22 Mr. D. Sharp on the 



Syncalus liystrix^ n. sp. 



B. breviter ovalis, convexus, piceus, aiitennis pedibusque rufis, setis 

 elongatis erectis adspersus ; tibiis sine setis exsertis. Long. corp. 

 3| m. m. 



At first sight this insect seems to be exactly similar to 

 S. optatus, except that it is much shorter in form ; on exami- 

 nation, however, some very important differences are seen. 

 The ninth joint of the antennae is here scarcely more than 

 half as broad as the tenth, the eyes are much smaller, the 

 last joint of the maxillary palpi is broader, and the tibiaj are 

 without erect setse. I think, if the surface were denuded, it 

 would be seen that the punctures on the elytra of 8. hystrix 

 are much coarser than in 8. optatus ; for on a denuded spot 

 I perceive one or two very coarse punctures. 



A single individual has been sent to me by Captain Broun. 



Episteophus (nov. gen. Colydiidarum). 



Corpus transversim convexum, rugosum, prothorace magno, basi 

 ad elytra baud applicata. Caput in tboracem receptum. Antennse 

 ll-articulatce, clava biartieulata. Prothorax lateribus subtus 

 valde excavatis. Tarsi subtus setosi, articulo basali quam secundus 

 longiore. Tibiae extus dense ciliatae, pro tarsorum receptione 

 subimpressse. Coxae posteriores sat distantes. Abdomen breve. 



The extraordinary little creature for which I propose this 

 name has, so far as I know, no near described ally ; but it 

 displays in some respects an affinity with the Tarjphii^ and it 

 should, I think, be classed in their neighbourhood. The 

 head, by a movement of nutation, is so placed as to be pro- 

 tected by the front of the prosternum (as in the Histeridse) ; 

 and the antennae are then received into the two very large, 

 deep, and abruptly defined excavations of the thorax. The 

 tibiae are also a good deal modified for the protection of the 

 tarsi ; these, when turned back, are applied along the upper 

 face of the tibiae ; and the outer and lower edge of the tibia is 

 very densely ciliated. The excessively coarse and peculiar 

 sculpture is much concealed by a dense exudation, which forms 

 a covering very difficult to remove. 



EpistropJius Lawsoni, n. sp. 



E. niger, antennis pedibusque rufis, tuberculato-rugosus, setis bre- 

 viusculis parce adspersus. Long. corp. 2 m.m. 



Antennse with the basal joint stout, and only its extremity 

 visible from above ; second joint stout and rather long, cylin- 

 dric ; third joint small, but more elongate than the small fol- 



