StaphylinidcB of tlie Amazon Valley. 109 



Brazilian species, but was not considered valid by Erich- 

 son, who relegated Nordmann's species to the genus 

 Stapliylinus , and described two or three allied species. 

 Kraatz, however, has re-affirmed the validity of the genus, 

 and pointed out some of its important structural points. 

 In point of fact, the genus seems at present to me a really 

 distinct and isolated one. The structure and form of the 

 head, and insertion of the antennfe, as avcU as some points 

 in the formation of the prothorax, bring the genus into 

 proximity with the Aleocharini, but it seems probable 

 that the points alluded to indicate a fiinctional, and not a 

 genetic, relationship. 



The species appear to be very rare in collections, so 

 that it is quite possible they may have some peculiar mode 

 of life. 



1. Brachydirus maculiceps, n. sp. Niger, nitidus, an- 

 tennis, ore, auo, femoribus anterioribus et intermediis apice, 

 tibiis tarsisque anterioribus testaceis ; fronte maculis du- 

 abus obscuris rufis. Long. corp. 5 lin. 



jNIas : abdomine segmento sexto ventrali, medio leviter, 

 lateque emarginato, 7" medio profunde inciso. 



Antennas yellow, distinctly incrassated from the 5th to the 

 10th joint; 2nd and 3rd joints about equal; 4th much shorter 

 than 3rd; 5th a little shorter than the 4th; 6 — 10 differ- 

 ing but little in length, but each a little broader than its 

 predecessor, 6 and 7 about as long as broad; 8 — 10 trans- 

 verse ; 11th joint rather large, abovit twice as long as the 

 10th. ]\Iandibles and palpi yellowish. Head black, near 

 the vertex with two indistinct reddish spots ; it is as broad 

 as the thorax ; all the front is coarsely and very densely 

 punctured, the vertex more sparingly so ; it is clothed with 

 very fine and rather scanty, but longish, yelloAv-grey pubes- 

 cence. Thorax naiTOwer than the elytra, about as long as 

 broad ; the base and hinder angles rounded, the sides a 

 little sinuate ; so that it is a little broader in the front part ; 

 it is black and shining, Avith large, irregularly placed 

 punctures, so arranged as to leave a narrow space at the 

 base, a longitudinal space along the middle, and an obscure 

 elevation near the fi-ont angles, free from punctures. Scu- 

 tellum closely and rather finely punctured, and with a grey 

 pubescence. Elytra a little longer than the thorax, black, 

 with a faint bluish tinge ; modei'ately coarsely and not 

 closely punctured, with a very fine pubescence. Hind 



