BUPEBSTID GENUS A8TUAEUS. 97 



they are present; the branch which is emitted ))y the subhuiuural 

 spot is often separated ; some specimens show unsymetrical additional 

 spots, chiefly between the third and fourth suturai spots. 



Number of specimens examined: eleven, in coll. Oberthür and 

 van de Poll. 



1Ü. Astraeus flavopictus Cast, et Gory. 



Astraens flavopictus Cast, et Gory , Mon. , 1 , Aftfr. , 

 p. 2, pi. 1, fig. 1. 



Elongatus , nitidus , supra purpureo-hrunueus , eJytns sluf/ulis 

 maculis septetlis flav is oruatis {tnaculae apicaks strigi/ormes); saht us 

 cupreo-aureus. Caput creberrime punctatum. Prothr/mx suhcouvexus , 

 laterlhus rotundatis, apicem versus mediocriter angnstatis ., fort iter 

 puuctatus, in laterihus rulji-ugosus. Elyt/ra costata ^ interstitiis planis , 

 regulariter punctatis et transversaliter plicatis; apicibus mediocriter 

 divergentibns , spinis suturalibus lateralibusqiie sub-obtusis. Tars infera 

 confertim piinctata, in abdomine snbtiVms demmsqìie. Caput, pro- 

 thorax et pars infera pubescenfia densa sericea obtecta. 



Long. 10 — 14 mm., lat. 4 — 5i mm. 



Habitat: West Australia. 



Uppersurface shining, purple-brown, the elytra more brilliant 

 with a golden or violaceous reflection , underneath and legs 

 golden coppery. Each elytron with seven yellow spots, viz. a 

 row of four spots close to the suture, the first at the base, the 

 second, a large transverse spot, before tbe middle, the third and 

 smallest one just below the middle, the fourlli, a strigiform spot, 

 originating near the foregoing and stopping close to the apex, and 

 a row of three spots at the outer margin, the first two of which 

 are placed opposite to the intervals between the first three spots of 

 the suturai row, the third, an elongated spot , almost abreast with 

 the last suturai one, but much shorter; the subhumeral spot 

 emits a branch to the base. 



Head very closely punctured ; hairy. Prothorax subconvex , the 

 sides gently roimded and narrowed towards the top; deeply and 



7 



