OF NEW ZEALAND. 279 



The species, though extremely similar to Neochai-is simplex, may be 

 distinguished at a glance by the rows of distant punctures on the elytra. 

 This species has been sent from Tairua by Captain Broun. 



Talerax. 



Sharp.; Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., May, 1877. 



The only exponent of this genus has the head formed much as in 

 Neocharis, but the mouth-piece depressed in front, so that the minute 

 transverse labrum is visible. Antenna', with very short second joint, and 

 very elongate third joint. Thorax beneath with a very broad deep 

 lateral groove, which starts in front, right across the prosternal suture, 

 and then crosses to the outside of it, so that the sutural line is rendered 

 very indistinct by this groove ; the groove is bordered externally by a 

 raised line, which at first sight might be mistaken for the line of the 

 prosternal suture. Hind coxal lamina much produced over the tro- 

 chanters. Tarsi slender, with fourth joint minutely lobed. 



This genus should be placed in the Eitcneniides ; but I cannot point 

 out any near ally for it at present. 



487. T. distans, Sharp; Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., May, 1877. 

 T. angustiilus, subparallelus, rufo-castaneus, pubescens, sat nitidus ; 

 ociilis magnis ; prothorace sub-quadrato, angulis posterioribus elongatis, 

 antrorsum sub-angustato, sat crebre et fortiter punctato, nitido ; elytris 

 subtiliter sat crebre punctatis, punctis vix seriatis, sine stria suturali, sed 

 ad apicem foveis profundis. 



Long., 4^ mm. 



In the male the antennas are very long (three and three-fourth 

 minims.), while in the female their length is only two millims. 



Taken by Captain Broun, at Tairua, on Leptosperminn. 



488. (Elater) nig-elluS, White; Voy. Er. Terr., Ins.. p. 7. 



Tlwrax and elytra closely punctured ; thorax\s'\\\\ a depression on each 

 side in middle behind ; elytra distinctly longitudinally striated. 



Length, 2-i— 2| lines. 



Port Nicholson (Capt. Parry). 



Ob.s. — Dr. Sharp states that this is a Eucnemid. 



FAMILY— ELATERIDES. 



The mouth rarely below. Ligiila without paraglossae. Maxilht 

 bilobed, lamelliform and ciliated. Labrum distinct. Head deflexed, 

 seldom vertical. A7itenn(V inserted near the front margin of the eyes, 

 with eleven or twelve joints, serrate or flabellate, occasionally linear. 

 Legs not adapted for digging : cotyloid cavities of the anterior open 



