third briefly triangular, fourth
to eighth slightly transverse and a little decreasing in length, ninth
subglobose, hardly transverse, tenth a little broader and transverse,
eleventh short, subconical and acuminate ; prothorax a little broader
than the head, strongly cordate, sinuate laterally past the middle,
lateral foveae sulciform, median one minute, transverse sulcus strong,
angulate in the median part ; elytra elongate, hardly attenuate at
base, shoulders moderately rounded and obtusely dentate, dorsal
sulcus evanescent towards the median part ; first dorsal segment

1897.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 75

of abdomen transversely and moderately deeply impressed at base ,
the impression narrower than a third of the disk ; legs robust.

Male : Metasternum flattened, last ventral segment transverse,
strongly impressed, posterior tibiae with a brief but sharp spur at
apex. Length 1-50-1 -60 mm.

Easily distinguished by the large, nearly square head, the antennae
more slender than in the other species, the very cordate prothorax
nearly dentate laterally close to the lateral fovea, the long elytra, and
the much thicker, but short pubescence.

Eaffrayia natalensis,
Plate XVI., fig. 9.

Oblong, rather broad, chestnut red, covered with a pale pubes-
cence ; head small, much attenuate in front, and having between
the eyes, which are large, two foveae and two slightly arcuate sulci
joining before the depressed forehead ; antennae moderate, a little
clavate at apex, second joint quadrate, third ovate, fourth to eighth
subquadrate and transverse, ninth quadrate, tenth a little larger,
subquadrate and transverse, eleventh large, truncate at base, slightly
cone-shaped and acuminate ; prothorax much larger than the head,
nearly as broad as long, cordate, somewhat deeply sinuate past the
median part near the lateral foveae, which are wide and deep, trans-
verse sulcus deep, angulate in the middle ; elytra a little longer than
broad, slightly rounded laterally, hardly attenuate at base, shoulders
oblique, obtusely dentate, dorsal sulcus evanescent towards the
median part ; abdomen almost longer than the elytra, first segment
with two large carinules diverging much, and inclosing the fourth
part of the width of the disk. Female. Length 2-10 mm.

One of the largest species of the genus. In general appearance
it resembles B. nujosula, but differs much on account of the head
being smaller and the antennae somewhat clavate at tip ; the
prothorax is not so wide, and the longitudinal sulcus is totally
wanting.

Hab. Natal (Escourt). One example only.

Eafpkayia nodosa,

Plate XVL, fig. 11.
Oblong, rather thick, ferruginous, covered with a flavous
pubescence, legs and apical part of antennae rufous ; head small,
quadrate, nodose on each side in front, and having between the eyes,
which are large, two foveae, sulci hardly joined in the anterior
part, transverse frontal tubercle deep, antennal tubercles oblique
laterally, vertex subconvex, simple, neck with a hardly perceptible

76 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

carina ; antennge somewhat elongate, first joint cylindrical, second
subquadrate, third to eighth slightly transverse and little decreasing
in size, ninth to tenth subquadrate, last one moderately elongate,
somewhat cone-shaped and acuminate at tip ; prothorax much larger
than the head, more attenuate in front than behind, rounded laterally
in the middle, lateral fovese slightly elongate, median one deep,
minute, transverse sulcus deep, angulate in the middle; elytra hardly
as long as broad, not attenuate at base, shoulders oblique, well defined
and dentate, sides slightly rounded, dorsal sulcus evanescent in the
middle, first dorsal segment not larger than the others, impressed
between two short carinules, little diverging, and inclosing a third
of the discoidal width.

Male : Metasternum impressed longitudinally, and the last ventral
segment impressed transversely at tip ; posterior trochanters obtusely
angular, intermediate ones briefly spinose near the base. Length
1-50-1-60 mm.

Head small, square, with the antennal tubercles robust and divided
in two by a deep transverse groove ; the anterior part of the tubercle
obliquely cut laterally, the frontal part is abruptly narrowed.

Hab. Cape Colony (neighbourhood of Cape Town — Newlands).

Eapfeayia miceocephala,
Plate XVI., fig. 12.
Oblong, rather thick and convex, ferruginous or rufo-ferruginous,
covered with a somewhat dense yellowish pubescence ; legs and
antennse red at apex ; head and prothorax sometimes closely rugoso-
punctate, sometimes smooth ; head small, longer than broad, slightly
attenuate in front, and having between the eyes, which are large
and placed behind the middle, two fovese, the sulci are a little
oblique, hardly joined in front, the antennal tubercles are robust and
divided by a transverse sulcus, the vertex is carinate ; antennae
robust, first joint elongate, cylindrical, second quadrate, third to
tenth transverse, subequal, except the eighth, which is somewhat
smaller, last one short, somewhat cone-shaped and abruptly
acuminate ; prothorax much larger than the head, cordate, sub-
convex on the disk, lateral foveae strong, elongate, median one
minute, deep, transverse, sulcus deep, angulate in the middle ;
elytra hardly longer than broad, not attenuate at base, shoulders
oblique, noticeable and dentate, sides little rounded, dorsal sulcus
strong, ending in the median part ; first dorsal segment of abdomen
strongly impressed between two more or less short carinse, not
much divergent and inclosing one-third of the disk.

1897.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 77

Male : Metasternum and also last ventral segment broadly im-
pressed.

Female : Metasternum convex, last dorsal segment minutely tuber-
culate at apex. Length 1-40-1-60 mm.

Closely allied to the preceding species, but the head is longer,
slightly narrowed in front, with the tubercles much smaller ; the
prothorax is cordiform and very variable ; in some specimens the
head and prothorax are coarsely punctured, in others they are
smooth.

Not rare in the neighbourhood of Cape Town and Newlands.
The examples from Newlands have generally the head and pro-
thorax punctured, and those from Cape Town smooth.

Eaffrayia obscura.

Somewhat elongate, not much thickened, black, with a rather
dense but brief pubescence, a few of the hairs dispersed, long and
recurved ; legs and antennge piceous, last joint of the former
lighter, tarsi and palpi testaceous ; head small, elongate, slightly
attenuate in front, two foveas between the eyes, which are large,
sulci oblique, antennal tubercles divided by a strong, transverse
sulcus, vertex somewhat convex, briefly carinate close to the neck ;
antennae rather elongate, a little thickened but not at all at
apex, first joint elongate, cylindrical, second quadrate, third to
seventh slightly transverse, eighth to tenth subquadrate, eleventh
middling, subturbinate and acuminate ; prothorax much broader,
hardly longer, cordate, lateral foveae large, median one minute,
transverse sulcus strong, angulate, impressed at base ; elytra large,
shoulders well defined, oblique, obtusely dentate, slightly rounded
laterally, strongly bifoveate at base, dorsal sulcus shortened in the
middle ; abdomen a little smaller than the elytra, dorsal segments
equal and having the carinas short, inclosing only the fourth of the
length of the disk, and having between them a deeply impressed
space.

Male : Head subgibbose underneath and slightly impressed on
each side before the eyes ; metasternum deeply sulcate longitudinally,
last ventral segment slightly impressed. Length 1-50 mm.

Eesembles much R. microcephala, but differs by the darker colour,
the longer head, the more slender antennae and the shorter and more
approximate abdominal dorsal carinulae.

Hab. Cape Colony (neighbourhood of Cape Town — Muizenberg
Vlei). One male only.

78 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

Eaffeayia longula, Eaffr.,
Plate XVI., fig. 13.
Eev. Entom., 1887, p. 45.
Elongate, parallel, ferruginous red, shining, briefly and sparingly
flavo-pilose, antennae and legs paler ; head moderately elongate,
slightly attenuate in front, and having two large foveas placed past
the eyes, sulci little oblique, shallow^, vertex carinate, antennal
tubercles incised laterally ; antennae slender and elongate, first joint
robust, second quadrate, third suboblong, fourth to tenth quadrate,
hardly increasing in v^idth, ninth a little longer, eleventh moderately
elongate, truncate at base ; prothorax strongly cordate, broader than
the head, rounded laterally, emarginate past the middle and narrowed,
from there slightly sinuate ; lateral foveas large, deep, median one
smaller, transverse sulcus angulate ; elytra elongate, not much
broader than the prothorax, parallel laterally, shoulders oblique,
well defined and minutely dentate, dorsal sulcus a little longer than
the others, the two carinae very short and inclosing hardly the third
part of the length of the disk.

Male : Head broadly and deeply impressed laterally on each side
underneath ; ventral abdominal segments deeply impressed trans-
versely, the sixth impressed in an oblong shape and sinuate at apex,
third to fourth with a sharp point on each side, trochanters with a
very short tooth at base, posterior ones armed with a slightly sinuate,
apical spine, intermediate tibiae briefly spurred at apex.
Female unknown. Length 2-40 mm.

This species is the largest of the genus, and is easily distinguished
by its long and parallel form and slender antennae.

Hah. Cape Colony (Stellenbosch). Seen one example only.

Gen. DALMINA, Eafi"r.,
Eev. Entom., vi., 1887, p. 46.

One constant characteristic, but an important one, distinguishes
this genus from Raffrayia, viz., the joints of antennae have no spines
or tubercles, the body is generally longer and more slender, the
intermediate joints of the antennae are in both sexes always a little
larger than the others, and they have sometimes a distinct median
node.

So far as is known the genus Dalmina is exclusively a South
African one.

1897.] of the Colcoptera of South Africa. 7

Dalmina globulicornis, Eaffr.,

Eev. Entom., 1887, p. 47, pi. ii., figs. 6 & 7 ; Eev. Entom., 1890,

pi. iii., fig. 40.

Oblong, piceous black, covered with a somewhat flexible greyish
pubescence, elytra red, legs and antennae rufous, and in immature
specimens entirely testaceous ; head moderately short, attenuate in
front, sides and frontal part punctulate, two foveae between the eyes
which are large, sulci little oblique and connected in the frontal part
which is depressed, vertex subconvex, simple ; first joint of antennae
rather large, second subquadrate, third ovate, fourth to fifth
variable in both sexes, sixth to eighth subquadrate and transverse,
ninth to tenth equally long but a little narrower and hardly trans-
verse, eleventh not thicker than the preceding one, merely twice as
long and acuminate at tip ; prothorax longer than the head and a
little broader, cordate, and having two lateral foveae, transverse
sulcus distinctly angular ; elytra moderately elongate, slightly
rounded laterally, dorsal sulcus strong, attenuate before the median
part ; abdomen shorter than the elytra, moderately convex, and
declivous at apex, first dorsal segments subequal ; metasternum
foveate in the centre close to the posterior coxae ; legs moderately
long.

Male : Fourth and fifth joint of antennae much larger than the
others and forming a large node, the fifth joint being, however, the
larger of the two and bi-impressed inwardly ; elytra elongate,
shoulders oblique and developed, trochanters of the forelegs with
a basal spine moderately long and slightly recurved ; anterior and
intermediate tibiae with a short spur, the spur longer in the posterior
ones ; metasternum broadly impressed, last ventral segment deeply
impressed.

Female : Fourth and fifth joint of antennae a little more robust
than the following ones, fifth a little larger than the fourth ; elytra
shorter, attenuate at base, shoulders almost wanting ; metasternum
convex. Length 1-50-1 -60 mm.

The colour of this species in both sexes, and also the shape of the
fourth and fifth joints of the antennae in the male, makes this species
very conspicuous.

Hab. Cape Colony (Cape Town, Newlands, Stellenbosch).

Dalmina geatitudinis.

Oblong, subparallel, castaneous, more or less infuscate or pallid,
legs, antennae, and palpi rufous, body covered with a sparse, flexible
greyish pubescence ; head attenuate in front, temporal angles

80 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

rounded, two foveae between the eyes and two anterior sulci joined
in the frontal part ; antennal tubercles conspicuous, antennae strong,
differing in each sex, last joint testaceous ; prothorax cordate, larger
than the head and sinuate past the middle owing to the presence of
a lateral fovea ; transverse sulcus very angular ; elytra attenuate at
base, shoulders oblique, sides slightly rounded, base bifoveate,
sutural stria entire, discoidal sulcus broad but short, the three first
abdominal segments decreasing very little in length.

Male : More parallel than the female, and paler, disk of elytra
redder ; first joint of antennae a little larger than the others, conical,
second ovate, third nearly transverse, fourth a little longer than
the preceding one, slightly produced inwardly, sharp under-
neath, fifth largest of all, transverse, irregularly rounded inwardly,
produced outwardly and obtuse, sixth to tenth quadrate, slightly
transverse, each one of them slightly larger than the third, last one
hardly broader than the penultimate one, but longer, ovate, truncate
at base and acuminate at tip ; elytra nearly twice the length of the
prothorax, less attenuate at base than in the female, shoulders
oblique and very well defined ; metasternum plane, foveate at apex,
last ventral segment much impressed in an oblong shape ; posterior
tibiae with an apical spur.

Female : More attenuate in front, darker chestnut red all over ;
first three joints of antennae similar to those of the male, fourth
trapezoidal, slightly transverse, not longer than the preceding one,
but broader, fifth of the same shape as the preceding one but never-
theless a little larger, sixth to tenth smaller, slightly transverse,
ultimate one as in the male ; elytra shorter, attenuate at base, and
almost without shoulders ; metasternum slightly convex, minutely
foveate ; legs simple. Length 1-60-1 "80 mm.

Allied to D. glohulicornis, which has also a node in the median
part of the antennae, but whereas the node in this species is formed
by the dilatation of the fourth and fifth joints, in D. gratituclinis it is
the fifth joint alone which is so dilated.

Hah. Cape Colony (Stellenbosch — banks of the river. February).

Dalmina concolor.
Oblong, thick, entirely chestnut brown, covered with a brief,
greyish pubescence, antennae and legs rufous ; head short and
attenuate in front, broad, slightly transverse, two foveae not much
apart from one another, sulci straight and coalescing in the frontal
part, which is a little depressed, posterior part a little retuse ;
antennae of moderate size, first joint large, second quadrate, third
obconical and a little narrower, fourth quadrate, fifth quadrato-

1897.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 81

elongate and a little larger, sixth and seventh similar to the fourth,
eighth quadrate and a little smaller, ninth to tenth quadrate, a little
larger than the seventh, eleventh a little thicker than the preceding
one, ovate, truncate at base and sharply acuminate at tip ; prothorax
longer than the head and a little broader, nearly as broad as long,
rather short, strongly cordiform and having two lateral foveas
and a much smaller median one, transverse sulcus slightly angular ;
elytra not much elongate, attenuate at base, no shoulders, dorsal
sulcus strong at base but disappearing towards the median part ;
abdomen longer than the elytra, little convex and attenuate at tip ;
metasternum simple ; legs of moderate size. Female : Length 2 mm.

Differs from the female of D. glohulicornis by its larger size, the
shorter and broader head, the more slender antennae and the colour.

Hab. Natal (Frere).

Dalmina irregulaeis.

Oblong, more slender than the others, piceous, elytra and
antennae brownish, the latter paler at tip, covered with a sparse
greyish pubescence, legs rufous brown ; head of moderate size, a
little longer than broad, attenuate in front, and having between the
eyes two foveas, sulci oblique joining in the depressed frontal part,
vertex convex ; antennae somewhat elongate, first joint large, second
quadrate, third a little narrower, obconical, fourth quadrato-elongate,
fifth also quadrato-elongate but larger, slightly produced inwardly,
sixth smaller by one-fourth, and quadrate, seventh and eighth quadrate
and larger, ninth and tenth equally broad but shorter and transverse,
eleventh not broader, rather elongate, obtusely acuminate and
slightly sinuate outwardly ; prothorax larger than the head, a little
longer than broad, cordate, and having three foveae, the transverse
sulcus is strongly angular, and the very base is impressed ; elytra
rather elongate ; shoulders oblique, distinct, dorsal sulcus deep
and disappearing towards the median part ; abdomen longer than
the elytra and a little narrower, somewhat convex ; metasternum
much impressed ; legs of moderate size, trochanters of the posterior
ones with a short spine directed backwards, anterior and intermediate
tibiae with a short spur, last ventral segment of abdomen very much
impressed. Male. Length 2 mm.

This species, the female of which is unknown, is greatly diffe-
rentiated from 1). concolor by the head and prothorax which are
longer than broad as well as by its more slender shape. It resembles
more D. globulicornis , but the shape of the fourth and fifth joints of
the antennae are not dilated in a node as in the last-named species.

Hah. Natal (Frere).

6

82 Descriytive Catalogue [1897.

Dalmina elegans,
Plate XVII., fig. 1.

Elongate, slender, ferruginous, covered with a flexible, sparse,
flavous pubescence, tibiae, tarsi, and palpi, as well as the tip of the
antennae, paler ; head hexagonal, equally attenuate in front and
behind, moderately depressed, bifoveate behind the median part, the
two sulci slightly arcuate, vertex with a long carinule ; eyes of
moderate size, median and prominent ; antennae elongate, first joint
cylindrical, second briefly ovate, third to eighth decreasing, having
nearly the same shape but less transverse, and serrate inwardly,
third one transversely ovate, and all attenuate at base and apex,
ninth and tenth subcorneal, ninth rather elongate and narrower,
tenth shorter and thicker, eleventh hardly larger, suboblong, truncate
at base, acuminate at tip ; prothorax of nearly the same size as the
head, very cordate, with the sides sinuate behind the median part,
longitudinal sulcus strong, shortened in front and behind, the trans-
verse one hardly angular, lateral foveas strong ; elytra little
elongate, attenuate at base, no shoulders, dorsal sulcus very short ;
abdomen a little longer than the elytra, rather convex, first
dorsal segment slightly larger than the others, and transversely im-
pressed at base ; legs elongate, slender ; head irregular underneath,
impressed in a subtriangular shape in the middle, and having in each
side of the anterior part a squamose, depressed area, it is nodose in
the median part near the neck, fasciculate and broadly foveate on
each side ; metasternum convex ; last ventral segment impressed
and much sinuate at apex. Male. Length 2 mm.

This species differs much from the others owing to the j)eculiar
shape of the head, the much longer antennae, the joints of which are
isolated from one another, the longitudinal sulcus of the prothorax,
and the long and slender legs.

Hah. Cape Colony (neighbourhood of Cape Town, Newlands).

Tribe BATEISINI.

The distinctive characters of the tribe are as follows : Median and
hind coxae globular and not prominent, the latter somewhat depressed
and triangular, approximate or very little distant from each other ;
first ventral segment of abdomen concealed under the metasternum
or the coxae, or, when the latter are not quite approximate, looking
like a small notch ; two very unequal claws to the tarsi.

The other parts of the body are most variable, but it can be said
that as a rule in the African insects the body is rather elongate and
somewhat cylindrical, the antennae very distant at base, and the

1897.] of the Goleoptera of South Africa. 83

abdomen more or less immarginate, the first segment only having a
carmule, which in some cases is entirely wanting.

Some species from Asia and America have a very globular body
the abdomen is nearly entirely marginate, and the frontal part pro-
longed in a long and narrow tubercle bearing antennae geniculate like
those of CurculionidcB.

This tribe is perhaps the most numerous of the family, and is
largely represented in the tropical parts of Asia and America ; they
are rare in Europe, in Australia, and in Africa, and so far only four
species are known as occurring in South Africa.

One of these four belongs to a genus exclusively African, and met
with in Eastern Africa from Abyssinia to Zanzibar ; another is,
strange to say, the only representative in the Old World of a genus
numerous and widely distributed in America. No explanation of
this is possible, but there can be no doubt whatever as to the close
relationship of this African insect to its American congeners ; the
third one belongs to a new genus also more closely allied to an
American genus than to any other ; the fourth belongs to a genus
very numerous in the Indo-Malayan region, but having only very
few representatives in Africa.

Gen. BATOXYLA.

Elongate, cylindrical ; head equal, depressed, attenuate, retuse
behind ; eyes large, placed backwards ; antennae distant at base,
thick, moniliform, club large, triarticulate ; pro thorax cordate and
without sulci ; elytra elongate, without striae, shoulders oblique and
well developed ; abdomen shorter than the elytra, immarginate, first
dorsal segment much larger than the others ; posterior coxae distant,
second ventral segment longer than the following ones, first ventral
segment conspicuous ; legs hardly elongate and rather thick.

This new genus is very closely allied to Batoctenus, Sharp, from

Central America, and differs only by the head being attenuate in the

frontal part, and not at all nodose above the insertion of the antennae,

which are stouter and have a large club ; the elytra are without

striae, whereas Batoctenus has three ; the first dorsal segment of

the abdomen is much larger, and the abdomen is entirely without

margins.

Batoxyla punctata,

Plate XVII., fig. 4.

Ferruginous, subopaque, totally covered with large, ocellate, but
shallow punctures, briefly and sparsely pubescent, the pubescence
pallid ; head depressed slightly on the upper part and having two
minute foveae between the eyes on the vertex ; first joint of antennae

84 Descriptive Catolor/iie [1897.

strong, second subquadrate, third to eighth monihform, sHghtly
transverse, ckib large, ninth and tenth trapezoid, subtransverse,
eleventh truncate at base and a little narrower than the preceding
one, thickened at apex and obtusely acuminate ; prothorax larger
than the head, cordate, foveate on each side past the median part ;
elytra much longer than broad, bifoveate at base, shoulders oblique,
subdentate, sides subparallel, no strige ; abdomen shorter than the
elytra, first dorsal segment much larger than the others, tri-impressed
at base and bicarinate in the middle ; metasternum depressed, last
ventral segment broadly but not deeply foveate. Male. Length
1*90 mm.

Hab. Zambezia (Salisbury). Two examples.

Gen. BATRISUS, Aube,
Mag. Zool., 1833, p. 45.
This genus, sensu 2)roprio, has no representative in Africa.

Sub-Gen. TRABISUS, Raffr.,
Rev. Entom., 1890, p. 110 ; loc. cit., 1894, p. 230.

Body oblong, head more or less trapezoidal, eyes median ;
antennae distant at base and with eleven joints ; maxillary palpi
moderate, first joint inconspicuous, second slightly elongate, third
minute, fourth elongate, fusiform, but at times falciform ; prothorax
cordate, trisulcate lengthways ; first dorsal segment of abdomen
large, unicarinate only on the side of the base, the other segments
immarginate.

This genus differs from Batnsus proper by the much more slender
form of the ultimate joint of the maxillary palpi, and the first dorsal
abdominal segment having one simple and short carina at base, the
abdomen being otherwise immarginate laterally.

This sub-genus, which includes about nine species, is exclusively
African.

Trabisus dregei, Aube.

Batnsus dregei, Aub., Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1844, p. 82.

Oblong, chestnut brown, clothed with a yellowish pubescence ;
head broad, transverse, and having in front a large transverse im-
pression joined laterally to two fovese ; vertex raised, transverse,
punctate behind, briefly carinate ; last joint of palpi elongate, fusi-
form, sinuate and slightly falcate ; antennae robust, joints sub-
cylindrical oblong, eighth small, ninth and tenth larger, eleventh
much longer, acuminate ; prothorax cordate, a little narrower than
the head, median longitudinal sulcus nearly absent, lateral fovese

1897.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 85

joined by a transverse sulcus with a large, cruciform, median fovea,
base bifoveate on each side ; elytra subquadrate, somewhat convex,
shoulders high, slightly oblique and obtusely carinate, rounded
laterally, trifoveate at base, sutural stria entire, dorsal one short ;
first dorsal segment of abdomen nearly twice as long as the following
one, and very briefly unicarinate at base ; legs strong, femora
thickened, tibiae slightly incurved ; metasternum impressed and
sulcate ; head broadly excavate in a subquadrate form, the margin
of the excavation sharply tul:»erculate close to the median part of the
mouth ; intermediate trochanters thickened at apex, last ventral
segment impressed transversely. Male. Length 3-20 mm.

This description is made from Aube's original type, formerly in
Eeiche's collection and now in mine. Aube mentioned (Ann. Soc.
Ent. France, 1844, p. 82) another example belonging to Schaum's
collection, but no other has been recorded from that time.

This extremely rare insect was discovered at the Cape by Drege,
but the exact locality is unknown, and I am not aware that it has
been met with again.

Gen. AETHMIUS, Le Conte,

Bost. Journ., vi., p. 91.

Kaffr., Eev. Entom., 1894, p. 231.

Sub-Gen. SYEBATUS, Eeitt.,

Verh. Naturf. Ver. Brlinn., xx., p. 205.

Eaffr., Eev. Entom., 1894, p. 231.

Body suboblong, rather convex ; head quadrate or transverse ;
eyes placed behind the median part ; last joint of palpi ovate,
acuminate ; antenna much separated ; prothorax cordate, sulcate
longitudinally on the sides, median sulcus always wanting, and the
transverse one placed before the base ; elytra quadrato-elongate and
without shoulders in the female and with more or less prominent ones
in the male, dorsal stria wanting ; abdomen with a rather abrupt
declivity behind, broad, marginless, first dorsal segment very large.

This sub-genus differs only from Arthmius by having two longi-
tudinal sulci on the sides of the prothorax, whereas there are no sulci
in Artlimius ; this difference is really not important.

Artkmius, as well as Syrbatus, was formerly considered as
belonging to the genus Batrisus, to which it is indeed very closely
allied, but the old genus Batrisus has now become so large and
consists of so many heterogeneous elements that it has become
necessary to divide it into several distinct genera, from among which
Artlwiius is one of the best characterized. It differs from Batrisiis

86 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

in the shape of the head, which is more quadrate ; the eyes are
always placed heyond the median part ; the prothorax has no
median sulcus ; the elytra no discoidal striae ; the abdomen is
entirely without margin, and the first segment is very large, and
the others abruptly declivous.

