LANGURIIDAE 357 



elongata type from Sumatra (Dohrn) varying in length from 10 

 to 17 millim. and showing great variability in proportionate 

 breadth , and in that of the thorax , and at the shoulders ; a 

 series of these were also sent from Sungei Bulu, Ajer Mantcior 

 by Dr 0. Beccari, and from Pangherang Pisang, Si Ranibe, etc. 

 by Modigliani. There are before me also about thirty specimens 

 of a very much broader form' with the thorax aeneous and 

 apparently more bulky and convex, these are from Sumatra 

 iSinagong Bekantiang (C. Dohrn), they are also sent by Bec- 

 cari from Ajer Mantcior. These also vary in size and on 

 closely looking at them it will be seen the thorax tends to 

 become red, and the smaller examples are more parallel. From 

 the Island of Menta wei comes a remarkably distinct looking 

 form , the thorax having an aeneous vitta , the legs partly 

 red with dark knees (as they are in the var. with the thorax 

 aeneous, but there are other examples from Sumatra with 

 an aeneous vitta or slight cloud etc.) , and I have already 

 expressed the opinion that colour variations are of no use in 

 such a plainly variable insect. The form L. iripunctala, Wiedem. 

 has at first sight great claims as a species, and I do not doubt that 

 it is a local form , and do not expect tu meet with it far South. 

 It is a mountain form , but it will be seen that the lateral 

 spot on the thorax, is only an extension of the median vitta, 

 while the coarser punctuation , is most variable and uncertain. 

 Of four specimens from Sikkim (Mungphu) in the Genoa Museum, 

 now before me, two have narrower thoraces which are at the 

 same time more thickly but more finely punctured, these may 

 be the males ; but neither in the eyes , or the relative length 

 of the joints of the antennae, nor in the legs, nor in the struc- 

 ture of any part can I see a good specific character. 



It would be too long here to discuss other remarkable forms 

 of which I have seen numerous examples , and I admit it is a 

 matter of opinion, but I must remark Dr. Kraatz's species now 

 described from the Naga Hills, are mainly founded on colour 

 distinctions, and that they are founded on few and in some 

 instances on unique examples, and I doubt will ultimately prove 



