PALASTES. 905 
Subfam. CUCUJINA. 
This subfamily is usually defined by the characters “anterior coxal cavities open 
behind ; tarsi of males heteromerous, of the females pentamerous.” In the examination 
of our numerous species of Lemophiwus I have found that several insects placed in 
that genus have the front coxal cavities closed behind. Although I have given this 
character generic importance, I leave these forms in Cucujine, for the character is in 
the case of these insects one of transition, the cavities being in some cases scarcely 
closed, in others just perceptibly open, and in others broadly open. 
The Lamophlceoid forms with closed coxal cavities never have the closure distinctly 
visible on superficial examination, and thus differ from the other forms of the family 
with the cavities closed; in nearly all of the latter the band closing the cavities is 
conspicuous on superficial examination. 
PALASTES. 
Palestes, Perty, Del. Anim. Art. Bras. p. 83 (1830). 
This genus has hitherto consisted of three South-American species, one of which has 
been known for many years, the other two—from Ecuador—having been recently 
added by Mr. Waterhouse. I now characterize five new forms from our region. 
These insects have extremely slight external distinctive characters, colour being, in 
fact, almost the only one that is conspicuous; and it might therefore be well supposed 
that all are merely local races of one species, and possibly this may ultimately prove 
to be the case. I have, however, found on examination of the male organs of two of 
the most similar forms, viz. P. bicolor and P. vartipes, that these structures present 
distinctions suggesting that the colour-differences may be indicative of genuine specific 
separation, and I have therefore treated all the forms for the present as species. 
Mr. Champion informs me that these insects are chiefly found between the thin crevices 
of freshly split sappy timber, and that they are often to be seen on the wing in forest 
clearings. 
1. Palzstes variipes, sp. n. 
Capite, prothorace, mesosterno, elytrorum quarta parte basali, femoribusque quatuor anterioribus rufo- 
testaceis; antennis, tibiis, tarsis, metasterno, abdomine, elytrorumque parte majore nigris ; femoribus 
posterioribus nigricantibus, ante apicem plus minusve flavescentibus. 
Long. 10-123 millim. 
Hab. Guatemaa, Senahu, Sinanja and Sabo, all in Vera Paz (Champion). 
This form greatly resembles the Brazilian P. bicolor, Perty. P. variipes has the 
black portion of the elytra more extensive, the metasternum black instead of fuscescent, 
and the posterior femora more infuscate, while the mandibles and the front of the 
BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. IL. Pt. 1, June 1899. 3 'T* 
