98 LABIDUEID.i;. 



This species is easy to recognize by its relatively small size and 

 grey colour ; the bend of the forceps is quite distinctive. The 

 presence or absence of the tooth on the inner margin of the 

 forceps of the male is not a sufficiently important character to 

 justify a separate name, and vicina of Lucas is accordingly sunk as 

 a synonym. 



This species is widely distributed throughout Southern Europe, 

 Africa (as least as far south as Pretoria), and tropical Asia. 



In India it seems to be as common as it is M'idely distributed ; 

 it is the subject of an interesting note by Dr. Annandale (see 

 ante, p. 15). 



It is often found in rotten wood in company with EcJiinosoma 

 ( Green). 



53. Labidura "bengalensis, Dohm. (Fig. 32.) 



Labidura bengalensis, Dohm, (G.3) p. 309 ; Duhr. (79) p. 3-53 ; 

 Borm. (00-) p. 16; Burr, (00-) p. 49, (01) p. 317, (05^) p. 27 

 (06) p. 388, (072) p. 207 ; Kirby, (03) p. 64, (04) p. 9. 



Psalis bengalensis, Scudd. (76) p. 327. 



Dark chestnut -brown. Antennse greyish yellow. Pronotum 

 brown, often A\ith a yellowish margin ; elytra dark chestnut- 

 brown, often with a red band along the suture. Wings and legs 

 yellowish. Forceps of S with the branches strong, keeled above, 

 remote, with a strong tooth on the inner margin near the base and 

 another about two-thirds down their length ; beyond the second 

 tooth the inner margin is denticulate to the apes, the branches are 

 gently curved inwards ; in the 5 near, but not coutiguous, almost 

 straight, denticulate all along the inner margin. 



Length of body 32-45 mm. 



„ forceps 7-10 „ 



Bengal : Calcutta (Ind. 3Ius., Brussels Mus.), Berhampur, 

 Chandpur, district of Tipperah (Tnd. Mus.) ; Madeas (Brit. Mus.) ; 

 Ceylon : Galle, Watawella and Butiwa ( Willey ; coll. Burr). 



T)jpe undefined, in Vienna or Berlin. 



Its powerful build and deep colour give this species a distinctive 

 appearance, which is difficult to express in words, but it can be 

 distinguished at a glance from L. riparia once it is known. The 

 forceps are differently curved and the teeth are more numerous. 

 The strong denticulation of the forceps of the female is very 

 distinctive, yet in some small specimens it is fully developed and 

 these resemble some forms of L. riparia. 



