Mr. A. Murray on Coleoptera from Old Calabar, 171 



Fig. A, which is a copy of Lacordaire's ligula of Psilotus car- 

 bonicusy is a correct representation of that of a Colastus. Fig. B 



is that of Psilotus, I ought to say that I have not dissected 

 the mouth of Psilotus carbonicus. I have only one specimen, 

 and do not choose to risk it, especially as I have dissected Psi- 

 lotus cornutus and Psilotus ventralis, both of which have the 

 ligula of one type (viz. that above shown) and are as close as 

 can be to Ps. carbonicus in other characters. Axyra has the 

 same type of ligula as Psilotus, only the appendages are a little 

 straighter in front. 



Axyra brunnea and perforata are so very close to each other 

 that I have great hesitation in keeping them distinct. Still, if 

 a number of specimens were mixed together, they could be di- 

 stinguished, and I therefore allow the species to stand. 



Axyra brunnea has a tinge of brown in its black, while A. 

 perforata is coal-black : the former has the thorax a little wider, 

 especially in front; and the latter has the punctures on the ely- 

 tra a little more regular and better defined, they producing in 

 the former more the effect of papillse than of punctures. 



Not scarce, a good many specimens having been received. 



2. Axyra elongata. 



Nigra, fortiter punctata, A. perforates valde affinis, parum angus- 



tior, magis plana. 

 Long. 3| lin., lat. IJ lin. 



Perhaps only a variety of the preceding species ; narrower, 

 comparatively not so broad in front, and rather flatter, especially 

 the disk of the prothorax. The little longitudinal prominence 

 or ridge on each side at the base of the thorax almost effaced. 



Three specimens are all that I have seen. 



3. Axyra papulosa, 



AflSnis prsecedentibus, sed minor; brunueo-nigra, fortiter punc- 

 tata; elytris subpapillosis ; thorace latiore pone medium, et 

 angulis posticis abrupte inflexis. 



Long. 2J lin., lat. 1^ lin. 



Easily distinguished from the preceding by the form of the 

 thorax. In all the other species the posterior halves of the sides 



12* 



