1898.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 403 



flat ; first ventral segment hidden by a whitish glandular pubescence, 

 second very large, third almost invisible, fourth and fifth visible on 

 the sides only, sixth trapezoidal, depressed, surrounded laterally and 

 behind by the last dorsal segment, which is conspicuous underneath 

 as if it were part of the ventral segment ; legs rather stout, one single 

 claw to the tarsi ; underneath the neck is covered with a thick, 

 whitish glandular pubescence. 



This genus, which belongs to the tribe of the PselapJmiini, is very 

 closely allied to the genus Pselaphus, from which it differs chiefly by 

 the maxillary palpi, which are much shorter, and the peculiar con- 

 struction of the last ventral segments. It resembles very much the 

 genus Pselaphoptcrus, Eeitt., from Turcomania, but in the latter 

 the last joint of the maxillary palpi is not papillose, and the last 

 segments of the abdomen have a normal structure. From Pselapiho- 

 plius, Eaffr., which is a genus exclusively Australian, it differs by the 

 maxillary palpi less elongate, the head narrower, the prothorax 

 oblong, whilst it is cordiform in Pselapliophus. 



When I first established this genus [loc. cit.), I considered it as 

 being a mere sub-genus of Pselaphus, as well as Pselajjhophus , but 

 after further examination of a large number of examples, I do not 

 hesitate to consider both as very distinct and valid genera. 



The only species belonging to Psolaphox2js has been discovered in 

 Abyssinia (P. dclicatulus, Eaffr.). I have just received from the 

 Eev. O'Neil from Uitenhage two specimens which prove to be 

 specifically identical with the Abyssinian insect, with, however, a 

 slight difference, consisting in the colour of the setae fringing the 

 posterior margin of the elytra. In the Abyssinian examples such 

 setae are yellow, in the South African ones they are black ; but I do 

 not think that such a trifling difference should be considered a 

 specific one, and am of opinion that both the examples from Abyssinia 

 and South Africa belong to the same species. 



PsELAPHOXYS DELicATULUs, Eaffray, 



Plate XVIII., figs. 16, 17, and 18. 



Eev. d'Ent., 1882, p. 14. 



Oblong, much attenuate in front, sanguineo-rufous, smooth and 

 shining with some short whitish setae ; antennae and legs rufous ; 

 head long, linear from the middle to the frontal part and sulcate, 

 enlarged in front for the insertion of the antennae, vertex much 

 broader and convex ; antennae stout, first joint sub-cylindrical, 



