BY THOMAS G. SLOANE. 465 



thorax wider at base, sides less narrowed to base, base strongly 

 biimpressed: four anterior tibiae with a strong, spur-]ike, apical 

 prominence externally ; anterior tibije with two well marked 

 teeth on external side, etc. 



Var. BREViPENNis, n.var. A specimen in the National Mu- 

 seum, Melbourne, is smaller and of shorter form, particularly the 

 elytra; prothorax more rounded on sides, margins not so wide at 

 basal angles, lateral basal impressions less strongly impressed; 

 elytra shorter (5-3 x 4 mm.), interstices more convex, especially 

 towards sides and apex ; ventral segments far less punctate. 

 Length, 9 '7;. breadth, 4 mm. 



In other respects, it resembles the type-form; it is, perhaps, a 

 distinct species, but having only one specimen of each form before 

 me, it has seemed better to consider the island-form as a variety 

 of the larger species of the mainland. 



Ilah. — Melville Island (Spencer). 



Phorticosomus piceus, n.sp. 



Robust, oval, convex. Prothorax wide, subcordate, anterior 

 angles not advanced, lateral margin not explanate at basal 

 angles, these subrectangular; elytra striate, third interstice uni- 

 punctate above apical declivity, humeral angles obtuse; anterior 

 tibiae wide at apex, outer angle very prominent. Piceous; legs 

 reddish-piceous; antennae and palps reddish. 



Head ordinary (3'75 mm. across eyes); eyes small, not pro- 

 minent. Prothorax smooth, transverse (4 x 5*6 mm.), widest 

 before middle, convex, declivous to base; sides rounded, roundly 

 narrowed to apex(4'15mm.), obliquely narrowed to base (4'lmm.); 

 anterior margin truncate; anterior angles obtuse; base truncate; 

 basal angles well marked, obtuse at summit; lateral marginal 

 channel rather narrow, a little wider, but not explanate, near 

 basal angles; border lightly reflexed near basal angles; a light 

 basal impression on each side; median line light. Elytra broader 

 than prothorax (9*6 X 6-4 mm.), lightly declivous to base; sides 

 subparallel; lateral apical sinuosities obsolete ; interstices de- 

 pressed, narrowed and more or less convex near apex; striole at 

 base of second interstice short: border narrow, not raised at 