The head of the male bears generally some foveas, spines, or
tubercles ; the shape of the elytra is different from that of the
female, the shoulders being more or less prominent in the male, and
rounded and obsolete in the female.

Both Arthmius and Syrbatus are largely represented in America,
and the finding of this genus in South Africa was quite unexpected
and is of great interest.

Syrbatus mashuna.
Plate XVII., fig. 3.

Oblong, moderately convex, chestnut brown, antennae rufous at apex,
likewise the legs, body covered with a brief fulvous pubescence ;
head large, quadrato-transverse, sinuate laterally before the middle,
frontal part truncate perpendicularly, nearly completely excavate,
the excavation trilobate and briefly setose at bottom, with the
posterior lobe much larger than the others, frontal part delicately
and sinuously sulcate, and briefly carinate lengthways ; antennae
very distant at base, third to seventh joints oblong, slightly
decreasing in length, eighth quadrate, ninth to tenth larger than the
others, subquadrate, eleventh large, truncate at base, ovate, acumi-
nate ; prothorax narrower than the head, cordate, and having two
lateral sulci and a transverse one, angular in the middle, base im-
pressed on each side ; elytra a little longer than broad, slightly
rounded laterally, shoulders oblique, somewhat prominent, base
trifoveate ; abdomen a little shorter and narrower than the elytra ;
first dorsal segment foveate on each side but neither deeply nor
broadly ; legs strong, tibiae slightly incurved, the intermediate ones
have a minute apical spur ; metasternum deeply depressed, last
ventral segment strongly impressed. Male. Length 1-80-2 mm.

Several males have been captured near Salisbury, but no females ;
the latter probably remain at the roots of grass, while the former
were caught flying at sunset in their search for a mate.

Gen. BATEISODES, Eeitter,
Vehr. Naturf. Ver. Briinn., xx., p. 205.

Body oblong, head large, quadrate, eyes large and situated
behind in an angle, last joint of palpi fusiform ; antennae mode-
rately elongate, club most often more or less triarticulate ; prothorax

1897.] of the Coleojjtcra of South Africa. 87

cordate, trisulcate lengthways but sometimes bisulcate ; elytra more
or less rounded at the shoulders, or oblique, sutural stria entire,
dorsal one shortened ; abdomen a little narrower than the elytra,
immarginate, obtuse and abruptly declivous at apex, first dorsal
segment by far the largest, the others being hardly conspicuous at
first sight.

This genus, which was formerly included in Batrisus, is a very
distinct one, owing to the large size of the head, the position of the
eyes, and the first dorsal segment very much larger than all the
others put together.

Numerous in the Indo-Malayan region ; few only are recorded
from Africa (West Coast, Gaboon, Abyssinia, East Coast).

Bateisodes natalensis,
Plate XVI., fig. 20.

Oblong, rufous, shining, covered with a short pallid pubescence ;
head large, quadrate, sinuate laterally, frontal part deflexed, slightly
raised on each side above the insertion of the antennae, transversely
sulcate in front, and having two large fovese nearly before the eyes,
which are large ; antennae elongate, third to eighth joints suboblong,
seventh a little longer, ninth to tenth larger, ovate, eleventh larger,
ovate, acuminate ; prothorax broader than the head, strongly cordate,
rounded laterally, trisulcate longitudinally and unisulcate trans-
versely, base bifoveate; elytra large, slightly rounded laterally,
subconvex, shoulders oblique and obtusely dentate, dorsal stria
nearly straight, abbreviated before reaching the apex ; abdomen a
little shorter than the elytra, attenuate at apex, first dorsal segment
large, bi-impressed at base, median impression larger than the others,
transverse, broadly and deeply excavate at apex, the anterior margin
of the excavation is deeply bisinuate, the apical one bituberculate,
the bottom has a median transverse laminiform process with a
tubercle above it in the median part ; metasternum hardly sulcate ;
legs elongate, all the femora thick, slightly sinuate behind, all tibiae
nearly straight. Male. Length 1-20 mm.

Hah. Natal (Frere). Three examples.

Teibe BEYAXININI.

Body generally short and more or less globose and convex ;
antennae eleven -jointed, separate at base, head generally flat,
trapezoid, bearing no antennal tubercles ; the maxillary palpi are
well developed, but never of large size, the first one concealed, as
usual, in the mouth, the second one more or less elongate, curved
and clavate at tip, the third small, globular, and triangular, fourth

88 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

ovate and acuminate — these organs vary to a certain extent ; the
abdomen is nearly always more or less marginate, the hind coxae far
apart, and the first ventral segment concealed under the metasternum ;
the tarsi have one single claw ; the under part of the head bears
nearly always a large, more or less obtuse, longitudinal carina.

This tribe is widely distributed throughout the world, but it has,
comparatively speaking, few representatives in South Africa.

Gen. EYBAXIS, Saulcy,
Bullet. Metz., xiv., 1876, p. 96.

Body short, convex ; antennjB eleven- jointed ; maxillary palpi of
moderate size, second joint clavate at tip, third globose, minute,
fourth briefly oblong, obtusely acuminate ; prothorax cordate and
with three foveas connected by a transverse sulcus ; elytra with a
sutural and a dorsal stria, the latter more or less abbreviate, lateral
margin sulcate inwardly ; abdomen marginate.

Owing to the epipleural sulcus of the elytra and the transverse
sulcus of the prothorax, this genus has been removed from Bnjaxis.

Eybaxis cikcumplexa, Eaffr.

Bryaxis circumfiexa, Eaffr., Eev. d'Entom, 1882, p. 24.

Little convex, chestnut red, shining, covered with a very short
pubescence; head rather elongate with the sides nearly straight,
slightly attenuate in front, trifoveate, anterior fovea not so deep nor
as well defined as the others ; antennae elongate, slender, third to
seventh joints subelongate, decreasing in length, eighth nearly
quadrate, club triarticulate ; prothorax much broader than the head,
nearly as long as broad, subcoi-date, lateral fovege large, median one
small, transverse sulcus angular ; elytra a little longer than broad,
slightly attenuate at base, shoulders oblique, noticeable, bifoveate
at the base with the discoidal stria more or less abbreviate in the
apical part, nearly straight or slightly sinuate at apex ; first ab-
dominal segment carrying two carinulae diverging much, and more
or less apart ; legs strong, femora thickened, tibiae hardly arcuate.

Male : Antennae long, joints much elongate, ninth to tenth sub-
cylindrical, slightly conical, more than twice as long as broad,
eleventh oblong, much elongated ; third ventral segment with a
median, minute, compressed tubercle ; last segment hardly im-
pressed ; intermediate trochanters obtusely dentate inwardly at
base ; apical margin of the elytra bisinuate.

Female : Antennae shorter than in the male, joints ninth and tenth
smaller, truncate in an obconical form, eleventh oblong and a little

1897.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 89

shorter ; apical margin of the elytra truncate in a nearly straight
line. Length 2-30-2-50 mm.

This species is apt to vary somewhat ; the discoidal stria of the
elytra is more or less abbreviate at tip ; when longer than usual it is
slightly arcuate at the end ; when short it is straight ; the carinulae
of the abdomen are always oblique and diverging, but they are more
or less apart from each other; the size of the body varies very much.
I have some examples from Abyssinia which are only 1'90 mm. in
length, while others reach 2-80 mm. ; I have not noticed so much
difference in size among the South African examples.

This species seems to have a wide distribution in Africa.

Hab. Natal (Frere), Zambezia (Salisbury), Abyssinia.

Gen. BEYAXIS, Leach,
Zool. Miscell., iii., 1817, p. 85.

This genus is nearly similar to the preceding one, but the body is
generally more parallel, the foveee on the prothorax are of equal size
and free, as there is no transverse sulcus, and the lateral margin of
the elytra are not sulcate.

Bryaxis seems to be confined to Europe and the African and
Asiatic Mediterranean shores (palsearctic fau.na) and North America.
Its occurrence in South Africa is doubtful, the only two specimens
as yet recorded from this locality being two examples which 1 have
obtained from Mr. Boucard, and reputed to have come from South
Africa ; these two specimens are females of a well-known European
species [B. liamatica).

It must be said, on the other hand, that this identical species is
found also in North America, where it is, however, so rare that it is
unknown to the American entomologists. I have in my collection
Dejean's type of B. obscura, Dej., from North America, which is
completely identical with B. hcBinatica. This species is not rare in
all the temperate parts of Europe, and I have discovered in Algiers
a slight variety.

That the two specimens alluded to are females of B. Juematica
seems to me indubitable, but we must not necessarily infer that the
case is proven, because in many cases the females of different species
of Bryaxis are so similar that they are almost indistinguishable, while
the males of these same species are very different. If the male is
ever discovered in South Africa it may prove to be a different species,
or perhaps a mere variety, such varieties being already known (var.
perforata, Anhe ; tubcriventris, lisifSr.).

90 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

Beyaxis HiEMATicA, Eeichenb.,
Monogr., p. 52, pi. ii., fig. 12.

Entirely rufo-ferruginous, covered with a rufous pubescence ; head
short, trifoveate, eyes large ; antennae rather thick, third to
seventh joints briefly oblong, decreasing in length, eighth quadrate,
ninth and tenth larger than the preceding ones and increasing,
quadrate, transverse, eleventh large, ovate, acuminate ; prothorax a
little broader than the head and eyes, more attenuate in front than
behind, and having three large, disconnected fovete, the median one
of v^rhich is a little smaller than the other two ; elytra subquadrate,
slightly attenuate at base, shoulders little noticeable, base bifoveate,
dorsal stria straight but not produced beyond the third of the length ;
first dorsal segment large and with two nearly straight and sub-
parallel, well-defined carinulae reaching lengthways the third part of
the disk and inclosing nearly one-third of the width ; legs robust.
Female. Length 1-70 mm.

Hah. South Africa (?).

Sub-Gen. EEICHENBACHIA, Leach,
Vigor's Zoolog. Journ., vol. ii., 1826, p. 451.

This subdivision of the genus Biyaxis differs only from it by the
more convex, globular form of the body and the very small median
fovea in the prothorax.

Taken in themselves the characteristics above mentioned cannot
be said to be generic, but it has been found advisable to divide the
old genus Bryaxis, which comprises now several hundred species,
into groups, and to give each group a name in order to facilitate the
study.

It is always difficult, and in some instances nearly impossible, to
identify with certainty an isolated female, and this difficulty holds
good with the South African lieicheiibacliia.

The country in the world where this sub-genus is most alDundant
is Tropical America, then comes the Indo-Malayan region, the palse-
arctic fauna, and South Africa. Australia has no representative.

Eeichenbachia sulcicornis, Eaff'r.,
Annal. Soc. Entom. Franc, 1895, p. -^89.
Oblong, thick, ferruginous, covered with a subflexible pubescence ;
legs and antennae rufous, the latter infuscate at tip ; head longer
than broad, trifoveate, frontal fovea larger than the others ; antennae
strong, third to sixth joints oblong, sixth a little shorter, seventh
quadrate, eighth slightly transverse, ninth to tenth a little larger

1897.] of the Cokoptera of South Africa. 91

than the preceding, and increasing, transverse, eleventh large ;
prothorax rather broad, lateral foveas distant from the margin,
the central one very minute ; elytra subquadrate, slightly attenuate
at base, trifoveate, dorsal stria nearly straight, abbreviate before the
apex ; first dorsal segment of the abdomen with carinulae variable in
length, alvyays diverging and inclosing at the base one -fourth of
the width of the disk ; metasternum moderately raised and depressed.

Male : Last joint of antennae larger than the others, oblong, and
having underneath a strong, sulciform fovea ; intermediate tibi£e
with an apical spur, last ventral segment broadly but obsoletely
impressed.

Female : Last joint of antennae ovate. Length 1-50-1 -60 mm.

Allied to B. incticornis, Eeitt. ; in the male the antennal club is
vei-y different ; it is difficult to distinguish the female from that
of the last-named species, but the penultimate joint of the antennas
is decidedly more transverse, and the last one shorter and stouter.

Hah. Bechuanaland (Vryburg), Zambezia (Salisbury).

Eeichenbachia picticornis, Reitt.,
Deutsch. Entom. Zeit., 1882, p. 188, pi. ix., fig. 6.

Oblong, dark ferruginous, hardly pubescent, legs and antenna?
light rufous, the latter, principally in the male, dark at tip ; head
subquadrate, trifoveate ; antennae of moderate size ; third to sixth
joints oblong, subcylindrical, seventh much shorter, nearly quadrate,
the others variable in each sex ; prothorax nearly as broad as long,
broader than the head, more attenuate in front than behind, lateral
foveas of moderate size, distant from the margins, the median one
minute and suboblong ; elytra subquadrate, slightly attenuate at
base and trifoveate, shoulders hardly conspicuous, dorsal stria
abbreviate before the apex, slightly arcuate and curving slightly
outward at tip ; first dorsal segment of abdomen with little con-
spicuous carinula, shorter than half the length of the discoidal part,
diverging and covering a quarter of the width ; posterior tibise
shghtly incurved ; metasternum rather convex.

Male : Antennal club large, piceous, covered with a denser greyish
pubescence, eighth joint broader and shorter than the preceding one,
transverse, ninth a little broader than the eighth and more than
twice as long, transverse, tenth longer, subquadrate, eleventh oblong,
truncate at base, acuminate at tip ; intermediate tibiae with an obtuse,
hardly discernible spur at tip, last ventral segment depressed trans-
versely ; metasternum abruptly impressed at apex.

Female : Antennal club much smaller than in the male, ultimate

92 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

joint hardly infuscate, eighth joint quadrate, ninth a httle larger,
quadrate, tenth larger than the preceding one, quadrate, eleventh
ovate, hardly thickened, truncate at base and acuminate at tip.
Female : Variety /3. (?) Antennae more slender than in type, piceous
at tip, and with the eighth, ninth, and tenth joints slightly transverse.
Length 1-50-1 -60 mm.

Hah. Natal (Frere), Zambezia (Salisbury), and also the West
Coast of Africa.

In the South African examples the colour is darker, and the last
joint of the antennae entirely dark, whilst in the West Coast specimens
the ultimate joint is dark at the base only, and in the female
the antennae are entirely of the same colour ; this is, however, only
a local variety.

The diagnosis of the female var. ^i is made from one example ; it
is impossible to decide if it belongs to a distinct species or not. The
habitat of that example is Zambesia (Salisbury).

Eeichenbachia decipiens.

Closely allied to both B. sidcicornis and B. picticornis, but the
only example I have seen being a male, proves to be a very distinct
species. The colour is a little lighter, the antennae more slender,
the third to sixth joints long, subcylindrical, seventh much shorter
than the sixth, but still longer than broad, eighth quadrate, ninth a
little longer than eighth, quadrate, tenth larger and very slightly
longer than broad, eleventh fusiform, rather elongate and slender ;
the carinulae of the abdomen are more definite and less divergent ;
the intermediate trochanters have a very small acute tubercule at
base ; the metasternum is broadly depressed, and the last ventral
segment is broad and impressed. Male. Length 1-70 mm.

Hab. Zambezia (Salisbury).

Eeichenbachia subpubescens.

Oblong, not very thick, ferruginous, covered with a moderately
dense and long greyish pubescence, under side of abdomen and
antennae infuscate at tip, legs rufous ; head longer than broad,
hardly attenuate in the anterior part, trifoveate ; posterior foveae
transverse ; antennse slender, joints third to sixth elongate, seventh
much shorter, eighth quadi-ate, ninth hardly broader, but longer,
tenth larger, briefly ovate, eleventh of moderate size, ovate,
acuminate ; prothorax a little broader than the head, rounded
laterally, more attenuate in the anterior than in the posterior part,
lateral foveae of moderate size, greatly distant from the margin,
median one punctiform ; elytra moderately elongate, hardly attenuate

1897.] of the Gohoptera of South Africa. 93

at base, trifoveate, dorsal stria straight, much attenuate before the
apex ; abdominal carinulae hardly divergent, reaching lengthways
the median part of the disk, and across a fifth of the width ;
metasternum broadly impressed, anterior trochanters, and also the
intermediate ones with a minute but acute tubercle at base ;
anterior tibiae sinuate inwardly before the apex, posterior ones
arcuate, last ventral segment with a minute tubercle at base and
totally impressed. Male. Length 1-59 mm. One example.

Hah. Natal (Frere).

I have also seen two females, which I describe as possible
varieties of the present species, as I do not deem it prudent to
consider them as distinct species owing to the small number of
examples examined, but I would not be surprised if the discovery of
the male sex would prove them to belong to a distinct species.

Female: Var. /3 vel. spec.(?) Thicker, unicolor ; antennae entirely
infuscate, joints ninth and tenth more quadrate, dorsal stria slightly
arcuate inwardly. Length 1-40 mm. One example from Zambezia
(Salisbury).

Female : Var. y vel. spec. (?) Antennae thicker, entirely rufous,
dorsal stria slightly arcuate ; carinulae of the abdomen shorter
and very near each other. Length l-dO mm. One example from
Zambezia (Salisbury).

Eeichenbachia disceeta.

Eather broad and thick, covered with a subflexible pubescence ;
legs rufo-testaceous, antennae rufous, head, prothorax and elytra
very slightly punctulate ; head longer than broad, not attenuate in
front, deeply and equally trifoveate ; antennae moderately elongate
and slender, joints seventh to tenth elongate, decreasing in length,
eighth subquadrate, but nevertheless a little longer than broad, ninth
hardly larger, trapezoidal, tenth more trapezoidal, eleventh ovate,
strongly acuminate ; prothorax broader and shorter than the head,
sides rounded, lateral foveaB of moderate size, distant from the
suture, the median one much smaller than the others ; elytra
rather broad and slightly depressed, a little attenuate at base
and bifoveate, shoulders not prominent, dorsal stria entire, arcuate
and ending in the sutural angle ; abdomen a little broader than the
elytra, carinula slightly diverging and reaching to half the length of
the disk and inclosing more than one-quarter of the width ; meta-
sternum hardly impressed ; posterior tibiae slightly incurved. Female.
Length 1-80 mm.

Although I have seen only one female example, I do not hesitate

94 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

in considering it as a very distinct species, differing in many points
from the preceding ones.

Hab. Zambezia (Salisbmy).

Reichenbachia afra.

Somewhat short and broad, ferruginous, covered with a sub-
flexible pubescence, legs reddish ; head a little longer than broad,
and having three foveae, the anterior of which is larger than the
others and oblong ; antennae short, thick, variable in both sexes ;
prothorax broader than the head, not longer, lateral foveae moderate,
distant from the margin, median one smaller ; elytra subquadrate,
hardly attenuate at base and tripunctate, dorsal stria slightly
arcuate, and shortened at some distance from the sutural angle.

Male : Third to sixth joints of antennae briefly oblong, decreasing
in length, seventh and eighth quadrate, ninth strongly transverse,
slightly produced inwardly, tenth a little broader than the pre-
ceding one but twice as long and transverse, eleventh very large,
subglobose, truncate at base and broadly but not deeply impressed
and the impression very shining, obtusely acuminate at tip ; ab-
dominal carinEe parallel, and inclosing a third of the width of
disk ; metasternum obtusely gibbose laterally ; intermediate tibiae
provided with a long strong ante-apical spur.

Female : Third to fifth joints of antennae briefly oblong, sixth
quadrate, seventh to eighth slightly transverse, ninth and tenth
transverse, increasing in size, eleventh briefly ovate, truncate at
base, oblique externally towards the apex and obtusely acuminate ;
carinula of abdomen slightly divergent, shorter than in the other
species, and inclosing hardly the fourth part of the width of
disk ; metasternum simple. Length 1-50 mm.

This species may at once be distinguished from the others by the
short body and thick antennae.

Hah. Zambezia (Salisbury). One pair only.

Reichenbachia diversa, Raffr.,
Rev. Entom.,vi., 1887, p. 36.

Short, rather thick, piceous or piceous red, elytra sometimes
of a lighter colour on disk, legs obscure red ; head subquadrate,
slightly attenuate in the anterior part, trifoveate, anterior fovea
larger than the others and oblong ; antennae thick, third joint a little
longer than the others, fourth and sixth subovate, others variable in
both sexes ; prothorax hardly broader than the head, lateral foveas
distant from the margin, the median one punctiform ; elytra large,
slightly attenuate at base and bifoveate, shoulders well defined,

1897.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 95

dorsal stria slightly incurved and abbreviate before the apex ;
carinulsB of abdomen short, more or less divergent and inclosing the
third part of the width of disk ; posterior tibiae incurved, intermediate
ones slightly sinuate ; metasternum not depressed.

Male : Antennae thicker than in the female, and more clavate,
seventh joint of antennae hardly transverse, eighth and ninth much
transverse, increasing gradually and slightly produced inwardly,
tenth much larger than the others, trapezoidal, slightly transverse,
eleventh large, ovate, strongly dentate inwardly at base ; inter-
mediate tibiae very briefly spurred at apex ; metasternum and last
ventral segment slightly depressed.

Female : Antennae very much less clavate than in the male,
seventh joint quadrate, eighth a little transverse, ninth and tenth
increasing in size, trapezoidal, slightly transverse, eleventh ovate,
obtusely acuminate at tip. Length l-40-l*60 mm.

Hab. Cape Colony (neighbourhood of Cape Town, Stellenbosch).

Male : Var. /3. Much smaller than the type form, 1-20 mm.,
completely rufous.

Hab. Neighbourhood of Cape Town (Mowbray).

Eeichenbachia peringueyi.

B. diversa var. unicolor, female, Eaffr., Eev. Entom., vi., 1887,
p. 36.

Oblong, piceous red, legs and antennae rufous at base ; antennae
of modei'ate size, third to sixth joints oblong, sixth ever so little
shorter, seventh quadrate, eighth to tenth transverse, gradually
increasing, eleventh ovate, slightly oblong ; lateral foveas of the
prothorax distant from the margins and not much larger than the
median one ; elytra as long as broad, little attenuate at base and
trifoveate, dorsal stria hardly arcuate, and stopping abruptly without
reaching the apex ; abdominal carinulae extremely short, slightly
diverging and inclosing a fifth of the width of the disk.

Male : Ninth and tenth joints of antennse broader and more
transverse than in the female, eleventh suboblong ; intermediate tibiae
with an apical, rather strong spur, last ventral segment slightly
depressed transversely. Length 1-30 mm.

This species is very closely allied to B. diversa ; having only
one female for my original description, I described it at first as
possibly a variety of the afore-named species ; I have since obtained
the male, and it proves to be a very distinct species, smaller and
more slender than the others.

Hab. Cape Colony (Stellenbosch).

96 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

Eeichenbachia achillis, C. Schauf.,
Catalog. Tijdschr. Ent., xxxi., p. 20.
Bryaxis crassipes, Eaffr., Eev. Entom., vi., 1887, p. 36.

Rather elongate, piceous black, elytra red, legs and antennae
brown, body with a hardly noticeable pubescence, and shining ; the
colour turns sometimes to red all over, principally in the female ;
head subquadrate, fovese shallow, anterior one larger than the others ;
antenna? rather elongate, third to sixth joints elongate, seventh
much shorter, eighth quadrate, ninth larger, quadrate, tenth trape-
zoidal and larger, eleventh large, ovate, acuminate ; prothorax
larger than the head, rather elongate, oblique at base, lateral
foveae placed close to the margin, of moderate size, median one
minute, base punctulate ; elytra somewhat elongate, slightly
attenuate at base and trifoveate, shoulders little pronounced, dorsal
stria nearly entire and slightly bisinuate ; abdomen shorter than the
elytra, carinulae extremely short .

Male : Antennae more slender and longer than in the female ;
anterior tibiae slightly dilated in the middle inwardly and more or
less minutely tuberculate before the apex, intermediate ones slightly
sinuate inwardly and with a strong spur at tip, posterior ones
arcuate, all the femora thick ; metasternum strongly and broadly
impressed, minutely bituberculate close to the intermediate coxae ;
fourth and third ventral segments with a large, oblong fovea reaching
also the tip of the second one, ultimate segment rugoso-punctate,
having a deep subtriangular fovea at the base, and impressed
transversely at apex. Length 1-80 mm.

Female: Antennae a little shorter than in the male, legs not so
thick ; metasternum slightly impressed, last ventral segment rugoso-
punctate, second dorsal one acutel}^ mucronate in the middle of the
apical part. Length 1-60 mm.

Hab. Cape Colony (Stellenbosch). Eare.

Female : Var. himucronata. Second and third dorsal segments
sharply spinose in the middle of the apical part ; sometimes the first
segment is very briefly spinose in the median part of the apex.
Length 1-40-1-60 mm.

Hah. Cape Colony (Muizenberg, in the neighbourhood of Cape
Town).

This female variety {himucronata) is a very interesting one, because
dimorphism is extremely rare among females, and I know of no
such occurrence in the whole family. I have captured also the
male of this variety, which does not show the slightest difference
with the typical male captured with the typical female. It is also

1897.] of the Coleoptcra of South Africa. 97

worthy of note that this variety does not occur with the type form,
which seems so far to be restricted to Stellenbosch, while the former
has only been met with at Muizenberg, where I found several females
and one male at the foot of grass ; but on the slopes of Table
Mountain I have met with some female examples in which the little
spine on the first dorsal segment has disappeared ; and this is to a
certain extent a transitory form between the type and the variety
bimucro7iata.

