96 Mr. J. 0. Westwood on a new Species of Mormolyce. 



all of them are pale, with two broad dark-brown bands, the 

 upper of which is subdivided into two or three in two of the 

 examples. 



4. A Physa, which in degree of ventricosity is intermediate 

 between P. acuta, Drap. t. hi. f. 10, 11, and the more elongated 

 or slender common Canarian shell so called by Webb, has been 

 also given to me by the Baron de Paiva, as found in the Rib. 

 dos Soccorridos and that of Goncalo Ayres, near Funchal. It 

 closely resembles " the rare long-spired var." of P '. fontinalis (L.) , 

 Forbes and Haul. iv. 142, t. 122. f. 10. 

 Lea Rectory, June 25, 1862. 



XI. — Notice of a new Species of the Carabideous Genus Mormo- 

 lyce. By J. 0. Westwood, M.A. &c. 



The confirmation of genera, established upon unique species, 

 and often even upon single specimens, by the discovery of addi- 

 tional members of the group, is always satisfactory, and, in the 

 case of very extreme types of form, highly interesting with re- 

 ference to the question of the development of particular organs 

 or portions of organs, as well as to that of the modification of 

 form resulting from geographical distribution or other analogous 

 causes. 



The genus Mormolyce, founded by Hagenbach upon one of 

 the most remarkable types of Carabideous insects, has long been 

 known only by a single representative, M. phyllodes, a native of 

 Java. Its relations have, as may easily be conceived, been the 

 subject of much discussion, the genus having been placed in the 

 great division Truncatipennes, as well as in that of the Tho- 

 racici. Instead of the compact, robust form which is typical of the 

 Carabidse, we have an attenuated structure, with slender limbs, 

 indicating great weakness of locomotive powers, united to a 

 slightly developed oral structure, proving the insect to be desti- 

 tute of those predaceous habits which are so eminently charac- 

 teristic of the family as to have earned for them the sectional 

 name of Adephaga. We must suppose a Carabus or Harpalus 

 to have been both drawn out longitudinally and flattened out 

 laterally, so that the elytra present great flattened dilatations 

 extending beyond the body in the form of two rounded spatula;, 

 — the whole represented best by a piece of the thin kind of 

 gingerbread known by the name of " jumbles." 



Although originally known as a native of Java, specimens of 

 M. phyllodes have been received from Malacca; and with the 

 latter there has been found associated a considerable number of 

 individuals of a distinct species, of which the following diagnosis 



