230 LACHNOSTERNA MARMORATA. 



rufo-testaceis , corpore squamulis miuutissimis , supra par- 

 cius, subtus crebrius adsperso; elytris vix inasqualibus , co- 

 loribus indeterminatis marmoratis. — Long. 28 , lat. IS^ m.m. 



Antennae 10-jointed. Head rather small, of a dark vinous 

 red colour , coarsely punctate , the punctures rather widely 

 separated , and each bearing a very minute pale scale ; 

 clypeus not in the least emarginate in the middle, on the 

 contrary with a tendency to form a very slight minute 

 projection there. Thorax similar in colour to the head , 

 and punctate and squamose in a similar manner, with the 

 sides not greatly rounded , broader at the base than in 

 front , the hind angles obtuse , the base scarcely sinuate 

 on each side near the hind angles. Scutellum large, with 

 a few squamigerous punctures, and at each angle in front 

 with a very small patch of minute white scales. Elytra 

 of a very peculiar vinous red colour, the colour forming 

 very irregular transverse patches of different shades , the 

 surface not quite even , but with the paler portions slightly 

 depressed , the very minute scales are placed rather more 

 densely on the pale portions, and so increase the appea- 

 rance of irregularity, before the apex there is a waved 

 mark more conspicuous than the rest , there are no eleva- 

 ted costcie, and the waved marks do not extend to the si- 

 des. Pygidium with very minute white scales. Undersur- 

 face more closely clothed than the upper with pale scales. 

 Breast without pubescence. Legs yellowish red, elongate 

 and rather slender. Anterior tibiae tridentate. 



This remarkable insect will no doubt form a distinct ge- 

 nus, but in the present extremely unsatisfactory condition 

 of the classification of the larger Melolouthini it is not de- 

 sirable to make isolated new genera. The following however 

 are some of the peculiarities which distinguish it , indepen- 

 dently of its remarkable colour and appearance, from the 

 ordinary Lachnosternae. Labrum rather prominent, its de- 

 pendent front margin with very largely developed ciliae. 

 Mandibles projecting at their extremity as a rounded plate ; 

 extremity of labium greatly notched on each side, so that 



Notes from the Leyden Musourn , Vol. III. 



