Coleopterological Notices. 197 



portion ; at the apex of each there is a very short two-jointed styli- 

 form process. This organ is held in repose in a long very deep ex- 

 cavation extending through the last four or five abdominal segments, 

 so that when at rest it is not distinctly noticeable, its lower surface 

 being continuous with the lower surface of the abdomen. It is 

 apparently an auxiliary organ of locomotion, analogous to the infra- 

 apical process characterizing many well-known staphylinide larv^ ; 

 but no such development as this has to my knowledge been observed 

 before. 



Another larva-like object, possibly of a coleopterous nature, was 

 inclosed in the tube containing the only specimens of Abroteles 

 Beaumonti which were obtained, but I am very doubtful of its 

 connection in any way with that species ; it seems to be too large 

 and wide and to contain more matter than would suffice for the 

 body of the insect mentioned. 



The large well-developed eyes, large securiform maxillary palpi, 

 and elongate 5-jointed tarsi are wonderful characters, almost irre- 

 concilable with what we know of coleopterous larvae. The follow- 

 ing description will perhaps serve for its future recognition : — 



Body evenly oblong-elliptical, depressed, with the ui:)per surface broadly, 

 feebly convex, broadly rounded before and behind. The upper surface is 

 strongly reticulate, alutaceous, pale brownish-piceous in color, and covered 

 sparsely with very short robust spinose setse. The head is deflexed very 

 strongly, reposing upon the under surface of the prothorax ; it is rather large, 

 triangular, the eyes at the sides convex, large, and composed of many coarse 

 convex facets. The antennae are inserted in very large widely distant fovese 

 on the front before the eyes, and are defective in the only specimen ; there are 

 four joints remaining, the outer deeply annulated, and showing that tliere has 

 been at least a terminal process broken therefrom. The epistoma is large and 

 separated by a distinct broadly sinuous suture. The labrum large, subquad- 

 rate. Maxillary palpi well developed, with the last joint very large and 

 strongly securiform. The six legs are about equal, rather long and well 

 developed ; coxae very long, conical, obliquely recumbent posteriori}', the 

 posterior large flat ; femora elongate, flattened ; tibise long, cylindrical, with 

 two strong well-developed distant terminal spurs ; tarsi long, very slender, 

 cylindrical, the posterior nearly as long as the tibiae, distinctly 5-jointed on 

 all the legs, the first and fifth joints elongate, the intermediate short ; claws 

 two in niimber, well developed, arcuate. The pronotum is much wider than 

 long and longer than the other two parts of the thorax combined, it is finely 

 canaliculate in the middle throughout the length. The abdomeu consists of 



