by C. N. Barker. 103 
size of the humeral patch can therefore be safely estimated as a very 
variable factor. In the specimen before me, the shoulder patch 
extends from the base to below middle, and covers at its widest part 
the intervals 3 to 7, and is longest on the fifth and sixth intervals. 
The heid and metasternum are not wholly black. The former is 
reddish from near vertex to base and the latter is wholly red. It is 
also fairly densely pubescent; the pubescence of the elytra rather 
long and decumbent. Length 10} mm., width 33 mm. 
PLANETES QUADRICOLLIS, Chaud., var. 
The single example belonging to the collection has been submitted 
to Dr. Péringuey (September, 1918), who has compared it with typical 
“‘guadricollis,” and considers it a melanic variety of this species. He 
adds that the dorsal patch of P. gwadricollis is very evanescent. It 
was taken at the electric lights, Durban, by Mr. H. W. Bell Marley 
in the summer of 1907-8. 
Trine BRACHININI. 
The Brachinini, though homogeneous as a group, are extremely 
difficult to determine specifically, on account of the great variability 
and the evanescent nature of their patterns. 
The genus Pherosophus is particularly difficult on this account, and 
with further knowledge many of those at present recognised as species 
will probably be sunk as synonyms. 
The examination of the genitalia of large series may afford some 
guidance later in their determination, though I have no personal 
evidence as to its reliability in this group. 
Two of the commonest species of Pherosophus in the Natal coast 
regions are P. fastidiatus, L. and P. capensis, Chaud. These two 
species, and varieties graduating from the one to the other, are 
frequently found together, sometimes quite gregariously, under the 
same stone or shelter. The elytral markings vary from large to the 
smallest traces, and the ground colour from yellow to deep red. The 
sculpture varies but little, and these slight modifications bear no 
relationship to the colour or pattern of the insects. 
It is, therefore, with some hesitation that I venture to add yet 
another species to this difficult genus. There are, however, in the 
following form some distinctive points that I have not met with in any 
other species of the genus with which I am conversant. 
