PEDEROMIMUS. 439 
which, if the genus be divided, the name Pederomimus may be retained, and of which 
P. difformiceps may be taken as the type; it comprises the remainder of the genus ; they 
are graceful insects of slender and not depressed form; the thorax has the front angles 
rounded and its upper surface prolonged, so that the anterior margin appears also more 
or less rounded; the prosternum is very definitely divided; the middle joint of the 
labial palpus not longer than the apical; the joints of the hind tarsi vary in their 
proportional lengths, but the basal joint is usually more or less incrassate. In this 
group certain of the species exhibit extraordinary and incomprehensible sexual dif- 
ferences in the structure and sculpture of the head and trophi, which, if they extended 
to both sexes, would be amply sufficient for the generic separation of each of the species 
displaying them. 
Mr. Champion informs me that most of the species of this genus met with by him 
were found about moss or fungi attached to the trunks of decaying or fallen trees in 
the forests; one or two species were, however, met with under decaying leaves on the 
sandy banks of the streams. 
1. Pederomimus gentilis. (Tab. XI. fig. 17.) 
Elongatus, rufus ; capite, elytris (basi excepta) abdominisque apice nigris; antennis in medio fuscis; prothorace 
elongato, anterius truncato, seriebus discoidalibus subtiliter 5-punctatis. 
Long. 11 millim. 
Hab. Mexico, Cerro de Plumas, Jalapa (Hége). 
Head suborbicular, with distant punctures at the sides. Antenne rather long, the 
three basal joints red, the following six fuscous, the two terminal ferruginous. Palpi 
and mandibles red. Thorax nearly straight at the sides, a little narrowed behind, 
bright red, smooth, and shining; the punctures of the dorsal series are five on each 
side, and are rather fine, and besides these there are about six other fine punctures on 
each side. Scutellum red, densely punctate. Elytra rather closely and deeply but not 
coarsely punctate, black ; the base, as far back as the apex of the scutellum, pale red. 
Hind body elongate, reddish yellow, very sparingly and finely punctate ; the penultimate 
segment, and the hinder part of the antepenultimate, black; the hind margin of the 
penultimate and the greater part of the terminal segment pale yellow, but the hind 
margin of the latter as well as the anal styles black. 
Though similar in colour to P. angusticollis, Er., this is readily distinguished by the 
different shape and punctuation of the thorax. Only three examples have been found, 
which may perhaps be all females; the one figured is that from Jalapa. 
2. Pederomimus mandibularis. 
Rufus ; capite, elytrorum dimidio apicali, abdomine ante apicem antennisque nigris, his basi rufa ; elytris parce 
punctatis ; thorace seriebus discoidalibus 5-punctatis. 
Long. 10 millim. 
Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion). 
