416 PERCY SLADEN TRUST EXPEDITION 
Group Pheenicobatina, n. 
This group includes three genera agreeing in the following characters :—Tarsi with 
joints 2 and 3 short, very broadly and equally dilated in the two sexes, the claws minute 
or wanting ; rostrum free, deflexed, short and broad, or longer and dissimilarly formed, in 
the two sexes; prothorax more or less cucullate in front; ventral segments 1 and 2 long 
and connate, 3 and 4 very short, the sutures straight; prosternum unimpressed ; anterior 
coxze more or less separated ; wings fully developed or wanting ; body oblong or elongate, 
squamose or setose, rarely subglabrous above. 
The numerous species obtained by Mr Scott, some of which seem to be very abundant, 
appear to be absolutely confined to the endemic forests of the Seychelles: and as they 
cannot be referred to any of the “tribes” of Lacordaire, a new group is required for their 
reception. The peculiar tarsal structure of both sexes of these insects doubtless enables 
them to cling tightly to the leaves of the endemic palms, &c., on which many of them 
were observed in profusion. In steep places, where it was possible to look on to the 
tops of palms (Stevensonia, &c.) growing below, certain species (e.g. Phanicobates vittatus) 
were seen in large numbers sitting exposed to the light on top of the palm leaves ; they 
presented a characteristic appearance as little dark linear objects resting lengthwise in the 
crinkles of the leaves*. Various forms were continually beaten from palms, both from the 
living and dead leaves: some small kinds appear to have been beaten principally, if not 
entirely, from still hanging or fallen dead leaves. Whether any were beaten from 
dicotyledonous plants or not, is uncertain. Several were found in the heads of felled 
Verschaffeltia splendida (palms) in Silhouette. On a number of occasions certain species 
were found sitting on the leaves of the endemic Pandani and of a low-growing mono- 
cotyledonous plant (Curculigo seychellensis). Moreover, when endemic palms and 
Pandani were cut down to investigate the leaf-base fauna, one or more forms of this 
group were often found down between the leaf-bases: thus, in the case of four species 
of Phanicobates, specimens are recorded as having been taken from between leaf-bases 
of Pandanus, while in the case of two others specimens were found in a similar 
situation in the palm Stevensonia. It may therefore fairly be assumed that they feed on 
the palms and screw-pines. 
The group “ Phcenicobatina” may be placed near the “ Erirrhina” (Hrirhinides) of 
Lacordaire. The Family Proterrhinide of the Hawaiian Islands affords a somewhat 
analogous instance of an isolated insular group of Coleoptera, all the species of which 
(136) are endemic. 
The genera may be tabulated thus: 
Rostrum longer, dissimilarly formed in the two sexes, always smoother and more 
slender in $; wings present or wanting Me Kae ... Pheenicobates. 
Rostrum short and broad, similarly formed in the two sexes; wings wanting. 
Tibize hooked at the apex; elytra oval; rostrum widened outwards 
Phaenicobatopsis. 
Tibiz unarmed at the apex; elytra oblong; rostrum not widened outwards 
-Pheenicogenus. 
* See general account of collecting in Vol. xiv. of these Transactions, 1910, p. 25. 
