Mr. J. Nietner on new Ceylon Coleoptera. 375 



12. Anchista modesta, N. 



A. brunneo-testacea, elytris (maculis 2 obsoletis subhumeralibus 

 exceptis) obscurioribus, abdomine piceo. Long. corp. 4 lin. 



Caput fronte medio leviter uniimpressa. Thorax linea media 

 longitudinali divisus. Elytra apicem versus parum dilatata, striato- 

 punctata, ad striam 2™ puuctis 2 majoribus subapicalibus, cum tho- 

 race marginata, 



Prope Colombo nocte ad lumen cepi. 



The characteristics of this new genus are those of Calleida 

 (between which and Cymindis I place it) excepting the ligula, 

 which in this case is obtusely acuminated ; the last joint of the 

 maxillary palpi, which is obtuse at the apex ; and the thorax, 

 which is not, as in Calleiduj longer than broad, but the reverse. 

 From Cymindis it would differ principally in the deeply bilobed 

 fourth tarsal joint, and in some other minor points j but it is 

 difficult to say what the true characteristics of this genus (which 

 appears for this reason to require a careful revision) are, if even 

 Lacordaire uses the particle "on^^ not less than five times in the 

 diagnosis he gives of it in his ' Genres des Coleopt.' However,- 

 I feel justified in separating Anchista from Cymindis as well as 

 from Calleida. The name "Anchista*^ has reference to the 

 affinity of the insect to the two genera just mentioned, whilst 

 the specific name " modesta^' refers to its inconspicuous colours. 

 Amongst its peculiarities, weight ought to be laid upon the 

 plumpness of the palpi, and in fact on all the other parts of the 

 mouth, and even the whole head, which was very striking to me. 



Like many of my best Carabidse, I found this insect at night 

 6n the table, whither it had been attracted by the light. I may 

 mention that the single specimen which came thus into my pos- 

 session has an oblong shallow impression on either elytron, — 

 perhaps accidental, perhaps a peculiarity. The anterior tarsi are 

 dilated and furnished with hairy brushes below, longest at the 

 apex of the lobes of the fourth joint. 



• Elliotiay n. g., N. 



Corpus subconvexum, ovatum. Caput mediocre, oculis maximis, 

 Mentum leviter transversim emarginatum, edeiitatum, lobis acumi- 

 natis. Ligula subniembranacea apice truncata, paraglossis connatis 

 marginem anteriorem parum superantibus, obtusis. Palpi elongati, 

 art. ultimo elliptico, acuminato. Labrum magnum transversum, 

 integrum, mandibulas fere obtegens. Mandibul^e validae, edentatse. 

 Antennae robustse filiformes, humeros superautes, art. 1° mediocri, 

 2° brevi, 3° quinti prope longitudine, 4° preecedente breviore, 2-4 

 obconicis, 5-10 sequalibus, cylindricis, 11° preecedente tertia parte 

 k)ngiore, 4-11 pilosis. Thorax parvus, capite minor, transversus. 



