1896.] of the Coleoptera of South Africa. 227 



ever, is much shorter than the paraglossae ; the facies is shghtly 

 different. 



In the diagnosis of that genus, as given by Lacordaire (Gen. d. 

 Coleopt., vol. i., p. 116), the ultimate joint of the labial palpi is said 

 to be truncate at the tip ; but in the example of P. natalensis (Chaud. 

 in litt. ; ex mus. Chaud.) generously given me by Mons. E. Oberthur, 

 this ultimate joint is distinctly and very sharply acuminate. 



Hah. This genus was hitherto represented in Burmah only. 



Peliocypas natalensis (Chaud. in litt.) 



Pale testaceous yellow ; antennae a little lighter in colour ; head 

 much elongated behind the eyes, nearly smooth ; prothorax one-third 

 longer than broad, the apical margin a little emarginate, slightly 

 broader in the anterior part than at the base, with the outer sides 

 curving a little towards the base, but with the posterior angle pro- 

 jecting, smooth, faintly plicate, and grooved in the centre ; elytra 

 twice as broad as the prothorax at the base, gradually ampliated 

 towards the apex, where they are about one-fourth broader 

 past the median part than at the base, slightly convex, punctato- 

 striate, with the punctures broad and the intervals smooth, the third 

 one with two punctures, one below the base, the other one above 

 the apex. Length 6 mm. ; width 2 mm. 



Hah. Natal. 



Gen. XENITENUS. 



Mentum with the lateral lobes slightly diverging at the tip and 

 very sharp ; basal part with a small, articulated, sharp tooth in the 

 centre ; ligula horny, slightly enlarged in the anterior part and 

 oblong at the tip ; paraglossae as broad as the ligula but not quite as 

 long, rounded at the apex ; last joint of maxillary and labial palpi 

 subcylindrical and not much acuminate ; antennae pubescent, each 

 joint setulose at the apex ; labrum moderately long, quadrate ; head 

 elongato-ovate, slightly narrowed at the base ; prothorax a little 

 emarginate in the anterior part, with the angles rounded, narrower 

 at the base than at the apex, the posterior angles prominent ; elytra 

 elongated, with the outer sides parallel, truncate at the apex with 

 the posterior margin slightly sinuate ; claws pectinate. 



Hah. The five species enclosed in this genus are found under 

 dead bark, dried or decayed plants, and sometimes under stones. 



Synopsis of Species. 



Prothorax subquadrate ; two infuscate patches on the disk ; lateral 

 band of the elytra well defined and posterior patch reaching the apex plagiatus. 



Lateral band of elytra, as well as the posterior patch, not well 



defined imdestus. 



I 



