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SANJI HOZAWA : 



Wasmann, 15 etc. However, since it was first described by Fairmaire, 

 no second record of its occurrence, nor the discovery of a form 

 allied to it, seems to have been made in any part of the world. 

 Unfortunately Fairmaire's description of the beetle is very brief and 

 unsatisfactory. Nothing whatever about its ethology is mentioned. 

 On the ground of Wasmann's studies, it is to be assumed that the 

 species is probably a termitophilous insect. 



As to the present species, Z. formosanus, three specimens were 

 collected in 191 1 by Prof. Watasé and myself at Kuraru, Ako District, 

 Formosa. They were taken from the nest of Odontotermes {Cycloter- 

 mes) formosanus. The nest of this termite is situated about four feet 

 below the surface of the ground and consists of a royal cell and many 

 other cells containing, each a round spongy fungus-bed. 



From some cells of the latter kind, I have obtained three speci- 

 mens of the beetle in question, together with numerous larvae of the 

 termite. In organization the beetle shows several peculiar points which 

 seemed to be the result of its life in the nest of the termite, as for 

 instance the elongated eyes and degenerated hindwings. The insect 

 was capable of but very sluggish movements. 



Here I let follow a description of the species. 



Ziaelas formosanus, n. sp. 



Colour. — Dorsal surface dark reddish-brown and ventral surface 

 somewhat lighter, as observed on specimens preserved in alcohol. 



Head.— More or less longer than broad, divided by a constriction 

 before the eyes into an anterior and a posterior part. Anterior part 

 narrower than the posterior, subquadrate, with a short projection in 

 front, the antero-lateral corner forming a large conspicuous tubercle, 

 underneath which the antenna arises. On the forehead between the 



1) Wasmann, E. ; Termitophilen aus dem Sudan. Results of the Swedish Zoological 

 Expedition to Egypt and the White Nile 1901 under the Direction of L.A. Jägerskiöld. No. 

 13, 1903, p. 6. 



