Jleto Jlorfe fctate College of Agriculture St Cornell 3Hnlbrr0it|> ltb«a. fl. g. Elbrarp I * . ♦ £ 2 - ' Q, L irf U p3 yVi'' Q, r \ C 607 ) o* X V> XXXIV. On the Paussidce, a Family of Coleopterous Insects. By Mr. J. 0. West wood, F.L.S. Bead June 1, 1830. Influenced by the desire which every naturalist ought to entertain, that the treasures of Nature collected and discovered by his countrymen, or added to our museums and cabinets through their zeal and assiduity, should also be made known by fellow-naturalists of his native rather than of foreign coun- tries, (although for the advancement of science it might even be wished that these treasures, rather than remain unnoticed and undescribed, should be thrown open to the examination of and be described by foreign naturalists ;) and considering it the duty of every member of the Linnean Society to add his mite, however scanty, to the stores of knowledge which are recorded in its Transactions, — it was my intention, on becoming ac- quainted with the interesting nondescript insect, subsequently described under the name of Pentaplatarthrus Paussoides, merely to have offered to the Society its description, with a few ob- servations upon its affinities, to prove its relationship to the Paussidce , one of the most interesting families of Coleopterous insects. On discovering, however, in our cabinets, in addition to this new genus, not only several other undescribed species belonging to the family, but also such a variation of structure in some of the known species as to warrant their separation from Paussus, and finding that confusion had been introduced into the nomenclature even of the few species composing the vol. xvi. 4 i family, 608 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussidce, family, — I considered that it might not be deemed uninteresting to extend my observations to the whole family, and which I trust will not be regarded as unworthy of attention, both from the great interest which the insects themselves possess from the extreme singularity of their structure, (for, as Latreille has observed in the Nouveau Diet, cl’ Hist. Nat. vol. xxv. p. 57 : “Vainement chercherions nous dans tout l’ordre des Coleop- t&res un genre qui nous oftre des caractkres aussi bizarres et aussi insolites que les Paussus,”) as well as from the circum- stance of the records of this Society already containing a va- luable paper by the learned Professor Afzelius upon the spe- cies known to him ; and from the opportunity thus afforded me of exhibiting the rapid strides which Entomology has since made ; and lastly, from the circumstance of the genus Paussus constituting the final entomological labour of that great man, whose name we have adopted as our own. But few remarks are requisite upon the history of the family. The genus Paussus was established in the Dissertationes Aca- demics in the year 1775, and the genus Cerapterus by Swederus in the Swedish Transactions for 1788. These two genera con- tinued to be regarded as unconnected with other genera, or with each other, until Latreille inserted the former, as one of the genera composing the family Scolitaires, in his Histoire Naturelle fyc. tom. xi. p. 204. — Afzelius, regarding only the genus Paussus, proposed for its reception in the Linnean Trans- actions, vol. iv. a distinct fifth section of the Coleoptera, cha- racterized “ Antennis clava integral, inflate.” The genus Cera- pterus, however, remained unnoticed by entomologists until Donovan pointed out its affinity with Paussus in his work upon the Insects of New Holland; and Latreille, profiting b)^ his observations, formed the two genera into a distinct family in the Genera Crustaceorum §c. vol. iii. p. 1, and Considerations G6n6- rales 609 a Family of Coleopterous Insects. rales $-c. p. 225, under the name of Paussili, and which he placed between the Bostrichida and the Cisidce. This family- name was altered in the Edinburgh Encyclopedia by Dr. Leach to Paussidcs. In the Regne Animal, the two genera considered a subgenera together form the second genus of the first section of the Xylopliages between the Scolytida and the Bostrichida. And in the Analecta Entomologica, Dalman proposed to establish the species, previously named by him Paussus Bucephalus, into a distinct genus named Hylotorus. To these three genera I have now the pleasure of adding several others ; and the following may be regarded as the prin- cipal typical characters of the family. Ordo. COLEOPTERA. Sectio. Pentamera? Latr. (Ciiilopodomorpha ? MacLcay .) Stirps. Necropiiaga? MacLeay. Familia. Paussidje mihi. Paussili. Latr., $c. Paussides. Leach, Edin. Encycl. Genus typicum. Paussus. Linn. Familia Character typicus. Corpus oblongo-quadratum, subdepressum, antice subacumi- natum. Caput parvum, subtriangulari-globosum, porrectum, collo in- structum. Antenn;e permagnse, crassae, articulis 2 — 10 plhs minusve depress® (pro magnitudine insectorum). Palpi magni, coriacei, exserti, inaequales. Labium magnum, coriaceum, planum. Tiiorax plus minhsve bipartitus. Elytra postice quadratu. 4 i 2 Pedes CIO Mr. J. 0. Westwood on the Paussidce, Pedes subaequales, breves, compressi. Tarsi breves, articulis integris, articulo basali minuto, subths producto. Abdomen thorace rnultb majus et elytris longius. Insecta exotica, parva, duriuscula, longitudine 2 — lin. Of the habits of the family we possess but little information, and that only upon two species of Paussus, which will be found noticed under that genus : it is, however, probable that the other genera are similar in their habits, and that in their pre- paratory states their habitat is either under the bark of trees or in timber. They are steady and slow in their movements, and nocturnal in their habits, and in their perfect state are met with in newly-built houses. The species, however, must be of considerable rarity, since many of our richest cabinets do not even possess an individual of the family. With respect to the geographical distribution of the family it may be remarked, that they appear to inhabit the Old World exclusively, and that the tropical and southern portions of Africa and the East Indies and Indian islands, are their peculiar range. Ccrapterus MacLeaii is, however, described by Donovan as an inhabitant of New Holland. From the singularity in the structure of these insects, it is difficult to speak of their affinities with precision. With respect to their relationship with Cerocoma, in which genus they were originally placed by Fabricius, there is, as Afzelius correctly conceived, no affinity, and indeed but little analogy beyond the singularity in the antennae. Afzelius, indeed, supposed that they approached nearest to Clerus, bearing to it, as he observes, at least upon the whole, so much natural resemblance, that their most proper place in the systematic arrangement will be next after that genus. It is to be wished, however, that this author had more precisely stated the points in which he sup- posed a Family of Coleopterous Insects. 611 posed this natural resemblance to consist, since I can scarcely conceive that these insects are more nearly allied to Clerus than they are to Cerocoma. Swederus was equally distant from their true affinities, when he considered Cerapterus as intermediate between Silpha and Hispa; but the legitimate study of affinities was in the days of these authors in its infancy. Latreille, in the Histoire Naturelle fyc. vol. xi. p. 206. “ profitant de quelques rapports naturels'qu’ont ces insectes avec les Scolites, les Bostriches, les Cis,” adds, “ J’avois soupf onne qu’on devoit reunir les uns et les autres dans une meme famille. De nouvelles considerations ont confirme ce sentiment, et malgre que les or- ganes de la manducation des Pausses different de ceux des Sco- lites, on voit cependant qu’il y a entre eux une grande affinite.” lie accordingly places Paussus immediately between the Cur- culionida and the genus Scolytus (a location by no means tena- ble), forming the genera Paussus, Scolytus (including the modern groups Scolytus, Tomicus, Hylesinus and Hylurgus), Platypus and Phloiotribus, into the family Scolitaires ; the genera Bostri- chus, Cis and Cerylon, into that of Bostrichini ; and the genera Colydium, ISletnosoma, Bitoma, Lyctus, Latridius, Silvanus, Trogo- sita, Meryx and Mycetophagus, into the family Xylophagi. In the Genera Crustacearum $c. the family Paussili was established and placed between the Scolitaires and the Xylophagi ; which latter family was made to include the Bostrichini as well as the genera of which it was previously composed. In the Considera- tiotis GInSrales the Paussidce were properly still further removed from the Scolitaires, being placed between the Bostrichini (in- cluding both the Scolitaires and the Bostrichini) and the Xylo- phagi of the Histoire Naturelle. In the Regne Animal, Families Naturelles, and 2nd edition of the Regne Animal, all these genera and families are formed into one great family group, under the name of Xylophagi, by which Latreille endeavours, but as it appears 612 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussidce , appears to me unsuccessfully, to establish the passage from the weevils to the capricorn beetles. In the first and last of these works the Paussidce are placed between the Scolitaires and Bos- trichini; and in the second, between the Bostrichini and the Tro- gositarii. When we consider the very discordant structure of the insects composing these families, — of which Mr. MacLeay has well observed in the Anmdosa Javanica, that they at present form a most artificial assemblage, — it cannot be a matter of surprise that the situation of the Paussidce should have been subject to such continued change. It cannot, however, be denied, that it is one of the most difficult, although most interesting tasks of the natu- ralist, and one in which (from the great number of links which remain to be discovered,) the greatest caution is requisite to trace the affinities of such anomalous animals as these, espe- cially when they have been employed to effect the transition between extensive groups of very distinct structure. Of the impropriety of Latreille’s location of the majority of the insects composing these various families between the Curcu - Uonidce and Cerambijcidce, and upon their decided affinities with many of the J Secrophaga of MacLeay, especially the Eugidce, I shall refer the student to the various remarks of that author upon the genera of the latter family in the Anmdosa Javanica. To him the praise is due for pointing out these affinities, which Latreille himself appears willing to admit in the new edition of the Begne Animal, vol. v. p. 89. n. 4, where, speaking of the joints of the tarsi of his family Xylophagi, comprising all these subfamilies, he says : “ Leur nombre parait etre de cinq dans quelques. Ces insectes semblent se Her avec les Cryptophages et autres in- sectes analogues de la section des Pentameres.” The student may also consult with advantage Curtis’s Bri- tish Entomology, genera Cryptophagus , Mycetophagus, Tetra- toma, Ciconis, and Bitoma. I cannot, however, here omit to remark, 613 a Family of Coleopterous Insects. remark, with some degree of astonishment, that after the ob- servations of Mr. MacLeay in the Annulosa Javanica above referred to, Mr. Curtis should have stated, that “ we cannot help expressing some surprise, that out of the many systems that have been proposed, none should have released Myceto- phagus from its present unnatural situation, viz. from the Xylo- phagi or Trogositarii of Latreille.” The Systematic Catalogue, and Illustrations of British Entomology, of Mr. Stephens may also be consulted, in which the first attempt has been made to arrange these various genera in accordance with Mr. MacLeay ’s views, although it may perhaps be considered that this arrange- ment has been made upon general considerations rather than upon strict analytical examination and dissection. It should, however, be constantly borne in mind, that the characters pre- sented by the larvae of these various genera will tend in a great degree to establish their affinities upon a sure foundation, and it is greatly to be regretted that so little is recorded concerning them : hence arises the absolute necessity of attentively study- ing and minutely recording the peculiarities of these preparatory states whenever opportunity presents itself. Taking, therefore, the preceding observations into considera- tion, it is evident that in these groups Nature appears to have disregarded all decided regularity in the number of the joints of the tarsi ; and hence, if the majority of Latreille’s Xylophagi should be removed, — as it appears to me they ought to be, — to a situation in the stirps Necrophaga, the Faussidce must also accompany them, notwithstanding the absence of the terminal clavation of the antennae; but between the Paussidce and the true Scolytidee (which are certainly most intimately allied to the Cur- culionidce,) or the Bostrichidce * (compare Mr. Curtis’s Dissections * I exclude from this family (as Latreille indeed has done in some of his earlier works) the genus Cis, which has also, in my opinion, no immediate affinity with Mycetophagus. The genus Bostrichus Geoffroy ( Apate Fabr.) is the typical form of this family. of 614 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussidce, of Scolytus, Cossonus, and other curculionideous genera), I do not think that any natural affinity exists, either regarding struc- ture or habits : neither do I consider that any material affinity exists between them and the Mycetophagidce*. On the other hand, in general appearance, in the consistency of their external structure, and probably also in their natural habits, they make the nearest approach to the Trogositarii + : but the trophi are very dis- similar, and the antennae of Pentaplatarthrus and Cerapterus pre- sent no appearance of a terminal clava ; which clearly shows the great hiatus existing between these insects and the Trogositarii , and appears to point the way to the Cucujidce (the remaining family placed by Latreille between the Curculionida and the Cerambycidce), and which may perhaps hence be considered as having the greatest affinity with the Paussidce, particularly when we also notice the depressed bodies, the formation of the antennae, and * The genera composing the section Mycetophages, as restricted by Latreille in the new edition of the Regne Animat, (with the exception of Colydium, which is placed alone in a distinct subdivision,) appear to agree more nearly in natural affinity than those of which the section is composed in any of his previous works, at least so far as I am able to judge from the genera which I have dissected: — they are Mycelophagus, Triphyl/us, Meryx, Dasycerus, Lalridius, and Silvanus. The situation of the last appears to me, however, doubtful. Mr. Curtis has also proved the intimate affinity between Tetratoma and Mycelophagus. f This family appears to me to be capable of demarcation, from the general appear- ance of the species, and from the structure of their trophi, especially the lower lip; — in my opinion, founded upon the formation of the latter organs in many of these in- sects which I have dissected, it naturally includes the genera Trogosita, Megagriathus, Cerylon, Rliyzophagus, Nemosoma, Colydium, Monotonia, Bitoma, Cicones, Synchita, and probably Lyctus. To these groups must also be added the pentamerous genus Ips, which has recently been ably illustrated by Mr. Curtis, who however, taking Latreille for his guide, has placed the genus in the family Nitidu/idce, and merely stated the chief differences existing between it and Nitidula, thus evidently regarded as the genus most nearly allied to Ips. It is impossible, however, on examining the Ips Jerrugineus, (which Mr. Curtis has considered the type of the genus,) not to be struck with its resemblance to some of the preceding genera, such as Cerylon, Nemosoma, Sfc., which resemblance a Family of Coleopterous Insects. 615 and especially the pentamerous tarsi in many of the genera of that family; such as Catogenus, Clinidium, Rhy socles, Spc.; upon which point I further beg leave to refer the student to my paper “On the Affinities of Clinidium,” inserted in the 18th Number of the Zoological Journal. The following is a Synoptical viezo of the genera belonging to the family, and subsequently described. < 'Caput (occllis duabus) thorace immersum . . 3. II ylo torus. Elytra subqua- Antennie < l Uasi < drat a; palpi la- biales elongati. biarticulatac. Caput (occllis ri Palpi labiales articulo | 2 Pnussus , ultimo elongato ... 