1220 COLEOPTERA 



Hygrochus. 



2149. H. vermCOSUS, n.s. Fusco-niger, covered with small 

 variegate, chiefly yellowish,' scales, these latter most apparent on 

 the sides and base of thorax and the scutellar region ; longer grey 

 scales or setae form an indefinite fascia on the posterior declivity ; 

 tarsi and funiculus ferruginous. 



Form similar to H. oscitans, except that the present species has 

 the thorax distinctly longer than broad, it is more narrowed behind, 

 the frontal portion being widest. 



Head and rostrum as long as thorax ; the rostrum nearly as 

 broad as the base of thorax, its median carina well developed. 

 Scape red, nude and shining at base, a little thickened, opaque, and 

 hispid beyond ; funiculus hairy, first two joints longest, joints 3-7 

 about equal ; club elongate-oval, finely pubescent. Thorax a little 

 uneven, disc but little convex, with some small wart-like elevations. 

 Elytra ovate, base truncate, narrowed and declivous behind ; they 

 bear series of rather large, but not very regular, punctiform im- 

 pressions, and, especially on the basal portion, numerous black, 

 shining warts. 



There are no ocular lobes. The extremity of the hind tibiae is not 

 cavernous, being ciliated at the sides only. Scrobes large and broad, 

 visible from above, their upper part sharply limited by the side of 

 the rostrum, the scape, however, is received into the groove which 

 extends to the lower margin of the eye, the hind portion, rather 

 shallow above, extends from the upper to the lower part of the eye. 

 Numerous fuscous setae are distributed over the surface. 



Length (rost. incl.), 2f ; breadth, 1| lines. 



Howick. One example, found amongst decaying vegetable matter 

 on the ground. 



2150. H. illepicLus, n.s. Piceous, tarsi and antennae brick-red ; 

 covered with obscure yellowish, elongate, mostly decumbent scales, 

 and a few scattered setae. 



Rostrum nearly as broad as base of thorax, almost as long, its 

 median carina not attaining the eyes and not well defined. Scrobes 

 with a squamose space above in front of the eyes, but well marked 

 below, quite similar in fact to those seen in the preceding species. 

 Thorax hardly longer than broad, widest near the front ; uneven 

 above, destitute of tubercular elevations, with ill-defined depres- 

 sions. Scutellum minute, squamose. Elytra ovate, base sinuous, 

 shoulders obliquely narrowed, so as scarcely to exceed base of thorax 

 in width, obtusely dilated just behind these, and again, but to a 

 less extent, in line with hind thighs ; their surface is uneven, there 

 being a depression extending almost right across between the hind 

 femora, and another strongly- curved one behind the top of the apical 

 slope, there are indications of large shallow punctures and a few 

 minute black tubercles, but there are no distinct regular elevations. 



This insect, it seems to me, forms a connecting link between the 

 typical species of HygrocJms and Homodus. The rostral excavation 



