Staphylinid(E of tJie Amazon Valley, 47 



rated, the mesosternal process is elongate, truncate at the 

 extremity and meets the middle process of the metaster- 

 num. The middle tarsi are 4-, the hinder 5-jointed. The 

 genas are not niai-gined. 



DiESTOTA. 



This genus has been recently established by Rey, for 

 a minute beetle found at Cette, in flowers of Cistus : and 

 it is moreover considered by the French author to form of 

 itself a distinct rameau of his branch Bolltocharaires. I 

 am not acquainted with this French insect, and I cannot 

 therefore speak in an unhesitating manner as to the close 

 affinity therewith of the species here described ; but so far 

 as I can judge the two form really part of one genus. 

 The relationship of Diestota with Epipeda seems to me to 

 be closer than supposed by M. Rey ; and the two species 

 of the latter genus here described, indicate this affinity in 

 a still more certain manner than does the European Aleo- 

 chara plana {Epipeda, Rey). 



Rey descrihes Diestota Afayeti as po.ssessing a "sensible" 

 margin to the genas, but I cannot see any trace of such 

 raised margin in D. sperata. I may also add, that trusting 

 to my memory, I believe the insect described by me 

 (Trans. Ent. Soc. Loud. 1869, p. 166) as Homalota cri- 

 Z»r/ce/?5, will be found to belong to this genus; and further, 

 that I think it highly probable that Diestota will prove to 

 be synonymous with Coenonica, Kr. 



1. Diestota sperata, n. sp. Parallela, subdepressa, fusca, 

 prothorace dilutiore ; abdomine pedibusque testaceis, illo 

 cingulo lato ante apicem fusco ; prothorace valde trans- 

 verso, basi impresso ; abdomine subtiliter, basi crebre, apice 

 parce punctato. Long. corp. 1 lin. 



Antennae rather slender, moderately long, only slightly 

 thickened towards the apex ; the three basal joints elon- 

 gate, 3rd almost as long as 2nd ; 4th distinctly smaller 

 than 5th, about as long as broad; 5 — 10 each of about 

 the same length ; the 5 th about as long as broad ; the 10th 

 distinctly transverse ; 11th joint elongate, longer than the 

 two preceding together ; their colour is smoky black, with 

 the base a little paler. Head narrower than the thorax, 

 short and broad, but much narrowed behind, closely and 

 finely punctured, not shining, fliscous in colour, with the 

 parts of the mouth obscure yellow. Thorax a little nar- 



