Carpenter — Rhynchota from Murray Island and Mabuiag. 143 



Abdomen much reduced ; four segments visible above, the last 

 (male (?) genital) being button-shaped. Below, four segments at 

 least are visible : the button-shaped terminal segment, the penul- 

 timate segment, which is visible on either side, embracing the 

 ante-penultimate segment, which appears rounded, and as broad 

 as long, and is embraced on either side by the segment next in 

 front (PL XII., fig. 5). 



The insect on which I have founded this genus was taken on 

 a coral reef off the island of Mabuiag. Unfortunately only a 

 single specimen was obtained. It is to be hoped that sufficient 

 material will hereafter be forthcoming to enable the details of 

 structure to be carefully worked out. Yery possibly the description 

 given above of the meso- and meta-thorax and abdomen will then 

 require revision. 



In general aspect the insect resembles Halobates and Haloba- 

 todes, but it is readily to be distinguished from them by its 

 shorter and stouter legs, three-jointed tarsi, and differently 

 constructed rostrum and abdomen. The legs seem more adapted 

 for clinging or climbing on rocks than for skimming over the 

 surface of water, though the insect is probably able to progress 

 also in the latter way. The shape of the rostrum seems very 

 peculiar among the Hydrometridse. 



My thanks are due to Dr. F. Buchanan White, who has 

 kindly examined my rough sketches of the insect, and con- 

 firms my opinion that it is generically distinct from all described 

 Hydrometridse. It must probably be referred to a special sub- 

 family. 



I have pleasure in appending Professor Haddon's name to the 

 type species, described below. 



Hermatobates baddonii, sp. nov. 



(PI. XII., figs. 4-8.) 



Head and body covered with long, pale hairs. Head yellowish- 

 brown, blackish in front. Eyes black. Antennae fuscous with 

 proximal part of first joint yellow. Pronotum with anterior 

 margin yellow, and an indistinct central longitudinal yellow 

 stripe ; all the rest of the thorax blackish-brown above, except the 

 margins of the reflexed portions on either side of the abdomen, 



SCIEN. PKOC. R.D.S. TOL. VII., PART III. N 



