Goleopterological Notices, V. 493 



VAL,»A. n. gen. 



This remarkably distinct and interesting genus is evidently to be 

 associated with Cylindrarctus and Tychus, but also evinces some 

 affinity with Arthmius and Pselaphus, as is likewise the case with 

 the genera mentioned. In Cylindrarctus the tarsal claw has a dis- 

 tinct basal unguiform appendage, but here there are two long slender 

 and well-developed but unequal claws as in Batrisus. 



In Valda the body is nearly as in Cylindrarctus, the first ventral 

 sejrment very short but visible from side to side; the second and 

 third ventrals — first and second visible dorsals — are long, but some- 

 what exceptionally, the former is distinctly shorter than the latter 

 above and beneath. The trochanters are normally bythinoid, the 

 anterior coxds long and conical, the intermediate narrowly sepa- 

 rated by the sternal processes and the posterior approximate, nar- 

 rowly but quite perceptibly separated. Mesosternum long, finely 

 but strongly bicarinate, the metasternum large. Maxillary palpi 

 long and greatly developed, the first joint minute; second long 

 flattened and contorted, the concave side smooth polished and 

 glabrous, the convex covered with erect setae ; third small, trian- 

 gular, partially setose ; fourth large stout oval and subglobose, 

 bristling throughout with short stiff capitulate setae, and without 

 distinct terminal process. 



The head has a broad frontal tubercle partly divided by a short 

 canal, the antennae long, inserted as in Tychus and Pselaphus; 

 eyes large and prominent. Prothorax with two lateral subbasal 

 foveas connected by a rough and uneven transverse fold of the sur- 

 face, and with five basal impressions separated by short ridges. 

 Elytra large, each bifoveate at base and with a partial discal and 

 entire sutural stria, the hairs longer stiffer and porrect near the 

 hind margin as in Pselaphus. Abdomen margined, the first dorsal 

 strongly and the second feebly bicarinate. Sexual characters as in 

 Arthmius, the male having a small flat horizontal pygidium behind 

 the sixth ventral segment. Legs and tarsi slender, the second joint 

 of the hind tarsi much shorter than the third. 



The single species may be described as follows from the male: — 



V. frontalis n. sp.— Pale brownish-flavate throughout, polished, sub- 

 impunctate, the elytra slightly punctulate ; pubescence rather short and sparse 

 but very coarse. Head much shorter and narrower than the prothorax, scarcely 

 as long as the width across the eyes, the neck strongly constricted ; frontal 



