BY ARTHUR M. LEA. 255 



ing more or less than half the surface; on the prothorax the black 

 scales usually form a broad stripe down the middle, sometimes 

 leaving a white median line, and often they occupy the whole 

 surface except for a few small white spots; the scutellum is 

 usually entirely covered with white scales; occasionally, however, 

 there are a few black ones at the sides; on the elytra the black 

 scales are massed more towards the suture than elsewhere, but 

 in nine specimens under examination not two are similarly 

 clothed; sometimes they appear as if spotted with black and 

 sometimes with white; the white scales appear sometimes in short 

 white lines. Under surface and legs usually entirely clothed 

 with white scales, but occasionally a few black ones at sides of 

 meso- and metasternum, on coxae and base of femora. Head 

 with black and white scales irregularl}^ mixed; rostrum entirely 

 nude. 



Head densely punctate; ocular fovea appearing as a shallow 

 transverse impression. Rostrum the length of prothorax, dis- 

 tinctly curved, parallel to insertion of antennse, base and sides 

 densely punctate, smooth elsewhere, in ^ slightly wider near 

 apex than in 9- Scape distinctly shorter than two basal joints 

 of funicle; 'ind joint longer than 1st and almost the length of 

 3rd-6th, 5th-7th globular. Prothorax as long as wide in (J, in ^ 

 transverse; sides rounded; base strongly bisinuate, apex more 

 than half the width of base. Scutellum feebly raised. Elytra 

 about once and one-third the width of prothorax, subcordate, 

 shoulders rounded, somewhat prominent, apex feebly emarginate; 

 striation only visible at extreme sides and apex. Tihice with 

 small distinct teeth, more numerous on the anterior than on the 

 four posterior. Length 5-J, rostrum 1|; width 2 J mm. 



Hah. — W.A. : Swan River. 



A common and extremely variable species, originally described 

 from a headless specimen. I have specimens measuring from 4 

 to 6 mm. 



AONYCHUS ARGUS, n.sp. 



Black, rostrum highly polished, antennas piceous-red, eyes dark 

 brown. Densely covered with white adpressed scales; prothorax 



