1904. } Catalogue of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 173 
most species, the apical part is seldom sparsely bristly (S. trans- 
vaalica); the tarsi are moderately long, and the joints of equal 
length, the two or three basal ones spinose inwardly at tip, the 
claws are moderately robust, much curved, and each one has under- 
neath a basal and a sub-median vertical tooth varying in length and 
also in position in the different species according to the sex. 
The species of Sparrmannia are massive insects mostly clothed on 
the head and prothorax, the pectus and the abdomen with extremely 
dense and long pubescent hairs, giving them a very singular appear- 
ance; this pubescence, however, is thinner in two species (S. flavo- 
fasciata, S. bechwana), but in others it is like a thick felt on the 
upper side except on the elytra. They are crepuscular insects; in 
the Karroo they appear in great numbers as the light disappears 
(there is no twilight proper in South Africa), and my colleague, 
Dr. Purcell, informs me that they are very numerous although local, 
and their flight produces quite an audible noise. I have some 
reasons to believe that, like some species of Schizonycha they pass 
some of their early stage in the accumulated excrements of the white 
ants, Hodotermes, sp. sp. They seem to appear in the months of 
October and November in the Cape Colony. 
Several of the species are very closely allied, but the shape of the 
clypeus varies in every one. The valves of the genital armature 
differ very much. The only outward character distinguishing the 
females from the males are the wider apical spurs of the hind 
tibiee. 
The genus is restricted to South Africa. 
Key to the Species. 
A?, Elytra concolorous. 
Be. Antenne 11-jointed. 
C2. Head and prothorax with a thick, felt-like pubescence 
hiding the teguments. 
D°. Clypeus incised in front. 
Head entirely hidden by the pubescence; clypeus 
moderately reflexed, deeply incised in the centre 
. F 5 reeiees ( vertumnus. 
and not sinuate on either side of the incision 
~* (leo. 
Head not hidden by the pubescence, clypeus dis- 
tinctly reflexed, deeply incised in the centre, and 
sinuate on either side of the incision .. .. .. transvaalicu. 
Head hidden by the pubescence, clypeus moderately 
deeply incised in front, the angles of the incision 
not projecting much beyond the margin which is 
very little arcuate ee eee ee ae ks. Drleska. 
