452 Prof. S. Maulik on a new Hispid Beetle. 
The collar coarsely punctate. The antennze hardly surpassing 
the prothorax, the first joint the thickest and coarsely punc- 
tate, the second thinner than the first but thicker than the 
third, slightly longer than each of the following three, which 
are equal in length, the seventh a little longer than each of 
the preceding ones, eighth to eleventh equal in length, the 
last being bluntly pointed, the surface of the third to eleventh 
smooth. Prothorax quadrate, at each of the anterior and poste- 
rior lateral angles there is a small notch in the form of an acute 
crescent ; the sides are margined and slightly sinuate; from 
each of the anterior lateral angles on either side a smooth 
sinuate ridge runs obliquely backwards on the dise ; ‘the 
surface coarsely punctate exceptin the front, where the pune- 
tures are finer; the posterior central area is smovth. In the 
Structure of the prothorax this insect resembles more the 
genera Nesohispa, Maulik, and Broutispa, Sharp, than 
Plesispa.  Scutellum triangular, smooth, dak red-brown. 
Elytra parallel-sided, slightly narrowed behind the humerus, 
in’ which it differs from P. reiehe’. The surface is not 
depressed as in Nesohispa or Brontispa, The external apical 
angles are broadly rounded. The sutural angles are without 
auy sharp points. Lateral margin is dilated for a short 
distance behind the shoulder. Regularly punctate-striate, 
each elytron having, besides a scutellar row, on the narrowed 
portion eight rows, and posterior to it ten rows, the fifth row 
giving rise to two, which again meet before the apical area. 
Lhe alternate interstices are inclined to be more costate than 
they are in P. reichet. Underside smooth, shining. ‘lhe 
colour of the abdominal segments is darker in P. reiched 
than it is in the present species, 
Length 7 mm. 
Described from eight examples. 
Type in the British Museum. 
Co-types in the Indian Museum, Calcutta. 
Malacea, 28. i. 1921. 
The insect was sent to Dr. G. A. K. Marshall by the 
Director of Agriculture, Federated Malay States. 
‘The larve of the beetles belonging to this group are leaf- 
miners, and often do considerable damage to young shoots. 
The following note, indicating the use of the Nipa palm, 
occurs on page 776 in Watt’s ‘Commercial Products of India? 
(London, 1908) :—* The leaves (golputta) are very largely 
employed for thatching and in making mats. In the Strait 
Settlements they are used for covering cigarettes. Toddy is 
obtained from the spathe, and the young fruit is edible. 
Gamble states that the trade in go/patia leaves in the Sundri- 
bans amounts to 135,000 tons, valued at Rs. 60,000.” 
