271 



the sides) are really so; but when viewed from the sides the 

 head and prothorax are seen to be supplied with very short 

 erect pubescence ; on the under-surf ace the pubescence is 

 longer on the metasternum than elsewhere. Only two joints 

 are remaining of each antenna, they are both black, but the 

 base of the first is reddish, the first is rather short (scarcely 

 more than half the length of the second tarsal joint), but 

 about twice the length of the second. There are several shallow 

 depressions on the pronctum, but these may be due to irregular 

 contractions of the derm. Each claw is irregularly serrated or 

 multidentate from the base to the apical third, and is then 

 suddenly narrowed and sweeps round in an even curve to the 

 tip ; the membranous appendage starting from the base of each 

 is very conspicuous. 



This species, perhaps, should have been referred to a new 

 genus, but with both antennae broken off near the base it is 

 not desirable at present to propose one ; the species, however, 

 is such a fine one that it is desirable to name it. 



OEDEMERIDAE. 



The table of Oedemeridae given by Blackburn (ante, 

 1899, p. 73) is unsatisfactory; "AAA" used for Pseudolycus 

 only, whilst sufficient to distinguish most species as belonging 

 to that genus, would exclude the males of several species 

 which, by the table, could only be referred to (Jopidita. The 

 comparative length of the head and shape of the eye are 

 much the same in several species of Ischnomera and Dohrnia, 

 but for the former are given as "Head short, eyes somewhat 

 round," and for the latter "Head more elongate, eyes more 

 oblong" ; these being, practically, quotations from Cham- 

 pion's notes on DohmiaS 2 ® The antennae of Techmessa 

 ruficollis are quite as long and about the same thickness as 

 those of Ischnomera suhlineata, but in the table those of 

 Techmessa are noted as "more robust and considerably shorter" 

 than those of Ischnomera. 



The maxillae when dissected out are seen to each have 

 three appendages, the inner to be densely pilose on its inner 

 edge, the outer to be having several joint-like portions all 

 densely pilose, < 29 > and a four-jointed palpus; the inner lobe 

 is always concealed from above, but the outer lobe is often 

 visible from above, and then causes the head to appear to be 

 supplied with three pairs of palpi; the basal joint of the 

 palpus is small and indistinct or concealed, but the apical 



(28) Trans. 1 Ent. Soc., 1895, p. 246. 



(29) With specimens mounted on cardboard this hairy portion 

 is often matted with gum and concealed from above. 



