Eretmotas rtwf? Ei)iechinus (Histeridas). 235 



out sliglitly at the base, somewhat parallel to each other 

 laterally, and well marked but shortened before the suture ; 

 the punctuation rather large, somewhat scattered, and not 

 ocellate. 



I found this at Hamman Rirha, 26th February, 1888. 



6. Eretmotus Bedeli^ sp. n. 



Orbicularis, convexus, niger, nitidus ; capite subocellato-punctato ; 



pronoto aiitice punctato ; prosterno dense punctate. 

 L. 2| mill. 



Orbicular, convex, black, shining ; the head somewhat 

 closely punctate, punctures ocellate or subocellate, caringe 

 well marked ; the thorax rather densely (not so densely as in 

 E. kubylue) punctured behind the neck and at and behind the 

 anterior angles ; basal fovea very shallow and transverse, 

 the elytra finely punctulate, first stria fine but apparently 

 complete, second dimidiate, third obsolete ; the propygidium 

 and {)ygidium finely punctulate. The punctures on the pro- 

 sternum are very similar to those of E. sociator^ but the cariuse 

 are stronger near the base and the anterior mesosternal margin 

 is wider and less angulate. 



The prosternum of this species is not figured ; the upper 

 surface of the insect is similar to E. kabylioi and beneath it 

 resembles E. sociator. 



My friend M. L. Bedel discovered this species a few years 

 since in the forest at Teniet el Had, and last May I took 

 four or five specimens in the locality he directed me to. 



7. Eretmotus Leprieuri^ Mars. {approximanSy Fairm.j. 

 (PI. XIX. fig. 6.) 



I found this species at Hamman Meskoutin, in the cedar- 

 forests above Blida, and at Teniet el Had. It associates with 

 Aphanogaster striola^ Roger (?) , and appears to have a wide area 

 of distribution. The original example was found on Edough, 

 above Bone, and Baron Bonnaire has found it on the " Pic 

 de Cedres," near Batna. The ant is smaller and less black 

 than A. iestaceopilosa^ with the sculpture of the head very 

 rugose and the antennae and legs brown. At Blida I found 

 six specimens in one nest and at Teniet el Had four together 

 on the 2nd May. At this date Zygcena zulema^ Pier., was 

 very abundant, but rather worn, and the asphodel and tulip 

 still in bud ; but in the valley near Afi'raville the asphodel 

 was in full flower. The climate of Algeria varies so much 

 from year to year that a statement regarding floweiing plants 

 is a better guide to the season than any date. 



