592 NEW SPECIES OF AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, 



middle from a line extending over the length of the back, the- 

 second (posterior) a little behind them, and invariably nearer 



the suture A very peculiar substance, which the 



French call ' enduit ' . . . which I have mentioned as ' a 

 sort of exudation ' is found in a few species. Two have it in the 

 form of small grains as if sprinkled with sand, and two others 

 have a waxy varnish, which, however, appears to be a part of the 

 true integument." 



Scales. — The scales on Catasarcus are of comparatively large 

 size, and are extremely easily abraded. I have placed densely 

 squamosa specimens in spirits, and, on removing them some 

 months later, noticed that the scales had almost disappeared from 

 the derm, a few only remaining in the punctures. On reading 

 Mr. Pascoe's descriptions, it will often be noticed that he speaks 

 of scales filling the punctures but absent elsewhere, and he makes 

 considerable use of the scales in his tabulations. The discal spines 

 (except occasionally at their bases) are entirely destitute of scales;. 

 a few straggling ones may sometimes be seen on the posthumeral; 

 otherwise the whole of the upper surface appears to be almost 

 equally clothed; scales may frequently be seen in a small dense 

 patch about the scutellar region and to a less extent in the pro- 

 thoracic impressions, the rest of the surface being nude. This is 

 due to those parts being less subject to abrasions ; the rostral 

 grooves are usually densely filled with scales, even in greatly 

 abraded specimens; this is due in great measure to those parts being 

 provided at the sides with short stout setfe. I have taken two 

 specimens exactly alike in all details and then removed all the 

 scales from the pro thorax of one of them; on comparing them 

 together the prothorax of the one appears to be proportionately 

 much wider than the nonabraded specimen (compare brevicollis 

 and nitidulus, Ac, in tabulation). The colour of the scales in 

 this genus (and perhaps in the majority of Curculionidce.) is of 

 but little value, as it is often extremely variable and subject to 

 considerable alteration, after death, through the action of grease, 

 age, spirits, kc. Besides in this genus (as well as in others) they 

 are often concealed by a floury exudation (soluljle in spirits, itc). 



