36 [February, 



thick setee being free at the extremity, these latter are received on a very deep broad 

 depression of tlie prosteriium. Antennae short, four-jointed, inserted on the top of 

 the head, and contiguous ; basal joint long, strongly spinose, 2nd and 3rd joints 

 shorter, also spinose, terminal joint a little dilated, not spinose. Prothorax rather 

 long, much narrowed in front, anterior part densely spinose, posterior part 4-carinate 

 with spines on the ridges, punctate between the ridges. Elytra free from spines, 

 coriuni small, clavus membranaceous like the large membrane itself, the latter 

 traversed by three or four coarse veins. Scutellum narrow even at the base, where 

 it is of the same width as the space between the middle two thoracic carinte ; it is 

 carinate at the sides and along the middle, the carinse being spinigerous, the middle 

 one only minutely so, and not at the base ; the scutellum extends very nearly to the 

 tip of the body. Connexivum strongly spinose. Mesosternum larger than meta- 

 sternum, the middle coxte touching the hind pair, a longitudinal carina between 

 them, a transverse one in front of them. Front legs with long dependent cosse, 

 small trochanters, tliick femora, one side of each of which is produced to form a 

 process, at the base of which the altered tibia is articulated ; these two processes 

 are in opposition along their inner margins, which are densely and minutely dentate ; 

 thus they have something of the appearance of the claws of crabs or lobsters ; but 

 they are curved. 



The above characters certainly bring this insect near to Fhymata, 

 though the form of the head suggests a close relation with Rcduviidce ; 

 the shape of the head is, however, the only character of much im- 

 portance by w^hich the insect departs from Pltymata. 



Colonel Bingham met with one specimen on the Pegu Hills in 

 April, 1888. The insect probably uses the front legs like a INJantis 

 does. 



The genus Carcinoclielis was proposed by Fieber in 1861 (Europ. 

 Hemip., p. 34), and certain brief generic characters were given in the 

 table of Fhy mat idee, but no reference was made to any species. In 

 M. Severin's valuable Catalogue general des Hemipteres, iii, p. 29, the 

 genus is given, and as species is mentioned " alutaceus, Fieber (non 

 descriptus), Patria ignota." Under these circumstances it must re- 

 main doubtful whether this genus was that intended by Fieber or not : 

 as the character from which he derived the name applies to Colonel 

 Bingham's insect, I have thought it better to adopt the generic name, 

 but the minor part of the appellation I have preferred to disregard 

 altogether. I have great doubt whether it is proper to adopt even 

 the generic name ; for it appears to me to be a very improper pro- 

 ceeding to characterize a genus without any species for it ; so that I 

 hope the course I have adopted will not be considered as evidence that 

 I think that a generic name proposed without any species has claim 

 to priority. 



Cambridge : December 2Slh, 1896. 



I 



