664 COLEOPTERA 



Group-SCAPHIDIDJE (p. 158). 

 Scaphisoma (p. 158). 



1 1 59. S. actUOSa, n.s. Glossy, nude, convex, oviform; widest 

 behind the shoulders. Colour black, the base of the elytra tinged with 

 red, the apex infuscate-red, legs red, the tarsi and two first joints of the 

 antennae testaceous, the remaining joints fuscous. 



The body, with the exception of the sutural strise of the elytra, which 

 become obliterated towards the base, seems to be destitute of sculpture. 

 Antennce pubescent, moderate, the two basal joints stout and shining, third 

 and fourth slender, joints five to eight about equal in length, each a little 

 broader than its predecessor, ninth and tenth much broader but not much 

 elongated, eleventh oblong, not twice the length of the tenth: this struc- 

 ture gives them a gradually dilated appearance. The elytra are obtusely 

 rounded behind, so that the yellowish pygidium can be seen. The legs 

 are elongate ; the posterior tibice pubescent and bi-spinose at the ex- 

 tremity ; tarsi nearly as long as the tibiae, slender, basal joint elongate. 

 Scutelliivi concealed by the median lobe of the thorax. 



Length, f line ; breadth, quite \. 



I found two near Whangarei Harbour. 



Obs. — In S. apicella, in addition to the large testaceous space at the 

 apex of each elytron with its central black spot, there is in one example 

 a smaller fulvous spot behind each shoulder. 



Another example, from F. H. IMeinertzhagen, Esq., of Napier, cannot 

 be described, as the antennce, &c., are broken oft'. In form and colora- 

 tion it resembles Bceocera rufum. 



Brachynopus. 



Nov. gen. 



Body convex, sub-hemispherical. 



The insect for which the above generic name is proposed cannot be 

 satisfactorily located in any of the genera recorded in Lacordaire's work, 

 on account of the abbreviated basal articulation of the posterior tarsus, and 

 the presence of two spiniform bristles on the third joint of the antenncB ; 

 with these exceptions it is allied to Scaphisoma. 



1 1 60. B. latUS, n.s. Body convex, very broad, rounded, impunc- 

 tate; colour black, glossy, legs red, the tarsi and two basal joints of 

 the antenn;£ testaceous, the former darker, the rest of the antennae 

 fuscous. 



Head tinged with red. Prothorax rather short, its basal lobe covering 

 the scutellum. Elytra obliquely truncated apically towards the suture, 

 where they are slightly separated ; their sutural strire, distinct enough near 

 the apices, do not proceed further forward than the hind thighs. Legs 

 rather stout, tibiae spinose at the extremity ; tarsi short, not much more 

 than half the length of the tibiae, the first four joints of the hind pair of 

 nearly equal length, fifth elongate. Antennce moderate, their two basal 

 joints stout, shining ; from each side of the apex of the third joint pro- 

 ceeds what may be termed, relatively, a shining, curved, spine-like bristle, 

 attaining the extremity of the following one; joints three to six slender, 



