38 MALACODERMATA. 
the Lampyride but Alychnus xanthorrhaphus, which, however, has shortened elytra in 
the female and is non-luminous, or apparently so. The yellow spots at the apex of 
the abdomen of this insect are no doubt luminiferous, though they can scarcely emit 
a vivid light. The habits of these black and either little- or non-luminous species 
require investigation. One would have anticipated that the more obscurely-coloured 
species were of very retired habits, and would, at least in one sex, have been more 
luminous than some others. The eyes of the males are scarcely, if at all, larger than 
those of the females. | 
PHOTINUS. 
Photinus, Castelnau, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. ii. p. 141 (1833). 
This genus as it stands in Lacordaire (Genera des Col. iv. p. 321), and in the sense in 
which it is here adopted, includes no less than ten genera proposed by Motschulsky and 
two by Leconte, and is the most extensive among the Lampyride. In the Munich 
Catalogue 116 species are recorded and referred to it. Some restriction, however, 
is necessary; and I have retained Leconte’s genus Pyrectomena, which is there united 
with it. It appears to be exclusively an American genus, ranging from Canada 
to Buenos Ayres, and probably further south. * Species are indeed referred to it from 
China and the Pacific Islands; but their systematic location needs confirmation. 
The number of species inhabiting Central America is doubtless large. We here record 
between thirty and forty species. The Photini include species of the smallest and 
also of large size, and may generally be known by their oblong, rather depressed form, 
their simple antenne, and abdomen without lobes to the dorsal segments. The females 
have the apical and often the two preceding ventral plates notched. 
1. Photinus congruus. (Tab. IV. fig. 12, 3.) 
Photinus congruus, Chevrolat, Col. Mex. Cent. i. no. 8. 
Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Oaxaca, Puebla, Tuxtla (Sallé). 
One of the largest species, 17-21 millims. in length. Thorax with the disk dark, 
the margins pale bone-colour. Elytra fuscous, with the suture, a central vitta along 
the discoidal nerve, and the fold pale. 
There is a variety in M. Sallé’s collection from Oaxaca paler, the thorax with the 
disk brick-red, with a large pitchy-black spot; the vittee, especially the discoidal one, 
wider; the female with the thorax narrowed from the base as in P. meteoralis. 
The specimen figured is from Puebla. 
2. Photinus meteoralis. (Tab. IV. fig. 14.) 
Nigro-fuscus, latus, opacus, thorace sordide albido, disco et limbo toto nigro, angulis posticis acutis ; abdominis 
segmentibus quatuor primis apicibus albis, quinto et sexto diaphanis totis albis. Long. 19-21 millim. ¢ 9. 
Hab. GuaTEMALA, San Gerdnimo, Sinanja valley (Champion). 
