species of Indian Curculionida. 225 



from which it differs in its mucli narrower and less rounded 

 ])rothorax and more oblong elytra, the shoulders forming 

 almost a rounded right angle. In H. plantaginis the scales 

 are also distinctly narrower and more deeply divided, and 

 the elytra are more convex, both longitudinally and trans- 

 versely. In general shape H. 7nedicaginis more closely 

 resembles H. variahilisj Ilbst., but apart from ils smaller 

 size and very different coloration, the former species differs 

 m/er alia in its much broader front, more transverse pro- 

 thorax, more prominent shoulders, and distinctly broader 

 scales. 



All the three species mentioned belong to that section of 

 the genus to which OapioinoDt, in hi.s 'Revision des 

 Hyj)^rides ' (Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1867 & 1868), restricted 

 the name I'hytunomus, Sclionh., a course wdiieh has un- 

 fortunately been followed by Dr. Karl Petri in his admirable 

 monograph of the group (Siebenbiirg. Ver. JSaturwiss. 

 Hernnmstadt, 1901). Schonherr held the opinion that ail 

 the generic names of Curculionidse should be masculine 

 (Uisp. meth. Curcul. 1826, p. v), and this apjiears to be the 

 onl}' reason why he substituted the name Phytonomus for 

 that of llypera, Germ. As, however, his genus is absolutely 

 synonymous with Hypera, the name cannot properly be used 

 for any subdivision of Germar's genus. Moreover, as 

 \jv. Petri admits, the two sections merge into one another in 

 such a way that certain species might with equal justice be 

 placed in either of them, so tliat there is obviously no need 

 for a new generic name, for Germar's genus forms a very 

 homogeneous and natural assemblaoe. 



Mr. Lefroy records this species as doing considerable 

 damage to lucerne (^Medicago sativd) at Pusa. H. variabilis, 

 llb-t., has also been sent by Mr. Lefroy from the same 

 locality. The only other species hitherto recorded from 

 India is H. imhecilla, Fst. (IStett. ent. Zeit. 1886, p. 150), 

 which has been omitted from Dr. Petri's monograph. 



Cleonin^. 



Epilectus balucJiicus, sp. n. 



Ater, alutaceus, supra squamis pallida ochraceis maculatim irregu- 

 lariter obsitus, subtus dense squamosus, abdomine fasciis latis 

 nudis nitidis ornate ; fcmoribus praecipue nudis, tibiis tarsisque 

 densissime ochraceo-pilosis ; thorace atro opaco, confertim punc- 

 tato, ochraceo-bivittato, fovea magna utrinque pertuso et in 

 medio basi impresso ; elytris leviter et regulariter punctato- 

 striatis, interstitiis fere planis aequalibus. 



