202 Transactions. — Zoology. 



will not cause so much trouble, as in most instances the 

 identity is obvious. 



It is not for me to attempt to criticize the work of the able 

 naturalist who has for a quarter of a century studied this 

 order, but the reflection suggests itself that the larger genera 

 might very well be tabulated by the only one who is at 

 present in a position to do so. Among the genera most in 

 need of such a tabulation are Bembidium, Cyphon, Acalles, 

 and the Pentarthra. Is it too hazardous to say that when a 

 table cannot be prepared, then the species are not distinct? 

 I have tabulated some families with much advantage to my- 

 self, but I am not anxious to publish my work while Captain 

 Broun is able to do the same thing in a more accurate 

 manner. 



Descriptions of three new species are submitted, all from 

 the south. 



Broscides. 

 Mecodema bullatum, n. sp. 



Elongate, parallel, coppery-black, shining. Head rugosely 

 sculptured, longitudinally on clypeus and above eyes, trans- 

 versely on vertex, which is sometimes almost smooth. Neck 

 closely punctate. Eyes moderately prominent. Thorax quite 

 similar in shape to that of sculpturatum, with strongly crenate 

 margins. The central and basal foveae are well marked, and 

 the surface has, in addition to moderately distant but con- 

 spicuous striae, a band of punctation along both base and 

 apex. Elytra parallel - sided, rounded behind. Each has 

 eight rows of finely punctured striae, somewhat obscured 

 by transverse rugosities. The alternate interstices are the 

 widest, and, being interrupted, present each the appearance of 

 being formed of from six to ten oblong flattened tubercles. 

 The lateral sculpture is inconspicuous. The sculpture of the 

 underside is similar to that of sculpturatum, but less pro- 

 nounced. Length, 25 mm. 



Puysegur Point ; Mr. P. Sandager. 



The species belongs to the sculpturatum group, and is 

 most nearly allied to itttoreum, the sculpture of whose wing- 

 cases might easily be developed into that of bullatum. 



Mecodema infimate, n. sp. 



Elongate, parallel, medially narrowed, shining fusco- 

 nigrous ; femora, palpi, and basal joints of the antennae 

 shining-red. Head with the vertex quite smooth, the occi- 

 put punctured, the clypeus and the swollen orbits wrinkled. 

 Thorax elongate, not much narrowed in front but consider- 

 ably so behind, the sinuation gentle. Its sculpture consists of 

 the usual basal foveae and central line. The disc bears well- 

 marked transverse striae, and the apical and basal margins 



