562 COLEOPTERA 



timate dorsal segment of the hind-body is deeply grooved for the extre- 

 mity of the elytra, and the groove extends to the basal part of the 

 pygidium. The basal joint of the tarsi is rather small ; the second is 

 distinctly emarginate, and the exposed part of the third joint is scarcely 

 so large as the second. 



I do not know any very near ally of this insect, of which the place 

 in classification at present should be near to Choragits. It is undoubt- 

 edly closely allied to Anthribus inflatus, but differs therefrom by the 

 diminished basal portion of the prothorax. 



Sent both from Auckland and Tairua by Messrs. Lawson and Broun. 



986. A. inflatus, Sharp; Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist, June, 1876. A. 

 capite haud rostrato, oculis minoribus sat convexis, piceus, nitidus, 

 nudus, antennis pedibusque testaceis, illarum clava infuscata ; pro- 

 thorace parce punctato, lateribus rotundatis, carina a basi sat remota ; 

 elytris minus fortiter striato-punctatis. 



Long. Corp., li-if mm. 



Var. — Prothoracis marginibus et elytrorum basi apiceque plus minusve 

 dilutioribus. 



Antcnnce about as long as the thorax, yellow, with the club infuscate, 

 the joints bearing fine and somewhat scanty but quite distinct outstand- 

 ing setse ; first joint dilated towards the extremity, and rounded on the 

 inner side ; second joint almost as long as first, and rather more slender 

 than it ; joints three to eight slender, each shorter than its predecessor ; 

 joints nine to eleven forming a rather large loosely jointed club, the 

 middle joint being transverse. Eyes rather prominent, but small and 

 transverse; the antennae inserted just at their inner and front edge ; the 

 rostrum very short and rather sparingly punctured. Thorax rather 

 large, convex, longer than broad, the sides curved ; the carina not close 

 to the base in the middle, and curved away from it towards the sides, 

 and appearing not to be distinctly bent up, but gradually curved for- 

 wards, and quite indistinct in its lateral portions ; the surface of the 

 thorax is covered with moderately coarse but rather distant punctures. 

 The elytra are short and convex, curved at the sides, and each one bears 

 nine rows of shallow moderately coarse punctures. The iegs are yellow, 

 but the knees and the apex of tibiae and base of the tarsi are a little 

 infuscate. 



Obs. — The nearest ally of this species as yet known is doubtless the 

 Notioxenus rufopictus, Wollaston ; but the A. inflatus differs, I judge, 

 from that species by the form of the basal portion of the thorax. The 

 carina in A. inflatus is simply curved, so that its lateral portions are 

 more distant from the elytra than the middle portion is ; behind this 

 carina the basal part of the thorax is depressed, and at the sides is 

 much narrowed towards the base. The metasternum in A. inflatus is 

 excessively short, and the legs are long ; the second joint of the tarsi 

 is smaller than usual in the Anthribidcc, so that the third joint about 

 equals it in size. 



Sent from the North Island both by Messrs. Broun and Lawson. 

 Though I have examined several individuals, I see no external sexual 

 marks. 



