431 



very feeble, or represented by a small depression at each 

 end. From some directions the prothorax appears to be 

 feebly shagreened. The outlines of the elytra are continuous 

 with those of prothorax, but more rapidly narrow to the apex 

 than in all other species of the genus. 



Oomela, n. g. 



Eyes rather coarsely faceted. Antennae rather long, 

 joints more or less filiform. Maxillary palpi short, apical 

 joint briefly conical, the subapical joint distinctly wider. 

 Epipleurae of elytra narrow, flat, or gently concave. Inter- 

 coxal process of prostemum rather narrowly triangular in 

 front, rather widely dilated and flat at base, with the middle 

 feebly notched; front coxal cavities closed. Legs rather 

 short; claws each with a rather large basal appendix. 



A genus of small species, several of which at first sight 

 appear to belong to Paropsis, but they are readily distin- 

 guished therefrom by the non-securiform palpi and elytral 

 epipleurae not overhanging. The general characters are those 

 of Chalcolampra, but the small size, oval outlines, and general 

 appearance are very different to those of most species of that 

 genus; the eyes, as a rule, are slightly less prominent and 

 rather less coarsely faceted, and the outlines of the prothorax 

 and elytra are more or less continuous (but so they are on 

 some species of Chalcolampra ) ; the inter-coxal process of the 

 mesosternum is gently produced in the middle, fitting into a 

 slight notch on the prosternal process, but unless the pro- 

 thorax and mesothorax are separated both process and notch 

 are difficult or impossible to be seen ; the base* of the 

 prosternal process, however, is subtriangularly dilated on 

 each side and flat, and level or almost level with the middle ; 

 in Chalcolampra the base is always depressed below the 

 middle and more or less rounded, merging into the general 

 sculpture instead of distinctly elevated above same. There 

 are abdominal lamellae somewhat as in some species of 

 Geomela, but smaller, so that it is necessary to force the hind 

 legs aside to see them clearly. The front coxal cavities are 

 each closed behind by a very narrow ridge; but when the 

 prothorax and mesothorax are separated the lower parts of 

 the front coxae are readily seen. Type of genus, variabilis. 



Oomela variabilis, n. sp. 



Reddish-castaneous, usually with some parts black or 

 infuscate. 



Bead almost impunctate, a shallow depression close to 

 each eye. Prqthorax more than thrice as wide as long, sides 



