Coleopterological Notices, V. 327 



median projection having three short teeth. This species is evi- 

 dently allied to some of the Mexican forms described by Dr. Sharp. 



IVOTOTAPHRA n. gen. 



Body rather narrow, thick and subparallel. Head somewhat as 

 in Myrmedonia, constricted at base throughout the width, the occi- 

 put transversely prominent ; eyes moderate; infralateral carina not 

 distinct. Antennae long, loose, subparallel from the fourth joint, 

 not incrassate, pilose, but devoid of erect setae. The gular sutures 

 diverge toward the base of the maxillge, and from between them 

 there extends forward a large flat plate, gradually narrowed toward 

 the truncate apex ; this plate is the mentum and its support fused 

 in one and without trace of transverse suture. The lobes of the 

 maxillfe are very long and slender. Ligula rather short, the termi- 

 nal process small, gelatino-membranous, easily distorted but seem- 

 ingly bilobed at apex. Labial palpi apparently two-jointed, the 

 basal joint thick, cylindrical, less than twice as long as wide, the 

 second a little shorter, slender and affixed obliquely. Prothorax 

 narrowed and sinuate to the base, the hypomera feebly inflexed and 

 in part visible from the side. Elytra well developed. Abdomen 

 with the side margins thin and extremely deep. Middle coxae dis- 

 tant, the mesosternal process broadly rounded at apex, the meta- 

 sternal acutely angulate but widely separated at tip from the meso- 

 sternal. Legs slender; tarsi 4-5-5-jointed, slender, the posterior 

 shorter than the tibiae, with the first joint more or less elongate. 



If my interpretation of the structure of the labial palpi be correct 

 this genus is really very isolated ; the structure of the front before 

 the antenna?, of the mentum and its support, and the more prolonged 

 mesosternal process will however, in any event, readily distinguish 

 it from Myrmedonia. It seems to have some relationship also with 

 the comparative giants described by Dr. Sharp under the name 

 Platonica. Our two representatives may be readily separated as 

 follows : — 



Basal joint of the hind tarsi as long as the next two ; blue-black, the pro- 

 thorax and first three segments of the abdomen very pale yellowish-red. 



lauta 



Basal joint of the hind tarsi but slightly longer than the second ; black, tlie 

 elytra slightly picescent lugubl'is 



Ti. lauta n. sp. — Rather slender, parallel, convex, minutely reticulate 

 and rather alutaceous throughout, the elytra dullest ; pale rufo-liavate, the 