1 nullis) collo s p a |pj lal>i a l e s articulis -j . . instructum. |_ ffiqua , ibus } 4 ’ pl c. is perfectly evident from Mr. Curtis’s own delineations of several of these and allied genera, especially in the structure of the maxillae; and I am convinced that no one on comparing them together and with Sturm’s dissections of Trogosita, and my own of Temnoscheila (Zool. Journ. no. 18.), can pos- sibly adopt Mr. Curtis’s views, or will doubt that Trogosita is the type of a group of genera including those above mentioned. But it is not in the perfect insect alone that we are to search for correct ideas of the affinities of the Coleoptera. The larvae, as I have before stated, afford the most important clues to their discovery; and Mr. Curtis will be surprised to learn that Nemosoma is chilopodiform ; Cis chilognalhiform, hex- apod, forked-tailed ; and Scolytus an apod-larva. 4 K VOL. XVI. indeed 616 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussidce, indeed it does not appear to me (on comparing the charac- ters of the different genera and the observations upon their respective affinities subsequently detailed,) that a natural linear or circular disposition can at present be traced in the few genera composing the family. Thus if we look to the variation in the number of joints in the antennae, we shall find Trochoi- deus intervening between Poussus and Pentaplatarthrus, and the latter between Platyrhopalus and Cerapterus. Again, if we re- gard the form of the antennae, we shall find the resemblance between Hylotorus and Paussus pilicornis Don., sufficient to separate Paussus from Pentaplatarthrus. Again, as the genera are numerically arranged above, the genus Hylotorus unnatu- rally separates the true Paussi with a continuous thorax from the Platyrhopali. If, also, we attempt to form a tabular ar- rangement of the genera from the structure of the trophi, — which, according to the Table given by Mr. MacLeay in the first part of the Ilorce Entomologies, are the organs susceptible of the least variation, and which consequently are of the first impor- tance in regulating the distribution of genera, — I fear that the result will not be more satisfactory : indeed, in some of the genera we are not acquainted with the structure of these organs. It appears, however, sufficiently natural to commence the series with Pentaplatarthrus, and to proceed thence to the true Paussi with a bipartite thorax ; thence, by means of P. spheero- cerus, to those with the thorax continuous, and to the Platyrho- pali, which evidently lead to the Cerapteri Genus 1 . Pentaplatarthrus* mild. Type of the Genus, P. paussoides mihi. Corpus subdepressum ; capite parvo ; thorace majori ; abdomine * Ilevrs, quinque; ttXutus, plat us ; upDpov, articulus ; — in allusion to the formation of the antennas. latiore 617 a Family of Coleopterous Insects. latiore et corporis longitudinis dimidio paull6 longiore. Caput thorace angustius, depressum, subquadratum, facie subtransvers^, postick collo brevi instructum. Oculi me- diocres, laterales, ovales. Antenna, ad marginem anticum capitis, inter oculorum partem superiorem insertae, capite cum thorace paullb longiores, quasi 6-articulatae ; articulo Imo cylindrico, brevi, postick subemarginato, tunc articu- lus ? parvus, subglobosus, in apicem prioris insertus, cui in- sidetarticulus 2dus verus, brevis, transversus, subpunctatus, lmo fer& duplb latior, planus, apice truncato ; articuli 3, 4, et 5, longitudine primi at illo ferfe tripled latiores, plani, transversi ; articulus ultimus planus, paullo major, apice circulari, margineque externo vel postico in angulum par- vum producto. Os inferum. Labrum crustaceum, parvum, subtriangulare margine antico rotundato, basi utrinque obliquh truncato. Mandibulce parvae sub labro occurrentes et eo longitudine aequantes, corneae, elongatae, curvatae, basi latiores, lobo basali externo, et intern^ excisione mi- nuta, apice acutae, extern^ angulum formantes. Palpi t Maxilla , Labiumque ex oris cavitatis margine infero et transverso parallelo prodeuntia ; palpi longi ; labiales cla- vati, maxillares longitudine aequantes, porrecti. Maxilla parvae subconicae, lobo magno apicali fer& quadrato, suprai extern^ subhirto, facie internal coriacefi ultra mandibulas protensi. Palpi maxillares longi, crassi, cylindrici, arti- culis 4 crassitie aequalibus, articulis lmo 3tioque brevi- bus, 2do 4toque longioribus, hoc apice acutiori vel cy- lindrico-conico. Mentum transversum, rigidum, angulis anticis paullb productis. Labium internum, mentoque longius et angustius subtriangulare apice transverso. Palpi labiales in scapos vel lobos duos corneos inter mentum la- biumque inserti, articulis tribus, lmo brevi, 2ndo illo du- 4 it 2 pl6 618 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussidce, pld longiori apice paulld crassiori, 3tioque magno, clavato, apice obliqub subtruncato. Thorax' subquadratus et sub- cylindricus, antice latior, abdomine angustior. Scutellum parvum, trigonum, pedunculo abdominis immersum. Meso- stethium magnum, transversum, medio linea longitudinali etiam lineal transversal, margine postico parallels, impres- sum. Elytra elongato-quadrata, laevia, dorso plana, ad latera deflexa, immarginata, postich truncata. Alee duae. Coxa: posticae, transversae, apice majores. Abdomen in spe- cimine viso mutilatum. Pedes omnes similes, breves, valdb compressi, lati. Tibiae omnes spina minutissima terminali interne instructae. Tarsi breves, subcylindrici, articulis 5 integris, articulo lmo brevissimo, tribus proximis brevibus aequalibus subths paullb villosis, articulo ultimo longitudine quatuor praecedentium, cylindrico, apice paullb crassiori, unguibus duobus validiusculis, acutis, simplicibus. The characters of this genus are perhaps as interesting as any hitherto presented to the entomologist. The various parts of the mouth, especially the development of the palpi and their basal scapes, and the internal labium, are worthy of notice, as is also the insertion and structure of the antennae. Between the upper part of the eyes there are two slightly raised tuber- cles, the centres of which appear excavated for the reception of a circular ball, probably capable of a rotatory motion, upon the upper or exposed surface of which the lower part of the basal joint of the antenna 1 is inserted. In general appearance and in the formation of the thorax, this genus resembles the first section of Paussus ; whilst the formation of the antennae would lead towards Ceraplerus . There are four joints more in its antennae than in Paussus; while Cerapterus exceeds it by four joints more. In the incrassation of the labial palpi it approaches Cerapterus ; a Tamili) of Coleopterous Insects. 619 Cerapterus ; whilst the formation of the mentum and labium, and the insertion of the labial palpi vary very materially from the structure of Paussus. The only species with which I am acquainted being unde- scribed, I have (in consequence of its general appearance agree- ing with the typical species of Paussus) given it the name of Pentaplatartiirus paussoides mild. (Tab. nostr. Fig.l — 14.) P. totus rufo-piceus, thoracis angulis anticis utrinque in spinam obtusam productis, et in medio anticb subcucullato, dorso centrali profundb excavato. Habitat in Africa? Long. corp. (antennis exclusis) lin. 3^-. — Lat. corp. (ad basin elytrorum) lin. 1-i-. Specimen unicum in Mus. Dom. T. W. Edwards, Soc. Linn. Social. See. conservatum, et mihi benevolo delineari descri- bique communicatum. Nova species. Caput parvum, transversum, punctatum, piceum vertice paullb excavato. Antennce rufo-piceae, articulo lmo punctato, 2do subpunctato, articulis reliquis laevis- simis. Thorax laevis, nitidus, rufo-piceus, angulis anticis utrinque in spinam brevem obtusam productis, antice sub- cucullatus, disco centrali profunde excavato (sc. in medio elevatione magnfi, antick rotund at^, posticbque emarginat£t, culmen formante ad thoracis latera ductum), inde carina longitudinali ad marginem posticum, et utrinque line^ elevata cum margine laterali parallela. Elytra rufo-picea, nitida, tenuissime punctata, punctis ad suturam in lineas obscuras perpaucas dispositis. Subtus. Corpus et pedes picea. Unique in the cabinet of T. W. Edwards, Esq. F.L.S. See., who, 620 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussida, who, with a liberality as disinterested as rare, permitted me not only to examine, describe and figure, but also to relax his spe- cimen, thereby enabling me to render my paper more complete by adding figures of its various characters, especially of the trophi, which from their size I was able to effect with facility, and which, together with the other dissections figured by me, are the first representations which have been given in detail of those most valuable organs in the family. Of its locality that gentleman can give me no further information than that it came into his possession in a large box containing chiefly African in- sects. Genus 2. Paussus. Linn., Fair., Latr., $c. Pausus. Tliunh., Afz., $c. Type of the Genus P. microceplialus Linn. It is not my intention to detail the characters of this genus, the Transactions of this Society being already enriched with the elaborate details given by Afzelius. I however insert the cibarian characters, in consequence of the confusion existing in the writings of Afzelius and Latreille upon their nomenclature and formation. A considerable portion of the following cha- racters is indeed derived from their researches, but those of the lower lip and its appendages are the result of my own dis- sections. Corpus subdepressum. Caput mediocre, thorace angustius, pos- tick collo brevi instructum. Antenna magnae, articulo lmo minori, crasso, cylindrico-ovato, apice obliquk emarginato, tunc articulus ? parvus, subglobosus, emarginaturae prioris immersus, cui insidet articulus ultimus maximus saepifis ir- regulariter obtrigonus, compressus vel subdepressus, angulo infero et externo interdum uncinato. Labrum subcoria- ceum, parvum, transversum, angulis anticis rotundatis. Mandibulce 621 a Family of Coleopterous Insects. Mandibulce corneae, parvae, elongatae, dimidio basali stipi- tali latiori, compresso, subelongato quadrato ad latus inter- num membranaceo producto ; dimidio apicali in dentem sublunato-trigonum, acutum, formato. Maxilla, stipite crustaceo, processu terminali corneo, compresso, piano, mandibuliformi, subquadrato in dentem arcuatum brevem acutum desinente, extern^ subciliato, latere interno sub eodem apice obtusd uni- vel bi-dentato. Palpi maxillares magni, exserti, porrecti, labialibus e tertid parte longiores ad originem antennarum usque producti, maxillarum stipiti basin externam versus inserti ; articulis 4, basilari parvo, tu- berculiformi ; 2do maximo, compresso, subquadrato ; 3tio valdd angustiore, triple breviore, subcylindrico ; ultimo 3tio paulo minori, cylindrico-conico (ces deux palpes se rapproclient a leur extremite superieure, et forment une sorte d’arcade d la l&vre inferieure. Latr.). Mentum rect- angulari-triangulariforme (hypothenusd antick transversd, sc. inter oculos ductd) lateribus obliquis capite coalitis, nec basi articulatum, medio convexd subelevatum, et margine antico in medio paullulum producto; angulisque anticis late- ralibus (basi exarticulatis) porrectis, compressis, in dentem subacutum productis. Labium, os inferum claudens, palpis labialibus brevius, subquadratum, corneum, subplanum, vel medio longitrorsum subcarinatum, margine antico integrum (ut in P. spharocero, vid. Afz. Linn. Trans, iv. 252.), vel carinae apice in dentem parvum centralem producto (ut in P. microcephala, vid. Afz. loc. cit.) intds subconcavum e marginibus ejus anticis lateralibusque intds conniventibus. Palpi labiales maxillaribus breviores, ad ortum subconati inter mentum et labii basin inserti labiique faciem anticam velantes et marginem illius superum ultra progressi, in- terdum reflexi, 3-articulati, articulis 2dis inferis brevissi- mis 622 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussida, mis (priori paulb majori, globoso) ; ultimo magno, longk ovato, aut cylindrico-subulato, apice acuto. Thorax sub- cylindricus, paulb longior quam latior, antice plerumque dilatatus, parte elevate anticA, pli\s minilsve articuliformi. Elytra postich truncata. The characters given above will at once separate the species of the genus from their immediate affinities, the palpi mate- rially assisting in tracing the boundaries of the genus. It will be observed that Afzelius (who, notwithstanding his admitted inability satisfactorily to examine the trophi of the genus, has given their characters drawn from an external com- parison of P. microcephalus and spharocerus,) has, as might have been expected, fallen into several errors, chiefly regarding the nomenclature of the different parts : — thus his palpi inleriores are the labial palpi ; his palpi exteriores, the anterior produced lateral lobes of the mention ; his mandibulce, the maxillary palpi ; his* m ax- il! ce are the mandibles; and his gala triangularis is the mention. This author, however, most properly considered the flat plate- like part which closes the underside of the mouth, as the lower lip (labium) ; and (with the exception of the anterior lateral lobes of the mentum being incorrectly articulated, to represent palpi, as they were considered ; and the maxillary palpi being repre- sented as without joints, being regarded as the mandibles,) his figures of the underside of the heads of both species correctly exhibit the general structure of the various parts of the mouth as seen externally. Latreille, however, both in the Ilistoire Naturelle and Genera Crustaceorum , $c. appears to have regarded the organs, which Afzelius described as the external palpi, and which I have de- # It must be borne in mind that Afzelius is not blameable for this variation of nomenclature, since it was in accordance with that of Fabricius, adopted by him. — Sec Kirby and Spence, vol. iii. p. 429- scribed a Family of Coleopterous Insects. 623 scribed as the produced lateral angles of the mentum, as part of the labium, expressly stating in the latter work that there is no mentum. His description of the lower lip in the former work is as follows: “Cette dernikre piece” (the “levre inferieure”) “est petite, cornee, presque carree, un peu voutee, tridentee au bord superieur, clont le milieu est un peu plus eleve ; les dents late- rales sont formees par les saillies des angles lateraux ; le milieu de la face anterieure de cette levre est en carcne et se prolonge en pointe au sommet, d’oh resulte la dent intermediate.” I shall, however, endeavour to prove that there is a mentum, and that these “ dents laterales” are in fact the produced angles of that organ, and that they are perfectly distinct from the labium. Lor this purpose it is necessary for me to state, that these pro- duced angles or “saillies” are not articulated at the base, but merely produced portions of the gula triangularis of Afzelius : indeed that author expressly says, that these parts seem to have neither joints nor motion, and to be of a very different structure and substance from the true palpi labiales : hence, therefore, they cannot be considered as parts of the labium, which, typi- cally regarded, is a distinct organ arising below the insertion of the palpi ; and consequently the supposition of Latreille, that these spines are “formees pair les saillies des angles lateraux” of the labium, must be considered as incorrect. It may indeed per- haps be contended that these produced lateral spines are repre- sentatives of the produced undersides of the head or under- cheeks particularly developed, as in Catogenus, Fassandra , Me- gagnathus , #c. and consequently, that they do not form part of the mentum, which must either be sought for in the more advanced or in the internal parts of the mouth, or must be, as Latreille states, wanting. I am induced, however, from the abhorrence which Nature entertains of such anomalies, — not- withstanding the absence of any articulation at the sides or 4 l base VOL. XVI. 624 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussida , base of the part which Afzelius terms the gula triangularis,— to consider that part, which Latreille has not noticed, as the representative of the mentum, and consequently, the “ dents laterales” of Latreille, or the external palpi of Afzelius, as the produced anterior angles of the mentum ; 1st, from the evident analogy between it and the mentum of Pentaplatarthrus and Platyrliopalus ; 2ndly, because Latreille himself has shown that the mentum is not