Dynastid Genus Lonchotus. 85 



apparently (cf. Felsche, Deutsche enfc. Zeitschr. 1906, p. 350) 

 the form long before described from the female by King as 

 Geotrupes crassus. I now raise the number of known species 

 to nine, by the addition of five new species, the types of all 

 of which are in the British Museum. All have a close 

 external resemblance, but, as is frequently found in such 

 cases, the genitalia of the males show strongly marked 

 differences. Tlie females are very difficult to distinguish, 

 but the following table of the species will, I hope, prove 

 sufficient for the discrimination of both sexes. 



The genus is related to Dipelicus, but is quite distinct and 

 remarkably homogeneous. It is practically confined to 

 Madagascar, and it is remarkable that, although systematic 

 collecting has now been carried out in most of the numerous 

 small islands of the Mascarene region, the little coral island 

 of Astove, about 150 miles north-west of the northern end of 

 Madagascar, is the only one in which this genus has been 

 discovered, while the form occurring in that island is a very 

 distinct one which certainly cannot be regarded as of late 

 evolution. Specimens of Lonchotus lentus from the Dejean 

 Collection now in the British Museum were said to come from 

 the He de France ; but this has not been confirmed, although 

 it has many times been brought from Madagascar. Dr. Sicard 

 has it from Ivondro. 



The majority of the species inhabit the northern part of 

 their region, but probably the number will be further in- 

 creased when other parts of Madagascar have been more 

 thoroughly explored. Lonchotus crassus, Klug, was found 

 at Antongil Bay (Brit. Mus.), and Dr. Sicard has a series of 

 L. punctatissimiis, Arrow, from Mt. Amber. Of L. polituSy 

 Arrow, described from specimens collected by Professor Scott 

 Elliot at Fort Dauphin in the south, Dr. Sicard has a female 

 taken at Fianarantsoa. 



The figures of male and female given in Grandidier's 

 ' Histoire de Madagascar,' Ooleoptera, pi. xx. figs. 5 & 6, 

 with the name Lonchotus crassus, do not represent that 

 species, but apparently L. lentus, Burm. 



1 (16). Hind angles of the pronotum not 



rounded oft". 



2 (7). Propygidium coarsely striated. 



3 (6). Sides of the pronotum very strongly 



punctured. 



4 (5). Sides of the pronotum with a smooth 



space in the middle. 

 (Prothorax of male without anterior 

 tiihercles) crassus, Klug. 



