OF NEW ZEALAND. I51 



contracted behind, from this point it is rounded to the apex, being 

 widest behind the middle ; posterior angles prominent ; its surface is 

 apparently impunctate, but there is a scutellar depression, and another 

 near each hind angle ; and it is pilose. The elytra are obovate, convex, 

 short, as broad as the thorax, the sides obviously margined at the 

 shoulders, less so behind ; they are rather closely adapted to the pro- 

 thorax at their base ; their surface is not perceptibly punctate, but the 

 suture, particularly near the scutellum, is much depressed, and their 

 clothing, like that of the thorax, consists of rather long yellowish tomen- 

 tum. The legs are short and stout, only about a third part of the femora 

 visible from above, the tibice are nearly straight inwardly, but are out- 

 wardly curved and somewhat expanded, and pubescent ; the two front 

 pairs of tarsi have dilated basal joints, the posterior are elongate and 

 slender. The apical joint of the maxillary /rt'^/ is stout, its apex sub- 

 acute, so that it is ovate, and not at all securiform. The first abdominal 

 segment, in its central part, is prolonged in the form of a tooth. 



Length, i line. 



This insect, strictly speaking, is not a true Cainiarus but, as the 

 preceding species may ultimately be placed in distinct genera, and as 

 other allied forms will most likely be discovered, I have not deemed it 

 advisable to institute a new genus for its reception. It may, therefore, 

 be associated with the others, until sufiicient material can be accumu- 

 lated to enable these distinct forms to be dealt with in a satisfactory 

 manner, and placed in a new group by themselves. 



This species will be readily recognised by its short compact form. I 

 only found two individuals, both males, at Tairua, and one, unluckily, is 

 a good deal mutilated. 



Choleva. 



Latrcille ; Lacord. Hist, des Ins. Coleop., Tom. \\., p. 209. 



Mentmn transversely quadrate, a little narrowed in front. Ligiila as 

 long as the chin at its base, widely and strongly emarginate in front. 

 Internal lobe of the jaws terminated by a horny hook. Maxillary palpi 

 notably larger than the labial, their third joint obconical, the fourth much 

 more slender, conical, and acuminate ; the third of the labial oval, a 

 little longer than the second. Mandibles short, furnished with a molar 

 tooth at their base, arched, acute, and unidented near their extremity. 

 Labrum short, rounded, and a little sinuated in the middle in front. 

 Head deflexed, obtuse in front ; eyes almost rounded, moderate, a little 

 prominent. Antenncc slender, at least as long as the head and thorax, 

 their first six joints of variable length, sub-cylindrical, the five last form- 

 ing a club, sometimes very elongate and not well-defined, sometimes very 

 distinct ; the eighth joint shorter than seventh and ninth. Prothorax 

 quadrate, as wide as the elytra at its base. ^/j'//-« oblong or oval, arched 

 above. Legs long and slender. Anterior and middle coxce very promi- 

 nent, the former not contiguous. Tibice very rarely widened at their 

 extremity, terminated by two spines ; the four basal joints, especially the 

 two first of the front tarsi, and sometimes the first of the intermediate. 