always articulated at the base, as in Siagona, which he describes in the Genera Crustaceonnn, $c. vol. iv. p. ii08. as “ suturd nulla bnsilari et processu paginae infer a3 capitis efformatum 3rdly, because the labial palpi arise between it and the true lip, which appears to be the true typical structure of the Coleoptera ; and 4thly, because the maxillae arise at the outer sides of the produced spines and within the mouth j in which respect this formation also agrees with the typical structure of the Coleoptera , where the base of the maxillae arises at the outer sides of the mentum ; whereas in Catogenus, Passandra , Megagnathus, $c. the maxillae arise within or between the produced lobes or spines. As to the “ dent intermediate” of the labium mentioned by Latreille, it appears from the observations of Afzelius, that it is not a constant generic character ; its examination, however, in the various species is rendered more difficult in consequence of the peculiar arched formation of the maxillary palpi described by Latreille as above. The labial palpi are generally bent backwards, although, as may be observed from Afzelius s figures, they are occasionally stretched forward ; in which latter case they fill up the space formed by the arch of the maxillary palpi, and almost entirely conceal the lip. The paucity of joints in the antennae, and their comparatively immense size, are circumstances well worthy the attention of the 6'25 a Family of Coleopterous Insects. the philosophical entomologist ; and if observation were par- ticularly paid to the peculiar uses which the living insects make of them, it is not to be doubted that some light would be thrown upon the dubious nature of the general uses and senses of those organs. Latreille indeed says in the Nouveau Diet. d’Hist. Nat. vol. xxv. p. 57, “ l’on soupponne que quelques esphees se tien- nent suspendues au moyen des dents ou des rochets du dernier article de leurs antennes.” This circumstance, however, appears to me to be extremely improbable. In describing the antennae of the species known to him, Fa- bricius, in order to state their peculiar structure, employed the teim irregulares, upon which Afzelius has commented in his paper, considering that, as it must convey the idea of the clava being of a shape either not always uniform or deviating from the ordinary rules of Nature, its employment is improper, since he states neither of these circumstances to be the case. That the antennae of the Paussi materially differ from the ordinary structure of these organs, no one will be inclined to question ; although it cannot be admitted that Nature has here deviated from her ordinary rule of introducing variations in the charac- ters of her groups. The term has, however, another definition, which the Professor has overlooked, which will convey a per- fect idea of their formation ; namely, by translating the word, ‘uneven , or ‘with the surface irregular’: this I doubt not is the sense in which it was employed by Fabricius. With regard to the very interesting observations of Afzelius upon the luminosity of the second joint of the antennae of P. spharocerus, I am under the necessity of stating the doubts which I entertain upon the existence of so extraordinary a cir- cumstance. Might not the light reflected from the wall, falling upon the semipellucid livid-coloured balls of the antennae, give them the appearance described, with expressions of doubt, by 4 l 2 Afzelius? 62(5 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussida, Afzelius ? Without, however, venturing to question the correct- ness of his observations, I beg to be permitted to throw out this remark as a not unnatural cause of the appearance. Or may not the appearance be accounted for (regard being had to the globular and subpellucid structure of the clava,) precisely in the same manner as the light emitted by the shining moss mentioned in Loudon’s Magazine of Natural History, No. xv. p. 463. (published since the preceding observations were written) ; where Mr. Bowman in explaining its cause observes: “A person ac- quainted with the laws of optics as exhibited in lenses, would, on examining its (the moss’s) structure of innumerable perfect globules filled with a highly pellucid green fluid, have pro- nounced, a priori, that they would condense the rays of light, and appear luminous to an eye placed in the angle of incidence , and the fact, that it is always most brilliant either in the cave, or in a room with only a single window, when the face is turned from the light, illustrates the theory in a singular manner.” Of the “ differentiae sexuales” of the family I am only able to state, that according to Afzelius, the female of P. sphcerocerus differs chiefly from the male in having the labial palpi rather narrower, the produced lobes of the mentum glaucous, the max- illary palpi shorter, with the second joint narrower, the abdomen longer, and the posterior femora slenderer. Of the habits of the species we know but little. Latreille, in the Histoire Naturelle, states, “ Les Pousses doivent vivre dans les bois.” — I need not occupy the valuable time of the Society with repeating the account given by Afzelius of the habits of P. sphcerocerus ; and shall therefore merely add, that Dr. llors- field has informed me that Mr. Arnold captured a species in Java under precisely similar circumstances. M. Dupont of Paris has also informed me, (subsequent to the commencement of the reading of this paper,) that the species which a Family of Coleopterous Insects. 62 7 which I have subsequently introduced from his splendid collec- tion under the name of P. excavatus, was observed by his corre- spondent at Senegal, by whom the insect was captured, to make several repeated discharges of smoke, accompanied by a slight noise similar to that produced by the Bombadier Beetle ( Brachi - mis), whence M. Dupont named it P. crepitans. 1 cannot, how- ever, help imagining that some mistake must have arisen with respect to this peculiarity. Afzelius, who captured several spe- cimens of the genus, has recorded nothing of the kind, and it may reasonably be doubted whether the internal structure of M. Du- pont’s insect would so far differ from that of the othei species as to enable it to produce these repeated discharges. Having con- sulted M. Latreille upon the subject, whose opinion corre- sponds with my own, I have not hesitated to propose another specific name for the insect in question in lieu of that proposed by the possessor of the specimen, which, but for the circum- stances stated above, I should with pleasure have adopted. The following observations comprise the details most worthy of notice regarding the history of this singular genus, upon which but few authors have treated. The genus was established under the name Paussus in the last entomological disseitation of the Academy of Upsal, under the presidency of Linnaeus, the title whereof is “ Bigae Insectorum quas Praeside DD. Car. v. Linne proposuit Andreas Dahl, Westragothus, Upsaliae 1775.” The only species described and figured was P. microcephalus , which Linnaeus had received in a collection of Isoith Ameiican and African insects from Dr. Fothergill of London. In 1761, Thunberg described in the Swedish Transactions two new spe- cies of the genus discovered by himself in South Africa in the year 1772 (and which he had previously considered as forming a new genus), under the names Pausus lineatus and P. ruber , the former ' of which alone was indifferently figured. Fabricius in the 628 Mr. 5. 0. Westwood on the Paussidce, the Entomologia Systematica 1792, deviating from his general plan of adopting well-defined genera established by other au- thors, inserted the P. microcephalies of Linnaeus and the P. linea- tus alone of Thunberg in his genus Cerocoma, observing upon the former species, “ ad ulteriorem examinationem hie insero insectum singulare, proprium genus uti videtur constituens, mihi haud rith notum." To these two species a third was added, named ruficollis. Afzelius is the next author who has tieated upon the genus, and whose elaborate paper in the 4th volume of the Transactions of the Linnean Society, published in 1798, deserves the study of every naturalist. Leaving no part of his available materials to be elucidated by future ento- mologists, his remarks (from the advantages which, as a prac- tical collector, as one of the pupils of Linnaeus, and as a pro- found naturalist, he possessed,) are entitled to the greatest con- sideration. This author deemed it proper, with Thunberg, to alter the generic name Paussus into Pausus, in consequence of Linnaeus's supposed derivation of the name from “ Pausa ” and in which respect he has been followed by many entomologists. Latreille and Fabricius, however, preserved (with great pro- priety according to my views of entomological nomenclature) the name as originally spelt by Linnaeus. In addition to the very extended generic characters, to numerous interesting obser- vations upon its affinities, &c., as well as to the more detailed specific description of the Linmean species, he added the de- scription of a new species, which he named sphcerocerus, refer- nng also to the lineatus and ruber of Thunberg, and the ruficollis of rabiicius, making together five species. Donovan, in his splendid Natural History of the Insects of India, described and figured not less than four new species belonging to the family, and placed by him in this genus ; namely, Pa, mm denticornh Don. (Platyrhopalm denticornis mihi) ; 629 a Family of Coleopterous Insects. mihi); P. thoracicus Don. ; P.Fichtelii Don.; and P.pilkornis Don. ; the second and third of which he conjectures may pro- bably be the sexes of the same species. In the Systema Flew - theratorum 1801, Fabricius adopted the genus Paussus with this remark : “ Novum genus et distinctum, at mihi haud r itb exa- minatum, nec mihi satisfacit character genericus a D. Afzelio, in A. S. Linn, datus, sed e novo conficiendus.” The species in- serted in this work in the genus are the microcephalus , linealus, and ruficollis, with the addition of another insect named P fla- vicornis, of which he says, “ Animalculum singulare vix hums generis” which, in fact, does not belong to the family, and which I have formed into the genus Megadius, described below. Latreille having received three species of the genus from Mr. MacLeay, (one of which he submitted to dissection for the pur- pose of giving a more detailed account of the formation of the trophi than had been given by Afzelius,) published the result of his observations in the Histoire Gtntrale, #c. vol. xi., giving only the four species recorded in the Systema Eleutheratorum , with the same remark upon the P. flavicornis. In the Genera Crustaceorum, $c. vol. iii. p. l., he again detailed the characters of the genus, giving as the type the microcephalus , and adding a description of Donovan’s P. thoracicus , under the name of tri- gonicornis. Schonherr in the Synonymia Insectorum, vol. i. part 3. gives the following list of ten species belonging to the genus, as at that time constituted, (including two new species, but omitting those described by Donovan, except the P. thoracicus , which it is evident he was only acquainted with through Latreille’s syno- nymical reference in the Genera Crustaceorum, fyc.) ; 1. P. micro- cephalus Linn. ; 2. sphcerocerus Afz. ; 3. lineatus Thunb. ; 4. tri- gomcornis Latr. ( thoracicus Don.) ; 5. denticornis (a new species described under this name by Gyllenhal in the Appendix to the G30 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussida, the volume, but distinct from Donovan’s denticornis) ; 6. ruber Thunb. ; 7- Bucephalus (a new species, also described in the Appendix by Gyllenhal) ; 8. ruficollis Fabr. ; 9 .fiavicornis Fabr. (without the expression of any doubt as to its belonging to this crenus) ; and 10. the Hispa bihamata of Linnaeus, with the re- mark, “An hujus generis?” Dalman in the Analecta Entomo- losrica has published some observations upon the propriety of formin» the Bucephalus into a new genus under the name of Hylotorus, and upon the affinities of the P . fiavicornis Fabr : and the same author, in a very interesting paper in the Swedish Transactions for 1825, upon insects found in the gum copal, has described an insect under the name of Paussus cruciatus, which, although evidently belonging to the family, materially recedes from the genuine Paussi, and which I have consequently considered as the type of the genus Trochoideus subsequently described. The above are, I believe, the only works in which any mate- rial original matter has been published upon these insects ; and I cannot, therefore, but rejoice at being enabled to increase the lists given by Schonherr and Donovan by the addition of several other undescribed species. The species vary most materially from each other in the formation of the terminal joint ot the antennae: these paits therefore, together with the size and colour of the insects, may be considered as affording the chief specific characters. I he thorax may be employed for the purpose of dividing the species into two sections ; viz. those in which it is more distinctly bi- partite with the margins produced into an angular spine on each side in front, and those with the thorax almost continuous, the anterior part being only separated from the posterior by a slight impression, with the lateral margins rounded in front. The P. spharocerus appears to unite the two sections. Sectio a Family of Coleopterous Insects. 631 Sectio I. Thorax quasi bipartitus. Species 1. Paussus m icrocf.piialus. Linn. Tab. XXXIII. Fig. 21. P. obscurh niger, vel nigricanti-brunneus, elytris magis piceis, vel rufo-piceis, capite mutico, antennarum clavA per- magnA, oblongo-sphaeroidaeA, inaequaliter elevatA, ad basin subelongath pedunculatA, latere externo quadri-tuberculato, infra in uncum obtusum unidentatum producto, thorace in medio profundb excavato, parte anticA strangulo distincto, valdb et transversb elevatA, illius margine supero acuto, tibiis linearibus, posticis paulb latioribus, apice subangus- tioribus. Paussus microcephalus. Linn. (Dahl. Diss. Acad. Bigce Ins.) p. 6. tab. ann.f.6 — 10. Thunberg. Act. Suec. 1781. 170. 1. Fuess. Arch. Lis. Plag. iii. p. 1. sq. ; ed. Gall. p. 42. t. 13. Afzelius, Act. Soc. Linn. vol. iv. p. 263. t. 22. f. 1 — 5. Herbst. Coll. iv. p. 100. t. 39. /. 6. a, b. Gmel. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 4. p. 1737 — 1. Fab. Syst. Eleuth. ii. p. 75. 1. Weidem. Arch. 1.2 . p. 297- 1. Latr. Hist. Nat. $c. t. 11. p. 208. Latr. Gen. Crust, fyc. t. 3. p. 2. Nouv. Diet. d’Hist. Nat. vol. xxv. p. 58. Schonhcrr, Syn. Ins. vol. i. p. 3. p. 18. Shaw, Gen. Zool. vi. part 1. p. 42. pi. 12. Encyclopaedia Londinensis, vol. xix. Genus § tab . Pausus, Jig. 1, 2,3. Rees’ Encycl. vol. xxvi. Pausus, no. 1."] Cerocoma microcephala. Fabr. Ent. Syst. t. i. p. 2. p. 82. Leslie, Naturg. i. t. 12. f. 19- “ Habitat in Insula Bananas ejusdemque vicinitate.” Afz. Magn. nat. Dermestes lardarii Linn. — Long. corp. lin. 3^-. In Mus. Soc. Linn. Lond. (olim Banks). Dom. MacLeay (olim Drury) ; etiam olim in Musaeo Linna?i (Smith) ; etiam in Mus. Latreille (nunc Dejean). 