THE OEIBNTAL SPECIES OP CALLISTOMIMUS. 233 



14. The Oriental Species of the Genus Callistomimiis 

 (Coleoptera, Carabidse). By H. E. Andrewes *. 



[Received December 13, 1920 : Read March 22, 1921.] 

 (Plate I.) 



Having some new species to describe in this genns, I thought 

 it would be desirable, if it were also possible, to deal in one 

 paper with all the species at present known. I have been 

 fortunate in securing the loan of a number of types, and in 

 receiving permission to see others ; in this connexion I have to 

 offer my thanks to Dr. Gahan of the British Museum, Dr. Gesti-o 

 of Genoa, Dr. W. Lundbeck of Copenhagen, Mr. Rene Oberthiir, 

 Mr. E. Fleutiaux, and Mr. Guy Babault. To Mr. Severin of 

 Brussels my thanks are not less due, for at my request he made 

 an exhaustive search in the Brussels Museum — unfortunately with- 

 out result — for the types of the two species described by Putzeys. 



In 1872 Chaudoir described the genus Callistomimus (Bi],ll. 

 Mosc. ii. p. 382), which he differentiated from CcdUstus by the 

 edentate mentum and some other characters. In the following 

 year Bates described a new genus from China under the name of 

 Pristomachcerus (Trans, Ent. Soc. Lond. p. 323) for an insect 

 [P. messii), which was widely different, especially in the form of 

 the prothorax, from any species of the group then known. In 

 describing a number of new species in 1892 (Ann. Mus. Civ. 

 Gen. pp. 303-7), Bates discusses the relationship of the two genera, 

 remarking in conclusion " so that there remains only the 

 prolonged hind angles of the thorax, separated from the base by 

 a deep sinuation, to distinguish PristomaclicBrus.^' 



In examining various species, including some hitherto 

 undescribed, I find a number of links connecting the extreme 

 forms of the prothorax ; the difference is one of degree not of 

 kind, and in such species as Callistomiimis coao'ctatus Laf. and 

 C. littorcdis Motch. the hind angles of the prothorax are sharp 

 and the sides of the base distinctly, though only slio-htly 

 emarginate. I have endeavoured for some little time past to 

 keep the genera distinct, but I have now seen intermediate forms 

 which render this no longer possible, and I therefore treat 

 Pristomach(xrus as a synonym. 



As in Gallistus the outer maxillary lobe is in one piece. Bates 

 pointed out, when describing Pristomachcertis, that the maxillfe 

 projected far beyond the mandibles, and this is sometimes the 

 case. In connexion with this, however, there is frequently an 

 optical illusion, which struck me when examining a long series of 

 a new species. Normally the mandibles are tightly closed, and the 

 maxillae project as long slender shafts in front of them ; when 

 the mandibles are opened, it is seen that the relative difference 

 in length of the two organs is considerably less than at first 

 * Communicated by S. A. Neate, B.A., P.Z.S, 



