BY THOMAS G. SLOAXE. 173 



elongate plaga extentling' from base to about half the length on interstices 3 — 5 of 

 each elytron, a rather large common apical mark on intei'stices 1 — 1 (emarginate 

 on anterior margin), and a narrow lateral margin testaceous. 



Head wide (1.8 mm. across eyes), strongly obliquely narrowed behind eyes, 

 finely shagreened and punctiilate ; eyes very prominent. Prothorax transverse 

 (1.5 X 2.7 mm.); surface covered with fine setulose punctures; lateral margins 

 wide, depressed ; sides strongly rounded ; base shortly lobate. Elytra (juadrate- 

 oval (4.6 >^ 3.8 mm.); striae obsolescent; base arcuate on each side, emarginate 

 in middle. Length 8.5. breadth, 3.8 mm. 



Hab. — Launeeston, Kelso, Mole Creek (Simson, No. 2847). 



I know of no described species attributed to Philophloeus which has the pat- 

 fern of the elytra similar to that of P. simsoni. It is allied to P. sydneyensis 

 Blackb.. with which it agrees in apical emargination of the prothorax. and the 

 two marginal setae; apex of abdomen 4-setose on each side in S; intermediate 

 tarsi with two joints squamose beneath ; but the pattern of the elytra is different ; 

 in P. sydneyensis the \)a\.e vittae reach the apex, where they unite. Compared 

 with P. myrmecophilus Lea, the prothorax has the anterior angles less rotimdate, 

 not plurisetulose. the sides not with two or three setae anteriorly; eh'tra with 

 shorter plagae, and apex testaceous in middle. 



Philophloeus obtu.sus Chaudoir? 



Two specimens (?, No. 2674) are in the Simson collection without exact 

 locality, which I identify as P. ohtusus Chaud. Prothorax with two setae on 

 each side; apex of abdomen in ? bisetose on each side; it resembles P. simsoni in 

 pattern, but the testaceous plagae are more elongate, in one specimen attaining 

 the apical macula, the prothorax is differently shaped, being less oblique and 

 arcuate on each side of base, basal angles marked, but obtuse at summit and pre 

 ceded by a light sinuosity. Length, 7 — 8, breadth, 3.5 — 3.7 mm. 



Philophloeus bivittatu.s, sp. no\ . 



Oval, depressed; ])rothorax transverse, two lateral marginal setae on each 

 side, basal angles obtuse; elytra bivitt ate, the vittae long, pointed, apex and ninth 

 interstice piceous; apex of abdomen (t?) 2-setose on each side. Piceous; mai-- 

 gins of prothorax (widely), vittae, lateral channel, border and inflexed margins of 

 elytra, femora, middle of prosternum, and metasternum testaceous; head, an- 

 tennae; mouth-parts, tibiae, and tarsi ferruginous; abdomen infuscate. 



Head wide (1.65 mm. across eyes), shagTcened, sparsely punctulate. Pro- 

 thorax transverse (1.3 X 2.5 mm.); apex lightly emarginate; sides rounded, 

 widely and obtusely subangulate at anterior marginal seta, oblique to base; basal 

 angles obtuse ; basal lobe short ; base obliquely truncate on each side. Elytra oval- 

 quadrate (4.3 X 3.4 mm.), finely and closely setulose-punetate, faintly striate; 

 inner apical angles obtuse; base not roundly prominent on each side. Leugth, 

 7.5. breadth, 3.4 mm. 



Hob. — Launeeston (Simson). Two specimens. 



Nearly allied to P. confertus Blackburn. From the Western Australian 

 species which I identify as P. confertus it differs by <S with tarsal vesture on under 

 side of three basal joints of intermediate tarsi ; colour darker, especially pro- 

 thorax not wholly testaceous; prothorax less transverse, less roundly narrowed 

 anteriorly, anterior angles a little indicated, not so roundly obtuse. P. confertus 

 has the apex of abdomen in both sexes bisetose on each side. 



