328 Linnman Society. 



LINN.EAN SOCIETY. 



May 1.— Edw. Foster, Esq., V.P., in the Chair. 



Mr. Curtis read a paper, being descriptions of the Coleoptera col- 

 lected by Capt. P. P. King, R.N., during his survey of the Straits of 

 Magellan. 



No region of the world presents more curious forms or more 

 splendid colouring amongst insects than South America. As we 

 proceed to the more temperate regions of the south, however, they 

 partake considerably of the sober colours of our European species. 



This interesting collection contains a very considerable number of 

 new species, and of these Mr. Curtis has formed the following genera. 



Fam. Cara.bid^:. Gen. 1. Cascellius. 

 Head rather small and ovate. Thorax elongate, obovate- truncate. 

 Elytra large, convex and oval, base narrowed, apex rounded. An- 

 terior tibise deeply notched, denticulated externally : anterior tarsi 

 with the 3 first joints dilated and obtrigonate in the male, interme- 

 diate slightly dilated, especially the basal joints. Antennas with the 

 2nd joint short, 1st and 3rd of equal length. External maxillary 

 palpi with the 2nd joint the longest, 3rd short, 4th stout and fusi- 

 form : labial with the 3rd joint long and fusiform, stouter than the 

 2nd, mentum trilobed, central lobe trigonate- truncate. 

 -The examples are C. Kingii and C. Gravesii. 



2. Cardiophthalmus. 



Head rather narrow and ovate ; eyes cordiform. Thorax convex 

 cordate- truncate. Elytra connate, broad and ovate, base narrowed, 

 apex rounded. Anterior thighs tuberculated beneath, anterior tibise 

 notched, with 2 long stout spines, anterior tarsi with the basal joint 

 elongated and a little dilated in the male, 3 following small obtrigo- 

 nate. Antennas with the basal joint stout, 2nd the shortest, 3rd 

 longer than the following. Palpi with the terminal joints elliptic- 

 truncate, the 2 apical of equal length. Mentum not largely emar- 

 ginate, with a broad deeply notched tooth in the centre. 



Example. C Clivinoides. 



3. Odontoscelis. 



Head broad and ovate ; eyes small, remote from the base. Thorax 

 sublunate : scutel broad and triangular : elytra elongate-ovate, the 

 base narrowed, apex rounded. Tibia?, anterior notched, the apex 

 produced into a long lobe externally : tarsi, anterior dilated in the 

 male, and spiny. Antennas not longer than the head, basal joint the 

 stoutest, 2nd subglobose, 3rd clavate, a little longer than the follow- 

 ing, which are turbinate : palpi external maxillary with the 3rd and 

 4th joints short, the latter elliptic -truncate and the stoutest ; 2 ter- 



