Sept.-Dec, 19I8.J Van Dyke : New Cave-Dwelling Caraiud^. 181 



punctures. Body subpedunculate, scutellum acutely triangular and 

 prolonged between the elytra. Elytra elliptical, not margined at base, 

 lateral margin distinct and entire, without internal plica, apices with- 

 out sinuation, acute and divergent, disc striate, without evident dorsal 

 punctures. Prosternum carinate in front and slightly prolonged at 

 tip. Alesosternum oblique, the epimera narrow. Metasternal epi- 

 mera distinct, posterior coxae supposedly contiguous (specimen some- 

 what injured at this point). Legs very long and slender; middle and 

 posterior tibiae slightly ciliate externally, the anterior deeply emargi- 

 nate one fourth distance from apex, the apical spurs distinct and slen- 

 der; the tarsi slender, all joints long, slender and simple, the first 

 longer than the two following together, the claws simple. 



Genotype : Comstockia subterranea n. sp. 



This genus is founded upon a peculiar cave-dwelling beetle of the 

 family Carabidae. Judged by its major characters, it would fall in 

 the tribe Ctenodactylini as defined by Horn,i but it differs rhaterially 

 from any of the known genera included within that. In general, it 

 has the elongated head of one of the more highly specialized species 

 of Anophfhalmus like A. tellkampfi Er., a cave beetle belonging to 

 another and quite widely separated tribe ; a prothorax which simu- 

 lates in outline that of an Agra, a genus of arboreal beetles which 

 show a decided affinity with the Ctenodactylini; and elytra which are 

 very similar to certain members of the genus Platynus, especially P. 

 myrmecodes Horn. It shows in a high degree its adaptation to a 

 cave life as indicated by its bleached-out appearance, its lack of 

 eyes, its extremely long and slightly clubbed antennae, and very long 

 and delicate legs. It is also interesting as being the first typical cave 

 beetle from North America that shows relationships with genera of 

 southern rather than of northern origin, as indicated by having 

 affinities with Casiionia and Agra, characteristic genera of South 

 America. 



The generic name is given in honor of its discoverer. Professor 

 J. H. Comstock, a man who has contributed so much to the advance- 

 ment of American entomology. 



1 '' On the Genera of Carabidas with special reference to the fauna of 

 Boreal America," by George H. Horn, M.D., Trans. Am. Ent. Soc, Vol. IX 

 (1881-82), pp. 145-146. 



