Mr. J. Nietner on new Ceylon Coleoptera. 281 



which I lay particular weight upon the unusual sculpture of the 

 elytra, and the rather peculiar hairy vesture of the insects, bear- 

 ing also in mind their general appearance, proportions, system 

 of coloration, mode of living, &c. As to the hairy vesture of 

 certain parts of the body and the sculpture of the elytra, it is 

 true that these are not generally looked upon as of much im- 

 portance ; however, they appear to me so in this instance, as 

 they present certain unusual variations repeated in all three 

 species. The hairy vesture consists of thin yellowish or reddish 

 hairs thinly scattered over the back, and still more thinly over 

 the whole of the lower surface of the insects, being at the same 

 time longer on the latter place. This vesture acquires its greatest 

 density on the legs, especially the tibiae and tarsi, whilst its uni- 

 form presence on the palpi forms almost a generic character. 

 The elytra are exquisitely sculptured into about eight larger 

 costse on each, and into two smaller ones between every two 

 of these ; the furrows thus formed are finely transversely rugose, 

 and (with the exception of the central furrow between every 

 two larger costse) thinly pubescent. 



It is possible that this sculpture of the elytra may occur 

 in other Galeritidse. If so, the insufficiency of my means to 

 ascertain this fact to a certainty must plead my excuse for 

 attaching undue importance to it. However, I should in this 

 event consider my books of reference, none of which say any- 

 thing to that effect, greatly (and, indeed, more than myself) at 

 fault for not alluding to it, as, in my opinion, it is sufficiently 

 peculiar to be mentioned. 



After this lengthy preamble, I shall have but a few words to 

 say in finishing the description of the species. 



46. Heteroglossa elegans, N. 



H. supra rufo-castanea, capite obscuriore, maculis 2 humeralibus 

 obsoletissimis ferrugineis ; subtus dilutior, pedibus, antennis ore- 

 que subtestaceis ; elytris ad angulos apical, extern, testaceis. 

 Long. Corp. 2>\ lin. 



In lacus Colombensis ripis sub vegetab. putrescent, non infre- 

 quenter cepi. 



An agile, pretty little insect, of chocolate colour, and with its 

 family features about it. Head smooth, polished, above and 

 below slightly punctured, with two impressions in front of the 

 eyes; anterior angles of labrum rather acuminated. Thorax 

 deeper and more densely punctured than the head, and with the 

 elytra thinly hirsute, rather strongly emarginated in front, less 

 so behind ; sides, especially at the basal angles, depressed, divided 

 longitudinally by a deep furrow. Scutellum, like thorax, punc - 



