590 FAUNA HAWAIIENSIS 



minus inaequalibus, leviter striata, stria secunda cum tertia sola conjuncta, aut harum 

 apicibus liberis, stria quarta et quinta ad apices confluentibus, et praecedentibus multo 

 brevioribus. Long. 4'2 5 mm. 



Described from examples in fine condition, some being almost entirely abraded. 

 It is a most distinct species on account of its large size, generally uniform clothing and 

 the condition of the striation, which is almost always constant. The pronotum is not so 

 conspicuously margined in tront as in X. protcns. The tomentum of the elytra often 

 has a peculiar iridescent or prismatic reHection. The colour of the legs and antennae 

 is not quite constant : one example has the latter largely yellowish. 



Hab. Hawaii, on the West side of Mauna Loa from 2000 — 5000 ft., mostly 

 4000 ft. or upwards. 



(8) Xyletobius proteiis, sp. nov. 



Plerumque major, sat robustus, antennis sat elongatis, capite lateribusque pronoti 

 densissime pallido-tomentosis, pronoti margine antico distincte fortius ubique elevato, 

 nitido. Elytra in forma t)pica tomento pallido et nigro aut fusco longitudinaliter 

 variegata. Long, solit. 3"5 mm. 



The above characters are mostly constant in this very variable species. What may 

 be considered as the typical form has the elytra varigated with longitudinal spots or 

 lines of pale and dark tomentum. By spread ot the dark colour or its concentration 

 into certain parts and removal from others, or Its partial or total disappearance, various 

 striking varieties, having no superficial resemblance in pattern to the typical torm are 

 produced. By the examination ot many specimens I have been able to trace the mode 

 of formation of the extreme varieties. The actual colour of the integument (apart from 

 the clothing) varies from entirely red to black. 



A tew of the most striking varieties of X. protcus may be characterized as follows: 



A', protcus var. simplex nov. 



Rufescens aut niger, elytrls ubique tomento pallido, cinereo aut tlavescente aut 

 aureo, vestitis. 



This form probably arises in two ways (i) by the spread of the pale tomentum 

 over the whole surface, (2) by the dark tomentum of the typical form becoming 

 flavescent and the spread of this over the general surface. Varieties in which the 

 elytra are cinereous with light fuscous or yellowish markings may be looked on as 

 intermediate between the typical form and the var. simplex. These intermediates are 

 common. 



