1S95.1 23 



the elytra and a mid-basal notch in the pronotum. The scutellum and 

 mesonotum of Vesperoctenus are exactly like those of most Prionidce, 

 and of certain aberrant Ceramhycides. The intercoxal process of the 

 presternum in CaJJirhipis does not reach back to the hind margin of 

 the coxae, but is met about half way by an anterior process of the 

 mesosternum ; between the middle coxae may be seen a similar narrow 

 process of the metasternum advancing to meet the intercoxal process 

 of the mesosternum. These anterior processes of the meso- and 

 metasterna are not observable in Vesperoctenus. The last joint of the 

 tarsi of Gallirhipis is as large as the four preceding joints taken to- 

 gether, and is furnished with a rather long, setose onychium. In 

 Vesperoctenus the last tarsal joint is not longer than the first, nor is 

 it provided with a prominent onychium. In fact, in the one example 

 I was able to examine I could find no trace of the existence of any 

 structure that could be interpreted as an onychium ; but it is right to 

 state that Dr. Horn lays stress upon the presence of this structure in 

 Vesperoctenus, and has figured prominently the two long setae which, 

 it is to be presumed, spring from it. Even admitting that an onychium 

 may be present in Vesperoctenus, I think that on the whole the 

 differences between this genus and Callirhipis are so great that none 

 but the remotest affinity can be conceded to exist between them. 



On the other hand, when Vesperoctenus is compared with Vesperus 

 and its allies, the close affinity it bears to this genus of Longicornia is, 

 to my mind, quite obvious. Bates has pointed out all the differences 

 worth noting between Vesperus and Vesperoctenus. Though the fourth 

 tarsal joint is a little longer and more distinct in Bates's genus than in 

 Vesperus, it certainly is not longer nor more distinct than in Apato- 

 physis,ioY example, which stands not far from Vesperus 'u\ Lacordaire's 

 system; or in P<irap7«7Ms, a genus which I have not long since de- 

 scribed and placed near Vesperus. The anterior and intermediate 

 coxae of Vesperoctenus are not more approximate than in Vesperus, nor 

 are they more conical and prominent than in this and certain other 

 Longicorn genera. As a further character of Vesperoctenus, pointing 

 in a very marked way to its affinity with Vesperus, may be noted the 

 peculiar arcuate emargination of the anterior border of the presternum. 



In fact, I believe that Dr. Horn himself, were he really acquainted 

 with Vesperus, and those other genera which I have mentioned, would 

 be one of the first to admit that Vesperoctenus naturally falls into the 

 same group. From Dr. Horn's omission of any reference whatever 

 to Vesperus, I am inclined to suspect that he had no examples of this 

 genus for comparison ; but if so he should not so hastily have at- 



