1899.] PHYTOPHAGOUS COLEOPTBRA OF AFRICA. 347 



posterior femora sti'oi:!gly dilated, the tibiae with a minute spiue, 

 simple, non-sulcate, the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as 

 the following two joints together, claws appendiculate ; prostenunn 

 nearly invisible; the anterior coxal cavities open. 



The most characteristic feature of this genus, which in general 

 shape I'esembles somewhat AjthtJwna, is to be found in the peculiar 

 structure of the antennas, which differs from every other genus of 

 Hcdtichue. In these organs, which have the lower joints very 

 elongate and slender, the penultimate three joints are suddenly 

 shortened and scarcely longer than broad, while the last is again 

 elongate and thickened ; the almost invisible prosternumis another 

 peculiarity rarely met with in this tribe. 



Malternia vaeicornis, sp. n. (Plate XXI. fig. 2.) 



Black, the head, the lower joints of the antennae, the thorax 

 and legs fulvous ; thorax distinctly but remotely punctured ; el3lra 

 bluish black, shining, very strongly and closely punctured, the 

 interstices subrugose. 



Length 4 millim. 



Head impunctate, fulvous, the frontal tubercles strongly raised, 

 subquadrate, carina broad, flavous like the clypeus, the latter 

 thickened, impunctate ; antennae nearly extending to the apex of 

 the elytra, black, the lower three joints and the base of the 

 fourth flavous, third joint double the length of the second, the 

 fourth and the following three joints very elongate, the next three 

 very short, terminal joint elongate, thickened, emarginate at its 

 inner edge, with a short additional joint ; thorax twice as broad 

 as long, of equal width, the sides rounded, the angles acute, the 

 surface sparingly and finely punctured, flavous or fulvous ; scu- 

 tellum black, triangular ; elytra wider at the base than the thorax, 

 black, with a slight bluish gloss, very strongly and closely punc- 

 tured, the punctation somewhat regularly arranged here and there, 

 the interstices slightly rugose ; underside black, sparingly pubescent ; 

 legs fulvous, the posterior femora strongly thickened. 



Hah. Malvern, JN"atal {G. Marshall). 



Hespbra africaka, sp. n. 



Black, clothed with fine pubescence, the basal joints of the 

 antennae and the legs fulvous ; the thorax and elytra minutely 

 granulate, without punctures. 



Length 4—5 millim. 



Of oblong, rather depressed shape, black, and opaque ; the head 

 and the entire upper siu'face minutely granulate and clothed with 

 very fine grey pubescence, the clypeus raised in shape of an acute 

 central ridge; the antennae long and slender, extending to the 

 apex of the elytra, black, the lower two or three joints fulvous, 

 the second joint very small, the third slightly shorter than the 

 fourth, the latter and the following joints very elongate; thorax 

 about one-half broader than long, the sides feebly, the posterior 

 margin more distinctly rounded, the angles rather obsolete, the 



