HEMIPTF.RA HETEROPTERA. 55 



Africa. 



7. Melucha atra. 



Foem. Atra, lata; antennce cor pore multo breviores, arliculo Ao \o 

 paullo breviore ; pro thorax tuber culatus, angiitis posticis obtusis 

 prominulis ; scutellum transverse rugulosum, apice testaceum ; 

 abdomen piceo-nigrum ; femora postica sublux apices versus dilatnta 

 et angulata ; tibia poslicce supra subtnsque dilalatce ; tarsi postici 

 fulvi ; ala postica cyaneo purpureoque nitentes. 



Female. Deep black, broad. Head small. Eyes piceous, prominent. 

 Antennae mucb shorter tban the body; joints from the first to the third 

 successively decreasing in length ; fourth a little shorter than the first. 

 Prothorax with numerous tubercles of various size and with a longitudinal 

 furrow; hind angles obtuse, rather prominent. Sculellum transversely 

 rugulose, testaceous at the tip. Abdomen piceous-black. Four anterior 

 femora beneath with a subapical spiue, which is accompanied by a smaller 

 spine nearer the tip. Hind femora much shorter than the abdomen, dilated 

 and angular beneath near the tips; a cluster of subapical spines. Hind 

 tibiae as long as the hind femora, much dilated above and beneath, where 

 the dilatation is greatest near the base. Hind tarsi tawny. Hind wings 

 black, with blue and purple reflections. Length of the body ll£ lines. 



a. West Africa. From Mr. Fraser's collection. 



8. Melucha aurulenta. 



Fcem. Picea ; antennce graciles, corpore multo breviores ; prothorax 

 aureo tomentosus, an gulis posticis rolundatisnon prominulis ; scutellum 

 peracutum ; abdominis dorsum ochraceum, nigro marginatum, apice 

 atrum ; segmentum 2um ventrale lumidum ; femora postica incrassata, 

 abdomine multo breviora,subtus unidentata ; tibia postica latiuscula ; 

 ala antica rufo-fusca, membrana obscure fusca ; ala postica 

 nigricantes. 



Female. Piceous. Eyes prominent. Rostrum extending nearly to 

 the middle coxae, testaceous towards the tip, which is piceous; third joint 

 shorter than the others. Antennae slender, much shorter than the body ; 

 joints from the first to the third successively decreasing in length. Prothorax 

 with gilded tomentum ; transverse ridge near the hind border slight; sides 

 straight; hind angles much rounded, not prominent. Scutellum elongate- 

 triangular, very acute. Abdomen above bright orange, bordered with 

 black, deep black towards the tip; second ventral segment with a large 

 protuberance, which is excavated on its fore side. Four anterior femora 

 beneath with three minute subapical spines. Hind femora incrassated, 

 much shorter than the abdomen, slightly dentate beneath between the tips 

 and a stout spine which is at a little beyond the middle. Hind tibiae 

 rather broad, shorter than the hind femora. Tarsi tawny. Fore wings 

 reddish brown ; membrane dark brown. Hind wings blackish. Leugth of 

 the body S\ lines. 



a. West Africa. From Mr. Fraser's collection. 