Teibe GONIACERINI.

Body variable in shape ; head elongate and provided with an
antennal tubercle, depressed laterally in front and more or less
dilated ; eyes placed forward ; antennae geniculate ; maxillary palpi
of moderate size ; abdomen marginate ; first ventral segment of
abdomen conspicuous, and projecting over the posterior coxae,
posterior and intermediate coxae apart from each other ; one tarsal
claw provided with a setiform appendage.

In this tribe the antennae are geniculate as in the Gurculionida,
and not unlike therefore Metopius from America, but they are greatly
differentiated by other characteristics.

The insects included in this tribe are not numerous, and seem to
be exceedingly rare ; they occur in America and Africa, but are
much more numerous in America, and four species included in two
genera were so far known from Abyssinia, Zanzibar, and the Gaboon ;
but my friend Mons. Eugene Simon, the well-known arachnologist,
who visited South Africa in 1892, has discovered a fifth one in the
Transvaal. These five species are known from single specimens only,
three of which I have myself captured in Abyssinia and Zanzibar
flying at sunset.

Gen. OGMOCBEUS, Eaffr.,
Eev. Entom., vol. iii., 1882, p. 7.
Body oblong, somewhat depressed ; head provided with a frontal
tubercle, depressed laterally in front ; eyes set forward ; antennae
geniculate, elongate, eleven-jointed, club triarticulate ; maxillary
palpi moderate, triarticulate, first joint rather elongate, slightly
incurved, thickened at tip, second smaller, third briefly fusiform ;
abdomen broadly marginate ; legs somewhat elongate ; first joint
of antennae minute, second and third subcylindrical, third longer
than the others.

Some species included in the genus (0. giganteits, agi/msibanus)
are among the largest known Pselaphidce.

7

98 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

Ogmocerus rugosus, Eaffr.,
Ann. Soc. Ent. Franc, 1895, p. 390.

Somewhat elongate and depressed, ferruginous, slightly covered
with a yellowish pubescence, entirely rugoso-punctate, more so on
he head and prothorax ; head subparallel laterally, and having on
the vertex two tomentose foveae, antennal tubercle moderately broad
and depressed, and having a tomentose fovea on the summit ;
antennae rather thick, geniculate, first joint very long, one-half
the length of the antennae, sinuate, second one globose transversely,
third to sixth transverse, seventh a little larger, transverse, globose,
eighth to tenth transverse, increasing in width, eleventh very briefly
ovate ; prothorax slightly cordate, having a longitudinal sulcus and
a large fovea past the median part, transverse sulcus obsolete ; elytra
subquadrate, subdepressed, with the sides nearly parallel, base
bifoveate, dorsal stria abbreviate past the median part ; abdomen
longer than the elytra, subconvex ; legs robust ; metasternum hardly
impressed. Female. Length 3-50 mm.

This species is smaller than the others, the punctures are really
small, tubercles larger on the head and prothorax and smaller on the
elytra and abdomen.

Hah. Transvaal (Hamman's Kraal near Pretoria).

Tribe PSELAPHINI.

Head long and narrow ; antennae clavate ; maxillary palpi generally
unusually long ; prothorax more or less ovate ; elytra more or less
triangular ; abdomen with a broad margin, first segment very
developed behind the hind coxae, but hidden from view by a pale,
glandular pubescence ; tarsi always with a single claw.

This tribe is well represented in Europe and Australia, but has
only a few representatives in Africa.

Gen. PSELAPHUS, Herbst,
Kaf., iv., 1792, p. 106.

Elongate, attenuate in front ; head elongate, more or less sulcate ;
maxillary palpi very long and slender, first joint fihform and shorter
than the second, which is also filiform, but clavate at tip ; third
minute, subglobose or triangular, fourth long, filiform, strongly
clavate at tip ; antennge elongate, club triarticulate ; prothorax
oblong ; elytra much attenuate at base, ampliate behind ; first
dorsal abdominal segment large ; legs elongate, slender, first tarsal
joint minute, second clavate at tip, third cylindrical, a single claw.

The genus is represented in every part of the world.

1897.] of tJie Coleoptera of South Africa. 99

PSELAPHUS LONGICEPS, Eaffr.,

Eev. Entom., vi., 1887, p. 33.

Chestnut red, very shining, smooth, briefly nigro-setose here and
there on the prothorax and elytra, the setae more numerous on the
abdomen ; legs paler ; palpi testaceous ; head strongly elongate,
four times longer than broad, subparallel laterally, neither broadly
nor deeply sulcate in front, abruptly raised close to the eyes, and
obsoletely bispinose ; palpi much elongate, and with a few whitish
setse, last joint slightly sinuate, neither strongly nor abruptly clavate,
apex of the clava sulcate ; antennae reaching further than the base
of the elytra, first joint elongate, subcylindrical, closely punctured,
second subquadrate, a little longer than broad, third longer, oblong,
fourth to eighth shorter, obconical, ninth to tenth much larger,
obovate, ultimate one large, obovate, acuminate ; prothorax hardly
shorter than the head, a little broader, attenuate in front and behind,
very slightly sinuate on each side before the base, and without any
sulcus or fovea ; elytra once and a half longer than the prothorax,
much broader, much attenuate at base ; shoulders oblique, well
defined, sides slightly rounded, covered at apex with long, black
setse, as well as with a glandular ochreous pubescence, sutural
stria subcarinate, entire, the dorsal one close to the suture ; abdomen
hardly broader than the elytra and a little shorter ; metasternum and
abdomen simple underneath. Female. Length 1-40 mm.

Allied to P. filipalpis, Eeitt., from the Gold Coast, but differs by its
larger size and more slender form.

Hah. Natal (Frere) ; one example. Occurs also in Zanzibar.

Gen. PSELAPHISCHNUS.

Not much elongate, attenuate in front ; head elongate ; maxillary
palpi much elongate, first joint filiform, short, second filiform, clavate
at tip, third minute, subtriangular, fourth large, globose at base, from
there filiform and subulate for a great length ; antennae thickened,
joints transverse ; abdomen broad and broadly marginate, first dorsal
segment larger than the others ; legs thick and short.

Eesembles much Pselaphus, but is much shorter and broader, the
margin of the abdomen is also broader, the antennas are thick, and
the maxillary palpi very different, the last joint instead of being
clavate at the apex is clavate at the base and thin and sharp at tip.

PSELAPHISCHNUS SQUAMOSUS,

Plate XVII., fig. 2.
Chestnut brown, totally covered with ochreous squamse ; palpi

100 Descriptive Gatalogtie [1897.

testaceous, tarsi red ; head slightly attenuate in front, sulcate longi-
tudinally, and having two obsolete foveas set in the middle between
the eyes, vertex slightly convex, cheeks glanduloso-squamose behind ;
antennae thick, first joint large, slightly obconical, second a little
narrower, quadrato-transverse, third to eighth smaller than the others,
equal to each other and transverse, ninth a little larger, transverse,
eleventh large, much truncate at base, obtuse at apex ; prothorax
ovate, convex, a little broader than the head, sinuate at base, truncate,
two lateral foveas and a median minute one ; elytra triangular, not
broader at base than the prothorax, oblique laterally, more than three
times broader at apex, apical margin with very pale glandulose
squammae ; abdomen longer than the elytra, slightly rounded laterally
and a little broader, very broadly marginate, rounded at apex, first
dorsal segment larger than the others, and with the median apical
part having an acute, straight tubercle ; metasternum convex, first
ventral segment covered with a whitish glandulose pubescence,
second one large ; abdomen slightly concave underneath ; legs
slightly compressed. Male.

This very fine insect, owing to the squamose pubescence and
short and triangular elytra, is not unlike Psclapkus npacus, Schauf.,
from the Amazon.

Hah. Cape Colony (Cape Town and neighbourhood).

Teibe CTENISTINI.

Head provided with an antennal tubercle, cheeks more or less
dilated in front in a tubercle ; maxillary palpi conspicuous, most
often penicillate ; first ventral segment of abdomen hidden by the
posterior coxae ; claws double and equal in size ; the pubescence is
always squamose.

This tribe differs from the PselapUini by the mucronate sides of
the head in the anterior part, the first ventral segment of the
abdomen is short, and more or less covered by the hind coxae, the
two claws of the tarsi are equal, and the pubescence is always
squamose.

This tribe is found everywhere. The insects belonging to it are
generally met with in damp or swampy places, and may be caught
flying at sunset ; some are found under stones, others in ants' nests.

Gen. LAPHIDIODEEUS, Eaffr.,
Eev. Entom., 1887, p. 20.
Subelongate, subdepressed ; head provided with a strong antennal
tubercle ; epistoma with the sides angular and dilated ; antennae

1897.] of the Goleoptera of South Africa. 101

approximate at base, thick, clavate at apex, similar in each sex ;
maxillary palpi large, first joint inconspicuous, second subelongate,
arcuate, clavate at tip and provided with an apophyse, third oblong,
angular externally and with an apophyse, fourth oblong, dilated at
base, provided with an apophyse and strongly acuminate at tip ;
prothorax subpentagonal, tuberculate and foveate ; elytra short,
dorsal and sutural striae entire ; abdomen large, broadly marginate ;
legs long, femora clavate ; tibiae slender ; posterior coxee very much
separated ; intermediate and posterior trochanters elongated, clavate ;
tarsi subelongate and having two equal claws ; head armed under-
neath with a long, strong, recurved spine under the eye.

Very closely allied to the African genus, Desimia, Eeitt., and more
especially to the American one, Ctcnisis, Eaffr., but differs from
both by the antennae having a three-articulated club in both sexes,
instead of the long cylindrical four- jointed club of the male in
Desimia and Ctenisis. It differs also from Ctenisis by the shape
of the antennae and that of the palpi, the third and fourth joints of
which are not transverse.

This genus is purely a South African one, and includes only two
species closely allied to each other.

Laphidioderus capensis, Eaifr.,
Eev. Entom., 1887, p. 21, pi. i., figs. 2, 3.

Piceous red or obscurely rufous, shining, covered all over with
sparse ochreous squamae, all the foveae and the sutural part with
yellowish glandulose squamae ; head subelongate, strongly depressed,
narrowed in the anterior more than in the posterior part ; antennal
tubercle large, subdivided, minutely foveate at base, two large foveae
between the eyes, which are large ; antennae reaching the median
part of the elytra, gradually clavate, all the joints as broad as long,
penultimate ones increasing, eleventh oblongo-ovate, obtuse at tip ;
prothorax longer than broad, attenuate in front with the sides not
quite straight, and having three longitudinal deep sulci reaching
further than the median part, base depressed transversely ; elytra
not longer than the prothorax, attenuate at base, little oblique
laterally, deeply bifoveate at base, sutural and dorsal striae strong
and entire ; abdomen once and a half longer than the elytra, first
dorsal segment a little shorter than the following one ; metasternum
deeply sulcate ; anterior tibiae much arcuate.

Male : Antennae with the eighth to tenth joints increasing in size,
eleventh oblong, club quadri- articulate ; metasternum having on each
side a large subconical tubercle acute at tip.

Female : Eighth joint of antennae a little shorter than the pre-

102 Descrijytive Catalogue [1897.

ceding one, ninth and tenth increasing in size, little elongate,
eleventh oblongo-ovate ; metasternum having on each side an ovate
depressed tubercle not acute at tip. Length 1'60-1'80 mm.

Mr. P^ringuey discovered this species near Cape Town in the
galleries of an ant {Bothroponera piLmicata). I have found it in
nearly the same locality under stones, and there v^ere no ants ; it is
abundant in June and July on the slopes of the Lion's Rump in
Cape Town.

Laphidioderus brevipennis.

Closely allied to the preceding species, but the head is more
elongate ; antennae shorter, eighth to tenth joints a little longer than
broad, slightly transverse, eleventh oblong, acuminate at tip ; pro-
thorax shorter than broad, sulci shorter, not reaching the median
part ; elytra almost shorter than the prothorax, much transverse,
attenuate at base, slightly rounded laterally, dorsal stria arcuate ;
abdomen twice as long as the elytra ; metasternum sulcate.

Male : Last joint of antennae hardly longer than the others, club
triarticulate ; metasternum having on each side an ovate tubercle
ending in a minute tooth.

Female : Metasternum having on each side an ovate tubercle not
sharp at tip. Length 2 mm.

Hah. Cape Colony (environs of Cape Town, Mowbray) ; two
examples.

This species is so very much like the preceding one that a com-
parative diagnosis may prove useful.

Capensis. Brevipennis.

All the joints of the antennae Joints eighth, ninth, and tenth

longer than broad, antennal club transverse ; antennal club of

of male four-jointed. male trijointed.

Prothorax longer than broad, Prothorax as broad as long,

basal sulcus longer than half the basal sulcus shorter than the

length. prothorax by half the length.

Elytra short, transverse, longer Elytra very short, very trans-

than the second dorsal segment verse, not longer than the second

of the abdomen. dorsal segment of the abdomen.

Abdomen once and a half Abdomen twice the length of

as long as the elytra. the elytra.

Metasternum of the male with Metasternum of male with two

two conical and acute tubercles. fiat tubercles bearing a small

tooth behind.

1897.] of the Colcoptera of South Africa. 103

Gen. CTENISTES, Eeichenb.,
Monogr. Pselaph., 1816, p. 75.

Head elongate, provided with an antennal tubercle, cheeks
obtusely tuberculate in front ; antennae of the male with the
third to seventh joints minute, moniliform, eighth to eleventh
cylindrical and forming a large elongate club, those of the female
sensibly increased towards the apex and the club triarticulate ;
maxillary palpi large, the last three joints provided with an
apophyse, and the third and fourth very transverse ; prothorax
more or less obconical ; elytra moderately elongate ; abdomen mar-
ginate ; legs rather elongate.

The genus is represented in every part of the world.

Ctenistes australis, Eaflr.,
Eev. Entom., 1887, p. 25.

Fulvous, elytra, legs, and palpi paler, body covered with ochreous
squamae ; head olilong, trifoveate ; antennal fovea much smaller
than the others, oblong ; eyes very large ; palpi short, second joint
slightly arcuate and a little clavate at apex, third and fourth trans-
verse, ovate, appendages short ; prothorax a little longer than broad
and subconical, hardly rounded laterally, briefly foveate at base ;
elytra little elongate and little attenuate at base, sides slightly
rounded, shoulders oblique, dorsal stria entire, slightly arcuate ;
second dorsal segment of the abdomen twice as long as the first.
Length 1-90-2-20 mm.

Male : More slender, smaller and paler than the female ; first and
second joints of the antennae larger than the others, third to seventh
very minute, moniliform, eighth equal in length to the seven pre-
ceding ones, ninth nearly shorter by one-half, tenth a little longer
than the ninth, eleventh equal to the preceding and acuminate.

Female : Thicker, larger and darker than the male ; antennae
thick, nearly one-third shorter than in the male, the first two joints
larger than the following ones, third longer, oblong, fourth to sixth
almost of equal size and slightly shorter than the third, seventh
nearly twice as long as the preceding one, eighth much smaller than
the sixth, the three apical ones the largest of all, clavate, ninth sub-
globose, tenth subquadrate, eleventh nearly twice as long as the
tenth, oblong, acuminate at tip.

In this species the palpi are smaller than usual and the last two
joints ovate and transverse ; it resembles C. zanziharicus, Eaffr., but
it is smaller and lighter in colour ; the female is very unlike the male
being larger and darker.

Hab. Cape Colony (Stellenbosch, Paarl), Natal (Frere, Escourt).

104 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

Ctenistes imitator, Reitter,
Deutsch. Ent. Zeit., xxvi., 1882, p. 179.

Fulvous, elytra paler, palpi testaceous, body covered with
ochreous squamge ; head elongate, trifoveate, anterior fovea a little
smaller than the others ; antennal tubercle hardly sulcate ; eyes
large ; palpi long, second joint arcuate at apex and clavate, thii'd
subequal in length and w^idth and produced in a very angular shape
outwardly, fourth fusiform, transverse, appendages long ; prothorax
a little longer than broad, slightly conical, hardly rounded laterally,
base with oblong foveas ; elytra rather elongate, oblique laterally,
attenuate at base, oblique at shoulders, dorsal stria entire, hardly
arcuate ; abdomen with the dorsal segment hardly twice the length
of the first.

Female : Antennae slender, elongate, third to sixth joints elongate,
slightly decreasing in length, seventh longer than the third, eighth
subglobose, ninth ovate, nearly twice the thickness of the seventh
but nearly equal in length, tenth hardly thicker than the preceding
one but longer, eleventh equal in length to the two preceding ones
put together but hardly thicker, subcylindrical, acuminate. Length
2-26 mm.

This species differs from the preceding one by the more elongate
head, the much more slender antennae, the elytra more narrowed at
base and more arcuate laterally.

I cannot detect any appreciable difference between a Natal example
and Eeitter's type from the Gold Coast, except that it is more
densely squamose and that the antennae are very slightly longer,
but in the absence of the male it is not possible to consider it as a
distinct species.

Hab. Natal (Frere) ; one female. Originally described from
Western Africa (Gold Coast).

Gen. ODONTALGUS, Eaffr.,
Eev. Mag. Zool., 1877, p. 8, pi. iii., fig. 5.
Short, thick, convex ; head provided with an antennal tubercle,
cheeks hardly tuberculate in front, a palpal fovea underneath ; eyes
more or less conspicuously divided by a squamose canthus ; first
joint of maxillary palpi inconspicuous, second large, elongate,
strongly clavate, third smaller, subtriangular, fourth large, elongate
and very much clavate ; antennae elongate or thick, club of the male
triarticulate, that of the female biarticulate, eighth joint smaller than
the others ; prothorax subconical, tuberculate ; elytra much broader
than the prothorax, carinate ; abdomen marginate ; intermediate
coxae little distant, posterior ones very far apart ; metasternum

1897.] of the Colcoptcra of South Africa. 105

large ; all the trochanters elongate ; tarsi with two claws equal in
length.

The general facies is very different from that of Ctenistes ; it is
much shorter and thicker, and the shape of the palpi is entirely
different.

The geographical distribution is somewhat peculiar. I first dis-
covered two species in Abyssinia (one of which has been also found
since in Natal), another one inhabits West Africa (Gold Coast), a
fourth one occurs in Zanzil)ar, but the genus is also met with in
Sumatra and Borneo.

Odontalgus vespertinus, Eaffr.,
Eev. and Mag. Zool., 1877, p. 9.

Short, thick, chestnut brown or piceous, body covered with greyish
squamae, palpi and tarsi rufo-testaceous, foveae and sutures filled
with glandular whitish squamae; head depressed, strongly trifo-
veate, antennal tubercle shghtly sulcate ; antennae rather thick, first
joint large, subelongate, second larger than the following ones, sub-
cylindrical, third shghtly obconical, equal in length to the preceding
one but more slender, fourth to seventh shorter and decreasing a
httle in length, eighth minute, very transverse, the other differing in
each sex ; prothorax shghtly conical, sinuate laterally, with several
impressions and having four tubercles arranged in the shape of a
cross, the three anterior ones are the largest and oblong, the posterior
one is very much smaller and rounded ; elytra broader than the
prothorax, subquadrate with the sides shghtly rounded and ampliate
beyond the median part, hardly attenuate at base, shoulders oblique,
well developed, base bifoveate and broadly although obtusely tri-
carinate lengthways (suture included) ; abdomen abrupt behind, first
dorsal segment a little larger than the others, and the basal three
slightly and bluntly carinate in the middle of the apical part ; anterior
trochanters tuberculate at tip.

Male : Antennal club triarticulate, ninth joint subquadrate with
the angles rounded, tenth similar but a little larger, eleventh broader
and more than twice the length of the preceding one, subcyhndrical,
rounded at tip ; metasternuni very deeply excavate all over, bottom
of excavation foveate in the anterior part, sulcate in the posterior and
fiUed with glandulose squamas, sides with an erect dentiform tubercle
before the median part ; whole of abdomen deeply concave under-
neath, second segment foveate in the middle, apical one dentate on
each side ; last dorsal segment obtusely carinate in the middle and
slightly impressed on each side.

Female : Club of antennae biarticulate, ninth joint hardly larger

106 DescriiHive Catalogue [1897.

than the seventh, transverse, tenth much larger, shghtly transverse,
eleventh large, ovate ; metasternum raised and plane, very much
sulcate lengthways in the middle, glanduloso-squamose, and with
another slender transverse anterior sulcus ; abdomen slightly convex
underneath, last dorsal segment depressed. Length 1-50-1-60 mm.

I cannot detect any difference between the South African and the
Abyssinian forms, except that the latter is a trifle larger (1-70 mm.).
The striking sexual characters of the metasternum and abdomen are
exactly the same.

Hab. Natal (Frere). Very abundant in Abyssinia.

Odontalgus costatus,
Plate XVII., fig. 9.

Stout, much attenuate in front, chestnut brown, totally covered
with ochreous squamae and set with large, shallow, sparse and
squamge-bearing punctures, palpi and tarsi testaceous ; head longer
than broad, sinuate laterally, vertex subgibbose and obsoletely tri-
sulcate, frontal part with a large median foveas ; eyes large, divided
by a squamose canthus ; antennse strong and thick, first joint large,
second slightly transverse, third to ninth very transverse, tenth
larger, eleventh large, ovate, obtuse at tip ; palpi a little short ; pro-
thorax narrower than the head, eyes included, irregular and pluri-
gibbose, much constricted laterally in front and having five foveas ;
elytra shorter than the prothorax and twice as broad, rounded at the
shoulders, sinuate laterally, obtusely but strongly tricostate, external
costa abbreviate a little before the median part, intermediate one
entire, oblique towards the shoulders and sinuate from there, internal
one entire, slightly arcuate, suture hardly raised, bifoveate at base ;
abdomen stouter than the elytra, first dorsal segment depressed
at base and more densely squamose, tricostate and bituberculate at
apex, second and third with five tubercles, median tubercle distant
from the apex and larger than the others, fourth segment strongly
unituberculate in the middle, fifth inflexed and simple underneath ;
metasternum smooth and shining, delicately sulcate longitudinally
and having close to the intermediate coxae a large, squamose fovea,
and on each side a large, triangular compressed tooth ; second and
third ventral segments moderately smooth in the middle and shining,
the fifth one deeply emarginate in an arcuate form ; femora thick,
sulcate inwardly, anterior and intermediate tibiae hardly sinuate
while the posterior ones are strongly so. Female. Length 1-60 mm.

The facies of this insect is very different from that of the other
Odontalgus ; the antennas are thick, and the joints transverse, the
tubercles on the prothorax are very prominent ; the carinas on the

1897.] of the Colcoptera of South Africa. 107

elytra are much stronger, and there is no trace of lateral stria ; the
segments of the abdomen are provided with tubercles, which are
absent in the other species. At first sight one feels inchned to con-
sider this insect as belonging to a genus distinct from Odontalgus,
but a close inspection reveals no generic difference.

Hab. Cape Colony (Cape Town, slopes of Table Mountain and
Lion's Eump). Apparently very rare.

Tribe TYKINI.

Body variable, mostly always attenuate at tip ; head provided with
a more or less conspicuous antennal tubercle, cheeks simple laterally
in the anterior part ; first ventral segment hidden by the posterior
coxae or the metasternum ; abdomen most often marginate ; inter-
mediate trochanters always elongate, the others often so ; claws of
tarsi double, equal in length or subequal ; pubescence always
simple, mostly always elongate, sometimes short, but never squamose.

This tribe is closely alhed to the preceding one, and differs chiefly
by the hair-like pubescence and the non-prominent sides on the
frontal part of the head.

The tarsi have two equal claws generally, but in some few insects
from the Malayan Archipelago and Australia these claws are unequal.

The tribe includes most of the finest and largest PsclaphidcR, and
is better represented in Africa than anywhere else, but it is also pretty
numerous in Asia and Australia. One of the most important genera,
Gentrophthahmis, more numerous in Asia but extending also in
Africa to the East and West Coasts, Abyssinia, and Algiers, is not
found in South Africa.

Gen. TMESIPHOEUS, Le Conte,
Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., vL, 1850, p. 75.

SiNTECTES, WestW.

Oblong, head elongate and with an ocular canthus underneath
more or less produced and spinose ; maxillary palpi strong, first
joint inconspicuous, second arcuate, clavate and appendiculate, third
more or less oblong, angular in the median part outwardly and
appendiculate, fourth dilated externally, acute at tip ; antennae
strong, club triarticulate ; prothorax more or less cordate ; elytra
more or less briefly costate ; abdomen marginate, bi- or tri-carinate,
and sometimes without carinae at all ; posterior coxjb apart, tarsi
rather elongate, third joint a little longer than the second, claws
double, equal ; pubescence variable, long or extremely short.

Species of this genus occur in North America, Australia, x\sia, and

108 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

Africa, but they vary considerably ; most of the Asiatic species have
a long, soft pubescence, and have no abdominal carinae, whilst the
Australian, American, and African ones as well as few Asiatic have a
very short, bristly pubescence, and two or three carinae on the first
dorsal segment of the abdomen, which impart to them a totally
different appearance.

Few species are known from Africa, where they seem to be rare.

Tmesiphorus eugicollis.

