Casey — Observations on the StaphyUnidae. 375 



more distinct and close-set tliroughout the entire under sur- 

 face, seem to be peculiar to this particular generic type and 

 I know of no other species which can be associated with it at 

 present. The original description states that the prothorax 

 has three punctures at each side near the " posterior " an- 

 gles; — anterior angles was the expression evidently intended 

 by the author. 



Idiolinus n. geo. — That the true generic status of the 

 Xantholiiius crassicornis^ of Hochhuth, should have been 

 overlooked thus far by European observers, seems rather un- 

 accountable, for it constitutes one of the most isolated genera 

 among the allies of Xanlholinus, as shown by the contiguous 

 middle coxae and abnormal antennae. I am unable to state 

 at present whether other described European species can 

 enter the genus or not, the diagnosis of the table having been 

 taken from two specimens of crassicornis, recently sent to 

 me by Mr. Reitter. 



NoTOLiNus n. gen. — This genus and the following consti- 

 tute the most abundant type of South African Staphylinidae 

 and are both represented by very numerous species, the nine 

 that I collected in a few weeks within seventy-five miles of 

 Cape Town in 1882, being probably only a small proportion 

 of those occurring there. The two genera resemble each 

 other somewhat strongly in outward habitus, which differs 

 marvelously little from that of some common Gyrohypni, 

 such as hamatus, though on closer examination the palpi 

 and widely dilated tarsi, in connection with type of sculpture, 

 prove them to be wholly isolated and a peculiar type devel- 

 oped in the southern regions of Africa. The four species 

 before me may be described as follows : — 



Head less elongate, coarsely, very sparsely punctured, distinctly enlarged 

 basally, with broadly rounded basal angles; species of larger i^ize.... 2 



Head narrower and more elongate, parallel at the sides, with rather leas 

 broadly rounded basal angles and smaller, though moderately coarse 

 and equally sparse punctures; body usually much smaller in size and 

 more slender in form 3 



2— Stout, parallel, rather convex, polished, black, the anterior parts with 

 feeble bronze rtflection, the abdomen slightly picescent; legs and an- 

 tennae blackish- piceous, the tarsi paler; elytra slightly paler along the 

 apical margin; head behind the antennae barely as lor-g as wide; frontal 



