462 Mr. Curtis's Descriptions of 



E. crenaticostata, the type of this genus, established by M. Blanchard, has 

 been published in D'Orbigny's 'Voyage,' pi. 15. f. 4. Its natural position 

 appears to me to be between the Scotobii and Scaur us. 



*1 13. Nyctelia nodosa, Gennar (Zophosis), p. 133. Ann. Soc. Ent. vol. v. 



p. 310. pi. 6. f. 1-8. 



A single specimen was presented to me by Lieut. Graves, which he took in 

 November at Maldonado. This is the typical species, and none of the follow- 

 ing altogether agree with Solier's generic definition ; yet there is such a gra- 

 dation as would not justify their being formed into separate genera. 



* 1 14. Nyctelia caudata, Curt. 



Nitide atra, elytris nisi in area suturali oblique et crasse sulcatie : apice in 



caudam semicircular em dilatatis (Tab. XLI. fig. 9.). 

 Length from 8^ to 13 lines, breadth from 5 to 7$« 



Black, shining, somewhat oval and depressed : clypeus emarginated and coarsely punctured: 

 thorax broad, transverse, narrowed and deeply emarginate before, the angles forming 

 large triangular lobes ; base bisinuated, leaving the centre projecting, and the lobes pro- 

 minent and trigonate : thickly and coarsely punctured, with minute points between j 

 the centre elevated, the dorsal space smooth, the sides flattened, the margins less punc- 

 tured and somewhat undulating ; scutel invisible : elytra very broad, oval and deflexed, 

 especially behind, the margins sharp and perfectly granulated, sending forth 10 oblique 

 deep channels, inclining backward, leaving a broadish sutural space free and elevated ; 

 the spaces between the furrows very elevated ; the apex dilated horizontally and forming 

 a large fan or tail, twice as broad as the head, more than semicircular; it is slightly 

 rugose, with a thickened margin; inferior margin with 7 oblique furrows inclining 

 towards the apex, and forming an acute angle with the others above; the costa is 

 scratched transversely : legs long ; anterior tibiae crenated, with an external spine at 

 the apex, the others spiny, hinder considerably the longest, crooked ; tarsi very long. 



A pair of this fine species was taken in December at Port St. Elena by 

 Lieut. Graves, to whom I am indebted for a specimen. The thorax of the 

 male is proportionately shorter than in the female, the oblique inferior fur- 

 rows are obliterated, the caudal appendage is not so broad, yet it is much 

 broader than the head, and its surface is more rugose than in the female. 



