LEPIDOSPYIUS, 153 



Genus LEPIDOSPYRIS, nov. 

 Type, Astijcophohus cretaceus, Fst, 



Head with the eyes quite lateral, the forehead almost as wide 

 as the base of the rostrum. Mostrum longer thau the head, with 

 a median impression and a dorsal carina on each side, the apex 

 with a fairly deep angular emarginatiou ; the scrobe curving 

 downwards at some distance in front of the eye and but little 

 dilated behind ; mandibles with a prominent scar, the mentum 

 with two or four setje close to the front edge. Antennce, prothorax 

 and elijtra as in Asti/cns, except as regards the scales, each of 

 which has a boss-like elevation in the middle. iSteraum with the 

 front coxae rather widely separated and very close to the front 

 margin of the prosternum ; the mesepimeron much smaller than 

 its episternum, its outer margin distinctly sinuate; the meta- 

 sternum slightly longer than the median coxjb. Venter and lef/s 

 as in Astyciis, except that the tibiae are never sulcate, and the 

 corbels of the hind pair are more or less clothed with scales 

 internally. 



RaiKje. India. 



The members of this genus are very similar to the small grey 

 species of Astycus in general ap])earance, but may be distinguished 

 by the scaly corbels of the hind tibia;, and by the embossed and 

 overlapping scales of the upper surface. 



Key to the Species. 



1 (4) Rostrum not broader at the base thau 



at the apex ; prothorax broadest at 

 or before the middle; elytra with 

 the basal margins jointly sinuate and 

 vertically truncate. 



2 (3) Prothorax strongly convex on the disk 



and very coarsely sculptured , cretaceus, Fst., p. 153. 



8 (2) Prothorax flattened in the middle of 



the disk, the sculpturing so hne that 



it is completely hidden by the scaling, angustulus, sp. u., p. l-3o. 

 4 (1) Rostrum evidently broader at the base 



than at the apex ; prothorax broadest 



at the base : elytra with the basal 



margins separately rounded and pro- 

 jecting over the base of the prothorax. demissus, sp. n., p. 154. 



115. Lepidospyris cretacea, Fst. 



Astycophcbus cretaceus, Faust,* Dent. Ent. Zeit. 1897, p. 348. 



Colour black, with dense chalky grey scaling, sometimes with a 

 pinkish metallic reflexion ; the scaling on the disk of the prothorax 

 more or less abraded. 



Bead shallowly punctate, the forehead with a central furrow 



