(EDIONYCHIS. 435 



68. (Edionychis laeta. 



Altica (^Edionychis) lata, Perbosc, Bev. Zool. 1839, p. 263 \ 

 Hal. Mexico, Vera Cruz l (Perbosc). 



69. (Edionychis sallaei. 



(Edionychis sallei, Baly, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3rd ser. iv. p. 274 1 (1859). 

 Hab. Mexico l . 



I have been unable to find the type of this species in the collection of Mr. Baly (now 

 in the possession of the British Museum), nor have I seen a specimen answering to the 

 description of that author. 



b. Anterior coxal cavities closed. 



In treating of this division of the Halticinae, which have, like those of the preceding, 

 the globular inflation of the posterior claw-joint in common, it is first of all necessary 

 to point to a constant character, in connection with that of the closed coxal cavities, 

 namely, the punctuation of the elytra, which is arranged in striae, a constant occurrence, 

 so far as we know, amongst the " QEdipodes," the present division. This is a curious 

 and interesting fact, since no instance of a similar structure is known to occur amongst 

 the " Physapodes," in which the anterior coxal cavities are open ; and although the 

 punctuation of the elytra is generally a character of little value in classification, in 

 this instance at least, in connection with the globular claw-joint, it is of importance 

 and perfectly sufficient for the recognition of any species oi this division. It is a great 

 deal more difficult to place the species in genera which may be recognized by the 

 student without doubt or much trouble. The important monograph by Clark which 

 treats of these insects (Catalogue of Halticidse, pt. 1, 1860) contains no less than 

 42 genera, which are frequently established on variable and doubtful characters, and 

 even his primary divisions into two tribes, one with filiform palpi, rarely quadrate, and 

 the other with palpi which are incrassate, rarely quadrate, does not render a deter- 

 mination of the genera in either tribe easy, since their characters are almost identical. 

 This has already been remarked by Herrvon Harold (Col. Hefte, xiii. 1875), yet Clark 

 was the first author who contributed greatly to the knowledge of these up to that time 

 rare and almost unknown Halticinse, he having described more than 240 species, mostly 

 from South America. Central America has hitherto contributed but very few species, 

 but, thanks to the researches of Mr. Champion, Herr Hoge, and others, the species from 

 that country now amount to a very considerable number. 



Most interesting and curious forms are to be met with amongst the " QEdipodes," the 

 genus Loocojprosopus, for example, having quite the appearance of a small species of 

 ' Longicornia,' on account of the immense size of the antennae ; in others the body, 

 instead of having the general oblong or elongate shape, is short, broadly ovate and 



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