1376.1 lUl 



interruption, its base very closely applied to the base of the elytra, considerably nar- 

 rowed towards the front, tlie sides are quite smooth and shining, but on the extreme 

 base in the middle, is a series of closely placed large punctures, and in front of these 

 the surface is sparingly punctured. Elytra shining, brassy, without sculpture or any 

 striae. Under-surface also shining and impunctate, but the apical ventral segment 

 alutaceous and sub-opaque. Legs clear yellow, the tibise short, but distinctly longer 

 than the tarsi, the front and middle pair slightly angulated externally about the 

 middle. 



A single specimen of this curiosity has been sent from Auckhmd 

 by Mr. Lawson ; I hope the reception of other specimens may enable 

 me to make known its characters in a more complete manner. On 

 commencing my examination of it, I supposed it would prove allied to 

 the ErofyJidce, but I do not now think this is likely to prove the case. 



PENITICUS,* nov. (]eii. {Chvijmmdidamm) . 

 Corpus breve, convexum. 

 Thorax lateribus mnrrjinntis et siniiatis, anrjulis poslerioribiis 



minute 2iromiiiuUs, basi truncnio. 

 EJijfra ad anc/idos Jnimerales jjliculis elevatis. 

 Pedes cnissiusciili, tarsorum unc/uiciiJis basi appendiculatis. 



Head deflexed, inserted as far as the back of the eyes, which are convex. Front 

 coxae rather widely separated, the centi'al part of the presternum only lialf as long 

 as the sides of the thorax. Middle coxae rather widely separated ; metasternum 

 very short ; hind coxae only a little more distant from one another than the front 

 ones are ; in form they arc rather short and transverse. Fourth ventral segment 

 abbreviated in the middle, Stii short and indistinct. Elytra convex and bulged, 

 rather produced at the extremity, near the rounded and indistinct humeral angles, 

 with some short longitudinal elevations or folds. Legs rather short and stout, the 

 tibiae without grooves or notches ; the claws of the tarsi thick at their base, so as 

 to appear appendlculate. 



These curious insects, from the structure of their tarsi and general 

 characters, must no doubt be classified in the Eumolpides, but 1 fail to 

 discover in Chapuis' work any near ally for them ; and must leave 

 their exact position doubtful for the present. The species appear to 

 be extremely rare, only one or two of each having as yet been found. 



Peniticus suffusus, n. sp. 



Fuscus, nifidus, aiifennis j^f^dibusque dilufioribus, fere testnceis ; 

 prothorace parce minus distincte punctato, maculis p>'^mdioribus vaqis ; 

 ehjtris parce irregulariter punctatis, apice et pliculis huineralibus 

 testaceis. Long. carp. 5 mm. 



Antennae reddish, '6 mm. in length, 2nd joint mucli shorter than the others, so 

 * l'eu-lt-I-ou8.— U. S. 



