On South AfiicdH Species r)/ Ilypoliilius. 359 



XLTI. — Souih African Species of the Genus Ilypolitlnis, 

 Dejean. By C. N. IJakkhi, F.E.S. (of the Durbau 

 Museum). 



Of all the Carabidae the Harpalini are perliaps the most 

 difficult, aud the species of the genus Hurpalus, on account 

 of their numbers, their similarity of facies, and the wholly 

 insufficient descriptions of those that have been published, 

 are quite impossible of satisfactory treatment by anyone 

 who has not access to the scattered tyi)es for comparison. 



The genus Hypulithus, however, although it includes a 

 fair number of species, and doubtless there are many more 

 yet to be found, has a less extended range, being principally 

 confined to the eastern side of our subcontinent, and on 

 that account they are better known to me. Of the consider- 

 able number described by Dr. Peringucy, most of them 

 were collected by my friends the Rev. J. A. O'Neil aud 

 Dr. G. A. K. Marshall, and some by myself ; co- or para- 

 types of all these are contained in the Durban Museum 

 collection. 



There is a good deal of sexual variation among some of 

 the species, and it is therefoi'e unfortunate that authors 

 have omitted to state whether both sexes or which sex is 

 represented in their descriptions. 



In addition to eight new species described by me below, 

 there are individual examples of others that I have little 

 doubt will later prove to be good species, but the character- 

 istics of which are not sufficiently distinctive to be treated 

 on such limited material. 1 have appended, however, some 

 remarks on these beneath the lieadings of tbeir nearest 

 allies, which may prove useful for later reference. All 

 types of species described by me are in the Durban Museum 

 collection. The table given below I trust may prove of 

 some use as a guide to the recognition of the species of this 

 genus. It is compiled principally on the general facies of 

 the insects, which, however, thus appear to group themselves 

 on fairly natural lines. The transitions of one type into 

 another is usually so gradual — in some cases almost im- 

 perceptible — that it is extremely difficult to find definitions 

 lor sections which satisfactorily express their distinctive 

 characteristics, and with the best will I do not ])retcnd 

 to have succeeded otherwise than indiffereutly in my 

 attempt. 



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