4 M VOL. XVI. As 632 Mr J. O. Westwood on the Paussidce , As this species has already been very fully described by Afzelius, I shall not recapitulate its specific characters. It is necessary, however, to make a few observations upon the species, in consequence of the Linnean cabinet at the present time not possessing the original Linnean specimen, a distinct species being attached to the Linnean generic label. For the purpose therefore of identifying the species, I beg to direct attention to the size of the insect, which is stated in the original description to be equal to Dermestes lardarius , and also to the original figures, which are sufficiently exact to convince the student that the specimen originally contained in the Banksian cabinet, and now belonging to the Linnean Society, is the P. tnicrocephalus : it is true, that Afzelius states that he only casually examined the Linnean insect in the possession of our late lamented President; but it is not to be supposed that Afzelius, himself the capturer of one of the species, could have mistaken any other species which might at that time have been introduced into the Linnean cabinet when he examined it ; and this is rendered more unlikety, from the circumstance of the original figures of the insect having been drawn by J. Afzelius. Whence the first above-mentioned circumstance has arisen may perhaps be learned by tracing the history of the three specimens known to Afzelius. That in the cabinet of Sir Joseph Banks now belongs to the Linnean Society (from which both Afzelius's and my own figures were drawn). The second, originally in the cabinet of Mr. Drury, I understand subsequently came into the possession of Mr. MacLeay : but of the third spe- cimen, originally belonging to Linnaeus, I can discover no trace. It appears, however, in the Histoire Klaturelle fyc. that Latreille received from “ un des naturalistes de l’Angleterre le plus estimable par ses connoissances, par ses communications amicales, Alexandre MacLeay,” three species of the genus, but which 633 a Family of Coleopterous Insects. which are not named. In the Genera Crustaceorum $c. we learn, however, that Latreille received the P. microcephalus “ ex dono generosissimi amici Domini Alex. MacLeay.” As, however, it is not probable that Mr. MacLeay would have for- warded this species to Latreille, unless the specimen forwarded were a duplicate in his collection, it appears to follow, either that Mr. MacLeay must have obtained other specimens of the insect from abroad, or that he had procured the original Lin- nean specimen from its then possessor, as well as that belonging to Mr. Drury, and had forwarded one of them to Latreille. Should this latter supposition be correct, it affords an additional instance of the want of that true spirit of veneration towards the scientific relics of Linnfeus which every disciple of that great master ought to entertain, and which (although it was sufficiently strong to induce our late President, in consequence of his predilection for botanical studies, to preserve the botanical treasures of Linnaeus untouched and in their original and entire condition, and sacred for the interest of science,) it is greatly to be regretted did not also operate with him to prevent the incor- poration of the Linnean cabinet of insects with his own private collection. Had this, however, been the only cause of regret, the mischief might easily have been remedied ; but the entomologist has also to regret that the original Linnean specimens, and, as in this instance before us, even species, were in many instances allowed to be changed, probably for the purpose of renovating the collection, whereby the authenticity of the cabinet has un- fortunately been diminished to so great a degree, that amongst the minute insects it is now almost unsafe, without the greatest possible caution, to rely on the collection as a standard of re- ference. It is not, however, too late to remedy much of the mischief which has been thus occasioned ; and I state these cir- cumstances in the hope of inducing the influential members of 4 m 2 the 634 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussida , the Society to institute such an inquiry into the state of the Lin- nean cabinet of insects as will tend in the result to diminish the confusion which has so inadvertently been produced, — whereby the value of the cabinet has been diminished, and the increase of knowledge retarded, — by endeavouring, as far as may be possible, to reinstate the collection in its original form. Species 2. Paussus Linn^ei mihi. Tab. XXXIII. Fig. 22—24. P. subcylindricus, rufo-piceus, elytris rufescentibus, antennarum clav& supr&labi subquadratfi, apice valde depresso, recurvo, subhirsuto. Habitat ? Long. corp. (exclus. antennis) lin. 2. In Mus. Soc. Linn. Lond. (olim Smith?). Nova species. Parvus, subcylindricus, tenuissimk punctatissi- mus. Caput supra subconvexum, piceum, obscurum, por- rectum, subtriangulare, postice in collum breve productum ; margine antico emarginato ; vertice impressione parva, subrotundabi, in qu& tuberculum minutum. Oculi parvi laterales. Palpi ut supra descripti. Antenna magnae, ob- scurae, castaneae vel rufo-piceae, apice subpiloso, articulo lmo cylindrico, brevi, apice obliquo, articulo ultimo max- imo, supra subquadrato, inaequaliter elevato, basi paulb latiori, et oblique truncato ; latere interno tuberculis tribus minutis, apice citb valde depresso, acuto et supra reflexo. Thorax longior, quasi bipartitus, et in medio profundi excavato, rufo-piceus, portio antica obscura capite latior strangulo distincta, valde et transverse elevata, illius mar- gine supero acuto et in medio subemarginata, ejusdem angulis lateralibus acutis ; portio postica nitida paulb an- gustior, lateribus rotundatis, vertice valdk depresso, de- pressione G35 a Family of Coleopterous Insects. pressione postice bituberculata. Scutellum parvum con- color. Elytra thoracis parte antica paulb latiora, magis rufescentia, nitida, subconvexa, linearia, apice truncata, abdomine pauld longiora. Pedes longi tenues, castanei, par dm compressi. LiNNiEO discipulus novissimus hanc speciem inscribit. This species appears to agree in size, colour, and general structure with the next, if indeed it be not specifically identical. The chief apparent differences between its characters and the description of P. ruber being, 1st, the formation of the head and thorax of the two species, and which, as I have suggested below, may not perhaps actually exist ; and, 2ndly, the for- mation of the terminal joint of the antennae, which must I apprehend, on the other hand, be considered as indicative of a distinct species. The circumstance of this species being pre- served in the Linnean cabinet and actually attached to the generic label in Linnaeus’s hand-writing, — the original Linnean species at the same time not being preserved in the cabinet, — renders it necessary to state that this is not the P. microcephalus. From Donovan’s P. pilicornis it varies in colour, although when the antennae are seen sideways, there appears to be some spe- cific affinity. Species 3. Paussus ruber. Thunb. P. totus obscurh rufescens, elytris rufescentibus, capite in medio angustato et postich utrinque spinoso, thorace antich eroso, antennis clavfi latfi complanatfi basi cordata, apice eroso- sulcato. Paussus ruber. Thunb. Act. Holm. 1781. p. 170. 1 ; ed. Germ. 21 .p. 171. Herbst. Syst. Ins. Col. 4. p. 101. 2. Afzelius, Linn. Trans, vol. iv. 272. 1 . Schonherr. Syn. Ins. 1. part 3. p. 19- Rees’ 636 Mr. J. O. Westwood on ilie Paussidce, Rees’ Encycl. vol. xxvi. Genus Paussus, no. 3. Encycl. Londinensis, vol. xix. Genus Paussus, 720 . 3. Habitat Caput Bonae Spei. Dom. Tliunberg. In Mus. ? Magn. nat. Notoxi Rhinocerotis. Corpus oblongum depressum, obscurb rufescens, laeve, glabrum. Caput antick margine elevato, in medio depressum et an- gustatum, posticb transversb elevatum et dilatatum, in spinam lateralem utrinque exstantem, supra anticfe in me- dio est ruga elevata bifida inter oculos. Antenna antheri- formes biarticulatae, articulus infimus minor cylindricus, extimus latus complanatus basi cordato, apice eroso-sulcato, antheram bifidam referente. Thorax anticfc erosus. Scu- tellum nigrum. Elytra magis rufescentia, margine exteriori deflexo, abdomine breviora, truncata. I am unacquainted with this insect, except through the de- scription of Thunberg, which I have detailed above ; conse- quently it is with some hesitation that I venture from analogy to place it in this section of the genus, and to suggest that that author may have fallen into an error in his description of its head, inasmuch as it appears to me not improbable that he has regarded the anterior portion of the thorax as the hinder part of the head, such hinder part, according to his description, appear- ing to me to have precisely the same formation as the anterior part of the thorax in the preceding species, with which, if I am correct in the above opinion, it seems to possess considerable affinity. It is greatly to be regretted that Thunberg did not figure the insect. Species a Family of Coleopterous Insects. 637 Species 4. Paussus excavatus mihi. Tab. XXXIII. Fig. 56, 57. P. obscure rufescenti-fuscus, capite thoraceque pauie obscuri- oribus, antennarum clav& lath latere interno acuto, externo crasso, excavatione oblongh. Paussus crepitans. Dupont Mss. Habitat in Africa occidentali ; Senegalia. Long. corp. lin. 2. Specimen unicum in Mus. Dupont, Parisiis. Nova species. Parvus, subcylindricus, tenuissimb punctatis- simus. Caput subquadratum suprh convexum, obscure rufescenti-fuscum, postice in collum breve contractum, margine antico emarginato, vertice impressione parva rotundath. Oculi mediocres. Antenna rufo-fuscae, clava magna lath oblongo-trigonh apice subrotundato, margine interno acuto, impressionibus nonnullis parvis transversis infra marginem, postice multe crassiori, margine externo in naviculam vel cavitatem oblongo-ovalem longitrorshm excavato, serieque impressionum transversarum in pagi- nam inferiorem, quae in marginem ipsum in denticulatio- nibus 4 vel 5 desinunt : angulo basali subhamato, denteque parvo in medio marginis basalis. Thorax obscure rufo- fuscus, longior, bipartitus, portione antich multe breviori et h postich, excavatione profundh, separate, capite latiori, valde et transverse elevath, illius margine supero acuto et in medio subemarginato, ejusdem angulis lateralibus acutis, portione posticci longiori sed angustiori, antice utrin- que oblique producth, lateribus posticis subinflexis, disco valde depresso, excavatione subheptangulari. Scutellum par- vum concolor. Elytra thoracis parte antich latiora, fusco- rufescentia, sub lente forti punctatissima subconvexa, ab- domine 638 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussidce, domine pauld breviora. Pedes breves fusci, femoribus tibiisque valdk compressis. I am indebted for a knowledge of this pretty and very distinct little species to the liberality of M. Dupont, who obligingly allowed me to describe and figure it from his rich Coleopterous collection at Paris. In size and the structure of the thorax it agrees with the two preceding species, especially P. Linncei ; whilst the antennae resemble those of P. thoracicus and Fich- telii. It also agrees with the P. Linncei in having the circular impression on the crown of the head ; but it wants the small central tubercle. I have already alluded to the alleged habits of this species, and the consequent change which I have been compelled to introduce in its specific name. Species 5. Paussus rufitarsis. Tab. XXXIII. Fig. 25—27. P. flavescenti-fulvus ; antennarum articulo basali, thoracis an- gulis posticis, elytrorum disco, pedibusque piceis ; tarsis rufis, antennarum clav5 ovata, apice subacuto, basique in spinam extern^ producto. Habitat ? Long. corp. lin. 3. In Mus. Brit. Specimen unicum sub nomine Ms. “ rufitarsis” conserv. Nova species. Brevis, indfc speciebus reliquis quasi latior et ob- tusior videtur, cylindricus, minutissimk punctatissimus et te- nuissimk pubescens. Caput porreclum, fer& thoracis magni- tudine, subtriangulare, antick truncatum, emarginatumque, pallide fulvo-flavescens, in vertice exstat excavatio parva rotundata inter quam et oculos utrinque excavatio alia mi- nutissima. a Family of Coleopterous Insects. 639 nutissima. Oculi mediocres laterales. Palpi ut in conge- neribus. Antenna articulo lmo cylindrico, piceo, articulo ultimo magno lividfe flavescenti, ovali globoso, apice sub- acuto latere interno tenuk compresso, latere externo exca- vatione parv& lineari-oblong& vel caring in qu& lineae 4 elevatae tranversae ; basi extern^ in spinam obtusam pro- ducto. Thorax subquadratus capite vix major, bipartitus, flavescenti-fulvus, lateribus vel angulis portionis posticae piceis, portio antica angusta et elevata, in medio culmen acutum efformans, hoc in medio subemarginatum, ejusdem angulis lateralibus acutis, portio postica major, lateribus subrotundatis disco irregulari. Elytra fer& cylindrica, ab- domen tegentia, basi thorace ferk duplb latiora et illo quadruple longiora, etiam postick quilm anterihs paulb latiora, nitida, basi fulvo-rufescentia, marginibus lateralibus posticisque rufis, disco piceo, obsoletissimk punctata, mar- gine externo et apicali fasciculis aliquot setarum rigidarum rufarum. Corpus subths pallid^ testaceum nitidum. Pedes nigro-picei, mediocres ; femoribus cylindricis, posticis cras- sioribus ; tibiis vix compressis ; tarsis rufis. Of this pretty nondescript species, which is nearly allied to P. thoracicus, I have seen only a single specimen contained in the cabinet of the British Museum, and which, solely in con- sequence of the wish expressed by me to describe and figure the new unnamed species of Paussus contained in that cabinet, was immediately designated by the manuscript name which I have adopted above, although I regret to state, that the species belonging to the neighbouring, and indeed I might add, to the majority of the genera of insects contained in that national repository, still for the most part remain unnamed and in con- fusion. 4 N VOL. XVI. The 640 Mr. J . 0. Westwood on the Paussida, The curious fascicles or bundles of short, rigid, red hairs which are observed on the margins of the elytra are peculiarly characteristic of the species. Species 6. Paussus tiioracicus. Donovan. Tab. XXXIII. Fig. 28—30. P. ferrugineo-testaceus, elytris disco lateribusque fuscis, an- tennarum clavd oblong& compress^ trigond, latere interno acuto, externo excavato, cavitate ovali, marginibus den- ticulatis. Paussus thoracicus. Donovan, Epitome Ins. Ind. t. 4. f. |. Rees’ Encycl. Entomology, pi. 8. Jig. 11. 11*, sine de- scriptione. Paussus trigonicornis. Latreille, Genera Crustaceorum, $c. vol. iii. p. 3. pi. 11./. 8. Schonh. Syn. Ins. vol. i. p. 3. p. 19* Habitat Indifi Orientali ; Bengal. Dorn. Fichtel. Long. corp. lin. 3-j. In Mus. Brit., Soc. Linn. Lond., Kirby, Haworth, B. Clark, Latreille (nunc Dejean). Subcylindricus, rufo-testaceus. Caput thorace antico subaequk latum, margine antico acuto, emarginato, vertice arcu du- plici elevato, centroque varih impresso, et prominulo coro- nato. Palpi ut in congeneribus. Antenna articulo apicali compresso, oblongo trigono, latere interno acuto, externo vel postico in naviculam vel cavitatem oblongo-ovalem lon- gitrorshm excavato, punctorum impressorum vel denticula- tionum serie ex illius utroque margine, angulo basali acuto. Thorax bipartitus, sulco postico; medio transversh profundh- que excavato, parte antic& et eminenti postich in medio emarginata ejusdem angulis lateralibus acutis. Elytra nigra, basi et apice rubro-ferrugineis, margine externo setis ali- quot rigidis hispido, ejusdem angulo apicali incrassato. • Pedes 641 a Family of Coleopterous Insects. Pedes elongati ; tibiis 4 anticis tenuibus ; posticis com- presso-sublatioribus ad apicem paulb angustioribus. This species appears to be the least rare of the genus. It varies in size, one of the three specimens in the British Museum cabinet being considerably smaller than the others. The legs are longer and slenderer than in the majority of the species. The dark colour of the disk of the elytra is more suffused than in the next species, extending to the sides. The observation of Latreille upon this species, (the name of which he has unnecessarily altered to ‘ trigonicornis ,’) “ P. li- neato proximus et fortk varietas elytris latihs nigris,” appears to me to be incorrect, that species belonging, as I imagine, to the second section, and in structure being nearly allied to P. affinis and Hardwickii. Species 7. Paussus Eichtelii. Donovan. Tab. XXXIII. Fig. 31—33. P. testaceus elytris fuscis, lateribus, basi apiceque testaceis, thorace subbipartito ; antennarum clavA oblongA, latere interno acuto, externo excavato, cavitate pyriformi, mar- ginibus denticulatis. Paussus Fichtelii. Donovan , Epit. Ins. Ind. pi. 4,.f. ***. Rees’ Encycl. vol. xxvi. sub genere “Paussus,” pi. 8. fig. 12. <£ 12*, sine descriptione. Habitat IndiA Orientali ; Bengal. Dom. Fichtel. Long. corp. (secundum figuram Donovani) lin. 2j-. In Mus. Kirby. Parvus subcylindricus. Pausso thoracico maxirnk affinis. Dif- fert praecipuk magnitudine minori, antennarum articuli apicalis formA diversA et excavatione pyriformi nec ovali; thorace sub-bipartito, elytrorumque marginibus lateralibus basi apiceque testaceis, pubescentibus. 