OF NEW ZEALAND. 639 



base ; cylindrical, filiform, or attenuated towards the extremity, often 

 slightly thickened. Pronotum constantly broader than long, of variable 

 width ; the front margin hollowed or not; the lateral margins foliaceously 

 dilated, often confounded with the anterior in an even curvature ; the 

 posterior flexuose near the sides, lobed in the middle. Scutellum moder- 

 ate or very small, triangular, rarely rhomboidal, sometimes partially 

 covered. Elytra of very variable form, always more or less dilated later- 

 ally, completely covering the hind-body. Prosternum always visible 

 between the coxse ; its front margin simple and arched, or more or less 

 produced in its middle part so as to cover the organs of the mouth in an 

 incomplete manner ; dilated between the coxa?, rounded or truncated, 

 and with the epimera closing the cotyloid cavities. Alesosterniim vari- 

 able, generally concave. Metasternum elongate, frequently concave ; 

 parapleural narrowed in the middle, obtuse behind. Abdovien plane, 

 with five segments, the suture of the first two sometimes obsolete in the 

 middle. Legs short, hidden under the elytral margins ; Xhe. fanora sim- 

 l)le, sub-fusiform ; tibice straight, slightly dilated towards the apex, where 

 they are rounded or truncated ; tarsi dilated, their fourth joint a little, 

 or not, prominent between the lobes of the preceding one ; armed with 

 simple, appendiculate, or pectinate claws. 



Oanistra. 



Erichson; Lacord. Hist, des Ins. Coleop., Tom. xi., p. 375. 



Head immersed in the thorax beyond the posterior edge of the 

 eyes, forehead concave, grooved down the middle ; lahrum not much 

 developed, transversal, hollowed in the middle, the angles sometimes 

 elongated. Mandibles sometimes furnished on the outside with a more 

 or less apparent protuberance. Eyes moderate, oval, convex. Organs 

 of the mouth concealed. Antenna slender, filiform, very slightly dilated 

 outwardly; their first five joints smooth, the others pubescent ; first joint 

 stout, oblong ; second annular, broader than long ; joints three to six 

 elongated, increasing gradually in length ; seventh shorter than the 

 jjreceding two taken together ; eighth to eleventh nearly equal, slightly 

 thickened. The width of the pronotum double its length, the anterior 

 and lateral edge with one curvature, very slightly sinuated at the middle; 

 central basal lobe distinct and rounded, bisinuated towards the sides, 

 with acute hind angles, bent backwards. Scutellum small, curvilinearly- 

 triangular. Elytra rounded, much dilated laterally, their surface 

 punctate or rugose, convex. Prosternum strongly produced in front 

 in the middle, the projection angulated at each side, and more or less 

 deeply hollowed, its surface nearly plane, almost dilated behind, and 

 obliquely truncated at the base at each side ; mesosternum very concave. 

 Legs long and robust. 



1 12 1. C. formosa, n.s. Llead defiexed in front, protected below 

 by the chin-piece of prosternum, immersed up to the eyes ; these are 

 prominent and a little truncated behind so as to appear oviform ; its 

 surface with a coarse rugose sculpture. Antennce inserted near front 

 margin of the eyes, but, in my only specimen, entirely broken off. 



