94 
ESSOLITHNA.* 
PEPHRICUS.+ 
The Rev. T. Blackburn, before describing some species of 
Pephricus, remarks] on the unsatisfactory separation of the 
Australian genera of the Eremmnides from the Leptopsides, 
and gives notes on the variation of the claws; subsequently, 
when dealing with the Leptopsides, he makes almost exactly 
similar remarks on the claws. 
Mr. Pascoe placed #ssolithna in the Leptopsides, and 
Pephricus in the Eremnides. I am convinced that Pephricus 
should never have been placed in a different sub-family to 
that to which Polyphrades belongs, and, moreover, that it is 
synonymous with #ssolithna. Both supposed genera have a 
short scrobe, rostrum transversely sulcate beneath, short 
metasternum, more or less distinct ocular lobes, stout an- 
tennæ, apex of rostrum with triangular plate (characteris- 
tic of most of the Leptopsides), scutellum absent, third and 
fourth abdominal segments short, hind corbels open, eyes 
more or less rounded, and, in particular, one claw to each 
tarsus. То this genus probably also belong the species de- 
scribed by Fahræusf as Polyphrades cinereus, murinus, and 
perignarus. 
Of the described species I possess Hssolithna seriata, 
Blackb., and Pephricus squalidus, Blackb., a specimen of 
each of which was obtained from Mr. Blackburn, and agrees 
exactly with his description. Of the others I believe I know 
Essolithna rhombus, Pasc., Pephricus echimys, Pasc., and P. 
nanus, Blackb. I do not think that the difference in direc- 
tion (the shape is almost exactly the same) of the scrobe be- 
tween seriata and squalidus should distribute these species 
between two genera and sub-families. 
The Australian genera of the Otiorhynchides are in a very 
confused state, and will probably remain so until a much 
more natural system than Lacordaire's is found for separat- 
ing the genera and higher divisions. 1% seems very pecu- 
liar to constitute and widely separate sub-families all the 
species of which have deciduous mandibular processes; pos- 
sibly this system will be along the limes laid down by Le 
Conte ** and followed by Le Conte and Horn. f 
* Pascoe, Journ. Linn. Soc., 1869, p. 458. 
+ Pascoe, T.E.S., 1870, p. 184. 
{TRS S.A., 1892, p. 230. 
|| Scientific Results of the Elder Exploring Expedition, p. 49. 
® A character (which might perhaps be regarded as only of 
specific value) possessed by all the species except Kingiæ is the 
presence of dense circular and more or less flattened prothoracic 
granules. Similar granules are to be seen on some of the spec’es 
belonging to Polyphrades and Cherrus. 
f In Schönherr’s Gen. et Spec. Cure. 
** American Naturalist, July, 1874. 
++ The Rhynchophora of America North of Mexico. 