4 n 2 Not 6‘42 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussidce, Not having seen this species, I have been compelled to de- duce the character detailed above from Donovan’s short specific description and figure ; and I doubt not that they will be con- sidered sufficient to have warranted him in regarding this as specifically distinct from P. thoracicus, although Donovan was inclined to think they might ultimately prove to be the sexes of the same species. Of these characters, the most material are the variation in the form of the excavation of the last joint of the antennae, and in the thorax ; and as it appears from Afzelius’s description of P. sphcerocerus that the sexes do not vary in the formation of these organs, I am induced with Donovan to regard them as distinct, rather than run the hazard of uniting what Nature has apparently separated*. # Since the preceding observations were written, the Rev. William Kirby has, in the most obliging manner, brought up to London for my inspection his collection of Paussidce, including two specimens which he purchased at the sale of Mr. Francillon’s cabinet, one of them being the P. thoracicus, and the other a specimen which is decidedly the P. Fichtelii. From a minute comparison of these specimens, I now find that I did not err in considering the species as distinct. 1 have accordingly in- troduced into the plate several outline figures drawn from Mr. Kirby’s specimen of P. Fichtelii in lieu of the tracing from Donovan’s figure, which I had originally in- serted. On comparing these with the original figures which I have given of P . thora- cicus, other material specific differences will be perceived in addition to those stated above. The general shape of the antennae and the number of elevations on the ridge of the excavation of those organs are different ; the keel-like anterior margin of the clava is acute, and extends to the base in P. thoracicus; but in P. Fichtelii its anterior margin is obtuse and irregular. The front of the head is more emarginate in P. tho- racicus, and is more distinctly quadrate behind the eyes than in P. Fichtelii; whilst the excavation on the crown of the head of the latter is oval and much deeper than in P. thoracicus, in which it is somewhat square behind. The difference in the forma- tion of the thorax will at once be perceived; its posterior angles in P. thoracicus are dark piceous. The colouring of the elytra scarcely affords a specific character, neither of the species being so strongly marked as in Donovan’s figures; but in P . thoracicus the lateral margins of those organs are furnished with strong bristles, whilst in P. Fich- telii they are simply pubescent. Species a Family of Coleopterous Insects. 643 Species 8. Paussus pilicornis. Donovan. Tab. XXXIII. Fig. 34. P. testaceus, elytris piceis, thorace bipartito ; antennarum clav& oblongfi, apice attenuate, incurvfi, pilis longis sparsis. Paussus pilicornis. Donovan, Epit. Ins. Ind. pi. Paussus, fg. *** . Paussus pectinicornis. Rees Eneycl. Entomology, pi. 8. fg. 13. $ 13*. sine descriptione. Habitat Indid Orientali ; Bengal. Dom. Fichtel. Long. corp. (e fig. Donovani) lin. 2. Parvus, tenuior, testaceus. Caput thoracis portione anticd an- gustius. Antenna articulo ultimo oblongo, apice attenuato, incurvo, pilis longis sparsis. Thorax bipartitus, portio an- tica lateribus acuta, portioque postica mult5 angustior late- ribus rotundatis. Elytra thorace basi latiora, etiam postic& quam antick paulb latiora, picea. Fedes graciles. I have never seen this species, and have therefore been compelled to draw the above description from Donovan's short specific character and figure ; and, as that author remarks, it altogether differs in the formation of the terminal joint of the antennae from the other species, being entire, not exca- vated, and slightly beset with hairs. It appears to be allied to P. Linncei. Sectio II. Thorax subcontinuus. Species 9- Paussus sph./erocerus. Afzelius. Tab. XXXIII. Fig. 35. P. rufo-castaneus, nitidissimus, angustior, subcylindricus ; ca- pite vertice cornu parvo conico, erecto, pilis terminato, in- structo ; 644 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussidce, structo; antick subemarginato ; antennarum clav& sphaeric&, magnitudine capitis, vesicae inflatae simili, incarnate semi- pellucid^. sublivid&, caring minute, vertice tuberculo unico pilifero castaneo terminate, instructs ; etiam basi externe in hamulum conicum apice piloso, castaneura, producto. Palpis ut in speciebus reliquis, labio apice detlexo et ferb truncato, carinA, sulco destitute ; thorace capitis latitudine, parum inaequali, supra subdepresso, et vix bipartito, parte antidi subelevatii, lateribus rotundatis, postick subemar- ginatfi, parteque posticii lateribus rectis, margine anteriori, signo medio quadrate, depresso, nigrescenti posteriorique parhm elevate ; elytris abdomine brevioribus punctatis rufescentibus, pedibus longioribus gracilioribus subaequa- libus. P. sphaerocerus. Afzelius, Linn. Trans, vol. iv. p. 270. t. 22. f. 1 — 6. Weidem. Archiv. 1 — 2. p. 297. 2. Schonh. Syn. Ins. 1. pt. 3. p. 18. Sturm, Catalog, meiner Ins. Sarnml. pi. A. Jig. 31. Rees, Encycl. vol. xxvi. genus Pausus, sp. 2. Encycl. Lond. vol. xix. genus Paussus, sp. 2. pi. fig. 4, 5, 6. P. sphasroides. Donovan, Ins. Ind. sub genere Pausso. Habitat Sierra Leone. Dom. Afzelius. Long. corp. lin. 3^-. In Mus. Smith, olim (nunc Soc. Linn.), Marsham olim, et 'Afze- lius olim. I have not thought it necessary to detail the specific descrip- tion of this species, preferring rather to refer the entomologist to the original description of Afzelius of the six specimens stated by that author to have been brought by him from Sierra Leone : I have been able to inspect only that formerly con- tained in the cabinet of Sir J. E. Smith, and now belonging to the Linnean Society. To this insect is attached a label with the observations, “ Novum genus S. Leone, Afzelius. Antennis apice 645 a Family of Coleopterous Insects. apice globoso lucentibus.” From this specimen the accom- panying sketch was taken. I may be here allowed to correct the reference to the parts of fig. 3. in the plate accompanying Afzelius’s paper, in which b. represents the ball of the pedicle of the antennae, and not the hook of the clava, which is repre- sented by fig. d, and not, as stated in the description of the plate, by fig. b. Species 10. Paussus armatus. Dejean. Tab. XXXIII. Fig. 62— 64. P. oblongus, angustior, obscurb rufescenti-fuscus, capitis vertice spina erects acutS laevi ; antennarum clavS subrotundatS depressS, basi extern^ in spinam producto, thorace postick paulb angustiori et in medio valdb excavato. Paussus armatus. Dejean Mss. Habitat in SenegaliS. In Mus. Dejean (e Mus. D. Latreille), Dupont. Long. corp. lin. 5. Nova species. Oblongus, angustus, subdepressus, toto obscurk rufescenti-fuscus, punctatissimus, subpubescens, vix niti- dus. Caput magnum thoracis latitudine ferb hexangulare, antick emarginatum, subdepressum, ante oculos paulb plhs productum quSm in speciebus reliquis ; vertice inter oculos spinS. erectS acutS parvS laevi, lineSque tenui impressS ante oculos e margine capitis fer& ad ejus verticem utrinque obliquk, ducta. Oculi magni. Antennarum clava thorace major, basi subemarginatb truncata, lat& ovalis, margine externo prope basin emarginatb contracta, indk basis ipse externus in spinam acutam produci videtur ; disco suprS subthsque convexo, margine omni acuto setigero. Thorax paulb longior quam latior, parte anticS (tertiam thoracis partem occupante) utrinque obliqub rect&que dilatatS indk posticfe 646 Mr. J. 0. Westwood on the Paussida, postick pauld latiori et elevatiori planft, in duabus partibus linefi, impressa longitudinali centralique divisS ; parte pos- tica angustiori (praesertim ad ejus basin) in medio exca- vatione oblonga. Elytra thorace latiora, lineari-oblonga, subdepressa, abdominis apicem non tegentia. Pedes me- diocres femoribus tibiisque subcylindricis hirsutis, tarsis tibiarum crassitudine hirtis. This is a very remarkable species : the elongation of the body, the structure of the antennae, thorax, tarsi, and spinous head at once distinguish it from all the other species, and are so remarkable, that I have no doubt, when the trophi are care- fully examined, sufficient variation from the typical formation will be discovered to warrant the establishment of it as a distinct genus. I regret that I was unable to examine these organs in the specimen preserved in the collection of M. le Comte Dejean, from which the above description and accompanying drawing were made, and which originally formed part of that of M. La- treille. It is therefore only provisionally that I place it amongst the Paussi near to P. splucrocerus, to which in some respects it most nearly approaches. Species 11. Paussus affinis mihi. Tab. XXXIII. Fig. 36, 37. P. castaneo-rufescens, elytrorum disco nigro, thorace supnt in- aequali lateribns antice rotundatis ; antennarum clava sub- ovata, subconvexci, basi extern^ in spinam exeunte. Habitat ? Long. corp. lin. S\. In Mus. Brit, (sub nomine Ms. “ lineatus”). Nova species. Subcylindricus, nitidus, tenuissime punctatis- simus, et subpubescens. Caput thoracis latitudine, porrec- tum, 647 a Family of Coleopterous Insects. turn, subtriangulare, supra subconvexum, castaneo-rufum, posticb in collo angustiori productum, margine antico paulb emarginato. Oculi magni laterales. Palpi ut in con- generibus rufo-castanei. Antenna rufo-castanea?, articulo lmo brevi cylindrico, apice obliquo, ultimo magno sub- ovato, subdepresso, basi truncato et externh in spinam obtusam producto, latere externo marginato. Thorax rufo- castaneus subcylindricus, anticb supra paulb elevatus sub- depressus, lateribus rotundatis et postick parte antidi an- gustior. Elytra subdepressa ex oblongo-quadrata, thorace ferb duplb latiora et abdominis longitudine tenuissime pubescentia et punctatissima rufo-castanea, singuli disco nigro. Pedes rufo-castanei, longi, tenues, tibiis subcylin- dricis. It will be seen that this species (which now stands in the cabinet of the British Museum under the name of P. lineatus ,) agrees in the majority of its characters with the description given by Thunberg of that species. The variation in the formation of the clava of the antennae and the rounded an- terior margins of the thorax are, however, characters sufficient to distinguish it as a species. I have seen but one specimen, and I regret that I have not been able to obtain any informa- tion respecting its habitat, &c. Species 12. Paussus lineatus. Thunberg. Tab. XXXIII. Fig. 38. P. rufescens, elytrorum disco nigro, thorace inaequali lateribus anticb unispinosis, antennarum clav& magna, apice obtusfi, basi externb in spinam exeunte. Paussus lineatus. Thunb. Act. Holm. 1781. p. 171. pi. 3. jig. 4. # 5. Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. 2. 75. 2. Ilerbst, Syst. Ins. Col. vol. xvi. 4 o vol. 6‘48 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussida, vol. iv. p. 102. t. 39- fig- 7 a. b. Afzelius , Linn. Trans, iv. 272. Schonh. Syn. Ins. v. 1. p. 3. pi. 19- Rees’ Encycl. vol. xxvi. Genus Pausus, no. 4. Encycl. Londinensis, vol. xix. Genus Pausas, no. 4. Cerocoma lineata. Fair. Ent. Syst. 1. 2. 82. Habitat ad Caput Bonae Spei. Dom. Thunberg. In Mus. ? “ Magnitudo Carabi 4-pustulati.” Thunb. Long. corp. (e fig. Thunbergii) nunc 3^. Corpus oblongo-depressum, rufescens, glabrum. Caput sub- orbiculato-angulatum, punctis depressis, inaequalk margi- natum, oculis nigris, collo cylindrico a thorace separatum. Antenna, biarticulatae, articulus infimus sessilis subulatus, supremus duplb crassior (et e figure duplb longior), com- pressus, obtusus, basi truncatus, angulo exteriore in spinam exeunte. Thorax inaequalis, lateribus utrinque unispinosis, antick elevatus ; postick rotundatus, foveis in medio tribus impressus. Pedes unguiculati. I have been under the necessity of deriving the preceding characters from Thunberg’s original description and figure, not having met with this species in any of the cabinets which I have examined ; the insect thus named in the cabinet of the British Museum (although it agrees with it in the majority of the cha- racters given above,) materially differing in the shortness and thickness of the club of the antenna;, and in the thorax, which has the anterior sides rounded and not spinose, with one and not three central fovese. 1 am not convinced that this species ought not to be inserted in the first section of the genus ; al- though I have, from its apparent general resemblance with the preceding and subsequent species, introduced it here. Species a Family of Coleopterous Insects. 649 Species 13. Paussus Haudwickii mi hi. Tab. XXXIII. Fig. 39, 40. P. castaneo-rufus, elytris plag& longitudinali nigr&, antennarum clav4 elongate lineari subconvex&; basi extern^ in hamum producto, apiceque rotundato. Habitat Nepalici, Ind. Orient. Dom. Hardwicke. In Mus. Hardwicke, Haworth. Long. corp. lin. 3 Nova species. Castaneo-rufus, subdepressus, nitidus, tenuissime punctatus, subpubescens. Caput porrectum, subtrigonum, thoracis latitudine, antick subemarginatum, utrinque inter oculos longitudinaliter obsolete canaliculatum, etiam im- pressione tenui, e clypeo ad verticem duct&, postick collo instructum. Oculi magni laterales. Palpi ut in congene- ribus. Antenna capite cum thorace pauld longiores, arti- culo basali nitido subcylindrico, apicali opaco punctatissimo elongato-lineari, utrinque tenuh marginato, postich vel ex- ternh subconvexo, margine antico magls depresso acuto recto; postico subrecto, antico subparallelo, tuberculis non- nullis rotundis minutis marginalibus, apice rotundato, basi obliquh truncato et in hamum subarcuatum obtusum, sub apicem setigerum, producto. Thorax capite paul6 longior, postick angustior; anticfe subconvexus elevatus, lateribus rotundatis, line& tenuissimd elevate longitudinali in medio, portio postica in medio in fossulam transversam excavata, ponh-versus convexa, lateribus posticis paul6 divergentibus. Scutellum minutissimum. Elytra abdomine pauld breviora, thoraceque multd latiora et illo tripld longiora, posticd pauld latiora, basi utrinque transversd depressa, disco sub- depresso, lateribus magis convexis, marginibus deflexis, castaneo-rufa, singuli disco plag& lat& longitudinali nigr&, 4 o 2 nitida 650 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussidce, nitida punctissima subpubescentia. Abdomen segmento anali rotundato, marginato. Pedes longiores, tenuiores, subcompressi. Subtus testaceo-rufus. Three individuals of this species were brought from Nepaul by Major-General Hardwicke, with whose name I have in- scribed it All the specimens agree with each other in the formation of the antennae and other essential organs ; and I have therefore considered it as distinct from P. affinis, (to which in its general characters it is nearly allied, and of which or of P. lineatus it has been suggested that it may be one of the sexes,) for the reasons which induced me to regard the P. tho- racicus and Fichtelii as distinct. From the P. lineatus it is distinguishable not only in the formation of its antennae and thorax, but also from its geographical situation. The Rev. F. W. Hope, in his “ Synopsis of the new Species of Nepaul Insects in the Collection of Major-General Hard- wicke,” inserted in “Gray’s Zoological Miscellany,” has adopted my specific name for this insect (p. 27). Species 14. Paussus ruficollis. Fair. P. niger, thorace laevi ferrugineo, elytris strigd medid, margi- neque omni a strigd ad apicem ferrugineis antennis mag- nis, clavatis, irregularibus, ferrugineis, clavd elongatd in- tegrd. Cerocoma ruficollis. Fabr. Ent. Syst. 3. 1 . part. 2. p. 83. Paussus ruficollis. Afzelius, Linn. Trans, vol. iv. p. 273. Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. 2. 75. Schonh. Syn. Ins. 1. part. 3. Rees' Encycl. vol. xxvi. Genus Pausus, sp. 5. Encycl. Lond. vol. xix. Genus Pausus, no. 5. Habitat — • — ? “ In Mus. Dom. Lund,” Fabr. Magn. ? Parvus, 651 a Family of Coleoptei'ous Insects. Parvus, statura P. microcephali et lineati, niger. Caput mag- num. Antennce magnae, clavatae, irregulares, ferrugineae, biarticulatae, clav& elongate integral. Thorax laevis, ferru- gineus, immaculatus. Elytra strig5 medifi, margineque omni a strig& ad apicem ferrugineis. Pedes nigri. I have been compelled, in consequence of not having met with any specimen of the genus agreeing with the description given of this species by Fabricius in the Entomologia Systema- tica, (to which no additional description is given in the Systema Eleutheratorum ,) to draw the above characters from the Fabri- cian specific description : I consequently place it in this section with doubt. In addition to the preceding species, Latreille in the Nouveau Dictionnaire d’Hist. Nat. vol. xxv. p. 58. states, that “M. Gat- toire en a trouv6 une esp&ce a l’lle de France.” The species is not, however, mentioned, but from its geographical habitat it would appear to be a distinct species : indeed, in his new work, Cours d’Entomologie, vol. i. p. 298, Latreille mentions this as “une espbce inedite.” Genus 3. IIylotorus. Dalman, Latr. Paussus. Gyll., Schonh. Type of the Genus, Pausus Bucephalus, Gyll., Schonh. Corpus subdepressum, breve, obtusum, capite lato, in thoracem posticfe immerso ; elytris vix thorace latioribus, apice trun- catis. Caput magnum, convexum, rotundatum, thoracis latitudine et in illo posticb fer& ad oculos immersum ; collo nullo, fove5 magna, ovata, impressione profundfi inter oculos et antennarum basin, pro receptione clava 3 anten- narum ; ocellis vel tuberculis duobus, verticalibus, mamil- latis. 