Oblong, piceous red, elytra chestnut red, and antennae ferruginous
or entirely ferruginous or rufous, palpi and tarsi testaceous, body
covered with a pubescence having a somewhat golden tinge ; head
very closely rugoso-punctate, longer than broad, constricted in front
of the antennal tubercle, which is ampliate and deeply divided, and
having between the eyes two large foveae, slightly transverse ; between
these the vertex is carinate vertically, and raised transversely behind,
the infra-ocular can thus obtuse ; third joint of palpi briefly oblong,
angular outwardly in the middle, appendiculate, fourth broadly
and roundly dilated ; antennae robust, first joint large, cylindrical,
second quadrate, third to eighth a little smaller than the others,
third to seventh slightly transverse, the eighth more so, club large,
ninth and tenth trapezoidal, tenth a little larger and slightly trans-
verse, eleventh truncate at base, ovate, obtuse at tip ; prothorax
closely rugoso punctate, subcordate, subgibbose, rounded laterally in
front, and from there sinuate on account of a large fovea situated on
the side, having in the median part above the base an acute tubercle
and an oblong, basal fovea, the bottom of which is smooth ; elytra
robust, sparsely punctured, subquadrate, slightly transverse, with
the shoulders oblique, clavate, bifoveate at base and obtusely costate
in the disk ; this costa is abbreviate above the apex, and the suture
costiform ; abdomen larger than the elytra, slightly rounded laterally,
somewhat convex, the two first segments tricarinate ; legs strong,
anterior tibiae thickened in the middle and arcuate.

Male : Ninth joint of antennae depressed inwardly, tenth totally
and broadly excavate, dentate inwardly, and less so outwardly,
eleventh ovate, neither deeply nor broadly impressed, more or less
unidentate ; metasternum convex, deeply sulcate behind ; second
ventral segment of abdomen impressed in the middle at apex, third
minutely tuberculate at apex, these tubercles more or less approxi-
mate. Length 2-50-2-60 mm.

Hab. Natal (Frere), Zanzibar mainland (Lindi).

I had at first considered this species as identical with T. collaris,
Eatfr., and the description of the male which I gave in the ' Eevue

1897.

of the Coleoptcra of South Africa.

109

d'Entomologie,' 1887, p. 28, refers to this species and not to T. collaris
proper ; I deem it advisable therefore to give a comparative descrip-
tion of the two species.

T. collaris.
Head longer, slightly narrowed
before the antennal tubercle,
which is but little dilated, fovese
between the eyes smaller than in
rugicollis.

Canthus under the eye pro-
duced in a long and sharp spine.

Last joint of maxillary palpi
narrowly produced outwardly at
apex, long, and very acuminate.

Male : Last joint of antennae
with only one large depression at
base, ending at tip in a single,
more or less compressed tooth.

Second and third ventral seg-
ments very slightly impressed.

Length 2 -40-2 -60 mm.

Hctb. Island of Zanzibar, and
on the mainland, Bagamoyo and
Mikindani.

T. rugicollis.
Head shorter, much narrowed
before the antennal tubercle,
which is much more dilated ;
foveas between the eyes larger and
much more transverse, separated
from each other by a carinule.

Canthus under the eye short
and obtuse.

Last joint of maxillary palpi
roundly dilated outwardly, apical
part short, acuminate.

Male : Last joint of antennae
with two transverse and com-
pressed teeth, or small carinae,
the interval between them filled
by a transverse depression.

Second ventral segment with
a strong impression, third one
with two small tubercles at base.

Length 2 -50-2 -60 mm.

Hab. Natal (Frere), Zanzibar
mainland (Lindi).

Gen. PSELAPHOCEEUS, Eaffr.,
Eev. Entom., vi., 1887, p. 28.
Thick, convex, attenuate in front ; head with a broad, robust
antennal tubercle ; antennae strongly and irregularly clavate, first
joint subelongate, cylindrical, smaller than the following ones ; palpi
strong, first joint inconspicuous, second rather elongate, slender at
base, much dilated in a triangular form, third triangular, more or
less dilated outwardly either obtusely or in an apophyse, fourth more
or less transversely triangular, and acuminate inwardly at tip ;
prothorax longer than broad, narrowed in front and foveate laterally ;
elytra large, convex, attenuate at base, ampliate behind, discoidal
stria short ; abdomen large, marginate, first dorsal segment hardly
longer than the others ; metasternum long, slightly raised ; posterior

110 Descrijjtive Catalogue [1897.

COX8B hardly approximate ; legs somewhat elongate, tarsi elongate,
secocd and third joints subequal, two equal claws.

This genus is purely South African, and includes some of the large
species of Pselapliidce. It can be divided into two groups, containing
each two species, and in each one of these two groups the maxillary
palpi are exactly similar.

FiEST Group.
Third and fourth joints of the maxillary palpi obtusely
prodi;ced outwardly ; seventh joint of antennae very large,
ninth and tenth much smaller and equal pcringiicyi, divcrsus.

Second Group.
Third and fourth joints of the maxillary palpi narrowly
and sharply produced outwardly in the shape of an
appendage, seventh joint of the antennse much smaller
than the others, while the ninth is larger than the
seventh and tenth heterocerus,antcnnatns

In general appearance these insects are very closely allied to each
other, and the maxillary palpi being identical in the same group, it is
rather difficult to distinguish the female of different species, while
the difference in the shape of the antennae makes the identification
of the male comparatively easy.

PSELAPHOCERUS PERINGUEYI, Eaffr.,

Plate XVIL, fig. 10.
Eev. Entom., 1887, p. 29, pi. xvii., figs. 10 & 11.

Stout, attenuate in the anterior part, rufous, elytra lighter in the
disk, shining, smooth, hirsute, the hairs brown and long, palpi
testaceous ; head subquadrato-elongate, plane, with two minute
fovese placed behind the eyes, middle of frontal part slightly im-
pressed ; antennas robust, thick, first joint elongate, cylindrical,
second nearly quadrate, third to fifth longer and slightly increasing
in length, sixth quadrate, slightly transverse, the others different
in each sex ; prothorax larger than the head, irregularly ovate,
somewhat abruptly attenuate in front, slightly dilated before the
median part, and having laterally, a little past the median part,
a transverse fovea filled with whitish glandulose hairs ; elytra
very much attenuate at base, shoulders well defined and oblique,
base with two foveas, filled at bottom with whitish glandulose squamae,
dorsal sulcus slightly oblique, short ; abdomen of nearly the same
size as the elytra ; metasternum little impressed ; trochanters and
anterior femora strongly but obtusely tuberculate.

Male : Narrower behind ; seventh joint of antennae large, pro-

1897.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. Ill

duced outwardly and rounded, eighth minute, lenticular, ninth to
tenth large, lenticular, eleventh truncate at base, short, obtuse at
tip, depressed, transversely excavate inwardly, and incised laterally
also inwardly.

Female : Broader behind ; seventh joint of antennae a little larger
than the others, subquadrate, eighth minute, transverse, ninth to
tenth large, transverse, eleventh briefly ovate and obtuse at tip.
Length 2-70-3 mm.

Hab. Cape Colony ; somewhat common in Cape Town and
neighbourhood — Newlands, Constantia.

PSELAPHOCERUS DIVERSUS,

Plate XVIL, fig. 11.

Nearly similar to the preceding species ; the colour is more
uniform and generally darker.

Male : Seventh joint of antenme large, irregularly trapezoidal,
hardly produced outwardly and rounded for a short space, eighth
minute, transverse, ninth and tenth large, transverse, eleventh ovate,
truncate at base, obtusely acuminate at tip, obliquely and broadly
excavate inwardly, and with an ante-apical and squamose, longitudinal
irregular carinule.

Female : Seventh joint of antenna? hardly broader than the pre-
ceding one, but nearly twice as long, eighth a little smaller than the
sixth, and more transverse, ninth to tenth large, slightly transverse,
eleventh ovate, obtusely acuminate ; size of the male.

In both sexes the eighth, ninth, and tenth joints of the antennae
are much less transverse than in the male of P. peringueyi, the
seventh is somewhat quadrate, whilst in peringueyi it has a trian-
gular shape, the last one is neither so short or so broad, and the
sculpture of the under part is quite different ; in the female the
seventh joint is longer but not broader, whilst in peringueyi it is
broader and nearly quadrate, the eighth, ninth, and tenth are much
less transverse, and the last one regularly ovate.

This species is much rarer than the preceding one. I have found
only a few specimens near Cape Town on the Kloof Eoad, on the
Camp's Bay side.

PSELAPHOCERUS HETEROCERUS, Eaffr.,

Plate XVII., fig. 12.
Eev. Entom., 1887, p. 30, pi. i, figs. 8 k 9.
Suboblong, rufous, shining, smooth, body covered with long brown
hairs, palpi testaceous ; head elongate, somewhat plane, slightly

112 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

constricted in the anterior part towards the antennal tubercle, which
is subdivided, and having behind the median part two minute foveas
and two obhque very nearly obliterated sulci ; eyes set towards the
middle ; first joint of antennae long, cylindrical, slightly sinuate,
second elongato-quadrate, third to fifth elongate, subcylindrical and
slightly increasing in length, sixth quadrate, the others different in
each sex ; prothorax oblong, rather abrupt and more attenuate in
front, nearly straight laterally, outer sides with a large, transverse
fovea filled with whitish glandulose hairs ; elytra rather elongate,
slightly attenuate at base, shoulders oblique and well pronounced,
two foveae filled with whitish glandular hairs at base, dorsal sulcus
short ; abdomen shorter than the elytra ; metasternum rather con-
vex, hardly impressed ; anterior trochanters and femora tuberculate.

Male : Seventh joint of antennae a little longer than the preceding
one, obtusely but strongly produced outwardly at apex, eighth not
narrower than the sixth, but lenticular, ninth large, subquadrate,
slightly transverse and rounded at angles, tenth much smaller,
tranverse, eleventh rather elongate, truncate at base, acuminate
at apex, slightly compressed, slightly produced inwardly and incised
before the base, depressed inwardly and deeply excavated in a sub-
rotund way.

Female : First to fifth joints of antennae a little shorter than in
the male, sixth to seventh quadrate, eighth transverse, ninth to tenth
larger than the others, transverse, eleventh ovate and obtusely
acuminate. Length 2-90 mm.

This species is very rare.

Hab. Cape Colony (environs of Cape Town, Constantia), Stellen-
bosch.

PSELAPHOCERUS ANTENNATUS,

Plate XVII., fig. 13.

This species is very similar to the preceding one, and differs only
in the following points : The head is not quite so long, and the foveae
are larger but nearly obliterated ; the first to fifth joints of antennae
are a little shorter and thicker ; the prothorax has a well-defined
notch on each side before the median part.

Female : Sixth joint of antennae tranverso-quadrate, seventh more
than twice larger than the preceding one, transverso-quadrate and
slightly produced externally at apex, eighth lenticular, ninth large,
transverse, rounded externally, tenth a little narrower and slightly
transverse, eleventh truncate at base, attenuate at tip and obtuse,
depressed inwardly and with the side almost roundly excavated.

Female unknown.

1897.] of the Goleoptera of South Africa. 113

Hab. Cape Colony (neighbourhood of Cape Town, Newlands).
Very rare ; one example.

Gen. MAEELLUS, Motschulsk.,
Bullet. Mosc, 1851, iv., p. 483.

Body oblong, attenuate in front ; head transverse, antennal tubercle
long, narrow ; eyes large ; maxillary palpi elongate, first joint con-
spicuous, second elongate, clavate at tip, third shorter, more or less
obconical, fourth elongate, fusiform or filiform ; antennae elongate,
club large, triarticulate ; prothorax coi^date and provided with a
transverse sulcus and lateral fovese ; abdomen marginate ; legs
elongate, slender, posterior coxae distant ; tarsi elongate, second to
third joints subequal, claws double, equal.

This genus seems to be exclusively African, and is found in
Algeria, Egypt, Abyssinia, Zanzibar, and Natal, but examples are
always rare.

Maeellus granosus.

Totally rufous, granular, covered with an extremely short pubes-
cence ; head convex, transverse, antennal tubercle narrow and
moderately elongate, sulcate longitudinally ; third joint of palpi
obconical, fourth in the shape of a long spindle, acuminate ; antennae
elongate, first joint elongate, cylindrical, second a little thicker than
the following ones, thicker, elongate and cylindrical, third to seventh
elongate, subcylindrical, a little decreasing in length, eighth quad-
rate, ninth to tenth oblong, slightly obconical, tenth a little thicker
and shorter, eleventh oblong, obtusely acuminate; prothorax cordate,
abruptly attenuate in front, rounded laterally before the median part,
and sinuate from there, two large lateral foveas, the median one of
which is minute, transverse sulcus straight, obsolete ; elytra elon-
gate, slightly attenuate in front, slightly oblique laterally, shoulders
oblique and well defined, base bifoveate, sutural stria entire, dorsal
sulcus short ; abdomen shorter than the elytra, broadly marginate,
the two first segments equal ; metasternum strongly and broadly
excavated, minutely carinate laterally, intermediate coxae tubercu-
late inwai-dly ; legs slender, femora slightly thickened ; tibiae not
quite straight. Male. Length 1-40-1 "50 mm.

In this species the last joint of the maxillary palpi is fusiform, as
in M. biskrensis, but more acuminate ; the prothorax is longer, less
broad and less rounded in the anterior part ; the elytra have more
raised and more oblique shoulders ; the metasternum is much more
excavated and carinate on each side. It differs much more from
M. filiimlpus, Eaffr., from Kilwa (Zanzibar mainland), in which the

8

114 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

last joint of the palpi is elongate, slender, and filiform, the antennal
club longer and the frontal tubercle shorter and thicker ; the elytra
are also more convex. In shape it resembles much M. i^alpator,
Eaffr., from Abyssinia, in which the elytra are also long and coarsely
granulated, but in this last-named species the last joint of the palpi
is cylindrical and slender, the prothorax shorter, and the antennal
club longer.

Hab. Natal (Frere). One male example.

Gen. PSEUDOTYCHUS.

Body globose, attenuate in front ; head subtriangular, provided
with an antennal tubercle ; eyes set behind ; palpi moderate, first
joint inconspicuous, second arcuate and slightly clavate, third small,
fourth much larger, ovate, slightly securiform, acuminate ; antennae
not quite approximate at base, club triarticulate ; prothorax cordate,
trifoveate and sulcate transversely ; elytra convex, much attenuate
at base and bifoveate, sutural stria entire, dorsal one wanting ;
abdomen convex, marginate, first dorsal segment larger than the
others ; metasternum convex, first ventral segment hidden by the
metasternum, second large ; legs of moderate size, posterior coxae
very far apart, intermediate trochanters a little elongate, but the
insertion of the femora is, however, at the apex, the others short ;
first joint of tarsi minute, second produced inwardly, third much
longer, claws double and equal.

This genus is very interesting ; the intermediate trochanters are
shorter than usual in this tribe, but they are nevertheless clavate,
and the femur is inserted at the apex ; the palpi are like those of
Bryaxis, and the general facies is very much like that of the
European genus Tychus, from which it is far removed by the
elongate intermediate trochanters, the first ventral segment hidden
by the metasternum and the two equal tarsal claws. It undoubtedly
belongs to the Tyrini tribe, but it is an aberrant form.

PsEUDOTYCHUS NIGERRIMUS,

Plate XVII., fig. 5.

Black, shining, set with long but very sparse hairs ; antennae,
palpi, and legs testaceous ; head convex, subtriangular, antennal
tubercle quadrate, transverse ; antennjE robust, the first two joints a
little larger than the others, third to seventh a little longer than
broad, subcylindrical, eighth quadrate, ninth to tenth larger, quadrate,
slightly transverse, eleventh ovate, truncate at base, obtusely acumi-
nate at tip; prothorax much broader than the head, strongly cordate,
more attenuate in front than behind, and having three foveae of

1897.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 115

which the median is the smallest, and joined by an angular, trans-
verse sulcus ; elytra moderately short, more than twice as broad as
the prothorax at apex, much attenuate at base, rounded laterally,
shoulders obliterated, base bifoveate ; abdomen larger than the
elytra ; femora slightly thickened, tibia3 straight, slightly clavate at
tip ; metasternum transverse, slightly convex, foveate close to the
intermediate coxge, broad at apex and truncate in a straight line ;
last ventral segment a little longer than the preceding one, and obso-
letely impressed transversely. (Sex uncertain.) Length 1-40 mm.

Hab. Cape Colony (Cape Town neighbourhood, Newlands). Three
examples.

Sub-Family CLAVIGEEID^.

The Clan'yeridcB, in spite of their peculiar facies, which makes
them easily distinguishable, even by beginners in entomology, from
the true Psclaphidce, do not in fact differ very much, and they appear
to be a degraded form of the latter. However, the head, antennae,
mouth, abdomen, and sternum show some difference ; the head is
more or less conical with the lateral part of the epistoma always
more or less dilated laterally ; the antennae are thick, short, and
comprise never more than six joints, the first of which is concealed
under the frontal part in a lateral fovea in which the antenna is
inserted, the ultimate joint is always larger than the others, and, except
in very few cases, truncate at tip ; the mouth is very rudimentary and
consists of long fascicles of soft hairs adapted for suction ; the
maxillary palpi are not visible, and have been found to consist of one
joint only in such genera as have been dissected ; the first dorsal
segments of the abdomen coalesce, so that it has three dorsal seg-
ments on the upper part, while underneath it consists of the normal
number ; the intermediate coxae are always apart, the metasternum
being produced between them ; this is a somewhat abnormal feature,
because when the intermediate coxae are apart, which is seldom the
case in the PselaphidcB, it is the mesosternum which is produced
backwards between the coxae ; the posterior coxae are always very
broadly separated, and the trochanters of all the legs are very long
and clavate, the femora being inserted on the apex of the trochanters
and very remote from the coxae ; the base of the abdomen is always
more or less, but generally very much, excavated, and each side
is provided with large fascicles of hairs ; these fascicles are always
connected with tegumentary glands secreting a liquid of which, it
is supposed, the ants, among which the Clavigeridce are always
found, are very fond. Some of these insects (Claviger, Adranes) are
entirely eyeless.

116 Descriptive Cataloaue [1897.

Clavigeridce are rare, but they occur in every part of the world,
anil are found in ants' nests ; at times, however, they leave the
formicaria at sunset, and are found climbing on plants in meadows.

In Madagascar some of the most curious species live in the nests
built in trees by an ant {Cremastogaster spec). I am sure that a
methodical and careful search in ants' nests in South Africa will
lead to the discovery of many more species than those known to-
occur.

Synopsis of Genera.
A 2. Antennse four-jointed.

B 2. Head broader and rounded at tip, hind margin of the
abdominal excavation tridentate ; second and third
dorsal segments comparatively large Fustigeropsis.

B 1. Head more or less acuminate at tip ; abdominal excava-
tion simply tuberculate or fasciculate on each side ;
second and third dorsal segments small.

C 2. Abdominal excavation not tuberculate, and having on
each side a fascicle of hairs connected with a larger
fascicle at the external angle of the elytron, the apical
margin of which is only slightly oblique Novoclavigcr.

G 1. Abdominal excavation having on each side a very strong,
long, compressed tubercle fitting in a fasciculated notch
on the external angle of the elytra Fitstigerodes.

A 1. Antennae five-jointed.

Head short, acuminate in front ; abdominal excavation
fasciculate and strongly carinate on each side . . . . Commatocerodes.

Gen. FUSTIGEEOPSIS, Eaffr.,

Eev. Entom., 1890, pp. 164 and 167.

Commatoceriis, Eaffr., olim.

Antennae quadri-articulate, elongate, last joint long, clavate at tip ;;
head broader in front and rounded, anterior part of cheeks dilated in
a triangular form ; posterior margin of antennae slightly marginate
in the middle and fasciculate ; abdomen long, first dorsal segment.
deeply impressed at base and tridentate, second and third con-
spicuous ; legs somewhat elongate.

This genus contains only one species.

Fustigeropsis peringueyi, Eafi'r.,
Plate XVII., fig. 8.
Commatoceriis Periiu/iiei/i, Eaffr., Eev. Entom., 1887, p. 19, pi. i.^

fig. 7.
Elongate, chestnut brown or rufo-testaceous, sparsely pilose ; head
elongate, very finely shagreened, sinuate in front of the eyes,
ampliate and rounded in front, deeply foveate on each side ; antennae

1897.] of the Colcoptera of South Africa. 117

once and a half longer than the head, first joint hardly conspicuous,
second subtransverso-quadrate, third obconical and a little longer
than broad, fourth elongate, cylindrical, clavate at tip and truncate ;
prothorax cordate, very finely shagreened and having a few dispersed
punctures ; median part of base foveolate ; elytra with remote,
granulose hair-bearing punctures, attenuate at base, well developed
at the shoulders, having a hardly conspicvious sutural stria and two
short folds connected with the base and diverging, posterior margin
sinuate, slightly incised and fasciculate in the median part ; abdomen
longer than the elytra, attenuate behind, slightly narrower at base,
first segment large, marginate, deeply excavate transversely at base,
the excavation with a strong trilobate margin, the lateral lobes are
slightly fasciculate, and the second and third moderately large ; legs
elongate, hardly thickened, simple. Length 2-20 mm.

The antennae are more elongate, and the second and third dorsal
segments much larger than in most of the Clavigeridce.

I have seen two examples only (female), which are not in very good
condition.

Hab. Transvaal (Potchefstroom).

Gen. FUSTIGERODES, Eeitt.,
Deutsch. Ent. Zeit., 1884, p. 168.

Antennas quadri-articulate, less elongate than in Fustig crop sis, last
joint more or less cylindrical or slightly conical ; head short, attenuate
in front, anterior part of cheeks dilated but nearly straight, posterior
margin of elytra more or less oblique and with a slightly nodose
fascicule ; first dorsal segment of abdomen deeply impressed trans-
versely at base, and having on each side a large process, depressed
at tip and hardly fasciculate, second and third hardly conspicuous on
the upper side.

This genus has been established by Mr. Reitter for an undescribed
insect, the habitat of which was not known, and which proved after-
wards to be identical with Commatocerus capcnsis, P6r.

The genus Commatocerus has caused a good deal of confusion,
which I have tried to remove in a critical discussion in the ' Revue
d'Entomologie,' 1890, pp. 166 and 167.

FUSTIGERODES CAPENSIS, P^r.

Comviatocerus capensis, Per., Trans. S. Afric. Phil. Soc, 1888,
p. 84; Raffr., Rev. Entom., 1890, pi. iii., tigs. 19, 19i.

Elongate, rufous or chestnut brown, sparsely setose ; head thick,
attenuate in front, very rugosely punctate, foveolate on each side at

118 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

the back of the eyes ; antennae longer than the head, first joint
inconspicuous, second minute, third transverse and a Httle narrower
than the following one, fourth elongate, subcylindrical, slightly
attenuate at base and equally slightly at apex, truncate ; prothorax
rounded, very rugoso-punctate, longitudinal sulcus strong and ending
in a pre-basal large fovea, lateral foveas large ; elytra convex, suture
depressed, sutural stria entire, broadly bi-impressed at base,
discoidal stria delicate, arcuate and a little attenuate behind the
middle, the other fold is short and subhumeral, the posterior margin
is a little oblique, placed close to the external angle, subnodose and
fasciculate ; abdomen large, rather convex, somewhat rounded at
apex, first dorsal segment excavated transversely at base, and pro-
vided on each side with a large, elongate process, depressed at tip
legs strong, intermediate femora with a large, triangular tooth at base,
intermediate tibiae with an inward sharp tubercle placed at a long
distance from the apex.

In this species the last joint of antennae is cylindrical, attenuate
at base, and slightly thicker about the median part, more especially
if seen sideways.

Hah. Cape Colony (Grahamstown).

FUSTIGEBODES MAJUSCULUS, P^r.,

Plate XVII., fig. 7.

Commatocerus majuscnlus, Per., Trans. S. Afric. Phil. Soc, 1888,
p. 84.

Elongate, chestnut red, a little setose ; head short, linear, thick,
very rugose, punctured, the punctures subocellate, triangular and
attenuate in front, deeply foveate behind the eyes ; antennae short,
first joint inconspicuous, second subtransverse, third slightly
obconical, fourth attenuate at base, straight, sensibly increased
towards the apex, rugose and thickly setose ; prothorax slightly
transverse, more attenuate in front tlian behind, very rugose and
punctured, punctures subocellate, median longitudinal sulcus strong
and ending in a large basal fovea, lateral foveas of moderately size ;
elytra of a lighter colour that the rest of the body, moderately elon-
gate, convex, suture depressed, sutural stria entire, base strongly
bi-impressed, discoidal stria, or rather fine fold, slightly arcuate and
attenuate in the middle, posterior margin oblique, nodoso-fasciculate
in the middle at a distance from the external angle ; abdomen large,
very convex, rounded a little laterally and a little broader than the
elytra, deeply impressed at base and having on each side a ciliate,
large, elongate process depressed at tip, rugose and bicarinate ; legs
robust.

1897.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 119

Male : Intermediate femora excavate inwardly at base and armed
with an inner very large, triangular, compressed tooth ; intermediate
tibiae minutely dentate inwardly before the apex.

Length 2-40-2-60 mm.

This splendid insect differs from F. capensis by the larger size and
the shorter antennae, the last joint of which is slightly conical.

Hah. Cape Colony (neighbourhood of Cape Town, Newlands).
Pound in the nest of AcantJiole-pis capensis.

