Lamellicorn Beetles. 161 
more especially by the dissimilarity in the form of the ungues, 
which is indeed a character which we meet with only amongst the 
Melolonthide and other Thalerophagous groups. : 
The genus bears a striking analogy to some of the species of 
the genera Silpha (S. levigata) and Necrophilus (N. hydrophi- 
loides, Esch.), not only in size but also in general appearance. 
This is the more interesting, because, from a label in the hand- 
writing of Sir S. Raffles, attached to a specimen from Sumatra, 
(in the Zoological Society’s Museum,) we learn that the species 
‘‘ feeds on dead animal matter. May, 1818.” The construction 
of the trophi would certainly not have led to the idea of such a 
habit, the peculiar form of the mandibles and the membranous 
lobes of the maxillz not appearing fit for such a mode of life. 
The genus is probably confined to the sea coast, like A giaha 
and the Psammodit. 
Sp. 1. Silphodes Indica, Westw. 
S. castaneo-fusca, lateribus rufescentibus, elytris striato-punc- 
tatis, mediocriter setoso-marginatis, tibiis anticis extus (et 
inter dentes) serratis, tarsis anticis simplicibus. 
Long. corp. lin. 54. 
Habitat in India Orientali. 
In Mus. D. Melly. 
Magnitudine quasi intermedia inter S. Sumatrensem et Philip- 
pinensem, illé e tertia parte major, et magis glabra, hac minor et 
angustior. Caput lateribus parum elevatis, clypeo ferrugineo 
punctato. Prothorax marginatus, tenuissime punctatus, punctis 
lateralibus majoribus. Elytra regulariter striato- punctata, punctis 
haud profundis. Tibize anticee extus (et inter dentes) serrate. 
Tarsi antici et ungues simplices: an 9 ? 
Sp. 2. Silphodes Madagascariensis, Westw. 
Piceo-castanea, lateribus pedibusque magis rufescentibus, capite 
anticé latiori, elytris minus ovatis, punctatis, punctis majoribus 
striisque tribus levibus punctis utrinque marginatis, lateribus 
longius setosis. 
Long. corp. lin. 53. 
Habitat Madagascar. 
In Mus. D. Melly. 
Magnitudo fere S. Gambiensis at angustior, elytris et pedibus 
longius setosis, capite antic? magis quadrato, pone antennas magis 
rotundato, elytrorum punctis profundioribus striisque tribus levi- 
VOL. IV. M 
