50 



journal r. a. s. (ceylon). [Vol. ILL 



bristles. The paraglossae agree in all three species in as far 

 as they are highly developed, reach much beyond the anterior 

 margin of the ligula and are more or less bent inwards., 

 Their greatest development they assume in H. elegans, in 

 which they nearly touch each other in front of the anterior 

 margin, being cylindric and slender at the same time. In H* 

 ruficollis the paraglossae are somewhat shorter and straighten 

 and in H, bimaculata still more so. 



On all other points the three species perfectly agree ; in saying 

 which I lay particular weight upon the unusual sculpture of 

 the elytra, and the rather peculiar hairy vesture of the insects, 

 bearing also in mind their general appearance, proportions , 

 system of coloration, mode of living, etc. As to the hairy 

 vesture of certain parts of the body and the sculpture of the 

 elytra, it is true that these are not generally looked upon as 

 of much importance ; however, they appear to me so in this 

 instance, as they present certain unusual variations, repeated 

 in all three species. The hairy vesture consists in thin yellowish 

 or reddish hairs, thinly seminated over the back, and still more 

 thinly over the whole of the lower surface of the insects, being 

 at the same time longer at the latter place. This vesture 

 acquires its greatest density on the legs, especially the tibiae 

 and tarsi, whilst their uniform presence at the palpi forms 

 almost a generic character. The elytra are exquisitely sculp- 

 tured into about eight larger costse on either of them and into 

 two smaller ones between every two of these ; the furrows thus 

 formed are finely transversely rugose and— with the exception 

 of the central furrow between every two larger costse— thinly 

 pubescent. 



39. Heteroglossa elegans. JST. 



H. supra rufo-eastanea, capite obscurioro, maculis 2 humeralibus ob- 

 soletissimis ferrugineis ; subtus dilutior, pedibus, antennis oreque subtes- 

 taceis, elytris ad angulos apical, extern, testaceis ; long. corp. 3£ lin. 



In lacus Colombensis ripis sub vegetab. putrescent, non infrequenter 

 ccpi. 



An agile, pretty little insect of chocolate color and with 

 its family features about it. Head smooth, polished, above 



