354 
PAROMALUS sp. nov. 
Plate XX, fig. 7. 
Reference :—Provisionally determined as an undescribed species of Paromalus 
by Mr. G. Lewis. 
Classification :—Order, COLEOPTERA. Family, Histeride. 
Predaceous upon Rhyncholus_sp.; Hylastes sp. In Spruce 
and Blue pine. 
Description. 
Beetle.-—A small, compact, elliptical, shining black beetle 
chiefly remarkable for having a number of spiny hairs projecting 
from the extremity of the ventral surface of the abdomen. 
Head not as wide as thorax, with a prominent depression on 
either side commencing in outer upper angle and sloping back- 
wards and inwards to lower third but not meeting the hind 
margin. Thorax with front margin deeply concave. A longi- 
tudinal depression on either side of the median line, the surface 
with prominent and fairly numerous punctures, Elytra nearly 
cover the whole body, only two narrow segments of the abdomen 
being visible behind dorsally ; the surfaces thickly punctured, 
the punctures, however, less numerous on either side of the 
median line. Under-surface black, abdominal segments reddish 
with numerous reddish projecting spiny hairs. Legs reddish; 
with four teeth on outer edge of the front tibia. Length 3nd 
inch, See plate XX, fig. 7. 
Life-History, etc. 
This beetle is to be found in the mature state in the middle 
of June at about 7,000 feet in the North-West Himalayas. 
It was discovered beneath Spruce bark in company with the 
Scolytid wood-borers Rhyncholus sp. and Hylastes sp., and 
it is probable that it preys upon them or their larve. It was 
also found some days later beneath blue pine bark amongst a 
large number of different bark—and wood-boring larve. It is 
an active little Histerid with a quick walk. Nothing further is 
known about this insect. Its larval and pupal stages have 
yet to be discovered, and the number of generations passed 
through in the year to be observed. 
