Zoological Society, 13 7 



and rounded at the apex. The lateral keel of the elytra is distinctly 

 crenulated, and transverse shallow furrows run inwards from this 

 margin, leaving interspaces rather broader than the furrows, which, 

 for the most part, are about a line, or rather less, in length. On 

 the interspaces between the furrows, and the whole upper surface 

 of the elytra, are very minute scattered tubercles ; these are very 

 indistinct towards the suture, near which are one or two very faint 

 striae. The labrum is coarsely punctured, and the underside of the 

 head is also punctured. The under surface of the pro thorax is 

 covered with small tubercles, from each of which springs a hair ; 

 between the legs, the under side of the prothorax and mesothorax 

 is coarsely punctured. The first, second and third of the abdominal 

 segments are covered with distinct longitudinal rugae, and the apical 

 segments are punctured beneath. 



Several specimens of this species were collected at Bahia Blanca 

 by Mr. Darwin, who says they are ' tolerably abundant on sand- 

 hillocks.' A Nyctelia in Mr. Darwin's collection, from Rio Negro, 

 resembles the present species, excepting that it has pitchy red legs 

 and antennae. 



Nyctelia. subsulcata. Nyct. ovata, atra ; thorace transverso 

 distincte punctato ; elytris rugis tuberculisque minutissimis ; sulcis 

 transversis aliquant o irregularibus ad later a ihsculptis. 



Long, thoracis elytrorumque, 9J lin. ; lat. 5 j lin. 



Hal. Mendoza. 



This species is very closely allied to the N. puncticollis , and it is 

 with considerable hesitation that I venture to describe it as distinct, 

 more especially as Mr. Darwin's collection contains but one speci- 

 men, and that has lost its head and legs ; this specimen, however, 

 differs considerably in form from any of the numerous examples of 

 JV. puncticollis which I have before me. The thorax is narrower 

 and less thickly punctured ; the elytra are more elongated, and the 

 lateral transverse grooves are more distinct and regular. 



The thorax is transverse, and the length is equal to rather more 

 than half the width ; the middle and hinder parts are very nearly 

 equal in width, and the anterior portion is contracted ; the surface is 

 distinctly punctured, and there are two irregular foveae on each side 

 of the middle, rather nearer to the mesial line than the outer margin. 

 The elytra are one-fourth longer than broad ; the apical portion is 

 moderately produced and somewhat pointed : the whole upper sur- 

 face of the elytra is covered with very minute rugae, and there are 

 moreover some minute tubercles ; on the outer half of each elytron 

 is a series of transverse furrows, with convex interspaces equal in 

 width to the furrows. 



Nyctelia Saundersii. Nyct. atra, oblongo-ovata, nitida ; thorace 

 punctato ; elytris sulcis transversis paulb irregularibus a margine 

 laterali usque ad medium ductis. 



Long. corp. 1\ lin. ; lat. 4 lin. 



Hah. Bahia Blanca. 



Head distinctly punctured in front. Thorax rather coarsely punc- 



