1885.] PHYTOPHAGOUS COLEOPTERA OF JAPAN. 737 



the middle, the sides very slightly rounded, posterior margin sinuate 

 at each side, its median lobe broadly rounded, surface extremely 

 finely punctured, only visible under a very strong lens ; a row of 

 punctures is also placed along the posterior margin. Elytra convex, 

 rather strongly punctured, the punctuation arranged in rather distant 

 rows, which at the disk approach in pairs ; between the last row 

 and the lateral margin is a broad imf)unctate space ; prosternum 

 narrowly elongate ; posterior thighs with an obsolete longitudinal 

 sulcation. 



Nikko. A single specimen. 



Closely allied to S.fuscicornis, Baly, but separated by the entirely 

 fulvous anteniise, the much more finely punctured thorax, and the 

 much stronger and more distant punctuation of the elytra. 



Sph^roderma nigricollis, sp. nov. 



Oblong-ovate ; fulvous, apical joints of the antennse and the 

 tibiae piceous ; thorax black, margined with fulvous, finely punc- 

 tured ; elytra regularly punctate-striate. 



Length Ig line. 



Head impunctate, obscure dark fulvous ; the frontal tubercles 

 obsolete but limited laterally by a distinct groove ; labrum piceous, 

 margined with testaceous, the maxillary palpi entirely of the latter 

 colour. Antennae half the length of the body, the first four joints 

 fulvous, the rest black, third and fourth joints short and equal, the 

 second rather longer and thickened. Thorax widened at the middle, 

 the lateral margin slightly rounded, the sides narrowly margined, 

 the anterior angles oblique, the posterior margin distinctly sinuate 

 at each side near the scutellum ; surface extremely finely but not very 

 closely punctured, black, the sides and the anterior margin narrowly 

 fulvous. Elytra slightly wider than the thorax, the shoulders some- 

 what thickened and prominent, finely, regularly, and rather remotely 

 punctate-striate, fulvous, the punctures surrounded by a small 

 piceous ring. The posterior femora and the apices of all the tibiae 

 piceous, the rest and the underside fulvous, the sides of the breast 

 also more or less piceous. 



Yuyama, Konose (2 specimens). 



The colour of the thorax, in connection with the regularly punctate- 

 striate elytra, separates this species principally from its allies. 



Sph^roderma japana, Baly, var. 



In comparing the three specimens obtained by Mr. Lewis at 

 Jensai with the type of S. japana, I have no doubt as to their 

 identity with this species, although the colour is different, proving 

 the species, which was described from a single specimen, to be 

 variable in this respect. The specimens before me from Jensai are 

 fulvous, with the exception of the elytra, which are piceous, the 

 sutural and lateral margin remaining only narrowly fulvous; the 

 legs and antennae are entirely of this colour. In shape, sculpture, 

 and every other character there is no difference to be found. 