Gen. NOVOCLAVIGEE, Wasmann,
Kritisch. Verzeich. Myrmec. Termitoph. Arthrop., p. 214.

Antennge quadri-articulate, first joint inconspicuous, second to
third minute, fourth rather elongate, slightly clavate, truncate at
tip; head slightly attenuate in the anterior part, cheeks dilated
in a nearly straight line in front ; elytra with the posterior margin
entire and with the very external angles strongly fasciculate ; first
dorsal segment with a large, transverse, simple fovea, cicatricose and
fasciculate on each side, second and third hardly conspicuous on the
upper side.

Closely allied to Fustigerodes, Eeitt. ; the antennae are similar to
those of F. majusculus, but the apical part of the elytra is simple and
slightly oblique, whilst the external angle itself is fasciculate ; the
lateral processes of the abdomen are wanting, and replaced by a
fascicle of hairs.

NOVOCLAVIGER WROUGHTONI, WaSm.,

Plate XVII., fig. 6.
Loc. cit., p. 215.
Elongate, rufo-testaceous, body covered with moderately dense,
flavous, setose hairs ; head and prothorax closely punctate, the
punctures very rough ; head subcylindrical, slightly attenuate in
front and foveate laterally beyond the eyes ; antennae a little longer
than the head, second joint minute, third twice as long as the
preceding one and longer than broad, fourth elongate, slightly
clavate, truncate at apex ; prothorax nearly globose, more attenuate
in front than behind, canaliculate longitudinally, lateral fovese and
also the median one moderately large ; elytra longer than broad,
very slightly rounded laterally, base with two folds, apical margin
deflexed and slightly oblique, external angles raised and with con-
spicuous golden-yellow fascicles of hairs ; abdomen a little longer
than the elytra, rounded laterally, disk subglobose, the whole base
impressed transversely, cicatricose on each side close to the margin
and fasciculate ; legs of moderate size.

120 Descriptive Catalogue [1897.

Male : Abdomen impressed longitudinally underneath, femora of
the intermediate legs with a triangular tooth of moderate size
underneath, anterior tibiae with an extremely small tooth set before
the apex. Length 1-90 mm.

Wasmann states, loc. cit., that this insect has been discovered
in Delagoa Bay by Mr. C. Wroughton ; the habitat, however, does
not seem to be a correct one. Mr. Wroughton, of the Indian Forest
Department, while on a visit to the Cape and Natal, collected a
good number of ants, and sent to the South African Museum some
duplicates of his captures, among which was one example of the
Novoclaviger, above described, and said by him to have been found
in Natal, examples of which had been forwarded to Wasmann.
There can l)e no doubt about the identity of the insect sent by
Mr. Wroughton to the South African Museum and Wasmann's
type, as I have received from the latter one of his types which I
have compared with the example in the South African Museum, and
they are absolutely identical. The habitat of the insect is therefore
Natal, in all probability, and not Delagoa Bay.

Gen. COMMATOCEEODES, Per.,

Trans. S. Afric. Phil. Soc, 1888, p. 85; Eatfray, Eev. Entom.,
1890, pp. 164-168.

Oblong, rather thick, antennae elongate and five-jointed, first
joint inconspicuous, second transverse, third to fourth subquadrate,
fifth much elongate, clavate ; head short, triangular in the anterior
part, and acuminate, cheeks strongly dilated in front ; margin of
elytra simple ; first dorsal segment of abdomen very much impressed
transversely at base, strongly plicate and fasciculate on each side,
second and third conspicuous on the upper part.

This genus is very different from the preceding one owing to the
antennae, which are really five-jointed, and much longer, the short
and broad head, and the strongly plicate abdominal excavation,
fasciculate on each side

COMMATOCEEODES EAFFBAYI, Per.,

Loc. cit., p. 86, pi. 1, fig. 3 ; Eaffray, Eev. Entotn., 1890, pi. iii.,

fig. 26, 261.
Oblong, short, and thick, chestnut brown, very briefly setulose ;
head and prothorax closely and roughly punctured, the punctures
subocellate ; head short, broad, thick, triangular and acuminate at
tip, obsoletely foveate laterally behind the eyes, which are set back-
wards ; antennae hardly shorter than the head and prothorax

1897.] of tlie Colcoptera of South Africa. 121

together, fourth joint rugose, setose, clavate at tip, truncate and
shghtly sinuate outwardly ; prothorax hardly longer than the head,
transverse ; elytra very minutely shagreened and punctulate, a little
broader than long, apical margin straight and simple, external
angles long, setose, sutural stria entire, triplicate at base ; abdomen
longer than the elytra and a little broader at base, first dorsal
segment very much excavated transversely at base, the excavation
carinate on each side and fasciculate, lateral margin broader at base
and slightly incised externally, narrowed at tip ; second segment
conspicuous, transverse, and having a minute tubercle on each side
of the base, third segment longer than the others, apex elongate and
curving upwards ; legs of moderate size, simple, somewhat elongate
and setose. Female. Length 2-50 mm.

This species is a very singular one. The only example known is
a female, and the darker patch of the apical part of the abdomen,
mentioned by Mr. Peringuey in his description, is caused by the
dried-up ovaries which are seen through the transparency of the
teguments ; a case occurring often in all light-coloured Pselaphiche.
I presume that the recurved protuberance of the last dorsal
abdominal segment is also a characteristic of the female.

Hab. Transvaal (Potchefstroom).

POSTSCRIPT.

[The species described below belongs to the genus Dalmina,
Eafir. See page 78.]

Dalmina elizabethana.
Oblong, moderately thick, bright red with the last joint of antennae
lighter in colour, and covered with a short, depressed, pallid pubes-
cence ; head longer than broad, slightly attenuate in front, and
having between the eyes two large foveae and two sulci slightly
arcuate and joined in the anterior part ; antennae with long setae
little elongate, first joint short, thick, second a little shorter, quad-
rate, third narrower by nearly half and a little longer than broad,
fourth scarcely longer but nearly twice as broad, irregularly trans-
verse and slightly produced inwardly, fifth large, irregularly trans-
verse, with the internal basal angle produced underneath and
mucronate, sixth much smaller than the fourth and transverse,
seventh equal in width to the preceding one, but longer and less trans-
verse, eighth similar to the sixth, sixth, seventh, and eighth joints
slightly produced inwardly, ninth and tenth hardly smaller than the

122 Descriptive Catalogue of the Coleoptera of South Africa.

preceding one and transverse, eleventh hardly broader, truncate at
l)ase, acuminate at apex and slightly turbinate ; prothorax broader
than the head, cordate, sinuate laterally past the middle, lateral
foveae large, median ti'ansverse sulcus much angulate, median fovea
almost wanting ; elytra much broader than the prothorax, longer
than broad, slightly rounded laterally, shoulders oblique, little
prominent, base with two foveae, dorsal sulcus disappearing before
reaching the median part ; metasternum minutely foveate in the
posterior part ; legs of moderate size, posterior trochanters slightly
produced and aculeate at apex, posterior tibiae a little thickened and
with an apical spur ; last ventral segment neither broadly nor
deeply impressed. Male. Length 1-80 mm.

Closely allied to D. globulicornis ; the fourth joint of the antennae
is also thicker than the fifth, although not quite as much thickened,
but these two joints do not unite to form a knob as in D. glohuli-
cornis, and the shape of the fifth joint is more rounded ; it differs
from D. irregularis in the form of the fourth and fifth joints, which
are transverse instead of being elongato-quadrate ; it cannot be
mistaken for the male of D. concolor because the head is longer than
broad, whereas in the latter it is transverse, and the joints of the
antennge are longer than broad ; it cannot be compared with D.
gratitudinis, the fifth joint of which is much more dilated, while the
fourth is hardly so. In short, in both D. glohulicoriiis and D.
elizahethatia two joints, the fourth and fifth, are dilated, but in the
former these two joints form a common, slightly rounded node by
the superposition of the anterior and posterior margins respectively,
whereas in the latter these two joints are very free and distant from
one another ; the colour is also much darker in D. glohidicornis.
Female unknown.

Hah. Cape Colony (Port EHzabeth).

INDEX TO FAMILY PSELAPHID^.

A PAGE

abdominalis (Raffrayia) 74

acliillis (Reichenbachia) 96

afra (Reichenbachia) 94

africanus (Faronidius) 47

Anoplectus 59

antennatus (Pselaphocerus)... 112

armata (Raffrayia) 69

•Artlimius 85

Asymoplectiis 55

aterrinius (Asymoplectus) ... 58

atratus (Asymoplectus) 59

austrahs (Ctenistes) 103

B

Batoxyla 83

Batrisini 82

Batrisodes 86

Batrisns 84

brevipemiis (Laphidioderus).. 102

bicolor (Raffrayia) 71

Brijaxiiiini 87

Br I/axis 89

C

calcarata (Raffrayia) 68

capensis (Fustigerodes) 117

capensis (Laphidioderus) 101

caviceps (Raffi'ayia) 64

caviventris (Asymoplectus)... 57

circumtlexa (Rybaxis) 88

Clavigeridce 115

Commatocerodes 120

concolor (Dalmina) 80

costatus (Odontalgus) 106

cruciata (Raffrayia) 70

Ctenistes 103

Ctenistini 100

D

Dalmina 78

decipiens (Reichenbachia) ... 92

deplanata (Raffrayia) 65

discicollis (Asymoplectus) ... 55

discoidalis (Euplectus) 53

discreta (Reichenbachia) 93

diversa (Reichenbachia)
diversus (Pselaphocerus)
dregei (Trabisus)

E

elegans (Dalmina)

elizabethana (Dalmina)

Eujplectinl

Euplectus

F

Faro7iidius

Faronini

Fits tig erodes

Fus tiger 02) sis

G

globulicornis (Dalmina)

Goniacerini

granosus (Marellus)

gratitudinis (Dalmina)..

H

haematica (Bryaxis)

heterocera (Xenogyna)

heterocerus (Pselaphocerus) .

imitator (Ctenistes)

incerta (Raffrayia)

irregularis (Asymoplectus
(Dalmina) —

laticeps (Zethopsus)

laticollis (Raffrayia)

LajjJi idioderus

longiceps (Pselaphus)

longula (Raffrayia)

luctuosus (Asymoplectus)

M

majorina (Raffrayia)

majusculus (Fustigerodes)

Marellus

mashuna (Syrbatus)

microcephala (Raffrayia) ..

PAGE

94
111

84

82

121

49

53

47

47

117

116

79

97

113

79

90

61

111

104
65
56
81

50

73

100

99

78
57

70
118
113

86
76

123

124

Index.

N PAGE

nasuta (Raflfrayia) 67

natalensis (Batrisodes) 87

(Raffrayia) 75

niger (Anoplectus) 60

nigerrimus (Pseudotychus) ... 114

nodosa (Raffrayia) 75

Novoclaviger 119

O

obscura (Raffrayia) 77

Odontalg us 104

Ogmocerus 97

P

palustris (Trimyodites) 52

peringueyi (Fustigeropsis) ... 116

(Pselaphocerus) ... 110

(Reichenbacliia)... 95

picticornis (Reichenbacliia)... 91

pilosella (Raffi-ayia) 74

Prodalma 51

Psdaphidce 43, 46, 47

Pselapliini 98

Pselapliisclinus 99

PnelajyJioceriis 109

Pselaphiis 98

Pseudotijcli us 114

punctata (Batoxyla) 83

Q

quadriceps (Euplectus) 54

R PAGE

raffi'ayi (Conimatocerodes) ... 120

Raffrayia 62

Beiclienhacliiu 90

rugicollis (Tmesiphorus) 108

rugosula (Raffrayia) 72

rugosus (Ogmocerus) 98

Rijhaxls 88

S

squaniosus (Pselaphischnus).. 99

subpubescens(Reichenbachia) 92

sulcicoUis (Zethopsus) 50

sulcicornis (Reichenbacliia)... 90

Syrbatus 85

T

Tmesipliorus 107

Trabisus 84

Trimiodytes 52

Tyrini 107

V

variabilis (Raffrayia) 66

vespertinus (Odontalgus) 105

W

wroughtoni (Novoclaviger) ... 119

X

Xenogyna 60

Z

Zethopsus 49

BIBLIOGEAPHY TO FAMILY PSELAPHIDiE.

AUBB, C.

Pselaphorum Monographia cum Synonymia extricata. Magas. d. Zool., 1833.

Nos. 78-94, 2}p- 71, 17 pL
Revision de la famille des Pselaphiens. Annal. Soc. Entom. d. France, 1844,

pp. 73-156.

* Hekbst, J. F. W.

Natursystem aller bekannten in- und auslandischen Insecten, 1785-1806, 8vo,
2 vols. Kiifev, vols. i.-x.

Leach, W. E.

On the Stirpes and Genera composing the family Pselaphidse. Vigor's

Zoolog. Joiirn., 1825, vol. ii., j^P- 445-453.
The Zoological Miscellany. London, 1814-1817, 3 vols. 8vo.

Le Conte, J. L.

On the Pselaphidse of the United States. Boston Journ. Nat. Hist., 1850,
vol. \i., p)I>- 64-110.

MOTSCHULSKY, V. DE

Enumeration des nouvelles especes de Coleopteres rapportees par Mr. de M.
de son dernier voyage. Bull. d. Mosc, 1851, iv., pp. 479-511.

* Peringuey, L.

Second Contribution to the South African Coleopterous Fauna. Trans.
S. Afric. Phil. Soc, vol. iv., 1888, ^;p. 67-194.

Raffray, a.

Description d'especes nouvelles de la famille des Pselaphides. Revue et

Magas. d. Zoologie, 1877, pp. 279, 298, 1 pi.
Ps61aphides nouveaux ou peu connus. Bevue d' Entom., i., 1882, pp. 1-16,

25-40, 49-64, 73-85, pis. i. and ii.
Pselaphides nouveaux ou peu connus. Revue d'Entom., vol. vi., 1887,

pp. 18-56, 61-62, 2 pi.
Etudes sur les Pselaphides. Revue d' Entom., vol. ix., 1890, pp. 1-28, 81-220,

264-265, 3 pi.
Voyage de Mr. E. Simon dans I'Afrique Australe : Pselaphides. Annates

Soc. Entom. de France, 1895, pp. 389-390.

Reichenbach, H. S. L.

Monographia Pselaphorum. Lipsise, 1816, 8vo, pp. 79, 2 pi.

Reitter, Ed.

Beitrags zur Keuntnifs der Pselaphiden und Scydmseniden von West Africa.
D&utsch. Entom. Zeit., xxvi., 1882, pp. 177-195, 2 pi.

125

126 Bihliography .

Uebor die bekannten Clavigeriden Gattung. Dcutsdi. Entom. Zcif., vol.

xxviii., 1884, pji. 1G7-168.
Versucli ein. systemat. Eintheil. der Clavigeriden und Pselaphiden. Verhand.

d. natiirfcnsch. Vcrcincs in Brilnn, vol. xx.j^jp. 177-211.

Saulcy, F. de

Species des Paussides, Clavigerides, Pselaphides et Scydmenides de I'Europe
et des pays circonvoisins. Bullet. Soc. d'Hist. Natur. de Metz, xiv.,
1876, pp. 25-100.

SCHAUFUSS, C.

Catalogus synonyinicus Pselaphidarum adhuc descriptarum. Tijdschr. Ent.
xxxi., 1888, ^J^J. 1-104.

Wasmann, E.

Kritisclies Verzeichniss der Myrmecophilen und Termitophilen Artliropoden.
Berlin, 1884, 8vo, 231 pp.

ADDENDA TO FAMILY PSELAPHID^.

Tribe EUPLECTINI.

(p. 49.)

Gen. TEIMIODYTES.

(p. 52.)

Trimiodytes setifer.

Oblong, subparallel, somewhat convex, obscurely ferruginous ; an-
tennae and legs rufous ; palpi testaceous ; it is elotlied with a hardly
discernible pubescence, but has, however, some long erect scattered
setae. Head trapezoid, attenuate in front, with the frontal part
truncate and slightly produced in the middle, bifoveate anteriorly,
transversely sulcate and having between the eyes two large foveas
joined by a deep furrow to the transverse frontal sulcus ; eyes of
moderate size ; antennte also of moderate size, and with the two basal
joints larger than the others, third to ninth inclusive moniliform and
slightly decreasing in length, but with the fifth a little larger, tenth a
little larger the preceding ones, slightly transverse, eleventh ovate,
truncate at base, acuminate and subturbinate at apex ; prothorax
nearly smaller than the head, very cordiform, with the outer sides
rounded before the median part and sinuate after the lateral fovea,
which is large ; the transverse sulcus is sinuate, and the median fovea
smaller than the others ; elytra elongate, subparallel, shoulders defined
and oblique, base broadly bifoveate, sutural stria abbreviated before
the median part ; abdominal segments equal ; legs of moderate size ;
anterior femora a little thickened ; metasternum convex, simple ;
second ventral segment larger than the others, third to fifth inclusive
decreasing, sixth large, transverse, convex. Female. Length 1-20 mm.

This second species of a genus, restricted hitherto to the Cape
Peninsula, and which seems to take the place of the Trimium of
Europe and the Actium of America, differs from T. j^dliistris, Raffr.,
by its stouter and more parallel facies ; the head is proportionally less
large and is shorter, the frontal part is provided with a small obtuse

9

128 Descriptive Catalogue of the Coleoptera of South Africa.

projection, and the elytra have well-defined shoulders instead of being
obliterated as in T. palustris.

Hah. Stellenbosch (Cape Colony). A single example captured in
February on the banks of the river.

Tribe BATRISINI.

(p. 82.)

Gen. BATEISUS.

(p. 84.)

SuBGEN. APOBATRISUS, Raffr.,
Soc. Ent. d. France, 1896, p. 285.

This subgenus is distinguished from Trabisus, Raffr., and Proba-
trisus, Raffr., by the sensibly narrower smaller head, a little compressed
laterally, and having underneath on each side a deep carina edging
laterally a depression intended for the reception of the palpi, which
are flagellate as in the two above-named subgenera, which character,
coupled with the very large abdominal segment having no lateral
carina, differentiates them from the true Batrisus, Aube. The value
of the prothoracic sulci as a character is not important because they
vary ; they are very well defined in Batrisus and Trabisus, which have
three, and mProbatrisiis, which has one only, and disappear almost
entirely in Apobatrisiis. In one species of the latter there is none ; in
another it is replaced by a sulciform fovea.

This subgenus was established for a species from Gaboon ; but
another species has lately been discovered in the Cape Colony.

Apobatrisus eufus.

Oblong, rufo-testaceous, entirely covered with rough punctures, and
clothed with a brief but dense fulvous pubescence. Head narrower
than the prothorax, attenuated in front, with the frontal part sulcate
transversely, retuse behind, and having between the eyes two fove^e
more distant from one another than from the eyes ; antennae short,
robust, joints third to eighth inclusive decreasing in length, eighth
nearly transverse, ninth and tenth larger than the others and trans-
verse, eleventh ovate, acuminate at tip ; prothorax nearly triangular
and broadest near the anterior angles, slightly transverse, lateral
foveaB placed at a great distance from the outer side, transverse sulcus
hardly well defined, median fovea smaller than the others, disk with a
sulciform fovea, base bifoveate ; elytra broader than the prothorax,
and longer than broad, outer sides slightly rounded, shoulders raised,

Addenda to Family PseJaphidcB. 129

dorsal sulcus deep but very short ; abdomeu slightly narrowed at base,
rounded laterally, first segment very large, hardly carinulate laterally
at the base, but trifoveate, with the median fovea transverse, more
than twice as broad as the lateral ones, and limited on each side by a
short carinule; legs short, moderately thick, all the tibiae slightly
thickened, the posterior ones incurved ; last ventral segment large,
simple; metasternum plane, obsoletely sulcate. Female. Length
2-20 mm.

This species is very distinct from A. (jahonicus, Eaflfr. The colour is
much lighter, the prothorax is broadest at the very apex, the trans-
verse sulcus is almost lost, and the discoidal fovea sulciform. One
example only.

Hah. Cape Colony (? Beaufort West).

Tribe BBYAXININI.

(p. 87.)

Gen. EEICHENBACHIA.
(p. 90.)

Reichenbachia rivularis.

Dark castaneous ; antennae and legs lighter ; palpi pale testaceous ;
body clothed with a greyish pubescence. Head of moderate size, a
little longer than broad, attenuate in front, and having three equal
foveae ; antennae somewhat shorter and elongate, joints third to
fifth inclusive elongate, sixth also elongate, but a little shorter,
seventh longer than broad, eighth slightly transverse, ninth a little
longer, quadrate, tenth wider, slightly transverse, eleventh suboblong,
acuminate at tip, and truncate at base ; prothorax larger than the
head, much attenuate in the anterior part, and moderately so in the
posterior, basal median fovea slightly oblong, base punctate; elytra
large, attenuate at base, shoulders subnodose, base trifoveate, dorsal
stria slightly arcuate inwardly and abbreviated before the apex ; the
carinules of the first abdominal segment are a little divergent,
include the fourth part of the disk, and reaching to about one-third of
the length ; metasternum obtusely tuberculate at base close to the in-
termediate coxffi, and broadly depressed ; last ventral segment paler,
strongly foveate, the fovea subquadrate ; trochanters simple, interme-
diate tibige very briefly spurred at apex, posterior ones slightly incurved
and thickened towards the apex. Male. Length 1-80 mm.

This new species resembles the female of R. diversa, Raffr., and still
more the male of R. Peringiieyi, Eaflfr. In both these species the third

130 Descriptive Catalogue of the Coleoptcra of South Africa.

to the fifth joints inchisive are only twice as long as broad, the sixth is
hardly longer than broad, the seventh is quadrate, and the eighth
transverse. In B.. rivularis the joints three to five are three times as
long as broad, the sixth twice as long as broad, and the seventh a little
longer than broad ; the abdominal striae are as in B. Perimjueyi, and
not so distant as in R. diversa ; the prothorax is less narrowed behind
than in both these species. In comparison with the male of R. Peringueyi,
it is of larger size, the metasternum is noticeable on account of the
basal blunt tubercle, the fovea of the last ventral segment is larger,
and the apical spur of the intermediate tibiae is not so robust. It
cannot be compared to the male of R. diversa, the last antennal joint
of which is provided with an inward tooth, entirely absent in
R. rivularis.

Hah. Cape Colony (Stellenbosch). One example, captured at the
foot of grass growing on the banks of the river.

[The above additions to the family Pselaphidce were too late to be
included in the Index, pp. 123, 124.]

EXPLANATION OF PLATES.

Plate XVI.

1. Raffrayia caviceps, Raffr., 1' <J underside of the head.

2. ,, arniata, Raffr., 2' ,, ,,

3. ,, variabilis, Raffr., cf , ? 3 ,, ,,

4. ,, incerta, Raffr.

5. ,, deplanata, Raffr.

6. ,, calcarata, Raffr., antennae, 6' intermediate tibia of d

7. ,, cruciata, Raffr.

8. ,, majorina, Raffr.

9. ,, natalensis, Raffr., <? .

10. ,, nasuta, Raffr., c? 10' underside of the head.

11. ,, nodosa, Raffr.

12. ,, microcephala, Raffr.

13. ,, longula, Raffr., 13' <? underside of the head,

14. ,, bicolor, Raffr.

15. ,, pilosella, Raffr.

16. ,, laticollis, Raffr.

17. Xenogyna heterocera, Raffr., ,? .

18. Erimiodytes palustris, Raffr.

19. Prodalma capensis, Raffr., <f .

20. Batrisodes natalensis, Raffr., <? , upper side of the abdomen.

21. Asymoplectus discicollis, Raffr., c? last ventral segment.

22. ,, caviventris, Raffr., (?

23. ,, irregularis, Raffr., <?

24. ,, atratus, Raffr., <?

25. ,, aterrimus, Raffr., c?

26. ,, luctuosus, Raffr., ^

Plate XVII.

1. Dalmina elegans, Raffr., cf .

2. Pselaphischnus squamosus, Raffr.
8. Syrbatus Mashuna, Raffr., <j .

4. Batoxyla punctata, Raffr.

5. Pseudotychus nigerrimus, Raffr.

6. Novoclaviger Wroughtoni, Wasmann, c? .

7. Fustigerodes majusculus, Peringuey, <? .

8. Pustigeropsis Peringueyi, Raffr. ? .

9. Odontalgus costatus, Raffr.

10. Pselaphocerus Peringueyi, Raffr., <? antenna.

11. ,, diversus, Raffr., tf ,,

12. ,, heterocerus, Raffr., cf ,,

13. ,, antennatus, Raffr. c? ,,

122

PI. XII

1 Paussus Raffrayi

2 • manicanus

3 .. Marshalli

4 •■ viator

5 Paussus Barb en

6 - concmnus

7 ., propmquus

8 ■■ arduus

Imp ^.ToTiettr

PI. XIII

c\ ^

4

17

J. Mi^n^^Ui^ d^ & J

Paussus

1 cylmdncornis 5 Imeatus 9 ru6iceps

.2 siSnatipenms 6 arduus 10 rusticus

.3 RafTrayi ■y propmquus 11 Marshalli

4 manicanus 8 Humboldi 12 concinnus

i3 Barb en

i4 German

i5 Klu6ii
o

16 viator

!■] cultratus 18 Linnei ig Burmeisteri

PL :xVi

ii

h ^ ■ -H

22

r^

?i

^L-^\ 1,

2£ C

/JlO^-f. HPfj

Heliog . Dujardm , Paris .

