120 



and rather more in the male. On the prothorax the fascicles are 

 six in number, four across middle and two at apex. On each elytron 

 there are three fascicles on the third interstice, of which the largest 

 is at summit of posterior declivity (partly on the second and fourth 

 jis well), the median fascicle is generally distinct, but is sometimes 

 elongated narrow and less distinct; on the fifth there are four 

 fascicles, but they are not always distinct, and there are generally 

 a few feeble ones elsewhere. On an occasional specimen the carina 

 of the prothorax is indistinct. 



653. POROPTERLIS iMELANCHOLlCUS n. sp. 



Black, anteiin.e and tarsi more or less reddish. Rather densely 

 clothed with stout scales, mostly of a sooty brown or black, and 

 forming numerous fascicles. 



Rostrum fairly stout, sides slightly incurved to middle; with dense 

 and fairly strong punctures in front, becoming coarser hindwards, 

 but more or less concealed towards base. Antennoe inserted one- 

 third from apex of rostrum in male, two-fifths in female; first joint 

 of funicle once and one half the length of second, second almost as 

 long as third and fourth combined. Prothorax distinctly wider than 

 long, sides strongly rounded, base distinctly wider than apex; 

 punctures comparatively small ; with a short but rather wide median 

 carina; with numerous large but irregularly distributed granules. 

 Scutellum small but distinct. Elytra about thrice the length of pro- 

 thorax and not much wider; with almost regular rows of rather 

 large but distant punctures; feebly tuberculate beneath fascicles; 

 with a few granules scattered about. Under surface with dense and 

 fairly coarse punctures. Hind femora just extending to apical seg- 

 ment. Length 7 1/2-9 mill. 



Hab. : Australia (A. Bovie); Tasmania : Hobart(H.-H.-D. Griffith 

 and A.-M. Lea). 



BtMongs to the antiquns group, but wider than any of them, and 

 also with more numerous fascicles. Its outline is somewhat like that, 

 of the preceding species, but it is wider with different fascicles and 

 the scutellum without white clothing. There is generally a fairly 

 distinct small tubercle or large granule on each side of the scutellum 

 somewhat as in bituberculatns and lissorhimis, but those species 

 have sparser fascicles and are otherwise very different. 



On each of the femora there are generally a few whitish scales 

 forming a feeble ring, on the tibiae there are sometimes obscure 

 ochreous-brown or dark brown scales, with a few whitish setae at 

 the apex; on the under surface there are generally also some obscure 

 ochreous scales, but most of the scales are of a deep black. On the 



