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II. Tke Pselapliidte and Scydmajuidie of Japan. 

 By David Sharp, ]\I.B. 



[Read 5th January, 1874.] 



In continuation of the Avork of making known the Cole- 

 optcra of Japan, I have now the pleasure of submitting to 

 the Society the descriptions of the species of Pselaphidre 

 and Scydmajnidaj, brought by Mr. Lems from that locality. 

 TAventy-four s])ecies of Pselaphidas, and five sj^ecies of 

 Scydmfeuida3 are described in this paper, and all of this 

 number are treated as previously undescribed, not a single 

 species of either family having been previously described 

 as inhabiting the Japan islands. The number of species 

 of these groups, however, inhabiting the islands will be 

 found, I have no doubt, to be much greater than the 

 figures given above ; Mr. Lewis tells me that he made no 

 special search for these insects, and only captured such 

 specimens as he met with incidentally Avhile collecting or 

 Avalking. I may mention that there is a specimen, 

 a])parently belonging to the genus Pselaphus, among 

 ]Mr. LcAvis's captures, but it is too mutilated to describe ; 

 and that he possesses also four or five other specimens of 

 Scydmasnida?, apparently representing as many distinct 

 species, but Avliich I have not thought it advisable to 

 attempt to describe from these specimens alone. 



The Pselaphidas of Japan appear to present exen a 

 greater resemblance to those of North America than to 

 those of Europe. The occurrence of a species of Tmesi- 

 pliorus, and the comparative predominance of Batrisi, are 

 the main facts Avhich lead me to make this statement. We 

 knoAv little or nothing of the Pselaphid^ of North-Eastern 

 Asia, so that no comparison can be made Avith them, but it is 

 highly probable that a large proportion of the species here 

 described occur in the neighbouring parts of the Asiatic 

 mainland; Avhile the Pselaphidte of Europe present so 

 great a resemblance to those of North America, that it is 

 clear to me that they should be studied in connection Avitli 

 one another. Indeed, I may take this opportunity of 

 expressing my regret that many entomologists of repute 



TRANS. ENT. SOC. 1874.— I'ART I. (fEB.) 



