A Bevision of the Genus Synthocus. 113 



and almost impunctate. Elytra subglobose, the basal margin sub- 

 truncate and not broader than the base of the prothorax, shoulders 

 broad and roundly prominent, the sides subparallel from there to 

 behind middle, the declivity sloping steeply and rounded dorsally ; 

 upper surface convex, with irregular rows of large shallow trans- 

 verse reticulate punctures, each elytron with a juxta-sutural row of 

 4 low obtuse tubercles, then two very small tubercles placed longi- 

 tudinally about middle and finally an elevated marginal carina from 

 the shoulder to the summit of the declivity. Legs with brown 

 scaling ; inner apical angle of tibiae with a short process, outer angle 

 not produced ; tarsi moderately long and stout. 



Cape Colony [Stockh. Mus.]. 



Type in the Upsala University Museum. 



This description is based on a single example in the Stockholm 

 Museum, which stands under this name and agrees very well with 

 Thunberg's description. 



8. Brotheus sordidus, Pasc. 

 Ixodicus sordidus, Pasc, J. Linn. Soc, xi., p. 448 (1872). 



Long. 4f-5 ; lat. 3-3J mm. 



Colour dull black, with two dark red lateral patches at the base of 

 the prothorax. 



Head with large shallow punctures, forehead with a shallow 

 transverse impression. Prothorax about as long as broad, sides 

 slightly rounded, more or less constricted near apex, the base sub- 

 truncate ; upper surface scarcely convex, deeply punctured in the 

 middle and with a broad central furrow in the basal half, with a 

 broad transverse impression near apex divided in the middle by a 

 short carina ; the sides almost impunctate, or else with large remote 

 punctures. Elytra short subovate, the basal margin subtruncate 

 and not broader than the base of the prothorax, shoulders rather 

 acutely prominent, the sides very gradually narrowed from there 

 posteriorly, the declivity rounded and much less steep than usual ; 

 upper surface convex, with irregular rows of shallow punctures 

 which are normally concealed by the dense black scaling, with a 

 small oblique basal callus on each side of the suture and a second 

 less distinct one near the shoulder ; the only sculpturing on the disk 

 consists of a very small tubercle on each side of the suture at the 

 top of the declivity and the dorsal margin is carinate from the 

 shoulder nearly to the apex. Legs dull black, with sparse black 

 setae ; inner apical angle of tibiae with a curved spur, the outer 

 angle slightly produced ; tarsi moderately long and stout. 