Pselaphidoe.

pi.xyii

Heliog. D-ujar dm, Paris,

Pselaphidce.

DESCEIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF THE COLEOPTEEA
OF SOUTH AFEICA.— Part IV.

By a. Eaffeay, M.E.S. Fiance, &c.

Family PSELAPHID^l.

FIEST SUPPLEMENT.

With Plate 6 (XVIII.).

The publication of the Descriptive Catalogue of the South African
PselaphidcB in 1888 has encouraged the entomologists in that part of
the world to collect these curious beetles, which, owing to their
small size, escape the attention of the ordinary collector.

The Catalogue contained 80 species ; I now add 26 new ones to
this number. The accession is a considerable one. If one takes
into consideration the fact that these minute Coleoptera have been
collected in some isolated parts only of South Africa, i.e., round Cape
Town, Muizenberg, and Stellenbosch by Mr. Peringuey and myself,
Port Elizabeth by Dr. Brauns, Uitenhage by Eev. J. A. O'Neil,
Salisbury and Frere (Natal) by Mr. G. A. K. Marshall, one is justi-
fied in assuming that when they have been looked for methodically
and systematically in this part of Africa they will number several
hundred.

Many new genera and forms entirely unknown will certainly be
discovered, but the material which enables me to publish this First
Supplement goes far to corroborate the opinion I have already given,
that the south-western part, and more especially the Cape peninsula,
has a very distinct fauna, while the western part of the Colony,
Natal and Zambesia, are more directly connected with the general
African fauna.

This Supplement contains diagnoses of five genera not until now
recorded from South Africa; two are entirely new (Gahata, Bryaxo-
novia), while three [Pselcq^hoxys, Sognorus, and Centro2)hthcdnius)

381

382 Descriiitive Catalogue [1898.

are known to occur in other parts of Africa. Gabata has been found
at Port Ehzabeth ; Bryaxonoma is from Muizenberg, near Cape
Town ; PsclapJioxys, described at first from Abyssinia, has been met
with at Uitenhage, and the species is even identical with the Abys-
sinian one, Ccntrophtlialmus, found on the eastern and western
coasts of Africa, and reaching northwards as far as Algeria, is
represented by two species — one from Salisbury, Mashunaland, the
other from Uitenhage, Cape Colony. Sognorus, which is spread on
Europe, Asia, and America, and has also one representative on the
African West Coast, is represented by one new species found in
Uitenhage.

This last-named locality seems to be a connecting point between
the South- Western fauna of the Colony and the African one, for
there the genus Trimiodytes, which is exclusively South African, and
the number of species of which seems to be on the increase, occurs
together with Sognorus ; but so far the genus Baffrayia, which has
now 26 representatives, and Pselaphocerus which has 6, both of which
are so characteristic of the Pselaphicl fauna of that part of the world,
have not as yet been met there. Port Elizabeth, on the other hand,
has 4 species of Baffrayia, 1 Pselaphocerus, 2 Trimiodytes, and
1 F'ust'ig erodes, and seems to have more affinity with the distinct
fauna of the peninsula.

The division of the South African Pselapliidce in two faunas,
although so interesting, is not possible yet, and I do not know that
it can ever be a very precise one ; there will always be found species
which for one reason or other have a very wide area of geographical
distribution, and there will always be points where the two faunas
will commingle, yet my opinion is that the study of these insects,
taken as a whole, will confirm the division in two faunas — one
restricted to the South-Western region, and peculiar to it, the other
spread on the Northern and Eastern side, and having a close affinity
to the general African fauna.

Tribe FAEONINI.

Gen. FAEONIDIUS, Casey,

Catal., p. 47.

Faronidius monilis.

Moderately elongate, rufous or testaceous, antennae and legs tes-
taceous, covered with a rather dense fulvous pubescence ; head very

1898.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 383

transverse, antennal tubercle short, transverse, strongly sulcate,
sulcus extending behind as far as the eyes ; antennae slender, very
moniliform, first joint long, cylindrical, second ovate, third small,
ovate, fourth to eighth ovate, ninth to tenth globose, eleventh shortly
ovate, obtusely and somewhat abruptly acuminate ; prothorax trans-
verse, broader than the head, sides very much rounded and hardly
sinuate behind the median part, lateral foveas large, median one small
and united by a strong transverse and arciiate sulcus to two minute
oblong and oblique foveae ; elytra as in F. africanus but a little
shorter. Abdomen similar.

Male : Antennae a little longer, joints fourth to eighth more
oblong, ninth to tenth globose, not transverse, eleventh ovate.

Female : Antennge shorter, joints fourth to eighth short, ovate,
ninth to tenth somewhat transverse, eleventh nearly globose.
Length 1-30 mm.

This species very closely resembles F. africanus, for which I
mistook it at first, but the antennal tubercle is shorter and more
deeply sulcate, the antennae are much shorter and much more
moniliform ; the prothorax is shorter, much more regularly rounded
on the sides, which are not really sinuate behind, and hardly narrowed
in front, so that the sides are altogether rounded from the front to
the base, whilst in africanus the prothorax is narrowed in front,
strongly rounded in the middle and sinuate towards the base ; the
basal impression is smaller, the elytra shorter, the colour lighter, and
it is of smaller size.

Hab. Cape Colony (Cape Town, Newlands).

Much rarer than F. africanus.

Tribe EUPLECTINI.

Gen. TEIMIODYTES, Eaffr.,

Catal., p. 52.

Tbimiodytes palustbis, Ealfr.,

Loc. cit., p. 52.

When I described this species I had only one example at my dis-
posal ; since then I have found again this insect in the same locality.
It has no sexual mark whatever on the abdomen, and what I sup-
posed to be the female proves to be the male. The female has the
head smaller and more rounded in front, the antennae are shorter.

384 . Descriptive Cataloyite [1898.

joints fourth to eighth slightly transverse, ninth to tenth decidedly
transverse, eleventh globose, truncate at base and abruptly acumi-
nate at apex, whilst in the male the fourth to seventh joints are
somew^hat longer than broad, eight is square, nine to ten are very
little transverse, and eleven is ovate.

Trimiodytes brevipennis.

Chestnut, shining ; antennae and legs testaceous, pubescence long
but very sparse, with some long, erect, and scattered setae ; head
about as long as broad, very little narrowed in front, and having two
large fovese and two strong sulci converging in front where they are
roundly connected, vertex hardly carinate ; antennae of moderate
size, the two basal joints larger, third obconical, fourth to eighth
moniliform, as broad as long, ninth not much larger but transverse,
tenth larger, transverse, eleventh sub-conical and very acuminate ;
prothorax very cordate, hardly broader, but longer, than the head,
lateral fovea? strong, median one small, transverse sulcus angular in
the middle; elytra short, shoulders dentate, two foveae at the base
with the dorsal sulcus well defined and extending to the median
part; abdomen longer than the elytra, somewhat larger, and rounded
in the middle, attenuate at apex ; metasternum convex ; last ventral
segment large, sub-triangular.

Male : Head as long as broad, hardly attenuate in front, the
anterior margin of the frontal part is thick on the sides, somewhat
depressed and minutely emarginate in the middle ; just under the
emargination, on the epistoma, there is a little notch bearing a fovea;
elytra a little longer than the prothorax, less attenuate at the base,
wdth the shoulders more quadrate.

Female : Head not quite as long as broad, and a little attenuated
in front, the anterior margin of the frontal part is rounded and
altogether thick ; elytra hardly longer than the prothorax, attenuate
at the base, with the shoulders very oblique. Length l-20-l'40 mm.

This new species is larger than T. palustris, and the elytra are of
the same colour as the body, the head is smaller, the elytra are
broader and shorter ; in comparison with T. setifer the head is
smaller, the foveae and sulci much deeper, and the transverse
sulcus on the front is wanting, the elytra are much shorter and
attenuate towards the base, whilst in T. setifer the sides are nearly
straight.

Hab. Cape Colony (Uitenhage).

1898.] of the Coleopcra of South Africa. 385

Trimiodytes gkacilis.

Elongate, rufous or testaceo-rufous, with the legs and antennae
paler, pubescence short, coarse, and scattered ; head large, a little
attenuate in front, and having between the eyes two foveas and two
sulci joined and rounded in front ; antennie strong, first joint quad-
rate, second ovate, both larger than the following ones, third sub-
oljconic, fourth to eighth moniliform, becoming a little transverse,
ninth a little, tenth much larger, both transverse, eleventh large
ovate, acuminate ; prothorax regularly cordate, longer than broad,
lateral foveae larger than the median one, transverse sulcus faint
and angular ; elytra with shoulders faintly dentate, dorsal stria
shorter than half the length of the elytra ; metasternum convex.

Male: Head a little larger than the prothorax, less attenuate in
front ; eyes large ; elytra much longer than broad, sides hardly
rounded, not attenuate at the base, shoulders oblique and well
defined ; last ventral segment faintly depressed ; posterior tibiae
gradually thickened towards the apex, their external margin dilated
before the tip in a small, rounded lamina. Length l'10-l-50 mm.

Female : Head a little narrower than the prothorax, more
attenuate in front ; elytra not much longer than broad, attenuate
at the base, without well-defined shoulders ; the sides are more
rounded. Length 1-10-1 '20 mm.

Compared to T. palustrls this species is much more elongate, the
head is comparatively smaller, and the antennee are more clavate ; it
is very different from T. setifcr, owing to the much more elongated
shape and the absence of transverse sulcus in the frontal part of the
head. It resembles much more T. brcvij^ennis, but the sulci of the
head are not so deep, and the prothorax and the elytra are longer.

Hab. Cape Colony (Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage).

Trimiodytes cephalotes,
Plate XVIIL, fig. 23.

Elongate, pale rufous, pubescence short, coarse, and sparse ; head
large, transverse, abruptly truncate and tri-dentate, tri-fasciculate in
front, between the eyes are two small foveae and two sulci ending in
front on each side of the median spine, epistoma provided with a
blunt tubercle ; eyes large ; antennae elongate and slender, first joint
long, sub-obconical, second ovate, both much larger than the following
ones, third obconical, fourth to eighth moniliform, fifth and seventh

386 Descriptive Catalogue [1898.

somewhat larger, ninth larger than the preceding one, little transverse,
tenth of the same shape but about twice as large, eleventh ovate, a little
elongate and acuminate ; prothorax slightly longer but narrower than
the head, cordate, lateral foveas strong, median one smaller, trans-
verse sulcus slender but well defined and angular ; elytra longer than
broad, shoulders oblique, well marked, dorsal stria strong but stop-
ping before the median part ; metasternum convex ; last ventral
segment hardly impressed transversely. Male. Length 1-30 mm.

This species will be easily and at once distinguished by the shape
of the head.

Hah. Cape Colony (Port Elizabeth).

Gen. EUPLECTUS, Leach.,
Catal., p. 53.

EuPLECTUS TUBERCULICEPS,

Plate XVIII. , figs. 4 and 5.

Elongate, narrow, rufous; elytra, antennae, and legs a little paler,
pubescence very short, scarce and decumbent ; head large, flat, little
longer than broad, a little attenuate in front, sides oblique, between
the eyes posteriorly, are two foveae not as distant from each other as
they are from the eyes, with a very blunt tubercle between them, two
sulci slightly arcuate and not connected in front ; antennse slender,
club very little distinct, first joint a little elongate, second ovate, both
larger than the others, third to tenth moniliform, ninth and tenth a
little more transverse and faintly larger, eleventh large, ovate ; pro-
thorax longer than broad, hardly longer and broader than the head,
more attenuate in front than behind, sides rounded in the middle and
posteriorly bi-sinuate but not dentate, lateral fovese strong, median
one smaller, those three foveae connected by a strong, not much
angulated, transverse sulcus, discal fovea strong, sulciform ; elytra
quadrate, but longer than broad, discoidal sulcus strong, not longer
than the third part ; fourth dorsal segment larger than the third ;
metasternum convex ; fifth ventral segment shorter than the fourth,
sixth of nearly the same size as the fourth, arcuately emarginate,
seventh large, triangular, obtuse at the apex with a carina a little
arcuate and asymetric. Male. Length 1"60 mm.

This species differs from all the other African ones by its more
slender body, the sculpture of the head, and the absence of a spine
on the sides of the prothorax behind the lateral fovea.

Hah. Cape Colony (Port Elizabeth).

1898.] of the Coleoptcra of South Africa. 387

GABATA, nov. gen.

This new genus, which belongs to the tribe of the Euplectini,
is very closely allied to Euplectus. A reference to the descrip-
tion of Euplectus (Catal., p. 53) will be sufficient to show the
differential characters. The head is smaller, and much attenuate
in front, which gives it a somewhat triangular facies ; the three-
jointed antennal club is hardly conspicuous ; the last joint of the
maxillary palpi is much more elongate and fusiform ; the median
discoidal groove on the prothorax is wanting ; the seventh ventral
segment of the abdomen is very different, being small, transverse,
and without carina.

With the exception of the different shape of the last joint of the
maxillary palpi, which is not a very important character, the much
more important difference in the structure of the seventh ventral
segment of the male, the differences between this new genus and
Eiqjlectus consists merely in plastic modifications which might
otherwise be considered as purely specific.

In a paper upon the tribe of Eiqilectini, which is being now
printed, I have shown that such plastic modifications have a great
value, and become generic characters, on account of their constant
coincidence with important sexual modifications which are to be
found in the seventh ventral segment of the male.

In Euplectus and some other genera this seventh segment is large,
rhomboidal, and has a longitudinal carina which is nothing else but
the indication of a cleavage of this segment, which opens longitudi-
nally on both sides at the middle, to allow the extrusion of the
penis ; in some other genera, instead of a longitudinal cleavage, it
is an operculum, which is lifted to allow the penis to protrude ; in
other genera this seventh ventral segment is small, more or less
transverse, and hinged in such a way as to leave, when opened,
between itself and the last dorsal segment, an opening for the
extrusion of the penis ; such is the form of the seventh ventral
segment in this new genus.

I consider such sexual modifications as very important and of
generic value, but unfortunately they are to be found in the male
only, and it would be impossible for the females to be identified
without the adjunction, as generic characters, of those plastic modi-
fications which, by themselves, would not be sufficient to warrant
the creation of a new genus.

388 Descriptive Catalogue [1898.

Gabata semipunctata,

Plate XVIII., figs. 6 and 7.

Elongate, chestnut red, antennas and legs paler, rufous, pubescence
fine and short, decumbent and whitish ; head coarsely and densely
punctate, hardly as broad as the prothorax, much attenuate in front
with the sides oblique, a very deep transverse channel separates the
frontal part from the head, two deep and oblique sulci make an acute
angle whose apex is above the transverse sulcus, and between those
sulci the sui-face of the head is somewhat raised ; behind, on the
vertex, there is a faint and short longitudinal depression ; antennae
short, with the basal joints much larger than the others, the first is
square, second briefly ovate, third to eighth moniliform, ninth and
tenth a trifle larger and transverse, eleventh much larger and ovate ;
prothorax finely and sparsely punctate, longer than broad, cordiform,
and having three foveee — two large lateral ones and a much smaller
median one — connected by a fine transverse sulcus, and an exceed-
ingly faint longitudinal sulcus disappearing in front ; elytra impunc-
tate, longer than broad, a little attenuate at base, with the shoulders
rounded and mutic, and having two large grooves at the base and a
large dorsal sulcus ending before the median part ; abdomen longer
than the elytra, the three first dorsal segments equal, fourth larger,
first and second a little impressed at the base in the middle ; under
part of the head coarsely punctate ; metasternum a little transverse
and convex ; second, third, and fourth ventral segments equal, fifth
smaller, sixth as long as the fourth, depressed in the middle, with a
blunt tubercle in each side on the edge, seventh small, transverse,
paler than the others, densely pubescent, and with a faint longitu-
dinal depression ; tibiae a little thickened past the middle. Male.
Length 1-60 mm.

The female is not known.

Hah. Cape Colony (Port Elizabeth).

Gen. EAFFEAYIA, Eeitter,
Catal., p. 62.

The number of species included in this genus, which seems to be
decidedly a South African one, is constantly on the increase. In the
previous Catalogue I mentioned 19 species, and to-day 26 are known,
which makes it necessary for me to give a remodelled synopsis.

1898.]

of the Celeoptera of South Africa.

389

Synopsis of Species.

A^. First dorsal segment of the abdoraen much larger than the
others.

B^. Antennae slightly clavate, the penultimate joints (more espe-
cially the ninth) larger than the intermediate ones . . . . caviceps.

B'. Antennos not clavate, the three penultimate joints (especially
the ninth) smaller than the intermediate ones.

C^. Third joint of the antennae strongly transverse dejplanata.

C. Third joint of the antennae at least as long or longer than
broad, triangular or globose, never transverse.

D=. Longitudinal carina of the head not extending on the frontal
part, ending on the vertex.

E^. Longitudinal sulcus of the prothorax generally wanting or
exceedingly faint and hardly conspicuous when it exists.

F-. Antennae short and thick, ninth and tenth joints transverse.

G-. Elytra hardly longer than broad ; head rather long, not at
all attenuate (male), little attenuate (female) ; longitudinal
sulcus of the prothorax very faint and sometimes wanting frontalis.

G'. Elytra longer than broad ; head short, much attenuate in
front ; longitudinal sulcus of the prothorax always entirely
wanting calcarata.

F'. Antennae much more slender, ninth and tenth joints globose,
not transverse, or hardly so.

G-. Head large and thick, sides rounded, the sulci shallow,

arcuate, the carina on the vertex obsolete and very short incerta.

G\ Head smaller, sides oblique, sulci deep, large and oblique,

the carina on the vertex long and strong variabilis

E'. Longitudinal sulcus of the prothorax never absent, always
very conspicuous.

F^. Prothorax strongly cordiform, as long or nearly as long as
broad, longitudinal sulcus not very deep but very con-
spicuous, transverse one angulate in the middle ; shoulders
generally attenuated in both sexes.

G^. Antenuce more slender, ninth joint globose, colour generally

darker, piceous-brown . . armata.

&. Antennae much thicker, ninth joint transverse, colour fer-
ruginous ; sometimes the shoulders are quadrate in both
sexes nasuta.

F'. Prothorax very little cordate, broader than long, longitudinal
sulcus complete and deep, transverse one straight; shoulders
very quadrate in both sexes cruciata.

D'. Longitudinal carina of the head extending from the neck to

the frontal part sulcatula.

A^ First dorsal segment of the abdomen not larger than the
following ones.

B-. Prothorax variable but never transversely dilated, and
broader than the elytra.

C-. Head with two foveas and two sulci.

D-. Antennae with the joints (at least the intermediate ones)
transverse.

390 Descriptive Catalogue [1898.

E-. Prothorax with a longitudinal sulcus more or less obsolete
and sometimes reduced to an oblong fovea on the anterior
part of the base.
F-. Head without any transverse sulcus on the frontal part.

G-. Prothorax transversely ovate, not cordiform laticollis.

G'. Prothorax cordiform, at least as long as broad.
H^. Longitudinal sulcus deep and well defined, head aiid pro-
thorax punctate rtigosula.

H". Longitudinal sulcus more or less interrupted or obsolete ;

head and prothorax not punctate.
I^. Broad ; antennse with intermediate joints slightly transverse,
ninth and tenth nearly quadrate ; prothorax ampliated on
the sides ; elytra slightly longer than wide ; ferruginous or

testaceous majorina.

I' More slender ; antennse with the intermediate joints and also
the ninth and tenth very transverse ; prothorax longer, not
ampliated on the sides ; elytra longer than broad ; colour

generally dark, feet rufous bicolor.

F'. Head with a deep transverse sulcus on the frontal part,
dividing in two the tubercles bearing the antennse ;
longitudinal sulcus of the prothorax faint, disappearing

in front montana.

E\ Prothorax without any trace of a longitudinal sulcus, the

ante-basal fovea round or absent.
P-. Head without any transverse sulcus on the frontal part.
G=. Broad and convex ; prothorax slightly cordate, broader than

long ; elytra not much longer than wide natalensis.

G'. Narrow, depressed; prothorax much cordate, longer than

broad ; elytra much longer than broad.
H=. Larger ; head scarcely narrowed in front, sulci deep and very
oblique ; prothorax sinuose on the sides close to the trans-
verse sulcus pilosella.

H". Smaller; head strongly narrowed in front, sulci fine, little
arcuated and less distant from each other ; prothorax
regularly cordate without sinuosity on the sides . . . . abdominalis.
F'. Head with a more or less deep transverse sulcus on the
frontal part, dividing in two the tubercles bearing the
antennse.
G-. Head longer than broad, more or less attenuate in front.
hl=. Ferruginous or rufous ; antennse compact and rather short ;
joints third to tenth transverse.
The three following species are closely allied to each other. It
may be found difficult to identify the females, but the males have
the following striking characters : —

I\ Head attenuate in front, sides decidedly oblique ; prothorax
more rounded on the sides and in front, more deeply sinuate
behind the middle ; male ; intermediate trochanters with
a basal tooth, posterior ones simple ; last ventral segment
with a large, oval, longitudinal and deep depression . . . . capcnsls.
I-. Head little attenuate in front, sides very little oblique ; pro-
thorax less rounded on the sides, attenuate in front, and
less deeply sinuate behind the middle ; male ; intermediate

1S98.] of the, Coleoptera of South Africa. 391

trochanters with a basal tooth, posterior ones with a small
carina ; last ventral segment with a large but not deep
transverse depression algoensis.

I'. Head smaller, not attenuate in front, sides parallel ; pro thorax
similar to that of preceding species ; male ; intermediate
trochanters simple and mutic, posterior ones with a small,
cariniform hook ; last ventral segment with a smaller,
superficial, transverse depression microccphala.

H'. Black ; antennse longer and slender, joints third to seventh

only slightly transverse, eighth to tenth quadrate . . . . ohscura.

G'. Head as broad as long, large ; antennae little compact, ninth

joint quadrate, tenth very little transverse nodosa.

D'. Antennffi elongate, joints quadrate or even longer than broad longula.

C". Head with four fovete and without sulci mijrmecopliila.

B-^. Prothorax very transverse, dilated on the sides, and wider

than the elytra dilatata.

Eaffrayia frontalis, n. sp.,
Plate XVIII., fig. 3.

Oblong, little convex, chestnut or testaceous, antenna and legs
testaceous, moderately pubescent, the head is variable in both
sexes, but the sulcus is always rounded, and the vertex has a short
•carina ; antennae short and thick, first joint long, somewhat
obconical, second globose, third transversely triangular, fourth to
seventh much transverse, the fifth is the largest, the eighth — and
•especially the ninth — much smaller, transverse, tenth larger, less
transverse, eleventh shortly ovate, abruptly conical at apex ; pro-
thorax cordate, a little broader than the head, sides well rounded
and hardly sinuate posteriorly, longitudinal sulcus always extremely
slender and sometimes wanting, the transverse one not very strong
and a little angular, with the median groove small and the lateral
ones a little oblong ; elytra sparsely sub-rugose, short, little
attenuate at the base, with the shoulders rounded, dorsal sulcus
strong, reaching at least the median part ; first dorsal segment
very large, deeply impressed at base ; metasternum convex in both
sexes.

Male : Head nearly as long as broad, very little attenuate in
front ; frontal part large, rounded, convex, densely punctulate and
squamose ; eyes larger ; there are no other sexual marks, even in
the abdomen.

Female : Head a little shorter and more attenuate in front ;
frontal part truncate, not convex and smooth ; antennte somewhat
thicker ; elytra broader than long. Length 1"20 mm.

27

392 Descriptive Catalogue [1898.

This species is distinct from B. vasuta owing to the longitudinal
sulcus of the prothorax, which is hardly visible, the much shorter
olytra and the shape of the head, especially in the male.

Hal). Cape Colony (Constantia, Newlands).

Eaffrayia sulcatula.

Oblong, somewhat convex, ferruginous, rufous or testaceous,.
covered with a pale pubescence, legs and last joints of the antennae
lighter in colour ; head large, shorter than broad, sides rounded,
attenuate in front, foveae and sulci very deep, a somewhat geminate
and deep impression on the frontal part, and a long carina extend-
ing from the neck to the front ; eyes very small ; antennae rather
elongate and slender, first joint sub-cylindric, second sub-quadrate,
longer than broad, third quadrate, smaller than the following one,,
fourth, the largest, little transverse, fourth to ninth the same form
but slightly decreasing, tenth broader and moi'e transverse, eleventh
briefly ovate with the apex abruptly conical ; prothorax very cordate,
sides and anterior margin well rounded together, hardly broader than
the head, longitudinal sulcus very feeble but never totally wanting,
sides hardly sinuate posteriorly, the transverse sulcus strong, angular
in the middle, and the median groove of about the same size as the-
lateral ones ; close to the base are four small grooves ; elytra smooth,
much longer than broad, and very attenuate at base, no shoulders,,
dorsal sulcus valid, disappearing before the median part ; first dorsal
segment large, feebly impressed transversely at base.

Male : Metasternum hardly impressed, intermediate trochanters
with a small tooth at their base, last ventral segment strongly
sinuate at the apex on the sides and projecting in the middle, hardly
impressed.

Female : Metasternum convex, last ventral segment rounded at
apex. Length 1-70-1 '80 mm.

