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JOURNAL R. A. S. (CEYLON.) [Vol. III. 



the club being dark and finely pubescent. The maxill. palpi 

 have joints 2 and 4 subcylindric, but the intermediate one 

 thickened towards the tip. 



I have not seldom in the month of June taken the pupse of 

 this species on the banks of the Colombo lake and hatched 

 them at home. I found them about one inch under ground 

 and often as far as 12 feet from the edge of the water, but still 

 in muddy places. The imago is very active, perhaps more so 

 than any other species of the g. 



No. III. 



General Rew,arhs on the ScYDMiENI. 



In the first number of these Papers, I have described a 

 winged species of GEdichirus, a g. supposed to be without 

 organs of flight ; in the second number I have given publicity 

 to the more important discovery of wings in the single g. 

 which forms the family of the Georyssi, also hitherto supposed 

 to be apterous. 



At present I am about to announce to some and to confirm 

 to others the existence of these organs in the family of the 

 Scydmcenidce, a fact, although incomplete, of more importance 

 than either of the former, considering the extent of the family 

 and the difference of opinion, which appears to exist on the 

 subject amongst the most eminent Entomological authorities. 

 It is this importance which induces me to enter more fully on 

 the subject. 



I am not acquainted with the famous monograph of the 

 family of the Scydmcenidce by Dr. Schaum. From the manner, 

 however, in which it is quoted by Lacordaire, in his g. d. Col. 

 I should infer that these two celebrated authors agree in all 

 the vital points. In Lacordaire's diagnosis of the family, 

 these insects are described as having (with the exception of 

 the American g. Brathinits, of which Lacordaire is not quite 

 sure that it belongs to the family) the elytra soldered together, 

 and being destitute of wings, Now, it is scarcely credible 



