116 ll^ay, 



Scymnus, Crypfoplwgus, Salpingus, &c. Demetricta Tiasuta, White, 

 and Paupris optera. Sharp, are not rare, with several Anthribidce, 

 including Anthrihus Irouni, Sharp, and the long-horned Exilis 

 lawsoni, Sharp, and E. variabilis, Sharp, in plenty : the little stumpy 

 Dysnocryptus nigricans, Br., superficially very like a Scolytid in appear- 

 ance, heing very rare. More general beating produces various 

 ElateridcB (Geranus, Mecastrus, Corymhites, the elegant Metahlnx 

 cinctiger, White, and the curious downy Parinus vilJosus, Sharp), 

 Macratria exilis, Pasc, many small weevils, among which forms 

 allied to Acalles predominate as usual, and several Longicorns, of 

 which the genus Xylotoles includes X. liumeratiis, Bates, griseus, 

 Westw., Icetus, White, rugicollis. Bates, the minute nanus, Bates, and 

 the shining blackish-olive X. nudus. Bates. Priono2)lus reticularis, 

 White, the largest of the indigenous Longicorns, is not rare, and its 

 larva takes very kindly to the numerous stumps of Pinus insignis ; 

 and a fine example of its rare all}' Oclirocydus Imttoni, Pasc, the only 

 one I got in New Zealand was brought to me on May 24th. The 

 elegant Tessaromma rmdatum, Newm., as well as a common weevil of 

 the genus Qonipterus, has accompanied the Eucalypti from Australia, 

 and both are now not rare near Auckland. Alema paradoxa, Sharp, a 

 curious little red beetle allied to Crioceris, but possessed of consider- 

 able powers of leaping, comes plentifully off the fronds of the tree- 

 fern Cyathea dealbata ; and by breaking open the decaying rachis of 

 the fronds of this plant, as well as the much larger and more succu- 

 lent stalks of C. onediiUaris, a very interesting series of small beetles 

 peculiar to these ferns maybe obtained. These include the Cossonids, 

 Pentartlirum sharpiamom, Woll., and P. longirostre, Woll., and the 

 minute Rhinanisus fulvicornis, Br., all of which are plentiful ; while 

 two very fine species of this group, Exomesites optimus, Br., and 

 Lasiorrliinus opacus, Br. (the ^ of the latter conspicuous by its 

 rostrum being clothed with long golden-brown hairs), are met with 

 rarely. A. curious elongate Nitidulid form, Xenoscelis prolixa. Sharp, 

 is scarce at Auckland, though it is found commonly in the fern-stalks 

 in other localities ; Lorelus priscus, Sharp, a flat brown Heteromeron, 

 is plentiful in the drier stems ; and a very interesting minute Colydiid, 

 JRhizonium antiquum. Sharp, is confined to those of the Cyathea 

 dealbata. 



Under such loose bark as can be found in the Domain and else- 

 where, Lacon variabilis, Cand., an imported Australian species, is the 

 most common beetle, and Platysoma cognatum. Sharp, Leperina sobrina, 

 Br., Mitophyllus irroratiis. White, and the fine grey weevil Aldonus 



