IQQ [October, 



of wliat seems to me a very distinct section of the genus (even if it be 

 allowed no higlier value) possessing the following combination of 

 characters : — 



I. Head and thorax diminutive as compared with the large area of elytra. (The 



species have a sluggish " heavy -behind " appearance.) 



II. Scutellum set very far forward, so that its apex very seldom protrudes much 



(sometimes not at all) behind the basal ridge of the elytra. 



III. Mesothoracic epimcra divided by a sub-diagonal suture. 



The series of species forming this section appear sub-divisible 

 into four groups, as follows : — 



A. Character III (see above) not so strongly marked as I and II. Slenderly built 



species. Anterior and intermediate tarsi with the 4th joint delicately bilobed, 

 — hind tarsi with same only emarginate. Facies resembles Dromiiis. Only one 

 species known to me — -Tantalus — (I described it as a Di/scolus, where it must 

 stand if the tarsal distinction between Ancliome» us and Dyscolus be maintained). 



B. Same characters as the preceding, save that the species are very markedly more 



robust in build, and the 4th joint of all the tarsi alike is broadly bilobed. Two 

 species known to me — mt/sticus and lucipetens. 



C. Character II not quite reliable. Character III very strongly defined. Species 



very robust. All the tarsi have 4tli joint widely and conspicuously emarginate, 

 but not bilobed. Facets of the eyes feebler than in average Anchomemis. 

 Facies resembles Pristonychws (though I think there is no real affinity nearer 

 than through Anchotnenus). I know three species, occurring only on the' 

 highest mountains — Sharpi, rupicola, and incendiarius. 



D. Blackburnia, Sharp. The extreme form of this series. Here the scutellum 



almost vanishes beneath the tliorax, and the mesothoracic epimera become 

 exaggeratedly bembidiiform. This genus is perfectly distinct from the groups 

 A, B, and C, but they undoubtedly (I think) stand between typical Anchomenus 

 and it. B. insignis, Sh., and llaptoides, mihi, are the only species I have yet 

 met with, as recent investigations have led me to the conclusion that the 

 singular insect desci'ibed by me (E. M. M., vol. xv, p. 157) as frigidus and 

 doubtfully (E. M. M., vol. xv, p. 120) referred to Blackhurnia, does not belong 

 to this series at all, but branches off from Anchomenus quite differently ; con- 

 cerning it and its allies, I hope to have more to say hereafter. 



CYCLOTKOBAX. 

 I have never seen a statement of the characters of this genus, nor 

 can I ascertain any such to have been published. My acquaintance 

 with the genus is founded on the possession of types of O. insularis, 

 Mots, (named, I believe, by Mr. Bates), and the assignment to it by 

 Dr. Sharp of the Hawaiian C. hrevis. An examination of these two 

 insects, howevei', and of the species of Cijdotliorax since collected by 

 me, leads me to the conclusion that Cyclotlwrax is satisfactorily dis- 



