LAMPEOSOMA. 91 



found in Europe. and the island of Formosa. There exists without doubt a close 

 relationship between the present insects and the Chlamydidse, much more so than on 

 the other side to the Eumolpidee ; and in some instances certain species of Chlamydidse 

 so much resemble some of the Lamprosomidse that only the examination of the scutellum 

 reveals their proper position. All the species of the present genus are highly metallic 

 and of great brilliancy, and resemble each other very closely, unless examined care- 

 fully; and although more than seventy species have been described by Lacordaire, 

 I have found it necessary, from the material before me, to augment their number 

 considerably, several distinctive characters uniting to necessitate their separation from 

 closely allied but distinct forms. 



a. Species not unicolorous above. 



1. Lamprosoma nicaraguense. 



Lamprosoma nicaraguense, Jacoby, P. Z. S. 1879, p. 776\ 



Hab. Guatemala, Chacoj (Champion) ; Nicakagua, Chontales (Belt 1 ). 



This species is very closely allied to L. dives, Lacord., and is perhaps only a variety 

 of that insect. The differences consist in the deeply concave anterior margin of the 

 epistome, which in L. dives is nearly straight, in the colour of the antennae, which are 

 metallic green in the last-named species, and black (the first joint excepted) in the 

 present one, and in the rather strong elytral punctuation in L. nicaraguense. Two 

 more specimens lately received from Mr. Champion are rather smaller, but differ scarcely 

 from the type. 



2. Lamprosoma sallaei. (Tab. v. fig. 14.) 



Broadly ovate, very convex ; aureous below ; above obscure dark blue, bead, lateral and anterior margin of the 

 thorax, a posterior lateral band of the elytra, and the legs golden aureous ; tarsi black. 



Length 3 lines. 



Head convex, very minutely punctured ; anterior margin of the epistome deeply concave ; labrum and base of 

 the jaws coloured as the head ; antennae short, black, the first joint cupreous ; thorax very convex at the 

 middle, the sides greatly deflexed, lateral margins straight, surface impunctate at the sides, finely 

 punctured at the disk, dark greenish blue, shining, sides occupied by a broad aureous band, which 

 widens anteriorly, and extends along the anterior margin of the thorax in a narrow stripe; elytra 

 scarcely narrowed behind, each elytron with ten regular rows of close and very deep punctures, coloured 

 like the thorax, with a rather broad apieal and lateral band of metallic aureous, extending to about one 

 third of their length. Underside and legs aureous ; tarsi and sides of the abdomen black ; prosternum 

 nearly square-shaped, flat, punctured. 



Hab. Mexico, Tehuantepec (F. Sumichrast, coll. Salle). 



Although the present species is again closely allied to L. dives, Lacord., and L. nica- 

 raguense, Jac, yet there are sufficient notable differences to justify its being considered 

 a new species. The punctuation of the elytra is visible to the naked eye, which is not 

 the case with the other species ; the thorax is also differently coloured, and the tarsi are 

 black. One specimen only, which is figured here, is contained in M. Salle's collection. 



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