1878 ] 83 



Cnjptoplicigus ; eyes convex, and with very coarse facets ; front part 

 of head mucli produced beyond insertion of antennae. Thorax large, 

 not quite so long as broad, the front margin depressed-emarginate on 

 each side beyond the eyes, the sides nearly straight, but slightly 

 narrowed behind, the hind angles well marked and rectangular, the 

 sui'face with distant but distinct punctures, which bear very short 

 hairs. Scutellum moderately large, impunctate. Elytra with series 

 of fine, distant punctures, which bear excessively short setae. Legs 

 i-ather long. 



The facies of this species is quite in accordance with its structural 

 characters, for it suggests at a glance a relationship with Dacne, 

 Crifpiopliagxis^ and Triplax. 



I have received two specimens from Capt. Broun, as N^o. 4, and 

 am informed that he found about a dozen individuals of the species 

 in fungus, at Tairua. I can see no characters to inform me of the sex 

 of the individuals. 



As I have just remarked, this insect combines the characters of 

 Triplax, Dacne, and Grypiopliacjus : the antennae are those of a Crypto- 

 pJiagus, such as C. lycoperdi, the three apical joints, though larger than 

 the preceding ones, can scarcely be called a club : the form of the 

 head and the insertion of the antennae are as in Triplax russica, except 

 that the width is not so groat and the length is greater ; the facets of 

 the eyes are even coarser than in Cryptoplutgiis. The apical joints of 

 the palpi are dilated, that of the maxillary ones being hatchet-shaped. 

 The structure of the prothorax and its relations to the mesothorax are 

 but little different from Triplax, the space separating the coxae is 

 broad, especially in relation to the width of the body ; the prosternal 

 process is not margined at the sides, except in an obsolete manner. 

 The tarsi are all five-jointed, and not flattened, being narrower than 

 in Triplax, but not so slender as in Dacne, the three basal joints are 

 sub-equal, the 4th, though smaller than the others, is quite distinct, 

 and the 5th joint is large, being as long as the four others together ; 

 the structure of the tarsi is in fact just intermediate between Triplax 

 russica and Dacne californica. 



This insect may at present be classed among the Erotyliclce, though 

 as it introduces into that family the antenna? of Cry p fopli a gus, it tends 

 to complete the union of ErotylidcB and Cryptopliagidce. The chief 

 characters by which it departs from Triplax, are the less clavate 

 antennae, the very coarsely facetted eyes, and the decidedly pentame- 

 rous tarsi. 



Thornhill, Dumfries : April, 1878. 



