TANYMECUS. 69 



Tanijmems to the species having the facies of T. indicas, Vat. 

 JBut after examining a large number of species from all parts of 

 their range, I iind that every one of these characters is liable to 

 such serious exceptions that it is impossible to accept them as of 

 generic value. 



India would appear to be the head-quarters of the genus, as at 

 present known, and no fewer than 43 species are here recorded 

 from within our limits. These weevils in the adult stage frequent 

 shrubs and low-growing plants, and their colouring is for the 

 most part coniined to greys and browns, though in a few species, 

 such as T. hei'cales, T. verlorenii, T. clievrolati, and T. princeps, the 

 scaling is of a uniform metallic green coloiu". In the very few 

 cases in which the full life-history is known the larvae are 

 subterranean root feeders. 



The sexes diifer but little in general form, though well-marked 

 distinctions are usually to be found on the ventral surface of the 

 female. In most species the last segment of the venter, which 

 is always more pointed in the female, bears on each side a narrow- 

 bare raised line on the basal half, while in many cases its apex is 

 more or less strongly compressed, sometimes forming quite a sharp 

 ridge ; in T. andreivesi the third segment is deeply impressed and 

 partly withdrawn beneath the second, while in T. pertusiventris 

 the same segment has a deep round impression on each side. In 

 T. versicolor an unusual sexual difference may be observed, namely, 

 the presence of a long curved spur at the apex of the middle tibiae 

 in the female only. 



Tawjmecus rudis, which was described by Gylleuhal as coming 

 from India, proves to be an African species. 



Ke>j to the Species. 



1 (88) Mandibles projecting- beyond the 



gense. 

 '2 (85) Sides of metasternum without an 



impressed lateral line ; middle 



tibise of ^ not clothed with 



long liiurs on the external edge ; 



femora of J not thicker than 



those of 2 . 

 .'5 (58) First joint of fuuicle not longer 



than second. 



4 (5) Eyes almost tiat; rostrum very 



deeply excised at the apex. . . . ehloroleiicus, Wied., p. 75. 



5 (4) Eyes prominent ; rostrum not or 



shallowl}^ excised at apex (ex- 

 cept lentus). 



1) (17) Second joint of funicle longer 

 than first. 



7 (14) Rostrum very short, broader than 

 long ; anal segment of $ not 

 laterally compressed or acumi- 

 nate at apex. 



