Closely allied to 31. Batesi, but mucli smaller, aud with the elytra 

 t<liorter and moi'e couvex, and their punctuation more sparing, and 

 more distinctly arranged in lines ; tlie general characters are, however, 

 very similar to those of the larger species. 



This species was also sent by Mr. Lawson, from Auckland. 



Menimus ciECUs, n. sp. 



Obloiigo-ovaJis, sat convexus, nitidus, nudus, elytris tantum obsolete 

 jjunctatis ; oculis minutls ; prosterni processu apice depressiusculo, minus 

 producto. Long. carp. 2|^ mm. 



At first sight, this would be thought a pale form of M. crassus, 

 but examination shows it to be very different. The head is distinctly 

 punctured, but the thorax is shining and impunctate, and the sculp- 

 ture of the elytra consists only of some I'ows of very obsolete punctures. 

 The form of the prosternal process and the abortive eyes will readily 

 lead to the recognition of this species. 



Four specimens were recently sent me from Tairua by Captain 

 Broun. 



AETHOPUS,* nov. gen. (Tenebrionidarum) . 



Antennae W-articulatcB, clava triarticulata. 



Palpi maxillares articido ultimo liaud incrassato, quam 3° 



dupio longiore. 

 Tarsi subtus parce piJosi. 

 Fades fere generis PhyllodectfE {^Phgtophagaruni) . 



Antennap with the three apical joints thickened so as to form an elongate club. 

 Maxillary palpi with their basal joint very small, 2iid short, slender at the base, broad 

 at the extremity, 3rd slightly shorter than 2nd, about as long as broad, 4th joint 

 about as broad as 3rd, quite twice as long as it, rather thicker in the middle than at 

 the apex. Head rather small, inserted in the thorax as far as the prominent eyes, 

 which are somewhat oval in form ; insertion of antenna; not concealed, and quite 

 contiguous with the eye. Front coxffi rather widely separated, the process between 

 them not prolonged behind. Middle coxor hardly more distant than the front pair, 

 their trochantins visible ; suture between meso- and nietasterna very evident, extend- 

 ing just between the middle parts of the coxse, the mesostcmum in front of it obliquely 

 declivous. Metasternum moderately long ; hind coxse separated by an almost pointed 

 process, which projects a good way into a notch at the extremity of the metasternum. 

 Hind body rather elongate. Epipleurfc of elytra rather narrow, except at the 

 shoulders, but very accurately applied to the sides of the body. Tibiae quite un- 

 armed, and only a little inorassate at the apex : the tarsi simple on all the legs ; 

 furnished beneath with a fine but scanty pile ; they are slender and of the same 



*Ar-tbe-piis — D. S. 