652 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussida, latis. Oculi parvi depressi oblongi. Trophi nondum de- scripti. Antenna capite vix longiores, articulo lmo brevi, lato, in medio emarginato, 2do ? parvo subgloboso, emar- ginaturae prioris inserto ; ultimo magno (magnitudine ca- pitis dimidio,) ovato-lanceolato, compresso, subths vel posterihs convexo, suprb vel anterihs concavo, apice acuto antrorshm flexo. Thorax brevis, transversus, anticb multb latior, capiti aequalis et illud ambiens, basi apiceque trun- catus, suprb, inaequalis, praesertim pone medium. Scu- tellum mediocre, triangulare. Elytra thoracis antico vix latiora, oblongo-quadrata, basi ipsd transversim impressa, lateribus inflexo-sinuata, apice truncata, anum occultantia, suprb convexa. Ala amplae. Abdomen breve, retusum. Pedes breves, validi, femoribus tibiisque valdh compressis, dilatatis, tarsis brevibus, cylindricis, ut videtur 4-articula- tis, primis tribus brevissimis, coarctatis, pilosis ; 4to lon- giore, nudo, unguibus duobus parvis arcuatis armato. The detailed specific description of Paussus Bucephalus given by Gyllenhal in the Appendix to Schonherr’s Synonymia ln- sectorum, and the accompanying figure, together with the obser- vations upon the species by Dalman in the Analecta Entomolo- gica, and those by Latreille in the new edition of the Regne Animal , vol. v. p. 93. have enabled me to draw the preceding characters of this otherwise undescribed genus. Dalman ob- serves, “ Hanc speciem a reliquis Pausis nimis distare et vix ejusdem esse generis, facile sibi persuasius habebit, qui, in Schcenherri Syn. iii. App. tab. 6. figuras hujus et Pausi den - ticornis” ( Platyrhopalus unicolor mihi) “ comparare voluerit. Etenim in illo et ceteris veris Pausis, caput thorace multo est minus, oculi verb magni, et prominentes ; cum in Pa?iso Buce- phalo, caput thoracis latitudine, oculi minuti, et os etiam alis modo a Family of Coleopterous Insects. 653 modo conformatum videatur, alias minoris raomenti discrepan- tias, ut praetermittam. Accedunt characteribus suprk recusitis, ocelli, in paragrapho prascedenti laudati ; unde satis ratio ap- paret quare hoc insectum proprii sit habendum generis, quod Hylotorus nobis nominatur ; intermedium forth inter Pausos genuinos et Platypodes And the following is the paragraph referred to in the preceding extract; “ De ocellis Coleopte- rorum : — ocellos quosdam me observasse in Pauso Bucephalo, eosque satis accurate depinxisse in Appendice ad Schcenherri Syn. Ins. i. tab. 6, 2, c etsi cl. Gyllenhal speciem describens non ocellos sed tubercula verticalia mamillata dixerit.” Bearing in mind the observations upon the affinities of the family given above, I cannot consider the remark made by Dalman upon the situation of the genus as founded upon actual affinity. It is indeed to be regretted, that Gyllenhal has omitted to give any account of the structure of the trophi, which might have afforded some additional information upon the subject ; and the magnified figure given by Schonherr of the head is very obscure in regard to the structure of these organs. In addition to the distinguishing characters mentioned by Dalman may also be noticed the immersion of the head nearly to the eyes in the anterior cavity of the thorax, without the intervention of any neck, — a character not found in the two preceding or two subsequent genera, and sufficient of itself to show that the genus, if here placed, unnaturally separates Pa ussus and Platyrhopalus. To both these genera, however, and especially to the latter, it is evidently allied, from the sub- bipartite formation of the thorax, which is evidently traceable in the deeply impressed transverse striga. Species 654 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussida, Species 1 . Hylotorus Bucephalus. GylL, Schonh. Tab. XXXTII. Fig. 41, 42. H. totus pallidb testaceus, glaber, oculis nigris, thorace posticfe transversb sulcato. Pausus Bucephalus. Gyllenhal in Schonh. Syn. Ins. vol. i. p. 3. App. p. 15. tab. 6. /. 2. § f. 2 c. caput raagn. auct. Hylotorus Bucephalus. Dalman, Analect. Ent. p. 103. Latreille , Regne Animal, 2nde edit. vol. v. p. 93. Habitat Sierrd Leone, Africd. Bom. Afzelius. In Mus. Schonherr. Long. corp. (e figura Schoenherri) lin. 2*. Magnitudine Anobii mollis aequalis, et colore similis, pallidb tes- taceus, glaber, nitidus. Caput fronte linefi. impress^, posticb bifid5, ramulis in tuberculis duobus vel ocellis desinentibus. Oculi nigri. Antenna corpore concolores, articulis ut supra dictum. Thorax suprh inaequalis, pauld pone medium strig& angulata, valdb profunda, et antich postickque aliis obso- letissimis, transversim impressus. Scutellum concolor. Ely- tra testacea, nitida, laevia. Ala fusco-hyalinae. Corpus subths testaceum, punctulatum. Pedes pallid^ testacei. The specific characters given above are derived from Gyllen- hal’s description. I have not seen the species, which is the only one with which I am acquainted belonging to the genus. Genus 4. Platyriiopalus* mild. Paussus. Donovan, Gyll., Schonh., Dalm. Type of the Genus, Paussus denticornis, Don. Corpus depressum. Caput thorace minus, porrectum, subqua- dratum, postick in collum breve angustatum. Oculi magni, * IlXaibi, talus ; and ponaXov, clava ; in allusion to the broad flat terminal point of the antennae. prominuli, 655 a Family of Coleopterous Insects. prominuli, laterales. Labrum breve, subtriangulare, antick rotundatum. Mandibula corneae, tenuissimae, valdfe ar- cuatae, apice in dentem acutissimum terminato, intern^ uni- vel bi-den tatae. Maxilla parvae, lobo basali crustaceo, processu terminali vel interno piano, acuto, corneo, vald& compresso, mandibuliformi, latere interno uni- vel bi- dentato. Palpi maxillares ut in Paussis. Mentum breve, transversum, crustaceum, angulis anticis in spinam longam productis, etiam in medio, antick, paulti, subrotundk pro- ducto. Palpi labiales e&dem longitudine ut in Paussis, in lobos vel scapos duos, articuliformes, crassiores, intern^ connexos, insidentes, et inter mentum labiumque inserti, 3- articulati, porrecti, articulis longitudine subaequalibus, arti- culo lmo crassiori, 3tio tenuiori, apice acuto. Labium subquadratum, extern^ planum, antick integrum, angulis anticis rotundatis. Antenna magnae, articulis quasi duobus, priori minori, compresso, apice obliquk emarginato, angulo interiori supra producto, ferk conico; tunc articulus? par- vus, subglobosus, emarginaturae prioris immersus ; cui in- sidet articulus ultimus, maximus, planus, valdk depressus, et in priorem subtransversk impositus, margine omni com- presso, acuto, basi truncatus, et extern^ incisus, vel dentatus, etiam juxta basin supernk transversim impressus, (articulo- rum divisionem referens,) nec basi uncinatus. Thorax planus, brevis, transversus, latior, lateribus anticis rotun- datis. Elytra thorace multb latiora, postick subtruncata, oblongo-quadrata, depressa. Pedes breviusculi, crassi, tibiis dilatatis ; posticis extern^ in spinam parvam productis. larsi breves, articulis 4, (si articulus alius basalis ut in Pausso minutissimus est et vix discernendus,) articulis tribus basalibus, compressis, inttis pilosis ; articulo ultimo vol. xvi. 4 P longiori, 656 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussidce, longiori, leevi, tenuori, cylindrico, unguibus duobus. Ab- domen elytris pauld longius. I have considered myself warranted in regarding the charac- ters of the Paussus denticornis of Donovan and its affinities as indicative of a genus distinct from that of the true Paussi, not only in consequence of their dissimilar general external appear- ance or habit, but also of the variation exhibited in the lower parts of the mouth. The typical species appears to have been inserted in the genus Paussus by Donovan with a feeling of suspicion, since he states that, according to Afzelius’s characters, it should not come into that genus, the number of joints in the tarsi being only, as he in- correctly states, 3 : whereas, in the other species, the taisi aie 5- jointed, although, if not closely inspected, they appear 4-jointed. The essential generic characters of the insect were however omitted in Donovans short specific description. Gyllenhal, in the Synonymia Insectorum of Schonherr, vol. i. part 3 ; App. p. 14. tab. 6. fig. 1. (by a singular coincidence, evidently arising from similarity of structuie,) desciibed and figured a distinct species nearly allied to Donovan’s P. denti- cornis, under the same name. He, however, regarded it as a true Paussus, and thus shortly described its trophi : “ Os in- flexum brunneum, palpis crassis, pilosis, conicis vel extrorsum attenuate, ” evidently without noticing the peculiar structure of the latter organs. Dalman also in his observations upon the Paussus Bucephalus mentioned above, regarded the P . denticornis of Gyllenhal as a true Paussus, “ Etenim in illo et in ceteris veris Pausis, &c.” From the true Paussi, however, these insects appear sufficiently generically distinct ; since the flat, depressed body and thorax ; the a Family of Coleopterous Insects. 651 the regular shape of the latter, scarcely exhibiting any appearance of the bipartite structure observable in Paussus ; the extreme flatness and breadth of the antennae ; the broad legs ; the very hairy basal joints of the tarsi; and, above all, the formation of the lower lip ( labium ) and its equal-jointed palpi, and the scapes upon which they are inserted, — cannot be regarded otherwise than as intimating a group generically distinct from the true Paussi. It may also be noticed, that the transverse impression near the base of the clava of the antennae appears to exhibit a ten- dency to an articulate structure, which is confirmed by the den- ticulations of its outer margin. This circumstance is particu- larly noticeable in P. aplustrifer, in which there are two of these impressions with their corresponding contractions or denticula- tions. The situation of the genus in the family appears to be between the species composing my second section of Paussus, and Cera- pterus. In their biarticulate antennae and the formation of their maxillary palpi they approach the former ; and in the general habit of their bodies, as well as in the formation of the basal joints of their tarsi, and in the tendency to articulation exhibited in the clava of their antennae, they approximate to Cerapterus. Species 1 . Platyiuiopalus denticornis. Don. Tab. XXXIII. Fig. 43—48. P. brunneo-rufescens, elytris dorso fuscis, sutura, latk ad basin, maculfique utrinque postiefe, rufescentibus ; antennarum clavd magnfi, latere omni acuto, juxta basin extern^ in- cisfi ; thorace antick utrinque rotundato-dilatato. Paussus denticornis. Donov. Epit. Ins. Ind. Paussus, no. 1. tab. 5. fig. 1. Rees’ Encycl., Fmtomology, pi. 8. fig. 10. & 10*. sine descriptione. 4 p 2 Habitat 658 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussida, Habitat in Indie Orientali. (Bengal. Bom. Fichtel.) In Mus. Brit. — Mus. Soc. Linn., Haworth, Vigors, Clark, De- jean, et Kirby. Long. corp. lin. 3£ ad lin. 5. Brunneo-rufescens, supni subdepressus, tenuiter pubescens, ni- tidus. Caput porrectum, subquadratum, transversum, an- tick emarginatum, et paulb deflexum ; longitudinaliter tenuk canaliculatum, postice in collum breve contractum. Oculi magni, laterales, prominuli, glauci. Palpi rufescentes, por- recti. Antenna brunneo-rufescentes, pilosae, articulo lmo difformi, lato ; apicali maximo, thorace majori, fere ovato, basi tamen subemarginatb truncato, suprtt in disco parhm convexo, subths magis gibboso, margine omni compresso acuto, supernb juxta basin (et cum eo parallelo) impres- sione transverse, quae, margine superiori vel externo in incisionem profundam at angustiorem, desinit, angulo ba- sali vel postico (dentem formante) extern^ subrotundato, incisione interne fere recte, indk dentis apex subobtusus apparet. Thorax brevis, transversus, basi apiceque trun- catus, antice mult6 latior et elevatior, lateribus rotundato- dilatatis, juxta vel paulb ante basin, subemarginatis, ibique depressus et utrinque fove& transverse brevi parv^; totus brunneo-rufescens, obsolete et parce punctatus, pubescens. Elytra thoracis antico latiora, et illo quadruple longiora, oblongo-quadrata, subdepressa, basi transverse impressa, abdomine breviora, fusco-rufescentia, disco nigro, suturee dimidio basali late, maculctque postica rotunde utrinque rufescentibus, subnitida, obsoletissime punctata. Abdomen elytris paulb longius, segmento anali rotundato. Pedes breviusculi, dilatati, tibiis latis, valde compressis, apice exteriore subspinosis. This 659 a Family of Coleopterous Insects. This species (which is easily characterizable from the macu- lation of its elytra) varies upwards of a line in length : the smallest individual which I have seen is contained in the cabinet of the Linnean Society, and is somewhat darker-coloured than the larger specimens. In consequence of the priority in the nomenclature of this species employed by Donovan, I have considered it proper to retain his specific name for it. The dissections of the genus represented in the plate were made from a duplicate specimen of this species contained in the cabinet of the Linnean Society, in which the various parts figured are deposited. The peculiar form of the external incision of the base of the antennae is carefully represented in the plate. Species 2. Platyrhopalus unicolor mihi. Tab. XXXIII. Fig. 49. P. totus brunneo-castaneus, antennarum clava magnfi ovata compress^ juxta basin externh incis5, thorace antich utrin- que rotundato-dilatato. Pausus denticornis. Megerle , IUig. Mag. 3. p. 113. not. (abs- que descript.) Gyllenhal in Schotih. Syn. Ins. tab. 1 . p. 3. App. p. 14. tab. 6. fg. 1. Schonh. id. p. 19. no. 5. Dalman, Anal. Ent. p. 103. sub Ilylotoro Bucephalo. Habitat in Indifi Orient. Dom. Prof. Schumacher . Long. corp. (sec. fig. Schonherri) lin. 4^. Magn. nat. Clero formicario latior sed in elytris brevior. In Mus. Schonherr, Gyllenhal, et Dejean. Totus brunneo-castaneus, supril subdepressus, tenuk pubescens, nitidus, obsolete punctatus, P. dentieorni Don. structural vald& affinis. Caput subquadratum, brunneum, nitidum, supra 660 Mr. J. 0 . Westwood on the Paussidce, suprb subdepressum, obsolete canaliculatum, et, e figurA Schonherri, vix antich emarginatum. Oculi glauci. An - tenner. articulo apicali tnaximo, fere piano, vel multum com- presso, ovali, in margine superiori vel externo profundb incisus. Thorax brevis, transversus, antich multo latior, lateribus rotundato-dilatatis, pone medium citb coarctatus, anterihs convexus, posterihs depressus, et strigA media transverse, abbreviate, impressus. Elytra humeris an- trorshm prominentibus, castanea, subnitida. Corpus sub- ths brunneo-castaneum, nitidum. Pedes breviusculi, pal- lidibs castanei, valdb compressi, tibiis dilatatis. The chief differences observable between this species (the material characters of which, in consequence of not having met with a specimen, I have abridged from Gyllenhal’s detailed specific description,) and Donovan’s P. denticornis are, the uni- formity of colour in the former, the apparently rounded front of its head, the sudden coarctation of the base of its thorax, and its “ striga media transversa, abbreviata.” In consequence of the priority of Donovan’s specific name denticornis, applied to the preceding species, I have considered it expedient to give this a name referring to the uniformity of its colour. Amongst the insects brought from Nepaul by Major-General Hardwicke, is a mutilated specimen of an insect intimately allied to the two preceding species, but apparently distinct from either of them. As the elytra, legs, and abdomen of the specimen are wanting, I am unable satisfactorily to ascertain its specific identity. The head and thorax, however, are smaller and darker-coloured than in P. denticornis Don. ; the thorax is proportionably rather longer ; the eyes are black ; the head is rounded and subdepressed in front and not emarginate ; the internal a Family of Coleopterous Insects. 