254 Desci'ijJtive Catalogue [1896. 



While Nematoi^eza might be differentiated from Liopeza by 

 attaching undue value to the distinctive characters here men- 

 tioned, I have been unable to differentiate them from Lehia, with the 

 general facies of which they gradually assimilate ; and although at 

 one time I thought that the division might be made easier by the 

 number of teeth on each side of the claw^s, I had to give up this 

 arrangement when I found that Nematopeza inconsjjiciia had four 

 teeth, while Lehia natalensis had also four, &c.*; we have also seen 

 that in Phloeozetus, the number of teeth vary much. 



The two genera, Promecochila and Astata, might, I think, be 

 retained. The main characteristic of the former is the shape of the 

 lahrum, which is very much elongated ; in the latter the shape of 

 the ligula and paraglossse differs much from that of Lehia, and the 

 general facies is more that of Arsinoe than of Lehia. It is doubtful, 

 however, if this genus ought to be considered as well established. 

 The student must use his own discretion. 



Hah. Lehia occur in Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South 

 America, and Australia t ; and in a genus the constituents of each 

 have such a wide range, we must expect to find slight variations in 

 the generic character; thus the tooth in the centre of the mentum is 

 more or less developed, sometimes very sharp or blunt, and even 

 bifid; the fourth joint of the tarsi is either incised, crescent-shaped, 

 slightly or very lobate ;[ ; the number of teeth on each side of the 

 claw varies even in the same species, owing to the presence of a 

 basal dent, which often developes into a very perceptible claw; I have 

 even found the number of the claws varying in the anterior, median, 

 or posterior legs of one example. 



Synopsis of Species. 



I. 

 Elytra piceous or dark brown. 



Elytra with the intervals moderately raised iimnacidata. 



Elytra with the intervals very convex fratcnia. 



II. 

 Elytra with a humeral yellow patch on each side. , 

 Head black. 



A sutural black band extending on the first and second in- 

 terval, and a posterior black patch covering half the disk . . ... nobilis. 



* The teeth in the anterior claws do not seem to be as well developed as on the 

 posterior legs ; the basal one is generally shorter or sometimes hardly discernible. 



f One species. 



I In the Neviatopeza this joint is very slightly incised, but there is a regular 

 gradation ; in the male there is always a tendency to more or less lobiform 

 dilatation. 