This species is closely allied to B. nasuta and B. arviata ; the
male will be very easily distinguished because the inferior part of
the head has no scvilpture and the frontal part is not produced as in
nasuta. For the female the colour is the same as in B. nasuta and
much lighter than in B. armata, the antennae are much more slender
than in both these species, the intermediate joints being hardly
transverse ; the size is larger.

Hah. Cape Colony (Newlands, near Cape Town).

1898.] of the Colcoptera of South Africa. 393

EaFFEAYIA MONTANA.

Elongate, rufous, apex of the antennae and legs testaceous, pubes-
cence short and fine ; head narrower than the prothorax, longer
than broad, attenuate in front, and having two grooves and oblique
sulci, and a well-defined transverse sulcus cutting in two the
antennal tubercles ; vertex feebly and shortly carinate ; eyes large ;
antennae thick, first joint elongate, cylindrical, second quadrate, third
to ninth transverse, fourth and fifth the largest, the following ones
slightly decreasing in size, tenth a little smaller and less transverse,
eleventh very little larger, quadrate at base, abruptly conical at apex ;
prothorax cordate, about as long as broad, sinuate on the sides behind
the middle ; lateral foveas large and somewhat lengthened in a fine
longitudinal sulcus, median fovea small, median longitudinal sulcus
feeble but never wanting, transverse one strong and angular ; elytra
a little longer than broad, hardly attenuate at base, with the
shoulders oblique, prominent and dentate, dorsal sulcus slender and
reaching the median part ; first dorsal segment equal to the follow-
ing one, the transverse impression at base deep, narrower than the
third part, and with two short divergent carinules ; metasternum
more or less sulcate ; last ventral segment large, transversely and
feebly impressed ; intermediate trochanters with a small sharp tooth
in the middle. Male.

Female unknown. Length l-40-l'60 mm.

This species resembles very much both B. rugosula and B.
7nicrocephala ; it has, like the latter, a transverse sulcus on the
front and a longitudinal sulcus on the prothorax like the first, from
which it is also differentiated by the smooth teguments.

Hah. Cape Colony (Table Mountain and on the plateau above
Muizenberg).

Raffrayia capensis.

Elongate, ferruginous or testaceous, legs and last joints of the
antennae rufous, covered with a rather dense pubescence ; head
much narrower than the prothorax, a little longer than broad,
attenuate, and having two large foveas and oblique sulci on the
frontal part, and a deep transverse sulcus at the base of the antennal
tubercles, vertex with a very small and short carina ; antennae robust,
first joint elongate, cylindrical, and quadrate, a little transverse, third
to tenth transverse, decreasing a little in width from the fourth to
the tenth, eleventh ovate, abruptly conical at apex ; prothorax broader

394 Descriptive Catalogue [1898.

than long, well rounded on the sides and deeply sinuate after the
middle, lateral foveae large, median one small, longitudinal sulcus
entirely wanting, transverse one strong and angular, at the base two
large but not deep foveae ; elytra a little longer than broad, not at-
tenuate at base, shoulders oblique, little prominent, dentate, dorsal
sulcus strong, and reaching the median part ; first dorsal segment not
arger than the other, at the base a deep impression much narrower
than the third, with two very divergent carinas ; metasternum with
a small groove behind.

Male : Intermediate trochanters with a strong but short and
blunt tooth at the base, posterior ones simple ; last ventral segment
very large, with a deep and large oblong groove.

Female : Last ventral segment sinuate at apex, and the last dorsai
one with a small tubercle. Length 1-90-2-00 mm.

This species is closely allied to R. microcepliala, the antennae are
very much alike, but the head is not so small, and is more attenuate
in front ; the prothorax is broader and more deeply sinuate in the
sides ; the size is larger, and the sexual characters are very different.

In R. microcephala I did not at first notice the presence on the
posterior trochanters of a transverse, somewhat oblique, hook-like
carinae, which is very difficult to detect ; the intermediate ones are
simple ; in B. capcnsis it is just the reverse, the intermediate are
toothed and the posterior ones are simple.

Hah. Cape Colony (Cape Town, Kloof Road).

Raffbayia algoensis.

Elongate, ferruginous, last joint of the antennae and palpi
testaceous, pubescence short and fine, intermixed with long hairs ;
head longer than broad, very little attenuated in front, between the
eyes two deep foveas and two deep sulci, nearly parallel, frontal
part depressed in the middle ; antennal tubercles transversely
sulcate ; the vertex is transversely raised, and close to the neck
there is a short carina ; antennae not clavate, first joint elongate,
second quadrate, third sub-triangular, fourth to tenth transverse, fifth
the largest, eighth the smallest, ninth and tenth about the same size,
eleventh hardly broader and abruptly sub-conical at tip ; prothorax
much broader than the head, about as long as broad, somewhat
sharply rounded on the sides at the middle, and sinuated behind by
the lateral groove, which is large, slightly attenuate in front, trans-
verse sulcus deep, angular at the middle, longitudinal sulcus entirely

1898.] of the Coleoptcra of South Africa. 395

wanting, behind the transverse sulcus the base is convex, with four
grooves ; elytra Ijroader than the prothorax, longer than broad,
shoulders oblique and dentate, dorsal sulcus terminating at the
median part, sides hardly rounded ; first dorsal segment not larger
than the following one, with two very divergent and strong cari-
nules, including about the fourth part of the disk ; metasternum
longitudinally depressed ; intermediate trochanters having at
the base a short and recurved spine, posterior ones with a small
longitudinal carinule ; posterior tibiae with a small spur ; last
ventral segment large and transversely depressed. Male. Length
2-10 mm.

This species is closely allied to B. capcnsis and B. microcephala.
From B. capcnsis it differs by the smaller size, the head less
attenuate in front, and the prothorax less deeply sinuated behind
the middle. From B. microcephala it differs by the head a little
attenuated, whilst in microcephala the sides arc parallel and the head
is altogether smaller.

I do not know the female of B. algoensis, but I think it must be
very similar to the female of B. microcephala, and probably very
difficult to distinguish. Although the females of these three species
are very similar to each other, the identification of the males will
not be difficult, a very frequent case in Pselaphidce.

Hah. Cape Colony (Port EHzabeth).

Eaffrayia myrmecophila,

Plate XVIII., fig. 2.

Sub-elongate, entirely testaceous (one example, perhaps immature),
covered with a white pubescence ; head small, trapezoidal and
transverse, frontal part somewhat depressed in the middle, between
the eyes are two deep grooves, and before the front two other ones
much smaller and much more closely set, no sulci ; vertex carinate ;
eyes small ; antennae robust, second joint quadrate, third triangular,
as long as broad, fourth to eighth very transverse, the fifth is the
largest, and from the fifth to eighth the joints decrease in size, ninth
is much narrower, transverse, tenth larger, more transverse, eleventh
large, briefly ovate with the apex somewhat cone-shaped ; prothorax
much larger than the head, cordiform, sides rounded and made
sinuose after the median part by a very strong lateral fovea, median
fovea moderate, transverse sulcus not very deep and very little
angular, longitudinal sulcus very faint and only conspicuous in the
anterior part of the disk, base with two small foveae ; elytra a little

396 Descriptive Catalogue [1898.

longer than broad, very little attenuate at base, shoulders dentate,
dorsal sulcus wide, reaching the middle ; first dorsal segment equal
to the following one, the impression at base narrow. Metasternum
convex. Length 1-70 mm.

This species resembles R. riigosula, but differs by the absence of
punctures, the head is much shorter and the cephalic foveae are
free and not connected by sulci ; the longitudinal sulcus on the
prothorax is exceedingly faint and may prove to be missing in other
examples. The male is unknown.

Hab. Port Ehzabeth.

Found with Bhojjlaomyrmex transversinodis, Mayr., in litt., a new
genus of ant.

Eaffkayi dilatata,
Plate XVIII., fig. 1.

Elongate and sub-parallel, more or less darkly piceous-brown,
with the elytra brownish red or dark chestnut ; antennge and legs
rufous, pubescence small and thin ; head hardly longer than broad,
attenuate in front, rounded behind the eyes, two small foveae and
two sulci converging in a median depression of the front, a very
faint cannula close to the neck ; antennae slender, a little clavate,
first joint somewhat short, second quadrate, following ones a trifle
smaller, third to seventh quadrate, diminishing, however, in length,
eighth a little smaller and transverse, ninth and tenth a little larger
and transverse, eleventh larger, ovate, abruptly acuminate; prothorax
more than twice wider than the head, a little broader than the
elytra, transverse rounded and dilated on the sides, much narrowed
behind, transverse sulcus deep, angular and widened in the middle,
a faint longitudinal depression on each side and a trace of a median
one, base itself with four grooves and a short median carinule ; elytra
much longer than the prothorax, sides a little rounded, shoulders
oblique, well marked and dentate, dorsal stria a little arcuate termi-
nating at the middle ; first dorsal segment of the abdomen not larger
than the following one with two strong, divergent carinae, including
nearly the third part of the disk ; metasternum convex ; trochanters
simple ; fourth ventral segment very transversely depressed, its
apical margin sharp, sub-carinate, and provided on each side with
a long, thin and recurved spine ; last one large, thickly clothed on
the sides with a golden pubescence, glabrous and depressed in the
middle. Male. Length 2-00 mm.

A very curious species which differs from all the others by its

1898.] of the Colcoptcra of South Africa. 397

broad, transverse prothorax, ampliated laterally. The female is
unknown.

Hah. Cape Colony (Port Elizabeth).

Eaffrayia natalensis, Raffray,

Catal., p. 75.

The colour varies much ; the original type of the description above
referred was chestnut-red. I have some suspicion that the example
was not quite mature, as I have seen lately two other specimens,
one from Natal and one from Port Elizabeth (Dr. Brauns), which
are more or less piceous-brown, with the elytra red-brown and the
legs and antennae chestnut or rufous, which I think is the normal
colouration.

Gen. DALMINA, Raffr.,

Catal, p. 78.

Dalmina elizabethana,

Plate XVIII., fig. 10.

Catal., p. 121.

When I gave the description of this species, I had only male
examples for examination ; since that time I received a good many
specimens from Dr. Brauns, including the female, which seems to be
far more abundant than the male.

I have nothing to alter in the description of the male referred to.

Female : Darker in colour, chestnut ; elytra much shorter,
attenuated at the base, with the sides rounded ; antennge with the
three first joints as in the male, fourth larger than the third, sub-
quadrate, fifth of the same shape but only a trifle larger, sixth to
tenth transverse, a little narrower and slightly decreasing, eleventh
as in the male, trochanters and tibiae simple. Length l-60-2'10 mm.

In this species the female is somewhat variable in size ; in the
large specimens the antennae are thicker with the joints more
transverse.

Compared with the female of B. concolor from Natal, there are
the same differences in the head as mentioned already for the male,
and the antennae are much thicker with the joints more transverse ;
compared with the female of B. globubicornis the sixth to eighth
joints of the antennae are smaller. It differs from the female of B.

398 DescriiHive Catalogue [1898

gratitudinis (pi. xviii., fig. 9) by the fourth and fifth joints of the
antennae being considerably larger.

According to Dr. Brauns's observations one male has been found
with Fiistigerodcs auricidatus, Wasm., in the galleries of Bhoplao-
viyrmcx transvcrsinodis, Mayr., and all the other specimens, both
male and female, under stones where no ants were met with.

This is a new and clear proof that it may often happen that an
insect is found accidentally in ants' nest without being really
myrmecophilous. The same case has been often proved for other
insects.

LapliidiodcTus capensis, a Pselaphid, was originally discovered by
my friend Mr. P6ringuey, near Cape Town, inside the deep galleries
of an ant, Bothroponcza pumicata. I have taken myself a con-
siderable number of the same insect under stones during the winter
season, but I never found it in company of ants.

Another small beetle, Microxenus laticollis, Woll., is abundant in
winter under stones, near Cape Town. I found it several times
amongst ants, which did not seem to disturb it in the least, but
generally this insect is found under stones where ants are not found.
My opinion is that Microxenus is not interfered with in the least
by the ants, which may come and run their galleries under the stone
where it has set. Not only it is not driven away, but it seems quite
unconcerned at their presence ; it cannot, however, be considered
a myrmecophilous insect.

Some heteromerous beetles of the genus Tentyria, Stenosis, and
here, Psarijpliis, Aspila, &c. and others, are often met with ants ; their
case does not seem to be quite similar to that of Microxenus. Those
heteromera are very likely fond of the dejections, or vegetable or
animal matter accumulated by the ants, and they are attracted to it
for feeding purposes ; it is more especially amongst the debris
which surround the ants' nest that they are to be found.

Monoplius inflatus and M. pinguis are another case in point.
These histeridous beetles feed and breed on and amongst the
dejections of ground Termitince [Hodotermes Imvilandi), but those
histeridous insects are not met with in the galleries of the Termite,
and they cannot be, therefore, termed sensu stricto, termitophilous
insects ; they must be considered as living in the proximity of
Tcrmcs and feeding exclusively on stercorarious matter produced by
the Tcrmes.

Quite different is the case of the Clavigeridce and Paussidcp, which
must be considered as really myrmecophilous, or at any rate
myrmecobious. Both live in the very galleries of the ants, and are

1898.] of the Colcoptcra of South Africa. 399

not to be met with anywhere else, except sometimes flying at sunset.
The Clavifferidie seem to be befriended and adopted by the ants,
which derive some benefit from their presence amongst them, and
may be really termed myrmecophilous ; the Faussidce, on the
contrary, feed on the larvai and pupa? of the ants, and force their
presence amongst the ants by strength or intimidation by their
voluntary emission of caustic gas, the contact of which appears to
he much dreaded by the ants, as I have many times witnessed in
Abyssinia with many different species of Paiissidce and ants, and
more recently at Cape Town with Pausszis lineatus, Thunb., and
Acantholepis capcnsis. Those insects I call myrmecobious.

Cossyi^hodes and Thorictus are always found with the ants, either
inside the galleries or sticking to the stones covering the ants' nest ;
but under what conditions they are living amongst ants is a thing
which I do not know. If they are not myrmecophilous, they are
certainly at any rate myrmecobious.

Teibe BEYAXINI.

Gen. BEICHENBACHIA, Leach,

Catal, p. 90.

Eeichenbachia achillis, C. Schauf.,

Catal., p. 96.

This species varies to a great extent.

I have already mentioned (loc. cit.) a female variety from Muizen-
berg and Cape Town, in which the second and third dorsal segments
of the abdomen are sharply spinose, whilst in the types the second
dorsal segment alone is sharply mucronate. I have now another
variety sent to me from Port Elizabeth by Dr. Brauns, which I
name inferior, and both the male and female of which differ from
the type by the size, a trifle smaller, a lighter-coloured body, and
especially the antennae, which are rufous instead of brown, and also
by a lesser development of all the organs.

Male : The second ventral segment, has a large but not deep trian-
gular depression, on the third and fourth there is a small transverse
depression, on the last one a large but not deep rugosopunctate
depression, with a smooth patch in the centre ; intermediate femora
not quite so thick ; metasternum not so strongly impressed ; the spurs
of the fore and intermediate tibiae are as in type. Length 1-70 mm.

400 Descriptive Catalogue [1898.

Female : Second dorsal segment, instead of being sharply
mucronate as in the type, is simply provided in the middle of the
posterior margin with a blunt and faint tubercle. Length 1-50-1-60.

One female specimen is much smaller (length 1-35 mm.), and
altogether piceous ; the body is more elongate than is generally the
case in the females ; the antennae are rufous, shorter and thicker,
and there is a very faint and blunt tubercle at the apex of the
second dorsal segment.

There are thus in this species two different forms of the male and
three different forms of the female, which are nothing else but local
varieties more or less developed.

R. achilUs type, male : excavations of the ventral segments of the
abdomen very deep, Muizenberg and Stellenbosch.

B. achillis type, female : second dorsal segment of the abdomen
sharply mucronate. Found exclusively at Stellenbosch.

Var. hiviucromata, female : first dorsal segment of the abdomen
sometimes with a very faint, sharp tubercle, second and third dorsal
segments sharply spinose. Found at Muizenberg and Cape Town,
together with the male type.

Var. inferior, female and male : size a trifle smaller, antennae
rufous ; ventral segments of the abdomen in the male with super-
ficial impressions ; the second dorsal segment in the female having
simply a blunt and small tubercle.

Hah. Cape Colony (Port Elizabeth).

Such variations are very interesting, more especially the presence
of two different forms of females with one form of male.

Eeichenbachia zambesiana, Eaffr.,
Meichenbachia decipiens, Eaffray,
Catal., p. 92.

The name B. decipiens having been previously given to a species
of the same genus, I propose to change it in Beichenhachia Zam-
besiana.

Eeichenbachia sulcicornis, Eaffray,
Catal., p. 90.

This species varies to a certain extent in size and in colour.
The colour may be ferruginous or chestnut, with the last joints of
the antennae more or less piceous, or piceous with the elytra red

1898.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 401

brown and the antennae entirely piceous. The last joint of the
antennae in the male is also variable ; it may be oblong, with a sulci-
form fovea or ovate and acuminate, with a much shorter fovea.
Generally the last joint of the antennae is shorter when the body is
of a smaller size. Length 1-40-2-00 mm.

This species is recorded now from Bechuanaland (Vryburg),
Mashunaland (Salisbury), Natal, Cape Colony (Port Elizabeth and
Uitenhage).

Eeichenbachia eivularis, Raffray,

Catal., p. 129.

When I first described this species I had only one male specimen.
I have received it since in large numbers from the Eev. O'Neil,
from Uitenhage, and I am able to complete the description. It varies
in colour, from rufous to dark chestnut ; the carinules on the first
dorsal segment of the abdomen are more or less distant, including
from one-fifth to more than one-fourth of the disk. In the female the
antennae are somewhat shorter with all the joints a little shorter, and
the eighth is decidedly transverse, the eleventh is smaller ; the tibiae
have no spurs, and the tubercle at the base of the metasternum is
smaller. Length 1-40-1 "80 mm.

BRYAXONOMA, nov. gen.

Body stout, convex, attenuate in front ; head, prothorax, and
elytra entirely devoid of any fovea, sulcus, or stria ; antennae and
palpi as in Beichenbachia ; head beneath, with a strong longitudinal
carina and somewhat depressed in the sides, in front of the eyes ;
elytra short, attenuate towards the base, no shoulders ; abdomen
large, margin rather narrow ; first dorsal segment larger than the
elytra, and without any impression ; metasternum short and trans-
verse ; posterior coxae very distant ; second ventral segment very
large ; tarsi rather elongate, second joint sub-conical, third cylindrical
and more slender ; a very minute single claw.

This new genus, which belongs to the tribe of Bryaxini, differs
much from BeicJienbachia in general appearance, which is due to the
shortness of the elytra, the very large dorsal segment of the abdomen,
and the total absence of foveae, sulcus, or stria.

402 Descriptive Catalogue [1898.

Bryaxoxoma filiceum,
Plate XVIII., fig. 15.

Piceous, chestnut, rufous, ov testaceous ; palpi testaceous ; legs
always lighter in colour than the body ; entirely covered above and
beneath with a strong but rather distant punctuation, each puncture
bearing a short and depressed seta ; head not much convex, trape-
zoid, as long as broad, attenuate in front, wdth the sides oblique ;
eyes situated behind the median part of the head ; antennae having
the two first joints much larger than the following ones : first sub-
quadrate, second sub-cylindrical, longer than broad, third obconical,
fourth to sixth sub-cylindrical, longer than broad, fifth somew^iat
larger, seventh square, eighth a little smaller and very little trans-
verse, ninth much larger and transverse, tenth nearly double and
very transverse, eleventh big, briefly ovate and acuminate ; pro-
thorax convex, a little broader than the head, a little transverse,
equally attenuate in front and behind, sides rounded ; elytra trans-
verse, much broader at the apex than long, much attenuate towards
the base, sides hardly rounded, a little sinuate at the external apical
angle ; first dorsal segment a little longer than the elytra, the follow-
ing ones narrow ; legs rather long ; tibiae hardly increased, but a
little sinuate. Length 1-30 mm.

I have both sexes on which the penis and oviduct respectively are
distinctly protruding, and yet I am unable to find any external sexual
difference.

Hab. Found in roots of ferns growing along the walls of the
mountain. Muizenberg, Cape Colony.

TiuBE PSELAPHINI.

Gen. PSELAPHOXYS, Eaffray,
Rev. d'Ent., vol. ix., p. 137, 1890.

Oblong, much attenuate in front ; head elongate, sulcate in the
anterior part ; maxillary palpi strong, first joint long, filiform, second
shorter than the first one, conical, third small, transverse, fourth
longer than the two first ones put together, fusiform, strongly papil-
lose ; antennae strong, club tri-articulate ; prothorax oblong ; elytra
much attenuated towards the base, ampliated behind ; first dorsal
segment very large, sub-triangular at the apex, with the sides broadly
marginate, following ones small, immarginate, depressed, last one

1898.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 403

flat ; first ventral segment hidden by a whitish glandular pubescence,
second very large, third almost invisible, fourth and fifth visible on
the sides only, sixth trapezoidal, depressed, surrounded laterally and
behind by the last dorsal segment, which is conspicuous underneath
as if it were part of the ventral segment ; legs rather stout, one single
claw to the tarsi ; underneath the neck is covered with a thick,
whitish glandular pubescence.

This genus, which belongs to the tribe of the PselapJmiini, is very
closely allied to the genus Pselaphus, from which it differs chiefly by
the maxillary palpi, which are much shorter, and the peculiar con-
struction of the last ventral segments. It resembles very much the
genus Pselaphoptcrus, Eeitt., from Turcomania, but in the latter
the last joint of the maxillary palpi is not papillose, and the last
segments of the abdomen have a normal structure. From Pselapiho-
plius, Eaffr., which is a genus exclusively Australian, it differs by the
maxillary palpi less elongate, the head narrower, the prothorax
oblong, whilst it is cordiform in Pselapliophus.

When I first established this genus [loc. cit.), I considered it as
being a mere sub-genus of Pselaphus, as well as Pselajjhophus , but
after further examination of a large number of examples, I do not
hesitate to consider both as very distinct and valid genera.

The only species belonging to Psolaphox2js has been discovered in
Abyssinia (P. dclicatulus, Eaffr.). I have just received from the
Eev. O'Neil from Uitenhage two specimens which prove to be
specifically identical with the Abyssinian insect, with, however, a
slight difference, consisting in the colour of the setae fringing the
posterior margin of the elytra. In the Abyssinian examples such
setae are yellow, in the South African ones they are black ; but I do
not think that such a trifling difference should be considered a
specific one, and am of opinion that both the examples from Abyssinia
and South Africa belong to the same species.

PsELAPHOXYS DELicATULUs, Eaffray,

Plate XVIII., figs. 16, 17, and 18.

Eev. d'Ent., 1882, p. 14.

Oblong, much attenuate in front, sanguineo-rufous, smooth and
shining with some short whitish setae ; antennae and legs rufous ;
head long, linear from the middle to the frontal part and sulcate,
enlarged in front for the insertion of the antennae, vertex much
broader and convex ; antennae stout, first joint sub-cylindrical,

404 Descriptive Catalogue [1898.

second oblong, the others moniliform, ninth to tenth a httle larger,
sub-globose, eleventh large ovate, acuminate ; prothorax oblong, as
much attenuate in front as behind ; elytra very much attenuate
tovvrards the base with the shoulders very oblique, a sutural stria and
another dorsal stria a little arcuate, posterior margin with strong,
thick and black setae forming a brush close to the sutural angle ;
abdomen shorter than the elytra, first dorsal segment very large,
flat, sub-triangular behind with the apex truncate, the following ones
small, depressed, and altogether triangular ; legs strong with the
femora inflated. Length l-70-l'90 mm.

Two examples. Sex uncertain.

Hah. Cape Colony (Uitenhage).

Tribe CTENISTINI.

Gen. SOGNOEUS, Eeitter,
Verb. Naturf. Ver. Briinn., xx., p. 202.

Entirely similar to the genus Ctenistes, and difl'ers only by the
antennae, which are similar in both sexes ; in the male the joints 3-7
are never lenticular, and the club is not formed by four very long and
cylindrical joints as is the case with Ctenistes, but the antennae in
the males of Soynorus are similar to the antennae of the females of
the latter.

I confess that such a generic character is not of very great import-
ance ; in all the species known hitherto the body is shorter and
stouter, and the facies really different, but in the new species here
described the body has exactly the same facies as in Ctenistes, and
the unique specimen is unquestionably a male with the antennae of
a female. This new species, which forms a transition between
Sognorus and Ctenistes would lead to the conclusion that both those
genera are synonymous, which conclusion will very likely be proved
by further discoveries.

This genus includes all the species of North America recorded as
Ctenistes, some Asiatic species, a European one, one from the West
Coast of Africa {simonis, Eeitter), and a new species from South
Africa.

When I referred to this genus in ' Eevue d'Entomologie,' 1890,
p. 143, I said that it included also the Australian species. This is
an error ; the Australian species will form a new genus {CtcnisopJms,
Eaffr.) on account of the presence of a strong infra-ocular spine which
is not found in Ctenistes or Sognorus.

1898.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 405

SOGNORUS O'NEILI,

Plate XVIII., fig. 26.

