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Show 256 MESSRS. C. J. GAHAN AND G. J. ARROW ON THE [Nov. 3, libris, cequalibus, tibiis anticis brevibus, validissime bidentatis, tarsis omnibus longis, unguiculis integris ; alis imperfectis. Long. 10 mm. There are three specimens of this very anomalous little beetle, which seems to form a second species of M . Fairmaire's genus Apterodema, although it is not altogether impossible that it may have no affinity with it, since the genus was constituted from a single specimen in such a condition, as the author says, that neither mouth nor antennae could be seen. Enough is said, however, to show that in declaring its close relationship to Liogenys, one of the Macrodactylides, M . Fairmaire has entirely mistaken its systematic position, all the characteristic features of the Macrodactylides being absent. The specimens before me, which, like M . Fairmaire's specimen, are females, represent a very isolated type, but can only be placed in the Sericoi'des. The elytra are not fused together as in Apterodema acuticollis Fairm., but the wings are partially atrophied. There are six free and equal abdominal segments. The labrum is free, subvertical and emarginate, and the labium consolidated, broad, and slightly concave in front. The antennas are nine-jointed and the claws simple. A. paraguayensis is rather larger than the Patagonian insect, of a dark red colour, with the margins of the elytra vaguely darker, the dark sutural margins forming a broad band at the scutellum, which they enclose, but narrowing behind. The pro-thorax is broad behind, and the posterior angles slightly produced as in A. acuticollis. The only clothing consists of stiff setae along the sides and upon the legs. The sculpture is quite different to that described by M . Fairmaire. I may advantageously take this opportunity of making an observation upon an allied South American genus. Lacordaire and Germain many years ago pointed out the probability that the genus Accia of Curtis, hitherto known only from a single female specimen in the British Museum, may prove to be inseparable from Maypa Blanchard. Having lately been able to examine a male, I can now definitely confirm this supposition. The genus should be called Sericoides, into which must be merged Accia, Maypa, and Macrosoma. MACRASPIS BRASILIENSIS, sp. n. Niger, vix nitidus, supra ubique creberrime coriaceo-punctalus ; prothoracis lateribus subtiliter rugosis; scutelli medio longi-tudinaliter leviter lineato-depresso ; pygidio ubique transverse strigoso; abdominis medio vix punctato, nitido, processu mesosternali recto, haud fortiter clavato; tibiis intermedins subtus fere reclis. 2 elytrorum lateribus medio haud expla-natis. Long. 20-24 mm.. Hab. Brazil: Ega, <fec. ; Paraguay: Sapucay. |