66 1 internal margin of the clava of the antennae exhibits a stronger contraction at the base than in that species, and the incision on its outer edge is much wider, and the basal tooth very acute. (Tab. nostr. Fig. 50.) If ultimately found distinct, the species may receive the name of acutidens. I provisionally place in this genus the two following insects, not having had an opportunity of minutely examining their trophi : their general flattened appearance and the apparent in- dication of a rudimental notch at the base of the clava of their antennae approach the true Platyrhopali; whilst in some respects they agree with some of the Faussi , such as P. affinis , §c. I obtained a knowledge of them, as well as of the Paussus excavatus and P. armatus, during my visit to Paris in September 1830, subsequent to the reading of the commencement of this paper. Species 3. Platyrhopalus ? l^viprons. Dejean. Tab. XXXIII. Fig. 65—67. P. latus subdepressus toto obscurb rufo-castaneus, antennarum clavA ferb ovatA depressA basi truncatA, externb in unguem parvum producto, margineque externo quadri-subdentato, thorace utrinque anticb rotundato-dilatato. Paussus laevifrons. Dejean , Mss. Habitat in AfricA occidentali, SenegaliA. Dom. Dumolin. In Mus. Dejean, et Dupont. Long. corp. lin. 5. Species nova magnaque. Latus, subdepressus, punctatus, ob- scurb rufo-castaneus, subhirsutus, laevis, nitidus. Caput por- rectum, subquadratum, vertice convexo, laevi, anticb rotun- datum, posticb in collum breve productum. Oculi medio- cres. Antennarum clava magna ferb ovata depressa sc. suprA disco parflm convexo, subtfls etiam parflm convexo sed 662 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussidce, sed in medio disci subacutihs producta, basi subemarginatk truncata, angulo postico basali in dentem parvum producto latereque postico impressionibus 4 brevibus transversis, quae in dentibus minutissimis in marginem desinunt, margineque omni subacuto. Thorax ferk quadratus, subdepressus, bi- partitus, portio antica e posticA lineA impressA separata, elevatior et latior, lateribus rotundato-dilatatis, portio pos- tica in medio elevationi transverse, lateribus rectis, at in medio utrinque paululhm subacute productis. Elytra tho- racis antico latiora, oblongo-quadrata, subdepressa, abdo- mine paulb breviora, laevia, nitida, evidenter punctata. Pedes breves femoribus tibiisque dilatato-compressis. This fine species is unique in the magnificent collection of M. le Comte Dejean, who informs me that he now possesses between 20,000 and 21,000 species of Coleoptera. It is there- fore with the greatest pleasure that I take the present oppor- tunity of acknowledging my thanks to that distinguished ento- mologist for the kindness with which he allowed me to make use not only of this, but of various other valuable portions of his collections. Species 4. Platyriiopalus ? dentifeons. Dejean . Tab. XXXIII. Fig. 68—70. P. subcylindricus, ferrugineo-testaceus, antennarum clavA, brevi, latA, basi truncatA et in spinam obtusam externe productA, apieeque rotundato ; vertice spinA erectA setigerA ; thorace lateribus anticis rotundatis et dilatatis. Paussus dentifrons. Dejean, Mss. Habitat in SenegaliA. Dom. Dumolin. In Mus. Dejean, et Dupont. Long. corp. lin. 3|-. Nova 663 a Family of Coleopterous Insects. Nova species. Subcylindricus, toto ferrugineo testaceus, puncta- tissimus, nitidus, subpubescens. Caput latum, tliorace paulb minus, supra convexum, spind erects verticali, acutd, seti- gerd ; margine antico vix emarginato ; post oculos in col- lum contractual. Oculi magni laterales. Antenna articulo basali crasso, dilatato, clavdque brevi latd thorace pauld majori, subovatd, basi latiori, truncate et externh in spinam products, supra parhm convexa irregulari, eminentiis dua- bus (sc. basi et post medium,) subtCis mult6 convexiori praesertim in regionem basalem, margine omni acuto. Tho- rax capite pault) latior, subconvexus et quasi bipartitus, portio antica major elevatior, latior, lateribus rotundatis et e portione posticd impressione transversd tenui (at in medio profundiori, antich posticeque paulb productd) separata, portio postica brevis depressa, lateribus fert; rectis vel pos- tice paululdm olilique protensis. Elytra thorace latiora, subcylindrica, abdominis apicem non tegentia, oblongo- quadrata, nitida, evidenter punctatissima. Pedes breves, femoribus tibiisque compressis. I am indebted toM. le Comte Dejean for permission to describe and figure this species from his cabinet. It is with considerable doubt that I place it in the genus Platyrhopalus, (although the structure of the thorax and the flatness of the antennre approach the typical species of that genus,) the cornuted head appearing to give it an affinity with the Paussi, such as P.spharocerus, $c . : but from a note made in Paris, I have a slight idea that the labial palpi have the joints of equal length. 4 Q VOL. XVI. Species G6'4 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussidce , Species 5. Platyriiopalus ? aplustrifer mihi. Tab. XXXIII. Fig. 51. P. depressus, totus rufo-fulvus, antennarum clav& late, plana, extern^ spinis duabus acutis, thorace brevi piano, mar- ginibus anticis rotundatis, posticis dilatato-acutis, lobo trans verso basali. Habitat ? In Mus. Brit, (sub nomine Mss. “ Paussus tridenticornis”). Long. corp. lin. 3-§-. Species nova insignisque. Depressus, laevis, testaceo-fulvus, subpubescens. Caput subtriangulare, anticfe vix emargi- natum, convexum, basi in collum citb contractum. Oculi laterales, mediocres, prominuli. Mandibulce tebues, ar- cuatae, acutae. Palpi labiates breviores, triarticulati ? arti- culis subaequalibus ? Antennae pubescentes, articulo basali subcompresso, angulo superiori producto; apicali magno, vald& compresso, subovato, in articulum priorem subtrans- versk inserto, margine interno paulb rotundato-dilatato, apice rotundo, margineque externo ad basin impressioni- bus vel excisionibus duabus minutis subcontracto, (ad ar- ticulorum duorum basalium divisiones referentibus,) etiam ad medium marginis postici, spinis vel dentibus duobus longis acutissimis, basi latioribus, validis, instructo ; inter quos spatium vald& emarginatum. Thorax planus, capite latior, brevis, lateribus dilatatis, marginibus anticis rotun- datis posticisque acutb productis et quasi truncatis, angulis paulo elevatis, fove& utrinque basi minimi profundi, lobo basali transverso brevi e thoracis basi, fove& transverse tenuissima, separato (ut in genere Lebid). Elytra subde- pressa, oblongo-quadrata, basi thorace paulo latiora et illo ferk quadruple longiora leevia, basi transversim impressa, capite a Family of Coleopterous Insects. 665 capite thoraceque colore fulviori. Pedes longiores, sub- tenues, tibiis apice compressis, et utrinque spinfi minute armatis. Tarsi ut videtur 4-articulati. This remarkable species exhibits in its antenna? and thorax a structure totally unlike that of any other individual in the family. At the base of the terminal joint of the former organs we perceive two transverse depressions with small corresponding contractions on its outer edge, evidently indicative of two basal rudimental joints. The singular acute horns which arm the clava of the antennae, as well as the rounded anterior margins and acutely dilated posterior angles of the thorax with its short transverse basal lobe, — similar to that found in the genus Lebia , — will not fail to attract the attention. I regret that the only specimen with which I am acquainted, and which is contained in the cabinet of the British Museum, has unfortunately been pierced through the centre of the head, so that I cannot state so accurately as I could have wished the formation of the trophi ; one of the man- dibles, however, which is visible, is slender, acute, and bent at the tip. 'L’he maxillary palpi appear to resemble those of this genus, and the labial palpi seem (at least as well as I could examine them,) shorter than in the typical species, and com- posed of three subequal joints. In this uncertainty, therefore, I place the species in the present genus with doubt, although from its general appearance, depressed form, and the flatness and size of its antenna? and thorax, it seems to be referable to this rather than to the genus Paussus. The specimen stands in the British Museum cabinet under the manuscript name of “ Paussus tridenticornis,” a name so inappropriate, that I have not hesitated to alter it to that employed above, in allu- sion to the resemblance which the antenna? bear to a small military double-tongued banneret. From the manner in which 4 q 2 the 666 Mr . J. O. Westwood on the Paussida, the antenna; are situated upon the head, it appears to me that when alive the insect carries them with the spines pointing upwards, so that, probably, their flat inner surfaces may be applied to each other. I regret not having been able to obtain any information respecting its habitat. Genus 5. Cerapterus. Swed., Don., Latr $ c - Corpus depressum, capite minori, thorace majori, abdomine la- tiori. Caput thorace angustius, depressum, subtriangulare, posticb collo brevi, cylindrico, instructum. Oculi mediocres, globosi, laterales, valdb prominuli. Antenna capitis fronte inserts, pubescentes, perfoliate, 10-articulate, capite cum thorace pauld longiores, articulo lmo compresso, apice concavo clypeato, transverso ; articulis reliquis depressis, latis, articuli 2 — 9 equalibus depressis, brevibus, latissimis, parallels, et transversaliter impositis, ultimo in eodem cum reliquis piano, fere quartam partem antennae constituente, apice rotundato. Labrum, mandibulce , maxillce que minutae. Palpi elongati, inaequales; maiillares {maxilla, Swed. fig. 4. a,b.) longi, cornei, 4 ?-articulati, articulo penultimo apice crassiori, ultimo tenui acuto ; labiales crassiores, articulo ultimo longiori, latiori, depresso, truncato. Thorax planus, immarginatus, lateribus dilatatis. Scutellum mediocre, tri- angulare. Phjtra lata, planiuscula, elongato-quadrata, mar- ginibus lateralibus, inflexo-convolutis, apice subtruncata. Abdomen elytris paulb longius. Pedes breves, valdb com- pressi, lati. Tarsi angusti, filiformes, breves, articulis ba- salibus ciliatis, articulo ultimo longo, simplici. This genus was established by Swederus in the Transactions of the Swedish Academy, vol. ix. 1788, p. 203, for the recep- tion of an insect which he had received from General Davies of Blackheath. 667 a Family of Coleopterous Insects . Blackheath. The genus, however, remained unnoticed until Donovan described a second species in his Natural History of the Insects of New Holland, and also recorded the existence of a third, which had been consigned by Fichtel to the Imperial Cabinet at Vienna. The generic characters were not detailed by Donovan, with the exception of those drawn from the an- tennae. Latreille in his Genera Crustaceorum, tyc., evidently guided by Donovan’s work, and unacquainted with the original description of Swederus, gave the genus with characters drawn merely from the antennae, and with Donovan’s species as the type : and it is through this slight description alone that the French entomologists appear to be acquainted with the genus, since in the Encyclopedic Mclhodique the genus Cerapterus was entirely omitted in the Letter C. ; and the only notice of it in the later volume of that work, under the article raussus, omits all mention of the original species. It is with pleasure that I now give the characters of the genus in detail, which I have drawn from the generic and specific description of Cer. latipes given by Swederus, from the characters exhibited by Donovan’s figure of Cer. MacLeaii, and from an examination of the insect con- tained in the cabinet of the East India House subsequently mentioned. This examination, although merely external, has enabled me to state the formation of the terminal joints of the palpi, and thus to exhibit their resemblance in general forma- tion with the Paussi, thereby also proving that the disagreement appearing in the figures of these organs given by Swederus (tab. 6. f. 2, 3 Sc 4.) is produced by the incorrectness of the delineation of the maxillary palpi in the two former figures. In the latter figure (to which the detailed generic description of these organs alone refers) they are, however, correctly repre- sented, although we find that description, which is as follows, to be incorrect: “Osmaxillis palpisque. Palpi quatuor inasquales, ultimo 668 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Panssida , ultimo articulo longiori, latiori, depresso, truncato, tab. 6. f. 4. c, cl, c” (In the figure referred to, which is generally correct, there are, however, only two organs thus formed.) “ Maxilla (Mandibula Fabr .) brevis, apice cornea, arcuata, subulata, fig. 4. a, h.” (although the figure exhibits a pair of organs thus formed, which are, in fact, the maxillary palpi). The large size of the labial palpi compared with the maxillary, and their general structure, are singular characters. In respect to the former character they approach Pentaplatarthrus. The Cerapterus MacLeaii might indeed be considered as the connecting spe- cies between Paussus and Cerapterm ; but, at the same time, the flattened thorax and antenme of Platyrliopalus evidently exhibits great affinity between that genus and Cerapterus, al- though the joints of the palpi are comparatively much larger. Svvederus and Donovan were silent as to the number of joints in the tarsi ; and I regret not being able to supply the de- ficiency, from the circumstance of the only individual which I have been enabled to examine being the single specimen in the Javanese collection, which I consequently was unable to inves- tigate so minutely as I could have wished, as also from the basal joints being retracted within the hollowed tip of the tibia ; the terminal joint is, however, longer and flattened, and appa- rently broader at the base than at the tip. The basal joint of the antennae is broad and compressed, with the tip emarginate, and the second joint is inserted in the centre of this emargina- tion at right angles. The second and following joints are flat, broad, and depressed, and exhibit as singular an appearance as any antenna with which I am acquainted, and which together with the other characters will instantly distinguish this genus not only from the rest of the family, but from every other known genus. In the formation of the underside of the body this genus does not 669 a Family of Coleopterous Insects. not materially disagree from Pentaplalarthrus and Paussus ; and as both Swederus and Donovan have given figures of the under- sides of their respective species, I have not thought it material to add a similar representation of the Javanese specimen. Of the habits of the species nothing is recorded. Species 1 . Ceraptekus latipes. Swederus. C. latus, depressus, “ piceus, elytris macula flavescente/’ api- cali majuscula, “ pedibus latissimis, tarsis intra tibias, re- tractilibus.” C. latipes. Swed. Kongl. Vetensk. Acad. §c. T. 9- 1788. p. 203. pi. 6. Jig. 1. Don. Ins. New Holland (sub Cerapt. Mac- Leaii). Schonh. Syn. Ins. vol. i. p. 3. part. 19- no. 1. Habitat, vid. infrit. Long. corp. e figura Swederi, lin. 6. Magn. nat. Silpha? 4-ma- culatae. Swed. Corpus latum, depressum. “ Caput nigrum subpunctatum. Oculi albescentes. Antenna ferrugineo-piceae, hirtae ; palpi fer- ruginei, parhm liirti. Thorax planiusculus, antiefe et pos- tick truncatus, lateribus dilatatis, rotundatis, ferrugineo- piceus, hirtus, postic^que utrinque foveolatus. Scutellum majusculum, triangulare, glabrum, nigro-piceum. Elytra glabra, punctis minutissimis excavatis, inordinatis, apice truncata,” singula “ macula versus apicem majuscula, su- tura, margineque postico, flavescentibus. Pectus et Abdo- men ferrugineo-picea, parilm hirta. Pedes piceo-ferruginei, femoribus tibiisque brevissimis, latissimis, compressis, ele- vato-punctatis, parilm hirtis, tibiis intra femora retractilibus. Tarsi angusti, filiformes, breves, ciliati, intra tibias retrahi et celari possunt.” Obs. 1 . Primum pedum par abfuit. Obs. 2. In delineatione insecti Swederi (fig. 1 & 2.) macula? ely- trorum 6‘70 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussidce, trorum apicales quasi (at indistinct^) quadratae, apparent. Fig. 1. Insectum magnitudine naturali supnt visum. Fig. 2. Idem, magnitudine auctum, laterb visum. Fig. 3. Caput et thorax magn. plhs auct., laterh visa, antennarum formatio- nem exhibens. Fig. 4. Idem, palpos exhibens. Fig. 5. Insectum magn. auct., subths visum, f. Antenna aucta, laterb visa, g, h. Pedes aucti. Obs. 3. In figura 5, pedes 4 postici, multdm contracti, deline- antur, indb perbreves videntur. Obs. 4. In figuris 1 & 5. apex elytrorum subrotundatus nec trun- catus apparet. This species was described by Swederus as an inhabitant of Honduras in central America, from the Collection of General Davies of Blackheath in Kent. Mr. Donovan however states, upon the authority of that gentleman, that it came from Ben- gal. The specific characters introduced above in inverted commas, I have copied from the original description of the species, adding thereto such observations as appear necessary from a comparative consideration of the characters of the other species. Amongst the Javanese insects collected by Dr. Horsfield, and now deposited in the cabinet of the Museum of the East India Company, there is an individual belonging to this genus, of which, through the kindness of that gentleman, I am enabled to give the following description and accompanying figure. Tab. XXXIII. Fig. 52—36. C. latus, depressus, piceus, thorace brevi transverso, elytris ma- cula apicali, majuscula, irregulari, fulv5, pedibus latissimis, antennisque piceo-rufis. Habitat in Jav5. Dom. Horsfield. 