318 Mr. K. G. Blair- A RevLion of 



PSEUDOPYROCHROA, Pic. 



This genus was proposed by Pic for the reception of some 

 of the Eastern species of Pyruchroa with small heads nar- 

 rowed behind the eyes. The type may be taken as P. de- 

 planata, Pic. Certain other species Pic at first referred to 

 Schizotus, Newm., but later (^ Melanges Exotico-Entomolo- 

 giques/ fasc. 8^ 1913, p. 2) stated that he had been mis- 

 taken in this genus, and that all were probably referable to 

 Pseudupyi'ochroa. With this opinion 1 quite concur ; alsa, 

 the Japanese species referred by Lewis to Schizotus should 

 for the present be retained, with his Japanese Pyroclirou, in 

 Pseudopyrochroa, Pic. 



The genus, however, as here adopted, is by no means 

 homogeneous, and lends itself well to further subdivision 

 upon the characters afforded by the head and antennae, 

 particularly in the male sex. Unfortunately, so many of the 

 species are yet known from one sex only that a complete 

 subdivision on these lines is for tlie present impossible. 

 From the point of view of practical utility, I have found 

 colour the most satisfactory basis for tabulation, but the 

 present attempt is intended merely as a temporary measure, 

 in the hope of stinmlating further study of the genus, and so, 

 by iielping to fill up some of the more vital gaps in our know- 

 ledge of it, preparing tlie way for a more scientific classifi- 

 cation at some future date, it is probable that in the Oriental 

 species the colours are liable to very considerable variation, 

 and that as longer series become available lor study (many 

 of the species have been described upon unique specimens) 

 many so-called species will have to be sunk as mere colour- 

 varieties. 



The term ''striped/^ as applied to the elytra, may, perhaps, 

 require explanation. Various authors use the term " costatc " 

 for the same effect; but, though true costal may, in some 

 cases at any rate, be present, the effect is produced by the 

 ])ubescence sloping in different directions in alternate longi- 

 tudinal bands, very much like the grass in a lawn that has 

 been rec(;ntly rolled. 



The term "serrate ])ectinate," as applied to the antennae, 

 means that there is a double series of pectinations — an upper 

 inner series, usually short and stout, and a lower series of 

 long slender branches (e. g., /-•. diversicornis, Blr., PI. XII. 

 fig. 10, in which the serrations are unusually well developed). 

 Tliis means that each of the joints concerned is produced at 

 its apex into two distinct branches, one short and stout, the 

 other long and slender. A somewhat similar a])p('arance is 

 sometimes produced by an antenna like that of /'. d'niudiala, 



