30 



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



very distinct groups which they form, and the characteristics 

 of which will at once be perceptible from the headings given 

 below. 



With regard to the first group (A. i. spec. 24-28) I may 

 mention that the elongated legs, largely developed poste- 

 rior trochanters, and often distinct posterior coxse, render the 

 motions of the insects belonging to it staggering when walking, 

 which together with their oblong, subdepressed body distin- 

 guishes them at a glance. I have subdivided them from the 

 cultriform or grooved mesosternal carina. 



The second group (A. ii. spec. 29-35) is equally well cha- 

 racterized as the former by the more robust, pyriform and 

 subconvex body of the insects. S. pselaphoides in the former 

 and S. advolans in the present group, form connecting links 

 between the two ; especially S. pselaphoides, which in general 

 appearance rather belongs to the second, upon closer exam- 

 ination, however, is easily ascertained to be an anomalous 

 member of the former. 



From the rounded or narrowed occiput I have divided the 

 second group into two subdivisions, giving preference to the 

 distinctions to be drawn from this part of the body to those 

 to be derived from the thorax, which from the variety of 

 shapes it assumes would naturally suggest itself for that 

 purpose ; but the gradations between the principal forms appear 

 to me too many, five, and therefore too indistinct to adopt 

 them. 



As to the third group (B. spec. 36) the insect which alone 

 forms it amongst those described below, is so different from 

 any of the others that is peculiarities must strike any one at 

 first sight, 



A, 



Species with a thick neck-, abruptly formed and immersed in 

 the thorax. 



i. 



Fouith joint of the maxill. palpi not acuminated; head sub- 

 auadrato-ovate ; eyes middling or small, finely granulated, 