671 a Family of Coleopterous Insects. Long. corp. lin. Lat. corp. 2£. In Mus. Soc. Merc. Ind. Orient. Corpus latum, depressum, nitidum, hirtum. Caput porrectum, suprii transversum, piceum, subnitidum, pilosum, sub- punctatum. Oculi mediocres, prominuli, laterales. Os in- tlexum ; palpis porrectis, crassis ; maxillaribus piceo-rufis ; labialibus pallidioribus. Antennae magnae, hirtee, piceo-rufae, articulorum 2 — 9 lateribus subparallelis. Thorax brevis, transversus, planus, capite latior, basi apiceque truncatus, antich latior, lateribus dilatatis, rotundatis, obscurh rufo- piceus, obsolete punctatus, liirtus, postich utrinque subfo- veolatus. Scutellum mediocre, triangulare, piceum. Elytra thorace latiora, et illo quadruple longiora, oblongo-qua- drata, basi e thorace paulo remota, lateribus inflexis, apice subtruncata, abdominis longitudine, supra subdepressa, pi- cea, nitida, singula macula versus apicem majuscule irre- gulari (sc. antich obtush tridentata) fulva, sutura rufe- scenti, basi hirta, nec nisi obsoletissimei punctata. Corpus subths rufo-piceum, nitidum, hirtum. Abdomen piceum. Fedes similes, breves, piceo-rufi, vald& compressi, femo- ribus tibiisque dilatatis, brevibus, latissimis, subpunctatis, parhm hirtis, tibiis intra femora retractilibus. Tarsi rufo- picei, breves, ciliati, intra tibiarum apices excavatos re- tractilibus. The chief characters in which the insect last described appears to disagree with the original description and figure of C. latipes, are the irregular form of the spot at the apex of the elytra, the apparently slight increase in the length of the legs, and in the suture being rufescent, and the apex of the elytra piceous. These differences may, however, be considered merely as apparent, since Swederus, as above observed, is not explicit VOL. xvi 4 R as 672 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussidce , as to the form of the apical spot in his species ; and the legs appear very short in his figure in consequence of their being very much retracted. Should, however, these differences actu- ally exist, I can scarcely consider them otherwise than as indi- cative of a variety, and not of a distinct species ; since in form, colour, and indeed in all other essential specific characters, Dr. Horsfield’s insect certainly appears to agree with that of Swederus. If, on the contrary, it should ultimately be ascer- tained that this insect is specifically distinct from the C. latipes, I propose that a specific name should be given to it commemo- rative of its learned capturer, by whose researches so many interesting novelties have been added to our zoological trea- sures, designating it consequently Cerapt. Horsjieldii, Westw. Species 2. Cerapterus MacLeaii. Donovan. Tab. XXXIII. Fig. 57. C. angustior, subdepressus, integrb brunneus, thorace subqua- drato, pedibus simplicibus. C. MacLeaii. Donovan , Insects of ~New Holland, Genus Cera- pterus, tab. 3. Latr. Genera Crustaceorum, §c. vol. iii. p. 4. Schonherr , Syn. Ins. vol. i. part. 3. p. 19- Encycl. Method. sub art . “ Paussili”. Habitat in Nov& Hollandid. Long. corp. (e figura Donovani) lin. 5 4 L . In Mus. D. Francillon olim. Corpus angustius, subdepressum, nitidum, integre brunneum. Caput latum, porrectum, rotundatum ; oculi magni promi- nuli. Antenna majores, articulo ultimo permagno, punc- tato, apice rotundato. Thorax subquadratus, capite vix latior, angulis anticis rotundatis, posticis acutis. Elytra oblongo-quadrata, thorace paulb latiora, apice subtruncata, abdomine a Family of Coleopterous Insects. 673 abdomine pauld breviora. Pedes longiores, femoribus tibiis- que simplicibus. This species was received by the late Mr. Francillon from New Holland, and was figured by Donovan in his work upon the insects of that country. I am not aware in whose possession the original specimen is at present. It differs materially from the C. latipes not only in its uniform brunneous colour, but also in its narrow form and more slender legs. The preceding specific characters are chiefly derived from Donovan’s figure of the species, his description being very short. Mr. Donovan also speaks of another species of this genus brought from Bengal by M. Fichtel, who consigned it to the Imperial Cabinet at Vienna, of which, however, he has unfortu- nately omitted to give the characters, and, as far as I have been enabled to ascertain, the entomologists of that city have not yet supplied the deficiency. Genus 6. Trociioideus* mihi. Pausus, Dalman. Corpus subovatum, subconvexum. Caput subtriangulare, apice tamen truncato, collo postico nullo. Os aliquanthm pro- ductum. Labrum integrum. Mandibula breves, labro ferk tectae. Palpi maxillares filiformes, crassiusculi, 3-articu- lati, articulis aequalibus, lmo 2doque breviter obovatis, apicali conoideo. Palpi labiales brevissimi. Antenna. spadiceae, clavfi magnet obovatfl, in capitis apice insert®, supra os, ab oculis aliquanthm remotae, longitudine circiter capitis cum thorace, articulus lmus sat longus obovatus vel pyriformis, 2dus parvus breviter obconicus (ad articuli 2di basin, certo situ, articulus alius minutissimus apparere * Tgo^osiSijf, rotundus; in allusion to the rounded apex of the elytra. 4 r 2 videtur. 674 Mr. J. 0. Westwood on the Paussida, videtur, qui vero, vix nisi praecedentis radicula,) tota quae restat antennae pars, clavam format permagnam, cras- sam, parhm compressam, obovatam, summo apice tamen tumescenti. Haec clava, sub oculo armato, articulata attamen videtur, scilicet articulo basali brevi, semilunari, 2do maximo clavam veram constituente, apicali brevi sub- mamillari tumido, his omnibus tamen sic intimb connatis, ut difficile distinguuntur. Clava subths visa, fere instar cochleae duplicatae. Oculi laterales, parvi, rotundati, integri, parhm prominuli. Ocelli nulli. Thorax quam longus latior, marginatus, subcordatus, basi apiceque tamen truncatus, angulis anticis rotundatis posticis subrectis, supn\ convexus, (canalicula dorsali ?). Scutellum parvum triangulare. _ Ely- tra fer& obovata, scilicet, jam ad basin thorace manifesto latiora, versus medium aliquantum dilatata, posterihs an- gustata, apici rotundata dorso convexa. Pedes breviusculi, mutici, antici basi approximate postici verb insertione a se invicem valde distantes, femoribus subclavatis, elytrorum apicem haud attingentibus. Tibia, muticae, compressae, posticae paulb curvatae. Tarsi graciles, longitudine dimidiae tibiae, 4-articulati, articuli 1, 2, 3 minuti, brevissimi, api- calis longitudine praecedentium conjunctim, biunguiculatus. Abdomen planiusculum, segmentis 6, lmo reliquis multb majore, anali minuto. The preceding are the generic characters of an extremely interesting insect described by Dalman in his paper “Om In- sekter unneslutne i Copal, & c” published in the Transactions of the Swedish Royal Academy for 1825 ; but regarding which (notwithstanding Dalman has observed that the antennae are of the “ forma singularis Pauso propria/’ adding, “ De genere haud dubiio, attamen characteres insecti genus proprib designan- tes, adjungere licet”), I feel convinced that no one, consider- ing 675 a Family of Coleopterous Insects. ing its form and characters with reference to any of the pre- ceding genera, will be disinclined to admit that we should be sacrificing the principles adopted by all modern entomologists, were we to regard it as congenerous with the true Paussi. In- deed I cannot but think that its peculiar form, together with the structure of its palpi, clearly prove not only the correctness of such a step, but also show that, if we even consider it as belong- ing to the family, a very aberrant situation must be assigned to it, since it appears to me clearly to point the way to some other group. And I likewise feel convinced that every friend of entomological science will rejoice that Dalman's “ specimen unicum,” although “ copalo inclusion,” was “ optimh conserva- tum et examinatu sat facile, nisi quod attinet ad pedes ante- riores sub corpore retractos.” The generic characters given above are selected from Dal- man’s detailed specific description, and exhibit several peculiar variations in structure. The general habit or facies of colour- ing of the insect, the form of the head, thorax and elytra, the length and slenderness of the legs, the formation of the maxil- lary, and the extreme minuteness of the labial palpi, are cha- racters which evidently intimate a connexion with other families; while at the same time the antenna? (although the increased size of the second joint, and the rudimental articulations in the clava are worthy of notice,) evidently, as Dalman has remarked, ex- hibit the general “ forma singularis Pauso propria.” Species 1 . Trochoideus cruciatus. Dalman . Tab. XXXIII. Fig. 58, 59- T. ferrugineus, elytrorum basi apiceque fuscis, suturfi fascki- que medi& brunneis. Pausus cruciatus. Dalman , Kongl. Vetensk. Acad. Handl. 1825. p. 400. sp. 3. tab. 5. Jig. 9 — 11. Habitat 676 Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussida, Habitat . Long. corp. vix lin. l^- Paris. Caput fusco-brunneum, lasve. Os cum palpis lutescens, mandi- bulse pallidae. Antenna geniculis apiceque rufescentibus, oculo armato subtilissimk pubescentes. Oculi albi cum macula rufa. Thorax fusco-brunneus, margine laterali dor- soque dilutioribus, rufo-ferrugineis, subtilissimk pubescens. Scutellum ferrugineum. Elytra flavo-ferruginea, margine obscuriori et regione scutelli infuscata, per elytrorum me- dium fascia transversa, dorso brunnea, ad latera nigricans ; et versus apicem iterhm fascia nigro-fusca, relicto tamen ipso apice rufo-piceo, sutur& rufo-pice& cum fascia medi& crucem formante. In singulo elytro stria obsoleta juxta su- turam, de cetero elytra omninb leevia, nec punctata videntur, sed pube brevissima obducta. Corpus subths rufo-ferrugi- neum, immaculatum, la?ve, pectoris postici canalicul& tenui. Pedes ferruginei femoribus obscurioribus ; tarsi pallid^ tes- tacei. In addition to the foregoing insects belonging to the family, Schonherr has included amongst his species of Paussus, but placed at the end of the genus with an expression of doubt, the Hispa bihamata of Linnaeus ( Syst . Nat. ed. 12. 1 . p. 604. no. 3.). This insect, from the Linnean description of its 3-jointed antennae (the third joint of which is longer than the thorax), and the truncation of its elytra, appears to belong to the family ; but as I am not aware that anything further is known respecting its characters, except the original description, it is impossible to speak with precision upon the subject*. It is an inhabitant of India, and is stated to be of the size of Clirysomela cuprea. * The singular hooks which arm the exterior angles of the posterior part of the elytra (“ singula elytra postice truncata sed angulo exteriore terminate spina inagna incurva”) are characters not to be met with in any of the Paussida. It 677 a Family of Coleopterous Insects. It only remains for me to add a few observations upon the only remaining insect which has been introduced into the family, but which does not appear referable thereto. Fabricius, in his Systema Eleutheratorum , comprised in the genus Paussus an insect under the name of P . flavicornis, with the remark, “Animalculum singulare vix hujus generis.” La- treille is the next author who mentions this insect, in his Histoire Naturelle fyc. tab. 11. 209- no. 4. with the following “ Nota : Cet insecte, que nous n’avons pas ete a meme d’examiner, doit sans doute former un autre genre, c’est aussi le sentiment de Fabricius.” Schonherr, however, in his Syn. Ins. vol. i. p. 3. no. 9, notwithstanding these observations of Fabricius and La- treille, and evidently overlooking the specific description of the terminal joints of the antennae, has placed it amongst the species of Paussus without any expression of doubt. Dalman, in the notes inserted at the end of his Analecta Entomologica , agrees with Fabricius and Latreille, observing “ De Pauso flavicorni Fabr. : Hoc insectum minime Pausi est generis, tarsi enim omnes eviden- ter 5-articulati, elytris molliusculis, toto habitu atque colore ad Malachios nimis accedere videtur, et ipsa antennarum singularis forma sat bene congruit cum earundem struciura in masculis Malachii cenei et specierum affinum. Pausi flavicornis foemina nobis haud est visa, quare de ejus antennarum structura sumus inscii, sed insectum ad ulteriorem indagationem in museeo nos- tro, sub nomine Malachii flavicornis , militat.” — pp. 103, 104. Latreille, profiting by these observations, adds the following note at the foot of his family Melyrides in the Families Natu- relles : “ Le Pausus flavicornis de Fabricius parait devoir en former un nouveau genre prhs des precedens.” — p. 353. The preceding remarks, added to an examination of a conge- nerous insect in Mr. Haworth’s cabinet, under the manuscript name of Cerocoma marginata, subsequently mentioned, have sufficiently Mr. J. O. Westwood on the Paussidce, 678 sufficiently convinced me that the Paussus Jlavicornis does not belong to the Paussidce, but that it is referable to the Telephoridce ; since Dalman's observations upon the tarsi clearly prove that it is not allied to the Cerocomce. I therefore propose for the insects in question, the generic name of Meg A DEUTERUS*. Corpus parvum, villosum. Antennae articulo Imo incurvo, elon- gato ; 2do magno rotundato compresso ; articulis reliquis brevibus, filiformibus. Elytra molliuscula. Tarsi 5-arti- culati. Species 1 . Megadeuterus flavicornis. Fabr. M. corpore nigro, elytris cyaneis, antennarum articulis duobus basalibus flavis. Habitat in Java. Mus. Dom. de Sehestedt. Paussus flavicornis. Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. 2. 75. 4. Dalman loc. cit. Sch. Syn. Ins. vol. J . part. 3. p. 19. Corpus nigrum. Caput et thorax cinereo-villosa. Antennae arti- culis duobus basalibus flavis, reliquis nigris. Elytra cyanea, nitida. Species 2. My friend A. H. Haworth, Esq., F.L.S., See. possesses in his cabinet an undescribed insect, evidently congenerous with the above, under the manuscript name of Cerocoma marginata. A casual examination of this insect enables me merely to state that it appears to agree with the Fabrician description of M. Jlavi- cornis in all respects, except that the suture and margins of the elytra are rufous. * magnus; and hurepos, secundus ; — in allusion to the large second joint of the antennas. EXPLA- a Family of Coleopterous Insects. 679 EXPLANATION OF TAB. XXXIII. Note.—' The Figures are all more or less magnified. The lines near the Insects figured represent their natural size. The same small letters refer to the correspond- ing or analogous parts throughout the dissections, as follows : a. The labrum. b. The mandibles. p. The basal part of the maxilla. c. The apical lobe of ditto. d. The maxillary palpi. e. The mentum. e e. The produced lateral angles of ditto. f. The labium. g. The triarticulate labial palpi. h. The basal scapes. *’• TIie P lace of insertion of the antenna ; with the exposed part of the circular moveable ball above mentioned, upon the upper surface of which, k. The basal joint of the antennae is inserted. l. The small articulation ? between the basal and terminal joints of the antennae. m. The apical portion or clava of the antennae. n. The eyes. o. The neck. l'ig. 1. to 14. Pentaplatarthrus paussoides and details. Fig. 1. The insect magnified. 2. The head, seen above ; exhibiting the formation and in- sertion of the antennae. 3. The same, seen from the front, showing the elongation of the palpi and the flatness of the antennae. V0L - xy i- 4 s Fi