Oblong, fulvous, the squamae are pale, fine and scattered, except
on each side of the neck, at the posterior angles of the prothorax, in
the posterior margins of the elytra and of the two first dorsal seg-
ments of the abdomen where they are thick and glandular ; head
long, a little angustate in front, between the eyes two punctures
much more removed from each other than from the eyes, and in the
middle a very obsolete oblong impression, in front a longitudinal
sulcus extending on the antennal tubercle ; eyes very large ; palpi
large, second joint thick and curved, third transversely pyriform,
fourth transversely fusiform, those three joints produced and peni-
cillated outwards ; antennae long, first to second joints quadrate,
large, third longer, obconical, fourth to sixth ovate, longer than broad
and increasing slightly in thickness, seventh to eighth a little longer,
sub-cylindrical, ninth one-third longer than the preceding one, tenth
hardly longer but thicker, eleventh one-third longer than the tenth,
sub-cylindrical, obtusely acuminate at apex ; prothorax longer than
broad, sub-obconical, in the middle of the base a longitudinal impres-
sion covered with glandular pubescence ; elytra much longer than
broad, a little attenuate towards the base, shoulders obliquely
rounded, sides nearly straight, at the base two strong foveae, one
sutural stria complete and a dorsal one disappearing behind the
middle ; first dorsal segment of the abdomen short, second twice as
long ; metasternum deeply and entirely sulcate, second ventral
segment with the posterior margin a little raised and with an
arcuate sinuation in the middle, altogether clothed with glandular
pubescence, thin, flattened in the middle ; legs long ; tibiae straight,
thickened towards the apex and glabrous. Length 1-90 mm.

This species cannot be compared with S. simonis, Eeitt., from
West Africa, which is much smaller and much stouter ; it resembles
more the female of Ctenistes imitator, Eeitt., but the antennae are
much thicker, and the sex of the unique specimen I have of this
species is certainly a male, judging from the under side of the
abdomen.

Hab. Cape Colony (Uitenhage).

406 Descriptive Catalogue [1898.

Gen. CTENISTES, Eeichenb.,

Catal., p. 103.

Ctenistes braunsi,

Plats XVIII., fig 25.

Elongate and sub-parallel, body sparsely covered with thin
ochraceous squama ; head pyriform, rather convex, tri-foveate,
antennal tubercle large and a little transverse, third joint of palpi
stout, transverse, fourth sub-fusiform, slender, very transverse,
appendages of moderate size ; antennae rather short and thick ; pro-
thorax a little transverse, not much narrowed in front, sides very
little rounded, a short median fovea at base ; elytra much longer
than the prothorax and longer than broad, sides nearly parallel,
<lorsal stria very little arcuate ; abdomen as long as the elytra, not
broader, sides nearly parallel, second dorsal larger than the first, all
the tibiae straight, thickened and a little curved at the apex ; meta-
sternum sulcate.

Male : More parallel ; elytra longer, shoulders more oblique and
prominent ; second dorsal segment only slightly longer than the
first ; first and second joints of antennee larger than the others,
quadrate, third obconical, longer than broad, fourth to seventh a little
transverse, eighth hardly as long as the four preceding ones put to-
gether, cylindrical, ninth shorter than eighth, tenth as long as eighth
but thicker towards the apex, eleventh not longer but thicker than
tenth, and obtusely acuininate ; metasternum more deeply sulcate ;
posterior tibiae longer, somewhat angulate before the apex which is
much thicker ; tarsi, more especially the anterior ones, longer and
more slender.

Female : Elytra a little shorter, somewhat attenuate at base with
the shoulders less prominent ; second dorsal segment much longer
than the first ; first and second joints of antennae similar to those of
the male, following ones thicker, second obconical, third to seventh
nearly as long as broad, eighth a little broader, transverse, ninth
larger, sub-quadrate, tenth still larger, sub-quadrate, eleventh nearly
as long as the two preceding ones and obtusely acuminate ; tarsi,
more especially the anterior ones, short and thick. Length
2-10 mm.

This species differs very much from C aiistraUs, Eaffr., and
C. imitator, Eeitt., owing to the more parallel and elongate body
and much thicker and shorter antennae, the third to seventh joints
of which are hardly transverse and the club is much shorter.

98.] of the Gohoptera of South Africa. 407

Hah. Cape Colony (Port Elizabeth).

Dr. Brauns found this species with a new genus of ants, Rhoplao-
mynncx transversinodis, Mayr., hi litt.

Tribe TYEINI.

Gen. CENTEOPHTHALMUS, Schm.,

Bestr. Mon. ; Psel. Prag., 1838, p. 7.

Camaldus Fairm.

Body oblong, little convex ; head small, triangular, with a frontal
tubercle ; eyes very large with an infra-ocular spine ; antennae long
and strong with a distinct club, approximate at base ; palpi with the
first joint inconspicuous, second elongate and clavate at the apex,
third large, compressed, more or less triangular, elongate, obliquely
truncate at apex, fourth much smaller, inserted at the inner angle of
the third, aculeate, very sharp at the tip which is devoid of the usual
appendage ; prothorax more or less ovate ; elytra large with a fine
sutural stria and a more or less diffused and short discoidal sulcus ;
abdomen with a broad margin, rather short and depressed, the first
dorsal segment much shorter than the following one, the two first
bearing generally two longitudinal carinae ; all the trochanters, and
more especially the intermediate ones, elongate with the insertion
of the femur terminal, intermediate and posterior coxge approximate ;
first ventral segment short and more or less concealed under the
coxae, third larger than the others ; legs long and robust, tarsi elon-
gate with two strong and equal claws.

The peculiar construction of the palpi being unique in the family
will at once facilitate its identification. The genus is largely repre-
sented in Asia and in both the East and West Coasts of Africa. It
extends north as far as Algeria, but it had not yet been recorded
from South Africa, and the discovery of this genus in Mashunaland
and in the southern part of the Colony proves once more that such
countries belong to the general fauna of Africa, from which the
rather isolated fauna of the Cape peninsula stands isolated.

Centbophthalmus marshalli,
Plate XVIII., figs. 20 and 21.

Oblong sub-depressed, obscure rufous, elytra brighter and redder,

28

408 Descriptive Cataloijue [1898.

aiitennic and legs more testaceous, pubescence long, rufous ; head
longer than broad, sides rounded, much attenuate in front, three
equal fovetc, the posterior ones situated a little in front of the centre
of the eyes, antennal tubercle nearlj' as long as broad, feebly sulcata,
the infra-ocular spine long, sharp and straight ; palpi testaceous and
with erect sette, the third joint long, not very ])road, very obliquely
truncate at apex with the external angle sharp, fourth rather long,
sharply aculeate ; antenna?. long and slender, first joint cylindrical,
longer than the two following ones put together but hardly thicker,
second sub-quadrate, following ones a little more slender, third
hardly longer than the second, third to seventh increasing a little
in length, eighth nearly twice as long as seventh but hardly thicker,
ninth to tenth of the same length, a little stouter, eleventh nearly
three times as long as tenth, thickening from the base to the third
anterior part and then attenuate and obtuse at apex ; prothorax as
broad as the head and eyes included, regularly ovate, lateral foveas
strong, median one antibasal, smaller than the others ; elytra little
convex and little narrowed towards the base with the shoulders
rounded, much longer than l)road, discoidal sulcus short and incon-
spicuous ; abdomen shorter than the elytra, sub-depressed, first dorsal
segment shorter by one-half than the following one ; the carinas are
situated close to the sides and reach only the middle of the second
segment ; metasternum hardly sulcate ; anterior femora thickened,
tibiae thickened in the middle, arcuate and a little sinuate, inter-
mediate and posterior ones nearly straight ; no sexual marks, but
the unique specimen is very likely a male, judging from the long
four-jointed club. Length 2-30 mm.

I do not know any other African species with such long and
slender antennae.

Hah. Zambesia (Salisbury).

Centhophthalmus bkevispina,

Plate XVIII., fig. 22.

Oblong, rufous or castaneo-rufous, pubescence long and fine,
erect, yellow ; head a little longer than ])road, much attenuate in
front, two small fovea3 between the eyes and in front a longitu-
dinal sulcus extending over the antennal tubercle ; the infra-ocular
spine is very small, and reduced to a thin and sharp tubercle ; palpi
testaceous with long, erect, whitish setae; the third joint obconical,
a little arcuate with a slightly oblique truneature at the apex, fourth

1898.] of the Coleoptcra of South Africa. 409

inserted at about the middle of the truncature, short, thick at the
base, rather abruptly aculeate at apex ; antennae stout, first joint sub-
cylindrical, second quadrate, both larger, third to sixth moniliform and
a little transverse, seventh not broader but quadrate, eighth to ninth
larger, tenth sub-quadrate, slightly increasing, eleventh large, briefly
ovate, truncate at the base, rounded at the apex ; prothorax a little
longer than broad, more attenuate in front than at the base, rounded
on the sides, lateral foveas small, median one larger; elytra with
the posterior margin darker, longer than broad, a little attenuate
towards the base with the shoulders oblique and little marked, two
foveas at base, the external one large and elongated in a broad but
short sulcus ; first dorsal segment of the abdomen short, entirely
bi-carinate, second more than twice as long as the first one ; the two
carinas are nearly complete ; metasternum convex, and with a fine
stria ; all the femora, more especially the anterior ones, thickened,
anterior tibiae much thickened in the middle, arcuate, intermediate
ones a little thickened towards the apex and a little curved, posterior
ones straight ; no sexual mark. Length 1'80 mm.

This species, compared with the preceding one, differs at first sight
by the much shorter and much thicker antennae. In that respect it
resembles very much C. armatus, Eaffr., from Abyssinia, but in this
species the infra-ocular spine is long and sharp, and the two carinae
on the second dorsal segment do not extend as far as the middle of
the disk, whilst they are nearly entire in G. brevispina. Another
African species, C. villosulus, Fairm., from Algeria, has the infra-
ocular spine very small, but the joints of the antennal club are much
longer.

Two examples. Female.

Hah. Cape Colony (Uitenhage).

Gex. PSELAPHOCEEUS, Eaffray,
Catal, p. 109.

PSELAPHOCERUS AMICUS,

Plate XVIII. , figs. 13, 14.

Eesembles much P. peringueiji, Ealfr., but the head is longer,
narrower, not at all attenuate in front, with the sides parallel;
the hairs are darker, being black, except on the posterior margin
of the elytra ; the palpi are very much alike, the last joint being,

410 Dcscrlpth-c Catalorjue [1898.

however, more rounded externally, but the antennae are very
different.

Male: Antennae long, first joint cylindrical, elongate, and punctate,
second a little longer than broad, second to sixth the same shape and
width, but increasing in length so that the sixth is nearly a third
longer than the second, seventh about the same length as sixth,
obconical and truncate at both ends, but the apex is very obliquely
truncate, eighth the same width as sixth, transverse, ninth about
twice the size of eighth, lenticular, tenth still larger, irregularly
lenticular, with the under part largely foveated, eleventh large,
very briefly ovate, with the under part largely excavate, the excava-
tion transverse near the base, longitudinal on the inner side, and
with a long brush of hairs before the apex ; anterior trochanters
with a blunt tubercle, absent on the femora, shoulders oblique, well
defined. Length 3"10 mm.

Female: Antennae a little shorter, second joint nearly square, third
to fifth a little increasing in length, fifth somewhat conical, sixth
shorter, seventh equal to sixth in length but sub-conical and broader
at apex, eighth transverse, ninth much larger, lenticular, tenth
similar to ninth, but a little larger, eleventh briefly ovate ; elytra
much attenuated at base, no shoulders, tubercles of the anterior,
trochanters much stronger, a small tubercle on the femora of the
same legs. Length 2-80-3-00 mm.

This species belongs to the first group of the genus owing to the
shape of the palpi, but the seventh joint of the antennae is much less
dilated than in P. jjeringueyi and P. diversus, with the eighth much
larger, consequently the antennae is perfectly straight, whilst it
appears somewhat angulate in these two species.
Hab. Cape Colony (Stellenbosch and Newlands).
In the descriptions of P. peringueyi and P. diversus I omitted to
mention that in the male the shoulders are oblique and well marked,
and wanting in the female.

PSELAPHOCERUS ACUTISPINA,

Plate XVIIL, tigs. 11, 12.

Stout and attenuate in front ; piceous with the elytra dark red, the
antennae and legs ferruginous, or entirely flavous (presumably
immature), pubescence long, dark, and mixed with fulvous hairs,
palpi testaceous. Head long, narrow, a little attenuate in front,
somewhat transversely depressed in front with the antennal tubercle

1898.] of the Colcoptcra of South Africa. 411

obsoletely divided ; between the eyes are two foveae more distant
from eacli other than from the edge ; three last joints of the palpi
triangular, narrowly and sharply produced outwardly in the shape
of a fine appendage, the last one a little transverse ; antennoe rather
elongate, very different in both sexes ; prothorax larger than the
head, rather abruptly narrowed in front, dilated and rounded
before the middle, at the median part of the sides a very transverse
and sulciforni fovea, clothed with whitish and glandular hairs ;
elytra attenuate at base with two foveas, and a short, wide dorsal
sulcus ; in the anterior legs the trochanters have a very long and
sharp spine and the femora a shorter, sharp spine ; metasternum
very little impressed.

Male : First joint of antenme long, cylindrical, second to fifth very
nearly equal to each other, longer than broad, sixth the same width,
but more than half shorter, transverse, seventh very large, irregu-
larly trapezoidal, larger at the apex where the margin is sinuate and
obtusely dentate, eighth inserted at the inner angle of the preceding
one, similar to the sixth but smaller, ninth not broader, much less
transverse, tenth hardly longer than ninth, but three times broader,
very transverse and produced externally, eleventh large, irregularly
ovoid, the under part bearing a large, transverse, but not deep fovea ;
the spine of the trochanters is shorter, the one on the femora smaller
and slender, the shoulders more angulate and prominent. Length
2-60 mm.

Female : Second, third, and fourth joints of antennae very
nearly equal to each other and a little longer than broad, fifth a
good deal longer, sixth sub-quadrate, a little transverse, seventh
longer and a little stouter than fifth, a little produced at the inner
apical angle, eighth very transverse, ninth and tenth larger, trans-
verse, eleventh oval ; shoulders much less prominent, but still not
entirely absent. Length 2"30 mm.

This species is very interesting inasmuch that by the con-
formation of the palpi it belongs to the second group, and by
the antennae to the first group of the genus, being a transitory
form.

Hab. Cape Colony (Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage).

412 Descrix3tive Catalogue [1898.

8ub-Family CLAYIGERID^.

Gen. FUSTIGEKODES, Raffray,
Catal., p. 117.

FUSTIGERODES AURICULATUS, Wasm,

Wien. Ent. Zeits., xvii., 1898, p. 98.

This species is very closely allied to F. majusculiis, Per.; the
body is not so broad, and is more parallel, the colour is a little
lighter, the head and the prothorax are more elongate, and the
punctuation much less strong ; the last joint of the antennae is
longer, thinner, and a little curvate ; bvit the main difference is found
in the abdominal processes ; in F. majusculus these processes are
flattened on the upper part and strongly carinate in each side ; in
F. atiricidatus they are much more prominent, the upper part is
rounded, convex, punctate and piliferous without any trace of carinule;
the triangular tooth of the intermediate femora is a trifle smaller, and
the tubercle placed before the apex inside the tibiae of the same legs
is not so strong, the size is also a little smaller. Length 2-10 mm.
In his description the Rev. S. Wasmann gives 2-3 mm. as the size ;
very likely his typical specimen is a trifle larger than mine.

It differs from F. capensis, P6r., by the more elongated body, the
colour much lighter, the head shorter and more parallel, the pro-
thorax more cordate and not so much rounded, the more slender
and much more regularly conical terminal joint of the antennae, the
more elongate elytra, and the form of the processes of the abdomen
which are similar in both F. majusculus and F. capcnsis ; the basal
depression of the abdomen is also much larger in F. auriculatus than
in F. capensis.

This interesting species described {loc. cit.) by the Rev. S.
Wasmann has been discovered by Dr. Brauns in Port Elizabetli
amongst the ant Bhoplaomyrmex transversinodis, Mayr. in litt. I
have not seen type, but Dr. Brauns has kindly given me a male
specimen which I have no doubt belongs to the same species as the
one described by the Rev. S. Wasmann.

1898.]

of the Coleopfera of South Africa.

413

ADDITION.

Eeichenbachia o'neili, n. sp.

Amongst the specimens of B. rivularis which the Rev. J. A.
O'Neil sent me from Uitenhage, I noticed one or two specimens
lighter in colour and differing in some respects from the type, but
I considered them first as a mere variety. However, I drew the
attention of the Eev. J. A. O'Neil to this fact, and later on he kindly
sent me another lot of Bciclicnhachia collected together, and contain-
ing no less than 225 examples, including B. sulcicornis, Raffr.,
B. rivularis, Raffr., and what I considered at the time to be a variety
of rivularis, but which I have now to consider a distinct species.

It is rather curious to note that out of 225 specimens collected
together 75 proved to be sitlciconiis, 130 rivularis, and 20 the new
species which I name after its captor.

B. o'neili being of the same size and the same shape as B. rivularis,
a comparative description will prove useful : —

rivularis, Raffr.

Antennae : joints eight and
nine a little longer than l)road,
tenth as long as broad, eleventh
oblongo-ovate.

Carinules of the first dorsal
segment of the abdomen rather
short and generally very diver-
gent, including in width from
one-fifth to little more than one-
fourth of the disk.

Metasternum bearing, close to
the intermediate coxie, a large
and blunt tubercle.

Last ventral segment of the
male with a faint impression.

o'neili, n. sp.

General coloration very much
the same, but always lighter.

Antennae : joints eight, nine
and ten transverse, eleventh
briefly ovate, thick.

Carinules of the first dorsal
segment of the abdomen gene-
rally more elongate and less
divergent, including in width
from one-seventh to one-sixth
of the disk.

Metasternum without tubercle
close to the intermediate coxae,
from which it is divided by a
transverse groove.

Last ventral segment of the
male without any trace of im-
pression.

414 Descriptive Catalogue [1898.

Odontalgus longicornis.

This new species is very closely allied to 0. rcspertinus, Eaffr.
(see Catal., p. 105), and differs by the following points : —

Colour a little lighter, being ferruginous with the disk of the
elytra more or less reddish ; head much more constricted in front,
which makes the antennal tubercle appear much more prominent ;
antennae more slender and more elongate in both sexes ; dorsal
segments of the abdomen neitlier carinate nor tuberculate on the
apical edge.

Male : Antennae — joints first and second larger than the following
ones, second a little longer than broad, third longer than second,
obconical, four to seven decreasing in length, so that the fourth is a
little shorter than the third, seventh quadrate, eighth very trans-
verse, ninth cylindrical, as long as the three preceding ones, broader,
tenth cylindric, a trifle shorter and thicker, eleventh sub-cylindric,
much longer and thicker than ninth, obtuse at tip ; metasternum
simply longitudinally sulcated, this sulcus filled up with whitish
glandular pubescence, on each side, about at the middle, a short and
carinate tubercle ; ventral segments hardly longitudinally impressed.

Female : Antennae — joints three to seven longer than in the male,
the seventh being longer than broad, eighth but little transverse,
ninth little larger, quadrate, tenth nearly twice larger than ninth,
quadrate, eleventh nearly as long as the two preceding ones,
broader, sub-cylindric, somewhat rounded at the base, obtuse at tip.

This species resembles more tuberculattis, Eaffr,, from Abyssinia,
than vespertinus, but the colour is a little darker, the club of the
antennae in the male is much longer, and the longitudinal channel
of the metasternum is complete and simple, whilst in tubercjilatus it
is divided in two parts by a transverse carina.

Hab, Cape Colony (Uitenhage).

PSELAPHOCERUS NODICORNIS, n. sp.

Ferruginous, disk of the elytra reddish, palpi testaceous, with a
dense, long and rufous pubescence ; head about twice longer than
broad, hardly narrowed in front, the anterior edge is a little depressed
in the middle, between the eyes, on the front part are two large
grooves ; eyes very large, situated beyond the middle ; first joint of
maxillary palpi rather long and conspicuous, cylindrical, second
strongly and triangularly enlarged from the base to the apex, the
external side rounded, and the external angle bearing on the upper

1898.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 415

surface a uouud impression, third of about the same si/e and the
same shape, but with the external angle obtusely produced and the
upper surface nearly totally impressed, fourth irregularly ovate, inner
margin nearly straight, outer one rounded, sharply acuminate at tip,
entirely impressed on the upper surface ; antennae short and stout,
first joint cylindrical, not very long, second quadrate, both a little
broader than the following ones, third as long as broad, fourth little
transverse, fifth very large, longer than the three preceding ones
together, ovate, somewhat compressed inside, finely reticulated,
sixth small, very transverse, seventh about twice as large as the
sixth, transverse, eighth similar to sixth, ninth and tenth much
wider than seventh, lenticular, eleventh briefly ovate, truncate at
the base, obtuse at apex; prothorax longer and broader than the
head, rather abruptly constricted in front, two large and transverse
fovesB filled up with whitish glandular pubescence ; elytra long,
attenuated at the base, shoulders oblique and little marked, at the
base two strong foveas filled up with w^hitish glandular pubescence,
dorsal sulcus disappearing before the median part ; anterior troch-
anters a little swollen and the femora with a small and blunt inner
tubercle about the middle. Male. Length 2-50 mm.

According to the shape of the palpi, which have no thin and long
appendages, this species should be included in the first group of the
genus, but it is very different from every other. Whilst in all the
other species of Psclaphocerus hitherto known the seventh joint of
the antennae is the largest of all, in P. nocUcornis it is the fifth one.

Female unknown.

Hab. Cape Colony (Uitenhage).

Centkophthalmus brevispina, Eaffr.
(Vide supra, p. 408.)
The above description refers only to the female. Since then I
received the male of this insect, which does not seem to be very rare
at Uitenhage.

Male : Antennal club much longer, joints eight to ten, ovate, longer
than broad, sub-equal, tenth however a little thicker at the apex,
eleventh much larger, ovate, rather elongate and obtusely acuminate
at apex.

Plate XVIII.

1. Raffrayia dilatata, ii. sp.

2. ,, myrmecophila, n. sp.

3. ,, frontalis, n. sp.

4. Euplcctus tubci-fuliceps, ii. sp.

5. ,, ,, last ventral segment d ■
(». Gabata scmipunctata, n. sp.

7. ,, ,, last ventral segment (? .

8. Dalmiiia globulicornis, Kaffr., antonnic, <j .
'J. ,, elizabethana, Haffr., ,, s .

10. ,, gratitudinis, Ratt'r., ,, ^.

11. Pselapliocerus acntispina, n. sp., antenme, s .

12. „ ,, maxillary palpus.
18. ,, amicus, n. sp., antenuiB, cT .

14. ,, ,, maxillary palpus.

1.5. Bryaxonoma filiceum, n. sp.

IG. Psclaphoxys delicatulus, Raffr.

17. ,, ,, maxillary palpus.

18. ,, ,, last abdominal segments.
v.). Pselaphus longiccps, Raft'r., ,, ,, ,,

20. Centroplithalmus marshalli, n. sp.

21. ,, ,, maxillary palpus.

22. ,, brevispina, n. sp., maxillary palpus.

23. Trimiodytes ccplialotes, n. sp., head cf .

24. ,, setifer, Raffr., ,,

25. Ctenistes Braunsi, n. sp., antennaj, c? .

26. Sognorus o'ncili, n. sp., antennte, d .

416

PI. XVIII

^^cjfra,;

HelioS. Duiardin-Pari

Pselaphidoe

INDEX.

i\ I'Alil',

achillis (Reichenbachia) 399

acutispina (Pselaphocerus) ... 410

algoensis (Eafti'avia) 394

amicus (Pselaphocerus) 409

auriculatus (Fusti^erocles) ... 412

r.

braunsi (Ctenistes) 40b

brevipeunis (Triuiiodytesj ... 384

brevispina (Centrophthalmus) 408

Bryaxonoma 401

C

capensis (Raftayia) 393

Centrophthalmun 407

cephalotes (Triiuiodytes) 385

Ctenistes 406

J)

Dalviiiia 397

delicatulus (Pselaphoxys) ... 403

dilatata (Raftrayia) 396

elizabethana (Dalinina) 397

Enjplcctns 386

Farotiiditis 382

liliceum (Bryaxonoma) 402

frontalis (Ratfrayia) 391

Fustigerodes 412

G

Gaha ta 387

gracilis (Trimiodytes) 385

marshalli (Centroplithalnni>-

monilis (Faronidius)

montana (Raffrayia)

m^•rmeeoplula (Kaft'rayia) ..

N

natalensis (Raffrayia)

nodicornis (Pselaphocerus) ..

0

Odonta Iffiia

o'neili (Sognorus)

o'neili (Reichenbachia).

palustris (Trimiodytes)

I'scJaphoccrns

l'>ich(j)Jio-r!/s

R

Eajfrayia

liricJirnhacJiia

rivularis (Reichenbachia)

S

Sof/tionts

semipunctata (Gabata)

sulcatula ( Raffrayia )

sulcicornis (Reichenbachia)...

T

Trim iodijtc'i

tuberculiceps (Euplectus)

407

382
393
395

397
414

413
405
412

383
409
402

388
399
401

404
388
392
400

383
386

lono-iconiis (Odontalgus) 413 [ zambeziana (Reiclienbachia) . 4U0

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