Australian and Tasnianian Coieoptera. 205 



tered altout on head, apex and sides of elytra, on py^ndium, and 

 legs. 



Densely covered all over (less coarsely on elytral margins 

 than elsewhere) with strong punctures of almost uniform size, 

 the spaces between densely and minutely jDunctate. Head 

 irregularly oblong, very gently concave. Antennae with basal 

 joint large, curvilinearly triangular, and with much smaller 

 punctures than on head. Prothorax slightly longer than wide, 

 but slightly wider than long if a median projection be excluded ; 

 the projection occupies about three-fifths of the apex, is directed 

 obliquely upwards and forwards so as to overhang the head, is 

 deeply impressed along the middle from its apex to its base, 

 with apex widely bilobed and the outer angles somewhat pro- 

 duced ; sides bisinuate. Elytra quadrate ; with an oblique im- 

 pression on each side of base ; behind each impression the 

 shoulder, which is not elevated, projects forwards, and is tipped 

 at the inner apex with a closely set oblique line of golden setae ; 

 apical angles strongly rounded. Prosternum longer than usual, 

 each side of base with a strong femoral groove, marked inter- 

 nally by a fine oblique ridge, middle not ridged. Metasternum 

 slightly shorter than abdomen, and distinctly shorter than pro- 

 sternum. Basal segment of abdomen rather more than half its 

 total length along middle, and more at sides. Legs wide, and, 

 for the genus, rather short ; femora grooved for reception of 

 tibiae, and tibiae for tarsi ; tibiae each with a wide flange-like 

 extension, but on the front pair narrower than on the others. 

 Length 2 2-3rd mm. 



Hah. — ^Viotoria : Sea Lake (J. C. Goudie). 



The prothorax of sternalis seems to be crested somewhat as 

 in this species, but the description of the prosternum, shoulders, 

 etc., is very different. Mr. Blackburn referred sternalis and 

 inaequalis to Chlamydopsis, but evidently with considerable 

 hesitation. Mi*. Lewis apparently regards the non-keeled pro- 

 sternum as the main feature distinguishing Orectoscelis from 

 Cldamydopsis, and this sjDecies should perhaps be referred to 

 Orectoscelis, although probably a new genus will ultimately be 

 proposed for it. Tliis I do not venture to do at present, as 

 the head of the type is retracted, with the antennae and eyes 

 concealed, and to render them visible would probaljly mean its 

 partial destruction. 



