360 DESCRIPTIONS OF XEW SPECIES OF AUSTRALIAN OOLEOPTEEA, 



Helcogasteb basirufus Lea. 



Three females, from Geraldton (Western Australia) evidently belong to this 

 species, they differ from the male in having more of the head dark, and without 

 conspicuous ridges and excavations, the prothorax is not notched in front, and 

 the black mark is reduced to a small longitudinal spot; the front tarsi are also 

 simple. 



Helcogasteb rhyticephalus Lea. 



A female of this species, from Narara (New South Wales) in Di-. Ferguson's 

 collection, has an elongate-oblong black spot on the disc of the pronotum. 



Helcoc.aster nigeiventris, n. sp. 



d". Flavous; mesosternum, metasternum, abdomen, coxae and parts of hind 

 femora black; parts of antennae infuseated. With sparse, dark haii-s. 



Head with a ratlier shallow impression each side in front. Antennae ratlier 

 short and wide, second-tenth joints obtusely serrated. Prothorax moderately 

 transverse, deeply transversely impressed near apex, middle of apex notched, 

 with a small elevation each side of the notch, hind margin of impression irregular ; 

 a shallow depression near base. Elytra distinctly longer than wide; with sparse, 

 inconspicuous punctures. Basal joint of front tarsi large, with a small, black 

 comb. Length, 2.5 mm. 



Hah. — Queensland: Herberton. in Februarj' (C. J. Wild); uni(|ue. 



The apical portion of tlie prothorax is deeply sculptured, b\it not as in //. 

 im.perator, from which it also differs in the colour and sculpture of head, entirely 

 pale elytra, etc.; H. incitiicollis ha.s a deep medio-apical notch, but the prothorax 

 is otherwise normal; H. spinieollis has a simple spine. 



Helcogaster ceratickps, n. sp. 



d. Black ; head, prothorax, four basal joints of antennae and legs flavous- 

 red. With numerous long, dark hairs on sides, sparser elsewhere. 



Head wide, with a large, deep, irregular, transverse, inter-ocular excavation, 

 with two small tubercles in front, and a larger one close to each eye; base with 

 dense punctures. Antennae moderately long. Prothorax distinctly transverse, 

 sides ratlier strongly rounded, a shallow o|)en depression near base. Eh/Ira short 

 and almost impunctate. Basal joint of front Inrsi with a small l)lack comb at 

 inner apex. Length {<?, ?), 3.5-4 mm. 



?. Differs in having the head opa(|ue and densely punctate, and without 

 excavation or tubercles, antennae thinner, abdomen wider, and front tarsi comb- 

 less. 



Wab.— Victoria : Sea Lake (J. C. Goudie's No. 828). 



A very distinct species nearer H. major than any previously describe*! 

 species, but nan'ower, excavation of head of male somewhat different, the tubercle 

 near «ach eye more prominent, antennae thinner, nmch less strongly serrated and 

 mostly dark (a few of the joints beyond the fourth are obscurely diluted with 

 red, but the apical ones are black), elytra shorter and comb of tarsi much 

 smaller. //. coelocpphahix, 11. hoplocfphahis, and If. aterrimu.1 are nnich smaller 

 species, and very differently coloured. The head when viewed from l>eiiind is 

 seen to have four tubercles: two small conical ones in front, and a larger and 

 somewhat curved one, projecting like a horn above each eye. The posterior mar- 

 gin of the excavation is ahnost straight, but its anterior one is irregular. 



